December 2025 Board Meeting

001smile. >> Yeah, I'll go ahead and call the meeting to order. We do have a quorum. Everyone's here except Cole. Mrs. Papowous, you can lead us in the Aliance to the flag of the United States of these guests, please. >> Yes, absolutely. We have Look at the minutes and have a motion in a second. >> I will move to approve the minutes. Second move and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. There any discussion or questions? Those in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed next to the review of the claims account. All right. You'll look on the first page. Got a few to go over this evening. About halfway down is item 2044. We'll see their hospital. Yeah, that's a monthly trainer fee for a Lisa. You just have any questions about that. That's

002$3,743.20. That's what we pay monthly for a Lisa to work with our student athletes. Little further down, item 2447, of course, our one of our Mastercard expenses. You can see the total for that's 13,979 a fair chunk of that amount. Item six underneath there toward the bottom of the page, you'll see bus parking supply about $81.74. Transportation usually takes up a fair amount that I'm coming to kind of notice patterns and expenses. We do have a healthy transportation account. However, that that amount does not concern me. Any questions on page one. Moving on to page two. Got the middle page item 2449 building line and body Stan McGee. That's for $10,926.40. That's uh payment for pre-settlement assistance, consulting travel hours, reimbursement and bias assistance with the uh AC building. Any questions on that or anything

003else on that? Okay, move on to the next page. Now, phrase number three, I don't have anything specific on this page to point out, but I'm happy to answer any questions about any of the items that you see. Page four near the bottom item 20 energy. Now, it's that time of year when our electric bills start going up a little bit. So, it's $9,646.90. Put a gas in there, too. Gas, electric combination, Northwest questions. Anything else on page four? We'll move on to page five. Anything specific to come out on page five? Again, questions about any items you see listed. Answer to the best of my ability. Hey, moving on to page six. do have some on page six or our our final page. First one, top of page there, item 2480, US Bank, $122,900.

004That's for the bond payment. That's interest only on the bond payment. And speaking with Suzanne, we I guess we we typically make two payments per year, once around June and once around December. June payment I believe goes to the principal and the second payment of center payment goes to interest. We still got till when 2036 on that >> 17 >> somewhere somewhere thereabouts >> that other that smaller one >> that was stings a bit but it was expected. And then near the bottom of the page there, item 2486, the efforts in energy. This is our our major one of our major gas bills. So that's $3,164.90. That brought up a total of 48 claims a month and 44 vendors for a grand total of $189,92. major chunk of that being the bond investment. And the

005last kind of the breakdown to show you it was all paid out. General fund breakdown transportation debt service is where the bond payment came from. Some building I believe you probably use for dam right Suzanne. Uh-huh. Yes, it is. >> Yes. Real small amount buildings are hooked to miscellaneous super tiny amount of traffic starting questions on the claims. Anything comes to mind before our January meeting. Suzanne will be paying the amount to ES9. We have the one big check has arrived and the attorneys have the second check and they're waiting for it to clear before they send it to us and we received the $90,000 check today. Right. Well, I think once everything clears of our learning, we have 15 days to to pay them and we already approved that at our last meeting. So,

006we'd be good to go. Anybody have any questions on the claims and accounts? >> So move to approve the pay of claims move and second to pay the claims and accounts. Is there any question or discussion? Those in favor say I. I. Okay. Next is public comment. Rob. All right. [laughter] Say something. >> I was going to ask Josh. Um, pa is up under public comment if you want to move Ashley or Ryan up any further. Sure. Cat after we get down to page. you wanted to speak. Do your due please. >> Um I along with Ellie Curry are just the adviserss for our hope squad and this is a new program that we have here at BCHS. Um it's something that was installed in the middle schools and so it's something that's new here

007but kids have seen it. So we have 13 members that were all nominated by their peers and then we have initiated a couple of things so far. We've really just kicked it off within the past couple of months. Um, but our first thing that the kids wanted to do was really bring in hope, especially around times of holiday seasons where kids might start to feel um negatively about mental health or their situations and so on. So, they did a hopeful hand turkey um poster where all of the students wrote down something that they were hopeful for and put it on the walls trying to spread cheer and good vibes really. Um and we put out a raffle for kids sort of to incentivize that activity. And then they are doing an angel tree sort of

008like a giving tree and it's combined with um borix coalition. And so they're going to ask all students who may need things, whether that's clothes, food, hygiene products, um to scan a QR code and sort of fill out those things and then 406 would donate those items. And this would be totally anonymous for those students so that they don't feel pressure. Um but really that's what we have started and then they'll go through QPR training which is like the suicide prevention training. Um, and we'll just keep rolling, trying to keep positive vibes and um, promote our creative culture at the school. So, I just wanted to give you guys an update where we're at with Hope Squad. [clears throat] >> Um, we did have a Christmas card from Sweet Enterprises that they all signed wishing

009us to have a merry Christmas. >> Okay. Which [laughter] Okay, Ryan, you want to go ahead and go first? >> Well, thank you for letting me speak on behalf of our um a great partnership last year with our um shared space of the welding um shop and classroom. Um, the feedback from both Caleb Igo and our welding instructor, Cassidy, um, they worked well together. I think it was overall better than I think anybody could have expected as far as, um, asking someone in their classroom to to be in their space to use um, shared equipment and and usage. So, we really appreciate that. as we're building our program, we are asking to uh lease that space again. Um the first year we used federal Carl B. Perkins funds um and we wrote into the grant

010a certain lease amount and as Carl B. Perkins funds goes, they rarely give money a second time for the same use. um generously we we were able to we had to not ask for the full funds for the lease that we used last year. Um but they were still generous in allowing us to use those funds for the same exact activity. Again, that's rare for Carl B. Perkins to allow that, but it is less than what we had written our lease for for the first year. So last year it was a $20,000 piece to um share the space for about 12 weeks. That's two to three nights per week. Um couple weeks were not meeting weeks. Um several hours each night, like two to three hours each night. Um that same schedule is in place

011for this spring. >> [clears throat] >> Um we addressed 13 students last year between community members and Western students. This year um enrollment's a little bit slower. We're at five uh two community members, three high um excuse me, Western students. So we haven't realized those numbers yet. Um, but we are asking 13 or for you guys to consider uh a lease agreement of $13,000. We are we did look to see if there were additional funds that we could um sweeten that pot. Um unfortunately there isn't and we're you know we're just we're unwilling to put that on the backs of the students because it's already a 15 um let's see about yeah $1,500 for a community member which is the same for our Western students. So um we have committed to try and um write

012grants to get new equipment um that's been in place last year. Um we can look at that again. Um, I know that's not the same amount. Um, I tried to look at leasing shop space, welding equipment, and the best numbers that I could find. Um, and I'm happy if anybody else can come up with numbers. Um, I'm not exactly sure what the square footage of the shop is, but I took about 1,200 square feet. Um, on the high end, about $500 a week. Um that's about $5,000 for 10 weeks. Um we know there's wear and tear in the equipment. That's why we try to do a large lease. Um you know, hopefully we would never have to replace a whole um welding unit. Uh we talked about that last year. In the event that that

013catastrophic event did happen, Western would honor that um outside of the the lease. But we are um kind of at that pinch point where 13,000 for the lease agreement is really what our funds can bear. Um we realize that if that isn't something that the school district can accept because of that difference I'm sure we completely understand that and and honor that. Um but that's kind of where we're at with with our funds and what we were able to do on that. So, um, we we just want to be very respectful of partnership and we really value it, but we also understand if if that isn't quite enough to make that partnership, um, stick for this this year. Um, I did share with the administration that we'll have a uh that class starts January 26

014or 8. Um, and we'll have to know if it's a go or a no-go earlier in January so that you guys know uh if that's that's approved and we were able to go forward. If not, we'll we'll have to maybe table that course and and go back to our own drawing tables to see where we go um for future. So, we really appreciate your consideration. I'm happy to answer any questions that we have um or follow up with anything. uh the insurance the umou that we used last year all those copies are with uh superintendent Patterson for review um we would just change that number from 200 appreciate your consideration I'm happy to answer any questions so I did meet with Ryan we met a couple times and we talked back and forth we didn't

015really meet again until this past Friday. Didn't have a whole lot of time. Um, so I I've spoken with Mr. Igo, it's been a few weeks. I spoke with him and sharing what he shared with me. If I remember him correctly when I mentioned to him about the decrease from at least in 13,000, he was disappointed. I I would say that I'm disappointed as well just because I can't realistically think a facility you're going to get leased for that amount of time that's as nice as what we have. And I do believe he mentioned that there was a mobile unit that could have been leased that was more expensive than $20 we charged last year. Nowhere near as as nice or as lower. So that's just something to consider. doesn't mean I'm I would be

016opposed. It just means that boy would it be a Christmas gift. I think that would actually did this. Um, I do think it'd be important that uh there been something in writing in thatou to give us some peace of mind that if a unit did go out, West would cover that the expense of it and I think I would feel a little better about >> it not currently in the MLU. >> I I don't I didn't >> didn't see it, but I mean I could have I certainly could have overlooked it. >> I know that was something that Megan Caleb the Rob, we were all addressed last year and definitely very important factor. Um, and that could easily be double checked and if it's not in there, consider how that would it could be written

017in there. Um, >> and it may I say that could [clears throat] >> as far as the mobile unit that is the place that we started first that we're looking. It is extremely cost prohibitive. Um is why we went to planning to even order in the first place to to Yeah. And you know, you're correct. There's not a whole lot of shops out there that just willing to to rent that space. But um yeah, full disclosure of where we're at with where where our funds are or importantly where they are not. So >> Ryan, do you have any idea if we did go ahead and approve it this year what next year would look like at this point? Is that >> Yeah. So our original plan, it's a three-year plan where we would have um

018year three um we have we're in the works of revisiting it, but uh Harington Pepsilium by company have um we have discussed using one of their shops. It's across from Pivots Plus. um for exactly this a welding and kind of construction of trades building if you will um that those discussions were in work about four years ago. They're currently being used for storage while one of our buildings is under construction which is due to be complete this spring and that moved out and then we would have to upgrade and invest in those upgrades for you know a full shop. So, our goal is to be self-sufficient. Um, and the goal was a three-year plan. Um, there's still work to be done of that. So, I can't say that that's going to happen in 2027. So,

019hard to say that. Um, that would be our next target time when we would offer offer a welding. We're really still trying to de determine the demand. um we don't see welding class being offered more than once a year at this time. Um so that's kind of the plan that we're looking at trying to realize the reality of the supply and the labor. >> Anyone else have any questions for Ryan thoughts? We certainly want to be a good neighbor to Western if we can, but at the same time not enough money. I mean, that's something we'll have to talk about, discuss, I guess. >> Yeah, it's really really bored, I think. And it's a few kind of a moment that we we have some some coverage. If there's any kind of loss that would be

020expensive to replace and recover, um I think with Gary that it's nice and we can all work together. I think West M is a good partner to have and uh I'm sure they would I would hope they'd be willing to help us out down the road if we got a situation where we needed some kind of similar help or assistance. um just have to take next year to see what happens next year. But uh again, I think that's a I don't know if I'm going to make a recommendation one or the other. I think Mr. Igor would be fine. Just some talking with him that he enjoys participating and being part of the program. Be a little disappointed because a lot of that funding gets funded the majority I think Suzan gets funneled right back

021into the program, doesn't it? Yeah. So that eats into their projected budget quite a bit. But uh they have a they have a one of the more healthy budgets of any of our wells or just programs in general and they have they also have a high enrollment. I think justifies that as well justifies that funding. So, I I could see going in either way, but I I'd love to hear what if you think is as trustees. I think it's it's forever. We help them, they help us, we help them, they help us. This isn't the first, it won't be the last. If 13,000 is agreeable to Mr. Igo, if it's enough to cover the expenses and give us a little bit To me, it just makes sense because whenever men's basketball couldn't practice last week

022because there was a they could, but they had to practice at different times. So, they go use the gym at Western, there's no fee. There's no cleaning fee. It happens. This is just one example. This type of stuff happens all the time. I'm not saying we should do it as a deficit if it's going to cost us money. But if it's absolutely going to bring us the money to me, it just is makes complete sense. That's just I guess I agree, you know, especially covered in theou if they would replace something and think about ruined or damaged severely. Um, you know, I mean, they were instrumental in getting Vigilantic Field to the high school for no fee. At one time they were talking a million dollars is what they were thinking we were going to

023have to pay, you know, we got it for nothing. So, I'm I'm like Rox saying, if we could help the college and help some of the kids and some of the town's people and Mr. I goes okay with it and we're not losing money on it. I think personally I think it's fine. Anybody else? >> Sorry. Super important to me. Um and a level of comfort. I think I think it comes down to those two things. the relationship is incredibly important and trying to maintain that good partner in that relationship I think is incredibly valuable for this community. So I agree as long as it and then we can at least break them and feel like we're covered if there's something catastrophic. >> Anybody else? I agree on Cambridge. >> Do you think Caleb's okay

024with it? Yes. Okay. maybe a little disappointed but then I think it's important to maintain the goodwill and hope share that so give us some value points with western and hopefully hope for continued partnership as we move into the future and Chris any thoughts or comments >> I agree with everybody else >> I just trying to read the MU to see if about replacement. >> No, I didn't even >> Yeah, I agree. As long as we're not in a deficit, Mr. W is key. Would the board consider entertaining a motion with the contingent of that uh placement of the new of the new equipment into the do it now or we want wait till action items to do it or can we go ahead and recogn Now, not so good. I want you to know

025we have to wait. That would be >> Ryan. Do you have any idea if we had to or not had to if we mix medicine again in a year from now moneywise what it's going to look like? >> I would recommend that we reconvene hopefully in May um and maybe start those talks early and kind of see that'll also probably position us better to know what our next steps are long term. Um and then also provides much more time behind for all of those things whether there's talks about hard dollars or maybe exchange through mutual grant writing for equipment replacement costly tips. I think there are other ways we can leverage if we can't move that dollar amount um more significantly. And I also want to note that um we also pay for the cost

026of like the gas. Um those things are outside of the lease dollars, the consumables. Um Caleb then invoices us for an amount in that house that got $20,000. So those things that we know will happen um on a regular basis. And then the the horse feet or any materials, hard materials, metal, that's to paint the stuff. The stuff that is not going to change out gas um you just build space on. So >> So that's all in addition to the 13,000. >> Yeah. 13 is just purely space. The rest we invoice being invoiced on and then work. And then Caleb also gets a contract for the extra work that we're asking him to do um coordinating efforts with our Those are all established as of last year as well. But I would say we should

027be convening um as a as a group um postc course uh in May when we have more foresight into the future um and and work a little bit more now that we would hopefully have two years under below assuming we do get our numbers where we need them to be and we move forward. >> Will you guys um not offer it if you don't get 10 kids? So, [clears throat] um, that is the the question. Um, we're more like an incubator through the school of outreach. Uh, the business department is fully on it now. And so, we're just, um, it's a couple of conversations through different people. Um, and we have different approaches at college of how we do it. So, um, I'd like to see that us go whether my I didn't get that

028answer yet today where that sweet spot is. Normally it's default to 10, but with a course like this where we don't have 20 or 25, we would never go that many on a course like this. Um, I want to know where that sweet spot is. We might be at that sweet spot and everything's ready to go. So I can keep communication lines open with everyone so that we know exactly where we're at as soon as someone would like to make a motion and include the catastrophic approve addition contingent upon the addition of a recovery for equipment loss or failure that should equipment loss or failure method that it is uh that uh western covers expense to repair or replace sound >> it can draft off some language so we make sure we have it right

029>> they would obviously have to agree on it too it's just I think feel a lot better if we had chance that have pretty slim but just in case [clears throat] you have that down. >> I'll make that motion. Second it make that motion. >> Is there any more discussion or questions? >> All those in favor say I. >> I say passes unanimously. Thank you, Ryan. >> I I appreciate I know it is a difficult decision. I appreciate your your guidance and I'll follow up with some language that we can make sure is agreeable to both. >> Thank you very much. >> Yeah, I guess it would be okay. start with your reporting. >> Okay. So 6.1 is rich health for us. You see I kind of had a short little narrative there. I've also

030asked Ashley to join us out tonight from Mountain View Insurance. She's our really helped us in the consulting capacity on this and it's been ch changed again today. It's just we got email today on some things. Not all this is what's reported here is is accurate. Um but we did get some quotes on pre plans. Uh roughly a 7% decrease in the premium cost. Now some of the deductibles fluctuated, some went up, some went down. Overall, it looks like there could be some cost signals and they're still kind of working through this. This is more of an update than anything else. One of the big hang-ups is there's it's a five-year commitment that's written in the law bill. That's what our legislators wanted to to ensure the viability of the trust. They felt like they

031made it any shorter of a term that people might get scared and jump ship. So I can understand the logic in doing you either join or you don't. If you join, you got to stick with it uh to make sure that the trust survives. So that was one of the drawbacks. The other the other thing would be that there was a runout clause. So technically language in the contract or in the agreements said that after the third year one and year four you could leave the thrust. However, you have to pay out runout fees. What that means is any claim that you incurred during that term, the district would be responsible for covering. Well, guess what? As of today, that's apparently gone, too. Amazing. And this is why I've asked for actually come in as

032backup as somebody who is does this for living is more well verssed than myself. So she can kind of explain a little bit maybe to add to what's going on. I did reach out. I had um Angela sit in Angel or our teacher sit in on one of the uh meetings zoom meetings that I had with representative from Russ so the BFT could be informed. I've also been in email communication with John and they have a uh do have three members of an insurance committee and I thought it might be wise as a boarding consider couple board members being willing to sit down um and discuss this so we can make an informed decision. We we don't have a long time to wait to make a decision but we do have some time. Um, I

033should also mention that within the past two weeks, we've starting to see some dominoes fall. Um, East Helena has agreed to join. Whiteall has agreed to join. Livingston has agreed to join. Um, Shields Valley, it's going they're considering January. And so, we're starting to see some pieces fall. No DA to my knowledge has decided to yet. However, I should also explain that the DA's are in a tier of their own. They're in a separate tier. Everybody A and under is in a different tier. And so it's it's that separate tier that we're starting to see other school districts, comparable districts join. The ones that got my attention the most was uh East Ta with uh with Dan Reskins. I haven't known him very long, but he's the few times I have been heard him speak.

034He's he's pretty impressive. Really knows his stuff. he asked the right kind of questions. And so that got my attention. More so than that was Whiteall because um their superintendent I think her name is Hannah. >> Hannah sits on the board of public ed. >> So that got my attention and so I just wanted to be able to kind of give you an update and share. But Ashley, you want to kind of provide a little summary of the roller coaster and some of the questions that we still have? I mean, there's a lot of risk out there still. And so, I am surprised some of these districts jumping when technically we have probably until the February board meeting to make a decision if we really wanted to wait that long. >> Um, yeah, thank you.

035Um, thank you for having me. Um, just some thing I just want to be very clear. I am not 100% for the trust, but I'm not 100% against it either. Of course, I want something like this to work. Um, it is important for you to understand the five-year commitment does not guarantee anything either. So, if you sign a five-year commitment, your renewal is not capped. Okay? That's nowhere in the agreements, nor can it be. Um, because each individ this first year, each individual school was rated on their own. So, they took our plans, our rates, because we're age rated, so we don't have claims that they're rating on. So they took our plans and our rates and came up with something to give us rates. That's how it was. School district number 10 is different.

036Sheridan schools is different. Two of schools is different. Okay. Um the pooling concept of a trust does not come into play until year one and two. Okay. So we're not pulled with anybody yet. Um [clears throat] it has been a little bit of a roller coaster in trying to get things answered. um because what has been said in the agreements has also been not said or said on a phone call in a different um way. So um it is it's been a challenge to get some things in writing um when it's been said on phone calls of webinars which agents are not on webinars so with the schools or anything um it's always the trust directly with the school or a group of schools and superintendants. Um so we don't know what's said on the

037calls. We only know what we get in writing. Um as of Yep. So, as of 9:45 a.m. this morning, a message came out that the if you are to leave the trust, um, you won't be responsible for paying runout claims, which that was in the agreement that said that you would be responsible for that. And it is still in the agreement in which you guys sign for five years. So, I have issues with that because I want you guys to sign an agreement that's absolutely correct. Um, but we do have it in writing. there will not be any runout claims um for those medical expenses incurred if you are to leave the trust. Um important to know that if you do jump jump in want to leave the trust you have to give six months

038notice as well. And in from a health insurance perspective too I am not able to get rates six months out ahead >> for a group of our size. Okay. So something to consider there just to kind of keep um think about. Can I ask you a question on that? Ask Absolutely. Before we move on. Yeah. This was happen this morning. >> So this because the runout clause was it was law that was part of the law that the legislators. >> Yeah. >> And so when I was reading explanation why how can we do this because we're building it into your your quote, right? >> Yeah. So >> so if they built it into our quote, that's what confused me. Does that change or is that part of we didn't know it? Does it sound like

039it's part of it? We didn't know it. >> Correct. It is part of it. And so this is where I know okay so kind of back you up you you'd be put into a level funded product which is a different product than what we are in right now and within that level funded product runout is usually built in but it is marked on there as is so is specific stop-loss that Josh and I talked about um which I can go into if anybody has questions but I'll get really insurance geeky but the runout is supposed to be built into that premium and that was a question of mine the whole time. But again, I have to go with what is written because they have been very um not sharing a ton of information. Okay. Until

040recently because I believe agents are questioning, schools are questioning um diving more into the agreements. Um so it was already built into there. So, by them putting that runout clause in the agreement saying that you would be responsible for those if you leave the trust, they essentially were charging you that twice. So, apparently somebody really caused a stink about it. Um, so it is built into the legislature, but it's already covered in your plan. The way I'm understanding it from his memo today. Um, so yeah. So, I wouldn't worry, excuse me. I wouldn't worry about the runout the runout claims um because we do have that in writing. I guess um I would like to see updated agreements before you sign um if that is something that you would like to do. Um I think

041it's important to know that it is talked about the $40 million back stop. Okay, that is what is all, you know, what people have talked about, what everybody hears. Um, I really think it's important to know that with 150 school districts, 12,000 just employees, that averages out about $3,333 in claims per person. Okay. Um, so just kind of 40 million is wonderful. It's great. It's great to have that, but if they actually validate with the amount of employees, that's not even, you know, families or spouses or anything. That's just employees. So, you take that number double, that 3,300 goes in half again, too. So, that money could be out in six to nine months. And then kind of where does that come with your premiums trying to get those? >> Ask a quick question. Do

042they reinsure large claims so it doesn't go over a certain dollar? >> Yep. So this they do have the specific stop loss. It's set at 600k. So it is but also important to know that stop-loss premium is included in the health insurance premium too. So if we're continually hitting that 600 stop loss, that's just going to make that stop-loss premium go up as well as our premiums, too. So I'm not saying that it can't work because that is a good one. hits. >> Um, so I think that was the 40 the 40,000 for the school. So anything under 40,000 hits our claims. Um, anything over 40 then goes to the stop loss on the trust. >> Yep. >> 40,000 was pretty high. >> A little high. I was hoping Yeah, >> I did hear back

043from Jude today. So >> he is open to scheduling a meeting. we get to that. I'd like for be like the whole committee there so everybody can ask questions and then we can hide ask put you in the camera speed questions um because we were thinking I wonder was that negotiate get that down some and all you want to talk a little bit about the um they built in $25 >> per employee per month. So, um, when it they originally came out, um, everything it talked about that if you choose to work with an agent, um, it would be a line item of added to your invoice, um, on a, you know, agreed upon amount. Okay. Um, so nowhere in the agreements or in their correspondence, I mean, I have emails listing what it said.

044Um, did it have like a per employee per month or a percentage amount that an agent would get? Um, well, it came out in a couple of phone calls that there's $25 per employee per month built in as an agent fee. And so, I played phone tag with John Doran a few times and finally I just actually had another school submit my questions because he would not get back to me. Um, so I did clear that up and get that in writing. Um, so there is a $25 per employee per month fee built into the rates already um to continue to work with an agent. Uh, so that's good. Like that that's great. >> Would you be already agents? >> So I would continue to be your agent. Yes. Yep. I would continue to be

045your agent. Um, and that was never that was never really a question for me, but we are as agents, we're responsible for disclosing that. And what I was calculating and what was actually built in, which we are not told it was built in, and still again the agreement does not have that in there. Um, it says something completely totally different. Um, was, you know, was a huge it's a sticking point, but now we figured this out. So, I think that that is that that's good. That's mute kind of a moot point now. But again, wasn't sure if that was going to the broker on the trust because that was not disclosed either because there is a broker on the trust um USI, [clears throat] but I do have it in writing that he's being paid

046out of your admin cost. So, there is built in for him, too. I know. Um, as far as what amount that is, I do not know. Um, but yeah, so that's built into the rates. Um, I just I I just want you guys to know. Um, >> and we could I could negotiate. It's got the $25 built in. We could pay her more. I think we were paying her more because we had tried to figure out because it was five. Was it 5% before? >> Yeah. And so when they get demand and I didn't do it with them, I just let them do it. It came out to like 70 $71 per employees and that's where we about that 70%. So there's potential for maybe more savings if we negotiate. We wait to 25 there's

047going to be a lot of I don't know if that's fair to Ashley though. So I just wanted to be transparent and mention that here. I think we should be fair. Somebody that's giving us guidance and and good consulting. Um, and so I just wanted to make that known in the public meeting that I think we should consider that going forward. So none of none of these numbers are are accurate right now. >> Yeah, I would say the numbers aren't accurate. Um, that's been one thing too uh because I've gone back and asked for not with this school district um but other school districts have asked for different plans or like their whole plan. They have 12 plans, I believe, and just what the rates would be because schools are like, "Well, what if we

048want to change our plan?" Well, when those rates come back to me, they're different than the issued rates. And on the phone, they say that rates are final. In the proposal, the rates are not final. So, we get we get very different. It's really hard to decipher what is true and what is not true. Um, I do want to share the good part of the trust. One thing that could be a potential for us um just depending on how our claims run, you would be put in a levelfunded product. So a level funded product is kind of a stepping stone to self-funding. Um we were actually with Sigma in a level funed product. I think in 20 that oh right here um in 2022 and it didn't go well but anyway um it does allow

049you to earn back in what's left in your claims bucket at the end of the year. Um I can put you in level funded on your own too. So just don't don't you know be aware of that as well. But how it works for those people who don't maybe know um your health insurance premium is made up essentially of three things. Administrative costs, stop-loss policy, and then claims funding. Okay. Um so at the end of the year right now with our plan, since we're fully insured, if there's money left over in our claims funding bucket, which we don't know um if there is, but if there's money left over, the insurance company keeps that because they've taken on all of the risk. moving to level funded puts a little risk on the school as well.

050So, if there's money left in that claims bucket at the end of the year, the school can share back in some of that money. Um, the trust will give you 60% of that money paid over three years, which that is different as well. Um, if you go on level funding on your own, it's usually 50%, but you get it that year as long as you renew. Okay? So, it's paid over that 30 three years, 50% the first, 30 the second, and 20 the third. Um, if year one, you get a surplus, year two, you're in a deficit, you don't get a surplus, they said they're still going to pay that out. >> Found that out from other district last time. >> I did. Yep. I think I think I sent it to you. It was

051a It was It was a very u I think he's very irritated with me. um his response was very yeah he told me I was not correct and pointed it out in the proposal overview but the where he told me to look it does not say that so um yeah anyway um anything else like any questions I got I mean like I said I'm not for it I'm not against it the five-year thing has me really scared >> so so I make sure I We have we will have one year quote but there's no guarantee years two through five. There's no escalator to go up 30%. >> Correct. >> Now they say it's time and where they're selling it. I'm going come from a perspective this matters a little bit but not not like Roxan

052and Ashley though is that it's tied to Medicare. So it's there it's it's capped at 3%. But that's not but then you add in the utilization piece and that's where it can can increase. Did you want to mention that? >> One quick question too Ashley. So after year one obviously they're rated on their own basically age rating right now. Do they look at any medical conditions or is it primarily just age rated? Right. >> I don't even think they ran like the prescription data. >> Okay. >> I honestly think they took the rates and tried to beat them. >> Okay. That's >> that's >> so at the end of this year when it becomes more rated with a trust then are they being lumped in with everybody then that sits in the trust so that

053it has a in theory >> a way to level out those premiums. Yes. Is that how it works? And there's two tier. >> So there's two tiers within the trust. >> Um we'll be in tier one because we're under a 100red enrolled. Um, and so we'll be lumped in with everyone in tier one. >> And do we know how many people have committed to to that are in tier one at this point? >> No, I've said many. >> How many do they have to >> um 150 school districts and 12,000 employees? >> Um, >> yes. Yeah. Um, >> correct. Um, Missoula voted 99% no, one person voted yes. It goes in front of the school board on the 16th. So, that very well could change, but I mean, normally school boards do what insurance committees,

054superintendents want. Um, Billings voted no. So, those are two very large ones. Um, these are just the ones that of agents that I know work with. Um, Hamilton was undecided, but their meeting got um pretty hot, I guess, um, in not a good way. Mr. Dorne was very question and he did not like that. Um, as far as my those schools that I work with, um, no one has committed and I work with seven schools. Um, they're all small. They'd all be in your tier. So, um, >> if we didn't join this year, can you join the next year? >> Yes. Yes. >> Would it be for four years or it would still be for five? >> It would every time you get in, it's a fiveyear commitment. >> Yes. >> Um, the the rates

055that were presented, again, who knows what those rates are. I mean unfortunately [laughter] with excuse me would still be good if we wanted to join at our room. >> I did ask is like there any families going to join after course if you if they get the 12,000 you know that it's like yeah sounds a whole lot better. >> Yeah right they did say we want you to join now but yes you could that's what they said on the video call that we could join later. So again, there's there's not any real sense of urgency. Maybe it's a conjured sense of urgency maybe. Um so I do think we have time to really consider this. I don't think that we really have to kind of rush this and that there again that's why I propose

056that we we do let an insurance committee have a couple trustees on it and have meetings between two or three BFT members the trustees and maybe with Ashley there so we can kind of sit down and ask these questions bridged and get them answered and see if we can really get some something down on on paper that we can bring back maybe to the board a January meeting um and have a more discussion with some actual figures that are that are are real not evolving a couple days. >> Any idea what we're looking at during increases on our current plan? >> Um so I did run the the numbers as of January one. Obviously, you're age rated, so ages could change everything. And I believe I didn't print that page out because we kind of

057quit talking about it. Um, but I think it was it a 6% increase? I think it was an under a 10% increase. Um, but it could change. But again, we could I honestly I after we got the 100% increase from must um I did not quote you level funded the last two years because must is claims rated and that told me that claims weren't good. So let's do what we can for now. Um but we could look at level funding on your own. Um there when you guys did it back in 2022, Sigma was the only option. Um now we have uh Blue Cross Blue Shield has a blue balance funded option um that we can do which is level funding and then there is an option through United Healthcare that has come into play

058as well and United Healthcare has really um their networks are looking really good too. So there are options. The only I mean those options I probably could get after the first of the year. Um, I can ask so we could see that. Um, age rated I wouldn't be able to get until probably April and how their rating system works. Does that answer your question without answering it fully? >> I do think like Josh said, it's probably a good idea to form a committee. Um, I mean, it's kind of a we we talked about in negotiations last year. Bill and Roxan and I have been on the the negotiations committee and visited with the union negotiating committee. I mean insurance is a is a major major thing. The board has a say in it but yet

059at the same time it's the employees insurance. I mean they kind of are the ones that I feel have the final vote maybe. Is there anyone that would like to serve on the committee? >> Now I say full disclosure, Ashley is our bank. She's our agent and she moved us to level pundit. We're we're a one one. We're moving to level pundit and it's saving us. GT percentage but significantly from we were aerated before it's significantly safe what was the percentage quite a bit less >> yeah 8% increase I think >> and we were we were projecting a 20% I mean 196 >> did you change your benefits a ton with that though Phil >> we made them better >> better yeah >> I mean I think you absolutely have to look at that I

060think you do there is some value in pooling with other, you know, schools. But if there's just so many unknowns, that's the challenge with that. >> Um, but I think that it makes complete sense to at least look at it if that's something you could do. >> Yeah. >> But I agree with you, Gary. I think ultimately the the staff, the the teachers >> kind of the ones that have to make the decision. >> They need to decide what they can live with. >> Then we as a board can decide how much of a contribution they can make. Zoom Rox, you seem to know a lot about it and value your opinion. >> I think Lori would be excellent. >> You always participate by Zoom too. maybe on the way out. I mean, any way

061we can make it easier. I'd love to have some feedback and give us this is it's a big decision. It is >> the five years scares the heck out of me. >> Well, trust gap that I hear being talked about is >> that's real. >> I think the biggest problem is the roll out of this has been almost captured. I don't think >> it's always hard to be close. >> I think it was intentionally we're trying to be intentionally misleading, but that's the kind of feeling you get, >> right? >> But the legislature didn't set him up for success very well because they only hired John and John just brought on one more person. So, it's two gentlemen doing this whole thing for the entire state now. So, I can't imagine pulled that out, rolled

062it out before they were ready to roll. They absolutely do too because you know the university system has a you know we have our so self-funded all the units are in one self-funded group and the state of Montana is the same way and so there's a model they could look to it's just that it's getting them the the masses to join it is the challenge I think >> and it's important to know too like the the our carrier option um is Allegiance, which is really good in the state. They're owned by Sigma. Um so they're really good. They went with a pharmacy benefit manager that none of us agents have heard of. >> Um >> that's that's who this is through. Yes. >> Is through Allegiance. >> Allegiance. Blue Cross and Pacific Source and United

063Healthcare chose not to fit. They were not comfortable. >> Yeah. Yeah, I mean I I mean allegiance that's what they do. Um but yeah, I and I I kind of have a problem with the pharmacy benefit manager just because Sigma is a huge pharmacy benefit manager. So why if Sigma owns Allegiance and they always work together, why were they not chosen and they chose Capital RX that I mean I have agent friends. I mean, I've only been doing this for almost 11 years, but I still have agent friends at other agencies and nobody's ever heard of them. So, as far as like pharmacy, if somebody came to me about specialty, I would have no idea. I mean, I do research obviously, but um I'm just not comfortable with it yet because I don't know. So,

064I think I always kind of explain to Josh, I'm like, I just feel like there's question marks everywhere. written. >> Um, I mean, I've read through the agreements and highlighted, but then they come back with a email that says something completely different than the agreement. Um, I do you know if East Helena was with must before? >> I think so. >> Okay. So um a lot of schools that are committee are currently with must because must has come out and said they will go away. So those schools um and must oftent times have schools direct. So they don't work like a school down the road does not work with an agent. Um they work with must direct. So if I was that school I'd be like I'm signing because how do I know where to

065go? >> Sure. >> Yeah. You feel you have nothing to do. Um, so I think it's the schools that have agents that agents are questioning because there's a lot of language that sticks out to us. So >> I just I just think it's bad business to sign a five-year commitment. >> Me too. >> With no caps >> with no cap. I I refu in my world I refuse to sign any fiveyear agreement that doesn't have caps for every year all >> well they can they can throw a 25% on three year stuck >> agreed it's bad >> yeah agreed >> my gut gut reaction to begin with I was like wait there's something shady about that >> caught my attention And we as a group have kind of felt that way from the get-go. >>

066I mean, I think it could could something could be really beneficial. >> It's just not. So, so who's on the committee for the union? >> No, it's uh Brett Nordall, U Kazowski, and I believe it's Jason. >> Oh, okay. They just had elections again this year. Those are the three names that John gave. >> Does that sound right, Paige? >> I think so. >> Did they draw the short straw? >> Well, Rick was already in there. So Brett Scott meetings in >> you with me to try to help. Anybody else interested? [laughter] >> Okay. >> What's that? university's insurance committee and we're just going through that right now too. So I will say yes with the caveat that depending on when the meetings are. So I have >> you see we come up with what

067Ashley's talking about. >> I think that's all we can do and we'll give it a shot and see. >> Yeah, we're just going to start all the steps. >> As long as we have some if Lori can help us. Yeah. >> Yeah. You two would be absolutely >> so I think that it originally came out that said it would need to be validated by December 19th. >> Um so we've been hearing that that's not actually the date. So I will be curious to see what happens on December 19th. If it is validated obviously they'll be like, "Yay, we're off and running." And then we can wait to make our decision. when we're renewing um if December 19th comes out and they extend it, they are not validated. So just kind of or July one. >>

068Okay. >> Yeah. >> So they said the superintendent meeting that I was that they could wait I want to say it was March first their drop dead drop deadline for for validation. But again, that was said not in writing. Everything in writing says December 19th. >> It was November. Yeah. >> Sign up. That's all. >> Thank you. >> Perfect. Thank you for help. >> Of course. >> Trying to explain it. Did a good job. received the two report. >> Yes. >> Moving on to some more questionable topics of discussion. All right. >> Last year's ACT performance got some good news there. Milligan school data. They completed a a complimentary review of our ACT scores and compared them to some of the other classes in the state. And what they found was that of 29 comparable

069class A districts that we ranked number one in average math score, number one in average science score, and fifth in average English language arts score. That's total ACT score. Um they also determined that we rank second in percentage of students with a score of proficient or above in science, fifth in percentage of students with a score of proficient or above in math and 12th in percentage of students with a score of proficient or above in the English and abilities. So pretty good scores overall um but but with some room for improvement especially in the part about percentage of students proficient or above it and especially in ELA. Um we are our strong core academics right now are definitely math and science which may kind of fall in line with with the build the makeup of

070our our county's community. We're largely agrarian based community, a lot of hands-on uh field work. So, science and math um aren't that we're strong in that doesn't surprise me so much. The ELA is what I think I'm going to focus on with the staff maybe as we move into the next school year. We also got an award Montana Youth Court Service here. Brought that uh with me today. The fifth judicial court has recognized us for our tutoring program. Now, that tutoring program is made possible in large part by the financial grant we received from the fifth judicial youth youth court. We've received $6,000 from them this year fund in large part our tutoring program. We have tutoring during the the noon hour, lunch hour every Tuesday and Thursday. And if you are failing a a

071class, it's required that oh a core class. So that's math, science, English, or history. Core class, you have to go to tutoring during lunch. Um, however, anybody can attend voluntarily, which we do have a fair number of students take advantage of. So really any student can go to tutoring during lunch hour should they wish to. And those that are are failing a core class, we require them to go. So, and if not, there are consequences or drastic consequences if they skip and skip tutoring. Um, so very proud of that program. Any questions so far? Move right along. Uh, my four rivers monthly superent meeting. So, I'm a part of what they call the Four Rivers Region. So, that's our regional superintendent group. And a couple of the big things they mentioned some federal stuff. some

072legislation. Um, federal department of education, you probably heard in the national news, they be they've begun to break up the department and shift some of those programs to other departments. Important to us is the is the transfer of the title program to the Department of Labor. So for us, we receive about roughly $80,000 in funding for our title program. We have what is called a targeted title program. That means that less than 40% of our students qualify for pre and reduced lunch. So that's kind of our socioeconomics uh numbers there. And so because we fall under that threshold, we qualify targeted, not schoolwide. Some of the the free and reduced uh lunch numbers kind of play hand inand with that. Now that number has decreased over the years. I've been in education for a long

073time and it's one of those programs that that you never see funding increase with title. always seems to decrease, but still it's a significant amount for us. It funds our skills lab program um and at least one full-time um classified person and another part-time classified person should run that title skills labor winner. So, that's just something that's something to be aware of as we move forward. I'm not sure how that's going to change it how that that shift may not may not affect her at all. As long as we are funding and I don't care where they shift the department to or the program to, but because they are doing that, I have questions like, well, uh, is it is the program leadership still intact because they're the one that's used to running that or

074is it all new people because that could delay payments of funding. So, things like that are some of the the topics of conversation at that meeting. The next is the uh the House of Representatives. They're uh they have a bill out right now to slash the small rural schools achievement grant. that's SRSA if not eliminated altogether. And so we receive approximately $29,000 in that small rural schools achievement grant each year. This year's we just had our passport meeting. I I asked the board to board approved to use those funds to pay for some technology infrastructure repairs and upgrades. Well, if that funding goes away, it's going to be hard to continue to do that considering we don't have a very sizable tech levy. Um, so when I'm looking around for flexibilities in in revenue and

075in and in funds, that was the one of the ones that I had like, okay, we can use this, we can piece and patch together and get some technology stuff done. That goes away, that's going to become increasingly more challenging to do. So, that's just something to kind of be aware of that we're looking at. One of the I think one of one of the bills right now calls calls to fund that program at 25%. of current levels and another another bill is calling to eliminate it completely. So just something to be aware of since we're largely rural state that affect every school district nearly every school district in Montana if that grant program were to go away. Josh, where we ran the technology levy last year and it failed. Can we run it again

076this year? Or was that just a one time shot we had last year? >> We could, but I wouldn't advise it. I just think the political climate right now is not quite right. >> No, I agree. >> Here's another thing to think about. Um, once based off recent legislation, if you run a new technology grant, there's a there's a a sunset clause to all these grants. Yeah, >> any voter approved levy that's not permissive. That's where we can we can assess these uh uh meals upon the the voter without their permission. That's a permissive levy. So a voted levy where we have to ask permission. There's a sunset clause only 10 years. I think it's the same for higher ed, isn't it? >> There's a we have a it's a different type of thing that

077sunsets that we have to do every year. That's >> so if we did if we did get it one past then we would have given sunset in 10 years and have to ask again. Whereas the 50,000 we have right now it's not much but it's it helps that was grandfathered in. >> So we have that in perpetuity as long as we replace it with a sunset sunset. So if if we did get one approved we would lose the 50,000. >> Right. So there's some pros and some pros and cons to it. So, I really wouldn't want to. >> We're have trouble passing it. I think >> Yeah, I think we'd have trouble passing it. And so, I don't know if now's the right climate to do that. I think got to wait a little bit

078longer. They say next year is going to be a good year. And if the economy picks up and things are going well and we'll see what our state does terms of taxes and property taxes, things like that, we may it may look better going into that 26 27 school year. Consider it. Is there an opportunity to just start to do more communication and education about our current circumstances and some of the gaps and here's some of the things we're doing. So, we're we're working with it and we're doing all this stuff, but helping people understand as opposed to now the levy's coming and here we're going to inundate you with information in two weeks or a month. I mean, >> yeah, they need what what's going >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. The schools haven't there's

079only a few schools that were successful in passing a levy this past year. I think of the the two that I heard that did they had six months campaigns. They started six months before and just campaigned on it the entire time. Lots of community meetings and that's kind of how they grown. Something to think about. >> It's a good idea. >> Staff agencies. Well, we have we're [clears throat] gonna have um At some point we need to go back to the consent. I guess we had got the consent agenda item. So when we get there there will be a recommendation to hire a custodial candidate. Carlos will win. So when we get there if the board um moves to hire that and we do that custodial position we we'll have all our positions that need

080filled which we do not. Uh it's innovative educational tax credit season. So, make sure you're talking to your your friends and loved ones, uh, partners and colleagues and business because all all Montans receive a dollar for dollar credit on their state income tax for donations made to BCHS. Now, it opens on a statewide first come first serve basis. Donations will be due to the business office on January 20th of this year, excuse me, of the coming year. January 20th, the funding cap is 7.2 million initi. So instead of giving the your tax dollars to the state, you can give it to BCHS and we'll make a lot better use of that. Make sure to share that information. There's also more there's some of that information in your board packet as well. you'll see that kind

081of behind my report along with the Milan school data stuff and the um some of the >> Josh are you opposed to um if there are people we're having conversations with that do something but they want to support something specific for example the potential of this uh SRSA funding going away oh my gosh you share that information would you consider you know making a donation that would help offset that are you opposed to having specific conversations, not you per se, but if we choose to have a conversation with somebody that they can support something specifically that is technology related. Sometimes that is an easier cell to people than they think, well, I'm just going to give you this blank. If you know what some of your technology needs are, those conversations can be had with

082people. I know that um Paul did a really good job of coming in forward with some of the things challenges that he has and how he's going to do this technology uh audit which sounds really cool. But you know what's that going to cost is that techn that's that's part of the um it's part of that really $19,000 and change that we agreed that we we use of SRSA funding for uh K12 Montana. The first step was was the technology audit. I'm hoping that report should be ready by the January board meeting. I can present that at that time which will be before the deadline for the uh actually we think we moved to the 19th, didn't we? >> Yes. >> So I may have to get the information to you as soon as I

083get it just so you can start having those conversations because that audit will reveal what our needs are. That would be super helpful because people actually I think when you can have a conversation with them about specific needs and not just this oh like let's give them x amount of money and where's it going to go what's it going to I I had conversations with some people last year that oh yeah such and such school district did that and they bought uniforms they really bought uniforms but that's the perception is that things were those funds were used for not the technology aspect of it so just giving us a little bit information would be helpful to have those conversations. >> Yeah. >> Tell you one right now, one of the pieces we talked about that

084I know is going to be in technology auditing debate is the fact that because we have our our campus is very mixed. We have a very very new building and two very old buildings. So our main building and the BW Lodge use the same PA systems. They communicate very well, >> right? >> But it's almost like an analog type system. We've got some patches here and there. Whereas the Ace, it's brand new. >> We have to use two separate PA systems and so you have have to hold two phones almost like somebody you see in a movie. You're talking both at the same time. Also, our bells are off a little bit. Now they get Paul and Paul working on it. He get they were almost two full minutes off. So the bells would ring

085here and two minutes later they ring at the at the ASAP. We got that. I we I knew there had to be a way to fix that. Paul was able to work with some of the technology of the companies that provided us that hardware and got that down to about 10 seconds. So, it's better than it was, but it's still delayed. And so, that's one thing we're going to have to do is is there there's a patch. There's a there's a way to work around that to upgrade our BA system to where all the buildings on on one communicates everything at the same time. It's it's a safety issue as well. >> Yeah. See, those are really good talking points to have with people if you had something specific. safety like just having some of

086that information and what that's would cost would be really helpful. >> So I've had a I'll get that audited out to you when it comes and I'll try to maybe provide a little narrative along with it. Just declare there for each thing that they come out with so you can kind of provide some context of what that is and what it mean. >> All right. So after the innovative educational tax credit we've got information from Dan McGee. He's not here with us tonight but he he did provide some information you want me to share and uh so that's our request for qualification has been published that ends Friday so we hope to have some candidates sub submissions in uh this Friday to review at that time Dan will contact me and we'll organize the facility

087committee and we'll begin reviewing candidates from those submissions um at which point we'll select finalist and have those finalists submit a request for proposal or RFP. And then once we get those RFPs in, we'll begin conducting uh interviews and selecting further finalists, we should be able to, if all goes well, according to Dan, recommend a general contractor construction manager for hire at the January board meeting. And so again in the the pages following my report there is a um document there from building mind and body. It's two-page document kind of goes a little more into detail um on right now and essentially again we're just waiting on those submittals those qualification submittals. I haven't talked to him for a while. Does he have any idea how many people are going to apply? need shared that

088with me. Hopefully it's fair enough. We can answer competition. We'll know soon. Again, the deadline for submission is Friday. Any questions on ACE building repair project update. Okay. At the last meeting, the board also has been looking at the YMCA transportation agreement because it it did sunset December 6, which was a couple days ago. Um, and so I reached out to uh Todd Rouse and he explained to me that they're not going to need any transportation for the wine until probably June. So what I what I'll do is I'll just circle back with him in April and start working on that then. So we get make sure his insurance gets renewed. We get a new the dates um that will meet the needs for the Y. So that's kind of where we're at there. Then

089lastly just kind of my December schedule to uh to date. That's all I've got. Any questions? Do you know what the JC's did this year? Has anybody said or heard anything? >> Are they doing the game? We don't have to worry about that. >> That's good. >> Plus, it's donated by the YMCA. JC is all right. So, there's >> Go ahead. I already called when you watch the video. You're free to take the floor. So I just wanted to show you kind of our weekly monthly attendance. is I think that that just consists of holidays and kind of the way vacations about this kind of year gets and so it usually does get stronger and it's a year and it's lower area gets heavy. It stays heavy. Um are these been followed by defiance disrespected

090and cell phones have actually gotten above [clears throat] some double this past month Yes, this truthful information. It's not on here, but I'm just going to talk about real quick. The RVHI health screening that we did month ago just kind of adults, we got about 300 saw students that were were tested. Um and of those they either just hearing which means that they don't have any um suicidality depression or they're yellow which means they they have a little bit of concern. If they're red then they have it's kind of they've had the past recurrent suicidality dots. Um and the way it broke down is there was it looks like 17 were in red about 5% students. And so what happens is the day of that screening we get the results back immediately. Miss Rouse goes

091in talks to those students talks parents um make sure that they have kind of a planned base. Um I think two of them went and talked to the RBHI healthc care providers. Five of them already had services. They already had a counselor. So their parents had them negative services. Just make sure anything immediate. And then three more were a medication also saying somebody were exited from the that kind of information and then 13 were in in yellow range. Um and way it works is usually like that first day to then second or third day after screening ask those students ask the parents make sure they're just give you a little update on that. And so then um next week she will go in the class freshman classes P got a degree the SOS it's called

092suicide kind of talk through the students that they kind of do a little it's called ACT knowledge care and then maybe she'll so she'll go through that program and it kind of goes in my little squad and what what they do too. So we kind of get in more ratings >> I thought higher than it has been. Um the good thing is the majority already had people that they're hearing and specifically. So it wasn't parents were surprised we invited them. Thank you. Anybody have any other questions for you? We'll go into the activity director report. Make this quick. We just kicked off our kind of our winter winter season basketball program. 27 participants this year. First games will be the December 19th and 20th. We host kind of east west crossover tip off. Girls basketball

09320 participants on the team this year. Those our first games girls basketball will be the home games. Um will be 7 19th and 20th. Boys and girls wrestling we're at 28. Um participants 15 boys, 13 girls. Um they've they started last last week. We hosted Anaconda on last Thursday. Um if you get a chance, pretty fun to come watch. There's a It's a It's pretty exciting u with the boys in the wrestling. Got a lot of people showing up to those events. It's just been fun. So um if you want to break down I have a breakdown of the previous numbers. We're all kind of in line with where we have been in the past. Uh the cheer program is 16 student athletes with 15 girls and one and then I just attached to the

094bottom if you're interested in the that tip off schedule. Um really looking forward to hosting a tournament in town get basketball and then wrestling later later in the winter. Any questions? >> How do they work the boys and girls wrestling? I haven't been here for a couple years. Do they run two match at once or do they do a boys match and the girls match or >> It just depends on how many we have. So like on Thursday for us, we did the girls dual conduct enough to basically run our boys kind of back and forth and just depends on numbers. If it's we can run two mats or one, but yeah. Anybody have any questions for Brock boys basketball tournament? >> Yeah, it's going to be great. Seems Yeah, you look at this tournament

095last year, it's everyone's here. So, that's exciting. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Next then is our consent agenda item. gets rushed consideration and possible action hires will be our second full-time facility. It's the main building here and they also do I believe the ACE building is that bring us up to fully staffed and put our custodial work. So I make that recommendation >> second move and seconded Carlos custodian. Is there any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. is opposed. Passes unanimous. Any action items? All right. 10.1 we have board consideration possible action through the pre-employment transition services also known as PEX contract with the Montana vocational rehabilitation and blind services. So, I I put up a copy of the and I pulled it out the packet, sent it separate, but such a contract, but

096I kind of want to explain essentially the nuts and bolts of what that is. I'd hoped that Deanna was going to be here tonight to uh dispute to the board about what program is she and they will make it. And so, I'm going to kind of give you the nuts and bolts with the programs. It's up to $50,000 of funding that we could receive or we could tap into for uh students with um special needs or andor disabilities or job exploration or work-based learning opportunities for counseling on transition programs or post-secondary programs for workplace readiness training and independent living training and self advocacy skills. The contract would begin upon signing once all that everyone is signed and would end September 30th of next year. So, if if approved, the goal this year would just be

097to go through and identify all the students that would um qualify and begin doing an an interest inventory with each of those students to see what types of these qualifying um activities we we could or should provide to them. So, I see it as a benefit. At first I I've been in programs before, but I've never looked into it in other districts where we had the priaths program, you know, a long time ago when they were fully staffed. They would just come on as as an addition. And so it didn't require any of any of my staff or our staff member to participate. It was a supplemental program. Well, what's happened is like many other programs and organizations, they become short staffed. And so what I've seen in the recent more recent years, even dating

098back before COVID, is that they've been essentially hiring one of the school district staff members to do the work for them and just funding for it. So it's it's additional funding for workers specifically tailored to students special needs or disabilities to help prepare them for life after high school, whether that's independent living, working in in some kind of job or career, or even postsecary. Um when so some of the things we're doing already, it's just additional funding we could use for that. I don't see us using a ton of funding for it this year, but it's something we have to plan and prep for. Um I do have the support of Gary Tilton on this. Um he was a big fan of it back when he was at Glen Bridges and uh and Michael Hoffman

099as well who are two special teachers. If if anybody knows, I just see it as as a win-win. It's kind of a no-brainer additional funding to help students like that. We just have to be intentional and plan for it. And there's I think there's a lot of potential there, especially with um we had recently um a representative from the Department of Labor down to talk to us about Northbased learning opportunities, not just not specifically targeting our students with special needs disabilities, but all of our students. So, we could also include this portion of our student body as well. mentioned uh potentially working with Barrett Hospital and a program that's called reach where they get students over to talk about health occupations. Um so I think there's a lot of things we can do with a

100program like this and I would would have uh full confidence recommending it to the board. Be happy to answer any questions yet. people that would have to do this original leg work to get it going are they feel like they've got time and energy to do it. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Because some of we're again some of we're doing already. >> Okay. >> And so it's being more intentional about it recording it, documenting it. >> Um we're doing some of it. There are several steps again. So Gary's the most familiar with it because they they did it over in Twin Bridges and so and in talking with Mike like he thinks they can again get us up to speed this year and really have a hopefully have a better plan of how the program fully

101next year as long as the two that are going to be doing the work feel like they can do it. It feels like it's a no-brainer. >> That was my biggest concern is like I wanted to detract from your current job. >> Correct. Exactly. If it's not doing that, then I can feel confident for you. So, it's supposed to provide additional opportunities, access to funding that wouldn't otherwise be there between. So, field trips and things like that. So, I've got a sample there. There's one from uh uh sample high school. So, examples of job exploration counselors could be interest inventories, which we already have built in. We're just not doing all of them in every category. We can do them all. Life skills classes. Consumer family consumer science. Are we doing that? We have students

102taking that. We're just not documenting it. Um looking at apprentichip programs, classes in CTE departments, are we doing that? Um learning what soft skills are, social skills training, um teaching financial literacy classes. So that's just some of the examples. A lot of it work [clears throat] we already take students up for our job fairs where when you come down to question and do that with also qualifying activities that absolutely >> so I would make a motion um to approve the pre-employment transition services contract with rehab and blind services seconded to approve the pre-employment transition service contract with the Montana vocational rehabilitation and blind services. Is there any discussion on question? >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed passes unanimously. sign that I get back to. Okay, we talked already at 10.2

103so we can skip that but we already had motion pass through that. So 10.3 board consideration and possible action to approve the contract agreements to join the bridge health trust. My recommendation on that to take no action feel comfortable with that? >> Yes. >> Let's move on to 10.4. Four for consideration possible action approve the advanced opportunity grant report for 2025. This is something that all our CT cte so it's career and tech education teachers worked on Mr. Igo Mr. Kim Conan, um Jason Truman, Bobby Conan, those are our CTE teachers for our programs and and and Suzanne Val also play a part in compiling this information. And so that's text looks like this if you're looking for it before packet and it's a it's a few pages. It's basically an update on how we're

104performing currently on our goals for the grant. And this is essentially a grant renewals. Part of the grant renewal in order for us to get the grant funded for the advanced health committee next year is to complete this. Essentially, it's like an annual program review. And so that's what it is. It's a little update on how we're performing. We have a portion there for FFA, a portion there for FCCLA and VPA, which is one of our newer club programs, Business Professionals of America. what we're doing with that funding to provide additional opportunities for our students that wouldn't otherwise have that those opportunities wouldn't be good if it wasn't the funding. >> That's something we definitely want to do then. Correct. >> Yeah. So, we're just looking for a motion to approve the report because this

105will be submitted to the state and Gary has to sign sign on the report. Second moving second to approve the advanced opportunity grant report for 2025. Is there any discussion? Those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Passes unanimous. And >> if you're you're interested, Susan, I also included the MTAO tracking guide which kind of breaks down what we spent that grant money grant funding for. So you can see we spent almost $20,000. You can see ad trailer supplies, BPA conferences, SCS, uh, pasta roller, you know, state and national dunes, all kinds of things that Western studies field trip, classroom supplies, indust materials. Um, it's very it's great resource, a great source of revenue. So, I appreciate the board's supporting the port and so we can be re hopefully refunded for that. renewed for that

106funding next year. Okay. Next we have 10.5 board consideration possible actions and approved a resolution dispose of outdated library books that have been weirded from our current collection. So I included in your packet board policy which is dispos disposal of school property. Now, this would be with a vote, but not with a vote in the sense of needing uh voted permission from an election process. So, I've highlighted the important language in this policy. It says to affect property disposal, trustees shall pass a resolution stating their decision concerning property disposal. The resolution will not become effective until 14 days after the resolution is published in the newspaper of general circulation in the district. So Suzanne would have to publish this when we actually dispoke and it's it's very similar we did with the uh with the

107submittals for the uh request for qualifications for the ASIC repair. Once the resolution is effective the trustee shall sell or dispose of the real property or personal property in the reasonable manner determined to be in the best interest of the district. Also with that, I included copy of the Montana code edit annotated kind of goes into detail. It's almost verbatim uh some of the language that's in board policy. So there again tonight we've got I don't know if you've been to the library lately but we've got stacks and stacks of books that have just been weeded um outdated 10 15 years old um kind of little something else like those encyclopedia world books and bratanas and this kind of stones you've got it all on your on your phone now access to all that information

108and so it's it'sems like that now I would like I'm not sure where at the board wants to dispose of those but I would awesomely garbage case book or we want to try to just have somebody we want to try to sell them for any kind of monetary amount or it's just if you want to come pick it up pick it up by this date it's free of charge >> or by donation so just wanted to see if there's any ideas suggestions >> we could help people by donating the books to them and help their reading abilities I think So we just we just have to do it on a first time first serve BA basis. We wanted to you know pick up come in check that we got and pick it up by such

109and such date. We have to public we can't allow them to pick it up until after that 14 days passed u when it's publicly made. >> Everyone okay with that? >> Yes. >> Okay. Make a motion. Motion to approve a resolution to dispose out library. The resolution dispose of books, donate them, give them second. >> Second to approve a resolution to dispose of the outdated library books and give them away on a first come, first serve basis. Is there any discussion? Those in favor next item 10.6 Six board consideration possible action to approve an election resolution to elect three trustee positions each for three-year terms and to seek voter approval of an operational levy. Now the reason we include the operational levy in there in there placeholder can always withdraw at a later time but

110if we're going to ever consider we have to put it in there now and so I don't know if we have enough information yet. We don't get the we don't receive the preliminary budget data sheets from the state until March typically right unless they've changed that Suzanne that's when I'm used to getting that that information and so this is more like a placeholder can always retract that later to panic um that's just placeholder for now. So I would move to approve an election resolution to elect three trustees each with three-year terms and to seek the order of the 11ation committee. >> Second move and seconded to approve the election resolution to discuss is discussion about it further or questions and the three are Roxan, Phil and Cole. Is that correct? I think that's okay. They're

111getting their paperwork again. >> They are doing for three tonight. >> That's good. >> All those in favor say I. >> Those opposed answer unanimously. Phil, thank you for submitting your applications. >> Lastly, item 10.7, [laughter] I have a board consideration, possible action to approve the activity poster contract that runs from fall 26 through spring of 28. All American publishers. I feel like they do every district in the state because everywhere I've been who's done our activity posters. Um even though it's the the sum is not a large amount because it's a multi-year contract. I always like to get board approval for this. Um so it locks us in for a two-year agreement and our advertising rebate plan is 25%. I have asked Brock to look into maybe during this term look at local options

112there. there may be some potential for savings or maybe a better rebate if if we work with one of our our local companies. I know we got a couple print companies here in town. So, just something I've asked him to kind of look into see if it's it's if that's a viable option or not. >> It's a good idea. >> How much do we receive country? last three years we've got probably 40,000 from 12 to I say 14 a year check in the for the fall posters the winter and then spring >> and you don't have to make those calls they >> no the best >> they have yeah they do have to but Yeah. No, that's the truth. We love to make those calls. That's a lot. >> It's a lot. >> Exactly. >>

113But they're efficient though. Like they call you, you get your proof like >> Yeah. >> Really? >> They got a well machine for sure. >> So, we need a motion. I would move to approve the activity contract that runs from fall 26 to spring 20. >> Move and seconded to approve the activity poster contract with all American publishing from fall 26 to spring 28. Any discussion? Favor say I >> mean and we did had last year the year before we added band choir concerts at a everybody still one of the concert Is there any other action to come before the board? Casey, any thoughts, questions? >> Paige, any think from the union standpoint? >> I can think of >> how science you liking it. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> Yeah. >> Good. Good. All right.

114Anybody? Nothing else? If not, we'll adjourn with a motion until Monday, January 19th. You want this mailed to you with the >> the superintendent? >> You emailed me. >> Okay. So, this was just Does anybody need an envelope? >> Thank you. >> Sorry, I interrupted the motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Favor say I. Cool. >> Everybody have a good Christmas and I Dan McGee I guess will be in touch with Josh who will be in touch with us to try to figure out what we want to do as far as contractors.