Charlo board approves new hires
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CHARLO – Charlo’s regularly scheduled school board meeting began on a sad note. As the meeting was called to order, a concerned woman from Dixon expressed her concern for a young boy she’s been caring for since May, as he hasn’t been to school thus far this fall. She expressed her concern for the young child, as he is quickly falling behind his peers who are attending class daily.
“I’m not really sure what your reasoning is,” she said. “But he’s a freshman and really needs to be in school.”
Charlo High School Principal Steve Love and Superintendent Paul Jenkins explained to the woman why the district hasn’t cleared the freshman to attend Charlo schools thus far.
“There are legal issues and documentation that we need before he can come to school,” Jenkins said.
“He’s not a troubled child,” the woman added. “He’s been in a group home because his parents want him to get away from his situation.”
According to principal Love, his administration has dealt with similar situations in the past, and believes the current policy works very well.
“My own concern is if we allow this, others will try it,” Love said. “I hate to be that way but that’s just how it is. She’s doing the best she can to get him in school; I’m just trying to follow policy.”
Love said that in order for the young child to go to Charlo High School, his caretaker needs legal or temporary guardianship, so the district remains within the law, and policy.
“We’ve had this before where the (care provider) got guardianship and it was a no-brainer,” Love added. “After that we got them signed up; it took two weeks.”
Love suggested she try to get temporary custody for the meantime so that he can begin school.
“We want him in school,” Jenkins added. “It will all work out; I’ve heard good things about him.”
In other news, trustees made changes to the dates of the non-residence dependence policy deadline from June 15 to July 1. Principal Love recommended the policy stay the same, but to just change the date to the better time. This is the date nonresident students need to apply by in order to attend their schools that coming fall.
“This has worked very well for use,” Love noted. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel.”
After hearing Love’s recommendation, trustees approved to change the date to July 1.
In other business, trustees approved to accept an out of district student, and approved to hire four track-and-field coaches for the high school, along with two additional track coaches for the middle school. The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held Oct. 18 in the high school library.
