MONTAGUE — The Montague school board was presented data about recent standardized test results from around the district during its regular meeting Monday.
Results indicated district students at all levels are performing better in the reading and writing categories than in math. High school principal Christy Thommen noted that math has been a countywide focus of the intermediate school district because of a desire to improve the results. The district changed to the math curriculum entitled Bridges in Mathematics several years ago, and superintendent Jeffrey Johnson said he is hopeful that as Montague students who went through the curriculum throughout their school days begin cycling to the high school, results will improve.
There was discussion during the meeting of hosting open hours for the public at the new performance gymnasium when possible. However, the board did note that such hours are unlikely to mirror those at the Viking Athletic Center, as the primary use of the facility remains for students during the school day.
The district continues to work on construction of its new agricultural barn with contractor WinBerg Construction, with recent meetings focusing on the installation of fire suppression systems and associated costs while determining how the district's wants and needs fit into the budget.
"First we had some small ideas, then
we had some grandiose ideas that were definitely out of the budget, so
now we're working our way back to small ideas," Johnson said during the meeting.
The board approved the 2025-26 DECA calendar of events after a brief presentation from students in the program. The group also went over the first reading of Neola policy updates; the second reading and potential approval will come at next month's meeting. The district has been advised by former Holton, St. Joseph and Traverse City school superintendent Ann Cardon after previously receiving advice from former Whitehall superintendent Darlene Dongvillo. Among the policies addressed in the update are ones regarding course selection, instruction for homebound students, Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations, and nondiscrimination and anti-bullying policies.
