001Let's Let's do it. Let's call this meeting to order. >> I 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. I thought we were going to have like 20 policies. >> That's my give. >> Do you want to make a motion? >> Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the minutes last meeting on February 9th6. >> Okay. And yes, I vote yes as well. All in favor say I. >> I Okay. Yeah, a few things were added over the weekend. So, most of it was beach. There's some field trips and such. Um, couple other random things. You have any questions? Do you guys have any questions? It's literally a balance. >> So, in part
002of my grant from the electric cooperative for playground equipment, I bought a balance beam that's going to be installed on the playroom by the new structure. >> Oh, cool. >> Literally, where was that at? Montana school equipment. Awesome. Make a motion to approve the expenditures for payroll in the amount of claims $21,512.94 and activities. I second all in favor say I. >> I so moved >> report. Well, we had our snow day back on February 20th up at the pass and that was a great success. Had our chili feed and sledding, snowshoeing, learning about animals. >> Was there enough snow? >> There actually was. It just snowed before that, so we locked out. >> And what day was that? >> 20th. This is our Friday. >> So this year I led the snowshoeing groups. So
003I did four hikes of snowshoeing. >> I was a little sore on Saturday morning, but good. >> Wow. Wow. How far did you go each hike? >> I was probably only a little over a mile each hike. But in snowshoes. >> Yeah, that's quite a bit. A >> little bit less with the preschoolers. Yeah. >> Yeah. We had lots of families stop by. >> That's cool. Did you do that little loop? The small loop. >> Um, so for snowshoeing, we actually took all but the little kids up kind of one of the mountain hills off trail. tire out for [laughter] >> me. On February 21st, that Saturday, we did the uh Special Olympics Polar Plunge. So, this year we had six students take the plunge and Deputy Chris, our SRO. We raised over $2,000 for
004Special Olympics. I think we were the third largest school after Big Sky High School and High School. >> Wow. That's way cool. >> Next year I'm debating about jumping myself. Maybe more kids. >> Said that before. >> Yeah. And I haven't done it yet, but I'm thinking about challenging we get 12 kids double our number. >> I used to do that when I was a little younger. Uh tomorrow we are taking third through 8th grade to a trip to Helena. So we are going to be one of the first schools to go to the new history state history museum uh which is on the capital of com plus they actually tore down the old building completely and have built a complete new historical building with lots more artifacts and the last one was amazing. had
005the largest collection of artifacts in the state and now this one's even bigger and better. I haven't even been in it. Um, and then we have a tour of the capital building and I have arranged a personal meeting uh for our students with the governor. So, Governor J is going to be meeting with us and answering questions in the governor's ballroom. >> Are they going to be asking them for money? [laughter] Well, this >> gets a little third graders. >> Getting getting a little bit of facetime is always good. And so >> I do that with our senators so they know who we are. But yeah, great opportunity and a great chance to look at the history and the government of Montana. >> So that is tomorrow. >> You should ask governor if he's ever
006interested in help >> without being too >> Yeah, exactly. >> Maybe I'll ask him about his foundation. >> Yeah, you should. >> It's pretty cool. If you haven't been in the governor's office before, they actually have like a secret door passage that goes from the conference ballroom area that goes into his office. >> Cool. So, all the governors love showing off their secret dorms completely. >> That's cool. >> And then on the >> It's not so secret then. >> Doesn't sound so secret. >> Only secret because it's hidden from you. >> Exactly. >> But I think a lot of people >> I'd have to have another secret one too, >> but they probably don't tell us about that. >> On the 26th of March, we're going to the Insectarium. So, we're taking preschools through second
007grade. I got a grant to take us there. So, getting those costs covered. >> That's in Missoula, isn't it? >> Is that the butterfly one? >> So, always awesome to go in that tropical setting where it's so warm and the butterflies are all flying around you. They do a great job actually teaching classes to the kids, too. >> We did that last year. Actually had a great last year about that, too. Parent teacher conferences are coming up April 1st and 2nd and uh then April 3rd we are going to do a family lunchon um and then an egg hunt and then a literacy event as well. So got lots going on on the third. Another thing that I did is I wrote a grant for new soccer goals. You might noticed driving in that they're
008completely busted, the plastic ones. Um, so Missoula County has rural development grants. Um, so I wrote one for $4,000 and it's actually the the cost of metal um soccer goals is $4,050. So the district only will be responsible for 50 if we get this grant. Um, but I've got that all submitted and keep your fingers crossed. Several people wrote letters for me. people that did that. Yeah, hopefully. If not, we're going to have to find some money for at least something. >> Northwestern Energy. >> So, this was actually from the county. >> I was just going to say, would Northwestern Energy give some if they didn't? >> The probably not Northwestern because that's not our power company. >> Oh, that's great. But there is the grant cycle for the co-op uh which is in October.
009So I could do one for better ones than this. >> But um she was actually at the last town council meeting and I did ask her how many grants were fulfilled last cycle last year and she said all of them. >> So >> that's awesome. >> But she's also I think been to every town council meeting so they might be advertising more. So we shall see. I think we got a pretty good chance. >> What about like um town pump? Did we get something from them ever? >> Um I think in the past we got the $500. >> Yeah, I can start >> for the Zilla co-op. Do you apply annually for it? >> I do. >> Okay. >> The last one they got was for the playground. >> Um so for the LA I've
010gotten it every year. Um, so the last one this year was that balance beam that's um coming out and the new stage curtains and a bunch of other playground equipment. >> Okay. >> Yeah, they're very generous. >> Um, along with grants, I did get contacted by the um Jane Heman Foundation who gave the bulk of the money for the big structure two years ago >> and uh they are willing to give us a grant. next school year. But the next school year after that, they um offered me if I write the grant $20,000. >> So, and what's that for? >> Well, it can kind of there's a few stipulations that I have to connect it to it. Jane actually was a nurse, so we kind of connect it to health and safety. and it can
011kind of there's a lot of ways that you could go through that, but got to connect it kind of with house in some ways. They're also very generous. They again this year are paying for Missoula Children's Theater. Uh they also paid for us for Missoula Children's Theater last year. They've been paying everything but the housing costs for the directors. Um so yeah, they've been very generous. Wonder if they'd be interested in something for the kitchen. >> They might be, but it won't be next school year. They've actually made a cycle for schools for every other year. >> And they primarily fund schools. Primarily schools south. Um our enrollment continues at 53 total. That's including four three year olds. Um, and one of the things I want to talk about was staffing and grade assignments will
012depend, of course, upon the numbers of students in each grade. One of the things I did this year a little bit differently is I sent home out of district paperwork uh about a month earlier. We sent that out last week to try to get it back sooner to start compiling what our numbers might look like for next year. um because that'll help us make decisions. >> When are they supposed to be for out of district? What was that? June 1st or July? >> June 15th is policy. >> So, they have told then, but I really urged people in my letter to get it in sooner rather than later. Particularly people that are currently enrolled. Um, it makes sure that they're guaranteed a spot if they're in that first round at the next board meeting to
013get approved and it gives an idea of what our numbers will be and that can help with determining staff. >> Yeah, for sure. >> I also have been working on flyers. Um, please feel one. with the help of I made the AI. I made this cool little flyer for their four-year-old preschool kind of really looking at the rule setting and the mountains and whatnot. So >> cool. >> Yeah. Feel free to take some of those if you know anyone with a fouryear-old. >> You guys probably have four year olds, don't you? Even if you know of anyone like in Lolo or anywhere, >> just want to keep it on your table in case you run into also talk about out of district enrollment as well. >> The next thing I want to talk about is
014health insurance. So today, Jessica and I got news that the new school trust bridged alliance has officially been approved by the state legislature. Um, and they are able to access the money that the legislature and the governor set aside, $40 million. Um, and we are green light to go. So, I've been talking with the new head of the insurance, John Doran. And the next step is that I am going to work on negotiating plans for the staff to choose. I really want the staff to have a little bit more choice, kind of a menu of options that they can choose from. Um, I'm also working with him to try to give a health savings account uh through the district um so that money can be set aside for health costs as well. Luckily, they came
015in a little bit cheaper than our past insurance. Um, so there will be um a little bit of a cost savings and I'm hoping to take that cost savings and start being able to put that towards health savings accounts uh for our employees. Um, so I'm really working on trying to get a really good plan available where there's lots of options for staff to choose from. Um, but this is exciting news that it's uh happening. we weren't even sure that this was going to happen. So, as we move forward, um I'll keep you updated and kind of show you what it will look like for the staff as we move into open enrollment. One thing I did find out is that um they are thinking in our current um health insurance um company must is
016that um Blue Cross Blue Shield will not continue coverage for us over the summer. Even though our current contract went through the summer, um Blue Cross Blue Shield will not be the provider for Bridge Alliance. It'll actually be um Sigma um local question. >> That's the big company that >> Allegiance, >> it's a local company, but it's run by Sigma. Um, so that'll be the health insurance. Um, the big things. Um, but the good news is our new insurance is willing to start us June. >> But they would be there would be coverage. for the silver and gold. >> With the new insurance, there will be. With the old one, there won't be, but there was supposed to be. We're one of the few districts that um has a September start date. Most end in
017June. And um it's they're not for sure, but it's sounding like Blue Blue Cross Blue Shield is not willing to do the coverage from the old company. So staff will be insured. The only thing that affects our staff is with deductibles. So some folks will be starting over on a deductible sooner rather than later. Um that's really the only effect. I know the dental staying the same. >> Yeah. So dental will be delta which is currently what we have is one of the premier national dental plans and then GSP which is the the best vision coverage. >> Yeah. So that's staying the same. So that's good. But lots more information to come as we work. This is kind of been a huge thing for us starting with a whole new company and whole new trust
018and all this. Moving into facilities, you probably noticed on the expenditures there was electrical work done. Um, so one of the things fixed was our laminator. The fuse actually must have got too hot and totally fused together. Um, so that's been replaced and is working now. We also had some lighting work done and some new plugins. Um, some of the plugins were just worn out. We had this rewired for this room to have the hallway separate because it was connected to this room. So when people go in the hallway, you couldn't turn on the light. Just a bit of a problem in the morning. >> Um and then we had some LEDs replaced and I put in one new light. If you're here in the evening or early morning um for the parking lot, um
019one of the sheds has a nice bright LED kind of flood light. really helpful for Grace because she gets pretty dark. >> She's very >> um the last one. >> Oh, she's she's the >> usually I'm the first one here. Once in a blue moon a teacher will make it before me, but not very often. I'm here fairly early. >> You know there's something wrong if they are here, right? couldn't sleep all night or something. Had to go to work. >> Getting a jump start on the day. Um yeah, so that's facilities. Um our parent meeting, we had a meeting on the 18th. Um still we finalized things for the spring catalog fundraiser. So that'll be starting March 31st. [snorts] Uh and we'll go through spring break. We're going to do it for a couple
020weeks ending on the 14th of April. So folks will have all that sale stuff with them over spring break as they visit family and whatnot. Um and we of course started planning the family launching and the egg hunt. Um realized we had to buy some new eggs. We actually thought it was the bigger eggs for the older kids we were missing, but it was actually the opposite. It's a good thing. We dug out all the eggs cuz we were low on little eggs. So, bought a whole bunch of stuff from Oriental Trading and got some little prizes and some candies and stuff. Uh, and our next meeting will be March 18th after school. That's what I have for the report. If there's any questions in the adjustments of the order items, old business Montana literacy
021grant. >> Yeah. So, we've been busy on the grant work. Um, we have our next family literacy event coming up March 12th. We're going to do an evening one to see how that works with attendance wise. It's going to be 5:30 to 6:30. Flyer I'll pass around for that, too. Another kind of cute flyer. We're doing a winter theme and we're going to do hot chocolate um that we're going to pass out. Um, but this one we're doing something kind of cool as part of our consultant. Um, we have a gal that comes from Denver as part of side by side consulting and she's the mentor and coach for the teachers. Um, but she's also an expert just on literacy and reading. And we're going to have her present to the parents for just kind
022of a quick introduction for 15 minutes. introduce who she is and also kind of talk about some strategies that parents can do. Uh, one of the parts of this grant is family engagement and kind of one of the things I'm looking into is family materials for summer. So, one of the things I'm looking to buy is a backpack for each kid with literacy um books and materials and actually met with a company that can actually tie it to um our assessments that we're doing the dibbles and the things students need to work on. So they actually can have books about the skills like if there's a certain blend that the younger kids are needing to work on on an older students needing to work on vocabulary they can actually pick out books and activities that
023go with that. Um so I'm trying to um do that. >> So those would be like free to kids free books and materials that they could work with. >> How would we notice those? Have you had any assessments with the reading classes at all? Do we know how they're doing? Are they improving? >> They are improving. >> Um, so we're seeing actually we set goals for the state based upon our assessments and we met our last goal with enough students moving up. Um, we do a program um that's a supplemental program called UFI for the undergrads and it's a phonics program and we've seen really good success with that. and really builds decoding and literacy skills and uh trying to build in things that are aligned with that as well to help the students. Um
024but yeah, the family engagement part is some family events but as well as getting materials um and strategies for parents to use for reading as well. So that's all part of this grant. Um so the next part is that we are getting ready to look at curriculums for our core curriculum and one of the things that um we have a leadership team of staff. So, some of the teachers and myself and Tanya who's the consultant uh are the school literacy uh team and we are actually going to Stevensville this month to take a look at their curriculum they're using and kind of see how it's working for them and whatot. So, we're doing some research right now to bring to the committee that we're going to form. >> Why Stevensville specifically >> results or something?
025you know, they are using one of the curriculums that we're interested in. >> Okay. >> Um, and they're fairly close. And one of the reasons is Jill really wanted to go there because she happens to live in Stevensville and she knows a few folks there. I also know the superintendent. >> Okay. >> Um, kind of target range was another school we thought of. And there's a few others that we can look at too, but we're starting at Stevensville. >> Cool. some of his geography. >> Yeah, we're kind of we looked for schools that were using things that are really strong in the science of reading. Um, which is one of the criteria for this grant is whatever curriculum is chosen, it has to rally high in research in the science of reading. Uh, which most
026states are pushing um that that is what we need to be teaching. And a lot of it's just using research. >> So they don't necessarily give you a list you can choose from, but what >> what you do choose needs to meet that requirement. >> What they have given us is like a 20page rubric to analyze curriculums. >> So instead of giving you this short list, they're not willing to do that at all because they don't want to promote companies. >> Um but Luckily, we have Tanya who's an expert who is giving us the short list and saying these are the things that are going to um meet that criteria for that checklist and here are the things that have the research behind it. Unfortunately, one thing that a lot of publishing companies uh do
027is they say no to independent research. Um, and that is usually a red flag if somebody isn't willing to let independent researchers from universities research their curriculum. >> Um, so that kind of limits it. So, we're not going to have a a huge list of things to choose from. But there's definitely a little bit of choice and definitely a lot of research and keeping very busy. a lot of professional development. Um we all have to travel to Bosezeman in summer um to get some professional development and that's part of the grant and required. There's professional development in meetings each month that either I or the teachers have to attend and then we actually have to do a whole presentation to the OPI as well about the grant. >> There's lots that goes with it. >>
028Make you work for the money. They do, >> which I do, but there's a lot of money for us. >> Still worth it. >> Yeah, for sure for the grand. >> Okay, that was the literacy grant levy election. Next, that's just continuing the conversation. last meeting um as to whether I guess how everybody feels about the possibility of looking at a levy. Um I'm kind of my two cents swaying to not um I just think the climate right now is not a great one for getting one pass. Um if we were to consider one at all, I would suggest building reserve le as opposed to a general fund levy. Um just because our building reserve levies coming to an end right now and we can make the case that we're just replacing what tax we
029have to spend on that last one >> as in how much left is left in the budget. >> Well, there's that one and then there's the permissive levy money. And last I looked, what did I say? It was like $38,000. And then we'll get permissively we'll we'll get a little more than we did last year which is going to be around probably 4243,000 automatically with most of it being funded with new maintenance money from the state. Um also the OPI put out our general fund preliminary budget data sheets and new new spreadsheets for the budget next year. So, we're automatically looking at about a $50,000 increase in our general fund. >> Um, based on the new numbers, I enrollment, all that sort of good stuff. And >> the other levy for building. >> So, when
030that goes away and we say we don't put out another request for that levy, they their taxes are lower. >> The taxes would be lowered because that was a voted levy for four years. Okay? >> And so, that goes away. So it would go down. But the nice thing is the last legislative session they bumped up how much we can permissively levy with most of it funded by the state. So instead of getting our we used to get about 20,000 now I think we got like 42 last year 42,000 there'll be a bit more than that this coming year. So we're not going without the building reserve and we will have money left at the end of this year that we can you know roll over and >> yeah it just automatically rolls over from
031year to year what you don't spend. you can you can levy that purposely levy that every year and not touch it for 10 years if you want to and then do a big project that's um the other thing that is different this year than last year in the general fund is our tuition monies that we get from the districts we're getting our out of district kiddos from it instead of just being absorbed into the base um it can be it can be to the base or you can add it to your budgeting authority which would be about another 17 to $18,000 which means that we our budget our general fund budget would increase by $68,000 compared to this year. So, um, yeah, the nice thing is having a really nice enrollment year, if our numbers
032were to go down next year, we get to use the three-year average to kind of keep us, you know, >> so I don't know. Um, I've been seeing articles saying, you know, schools can't pass ledies, and I just I think it's with everything else going up, I don't know. I don't know if it if it's worth trying. Plus, I think like I may have said at the last meeting, you don't want to ask every year. >> Did we ask last year or was it the year before? >> I think it was. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And it was denied. >> It was denied. Yeah. The only one we managed to get by is the one building. >> Yeah. And the last one we did before the building reserve was a tech levy. That was 15
033years ago, maybe 14 years ago. It was ages ago. Um, we don't pass them very often. It gets really close sometimes, but >> I think we need to, if we're going to run it, we need to start campaigning as a community and the board and sooner. I think we need to do a lot of education and I think we need to have a really clear purpose. Um, one of the thing that's going to happen with our aging facilities and the increase in numbers which hopefully will continue is we are going to have to look at some major facility stuff could be 10 years down the road could be sooner but um these buildings are aging and we're doing a good job with upkeep and putting a lot of money in but you can see how
034much just some electrical work costs. Um, some of these the projects cost a lot of money. If we were to ever need to expand and build an extra classroom on or build onto a facility or anything like that, we're going to have to ask for money. So, I think we need to probably bank our confidence and then go to the voters and say, "We haven't asked for x many years. We're growing. Our facilities are aging. Here's is so important to us really do a mass mailing and do some door knocking and really educate people why we're asking for money and I think then we've got a a bigger chance of getting that money and maybe maybe the economy will be different right now whereas super high inflation you know next year two years from now
035maybe that'll be a very different spot But as we grow and buildings get older, we're going to definitely have some needs. And there might be a time where we want to expand. Maybe we want to have court gym. We want some more facilities for the school >> and and you could include could you I mean there's no reason you couldn't include a levy as well as some grants for expansion correct >> mix facilities or we could do some major replacement I The well is new, but a cost like that or if we needed to do new heating in building three, I mean that could be a lot of money. >> Well, even the well, it came in over what it was to when we did it. Intercat loans also. >> Yeah, >> that could be
036a great way to take a loan for the district if we needed to. The other thing we could educate people is how much lower the taxes are in this district compared to the surrounding districts. I mean, if you go down the road to Lola where they've got new construction and a big bond that they're going to be paying off for a long time, you go to MCPS where they're passing all kinds of >> has the highest taxes. >> So, it' be easy to do some math and run They built a new school. >> So definitely, you know, we can do some education components when the time comes. >> So do you guys have any questions about the comments? Otherwise, some kids here. Here's extra money. >> Yeah. >> And do we think that our needs
037are that we need right now or should we >> I don't either. I think we're at that point right now where things are just people are everybody's money is special. going up different things. It just feels >> it is very rare the last couple years to get >> if we can keep our numbers up and keep a really good and number. Yeah, if we could just say because we did a resolution when we did our election resolution that we were going to approval that if we could just essentially be a motion to >> say that we decided not to. >> Well, I can find a good way to >> we want to revisit it next year. >> Yeah. articulate. >> I'll sorry. >> I would just say move to not run. >> Okay. A levy
038for the 26 election cycle. I'll make a motion to not run a levy for the 2026 election cycle. >> All in favor say I. I. So moved. Okay, we've got facility maintenance projects. >> I was hoping to have more quotes for you, but that can be very difficult to get from folks. I've spent a lot of time on phone trying to get quotes and whatnot. Um, so I guess it's just a discussion today. We've kind of talked about a few possibilities and whatnot. Um, one thing that I think needs to be done sooner rather than later is the front porch in front of this building. That concrete continues to fall apart with a huge crack in it. I had a temporary fix done on the pillars of the roof. Um but really that was just
039attaching brackets. There was actually no attached brackets when I first came here at all. But we definitely need some new pillars and new concrete. I was thinking it'd be a good time if it's cost effective to do a sidewalk starting on this half of this building because that black top is completely disintegrating to the point that it's just >> holes cracks. >> Um, so I've reached out to a few people and didn't have any time getting quotes. I actually talked to Joe the other day because I know he does some concrete. He was going to write me a list of people he'd recommend to call. He said he passed that on to you to give to me. >> Oh, the list. No, >> he told me um told me you contacted him, but no, I
040didn't list. >> Okay. >> Sorry. >> Yeah. So, if you could remind him just of people that he knows could do smaller projects. >> Um some of the things I run into is don't go want to go up Highway 12 at all. You say, "Oh, I'm Lolo." And they're like, and then you say the address. They're like, "Oh, well, I'll go to Lolo, but I won't go to Highway 12, even though we're literally a few minutes." >> Um, where did the place next door to us said they were amazing. >> Is that the one? >> He might have known that. Yes, that show. >> He might know who that was. I just remember saying how good they were. And I can remember them like eight cars showed up and eight cars left and it was
041done. >> That was pretty sweet >> because we had concrete done at our house and it was not [laughter] >> whoever did the California was good. >> I'll ask them. I can email you. >> Yeah. >> And I try to always get free quotes for projects when I can. So, that's one thing I feel like needs to be done. Depending on the cost, that could eat up a lot of our building reserve. I'm not sure. I know concrete's expensive, but I guess I don't know how expensive these days. >> Um, some other projects could be some remodeling in either this building or building three. Um, we've got some aging flooring. Um, we could be working on bathrooms. Those bathrooms need a little bit of work in building three. I also talked to the contractor that
042did these bathrooms about doing those bathrooms and possibly adding a third bathroom. One thing that happens with having a lot more little kids with one person bathrooms is sometimes there's a bit of a long wait. Um, so that would be kind of nice and could be done pretty inexpensive they told me, but I don't have numbers for you. >> The flooring The teacher's work um is bubbling up as well as some of the cabinets could be replaced. I think some might even be original kind of falling apart. Um the flooring in the secretary's office is pretty well ruined. Could use some work there. So those are all projects in addition that I could get quotes on preferences. >> Nice. We're going to want to some of those ones done. So, it would be nice. >>
043Um, I did talk to Randle Construction about the fence and then I had a phone conversation about getting a quote for the rest of the fence and he said he'd give that to me. I don't have it yet, but that's something I feel that we should have done, too. I mean, turned out good for the rest of the fence. So, >> let's finish the job there. >> And I don't think there's too many posts that need Um I know Jonah >> that was a lot better fence back there. >> Yeah, it was in a lot better shape. We did talk about putting a new gate in. >> Yeah, >> I gart post in there. That's definitely something we can take a look at. I gave you the quote for the roof, but I feel like
044the front is more pressing. When I talked to the roofer, he said, "Yeah, you can probably last another two years at least building." So, we haven't had any leaks or problems unless wind blows some of it away. But, >> so that's kind of my update there. Um, I'm hoping to have quotes and make some final decisions at the next meeting. >> Long care [clears throat] Yes. So, as I talked about at the last meeting, our past company is no longer able to continue with us. So, we need to make a decision moving forward. Um, I found out a few things. One is one of the companies who does our snow plowing has taken over a lot of the local lawn care companies. Um, and I was able to get a quote from them. I found
045out again a lot of people are not willing to come up Highway 12. Um I found one other company that was in Europe, but he's coming back this week and going to give me a quote. I'm hoping for a better price. So the price that I got from the company that does the snow plowing is definitely more than our past company. Uh the bi-weekly mowing price because usually we're doing about other week until like August was $255 per visit. Um it's about $100 more than the past company. I think it's probably giving us a pretty good price. Um and for rewacking the grounds and whatnot twice a year that'd be about $500. There is a little bit of a different thing that they demand. So they say for all properties they work on that you
046have to have weed control and fertilizer applications which is not something we were doing before. Uh and that would be $326 twice. that >> is the weed whacking twice a year $500 each time they come into weed whack it's $500 >> well that's what they're saying but they >> that's >> well >> I need two we whackers at home >> believe it come >> believe it believe it when you see it though because it's a lot of weed whacking >> I think so >> that might be more >> I mean >> twice a year we whacking the other The other bi-weekly is just milling the yard. >> Okay. >> So, I'm so >> Yeah. Did I did he ask that last time? >> We talked about it. >> Yeah. would there be any way they
047would be able >> the other guy though he seems pretty promising he'd come out the guy that's in Europe >> he sounded promising but he hasn't given me a quote >> okay >> I'm hoping it's under this this seems a little high to me >> um but this is a >> for no No, no flowing. >> They've done nothing this year. >> Yeah, he's desperate. >> Um, but this is a big company. They have taken over like four or five other lawn mowing local companies. So, they are definitely the biggest. The good thing is they get it done and they've got the equipment. >> But, I'm hoping to have some other options. >> We could also, if we want to try to get our own employee, we could try posting it. We got lucky with
048grace. Um, but it'd have to be somebody that could come up on their own. I mean, >> we'd have to be somebody we could totally trust to use our equipment and >> take care of it. >> And you guys have >> We do without a blade. >> And the mower hasn't been used in some time. I had it tuned up on that long. >> It was two years ago. >> Has it been two years? >> Two years ago, we had a tuneup. You just >> Yeah. So, you kind of have to kind [laughter] >> You kind of have to a little bit. >> So, the last company that did, they just bring out their own >> and like these other the bigger companies, they often do. >> So, if you have an employee, is there
049a downside to that? Do you have to pay insurance or anything? >> It's just finding somebody. >> Oh, okay. >> You you they'd be on our workers comp. They'd be on our employment. They We pay them like we would everybody else on payroll. It's just finding somebody willing to do it for you every other week. >> Not that many hours. I mean, >> it'd be when you're doing it probably quite a few hours, but not that often. >> And you got to find somebody you can trust. We've had problems >> Yeah. >> over the years. So, one company was just not doing it. They had somebody in the past that >> Wasn't doing anything. [laughter] >> You want somebody that's going to take pride in doing it. >> Is that your >> I think your
050better bet is with the company just decline. >> Um >> and then if they don't do a good job, you find them and then you find somebody else. But um I just don't know. I mean, like you said, we got left. >> Yeah. And the tough part is like in the evenings or the weekends in the summer, I'm not always here. >> It's different with supervising employees and they're here during business hours. It has to be somebody that really can work independently and >> get the job done. So the right person could do a great job, but it's finding it's hard to find employees >> at all now. >> No. Okay. So, does that guy from Earth and Wood work for you guys? >> He does. He does. >> Is he pretty busy? >> He
051is. >> So, that's one of the companies I called. >> Oh. Oh, >> I knew they had worked at the ranch and I called and left two messages and I received nothing back. >> The voicemail just kind of said, "We're not working for the season." Um, >> so that wasn't too promising if people aren't even gonna answer their voicemails. >> Okay. >> Well, should we wait to hear back from another quote? >> I think so. I think so, too. >> Okay. Volunteer handbook. So the the backstory on this is that the last legislative session they changed um state statute and rules about volunteers and our lawyer has been working on getting things updated for districts. and she provided me with a template um volunteer handbook and she met with all of us superintendent in the
052area recently and kind of really went through this and said really heard this statute and the changes we need to be background checking all volunteers that could even possibly be working alone with students just like we of course do for all employees. Um, and she said that includes any type of field trips because there's always a chance they might be, you know, supervising them on their own. So, this is a little long winded. I took a few things out and condensed it a little bit, but a lot of it was just the the legal ease. Um, it's definitely a longer version than would prefer. Do you would you do a training on this with your volunteers or do you have many volunteers? >> Well, we don't have a huge amount. Usually it's field trips, but
053I would sit down with each person. There's a form they fill out. Um, the main thing is we've got to do background checks for people for field trips. >> Okay. >> They're volunteering. It doesn't include like people just coming to a lunchon or >> you know stuff like that concert >> mostly affects you have people coming to sit with kids and stuff like that >> that would be background check >> okay so um if you have a field trip coming up and you have interest and you just have to have them go get background checked how long of a process is that a few weeks or couple weeks you need to need make an appointment. If you're doing it in Missouli, you make an appointment with either the sheriff's office or the police off police
054department. They have certain days that they do at certain hours. So, a call to them to set up a time and then the paper card is just brought to me. I send it off to I fill it out and I send it off to the Department of Justice and then it's about the last time I talked to them a few weeks ago, they said they were still on an average about a seven to 10 day turnaround and they email it to me. So it's a it's quick once it once it's done it shoots right off. >> So I'm not pertaining to myself for as a volunteer necessarily, but if I had a background check done like 20 years ago. >> No. So how often do you have to >> each individual business should be doing
055their own? >> So if you were to start volunteering here, we would automatically have you >> every time you go to a place. Okay. >> Yeah. It used to be ages ago you had a form you could fill out that said yes I give permission for you know woodman school to give this to Lolo school >> and you can still >> there's a way but most places don't do that anymore don't accept that as a >> because what happens is when the background check comes back it's clean I fill out this form that essentially says on this date this person this birth date they check they you know they passed and I sign it and then it goes into a file and then the actual background checks destroyed >> and it's gone. >> Okay. >>
056And then or vice versa, something's on there and um John and I both have the ability to we've done a fun training. We can look at the the background checks and and he's the final say on on how that goes. But if somebody's not, there's a box you check I would check that says no, we don't approve, you know, we don't approve this person to. And then once again, the background check is still destroyed and all that sort of stuff. So determination form, that's what it's called. Okay. >> And um so really the only thing we could pass on is that termination form, which has zero information, which I think is why a lot of places don't they want to be able to see the information themselves. >> And this is this is field trip.
057>> I feel like, "Okay, I feel like I should tell Joe. We probably should just get that done in case." >> Yeah. Then it's just it's just ready to go. >> Anytime someone chaperoning and part of the our lawyer's thinking was like, well, what if the chaperon had to take a student like an emergency bathroom break? >> Yeah. >> Whatot? >> Okay. >> Yeah, it's fairly easy to do. It does take a little bit longer. You have to schedule an appointment at the sheriff's office. And we reverse the cost. The kind of credit cards are typically $15. >> Not every district. >> Yeah. >> You just like notify parents like that school year before trip or something like if people wanted to help out or something. >> Yeah. So I'm going to put out a
058message this year. Um I wanted to bring this to you guys first and have this approved and then I'm going to put this on the website, make copies of the form to fill out. >> Okay. Typically um the field trips that it'll affect the most that we have chef runs is the ski trip. Um that's one we have a lot of chaps. >> Okay. >> So you guys have any more questions on this? Do you want to discuss it further? Do you want to >> Okay. So you want to make a motion? Just accepting the new I make a motion to accept a new volunteer. >> Okay. I second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. So moved new business of levy resolution. >> So this is the second to the last page in
059your in your packet. This is something we have been doing. years since 2017, thanks to the legislature, um any of our funds that have permissively levied monies, we have to um you guys need to approve a resolution and then this needs to be printed in the local newspaper. So, it'll be in Missoula by the end of March. Um it's technically for next school year. It's supposed to be a transparency thing. Um this is just my best estimate. we are not stuck, you know, if suddenly something increases in price for some reason, we're not um committed to just these exact increases or decreases that are in here. Um so what I did is I did increase transportation just by a thousand. I kind of um bumped it up a bit last year because I wasn't sure
060what fuel was going to do. So it was already kind of already increased. So I don't feel the need to really mess with transportation budget much over what we >> reconsider that >> I know that was my I put this together a week and a half ago. Um >> I hear it's going to skyrocket really quickly. >> Um tuition we actually have fewer kids going elsewhere um for next year. So we should see a decrease in the tuition fund. That's just any of our kiddos that are attending other other um districts as out of district students. Um and the building reserve fund. I just did a little $500 increase. I'm not quite sure yet what that um this is the permissive building reserve levy I said where the state pays a good chunk of it.
061Um it's going to go up and our portion will go up a little bit. Um so I put $500 in there just as kind of a a holding a holding uh number. um which overall would see us with a small decrease. Um also the way mills are calculated um this year changed a little bit. So um it doesn't cost taxpayers as much for each mill which is kind of nice. So okay um we have to put in there for the impact on $100,000 300,000 $600,000 home. um which this year is the first time we've included those three so it matches up what you are required to put on an election ballot. Um and then for the building reserve levy um you're supposed to, you know, give some ideas to what those funds could or would
062be used for. And so I put on there security and safety upgrades, interior painting, flooring, roof, miscellaneous repairs, maintenance, school property. Kind of just a general overall captures everything we might need to do. >> Okay. >> And that's it. >> Okay. So does that increase our tax our current taxes then? >> Yes, permissive levies are are I mean overall this is showing a bit of a decrease. Um so so >> affects our >> it affects the taxes. It is it's it's levies that are levied without voters permission. We we we need to have transportation. We are allowed to levy for tuition for um building reserves. So this is an estimation. So is there a chance it's actually going to be an increase considering >> there is a chance. >> Okay. >> Yeah. We're I mean
063we don't even this is even based on LA this year's taxable values. We won't even get new taxable values till August. This like I said this is supposed to be transparency. >> Okay. >> It's the silliest transparency ever because it really doesn't mean a whole lot this early. Okay. >> Just estimates. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Is there any question to do with that? >> Sure. >> Possible motion. So we are what are we um >> we just need to do a motion to approve the permissive levy resolution. >> Okay. >> So if we didn't approve it, we would >> we would not be able to permissibly levy legally. >> Okay. >> Nobody would really know. But yes, we would not be able to levy through our transportation. We would not be We need to do
064that. >> It says it's authorized by law to impose levies to support it. We have to >> You really do. I mean, if you were to say, "Nope, I'm not going to." >> You really can't. You have to approve. >> Okay. Well, that's [laughter] okay. >> All right. Well, I can uh I'll make a motion to I already I already lost the verbiage that you said. I'm sorry. um to approve the permissive levy resolution >> for fiscal year 27. Fiscal year 27 say I >> so I so moved. Okay. Additions to sublist. We have some new substrates. >> The subs that we talked about? >> No, these are new ones. >> Okay. So, did those other two not work out? >> Well, >> because so they have not subbed yet. So, one cleared background check
065but hasn't yet has more limited availability than we think. >> Um, and then the other one has not turned in their background check yet. So, they haven't fallen off because of >> we have some more. >> And I can't even remember >> from before. >> Yes. >> Sasha turned in Was it? I'm not remembering last names. >> Oh, you're good. Did you have any more information on Sasha? I know you had like little bits that maybe >> Yeah, she um was a wreck teacher, like a recreation teacher. Pastor background has not >> I do not s do not >> [laughter] >> So, we don't have the sub list. >> Is that what you're saying? >> I thought you were bringing it. Sorry. >> Whoops. So, we have Lindsay Overwell, who happens to be a parent.
066Um, she um also volunteers as well. Um, but she said that she might like to sub if she ever has a day off. And then we have Megan is her first name. She is a women's softball coach and her last name. >> Sorry about that, guys. >> No, totally dropped the ball on that one. Carter, >> did you have the two? We didn't get that application for the third or did we >> are we talking Vanessa? She is getting her fingerprints done in my city. >> Did she do the application? >> She did. >> Okay. So, let's add her to the list. >> So, we also have Vanessa Gruba who happens to be the mother of Lexi Gruba, our teacher who's going to be visiting for about >> and she's she's volunteered before, hasn't she?
067So, she actually lives over in Mile City, but she's a retired teacher, so she's >> You might be thinking Mariah's mom last year was helping out. >> She did for us. >> So, one is pending a background check. >> So, Lindsay has come back. Megan, um, she just dropped off her application not too long ago, and I gave her the instructions on getting fingerprints and stuff. That's the hard part. That's probably going to take a little bit is finding an opening with the local departments to get it done because they only do a couple hour blocks two to three days a week and so you're trying to to sneak in. And um Vanessa, Lex's mom, she just emailed a couple days ago saying that she would get it done in my city, but she would
068send it to us so we can get the process started before she's actually here because she won't be here physically for a couple more weeks. So, do does she live or >> Lexi does Vanessa her mom lives in Mile City, but she's coming to to stay with Lexi for a while. >> Oh, okay. >> And so, she during that time >> during that time she Yeah. >> Okay. >> Uh the last name is Casper. >> Megan Casper. [laughter] >> He's a softball coach. >> Okay. >> So, do do we want to make Motion to accept those. >> Sure. To the list. I'll make a motion to approve the additions to the sublist. >> I do. I favor say I. So, >> okay. School calendar. the very last page of your packet there. >> A little
069bit of background on this. So, one of the things um that I did helping build this calendar this year is a lot around the literacy grant. Um so, building in the professional development that will be needed for the literacy grant as well as building in some other aspects of that. Um, so you can see August 24th through 28th, I built in a jump start uh week and I'm going to pay for that through the grant. Um, so there's going to be a literacy focus, but it'll be a jump start for all grade levels. And I'm working with the Montana Writing Collaborative to have them out. uh and they came out a few years ago and um did some writing with the students that they actually make like a little booklet that they publish and whatnot.
070It's really cool, but also having kind of a fun week to get kids back to the schedule and whatnot. We did that for all grade levels, not [cough and clears throat] last summer, but the summer before and used grant funding. That's when we had the author Steve caller out during that week. birding field tour did all kinds of fun stuff. So, uh that's what is in yellow. You can see the week before that we have four days of professional development for teachers. We frontloaded more before school starts knowing that we're going to adopt, you know, possibly a new reading curriculum. Um so that's a little bit different. So we're starting just a little bit later, like a day or two later than past year starting on the 31st officially of August. Um, couple things. Um,
071I try to follow and so does Jessica when we build this MCPS's calendar for the bigger breaks because some people have high school students as well as elementary school students. So, we have the same spring break uh which is April 5th uh through 9th. One thing I did that some parents have told me is having um the Monday after Easter is really helpful for traveling. So I put a teacher work day on that. So a day off for students on March 29th >> um to help with that. Um Christmas break is about the same two weeks. Um the professional development is really aligned with the literacy grant and our consultant schedule. So I worked with her to build that. We've got some days for professional development uh in June as well that don't affect the
072student calendar. Um but then we are getting out again in May. So May 28th would be the last day of school. >> That's nice. >> Yeah. We're one of the only ones around that does. Most people go into June. >> Um, and the main reason for that is most of the other districts are having either late starts or early starts for professional development. Instead of taking a day off, they every single week they're getting out early. So, one of the problems with that, of course, is for parents that changes the schedule for parents. They have to get off early. So, a reason not to do that. But otherwise, there's a lot of similarities besides what have any questions? >> No. Motion to approve the 2026 2027. >> All in favor say I. I. >> So
073move. >> Preschool programs. Yeah. So, just wanted to update about preschool programs for the district. So, uh the state is again continuing for funding for quality and being a four-year-old program. They've added math. So, it's literacy and math now. So, students can qualify uh with either buying a new assessment for math. Um so, the four-year-old program gets A and B. The thing I really wanted to talk about was a three-year-old program. Um, so we wrote that into our literacy grant to have a three-year-old program. And so we want to continue with that particularly for indist. Um, but one of the things when we built this three-year-old program, we built it as a half day. Um, this past year I made some exceptions for students um, based on circumstances. Um, this year I don't want to
074make broad exceptions particularly for out of district students because one of the things I'm getting phone calls about is a three-year-old program for out of district students and I think one of the things that they're finding is that could be a possible daycare solution. Um, and really the the three-year-old program number one focus is in district. Let's provide services to in district students or dis or students that are going to stay in our district for a long time. We really want to grow our own for students that will be here in their career. Um I really don't feel that the district wants to put resources and money into funding a dayare for just three-year-old students full day that then will go off to other >> school districts. And really the the way the program was
075developed for three-year-olds is a half day program in the morning that they can work on preacademic skills, work on some playbased skills and whatnot for the afternoon. We did that for some logistical reasons for siblings and whatnot, but really it's a it's a half day program. So I just kind of want to update the board that um I am going to really stress that it's a half day three program and that um automatic enrollment for in district students for out of district students I would wait to enroll until we know our four-year-old numbers as well as in district numbers. Um, so I don't want to rush with enrolling a lot of three-year-olds that the only funding we're getting is from grant funding, but we don't get any A and B funding for the district. So,
076we don't want to be topheavy on three-year-olds that are out of district. Really, we have a focus on our four-year-old program if they're out of district. So, just wanted to update the board on that and where we're at. >> Okay. Any questions on that? >> No. >> Okay. Reading curriculum committee discussion and possible promotion. >> Yeah, we've been talking about this for a while and one of the things that we've been doing as a school leadership team um is researching about curriculum and working with our consultant. So, the time is coming next month that we want to form our bigger committee after we go and observe other places and we get more information. But we want to an official committee to make the recommendation to the board of what to adopt. Um, so I am
077going to recruit some parents, but I want to recruit a board member, which involves an official action by you guys to nominate someone. And as the board comes, it can only be one person because otherwise the it would be a board meeting if there's more. >> Um, so what I am looking for tonight um is a nomination of which board member will represent u the board in this committee to help bring a decision and recommendation back to the board. They'll most likely be after school um the meetings we haven't set any time or dates but >> no traveling >> no no traveling just here I've got samples to look at I'm also going to um probably Skype in some folks from the company to talk to the committee talk about what they have to offer
078and whatnot. But um yeah, just be kind of some learning. >> And how often are the meetings? >> Well, that's a good question. Um it could be as low as two meetings. It could be more if people have lots of questions. >> Oh, two meetings altogether. >> It could be as low as that. It could be more. It really depends on the committee. There'll be an initial committee meeting, an overview and introduction, and then that committee will have to decide kind of how much time they need to be able to go through things >> based on what they have to look at the curriculum. Yeah. >> Okay. What do you guys think? [laughter] >> Which one of you girls want to volunteer? >> I'll do it. >> Okay. to get out of the house. >>
079You want to make a motion for her? >> I make a motion to nominate. >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. So move. I. So move. >> Okay. and >> anything else you didn't get on there. Okay, next meeting April 13th.