SLE Facilities Use Policy follows law, teacher contracts renewed

SEELEY LAKE – At the April 11 meeting, Seeley Lake Elementary School Superintendent Josh Gibbs advised the board the current community use of school facilities policy follows the law based on US Supreme Court rulings. This is based on opinions from the District’s legal counsel and Montana School Board Association legal representatives.

This was not an agenda item because the only change at this time would be to either continue allowing groups to use the buildings or not allow groups not connected with the school to use the building, Gibbs said.

“I felt like if we were going to actually discuss pulling the facility use from the community, that will be something we’d want to give time for, we have a lot of groups,” Gibbs said. “Just off the top of my head: adult basketball and volleyball, Girl Scouts, Two Valleys Stage, hunters’ safety, that’s just a shortlist.”

Gibbs presented those present a copy of current district policy along with the School Facility Use Agreement. The current policy was basically taken from Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act, Gibbs said.

“This school facility use form is something that I’ve had some groups use, usually it’s groups from outside of the town,” Gibbs said. “My adjustment to this is every group that wants to use our facility will be filling this out. Again, if you allow one group, you allow all groups as long as it’s fair and acceptable use.”

“I don’t think anyone on the board has an appetite to exclude everyone.” Board member Doc Welter said. “I agree, Josh, every one that uses our facilities, whether it’s two people or one person needs to sign this because it protects us from liability as a board if something should happen.”

To review the SLE Facility Use Policy visit https://www.seeleylake.com/home/customer_files/article_documents/sle_facility_use_policy.pdf

The board broke for a short executive session to discuss teacher contracts. They reconvened to approve:

• Hired Kyle Peltier as Summer Outdoor Education Coordinator and Assistant Spring Track Coach.

• Approved 2022-23 school calendar.

• Approved 2022-23 certified teacher contracts.

• Non-renewal of Jennifer Vogel’s contract. This was a one-year temporary part time position.

• Received letter of resignation from Zoe Mohensky, first grade teacher, for medical reasons.

• Approved window quote for $34,600 from Montana Glass to replace windows in the school using ESSER Funds.

The next regular board meeting will be May 16th at 5 p.m. with classified staff contracts and board reorganization on the agenda.