Board Minutes

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
FINAL BUDGET & REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
11 August 2022

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, Barry Farrell, Walter Graves and Nevada Hafer. Also in attendance were Rachel Stevens, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Jennifer Johnson, Teacher and CEA President, Shanta Milne, Kindergarten Teacher and one community member.
II. Minutes of 9 June 2022 & 22 June 2022. Barry Farrell motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information
A. Speed Study of Highway 35. Data collection for the study is scheduled for September; when the report is finalized, it will be presented to the Flathead County Commissioners and there will be a minimum 60 day comment period; after the comment period the report and comments will be presented to the Montana Transportation Commission and voted on.
B. List of P-Card Users. A list of current P-Card users was provided.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report will be reflected in the Trustees Financial Statement. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through June 2022. The onsite portion of the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 audit was completed the middle of June.
B. Principal. Predicted Student Enrollment for 2022/2023 is 121 (second grade is at 100% capacity). The quarterly review of the Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan is due September 8th and information is being prepared to send out to stakeholders. Some teachers attended the Missoula August Institute virtually; they also have an opportunity to attend the NW Reading Council Literacy Conference later this month. The staff will receive a review of CPR and AED training along with First Aid Scenario Training on August 26th. Plans for teacher professional development for the school year are being worked on. All teachers and staff will complete annual safety training by the beginning of September – the training is job specific and assigned accordingly. A tentative date for a full Run, Lock, Fight training is scheduled for the fall of 2023. The site visit from SEC is scheduled for September 28th to evaluate vulnerabilities associated with physical security and emergency preparedness. Mrs. Stevens participated in Egrants training in July and will attend library and counselor training later this month. Our annual Open House is August 29th and families will have the opportunity to meet teachers, bring school supplies, sign up to volunteer and socialize with other families on the playground. The Speed Sign project, initiated by the Bigfork Rotary Club, had been delayed with an encroachment permit and finding an electrician; as a district we moved forward with the speed study, which impacts the speed signs, so at this time the grant with FEC has been withdrawn and after the speed study is completed it may be possible to apply for the grant again. Summer building and maintenance projects are nearing completion, and the Facilities Conditions Inventory Report is provided. Mrs. Stevens attended the August 10th Flathead Valley Administrators meeting – Northwest Montana Education Service Agency, Northwest Montana Educational Cooperative, Flathead Special Education Cooperative, and Evergreen Crossroads Program presented information about their respective services.
C. Staff – Mrs. Johnson was present and noted that several teachers attended the Missoula Tech Conference virtually and that there is also a Math in the Mountains training coming up that will be attended by some teachers.
VI. Consideration of Action Items:
A. TFS. The Trustees Financial Summary (TFS) was not ready for presentation and this portion of the meeting was continued to 12 August 2022 at 9:00 a.m. via an electronic remote meeting on a Zoom meeting platform. 12 August 2022 Jessica Sandven-Sorensen continued the meeting at 9:07 a.m. with Tammy Bartos, District Clerk present. Mrs. Bartos gave an update that the reports were still in progress and at 9:09 a.m. the meeting was continued to 13 August 2022 at 9:00 a.m. via a Zoom meeting platform. 13 August 2022 Nevada Hafer continued the meeting at 9:02 a.m. with Tammy Bartos present. The reports were still in progress and at 9:04 a.m. the meeting was continued to 14 August at 4:00 p.m. via a Zoom meeting platform. 14 August 2022 Twila Brenneman continued the meeting at 4:02 p.m. with Tammy Bartos present. The reports were still in progress and at 4:04 p.m. the meeting was continued to 15 August 2022 at 7:05 a.m. via a Zoom meeting platform. 15 August 2022 Jessica Sandven-Sorensen continued the meeting at 7:10 a.m. Other trustees present were Twila Brenneman and Barry Farrell. Also in attendance were Rachel Stevens, Principal, and Tammy Bartos, District Clerk. The TFS is the school district official submission of annual financial information to the County Superintendent and State Superintendent. The 2021-2022 TFS was presented in its entirety. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the TFS for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Item B was addressed, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 a.m.
B. Budget. The Budget was not ready for presentation and this portion of the meeting was continued. See Item A for information on the continuation of this portion of the meeting from 11 August through 15 August 2022. On 15 August 2022 at the 7:05 a.m. continuation meeting the 2022-2023 Budget report was presented in its entirety. Barry Farrell moved to approve the 2022-2023 Budget as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 a.m.
C. Resolution Requesting Referendum for PERS. The District is required to have a Section 218 agreement in place with the State when employees are participating in both a retirement system and Social Security. We need to address this for our PERS employees. This is the first step in the process. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the resolution requesting a referendum for PERS as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Amendment to Teacher Contract – CN for 2022/2023. There was an error regarding the salary on the employment contract for C. Nutt dated 9 June 2022. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the 2022-2023 Amended Employment Agreement for C. Nutt as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Audit Proposals Fiscal Year 2021/2022. Two proposals were presented. Barry Farrell moved to approve the audit proposal of Nicole Noonan, CPA, PC for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2022, 2023, and 2024 as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Substitute Pay Rates 2022/2023. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the 2022/2023 pay rates of $14.00 per hour for a substitute teacher/aide and $17.00 per hour for a substitute custodian. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Substitute List 2022-2023. Barry Farrell moved to approve the substitute re-hire lists and approve hiring substitutes from the County Superintendent of Schools list as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. No updates or new information. No action taken.
I. Designation of Representative to the FSEC Management Board. Nevada Hafer moved to appoint Rachel Stevens, Principal, to represent Creston School District on the Flathead Special Education Cooperative Management Board. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Flathead Crossroad Interlocal Agreement 2022/2023. This is a renewal agreement. The Crossroad Program is an extension of special education services at Evergreen Schools and provides a positive environment to meet the unique educational needs of students of participating districts who have chronic emotional and behavioral needs with the specific intent of building skills necessary to facilitate reentry into the regular public-school setting. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the Flathead Crossroads Interlocal Agreement for fiscal year 2022/2023 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
K. Appointment of Representative to Crossroads Advisory Board. Barry Farrell moved to appoint Rachel Stevens, Principal, to represent Creston School District on the Evergreen Flathead Crossroads Program Advisory Board. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
L. Extra-Duty Bus Driver Training Contract – KM. Bus Driver Training for K. Miller to continue this fiscal year – training provided by Jeff Hagen. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the paid substitute bus driver training contract for Katy Miller at a rate of $15.00 per hour as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
M. Extra-Duty Guided Remote Teacher Contracts – nil.
N. Hold Harmless Agreements with Creston Fire Dept & Eastside Grange – nil.

O. Staff Handbook 2022/2023. Revisions to the handbook were presented. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the Staff Handbook 2022/2023 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. One request by the Creston Fire Fighter’s Association to use the gym, teacher’s lounge and outdoor school grounds, Thursday, March 30, 2023 – Sunday, April 2, 2023, for the Creston Fire Association’s Annual Auction and Community Fair. Barry Farrell moved to approve the school facilities and grounds use request from Creston Fire Fighter’s Association with armed and unarmed security services as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Claims Approval – July & August. Barry Farrell moved to approve the claims approval list as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 8 September 2022, 7:00 am
B. 13 October 2022, 7:00 am
IX. Adjourn. At 7:53 a.m. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen continued the budget portion of this meeting to 12 August 2022 at 9:00 a.m. via an electronic remote meeting on a Zoom meeting platform. Please see items VI. A and B.

Respectfully Submitted,

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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
9 June 2022

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, Barry Farrell, and Nevada Hafer. Absent: Walter Graves. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Jennifer Johnson, Teacher and CEA President, Rachel Stevens, Mac Kirk, and Shawn Bubb. In the absence of Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Twila Brenneman recorded the minutes.
II. Minutes of 12 May 2022. Nevada Hafer motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information – nil.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 31 May 2022. General Fund is 76% committed and the Total of all Funds is 62% committed. Fund 115 Project Report was also provided. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through April 2022. Fiscal Year 2020-2021 on-site audit is scheduled for the week of June 13th.
B. Principal. Current Student Enrollment is 111. Monthly building inspections have been completed. The Creston Learning Fair was held May 19th, in an open house format, the event was well attended by parents and families and students enjoyed sharing and viewing the work of other students. IEFA Collaboration Day was held May 13th and students participated in interactive learning activities taught by the staff of Creston School. School Spirit Days are happening these final days of the school year, there will be a drawing held later today for three Kindle Fires donated by the Masonic Lodge at the student ice cream social for our I Love to Read contest. There were three confirmed positive coronavirus cases in our learning environment during the month of May and twenty-three total cases this school year; cases countywide have shown a steady decrease. Due to the increased concern regarding school safety a safety audit is recommended for this summer. Third through sixth grade students have completed Smarter Balanced Assessments for the 2021/2022 school year; a comparison of the preliminary results of this year compared to last year were given. Creston School Benchmark Assessment Data for 2021/2022 in Reading (Fountas & Pinnell) and Math (EasyCBM) was shared.
C. Staff. The link to the Google Slide presentation will be sent at a later date.
VI. Policies – Consideration of Action:
A. MTSBA Policy Updates per 3/18/22 Notice – 2nd Read: 5223, 5314, 5450, 5450F, 5450P, 8300. Barry Farrell motioned to approve the updates to policies 5223, 5314, 5450, and 8300, and new form and procedure 5450F and 5450P as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. MTSBA Policy Update per 4/15/22 Notice – 1st Read: 2510. This was the first read of these policy updates; no action taken.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Property & Liability Insurance Proposals for 2022/2023. Shawn Bubb of MSGIA and Mac Kirk of MSPLIP each presented their respective proposals; more information regarding cyber coverage from MSPLIP is needed. A special meeting will be called for further consideration of the proposals. No action taken.
B. New Teacher Hire & Contract 2022-2023. The Hiring Committee met on May 31st and recommends Carlie Nutt for hire. All pre-employment requirements have been met. Twila Brenneman moved to hire Carlie Nutt as a teacher for the 2022-2023 school year and approve her teaching contract as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. District Clerk Employment Agreement 2022-2023. Barry Farrell moved to approve the compensation and employment agreement as presented for the 2022-2023 school year. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Classified Contracts Renewal or Non-Renewal 2022-2023 & Compensation. Barry Farrell moved to approve the compensation and employment agreement renewals as presented for the 2022-2023 school year. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Hourly Paid Classified Employees Stipend for 2022-2023. To maintain the operation and continuity of services at our school and in consideration of statewide and national employee shortages, a stipend of up to a $3,060 per annum for a 1.0 FTE hourly paid classified employee was proposed, job duties must be performed, and approved timecards submitted. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the one-time stipend to the listed classified employees as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Global Archives Quote for Records Management & Storage. Information regarding record management services offered by Global Archives was provided. More information regarding scanning costs was requested. No action taken.
G. Flathead Special Education Cooperative Agreement 2022-23 – nil.
H. Flathead Crossroad Interlocal Agreement 2022-23 – nil.
I. Restroom Stall Divider Quote. Barry Farrell moved to approve the purchase of the solid plastic restroom stall dividers as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan Review. Upon review two items were submitted: 1) dates to be updated and 2) the link to the School Reopening Guidelines to be updated to version 6-23-2021. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
K. Extra-Duty Mentoring Contract 2022/2023 – DC. A contract for D. Christiansen to mentor our new teacher for the 2022/2023 school year. Barry Farrell moved to approve the extra-duty mentoring contract and pay rate of D. Christiansen beginning 25 August 2022 and ending not later the 30th day of June 2023 as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
L. Appointment of a Representative to the County Transportation Committee. Twila Brenneman moved to appoint Rachel Stevens, Principal, as the representative to the County Transportation Committee effective July 1, 2022. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
M. Speed Study from the Highway Traffic Commission. Nevada Hafer moved to approve a request for a speed study from the Highway Traffic Commission. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
N. Bus Route 2022/2023 & Interlocal Transportation Agreements. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the bus route, stops with student crossings and transportation interlocal agreements as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
O. Cayuse Prairie – Creston Transportation Interlocal 2022/2023. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the transportation interlocal agreement with Cayuse Prairie as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
P. Individual Transportation Contract Approval (OPI Form TR-4) – nil.
Q. Transfer to Eastside Multidistrict Interlocal Fund. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the resolution to transfer up to a maximum of $35,000 dollars from the 2021/2022 General Fund to the East Side Flathead Valley Multidistrict Interlocal Fund as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
R. Letter of Reasonable Assurance for Substitutes. Twila Brenneman moved to approve issuing the Letter of Reasonable Assurance for Substitute Employees as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
S. District Clerk Authority to Process Claims Summer Months. Nevada Hafer moved to authorize the District Clerk to process claims from June through August 2022 without convening a board meeting. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
T. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests – nil.
VIII. Claims Approval – nil.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 22 June 2022, 1:00 pm Special Meeting
B. No Meeting scheduled in July.
C. 11 August 2022, 7:00 am Budget & Regular Meeting
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 a.m.

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

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REORGANIZATION & REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
12 May 2022

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, Barry Farrell, Nevada Hafer, Julie Horton and Walter Graves. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, and Jennifer Johnson, Teacher and CEA President.
II. Minutes of 14 April 2022. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Results of Trustee Election. The trustee election was cancelled by acclamation. We had two trustee openings and two candidate filings. Elected by Acclamation for 3-year terms: Barry Farrell and Walter Graves. Nevada Hafer motioned to approve the trustee election results as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. Oath of Office for Newly Elected Trustees. Jack Eggensperger, Flathead County Superintendent of Schools administered the oath of office to Barry Farrell and Walter Graves.
V. Recognition to Outgoing Trustees. Thanks was given to Julie Horton for her service since her appointment on December 9, 2021.
VI. Adjourn Meeting. This portion of the meeting was adjourned at 7:09 a.m. and Julie Horton left the meeting.
VII. Call to Order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:09 a.m. with newly seated trustee Walter Graves joining the Board.
VIII. Reorganization of the Board of Trustees
A. Nomination and Election of Board Chair. Barry Farrell nominated and motioned to elect Jessica Sandven-Sorensen as Board Chair. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Nomination and Election of Vice-Chair. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen nominated and motioned to elect Twila Brenneman as Vice-Chair. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Appointment and Oath of Office of District Clerk. Twila Brenneman motioned to appoint Tammy Bartos as District Clerk. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Jack Eggensperger administered the oath of office.
D. Discussion of procedures and expectations for the coming year. Items discussed were the meeting schedule, board packets and trustee resources. Discussion only.
IX. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
X. Information
A. ESSA School Report Card 2020-21. A copy of the report was provided.
B. MTSBA Annual Meeting. A copy of a notice was provided. Nevada Hafer and Walter Graves intend to attend remotely/virtually.
C. Hiring Committee. There was an interview meeting held on May 4th. The committee agreed to field more applicants for the position of a 1.0 FTE Teacher.
XI. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 30 April 2022. General Fund is 75% committed and the Total of all Funds is 59% committed. Fund 115 Project Report was also provided. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through March 2022.
B. Principal. Current Student Enrollment is 111. Monthly building inspections have been completed. Our community focus this month is picking up trash on Creston and Riverside Road. Creston School 3rd – 6th graders participated in Smarter Balanced Assessments April 25 – May 13th. Kindergarten Roundup was May 11th, and we are predicting our enrollment for the incoming class to be between 15-18 students. The Creston Learning Fair will be held May 19th, in an open house format, where kindergarten thru sixth grade student art, writing projects and music will be featured. On May 13th we will have an Indian Education For All (IEFA) Collaboration day for our students; they will participate in interactive learning activities taught by the staff. School Spirit Days will be held June 6 – 10 with a daily theme. A drawing for three Kindle Fires, donated by Kalispell Masonic Lodge #42, will be held at the student ice cream social for our I Love to Read contest. On April 28th a meeting was held with teachers and incoming principal Rachel Stevens to plan for the upcoming school year. There were zero confirmed positive coronavirus cases in our learning environment during the month of April and twenty total cases this school year.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson shared the staff report via a Google Slide presentation.
XII. Policies – Consideration of Action:
A. MTSBA Policy Updates per 3/18/22 Notice – 2nd Read: 3612, 3612F, 3612P. Barry Farrell motioned to approve the updates to policies 3612, 3612F and new procedure 3612P as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. MTSBA Policy Updates per 3/18/22 Notice – 1st Read: 5223, 5314, 5450, 5450F, 5450P, 8300. This was the first read of these policy updates; no action taken.
XIII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Preschool Program Interlocal Agreement with Flathead Special Education Cooperative. A renewal agreement, the FSEC Preschool Program is a center-based program that provides preschool services to children ages 3 through 5 who are residents of the participating school districts and meet eligibility criteria. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the FSEC Preschool Program Interlocal Agreement for fiscal year 2022-2023 as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. STAR Communication Program Interlocal Agreement with Flathead Special Education Cooperative. A renewal agreement, the FSEC STAR Communication Disorders Program is a collaborative effort by the member school districts to provide and implement a program to meet the needs of students who have Autism or related characteristics and behaviors that impede their ability to communicate and be successful within their neighborhood school. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the FSEC STAR Communication Program Interlocal Agreement for fiscal year 2022-2023 as presented with a correction in paragraph three to reflect 2022-2023 school year. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously
C. Global Archives Quote / Records Management and Storage. Information only provided regarding this company which provides records management and storage options.
D. Resolution Requesting County to Run Election 2023. A formal request, in accordance with 20-20-417 MCA, that the 2023 annual school election be conducted by the Flathead County Election Administration instead of Creston School conducting its own election. The full resolution was provided. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the resolution as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. Information only.
F. Montana Small Schools Alliance (MSSA) Programs Agreement. This is a standard agreement between school districts and the MSSA. MSSA provides a teacher certified and appropriately endorsed professional to help our district meet the Library and Guidance Chapter 55 requirement. The fee for this is $600 for the year. Also, included in the request is the Curriculum Consortium Agreement to meet our Title II federal requirements. The fee is $1,649 for the school year. Barry Farrell moved to approve the Letter of Agreement for the MSSA Programs 2022-23 as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests – nil.
XIV. Claims Approval – Nevada Hafer moved to approve the claims list as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
XV. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 9 June 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
B. August 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting. Correction: 11 August 2022. Also, the Budget Meeting will be held in August.
XVI. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development
A. MTSBA’s Upcoming Trainings. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion covering this topic.
XVII. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:05 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

/s/Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
14 April 2022

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, Barry Farrell, Nevada Hafer, and Julie Horton. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Deb Christiansen, Teacher, Jennifer Johnson, Teacher and CEA President, and community member: Walter Graves.
II. Minutes of 10 March 2022 and 15 March 2022. Nevada Hafer motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information
A. Audit Engagement Letter. The letter from Nicole Noonan, CPA, was provided regarding the fiscal year 2021 audit.
B. Teacher Resignations. Ariann Hess-Headlee, part-time Kindergarten teacher and Emily Russell, 5th/6th grade teacher, have both submitted their resignation effective at the conclusion of the 2021/2022 school year. Mrs. Ward has accepted the resignations as per board policy 5251.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 31 March 2022. General Fund is 60% committed and the Total of all Funds is 48% committed. Fund 115 Project Report was provided with one new project added to the list for State BASE Limit Increase as per HB630 (2021). Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through February 2022.
B. Principal. Current Student Enrollment is 111. Monthly building inspections have been completed. A wall heater was installed in the Teacher’s Lounge in March. Professional Development – Jen Johnson attended a Montana IEFA conference and will serve as the IEFA Director during the 2022/2023 school year. Pauline Davidson will serve as our Concussion Awareness Advocate for the 2022/2023 school year. Jen Johnson assisted in coordinating and supervising the 5th & 6th grade student volunteers for the Creston Auction. There were zero confirmed positive coronavirus cases in our learning environment during the month of March and twenty total cases this school year. Special Education Cooperative update was given.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson shared the staff report via a Google Slide presentation
VI. Policies – Consideration of Action:
A. MTSBA Policy Updates per 3/18/22 Notice – Required: 1520, 2161P, 2168, 2170, 2312, 2510, 3121, 3310, 3413F1, 3413F2, 3416, 5228P, 5321. These were required updates to policies we already had in place; only one reading is needed. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve the updates as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. MTSBA Policy Updates per 3/18/22 Notice – Recommended: 3612, 3612F, 3612P. This was the first read of these recommended updates; no action taken.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Principal Search & Hiring Process. At the Interview on March 15, 2022, the trustees voted unanimously to offer the Principal with Superintendent duties position to Rachel Stevens. Elizabeth Kaleva presented the offer to Mrs. Stevens and negotiated an employment contract with her on behalf of the District.
1. Principal Contract 2022/2023. Barry Farrell motioned to approve the 2022/2023 Principal Contract with Rachel Stevens as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Teacher Contract Renewals 2022/2023 including Renewal or Non-Renewal of Non-Tenured Teachers. Julie Horton moved to approve the contract renewals for the list of tenured teachers for the 2022/2023 school year. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Julie Horton moved to approve the contract renewals for the list of non-tenured teachers for the 2022/2023 school year. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Levy & Trustee Election Cancellation. The Levy and Trustee Election was cancelled. The trustee election was cancelled by acclamation as there were two trustee openings and two candidate filings. Barry Farrell moved to approve the election cancellation as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. Information only. No action taken.
E. Hiring committee formation. A committee is needed to hire a vacant certified teacher position for the 2022/2023 school year. Twila Brenneman moved to appoint Nevada Hafer and Jessica Sandven-Sorensen to the hiring committee. Julie Horton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Substitute List – nil.
G. Transportation Contracts – nil.
H. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
I. Out of District Requests – nil.
J. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. The Many Lakes Homeowners Association wants to host a Living with Wildfires Community Event in our gym on April 16, 2022. Nevada Hafer moved to approve the gym use request as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
K. Executive Session Minutes – includes Executive Session for: 1) March 15, 2022, Executive Session Minutes of Principal Interview; and 2) April 14, 2022, Executive Session Minutes of today’s Executive Session. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen closed the meeting at 7:35 a.m. to protect the individual rights of Rachel Stevens regarding her background check. The meeting was reopened at 7:38 a.m. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the executive session minutes of March 15, 2022, and April 14, 2022. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VIII. Claims Approval. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the claims list as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 12 May 2022, 7:00 am Reorganization & Regular Meeting
B. 9 June 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
X. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development
A. School Funding. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion covering this topic.
XI. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:03 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

/s/Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair