WBCSD board approves public use of facilities, new student handbook

PRIEST RIVER — District trustees approved a measure Wednesday re-allowing public use of school facilities, an updated handbook for Priest River Lamanna High School and a request for boys basketball to play a tournament over winter break.

The board voted in favor of allowing the 2020-2021 reopening plan, and limits on facility uses, to expire in June on a vote of 4-1, with Margaret Hall voting nay.

Previously, the district might have allowed school facilities to be used by outside groups, said Superintendent Paul Anselmo. This year, the district had inquiries from various non-student groups that were rejected at the request of the board.

The limit on facility use has also meant that the general public has not been able to use the track or baseball diamond, which numerous members of the public inquired about, he said.

Hall said she had some concerns because the county had seen another increase in COVID-19 cases. However, most of the board seemed supportive of the measure.

“It would be nice to open up those gates and see people using them again,” said Chair Sandy Brower.

The trustees also unanimously approved a request to allow the Boys Basketball team to travel to Caldwell for an invitational game Dec. 28, 29 and 30 over winter break.

Boys basketball coach Kevin Wylie said the team plans to fundraise to pay for tournament expenses including the trip itself.

The trip would help give the athletes experience, he said, and is fully supported by team members’ parents.

“It doesn’t come out of anything from the district,” he said.

Trustees also noted it may be possible for the district to cover the bus to and from the tournament. If not, however, it is possible to privately fund a school bus trip.

“Do the fundraising,” Brower said, “then come back and tell us what you’ve made.”

Also that night, the board unanimously approved updates to the Priest River Lamanna High School handbook.

Many of the updates were clerical, however some changes included reducing the requirements for honors and high honors, and requiring a 2.5 GPA for sophomores to be allowed off campus during lunch periods.

Originally, the grade level proposed for allowing students off-campus was 2.0 — however, at Hall’s suggestion, several board members agreed on 2.5.

“[We can raise] it to 2.5, and then see how it worked,” Hall said. “Put the bar up a little bit higher and then come back and say well, this really didn’t work or succeeded.”

Lastly, the board heard a presentation by Board Clerk Jennifer Anselmo on Tuesday’s levy election, which passed with 51.54% of the vote.

By precinct, the percentage of yes votes increased in East Priest River, Lamb Creek, Oldtown and Blanchard, decreased in Edgemere and Priest Lake remained the same in West Priest River.

Overall voter turnout increased, with 38% turnout Tuesday compared to 22% in March.

Hall said she appreciated voters supporting the schools, and wanted to work toward addressing concerns from “no” voters.

“I know there’s concerns that the voters have, and I think we need to seriously look at those,” she said. “I appreciate us having the opportunity to figure out something in the next two years.”

Brower also praised community efforts to pass the levy, including those who put up signs, hung door hangers and worked to educate the larger public.

“It was really a movement, and it was passionate, and I just thank the voters so much who got out and voted,” she said.