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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
10 OCTOBER 2024, 7:00 AM

MINUTES

I. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:01 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, Jen Johnson, CEA President and 2nd Grade Teacher and Melissa Potts, Title Teacher.
II. Minutes of 12 September 2024. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the minutes as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence
IV. Information
A. Speed Signs Highway 35 Project Update. An email from Rebecca Anderson, District Traffic Engineer, Kalispell, MT DOT, was received; and the information she provided is: the project is waiting for the electrician, but is definitely on the schedule, and Flathead Electric also has the project on its schedule for the hookup as soon as the electrical work is complete.
B. Aide Hiring Update – The job is currently posted for a full-time position; however, we have a current substitute interested in a part-time position (that will be addressed in the action item portion of the meeting). If the part-time hire is approved the position will be reposted as a part-time opening.
C. Audit Report – nil.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The Statement of Expenditure was provided through the end of September 2024. The General Fund is 11% committed and the Total of all funds is 9% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through August 2024.
B. Principal. Student enrollment is 83. Teachers participated in a professional development session led by Mrs. Conley about dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia as well as the special education process and procedures required by the Flathead Special Education Cooperative. Several of our teachers applied for and received math and reading grants through the Montana OPI using the Donors Choose platform. Mrs. Stevens participated in training provided by OPI for school testing coordinators earlier this month; there will be additional trainings offered. Benchmark assessments for the 2024/2025 school year are completed for math and reading with the MAP growth assessments; students needing Title I services or other interventions were identified and are receiving services. The majority of staff surveyed are in favor of exploring the idea of a four-day school week; at the same time there is a UM study recommending returning to a mandated 180 school day year and it is a possibility this issue will be addressed in the coming legislative session. Our Safety/Threat Assessment team meets monthly; the members of this committee are doing double duty on this combined team; in the future this will be split into two teams to meet the requirements for the content of the meetings. Three safety drills have been held to date: two fire drills (one with the Creston Fire Department) and one bus evacuation drill. Teacher evaluations using the Teacher EPAS are scheduled and have begun. The monthly inspection has been completed with no new recommendations and the school facilities condition report was provided.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson, Cindi Conley and Melissa Potts were present to share the report via a Google Slide presentation.
VI. Policies – Consideration of Action:
A. First Reading of Policy Updates: Delete or Update: 3410F. A recommendation to change language regarding how screening results are provided; also, a recommendation to delete this form from the policy manual. First Read – no action.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Hire P/T Aide – SM – Employment Agreement & Stipend. The original job posting is for a full-time opening; there have been no applicants to interview, and a current substitute is interested in a part-time position. Megan Derrington moved to approve hiring Sarah Motley as a Classroom, Playground, Lunchroom and Office Aide on a probationary status and approve the stipend as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. MTSBA to Review CBA and Associated Documents. We have consulted with MTSBA on specific changes when they arise; however, these documents in their entirety were last reviewed in 2019 with the Policy Maintenance review. While there are currently no specific issues to address, there has been interest in general for a review like this. MTSBA would require the trustees to sign a Labor Maintenance Agreement to do the review – a copy of their fee schedule was provided. There was discussion about the process and the consensus was to hold off on this for now. Discussion only. No action taken.
C. MTSUIP Annual Meeting. The annual meeting is October 18 in Missoula, no trustees will be attending. Information only. No action.
D. Transportation Contracts – nil.
E. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
F. Out-of-District Requests. Attendance agreements for six (6) students that reside in our district, attending another district. Nevada Hafer moved to acknowledge receipt of the attendance agreements. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests – nil.
VIII. Claims Approval – Consideration of Action. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the claims approval list as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 14 November 2024, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
B. 12 December 2024, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:46 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

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