March 10, 2011
The March regular meeting of the Elementary and High School District No. 1 Board of Trustees was held on March 10, 2011 in the Choteau High School Library. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Mark Henderson.
Members Present: Mark Henderson, Mark Salmond, Kirk Moore, Brodie Gollehon, Ron Daley, and Jerry Stott (arrived late at 7:35 p.m.).
Members Absent: Jonathan Stoltz.
Supt. St. John, Elementary Principal Gameon, High School Principal Achenbach, and Clerk Davis were present throughout the meeting.
A motion was made by Kirk Moore, seconded by Brodie Gollehon and unanimously carried (2 absent) to approve the elementary minutes of the February 10, 2011 regular meeting as written.
A motion was made by Mark Salmond, seconded by Ron Daley and unanimously carried to approve the high school minutes of the February 10, 2011 regular meeting as written.
Visitors: Choteau Acantha Editor Melody Martinsen; Teachers and Staff Members Lorran Depner, Megan Grossman, Jami Gameon, Rachel Christensen, Sally Lee, Greg Alzheimer, and Lori Alzheimer; District Patrons Cliff and Sally Heuscher; and Student Mariah Renteria.
Trustee Jerry Stott arrived late at 7:35 p.m.
A motion was made by Mark Salmond, seconded by Kirk Moore and unanimously carried to approve the elementary claim clearing warrants #16947-#17041 and payroll clearing warrants #21811-#21937 for payment. A vendor list for claims is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
A motion was made by Brodie Gollehon, seconded by Mark Salmond and unanimously carried (1 absent) to approve the high school claim clearing warrants #16947-#17041 and payroll clearing warrants #21811-#21937 for payment. A vendor list for claims is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
Correspondence:
A) Supt. St. John shared an e-mail correspondence from Mr. and Mrs. Russ Mills, the parents of Dylan Mills, to High School Principal Achenbach. Mr. and Mrs. Mills wanted to thank Mr. Achenbach and the entire high school staff for their high degree of professionalism and their efforts to enhance and support their son Dylan’s education. Dylan transferred out of Alaska into Choteau High School this fall, living with his grandparents; but being extremely home sick, he recently transferred back to Alaska to be with his parents. The Mills’ stated that Choteau High School served their son well over this short period of time.
PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS High School Principal Nate Achenbach reported to the Board on the following matters:
A) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that two teams of five members with a student from each grade 9-12 and a wild card selection recently competed at the Principal Cup in Great Falls. High School Principal Achenbach noted that both teams did well but they did not place and that Senior Cody Nichter and Junior Susan Heuscher just missed making the top 10 for individual scores. High School Principal informed the Board that 11 high school students will be attending a math contest in Havre next Tuesday and the Junior High Academic Challenge will be held in Cascade on March 26th, but noted that there is a conflict with an open wrestling tournament in Butte on that date so many that had planned to participate in this contest will not be able to.
B) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that the CRT tests are being taken by the 8th and 10th grade students this week.
C) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that the first practice for the spring sports of track, golf, and tennis will be on March 14th.
D) High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that High School Counselor Patsy Betcher and he have been working diligently on developing the 2011-2012 class schedules; noting that it takes a lot of work and effort to do it by hand, but more students end up getting the class schedule they want and need this way.
Elementary Principal Chuck Gameon reported to the Board on the following matters:
A) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that the school wide geography bee contest was held in January with 8th Grader Juliet Hundahl winning this contest. Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that this local win allowed Juliet to take a test to qualify to participate at the state level. Elementary Principal Gameon noted that Juliet did qualify and will participate in the National Geography Bee at the state level in Billings on April 1st.
B) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that the spring session of America Reads will get underway on March 21st and conclude sometime in May, noting that he can always needs more adult reading volunteers for this worthwhile program.
C) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held next Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and the Book Fair will be taking place in the Elementary Library all next week too.
D) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that the past Agriculture in Montana Bumper Sticker Contest has become an art contest and the school continues to participate in it. Choteau Elementary had many Honorable Mentions in all grades K-6 but had four county winners that hope to go to Helena and compete at the state level with their entries. The county winners were Erica Wolff (Kindergarten), Destiny Buckman (2nd Grade), Mikayla Gunderson (4th Grade), and Jamie Mullins (6th Grade).
E) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that the elementary students are also doing CRT testing at this time.
F) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board about collaborative teaming, another step in the RTI process, where all parties work together to determine what works best for each individual student to achieve their full potential.
G) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that at least 15 students in grades 5-8 participated in the Teton County Spelling Bee that was held in Dutton on February 28th.
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 written report with the Board at this time.
B) Supt. St. John discussed further with the Board the need to replace the District’s second, older activity bus. The Thomas activity bus is not working and will require $5,000 to $7,500 in engine and transmission repairs, but the administration and bus drivers to not feel it is worth the cost to repair this 19 year old bus. Supt. St. John informed the Board that Bouma Truck Sales is searching for a good, used activity school bus that has enough storage and is reasonably priced to replace the Thomas activity bus with. Supt. St. John informed the Board that there is just over $85,000 in the bus depreciation fund that can be used to replace the activity busses and he is looking at $40,000 being the top limit to replace the Thomas activity bus. Supt. St. John noted that Teton Bus Services are covering the trips the Thomas activity bus would have taken and that they are also going to look into providing the District with a cost proposal of purchasing an activity bus to provide the service for these activity trips. Supt. St. John noted that the 1999 Setra coach activity bus has 265,000 miles on the rebuilt engine and will also need to be replaced in the future, but it is doubtful that the District will be able to afford replacing it with another coach style bus. The District purchased this used coach style bus for $118,000 in 2003 but it cost Fairfield $360,000 to purchase such a bus a few years ago, so the District will probably need to look at replacing that coach bus with a school bus style activity bus too. Supt. St. John noted that he probably will have a committee of the Board look at a replacement bus for the Thomas activity bus as they have more expertise regarding diesel engines and heavy duty transmissions.
C) Supt. St. John provided the Board with a further update regarding the MUST contribution adjustment. Supt. St. John informed the Board that the District received another letter dated March 2nd requesting payment of the revised contribution adjustment. Supt. St. John reminded the Board that one option that several administrators had discussed was not paying dues to MTSBA to recoup the cost of this adjustment contribution and he had previously reported that he and Clerk Davis felt they could manage in their positions without the services of MTSBA. Unfortunately, if the District does not belong to MTSBA it no longer could participate in the unemployment and workers compensation programs they sponsor. The District has participated in these programs since their inception at a great cost savings. Supt. St. John noted that the District’s liability and property insurance carrier, Western States Insurance, does offer a workers compensation program at a very comparable cost; so the District would not have to go through the state program for that coverage, which would be very costly and cumbersome. Unfortunately, the only other option for the unemployment coverage would be through the state and Clerk Davis has indicated that the payment of dues to MTSBA is well worth being able to participate in their unemployment program rather than the state program. Supt. St. John noted that the labor and policy services offered by MTSBA are also valuable and asked the Board to let him know what MTSBA services they use and how valuable they are for them.
POLICY
1st Reading of Revised Policy #3150 Supt. St. John reminded the Board of the discussion they had at the last Board meeting regarding the new MHSA regulation that allows part-time students with only 10 hours, rather than the previous 20 hours, on campus to participate in MHSA sponsored activities. Supt. St. John provided the Board with a revision to policy #3150 on part-time attendance, noting that the only revision being proposed to the District’s current policy is to strike the language that such students may not participate in any extra-curricular activities.
High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that he had surveyed his staff regarding this revision, with the survey indicating 7 were for such a revision, 16 were against, and 2 were neutral. High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that he is neutral but would not like to initiate a change that the majority of his staff does not favor. High School Principal Achenbach did indicate that it is very difficult to determine a student’s eligibility to participate in extra-curricular activities through the Digital Academy or home schooling programs. Supt. St. John informed the Board that he knew of one student the District would gain if this policy was revised and would provide the Board with further information regarding such a revision in the packet for the April Board Meeting.
CONSIDER SENIOR TRIP Supt. St. John informed the Board that policy #2330 states that the Board must approve any out of state travel and the Seniors are once again requesting to go to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for the Senior Trip. Senior Class President Mariah Renteria presented the Board with a packet that outlined the available Senior Class Funds, the projected costs for graduation, the trip itinerary, and budget. Miss Renteria informed the Board that the Seniors will only be going to the Triple Play Game Park, and not the Silverwood Water Park too as in past years, to keep the costs within the limit of their available class funds. Available class funds is also the reason the trip is a week earlier than usual so they could cut the cost in half by attending at the same time as another school, Missoula Loyola. Unfortunately, that weekend conflicts with the State Golf Tournament but that will possibly only affect two students. High School Principal Achenbach noted that the same administrative expectations, procedures, and a consent form will be in place as in the past.
A motion was made by Kirk Moore, seconded by Brodie Gollehon and unanimously carried (1 absent) to approve allowing the Senior Class of 2011 to travel out of state to the Triple Play Game Park in Idaho for their Senior Trip, noting that they must follow all administrative expectations and procedures as in the past.
APPROVE 2011-2012 SCHOOL CALENDAR Supt. St. John informed the Board that the PIR/calendar committee proposed four different calendars that were voted on by the staff and provided the Board with a copy of the calendar that received the most votes. This option has the first teacher PIR days on Monday and Tuesday August 29th and 30th, with students beginning on Wednesday, August 31st, the usual Wednesday-Sunday Thanksgiving break November 23rd-27th, a shorter Christmas break from Wednesday, December 23rd to Monday, January 2nd, the usual Thursday-Monday Easter/Spring break April 5th-9th, and students getting out of school on Friday June 1st with teachers checking out on Saturday June 2nd. Supt. St. John noted that the proposed calendar needs to be refined by the administration with mid-term, end quarter, eligibility Tuesdays, parent-teacher conferences, and early out scheduled to best fit the needs of the District.
The Trustees reviewed and discussed the proposed calendar with the administration. A motion was made by Kirk Moore, seconded by Mark Salmond and unanimously carried (1 absent) to adopt the 2011-2012 school calendar as proposed above by the administration, teachers, and staff. A copy of the general calendar as adopted is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
ADOPT ELECTION RESOLUTION Supt. St. John reminded the Board that by law they must adopt a resolution to call for the annual school election at least 40 days before the election date of May 3rd or by March 24th, which is also the deadline for filing trustee nominating petitions. The resolution should state the date of the election, the purpose of the election, the polling sites and hours the polls will be open. The Board must also appoint at least three election judges per precinct. The Board does not have to set levy amounts at this time; however, they must be set in time for the Clerk to certify the ballot or by April 8, 2011. Clerk Davis informed the Board that the administration is not anticipating the need for a voted levy but since it is a legislative year and school funding is unknown, the resolution will include language that will allow a voted levy request to be placed on the ballot if need be. Clerk Davis reminded the Board that the terms of Trustee Mark Henderson and Appointed Trustee Jerry Stott expire this spring, noting that Trustee Henderson has filed for re-election to his seat on the joint elementary and high school board. Clerk Davis took this opportunity to provide Trustee Stott with a nominating petition for his seat on the high school board, representing the outlying Bynum District.
A motion was made by Kirk Moore, seconded by Mark Salmond and unanimously carried (1 absent) to adopt the following election resolution:
TRUSTEE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN ELECTION
Now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees for Choteau School District No. 1, Teton County, State of Montana, will hold the Annual Regular School Election on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, which date is not less than forty (40) days after the passage of this resolution.
The polling sites for this election are the Choteau High School for The Choteau Elementary and High School District and the Pendroy Fire Hall for the Outlying Elementary Bynum and Pendroy School Districts for the Choteau High School District. The polls will be open from 12:00 Noon to 8:00 p.m.
The purpose of the election is to elect one (1) trustee to the Joint Elementary and High School Board of Trustees for Choteau School District No. 1 for a three-year term and elect one (1) trustee to the Choteau High School District No. 1 Board of Trustees, representing Outlying Bynum Elementary District No. 12. Additional levies to operate and maintain the Choteau Public Schools may be requested if necessary. The Board of Trustees will make this determination before the April 8, 2011 deadline to certify the ballot. If it is later determined that any portion of the election is not required, the Board of Trustees authorizes Gloria Davis, Election Administrator, to cancel that portion of the election in accordance with 13-1-304 and 20-3-313, MCA.
The Board of Trustees authorizes Gloria Davis, Election Administrator, to contact and appoint at least three qualified electors for each polling site to serve as election judges.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of Choteau School District No. 1 is hereby directed to notify the election judges of their appointment and to notify the county election administrator of the date of holding said election, and request her to close registration and to prepare and furnish election materials as required by law. If any of the judges should not be able to serve, the Election Administrator will choose a replacement from certified judges.
Clerk Davis informed the Board that Cathy Campbell, Caroline Cole, Jerry Dunckel, Amy
Lightner, and Jennifer French have agreed to serve as election judges at the Choteau High School polling site with Mrs. French being the alternate; and Diane Field, Joyce Field, and Joan Snodgrass have agreed to serve as election judges at the Pendroy Fire Hall polling site.
CONSIDER RENEWAL OF INTERLOCAL AGRFEEMENTS BETWEEN THE CHOTEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT AND BYNUM AND GOLDEN RIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HOST ATTENDANCE CENTERS Supt. St. John reminded the Board that the interlocal agreements Choteau entered into with Bynum to host an attendance center at the Miller Hutterite Colony and with Golden Ridge to host an attendance center at the New Rockport Hutterite Colony were first initiated in 1992, are yearly agreements and subject to renewal each year at this time. Unlike in years past, the host districts have determined that it would be best for Choteau to approve entering into these agreements first, as Choteau’s decision may impact the operational status of their districts.
A motion was made by Mark Salmond, seconded by Brodie Gollehon and unanimously carried (1 absent) to renew the interlocal agreements between Choteau School District No. 1 and Bynum School District No. 12, allowing Bynum to host the attendance center at the Miller Hutterite Colony for the 2011-2012 school year; and between Choteau School District No. 1 and Golden Ridge School District No. 45, allowing Golden Ridge to host the attendance center at the New Rockport Hutterite Colony for the 2011-2012 school year. Copies of these interlocal agreements are attached to the minutes of this meeting.
Chairman Mark Henderson reminded the Board that these agreements are in the best interests of all parties as they operate well and best serve the needs of the colony students and are cost effective for the smaller rural schools to host, which is not the case for Choteau since the additional ANB would not generate enough budget authority to even cover the salary and benefit costs for these attendance centers.
TEACHER RESIGNATIONS Supt. St. John informed the Board that High School Science Teacher Gary Betcher and Elementary Teacher Dale Durr have both submitted letters stating their intent to retire at the end of the 2010-2011 school year. Supt. St. John informed the Board that Mr. Betcher has 31 years with the district as a High School Science Teacher and was awarded Biology Teacher of the year in 2009; and Mrs. Durr has served the district as an elementary teacher and tutor over several different periods, but has shown her exemplary compassion and empathy for the district’s elementary students for the past 23 consecutive years.
A motion was made by Mark Salmond, seconded by Kirk Moore and unanimously carried (1 absent) to respectfully acknowledge receipt of and regretfully accept Gary Betcher’s letter of resignation as a high school science teacher and Dale Durr’s letter of resignation as an elementary classroom teacher effective at the end of the 2010-2011 school year. The Board and administration stated that both of these highly professional educators will be missed.
CONSIDER STAFFING NEEDS FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR Supt. St. John reminded the Board that his philosophy in dealing with a reduction in force (RIF) is to avoid forced reductions and achieve any necessary reductions through natural attrition, such as the retirements above. Supt. St. John noted that the District is faced with decreasing budget caps, a ceiling that is beyond our local control, due to continued declining enrollment and must exhibit fiscal responsibly by carefully weighing the value and efficiency of all expenditures. Supt. St. John stressed that enrollment projections indicate the District will lose as many as 70 students over the next four year period and would drop from a Class B to Class C school district.
Supt. St. John informed the Board that with the above outlined circumstances, the administration has developed a preliminary plan for the teacher staffing needs for the 2011-2012 school year. High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that the small class of 14 will start their path through the 7th-12th grade system starting with the 2012-2013 school year, which means there will no longer be a need for two sections of the various core classes to accommodate them, which in turn will allow two rather than three teachers for the core subject areas for grades 7th-12th. High School Principal Achenbach noted that Mr. Betcher’s retirement came two years early – before the large over 50 sophomore class graduates and the small class enters - to deal with juggling the schedule and reducing the teaching staff. High School Principal Achenbach outlined his 7th-12th grade staffing proposal which would entail assigning the current Junior High Science Teacher Rachel Newmiller to replace Mr. Betcher and teach two sections of high school biology and advanced biology, as she is endorsed and has taught science at this level. Mrs. Newmiller will continue teaching two sections of 8th grade science and have a prep period. High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that part time Family and Consumer Science Teacher Tami Krone would become full time and teach two sections of 7th Grade Science and have a full prep period, as she has the proper endorsement and has also taught science at this level. In addition to these transfers, High School Principal Achenbach would recommend having Mr. Betcher return on a part time basis (.3 FTE), because he desires to do so and such a schedule would not interfere with him receiving his teacher retirement or social security benefits, and teaching the Junior High computer electives that Mrs. Newmiller is now covering. High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that Junior High teachers will no longer be in charge of a junior high study period but they will be covered in some other manner, which actually will free up the Junior High teaching staff to cover other electives such as a specialized reading class. High School Principal Achenbach noted through this proposal there will actually be more course offerings for grades 7-12 with 2.6 FTE rather than 3.0 FTE science teachers, but in a period of 2-3 years this plan will also have to be revamped.
Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that it is a consensus, not the majority, of his staff that believe it is important to fill Mrs. Durr’s vacancy for one year only. The elementary staff understands that they could get by without replacing Mrs. Durr, but strongly feel that to do so will make the transition of dealing with the reduction of another teaching staff easier the following year, since they are seeing gaps with the current 4th/5th grade combo class that they want to address in the best interests of those students. Elementary Principal Gameon and Supt. St. John stressed that this position would be advertised as strictly one year only, but they still believe there would be strong candidates interested in such a position. Elementary Principal Gameon outlined the proposed K-6th grade staff structure for the 2011-2012 school year as having one 5th/6th Grade Combo Classroom, one 5th Grade Classroom and having two classrooms for all remaining grades K-4.
Supt. St. John informed the Board that the projected elementary budget caps will more than likely not allow funding this one year position through the general fund, so the administration would recommend that it be funded through the Elementary Trust Fund. This Trust Fund was established in 2003-04 with an anonymous alumni benefactor providing a $25,000 donation in both the 2003-04 and 2004-05 school years, to be used to best meet the educational needs of the District. At that time, these funds were used to fund the Elementary Part-Time Music Teacher position which was going to be cut because of budget constraints. The Trust Fund has a balance of over $20,500 which could help cover the cost of this one-time-only (OTO) elementary teaching position. Supt. St. John further informed the Board that this is the direction the administration would like to move in regarding this elementary teaching position, but this proposal is definitely contingent upon the level of educational funding finally approved by the legislature; so the administration is not requesting Board approval of this proposal but latitude in filling Mrs. Durr’s position to best meet the needs of the District.
A motion was made by Brodie Gollehon, seconded by Kirk Moore and unanimously carried to grant the administration latitude towards determining if the elementary teaching position open due to the retirement of Dale Durr is to be filled or not for the 2011-2012 school year, basing the decision on what best meets the needs of the District.
A motion was made by Brodie Gollehon, seconded by Jerry Stott and unanimously carried (1 absent) to accept the administrative proposal for filling the high school science teacher vacancy due to the retirement of Gary Betcher by not advertising this vacancy but instead assigning Rachel Newmiller to teach four high school biology courses, two of biology and two of advanced biology, as well as two 8th grade science courses and a prep period; assigning Tami Krone to teach two sections of 7th grade science and a prep period which will increase her teaching position to full time or 1 FTE; and having retired teacher Gary Betcher return part-time to teach two periods which will possibly be two sections of junior high electives or high school computer electives.
RATIFY NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL Board Negotiations Committee Spokesman Mark Henderson informed the Board that the committee had finally arrived at a tentative settlement with Elementary Principal Chuck Gameon. Spokesman Henderson informed the Board that they had arrived at a two year agreement with a 4% increase, but Elementary Principal Gameon would only accept this proposal if he received the full 4% this year and 0% in the second year. Spokesman Henderson informed the Board that Elementary Principal Gameon would receive the full 4% increase of $2,444 during the 2010-2011 school year for a total annual salary of $63,544 for both the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years.
A motion was made by Kirk Moore, seconded by Brodie Gollehon and unanimously carried to ratify negotiations with K-6 Elementary Principal Chuck Gameon for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years as outlined above.
PRINCIPAL CONTRACTS Supt. St. John reminded the Board that Elementary Principal Chuck Gameon and High School Principal Nate Achenbach received favorable evaluations last month, so at this time he would highly recommend that both be rehired for the 2011-2012 school year. Supt. St. John noted that he not only wants the minutes to reflect the principals have been rehired, but to offer contracts stating that salary and benefits are subject to negotiations so that signed contracts are on file for these positions. Supt. St. John further noted that these negotiations will only have to take place with High School Principal Achenbach since the Board just ratified the two year agreement with Elementary Principal Gameon.
A motion was made Mark Salmond, seconded by Brodie Gollehon and unanimously carried to employ Charles P. Gameon as the K-6 Elementary Principal for the 2011-2012 school year at a salary of $63,544.00 as just negotiated.
A motion was made by Brodie Gollehon, seconded by Mark Salmond and unanimously carried (1 absent) to employ Nathan E. Achenbach as the 7-12 High School Principal for the 2011-2012 school year, with salary and benefits subject to final negotiations.
BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION PROCLAMATION/PETITION Supt. St. John informed the Board that the High School District can once again call for a budget amendment due to an unanticipated increase in the high school enrollment that can be funded entirely by additional direct state aid in the amount of $11,312.23. Section 20-9-163, MCA allows the Board of Trustees to petition the Office of Public Instruction to adopt a resolution for a budget amendment under the provision of Section 20-9-161(1), MCA, then the Board of Trustees is to make public a proclamation or to introduce the budget amendment resolution. Supt. St. John recommended that these first two steps should be approved at this time.
A motion was made by Kirk Moore, seconded by Mark Salmond and unanimously carried (1 absent) to approve petitioning the Office of Public Instruction for permission to adopt a resolution for a budget amendment in the amount of $11,312.23 and being funded entirely with additional Direct State Aid for fiscal year 2011 as a result of an unanticipated enrollment increase; and approved the $11,312.23 High School General Fund Budget Amendment Resolution Proclamation. A copy of the signed petition and a copy of the budget amendment resolution proclamation are attached to the minutes of this meeting.
Clerk Davis informed the Board that according to budget amendment procedures, this High School General Fund Budget Amendment Resolution Proclamation will be posted at least one week before the regular April 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 April Board Meeting before adopting the budget amendment. Clerk Davis noted that the resolution will indicate that the proposed expenditures for this budget amendment will be $5,000.00 in the textbook line item (201-100-1000-640) and $6,312.23 in the instructional supplies line item (201-100-1000-610).
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF AND APPROVE DEPOSIT OF CHECKS A motion was made by Mark Salmond, seconded by Brodie Gollehon and unanimously carried to acknowledge receipt of and approve depositing the following checks in the appropriate funds.
1) Schwan’s Food Service check #267994 in the amount of $17.55 for rebates, to be deposited in the Elementary Lunch Fund.
2) Schwan’s Food Service check #267789 in the amount of $23.36 for rebates, to be deposited in the Elementary Lunch Fund.
3) Unitied States Postal Service check #0261897539 in the amount of $45.00 for interest on the postage reserve account, to be deposited in the Elementary General Fund.
4) Amy Brown check #5697 in the amount of $87.00 for payment of damages caused by a Huntley wrestler during the Choteau Classic, to be deposited in the High School Building Fund.
5) Big Sky Special Needs Cooperative check #8076 in the total amount of $22,408, with $420.00 being used to restore the Elementary General Fund and $540.00 used to restore the High School General Fund for reimbursement of substitute costs for special education collaboration time, with $14,730.00 deposited in the Elementary Miscellaneous Federal Fund for an IDEA-B ARRA payment, with $6,080.00 deposited in the High School Miscellaneous Federal Fund for an IDEA-B ARRA payment, and $638.00 deposited in the Elementary Miscellaneous Federal Fund for a Preschool IDEA-B ARRA payment.
ATHLETIC BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS Supt. St. John informed the Board that the administration is looking at ways to increase revenue rather than cut programs and student opportunities so they are looking at ways to make the athletic programs more self-funding. Supt. St. John noted that the District’s current practice is to purchase meals for teams that stay overnight and teams participating in post season tournaments. High School Principal Achenbach informed the Board that the athletic activity account has expended $3,800 on meals so far this year for post season tournaments and the teams have not stayed overnight but traveled back and forth such as divisional wrestling at Cascade, divisional volleyball at Conrad, district girls and boys basketball in Cut Bank, and divisional boys basketball in Shelby. High School Principal Achenbach estimates that as much as $5,000 could be saved by revising this practice and only paying for meals when an overnight stay is necessary. Supt. St. John informed the Board that this revised administrative procedure proposal will be placed on the April agenda for Board action.
Supt. St. John further informed the Board that the administration is considering implementing a pay to play system, as many other area schools have done, beginning in the 2012-2013 school year as another means to increase revenue and make athletics more self-funding because of the declining general fund budgets. Supt. St. John provided the Board with the following administrative rule or procedure that will be considered for implementation during the 2012-2013 school year.
Activity Ticket Requirements:
A student participating in any extra- or co-curricular sponsored activity is required to purchase a Student Activity Ticket, unless exempted due to economic hardship (see FEES section).
Pay-to-Play:
Students in grades 5-12 who participate in any extra-curricular activity must pay a participation fee, unless exempt due to economic hardship (see FEES section). Such activities include all sporting activities, speech and drama, and pep-band. This fee is in addition to the activity ticket.
FEES
Activity Tickets:
Any student participating in any extra- or co-curricular sponsored activity must purchase a Student Activity Ticket. Activity tickets are $25.00 for students and $50.00 for adults. No student will be deprived of participation due to economic hardships. Please contact the High School Principal if you have any questions.
Pay-to-Play:
Students who participate in activities including all sporting activities, speech and drama, and pep-band are required to pay a $25.00 fee per activity, with an individual cap of $50.00 and family cap of $90.00. This fee is in addition to the required $25.00 activity ticket. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will have the fee waived. No student will be deprived of participation due to economic hardships. Please contact the High School Athletic Director if you have any questions.
* MEALS – The district will pay the following meal prices when a team stays overnight for
post season events:
CURRENT PRICES: PROPOSED PRICES:
Adults Students Adults Students
Breakfast: $4.00 $4.00 $5.00 $5.00
Lunch: $5.00 $5.00 $6.00 $6.00
Dinner: $8.00 $7.00 $8.00 $7.00
OPI ACCREDITATION STATUS Supt. St. John informed the Board that the District has received the final accreditation reports for the 2010-2011 school year from the Office of Public Instruction that indicate all of the Choteau Schools have received regular accreditation, which means there are no findings or deficiencies.
CLERK/BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT Clerk Davis reported to the Board on the following matters:
A) Clerk Davis informed the Board that no investments were made by the Teton County Treasurer on behalf of the Teton County Investment committee due to a lack of cash flow.
B) Clerk Davis informed the Board that the OPI Preliminary Budget Data Sheets indicate that the special education disproportionate cost payment will be over $10,000 less than projected because of the IDEA-B ARRA funding. Clerk Davis informed the Board that she had reworked the general fund budget worksheets and still feels the worst case scenario will be a shortfall of $55,000 but this shortfall could be as little as $13,000 from the current budget levels, if the legislature approves the increases in the basic and per student entitlements as proposed by the Governor. Clerk Davis reminded the Board that it will cost the District approximately $44,500 for salary and benefit increases in fiscal year 2012 and an additional $20,000 to once again fund a needed special education teacher aide position that has been covered with IDEA-B ARRA funds for the past two years.
COACHING AND K-12 TEACHER EVALUATIONS Chairman Mark Henderson announced that the next items on the agenda involve individual privacy. Chairman Henderson declared that the meeting would be closed while the evaluations of the fall and winter coaching staff and the K-12 teaching staff were discussed, as he had determined that the demand for individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure.
The Board went into executive session at approximately 9:40 p.m. to hear reports on coaching and teacher evaluations. Elementary Principal Gameon reviewed the K-6 teacher evaluations with the Board first. After discussing these evaluations, Elementary Principal Gameon departed the executive session at 9:55 p.m., at which time High School Principal Achenbach went into the executive session to review the 2010-2011 fall/winter coaching evaluations and the 7-12 teacher evaluations with the Board. After discussing these evaluations, Chairman Henderson declared the meeting open again for regular business at 10:25 p.m.
SCHEDULE NEXT REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING The next regular Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 14, 2011 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 10:30 p.m.
ATTEST: ______________________ CLERK _________________________ CHAIRMAN