Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: 7/9/1997

July 9, 1997

A gifted and talented program, the teacher master contract negotiations, and a pair of new school policies were the dominant issues at the July 2nd Whitehall School Board meeting. The Board unanimously approved the teacher contract, which ended three months of negotiations between the Teacher Union and the Whitehall Board of Trustees. The contract called for a 2.38 percent pay increase in each of the next two school years and for the district to contribute to the teacher health insurance program.

The Jefferson County Commissioners and the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) disagreed about the target date for Whitetail Road construction, and the disagreement prompted a terse letter from the Commission to MDT. The commission and its road engineering consultant had advocated for a spring 1998 construction date for work on the Whitetail Road. MDT said no, the department’s plan was for construction to start in the year 2000.

Whitehall Body Shop & Auto Repair owner Ron Fuller completed a 2,300 square foot addition to his shop to help improve service to customers. The new work area provided room for seven additional vehicles and helped separate the collision repair and the mechanical work at the shop.

Big Sky Wildcare, a non-profit rehabilitation organization, visited the John Gregory Library on July 12th. This was a special addition to the library’s Summer Reading Program. Big Sky Wildcare, located in Bozeman, treats over 60 falcons, hawks, eagles, and owls per year. Some of the birds were non-releasable and used as educational aides for educational programs.

Paul Larsen, a 1994 graduate of Whitehall High School, was promoted to Sergeant in the U.S. Army. He was a fire team leader with “B” Company 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Louris, WA. Paul was airborne qualified and graduated from Ranger School. He also completed jungle warfare training in Panama and mountain climbing training in Alaska.