january 13board meetingdoc

P a g e | 1

Helena Public Schools foster dynamic educational experiences that prepare all students for life.

Superintendent Business Manager

Dr. Kent Kultgen Kim Harris

324-2001 324-2007

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

Ray Bjork Learning Center

1600 8th

Street

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

5:30 p.m.

AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER – Pledge of Allegiance

II. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT:

III. REVIEW OF AGENDA:

IV. BUSINESS: A. Items for Action (The Board of Trustees will accept Public Comment on the Following Items):

a. Board Policies – First Reading on the Following Policies:

(See Attached)

1. 3000 Equal Educational Opportunities

b. 2015-2016 School Calendar – First Reading:

(See Attached)

The calendar committee began meeting in the fall to determine the 2015-2016

school calendar. The calendar is very similar to this year’s calendar in that there

will be a three-day start which seems to work best for everyone. The breaks for

the 2015-2016 school year are similar to this year’s based on the feedback

communicated to the committee. Early-out Mondays will also be the same as this

year. All employee groups have reviewed the calendar.

P a g e | 2


c. Request for County Administration to Conduct Election:

State law permits the school elections to be conducted by the County Election

Administrator (office of the Clerk and Recorder, Lewis and Clark County.) Since

the voter information is maintained by the County along with the tabulation

machines, it is more efficient to have them conduct the elections. Because of the

importance of the bond election and the need for security with the ballots, the

recommendation is to have the County conduct all school elections. There were

no objections by the County regarding this request and the Business office will be

working closely with County staff regarding the elections. The school districts

would be responsible for reimbursing the county for all election costs. This action

will require a motion by the elementary and the high school districts.

Superintendent’s Recommendation: Approve the County Administration to Conduct the

Election

d. Consent Action Items:

1. Minutes from the December 9, 2014 Board of Trustees Meeting:

2. Minutes from the December 18, 2014 Board of Trustees Meeting:

3. Approval of the December, 2014 Warrants:

4. Personnel Actions:

5. Financials Year to Date – July – December 2014:

B. Items for Information:

a. Accomplishments and Goals of the District:

C. Reports:

a. Policy Committee Report: Budget Committee Report: b. Health Benefits Committee Report: c. Community Advisory Committee Report:

d. Facility Committee Report: e. Helena Education Association Report: f. Montana School Boards Association Report: g. Student Representatives’ Report: h. Superintendent’s Report:

V. ADJOURNMENT

P a g e | 3


P a g e | 4


P a g e | 5


BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING Ray Bjork Learning Center

1600 8th Avenue Helena, Montana

Tuesday, December 9, 2014 5:30 p.m.

The Board of Trustees Meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Chair Libby Goldes at the Ray Bjork Learning Center, 1600 8th Avenue, Helena, Montana, at 5:30 p.m. ATTENDANCE – Present unless otherwise noted.

Libby Goldes Cherche Prezeau - Excused Aidan Myhre Terry Beaver Libbi Lovshin Betsy Baur Ellen Feaver Vacant, Trustee for High School District

Joe Cohenour, Trustee for High School District Taylor Blossom, Capital High School Representative Madison McLaughlin, Helena High School Representative

Dr. Kent Kultgen, Superintendent of Schools Greg Upham, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Kim Harris, Business Manager Barb Ridgway, Staff & Student Services Administrator Sara Loewen, Data Assessment Administrator Joslyn Davidson, Curriculum Administrator Pat Boles, Technology Administrator Jim Opitz, Activities Administrator John Carter, Director of Support Services Bill Rasor, Personnel Service Administrator Lisa Lowney, Special Education Services Administrator

Fong Hom, Recording Secretary GUESTS Don Platisha, Jeff Cowee, Steve Thennis, Ron Whitmoyer, Barbara Rush, Jan Lombardi, Cher Jiusto, Darryl James, Mike Dowling, Aidan Reed, Jolie Harris, Susan Blossom, Chuck Butler, Barb Rush, Jon Rush

P a g e | 6


CALL TO ORDER – Pledge of Allegiance Chair Goldes called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m., and led the Pledge of Allegiance. II. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT None III. REVIEW OF AGENDA None IV. RECOGNITIONS

A. Aidan Reed – Helena High School – State AA Cross Country Champion Steve Thennis, Principal of Helena High, gave recognition to Aidan Reed, the 2014 AA Cross Country Champion.

V. SPECIAL PRESENTATION A. Early Edge Montana Presentation – Siri Smillie, Community and Safety Advisor, Governor’s Office Ms. Smillie gave a presentation on the Governor’s Early Edge Montana program. Public Comment Barbara Rush, 720 Holter, said that she read the Standards and had attended the Board of Education

meeting. She said that daycare was very important but did not think that half a day would actually solve the problem. This program was not fully funded and would be a burden on school districts and local taxpayers.

Lisa Lowney, 2029 Gold Rush Avenue, asked Ms. Smillie if the special education teachers in the district were

Preschool-12 endorsed and if there were any discussions about how that might affect the teachers, whether they need to be certified or not.

Ms. Smillie said that people from the Office of Public Instruction were involved in writing these standards and

that was why the Standards refer to 3- to 5-year olds. The Governor wanted to make sure that it was inclusive and supportive of what was already going on with special education.

B. Facility Planning Dr. Kultgen gave a presentation on the K-12 Facility Vision. Trustee Beaver discussed the goals of the K-12 Vision and the request from the public for a vision of the

district’s total facilities plans so that the entire complexity of the issue could be considered. He requested that Dr. Kultgen create multiple scenarios that would address the needs of the district; the costs for each scenario and the individual components of each; and to get Requests for Information/Proposals concerning the sale of some of the properties within the district, such as Front Street, May Butler, Central School, and the maintenance shops. With this information the board could make decisions.

P a g e | 7


Public Comment Barbara Rush, 720 Holter, said that she had heard people testifying that they don’t want the large schools or

the 500-student schools. The board should meet what the people were asking for. They do not want large schools.

Susan Blossom, 905 Lode Star Road, said that she was hoping to be able to vote on a bond, whether it was a

full or partial bond, but she would like to see something happening. Cher Jiusto commended the Facility Committee on the numerous meetings and the opportunity for public

input. She suggested that when the committee was considering other proposals for public activities under an EIS process, to have alternatives that could be looked at and to develop information to be discussed at future meetings.

Darryl James, 715 Power Street, said that the Facility Committee listened and was responsive to a lot of the

comments that were made at the meetings that he had attended. He hoped that the Board would rely on the hard work of the members of the Facility Committee and come together and move forward with a comprehensive plan because that was what the community has been asking for.

Chuck Butler, East Helena, said that he was in agreement with Mr. James. He hoped that the Board would

proceed with a bond issue for the elementary schools. He also complimented the Board on the K-12 Vision. Direction to Superintendent Chair Goldes read a statement, “As a board we believe the K-12 Facility Vision is a good foundation to a

solution for providing an optimal educational environment to all students. As a next step in this process, Dr. Kultgen is directed to create multiple scenarios that would address all the needs outlined in the vision. Each scenario would include broad definitions of each project, cost estimates and time lines. These scenarios will be presented to the Board Facility Committee during the first part of January. But there may be a few things that board members have thought about or have come up at this meeting which they might want to make sure they were also included in that direction.”

Trustee Myhre said she would rather do the first step well and thoroughly before asking Dr. Kultgen to do too

much. This was a good first step, and then we could revisit the Request for Proposals in January or February. Chair Goldes asked about the idea of including pre-Kindergarten. Trustee Beaver said that had been

addressed as they addressed the construction and the refurbishing of elementary schools. There were additional classrooms built into the request for Jim Darcy and for Warren.

Chair Goldes said that the board would not be voting on this, that it was a consensus that we gave Dr.

Kultgen direction. She thanked the members of the committee and the architects and professionals who have volunteered their time, efforts and their expertise in giving advice and direction in this.

P a g e | 8


VI. BUSINESS:

A. ITEMS FOR ACTION (The Board of Trustees would accept Public Comment on the following items):

1. Board Policies: (Second reading on the following policies) a. 2010 – Instructional Programs b. 2025 – Guidance and Counseling Program c. 4005 – School Support Associations d. 4015 – Conduct on School Property e. 4020 – Visitors to Schools Policy 2010 – Instructional Programs Ms. Ridgway said there were no changes to this policy. Policy 2025 – Guidance and Counseling Program

Ms. Ridgway said that they revised language on line 19 and clarified that all students, not just juniors and seniors, would have access to career and college information. The concern regarding professional sports recruiters was addressed. Those recruiters would fall into the same procedural guidelines as the other recruiters. Policy 4005 – School Support Associations Ms. Ridgway said there were no changes but she reiterated that the procedure would address some of the issues that were raised at the last meeting, including how fundraising activities were approved, how to track donations, and how funds were being spent and distributed. Trustee Beaver asked about line 22 where it said, equipment purchased by support groups and donated to schools become property of the district. He asked to add “equipment, supplies, and property” that would be more inclusive and should cover anything that would become property of the district. Ms. Ridgway said that she would make that addition. Policy 4015 – Conduct on School Property Ms. Ridgway said there were no changes to this policy. Policy 4020 - Visitors to Schools Ms. Ridgway discussed the concern of the policy appearing that the public was being excluded. She said that clarifying that the policy of checking in at the main office or scheduling appointments was for purposes of safety, security, and assistance and was not to exclude anyone from coming to the schools, but addresses safety and security issues. Trustee Beaver said that line 13 begins with “If a parent wishes to confer with the teacher…”, that might mean grandparents or guardians. Ms. Ridgway said that in our definition, we would say that “a parent” includes the language guardian. Trustee Beaver asked about language regarding “a

P a g e | 9


conference where the teacher was desired” and we don’t specify who. Chair Goldes said that the language “an appointment must be made in advance” was confusing because that seems to be giving an option. Ms. Ridgway said that she changed language on line 13 to say “if a conference with a teacher is desired, the district request that an appointment must be made.” Chair Goldes suggested that language be change to “be made” and to take the word “must” out. Ms. Ridgway said that she would make that change to read, “If a conference with a teacher is desired, the district requests that an appointment be made in advance.” Motion Trustee Cohenour moved to adopt Policies 2010, 2025, 4005, 4015, and 4020, as amended. Trustee Lovshin seconded the motion. Public Comment None Vote The motion passed unanimously.

2. Approve Board of Trustees Meeting with the City/County Joint Work Session Dr. Kultgen said that the board members were invited to attend a City/County joint meeting on January 8,

2015, to discuss the status of the facilities and what role the city would play. Motion Trustee Baur moved to attend the meeting with the City Commission. Trustee Cohenour seconded the

motion. Public Comment None Vote The motion passed unanimously.

B. CONSENT ACTION ITEMS

1. Minutes from the November 11, 2014 Board of Trustees Meeting 2. Minutes from the November 25, 2014 Board of Trustees Work Session 3. Approval of the November, 2014 Warrants 4. Personnel Actions 5. Financials Year to Date – July – November, 2014 Motion Trustee Cohenour moved to approve all consent action items. Trustee Lovshin seconded the motion.

P a g e | 10


Public Comment None Vote The motion passed unanimously. C. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION 1. 2014-2015 Enrollment D. REPORTS 1. Policy Committee Report The Policy Committee did not meet. Trustee Cohenour said that the next meeting was scheduled for

January 6. 2. Budget Committee Report Trustee Lovshin said the Budget Committee met and reviewed procurement procedures. The committee

clarified the process for purchasing supplies and services when a limited solicitation was needed. The next meeting was scheduled for January 9, and the topic would be PAL.

3. Health Benefits Committee Report Trustee Feaver said that this committee has not met since the last Board meeting. The next meeting was

scheduled for January 8. 4. Community Advisory Committee Report Trustee Myhre said that the next meeting was Friday at the May Butler Center. Dr. Kultgen said that the

“blue list” of the facility Vision would be discussed. 5. Facility Committee Report Trustee Beaver said that the next meeting would be on January 8 with the City/County officials. He

discussed the possibility of hiring an organization to conduct a survey regarding the district’s facilities. 6. Helena Education Association Report Jeff Cowee said the Helena Education Association did not meet this month. He said that bargaining would

meet the first Thursday of every month. He hopes to do the full bargaining the second week of March. 7. Montana School Boards Association Report Trustee Cohenour reported on:

AA Caucus met regarding preparation for the 2015 Session;

looked at Leadership of the House and Senate;

the number of bills drafts regarding education ; and

the meeting dates for January 12 and 26, February 2 and 16, March 9 and 23, and April 6 and 20.

P a g e | 11


8. Student Representatives’ Report Taylor Blossom reported on the activities of the Capital High DECA; the Science Team taking 5th Place; the

My Voice survey results that would be presented at a later date; dates for Smart Balance; and the ACT and SAT dates.

Madison McLaughlin reported on the activities of the Helena High DECA; the Helena High Student

Council’s Winter Formal Dance and the start of Bengal Friday. 9. Superintendent’s Report Dr. Kultgen reminded the Board of the Superintendent Evaluation in January; the trustee vacancy with a

deadline of January 10; next year’s school calendar that would be on the January board meeting agenda; the meeting with the Chamber of Commerce set for December 10; the status of the Memorandums of Understanding regarding evacuation procedures for all the schools; and the Legislative Breakfast set for December 18.

VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no other topics for future meetings and no public comments on issues not on the agenda, the meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth Goldes, Chair ___________________________________________ Date Kim Harris, Clerk

P a g e | 12


BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING Ray Bjork Learning Center

1600 8th Avenue Helena, Montana

Thursday, December 18, 2014 7:30 a.m.

The Board of Trustees Meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Chair Libby Goldes at the Ray Bjork Learning Center, 1600 8th Avenue, Helena, Montana, at 7:30 a.m.

ATTENDANCE – Present unless otherwise noted. Libby Goldes Cherche Prezeau - excused Aidan Myhre Terry Beaver Libbi Lovshin Betsy Baur Ellen Feaver

Joe Cohenour, Trustee for High School District Taylor Blossom, Capital High School Representative - excused Madison McLaughlin, Helena High School Representative - excused Dr. Kent Kultgen, Superintendent of Schools Kim Harris, Business Manager

GUESTS Jill Cohenour, Christine Kaufmann, Chuck Hunter, Mary Ann Dunwell, Jeff Cowee, Alexander Deedy, Diane Neff.

I. CALL TO ORDER – Pledge of Allegiance Chair Goldes called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

II. DISCUSSION - The legislators, trustees, and administrators discussed several topics including Early Edge, Common Core, the Helena Facilities vision, and the Helena/East Helena proposed K-12 expansion. There was no action taken by the trustees.

III. ADJOURNMENT

There being no other topics for future meetings and no public comments on issues not on the agenda, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Goldes, Chair ___________________________________ Date Kim Harris, Clerk

P a g e | 13


PERSONNEL ACTIONS

December 10, 2014 – January 13, 2015

CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL

Change in Contract

Name From To Effective Date

Elton, Stacy .50 FTE 1.0 FTE 12/09/2014

*Temporary Assignment

CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL

Appointments

Name Effective Location/Assignment Salary

Aguilar, Bridget 01/05/2015 Smith/Temporary Para Educator $11.98/hr.*

Coulter, Kerry 11/17/2014 HHS/Temp Level I Para Educator $11.61.hr.*

Fowler, Kasey 12/04/2014 CHS/Head Dance Coach $1,750.00

Herbolich, Heidi 01/05/2015 Rossiter/Temporary Para Educator $12.28/hr.*

Holland, Sabrina 12/05/2014 HHS/Head Dance Coach $1,750.00

Hottell, Kandi 12/10/2014 Jim Darcy/Level I Para Educator $11.41/hr.

Kriz, Matthew 01/05/2015 HHS/Level I Para Educator $10.91/hr.

Kroenke, Angelika 11/17/2014 Central/Temp Part-time Level I Para$13.28/hr.*

Rasmussen, Terri 01/05/2015 Jim Darcy/SACC Para Educator $10.61/hr.

Rieger, Tammy 12/15/2014 Smith/Temporary Para Educator $10.61/hr.*

Summerhays, Brittany 01/05/2015 Smith/Temp Level I Para Educator $10.41/hr.*

*Temporary Assignment

Terminations

Name Effective Location/Assignment Reason

Nava, Charlene 12/19/2014 Kessler/SACC Para Educator Personal

Snyder, Kara 01/20/2015 Bryant-Central/Para-SACC Para Personal

Thompson, Rick 12/05/2014 CHS/Head Girls Soccer Coach Personal

P a g e | 14


SUPPLEMENTARY CONTRACT ASSIGNMENTS

Name Assignment Location Amount Hogan, Anthony Basketball-8th Grade Boys HMS $ 536.00

Alberts, Justine Basketball-8th Grade Girls HMS $ 536.00

Alberts, Mike Basketball-8th Grade Boys HMS $ 536.00

Bisom, Paul Basketball-8th Grade Boys CRA Middle $ 536.00

Graham, Susan Basketball-8th Grade Girls CRA Middle $ 536.00

Harris, Scott Basketball-8th Grade Boys HMS $ 536.00

Jenkins, John Tennis-Asst Coach Capital High $1,359.00

Johnson, Mac Basketball-8th Grade Boys HMS $ 536.00

Lyndes, Casey Basketball-8th Grade Boys CRA Middle $ 536.00

Madsen, Michael Basketball-8th Grade Boys CRA Middle $ 536.00

Maharg, Sean Basketball-8th Grade Boys HMS $ 536.00

McMahon, Dick Basketball-8th Grade Boys CRA Middle $ 536.00

North, Dawn Basketball-8th Grade Girls CRA Middle $ 675.00

Peck, Taylor Basketball-8th GradeGirls CRA Middle $ 536.00

Reiter, Tyson Basketball-8th Grade Girls HMS $ 536.00

Schulte, Ryan Football-Asst Varsity 1/2 Contract Helena High $1,807.30

Sheridan, James Basketball-8th Grade Girls CRA Middle $ 536.00

Swenson, Ryan Tennis-Asst Coach Capital High $1,359.00

Walsh, Vicki Basketball-8th Grade Girls HMS $ 536.00

Zapata, DJ Basketball-8th Grade Boys HMS $ 536.00

P a g e | 15


P a g e | 16


P a g e | 17


P a g e | 18


P a g e | 19


P a g e | 20


january 13board meetingdoc

Documents

school calendar

calendar committee

helena public schools

school elections

facility committee report

policy committee report

budget committee report

superintendents report