School board welcomes new trustee

School board trustees welcomed new trustee Wayne Bolken, discussed the offer made for the Mat Corner property and were informed about an accreditation mix-up, during Tuesday evening's meeting at Havre Middle School.

Former trustee Norman Proctor's name was slid out of a nameplate holder and replaced with Bolken's, as the newcomer took his seat.

Aileen Couch was nominated and re-confirmed as board president and Harvey Capellen as vice-president.

Havre Public Schools Superintendent Andy Carlson told the trustees an offer of $30,000 had been made on the Mat Corner property. This was the first time someone had offered a figure for the property, he said.

Carlson said the property was first listed at $160,000, then at $135,000, adding that the offer is "substantially below" what it is listed at.

"A bit too low for downtown commercial property," Bolken said, with trustee Ed Hill echoing his words, after Carlson asked the board members their thoughts on the matter.

The building had been used as a headquarters for the wrestling program until a new wrestling room was built at the high school.

The board unanimously decided not to accept the offer.

Carlson said the Montana Office of Public Instruction has listed the middle school's accreditation status as "With Advice" instead of "Regular," a status he said is "in error."

OPI says there is an employee at the middle school performing out of her capacity, which Carlson said, is completely false.

"Last year, middle school was regular. This person hasn't changed," Carlson said. "It's an incorrect assignment on their part."

Clerk Mike Arnold said the Havre public school district is not the only one having these type of problems. He said everything is updated and correct on the school's end, adding, "things are getting jumbled on their end."

Carlson said all employees at Havre Middle School are properly qualified and in their correct capacity. He doesn't know when the situation will be corrected, but he said he hopes it will be soon.