CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
9 September 2021
MINUTES
I. Call to order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:04 a.m. The meeting was held in the gym. Present were Board Trustees Matt Hartle, Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Deb Christiansen, Teacher and Jennifer Johnson, Teacher and CEA President.
II. Minutes of 12 August 2021 and 24 August 2021. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the minutes as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information Items:
A. Special Education LEA Determinations – School Year 2019-2020. Based on a review of our 2019-2020 data, the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) has determined that our district meets the federal requirements of those established by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA). The full report was shared.
B. Crosswalk Creston Road. The Flathead County Transportation Department is pursuing putting in a permanent crosswalk on Creston Road just north of our parking lot entrance across to the Grange. A copy of the proposed project was provided.
C. MSPLIP Inspection Report. Our building insurer conducted their annual inspection. Each recommendation has either been completed or is process of being completed. The full report was provided.
D. ESSER III Plan. A survey was sent out and made available to families, staff and the community. The responses were used when Mrs. Ward wrote the plan. A full copy of the plan was provided.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk – The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 31 August 2021. General Fund is 4% committed and the Total of all Funds is at 2% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through June 2021.
B. Principal – Enrollment is at 109. Benchmark assessments for the 2021/2022 school year are underway. Classroom teachers attended a math training session offered by consultant, Eliza Sorte-Thomas. All teachers and staff completed annual safety training through Safe Schools. A new gaga ball mat has been installed. We have continually advertised for a substitute bus driver for the last 18 months with no response. Unfortunately, we will have to cancel bus services in the event our driver is not available to transport students. New social studies standards have been released by MT OPI and a link to them was provided; these standards remain relatively close to the previous standards for grades K-5 and we are working with District 5 to determine the scope and sequence for grades 6-8. Close contact with area administration, OPI and FCCHD regarding the ongoing coronavirus policies and procedures continues. Special Education Cooperative update given. The full principal report was provided.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson shared the staff report via a Google Slides presentation.
VI. Policies
A. Policy Updates – nil.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. District Goals for 2021/2022 – Strategic Plan of Education (policy 1610). The goals included the school philosophy, mission statement, motto, educational goals and continuous school improvement goals. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to adopt the Creston School Goals 2021/2022 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Coaching Contracts Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Cross Country. Janessa Williams has agreed to coach boys and girls basketball and Teresa Mumm has agreed to coach cross country. Barry Farrell moved to approve the coaching contracts for boys basketball, girls basketball and cross country as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Stipend J. Shanks – Managing Google Classroom. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the extra-duty contract for Jamie Shanks to manage Google classroom as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. The ARP ESSER Plan was posted to our website on 8/24/2021. The stakeholder survey results were used when writing the plan. Information only. No motion needed.
E. Furnace Replacement Bids. The furnace in the second-grade room is malfunctioning. Bids were provided. Barry Farrell moved to approve the purchase of a furnace from Great Northern Heating to replace the unit in the second-grade room. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Extra-Duty Teacher Contracts 2021/2022 for Independent Study Students. Teachers are and will be providing support for students attending school through guided remote learning situations. This is time spent beyond the regular teaching contract. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the extra-duty contracts for teachers providing guided remote learning support to students 2021/2022 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Add Bus Stop to Existing Route. A request to add a stop along our existing route that may have students cross the street. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the bus stop at 70 Ranchetts Lane for the 2021/2022 school year. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Substitute List – nil.
I. Transportation Contracts – nil.
J. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
K. Out of District Requests – nil.
L. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the request from the Stan Uskoski family to use the gym on Monday evenings as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
M. Principal Goals – Executive Session. Matt Hartle closed the meeting at 7:41 a.m. for an executive session to conduct a personnel evaluation. The meeting was re-opened at 8:12 a.m. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the principal evaluation of Mrs. Ward and to approve the executive session minutes. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Claims – September 2021. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the claims list as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 14 October 2021, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
B. 11 November 2021, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:14 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
__________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk
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Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Vice-Chair