January 14, 2010
The January regular meeting of the Elementary and High School District No. 1 Board of Trustees was held on January 14, 2010 in the Choteau High School Library. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Kirk Moore.
Members Present: Kirk Moore, Mark Salmond, Jonathan Stoltz, Perri Lindgren, Mark Henderson, and Sharon Rice.
Members Absent: Brodie Gollehon.
Supt. St. John and Clerk Davis were present throughout the meeting.
A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried (1 absent) to approve the elementary minutes of the December 10, 2009 regular meeting as written.
A motion was made by Mark Salmond, seconded by Sharon Rice and unanimously carried (1 absent) to approve the high school minutes of the December 10, 2009 regular meeting as written.
Visitors: Choteau Acantha Editor Melody Martinsen; District Patrons Cliff and Sally Heuscher; and Teacher Dave Hartman.
A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Mark Salmond and unanimously carried (1 absent) to approve the elementary claims clearing warrants #15441-#15531 and payroll clearing warrants #19918-#20074 for payment. A vendor list for claims is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
A motion was made by Jonathan Stoltz, seconded by Sharon Rice and unanimously carried (1 absent) to approve the high school claims clearing warrants #15441-#15531 and payroll clearing warrants #19918-#20074 for payment. A vendor list for claims is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
Correspondence:
A) The Board received a communication from Heather McCartney informing the Board that the Booster Club is organizing an Ice Cream Social at the basketball games on Friday, February 12th with Rocky Boy as a means of welcoming them as a new member into our 1B Athletic District. Ms. McCartney noted that the Rocky Boy basketball teams have a very large following so they are expecting anywhere from 600-1000 spectators and will be in need of donations to provide the ice cream and brownies that will be served.
B) The Board received a communication from the Teton County Food Bank thanking the students, staff, and administration for the various food drives that were conducted throughout the holiday season on their behalf.
C) Supt. St. John shared a communication with the Board from Judy Gosnell-Lamb, the Director of the Big Sky Special Needs Cooperative, which stated that the District had recently undergone a five year on site review of the special education program. Mrs. Lamb noted that all the zeros on the 14 page report indicated there were no findings and that there was only one point on one record that needed to be corrected so the District essentially has an A+ rating, which is remarkable and almost unheard of in light of the numerous rules and regulations and massive paperwork load within this program. Mrs. Lamb stated that the special education staff of the District deserve and should be commended for the job they do.
PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS Elementary Principal Chuck Gameon was not present due to RTI meetings out of town so Supt. St. John read a written report he had prepared for the Board.
A) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that the winter benchmarking through AIMSWEB will be done next week.
B) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that PIKE will once again hold a Winter Carnival as a fund raiser starting at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26th. The Winter Carnival will offer various games, concessions, silent auction and conclude with a live art auction at 7:00 p.m.
C) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that the Science Standards Committee are monitoring and mapping what is being taught through the science curriculum this year in an effort to set an improvement goal, as with reading and math. The committee is trying to determine if there are huge holes in what is being taught through the science curriculum, which is very possible in light of the past focus on improving reading and math proficiency, so that the District can determine how best to fill these holes such as providing a block of time and being more efficient. Trustee Mark Henderson questioned if it wouldn’t be more effective and efficient to map time spent on the entire curriculum rather than just science at this time.
D) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that the Missoula Children’s Theatre group will be here all next week, with auditions being held after school on Monday to cast approximately 50-60 students for the Saturday, January 23rd 2:00 and 5:30 p.m. productions of Snow White.
Supt. St. John informed the Board that High School Principal Nate Achenbach was at his son’s basketball game out of town but planned to be back before the end of the Board meeting to report to the Board.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT A copy of the Superintendent’s Report provided to the Board by Supt. St. John is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
A) Supt. St. John reviewed his report with the Board at this time.
B) The Board discussed the administrative and bus route contractor proposal to purchase camera systems for the five bus route busses at an approximate cost of $1,100 per route to address discipline issues. Supt. St. John was questioned as to how such cameras would really help discipline issues since to be effective discipline should be meted immediately upon misbehavior, and it is not feasible for a bus driver to do so. Supt. St. John noted that this isn’t the planned role of the cameras, but instead it is felt they will serve as a deterrent and a means to determine what actually did take place so as to support the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken. The administration and bus route contractor feel that such cameras will remove the current “he said, she said” process of determining what took place and hold the actual wrong doer accountable for his/her actions. Trustee Sharon Rice asked the administration to look into assigning older students on each route as a bus monitor or asking parents to volunteer to serve in this capacity as a means of addressing these issues before spending over $5,500 to purchase the cameras. It was noted that five camera boxes could be installed on each of the route busses, but only one or two actual cameras could be purchased and rotated between the various routes to reduce the cost and still serve as a deterrent. Supt. St. John informed the Board that this matter will be an action item on the agenda for the February Board Meeting. Trustee Sharon Rice had to leave the meeting briefly to take her foster daughter to a meeting at this time.
C) Supt. St. John informed the Board that he has researched the issue of not entering into an Interlocal Agreement with Golden Ridge School District No. 45 to host an attendance at the New Rockport Hutterite Colony which is within our Elementary District more; and has determined that it would not be beneficial for all parties involved to take such action at this time. As a side note, Supt. St. John informed the Board that State Superintendent of Schools Denise Juneau is looking into eliminating independent K-8 elementary districts and only having K-12 school districts, which would make the issue of such Interlocal Agreements moot.
D) Supt. St. John reminded the Board that the MTSBA recommended “Notice Regarding Public Comment” was printed on the back of the agenda as outlined in his mid-month report, but this notice may be subject to change as there is a real gray area between allowing any and all public comment about any specific students or staff members without violating their individual right to privacy which could lead to litigation and not infringing on freedom of speech or the public’s right to know.
E) Supt. St. John provided the Board with a handout that outlined what has been accomplished to date and a weekly action plan for the Montana Virtual Academy, noting that this program is definitely moving forward.
F) Supt. St. John informed the Board that they will have a resignation to consider at the February Board Meeting as Junior High Title I Tutor Mikaila Johnson is expecting a child and just submitted her resignation.
G) Supt. St. John informed the Board that they will also have to consider waiving the January 1st intent to negotiate deadline once again this year at the February Board Meeting, as he just received a letter from the CEA indicating their intent to negotiate for the 2010-11 school year. Supt. St. John informed the Board that MTSBA Negotiation Specialist Andy Seaver once again recommends doing what is right and waiving this deadline; but Supt. St. John questions why such a deadline is even in the Collective Bargaining Agreement if it continually has to be waived, and suggested that this matter be addressed in negotiations this year and at least have both sides look at extending the date of this deadline.
H) Supt. St. John informed the Board that there has been some controversy over the scoreboard sponsorships with some local businesses feeling that they were left out of the process. Supt. St. John informed the Board that High School Principal Nate Achenbach addressed the Chamber of Commerce at their last meeting and outlined the entire process and he will update the Board regarding this matter when he reports to them later during the meeting. Supt. St. John further noted that High School Principal Achenbach had done a newspaper article so that the entire process was outlined for the public and to let any local businesses know that additional advertising panels can be made or there are always needed projects throughout the District, such as moving the football crow’s nest, that can be funded through such sponsorships. Supt. St. John stressed that any interested businesses just need to contact the administration and let them know how they would like to participate.
SUPERINTENDENT’S CONTRACT The Board was informed that the current contract with Supt. St. John expires June 30, 2010 and if the Board does not take any action regarding this contract before February 1st, it will automatically renew for a period of one year.It was further noted that 20-4-402, Section 4, MCA outlines a maximum term of three years for a contract offered to a superintendent.
Chairman Kirk Moore noted that the Board had conducted the Superintendent’s evaluation in December, which indicated they felt Supt. St. John had stepped up and was doing a good job and his overall job performance had improved. Chairman Kirk Moore called for a motion regarding the offering of a contract to Supt. St. John. A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried (1 absent) to offer Kevin St. John a two year contract as Superintendent of Schools for the District for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 school years, with salary and benefits subject to final negotiations.
APPROVE 2010-11 MONTANA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP AND DUES Supt. St. John informed the Board that the 2010-11 MTSBA dues are $3,573, which is an increase of $64. Supt. St. John noted that the dues are calculated based on a 3 year average of revenue received and provided the Board with information regarding the value of continued membership in MTSBA.
A motion was made by Jonathan Stoltz, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried (1 absent) to renew Choteau School District No. 1’s membership with the Montana School Boards Association and pay the 2010-11 dues of $3,573.
OBSOLETE PROPERTY RESOLUTION Supt. St. John informed the Board of an additional list of surplus property, as outlined below, that needs to be disposed of since the ARRA Stimulus lighting, table, and chair replacement projects have been completed:
Supt. St. John would like the Board to pass a resolution that will allow the administration to accept bids made on the listed surplus property and then dispose of any remaining surplus property in the most appropriate manner. Supt. St. John noted that the list of surplus property, along with the closing date for bids will be published in the Choteau Acantha for the correct amount of time in accordance with 20-6-604, MCA.
A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Jonathan Stoltz and unanimously carried (1 absent) to pass a resolution to sell or dispose of personal property of the district because it is obsolete and unsuitable for the school purposes of the District by calling for bids and authorizing the Superintendent to accept the high bid and to appropriately dispose of any remaining surplus property that is not bid on.
APPOINT BOARD NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Kirk Moore appointed Trustees Mark Henderson, Jonathan Stoltz, and Mark Salmond to serve on the board negotiations committee, with Trustee Henderson serving as the spokesman, and appointed Trustee Sharon Rice as the alternate.
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF AND APROVE DEPOSIT OF CHECKS A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried (1 absent) to acknowledge receipt of and approve depositing the following checks in the appropriate funds.
1) Teton County check #071588 in the amount of $276.31 for reimbursement of travel expenses for ReAct, to be used to restore the High School General Fund Budget.
2) Big Sky Special Needs Cooperative check #7582 in the amount of $780.00 for special education collaboration substitute costs, with $180.00 used to restore the Elementary General Fund Budget and $600.00 used to restore the High School General Fund Budget.
3) Big Sky Special Needs Cooperative check #7620 in the amount of $11,590.00 for reimbursement of AIMSWEB costs and IDEA-B ARRA Stimulus funding; with $900.00 used to restore the Elementary General Fund, $6,950.00 deposited in the Elementary Miscellaneous Federal Fund, and $3,740.00 deposited in the High School Miscellaneous Federal Fund.
4) Citizen’s State Bank check #11702 for $6,500.00 and check #11703 for $1,000.00 for a total of $7,500.00 for their initial scoreboard sponsorship payment, to be deposited in the High School Miscellaneous Federal Fund.
CONSIDER MONTANA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION PROPOSALS This action item was moved down on the agenda until High School Principal Nate Achenbach was present so that he could be a part of the discussion. The Board and administration discussed the proposals that will be voted on at the annual Montana High School Association business meeting to be held in Helena on January 18th. Supt. St. John and High School Principal/Athletic Director Nate Achenbach will be present as representatives for Choteau School District No. 1.
A motion was made by Mark Henderson, seconded by Jonathan Stoltz and unanimously carried (1 absent) to authorize representatives for Choteau School District No. 1 present at the annual Montana High School Association business meeting to vote in the best interests of the District.
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL REPORT High School Principal Nate Achenbach reported to the Board on the following matters:
A) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that the end of the first semester was just around the corner so reminded Trustees Mark Henderson and Sharon Rice that they had been appointed to the attendance committee at the beginning of the school year, noting that they would have a record number of requests to waive the 10 day absence rule and reinstate credit due to the H1N1 outbreak late this fall.
B) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that the Health Committee has continued to meet to address student sexuality issues and are preparing to send a survey out to parents to learn what resources parents feel they want and need to best learn how to have the needed sexuality discussion with their children.
C) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that Kathy Kotnyski out of Great Falls will provide instruction on integrating technology into the classroom at the January 27th early release in-service.
D) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that the students responded well to the “I Rock” responsible internet and cell phone usage assembly provided before the Christmas break.
E) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that the National Guard presented 1st place trophies to the boys and girls track teams and the girls golf team for having the highest GPA average last spring at the above assembly.
F) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that the Choteau Wrestling Classic tournament gets underway tomorrow with weigh ins at 11:00 a.m., the coaches meeting at 12:00 p.m., and pigtails at 1:00 p.m. High School Principal Achenbach reminded the Board that school will be dismissed at noon tomorrow in an attempt to alleviate the congestion created by this massive tournament.
G) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that he never saw the controversy coming that has arisen from the scoreboard sponsorship issue. High School Principal Achenbach reminded the Board that he has been openly talking about this project and it has been discussed at a number of Board meetings, noting that he outlined this discussion process at a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting. High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that he never intended to hurt anyone’s feelings or to exclude anyone from being a part of this project and informed the local businesses at this Chamber of Commerce meeting that any business is welcome to still participate and provide sponsorship funds for an additional advertising panel on the scoreboards or if there is enough interest, possibly to cover the costs of another project such as moving the crow’s nest on the football field to a better location. High School Principal Achenbach urged all Board members to send anyone with questions or issues about this matter to him as he wants to make it right and keep our on-going good relationship with the community.
Trustee Mark Henderson stated that he thought the sponsorships would all be paid up front rather than on a contract basis over a period of years. Clerk Davis informed the Board that she had specifically stated that the District would have to purchase the scoreboards up front and then be reimbursed to get the project done during the summer, reading from page 3338 of the November 10, 2009 minutes as outlined below:
High School Principal Achenbach noted that he would like to order the scoreboards by March so they can be installed over the summer, but stressed that they will not be ordered if there are not enough sponsors and advertising dollars to purchase them. Clerk Davis noted that the District will have to initially purchase the scoreboards, probably with Building Reserve funds, and then these funds will be restored as the District receives the advertising fees from the sponsors probably through a contract over a period of years.
The Board and administration discussed this issue further with High School Principal Achenbach informing the Board of the procured sponsorships and contracts that each business worked up as outlined below:
High School Gymnasium Scoreboards (approximately $26,000): Citizen’s State B ank - $13,000 for a bottom panel along the length of the scoreboard on both ends (contract for initial payment of $7,500 by 1/31/10 with $1,100 payments for 5 years payable 6/1/10 through 6/1/14); 3 Rivers Communications - $6,500 for a top panel along ½ the length of the scoreboard on both ends (contract for payment in full by 6/1/10); and Sun River Electric - $6,500 for a top panel along ½ the length of the scoreboard on both ends (contract for payments of $1,300 for 5 years payable 6/1/10 through 6/1/14),
Elementary Gymnasium Scoreboards (approximately $14,000): Bouma Truck Sales - $7,000 for a bottom panel along the length of the scoreboard on both ends (contract for in-kind initial payment of $4,000 for picking up both scoreboards to save equivalent shipping costs by 6/10 with $1,000 payments for 3 years payable 6/1/10 through 6/1/12); Teton Electric/Professional Gas Services - $1,750 for a top panel along ½ the length of the scoreboard on one end (contract for payments of $583 for 3 years payable 6/1/10 through 6/1/12); Vandolah Chriropractic - $1,750 for a top panel along ½ the length of the scoreboard on one end (contract for payments of $583 for 3 years payable 6/1/10 through 6/1/12); Stage Stop Inn - $1,750 for a top panel along ½ the length of the scoreboard on one end (contract for payments of $583 for 3 years payable 6/1/10 through 6/1/12); and A Plus Services - $1,750 for a top panel along ½ the length of the scoreboard on one end (contract for payments of $350 for 5 years payable 6/1/10 through 6/1/14).
2010-2011 PRELIMINARY BUDGET REPORT AND 2009-2010 PROCLAMATION OR INTRODUCTION OF BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION Supt. St. John and Clerk Davis provided the Board with the following preliminary general fund budget figures for the 2010-2011 school year.
Current Elementary General Fund Budget = $1,827,696
Estimated Highest Elem. General Fund Budget (w/out vote) = $1,823,461
= $ 4,235 DECREASE
Current High School General Fund Budget = $1,208,056
Estimated Highest HS General Fund Budget (w/out vote) = $1,340,266
= $ 132,210 INCREASE
OR
Current Elementary General Fund Budget = $1,827,696
Estimated Lowest Elem. General Fund Budget (w/out vote) = $1,754,686
= $ 73,010 DECREASE
Current High School General Fund Budget = $1,208,056
Estimated Lowest HS General Fund Budget (w/out vote) = $1,297,773
= $ 89,717 INCREASE
It was noted that that these budget amounts were figured using the 3% increase in the basic and per student entitlements and a projected ANB based on the fall and current enrollment count, which could increase or decrease by the count date on February 1st. The Board was reminded that the legislature provided another 3% increase in the basic and per student entitlements for the second year of the biennium, rather than the proposed 1% increase by backfilling the other 2% with federal stimulus funding. The increase in the high school budget and the decrease in the elementary budget are directly related to the largest class of the District moving from the 8th grade to the high school. This large class of Freshmen now numbers 51, while the next largest class is the Sophomores at only 36, and all remaining classes range from a high of 33 to a low of 14, with the trend being to graduate larger classes than are entering kindergarten which results in on-going enrollment declines. The Board was informed that the difference between these two scenarios is in the use of excess reserves; with the first option using all of the excess reserves, including the Northwestern Energy protested tax settlement, and the second option using none of the excess reserves set aside last year. Supt. St. John and Clerk Davis noted that more than likely the adopted 2010-2011 General Fund Budgets will be a compromise between these two options that best meets the current and future needs of the District, by using a portion of the excess reserves set aside but saving the Northwestern Energy protested tax settlement if possible to help offset budget cuts in the 2011-2012 school year.
Clerk Davis provided a copy of the budget amendment resolution proclamation to the Board, a copy of which is attached to the minutes of this meeting. Clerk Davis informed the Board that this $32,973.85 High School General Fund Budget Amendment Resolution Proclamation, due to the unanticipated enrollment increase in the high school which will be funded entirely by additional
Direct State Aid, will be posted at least one week before the regular February Board Meeting in every building of the District as well as published in the Choteau Acantha, so that the Board can take public input at the February Board Meeting before adopting the budget amendment. The resolution will indicate that the proposed expenditures for this budget amendment will be $15,000.00 in the textbook line item (201-100-1000-640), $10,000.00 in the instructional minor equipment line item (201-100-1000-660), and $7,973.85 in the instructional supplies line item (201-100-1000-610). Supt. St. John and Clerk Davis further noted that these funds should be expended this school year to retain their status as so called “free money”.
CLERK/BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT Clerk Davis reported to the Board on the following matters:
A) Clerk Davis informed the Board that the Teton County Treasurer, on behalf of the Teton County Investment Committee, had invested the following investments in certificates of deposit from 12/17/09:
1) $400,000 for 210 days with Citizens State Bank at .75%,
2) $750,000 for 240 days with 1st National Bank of Fairfield at 1.10%,
3) $750,000 for 270 days with 1st National Bank of Fairfield at 1.19%,
4) $800,000 for 365 days with Citizens State Bank at 1.60%,
5) $800,000 for 540 days with 1st National Bank of Fairfield at 1.85%, and
6) $900,000 for 540 days with Citizens State Bank at 2.00%.
B) Clerk Davis distributed the 2010 Election Calendar to the Board, noting that March 25th is the deadline for filing nominating petitions and calling for an election to be held on Tuesday, May 4th. Trustee Kirk Moore’s first term expires this year and Trustee Perri Lindgren’s third term expires this year. Clerk Davis noted that a voted levy should not need to be placed on the ballot.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Supt. St. John took this opportunity to wrap up the meeting by thanking the Board for approving a two year superintendent contract. Supt. St. John also informed the Board that the last of the High School Quality School Deferred Maintenance ARRA Stimulus Funding was used to replace the counter top and purchase a new metal roll down window in the high school office area. Supt. St. John noted that the majority of the project was completed over the Christmas break and really provided a needed “face lift” for this area.
SCHEDULE NEXT REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Chairman Kirk Moore noted that the next Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010 which is the night before the state wrestling tournament in Billings so he will not be present. The Board discussed this matter and decided that Vice-Chairman Perri Lindgren will run the meeting rather than finding a date to reschedule to. The next Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Choteau High School Library.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
ATTEST: ______________________ CLERK ___________________________ CHAIRMAN