Polson trustees plan paperless meetings
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POLSON — Reams of paper and hours of time spent copying documents to produce school board trustee packets for each board meeting have been an issue for many people, including Polson School Board Trustee Caroline McDonald. She has been researching a switch to a paperless board meeting.
At the Nov. 11 school board meeting, McDonald reported on her research.
She said a paper master version of each month’s documents would be available at the district office, but all the trustees would download their own packets on “a device the district would provide.” For school board members who don’t have Wi-Fi at home, they could bring in their devices and administration building staff would download it for them. Trustees would also have training on the procedure.
McDonald and the staff at the administration building held a limited test run about a month ago, with good results.
Superintendent Linda Reksten also has contacted school districts in Bigfork and Kalispell, who have paperless boards and would be happy to share their information.
The staff has indicated that either all the trustees go paperless or keep on with paper packets, but it can’t be half and half, McDonald noted.
In a poll of board members, all indicated they would like to go paperless.
“As the dinosaur on the team,” Trustee John Laimbeer said, “I’m all for it.”
Discussion on what platform, Apple or Microsoft, will continue at the next meeting.
In other business, the trustees welcomed Polson High School senior Sharidan Russell as the student board member. Russell will be attending board meetings and may be sharing the position.
Rhonda Crowl, reading coach for the K-6 teachers, gave a presentation on “Journeys,” the new reading program instituted by the district.
The board approved a Swank Enterprises bid for fascia, soffit, metal siding, gym panels, gym glazing, paint, accessories and miscellaneous for the Polson High School project. The bid total was $449,480. The work will be done as weather permits, after the gold colored fascia arrives, according to Superintendent Linda Reksten. They are expected to begin in early spring 2014.
Six out-of-district students were approved for entry into Polson schools.
The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the district office conference room.
