Regular Meeting Minutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 11, 2021
Presented for Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 8, 2021
DATE:
October 11, 2021
TIME:
4:30 p.m.
PLACE:
Pioneer School, Main Building, Room 106
MEMBERS Kari Jones, Chairperson
PRESENT:
Luke Rome, Trustee
Colleen Unruh, Trustee
MEMBERS
ABSENT:
None
CLERK:
Marilyn Michael
ADMIN:
Melissa Schnitzmeier
STAFF:
Raelynn Melber arrived via Zoom at 4:35 pm
VISITORS:
None
GUESTS:
None
I. OPENING
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Trustee, Kari Jones 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, October 11, 2021 at 4:30 pm.
Trustee, Kari Jones welcomed all those attending. Trustee, Kari Jones read the Montana Law about
public meetings.
2. MINUTE APPROVAL: Luke Rome made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting
of September 13, 2021 and Special meeting minutes of September 23, 2021. Kari Jones seconded the
motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
3. HEARING OF THE PUBLIC: None
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COVID-19
I have attached the most recent Schools Weekly Report from the Yellowstone County Unified Health
Command. Our community continues to see a surge.
Pioneer will continue with cohorting classes, hand hygiene, and sanitization of surfaces and areas as
mitigation measures. As Pioneer is no longer contact tracing due to difficulty resulting from the latest
legislation, moving forward, when a known exposure presents itself, a letter will be sent home with
students and/or emailed to parents indicating the possible exposure. The letter will include instructions
on what to look for should students begin to exhibit symptoms. If there is a known positive case in a
household, those household members will be required to remain home to remote learn. Individual
classes or cohorts will be shifted to remote learning in the event of an outbreak on campus as advised by
County Health. Students who are sent home or remain home in response to a COVID-19 event will be
given access to remote learning immediately.
Grants/Funding
Gifted & Talented Program Report – Filed & Approved
TEAMS – Accreditation Report – In Progress
Civil Rights Data Collection – Federal Report – In Progress
Building Maintenance
• Annual Safety Checklist to be completed by the end of October (postponed)
• We are still waiting on boiler parts (backorder). Space heaters were purchased this morning to
ensure warm classrooms over this recent snow event.
II. OLD BUSINESS
1. BUILDING MAINTENANCE – Kevin reported to Melissa that the boiler parts should arrive in
approximately 2 weeks. When they arrive, Montana Boiler will have all hands on deck to get
them installed and get the boiler up and running again.
2. SAFETEY ENHANCEMENTS – Nothing at this time.
3. BOND DISCUSSIONS – Melissa explained that with the bond that we ran on September 14
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failing, the board will now have to decide if and when they will run it again. Melissa stated that
Bridget said we could try for the May school election date. Marilyn explained that Brett
Rutherford’s suggestion was to wait a year or two, which sometimes helps. He also told Marilyn
that new legislation requires a voting machine to be available for all election for ADA
compliance. If we chose a date that does not coincide with other elections, we would be
responsible for the cost of programming the machine which would add $500 to the cost of our
election. Our elections have cost anywhere from $600 – $800 in the past. This does not have to
be decided right now, however if we want to run it with the May election, we would have to pass
the resolution by the February meeting. Marilyn explained that she usually prepares the regular
resolution for the trustee election and possible mill levy at the January meeting. We will leave
this on the agenda for future discussions and planning.
4. COVID-19 PLANNING – Melissa explained that we will now be sending a letter to parents
when there is a positive Covid case in a classroom asking parents to watch for symptoms and
keep their children home if symptoms arise. This will help keep students in school rather than
going to remote learning. If there are several cases in a classroom, we may need to put a cohort
into remote learning.
5. DRAFT MTSBA POLICY MANUAL REVIEW – Melissa explained that Kris Goss with
MTSBA has completed the Policy manual for the board to review. Melissa will then present any
questions from the board about specific policies to Kris. After these questions have been
answered, Kris will direct Melissa as to what our next steps are for adopting the policy manual.
Melissa explained that there are several policies that are no longer in the manual and several that
are new that are required. (Policies no longer in are
III. NEW BUSINESS
1. BILLINGS DISTRICT 2 ATTENDANCE AGREEMENT 21-22 – Marilyn presented an
attendance agreement with Billings School District 2 for a student from our district that is
attending Castle Rock. Colleen made a motion to accept the attendance agreement with District
2. Luke seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
2. FALL ANB COUNT – Melissa reported that our Fall ANB count is 70 students.
3. STAFF MEMBER RESIGNATION – Shannon Wright submitted her resignation effective
October 4, 2021. Colleen moved to accept Shannon Wright’s resignation. Kari seconded the
motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried. Melissa has posted the job to OPI and our
facebook page. We will have a long-term substitute until the position is filled.
4. TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES – Melissa reported that her desktop is not functioning anymore.
Morrison-Maierle checked it over and said it is not fixable. Melissa would like to purchase a new
desktop computer. She has found one with what she needs for $1499. After discussion, Luke
made a motion to purchase a new Mac Desktop computer for Melissa for the amount of $1499.
Colleen seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
IV. SEPTEMBER FINANCIAL REPORT
The clerk presented claims warrants numbered 21825 through 21837 in the amount of
$11,168.92, and the payroll warrants numbered 9107 through 9109 in the amount of $58,514.88. 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, Colleen Unruh moved to approve the financial reports. Kari Jones
seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous; the motion carried.
V. TRUSTEE CONCERNS
MAIL
1. October newsletter
2. Weekly agendas for 9/20/21 through 10/15/21.
OTHER CONCERNS
1. Kari explained that she will most likely be resigning from the board as she will probably be
moving out of district. She stated that she has enjoyed her time on the board. She will keep
everyone informed of her situation.
VI . ADJOURNMENT:
A motion was made by Luke Rome to adjourn the meeting. Kari Jones seconded the motion.
The vote was unanimous; motion carried. The meeting ended at 5:00 pm. The next scheduled regular
meeting is Monday, November 8, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 106 of the main building and via Zoom.
APPROVAL
Attest: __________________________ SIGNED: ____________________________
Kari Jones, Board Chairperson
DATE: _________________________
