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Board hears expansion of out-of-school solutions and Pathways program; facilities updates show progress at Lewis & Clark and Sloan
Summary
District presenter described the out-of-school solutions program serving 227 students and previewed an August opening for a new Pathways facility with a sensory gym; facilities staff reported near-completion work at Lewis & Clark and substantial completion at Sloan with a punch list remaining.
The Williston Basin School District No. 7 board received program and facilities updates on July 8, including description of an out-of-school solutions (OSS) center, the new Pathways program opening in August, and progress reports on construction projects.
Presenter Donna described OSS as an alternative to home suspension intended to keep students engaged and earning credit. "This year alone, we had a total of 227 students from 5th grade through 12th grade," she said, and described program rules: the center functions as a closed campus where students are marked as attending for state reporting, phones are secured, and staff provide instruction, tutoring and access to outside therapists. Staffing for the OSS center will begin with one teacher and one paraprofessional with the district prepared to add staff as enrollment grows.
Donna also previewed the Pathways facility opening in August, noting renovations (ADA-accessible restrooms, painted walls, furniture arriving) and features including a sensory gym and dedicated therapy and homework rooms. She said outside therapists will be able to work with students on-site and a step-down program will help students transition back to the classroom.
Facilities staff reported two construction updates. At Lewis & Clark the work to replace boilers and install a new DOAS rooftop unit is well underway, ductwork is largely complete and crews expect to have the building put back together around Aug. 1. On the Sloan project, staff said the district has achieved substantial completion, received the certificate of occupancy and identified roughly 150 punch-list items for final trades; keys for staff will be distributed by the end of the week to permit final preparations.
Board members praised staff coordination and contractors and noted the projects are on track to support the fall school year.
Next steps: Pathways opens in August; the district will monitor OSS attendance, staffing needs and the facilities punch lists as projects complete.
