Home » Board Meetings, School News
Pioneer Elementary Boar Meeting Minutes Banner

July 23rd, 2020 Special Board Meeting Minutes

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.

 

Special Meeting Minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July 23, 2020

Presented for Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  August 10, 2020

 

TIME: 3:00 p.m. 

 

PLACE: Pioneer School, Main Building, Via Zoom

 

MEMBERS Kari Jones, Chairperson

PRESENT: Luke Rome, Trustee  

Marion Hatch, Trustee

MEMBERS

ABSENT: None

 

CLERK: Marilyn Michael

 

ADMIN: Melissa Schnitzmeier

 

STAFF: Jami Burns, Megan Lee, Leah Wright, Alisa Rau, Connie Russell, Shannon Wright joined the meeting at 3:00 pm

 

VISITORS: Janessa Fawcett joined at 3:00 pm

GUESTS:  None

 

  1. OPENING

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER:

Trustee, Kari Jones called the meeting of the trustees of Pioneer Elementary School District #41 to order in Via Zoom of the main building, Monday, July 23, 2020 at 3:05 pm.  Trustee, Luke Rome welcomed all those attending.  Clerk, Marilyn Michael read the Montana Law about public meetings.  

 

  1. MINUTE APPROVAL:  Tabled to August 10, 2020 meeting.

 

  • HEARING OF THE PUBLIC:  None


  • LEAD TEACHER REPORT:  

Grants/Funding 

  • Corona Virus Relief Aide – $30,074 – this must be used by December 31, 2020
  • CARES Act – Submitted – $24,668
  • Title I – In Progress – $50,349 (+ $6,195)
  • COVID-19 NEA Grant Opportunities – Denied
  • General Fund Levy – Denied – 122/194

Additional Funding Opportunities

  • Classroom Video conferencing equipment to sustain remote learning
  • Devices/licenses to ensure 1:1
  • .5 aide to full time aide
  • Sanitizing/disinfecting tools

COVID Updates

  • PTA Purchasing & anonymous donor purchasing 150 cloth masks for students/staff
  • Reopening Plan:
    • Waiting on Riverstone Health’s reopening guidelines – hopefully by noon on 7/24/20
    • Waiting on information regarding MTSBA/OPI’s request for waiver of MCA 20-7-118 allowing for remote instruction for non-resident students

 

  1. OLD BUSINESS
  1.  

 

III. NEW BUSINESS

  1. RESPONSIVE RETURN TO SCHOOL PLAN – Before beginning the power point presentation Melissa read a statement to the board, staff and parents regarding how we are planning to start school again and how this is an ever changing plan. After reading the statement, she went on to the Power Point presentation. Staff, board and parents were able to ask questions, voice concerns or give other input and ideas.
    1. Plan A – Full opening Melissa explained this step would be as close to normal as possible with the exception of we will go to self-contained classrooms, temperatures being taken, staggered lunches and recesses and more attention to hygiene and cleaning procedures. A question came up as to if there is any extra steps necessary for helping special needs children in the bathrooms. Melissa will check into this. The classrooms will be arranged differently to allow for social distancing. PTA and a donor are helping to purchase cloth masks which will remain on campus and sanitized with a UV light. On the bus, temperatures will be taken upon entry, disposable masks will be worn, one student per seat except for family members. Teachers will work to prepare lessons for in person and virtual learning. A question came up as to where a student with a fever will be placed while waiting for parent pickup. Several options came up, Melissa will check into these options. 
    2. Plan B – Hybrid – This will be similar to Plan A except K – 3 will be on campus Mondays & Tuesdays, 4 – 8 on campus Thursdays & Fridays. Wednesday will be virtual assist days to connect 1:1 via Google Meets, etc. Rooms will be deep cleaned and disinfected. On days the different groups are not on campus, students will have virtual instruction.
    3. Plan C – Remote Learning – Teachers will be on campus to deliver instructions remotely while adhering to social distancing with other staff members.
    4. All Plans – Extra attention to social distancing, hygiene, cleaning. Staying home when you are sick.

In the event of a COVID exposure at the school, the school or possibly classroom will be closed down for 48 hours and parents called to pick up children. The room will be closed off for 24 hours to let droplets settle, the room will then be sanitized. Riverstone Health will be contacted to assist with contact tracking, etc.

Melissa stated that she wants to hear from staff, board members or parents if they have questions or ideas on these plans.

 

  1. TRUSTEES CONCERNS – 

MAIL

OTHER CONCERNS

 

IV .  ADJOURNMENT:  

A motion was made by Luke Rome to adjourn the meeting.  Marion Hatch seconded the motion.  The vote was unanimous; motion carried.  The meeting ended at 4:55 pm.  The next scheduled regular meeting is Monday, August 10, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. in the Room 102 of the main building. 

 

APPROVAL

 

Attest: __________________________     SIGNED: ____________________________

Kari Jones, Board Chairperson

 

DATE: _________________________