001I wasn't going to. >> This meeting is being recorded. >> Cool. Yeah, I I didn't want to go there. I didn't want to get whatever cred you guys have had. Is that the same? Have you read Do we know? Is that the same thing that Tessa has? >> It sounds like it might be the same. Um there one little guy has a few different symptoms, but it's just I think just little kids with a cold kind of just get a plethora of stuff anyway. So, >> okay. >> I don't know. >> Let's see. I don't think Joe got it though. >> Really? >> Yeah. Huh. >> Don't know how he did it. He said he loaded up on vitamin D. >> Well, that probably was smart. Is he hunting on the ranch trying to get
002some of those varmints? >> Um >> the were there there were some wolves around there, weren't there? >> Um who saw one? I feel like the guys, well, my dad had gone out because they spotted some and um they had gone out and then they had spotted some again and Joe thinks it's two different packs that are fighting for some >> Wow. really >> fighting over some stuff. >> Wow. >> Oh, I hopefully we get some more cleared out. It's kind of ridiculous. >> Yeah, really. Well, I hope they don't come down close to our houses. No, I agree. Okay. >> So, do we know if Eden was going to join us or I mean Tessa was going to join us? >> Uh she said it should work. Um but it's 5:00 now. So, we
003do have a quorum. So, okay. >> Uh I'll let her in if she comes, but I think we should get started. >> Let's do it. Let's call the meeting to order. >> We don't have a flag here. >> I I do hear. >> Do you? Okay. Ouch. [laughter] >> Shoot. Okay. I got one, too. Okay. >> 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 all. >> Okay. Approval of the minutes. This is just going to have to be between me and you at this point. Uh Eden. >> Oh my god. >> Heaven help us. [laughter] >> I I thought they looked good. I didn't see anything. I I didn't catch anything that
004looked wrong when I read them. >> No, it looked good to me, too. Um, do we do I need to make a motion on that to approve? >> Yes, >> I always miss for some reason I blank out that part. >> Oh, I make a motion to approve the minutes of last month's meeting. I don't have the date. >> It was November 10th. >> Oh, there it is. Uh, last last month's meeting, November 10th, 2025. >> Okay, I second that. All in favor say I. I >> so moved. Okay. The uh approval of the expenditures. >> Sorry about that you guys. Just a second. Did you see those? It looks like new books. That's That sounds fun. >> Yeah. >> So, the books that were bought just out of curiosity. I'm assuming these are just
005kind of like for fun, like an addition to the library kind of a thing, but not Yeah. >> Not not curriculum. >> Um, correct. So, these are actually library books. Um, and they are non-fiction books for younger students. Um, and one of the great things is that with this grant, the grant actually pays for books and whatnot. >> Um, so yeah. >> Awesome. >> Sweet. >> So these are some of the ones through the grant then. And then how how about that mentor coaching? How's that still going? You guys still going and doing that? >> Yep. So, we are doing that on a regular basis. And uh it's going really well. And um again, this is all stuff through the grant, uh not the general fund. And uh we're also doing professional development as well.
006Okay, give me one second. Hold on. Join the meeting, Ron. Oh jeez. Hold on sec. We're trying to get Ron into a granddaughter's meeting. Oh jeez. I don't know what to do with that, hun. There you go. See if that works. Okay. All right. So, any other questions on that? I think it looks good to me. >> I don't even know how to do that one. I thought it did too. >> So, do you want to make a motion to accept that with payroll claims and activity? >> Yes. Um, I make a motion to approve the list of expenditures for the month of December. Payroll totaling 50,432.77 claims in $33,197 and activities in $13,84528. >> Okay. Um I would second that motion. In favor say I. >> I. >> And so moved. So, um I
007don't believe we had any public uh any uh public presentations. >> No. >> So, uh principal's report. >> Yep. We're keeping busy here. Uh we uh finished up swimming lessons. Uh those went well. Um, tomorrow we're taking second through 8th graders to the Nutcracker Ballet and Planetarium at the university. Uh, we finished the first round of state mass testing. Um, three more rounds to go. Um, we are skiing in January on the 8th and 15th. Uh we have a holiday program coming up on December 19th uh from 1 to 3:00 p.m. And this year we um are pairing it with a literacy event. So the kids are going to do the um the concert and the the little play skits um around the holiday and then they're going to break up into small groups and
008um get to listen to a book, a holiday book and then do activities. Um, so that's uh one of the requirement of the grant is family um events and so we decided well everyone will be here for the concert anyways. Let's do a fun activity right after with a a fun holiday book. >> Cool. >> So that's coming up next week. >> So that's after 3 o'clock. Uh, no, >> it's during the 3:00 the 1 to 3 during the concert will be about an hour and then the book of uh literacy event will be about an hour. >> Okay, cool. >> Yeah. So, if anyone wants to come to that Okay, feel free. >> They've got some cute little play song things. >> Awesome. Is that a Friday? It is, isn't it? >> It is.
009Yep. >> Okay. >> It's our last day before break. >> Well, cool. um talked a little bit about testing data that was uh released uh the mass testing. Um I looked through what they released and it's about as unclear of a picture of our test scores as you could ever imagine. What they did is certain grade levels don't even have enough kids for them to release data. Um, so they only release it as a district and then half the grade levels they have exempted. Um, so it's kind of useless. >> How do you get how do you get a clear picture of where the students are at with criteria like that? >> Well, that's the problem with this test is we don't have a clear picture. And so what I'd like to do later in
010spring is do a presentation for you around our district test. maps that we've been doing for many years. And that will actually, I think, give you a a clearer picture of where students are at >> in our district. Um because this mass testing uh the data just has not been useful for teachers um or or for anybody to be honest. It's um a little bit frustrating. In my last meeting with OPI, I again expressed frustration uh on the part of our teachers and uh myself uh regarding this that some changes have to be made. One of the things I said is you don't even have a report for parents. >> Yeah, that's that's not good. >> And we did for all the other tests we have that for maps. We had that for Smarter Balance
011before. I'm like, why would you design a test that doesn't even have a report that you can give parents? I mean, that makes zero sense at all. And then they're like, oh, well, just print all the individual reports for one test. And I'm like, I'm not going to give a 100 pages to a parent >> and have them sort data that doesn't even make sense. I said, you need to have the company design a parent report. I was >> Yeah, no lie. Uh, I was a little blunt about it to be honest because it's um such an oversight on their part from OPI >> cuz there were previous um percentages on like comprehension and stuff for like reading, math, English or you know core subjects that were on the school's website. Were those the mass
012testing through the state that we that OP basically what OPI is using or is this a completely this is the new is this a new test is that >> it was new it was new last year. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um and the data just is unclear like in for math our overall picture they're saying no kids are proficient. >> Um and that's not true. what they're doing is they're exempting whole grade levels because we're so small. Yeah. >> And so they're not even including all the student test scores. Um because we have lots of kids proficient in math. Um >> yeah. >> And this if you look overall at the state data from mast and you look at smarter balanced um suddenly all the test scores in the entire state for students have dropped
013dramatically. And you can't tell me things have changed that much where all the kids suddenly in one state have lost all this knowledge suddenly when you change the test. >> Um it that tells me it's the test. >> Um >> in my opinion so >> easy. >> Yeah, >> makes sense. And to add to that uh with testing, we have been randomly selected for national testing this year uh on a test called NAPE. Um so even though the the federal government department of education is kind of going away, they're still doing national testing. Uh I don't know if there's anybody in their office to look at this, uh but they're doing it. So, we've been selected for 8th grade this year, February 5th. So, I've been busy trying to work um getting ready for that.
014>> And what's that? Mape. M A P E. >> N A P. So, it's a national test. They only test fourth and eighth graders. Um and they've done that for quite a few years. [snorts] Has school been use has the school had this one in the past? >> Yeah. Not since I've been here though. >> Okay. >> It's a it's a random selection. They randomly pick a certain amount of districts in the state. >> Okay. Um, the other thing I wanted to bring to your attention before next month's meeting is within policy for remote students, we did have the allowance that they could come in at semester. Um, I did have one family um, contact me possibly interested in that. Um, so that might be something that we want to talk about and have on
015the agenda for next month. Okay. What grade? >> Third. Okay. >> But they haven't submitted paperwork yet. So, this is just letting you know that there's that possibility um only for remote students for entry at semester. >> Okay. [sighs] Um, and the next thing is I did want to let you know that at this point all of our work for state accredititation for data submissions I believe have been accepted. Um, they only called me about one question. So this is where we submit all our information to the state and some of that information is directly linked to funding. Um so this year with our increase in enrollment of uh additional students including remote students um I was a little bit concerned that um they they gave Stevensville for example a hard time last year about
016that and they haven't uh they actually sent us a letter saying that our enrollment has gone up um s significantly and that we are due extra money because of that. >> I saw that that 22,000. Yeah. >> Yep. Um so at the next board meeting, we'll have to talk about that and make a resolution. Um so yeah, we're actually getting extra money than we planned for because of our enrollment. So that's kind of exciting. >> Yeah. Really? That's cool. Awesome. >> Um [clears throat and snorts] anything you wanted to add on that, Jessica? >> Nope. I think we'll have everything. I'll include the letter along with the resolution and the budget amendment paperwork at the next meeting. >> So, that is good news. Um enrollment um is steady right now 51 including four three-year-olds. [clears
017throat] Um, for the parent group report, we are currently running a fundraiser right now uh for shirts. So, we decided um as a parent group that we were going to um get shirts um and send order uh forms home as a fundraiser for the school and the activity fund. Um so, those went home with folks. So, um that is ongoing. >> Is there a link for those on that website? >> Um there's not a link um >> where they could buy it off of that um what's it called? The parent portal or whatever. What's that one called that you >> Oh, dojo. >> Yeah, Dojo. >> Um can't remember if I I sent the form home with all the families. Let me post it again on Dojo. Um, and then we have extra copies here
018at the office, too, if anyone's interested. But that's a good idea. I'll post that again in case I didn't post that originally. >> Yeah, it'd be nice if people could use it with a link, too, to purchase. >> Well, it's um it's a paper form that we created. It's not. >> So, this fundraiser we're kind of just doing on our own. So, we're not using a company or whatnot. Um, and we're going to um then purchase the shirts. So, it's not like that official. It's not an official fundraiser. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Kind of >> just one that we created and have a paper form. Kind of old school. >> That works. and uh facilities were continu uh continuing. Um some good news is the pest and uh service was out last week and uh
019we had no rodents again. So we have been rodent free for almost two gosh over two years now. >> That's nice. >> Yeah. But having to to keep on that and keeping the traps up to date because we certainly don't want to go back to having rodents. Yeah. >> And that's what I've got for my report if anyone has any questions. >> Okay. And did that include the operations and the parent? All those were included in that. Correct. Okay. >> That's everything. >> And did we have any public input, Danica? >> No. Okay. Uh and any additions of the agenda? >> No. >> Okay. All business the literacy grant. >> I have some good news is money is finally starting to come in for the grant after being very very delayed um due to government
020shutdowns and whatever happens in Helena. Um so we have gotten all the first chunk the 11,000 and uh now they are just now making available the next big chunk. Um so we're busy working on that. Uh we had our first site visit by OPI. The state came out and met with us. They're going to come out periodically just for this grant um to do site visits. Um, and they have increased the amount of meetings for the grant. Um, so it was going to be just four times a year and now it's increased to three times a month. So, >> whoa. >> Holy smokes. Why was that? What the heck? Why did it increase so much? >> Oh my goodness. >> Just uh I think lack of planning on uh their part kind of building the
021ship as they go. Um, so keeping the grants keeping me busy. >> Do you have can you do those online or do you have Oh, that Well, at least thank God for that. >> Yeah. So, so far they've been virtual at this point. They're saying the only one that's going to be in person is going to be in June in Bosezeman. Um, so we're all going to have to go over to Bosezeman for that, but that'll be after school gets um out. >> Okay. Well, cool. >> Yeah. um continuing with the professional development as well as coaching and mentoring uh for the teachers on the science of reading. [gasps] Um and I continue to work on getting things ready for uh core curriculum adoption. I've been busy talking to publishers and working with our consulting
022firm on um finding out which ones uh they recommend. um the state uh is developing a worksheet uh for us that we have to use and then of course they get um a final say in what we choose as well as part of the grant. Um there's some pretty strict stipulations on what we choose has to be based in the science of reading. Um but so going to talk more about forming a committee in January um to kind of look at what we've got once I get that checklist from OPI. >> Cool. >> Awesome. >> So that's what I've got this month for the grant. >> Okay. New business health insurance. >> Okay. This is the big one. Um so we have been doing a lot of back-end work on this um trying to research
023health insurance uh for our district and our staff um because of the new trust they're trying to form um that was created um at the 23 legislative session um where the state is putting in $40 million for that. Um, so there was a lot of unanswered questions about this trust, um, including, so, um, I went to a meeting with our lawyer about this. Um, um, we also, um, talked with a brokerage insurance firm to have an agent look over everything for us and see if there is a better possibility outside of this trust. and Jessica and I met with the agent from the brokerage and uh their message was that uh with rising healthc care costs um we are not going to find a better deal price-wise than the new Bridged Alliance Trust um um
024by they they can't even come close to matching it um what was the percentage Jessica was it 13% % higher. >> So yeah, so they're the best they could do was 13% higher. The Bridged Health Alliance is offering us a guaranteed 13.18% lower next year. So the difference between Bridged and what they could offer is like 26%. You know, it's a big it's a big huge difference. [laughter] and u the broker could not anticipate us finding anything else out on the market that could match Bridged Alliance. Um so >> Alliance is the new one. >> Yeah. So that's the new trust and most likely the person that we have which is must Montana Unified School Trust will uh be dissolving. Um so we have no choice but to switch. So, we can't stay with what
025we're at. Um, so what I did is I had a really long meeting uh with Bridged Alliance today. Um, and this is all new information even for Jessica um because I haven't had time to talk to her. Um, I met with them for about an hour today. Um, trying to get all of our questions answered and what they can do for us and moving forward. Um, and I got a lot of answers and information. Um, one of the questions that I asked, are they even going to be able to form? Um, because they need to have over 12,000 employees statewide and 150 school districts. Um, so I did find out today, according uh to John Dorne, who's the executive director, that they had three doubleA's sign on uh including Callispel um and Helena and I
026think maybe Great Falls and Billings is voting um I think either tomorrow or Monday. Um, so they have the amount of employees and I believe they're close to having the amount of districts. So it looks like this is going to happen. Um, which was one of my first questions. Um, the other part I wanted to know is about dental and vision. Um, so they have not done a final decision on who they will choose for dental and vision insurance. Uh for regular health insurance they are going to go with Allegiance uh which is a Sigma company. Um Sigma is a national company. I believe it is accepted by most of the hospitals and doctors in our area. Um which is good. So they most likely they have bids out for dental and vision. They do
027say that the top runners are the people we currently have with must, which is Delta for uh dental and VSSP for vision. Uh but they have some other companies they have with quotes in. Um it looks like the vision and dental insurance will be comparable to what we have right now. Uh which is important. Um, one of the big differences that they're not able um to offer is a $500 deductible for our staff for insurance. Um, so talking with them um it's um the most likely plan is a $1,000 deductible. Um so that is doubling that for staff. Um, but they do have another option if we chose to take it with a $0 deductible, but a higher out ofpocket expenses. Uh, which is not something necessarily that I'd recommend that we do for staff.
028Um, one of the things that we talked at length about is setting up an HR, uh, which I didn't know a lot about until this meeting, but basically it's an HSA, a health savings account, but instead of being run by the employee, it is actually run by us, the district. Um, gosh, I'm getting a 10m minute warning for the meeting. Um, if we go over, I'll set up a new link and send it to everyone. Sorry, I have the free version. Um, but the bottom line is is they have a lot to offer. And I think if we went with an HR um which is basically a health savings account for each employee and put the extra money that we're saving by having a cheaper price from them that that actually will benefit employees and
029they actually would come out ahead being able to access that money. Um they'd get a debit card like a health savings account that they could use. Um, so it's not going to cost the district any extra money. Uh, they do have some benefits. It looks like, um, the prescription benefits will be better than what we have now. Um, mental health benefits will be better. Um, tellaalth will be better. Um, so the the bottom line is it's my recommendation to this board that our best option with health insurance is to move forward with Bridged Alliance. >> They have a December 19th uh deadline to sign on with them. Um, with that being the case and this being the the board meeting, um, it would be my recommendation to move forward with approval uh, and joining uh,
030Bridged Alliance uh, health trust. >> Do you have any questions? Uh, Eden, >> I don't think so. I mean, if the other options are going to cost quite a bit more anyway, and this is kind of the best option, >> they kind of put us in a corner. We have I mean, we go with this and hope hope it flies. [laughter] >> Oh, yeah. That's about what it sounds like. Go ahead and make a motion. >> Okay. Um I make motion to accept a new medical plan provided by Bridged Health Alliance for the 2026 I second that motion. All in favor of say I. >> I. So moved. Okay. Substitute. >> Yes, we've we have two new substitutes that have applied. Uh which is great because one of our substitutes took a full-time job in
031Bonner. Um so we could use some more. Uh we have Wesley Douglas and Sasha Kaplan who have applied. Um this is pending positive results of a background check. Um but I did want to move forward with the the upcoming break and not another board meeting till January to get approval and then we will move forward with background checks. Um, and if we were to get a negative result on that, then we would not move forward with the the hiring, if that makes sense. >> Can you tell me a little bit about each one? >> Um, just a little bit. Sasha has a background um in like recreation education. >> Okay. >> Uh, and then Jessica, do you remember Wesley's other jobs? >> I honestly don't. I yeah I looked at it once and forwarded it
032on. [laughter] >> So I can give an update with further information at the next board meeting um after I I've got to give them a tour and um meet him personally. I've only talked on the phone at this point. >> Okay. >> All right. Do you have any further questions on that, Eden? Um I don't And when would they would they start for the new year? I'm assuming >> uh they would not start until after we receive background checks. >> Yes. >> And that's when we would actually um do the official um offer of employment. >> Um so this is >> at least a couple weeks for a background check to even come back. And we haven't even got fingerprints yet. So, it it would easily be the new year. >> Okay. Awesome. >> Yeah,
033I don't think I have any other questions. Um, >> and you're good on that. Um, Jan, >> yeah, I think it's I mean, we're substitute teachers, so >> I don't know. Yeah. >> Um, I don't know. I know that we had talked about meeting the other ones that were coming in. I don't know if we feel the same way with the substitutes or not. >> Are you allowed to So, say you did you say you met them both in person at least once or >> um I will I will be >> Okay. >> I've only talked to them on the phone. >> If we approve them and then they come in and they're a little weird. >> Will you come back? Like what's the like where would you go from there essentially? So then I
034wouldn't hire I I wouldn't hire them. This is all this is all pending the background check and whatnot. >> Okay, that makes me feel a little better. Okay, I think I with that if you are, Jen. >> Okay, go ahead and make a motion. >> Oh, I make a motion to approve the two new substitutes for the school >> based on their positive. >> Yeah. That yeah, positive background check. >> Positive background check. >> Okay, I second that motion. All in favor of say I. >> I. >> So moved. Anything else? Or should we close this meeting before it knocks us off? >> I think so. >> Okay. We'll we'll adjourn the meeting and the next meeting will be January 12th, 5:00. >> All righty. >> Okay. Good night you guys. Y Good night everybody.
035>> Thank you. See you in the morning, John. >> Yep. See you then. >> Okay. Bye.