Lewandowski’s contract extended 1 year
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
ST. IGNATIUS — In a closed session at the end of an already three-hour long meeting, school board members convened with Superintendent Bob Lewandowski to go over his evaluation and contract. When they emerged, trustees voted to extend Lewandowski’s contract by one year, without a pay increase, retaining his same benefits.
arlier in the school board meeting, Lewandowski proposed an idea that could change the standard yearbook look. He said the school absorbs the cost for leftover yearbooks. But a new, electronic version of the yearbook may give students and their parents more options, such as purchasing years later at a cheaper cost. Digital yearbooks are also easier to personalize.
“We’re in full swing for getting prepared for next year,” Lewandowski said. “It’s an option that other schools are embracing.”
Technology coordinator Matthew Lyon announced that the Department of Revenue in Helena donated 25 computers to the school district. Lyon explained that St. Ignatius often receives used computers from a variety of places such as the Department of Revenue to the State Highway Department.
High school special education instructors Chris Taylor and Caroline Frazini announced that they received a grant for $7,800 to implement a coffee cart business into their curriculum. They are also working to secure two full scholarships to send students to Seattle to a barista school. Money made from the cart could potentially go towards buying student caps and gowns or letterman’s jackets.
“I think it’s a great idea. If I had a choice for my kids to drink pop or coffee, I’d choose coffee,” said Mike Esslinger, after the group discussed other beverage options the cart would offer, such as decaffeinated coffee and smoothies.
After the presentation, board members approved setting up an activity account for the coffee cart business.
Trustees also approved the framework of the activity scheduling for next year. But activity director Alan Pule confessed that scheduling middle school and high school activities in one facility is difficult. Pule said there were times when middle school teams never got to practice because of conflicting events. He added that when a curtain is dropped to divide the gym, practice does not fully prepare athletes because the court is smaller than regulation.
“Coordinating the facility is the biggest problem,” Pule said, adding that he tries to minimize doubleheaders and long trips during the school week so as not to interfere with student study and school time.
“At St. Ignatius, academics are first,” said Lewandowski of the message the sports and activity scheduling needs to send.
The school board received monthly feedback concerning the district’s strategic planning process, which is currently in the sixth month of a five-year plan. A survey of some school administration and principals posed topics including: “The district will coordinate all school schedules to take advantage of teaching and learning.” Some of the replies to this subject were: “I think we’re moving in the right direction on this;” “Will the staff let us do our job?” We have done the best we can with shared staff between buildings. Not having to share staff would open up prime learning times and creative scheduling possibilities for students at all levels.”
Another statement presented: “The district will horizontally align its core curriculum by building and courses (K-5, 6-8, 9-12). Some of the comments included: “I haven’t heard much about core curriculum,” and “Our horizontal alignment needs work, especially in the core areas of math, English and science.”
