CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
7 November 2018
MINUTES
I. Call to order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees Meeting to order at 7:03 a.m. in the Creston School Library with the following members present: Joanna Massie, Shawn McDonough, Jessica Sandven-Sorensen and Julie Tikka. Also, in attendance were: Tami Ward – Principal, Tammy Bartos – District Clerk, Deb Christiansen – Title & PE teacher.
II. Minutes. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved and Shawn McDonough seconded approval of the minutes of the 10 October 2018 – Regular Meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence– nil.
IV. Information Items:
A. Lawsuit filed by William Rogers re. Wi-Fi Tower Installation – Update. a.) Rule 16 Scheduling Order, signed October 16, 2018, has been received. b) MontanaSky Networks filed a Motion & Brief for Leave to Intervene on October 16, 2018. c) A letter of appeal by William Rogers regarding the board decision has been received by Jack Eggensperger, the County Superintendent of Schools, a response has been requested and our attorney is responding. d) On October 31, 2018 MontanaSky Networks filed an Unopposed Motion for Stay to Allow for Settlement. Although, unfortunately, this was done without the approval of the Creston School Board, it has in any case been denied by the Judge.
B. Whispering Pines Subdivision. A Notice regarding a proposed subdivision just east of Highway 35 off of Mennonite Church Road was received from the Flathead County Planning and Zoning Department.
C. Report Card Format. Tami Ward explained a planned revision to the format of the report cards.The change is in response to a survey sent out last year. The grading standards remain the same, just the format which the parents receive will change.
D. Public Employees Retirement System for Classified Non-Instructional Staff. Tammy Bartos presented information regarding the offering this retirement system to this type of employee. Initial steps have previously been taken in prior years.
E. Procurement Card (p-Card) Information. Tammy Bartos presented information regarding this option for replacing the current credit card we use – which is a personally guaranteed card. This p-Card is offered through a partnership with MASBO and Illinois ASBO.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. Statement of Expenditure through 7 November 2018 was submitted. General Fund is at 27% committed and Grand Total of all funds is at 22%. Balanced to County Treasurer for July, August and September 2018. Fall Student Enrollment Count Report was submitted to MAEFAIRS in October – reported enrollment was 101.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 101.Jan Lord, artist in residence is working with 3rd– 6thgraders on a mural, being funded by the Montana Arts Council. Heat tape has been installed in the gutters in the problem areas and two pieces of playground equipment have arrived and may yet be installed before the ground is frozen. Professional Development: Tami Ward attended the National Rural School Conference; October early out for PD was a Zoom conference with NWRISE, student engagement survey, review of various procedures and classroom goals and Title I services; the first observation cycle of teachers will be completed mid-November. Tami Ward will be a panel member in an education town hall discussion through the Chamber of Commerce in December. Reported on the various Cooperatives we are a part of. The process of preplanning for the 2020/2021 school year will begin with a survey to the school and staff, of primary interest is whether we should remain a K-6thschool or become a K-8thor preK-5thgrade school.
C. Staff. Deb Christiansen reported on the various classroom topics and events happening throughout the school.
D. Class Presentations. At 8:00 a.m. representatives from the 2ndgrade class presented their correspondence with pen pals; Also, 3rdgrade class representatives presented book reviews and math work.
VI. Policies:
A. Joanna Massie moved, and Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded to approve the second and final reading of policy 2000 INSTRUCTION – Goals (Revision) as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Hold Harmless Agreement with Eastside Grange. The Grange is a temporary shelter for school children during a school emergency. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Shawn McDonough seconded to approve the Hold Harmless Agreement with the Eastside Grange. Motion passed unanimously.
B. MSPLIP (property & liability insurance) Member Proxy for November 13, 2018 meeting. The annual meeting requires a quorum. An authorized representative from our school may attend or a proxy may be appointed. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Joanna Massie seconded to appoint the MSPLIP Chairman of the Board of Directors as Proxy holder for the November 13, 2018 Annual Meeting. Motion passed unanimously.
C. MTSBA Policy Maintenance Contract. The MTSBA Policy Services program helps ensure school districts operate in accordance with established practices and applicable laws. They will work with our school district policy, procedures, and handbooks to comply with the legal requirements of state and federal law. As a member of the maintenance program, they will review and continually update the District’s policies to adequately reflect operations. Julie Tikka moved, and Joanna Massie seconded to approve the MTSBA Custom Small School Policy Manual Agreement as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Substitute Teacher List. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Shawn McDonough seconded to approve the substitute teacher list as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Transportation Contract(s). nil.
F. Before School Care Program – Fee Waiver. There are times that before school meetings occur with parents, who have their student(s) with them. It would be helpful to allow those students access to the Before School Care Program so the meetings can be conducted efficiently. Shawn McDonough moved, and Joanna Massie seconded to approve allowing the Principal to waive the fee and allow students to use the Before School Care Program when conducting authorized before school meetings with parents. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Before School Care Contract(s). nil.
H. Out of District request(s). Julie Tikka moved, and Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded to acknowledge receipt of the attendance agreements for students residing in Creston School District, choosing to attend another district. Motion passed unanimously. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved and Shawn McDonough seconded to approve the attendance agreements for out-of-district students who request attendance at Creston School. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Gym & School Grounds Use Request(s). Tom Martinez is requesting the use of our gym on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., for the purpose of basketball, beginning ASAP through May 31, 2018. Julie Tikka moved, and Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded to approve the gym use requests as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Claims.Board approved all Claims for November 2018.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 13 December 2018 7:00am, Regular Meeting
X. Meeting adjourned at 8:14 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk Matt Hartle, Chairman