School board passes 2012-13 budget
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POLSON — The Polson school board approved the 2012-13 budget at their Aug. 13 meeting.
Dr. Linda Reksten, the new District No. 23 Superintendent, identified her focus areas for 2012-13.
“I looked at a lot of information and talked to a variety of individual stakeholders,” Reksten said. “This is my first pass at focus areas.”
Her list included:
1. Student academic achievement: Reksten would like to improve student achievement by 10 percent.
2. Staff development: She is here to build a team, and one facet of that would be developing a staff recognition program.
3. Student needs: Reksten promised students to meet with them regularly when she interviewed with the district, and she intends to keep her promise.
4. Partnership with the community: She intends to form a Community Action Team.
5. Facilities: She wants a master plan regarding facilities needs, prepare the community for a debt service bond to address Polson High School’s roof and a serious plan for 10 to 15 years down the road.
6. Indian education and culture: Native Americans make up 35 percent of our student population
7. Technology
Reksten also presented a chart showing that grades seven and eight made Adequate Yearly Progress. They achieved “safe harbor,” which means they improved between 6 and 10 percent.
“My focus as superintendent is to do whatever is necessary to get us growing,” Reksten said.
In other business, the board approved the claims for the month, two new bus routes, both the elementary and high school personnel reports and allowing Reksten to work with McKinstry to apply for an energy conservation grant.
Also approved was a proposal to adopt the 2005 policy manual and its numbering system and paying staff from the Montana School Board Association to bring the policy manual up to speed.
They also voted to raise pay for substitute custodians, bus drivers, food service and non-instructional aides and to add five personal days to Reksten’s contract.
The next monthly meeting will be held on Sept. 10.
