9 January 2025

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
9 JANUARY 2025, 7:00 AM

MINUTES
I. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:02 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, Cindi Conley, Special Education Teacher, Shanta Milne, Kindergarten Teacher, Melissa Potts, Title Teacher and Jen Johnson, CEA President and 2nd Grade Teacher.
II. Board Trustee Appreciation. On behalf of all the staff and students, Mrs. Stevens, gave recognition to and expressed thanks and appreciation to the trustees for their dedication to the district and all they do for our school.
III. Minutes of 12 December 2024. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the minutes as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
V. Information
A. Candidates for the May 2025 Trustee Election may file a Declaration of Intent. Declarations of Intent and Oath of Candidacy may be filed from December 12, 2024, through March 27, 2025. A candidate must live within the boundaries of the school district and be a registered voter. There are two positions subject to election in May 2025; both are three-year terms.
B. Aide Hiring Update. The Monday & Tuesday part-time position is still open. A specific “employment” page has been added to our website and Mrs. Stevens has also posted the openings we have at FVCC.
C. District Clerk Opening Update. The opening has been posted with various education organizations as well as the job service and other community locations and notices.
D. School Climate Data Survey Results & Gap Analysis. The school climate survey was administered in November. The results were compiled by OPI and the report was provided. An analysis of the results was completed by Mrs. Stevens and was provided to the trustees.
E. 2024 Statistical Report of Schools by Flathead County Superintendent of Schools. This report is published annually and provides information regarding budgets and student enrollment for each of the public schools in the Flathead Valley. A copy of the report was provided.
F. Audit Report. The report is still in process.
VI. Reports:
A. Clerk. The Statement of Expenditure was provided through the end of December 2024. The General Fund is 39% committed and the Total of all funds is 32% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through November 2024.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 84. In January, teachers will participate in peer observations related to our district ELA and math goals. Also, in January teachers will participate in a professional development workday for half the day. Administration of the mid-year MAP benchmark assessments began on January 6 in reading and math; the testing window runs from January 6 through January 17. Window Two of the Montana Aligned to Standard Through-Year (MAST) assessment runs from January 13 through February 21; students will complete math testlets, ELA literary and informational assessment, and an ELA performance task. We did not have bus service the afternoon of December 21, and both am and pm routes on January 2 and 3; families who use the bus were notified in advance. Monthly building inspections have been completed with no repairs recommended; over the recent school break hallway carpets and classroom rugs were cleaned, and the gym floor was polished. The facilities inventory report was provided.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson and Shanta Milne were present to share the report via a Google Slide presentation.
VII. Policies – Consideration of Action:
A. Review Weapons Policies: 3310, 3311, 4315, 4332, 5223. This is an annual review by the trustees of the districts weapons policies. For review only. No action.
VIII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Kaleva Law Proposal for Principal Search Services. A copy of the Principal Search Services letter from Kaleva Law was provided. The services include advertising, distribution of and screening applications, interview logistics, and reference and background checks. The cost of the service is $5,000 plus expenses. Twila Brenneman moved to approve hiring Kaleva Law to facilitate our principal search as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Megan Derrington moved to approve the cost of the expenses involved in this process to be paid from the Eastside Interlocal account. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Learner Profile for Integrated Strategic Action Plan. The year two requirement for the Integrated Strategic Action Plan (ISAP) is to complete the learner profile which includes a graphic, the competencies and the steps to achieve the competencies – visuals provided. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the learner profile as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Certified Teacher Notification of Advancement on the Salary Schedule for 2025/2026 – CC. Megan Derrington moved to approve credit recognition to Cindi Conley as per the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement and advancement on the salary schedule when all requirements have been met. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiation with Creston Education Association. Jen Johnson, President of the CEA presented items to consider for negotiations on the 2025/2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): 1) a 1% increase to the base of the salary schedule; 2) a $150 increase to the annuity/employee benefit cafeteria plan (from $650/mo to $800/mo); 3) an increase to the stipend for multi-grade assignment from $3,000 to $5,000; 4) Add the teacher mentor program to the CBA and expand it to two years instead of one; 5) Rewording of public complaints under section 6.5 to clarify procedure and change 90 calendar days to 14 calendar days; 6) Rewording of grievances procedure under section 5.2 adding a formal step with the principal at Step II; 7) Add an appendix to include a grievance form and the salary schedule. Discussion only. As budget numbers become available further discussion will be scheduled. No action.
E. Substitute List 2024/2025 – nil.
F. Transportation Contracts – nil.
G. Before School Care Contracts. One contract was presented. Barry Farrell moved to approve the contract as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Out-of-District Requests – nil.
I. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. There are two requests: 1) Marc Milisavljevich to use the gym on Wednesday evenings, 6:30-9pm, January 15 through April 30, 2025, for basketball/recreation with family and friends. 2) Teresa Mumm to use the gym on Monday’s 4:45-6:30pm and Tuesday’s 4:45-6pm, January 13 through March 18, 2025 for a rotary basketball team she is coaching. Barry Farrell moved to approve the gym use requests as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously. There was additional discussion about possibly charging a “use” fee – Mrs. Stevens will check on this.
IX. Claims Approval – Consideration of Action. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the claims list as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
X. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 13 February 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
B. 13 March 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
XI. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:24 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

/s/Tammy Bartos, District Clerk
/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair