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6 10, 2025

9 October 2025 – Agenda

2025-10-06T14:58:09-06:00

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
9 October 2025, 7:00 a.m.
AGENDA

Meetings are open to the public; guests are welcome.

I. Call to order
II. Minutes of: 11 September 2025, Regular Meeting and 23 September 2025, Special Board Meeting
III. Public Participation / Correspondence
IV. Information Item:
a. MSLIP Safety Inspection Report
b. Clerk
c. Principal
d. Staff
V. Policies: Policy Review 2000s
First Reading
New
Policy 5252: Notice of Nonrenewal of Nontenured Teacher for Financial Reasons
Policy 8560: Display of Flags and Banners on District Property
Amend
Policy 1009FE: Recruitment and Retention – Flexible Instructor Licensing
Policy 1210: Qualifications, Terms, Duties of Board Officers
Policy 2050: Innovative Student Instruction
Policy 2132: Student and Family Privacy Rights
Policy 2158: Parent and Family Engagement and Educational Involvement
Policy 2334: Release Time for Religious Instruction
Policy 2450: Indian Education for All
Policy 3110: Entrance, Placement, and Transfer
Policy 3121: Enrollment and Attendance Records
Policy 3141: Nonresident Student Attendance
Policy 3650: Montana Pupil Online Information Protection Act
Policy 8301: District Safety
Annual Review
Policy 1400: Board Meetings
VI. Consideration of Action Items:
a. MTSUIP Annual Meetings
b. Employment Agreement – SM
c. District Goals
d. District-to-District Requests
e. Gym and School Grounds Use Requests
VII. Claims for October 2025
VIII. Next Meeting Dates:
a. 13 November, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
b. 11 December, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
IX. Adjourn

Citizens may comment on items appearing on the agenda when invited to participate during that agenda item by the Board Chair. Citizens may comment on items related to School District business not appearing on this agenda during the public comment portion of the meeting as noted in the public comment form.

Information about this agenda, including the Board packet and supplemental documents, is available at the School District office. Please contact the office if you have any questions.

The Board Chair is authorized to adjust the order of agenda items to accommodate scheduling needs of interested parties. 
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

School Board Meeting Procedure

Notice Regarding Public Comment

Montana law requires school districts to include on the agenda for public meetings an item allowing public comments on any public matter not otherwise specifically listed on the agenda. As has also been the practice of the District, and in accordance with Montana law, if any member desires to speak to an item that is specifically listed on the agenda, you will be allowed to do so when the item comes up for discussion and action. The public comment portion of the agenda is not the time designated to hear items that are listed on the agenda.

If you wish to address the Board during the “public comment” portion of the meeting, please fill out the Public Participation Form at the bottom of this page. The Board Chairman will call individuals to speak. The Board would like to remind everyone in attendance that to avoid violations of individual rights of privacy, a member of the public wishing to address the Board during this time will not be allowed to make comments about any student, staff member, or member of the public while speaking. Individual comments will be limited to two (2) minutes.

By law the District cannot take any action on any matter discussed during the “public comment” portion of the meeting, until such time as the matter is noticed on the agenda, and the public has been allowed the opportunity to comment.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FORM

Name (Please Print)____________________________________________________

General Topic________________________________________________________

9 October 2025 – Agenda2025-10-06T14:58:09-06:00
19 09, 2025

23 Sept 2025 Special Board Meeting

2025-09-19T14:00:01-06:00

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

The Creston School District Board of Trustees
will hold a special meeting on:

23 September 2025 starting at 7:30 am

===========================================================

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
23 September 2025

AGENDA
Meetings are open to the public; guests are welcome.
This meeting is being held via electronic means.
Please see below for information to connect remotely.
This meeting will be recorded.

I. Call to Order
II. Public Participation / Correspondence
III. Information
IV. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Claims approval
B. Extra Duty Contract Custodian – CC
C. Extra Duty Contract Substitute Teacher/Aide – BV
D. Substitute Driver Contract – JT
E. Field Trip Bus Driver – JH and KC
F. Before School Care Contract
V. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 9 October 2025, 7:00 a.m. Regular Meeting
B. 13 November 2025, 7:00 a.m. Budget & Regular Meeting
VI. Adjourn

Citizens may comment on items appearing on the agenda when invited to participate during that agenda item by the Board Chair. Citizens may comment on items related to School District business not appearing on this agenda during the public comment portion of the meeting as noted in the public comment form.

Information about this agenda, including the Board packet and supplemental documents, is available at the School District office. Please contact the office if you have any questions.

The Board Chair is authorized to adjust the order of agenda items to accommodate scheduling needs of interested parties.

===========================================================================

Topic: Special Board Meeting
Time: Sep 23, 2025 07:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 443 042 5838
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

School Board Meeting Procedure

Notice Regarding Public Comment

Montana law requires school districts to include on the agenda for public meetings an item allowing public comments on any public matter not otherwise specifically listed on the agenda. As has also been the practice of the District, and in accordance with Montana law, if any member desires to speak to an item that is specifically listed on the agenda, you will be allowed to do so when the item comes up for discussion and action. The public comment portion of the agenda is not the time designated to hear items that are listed on the agenda.

If you wish to address the Board during the “public comment” portion of the meeting, please fill out the Public Participation Form at the bottom of this page. The Board Chairman will call individuals to speak. The Board would like to remind everyone in attendance that to avoid violations of individual rights of privacy, a member of the public wishing to address the Board during this time will not be allowed to make comments about any student, staff member, or member of the public while speaking. Individual comments will be limited to two (2) minutes.

By law the District cannot take any action on any matter discussed during the “public comment” portion of the meeting, until such time as the matter is noticed on the agenda, and the public has been allowed the opportunity to comment.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FORM

Name (Please Print) ___________________________________________________

General Topic __________________________________________________

23 Sept 2025 Special Board Meeting2025-09-19T14:00:01-06:00
15 09, 2025

14 August 2025 – Minutes

2025-09-15T16:05:23-06:00

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
BUDGET & REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
14 AUGUST 2025

MINUTES

I. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:06 a.m. The meeting was held in the gym. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Megan Derrington and Barry Farrell. Nevada Hafer was absent. Also in attendance were Dr. Cheryl Peterson, Principal, Gina McWilliam, District Clerk, Cindi Conley, Special Education/Title Teacher.
II. Minutes of 12 June 2025. Barry Farrell moved to approve the minutes as presented. Megan Derrington 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. Review of East Side Valley Interlocal Agreement proposed changes were reviewed.
C. Hiring Committee Update. Applications for the open positions of Custodian, Maintenance, and Bus Driver have been received. Interviews are being coordinated.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk – The summer was spent ordering and receiving supplies and materials for the upcoming school year; facilitating routine annual school maintenance such as carpet and window cleaning; transferring and receiving student records and preparing enrollment records; and preparing the Trustee’s Financial Statement and Budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.
B. Principal – Updates were provided on teacher professional development and safety training. Principal has attended several training sessions including Homeless Liaison, Egrants, Library and Counselor. The school Open House is scheduled for 8/25/25 from 6 to 7 p.m. A complete Principal’s report is attached to these minutes.
C. Staff – Cindi Conley gave an update on summer maintenance.
VI. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Trustees Financial Statement (TFS) 2024/2025. This is the district’s official submission of annual financial information to the County and State Superintendents. The report was provided in full. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the TFS for fiscal year 2024/2025 as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Budget 2025/2026. The report was reviewed, including expenditure budgets, operating reserves, reappropriation and levy amounts. Barry Farrell moved to approve the 2025/2026 Budget and the Apportionment of Ending Cash Balances Form as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Abstract of Water Right Claim & Consultant Review – nil.
D. Designation of Representative to the FSEC Management Board. Megan Derrington moved to appoint Dr. Cheryl Peterson, Principal, to represent Creston School District on the Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management Board for the 2025/2026 school year. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Designation of Representative to the Crossroads Advisory Board. Barry Farrell moved to appoint Dr. Cheryl Peterson, Principal, to represent Creston School District on the Crossroads Advisory Board for the 2025/2026 school year. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Hold Harmless Agreements with Creston Fire Dept, Eastside Grange & Mountain View Mennonite Church. Megan Derrington moved to approve the Hold Harmless Agreements for 2025/2026 with the Creston Fire Department, Eastside Grange and Mountain View Mennonite Church. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Amend 2025/2026 Employment Contract for Rachel Leighty to reflect the correct rate of pay. Barry Farrell moved to accept the amended contract to reflect the correct rate of pay for Rachel Leighty as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Substitute List 2025/2026 & Employment Contracts. Megan Derrington moved to approve the re-hire substitute teacher/aide/custodian list and associated employment contracts for school year 2025/2026 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Bus Service for 2025/2026. Contracts for third-party vendors to provide bus service for 2025/2026 were presented. Megan Derrington moved to continue trying to hire our own bus driver and if necessary, begin school in the fall with no bus service. Twila Brennaman seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
J. Records Destruction RM88 – Financial Documents. Barry Farrell moved to approve records destruction request as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
K. MTSBA 2025 Annual Meeting Ballot – – Information regarding the ballot was provided. Megan Darrington moved to appoint Jessica Sandven-Sorensen as representative for the Creston School District Board of Trustees. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
L. Maternity Leave Request – SBM. A copy of the written request for maternity leave was provided. Barry Farrell moved to accept the maternity request as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
M. Transportation Contracts – Nine contracts were presented. Barry Farrell moved to accept the contracts. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
N. Before School Care Contracts – Six contracts were presented. Megan Derrington moved to accept the contracts. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
O. Out-of-District Requests. Attendance agreements for 11 students that reside in our district, to attend other districts in 2025/2026. Megan Derrington moved to acknowledge receipt of the attendance agreements. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Claims Approval – Consideration of Action. Megan Derrington moved to approve the claims list as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 11 September 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
B. 9 October 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
IX. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:59 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

/s/Gina McWilliam, District Clerk

/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

14 August 2025 – Minutes2025-09-15T16:05:23-06:00
8 09, 2025

11 September 2025

2025-09-08T15:24:36-06:00

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

AGENDA
Meetings are open to the public; guests are welcome.
This meeting will be recorded.

I. Call to Order
II. Minutes of 14 August 2025
III. Public Participation / Correspondence
IV. Information
A. Hiring Committee Update
B. City Service Valcon – Propane Refueling Service
V. Reports:
A. Clerk
B. Principal
C. Staff
VI. Policies – Consideration of Action
A. MTSBA policy updates
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Abstract of Water Right Claim & Consultant Review
B. Emergency Operation Plan Review
C. District Goals
D. MSGIA Annual Meeting
E. Audit Revised Contract 2025/2026
F. Records Destruction – SPED Records
G. Transportation Contracts
H. Before School Care Contracts
I. Out-of-District Requests
J. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests
K. Open Fund 182
L. Bus Driver Hire Contract
M. Principal Evaluation (Goals) – Executive Session
VIII. Claims Approval – Consideration of Action
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 9 October 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
B. 13 November 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
X. Adjourn

Citizens may comment on items appearing on the agenda when invited to participate during that agenda item by the Board Chair. Citizens may comment on items related to School District business not appearing on this agenda during the public comment portion of the meeting as noted in the public comment form.

Information about this agenda, including the Board packet and supplemental documents, is available at the School District office. Please contact the office if you have any questions.

The Board Chair is authorized to adjust the order of agenda items to accommodate scheduling needs of interested parties.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

School Board Meeting Procedure

Notice Regarding Public Comment

Montana law requires school districts to include on the agenda for public meetings an item allowing public comments on any public matter not otherwise specifically listed on the agenda. As has also been the practice of the District, and in accordance with Montana law, if any member desires to speak to an item that is specifically listed on the agenda, you will be allowed to do so when the item comes up for discussion and action. The public comment portion of the agenda is not the time designated to hear items that are listed on the agenda.

If you wish to address the Board during the “public comment” portion of the meeting, please fill out the Public Participation Form at the bottom of this page. The Board Chairman will call individuals to speak. The Board would like to remind everyone in attendance that to avoid violations of individual rights of privacy, a member of the public wishing to address the Board during this time will not be allowed to make comments about any student, staff member, or member of the public while speaking. Individual comments will be limited to two (2) minutes.

By law the District cannot take any action on any matter discussed during the “public comment” portion of the meeting, until such time as the matter is noticed on the agenda, and the public has been allowed the opportunity to comment.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FORM

Name (Please Print) ___________________________________________________

General Topic ______________________________________________

11 September 20252025-09-08T15:24:36-06:00
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