School board adopts mandate for driver's education program

Libby High School Principal Rik Rewerts may be looking toward semi-retirement upon the conclusion of the current school year, but his commitment to Libby education will not end when he walks out of school on graduation night.

Rewerts presented, and the Libby School Board approved at its March meeting, a plan that will require high school students whose grade-point average is below 1.5 to take drivers education class during the summer. 

“Every student looks forward to their drivers education training. We’re just saying if their GPA is below 1.5, that we don’t want them taking time out of the classroom during the school year to take drivers ed when we offer it in the summer,” Rewerts said. “We’re hoping this will be some kind of incentive. We just don’t kids to be apathetic.”

Rewerts was quick to point out that this new program will not deny any student access to drivers education.

Rewerts is hoping the new criteria, which begins this fall, will improve grades.

“We’re looking at this as an incentive to do better in the classroom. Just about every kid wants to be driving during the summer,” Rewerts said when he initially proposed the plan. “It’s a good program. I wish the state would do it.”

During the course of the year, about 60 students take the drivers education program, and on average 24 students take the course during the summer months.

Superintendent K.W. Maki called the program worthwhile.

“All students want to take drivers education. I think it will encourage students to work harder and come to school. I think it’s worth a try,” Maki said.