School Board Details Strange New Policy Revision as Approved by State Legislature

At the February 6th meeting of the Whitehall School Board, the first in 2024, Whitehall Superintendent Hannah Nieskens detailed two new policies that will affect the Whitehall School District, as approved by the Montana Legislature in their latest session.

Though over 30 policies were updated and required to be approved by the Board, two brought discussion. The first involves Montana’s new open enrollment policy - where schools must charge tuition to out-of-district students. The total amount charged will be the lesser fee of the two schools. Nieskens believes this to be a “forced consolidation bill” though it was not called that during the legislative session.

The second policy brought much confusion, questions, and bewilderment from not only the audience attending the meeting but also the Board and Nieskens herself.

The update to policy 2410P (formerly #2085) includes gap year opportunities for recent graduates. The policy states that students who have already graduated but are not yet 19 years old by September 10 may remain enrolled in the district for additional educational opportunities. Post-graduation opportunities are available for students in a manner consistent with Section 20-5-101(3), MCA.

Who would want to take advantage of this gap year opportunity? Well, that isn’t quite crystal clear. Student GPAs are already set in stone once they graduate, so any credits earned in the gap year would not affect the student’s GPA. So a student couldn’t better their GPA for transcripts in a fifth year.

Nieskens said one benefit to students could be in AP or college-accredited classes, where the student would receive the education cheaper than if they were enrolled in college for the same credits.

Students enrolled in the gap year also can not play sports, though Nieskens said this may be contested eventually at the MHSA level.

“It’s a strange policy, but it’s one we have to approve because of the Legislature,” Nieskens said.

HIRES:

• Breanna Ostrander (21st Century Program), Britt McLean (head MS track coach), Jason Salvagni (1st assist MS coach), Gayle Walter (head HS track coach), Casey Norbeck (1st assistant HS coach), Justin Clements (2nd assistant HS coach)

OTHER NEWS:

• The 2025 Spanish Club’s trip to Puerto Rico was approved

• Bathroom stall replacement bid approved $1197,757.

• Ala Carte milk price increased to 45 cents.

• Nieskens informed the board of an $80k private donation to the school.