001I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Like to welcome everyone to our regular board meeting in October. Halloween is coming soon. Winter is right behind it. The public sessions of this board meeting are being recorded in accordance with district policy 1420 and section-2-24 MCA. By remaining in this meeting, all participants and attendance acknowledge they may appear on the recording which will be placed on the school district's website for a minimum of one year from the date of this meeting. Anyone wishing to speak on an agenda item, please fill out the pink sheet located at the end of the table and turn it to the board secretary as soon as possible. First
002item on our agenda is the approval of minutes from the special board meeting of a work session on September 22nd. Motion from trustees. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Been moved and seconded. Do trustees have any questions or changes to these minutes? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> All those opposed? Motion passes. Approval of minutes for the regular board meeting September 22nd. Motion from trustees. >> Is there a second? It has been moved and seconded. Any changes or questions regarding these minutes? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. All those opposed? Motion passes. Next, we would like to welcome Missa Gallagher, our Emerson Elementary School principal, for her school presentation in October. Thank you. Welcome. >> Thank you for having me.
003Um, >> do I get it now? >> Oh, there it is. I'm a little more nervous this year. I don't know why. Um, I wasn't as nervous last year. I think I was just too shell shocked. Well, too, but now I am. So, anyway, thank you for giving me the opportunity to present. Um I thought I'd highlight some of the amazing things happening um at Emerson this year um with our presentation today. So we're going to look at the growth of the students, the dedication of our staff, and the strength of our community. Um our saying that we adopted this year is if you are going to be here, be here. Um we're working to be very intentional both as a staff but also with our students to really be present in all aspects of
004our school day. Um so to start off I thought I'd um introduce you to some of our new staff that have come to us um this school year. So Miss Bergman is joining us in third grade. Um she's a but girl um returning to us from South Dakota, North Dakota. >> North Dakota. >> Um and then Miss Becker is her partner teacher as well in third grade and she was um brought up in the but school district. So that's kind of fun to see. Um we also have Miss Marxer who's joined us from Browning. She's our resource um teacher for fourth through sixth grade. And Miss Antonyoli is also a new resource teacher coming to us. Um she was working up at Head Start, so has some experience with the younger kiddos, so she's working
005with the early learning class through third grade. And then Miss Scholley is our new second grade teacher. Um she was honored um at MSU last spring as being their um distinguished alumni for the curriculum and instruction masters program. So, that was a pretty nice addition to our school staff. Um, and they've really fit in very well. Um, so I'm going to go ahead and jump right into data, start there, and then move from that. Um, so I've created kind of a spreadsheet sheet for you looking at our data from last year. You know, we don't have much to work with this year yet, but we're going to take a a little snapshot at what we um saw last year for data. Um, I focused on our winters to our spring. um and looking at our
006percentiles of where we fell and then our overall growth from winter to spring. So, just some things to point out. Um our overall school growth in um math last year was in the 72nd percentile and in reading was in the 71st percentile. So, these are really both strong indicators that our students are not act not only catching up but exceeding national growth norms. Um if we look specifically at math, I just kind of want to highlight um first grade in their their growth percentile was in the 87th and fourth grade was in the 88th percentile. So that's incredible progress. Um and then in reading, if we look at grades 1, three, and four, we see that um first first grade and fourth grade were in the 75th percentile and um third grade was in the
00790th percentile. So this growth really reflects intentional focus on our teachers using smallroup instruction, targeted intervention and fidelity to core programs. Um teachers have been using their professional learning communities, their PLC's to really look at this data and dive into how we can use it to fill in gaps within our instruction. Um and they're grouping kids based on their needs. So the results here just show that that's really working. So, we really took a deep dive when we looked at our winter data and we came up with a a plan. How were we going to work with students to see an increase? And so, that growth you see in the third column is just that increase from winter to spring with that intentional focus. Um, and one thing that I really want to point out
008is behind every um number you see, we have a student who's growing in confidence. um our focus is on celebrating their progress um not just their proficiency because we can only work from where we start, right? Um so we're really looking to build some motivated learners. And then I just want to take another look at what we did. So this new um uh chart is showing you um the previous year 2324 um compared to last year's overall growth. So our overall growth um in math went from the 38th percentile the previous year to the 67th percentile for the school and then in reading it went from the 43rd percentile the previous year to the 54th percentile. Yes. >> Is this maps? Sorry, >> this is maths. I'm sorry. I should have specified that. Um and
009you'll notice that the previous year we don't have data for kinder and first. That's because last year was the first year we ever did MAPS testing with kindergarteners and first graders. Um, so this is some really beautiful data. Um, it also gave us some insight of where teachers wanted to focus this year. So like you'll notice that our third graders and reading went down. Um, so that gives the fourth grade teachers this year um some data to look at when they're talking and planning and kind of know what what is coming in. They kind of have an idea of what's coming to them. Um so the next few slides are going to kind of showcase um some of the ways our staff is working um with our the to to work at the needs of
010the levels of all of our students. Sorry, hope that made sense. So um it's not pictured here, but one thing that we do have going on is we had a little bit of money left over in our school budget at the end of last year. So I talked with Corey a little bit about what we could do with that. So, we only have one lab at Emerson. So, we purchased some touchscreen monitors and we're putting in a second lab on the first floor. We do have computer carts um but littles don't have as much access to technology. So, this really is giving us more access so we can do some of those intervention programs um like Dreambox. Um and then Judy and you guys as well um thank you very much. You also purchased us
011um touchscreen monitors for our third floor lab. So, all of our labs have now got touchscreen monitors. Um, and there's more accessibility. That lab on first floor is just about done. When I left today, Ty was in there working on it. So, the teachers are really excited to have that space to do more interventions with the kids. Um, and then let's see. Um, another new thing we have going on, um, last year I met with my fourth through sixth grade teachers, my title and my resource teachers to think of ways that we could come up with a plan to support our students. So, we've created some um, dedicated instructional blocks for both math and reading um, allowing for smaller groups and more targeted group instruction. So, we're strategically using title and resource teachers to um
012be able to tier our instruction better to meet the new needs of our students. Um, another thing that we've done is within those um blocks, we've um included a dedicated 30 minute intervention time each day for math and reading. So, they're getting their core instruction, but then they're also getting um uh intervention blocks for both math and reading. Um, and this is a time where we focus on test preparation or to address specific learning gaps um that were identified either through maps or kite or dibbles um and with staff during PLC time. Um, and then another great thing we have going on is our Rocky's um intervention program. These are just some pictures from Miss Powers's Rocky's group. They were playing um head, shoulders, knees, and toes. Um, so they'd sing the song and touch
013the parts and then she'd say a a site word and they had to run to the table and grab it and then they'd have to go back and whoever had the most cards for the site words at the end um, won. It was kind of cute though cuz I watched a little girl who was really good at it and she kept getting them all and a little boy would get there right after her and he'd kind of pout and she'd give him her card. So um, but it was pretty cute. Um, so this program provides some academic support for students needing the extra boost. Um, our demand with Rocky's has actually grown significantly. We're kind of in a little dilemma where we have a lot of parents and kids wanting to participate and um, you
014know, our class sizes are pretty big. So, our teachers are having to strategize how they can meet the needs of everybody and not turn anyone away given the amount of um, hours they're allowed to teach as well as the amount of staff that signed up to do it. We have three in our building that signed up this year, but that's a good sign. We have a lot of people wanting to take advantage of that. Um, so now I'm going to go into a little bit about our school culture and our climate. So, um, our our staff the first day with me back after their training, we went on a field trip. Um, and before I start, I just want to thank Judy for letting us do that, but also Jeremy, I don't know if he's
015here today, for letting us use the liner. Um, so we took a staff build trip to the University of Montana and we went and saw a motivational speaker. His name is Ron Clark. He presented last week at MCEL. I don't know if you guys, so you guys know who Ron Clark is. So, um, he's, you know, Disney teacher of the year. He was on Oprah. He has a lot of books that are bestsellers. And then there was a movie made about him called The Ron Clark story, um, which tells the story of him going into an inner city school and helping students become successful. they were failing test scores and how to build their motivation and and higher low raise those expectations both academically but also behaviorally. So our staff has taken on um the
016RCA houses which is a program he created. Um, so we started this process last spring, um, and got everyone on board and then we went and saw Ron Clark speak and they all already had their books because I gave it to them at the end of last year. So, they got autographs, um, and got it signed and we all took a picture with him. Um, he was actually pretty excited to see how many people we brought over um, because it was our whole staff. We had we had a couple misss. um one Miss Ericson who was due to have a baby within like minutes and then also uh >> one of our teachers broke her ankle like 2 days before that so she didn't she opted not to go cuz she was afraid that she
017could um just wouldn't be a good day for her but everybody else got to go. Um and it was really it was really motivational and uplifting and exciting and it got us motivated to start the year off. Um, so since then, um, we've adopted four houses. Um, so the house system creates a positive family-like culture. I I kind of explained it to them when we brought it out as Harry Potter. You know, you you go in and the hat chooses what house you're in. So, it's kind of like that. The house chooses you. Um, and you go in in kindergarten and you're in that house until you leave. You you don't change houses. And staff is also in houses. every staff member from our monitors to our lunch ladies to our cleaners to teachers. The
018only one that doesn't get to be in the house is me because I'm in every house. Um but we have four houses. Um and our focus is on um creating a sense al with staff and students of belonging, pride, and purpose. Um fostering teamwork, leadership, and accountability. Um and encouraging healthy competition across our school. Um, we're working to strengthen relationships across grade levels and promote school spirit and provide consistent opportunities to recognize and uplift students for both their character but also their academic success. Um, so sorry. So the four houses we've chosen are Nucamorei which is the house of kindness, Altruismo the house of givers, Protos the house of success and Amistad the house of friendship. Um, and our teachers and students, as I said, are sorted into those houses and they stay in them.
019So, it was really fun um to watch our teachers, our our house leaders who were nominated by their co-workers, by their peers. I didn't choose them, their peers did, but to watch them present about their house was pretty funny. They got competitive in even that and made videos and stuff. It was it was really exciting to see. Um, so with that, we have house days. Once a month, we have a house day. This was our first house day. Um every all the kids wore their house colors and um our focus this month was really on the education of the housing system. Um we wanted them to learn about the virtues and characteristics of their house. Our next house day is coming up next week. So the teachers um planned a themed month based around unity,
020collaboration, and courage. Um we're working to build trust and encourage stu students to take risks and strengthen teamwork work across our school community. So every month we'll have a focus. Um we're also using this time to reinforce our social emotional skills and work on packs kernels and behaviors that we want to see throughout our school every day. Another awesome thing we have going on is last year we started our own YouTube channel Buzzing with Emerson. um this puts out a weekly video from our sixth grade students. They're the anchors. Um and so they create a video that goes out on Monday. Um in that video they introduce a PAX kernel and it we call it our mini vision Monday. So they watch it during their morning meetings. Um and then it also presents um a
021rule from Ron Clark's essential 55. So every week we introduce a new rule. Um we've hit a couple different ones so far. The first one was being humble. Um the second one was the power of eye contact. We also looked at uplifting classmates. Um and you know not bragging when you win, not pouting when you lose, those types of things. So each week we have a new one we take on. Um and on Tuesdays teachers revisit those topics during morning meetings. So they revisit whatever the kernel was or whatever that essential rule was just to kind of reiterate, you know, those those kindness and values that we want to distill in our students as they grow. Um and then let's see. And then we also include like pictures of things happening around the school. So
022like cross country, we put in those photos. Um when we had digger days, we put those photos in because the kids do love to see themselves on on screen. So, that's been a really fun part of our um school community and I encourage you to go check it out. Um, another thing going on with our culture and climate, um, we had our open house. So, I just want to thank um, a couple different community members. Um, we had some great partnerships show up for our open house. We had But Cares, um, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, um, Montana Tech Trio, Native Wellness came, the EPA came. Um, Subaru brought some school supplies for families in need. The YMCA came. Um, our SORS interventionist Craig was there to discuss what he does. Tresa Johnson, our school
023counselor was there to talk about what she does. Um, but Silverbo health department was there to off to share what um, opportunities there are in the community that we have available. And then KXLF was there and did an interview and um, spoke with a couple kiddos. There was a little news clip on that. So, um, but I think when I hit this arrow, it'll show a video just kind of showing you showcasing our open house. That was just a little snip from our open house for you. Um, our next few slides are going to focus more on community and family engagement. Um, so when I spoke to you last year, we were doing our first annual Indian Indian education fair. So these are just some pictures from last year's um, education fair. This was um
024such a great opportunity for us to really make sure that we were hitting Indian education for all. Um we did it in the morning with coffee for parents and we did have a good turnout but we wanted to up our game this year. So we're going to do it the night of parent teacher conferences. We have a book fair going on. We'll have the Indian education fair and then we also are going to have a literacy hunt going on throughout the building. So we're trying to encourage more foot traffic in to see all the positive things happening at our school. Um we also had our young athletes special Olympics which was a great opportunity for us to build in inclusion all throughout the school year. Um Miss Hooing Gay works with our um specialed self-contained
025kindergarten first grade class along with our early learning class and they go in the gym and they do different activities. But at the end of the year they have a final celebration. Um I do have another video. I know but it's darling. Um, so you're going to get to see the kids coming in and their parents there to watch them. And then it ends and after it ends, they do some obstacle courses one at a time. They get a certificate. They have a pizza party. And then our entire school kind of um celebrates inclusion by um pledging to spread inclusion in the school. So I'll just let you see that video. Those are little torches and they're little headbands. Kill me. >> [clears throat] >> Some of them go find their parents and then they're
026told they'll go with your class. It's cute though. So after this they do a couple songs and then they all get their chance to do to show their skills. They touch the cones and spin around and hop and it's really cute. And then another thing, this is this year's cross country meet. Um we took second place for spirit, which means um we had the second most participants, which was pretty exciting. We had 64 kids finish. Um I don't know how many of you are very familiar with cross country. I'm a cross country parent. Um, but it is comical to watch parents on a on a golf course chasing their kids from one spot to the other and you have all of these parents and they've even got the little kids with them. It it it's
027just so joyful. Um, and then when they all line up, all the schools and the parents are all standing behind them. We had one take off and within 10 feet she lost her shoe and she ran the whole thing without a shoe and I didn't know whose it was because of the mob. So, I just kept carrying it around and somebody eventually found me and they're like, "That's my shoe." So, it's just it's so much fun. Um, I do want to give a shout out to Mr. Hannie and Miss Johnson cuz without them, this wouldn't be possible. They volunteer their time after school to coach. Um, and it really does make a difference. And the kids showing up 64 is huge. So, the fact that they want to stay there and be with us after
028school, even after we're in the lunchroom yelling at them to behave, um, speaks volumes about the relationships that teachers have with these kiddos. Um, and then also, you know, Digger Walk to School Day is always a huge event. Um, we had athletes from, oh my goodness, football and track, cross country, basketball, volleyball. We had a plethora of different athletes there. Um, but when they show up to school and I have parents sending me pictures of their kids walking before I even get there, like I'm getting pictures before the kids are there before 8. So, it's pretty fun. Um, and then they all come in and do like a high- five um chain and go in and get their t-shirts and um instantly put them on right away. Um, they all want to wear them right
029away. So, that was um a fun community partnership that we the school district has with um tech. And then now I want to just take a minute to recognize um our teachers and students being amazing. Um there there were so many pictures to give you that I just it was really hard to pick a few. So instead what we did is we did a gift um with scents and we have calendars for each of you um with some toodles on top from our kiddos. Toodles are a part of PAX. I'm just thanking you for being school board members and everything you do to support the school district. Um we know it takes a lot of time and you really have to want to be here and so we appreciate that. Um all of the pictures
030are just happy celebration points that I just couldn't fit into the presentation of things that have happened all school year. Um, oh my there's just two jewelry and Henry up here so I can get and then I have this for you and so um so yeah, I just wanted to give you that and then just share out how amazing the teachers and students and staff are in our school because honestly I get to come up here and brag but it's not me doing it. All of this comes from everything that they're doing. Um and I can't speak highly enough about our staff. Um it it's a tough job. Um and it takes special people to continue to come in and do it every day. Um because there are days that are very defeating. But um
031getting to do this presentation was pretty special because we all got through the first term and we're starting to feel that burn and you know you go home and you're exhausted and you're like what am I thinking? What am I doing? and then you start putting a presentation like this together and you realize the impact you have and how much joy um this job brings for all of us. Um I am very grateful and thankful to be in the role I am and to work with the people I do and I do want to thank all of you for giving me that opportunity. Um but I just want to make sure that you know you realize how wonderful our staff is. um because we really are very blessed and they work together and everyone has
032such amazing intentions. Um and it comes across in all different ways because everyone has something different to give but as a whole it's a pretty special place to work and I'm very blessed to be there. Um sorry try not to get emotional. So um I'm going to end with a video. This is from team Nukamorei. Um the one of the house leaders is Miss Stenson and the other one is Miss um Alen Jonard. So, I'll just go ahead and play that video for you of their little cheer. All right. Well, and that's it. So, thank you for giving me time to brag. >> Thank you. >> Um, thank you, Mrs. Gallagher, and all of Emerson school. That was, um, awesome. Um, great things are going on with the Emerson kids. and um I'm just thrilled
033to to um and privileged to work with you guys and um only can wait for um what's to come. So, thank you very much for that great presentation. >> Thank you. I appreciate that, Miss Gallagher, very much. >> I just I'm excited to bring Toodles home to my fourth grader and say, "Guess what Dad got." [laughter] So, thank you for that. Next, Miss Jonard is going to give us an enrollment update. >> Um, thank you, Madam Chairman, members of the board. Um, we just, excuse me, certified our enrollment numbers today. And so, I was I had planned on doing a a graph and uh showcase, you know, a comparison, but we they just were certified today. So, I just have a couple of numbers to to share with you. Um and I'll bring forward a
034more um extensive comparison next month, but um for the elementarymentaries, we're down about 20 students. Um and just eyeballing it. And like I said, I'm just eyeballing these numbers. Our kindergarten class was um um low um lower than usual um um than over the last few years or several years, I should say. Um, I should also say that that's not an unusual thing. Um, I see that um, uh, we're seeing that across the the state with the doubleA's that the um, kindergarten enrollments were down. So, we're about 20 students down. Um, that would have been more devastating. However, we have 72 students in our prek school. So, that um, classroom, so that kind of um, helped a little bit with that enrollment drop. East Middle School is down 16 students from last year. Um, and
035that's because our sixth grade class um is was quite a bit smaller than our that eighth grade class that was going um going up to the high school. And then at the high school um level um we're down 38 kids. And that's attributable to although the um eighth grade class was bigger than the seventh grade or the sixth grade class coming in, it was significantly smaller than what we've experienced in the last couple of years in in uh um at the freshman level. So um I can dig deeper down exactly how many kids left and that kind of thing next month, but I wanted to give you an overall view of of basically where we're at with the enrollment numbers. These enrollment numbers are also very raw because they also do not include um you
036know like we say we're 20 down in um um in at the elementary level. However, that can be made up by um by the number of students who participated in our summer school program where we get a quarter of um of enroll um quarter of an A and B for those kids. we'll get um we'll get more um it'll lessen that impact. Also at the high school level, we have um a few um part-time students and also um some home uh student uh more basically their part-time students. Some are homeschooled students, some are u private school students taken to digital academy which helps our enrollment. And I'm not sure if we have anybody at the job court, but again uh those will also help um lessen that hit with um for A&B purposes. So again,
037this is just a rough overview of our enrollment. >> Thank you, ma'am. Any questions of Miss Jonard? >> Next, Miss Jonard is going to give us an election update. Um yes. Um um just quick review of that. Um House Bill 406 that was um passed last spring had it was had some updates on the election procedures. So first thing I want to say is that um calling for a school election um used to you used we used to have to do that 70 days prior to the regular school election. that was changed to now we have to call for that school election 145 days prior to the regular school election. So that means that we will bring forward if you remember we bring those resolutions in February you know um our election resolutions in February
038we'll be doing that in December this this year. Additionally we do um just as we did in prior years we still have the ability to amend those resolutions um up until 70 days prior to the election. So that that that part did not change. Uh the second part of House Bill 406 um um was uh when you are filing for a candidate candidates filing for um um to run as a for a trustee position um you can't do it any sooner than 145 days prior to the election or no later than 8 85 days um before the election. Used to be 40. Now you have to do it within 85 days. but not not any sooner than 145. So there um and I didn't I didn't really actually count the n the dates. So I
039will bring them forward next month. The exact date when you have to file by when you have to file. So that's the update on House Bill 406 that was passed last spring. >> Thank you, Miss Jonard. Next is Montana Youth Court Services Community Based Prevention Program Recognition Award. >> Madame Chairman, members of the board, I wanted to bring forward I thought this was a really really wonderful recognition at the Montana Youth Court Services annual conference and uh Tom, please um um jump in if I misre if I misspeak on this. um it was they recognized long-standing commitment to community-based prevention programs serving the youth of Montana and they they um awarded it or recognized um programs that had 10 or 10 or more years of of running and um and they were recognizing the dedication
040to safety, accountability and uh competency development that strengthened families supported positive youth outcomes and advanced our shared mission within the juvenile justice system. And the second judicial district youth court, our but high school student intervention program was recognized um for this uh [clears throat] um as one of those community-based prevention programs. Um our program has ran ran been running for close to 20 years and um it has funded our graduation coach and it has done some you know fabulous things and we've had a lot of success in that and um I can't thank this our partnership with the second judicial district youth court for allowing us to continue this and I just hope we have years and years of continued partnership with this group. >> Thank you, ma'am. Mr. Builty, >> I I would just
041echo what Judy said and just add that um we we we cut off we didn't cut off, we made the 10-year so that we had an opportunity to recognize long-standing programs. Obviously, there was 12 of them across the state that we were able to do. Coincidentally, several of those 12 are based off of the student intervention program that that U school district number one and the youth group services did many many years ago. Um I'm looking at Melissa over there. She was our our starting teacher at that point when Glenn Granger was my boss. And um I would just add that there was only I think there were three um two other programs that had that 20-year um acknowledgement. So again, just a huge kudos to uh to the school district and and youth court.
042I feel like I'm patting both sides of my my back here, but um yeah, that partnership and um just wanted to add that that yeah, we recognized 10 um but really wanted to show the appreciation for those three that were 20 years with us. >> Thank you. Thanks. >> Uh radio ads, Miss Jonard, attendance matters. >> Yeah, thank you madam chairman, members of the board. you know, uh, our focus this year, as it is every year, really have been, um, focusing on, um, attendance and getting back to, um, precoid years in terms of attendance matters. And we've we've done an uh, a we we've put out a a large campaign um, going forward. Um, as you know, you may have read the um the letter that I um sent with the water bills um that
043talked about just about um attendance awareness and how important it is and and some statistics that went home to every um household in the city. Um we also have done uh banners all all um across the in every elementary and middle school and high school. The banners are just a reminder that attendance does matter and it's important to be here all day every day. Uh we have uh the community action team that's headed by Mr. O'Neal. Uh they have also taken up um this is one of their goals. Um and um thankfully and they are working and have sent out posters to businesses and um and um reminding the importance of of how important it is to be um in school and the dangers of what chronic absenteeism can cause in terms of dropouts and
044being um not meeting benchmark at, you know, those third grade and middle school um levels and um not being benchmark in reading or math. Um they also um will be partnering with me uh with the but school district and helping us um get some buttons out that again just a awareness of how important it is to be in school and we're hoping to get those out to businesses where um um employees will wear them. You know if you go to a to go get a taco the employees wearing those or a McDonald's and the employees wearing them. So, we're hoping that we will get those buttons out um so um pretty soon. We also um we also did these radio um ads and I think they're and I wanted to have you hear them just
045in case you hadn't heard them on the radio yet. Um I just think they're awesome. The kids did them and um I just I think they were awesome. You needed I just was excited for you guys to hear these. Um they were done. Um the students from Hillrest East, but High School and Kennedy um and I want to thank Heather Buun. She came and she came to the schools and actually recorded and the kids didn't have to go to the radio station. And I think it's such a success that I'm going to work with Heather to to maybe do something every um every month and highlight them on these radio um ads. But um I just think they're awesome and I just want to thank the kids for stepping up and doing this and I
046hope you enjoy Thanks, Miss Jonart. They were excellent. They were awesome. Really good. >> I hope you I hope you enjoyed them. I thought they did an excellent job. So, thank you. >> Um, >> that was good. All right, Miss Jonart, first reading and review of policy. 100009 FE recruitment and retention. >> Madame Chairman, members of the board, this is a new policy. It's not the the the um the content really isn't new. It's things that we we that are in place by law and that we've been able to do, but we uh wanted to make sure that we have it in place as a a policy and it's part of the flexibility and efficiency policy and it has to do with recruitment and retention of um um instruction um teachers and administration. And what
047it does is um provide um uh um for example it provides for internships which we have taken advantage on multiple occasions for special ed special education teachers where we were short special ed teachers and they enter the internship program and were able to um meet um accreditation by having them participate in an internship and become and get um over Um, and it's a three-year internship and they get um fully endorsed at the end of that three years. It's a it's a really a partnership between OPI, the school district, and a university, one of Montana universities. Um, provisionally certified. We've also used that in the past. Class 5, those are as old as Hector um and um but uh where they are provisionally um certified. If you have a teaching certificate and you may not be
048um you may be uh you might want to be um you know become a math teacher but you already you know you might be a science teacher and you want to get that math endorsement you can uh get a class 5 as long as you are again in a approved program with the university and working towards that endorsement. Um the other um retired educators, this is new. This is new this year um from um uh the legislative session um that um that allows at one time they a a retired teacher was not able to um teach again until 150 days after they retired. They um reduce that to 120 days. And then um if there is uh a a real need um that is that is um reduced that where this the uh teacher can
049come right in if they can show that they are they can't fill a specific uh area you know um like for example if you're you're short of math teacher and you can't find anybody then you can immediately uh bring in that retired teacher also they can come in as mentors um immediately. They don't have to wait that 120 days um after they retire. So, some some really good thing things going on in that that new law that was passed last legislative session. Um it also talks about a class 3 administrative license um which are all the same uh procedures in place that that have been in place and in in law for several years but is now part of this policy. class 4 which is a CTE um that is a um that can where
050a class 4 where a person can teach career and technical education um that's a another pathway to being highly qualified teacher um and um there's also the um emergency authorization of employment. We have not done that. some school districts have. But again, if in need, we have that as a tool belt. Um uh um [clears throat] in or in order to be uh emergency authorized, the individual must have previously held a valid teacher or specialist certificate and have met some of the rules under 1057107. um it's only a uh valid for one year but it can be renewed from year to year provided that the continu um that the the uh situation is continued um to persist in those scarce areas. So again we haven't had to do that but um if the time occurs
051we'll have that in policy. Um so um the uh those are the basics of this policy. Any questions? >> Thanks, Miss Jonard. Next, first reading and review of policy 2334, release time for religious instruction. Madam Chairman, members of the board, um 2334, um uh we used to the law used to say that upon written request, a student's parent or guardian renewed at least annually, a student, uh may be released from regular school attendance for the purpose of receiving an off-campus religious instruction. Um now the law says must. So, um, upon a request of a student's parent or guardian renewed at least annually, a student must be released for a regular school attendance for the purpose of receiving an off-campus religious instruction for a period of 1 hour. Um, it's uh 5 hours or I think
052it's 1 hour per week. Excuse me. It should be 1 hour per week. um uh early release of a student for the purpose of religious instruction will not adversely affect the students enrollment status or attendance uh record. Uh so they would not be counted uh as uh absent in those they would be in excused absence. So that's a change from that law. >> Thank you ma'am. First reading and review of policy 3141, non- studentent non-resident student enrollment, the application for out of district attendance, out of district attendance agreement and fostering group home student attendance. >> Okay, madam chairman, members of the board, these are just some some um little bit of changes that needed to be um completed for uh under 3141. Um um it should state um we had to change the date from
05324 to 25 from 25 to 26. Um on that policy um we had to add language in there um that um the district shall notify the parent or guardian of the child and district of residents involved in the out of district attendance agreement of the anticipated date for approval or disapproval of the agreement application by the board of trustees. So that have to do these people have to be notified and that that information is consistent with our other policy of 3600. Um the other change in this another change in this policy is um when reviewing and determining whether to approve an application for attendance by a non-resident child, the superintendent or the design shall recommend for approval and board of trustees shall approve the application unless the approval of the application will negatively impact the
054quality of education for resident pupils by grade level by school or in the district in the aggregate in one or more of the following ways. And the thing that they added to this was that if it the maximum student contact hours for a teacher of the class or maximum class sizes under accreditation standards of the board of public education. So it cannot go over the maximum. If you allow an a student from out of district to enter into the district, it can that's numbers cannot um go over the maximum student contact hours for a teacher or um maximum class sizes. So that was added to the policy. Um then there was a a a few things. Um in the event the district receives more in in if if we ever came to the situation where
055we have more applicants than what we can we can um take um as in terms of numbers of teachers and class sizes. Um district receives more applications than the district can accommodate. The district shall prioritize applications on the basis of the quality of education for students or residents of the district of attendance as defined by the district strategic plan. This priority may include applications from students whose parents are employees of the district, applications from previously enrolled students with demonstrated good behavior, and children with siblings who have previously enrolled in the district as non-resident students. So you can use those criteria as choosing um prioritizing that list if it ever comes to that if we ever had to because uh start a waiting list. Um the last piece, well not the last piece, the the there
056was a section that was added to this. Um they added the transportation section that was always just in the forms and again it didn't change any of the uh procedures that we will we do with out of district um students. We do not we do not pre provide transportation and um but that that part is on the form piece and they um suggested and recommended that we include that transportation language within the policy itself. So that's um that's been added to the policy. And then finally they have um we um there added cross references of policy 2158 uh policy 2413 policy 3125F and policy 3150 and um and a legal reference the resident's rules of determining um 1-1-215 of the Montana code annotated and then 10-10 uh 10301 out district attendance agreements. So that was
057that's the changes in that uh policy. Thank you. Any questions? First reading and review of policy 3612 district provided access to electronic information services equipment and networks and internet access and equipment using conduct conduct use agreement. >> Okay. So, madam chair, members of the board, um bear with me a little bit. This is a little bit uh lengthy. 3612 uh just district provide access to electronic information service equipment and networks. What they did basically is what we're going what we're doing is we're pretty much reducing and con um uh making the policy more concise. So, a lot of it, a lot of the extra language was cut out and um new language was added to be more concise and more uh easier to read policy. Um so, the first couple of paragraphs were um uh
058struck out and we added the language. The district expects all students to take responsibility for appropriate and lawful use of this access, including good behavior online. The district may withdraw student access to its equipment network and to the internet when any misuse occurs. District teachers and/or other staff will make response reasonable efforts to supervise and use the use of equipment network and internet access. However, student cooperation is vital in exercising and promoting responsible use of this curric of this access. Um nothing in the curriculum piece has changed. Um the one thing that we did cross out um for accept under acceptable uses is um section E and under section E we had said um in our policy we had said students are prohibited from using email. Um that's no longer the rule. So we cross
059that out. Um students are um have access for email. So what we what it should read now under E is uses that violate the academic honesty requirements of policy 3310P2 including but not limited to the use of district networks or equipment to access artificial intelligence or other online resources without prior authorization of the classroom teacher for the purpose of engaging in academic dishonesty. So now that's what uh is new in under section E. Um the old um under internet safety that old language was crossed off and what it did was um uh just um again ma uh combined it and was made it more concise um to read. Oh, bear with me so I can get my um sorry, excuse me. Um, under violations violations of this policy will result in the loss of access
060and may result in other disciplinary or legal actions. The principal will make all decisions regarding whether a user has violated this policy and related rules or regulations and may deny, revoke or suspend access at any time with that decision being final. Um, so that was added to it. So that's the policy itself. Then under I think what's right then under uh 3612 procedure all that was changed there was more cross references were added. The legal references were changed cross reference to policy 2050, policy 2168, policy 2170, policy 2170p and policy 3650, policy 3650 F1. So that was the changes to um policy 3612P and then 3612F again. Uh just more legal uh references again. Um nothing else changed other than the legal reference. um um under M Montana code annotated duties and sanctions and then
061references of 2050 policies 2050, 2168, 2170, 2170p, 3650 and 3650 F1. So those were the references on math. Any questions? All right, Miss Jonart, proof reading and review policy 3650, pupil online personal information protection. >> Hey, Madam Chairman, members of the board. On this 3650, there was the definition um that was changed to include definitions K12 school purposes means activities that customarily take place at the direction of a school teacher or school district or aid in the administration of school activities including but not limited to instruction in the classroom or at home. administrative activities and collaboration between pupils, school personnel or parents or that are for the use and benefit of a school. The term does not include courses that are provided for the purpose of postsecary credit or work-based learning courses provided by a
062work-based learning partner pursuant to 20-7-1510. So basically um that um new definition was included on the PU pupil online personal information protection policy. Additionally cross references included the addition to um of 37 policy 3235 video surveillance 3612 school provided access to electronic information services equipment and networks. that that procedure and the form that we just went over um was added to that policy. Thank you, ma'am. And now, Miss Biline Kathy Miloitch Marvin Hines award from himself. >> Uh thank you, Madam Chair. I have actually have a script, so we're going to make sure I'm short and sweet with this, but um uh last week at our um Montana Conference on Education Leadership, uh Miss Milo Dragovich was honored along with several other distinguished trustees from across the state with the Marvin Hines Award. Uh the
063highest recognition individual recognition offered through the Montana School Board Association's Board Academy program. Uh, this word marks the attainment of gold level certification, signifying that Kathy has completed at least 96 hours of approved training and professional development in schoolboard governance, leadership, policy, and community engagement. This, excuse [clears throat] me, this accomplishment is more than a record of training. It's a reflection of Kathy's deep commitment to continuous learning, effective leadership, and service for for and and to our students and community. Uh through her years on this board, Kathy has exemplified what it means to lead with purpose, compassion, and integrity. Her dedication helps raise the bar for all of us, and our district is stronger because of her insight, energy, and steadfast commitment to doing what's best for kids. Uh Kathy, at this time, on behalf
064of the board, uh the administration, and our entire community, school community, as well as Montana School Board Association, uh we congratulate you. We thank you for your exceptional service, your leadership, and for helping us move forward together for the benefit of every student. Uh if folks want to give a round of applause for Broadway, >> thank you. >> And I did my best to keep it clean with my stuff. Yes. >> Congratulations, Kathy. Thank you. >> Congratulations, Kathy. >> Thank you. sincerely appreciate that. >> Thank you. I public comment on items not on the agenda. Anyone wishing to speak on any matter not on the agenda may step forward now. Please identify yourself before you begin. I must caution anyone wishing to speak. You may not discuss personnel issues, student issues, or pending litigation during
065the comment session. Due to time constraints, each speaker will be allowed 3 minutes. Do we have any public comments on any items not on the agenda? Hearing none, we will move on to approval of payroll claims, budget transfers, revenue reports, budget versus actual reports, travel requests, and school budget reports. Motion from trustees. >> Move to approve. >> Is there a second? >> It has been moved and seconded. Trustees have any questions? >> Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. I >> I. All those opposed? Motion passes. Approval of the amended par for September 22nd, 2025. Miss Jonard. Madam chair, members of the board, I'm asking you for your approval to amend for the amended par that was submitted on September 22nd, 25 2025. And the change was um one of just a change
066of the start date for one of the classified personnel. >> Motion from trustees. >> So move. >> Is there a second? Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Do trustees have any questions? >> Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed? Motion passes. Next, Miss Jonard, approval of the PAR for October 20th, 2025. >> Madame Chairman, members of um the board, I ask for your approval of the following PAR. We have one retirement certified personnel, one retirement. Under classified, we have 16 appointments. Under leave of absence, we have one. We have four resignations. Under classified personnel, we have um 30 supplemental appointments. Uh we [clears throat] have one resignation and we have one removal for inactivity. May I appreciate your approval. Motion from trustees. >> Yes, sir.
067Second. Second. >> Has been moved and seconded. Do trustees have any question regarding the park for October 20th? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. All those opposed. Motion passes. Second reading and approval of policy 2100 school year calendar and day. Miss Jonard. Madam Chairman, members of the board, um um request your approval of policy 2100 as presented last month. >> Motion from trustees. So move. >> Is there a second? >> Been moved and seconded. Do trustees have any questions? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. All those opposed. Motion passes. Second reading and approval of policy 2150, suicide awareness and prevention. Miss Jonart. >> Madam Chairman, members of the board, I'm asking your approval um of policy 2150 as presented last month. >> Motion from trustees.
068>> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Has been moved and seconded. Do trustees have any questions? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. All those opposed? Motion passes. Second reading and approval of policy 2165 early targeted intervention 2165F early targeted intervention consent. Motion from trustees. Oh sorry Miss Jonar. >> Madam chairman again um ask for your approval of the policy 2165 and the form for early intervention as presented last month. >> Motion from trustees. Is there a second? >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Any questions, Miss Jonard? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. Second reading and approval of policy 2335, Human Sexuality Instruction and identity instruction. 2335F-1, Human Sexuality Instruction and identity instruction.
069Annual notice 2335 F-2 Human Sexuality and Instruction and Identity Instruction. 5 to 14 notice 2335 F3 human sexuality instruction and identity instruction. Miss Jonard. >> Madam Chairman, members of the board, I would ask for your approval of policy and 2335 F1, F2, and F3 as presented last month. >> Motion from trustees. >> Is there a second? It has been moved and seconded. Any questions? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. Second reading and approval of 2450 Indian education for all. >> Miss Jonah. >> Madame Chairman, members of the board, I ask for your approval of policy 2450 as uh presented last month. >> Motion from trustees. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? It has been moved and seconded. Do trustees have any questions?
070Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. All those opposed. Motion passes. Second reading and approval of policy 3655, food safety. Miss Jonard. >> Madam chairman, members of the board, I ask for your approval of policy 3655 as presented last month. >> Motion from trustees. >> Is there a second? >> Second. It's been moved and seconded. Any questions? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. Second reading and approval of policy 5120P, hiring process and criteria, federal background check, fingerprints and information handling procedure. Miss Jonard. Madam Chairman, members of the board, I ask um your approval of policy 5120P um as presented last month and hopefully this is the last time we'll be bringing that one forward. >> Motion from trustees. >>
071So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Any questions? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. All those opposed? Motion passes. Second reading on approval policy 5122 fingerprints and criminal background investigations. Miss Jonard. >> Madam chairman, members of the board, I ask for your approval of policy 5122 um as approve as uh presented last month. >> Motion from trustees. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Any questions? >> Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed? Motion passes. Second reading and approval of policy 5252, notice of non-renewal of non-tenure teachers for financial reasons. Miss Jonard. >> Madam chairman, members of the board, I ask for your approval of policy
0725252 as presented last month. >> Motion from trustees. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Do trustees have any questions? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. All those opposed? Motion passes. Approval of the 2025 2026 board goals. Miss Jonart. >> Madam Chairman, members of the board, um uh I'm asking for your approval of the board goals that were um determined during your work session last last month. >> Motion from trustees. Is there a second? >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Do we have any questions? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. Approval to go to bid for replacement of Nanchi turf. Miss Jonard. >> Madam chairman, members of the board,
073I'm writing to formally request your approval to solicit bids to upgrade the turf at Nanchi Field. The current turf has reached the end of its recommended lifespan and is showing signs of wear it may impact both safety and performance. I appreciate your consideration to this request. Motion from trustees. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. Any questions to Miss Jonart? Mr. Billy. More curiosity. Is there any like instate providers or is it just presumed that this is an out ofstate type of looking for someone to replace that? Um, Madam Chairman, members of the board, I believe they're all out of state providers, but I don't I'm not 100% sure on that, but we will solicit bids from everybody, frankly. >> Thank you. >> Any further questions? Hearing none.
074All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed? Motion passes. Approval to host a Special Olympics state basketball tournament 26 2026 through 2028. Miss Jonard. >> Um Madam Chairman, I think um Mr. Miller is here. >> Yes. Steer. >> Oh, there he is. Mr. Miller. Ste. Madam chair, members of members of the board, before you is a um is a request from Montana Special Olympics uh from BU school district to uh host the the uh um the next three um state special Olympic state tournaments. Um we were the host uh three years ago. uh we we uh part of our tenure as a host got uh um got got mixed up in COVID um and so so they've come back to us again um with the opportunity. Um they're very very
075excited with the potential but they're already excited about the the the fundraising potential. Um, this is a a foundation piece for for all of our unified champion schools that we we that we uh we have here at Eastston and and encompasses our our whole school district. Um, I've also be I've also agreed to sign on as as a games director for those three years. So, um, we'll have a little bit better control as well. >> Thank you, sir. Did I have a motion from trustees? >> Move to approve. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Been moved and seconded. Do you have any further questions to Mr. Miller or Miss Jonart? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. >> Motion passes. Approval of 2025 2026 pre-employment
076transition services contract. Miss Johnson. >> Madame chair, members of the board, I'm asking your approval to join a contract with the preets improvement program. Um, this program will help us get some funds for students to try to start more work-based learning in our schools. Um, in addition, we'll also help with this 22-year-old. Hopefully, we can get some funds to maybe help support some of these students along with our resource room students um getting them some pre-employment opportunities before they hit the real world. And it's not very nice. Um, so we're going to work on employability in our schools, employability in our partners, and um some job shadowing, internships, and different options for these kids that are paid and unpaid. >> Motion from trustees. >> Is there a second? It has been moved and seconded. Do
077you have any questions, Miss Johnson, regarding the transition services contract? Hearing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Motion passes. And thank you, Miss Johnson, for your work on that one. We are at the end of our meeting, so I would entertain a motion to adjourn. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> It has been moved and seconded. All those in favor of German, please say I. >> I. >> All those opposed. Don't ever. >> Thanks everybody. Appreciate your time. >> Thank you everybody.