Brockton School Board approves FY25 budgets, several hires and facility repairs

The Brockton School District Board met Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, at the district office. Board Chair Sammy Nygard called the meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. and welcomed visitors and staff. During public comment, Leona Waldhausen‑Colvin submitted and had read aloud a thank‑you letter; the board congratulated her as a tuition scholarship recipient.

Principal Evan Cummins presented the principal’s report, sharing attendance and discipline data, current and upcoming events, and the district’s use of Yondr pouches for student cell‑phone storage; Superintendent Josh Patterson asked Cummins to provide an initial School Data Report to the board at a future meeting so members can track improvements. Athletic updates were submitted in writing by Emerson Young and were supplemented by Cummins and Assistant Principal RaeAnne Edmisten with status reports on cross country, volleyball and football.

On routine business, Trustee Olivia Johnson moved and Trustee Terry Rattling Thunder seconded approval of the Aug. 12, 2024 meeting minutes and the August and September 2024 claims through Sept. 10; the motions carried by unanimous vote. The board then handled new business items.

The board unanimously appointed Cheri' Nygard as District Clerk (motion: Johnson; second: Rattling Thunder). The district reported there were no out‑of‑district student requests, so no action was taken on that item. The board reviewed and approved the district’s 2024–2025 elementary and high school budgets (motion: Johnson; second: Rattling Thunder) and approved the FY24 trustees’ financial reports, each by unanimous vote.

Superintendent Patterson recommended several personnel actions. The board approved hiring LaVonne Black Dog as an elementary paraprofessional/substitute cook and Jerrid Mudgett as a substitute custodian after the district reported background checks had been completed (motion: Johnson; second: Rattling Thunder). The board also approved hiring student workers Alex Bull Calf and Diondre Youpee as part‑time student workers (motion: Johnson; second: Rattling Thunder).

The board approved a student’s request for early graduation, with the explicit stipulation that the student will not be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian honors (motion: Johnson; second: Rattling Thunder). The district did not provide the student’s name in the public minutes.

On facilities and procurement, Superintendent Patterson recommended replacing a frequently repaired walk‑in cooler; the board approved a $24,383.72 quote from McKinstry to replace the unit, noting the purchase does not exceed the $80,000 bid threshold (motion: Johnson; second: Rattling Thunder). The board also approved Frontier Heating, Inc. to replace the District Office furnace and air conditioning for $14,124 (motion: Johnson; second: Rattling Thunder).

The board reviewed a draft 16‑page school district action plan that lays out goals for improving math and reading achievement and growth, attendance and graduation rates, social‑emotional supports, family engagement, and federal grant strategies. Members agreed to table formal approval and Superintendent Patterson will email the plan to board members for review ahead of the next meeting.

Patterson’s superintendent report also covered transportation planning — including using bus depreciation to replace an activities bus and continuing use of a Fort Peck Tribes bus for students from Poplar — ongoing facility projects (front entrance and library) and recent stakeholder meetings and conferences. The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. (motion: Johnson; second: Rattling Thunder).