October 9, 2009
The October regular meeting of the Elementary and High School District No. 1 Board of Trustees was held on October 9, 2008 in the Choteau High School Library. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Kirk Moore.
Members Present: Kirk Moore, Katie Rasmussen, Perri Lindgren, Robert Stokes, Brenda Cunniff, Mark Henderson, and Sharon Rice.
Members Absent: None.
Supt. St. John, Clerk Davis, and Elementary Principal Gameon were present throughout the meeting.
A motion was made by Katie Rasmussen, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried to approve the elementary minutes for the September 11, 2008 regular meeting and the September 23, 2008 work session as read.
A motion was made by Mark Henderson, seconded by Sharon Rice and unanimously carried to approve the high school minutes for the September 11, 2008 regular meeting and the September 23, 2008 work session as read.
Visitors: Choteau Acantha Editor Melody Martinsen; FFA Advisor Milford Wearley and FFA Chapter Members Karli Clark, Tyler Durfee, Luke Peebles, Thane Peebles, Shawmarie Hanson, Susan Rice, and Logan Ley; Teacher Jennifer Birnel; and District Patrons Cliff Heuscher, Sally Heuscher, Nikki Ley, Lorraine DeBruycker, Katie Vandolah, and Mike Birnel.
Chairman Kirk Moore allowed the FFA Chapter Members and Advisor to make their pitch to be allowed to travel out of state to the national convention at this time so that they did not need to stay at the meeting until it came up on the agenda. FFA President Karli Clark informed the Board that the seven chapter members present are seeking approval to travel out of state to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis from Tuesday, October 21st through Sunday, October 26th. Miss Clark informed the Board that attending the national convention is a great learning experience and will allow the participants to bond as a chapter. Miss Clark further informed the Board that the Choteau Agronomy Team of Ridge Wallace, Logan Hodgskiss, Shawmarie Hanson, and Luke Peebles will be competing at the national convention, which is a first time event for a team from the Choteau FFA Chapter.
A motion was made by Katie Rasmussen, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried to approve the elementary claims clearing warrants #13924-#14043 and payroll clearing warrants #17893-#18027 for payment. A vendor list for claims is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
A motion was made by Mark Henderson, seconded by Perri Lindgren and unanimously carried to approve the high school claims clearing warrants #13924-#14043 and payroll clearing warrants #17893-#18027 for payment. A vendor list for claims is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
Correspondence:
A) The Board received a communication from Teton County Sheriff Keith VanSetten, thanking the District for the use of the facilities on Sunday, September 21st to conduct a county wide emergency response training event.
PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS Supt. St. John informed the Board that High School Principal Nate Achenbach had a very busy, eventful day so Supt. St. John sent him home just before the meeting and would present his report to the Board.
A) Supt. St. John informed the Board that today a teacher found a piece of candy or mint on the classroom floor that had the markings of the street drug ecstasy so it was brought to High School Principal Achenbach. High School Principal Achenbach followed through by calling in law enforcement officers and they in turn tested the piece of candy and it tested positive as a drug. Law enforcement questioned the teachers and learned that a student was sharing mints with classmates earlier in the day so there was grave concern that the mints could be a street drug. Law enforcement and the school administration questioned all students in the classroom and they proceeded to contact parents and suggested that any student who had eaten one of these mints go to the emergency room at the hospital and be tested and monitored for possible ingestion of a drug. After all parents and students had been contacted and there were no positive tests for drug ingestion, the found mint was tested again and it was discovered that the first test gave a false positive reading in error. The piece of candy that was found was indeed a mint with a specialty stamp imprinted on it. Supt. St. John noted that it was a very emotional and trying time for the students and parents, but the District took the necessary precautions to ensure everyone was okay and not in danger. Supt. St. John further noted that this event was a learning experience for both the District and law enforcement on how best to handle such situations; the good news being that everyone is okay and there were no illegal drugs being distributed or ingested at school.
B) High School Principal Achenbach wanted the Board to know that the high school volleyball season is winding down with Choteau hosting the District Tournament on November 5-7, Shelby hosting the Divisional Tournament on November 13-15, and Bozeman hosting the All Class State Tournament on November 20-22.
C) High School Principal Achenbach wanted the Board to know that the FFA Chapter has been active and participating in events. The Choteau Livestock Judging team took 1st place at Hobson last Thursday.
D) High School Principal Achenbach wanted the Board to know that the Grade 7-12 Fall Concert would be held on Tuesday, October 21st at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.
E) High School Principal Achenbach wanted the Board to know that the Speech and Debate program is growing with 13 participants out this year and they will have their first meet this Saturday in Simms.
F) High School Principal Achenbach wanted the Board to know that the foreign exchange student from Mongolia is here. She has graduated from high school in Mongolia after a three year program and has been accepted to medical school but does want to receive a high school diploma and graduate from Choteau, so she will be coming before the Board later this year to make this request.
G) High School Principal Achenbach wanted the Board to know that Interquest Canine Services will again conduct three drug dog searches of the campus throughout the school year.
H) High School Principal Achenbach wanted the Board to know that the student council has been active this year and attended leadership training in Fairfield on October 7th and has plans for breast cancer awareness fund raisers in conjunction with the Key Club on Wednesday, October 15th. The high school student council donated $500 to Huntley Project after their school was destroyed by fire recently, the elementary student council donated funds for the replacement of student personal supplies, and the $100 raised from the FFA car smash event during homecoming was also donated to Huntley Project.
I) High School Principal Achenbach wanted the Board to know that the Youth Risk Behavior Survey will be taken again this February and any questions the Board may have about this survey can be directed to him.
Elementary Principal Chuck Gameon reported to the Board on the following matters:
A) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that October 15th will be “Hats On Day” for grades K-12 where students can wear a hat all day by paying $1 and all proceeds will go to the Child Cancer Foundation.
B) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that the first session of America Reads for this school year will get underway on Monday with 35 volunteers reading with up to 42 students in grades K-2.
C) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that the elementary staff continues to examine the math program through a learning team format. This year the learning teams will be using “Math Strategies and Teaching Techniques” as a resource.
D) Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that at each meeting he will report to them on RTI – Response To Intervention. Elementary Principal Gameon informed the Board that the RTI model looks at curriculum, instruction, and assessment and usually 5-10% of students need intensive intervention which requires 60 minutes of assistance above 90 minutes of classroom time, 5-15% of students need strategic intervention which requires 30 minutes of assistance above 90 minutes of classroom time, 70-80% of students are at the benchmark level with 90 minutes of classroom time, and 10-15% of students are above the benchmark level and these are the students that the accelerated learning program is targeting.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT A copy of the Superintendent’s report provided to the Board by Supt. St. John is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
A) Supt. St. John reviewed his report with the Board at this time.
1) The Board reviewed the pamphlets regarding the need to recruit new board members and what to do when the Board is divided.
2) New bus radios and a new base radio are being purchased through the bus depreciation fund for the route and activity buses to improve our communication abilities.
3) The Board was provided information on how the first year of junior high girls tennis went.
4) The Board was informed that there were no applications for the 2nd assistant high school volleyball coach so an additional stipend of $600 will be split between the head and assistant coach as directed by the Board at the September Board Meeting. Supt. St. John noted that the District is currently advertising for a 2nd assistant high school boys basketball coach contingent upon enough participants and a full three game schedule.
5) The Board was provided a list of important upcoming dates.
CONSDIER HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM PROJECT Supt. St. John provided the Board with a synopsis by Christensen Construction of the problems that arose with the high school gymnasium exterior painting project this summer. Christensen Construction started to power wash the exterior of the high school gymnasium to prepare it for painting, but discovered the existing paint was not sealed to the surface so power washing resulted in the paint continuing to peal after the surface had dried. Christensen Construction did not proceed with the painting project as they felt it would be a waste of money to apply new paint to this surface as it would not stick and peal right away. Christensen Construction did look into sandblasting the exterior surface to prepare it for painting but found that it would be very costly and could possibly damage the cinder block. After further examination of alternatives to proceed with this project, Christensen Construction prepared a bid for installing steel siding on the high school gymnasium at a cost of $40,982 with an additional $8,444 needed to install metal on the soffit and fascia of the high school gymnasium for a total cost of $49,426. Christensen Construction would give a $3,000 discount of both the walls and fascia were done together and with the $7,380 already set aside for the painting project, the District would need just over $39,000 to complete the exterior of the high school gymnasium as proposed by Christensen Construction. Clerk Davis informed the Board that there is a balance of just over $33,000 in the 07-08 OTO Deferred Capitalization/Maintenance Miscellaneous Federal Funds as well as an available balance of over $30,000 in the Building Reserve Funds, while maintaining the $30,000 rainy day savings account in the Building Reserve Funds desired by the Board.
Supt. St. John informed the Board that he had contacted another professional commercial paint firm out of Sun River and they had provided a quote of $23,466 for properly preparing (extreme high pressure water blast and mechanical grinding methods) and painting (coat of a special primer conditioner and two coats of special acrylic elastomeric paint coating) the exterior of the gymnasium. The District would need just under $16,100 to complete this painting project with the $7,380 already set aside out of the 07-08 budget.
Supt. St. John informed the Board that they have these two options – painting or siding – to consider for the high school gymnasium. Supt. St. John noted that he has talked to other commercial contractors and painters as well as architects regarding this project but still does not have a clear handle on which is the best direction to proceed. Issues to consider if the gymnasium is sided with metal is whether backing sheeting should be installed as well as insulation. If insulation is installed, will it cause a condensation problem that could cause deterioration of the underlying cinder block? If backer sheeting is not installed will the metal siding dent easily at the ground level and around the door frames, and can it withstand the area wind load? Should the metal siding be 29 gauge as quoted by Christensen Construction or 26 gauge as recommended by the architect, which will double the cost of the metal siding. Architect Gary Levine of Spectrum Group Architects provided a cost projection of $103,000 to insulate and side the gymnasium with 26 gauge metal siding.
The Board discussed the pros and cons of siding versus painting and questioned the life line of both options. The brochure on the metal siding cites a 40 year warranty but other contractors questioned whether the company would stand behind that warranty since it was being installed over cinder block. The commercial painter was very comfortable giving the acrylic elastomeric paint coating a life line of 15 years. Another option that was discussed was installing metal siding on the soffit and fascia and painting the remainder of the gymnasium. The Board noted that if the metal siding project was done properly with backer board, insulation, and heavy gauge metal it would be a very costly project and would require a call for bids and the services of an architect, but did not feel that should eliminate metal siding as a viable option.
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board that they needed more information and time before making a decision regarding this matter. A motion was made by Robert Stokes, seconded by Katie Rasmussen and unanimously carried to table taking action on this agenda item until at least the November Board Meeting so that they can have the time to get more information and research these options so that the Board can make an informed decision.
EMPLOY HEAD TRACK COACH Supt. St. John informed the Board that High School Assistant Track Coach John May submitted a letter of interest in the Head Track Coach position. The administration was prepared to recommend that John May be transferred into the head position, but Mr. May contacted them this week to request that action on this matter be postponed at this time as he has recently learned that his work schedule may take him out of state during the track season. Supt. St. John noted that the track season is still a long way off so there is time to wait for Mr. May to confirm his work schedule before the Board takes action on this matter.
A motion was made by Mark Henderson, seconded by Katie Rasmussen and unanimously carried to table taking action on this agenda item at this time.
APPROVAL OF NATIONAL FFA CONVENTION TRIP Chairman Kirk Moore reminded the Board that they had heard the FFA Chapter’s request to be allowed to travel to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis from October 21st-26th. Chairman Moore noted that attending such national conventions provide a great opportunity for our students and encouraged the Board to approve this request. It was noted that the FFA pays for all of their own expenses and the only expense to the District should be the cost of Mr. Wearley’s substitute.
A motion was made by Katie Rasmussen, seconded by Robert Stokes and unanimously carried to approve allowing the FFA Chapter to travel out of state to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis from October 21st-26th.
CONSIDER MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH JOB CORPS Supt. St. John informed the Board that it is time to renew the interlocal agreement between the District and the Montana Job Corps centers at Anaconda, Trapper Creek, and Kicking Horse. The interlocal agreement allows the Montana Job Corps centers to provide academic training to any district student placed there and the credits earned are reported to the district and are counted toward the graduation requirements of the district so that the student may choose to receive a high school diploma from the district of residence. In turn the district can count such students as enrolled in the district and receive ANB for them.
A motion was made by Katie Rasmussen, seconded by Robert Stokes and unanimously carried for the Choteau School District to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Montana Job Corps centers to provide educational and vocational services to eligible youth. A copy of the memorandum of understanding entered into is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
CONSIDER TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT Supt. St. John informed the Board that the Fairfield School District has requested that Choteau approve a written agreement to allow the Fairfield District to run a bus route ¼ mile into the southeast part of the Choteau District on Highway 287 to pick up a student. Supt. St. John informed the Board that Teton County Superintendent of Schools Diane Inbody wanted the Board to know that Fairfield has a history of running their bus routes into a number of neighboring districts, but noted that this is an issue for the Teton County Transportation Committee to resolve not our Board. Supt. St. John noted that Choteau has approved an attendance agreement for this child to attend school at Fairfield and Fairfield is in the process of requesting a change in this particular bus route from the Teton County Transportation Committee.
The Board discussed this request further and it was noted that these written agreements allowing neighboring districts to come into our district are approved on an annual basis, so if there is a problem or the District were to offer bus service in that area in the future, this agreement would not need to be approved. A motion was made by Katie Rasmussen, seconded by Sharon Rice and unanimously carried to enter into a written agreement between the Choteau and Fairfield School Districts that allows the Fairfield School District Bus Route #5 to travel ¼ mile into the southeast boundary of the Choteau School District to the residence of Isabella Isley at 5163 Highway 287. A copy of the signed agreement is attached to the minutes of this meeting.
RATIFICATION OF SUPERINTENDENT AND ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL NEGOTIATIONS
Negotiation Spokesman Robert Stokes reported to the Board that the Negotiation Committee agreed to offer the same package of a $1,400 salary increase and full family insurance approved for High School Principal Achenbach to both Supt. St. John and Elementary Principal Gameon. Negotiation Spokesman Stokes presented the Board with a salary survey that outlined the average Class B superintendent and principals’ wages, noting that these packages place our administrators at or below the average. Supt. St. John will be at $71,400 and Elementary Principal Gameon will be at $60,100 with a $1,400 increase.
Trustee Sharon Rice informed the Board that she had gathered administrative salary information that indicated a lower average than that presented by Trustee Stokes. Trustee Rice stated she has concerns that our teaching staff are paid below average, yet are administrative staff is above average. Trustee Rice further stated that she feels the District’s administrative payroll is top heavy which is not a good business practice and will create unhealthy budget scenarios in the future. Trustee Rice noted that she would only address the proposed increase in the superintendent’s salary since she is a high school trustee only and stated that she did not feel the superintendent’s recent evaluation scores gave merit to a 2% pay raise. Trustee Rice asked the Board not to approve the proposal for the superintendent and to direct the negotiations committee to return to the negotiating table and renegotiate a package that the District can afford now and in the future and that is more in line with like size smaller schools in the area.
Trustee Katie Rasmussen thanked Trustee Rice for sharing her information and thoughts with the Board and appreciated her efforts gathering this information, but noted that she supports the work that the negotiating committee put into the process to bring this proposal to the Board for consideration. Trustee Rasmussen questioned if it would be better for the Board as a whole to negotiate with the administrative staff. The Board discussed this suggestion, with those Trustees who have served on the negotiating committee in the past noting that to negotiate with the Board as a whole would be very difficult and unwieldy and felt staying with the committee format would be best.
There was further discussion of the administrative negotiation process and proposal on the table. A motion was made by Robert Stokes and seconded by Perri Lindgren to ratify negotiations with Supt. Kevin St. John as outlined above with a $1,400 raise to a salary of $71,400 and covering the 9.6% increase for the full family comprehensive insurance premium at $756 per month. Trustees voting for this motion were: Robert Stokes, Perri Lindgren, Katie Rasmussen, Mark Henderson, and Kirk Moore. Trustees voting against this motion were: Sharon Rice and Brenda Cunniff. The motion carried with a 5 to 2 vote.
A motion was made by Perri Lindgren, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried to ratify negotiations with Elementary Principal Chuck Gameon as outlined above with a $1,400 raise to a salary of $60,100 and covering the 9.6% increase for the full family comprehensive insurance premium at $756 per month.
CONSIDER NOVEMBER REGULAR MEETING DATE Supt. St. John asked if the Board would want to move the regular November Board Meeting from Thursday, November 13th to Wednesday, November 12th to avoid a scheduling conflict with the Divisional Volleyball Tournament in Shelby. A motion was made by Katie Rasmussen and seconded by Robert Stokes to hold the regular November Board Meeting on Wednesday, November 12th at 7:30 p.m. in the Choteau High School Library. Trustees voting for this motion were: Katie Rasmussen, Robert Stokes, Brenda Cunniff, Mark Henderson, Kirk Moore, and Sharon Rice. Trustees voting against this motion were: Perri Lindgren. The motion carried with a 6 to 1 vote.
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF AND APPROVE DEPOSIT OF CHECKS A motion was made by Brenda Cunniff, seconded by Mark Henderson and unanimously carried to acknowledge receipt of and approve depositing the following check in the appropriate fund.
1) Reward Technologies check #0152453 in the amount of $52.69 for the Sysco Rebate Rewards Program, to be deposited in the Elementary Lunch Fund.
CLERK/BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT Clerk Gloria Davis reported to the Board on the following matters:
A) Clerk Davis informed the Board the there were no investments made for September by the Teton County Treasurer on behalf of the Teton County Investment Committee.
B) Clerk Davis reminded the Board that the elementary gymnasium is Choteau’s polling site for the November 4th General Election and the county will set up the polling site Monday evening, November 3rd.
C) Clerk Davis informed the Board that the minimum wage for Montana will increase to $6.90 per hour effective January 1, 2009 which will require a mandatory revision to the non-certified salary schedule. This revised salary schedule will be brought to the Board for approval at the November Board Meeting. Clerk Davis reminded the Board that the non-certified salary schedule will require major adjustments to accommodate the increase of the federal minimum wage rate to $7.25 from the current $6.55 per hour in July 2009.
D) Clerk Davis informed the Board that the fall count date was Monday, October 6th and the enrollment figures showed a drop of 21 students from last year. The enrollment for grades PreK-6 is 186 compared to 202 (-16), grades 7-8 is 78 compared to 82 (-4), and grades 9-12 is 128 compared to 129 (-1). Clerk Davis informed the Board that she had run very preliminary budget figures for 2009-10 based on these enrollment figures and with no change in the funding formula, projects the 2009-10 general fund budgets will have to decrease from the current levels by approximately $47,500. Clerk Davis noted that if the Quality Educator Component of the formula were to be increased by $1,000, which was a proposal last year, the budgets would then only have to decrease by approximately $7,500. Clerk Davis stressed these are very preliminary figures and firmly believes the legislative session will have to address the inequities in the funding formula since the large, urban school districts in the state are now experiencing million dollar budget cuts because of declining enrollment.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
ATTEST: ______________________ CLERK _________________________ CHAIRMAN