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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
12 SEPTEMBER 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, 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 Shanta Milne, Kindergarten Teacher.
II. Minutes of 8 August & 23 August 2024. Barry Farrell moved to approve the minutes as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information
A. Speed Signs Highway 35 Project Update. There is one sign left to place: the flashing “school” speed limit sign west of the school. According to our local Flathead County MDT personnel, they are waiting on a third-party electric company to put power in at the new location. They are unable to provide an installation date.
B. Aide Hiring Update. We are still looking for applicants to apply; in the meantime, we are thankful to have substitutes filling the position.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The Statement of Expenditure was provided through the end of August 2024. The General Fund is 11% committed and the Total of all funds is 8% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through July 2024. The FY2022 & 2023 Audit report is expected to be available at the October board meeting.
B. Principal. Student enrollment is 83. All teachers and staff completed the First Aid refresher training in August. Teachers also participated in math professional development. There was a turnout of 84% for the Open House. The newly organized Friends of Creston School parent organization welcomed parents and students back to school on the first day of school with donuts and the staff received donuts and coffee; they will be hosting a costume swap and cookie decorating on October 7. Clearwater Solutions is scheduled to complete the sewer line repair the end of October. The district Smarter Balanced state testing data was provided with an update to include the state data. Benchmark assessments with the new MAP assessment system for the 2024/2025 school year are in progress for math and reading. The new Montana Aligned to Standards through-Year (MAST) for grades 3-6 will begin in October. Creston School earned Regular Accreditation Status for the 2023/2024 school year; this year we will work on the year 2 requirements. The Montana School Insurance Alliance (MTSIA) is the newly established health and wellness benefits trust; they are currently gathering data through a benchmark survey. Mrs. Stevens fills the role of the Homeless Liaison and will be completing the required training. Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Davidson are filling the role of the Indian Education for All (IEFA) Program Director for the 2024/2025 school year; Mrs. Visnovske will also serve as part of the committee. Mrs. Stevens fills the role of the Gifted and Talented Program Director. The Flathead Special Education Cooperative is staffed and providing support to our school. Mrs. Stevens serves on the FSEC Board and attends monthly meetings; she also participates in meetings with the Northwest Montana Association of School Superintendents (NWMASS) and the Rural Schools Administrators two times a month; and serves on the Crossroads Management Board which meets every other month. The monthly building inspection has been completed with no recommendation for repairs. The school facilities condition report was provided. We received wood chips from the Weyerhaeuser Giving Committee to replenish the wood chips on the playground.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson and Shanta Milne were present to share the report via a Google Slide presentation.
VI. Consideration of Action Items:
A. District Goals for 2024/2025. A review of the goals of the District that reflect the District’s Strategic Plan of Education. Twila Brenneman moved to adopt the Creston School District Goals for 2024/2025 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Emergency Operation Plan Update. The safety committee submitted updates to the Plan. Megan Derrington moved to adopt the Emergency Operations Plan as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Extra-Duty Contract – Substitute 2024/2025 – BV. An extra-duty contract to substitute for various school needs, i.e. Before School Program, Teacher, Aide. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the extra-duty contract for Barbara Visnovske as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. MSGIA Annual Meeting. Nevada Hafer moved to elect the four candidates to the MSGIA Board of Directors as presented on the ballot and to appoint the Chairperson of the MSGIA as proxy at the upcoming Annual Meeting of the MSGIA. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Transportation Contracts. Fourteen (14) contracts were presented. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the transportation contracts as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Before School Care Contracts. Twelve (12) contracts were presented. Megan Derrington moved to approve the Before School Care Contracts as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Out-of-District Requests. Attendance agreements for three (3) students that reside in our district, attending another district. Barry Farrell moved to acknowledge receipt of the attendance agreements. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. A request by A. Lasater to use the gym Monday’s 5:00 – 6:00p.m. from September 16 thru November 25, 2024, for individual basketball practice with a trainer. Megan Derrington moved to approve the gym use request as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Principal Evaluation (Goals) – Executive Session. Jessica Sandven-Sorenson closed the meeting at 7:40 a.m. for an executive session to conduct a personnel evaluation for Rachel Stevens. The meeting was re-opened at 8:12 a.m. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the principal evaluation of goals and to approve the executive session minutes. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Claims Approval – Consideration of Action. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the claims approval list as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 10 October 2024, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
B. 14 November 2024, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
IX. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:13 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

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