Regular Meeting Minutes … January 12, 2015

Presented for Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  February 9, 2015

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DATE:                        January 12, 2015

TIME:             6:00 p.m.

PLACE:          Pioneer School, Main Building, 4th grade Class Room

MEMBERS    Christina Olstad, Trustee

PRESENT:      Brandon Roth, Trustee

MEMBERS

ABSENT:       Brad Zink, Trustee

CLERK:          Han Boon Lee

STAFF:           Brent Bassett, Melissa Schnitzmeier, Eva Ticknor, Theresa Nalewaja and Marilyn Michael arrived at 6:00 pm.

VISITORS      Lynn Bassett arrived at 6:00 pm

GUESTS:        None

1. OPENING

1. CALL TO ORDER:

Chairperson, Christina Olstad called the meeting of the trustees of Pioneer Elementary School District #41 to order in the Room 105 of the main building, Monday, January 12, 2015 at 6:00 pm.  Chairperson, Christina Olstad welcomed all those attending.  Chairperson, Christina Olstad read the Montana Law about public meetings.

2. MINUTE APPROVAL: Christina Olstad made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 10, 2014.  Brandon Roth seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.

3. HEARING OF THE PUBLIC: None

4. LEAD TEACHER REPORT:
   1. January 23 – Chili Cook-off at Yellowstone Valley Electric Coop building.  It starts at 6:00 pm.
   2. AR Store will be around the last Friday in January
   3. MAPs & STAR testing will happen the last two weeks of January and into the first week of February. Eva asked if she could get her kids done early due to the number of tests the 4^th graders have to take.  Connie will have to be consulted on this.
   4. CRDC is to open in January or February
   5. SPED audit by OPI in February. Connie will set the date through Leonard and Francisco Roman this week.
   6. NAEP – for 4^th graders is February 10^th
   7. Fly Fishing classes will be February 3, 5, 10 & 12
   8. Book Fair at Barnes & Noble is February 7
   9. Pancake Breakfast Feb 27
   10. Science Fair is April 9
   11. PTA lunches are now being cooked by Sandi Rehder again

1. OLD BUSINESS

1.  WATER ISSUE/CISTERN WATER CONSTRUCTION – Christina announced that the deviations have been submitted by Travis West to the DEQ on December 1^st.  They were accepted by the DEQ.  The certification letter by Travis West was sent to DEQ on December 11^th.  The water samples have been returned and came back good.  We are still waiting for Rob Schessler to install the flow meter which is mandatory and the transducer which will show how much water is left.  The “as builds” still need to be done, we have 90 days for the engineer to get them done.
2. STAFF HANDBOOK – We have not heard back from MTSBA, so this item is tabled until we hear from them.
3. POLICY 5120 HIRING PROCESS & CRITERIA – Policy 5120 was presented for its second reading.  After reviewing Policy 5120, Christina made a motion to adopt Policy 5120.  Brandon seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
4. BUS AIDE – There has been no bus aide since December.  Everything seems to be going fine so far.  The board asked to be kept informed of how the bus routes are going.

III.  NEW BUSINESS

1. OLD BUILDING BLINDS – One bid was received from Budget Blinds to replace the blinds in the old building in the amount of $1042.  These would be vertical blinds similar to what is there now.  Brandon suggested getting a roll type blind that will block the sunlight better.  He will call to get another bid.
2. POLICY NOTE FROM MTSBA – Policy 1310 was presented for approval.  This policy states that new and revised policies do not need to have 2^nd readings as long as the public has been made aware of the policy changes.  Christina made a motion to adopt policy 1310.  Brandon seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.  Revisions to policies 3210, 3231 3600P, 5336 and a new policy 5125 were also presented.  After reviewing the policies, Christina made a motion to adopt policies 3210 – Equal education, Nondiscrimination and Sex Equity, 3231 – Searches and Seizures, 3600P – Student Records, 5336 – Personnel, Compensatory Time & Overtime for classified Employees and a new policy 5125 – Personnel – Whistle Blowing, with the approved changes in wording of School Board/Administrator in place of Superintendent.  Brandon seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
3. TRUSTEE POSITION OPEN FOR SCHOOL ELECTION – One 3 year term is open on the Pioneer School Board.  Nomination petitions can be picked up in the school office.
4. MAIL BALLOT REQUEST TO COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE – Christina made a motion to have Yellowstone County Election Office conduct a mail ballot for the May 2015 school election.  Brandon seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
5. MBI – The board would like to have a report at each School Board meeting on our progress with MBI.  Melissa informed the board that we are not on Tier 2 yet, but we should be on Tier 2 by next year.  Melissa will put together a presentation for the next board meeting.  The Summer MBI conference will be held June 15 – 19.  The board asked that it be discussed at the next staff meeting to see how many are interested in attending and what it would take to get some staff members to attend that have never attended.  One suggestion was to possibly pay for the renewal credits that are available at MBI.  Melissa will make hotel reservations for Bozeman for all staff members and cancel as needed when she finds out who will be attending.
6. OLD BUILDING MAINTENANCE WORK – Brandon has been checking with the Historical Society about what restrictions would be in place if we try to get the school on the National Historical Registry.  He found out the exterior of the building cannot be changed.  He is still working to get more information.  Christina asked him to check into what can be done about lead based paint.  It was also mentioned that Mike would like to see what can be done about cleaning the tongue and groove woodwork in the stairway and lunchroom.  Brandon will look at it as he may know of a product that would clean and refinish it.
7. ADMINISTRATOR EVALUATION – The meeting was closed at 7:26 pm to conduct the administrator evaluation.  The meeting resumed at 8:00 pm, and Christina announced this is tabled to next board meeting.

1. NOVEMBER & DECEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT

The clerk presented November claims warrants numbered 20115 through 20151 in the amount of $24,619.49, and December claims warrants numbered 20152 through 20184 in the amount of $8416.99.  And November payroll warrants numbered 8765 through 8773, direct deposit and ach payment total in the amount of $41,217.57, and December payroll warrants numbered 8774 through 8783, direct deposit and ach payment total in the $45,249.34.  The clerk presented the trial balance sheets for each fund and a monthly report stating each line item YTD and budget balance remaining for the each fund.  After review of the report, Christina Olstad moved to approve the financial reports.  Brandon Roth seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.

1. TRUSTEE CONCERNS

MAIL –  The following items were read:

1. Eric and Krystle Henry submitted a request to allow their son Izak to remain at Pioneer School for the 2015 -2016 school year
2. Thank you cards from the staffs regarding gift card.
3. Prime account with Amazon email from Melissa.
4. Winter student count – 65 count
5. Reddi Electric business card regarding their service of security, camera systems, etc..

OTHER CONCERNS

1. Marilyn informed the board that her computer is not working anymore.  Morrison-Maierle has tried to work on it, but since it is quite old and still running Windows Vista, they suggest that it be replaced. The board told Marilyn to replace her computer.

VI .  ADJOURNMENT: 

A motion was made by Brandon Roth to adjourn the meeting. Christina Olstad seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; motion carried.  The meeting ended at 8:02 p.m.  The next scheduled regular meeting is Monday, February 9, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 105 of the main building.