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Board Meeting minutes November 2015

Regular Meeting Minutes … November 9, 2015

Presented for Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  January 11, 2016

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DATE:                        November 9, 2015

TIME:             6:00 p.m.

PLACE:          Pioneer School, Main Building, Room 105

MEMBERS    Christina Olstad, Chairperson

PRESENT:      Brandon Roth, Trustee

MEMBERS

ABSENT:       Brad Zink, Trustee

CLERK:

STAFF:           Karissa Gordon, Melissa Schnitzmeier, Connie Russell, and Marilyn Michael arrived at 6:00 pm

VISITORS:     Skelly Adkins arrived at 6:00 pm, Krystle Henry arrived at 6:10

GUESTS:        None

  1. OPENING
  1. CALL TO ORDER:

Trustee, 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, November 9, 2015 at 6:00 pm.  Trustee, Christina Olstad welcomed all those attending.  Trustee, Christina Olstad read the Montana Law about public meetings.

  1. MINUTE APPROVAL: Christina Olstad made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 12, 2015.  Brandon Roth seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
  1. HEARING OF THE PUBLIC: None
  1. LEAD TEACHER REPORT:
  • Nov. 10 – Nurse Karen
  • Nov 16 – Ms. Ticknor & Ms. Nalewaja to Closed Reading Seminar – PTA has agreed to give Ms. Nalewaja & Mrs. Ticknor each $125 to complete the cost of the Closed Reading Seminar (the Board paid the first $125)
  • Nov 23 – Stone Soup presentation and meal by Grades 3 – 6 for their families.  Presentation 5:30, Meal at 6:00
  • Nov. 24 – Nurse Karen
  • Nov 25 – 29 – Thanksgiving Break
  • Dec 11 – Staff Christmas Dinner @ 7:30 pm @ Jakes Downtown – Invites will be put in school mail boxes for RSVP
  • Dec 17 – Christmas Program at Lincoln Center at 7:00 pm (Silent Auction of Art work by each class to help purchase the new Sailor Boy statue)  Also, Jason Milburn will build a computer and donate it and print raffle tickets to help purchase a new statue
  • Dec 18 – Christmas to Remember Sectionals during the morning
  • Dec 19 – Jan 3 – Christmas Break

Han was informed that all employees will need to do 2 hours of suicide awareness every 5 years.  This has been mandated by the legislature.  Marilyn has started the process of working with the school’s insurance company to set up the computer program as they have a program that has a webinar to fulfill the 2 hours of mandated time.  We will then be able to view who has completed the training and who hasn’t.  They also have several other webinars available that may be helpful to the school.  The board would like to make sure all staff have completed this training before the end of this school year.

  1. OLD BUSINESS
  1.  MBI –Melissa presented the board with results from the Self-Assessment Surveys that all staff members have taken.  These results show a lot of improvement in our school.  The board looked over the results and Melissa answered questions about the survey.  She also informed the board that Jason Milburn printed a sticker to attach to our Bronze Award from MBI and it is now hanging in the hallway.
  2. HIRE ADMINISTRATOR – There have been no applicants for the administrator position.  Brandon has found someone to do evaluations of teachers.  Kelly Kinsey is a vice principal at Lockwood and he will do them. Christina will contact him to start setting them up.  Connie spoke to Sherry Long and she was still looking for someone.

III.  NEW BUSINESS

  1. HIRE A NEW BUS DRIVER – Danny Brooks has been hired to drive the AM and PM routes.  He has been training with Glen Seavy and Jeanne Bullard.  We are waiting for his background check to come back before he can drive alone.
  2. SANTA/CHRISTMAS CANDY/STAFF CHRISTMAS PARTY – Santa will come to the school on December 18th with the Christmas to Remember event being arranged by Mrs. Russell.  The board will purchase the candy canes as they have in the past.  Melissa has arranged the Christmas Dinner for Staff and School board for December 11th at Jakes Downtown.  She will make invitations and purchase gift cards in the amount of $25 for each staff member.
  1. OCTOBER FINANCIAL REPORT

The clerk presented claims warrants numbered 20413 through 20441 in the amount of $10,247.30, and the payroll warrants numbered 8845 through 8852 in the amount of $39,757.89.  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. Christina Olstad seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.

  1. TRUSTEE CONCERNS

MAIL

  1. Publish from DA

OTHER CONCERNS

  1. Marilyn asked the board when they were going to inform Deani Grant that she will no longer be doing the website. The board said they would have the end date as the end of December.  The board asked Connie to call Deani and explain that we have an opportunity to have our website hosted and done for no cost.  Brandon will also check into if the website address will remain the same.
  2. Marilyn informed the board that the front window has several BB holes in it. There is also some in the windows of the first grade room.  The front window has one that is spreading.  The board asked Marilyn to see if the windows can be fixed like car windows are, if not, get a bid to see how much it would cost to replace the front one.
  3. Marilyn asked the board if they would want to check into having cameras installed due to the recent vandalism. Brandon will check into systems at Costco.  We will also check with Kenco to see what it would cost to add cameras to the existing systems.
  4. Marilyn informed the board that she has received emails that the Lifetouch annuals are ready to begin being built. She informed the board that PTA is no longer willing to pay for the annuals that have been given to students each year.  She asked the board if there would be money for the school to pay for them, otherwise we can ask the families to purchase them or just not do them.  Last year they cost approximately $500.  Han stated there would be money.  Christina asked Skelly Adkins if PTA would reconsider and she stated they might.  Christina moved to purchase annuals or help purchase annuals for each student.  Brandon seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.

VI .  ADJOURNMENT: 

A motion was made by Christina Olstad to adjourn the meeting. Brandon Roth seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; motion carried.  The meeting ended at 6:50 pm.  The next scheduled regular meeting is Monday, January 11, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 105 of the main building.