School Board Prepares for Summer, 2024-2025 School Year

At the April meeting of the Whitehall School Board, held Tuesday, April 2nd, in the Elementary Library, much discussion of the upcoming 2024-2025 school year was had. Most importantly, changes to the Early Literacy Program.

The Early Literacy program is a half-day program available to students who are age four by September 10, 2024. Any youngster who fits the age requirement must be screened using an approved screener before June 1, 2024, to be considered for admittance into the Early Literacy program. This is not a Whitehall Schools requirement; it is in keeping with HB352. The district will be conducting these screenings at the Kindergarten roundup, scheduled for Friday, May 3rd (for more information, see page 8). If a parent misses the roundup but wants their child to be considered for admittance into the Early Literacy program, they must contact the school and set up a time to get this done.

The WHS section of the Whitehall School Board will not have elections as two positions were open, and only two candidates applied. Rico Patacini, who was appointed mid-term to the Board, refiled and will retain his seat. Erin Hildredth was awarded Gina Ossello’s seat by acclamation as Ossello is retiring from the board.

The Cardwell section of the Whitehall School Board will have elections as one position is open with two candidates filing. Robin Becker has refiled for her own position on the board, while Questa Edwards (intro on page 4) has also filed for Becker’s seat. Ballots will be sent out by Jefferson County by the end of the month.

OTHER ITEMS:

• Kurtis Koenig (K-5 Principal), Jason Slater (6-12 Principal), and Hannah Nieskens (Superintendent)were officially rehired for the upcoming school year.

• Sarah Bates was hired as the WMS assistant track coach. There are 52 students out for track thus far this season.

• Koenig reported that the Whitehall PTSA had purchased 350 eclipse glasses for the April 8th solar eclipse and that students K-5 would also be participating in creating a time capsule on that day.

• Slater reported that the WHS FFA chapter was currently attending the State meeting in Billings and that their project - a pit smoker on a trailer - looked to be the star of the showcased projects.

• The Board voted to approve, looking at reasonable bids for the parking lot resurfacing project slated for this summer; Nieskens said the project should be under $100,000. This will be a resurfacing with heavy chip seal and striping and possibly an asphalt top coat.

The next meeting of the Whitehall School Board will be on Tuesday, May 7th.