Board Minutes

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
10 February 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, and Julie Horton. Absent: Nevada Hafer. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Elizabeth Kaleva, Kaleva Law, Jennifer Johnson, Teacher and CEA President, Deb Christiansen, Teacher, Shanta Milne, Teacher, Pauline Davidson, Teacher, Cindi Conley, Teacher.
II. Minutes of 13 January 2022, 27 January 2022, and 3 February 2022. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Julie Horton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 31 January 2022. General Fund is 45% committed and the Total of all Funds is at 37% committed. Fund 115 Project Report was also provided. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through December 2021. The MSSA Rural Survey has been received which compares budgets, levies, and enrollment among participating schools. 2020 Census Data shows the total population of our school district at 1371, population of children ages 5 to 17 of 151 and population of estimated children ages 5 to 17 in poverty of 14; the USED will use the data to calculate fiscal year 2023 allocations under Title1, Part A. The Spring Student Enrollment Count Report was submitted – reported enrollment for ANB (Average Number Belonging) was 111, and the ANB that will be used for 2022-2023 Budget Limits will be 117.
B. Principal. Current Student Enrollment is 111. Monthly building inspections have been completed with no recommended repairs; however, there is insufficient heat in the teacher’s lounge and the installation of a wall heater is being worked on. Kelly Boswell will be in our building March 7 – 9 providing embedded professional development on effective reading and writing instruction. Benchmark Assessment data for Reading and Math was providing showing improvement in both areas. We had two confirmed positive coronavirus cases in our learning environment during the month of January and seventeen total cases this school year.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson shared the staff report via a Google Slide presentation.
V. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Principal Search & Hiring Process – with Kaleva Law. Elizabeth Kaleva joined the meeting via Zoom and discussed the process she will go through for our principal search. She sought out input from both the board and the staff to tailor the process for our needs. Topics included in the discussion were a suggestion to update the job description to include the superintendent duties, the salary range offered, and the criteria of qualifications to include those who are eligible for the position. Advertising for the opening will begin today, applications will close the end of the month, a meeting will be set in early March to screen applicants, and interviews to include district tours and meetings with staff will take place prior to spring break. Information and discussion only with no action taken needed.
B. Principal Hiring Committee – the process outlined by Kaleva Law includes the provision that the Board is the Hiring Committee. No action.
C. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with Creston Education Association. The CEA approved the date change in section 11.2.1 of the CBA from April 1 to February 1. Also requested was a deletion of section 4.2 to reflect current law; add nieces/nephews to the list of immediate family members in section 10.2; and a 3% increase to the base of the salary schedule. Discussion only as a preliminary budget gets put together. Negotiations will continue. No action.
D. Election Resolution. The complete resolution was presented to the Board. Summary: A regular school election for the purpose of electing two trustees to three-year terms will be conducted by Poll Election on Tuesday the 3rd day of May 2022. Approval of additional levies to operate and maintain Creston School for FY2023 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. Julie Horton moved to approve the Resolution as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Interlocal Agreement with KPS #5 for KMS. A renewal to an agreement that allows our seventh and eighth grade students to attend Kalispell Middle School through June 30, 2024. Julie Horton moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
F. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. Information only. No action taken.
G. ARP ESSER Plan Review and Call for Stakeholder Input. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the ARP ESSER plan, with the January 13th update, for submission. Julie Horton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
H. Substitute List – nil.
I. Transportation Contracts. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the transportation contract as presented. Julie Horton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
J. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
K. Out of District Requests. Julie Horton moved to approve the attendance agreements as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
L. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. Many Lakes HOA requested use of the gym on March 26th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a Living with Wildlife Community Event. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the request as presented. Julie Horton seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Creston Fire Fighter’s Association requested use of the gym, teacher’s lounge and outdoor school grounds, March 31, 2022 (12:30 p.m.) thru April 3, 2022 (9:00 p.m.) for the Creston Fire Fighter’s Association 56th Auction and Country Fair with approval of armed and unarmed security services. Twila Brenneman moved to approve the request as presented. Julie Horton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VI. Claims Approval. Claims lists for January 18, January 31, and February 7, 2022. Julie Horton moved to approve the claims lists as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 10 March 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
B. 14 April 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
VIII. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development
A. School Budget Symposium. March 2022 dates and times were provided, and trustees were encouraged to register.
B. Employment Contracts. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion covering this topic.
IX. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

/s/Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

/s/Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
3 February 2022

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:19 a.m. The meeting was held remotely via a Zoom platform. 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, Elizabeth Kaleva, Kaleva Law, Jennifer Johnson, Teacher and CEA President, Shanta Milne, Kindergarten Teacher, Pauline Davidson, 3rd Grade Teacher, Deb Christiansen, Title Teacher.
II. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
III. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Kaleva Law Presentation to Facilitate Principal Hire. A copy of the Kaleva Law Offices Principal Search Services Letter was provided. Elizabeth Kaleva, presented the process for all in attendance and answered questions. After the presentation trustees and others in attendance entered into discussion. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve hiring Kaleva Law Offices to facilitate our principal search. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. Information only. No action taken.
IV. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 10 February 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
B. 10 March 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
V. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:59 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_________________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

_________________________________
Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
27 January 2022

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:15 a.m. The meeting was held in the gym. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer; Absent: Julie Horton. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, Debra Silk, MTSBA, Jennifer Johnson, Teacher and CEA President, Shanta Milne, Kindergarten Teacher, Pauline Davidson, 3rd Grade Teacher, and Deborah Christiansen, Title Teacher.
II. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
III. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Opening the Principal position for hire. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve opening the Principal position for hire. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. MTSBA to facilitate Principal Hiring. A copy of the Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA) Superintendent Search Services Letter was provided which outlines their search process. Debra Silk, Associate Executive Director / General Counsel for MTSBA presented the process for all in attendance and answered questions. After the presentation trustees and others in attendance discussed the MTSBA process and the other options that may be available i.e., facilitate the process as a District (possibly using legal counsel with this option as needed), or hiring other firms. Jesssica Sandven-Sorensen appointed Barry Farrell to contact Bea Kaleva at Kaleva Law to gather information, to be followed by an informational Board meeting prior to the regular meeting on February 10th. Mrs. Ward was asked to put together a hiring packet/brochure to keep the process moving forward.
C. Principal Hiring Committee. Discussion only to wait on taking action on this. No motion needed.
D. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. Information only. No action taken.
IV. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 10 February 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
B. 10 March 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
V. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:13 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_________________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

_________________________________
Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
13 January 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, Nevada Hafer and Julie Horton. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, and Jennifer Johnson, Teacher and CEA President.
II. Minutes of 9 December 2021 & 6 January 2022. Nevada Hafer motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
IV. Information
A. 2021 Statistical Report of Schools by Flathead County Superintendent of Schools. The report was provided as an informational item only and contains a variety of pupil enrollment and school finance data for schools in Flathead County.
B. MT DOL Safety Inspection December 2021. Montana Safety and Health Bureau a division of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry conducted a safety inspection on December 14, 2021. Regarding the Montana Safety Culture Act Evaluation: Creston School is compliant. There was one violation requiring correction: In the broom closet the electrical panel was missing two switches. This was corrected on January 6, 2022, and both switches have been replaced with blanks.
C. Candidates for the May 2022 Trustee Election May File a Declaration of Intent. A Declaration of Intent and Oath of Candidacy may be filed from Thursday, December 9, 2021, thru Thursday, March 24, 2022. The candidate for trustee must be a registered voter at the time the Oath is filed. Two trustee positions are subject to election in May 2022: Julie Horton, 3-year term and Barry Ray Farrell, 3-year term. Intent forms are available in the school office.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 31 December 2021. General Fund is 44% committed and the Total of all Funds is at 37% committed. Fund 115 Project Report was also provided. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through November 2021. An account has been established on the Montana Department of Revenue Education Donation Portal and Creston School is eligible to accept donations for the Innovative Educational Program Tax Credit under House Bill 279.
B. Principal. Current student enrollment is 108. Monthly building inspections have been completed with no recommended repairs. Kelly Boswell was in our building January 10th-12th providing embedded professional development on effective reading and writing instruction. Administration of mid-year benchmark assessments began January 10th in reading and math – District assessment data will be provided at the February Board meeting. We recently added three substitute teachers to our list, yet we continue to be in dire need of substitutes to meet the needs of the staff. We had zero positive Coronavirus cases in our learning environment during the month of December and fifteen total cases this year. Information regarding Title IX has been added to the school website at crestonschool.com or creston.k12.mt.us/our-programs/title-ix/.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson shared the staff report via a Google Slide presentation.
VI. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Principal Resignation June 2022. A letter of resignation from Mrs. Ward was submitted for the end of this school year. MTSBA has been contacted to explore their administrator search services and further action on the hiring process will be discussed at a future meeting. No action.
B. Bus Driver Job Description. The current bus driver job description is from 2010. An updated description from MTSBA’s sample job descriptions was provided – it was modified to meet our specific needs. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve the updated bus driver job description as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Sick Bank Committee Formation. To be prepared for requests to use the sick bank a committee is required. This committee includes one CEA teacher, one administrator, and one Board member. This committee serves for the entire school year. Julie Horton volunteered. Barry Farrell motioned to appoint Julie Horton to the sick bank committee. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
D. KPS #5 Renewal Request for KMS. Our seventh and eighth grade students attend Kalispell Middle School (KMS) under an interlocal agreement with Kalispell Public School District #5 (KPS). This agreement needs to be periodically renewed. Julie Horton motioned to approve the letter to KPS to request a renewal of the Interlocal Agreement for Creston students to attend KMS as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
E. Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with Creston Education Association. As per section 13.2 of the CBA either party is to give notice to the other party no later than January 15th of its desire to open negotiations to the agreement. Twila Brenneman motioned to present to the CEA a date change in section 11.2.1 (Credit Recognition) of the CBA from April 1 to February 1. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Jen Johnson, CEA President, on behalf of the CEA, notified the Board of their intent to open the CBA for negotiations. They will be prepared to present details at the next regular Board Meeting.
F. Records Destruction. Records Destruction Form RM88 was provided to dispose of classified personnel records. Julie Horton motioned to approve the records destruction as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
G. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. Information only. No action taken.
H. ARP ESSER Plan Review and Call for Stakeholder Input. One update to Section 1 of the plan was given regarding the classroom remodel completion. Barry Farrell motioned to approve the update as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
I. Substitute List – nil.
J. Transportation Contracts – nil.
K. Before School Care Contracts. One new contract was presented. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve the contract as presented. Julie Horton seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
L. Out of District Requests – nil.
M. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests. One request was presented by Marc Milisavjevich to use the gym on Wednesdays thru the end of May 2022 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm for family and friends to recreate and play basketball. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve the gym use request as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Claims Approval. Nevada Hafer motioned to approve the claims list as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously
VIII. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 10 February 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
B. 10 March 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
IX. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development
A. Open Meeting Rules. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion covering this topic.
X. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 7:53 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_________________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

_________________________________
Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
6 January 2022

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. The meeting was held remotely via a Zoom meeting platform. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Barry Farrell, Nevada Hafer and Julie Horton. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, and Tammy Bartos, District Clerk.
II. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
III. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Substitute List. Barry Farrell motioned to approve the additions to the substitute teacher list as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. Information only – no updates. No motion.
IV. Claims Approval. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve the claims list as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
V. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 13 January 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
B. 10 February 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
C. 10 March 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
VI. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 4:04 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_________________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

_________________________________
Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair

CRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT #9
REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
9 December 2021

MINUTES

I. Call to order. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen called the Board of Trustees meeting to order at 7:07 a.m. The meeting was held in the gym. Present were Board Trustees Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Twila Brenneman, Barry Farrell and Nevada Hafer; as well as Julie Horton upon appointment and swearing in. Also in attendance were Tami Ward, Principal, Tammy Bartos, District Clerk, and Jennifer Johnson, Teacher and CEA President.
II. Minutes of 11 November 2021. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve the minutes as presented. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
III. Appoint & Swear in Trustee to Vacant Position. (The order of this item was adjusted to after the Policy section.) Julie Horton was presented as a trustee nominee to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Matt Hartle – his term expires May 2022. Twila Brenneman moved to appoint Julie Horton to fill the vacant trustee position. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Jack Eggensperger, County Superintendent joined the meeting by phone at 7:26 and swore her in. Julie officially joined the meeting as a trustee with the Consideration of Action Items VII.A.
IV. Public Participation / Correspondence – nil.
V. Reports:
A. Clerk. The monthly budget expenditure report was provided through 30 November 2021. General Fund is 29% committed and the Total of all Funds is at 24% committed. Fund 115 Project Report was also provided. Accounts are reconciled to the County Treasurer through October 2021.
B. Principal. Current student enrollment is 107. During November our school community gathered 388 items for the Bigfork Food Bank. We are currently hosting a toy drive for the non-profit Merry Market organization. The first round of formal teacher evaluations have been completed. Monthly building inspections have been completed with no recommended repairs. We had eight positive Covid-19 cases in our learning environment during the month of November and fifteen cases this school year. Parents/guardians were given a third notice of the potential cancellation of transportation services and a second notice of potential cancellation of classroom instruction due to a lack of substitutes. Due to an extended absence with no available substitute, one classroom had to go into independent remote learning for five days and the before school care program was cancelled one day. School Facility Conditions Inventory Report was provided with no updates. Mrs. Ward attended Title IX training and will assume the role of Coordinator and Investigator and Jack Eggensperger, County Superintendent of Schools, will assume the role of Decision Maker.
C. Staff. Jen Johnson shared the staff report via a Google Slide presentation.
VI. Policies
A. Policy Updates 1420, 2140, 5140, 2312P – 2nd Read. Barry Farrell motioned to approve the changes to policies 1420, 2140, and 5140 and the deletion of policy 2312P. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. New Policy 2221P – 2nd Read. Nevada Hafer motioned to approve policy 2221P as presented. Twila Brenneman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
VII. Consideration of Action Items:
A. Before School Care Substitute Contract- CC. Barry Farrell noted that a Thank You be extended to all staff/teachers that step up for these extra duty positions. Barry Farrell motioned to approve the extra duty contract for Cindi Conley as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. Safe Return to School and Continuity of Services Plan. Information only. No motion.
C. ARP ESSER Plan Review and Call for Stakeholder Input. The ARP ESSER plan for Creston School was submitted to OPI August 16, 2021. Each school district that receives ARP ESSER funds must develop, make publicly available on the website, request stakeholder input, and review/resubmit the plan every six months. All stakeholders (parents, community members, staff members, teachers, Creston Teacher’s Union, Board Members, and Creston Special Education Department) are invited to provide requested changes, feedback, and/or questions regarding our ARP ESSER plan. Mrs. Ward sent an email on 12/2/2021 to invite input and also noticed it in the January Principal Newsletter. The plan will also be reviewed at the January 13 and February 10 Board meetings. Mrs. Ward invited those present for input. The plan may be accessed at our website here: https://creston.k12.mt.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/CrestonElementary_LE0316-ARP-ESSER-PLAN-8-24-2021.pdf. Our District is currently on schedule to complete the plan by 2024. Discussion and Information only. No motion.
D. Substitute List – nil.
E. Transportation Contracts – nil.
F. Before School Care Contracts – nil.
G. Out of District Requests. Twila Brenneman motioned to acknowledge receipt of the attendance agreements. Barry Farrell seconded. Motion passed unanimously
H. Gym & School Grounds Use Requests – nil.
VIII. Claims Approval. Twila Brenneman motioned to approve the claims lists for November 30th and December 9th as presented. Nevada Hafer seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
IX. Next Meeting Dates:
A. 13 January 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
B. 10 February 2022, 7:00 am Regular Meeting
X. Board Work Session – Training and Discussion for Board Professional Development
A. Board Member Roles & Responsibilities. Jessica Sandven-Sorensen led a discussion covering this topic.
XI. Adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

_________________________________
Tammy Bartos, District Clerk

_________________________________
Jessica Sandven-Sorensen, Board Chair