CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
19 MARCH 2025
MINUTES
I. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustee meeting to order at 3:54 p.m. The meeting was held in the gym. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer; absent: Megan Derrington. 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. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
III. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Principal Contract 2025/2026. At the March 10, 2025, meeting the trustees voted unanimously to offer the Principal with Superintendent duties position to Cheryl Peterson, Ed. D. On behalf of the district, Elizabeth Kaleva presented the offer and negotiated a two-year employment contract commencing on July 1, 2025. Barry Farrell moved to approve the Principal Contract with Cheryl Peterson as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Trustee Resolution – Notice of Intent to Increase/Decrease Non-Voted Levies for 2025/2026
1. OPI Pre-Session Budget Data Sheet – report provided.
2. Preliminary General Fund Budget Fiscal Year 2025/2026 – report provided.
This is a required notice estimating changes in non-voted levies and listing the expected use of the Building Reserve State Major Maintenance levies. All funds were listed in the resolution to give a more complete overview of next year’s estimated levies. A preliminary General Funds Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 and OPI Pre-Session Budget Data Sheet were provided and discussed along with the Resolution itself. The septic system upgrade was requested to be added to the notice. Barry Farrell moved to approve the Resolution. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with Creston Education Association. Discussions regarding the information provided with the preliminary budget and requested item for negotiations. There are financial implications dependent on the outcome of the State Legislative Session and no final decisions were made. Discussion only.
IV. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
/s/Tammy Bartos, District Clerk
/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair