Board Minutes

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
19 MARCH 2025

MINUTES

I. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustee meeting to order at 3:54 p.m. The meeting was held in the gym. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer; absent: Megan Derrington. Also in attendance were Rachel Stevens, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Cindi Conley, Special Education Teacher, Shanta Milne, Kindergarten Teacher, Melissa Potts, Title Teacher and Jen Johnson, CEA President and 2nd Grade Teacher
II. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
III. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Principal Contract 2025/2026. At the March 10, 2025, meeting the trustees voted unanimously to offer the Principal with Superintendent duties position to Cheryl Peterson, Ed. D. On behalf of the district, Elizabeth Kaleva presented the offer and negotiated a two-year employment contract commencing on July 1, 2025. Barry Farrell moved to approve the Principal Contract with Cheryl Peterson as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Trustee Resolution – Notice of Intent to Increase/Decrease Non-Voted Levies for 2025/2026
1. OPI Pre-Session Budget Data Sheet – report provided.
2. Preliminary General Fund Budget Fiscal Year 2025/2026 – report provided.
This is a required notice estimating changes in non-voted levies and listing the expected use of the Building Reserve State Major Maintenance levies. All funds were listed in the resolution to give a more complete overview of next year’s estimated levies. A preliminary General Funds Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 and OPI Pre-Session Budget Data Sheet were provided and discussed along with the Resolution itself. The septic system upgrade was requested to be added to the notice. Barry Farrell moved to approve the Resolution. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with Creston Education Association. Discussions regarding the information provided with the preliminary budget and requested item for negotiations. There are financial implications dependent on the outcome of the State Legislative Session and no final decisions were made. Discussion only.
IV. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 5:06 p.m.

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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
13 MARCH 2025

MINUTES

I. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:02 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, Shanta Milne, Kindergarten Teacher, Melissa Potts, Title Teacher and Jen Johnson, CEA President and 2nd Grade Teacher, and Nicole Noonan, CPA.
II. Minutes of 13 February, 26 February, & 10 March 2025. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the minutes as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence
IV. Information
A. Hiring Updates:
1. Part-Time Aide – interviews were held on February 5; however, the position remains unfilled; while the budget and enrollment for 2025/2026 are under consideration filling this position is on pause.
2. District Clerk & Business/Office Manager – Interviews were held February 28; however, the position remains unfilled; additional interviews are set for March 14.
3. Principal – Interviews were held March 10; we are waiting to hear back from Kaleva Law regarding the offer that was made.
Barry Farrell left the meeting at 7:20 a.m.
B. Audit Report. Nicole Noonan, CPA presented the audit report for fiscal years ended June 30, 2022, and 2023.
C. Special Education Division of OPI – Compliance Monitoring. OPI has determined that the district has met the standards for compliance – a copy of the letter was provided. Monitoring was to determine whether Creston is fully meeting its responsibilities to ensure that education programs for children with disabilities are administered in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Administrative Rules of Montana.
D. Fire Inspection Report. Both our main building and the annex were inspected on 2/26/2025. The inspections were approved with no violation noted – copies of the reports were provided.
E. Teacher Resignation – JW (aka JH). Janessa Williams (Harkins), 5th and 6th grade teacher, has submitted her resignation effective the end of this school year – copy of the letter and the acceptance from Mrs. Stevens were provided.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The Statement of Expenditure was provided through the end of February 2025. The General Fund is 53% committed and the Total of all funds is 43% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through January 2025. Recent professional development meetings and trainings included Human Resources, OPI Tuition Reporting, and School Budget. Data entry of all current attendance agreements for district of choice in MAEFAIRS system has been completed – final data must be submitted after the last day of school and by June 30.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 82. Teachers participated in IEFA professional development developed by Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Davidson. Mrs. Johnson has agreed to volunteer to coordinate and supervise 5th & 6th grade student volunteers to serve as Creston Auction runners and selecting students is in process. The Family Event committee planned an Art Night that was held in partnership with the Artists and Craftsmen of Flathead Valley; the event was March 11 and was a success. On March 7 students selected books during a book swap; families donated books and Super 1 Foods donated reusable bags. Mrs. Johnson wrote and received the Karen Cox grant award in the amount of $494.88 for hands on, interactive spelling and phonics kits. The evidence for the Year 2 Accreditation Cycle was submitted to the Montana OPI on February 13. The CRDC data collection was completed, and the data was certified and submitted February 21. Monitoring for our Special Education program was in January and notice that the district met the standards for compliance has been received. The data collection for ESEA/ESSA monitoring is underway. Students and staff participated in a Shelter-in-Place drill on February 19. The Creston School Brochure was updated and will be provided at various locations/events. Monthly building inspections have been completed with no repairs recommended. The facilities inventory report was provided.
C. Staff. Teachers that were present provided additional information during the Google Slide presentation.
VI. Policies – Consideration of Action:
A. MTSBA 11/26/24 Policy Notes – 2nd Read: 5120F-Determination Form, 5120F – Dissemination Log, 5120P, 3311, 4332, 5223, 1240, 1332, 3141, 3416, 3612P, 3600F, 4340, 5251, 5334, 5450P, 7525; New: 5122F; Delete: 5120F-Notice… & 5120F–Re-Dissemination… Twila Brenneman moved to approve the policy updates as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Trustee Resolution – Notice of Intent to Increase/Decrease Non-Voted Levies for 2025/2026
1. OPI Pre-Session Budget Data Sheet
2. Preliminary General Fund Budget Fiscal Year 2025/2026
The information for this item will be provided/discussed at a future meeting. No action.
B. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with Creston Education Association – nil.
C. Student Handbook 2025/2026. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the Student Handbook for 2025/2026 as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. School Calendar 2025/2026. Two options were presented. Option 1 has a start date of August 27, and an end date of June 9. Option 2 has a start date of September 2 and an end date of June 12. Megan Derrington moved to approve option 1 of the 2025/2026 School Calendar as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Begin Hiring Process for a 1.0 Teacher Position for 2025/2026. Twila Brenneman moved to approve posting an open 1.0 FTE Teacher position for the 2025/2026 school year as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen and Barry Farrell to serve as trustees on the hiring committee.
F. Property Disposal Resolution. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the property disposal resolution as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Transportation Contracts – nil.
H. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
I. Out-of-District Requests. An attendance agreement for a student that resides in our district, attending Evergreen Crossroads. Megan Derrington moved to approve the attendance agreement. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. An attendance agreement for a student that resides in our district, attending another district per request of the parent/guardian. Megan Derrington moved to acknowledge receipt of this attendance agreement. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests – nil.
VIII. Claims Approval – Consideration of Action. Megan Derrington moved to approve the claims list as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 10 April 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
B. 8 May 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:32 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
PRINCIPAL INTERVIEWS
10 March 2025

MINUTES

I. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 5:12 p.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: Elizabeth Kaleva, legal counsel, various teachers, staff and community members.
II. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
III. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Principal Interviews including an Executive Session. Fernanda Adame and Cheryl Peterson were interviewed. At the conclusion of the interviews, public comment was taken. At 6:43 p.m. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen determined that the demands of individual privacy clearly exceeded the merits of public disclosure and closed the meeting for an executive session to review the results of the background checks with legal counsel, Elizabeth Kaleva. The meeting was reconvened in open session at 7:29 p.m. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the executive session minutes. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Additional comments were made by the trustees. Megan Derrington moved to offer the position and a contract to Cheryl Peterson. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Elizabeth Kaleva will negotiate the terms of an employment contract.
IV. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:32.

Respectfully Submitted,

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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
26 February 2025

MINUTES

I. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. The meeting was held in the library. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Megan Derrington, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer. Also in attendance: Elizabeth Kaleva, legal counsel (attended via Zoom), and Tammy Bartos, District Clerk.
II. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
III. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Principal Applicant Screening – Executive Session. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen closed the meeting at 7:32 for an executive session to conduct applicant screenings for the principal position finding that the applicant’s rights of privacy exceed the public’s right to know. Elizabeth Kaleva, as legal counsel remained in the meeting. The meeting was reopened at 8:40 a.m. Both Elizabeth Kaleva and Twila Brenneman left the meeting. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the executive session minutes. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously. All three applicants will be offered an interview.
B. Review Principal Interview Questions. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen informed the group that Elizabeth Kaleva will send out possible interview questions and each trustee is to individually select their top choices. Also, a tentative date for the interviews is March 10. Discussion only, no action.
IV. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:42 a.m.

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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
13 FEBRUARY 2025

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, Shanta Milne, Kindergarten Teacher, Melissa Potts, Title Teacher and Jen Johnson, CEA President and 2nd Grade Teacher; and one community member.
II. Minutes of 9 January & 23 January 2025. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the minutes as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – a letter from the Montana School for the Deaf & the Blind Foundation was shared; it was both a thank you to the trustees for their service and information about MSDB.
IV. Information
A. Hiring Updates:
1. Part-Time Aide – interviews were held February 5th and pre-employment steps are in process prior to presenting any recommendations to the Board.
2. District Clerk & Business/Office Manager – applications are being accepted and anticipate holding interviews later this month.
3. Principal – the closing date for applications is February 21 and so far a couple of applications have been received.
B. Audit Report – A draft report of the 2022 & 2023 fiscal years is set to be reviewed by an independent third party in the next week. Nicole Noonan will then finalize and send us the audit report.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The Statement of Expenditure was provided through the end of January 2025. The General Fund is 46% committed and the Total of all funds is 37% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through December 2024. Recent professional development meetings and trainings included elections, CRISS Privacy & Security, and Human Resources. Spring Student Count was February 3; Fall count was 83 and Spring count was 83, the current ANB is 87 and the 3-year average ANB is 107. The ANB that will be used for the 2025/2026 Budget Limits is the 3-year average of 107.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 82. Teachers participated in peer observations in January. The Montana Office of Public Instruction conducted a review of our special education program on January 27; a report is expected within thirty days of monitoring. CRDC data collection is to be reported by March 7. Our school has also been selected for a desk monitoring review of ESEA/ESSA Title 1-A, II-A, III, IV-A and IX; the evidence is due by April 1. The evidence collection for the Year 2 Accreditation Cycle of the School Accreditation/Strategic Plan is nearing completion; the deadline to submit to OPI is February 28. John Doran, Chief Strategy Officer for the Montana Schools Insurance Alliance (MTSIA) provided an update to the NWMASS members this week and stated they are working closely with the insurance commissioner’s office on the construct of the new trust; they plan to meet with individual districts beginning late summer and early fall to present plans and cost proposals for a July 1, 2026, effective date. During the recent professional development day teachers held discussions regarding the new math curriculum; there have been challenges integrating the new curriculum in The Daily 3 format and the teachers would like to continue in the program for one more year and revisit the topic next winter to determine if the current curriculum fits within the structure of the Creston School Philosophy Roots and Wings. We will be working with MontanaSky to prepare for an email migration so that all email is on one system – the goal is to complete the migration by June 2025. As requested, gym use fees in our local area were researched; a general comparison for eight local school district was provided. A bus recall notice received on January 30 requiring new labels for the rear and side emergency exits were installed on January 31. A second required bus evacuation drill was held on January 10. Monthly building inspections have been completed with no repairs recommended. The facilities inventory report was provided.
C. Staff. Several teachers were present to share the report via a Google Slide presentation
VI. Policies – Consideration of Action:
A. MTSBA 11/26/24 Policy Notes – 1st Read: 5120F-Determination Form, 5120F – Dissemination Log, 5120P, 3311, 4332, 5223, 1240, 1332, 3141, 3416, 3612P, 3600F, 4340, 5251, 5334, 5450P, 7525; New: 5122F; Delete: 5120F-Notice… & 5120F – Re-Dissemination … Suggested updates were developed by MTSBA in response to changing circumstances and issues that have arisen in Montana school districts since the last time policy notes were published. This was a first read only – no action.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Agreement with Flathead County Election Office to Conduct 2025 School District Election. A copy of the agreement was provided; while the County will conduct the election, the District still has several responsibilities to carry out. Barry Farrell moved to approve the agreement as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Election Resolution. A regular school election for the purpose of electing two trustees to three-year terms will be conducted on the 6th day of May. The election will be conducted by mail ballot. Approval of additional levies to operate and maintain the general fund and technology fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 will also be requested. If it is later determined that any portion of the election is not required, the election administrator is authorized to cancel that portion of the election. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the Election Resolution by mail ballot as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Employment Agreement 2024/2025- SM. Megan Derrington moved to approve the specific term contract for Sarah Motley as a Classroom, Playground, Lunchroom & Office Aide as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Maternity Leave Request – SBM. A copy of the written request for maternity leave at the end of this school year was provided. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the maternity leave request by Shanta Bisch Milne as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiation with Creston Education Association. The CEA made the suggested changes to item 5 on their list, the STARS Act (HB252) projected calculations from an MTSBA provided spreadsheet were provided as well as suggested CBA language, and the ANB calculation from the Spring Student Count was referenced. Information only.
F. Transportation Contracts – nil.
G. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
H. Out-of-District Requests. Three requests for students that reside in our school district to attend another district. Nevada Hafer moved to acknowledge receipt of these attendance agreements. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. Friends of Creston School requested gym use on April 11 for a school fundraiser event. Barry Farrell moved to approve the request as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Principal Evaluation – Executive Session. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen determined that the demands of individual privacy clearly exceed the merits of public disclosure and at 7:41 am closed the meeting for an executive session to conduct the personnel evaluation of Rachel Stevens. The meeting was reconvened in open session at 8:02am. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the personnel evaluation of Rachel Stevens 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. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 13 March 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
B. 10 April 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:03 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
23 JANUARY 2025

MINUTES

I. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 1:41 p.m. The meeting was held via a Zoom platform. 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 Elizabeth Kaleva, Kaleva Law.
II. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
III. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Principal Search & Hiring Process with Kaleva Law. Discussion with Elizabeth Kaleva for information gathering to post the open position. Reviewed the timeline – post opening for 4 weeks; the salary range – to be posted at $78,000 – $90,000; the district will pay for motel, meal and mileage expenses and depending on situation we may initially conduct Zoom interviews; interested applicants will also receive a copy of our Roots & Wings document and will be encouraged to do a walk-through during a school day; Jessica Sandven-Sorensen will be the primary point of contact with Elizabeth; the current principal contract and revised job descriptions were also reviewed.
B. Job Description revision for Principal with Superintendent Duties. Barry Farrell moved to approve the job description as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Substitute List 2024/2025. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the new hire substitute teacher/aide/custodian list as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 13 February 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
B. 13 March 2025, 7:00am, Regular Meeting
V. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 2:25 p.m.

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