June 25, 2008
A Special Meeting of the Elementary and High School District No. 1 Board of Trustees was held on June 25, 2008 in the Choteau High School Library. The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chairman Kirk Moore.
Members Present: Kirk Moore, Perri Lindgren, Brenda Cunniff, Sharon Rice, and Mark Henderson (arrived late at 12:20 p.m.).
Members Absent: Katie Rasmussen and Robert Stokes.
Supt. St. John and Clerk Davis were present throughout the meeting.
Visitors: Choteau Acantha Editor Melody Martinsen and District Patron Crystal Cunniff.
A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Brenda Cunniff and unanimously carried (2 absent) to approve the elementary claims clearing warrants #13553-#13602 and payroll clearing warrants #17739-#17774 for payment. A vendor list for claims is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
A motion was made by Sharon Rice, seconded by Perri Lindgren and unanimously carried (3 absent) to approve the high school claims clearing warrants #13553-#13602 and payroll clearing warrants #17739-#17774 for payment. A vendor list for claims is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
APPROVE EMPLOYMENT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCIENCE TEACHER Supt. St. John informed the Board that three interviews were held from the five applications for the junior high science position open due to the resignation of Jeremy Barcus. Supt. St. John noted that the pool of applicants was small but qualified and of the three interviewed; two stood out, with the administrative recommendation going to the applicant with prior teaching experience. Supt. St. John informed the Board that the administration would recommend the employment of Rachael Newmiller, noting that Mrs. Newmiller is the daughter of High School Trustee Robert Stokes. Supt. St. John noted that this is not a conflict as Mrs. Newmiller’s position is an elementary one that members of the High School Board would not vote on.
A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Brenda Cunniff and unanimously carried (2 absent) to accept the administrations’ recommendation and employ Rachael Newmiller as the junior high science teacher for the 2008-09 school year. Supt. St. John noted that Mrs. Newmiller will be placed on the salary schedule at a BA/4.
APPROVE EMPLOYMENT OF TITLE I TUTORS Supt. St. John informed the Board that interviews were held to fill the Title I Tutor positions open due to the resignations of Karen Ferris and Jeanie Rae Hanusa. Supt. St. John informed the Board that Elementary Principal Gameon had moved Jerri Morris, a part time Elementary Title I Tutor, into Mrs. Hanusa’s full time tutor position so it was Mrs. Morris’ part time position that was advertised and interviewed for. Supt. St. John further noted that Christy Clark, who serves as a full time Title I Tutor for the junior high, requested to go part time for three days a week if a candidate could be found to fill the other two days a week, so this position was also advertised and interviewed for.
Supt. St. John informed the Board that the administration would recommend the employment of Della Yeager to fill the full time High School Title I Tutor position, Jill Yeager to fill the part time Elementary Title I Tutor position, and Dorothy Weist to fill the part time Junior High Title I Tutor position.
A motion was made by Brenda Cunniff, seconded by Perri Lindgren and unanimously carried (2 absent) to accept the administrations’ recommendation and employ Jill Yeager for the 2008-09 school year and place her on a specific non-certified contract with a six month probationary period beginning August 27, 2008 for the position of a part time elementary Title I tutor at the wage rate of $7.75 per hour as per the current non-certified salary schedule; and employ Dorothy Weist for the 2008-09 school year and place her on a specific non-certified contract, without a probationary period as she is a retired aide from the District, for the position of a part time junior high Title I tutor at the wage rate of $8.50 per hour as per the current non-certified salary schedule.
A motion was made by Brenda Cunniff, seconded by Sharon Rice and unanimously carried (3 absent) to accept the administrations’ recommendation and employ Della Yeager for the 2008-09 school year and place her on a specific non-certified contract with a six month probationary period beginning August 27, 2008 for the position of a full time high school Title I tutor at the wage rate of $7.75 per hour as per the current non-certified salary schedule.
Trustee Mark Henderson arrived late at 12:20 p.m.
CONSIDER TRANSFER OF FUNDS Supt. St. John reminded the Board that they approved the payoff of the $5,037.58 multipurpose building loan with Citizens State Bank at the May meeting using rent payments for the building that had accumulated in the High School Building Fund. Supt. St. John informed the Board that the high school general fund has adequate end of year dollars to restore the High School Building Fund for this payment so these funds would be available as a savings account to address future building needs.
A motion was made by Mark Henderson, seconded by Perri Lindgren and unanimously carried (2 absent) to restore the High School Building Fund (260) for the $5,037.58 multipurpose building loan payment to Citizens State Bank with end of year High School General Fund dollars.
APROVE ADDITIONAL 2008-09 EXTRACURRICULAR ASSIGNMENTS Supt. St. John reminded the Board that there are open extracurricular assignments for the 2008-09 school year due to a number of resignations. Supt. St. John informed the Board that these open assignments have been posted and advertised and the administration has recommendations for filling the following assignments as outlined: High School Assistant Wrestling Coach – Robert McKay, High School Close-Up Advisor – Patty Mellinger, Elementary Head Wrestling Coach – Steve French, and Elementary Assistant Wrestling Coach – Bob Scott.
A motion was made by Mark Henderson and seconded by Perri Lindgren to accept the administrations’ recommendation and employ Robert McKay as the High School Assistant Wrestling Coach and Patty Mellinger as the High School Close-Up Advisor for the 2008-09 school year. Discussion of the motion on the floor was called for with several Board members questioning if Patty Mellinger would have the time to fulfill the Close-Up Advisor duties on top of her regular secretarial job for the District as well as serving as the Concessions Manager and the High School Assistant Athletic Director. The Board directed Supt. St. John to research the time needed to do the Close-Up Advisor job and be sure that Mrs. Mellinger could do all of the jobs she is assigned to.
Trustee Mark Henderson made a motion and Trustee Brenda Cunniff seconded to amend the motion on the floor and split it so these two extracurricular assignments could be considered separately. Trustees voting for the amendment to the motion on the floor were: Mark Henderson, Brenda Cunniff, Sharon Rice, and Kirk Moore. Trustees voting against the amendment to the motion on the floor were: Perri Lindgren. The motion to amend the motion on the floor carried with a 4 to 1 vote (2 absent).
The vote was called for on the original amended motion to accept the administrations’ recommendation and employ Robert McKay as the High School Assistant Wrestling Coach for the 2008-09 school year. This amended motion carried with a unanimous vote (2 absent).
Brenda Cunniff made a motion and Sharon Rice seconded to table taking action on the administrations’ recommendation to employ Patty Mellinger as the High School Close-Up Advisor for the 2008-09 school year. Trustees voting for this motion to table were: Brenda Cunniff, Sharon Rice, Mark Henderson, and Kirk Moore. Trustees voting against this motion to table were: Perri Lindgren. The motion to table taking action on this matter passed with a 4 to 1 vote (2 absent).
A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried (2 absent) to accept the administrations’ recommendation and employ Steve French as the Elementary Head Wrestling Coach and Bob Scott as the Elementary Assistant Wrestling Coach for the 2008-09 school year.
APPROVE EMPLOYMENT OF SUMMER STUDENT CUSTODIAN Supt. St. John informed the Board that the summer student custodian position was posted after the May meeting and the administration would recommend the employment of Erik Evensen to fill this position.
A motion was made by Brenda Cunniff, seconded by Perri Lindgren and unanimously carried (2 absent) to accept the administrations’ recommendation and employ Erik Evensen as a 2008 summer student custodian at the wage rate of $6.55 per hour as per the current non-certified salary schedule.
PASS RESOLUTION TO DISPENSE WITH OLD WARRANTS A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried (2 absent) to pass a resolution to dispose of the following old unredeemed warrants as outlined below.
1) High School Activity Account Check #646 issued 5/18/06 in the amount of $25.00, to be voided and the funds redeposited into the proper activity account.
2) High School Activity Account Check #816 issued 10/12/06 in the amount of $4.38, to be voided and the funds redeposited into the proper activity account.
3) Elementary Claims Clearing Warrant #12151 issued 6/21/08 in the amount of $15.66 to Dan Stott for an individual transportation payment, to be voided and a duplicate warrant issued to Mr. Stott (no indemnity bond as over year old).
4) High School Claims Clearing Warrant #12216 issued 6/21/08 in the amount of $14.45 to Dan Stott for an individual transportation payment, to be voided and a duplicate warrant issued to Mr. Stott (no indemnity bond as over year old).
PASS RESOLUTION TO DISPOSE OF OBSOLETE SURPLUS PROPERTY Supt. St. John informed the Board of the following partial list of surplus property that needs to be disposed of: 6 sets of 16’ pull out bleachers, 1969 Ford Pickup, 2 old scoreboards, 1 4’ wood table, 1 computer stand, and 5 pieces of exercise equipment. Supt. St. John would like the Board to ask for bids on this surplus property and authorize him to accept the high bid and then dispose of the remaining surplus property. Supt. St. John noted that the list of surplus property, along with the closing date for sealed 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 Mark Henderson, seconded by Perri Lindgren and unanimously carried (2 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 sealed bids and authorizing the Superintendent to accept the high bid and to appropriately dispose of any remaining surplus property that is not bid on.
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF AND APPROVE DEPOSIT OF CHECKS A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried (2 absent) to acknowledge receipt of and approve depositing the following checks in the appropriate funds.
1) Havre Schools check #168536 in the amount of $1,200.00 for a CSPD Mini Grant for additional RTI Training, to be deposited in the Elementary Miscellaneous Federal Funds.
2) Big Sky Special Needs Cooperative check #6965 in the total amount of $935.00 for reimbursement of special education collaboration substitute costs, with $275.00 used to restore the Elementary General Fund and $660.00 used to restore the High School General Fun d.
3) Cash in the total amount of $119.42 from the high school petty cash box for book fines, copy fees, etc., to be deposited in the High School General Fund.
ATHLETIC PHILOSOPHY COMMITTEE REPORT Athletic Philosophy Committee Spokesman Sharon Rice reported to the Board that the committee had their first meeting last Thursday with over 20 community members in attendance. The committee is taking input from the entire Board and community members that have contacted them. The committee plans to develop a rough draft mission statement that they will work forward from to develop an athletic philosophy with goals and objectives, coaching job descriptions, and athletic policies.
Committee Member Brenda Cunniff questioned what the purpose and scope of the committee was and how far the committee was to work on this issue before bringing it to the Board for consideration; noting that bigger questions are coming up regarding this issue, so questioned whether the committee was to deal with these questions or bring them back to the Board. Chairman Kirk Moore responded to Trustee Cunniff by reading the following statement from page 3181 of the April 10, 2008 minutes under Extra-Curricular Assignments for the 2008-09 School Year, “Chairman Sara Coccoli questioned that in light of the letters and petitions regarding extra-curricular activities presented to the Board at the last meeting, if it would not be beneficial for the Board to have a work session to review the coaches handbook, job descriptions, and define a philosophy of why the District offers athletics and what the District’s goals and expectations are for all involved.”
District Patron Crystal Cunniff questioned if the purpose of this committee is to develop a brief mission statement or procedures for hiring coaches. Committee members responded that they felt the purpose was to develop a mission statement towards the end of developing procedures for hiring coaches.
NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT AND CUSTODIAL UNION AGREEMENT Negotiations Spokesman Robert Stokes informed the Board that there is nothing more to report on the progress of negotiations with the teachers as the CEA cancelled the June 19th meeting and does not plan to meet again until after the 4th of July festivities. Trustee Stokes further noted that there have been no ongoing negotiations with the administrative staff to report on either.
Supt. St. John again asked the Board to review the draft custodial union agreement for any language they did not like and wanted changed or errors that needed to be corrected as both sides hope to ratify the agreement in July, which will require a special meeting. Supt. St. John further noted that he has asked MTSBA to review the agreement for any problems.
2008-09 BOARD GOALS Supt. St. John noted that they developed goals at a work session last July under his direction, but feels the Board needs to develop their own goals if they do not feel the goals outlined in the Five Year Plan are sufficient. Supt. St. John asked that the Board consider developing such Board goals to be discussed at the August meeting.
Trustee Mark Henderson stated he would like to see a five year scoring graph for reading, math, and other curricular areas. Supt. St. John noted that such graphs are available and will provide them for the Board.
NAEP TESTING Supt. St. John informed the Board that Choteau Elementary has been selected to participate in the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), so must do so since the district receives ESEA Federal Title funds.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR BUS STOPS Supt. St. John informed the Board that the administration plans to have an activity bus stop at the Skelton turn around approximately 20 miles toward Conrad. Supt. St. John noted that the District is thankful to the Pannabecker family for allowing their driveway as a stop last year, but there are problems with that location so the administration will continue to look for a good pick-up and drop-off spot approximately half way between the Skelton stop and the school. Supt. St. John informed the Board that the insurance company is providing a hold harmless agreement for the District to enter into with the property owners of any activity stop used. Supt. St. John further informed the Board that the administration is continuing to pursue the state developing a pull off on secondary highway 220. Trustee Sharon Rice asked that such stops be researched for all highways the activity bus stops at rather than just secondary highway 220.
CLERK/BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT None.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Supt. St. John reported to the Board on the following matters:
A) The Board pamphlet “Harnessing The Benefits Of Board Service” was distributed and reviewed. Supt. St. John noted that being a Trustee is a hard job and wanted the Board members to know their efforts are appreciated.
B) Supt. St. John informed the Board that the Board Chairman designee participated in the junior high science teacher interviews and he felt the process worked very well. Having said that, Supt. St. John informed the Board that he has received even further legal advice that Board involvement in the hiring process is not a good practice. This practice really creates a consistency problem because the screening/interview process may not be on a level playing field if the same Board member or members are not involved to the same degree for each candidate, which in turn creates the basis for a discrimination in hiring suit. Supt. St. John stated that the Board as a whole must be aware of the pitfalls of having Board involvement in the hiring process.
C) Supt. St. John informed the Board that the administration for Choteau, Fairfield, and other area schools are meeting to see if the travel schedules can be consolidated so that neighboring towns share the travel costs to the same event if at all possible.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m.
ATTEST: ______________________ CLERK _________________________ CHAIRMAN