CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
FINAL BUDGET & REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
12 August 2021

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:03 a.m. The meeting was held in the school gym. Present were Board Trustees Matt Hartle, Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, and Cindi Conley, Teacher.
II. Minutes of 21 July 2021. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the minutes as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information Items:
A. List of P-Card Users. A list of current card users was presented.
B. Remodel Project Update. Tami Ward conducted a tour of the school highlighting the remodeled areas.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. Hard copies of the 2019-2020 Financial Audit were distributed. The Trustees Financial Summary will replace the regular financial reports given.
B. Principal. Predicted Student Enrollment for 2021/2022 is 111. Summer learning support was offered to students this summer. Interventions for Learning Loss – Additional staff have been hired for the 2021/2022 school year to provide interventions in the areas of reading and math; Title I support is also offered for reading and math; classroom interventions will continue; we also lowered our teacher/student ratio in 5th grade by creating two 5th/6th grade homeroom classrooms. An ESSER III Stakeholder Survey was sent to staff and families; a link was posted to our webpage, and responses are due by August 23rd. Several teachers attended the August Institute (technology); teachers will also attend the NW Reading Council Literacy Conference. Staff and teachers will participate in various training sessions this month and throughout the year to include CPR/First Aid certification, bullying prevention, mediation, and policies, safety training, six full days of PD for teachers for phonics, reading and incorporating social studies standards into English language arts. Our annual open house is scheduled for August 30th. Summer building and maintenance projects are nearing completion; a routine inspection of one of our furnaces indicates replacement is needed.
C. Staff. Cindi Conley, Teacher, was present and shared a slideshow that included teacher summer learning and things they are looking forward to this school year.
VI. Policies
A. Policy Updates: 2332, 3233, 3510, 3550, 3550F, 4211, 4331 – 2nd Read. Updates to policies due to recent State legislation in regard to student athletics and activities and updates to policies governing student clubs and groups in a manner consistent with the federal Equal Access Act. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve policies 2332, 3233, 3510, 3550, 3550F, 4211, 4331 as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Barry Farrell arrived at the meeting at 7:26.
B. Policy Updates: 3310, 4315, 5223 – 1st Read. Updates to policies due to HB102 legislation. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve policies 3310, 4315, 5223 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. TFS. The Trustees Financial Summary (TFS) was not ready for presentation and this portion of the meeting was continued to 13 August 2021at 10:00 a.m. via a Zoom platform. 13 August 2021 Jessica Sandven-Sorensen continued the meeting at 10:01 am with Tami Ward, Principal and Tammy Bartos, District Clerk present. Mrs. Bartos gave an update and at 10:02 a.m. the meeting was again continued to 14 August 2021 at 10:00 a.m. 14 August 2021 Matt Hartle continued the meeting at 10:05 a.m. via a Zoom platform with Tami Ward and Tammy Bartos present. The reports were still in progress and at 10:06 the meeting was again continued to 15 August 2021 at 10:00 a.m. 15 August 2021 Twila Brenneman continued the meeting at 10:01 a.m. via a Zoom platform with Tami Ward and Tammy Bartos present. The reports were still in progress and at 10:02 a.m. the meeting was again continued to 16 August 2021 at 7:00 p.m. 16 August 2021, Matt Hartle continued the meeting at 7:02 p.m. in the school gym. Present were trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen and Twila Brenneman. Also in attendance were Tami Ward and Tammy Bartos. The TFS is the school district official submission of annual financial information to the County Superintendent and State Superintendent. The 2020-2021 TFS was presented in its entirety. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the TFS for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously
B. Budget. The Budget was not ready for presentation and this portion of the meeting was continued. See Item A for information on the continuation of this portion of the meeting from 12 August through to 16 August 2021. On 16 August 2021 at the 7:00 p.m. continuation meeting the 2021-2022 Budget report was presented in its entirety. A comparison to FY2020-21 was also provided. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the 2021-2022 Budget as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
C. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. 1) a letter from Governor Gianforte and Superintendent Arntzen was provided. 2) Revisions to policies 1903 and 1905 to align with the Creston School Reopening Plan regarding face coverings and physical distancing were presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the revisions to policies 1905 and 1903 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Cayuse Prairie – Creston Transportation Interlocal 2021-22. Barry Farrell moved to approve the transportation interlocal agreement with Cayuse Prairie as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorenson seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Extra-Duty Mentoring Contract 21-22 (DC mentor BJ). D. Christiansen has agreed to mentor our new teacher B. Johnson. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the extra-duty mentoring contract and pay rate as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Substitute Teacher Pay Rate. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the 2021-2022 substitute teacher pay rate of $13.00 per hour. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Substitute List. Nevada Hafer refrained from participating in this action item. Barry Farrell moved to approve the substitute re-hire list, approve hiring substitutes from the County Superintendent of Schools list, and approved the substitute custodian re-hire of Sheila Hafer and hourly wage as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously (minus Nevada Hafer who refrained).
H. Classified Staff Contracts Renewal or Non-Renewal & Wages for 2021-2022. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the contract renewals and hourly wages as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Hire Aide for 2021/2022. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to hire P. Choco as a classroom, playground and lunchroom aide for the 2021-2022 school year and approve the hourly wage as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Hold Harmless Agreements with Creston Fire Dept & Eastside Grange. These are annual agreements in consideration of the use of their respective buildings for a temporary shelter during a school emergency. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the hold harmless agreements for 2021-2022 as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
K. Transportation Contracts – nil.
L. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
M. Out of District Requests – nil.
N. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. Many Lakes HOA requested use of the gym on September 25th from 8:30 am to 1:30 p.m. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the request as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

VIII. Claims – August 2021. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the claims approval list as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 9 September 2021, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
B. 14 October 2021, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
X. Adjourn. At 8:14 a.m. Matt Hartle continued the budget portion of this meeting to 13 August 2021 at 10:00 a.m. via a Zoom platform. Please see items VII. A and B.

Respectfully Submitted,

__________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

__________________________
Matt Hartle, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
21 July 2021

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. The meeting was held remotely via a Zoom meeting platform. Present were Board Trustees Matt Hartle, Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, and Nicole Noonan, CPA.
II. Minutes of 23 June 2021. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the minutes as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information Items:
A. Asbestos Report. A certified Asbestos Inspector performed this required inspection. The reinspection did not reveal any newly friable homogenous areas. There were no significant changes/issues on the report.
B. 2019-2020 Audit Report. Nicole Noonan, CPA presented the Audit Report.
C. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. There was no new information to present.
D. MTSBA Call for Resolutions: 2023 Legislative Session. Information was provided regarding this call for resolutions from MTSBA-member school districts.
V. Policies
A. Policy Updates: 2170, 2170P, 3121, 3150, 3311, 3413 – 1st Read. Updates to policies due to recent State legislation and changes with the Montana Digital Academy. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve policies 2170, 2170P, 3121, 3150, 3311, 3413 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Policy Updates: 2332, 3233, 3510, 3550, 3550F, 4211, 4331 – 1st Read. Updates to policies due to recent State legislation and updates to policies governing student clubs and groups in a manner consistent with the federal Equal Access Act. These require a second reading. No action at this time.
VI. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Declaration of Unforeseen Emergency in accordance with Title 20, chapter 9, part 8, MCA. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved that the Board of Trustees declare an unforeseen emergency within the meaning of that term as set forth in Title 20, Chapter 9, Part 8, MCA, to become immediately effective and to continue through June 30, 2022, or until terminated by a vote of the Board of Trustees. The declaration is necessary due to community and school health concerns related to COVID-19. The Board of Trustees authorizes the Administrator to take necessary steps to execute this declaration and inform the public and government agencies of this declaration. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Workspace/Cubicle for Special Education Specialists in the Library – Quotes. Not available at this time. No action.
C. Montana Schools Property & Liability Insurance Plan Insurance Proposal 7/1/21 – 7/1/22. Barry Farrell moved to approve the MSPLIP proposal for property and liability insurance for 7/1/21 – 7/1/22 as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Intermountain Agreement. This is a renewal agreement with Intermountain to provide Educational and Therapeutic services to students enrolled in the school district authorized to receive Day Treatment services. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the agreement with Intermountain for Educational and Therapeutic Day Treatment services for the period of 7/1/21 – 6/30/22 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Summer Transportation Agreements. We did not have anyone available to drive our e-bus for summer services to Intermountain. The reimbursement rate is the same as schools receive from the State during the regular school year for driving an e-bus. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve reimbursement to Intermountain Day Treatment and associated parents to transport student to the summer day treatment program at a rate of 50 cents per mile for up to 22.5 miles per trip for a maximum of two times per day. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. MTSBA 2021 Membership Election Ballot. Twila Brenneman moved to approve acceptance of the MTSBA membership issues including 1) Principles and Guidelines, 2) FY23 Dues Revenue Estimate, 3) Nomination of Scott Walter as MTSBA President-Elect, and 4) Nomination of Tom Billteen as MTSBA Vice-President, as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Auditor Proposals. Three proposals were included for review. Barry Farrell moved to approve the proposal of Nicole Noonan, CPA, PC for the 2020-2021 Audit. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. New Teacher Hire & Contract 2021-2022. The hiring committee interviewed applicants on May 11th and made a recommendation; all pre-employment requirements have been met. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to hire Bailey Johnson as a teacher for the 2021-2022 school year and approve her teaching contract as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Hire Part-Time Aide for 2021/2022 – New Position – nil.
J. Classified Staff Contracts renewal or non-renewal 2021-2022 & Compensation – nil.
VII. Claims – July 2021. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the claims approval list as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 12 August 2021, 7:00 am Budget & Regular Meeting
IX. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 10:09 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_____________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

_____________________________
Matt Hartle, Board Chair