School works to stay open

Consistency and working to stay open during the pandemic were the goals discussed by the Thompson Falls School Board at Monday’s meeting. Superintendent Bud Scully detailed improvements at the school buildings using COVID-19 funding, including technology upgrades and additional cleaning measures. Elementary Principal Len Dorscher said music teacher Lisa Mickelson is using that new technology to deliver a virtual or recorded Christmas concert. Scully noted that the school also received a donation from Blackfoot for new security cameras.

As winter sports started practice this week, the school has a plan for disinfecting facilities between games. Scully said there are a couple instances in the basketball season where the boys and girls play on the same day. The gym will be cleared and clean between the boys and girls games on those days.

With additional COVID relief funding available, the board voted Monday to give employees a $200 stipend. The board earlier this year voted to provide $500 each for teachers. Board member Jeneese Baxter said she appreciated the efforts the teachers made in the fall sports season when the cross country team was in quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure. The $200 stipend will be extended to all employees. “I know our employees will appreciate it,” Scully said.

The school board on Monday approved hiring Kim Pardeen and Kristen Chaboya as paraprofessionals for the school year and Alexis Cooper, Haley Wilson and Sarah Detlaff as substitute teachers.

The board also discussed the city sewer easements. Scully stated that they are looking at ways to decrease the sewer bill at the junior high. One option is to put in a smaller line. He said that would cut the junior high bill in half. The city told Scully that they will have to review and reconfigure costs and see if reducing the line size is possible. The school will continue to work with the city. “We have to be accountable to the taxpayers in our district” and try to get the cost down if possible,” board member John Wilson said. Scully noted that the school also plans to replace all the schools faucets to cut down on water usage.

A first reading of the revised district policies was reviewed and approved by the board on Monday. The final versions will be approved at the January 11 meeting.