Additional School Board Updates

Sports

The Montana High School Association is planning to carry on with the fall sports schedules as they're currently set, said Lincoln Athletic Director Laura Allen-Bullis. She said MHSA recognizes changes will likely be coming to sports this year in response to COVID-19 and that they're working to create stages for athletics. One option MHSA is considering is offering Pixellot cameras to rural schools so schools could stream athletic competitions by subscribing to a streaming service through MHSA.

Another concern Allen-Bullis noted with student sports is how to limit attendance at sporting events in the gym to a maximum of 50, which would need to include players, referees, and coaches, allowing for very few spectators.

The Board adopted a change to the academic eligibility rules for students based on a three strike method. The first strike would allow students to still practice, but not travel. The second strike wouldn't allow students to practice or travel so they could focus on their academics. The third strike would make students ineligible for sports for the rest of that season, taking them off the team so that they could focus on academics.

End of Fiscal Year

The school was able to purchase two new smart boards using funds from a targeted assistance grant, according to Clerk Carol Williams. They purchased more laptops using funds from the current literacy grant, said Williams, and the school gym floor and mats are being redone.

New Teachers

The Lincoln School District has filled several positions, including an open music position.

New teachers for the 2020-2021 school year include Danielle Cyr (Preschool), Samantha Sechrest (High School English), Drew Blubaugh (Health and PE) and Darryan Gonzales (Music).

PTSO Update

The PTSO fireworks booth sold out of fireworks this year, according to School Board Chairman Aaron Birkholz, and the stand had to close early on July 4.

"It's a record. We sold every firework in that stand. The first day that we were open, we sold out all the big fireworks, so Mel went and spent another $1,000 in Helena, brought back all the big fireworks, and then they sold out."