Stevensville Public Schools
School District #2
300 Park Street
Stevensville, Montana 59870
Telephone: (406)777-5481
Fax: (406)258-1246
Regular Board Meeting
February 13, 2018 7:00 p.m. Music Center Choir Room
1. Opening of meeting – call to order – present – salute to flag:
Chairman Greg Trangmoe called the board meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Music Center Choir Room. Greg Trangmoe led in the pledge of allegiance. Trustees present were Lucas McCormick, Sean Lenahan, Penny Bertram, Billy Donaldson, Cathi Cook, Tim Schreiber and Sarah Armijo. Superintendent Bob Moore, Brian Gum, Tracey Rogstad, Jessica Shourd and Business Manager/Clerk Bill Schiele were present.
2. Approval of minutes of previous meetings
A. Special/Board Retreat: January 9, 2018
B. Regular: January 9, 2018
Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked the trustees if they had any questions or comments on the regular board meeting on January 9, 2018 as presented. Cathi Cook made a motion to approve the January 9, 2018 minutes as presented. Sean Lenahan seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked the trustees if they had any questions or comments on the special/board retreat meeting on January 9, 2018 as presented. Cathi Cook made a motion to approve the January 9, 2018 special/board minutes as presented. Penny Bertram seconded the motion. All voted aye.
3. Approval of Claims:
Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked if there were any questions or comments on the claims or students’ accounts. Greg told the Board the district has claims for $163,166.58 starting with claim #33554 and ending with claim #33677 and students’ accounts for $37,884.27. After a few questions on some of the claims, Sean Lenahan made a motion to approve the claims and students’ accounts as presented. Cathi Cook seconded the motion. All voted aye.
4. Recognize Visitors/Public Comment:
Public Comment:
There was no Public comment.
Board Comment:
Cathi Cook read a letter to the Board and the audience talked about the districts bond election. (Attachment A)
5. Consent Agenda
A. Resignations:
B. Employment:
i.Tennis Head Coach – Bill Everett
ii. Tennis Assistant Coach – Hannah Williams
iii. Tennis Volunteer Coach – Bob Israel
iv. Track Head Coach – Josh Lords
v. Track Assistant Coach – Lori Lewis
vi. Track Assistant Coach – Joe Gannon
vii. Track Assistant Coach – Chris Lords
viii. Softball Head Coach – Joey Wark
ix. Softball Assistant Coach – Chris Newman
x. Softball Volunteer Coach– Dave Lockman
xi. Julie Crocker – JH Science Fair
xii. Hank Praast – MS Intramural Boys’ Basketball
xiii. Jamie Praast – MS Intramural Girls’ Basketball
xiv. Yvette Larson – MS Intramural Volleyball
C. Employment: Substitute List – Pending Background Checks
Chairman Greg Trangmoe told the Board they will now approve the consent agenda items. Greg asked the Board if there were any questions or comments on the consent agenda items. Greg asked the Board if there were any consent agenda items they would like to remove from the list. There were no items to be removed. Greg told the Board the consent of any trustee pertains only to the items they have the authority to decide on and if there is no objection the agenda items will be adopted by unanimous consent. There was no objection and the consent agenda items were approved by unanimous consent.
6. Recognition
A. Sarah Naseem
Middle School Principal Tracey Rogstad told the Board this month’s teacher recognition in the Middle School goes to Sarah Naseem. Tracey talked about all the accomplishments Sarah has done here at the district. The Board thanked Sarah for all of her hard work she has done for the district and students.
B. Bob Prince
Jessica Shourd, the K-3 Principal, told the Board this month’s teacher recognition goes to Robert Prince, the K-6 music teacher. Jessica told the Board that Robert Prince was not able to make it tonight. Jessica talked about all the accomplishments Robert has done in the short time he has been here at the district.
7. Presentation
A. We the People Demonstration – Jackie Westman, Sam Hale, Tom Trangmoe
Superintendent Bob Moore told the Board AP Government teacher Wes Wells was here tonight with three students to demonstrate how the students prepared for and presented at the
“We the People” competition. After the presentation by the students and questions from the Board, the Board thank Wes Wells and the students for a job well done.
B. School Improvement Data and Goal Overview
Superintendent Bob Moore told the Board that Paula Onstad will be representing the School Improvement team tonight. Bob told the Board that Paula will be talking about the data they have collected and how they will be using the data to develop improvement plans that related to the goals set by the Board. Paula also talked about the Advance Ed visitation in April. After comments from the Board about the data, the Board thanked Paula and the School Improvement team for all their hard work they have done for the district and the students.
8. Items for Information:
A. Student Representative Report
Jackie Westman, the student representative, updated the Board on all the events that happened since the last board meeting and talked about the events that will be happening in the next few weeks.
B. Administrative Reports
Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked the Board if they have any questions for the administration. Jessica Shourd told the Board that Robert Wilson, the volunteer crosswalk attendant, will no longer be in that position every morning. Brian handed out a spreadsheet showing the credits a student needs to graduate here at the district and the surrounding school districts. After comments from the Board on the graduation credits for the students and the K-12 GT program here at the district, Greg moved onto the superintendent report.
Bob updated the Board on the building project, Montana Rail Link approval and the property boundary approval. Bob talked about the enrollment count and the lunch numbers. Bob also told the Board the district had an OPI lunch program audit and the district will be addressing the audit findings in that program.
C. Correspondence
Superintendent Bob Moore told the Board the district has received a letter from Pantry Partners thanking the district and students for the great food drive they did here at the district.
9. Business: Items for Action
A. State of Montana Surplus Property Resolution
Superintendent Bob Moore told the Board that the State of Montana has frequent surplus property for sale and for the district to purchase the surplus property the state requires a resolution from the district. Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked the Board if they have any questions on the surplus property resolution. Sean Lenahan made a motion to approve the State of Montana surplus property resolution as presented. Billy Donaldson seconded the motion. All voted aye.
B. Budget Amendments
i. Elementary
ii. High School
Superintendent Bob Moore told the Board the district needs to approve the budget amendments twice and the first reading was approved at the November 14, 2017 board meeting. Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked the Board if they have any questions on the second reading of the Elementary budget amendment. Cathi Cook made a motion to approve the budget amendment resolution for the Stevensville Elementary District in the amount of $34,681.58 as presented. Sarah Armijo seconded the motion. Lucas McCormick, Sean Lenahan, Billy Donaldson, Cathi Cook, Greg Trangmoe, Tim Schreiber and Sarah Armijo voted aye. Penny Bertram could not vote.
Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked the Board if they have any questions on the second reading of the High School budget amendment. Cathi Cook made a motion to approve the budget amendment resolution for the Stevensville High School District in the amount of $54,364.18 as presented. Sarah Armijo seconded the motion. All voted aye.
C. Call for Election for the Board of Trustees
Superintendent Bob Moore told the Board they need to call for a trustee election that will be held on May 8, 2018. Bob told the Board there are two positions open for the Elementary/High School district and one opening for the High School district (Lone Rock District). Sean Lenahan made a motion to call for a trustee as presented. Tim Schreiber seconded the motion. All voted aye.
D. Resolution and Adoption of Vote for Board Elections
i. Elementary School District Bond
ii. High School District Bond
Superintendent Bob Moore told the Board this is the final version of the resolutions and ballot language for the schools bond election. Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked the Board if they have any questions on the Resolution and Adoption of the Vote for a Bond Election for the Stevensville Elementary District as presented. Cathi Cook made a motion to approve the Resolution and Adoption of the Vote for a Bond Election for the Stevensville Elementary District as presented. Sean Lenahan seconded the motion. Lucas McCormick, Sean Lenahan, Billy Donaldson, Greg Trangmoe, Cathi Cook, Tim Schreiber and Sarah Armijo voted aye. Penny Bertram could not vote.
Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked the Board if they have any questions on the Resolution and Adoption of the Vote for a Bond Election for the Stevensville High School District as presented. Billy Donaldson made a motion to approve the Resolution and Adoption of the Vote for a Bond Election for the Stevensville High School District as presented. Cathi Cook seconded the motion. All voted aye.
E. Board Policy
i. First reading
ii. Second Reading Policies 4210
Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked the Board if they have any questions on the policies up for first reading. Superintendent Bob Moore talked about the changes in the policies. Cathi Cook made a motion to approve the first reading of the policies as presented. Sean Lenahan seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Superintendent Bob Moore told the Board there was an error in posting the second reading of these polices and recommended the Board table this until the next Board meeting. Cathi Cook made a motion to table the second reading of the policies until next board meeting. Billy Donaldson seconded the motion. All voted aye.
F. Calendar Committee Recommendation
Superintendent Bob More told the Board this is the proposed school calendar for the 2018-2019 school year and this calendar could be change due to the construction of the new building if the bonds pass. Tracey Rogstad went over the calendar and how the committee came up with this calendar. After comments from the Board on the school calendar and if the Lone Rock School District looked at this calendar, Sean Lenahan made a motion to approve the proposed calendar with the possibility of revisiting the calendar if the Elementary and High School bond passes. Penny Bertram seconded the motion. All voted aye.
G. Out of District Enrollments
i. Elementary
ii. High School
Superintendent Bob Moore told the Board there are two Elementary out of district students to approve this month. Chairman Greg Trangmoe asked the Board if they had any questions on the two out of district students. Sarah Armijo made a motion to approve the out of district students as presented. Sean Lenahan seconded the motion. Lucas McCormick, Sean Lenahan, Billy Donaldson, Greg Trangmoe, Cathi Cook, Tim Schreiber and Sarah Armijo voted aye. Penny Bertram could not vote.
Superintendent Bob Moore told the Board there are no High School out of district students this month.
H. Superintendent Evaluation – Closed Session
Chairman Greg Trangmoe told the Board according to Montana Code 2-3-203 that he determined the demands of the individual privacy clearly exceed the merit of public disclosure and closed the meeting. Chairman Greg Trangmoe reopened the meeting.
9. Adjourn:
Cathi Cook made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Sarah Armijo seconded the motion. All voted aye.
Board Chairman: ORIGINAL SIGNED AND IN DISTRICT OFFICE .
Date: March 13, 2018 .
School Board Clerk: ORIGINAL SIGNED AND IN DISTRICT OFFICE .
Attachment A
Board Comment
February 13, 2018
We have a very important bond election coming up for our district. Many of our staff, parents & community members are working hard to inform the voters of the needs of the district. But there are some that have negative opinions of the project because there are areas that they personally wanted weren’t included in this phase of the project. So they are using their positions to discourage parents and community members that they interact with to not support the project.
The district, the facility committee and the school board chose and approved of the areas of the project based on the needs for the education, safety and wellness of the students. But also taken in to consideration was the financial responsibility that we have to the voters in the community. So unfortunately not all improvements and additions could be included. But we are planning on doing them in the next phases.
As we discuss this project we are striving to make our facilities better for the students. But we also need to mention that we are making the facilities safer for our teachers and staff. The entrances to our buildings will be keeping our students and our staff safer. When there is a tragedy in a school, students are not the only ones in danger. The deferred maintenance will be making the classroom conditions comfortable, efficient, and healthier for our students and our staff. The students are not the only ones that are being exposed to asbestos and drafty windows. The new parking lots and entrances will not only make it easier and safer for our students, but also our staff. The upgrades in the buildings will not only make it a better place for our students to learn, but it will be a nicer place for our staff to work in. Which is also a plus when we are hiring new teachers that we hope will stay with the district for a long time.
To continue bad mouthing the project, turning others against the project, and not supporting the safety and wellness of our students and staff is wrong. I think that they should take a look at what they are doing and how they are affecting aspects of student education, safety & wellness and also the staff. The students that they are impacting are students that will eventually be a part of their programs in the future. In the end, I can only see negative effects on the programs that they manage.
If you can’t support the bond election, please let others make their own decisions with the information that is being provided. Your negativity is hurting all of the students and the staff of this district, present and future. We want to make Stevensville Schools the best place for education for our students and the best place to work for our staff!
Stevensville is considered a small town. It is not always easy for a business to thrive here. I think that a business that has just reopened and is trying to be successful should be careful what their employees and management is doing to discourage patronage to their establishment. I know of one local business that has management turning away business because of their negative views of the district’s project. I know that my family, and many other families, will not be going to this establishment in the future.
Cathi Cook
ViceChairperson