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Board Meeting Minutes March 2015

Regular Meeting Minutes … March 9, 2015

Presented for Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  April 13, 2015

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DATE:                        March 9, 2015

TIME:             6:00 p.m.

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

MEMBERS    Christina Olstad, Trustee

PRESENT:      Brad Zink, Trustee

Brandon Roth, Trustee

MEMBERS

ABSENT:       None

CLERK:          Han Boon Lee

STAFF:           Theresa Nalewaja arrived at 4:30, left at 4:50, Gary Smith arrived at 4:50, left at 5:10, Doug Stevens arrived at 5:10, left at 5:30, Mike Robert arrived at 5:30, left at 5:45, Marilyn Michael arrived 5:45, left at 7:30, Kevin Maddox arrived at 5:45, left at 7:30, Eva Ticknor arrived at 6:10, left at 7:30, Brent Bassett arrived at 4:30.

VISITORS      Lynn Bassett arrived at 6:10 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 106 of the main building, Monday, March 9, 2015 at 4:30 pm.  Chairperson, Christina Olstad welcomed all those attending.  Chairperson, Christina Olstad read the Montana Law about public meetings.

  1. MINUTE APPROVAL: Brad Zink made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 9, 2015.  Brandon Roth seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
  1. HEARING OF THE PUBLIC: None
  1. LEAD TEACHER REPORT:

March 10 – 12 – 4th Grade – Science CRT’s

March 18 – Jump Rope for Heart fundraising begins

March 18 – K – 2 to Alberta Bair to see Junie B Jones

March 25 – Hot Lunch

March 27 – REEF Family Night 4:00 – 9:00 – $10 to swim, $5 to watch, must say they are with Pioneer School for us to earn money.

April 1 – Jump Rope for Heart – PTA ok’d purchasing snacks

April 2 – 6 – No School

April 8 – Hot Lunch

April 9 – Science Fair/Dessert Social

April 13 – School Board 6:00/PTA Meeting 5:00

April 16 – Kindergarten Round up

April 17 – Carnival

  1. OLD BUSINESS
  1.  2015- 2016 CALENDAR REVIEW – The board looked at 2 options for the 2015-2016 calendar.  Teachers have looked at them, also, and all preferred Option 1 with an August 20 start date and a longer Christmas break.  Option 2 has an August 24 start date and a shorter Christmas break.  Both calendars need to have 2 more PIR days added and also one other vacation day could be added to equal the 178 school days we have had in past years plus 7 required PIR days.  The board would be fine with tentatively having the Option 1 calendar.  PIR days were discussed.  Eva presented the board with some MSSA dates to consider for the PIR days.  More information as to what these workshops would be about was needed.  MBI dates were also discussed, but they have not be set yet, although Brent stated that they would most likely be the same as this year which would make them approximately Jan. 25 & 26.  Eva said she and other staff members would also like more smart board training if there was a possibility of this.  Brad informed her that District 2 offers this and allows others to attend.  He will check to see if the presenters would come to our school on a PIR day.  The calendar will be discussed at the next meeting to try to set these dates.
  2. MBI – Eva informed the board that during the staff meetings, presentations have been made about the Great 8 modules.  We have one more left to be presented.  Teachers have also completed the Classroom Self Assessments to identify areas each teacher themselves feel they could use improvement in the Great 8 areas.  Eva explained that some staff members have concerns about how these self- assessments will be used and they also have reservations about sharing them with other staff members.  The board and Brent said they should never have the need to look at these Classroom Self-Assessments and they should be used to help staff members help themselves become better instructors.  Teachers were to choose 3 of the areas in the action plan to make steps to better themselves.    Eva also told the board that we would like to apply for recognition at the summer institute.  The board was also asked if the wording for using ISS & OSS should read “may” or “will” be used.  The board all agreed it needs to be “may” as all situations are different.
  3. ADMINISTRATOR EVAL – This was tabled to next board meeting.

III.  NEW BUSINESS

  1. CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES & TEACHER’S AIDE EVAL (4:30 – 6:00 PM) – The board went into executive session at 4:30 pm for the annual evaluation and pay for 2015-16 school year. Meeting was held with the Certified Aide, Bus Drivers, Janitor, Secretary, Maintenance, and Clerk. The meeting resumed at 6:10 pm. Brad moved to pay Theresa Nalewaja a full teacher salary instead of partial teacher and partial aide salary for 2014-15 school year, Secretary (Marilyn) wage raised from$14.50 to $15.50 per hour, Bus Drivers (Gary & Doug) am and pm route stayed same at $33 am, $40 pm, fieldtrip $14 to $15, Janitor (Mike) $11.50 to $12.25, Maintenance (Kevin) $20 to $22 per hour with 7 hours per week for 11 months, and Clerk (Han) $26.50 to $27 per hour. Brandon seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
  1. TRUSTEE RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN ELECTION – Brandon moved to hold an election as a mail-in ballot to elect one (1) trustee to a 3 year term and also run a general fund mill levy in the amount allowable to support proper maintenance and operation for the 2015-2016 school year.  Brad seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
  2. TECHNOLOGY (USE AND CARE OF IT) – The board wanted to be sure that the technology equipment owned by the school was being properly cared for especially having young children carry several iPads through the school.  Eva showed the board a copy of the rules that Melissa & Connie as technology coordinators have come up with.  The board approved of these rules.
  1. FEBRUARY FINANCIAL REPORT

The clerk presented claims warrants numbered 20238 through 20261 in the amount of $6,250.70, and the payroll warrants numbered 8802 through 8809 in the amount of $40,987.50.  The ACH and Direct deposits were included in the amount. 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, Brandon Roth moved to approve the financial reports.  Brad Zink seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.

  1. TRUSTEE CONCERNS

MAIL – The following items were read.

  1. Thank you card from Eva regarding new projector.
  2. Sp-ed compliance monitoring report note from OPI.  It stated OPI determined that the district met the standards for compliance.  The board expressed the great job Connie maintained.
  3. Melissa got respond from Harvest Church gym use for 2015-16 school year.  Board approved it.

OTHER CONCERNS

  1. Marilyn would like the board to consider purchasing new plastic tables for the lunchroom.  The tables are getting to be in bad shape.  Marilyn found prices from Sam’s Club for 4 tables for $579 and 1 for 159.98 and 360Office for $289.55 each.
  2. A request from YSA Soccer was received to use the school grounds for soccer practice.  It was decided to allow them to begin using the school grounds, but place this item on the next agenda to discuss.

 

VI .  ADJOURNMENT: 

A motion was made by Brandon Roth to adjourn the meeting. Brad Zink seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; motion carried.  The meeting ended at 8:00 pm.  The next scheduled regular meeting is Monday, April 13, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 105 of the main building.

 

APPROVAL

 

Attest: __________________________     SIGNED: ____________________________

Christina Olstad, Board Chairperson

DATE: _________________________