CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9

REGULAR BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

10 January 2019

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees Meeting to order at 7:00 a.m. in the Creston School Library with the following members present: Joanna Massie, Shawn McDonough, Jessica Sandven-Sorensen and Julie Tikka. Also, in attendance were: Tami Ward – Principal, Tammy Bartos – District Clerk, Jennifer Johnson – 2^ndgrade teacher.

II. Minutes.Julie Tikka moved and Shawn seconded approval of the minutes of the 13 December 2018 – Regular Meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

III. Public Participation / Correspondence– A letter from Jack Eggensperger, Flathead County Superintendent of Schools to Mr. Rogers. The conclusion: “…that the Easement was granted at a properly noticed public meeting …” “… appeal is denied.”

IV. Information Items:

A. Lawsuit William Rogers re. Wi-Fi Tower Installation – Update.Copies of documents provided for information:

a. 11 Dec 2018 Response and Brief in Opposition to Intervening Party’s Motion to Dismiss

b. 17 Dec 2018 MontanaSky Networks Rebuttal, Supporting Rule 12(b)6 Motion to Dismiss

B. Candidates for Trustee Election on May 7, 2019 may file a Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy between Thursday, December 13, 2018 and Thursday, March 28, 2019.There are two trustee position subject to election this year, both for 3 year terms.

V. Reports:

A. Clerk. Statement of Expenditure through 10 January 2019 was submitted. General Fund is at 42% committed and Grand Total of all funds is at 34%. Also reported on Fund 115 projects, Reconciliation to County Treasurer, p-Card status and MTSUIP/MTSBA Annual HR Symposium in February.

B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 103. Over Christmas break we had insulation blown in above the library to prevent ice dams; and the scoreboard is working and ready for our first basketball game in nearly twelve years, which will be held February 4^that 4:00 p.m. Mrs. Ward and Mr. Hagen have completed a facility inspection. Teachers are continuing a study of the book Engaging Children.  This month all students will take the mid-year benchmark assessment in math called EasyCBM.  Additionally, all K-2 students are assessed in reading using the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark assessment.  Twenty-one pairs of mittens/gloves were donated in December to Intermountain Services.  Mrs. Shanks will be our representative at the Education Cooperative to view new textbook recommendations for Social Studies.  The management board, of the Special Education Cooperative, has signed papers for the purchase of a building in Kalispell for the offices, special education preschool and communication disorders School.  The Safety Committee is looking into recommendations for the sidewalk in front of the annex – a cover or roof/gutter heaters.  Following up on the School Growth Survey from November, the following Middle School Considerations were explored:  1) Funding for an accredited Middle School Program would be approximately $1562 more per 7^thand 8^thgrade student than the Elementary K-6 rate; also it’s recommended to do an application for an anticipated enrollment increase prior to the regular budget approval period; 2) Basic Education Program for Middle Grades was reviewed – the  Middle School Philosophy program is the recommended program by Mrs. Ward;  further discussion and information will be provided at next months meeting including minimum enrollment, funding projections and building possibilities.

C. Staff. Jennifer Johnson brought in I-pads and QR codes and the staff report was shared via a Google slides presentation.Each teacher provided a slide for the board to see the learning that is happening in the classrooms.

VI. Policies: nil.

VII. Consideration of Action Items:

A. Coaching Stipend – E. Russell, Girls Basketball. We have a 5^th/6^thcombined Girls Basketball team this year! Emily Russell, 6^thgrade teacher, has agreed to coach the team. The rate is $650 (salary and mileage allowance). Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Joanna Massie seconded approving the coaching contract as presented.  Motion passed unanimously.

B. Public Employees Retirement System – Agency Motion to Adopt Contract. A vote by secret ballot was held on Tuesday, January 8^that which 100% of eligible employees voted to accept PERS. Julie Tikka moved, and Shawn McDonough seconded to adopt the PERS Contract as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

C. Rogers vs. Creston School Lawsuit – Motion to execute a mutual release. William Rogers has offered to dismiss his lawsuit, release all claims and allow the District to proceed with the construction of a tower by MontanaSky Networks in exchange for a mutual release of any and all claims. Our Counsel has recommended acceptance of the offer. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Joanna Massie seconded to agree to execute a mutual release with William Scott Rogers.  Motion passed unanimously.

D. Transportation Contract(s). nil.

E. Before School Care Contract(s). nil.

F. Out of District request(s). Julie Tikka moved, and Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded to acknowledge receipt of the attendance agreements for students residing in the Creston School District and attending another district. Motion passed unanimously.

G. Gym & School Grounds Use Request(s). Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming have requested the use of the gym on Friday, February 1, 2019 for the purpose of an Informational Meeting with Students Grades K-1 and their parents/guardians. Joanna Massie moved, and Shawn McDonough seconded to approve the request as presented. Motion passed unanimously.

VIII. Claims.Board approved all Claims for January 2019.

IX. Next Meeting Dates:

A. 14 February 2019 7:00am, Regular Meeting

B. Policy Review with MTSBA Staff – Tentative: Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 4:00 – 8:00pm

X. Meeting adjourned at 8:08 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tammy Bartos, District Clerk                               Matt Hartle, Chairman

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9

REGULAR BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

13 December 2018 MINUTES

I. Call to order. Matt Hartle called the Board of Trustees Meeting to order at 7:01 a.m. in the Creston School Library with the following members present: Shawn McDonough, Jessica Sandven-Sorensen and Julie Tikka. Also, in attendance were: Tami Ward – Principal, Tammy Bartos – District Clerk, Emily Russell – 6th grade teacher. Absent: Joanna Massie (other responsibilities).

II. Minutes. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved and Julie Tikka seconded approval of the minutes of the 7 November 2018 – Regular Meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.

IV. Information Items:

A. Lawsuit William Rogers re. Wi-Fi Tower Installation – Update. Copies of documents provided for information:

a. 9 Oct 2018 Motion for amended complaint

b. 9 Oct 2018 Amended Complaint

c. 26 Oct 2018 Defendant’s answer to plaintiff’s amended complaint

d. Order Granting Leave to Intervene – by MontanaSky Networks – approved

e. 9 Nov 2018 Response to County Superintendent – fax date 11 Nov 2018

f. 14 Nov 2018 Order re: Motion for Preliminary Injunction – denied

g. 21 Nov 2018 Motion for reconsideration of order denying plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction

h. 3 Dec 2018 Intervenor’s (MSN) Response to Plaintiff’s Motion to reconsider

i. 10 Dec 2018 Intervenor’s MSN Motion and Brief to Dismiss

B. Attorney Statements. Copies of documents provided for information. These statements/invoices are being paid by our liability insurer.

a. 26 Nov 2018 Statement from Faure Holden Attorneys re. Rogers

b. 26 Nov 2018 Statement from Faure Holder Attorneys re. Kukla

C. Flathead County Superintendent of Schools Statistical Report of Schools 2018. Report was handed out.

D. MTSBA Policy Maintenance – Update. MTSBA is in the process of working on our draft policies. At the January Board Meeting we will discuss scheduling a meeting to review policies the end of January or in February.

V. Reports:

A. Clerk. Statement of Expenditure through 13 December 2018 was submitted. General Fund is at 34% committed and Grand Total of all funds is at 28%.

B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 101. Jan Lord, artist in residence, is finishing up the mural with 3rd – 6th graders this month. LED light panels on the reader board will be replaced; and facility inspections have been completed with no recommendations at this time. Teachers are using the student data from the NWRISE Engagement Survey to work on issues and concerns. Teachers have completed a couple of chapters in the Super Spellers book and a spelling inventory on all students. Tami Ward was an education panel member at the Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Flathead group, on December 7th. First round of formal teacher observations has been completed. In November, 519 total food items were collected by our school community for the Food Bank. There were 56 responses received to the School Growth survey that was offered to parents and staff. The majority favored adding a 7th and 8th grade; next step options will be presented at a future meeting including visiting other schools, funding and education requirements.

C. Staff. Emily Russell reported on the various classroom topics and events happening throughout the school.

VI. Policies: nil.

VII. Consideration of Action Items:

A. Procurement Card (p-Card). The Montana Association of School Business Officials (MASBO) has partnered with Illinois ASBO’s Procurement Card Program for several years and is very satisfied with this program. Procedures and forms to administer the program in a fiscally responsible manner would be put into place prior to using the cards. Julie Tikka moved, and Shawn McDonough seconded to approve applying to and entering into a contract for an Illinois ASBO’s Procurement Card through the Bank of Montreal with a total initial monthly credit limit of $45,000. (The entire resolution follows.) Motion passed unanimously. Resolution Authorizing Issuance of Individual Procurement Cards WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Creston School District #9, Flathead County, State of Montana, has the authority to enter into an agreement with the Bank of Montreal for purchasing cards; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees of the Creston School District #9, Flathead County, State of Montana, that the Chairman and Clerk are authorized to enter into an Agreement with the Bank of Montreal to secure Procurement Cards for each authorized employee of the school district under such terms and conditions as approved by the Board. The Board of Trustees, authorizes the School District Clerk to execute a p-Card program agreement on its behalf. Approved this 13th day of December 2018. Ayes: 4; Nays: none.

B. PERS – Public Employees Retirement System for Classified Non-Instructional Staff. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen moved, and Joanna Massie seconded to pass the following resolution: The Board of Trustees for School District No. 9, Flathead County, State of Montana, intends to approve a Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) coverage contract upon approval of a secret ballot election of all eligible employees. Motion passed unanimously.

C. Aflac – after-tax Disability option. In November an Aflac representative was invited to present the plans they have to offer. Several employees elected to participate. Because this plan is being offered as a pre-tax only option/deduction there is no action required by the Board.

D. Transportation Contract(s). nil.

E. Before School Care Contract(s). nil.

F. Out of District request(s). Julie Tikka moved, and Jessica Sandven-Sorensen seconded to approve the attendance agreement for a student residing in Creston School District and attending another district. Motion passed unanimously.

G. Gym & School Grounds Use Request(s). nil.

VIII. Claims. Board approved all Claims for December 2018.

IX. Next Meeting Dates:

A. 10 January 2018 7:00am, Regular Meeting

X. Meeting adjourned at 7:44 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tammy Bartos, District Clerk                                 Matt Hartle, Chairman