Pioneer Elementary School
1937 Dover Road
Billings, MT 59105 Telephone (406)-373-5357
www.pioneerschool.us
Mission Statement: Our mission is to serve the community and the school by creating a safe environment that fosters Respect, Trust, Accountability, and Responsibility while promoting life-long learning for all.
Regular Meeting Minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 17, 2023
Presented for Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 8, 2023
DATE: April 10, 2023
TIME: 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: Pioneer School, Main Building, Room 106
MEMBERS Joshua Cantrell, Chairperson
PRESENT: Colleen Unruh, Trustee via Zoom
Wynn Powell, Trustee
MEMBERS
ABSENT: None
CLERK: Marilyn Michael
ADMIN: Melissa Schnitzmeier
STAFF: Alsia Rau arrived at 4:30, Jami Burns and Taylor Eissinger arrived at 4:30 pm via Zoom
VISITORS: None
GUESTS: None
- OPENING
- 1. CALL TO ORDER:
Trustee, Joshua Cantrell called the meeting of the trustees of Pioneer Elementary School District #41 to order in Room 106 of the main building and via Zoom, Monday, April 17, 2023 at 4:36 pm. Trustee, Joshua Cantrell welcomed all those attending. Trustee, Joshua Cantrell read the Montana Law about public meetings.
- INDIVIDUALS, DELEGATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE
- Public Comment – None
- CORRESPONDENCE
- Weekly Agendas for March 13 through April 21
- April newsletter
- Letter of Non-Resident Acceptance
- Letter of Resignation – Jacob Montgomery
- DISTRICT REPORTS (ADMIN)
Enrollment: 68
Standards/Curriculum/Instruction/Assessment
We received our Accreditation Certification from OPI.
All certified staff and classified staff evaluations for the 22-23 school year are complete with the exception of one.
Our 22-23 SBAC testing window for grades 3 -8 is scheduled for April 24th-April 28th. We have been selected by OPI to be audited during our 22-23 SBAC testing window. A representative from OPI will be here April 26th to observe our testing practices and ensure we are following all necessary protocols. As the District’s Testing Coordinator, Mrs. Alisa Rau is heading up all aspects of this visit and walking the staff through what to expect.
Community Outreach
Our SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL work continues. We will host a “Walk Audit” on April 18th, 2023 (weather permitting). I highly encourage our staff and community members to participate in the survey at this link.
On April 19th, 2023 Mrs. Rau will accompany one of our 5th grade students to the YMCA Leadership Luncheon.
School Bus Driver Appreciation day is on April 25th and School Secretary’s Day is on April 26th. I encourage everyone to show Ms. Cindy and Mrs. Michael extra love!
Kindergarten Roundup is scheduled for April 27th from 4:00-5:00 pm.
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 1st – May 5th.
5th – 8th Grade is heading to the annual Yellowstone County Rural Track Meet at Lockwood Schools on May 5th.
Grants/Reporting
Renew America’s Schools Grant – Submitting for $4.9 million (STC). Meant to cover the hard costs of the building project idea, this grant highlights our community partnerships with Yellowstone River Parks Association & John H. Dover Memorial Park and Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative. The end of project goal in this grant is to construct a new, energy-efficient school building that meets the needs of students, faculty, and the community. Specifically, the goal is to achieve a 50% reduction in energy consumption compared to the current school building, as measured by energy bills and utility data with a targeted completion date of August 15, 2026. Awards will be announced around June 15, 2023 with the first draw available early October 2023.
Montana Coal Board Grant – Submitting for $2 million (STC). This grant was written to coincide with the Renew America’s Schools Grant. This grant is meant to cover the soft costs and moveable furnishings, fixtures, and equipment for the building project. Awards will be announced early June, 2023.
DPHHS – Awarded – Submitted for $49,998. This grant aims to help recoup costs in the general fund associated with our response to COVID-19.
Yellowstone Valley Electric – Submitted for $20,000. This grant is aimed at assisting with the costs associated with reconstructing our campus/playground to include outdoor classroom spaces and nature-based play structures which includes the drilling of a new well for irrigation purposes.
Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation Grant – Submitted for $50,000. This grant is aimed at assisting with the costs associated with reconstructing our campus/playground to include outdoor classroom spaces and nature-based play structures which includes the drilling of a new well for irrigation purposes.
Breakfast Flakes – The Breakfast Flakes have graciously agreed to purchase Pioneer a second metal detector to be placed at the entrance of the old building to ensure our 4th/5th graders are afforded the same safety measures as the rest of our school.
REAP – Submitted
ESSER ARP Report Updates – Submitted
- CONSENT AGENDA
- MINUTE APPROVAL – Regular minutes of March 6, 2023 and Special Meeting minutes of March 13, 2023
- March Warrants #22151 – #22167 Claims total $5,347.93; Warrants #9166 – #9169 Payroll including ACH & Direct Deposit total $60,392.55
- Expenditure Reports – March 2023
Wynn Powell made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Joshua seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried
- BOARD ACTION ITEMS
- Building Maintenance –
- Bids for Blacktop resealing – Melissa recommends waiting to see what we have in the budget at the end of the year.
- Bids for Brick resealing – Melissa explained that we have not received bids on this project.
- Bids for Boiler condensate tank – A bid was received from Montana Boiler to rebuild the condensate tank in the amount of $2975. After discussion, Wynn made a motion to accept the MT Boiler bid. Colleen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
- Playground maintenance/inspection – Our playground was inspected by MSGIA. The stated that our playground is designed nicely for flow of play and supervision of students. The swings are the closest measurement they have seen to the standards. Equipment is very well maintained. They recommend removing the monkey bars & see-saws. Also, removing the stump & trimming the tree branches back from the swing area. They would also like the 2 flat swings to be replaced with belt swings and monitor the spinami ropes for wear and tear. These things are recommended however, if a child were to get injured and we had not done these recommended fixes, we could be more liable.
- Lunchroom floor – Melissa recommends accepting the bid from Rocky Mountain Hardrock Flooring to refinish the lunchroom floor in the amount of $9937.50. After discussion, Wynn made a motion to accept the bid from Rocky Mountain Hardrock Flooring. Joshua seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
- Safety Enhancements –
- Bids for Door lock replacement – Kings Lock & Doors came out today to give a bid.
- Non-Resident Student application/renewals – Renewals were received for Alexis Rau and Donovan Doll. A new application was received for Janie Anderson for Kindergarten. Melissa explained that she recommends accepting Janie as she has been on the list and is in our headcount for next year. We are putting any new applicants on a wait list to see what our numbers are. She also recommended accepting Alexis and Donovan’s renewals. After discussion, Wynn made a motion to accept Janie Anderson to the 23-24 Kindergarten class. Joshua seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
- Building Use Request – The 2nd filing HOA of Reichenberger subdivision has requested to use the school for their annual meeting on May 23 from 6 – 8 pm. After discussion, Wynn made a motion to approve the building use request for the Reichenberger HOA on May 23. Joshua seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried. Melissa asked Marilyn to give them her phone number and she would arrange to let them in. Wynn also stated that she could let them in and/or lock up.
- Cancellation of Trustee Election – Acclamation – Marilyn explained that we received only one application for the 3-year school board position and one application for the 2-year school board position. We have received notice from the County Election Office that Joshua Cantrell has been elected by acclamation to the 2-year term and Wynn Powell has been elected by acclamation to the 3-year term and the trustee portion of the election will be cancelled. Wynn made a motion to accept Alexis Rau and Donovan Doll’s renewals for 23-24. Colleen seconded the motion The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
- 23-24 Staffing needs – Melissa explained that we will need to separate the 2nd/3rd grade class next year. Due to this, she would like to advertise for one more teacher. After discussion, Wynn made a motion to approve opening a new teaching position. Colleen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried. Melissa will advertise this right away.
- Staff leave request over 4 days – Raelynn Melber requested leave of over 4 days. She had to travel out of town on short notice to help her son’s family when a new baby was arriving due to her son’s military assignment. Her leave was 8 days, starting 3/31 and ending 4/17. Wynn made a motion to approve Raelynn’s leave. Joshua seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
- MSSA Agreement 23-24 – Melissa explained that we need to renew our membership to MSSA. We will need to have a variance in Library and Counseling this year. The membership price is $1362 plus $600 for the two variances for a total of $1962. Jami is working to become certified in library, which would save us $300. Wynn made a motion to approve renewal to MSSA for 2023-2024 at a cost of $1962. Colleen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
- ACE Membership 23-24 – Melissa explained that renewal for ACE Consortium will be $4804.50. She recommends renewing our membership. We use them for curriculum, staff training and our MAPS testing. Wynn made a motion to renew membership in ACE Consortium for 23-24 at the cost of $4804.50Joshua seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
- School Nurse Contract 23-24 – Melissa explained that we use Riverstone Health for our school nursing. The contract for 23-24 is for $5202. We have some concerns on the new Exhibit A to the contract that Melissa has reached out to Riverstone for an answer. It has to do with #10 in regards to serving as a liaison between school personal, families, health professionals and the community. We want to make sure that this is always available to us as it is a very important part of the services that we receive from Riverstone. Melissa would like to wait until we have an answer before moving forward. The board agreed, this will be tabled.
- YRPA MOA – Melissa explained that this MOU is attached to the grant that she is working on. The MOU states that Pioneer School agrees to continue to be a conservation-oriented school and will contribute support of a multi-use field east of the school. It also states that YRPA will provide land and support construction of a multi-purpose field adjacent to the proposed new school and assist with the coordination of the outdoor education program. Melissa also provided copies of agreements with Knife River and YVEC for assistance in the new building. Knife River by helping with construction dirt work through their agreement with YRPA and YVEC with the installation of solar panels which will contribute to more energy efficiency of the school as well as through a community solar project.
- Administrator Contract negotiations – Melissa explained that her contract needs to be updated to show that she works year-round. It previously stated that she works school days, PIR days and 10 days before school starts and 10 days after school gets out. She does work throughout the summer, so the contract needs to reflect this. Marilyn stated that she remembered Debra Silk with MTSBA say that superintendents are always year-round. After discussion, Wynn made a motion to amend Melissa’s contract to show that she will work July 1 through June 30 of each year and also to show that she is allowed to work from home on non-instruction/non-staff development days.
- Administrator Vacation leave pay out – Marilyn explained Melissa receives personal leave, which cannot carryover, vacation leave which can carryover for only 2 years and sick leave which carries over until she terminates employment. When the unused vacation leave is set to expire, Melissa can request a payout of the amount that is 2 years old. Classified employees are paid their unused vacation payout every year, administrators must request the payout each year if they have a remaining balance. Melissa submitted a request to receive the payout of her unused vacation leave. Wynn made a motion to allow Melissa to receive her unused vacation payout. Joshua seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
- Disposal of Equipment Advertisement – Melissa explained that to dispose of any broken computers, and any other items that we would like to dispose of we must publish a statement in the Yellowstone County News explaining that we plan to dispose of these items. She stated that although we cleaned out the basement, we still may have electronics, etc that we would be disposing of. Wynn made a motion to publish a notice regarding disposal of equipment in the Yellowstone County News. Colleen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried. Marilyn will place the ad in the next available publication.
- Preliminary Budget Information – Melissa explained that we have no new information yet as the legislature is still in session.
- Bond Effort – Melissa explained there is nothing new at this time.
- District Strategic Discussion and Planning – Melissa explained there is nothing new at this time.
- 2023-2024 Calendar – Melissa presented the calendar for a 4-day week. It was discussed that if 4th and 5th grade would have a structured recess instead of a free-play recess, we would be able to remove the 3 days after Memorial Day. The school day will be from 8 – 4, Monday through Thursday. School will begin on Monday, August 21st and end on Thursday, May 23. After discussion, Wynn made a motion to approve the 4-day week calendar with August 21st start and May 23rd end date. Joshua seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
- Certified Staff contract negotiations – This discussion was held before the adoption of the 4-day calendar. An amendment to the certified teacher contract for a 4-Day was discussed. MTSBA and the union rep have been working on wording with Melissa and the Pioneer union. After reviewing the amendment, Wynn made a motion to adopt the amendment to the certified teacher contract. Colleen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried. The wording for the amendment will be: For Article IV, Paragraph 4(b)
Four-Day Week – The basic duty day for full-time teachers will be eight and one half (8.5) hours per day, inclusive of a thirty (30) minute, duty-free lunch. The basic duty day for all teachers will begin at 7:45 am and end at 4:15 pm Monday – Thursday.
Teachers will be scheduled to work one Friday per month, other than in August. The Administrator will have the discretion to designate which Friday will be a scheduled workday each month but will notify the union of which Fridays will be workdays at least one month prior to each designated Friday. If a PIR day has been scheduled on a Friday during a particular month, there shall be no other additional work time scheduled that month. Non-PIR Fridays, or additional Friday work times, shall be a total of four (4) hours in length per month. The start time for each Friday shall be determined by the Administrator when the date is scheduled.
And for Article IV, Paragraph 5 (b) Four Day Week – The Board sets the school calendar after consultation with staff. The number of teacher days with pupils will not be less than 148 and will not exceed 156 instruction days or exceed 7 P.I.R. days. Staff Fridays shall not appear on the school calendar to allow for flexible scheduling.
- Secretary/Clerk evaluation – The meeting was closed by Chair Joshua Cantrell at 6:00 pm to conduct the secretary/clerk evaluation. The meeting was reopened at 6:28.
VI . ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Colleen Unruh to adjourn the meeting. Joshua Cantrell seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; motion carried. The meeting ended at 6:30 pm. The next scheduled regular meeting is Monday, May 8, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 106 of the main building and via Zoom.
APPROVAL
Attest: __________________________ SIGNED: ____________________________
Joshua Cantrell, Board Chairperson
DATE: _________________________
