CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
BUDGET & REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
10 AUGUST 2023
MINUTES
I. Call to order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. The meeting was held in the gym. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Megan Derrington, Barry Farrell, and Nevada Hafer. Also in attendance were Rachel Stevens, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, and Pauline Davidson, 3rd grade Teacher.
II. Minutes of 8 June & 29 June 2023. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the minutes as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information
A. List of P-Card Users. A list of current P-Card users was provided.
B. MSPLIP Safety Inspection Report. MSPLIP Loss Control Specialist, Kevin Smith, did a walk-through of our facilities on June 28th. The purpose is to provide us with an updated loss control assessment. The report noted that previous recommendations were completed. There was one recommendation made to add a strip of tape or paint to a threshold in the basement indicating a change in height. A copy of the Inspection Report was provided.
C. Speed Study Update. The Montana Department of Transportation received the final comments from the Flathead County Commissioners and moved forward with adding an agenda item on the next Transportation Commission meeting for August 24.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 30 June 2023. General Fund is 99% committed and the Total of all Funds is 82% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through June 2023.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is predicted at 105. The Montana Office of Public Instruction is updating and revising the accreditation standards for public schools; the new rules will take effect for the 2024/2025 school year. Most teachers attended the Missoula August Institute virtually. Teachers also have an opportunity to attend the NW Reading Council Literacy Conference later this month. All teachers and staff will receive CPR and AED training on August 24. The Montana DRIVE workshop was attended in July by our two on-staff bus drivers. All teachers and staff will complete Run, Lock, Fight training on August 25 as well as online safety training prior to Sept 9. Principal Stevens participated in Egrants training in July and will attend library and counselor training on August 14. The regrading and paving of the bus lot, the French drain in the east parking lot, and the painting of both lots have been completed. Fencing around the annex and main building and barriers for the HVAC units are scheduled to be completed prior to the return of students. Mrs. Visnovske and Mrs. Stevens wrote and were awarded a grant through Montana National Archery in the School – the archery equipment has been received; Mrs. Visnovske is a certified archery instructor and plans to include an archery unit in PE this year. Our annual Open House is scheduled for August 28 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm; families will have the opportunity to meet the teacher, bring school supplies, sign up to volunteer or bring class treats, and socialize with other families on the playground. Summer building and maintenance projects are nearing completion – the school facilities report was provided.
C. Staff – nil.
VI. Consideration of Action Items:
A. TFS. The Trustees Financial Summary (TFS) is the district’s official submission of annual financial information to the County Superintendent and State Superintendent. The report was provided in full. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the TFS for fiscal year 2022/2023 as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Budget. The 2023/2024 final budget report was reviewed, including expenditure budgets, operating reserves, reappropriation amounts and levy amounts. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the 2023/2024 Budget and Apportionment of Ending Cash Balances as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Substitute Pay Rates for 2023/2024. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the pay rate of $14.25 per hour for a Substitute Teacher/Aide for fiscal year 2023/2024 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Substitute List 2023/2024. Barry Farrell moved to approve the re-hire and new hire substitute teachers/aides/custodians lists as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Megan Derrington moved to approve the substitute bus driver re-hire of Rob Tracy and hourly wage as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan Review. Minor revisions were recommended to reference adopted policies in lieu of terminated policies. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plans as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Designation of Representative to the FSEC Management Board. Twila Brenneman moved to appoint Rachel Stevens, Principal, to represent Creston School District on the Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management Board. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Extra-Duty Mentor – TM. A recommendation to approve a teacher mentor for our newest teacher (B. Visnovske) for this school year. Barry Farrell moved to approve the extra-duty mentoring contract and pay rate for Teresa Mumm as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Extra-Duty Athletic Director – TM. A recommendation to approve an extra-duty contract for an athletic director for this school year. Barry Farrell moved to approve the extra-duty athletic director contract and pay rate for Teresa Mumm as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Extra-Duty Bus Driver Training Contract – KM. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the extra-duty bus driver training contract and pay rate for Katy Hagen as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Extra-Duty Substitute Bus Driver Contract – KM. Megan Derrington moved to approve the extra-duty substitute bus driver contract and pay rate for Katy Hagen as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
K. Extra-Duty Manage Google Classroom Contract – JS. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the extra-duty contract and pay rate for Jamie Shanks to manage Google Classroom as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
L. Hold Harmless Agreements with Creston Fire Dept & Eastside Grange. These are annual agreements in consideration of the use of their respective buildings for a temporary shelter during a school emergency. Barry Farrell moved to approve the Hold Harmless agreements for 2023/2024 with the Creston Fire Department and the Eastside Grange as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
M. Staff Handbook 2023/2024. Revisions to the handbook were presented. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the Staff Handbook 2023/2024 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
N. Application for Free & Reduced School Fees. A revised form was presented. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the application for free and reduced school fees as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
O. Records Destruction. Two Form RM88’s were presented to dispose of personnel records. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the records destruction request as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
P. Transportation Contracts – nil.
Q. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
R. Out-of-District Requests – nil.
S. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. The Many Lakes Homeowners Association requested use of the gym on Friday, September 15 and 16 to set-up and hold their annual meeting. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the gym use request as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Claims Approval – Consideration of Action – July and August. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the claims lists as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 14 September 2023, 7:00 am, Regular Meeting
B. 12 October 2023, 7:00 am, Regular Meeting
IX. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion on the following topic:
A. Discuss topics for future work sessions.
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:46 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
/s/Tammy Bartos, District Clerk
/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair