CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
10 December 2020

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. The meeting was conducted via a Zoom meeting platform. Present were Board Trustees Matt Hartle, Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer; also, Twila Brenneman trustee nominee, sworn in during the meeting. Also, in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Jennifer Johnson, 2nd Grade Teacher and CEA President, Melissa Potts, 1st Grade Teacher, and Jack Eggensperger, County Superintendent.
II. Minutes of 12 November 2020. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the minutes as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Appoint & Swear in Trustee to Vacant Position. Twila Brenneman was presented as a trustee nominee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Arnold Bjork – his term expires May 2023. Barry Farrell moved to appoint Twila Brenneman to fill the vacant trustee position. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Jack Eggensperger swore her in.
IV. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
V. Information
A. Candidates for Trustee may file a Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy between Thursday, December 10, 2020 through Thursday, March 25, 2021.
B. Flathead County Superintendent of Schools Statistical Report of Schools 2020. A copy of the report was distributed to each board member. Jack Eggensperger shared some insight into the details of the report.
VI. Reports:
A. Clerk. Statement of Expenditures includes payroll and claims through 7 December 2020. General Fund is at 30% committed and the Total of all Funds is at 33% committed. Accounts are reconciled to County Treasurer for August and September 2020.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is at 103. Mrs. Ward continues to be in contact with area administration and health officials who are meeting weekly to find solutions to current needs. Monthly Building Maintenance inspections have been completed with no recommended repairs and the School Facility Conditions Report was provided with no updates. Mrs. Ward completed Title IX training offered by MTSBA and MSGIA; staff has also completed required Title IX training; she will continue to put in place the needed requirements of Title IX legislation. Due to low participation numbers, intramural basketball will be offered to 4th – 6th grade girls in lieu of participation in the 5th/6th grade basketball league. Teachers continue to work on troubleshooting Google Classroom during Professional Development time, as well as discussion on professional development book studies. Title 1 and classroom teachers continue to progress monitor students in math and reading, as well as screen for Dyslexia using DIBELS. Parent/Teacher Conferences were completed virtually with a 100% turnout of scheduled conferences. Mrs. Mumm is in the process of coordinating a virtual Christmas music program. We continue to be in need of substitute teachers, custodians, bus and maintenance personnel. Updates on the various cooperatives and educational programs we participate in were given.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson shared the staff report via a Google Slides presentation; the 4th grade was the focus class this month.
VII. Policies:
A. School District Policies 2nd Half of 3000 Series – Informational Review. These policies were presented as a review only. No motion needed.
B. Policy 2110 – Revision – 2nd Read. An update to strike lines 7 – 10 regarding the reviewing of state accreditation standards was presented. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the revision as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Policy 2151 – Revision – 2nd Read. Recommendation to strike the provision of a syllabus on lines 18 – 19 was presented. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the revision as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

D. Policy 3110 – Revision – 1st Read. Recommendation (Page 1, Line 42) to change the naming of specific programs for assessments with “district approved” assessments was presented. No motion at this time.
E. Policy 3310 – Revision – 1st Read. Recommendation (Page 1, Line 33) to add communication means to include email was presented. No motion at this time.
VIII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. MTSBA Voting on Association Matters – FY22 Dues Revenue Estimate. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the MTSBA FY22 Dues Revenue Estimate as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Deputy Health Officer Agreement with Flathead City County Health Department and Deputize Principal as a Public Health Official. 1) An agreement that allows the School District to Deputize District employees to assist the County Health Officer with COVID-19 contact tracing functions. Barry Farrell moved to approve the Agreement as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2) Barry Farrell moved to deputize Tami Ward, to serve as a Public Health Official for the limited purpose as per the Agreement with the County. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Substitute List – nil.
D. Transportation Contract(s) – nil.
E. Before School Care Contract(s) – nil.
F. Out of District Request(s). 1) Students Reside in Creston School District, Choosing Placement in another District. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to acknowledge receipt of the attendance agreements. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2) Students Reside in Creston School District, District Placement at KMS. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve these attendance agreements. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously
G. Gym & School Grounds Use request(s) – nil.
IX. Claims – December 2020. Barry Farrell moved to accept the Claims Approval List as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously
X. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 14 January 2021, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
XI. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:42 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

____________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

____________________________
Matt Hartle, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
12 November 2020

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:06 a.m. The meeting was conducted via a Zoom meeting platform. Present were Board Trustees Matt Hartle, Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Arnold Bjork, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer. Also, in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Nicole Noonan, CPA, P.C., Jennifer Johnson, 2nd Grade Teacher and CEA President, Emily Russell, 5th Grade Teacher, and Melissa Potts, 1st Grade Teacher.
II. Minutes of 8 October 2020. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the minutes as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information
A. MSPLIP Inspection Report. Our Building Insurer did their annual inspection, this year he was only able to do an inspection of our playground. One recommendation regarding the monkey bars “…Bolts should not expose more than two threads beyond the end of the nut…” has been taken care of. The full report was provided to the trustees.
B. Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Audit Report. Nicole Noonan, CPA presented the Audit Report.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. Statement of Expenditures includes payroll and claims through 11 November 2020. General Fund is at 23% committed and the Total of all Funds is at 26% committed. Accounts are reconciled to County Treasurer for July 2020. Fall Student Enrollment Count for Average Number Belonging was 103. Out-of-District students enrolled at Creston School on the Fall Count Date of October 5th was 32.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is at 105. Mrs. Ward continues to be in contact with area administration and health officials who are meeting weekly to find solutions to current needs. Due to COVID and subsequent remote learning last year, the state has allowed schools to roll over Continuous School Improvement Plans from 2019/2020; our goals are to increase attendance in all subgroups of students and improve math and literacy achievement for all students. Two parent surveys were shared with the trustees: 1) to families who chose not to return to Creston School for the 2020/2021 school year; and 2) to our 63 current school families regarding student absences. The results will be used as we make plans for the 2021/2022 school year. Recent legislation requires the training of school staff to meet the needs of Title IX legislation. Mrs. Ward is attending MTSBA training this month so she can better support our school and staff with this implementation. Teachers completed half-day peer observations this month and reported learning so much from one another; also Mrs. Ward completed the first round of formal observations on our ten certified teachers. Due to remote learning this spring of 2020, all 2nd through 6th grade students have taken the progress monitoring assessments to provide more information regarding their progress. The results show students are gradually making progress in the area of math. Staff and students have successfully completed two virtual assemblies, our virtual book fair is underway, and we are in the planning stage of virtual parent/teacher conferences; we are learning new techniques and tricks every time. Substitute teachers, custodians, bus and maintenance continue to be in need – applications are available in the office.
C. Staff. Emily Russell shared the staff report via a Google Slides presentation; her Fifth grade was the focus class this month.
VI. Policies:
A. School District Policies 1st Half of 3000 Series – Informational Review. These policies were presented as a review only. No motion needed.
B. Policy 2110 – Revision – 1st Read. An update to strike lines 7 – 10 regarding the reviewing of state accreditation standards was presented. No motion at this time.
C. Policy 2151 – Revision – 1st Read. Recommendation to strike the provision of a syllabus on lines 18 – 19 was presented. No motion at this time.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Add Bank Document Signer. Arnold Bjork moved to appoint Jessica Sandven-Sorensen as an additional bank document and warrant signer. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Coach Job Description. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to accept the Coach Job Description as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Reopening Plan Revision. 1) In following County Health and CDC updated recommendations: Remove references to staff taking temperatures prior to entering school grounds or boarding the bus and replace with parents to monitor their children at home for symptoms (pages 2 & 9); 2) Remove references to minilessons being recorded and replace with teachers to work with students who miss real time lessons (pages 3 & 5). A copy of the plan with revisions (exact wording) was provided. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen requested a communication to families to ensure they (families) are to be proactive in screening and monitoring their children. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the Reopening Plan Revision as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Trustee Resignation & Declare Vacant Trustee Position. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to declare a vacant trustee position due to Arnold Bjork’s resignation and to fill the vacancy by appointment. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Obsolete Equipment Resolution. Nevada Hafer moved to accept the resolution of disposition of abandoned, obsolete and undesirable property as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Custodian Resignation, Custodian Hire & Contract. Custodian C. Hill has resigned. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the hiring of M. Bilodeau as Custodian and also approve the 2020-2021 employment contract as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Extra-Duty Contracts for Teachers – Remote Teaching. Teachers are providing real time lessons for students attending school remotely and occasionally there is time spent beyond the regular teaching contract for this. A list of teachers and their rate of pay was provided. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the Extra-Duty Contracts for Teachers Remote Teaching Extra Hours in Addition to their 2020-2021 Teaching Contracts as presented. Arnold Bjork seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. 2020 MSPLIP Program Annual Membership Meeting. Arnold Bjork moved to vote by proxy representation. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

I. Substitute List. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the Substitute Teacher List as presented for the 2020/2021 school year. Arnold Bjork seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Transportation Contract(s) – nil.
K. Before School Care Contract(s) – nil.
L. Out of District Request(s) – 1) Students Reside in Creston School District, Choosing Placement in another District. Arnold Bjork moved to acknowledge receipt of the attendance agreements. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2) Students Choosing Creston School Placement. Arnold Bjork moved to approve these attendance agreements as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
M. Gym & School Grounds Use request(s) – nil
VIII. Claims – November 2020. Arnold Bjork moved to accept the Claims Approval List as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 10 December 2020, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

____________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

____________________________
Matt Hartle, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
8 October 2020

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:01a.m. The meeting was conducted via a Zoom meeting platform. Present were Board Trustees Matt Hartle, Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Arnold Bjork, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer. Also, in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk and Jennifer Johnson, 2nd Grade Teacher and CEA President, Janessa Williams, 6th grade teacher.
II. Minutes of 10 September 2020. Barry Farrell moved to approve the minutes as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
Note: Jessica Sandven-Sorensen joined the meeting at 7:05 a.m.
IV. Reports:
A. Clerk. Statement of Expenditures includes payroll and claims through 7 October 2020. General Fund is at 16% committed. Grand Total of all funds is at 19% committed. Fund 115 Project Report was also provided.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is at 103. Mrs. Ward continues to be in contact with area administration and health officials. To be in alignment with our Reopening Plan during Phase 1 and 2, preparations are underway to hold virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences, Scholastic Book Fair and a recorded Christmas Program. Monthly Building inspections have been completed and the building is being prepared for winter; later this month the utility sink in the custodian closet is to be replaced as well as discolored toilet seats. There was a lab error regarding our bacterium water sample, the company that performs our testing is handling this; the lead and copper samples reveal no concern. We continue to be in desperate need of substitute teachers, custodians, bus and maintenance for the 2020/2021 school year. Teachers are scheduled for half day peer observations this month; also, the first round of formal observations for all certified staff are being done; also, round table discussion regarding what is and isn’t working with remote learning continue. Our school has been identified for Targeted support by the Federal government in compliance with Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This identification was given due to the attendance data of a subset of students. We are tasked with raising attendance for this subset for 2020/2021 school year. Our beginning of the year assessment data for math shows our students are starting the school year close to where they were last year at this time despite a trimester of remote teaching and learning. A review of the Educational, Special Education and Crossroads Cooperatives and Programs was reported on. All staff completed safety training prior to the start of the school year. The safety committee has met and discussed concerns and needs which are being addressed, i.e. snow shovels, ice melt, leaf removal from gutters, emergency exit signage.
Note: Arnold Bjork joined the meeting at 7:11 a.m., during the Principal Report.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson shared the staff report via a Google Slides presentation. Sixth grade was the focus class this month and Janessa Williams also presented for her class.
V. Policies:
A. School District Policies 2000 Series – Informational Review. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen noted that many of these policies mention parent and community involvement and that although these are unique times with the current pandemic it’s important to the Board members to encourage involvement by alternative means; in our Reopening Plan we addressed the need to continue to involve parents and the community via virtual means when possible. These policies were presented as a review only. No motion needed.
VI. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Copy Machine Purchase. The current copy machine has been maintained very well and has lasted longer than expected. Barry Farrell moved to approve the purchase of a new copy machine as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
B. MTSUIP Annual Meeting. This is our Unemployment Insurance Program. An RSVP to the meeting was presented. No action taken.
C. MSGIA Annual Meeting. This is our Worker’s Compensation Program. An RSVP to the meeting or the option to be represented by proxy to MSGIA’s Annual Meeting was presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved 1) to approve the update to MSGIA Bylaws; 2) to accept the nominees as presented and 3) to approve Creston School be represented by proxy. Arnold Bjork seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Stipend for additional days worked outside of contract due to COVID-19 for the Principal. Compensation for two weeks of additional time worked due to COVID-19. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the stipend as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Stipend for additional days worked outside of contract due to COVID-19 for the Clerk. Compensation for two weeks of additional time worked due to COVID-19. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the stipend as presented. Arnold Bjork seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Substitute List – nil.
G. Transportation Contract(s). Twenty-four (24) contracts were presented (rider eligibility: 5 – eligible, 14 – ineligible, 4 – out-of-district, 1 – out-of-district/occasional use). Barry Farrell moved to approve the transportation contracts as presented. Arnold Bjork seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Before School Care Contract(s). Ten (10) contracts were included in the request. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve the contracts as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Out of District Request(s). Three separate items were presented: 1) Twelve (12) students residing in our district and parent(s)/guardian(s) choosing to have the students attend another district. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to acknowledge receipt of these attendance agreements. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously; 2) Student resides in Creston School District, attending another District, this is a District placement. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to approve this attendance agreement. Arnold Bjork seconded. Motion passed unanimously; 3) Thirty-two (32) students living in another district and parent(s)/guardian(s) requesting Creston School as their school of choice/placement. Arnold Bjork moved to approve these attendance agreements as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Gym & School Grounds Use request(s) – nil.
K. Principal Goals – Executive Session. This Item was moved to the end of the meeting. At 8:08 a.m. Matt Hartle closed the meeting in order to conduct a personnel evaluation. At 8:16 a.m. the meeting reconvened in open session. Arnold Bjork moved to approve the Principal evaluation and to approve the executive session minutes. Barry Farrell seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Claims – September & October 2020. Nevada Hafer moved to approve all claims as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 12 November 2020, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
IX. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_____________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

_____________________________
Matt Hartle, Board Chair