Board Minutes

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
13 APRIL 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 and Barry Farrell. Absent: Nevada Hafer. Also in attendance were Rachel Stevens, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Cindi Conley, Special Education Teacher, and Jen Johnson, 2nd Grade Teacher and CEA President.
II. Minutes of 9 March 2023. Barry Farrell moved to approve the minutes as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence
IV. Information
A. ESSA School Report Card 2021-22. A copy of the report was provided.
B. Creston School Scholarship Committee. One $500 Scholarship is available to a graduating high school senior who attended Creston Elementary. The scholarship is paid from the Miscellaneous Fund. The Committee includes one Board Member – Barry Farrell volunteered. The Committee will meet on April 18 after school to review applications.
C. Speed Study – Montana 35 (P-52) – Creston. Montana Department of Transportation staff presented the speed study report to Flathead County Commissioners on March 23, 2023, for review and comment – a 60-day comment period was requested. Significant for the school is the recommendation for a new 45-mph speed limit through Creston with appropriate transitions and the school zone change to 35-mph during school hours and extending 500-feet from school property. A copy of the full report was provided and is available on the MDT Speed Studies website.
D. ARP Plan Review and Call for Stakeholder Input. Stakeholder input is requested regarding the ARP ESSER plan; the next scheduled review is May 11, 2023.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 31 March 2023. General Fund is 64% committed and the Total of all Funds is 51% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through February 2023. ESSER Data Collection for the 7/1/2021- 6/30/2022 reporting period is in process. There was a critical error on our website the end of February, and due to a conflict the malicious code errored out instead of running and our site went down; the issue was identified and dealt with by our website developers and site host in a quick and efficient manner; there are no links to sensitive information on our site and everything there is public information; however, this did help to identify ways to better protect our site environment and keep our theme up to date.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 114. Monthly building maintenance inspections were completed. The installation of the network, phone, intercom, and speaker were completed over spring break. Fifth and sixth grade student volunteers served as runners for the Creston Auction with Mrs. Jen Johnson coordinating and supervising this community service project; also, as a community service the fourth-grade class assisted Miss Bailey Johnson in setting up for the Family Math Night. Families were welcomed into the gym on March 21 for a Family Math Night where they learned to play math games and test their estimation skills – a thank you to the Creston Boosters for supporting this event. Mrs. Mumm wrote and received a grant award in the amount of $300 from the Montana Masonic Foundation to increase and update her first-grade classroom library. Teachers have been reviewing social studies curriculum for possible consideration in the future. A thank you to the Creston Volunteer Fire Department: as a result of their efforts in preparing the field for the auction by removing the ice – it was as deep as 8 inches in some areas – no ice remains on the playground. The Montana Small Schools Alliance (MSSA) in partnership with Western Montana Professional Learning Community (WMPLC) received federal funding through a grant to increase counseling and mental health services to rural schools. The grant provides access to a full-time licensed School Counselor, who serves as the Mental Health Resource Navigator. There is also the ability to access the Montana Cares app which provides resources for families. Mrs. Stevens is registered for the MTSBA/MASBO Employment Hot Topics seminar – three two-hour sessions during the month of April.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson, CEA President and 2nd Grade Teacher was present to share the staff report via a Google Slide presentation.
VI. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with Creston Education Association. The CEA approved the proposal and changes to the CBA and salary schedule as presented to them on 9 March 2023. The CBA for 2023/2024 was updated with all negotiated changes and was provided to the trustees. Barry Farrell moved to approve the CBA for 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2024 as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Teacher Contract Renewals 2023/2024 including Renewal or Non-Renewal of Non-Tenured Teachers. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the contract renewals for the list of tenured teachers for the 2023/2024 school year. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Megan Derrington moved to approve the contract renewals for the list of non-tenured teachers for the 2023/2024 school year. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. New Title Teacher Hire & Contract for 2023/2024. Twila Brenneman moved to hire Melissa Potts as a teacher for the 2023/2024 school year and approve her teaching contract as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Levy & Trustee Election Cancellation. Our levy and trustee election has been cancelled. The trustee election was cancelled by acclamation as the number of candidates filing were equal to or less than the number of positions to be elected. Barry Farrell moved to approve the election cancellation as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Eastside Flathead Valley Multidistrict Interlocal Agreement 2023-2025. A renewal of the agreement which allows for increased flexibility and efficiency of participating school districts without an increase in local taxes. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the East Side Flathead Valley Multidistrict Agreement for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Audit Proposal Revision for FY2022 and FY2023 and Contract. Due to unforeseen circumstances our auditor is proposing a biennial audit for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Barry Farrell moved to approve the audit proposal and contract for a biennial audit of FY2022 and FY2023 at a cost of $13,900 as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. No changes or updates. Next scheduled review is May11th. Information only – no action.
H. MSSA Agreement 2023/2024. The Montana Small Schools Alliance (MSSA) provides appropriately endorsed professionals to help our district meet the Library and Guidance Chapter 55 requirement. Also, included in the request is the Curriculum Consortium Agreement to meet our Title II federal requirements. Megan Derrington moved to approve the letter of agreement for MSSA programs 2023-24 as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. District Clerk & Business/Office Manager Job Opening. The Hiring Committee held interviews on 15 March 2023 and selected an applicant for hire; however, that person declined. In the meantime, Mrs. Bartos has withdrawn her resignation – her official withdrawal will be an action item at the next meeting; until then, no further action is recommended on pursuing hiring for this position. Information only – no action.
J. Post a 1.0 FTE Teacher Position for the 2023/2024 School Year. Due to Miss Bailey Johnson submitting her resignation there is a need to post an open position for an elementary teacher for the 2023/2024 school year. Twila Brenneman moved to approve posting a 1.0 FTE teacher position for the 2023/2024 school year as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
K. Bus Parking Lot Paving and Sidewalk/Concrete Proposals. The bus parking lot and replacement of sidewalks have been listed projects on our school facilities inventory for several years. Mrs. Stevens has sought out and received three proposals for these projects. District Safety Subfund and District Permissive Levy Subfund are the sources of monies. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the proposal from Double Diamond for the bus loading zone only and with the understanding that work must start before 6/30/2023. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. There was further discussion about having a backup plan in place. Twila Brenneman moved that if Double Diamond is unable to fulfill the request that Bison Building Systems’ proposal is approved for the bus area only with the same timing required. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
L. Transportation Contracts. One contract was presented. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the transportation contract as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
M. Before School Care Contracts. One contract was presented. Megan Derrington moved to approve the contract as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
N. Out-of-District Requests. Two requests were presented for students seeking placement at Creston School. Barry Farrell moved to approve the attendance agreements as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
O. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. The Many Lakes HOA requested use of the gym on 4/22/2023 from 8:00 to 2:00 to host a Living with Wildfire Community Event; also K. Hagen and D. Schurz requested to move their gym use day to practice martial arts with their families from Wednesdays to Mondays from 4:00 – 5:00 from 4/17 to 5/22/2023. Twila Brenneman moved to approve both the Many Lakes HOA and the Hagen/Schurz gym use requests as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Creston Firefighters Association has requested the use of the outdoor school grounds and gym for the Creston Firefighters Association 58th Auction and Country Fair, Thursday April 4, 1:30 pm through Sunday, April 7, 2024, 6:00 pm. There are addendums requested regarding a pre-auction meeting, the gaga ball pit, floor mats in the lobby and armed and unarmed security services. Barry Farrell moved to approve the school grounds and gym use request by the Creston Firefighters Association for April 2024 as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Claims Approval. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the claims list as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 11 May 2023, 7:00 am, Reorganization and Regular Meeting
B. 8 June 2023, 7:00 am, Regular Meeting
IX. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion covering the following two topics.
1. Introduction to Contracts
a) MontanaSky Networks Tower Agreement
2. Website access of School Policies & Brief Look at New Policy Manual format
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:44 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
/s/Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
9 MARCH 2023, 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 and Nevada Hafer. Absent: Barry Farrell. Also in attendance were Rachel Stevens, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Shanta Bisch-Milne, Kindergarten Teacher, Cindi Conley, Special Education Teacher, and Jen Johnson, 2nd Grade Teacher and CEA President.
II. Minutes of 9 February 2023, 1 March 2023. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the minutes as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 28 February 2023. General Fund is 49% committed and the Total of all Funds is 39% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through January 2023. Mail ballot plans for the 2023 Election were sent to and approved by the Secretary of State on March 2nd.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 111. The K-2 teachers will participate in a phonics professional development day on Friday, March 10. Mrs. Johnson has volunteered to coordinate and supervise 5th and 6th grade student volunteers to serve as Creston Auction runners. The fourth-grade class assisted Miss Johnson in taking down the Book Swap materials and setting up the gym for the Many Lakes Homeowners Association meeting. The catalytic converter was stolen from the bus in January; a police report was filed, the insurance company contacted, the parts were ordered, and repairs have been completed. Monthly building maintenance inspections were completed. The office cadet heater was installed in February. The network portion of the intercom & phone system installation and most of the wiring for the phones and speakers is scheduled for later this month.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson, CEA President and 2nd Grade Teacher was present to share the staff report via a Google Slide presentation.
V. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Trustee Resolution – Notice of Intent to Increase/Decrease Non-Voted Levies – Estimating changes in revenues/mills from tuition, building reserve, transportation, and bus depreciation levies for 2023/2024. 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 Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 and the OPI Pre-Session Budget Data Sheet were provided and discussed along with the Resolution itself. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the Resolution as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with Creston Education Association. Negotiations continued from the January 12, 2023, board meeting. Note that at the January 12, 2023 board meeting the CEA accepted the changes presented to them by the Creston School Board on December 8th, 2022. Megan Derrington moved as follows: 1) agree to the request for a salary schedule increase of 2% to the base; 2) decline the request for an increase to personal leave days; 3) agree to the request to increase the annuity/employee benefit cafeteria plan by $20 per month, from $630 to $650 per month; 4) agree to adding language to section 7.1 regarding the definition of a tenured teacher; however, instead of adding a sentence in the middle of the paragraph a counter-proposal for a new section 7.1 which defines a tenured-teacher as per 20-4-203, MCA and the current section 7.1 becomes section 7.2; 5) agree to the request for a $500 longevity stipend after completing increments of 5 years of continuous service. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The negotiated items will be presented in writing to the CEA for their response.
C. Property Disposal Resolution. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the property disposal resolution as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. School Calendar 2023/2024. Two options were presented, both were developed from the Kalispell Public Schools calendar and meet the state required instructional hours. Option 1 has no school for a Creston Auction prep day which differs from the KPS calendar, there are 173 full instruction days and 7 early out’s (2 of those are for teacher professional development); Option 2 differs in that there are 172 full instruction days and 8 early out’s (3 for teacher professional development). Megan Derrington moved to approve Option 2 as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Student Handbook 2023/2024. Various revision and updates were reviewed. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the Student Handbook for 2023/2024 as presented with one change to section 15 to add “on school premises or as any part of the school’s activities” after “prohibited from …controlled substances”. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan Review. The plan was provided for review. Dates will be updated. No other revisions were submitted. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Extra-Duty Teaching Contract for 2023 Summer Program. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the extra-duty contract for Deborah Christiansen to teach for the 2023 Summer Program as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Transportation Contracts – nil.
I. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
J. Out-of-District Requests – nil.
K. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests – nil.
VI. Claims Approval. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the claims as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 13 April 2023, 7:00 am, Regular Meeting
B. 11 May 2023, 7:00 am, Reorganization and Regular Meeting
VIII. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion covering the following two topics:
1. Continuation of discussion of Communication Considerations
2. Base Salaries – a review of the salary schedule
IX. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:48 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
1 MARCH 2023

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 library. 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. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. No changes or updates. No action.
B. Principal Evaluation – Executive Session. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen determined that the demands of individual privacy clearly exceed the merits of public disclosure and at 7:04 a.m. closed the meeting for an executive session to conduct the personnel evaluation of Rachel Stevens. The meeting was reconvened in open session at 7:54 a.m. and Megan Derrington motioned to approve the personnel evaluation of Rachel Stevens and to approve the executive session minutes. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 9 March 2023, 7:00 am, Regular Meeting
V. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

/s/ Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

/s/ Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
9 FEBRUARY 2023

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, and Jen Johnson, 2nd Grade Teacher and CEA President
II. Minutes of 12 January 2023 & 19 January 2023. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the minutes as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 31 January 2023. General Fund is 42% committed and the Total of all Funds is 45% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through December 2022. A link was provided to the MSSA Rural Survey which provides participating school districts with comparison information about budgets (including a salary section), levies, and enrollment. The data for the Traffic/Speed Study on Highway 35 has been collected and analyzed; when the written report is finished it will be presented to the County Commissioners, followed by a public comment period then to the Montana Transportation Commission for consideration of a final decision. Spring Student Count was February 6th and was 116 (Fall count was 121); the ANB that will be used for the 2023-2024 Budget Limits is 124 and it is based on current year ANB.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 115. The teachers participated in an embedded professional development English/Language Arts session on January 23; the focus in the primary grades was integrating phonics instruction and in the intermediate grades was spelling, specifically in content areas. Mrs. Stevens completed the MTSBA Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities training on January 24; she began the MTSBA Human Resource Symposium training on February 7. Monthly building maintenance inspections were completed with no recommendations for repairs. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services received a grant through the federal American Rescue Plan and through their Air Purifiers in Schools Program we have received air purifiers for each classroom, the library and office, along with three years of filters at no cost to our school. Mrs. Stevens wrote a grant to the Montana Small School Alliance (MSSA) requesting funds for the Montana Native Songs Program with Rob Quist and Halladay Blake; the grant was funded, and the program will be shared at an assembly with our students in March. Preliminary information has been shared with MontanaSky regarding the initial set up of the phone (VoIP) system so that they can begin programming; parts have been ordered and the plan is to upgrade the network first, and then the phone system and speakers. Mid-Year Student Benchmark Assessment Data for Reading and Math was provided.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson, CEA President and 2nd Grade Teacher and Cindi Conley, Special Education Teacher were present to share the staff report via a Google Slide presentation.
V. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Election Resolution. A Trustee Resolution calling for an election is required by February 21, 2023. Two options were presented 1) by Mail Ballot and 2) by Poll Election. Summary: A regular school election for the purpose of electing two trustees to three-year terms and one trustee to a two-year term will be conducted on Tuesday the 2nd day of May 2023. Approval of additional levies to operate and maintain Creston School for FY2024 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. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. 2022/2023 School Calendar Revision. Due to extreme weather conditions school was cancelled on December 21, 2022. The calendar has been revised to recognize the change; and with one less day we still have an excess of over 14 hours above the required 1080 hours for grades 4 thru 12. Barry Farrell moved to approve the revised 2022/2023 School Calendar as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Advertise a 1.0 FTE Teacher Position for the 2023/2024 School Year. Twila Brenneman moved to approve posting an open 1.0 FTE Teacher Position for the 2023/2024 school year. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with Creston Education Association. We are waiting on budget information from OPI before addressing this topic further – this also involves waiting on the Legislature to adopt funding and budget bills. No action.
E. District Clerk & Business/Office Manager Job Opening. The job opening has been advertised on various job posting sites and there are a few applications to review. Mrs. Stevens will be scheduling a meeting with the Hiring Committee. No action.
F. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. No changes or updates. Next scheduled review is March 9th. No Action.
G. Substitute List 2022/2023 – nil.
H. Transportation Contracts – nil.
I. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
J. Out-of-District Requests – nil.
K. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. One request by Katy Miller and David Schurz to use the gym on Wednesdays from 4:00 – 5:00 pm, 2/15/2023 – 5/31/2023 for their families to practice martial arts practice. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the gym use request. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VI. Claims Approval. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the claims list as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded.
VII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 9 February 2023, 7:00 am
B. 1 March 2023, 7:00 am – Special Meeting
C. 9 March 2023, 7:00 am
VIII. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion covering the listed topics.
1. Principal Evaluation Tools and Use
2. Procedures and Policies Guiding Trustee Communications
3. Requirements for Teacher Tenure (20-4-203 MCA)
IX. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:36 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

/s/ Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

/s/ Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
19 JANUARY 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 remotely, via a Zoom meeting platform. 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. Network, Phone, and Intercom System Proposal with MontanaSky Networks. A revised proposal that includes a description of Support and Maintenance and Equipment Ownership was reviewed. The costs of the proposal remain the same as the one presented on 12 January 2023. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the MontanaSky Proposal #Rev1.5 as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. No changes or updates. No action taken.
IV. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
12 JANUARY 2023

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:06 a.m. The meeting was held in the gym. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer; also, Megan Derrington was present after taking the oath of office. Also in attendance were Rachel Stevens, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Cal Ketchum, Flathead County Superintendent of Schools, Cindi Conley, Special Education Teacher, Jen Johnson, 2nd Grade Teacher and CEA President, Shanta Milne, Kindergarten Teacher, and several community members.
II. Minutes of 8 December 2022. Barry Farrell moved to approve the minutes as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Appoint & Swear In Trustee to Vacant Position. Twila Brenneman moved to appoint Megan Derrington to fill the vacant trustee position. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Cal Ketchum administered the oath of office and Megan Derrington joined the other trustees at the table for the remainder of the meeting.
IV. Public Participation / Correspondence. Taaylr Claridge addressed the trustees regarding trustee emails on the website, requested board meeting times in the evenings and agendas emailed to parents.
V. Information
A. Candidates for the May 2023 Trustee Election May File a Declaration of Intent. Candidates for Trustee may file a Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy between Thursday, December 8, 2022, and Thursday, March 23, 2023. There are two three-year terms and one two-year term subject to election in May 2023.
B. Flathead County Election Office Response to Request to Conduct School Election 2023. A letter was received from the Flathead County Election Office stating that “At this time, Flathead County is unable to administer school district elections…” Several reasons were given including limited staff resources, there are twenty-three school districts and three hundred district splits in the county, many special district elections are during the same timeframe, a new voter database software conversion occurring in 2023, and in 2024 the presidential election cycle will require all available county election resources. They will review the status again for 2025 or after.
C. Policy Manual Conversion to New MTSBA / Simbli Policy Hosting Platform. The Creston School District’s online policy manual has been converted and uploaded to the new MTSBA / Simbli policy hosting platform. The manual is accessible on our website as before, under the School Board heading. Policy 3140 was renumbered to 2105P, and job descriptions were moved from the appendix to a numbered series of 5900.
D. Teacher Resignation. The resignation of Deborah Christiansen, Title Teacher was accepted by Principal Stevens. Mrs. Christiansen is retiring the end of this school year.
E. Status of Social Security Participation and PERS Referendum. The referendum held 12/21/2022 passed with at least 50% yes votes. This means social security will continue to be deducted as usual for PERS members. The Montana State Social Security Administration will take care of the remaining steps needed to secure a signature by the Commissioner of Social Security on the “modification”; this could take up to a couple of years to complete.
F. December Unforeseen Emergency School Closure. Due to extreme weather conditions school was cancelled on 12/21/2022. This cancellation does affect the school calendar; however, we have built in excess hours and will still meet the minimum aggregate number of hours required. No make-up day is required due to this closure.
VI. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 31 December 2022. General Fund is 41% committed and the Total of all Funds is 33% committed. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through December 2022. Mrs. Stevens and Mrs. Bartos are in the process of working with Paladin Cyber to set up an account, receive access to their online training site and phishing simulations and set up routine scans of our web domain. A desk audit of our transportation claims for Fiscal Year 2022 was conducted by OPI with no findings. The 2021 Census data used to calculate school year 2023-2024 allocations under Title 1, Part A has been released – the data was provided. An updated Education Donation Tax Credit Letter for 2023 has been posted to the website – Mrs. Stevens will also send an email to the school community with the information.
B. Principal. Student Enrollment is 118. Monthly building maintenance inspections were completed with no recommendations for repairs. The teachers will receive professional development in literacy instruction on January 23 from Tammy Elser, an education faculty member of Salish Kootenai College. Mrs. Stevens is attending the MTSBA Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities training, which consist of several Zoom sessions during January. Mid-year benchmark assessments of students in reading and math are taking place in January. The school facility conditions report was provided with no updates.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson, CEA President and 2nd Grade Teacher shared the staff report via a Google Slide presentation.
VII. Policies – Consideration of Action:
A. Policy 2335- Health Enhancement – Update per MTSBA – 2nd read. Barry Farrell moved to approve the policy as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Review Weapons Policies: 3310, 3311, 4315, 5223. As per 20-5-202 (2) (a) MCA, the trustees shall annually review the districts weapons policy. These policies were reviewed, no changes were suggested. No action taken.
C. Substitute Custodian Job Description. An update to remove the hourly wage, add header information and the universal obligations section was recommended. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the changes to the job description as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with Creston Education Association. Cindi Conley, Special Education Teacher, spoke on behalf of the CEA. She presented various changes for consideration to the 2023-2024 CBA: 1) Salary Schedule Increase of 2% to the base; 2) Personal leave increase – roll over increase from 2 days to 4 days for a maximum accumulation of 8 personal days instead of 6 days; 3) Annuity/employee benefit cafeteria plan increase of $20 per month, from $630 to $650 per month; 4) add language to section 7.1 to clarify the definition of a tenured teacher; 5) addition of a longevity stipend of $500 after completing increments of 5 years of continuous service; and 6) the CEA accepted the changes approved by the school board on December 8, 2022. Discussion only as a preliminary budget gets put together (this is also dependent on the state legislative session process). Negotiations will continue. No action.
B. Intercom/Phone Committee Report and Recommendation. The committee has met with several companies and reviewed their proposals; they recommend purchasing the intercom/speakers, VoIP phone system and network upgrade from MontanaSky as per the submitted documents. The committee also recommended purchasing the cell communicator module from Federal Protection as part of the project as this will ensure the fire alarm works properly with the VoIP system. This is a safety project, and the one-time equipment and labor costs will be paid using safety funds. Barry Farrell moved to approve the option 1 proposal from MontanaSky for speakers, VoIP and network upgrade equipment and labor costs as presented and to approve the Federal Protections proposal for cell communication as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Clerk/Business & Office Manager Job Opening. Job Posting updates to include the closing date as open until filled, removing the start date, the addition of a salary range and an equal opportunity employer statement. Barry Farrell moved to approve the changes to the job posting as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

D. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. No changes or updates. No action.
E. Substitute List 2022/2023. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the addition to the substitute list as presented for the 2022/2023 school year. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Transportation Contracts – nil.
G. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
H. Out-of-District Requests – nil.
I. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. One request by the Many Lakes HOA to use the gym on Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 8:30 am to 1:30pm for an association meeting. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the gym use request. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Claims Approval. Barry Farrell moved to approve the claims list as presented. Megan Derrington seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
X. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 9 February 2023, 7:00 am
B. 9 March 2023, 7:00 am
XI. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development
1. Hiring Considerations. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion covering the topic of the hiring process.
XII. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:44 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

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