School board OKs mail-in election
The Libby School District plans to hold its next trustee election through a mail-in ballot.
Board members approved of a resolution presented to them at Monday night’s monthly meeting for a mail-in ballot election that will end on May 4.
Leah Riggleman of the Lincoln County Clerk and Recorder office said ballots are tentatively scheduled to go out in the mail on April 9. Voters would have just over three weeks to get their ballots to the Lincoln County Courthouse.
“The whole focus is trying to get the community’s parents involved,” school superintendent Kirby Maki said about the mail-in ballot approach.
Two positions are up for election – three-year terms currently held by Tracy Comeau and Gary Huntsberger.
As of Wednesday morning, Riggleman said no candidates had filed for the seats.
For those interested in serving on the school board, nomination petition forms are available from the administration’s business office. The deadline for submitting petitions was set for March 26.
In other news, board members approved of a technology plan that calls for new computers over the next two years.
This year, 66 new computers at a cost of $46,200 will go to the high school, middle school and Central School.
That number includes 30 computers to the high school library or high school teachers; 20 computers to the Tech Tools classroom at the middle school; six computers for teachers, administration and a secretary at Central School; and 10 computers to the high school journalism program.
In 2011, 90 new computers at a cost of $63,000 will go to elementary, middle school and high school teachers.
The plan further states that no computers will be purchased in 2012 and another evaluation with a new proposal will be completed in 2013.
In other news from the Feb. 15 meeting:
• The board unanimously approved a district calendar for the 2010-11 academic year. A vote showed that Libby Education Association members preferred the approved calendar.
• The school board approved contracts for principals Rik Rewerts of Libby High School, Ron Goodman of Libby Middle School and Scott Beagle of Libby Elementary School. Contracts were also approved for Jael Prezeau, curriculum director/grants; Keith Ivers, LMS assistant principal; Jim Germany, LHS assistant principal; and Kari Lewinsohn, special services supervisor.
• The board accepted the resignations of Matt Warner, Libby High School girls soccer coach; and Barb Mee, Libby High School freshman volleyball coach. Warner served as the soccer coach for two seasons and compiled a 24-3-1 record for an .875 winning percentage. Under Warner, the Lady Loggers advanced to the state semifinals in 2008 and the state championship game in 2009 – falling both years to powerful Billings Central. Warner indicated in his letter of resignation that he wanted to spend more time with his family. Mee served as freshman volleyball coach for five years.
• Libby Public Schools’ spring enrollment was reported at 351 at Plummer preschool and Libby Elementary (K-3), 410 at Libby Middle School (4-8) and 458 at Libby High School for a total of 1,219. It is the third straight year that the spring count had decreased.