CPS hires Carr for social studies position

Carrington native Walker Carr is returning home. The decorated law enforcement officer won’t be in uniform, though. Instead, he has been offered a contract with the Carrington Public School. Carr will replace Karla Michaelson as the high school social studies teacher.

Carr has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is scheduled to take his American Board certification soon, which upon his successful completion he will earn his teaching license.

Superintendent Janelle Helm also reported at the school board’s regular meeting Tuesday that she is working with High School Principal Connor Weber and incoming Dean of Students Karla Michaelson to fill some open coaching and advising positions. Carr has agreed to help coach high school boys’ and girls’ wrestling next year. However, the district is still in need of a speech coach for the 2024-25 school year.

The school board moved forward with plans to hold a special election regarding the building fund mill levy.

In preparing the ballot, district officials will use the same language that was on the original 5 mill building fund levy. As reported before, they want to increase the number of mills from 5 to 10 without changing the intent or usage of the building fund.

The election has been set for Tuesday, July 9, with polling from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the West Commons. The school board will hold one more public hearing prior to the vote, which will include a tour of the school, sometime in June.

The board will meet to canvass the votes on Monday, July 22 at 8 p.m. Per state law, the canvassing must take place 13 days after the election.

There is $39,000 remaining in the stadium fund. Last month, the board approved a $26,000 bid from Carr Construction to connect the bus barn concrete to the handicap ramp at the stadium and pour a new concrete sidewalk on the east side of the stadium.

The football coaching staff requested to purchase and install new goal posts with the remaining funds. After review, the board approved a $12,275 bid from Gerrell’s Sports Center for a pair of optic yellow goal posts with wind directional flags.

There is also some concrete work required on the pole vault pit, so Carr Construction will add that on to their concrete project this summer.

Elementary Principal Jenna Helseth was unable to attend the meeting, but she prepared a written report for review by the board. She reported that the Pre-K class for 2024-25 is full with 40 enrolled students and four more on a waiting list. She is expecting 46 students in kindergarten next fall.

Board members also reviewed proposed updates to both the elementary and high school student handbooks. The first readings of both were approved. The proposed changes are posted on our website, http://www.fosterconews.com. The school board will hold a second reading of both handbooks at their next regular meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, June 11 at 7 p.m.