CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
14 SEPTEMBER 2023

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:05 a.m. The meeting was held in the gym. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, and Barry Farrell; absent: Megan Derrington and Nevada Hafer. Also in attendance were Rachel Stevens, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Cindi Conley, Special Education Teacher and Bobbie Visnovske, Specials Teacher.
II. Minutes of 10 August 2023. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the minutes as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil
IV. Information
A. Boardsmanship Leadership Academy. Flathead Valley Community College is offering this five-week academy September 14 through October 12 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The notice was provided.
B. Asbestos Report July 2023. An accredited asbestos inspector did a walk-through of our facilities in July of 2023. The inspection did not reveal any new areas of concern and those that are existing are in good condition. Recommendations are to continue to maintain the material and continue following the proper techniques that we have in place.
C. Speed Study Update. The speed limit recommendations made by MDT were approved on August 24 by the Transportation Commission. The MDT District office is now moving forward with ordering and updating the signage, securing funding and material to update the bouncing ball flashers for the school speed zone signs.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 31 August 2023. General Fund is 5% committed and the Total of all Funds is also 5% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through July 2023. Miscellaneous Funds and Eastside Interlocal account were also reported.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 105. All teachers and staff completed CPR and First Aid training in August. Teachers will participate in online professional development for the Social Studies Alive! program this month. All staff participated in Run, Lock, Fight training in August. Overall Open House turnout was 86%. Mrs. Stevens will be participating in training sessions this month for the new School Accreditation requirements. Benchmark assessments for the 2023/2024 school year are in progress for math (easyCBM) and reading (Fountas & Pinnell). The district Smarter Balanced (SBAC) state testing data is now available and a report comparing state and district results was provided. Mrs. Stevens fills the role of the Homeless Liaison and has completed the required training. Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Davidson are filling the role of the Indian Education for All (IEFA) Program Director for the 2023/2024 school year; they participated in IEFA professional development in the spring and will be providing professional development for our teachers this fall. Mrs. Stevens fills the role of Gifted and Talented Program Director and has developed a committee to revise and update the District’s Gifted and Talented Education Plan. The school facilities condition inventory report was provided with updates. The monthly building inspection has been completed with no recommendation for repairs. Weyerhaeuser granted us one CAD truck load of wood chips for the playground in August. The bus lot project has been completed including replacing gates, fences, and installing the cable barrier behind the annex. The Special Education Cooperative is staffed and providing support to our school through the provision of a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, and school psychologist; Mrs. Stevens also serves on the board and attends monthly meetings. Mrs. Stevens participates in meetings with the Northwest Montana Association of School Superintendents (NWMASS) and the Rural Schools Administrators two times a month; these meetings support her growth as a professional and maintain the connection our school has with other schools in the valley. Crossroads management board will meet every other month; the next meeting is in October.
C. Staff. Mrs. Conley, Special Education Teacher and Mrs. Visnovske, Specials Teacher were present to share the staff report via a Google Slide presentation.
VI. Policies – Consideration of Action:
A. First Reading of Policy Updates: 1650 (New), 1006FE, 1110, 1400, 2132, 2140, 2332, 2450, 3120, 3141, 3226, 3233, 3235, 3310, 3413, 3510, 3550, 8301. The MTSBA Policy Services team has prepared necessary updates in response to legislation approved during the 2023 Legislative Session. The policies listed are only a portion of the updates provided. Policies were reviewed. No action taken.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. District Goals for 2023/2024. The goals included the school philosophy, mission statement, motto, educational goals and continuous school improvement goals. Barry Farrell moved to adopt the Creston School District Goals for 2023/2024 as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Extra-Duty Custodian Contracts. A list of current employees agreeing to fill in as custodian as needed was provided. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the extra-duty custodian contracts as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. No updates. No action.
D. MSGIA Annual Meeting. Twila Brenneman moved to accept the nominees as presented and to approve Creston School be represented by proxy. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Bus Stop Requests. A list was presented for adding approved stops that allow students to cross the road. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the bus stop requests as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Transportation Contracts. Fourteen (14) contracts were presented. Barry Farrell moved to approve the contracts as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Before School Care Contracts. Fourteen (14) contracts were presented. Barry Farrell moved to approve the contracts as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Out-of-District Requests. Attendance agreement for four (4) students that reside in our district, attending another district. Twila Brenneman moved to acknowledge the receipt of the attendance agreements. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Thirty-six (36) requests for students residing in other districts and requesting Creston School District as their school of choice. Barry Farrell moved to approve these attendance agreements. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. Three requests were presented: 1) D. Shurz and K. Hagen requesting the gym on Fridays, September 22 – May 31, 2024, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm for martial arts practice for family members; 2) J. Edmondson requesting the gym October 6 thru March 24, 2024 on Fridays from 5:15 – 6:15pm and Sundays from 11:00 to 12:00pm for basketball open gym for family and friends; 3) S. Uskoski requesting the gym on Mondays, September 25 – May 20, 2024 from 7:00 – 9:00pm for basketball for family. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the gym use requests as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Principal Evaluation (Goals) – Executive Session. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen closed the meeting at 8:05 a.m. for an executive session to conduct a personnel evaluation for Rachel Stevens. The meeting was re-opened at 8:25 a.m. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the principal evaluation of goals and to approve the executive session minutes. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Claims Approval – Consideration of Action. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the claims list as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 12 October 2023, 7:00 am, Regular Meeting
B. 9 November 2023, 7:00 am, Regular Meeting
X. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion on the following:
A. Long-Term Goals and Strategic Planning
B. Schedule for Trustee School Walk-Throughs
XI. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

/s/Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
BUDGET & REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
10 AUGUST 2023

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:00 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, and Pauline Davidson, 3rd grade Teacher.
II. Minutes of 8 June & 29 June 2023. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the minutes as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information
A. List of P-Card Users. A list of current P-Card users was provided.
B. MSPLIP Safety Inspection Report. MSPLIP Loss Control Specialist, Kevin Smith, did a walk-through of our facilities on June 28th. The purpose is to provide us with an updated loss control assessment. The report noted that previous recommendations were completed. There was one recommendation made to add a strip of tape or paint to a threshold in the basement indicating a change in height. A copy of the Inspection Report was provided.
C. Speed Study Update. The Montana Department of Transportation received the final comments from the Flathead County Commissioners and moved forward with adding an agenda item on the next Transportation Commission meeting for August 24.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 30 June 2023. General Fund is 99% committed and the Total of all Funds is 82% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through June 2023.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is predicted at 105. The Montana Office of Public Instruction is updating and revising the accreditation standards for public schools; the new rules will take effect for the 2024/2025 school year. Most teachers attended the Missoula August Institute virtually. Teachers also have an opportunity to attend the NW Reading Council Literacy Conference later this month. All teachers and staff will receive CPR and AED training on August 24. The Montana DRIVE workshop was attended in July by our two on-staff bus drivers. All teachers and staff will complete Run, Lock, Fight training on August 25 as well as online safety training prior to Sept 9. Principal Stevens participated in Egrants training in July and will attend library and counselor training on August 14. The regrading and paving of the bus lot, the French drain in the east parking lot, and the painting of both lots have been completed. Fencing around the annex and main building and barriers for the HVAC units are scheduled to be completed prior to the return of students. Mrs. Visnovske and Mrs. Stevens wrote and were awarded a grant through Montana National Archery in the School – the archery equipment has been received; Mrs. Visnovske is a certified archery instructor and plans to include an archery unit in PE this year. Our annual Open House is scheduled for August 28 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm; families will have the opportunity to meet the teacher, bring school supplies, sign up to volunteer or bring class treats, and socialize with other families on the playground. Summer building and maintenance projects are nearing completion – the school facilities report was provided.
C. Staff – nil.
VI. Consideration of Action Items:
A. TFS. The Trustees Financial Summary (TFS) is the district’s official submission of annual financial information to the County Superintendent and State Superintendent. The report was provided in full. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the TFS for fiscal year 2022/2023 as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Budget. The 2023/2024 final budget report was reviewed, including expenditure budgets, operating reserves, reappropriation amounts and levy amounts. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the 2023/2024 Budget and Apportionment of Ending Cash Balances as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Substitute Pay Rates for 2023/2024. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the pay rate of $14.25 per hour for a Substitute Teacher/Aide for fiscal year 2023/2024 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Substitute List 2023/2024. Barry Farrell moved to approve the re-hire and new hire substitute teachers/aides/custodians lists as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Megan Derrington moved to approve the substitute bus driver re-hire of Rob Tracy and hourly wage as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan Review. Minor revisions were recommended to reference adopted policies in lieu of terminated policies. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plans as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Designation of Representative to the FSEC Management Board. Twila Brenneman moved to appoint Rachel Stevens, Principal, to represent Creston School District on the Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management Board. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Extra-Duty Mentor – TM. A recommendation to approve a teacher mentor for our newest teacher (B. Visnovske) for this school year. Barry Farrell moved to approve the extra-duty mentoring contract and pay rate for Teresa Mumm as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Extra-Duty Athletic Director – TM. A recommendation to approve an extra-duty contract for an athletic director for this school year. Barry Farrell moved to approve the extra-duty athletic director contract and pay rate for Teresa Mumm as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Extra-Duty Bus Driver Training Contract – KM. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the extra-duty bus driver training contract and pay rate for Katy Hagen as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Extra-Duty Substitute Bus Driver Contract – KM. Megan Derrington moved to approve the extra-duty substitute bus driver contract and pay rate for Katy Hagen as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
K. Extra-Duty Manage Google Classroom Contract – JS. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the extra-duty contract and pay rate for Jamie Shanks to manage Google Classroom as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
L. 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. Barry Farrell moved to approve the Hold Harmless agreements for 2023/2024 with the Creston Fire Department and the Eastside Grange as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
M. Staff Handbook 2023/2024. Revisions to the handbook were presented. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the Staff Handbook 2023/2024 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
N. Application for Free & Reduced School Fees. A revised form was presented. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the application for free and reduced school fees as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
O. Records Destruction. Two Form RM88’s were presented to dispose of personnel records. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the records destruction request as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
P. Transportation Contracts – nil.
Q. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
R. Out-of-District Requests – nil.
S. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. The Many Lakes Homeowners Association requested use of the gym on Friday, September 15 and 16 to set-up and hold their annual meeting. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the gym use request as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Claims Approval – Consideration of Action – July and August. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the claims lists as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 14 September 2023, 7:00 am, Regular Meeting
B. 12 October 2023, 7:00 am, Regular Meeting
IX. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion on the following topic:
A. Discuss topics for future work sessions.
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:46 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

/s/Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
29 JUNE 2023

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:31 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, and Tammy Bartos, District Clerk.
II. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
III. Consideration of Action Items:
A. MSPLIP Property & Liability Insurance Renewal 2023/2024. Megan Derrington moved to approve the MSPLIP Property & Liability Insurance Policy Renewal for fiscal year 2023/2024 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Substitute Custodian Pay Rate for 2023/2024. Barry Farrell moved to approve the pay rate of $17.25 per hour for a substitute custodian for fiscal year 2023/2024 as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Substitute Custodian Hire & Contract 2023/2024. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the substitute custodian re-hire for fiscal year 2023/2024 as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. Information only.
E. Personnel Evaluation – T Bartos – Executive Session. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen determined that the demands of individual privacy clearly exceed the merits of public disclosure and at 7:39 a.m. closed the meeting for an executive session to conduct the personnel evaluation of Tammy Bartos. The meeting was reconvened in open session at 8:04 a.m. and Twila Brenneman moved to approve the personnel evaluation of the District Clerk and to approve the executive session minutes. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. Claims Approval – nil.
V. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 10 August 2023, 7:00 am, Budget & Regular Meeting
VI. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

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