CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
26 May 2020

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. The meeting was held via a Zoom video conferencing platform. The following members were present: Arnold Bjork, Barry Farrell, and Nevada Hafer. Absent: Matt Hartle. Also, in attendance: Tammy Bartos – District Clerk, and Tami Ward – Principal.
II. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
III. Consideration of Action Items:
A. 6th Grade Day Trip June 2020 & Permission Form. Every year we plan a special day for our 6th graders to celebrate their time at Creston School. We originally had a day planned at Flathead Lake Bible Camp, but due to COVID19 the facility cancelled the reservation. The Amazing Fun Center in Coram has contacted area schools offering their outdoor facility for use once we are in Phase 2 – which we will be June 1st. A Permission Slip has been developed using form 2151F from our policy series and modified for COVID-19. The sixth-grade teachers will chaperone and plan for a June 8th date. Arnold Bjork motioned and Barry Farrell seconded approval of the 6th Grade Day Trip to the Amazing Fun Center with parent provided transportation and of the permission slip as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Obsolete Property Resolution. Barry Farrell moved and Nevada Hafer seconded approval of the Resolution for disposal of property as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. Next Meeting Date:
A. 11 June 2020, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
V. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:12 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_____________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

_____________________________
Matt Hartle, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REORGANIZATION & REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
14 May 2020
MINUTES

I. Call to order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:01 a.m. in the Creston Gym. The meeting was also conducted via a Zoom Meeting platform to allow remote access. Members present: Barry Farrell, Nevada Hafer, Shawn McDonough, Jessica Sandven-Sorensen. Members absent: Arnold Bjork. Also, in attendance: Tammy Bartos – District Clerk, Tami Ward – Principal, and Jack Eggensperger – County Superintendent. In attendance via Zoom: Emily Russell – 5th grade teacher.
II. Minutes of 9 April 2020 and 30 April 2020. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved and Shawn McDonough seconded approval of the minutes as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Results of Trustee Election / Welcome & Introductions. The Trustee Election was cancelled due to the number of candidates filing a Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy was equal to the number of open positions. Trustees elected by acclamation: Arnold Bjork for a 3-year term, Barry Farrell for a 2-year term and Nevada Hafer for a 3-year term. Shawn McDonough moved to accept the election results as presented. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
V. Oath of Office for Newly Elected Trustees. Arnold Bjork took his oath of office prior to today’s meeting at the County Superintendent’s Office. Jack Eggensperger administered the oath of office to Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer.
VI. Adjourn Meeting / Recognition to Outgoing Trustee. Matt Hartle, Board Chair, adjourned the meeting at 7:09 a.m. Thanks, and recognition for time served was given to outgoing trustee Shawn McDonough.
VII. Call to Order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees meeting to order with newly appointed trustees at 7:09 a.m. in the Creston Gym. The same people were in attendance.
VIII. Nomination and Election of Board Chair. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen nominated Matt Hartle as Board Chair. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Nomination and Election of Board Vice-Chair. Matt Hartle nominated Jessica Sandven-Sorensen as Vice-Chair. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
X. Appointment and Oath of Office of District Clerk. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved to appoint Tammy Bartos as District Clerk. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Jack Eggensperger administered the oath of office to Tammy Bartos.
XI. Information Items:
A. Bus Transactions Updates. Sheyenne Transport has accepted the offer approved by the Board on April 9th and they plan to pick up the 2011 IC CE bus from us today or tomorrow. Our new Blue Bird Propane Bus was delivered to the school on Friday May 8th.
B. Procedures COVID-19 Staff and Student Health Guidelines. Two documents were shared: 1) Creston Safe Practices for Staff and Students and 2) Targeted Student Check-In May 11 – Remainder of the 2019-2020 School Year.
XII. Reports:
A. Clerk. Statement of Expenditure and Fund 115 Projects report includes payroll and claims through 13 May 2020. The General Fund is at 74% committed and the Grand Total of all funds is at 71% committed. Reconciliation to the County Treasurer has been completed for March 2020. The Audit for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 is still in progress.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is at 115. Close contact with area administration, the Office of Public Instruction, and the CDC regarding the coronavirus continues. A plan for a festive End of Year Celebration while being mindful of Covid-19 issues is underway – all staff will be onsite June 5th and will be in the field as families drive through drop-off and pick-up stations; each family will be given a treat bag and fun summer activities as they pick up report cards and say goodbye. Regular monthly maintenance continues, and the summer project list is underway. Jackola Engineering has been contacted for a preliminary bid on the septic system. Teachers continue to assess students remotely and are beginning to schedule students for in person, one-to-one assessments/instruction on grade level objectives as per the guidelines. Summary reports on teacher professional development, safety committee, Education Cooperative, Special Education Cooperative and Crossroads were also given. School Facilities Inventory Status Report was included. Next month there will be an agenda item regarding a needed change on the 2020-2021 School Year Calendar to reflect the correct Creston Auction Prep Days as April 8th and 9th (not the 1st and 2nd).
C. Staff. Emily Russell shared the staff report via a Google Slides presentation which highlighted student work and projects.
XIII. Policies:
A. MTSBA Policy Update Recommendations to #1900 and #1906. The updates were recommended by MTSBA in anticipation of the policies needing to remain in effect beyond the conclusion of the 2019-2020 school year. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Barry Farrell seconded approval of the policies as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
XIV. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Board Meeting Time for FY21. Discussion regarding a possible change to the regular board meetings. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Barry Farrell seconded regular meetings to continue to meet at 7:00 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Video Surveillance Committee Formation. Matt Hartle and Jessica Sandven-Sorensen volunteered to serve on this committee. Shawn McDonough volunteered to serve as a community member.
C. Flathead Special Education Cooperative FY21 Interlocal Agreement Severe Communication Disorders Program. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Barry Farrell seconded approval of the Interlocal Agreement as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Flathead Special Education Cooperative FY21 Interlocal Agreement Preschool Program. Nevada Hafer moved, and Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded approval of the Interlocal Agreement as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Sick Bank Committee Formation. Barry Farrell volunteered to serve on this committee.
F. MTSBA Annual Meeting Delegate(s) and Registration. At this time no one volunteered to be a representative.
G. Teacher Contracts 2020-2021 Renewal or Non-renewal of non-tenured teachers. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Barry Farrell seconded to approve the contract renewals for the list of tenured teachers and approve the contract renewals for the list of non-tenured teachers as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Hiring for a 1.0 Teacher for 2020/2021 (a one-year contract for Hess-Headlee leave). Barry Farrell moved, and Nevada Hafer seconded approval to hire Janessa Williams for the 2020/2021 school year, contingent upon receiving a current and valid Montana teacher certificate with the required endorsements. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Budget Considerations COVID-19 Related Costs. No information available at this time.
J. Post Opening to Hire Aide for 2020/2021. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Nevada Hafer seconded approval to post a job opening for an Aide position for 2020/2021 and to begin the hiring process. Motion passed unanimously.
K. Student Handbook change regarding OPT-IN for State Missing Child Photo Repository. Barry Farrell moved, and Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded to approve changing the Student Handbook section and any related forms regarding Missing Child Electronic Photograph Repository to reflect the State required opt-in procedure. Motion passed unanimously.
L. Out of District Request(s) – nil.
XV. Claims – May 2020. The trustees approved all claims as presented.
XVI. Next Meeting Date:
A. 11 June 2020, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
XVII. Executive Session for Principal Personnel Evaluation and consideration of closed session minutes. At 8:20 a.m. Board Chair, Matt Hartle, closed the meeting in order to protect the individual rights of Tami Ward, Principal. Upon re-opening the meeting at 8:39 a.m. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved and Barry Farrell seconded approval of the evaluation and of the executive session minutes. Motion passed unanimously.
XVIII. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_____________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

_____________________________
Matt Hartle, Board Chair