001little chunky monkey. >> Oh my gosh, how cute. Okay, we are We were waiting on you and we're really glad that you and your baby are with us. >> Yeah, me too. >> I bet you're really glad, too, aren't you? >> Oh, I'm so excited. >> I bet you are. Well, congratulations. >> Thank you. >> Okay, let's let's do the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay. All right. I got my dad's flag here. I pledge allegiance to 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. >> Okay. Approval of the minutes. Okay. I can make a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting January 12th on 2026. Okay. Do we have a second? >>
002Oh, I second that. >> Okay. Um all in favor of say I. >> I. So moved. Okay. Okay. And then we have that expendit the is that the expenditure list next? Is that right? Hold on. Yeah. Approval of the expenditures. >> Yep. It was amended. >> Right. So I can >> Right. >> I can approve it with the amendment in in mind. Um Let me double check here. Okay, so where am I at? Payroll. >> Were there any questions on that expenditure list at all >> from anybody? >> No, I do not have any questions. I looked it over. >> Yeah, I don't think I had any either. >> Okay. Somebody want to accept uh make a motion then to accept approval of the expenditures? >> I'll do it. Um Okay. Okay, I'll make a
003motion to approve the payroll at $46,397.25, the claims at $40,7245, and the activities at $14,59626. >> I second that. >> Okay. Um, all in favor of say I. I. >> So moved. Okay, we have the uh payroll and claims. That was it. Okay. In the activity. Okay. We didn't have any public presentations. Danica, you got anything? Possibly not. Okay. Apparently not. Okay. John, principal's report. >> Hey, we have been busy this past month. We completed skiing lessons for the year up at Lost Trail. uh which uh went wonderfully and uh kids got used to having the new RFID cards instead of um stickers. Um so that was a big change with their whole computer system and whatnot, but we got used to that. Um third and fourth grade went to the symphony and to the
004university on a field trip. Uh we had Missoula Rural Fire Department out to teach lessons um to all the students. Um and they taught them not only fire safety um how to evacuate from your home, smoke detectors, they also brought extra fire extinguishers and we taught the kids how to use a fire extinguisher and older students got to uh give that a try. Um, we have the >> like they needed it from the one that was being shot up in the air. >> It It showed the kids how far it goes. >> Uh, yeah. It's pretty It's pretty amazing those things. >> Yeah. Really? >> Uh, we have the hundth day of school coming up this Thursday. We'll have been in school 100 days. So, kind of exciting that much time has flown by. Uh,
005we will have no school on the 16th of February for President's Day. Um, and then on February 20th, we're heading up to Lolo Pass for snow day for our chili feed. And uh we're going to do um kind of the usual activities with sledding, um some snowshoeing, all that fun stuff. And then the next day after we have the Special Olympics Polar Plunge. So this year we have a team of six students that are going to plunge into the water that are raised money for Special Olympics and our own deputy Chris, our SRO, is going to jump with them this year. Are you going to jump too, John? >> Well, I'm I'm not I'm thinking maybe next year. Maybe. Give me another year. >> Okay. >> I I'll let Chris do it on his own.
006>> This is kind of a warm year. It might be a good time to do it. >> You know, you're right, Jan. Maybe I'll rethink that. >> Yeah, it has been a >> better than if it's 20 below. >> That's true. That's true. The hard thing for me is I've got one knee that it just seems like every time I jump into a shallow pool, it just kind of is not great for my knee. If it was a little deeper, I kept running into that with the um Oh, the dunk tanks is that you come down, it's so shallow. It's It's not good on my one knee. >> Yeah. Um >> might heal it though in that nice cold water. It is. It's pretty fun. And they have a hot tub for them, too, afterwards.
007>> Oh, boy. >> The week of the 23rd of February, we are going to start a next round of mass testing for grades 3 through 8. Um, so that's coming up, the second round of that. Um, and I have had um some meetings with our legal staff and our lawyer recently. She did say that u there are going to be revised policies but they're not ready for this meeting. So um that'll have to wait till next meeting. >> Okay. >> Um enrollment continues at 53 total um and four three-year-olds. >> Wow. >> Um facilities I will discuss in a item in the agenda. um our parent group. We finished our uh spirit gear fundraiser and it was really successful. Um and one thing we talked about is running another one later um with some other
008items. There's been interest in buying some Woodman school hats um and maybe some other gear in addition to shirts. Um and that would be embroidered. Um, so, uh, we're going to talk about possibly doing another sale of items. Um, we are planning a spring catalog fundraiser and starting that the end of March. Um, so stay tuned for that. Um, and we are meeting February 18th after school to have another parent committee meeting. >> Okay. And for our grant stuff going on, we are planning a family literacy event on March 5th and we're going to plan this one in the evening. So, more details will be coming out about that. Um, but we're excited to have another event for families about literacy. >> Okay. That's what I >> So you got Did you get all three
009of those there, John? The principal's operation and parent group sounds like. >> Yep. All done. >> Okay. Okay. Any other adjustments to the agenda items? >> None that I know of. >> Okay. Old business levy election discussion and possible motion. Do you want to discuss that, John? >> Yeah. So, it is the time of year that if we wanted to run a levy that we would need to do so. Jessica included a bunch of information uh with all the numbers of what we could run and do. Um we are having a levy expire. um very recently for I believe building maintenance. >> Yeah. >> Um so there is the possibility um that we could keep that up and not raise mills uh for folks. Um certainly there is lots of building needs and we'll be
010discussing that next. Um but we did not pass our last uh last levy. Um, so that's something to keep in consideration, too. Um, so it's um kind of just a discussion if we want to run it or wait. Um, that's kind of what's going on. >> Do you girls have any questions on um on that levy at all? I guess if we have uh facility maintenance projects and stuff, I'm wondering if we need to that would have to be passed. We would have to approve of that now to be able to to put one on the ballot, I'm assuming. Correct. >> That was my impression uh from an email the election department sent out, but they just sent a new one out that actually gave us till the 19th of March. So, if we want
011to mul it over and then make a decision officially at the March meeting, we do have time. Okay. So, um John, you were talking about h having quite a few of facility maintenance projects that we may have in the future. Um do we want to um do we want to do anything with a motion on this or do we want to hold off on it till the next uh board meeting? I I say we should maybe just wait. It's one of those things that if we have time, maybe we should wait. >> I agree. >> If I could have just a couple minutes, I just want to throw a little information at you to guys when you're kind of mulling it over in the next couple weeks. Um, one of the pages I included in
012the packet was a preliminary budget for next year because our enrollment has gone up so much from last year. Um, our general fund's looking at about a $55,000 bump up from what it was this year. So, there is that. Um, we also have to remember that the legislature, this being the first year, bumped up how much we get in our building reserve fund from the permissive levy. Um, and that will be more next year because our enrollment bumped up. Um, we got about 42,000 I think it was uh this year, right in that ballpark. So, it'll be a bit more than that next year, uh, without having to take anything to the voters. Um, another thing to consider, um, if you're looking at my bazillion numbers that I sent you, one thing that did change
013with the last legislative session, um, mills forever and ever have been worth $135 and that's how they've been calculated. They changed how that works. So, actually, it will cost taxpayers less for let's say we we asked them for a $75,000 building reserve levy like we did the last time over four years. Um, somebody with a $300,000 house was paying 61.84 every year for that levy. For uh the same levy with with the new tax structure, it's only 34.81. 81. Something else to consider. >> So, so that last levy that we were paying $60 per $300,000 home, does that go away? >> That's This is the final year. That was a four-year. Yes, that was 75,000 over four years. So, this is the fourth year. And as of the 2627 school year, we will no longer
014be able to levy that money. >> Okay. So, it will be off of our taxes for uh after next year is what you're saying. >> Starting in next November. Yes. >> Starting next November. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Test. >> And if anybody wants to to have a conversation with me about it before then just to understand things a little more anytime. >> Okay. Yeah. This is this is probably something I need to think about. I honestly don't like upping the taxes for people, but is it it's also a choice for them. So, you can at least give them the choice. This is my dilemma usually. >> Well, and if you think about it, let's say we ask them to continue. Let's do another fouryear $75,000 building reserve bond or levy. Um, it's almost half. It's
015it's going to cost them about half based on the new tax structure. Um, >> are they going to know that or is there a way that >> No, that's the thing. We'd have to sell that to them and try and make them understand that, which it's it took me a while to figure out the new the other one was so simple. 1 mil, buck 35, boom, you know, and uh it's not that straightforward anymore. And it's tweaking again a little bit later. So, um, >> yeah, I mean, I think we're I know we've got some big projects coming. We didn't spend all the building reserve money this year. Um, and I know, you know, we're getting quite a bit permissively. If we wanted to just hold off, we we'd be fine, too. Um, >> okay.
016>> Completely up. Then the question that I have in my mind as well is if we held off on it till next year. I mean right now you might try to pass a 20 or $30,000 bond or something where next year we might be able to sell it if we have those needs that hey we need x amount of dollars >> if we think that we can make it through till then. That's one of my thoughts. I don't know anybody think the same way or >> I also want to throw out schools are having the toughest time the last few years passing anything. Very few are passing and those that are passing are passing by the skin of their teeth. >> So um >> is there any is there any realistic hurt in asking for
017a levy other than being turned down? >> Other than the fact we don't want to ask too often. >> Yeah. because then they get tired of seeing us. >> Yeah. >> Um I that's really the only harm in asking. >> That's what I figured. >> Um a couple of things. I did find an organization that will help us um get information to voters for completely for free. They'll help us design postcards or letters to send out. They'll help with those fees and whatnot. Um, so that's a great thing that I learned that we could do. Um, one of the other things that we could do is we could do some comparisons of districts around them. Um, people are paying a lot more in taxes in neighboring districts such as Lolo where they paid for, you
018know, not only a brand new school but multiple levies. U Missoula County Public Schools down the road where they're paying um, countless more levies. Um, so there's ways to educate people and say, you know, what we're asking for is actually a lot less um than a lot of other people are asking for. Um, but sometimes it's worth it to bank it, too. Um, the day will come when we will need a lot more than we need now. Um, the way the world is going and growing, we will end up growing and probably need more facilities someday. It could be a long time. Um, but the day the day will come. >> Okay. Well, maybe we should all mul it over as Jessica said. And >> yeah, we've got we do have I was thinking we
019were having to make a decision tonight and that scared me a little bit, but yeah, we've got one more meeting to to throw things out there and see see where everybody stands. >> Okay. Or does somebody want to make a motion whether to proceed or to put it off till the next meeting? >> Or do we need to do that? I >> I don't think you do because it said discussion >> and possible. >> Yeah, possible action. Okay, let's just put that off then till next uh meeting. You girls good with that? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. So, let's see here. New business facility maintenance projects. >> Yeah. So, I have kind of a going list of things that we need to work on. And this might actually help you um with mulling things over
020about a levy when you kind of like look at the list of things that we need to work on or do. Um and some things are things we really need to do. Some things are things we just may want to do down the road. Um we've really been trying to keep on top of maintenance issues so that we're not having a lot of back maintenance issues. meeting with other superintendent um and principles. A lot of schools have, you know, years and years of back maintenance um with leaking roofs and major major problems that they are have to get fixed. Um we've done well uh keeping everything repaired and taking care of what we do have. Um, so I've kind of got a list going of things that we need to address still going forward. Um,
021one of those things is camera systems. Security-wise, our camera system is out ofdate. Um, and it just has very limited usability. Um, limited how many cameras we have, limited on playback. Um, so that's something that security-wise, uh, we're going to need to address at a certain point. Um, another one is the front porch of building two. So, as you come up those main steps, that porch that cement is having some major structural problems, crack down the middle. I did have um contractors repair the pillars by kind of a quick fix with some new bolts because those had actually come unbolted. Um and I was worried the porch was going to completely fall down. Um but that's definitely something that we need to get fixed. Unfortunately, that will involve um demolition of concrete and new concrete
022which is very expensive. Um, I've got somebody coming out later this week to give a quote and uh then we can look at getting a few quotes and see where we're at. Um, also the sidewalk, half of it that goes around building too, you've probably noticed, is just crumbling apart. They didn't use concrete, they used black top. Um, and that just is um, yeah, it's just completely um, disintegrating. Um, so if we did that front porch, I'd want to do that other concrete at the same time. Um, so I'm going to work on numbers for that. Um, let's see here. Uh, flooring. There's a few areas of the school that could use some new flooring. Um quite a bit was done uh particularly in building two not too long ago, but uh it's getting to
023the point we may need to look at the multi-purpose room and also some of the other bathrooms for flooring. Um enclosed in your packet was a roof uh quote for building one. That is the oldest roof. Um, I did talk to the roofer that did the last two and he said it's getting to the point you may want to get it done, but he said you have no leaks right now. You could also go another two or three years probably with the current roof um if there's no problems with it. Um, but that is something that we will have to get done. So, you can see that quote was for 17. Um, let's see. Another thing that we may want to consider is some remodeling. Uh last summer we remodeled um two of the bathrooms
024in building uh two which turned out really nice. Um also in building two that teacher workroom and kitchen uh needs some remodeling work. A lot of the they put in the kitchen part new cabinets and counters, but they didn't do any of the rest of the cabinets and counters and those are falling apart. I think they they're quite old. They might even be original. Um where those cabinets are just not even very useful. Um also that flooring is bubbling up, so that flooring needs replaced. Um it could also really use a a paint job. Some of that paint um is quite old as well. Um in building number three, one of the things we may want to consider is those bathrooms in building three have taken a lot of wear and tear. Uh those the
025flooring needs uh redone, definitely needs new paint. Another thing that uh I've floated and talked to teachers about is adding another bathroom in the multi-purpose room. There's single person bathrooms and with lots of young kids a lot of times it can be quite a lineup um for the bathrooms. Um we could easily put one in that um kind of al cove as you first come in the door. It shouldn't cost too much to uh put another small bathroom in there and then have three. Um so that's something that we could work on. Also, the secretary's office is in desperate need of flooring and that cabinet and um kind of built-in desk needs replaced as well. Um so these are all kind of possible projects. Um some stuff needs done much more than others. Uh, but
026we definitely do have some options. So, my job now before the next meeting is I'm going to start getting numbers for you guys. Um, I already have that roof and I'm going to get some more numbers. Um, and that might be something to think about if we want to run a levy, too. How much do we want to tackle in one year? Do we need more to be able to keep the facility up to date and meeting our needs? John, is any of that grant that we have available for any of those things that you mentioned? >> Um, could you say that again? >> Are any is that grant does any of that grant uh have provision for um any of the facility maintenances that you uh mentioned? >> No, that's only for literacy supplies.
027that can help with some additional salaries and supplies and reading curriculum. Um, so all of these will need to come out of building maintenance. Um, >> okay. >> Yeah. >> And that's Yeah. And that's what we've been using with that grant that is expiring. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Perfect. Um, yeah. Yeah. So having some figures for the next meeting would probably be really nice. >> Yep. Just wanted to get the conversation started. >> Okay. Okay. Uh lawn care. >> Yeah. So the past two years we have been contracting with Southerntherland Lawns uh which was working really well and I feel like they were pretty reasonable. Um, before that, we had a contractor that was doing cleaning and was contracted to do the lawns and outdoor maintenance, and that was not working quite so well
028for the district. Um, gosh, it's telling me we only got 10 minutes. >> Um, >> let's get there. We'll get there. >> Yep. So, basically, they are no longer able to provide our lawn care. um they sent me an email saying that they wouldn't be able to service us um for this coming year. So, I would just like to ask the board if you would like me to get quotes from other companies or if we'd rather pursue trying to find a part-time person just for some lawn maintenance. Um, I think you ought to ask around ask around and see what it would cost for some something comparable >> that we had with them because they sure did a nice job. >> Yep. >> Um, >> Eden, is there a somebody on the ranch that does
029your guys' landscaping or anything? >> Um, I technically yes. >> Okay. Um, like our our lawns and stuff are supposed to be through the landscaping company, but they've kind of fizzled out on that. Um, so it's kind of just part-time hands that do it. >> Okay. >> Um, I know Jan knows Ryan. I know he was doing just he was just mowing lawns and stuff last year. He's in high school and he does a lot of our mowing now, but I don't think he does much else other than that. >> Okay. >> Does he have enough time to I mean, I don't know how well he does. >> Does he um Does he have enough time off the ranch that he could take care of uh the school up there? I know. Um he is
030he's hourly as as he chooses kind of. Um it just depends on how many hours he wants to log with the ranch, but if he's getting paid elsewhere to do some work. Um because I think we'll also have someone else returning to help for part-time work here. So he might have a little bit of extra free time if he chooses. >> Yeah. And and what kind of equipment do they need to have to be able to make that work, too? >> Yeah. >> So, we have almost everything. We might just have to buy a new weed whacker is all. >> Um, >> okay. >> But if people want to ask around and I'll start getting some quotes and then um let's talk more about it next month. >> Okay. Middle school science field trip to
031Idaho. >> Yep. So, we did this last year um to science and physics day and we'd like to ask the board your permission to travel out of state again for middle school to go to Silverwood for their science and physics day. >> Okay, >> I can do that. >> Okay, go ahead. >> Um I make a motion to approve the out of state travel for the middle schoolers. >> Okay, I I second. >> All right. All in favor of say I. >> I. So moved. Volunteers. >> Yeah. So in the meeting with um our lawyers um they have done some clarification of new laws that went into effect um around background checking. Um, and they provided clarification that we need to make sure that we're actually doing background checks of any type of volunteers that
032are going on field trips or, you know, individually reading with students or anything like that. They've really drilled it into us to air on the side of caution um to make sure that we're doing background checks for any volunteers that are doing anything like that. Um, so I am working on adapting a volunteer handbook and procedures from them. Um, so just wanted to update you that that's something coming along the pipeline that we're just going to be a lot more specific uh particularly with field trips uh for anyone chaperoning that we do background checks. Um, and that is um just further interpretation of laws that have been passed. Okay. So, we need to pass a motion to It says possible motion. Is that >> um Yeah. So, I'll have more for you next month. It
033would just be um the handbook if we want to publish a handbook that we would need passed. >> Okay. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. I That should be it. The next regular meeting will be March 9th, 2026. >> Okay. And so adjourned. >> Thanks everybody. >> All right. Bye guys. >> Thank you. Appreciate you. John, I will need to stop by and sign all that stuff. >> Yep. And I'll need to get it from Jessica. >> Okay. I've >> When do you want to do the handoff? >> Yeah. I've got to have a I've got some stuff going in the morning for that funeral. So, um I don't I don't Why don't you just let me know when you got it, John, and we'll figure it out. Okay. >> Okay. You don't happen to be
034going to Missoula for anything, do you? >> Um I'm going to have to at some point. Yes. Why should I meet up with Jessica? >> Um only if you were going to be there in the next couple days before I got to her for this stuff. >> If that's easier. Well, I'm not sure. I'm just not sure. >> I'll hunt John down tomorrow and then you guys can meet up when you have the moment of, you know, a second. >> That would probably Okay. >> I've got it all ready to go. So, we'll we'll figure it out. >> Yeah. Why don't you guys let me know. >> Okay. Sounds good. Thanks you guys. We'll >> do. Yeah. Thanks. Good night, everybody. Yep. Good night.