CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
14 NOVEMBER 2024
MINUTES
I. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:03 a.m. The meeting was held in the gym. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Megan Derrington, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer; absent: Twila Brenneman. Also in attendance were Rachel Stevens, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Cindi Conley, Special Education Teacher, and Jen Johnson, CEA President and 2nd Grade Teacher.
II. Minutes of 10 October 2024. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the minutes as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information
A. Speed Signs Highway 35 Project Update. As of November 8, the flashing school speed lights west of the school were operational. This was the last sign needed to complete the project.
B. Aide Hiring Update. The position is still open; there have been no applicants since last report.
C. Audit Report. The report is in process and should be completed soon.
D. CBA Review ahead of Negotiations with the CEA. A copy of the current 2024/2025 CBA was provided for review by the trustees ahead of anticipated open negotiations starting.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The Statement of Expenditure was provided through the end of October 2024. The General Fund is 19% committed and the Total of all funds is 14% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through September 2024. Mrs. Bartos participated in the MASBO Payroll Workshop in October. An OPI Transportation audit of the type E school bus was conducted and the District was found to be in compliance. Fall Student Enrollment Count for Average Number Belonging (ANB) was submitted; the reported enrollment was 83. The Out-of-District Attendance Report was submitted to the County Superintendent: based on the Fall Count there were 29 students reported. Several reports were submitted to OPI for Fall Reporting 1) regarding Students: Enrollment & Program Participation, Mode of Instruction, Previous Year Graduate & Dropout, Teacher-Class Courses, Calendar Validation; and 2) regarding Personnel: Fall Terms of Employment and the Compensation Expenditure Report. Information was provided to the trustees regarding the MSPLIP Annual membership meeting (there are no action items at this MSPLIP meeting).
B. Principal. Student enrollment is 82. School Accreditation/Strategic Plan Update – after the school climate survey results are received an action plan will be developed; also, the remaining year 2 requirements are being worked on. Clearwater Contracting completed the sewer line repair, and everything is functioning properly. Two assemblies were held in October: Kindergarten through third grade students attended a fire prevention assembly hosted by the Creston Fire Department on October 8; and on October 25 teachers honored students during an awards assembly. Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. Stevens participated in professional development training to increase understanding of children with anxiety and challenging behaviors. Teachers participated in a tech tools sharing session led by Mrs. Shanks and Mrs. Johnson on October 21. Teachers also participated in professional development on November 13, with a presentation by Kirsten Hopkins from Dreambox Math. The safety committee held a meeting in October. Mrs. Conley, Mrs. Davidson, and Mrs. Stevens participated in Behavioral Threat Assessment training on November 11. The first round of formal teacher evaluations are in progress. Mrs. Stevens has completed the required annual training for the role of Homeless Liaison; also, she attended a training for gifted education and is currently participating in Title IX training. This month students and staff will participate in a food drive (a Bobcats/Grizzlies competition); all donations will go to the Bigfork Food Bank. The monthly building inspection has been completed with no new recommendations and the school facilities condition report was provided. Mrs. Stevens attended the Crossroad Advisory Board meeting on October 24.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson and Cindi Conley were present to share the report via a Google Slide presentation.
VI. Policies – Consideration of Action:
A. Second Reading of Policy Updates: Delete or Update: 3410F. Megan Derrington moved to approve the deletion of Form 3410-NF(1) -Student Health from the Policy Manual. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Audit Contract 2023/2024. Nicole Noonan, CPA, will be sending us a contract.
B. School Climate Survey. As part of the data collection portion of the Strategic Action Plan, surveys need to be sent to various stakeholders (staff, students, and parents/guardians). These have been developed by the OPI. A copy of each was provided. A signed parent permission will be required for students in grades 3 through 6 to participate. Barry Farrell moved to approve the school climate surveys as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Creston School Scholarship Offering to Graduating Seniors & Committee Formation. One scholarship offering of $500 to a high school senior who is a Creston School Alumni and that is college or technical school bound. Monies from the Miscellaneous Fund are used to pay for this. Barry Farrell agreed to serve on the committee. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the scholarship, the formation of a scholarship committee and trustee appointment as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Extra Duty Teaching Contract for 2025 Summer Program – MP. Barry Farrell moved to approve the extra-duty contract for Melissa Potts to teach the 2025 summer program as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Transportation Contracts – nil.
F. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
G. Out-of-District Requests. Attendance agreements for two students that reside in our district, the students will attend Kalispell Middle School under a district-to-district placement in school year 2024/2025. Nevada Hafer moved to approve these attendance agreements. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Attendance agreements for two students that reside in our district, attending another district in school year 2024/2025. Megan Derrington moved to acknowledge receipt of these attendance agreement. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. 1) Amber Lasater requested to amend her current agreement end date from November 25, 2024 to February 26, 2025 and to also change the day and time to Wednesday’s from 4:45 to 5:45; 2) The Creston Firefighters Association has requested the use of the outdoor school grounds and gym for the Creston Firefighters Association 59th Auction and Country Fair, Thursday April 3, 12:30 pm through Sunday, April 6, 2025 6:00 pm. There are addendums requested regarding a pre-auction meeting, the gaga ball pit, floor mats in the lobby and armed and unarmed security services. Barry Farrell moved to approve both facility use requests as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Claims Approval – Consideration of Action. Megan Derrington moved to approve the claims approval list as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 12 December 2024, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
B. 9 January 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:42 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
/s/Tammy Bartos, District Clerk
/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair