October 29, 2009
Parent seeks improved special education in Charlo
Kate Haake/Valley Journal
Project Manager Chris Cheff discusses the progress of the new multi-purpose building in Charlo.
By Kate Haake
Valley Journal
CHARLO — The Charlo school board opened last Tuesday's meeting with a speech from Marty Stewart, father of three sons in Charlo Middle School and Elementary School.
Marty and Kerry Stewart are the parents of a special needs child in the Charlo Middle School. Marty Stewart addressed the school board during the public comment time and asked the board to look into developing its special education program.
“When it comes to mental disabilities, it’s not so easy to see or understand,” Stewart said.
Stewart gave an example of an autistic child in Ronan who is 14 years old and prone to excessive physical outbursts. According to Stewart, the child was given the proper tools and is successfully learning at the appropriate level.
He also noted that the government and schools are accountable to provide an education for all students.
In an executive session in September, the school board moved to terminate the contract of Paul Bishop, who was the original architect hired for the construction of the multi-purpose building.
At last Tuesday’s meeting, the Charlo School Board voted to hire architect Jay Kirby at $92 an hour as the new multi-purpose building architect.
Project Manager Chris Cheff said construction on the multi-purpose building is still ahead of schedule.
“Fiber optics have been run to the multi-purpose building,” Cheff reported. “All the wiring is in place for the score board, lobby and everything.”
Cheff also reported that all the door frames and doors are hung in the building, and workers have installed showers in the coaches’ offices and locker rooms.
“(The deadline) is not something I can control when we make these changes,” Cheff said when the board asked for more time to consider an option.
Cheff went on to explain that in order to keep on track with the scheduling of contractors, the school board cannot delay decisions concerning the construction of the multi-purpose room.
The school board voted in favor of spending $819 on painting the multipurpose room’s walls beige and the ceiling white. A double "Charlo" will be painted on the lobby floor in purple. The school board preferred the double Charlo as opposed to the single Charlo for $625.
The school board also moved in favor of installing sheet rock with acoustic panels to help with the sound quality.
The new multi-purpose room will be able to have three separate volleyball courts to be used during practice, as the school board moved to install three pairs of volleyball standards.
The school board also welcomed two new teachers, Darcy Eickoff and Alyssa Cahoon, to the high school staff.
The next Charlo School board meeting will be held on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. |
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