001Okay. >> No. He's taking care of stuff that I've been dealing with all day long. >> I've got to get away so that he has to know. Thank God for a school board meeting. >> Is the rental on your property? >> Is it like fairly shortterm? Well, no, it's shortterm, just two weeks max. But I've got some people in there that have been there for like that were rented for 12 days and they're just they're just guests about everything. And yeah, so it's been one of those kind. There's another gal that I've had that she's been back like four times. We used to call her Celeste, but now she's our best friend naturally. Yeah, she comes every year. She comes every month a couple times a month. Okay, are we ready? Let's call this meeting
002to order with the pledge of allegiance. >> I aliance 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. All right. Make a motion to approve the minutes of the last meeting on August 18th. >> I Yes. As well. All in favor say I. I. So moved. Minutes for the monthly meeting August 18th. Okay. So approval of expenditures of the payroll claims and the activity. Were there any questions discussion? I did see that that fence isn't on there yet. Was it or did I miss it somewhere? >> I haven't seen the voice for it. >> I think they sent Did he ever call you, John? >> Yeah. I thought that I was not expecting to see it.
003Okay. >> Yeah, I've got the quote. >> Is that what he said? It was the quote >> uh back in June. I'm looking up his email and I guess he talked to me about emailing me the bill, but I haven't received it. >> Okay, I'll text him later. Tell him we're still waiting on his >> I didn't get it in the mail either because he asked >> for the physical address. >> Okay. Approval of expenditures. If there's no questions, somebody want to make a motion. >> It's on the front page. >> Just go through the cover page. It's written on there. payroll for payroll input total of 44,2724 claims for $22,46755 and activities in 13,842 all in favor Say I >> I oppose. No. So moved. >> And activity count. That was it. Okay. Public
004presentations. No. No. Okay. Communications report. >> So we're in week two now with school going strong and uh our numbers are certainly up. So after this meeting, if we approve the um additional remote learners, we'll be at 49 total. Um and that does include four, huh? >> So we are way up from the 30 last year. >> Wow, that's way cool. >> So we've got a field trip on September 15th for grades 2 through 8. We're again going down to Coyote camp uh in Big Hole and uh the national park does a wonderful job putting on a educational um history tour where they get to do some hands-on activities. We get to take a hike on the battlefield and see some amazing history. >> Big hole big wisdom. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah.
005Beautiful area. So, we're excited to go back down there again. Uh we've got coming up on September 22nd through the 26th is uh freedom week and this is new in Montana. Um so we were already celebrating Constitution Day every September and doing lessons and having groups in for that. But now we've got freedom week. Um so we've invited DAR the Daughters of American Revolution who's a partner with us civic organization and they're going to come in and present to grades Um, and they've got a new lesson on American history that is an escape room. So, this is all brand new. So, we're excited to see how that's going to work. >> Escape room. They're going to do the like a like a fake sort of thing, >> I guess. So, >> cool. Okay. >> Yeah,
006it'll be very interesting. >> And that'll be all week. They're coming in all week. >> Just one day. >> So, they're going to come in that Monday the 22nd and do that. So yeah, I'm excited to see how that's uh going. Last year uh they had George and Martha Washington dress up and present about the re American Revolution and history. Um so they're trying something new. We'll see how that goes >> this year. Um and then the teachers are all going to be doing civic lessons and American history um that whole week. We do a lot of that all year long within social studies and history, but there's going to be a focus and a focus on the constitution that week. >> That's cool. >> And then I document that and then um I have
007that on file if the state would like to see it. >> Um we are doing some trainings every month um for the Indian education for all. Um, so I've signed the treat uh teachers up and going to pay them extra to stay after school so we're not having to get subs and there'll be a monthly virtual meeting on that and that meets our new requirements for IEFA. They've changed some of the requirements for budget reporting and professional development and documentation. So the state wants much more documentation. >> So what exactly is that? The Native American >> and You have to have so much that's being presented per year. Correct. >> Yeah. So you have to meet the standards for the students and then you have to have enough professional development and then we have to
008spend a budget that's just for that and part of that budget will be our field trip down big hole. >> That's a rough one. >> It's a long bus ride. >> Yeah, I'm sure that really is especially for those kids and for you too. That's why we're not picking the reals cuz >> Yeah. Yeah. Makes sense. >> You don't think you can handle those four three year olds with you? >> Oh, I can handle >> the parents and send them. >> We might have to stop a lot more >> the bathroom break. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And um coming up September 22nd through October 3rd, um we have a really cool thing that's happening this year. This is brand new. A Missoula organization is coming in and going to provide some visual arts activities
009with kids and music activities where they do like a rock band. They've done camps in Missoula where kids I think don't know if it cost or not, but kids went to it, but now they want to reach out with schools. Um, so I invited them in, especially with not having a full-time music teacher and whatnot. I thought this is fantastic and they've got a grant to do it completely for free. So, they're going to do that uh for two weeks at the very end of the day, which is our specialist time that we normally do art and music. Um, and then they're going to put on a little art show and a music show uh for all the parents and everybody. >> So, I don't have the time for that yet, but should be cool.
010Another brand new thing. >> Awesome. >> Uh, fall pictures will be September 25th. Um, and then I've secured another grant for us to bring Missoula Children's Theater back. >> Oh, cool. >> Um, so I was reached out by again our friends at the JS Heman Foundation, the folks that paid for it last year, paid for our playground, um, have paid for all kinds of things and they want to give us money again. >> What was the gr that grant you to give J what? >> Uh, the Jane S. Heman Foundation. >> Heman. >> Yeah. H E N >> just like female. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And so they're going to pay for Missoula Children's Theater again for us. Uh so I've booked April 27th through May 1st. >> And it will be Alice in Wonderland.
011>> But yeah, very very generous organization. Um they're giving a lot to schools in our area. Uh in my many meetings with the office of public instruction, uh one thing that's happened is they have decided to place on hold some of the accreditation process that we've been working on the past two years. Um so instead of having us do all of that this year, they're actually going to put it on hold for two years. Um so we won't have to do as much of that. Um like last year we were board meeting. We're meeting about accreditation. We're not going to have to do all that this year. Um and part of that is changes within OPI themselves and the board of public ed. Um and um some of the requirements that they want to do
012are a little bit unrealistic. And I think they're revisiting that after input from us superintendent to tell them, wait a minute, hold on here. We're still going to have to do all the reporting within the computer system uh that we do. That still has to happen. How many students, how many classes, how many minutes every child has in school. Um all that type of data gathering has to be reported. But um the other reports that we've had to report on, we're not going to have to do this year. So that is a slight change. Um >> it's reduced the workload a little bit. a little bit should be good because we also have all the grant work that's going on too. But thought I'd update you guys on that and I shared enrollment after tonight
013with the approvals. 49 total for a three-year-old. Um so we've got lots going on. I'm really excited. Um I've been working on booking some things throughout the year too. the skiing lessons, working on booking the pumpkin patch trip, working on booking the swimming lessons. We're looking at November for that. So, >> trying to get the whole year lined up. Good >> job. >> So, we're ready to go. >> Uh, and then parent report. I've got a meeting scheduled coming up for this month on the 23rd of September at 3:45. Um, So, we'll see um how many parents come, but we're going to talk about fundraising and we're going to talk about lunch and planning for all that type of stuff. >> Is that it? >> Um and then the last one is facility. Um so
014I had to buy new chairs for the preschool and kindergarten kids because we actually ran out of small chairs because we have so many little guys this year. Um And so I had to purchase new chairs that are coming next week on Monday. I think we just didn't have enough chairs at all. Uh >> how's it working with those three-year-olds? >> Really? Well, >> is are they staying all day long or >> Most of them are staying all day long? >> Take the bus in and the bus out. >> Yeah. So I installed six car seats in the bus. >> Okay. >> Um so that's all set. even ones in the I put some in the back for kids that ride for field trips. So, those are in. And Ross is also learning how to
015uh use the car seats. That was a new experience for our bus driver. >> But yeah, it's working good. >> Is this the first year that I mean, have there been other schools that have the three-year-olds around the area? >> Um, yeah, but not quite doing it like we are. So MCPS runs um a special education preschool that includes three-year-olds, but they're using the small buses um and vans, but they are using the same type of car seat. And when I say car seat, it's actually more of a harness um than a car seat >> like within the seat of the bus. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So, um, yeah, it's more of a kind of on a map and a harness because the harness reduces it down to their size. The other seat
016belts are just too big. >> It's actually not required by law, but it's just best practice for the youngest kids to have that instead of having that big seat. >> Yeah. And for the bus driver and everything, for sure. So, they're not. >> Yeah, I could see it. >> Oh, yeah. I I think before too long they'll be able to unbuckle themselves out of the car seats, too. >> Yeah. Then you're going to have to put like catwalks on. >> We We train them up well. I mean, wooden spoon. That's what I do. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> The kids actually are really well behaved on us. Every time we have a substitute, I get compliments. >> Oh, awesome. >> Our kids are really well behaved. Last year at some of the events we went to
017where there was other schools, we went to an event at Travelers Rest Park and I got so many compliments and there was a number of other schools and all the presenters and the rangers and everyone are telling me how wonderfully my >> report >> um water. Um I've not been using the irrigation for quite a while. I've been trying off the well. Um, so the the field is not as green as past years, but it's not completely dead. So, I'm trying to just move the sprinklers from the well around. Um, and supposed to be raining soon. So, >> okay, that's it. >> Okay, so board chair communication. Um, I was talking to John about should we put up some kind of a memorial for Scott Osman or the Trail West Ranch or something in here?
018I don't know. I was kind of thinking about that. What do you think about that? >> Do you think that would be good or bad? Do you think Sharon would like that or not? I was thinking if it was trail west. No. No. >> Well, I think she's just like happy to be done with it. >> Maybe another time if we >> or would >> you don't think she would be honored by it if we just >> I don't know. She's everyone's kind of just giving her some time. She's had to deal. I know she's had a lot. >> Then maybe we ought to revisit again. >> I think it could be a good idea, but but not right at the moment. >> Maybe at a later date we could invite her out and kind
019of show the school and >> maybe I don't know how I I know Sharon is very open to facilitating things for students if they want to come on the ranch, but um I know Scott was maybe a little more just because I don't know how something I was thinking was that ranch pretty much donated this land whoever was here for years to the school but I think he's might have the maybe has the policy on >> so we actually we tried to research and I think we'd have to hire our lawyer to research more but um the school owns the property as far as we can tell. >> Okay. >> And it was in chunks over years. I mean, there's probably probably five different >> How much does the school own? How many acres? >>
020Three. Three and a half. >> Okay. Yeah. Right in there. >> Okay. >> So, not a huge amount. >> Well, that's why I was thinking if we were to put up something like that. Yeah. I'd always like to Scott just because he was great guy, but but honestly, you'd have to go through the ranches. That's why I was thinking would you just put Mobile Trail Ranch? I mean, but there were other ranches like my parents called it Little Creek Ranch before they was. So maybe it's just a moot point too. You got to wait and see if she ever wants to get involved further or something. >> Yeah, if you go back and look at each of the different pieces, most of them were families, different little family chunks. So I don't know. >> Yeah,
021it's >> So did you find out something on that information? Well, I called up uh I talked to multiple people at the county level and um they kind of found what I found. You can go online to the county website and you can find copies of old deeds and different things and there's a you can kind of go through. They didn't really find anything more than I already found with what they've got online. Um and it's definitely a very patchwork, very incomplete picture of how the school came together. Um >> but My guess is with the original one room schoolhouse being over by the white house, yeah, it's over by the mail pond in the White House. >> Um, usually every single section had a designated chunk of property for schools when they were actually
022surveying. So, my guess is probably originally that was over there since that's where the log cabin one schoolhouse was. And so, they probably did some landing and donating and stuff probably >> probably before 1902 so probably late 1800s >> early 1900 >> I'd love to see that >> one of the things that happened at low >> because I don't know what my mother tells me true >> well and sometimes it was what people were told at the time >> we actually when we were selling the lolo property for the lolo school we actually had to hire through our lawyer be a real estate lawyer who had to do research because it too was different chunks. And there was actually a chunk of property that actually had a hold on it and there was actually had
023been a real estate scandal where the person was imprisoned >> um because of um embezzlement or fraud, but that person had long since passed away, but they were actually not able to sell that because the deed wasn't clear. Um and that was just one chunk of property. Did they get it cleared? >> They did after hiring a lawyer and whatnot. It took like a year. >> Um, but if we wanted to research more, it might have to be that. But at this point, there's not really a need except for it's interesting. >> Yeah. Yeah. Good history. >> Okay. Well, let's just put that on hold then. >> Okay. Public input. The board will listen to a non agenda item. Okay. And addition and acceptance of agend agenda. So, um it came to my attention when
024we were over at the Helm Hill Rodeo when her husband was talking to my husband about um some things and I says, "You know what? Let's just bring policies to the meeting and I think that there were some questions about um like the hiring hiring and I says, well, we could talk about that at one of the meetings and bring it up. Did you guys have some questions about policies of of hiring. I know I did. I was saying to you before this last one, how do we have, you know, how do we since our vote is the one that hires the people, how do we have as much information on them as we can to make that decision since the decision rests with us? >> And so when I read back over those, I
025was kind of wondering about that. Is there any concern that anybody has because it Um, yeah, I I agree with you in that we make the final decision, but ultimately we don't really >> we don't really know any of the candidates. Um, >> is it possible to meet him or anything? I know you got to go by one tail of law. You got to be so careful about >> that. Yeah, that wouldn't be the lawyer's recommendation. If you remember from the training, um, the board usually interviews the superintendent in this myself. >> Um, and then you delegate that task >> and you ask questions of me. >> Okay. So, that's the way that's set up. Does it have to be that way? Because I looked up some of the laws and I didn't see that
026it did, but um that were on that 5120. And I was wondering is there any way to get any more information to make that? Not that we don't trust you because I think we do. It's not that we don't. But I think We've got a few. It'd be kind of nice to see those. But what do you guys think? What are your questions? Because I Yeah, >> I mean I guess like if we are technically in surprisally like that. >> Is there a reason for that? Do we need to call her and ask >> why wouldn't it be? Because of release of information or privacy or what would be the reason that >> yeah I mean that's how it's done in every district I mean there are times in districts where one person on the
027board will sit in on interviews that can be done but it's the administrator that handles all the other things the recommendation of the lawyer is not to have the board >> well I know they want to be so careful that you don't get in a lawsuit over something by somebody'sever whatever I mean to be honest I mean they used to have like teachers participate in interviews and everything and the lawyer says not to have that even be the case >> even though it's not it's not legally in the state of Montana that's a requirement from anything that >> but what what is the actual concern when she says it's not recommended does she say why >> um so in school administrators like myself and other certified ones are specifically trained in interview there's a lot
028of questions we can't ask Um, and there's specific procedures that have to be followed. Um, and the board itself, one representative could sit in on something. If two of you are there, then it's a meeting. >> So, anytime two of you are together, that's a public board meeting. >> Um, and I would not recommend hiring pair of professionals and teachers as a board meeting. >> Um, >> good. But would it be possible? Okay. Whoever the board chair is to come in and sit in those they wouldn't even have to ask questions >> and just keep their >> Yeah. Could you do that if you were the board chair? I might be able to, but could you just would um would then we then whatever my my thoughts or concerns with you if I was the
029board chair that was sitting in on that then would you be able to would I be able to put some input in then at our board meeting too if I had some say what I thought about listening to that interview if that was the case that >> very carefully yeah >> I have seen that done um and actually one thing >> and what are the pros and the cons of it >> um just hiring procedures are so strict one of the things I was actually going to talk about uh is there is a conference coming up themsel uh that uh is for not only school administrators but board members um and uh that is something I've had particularly board chairs go to in the past um so if that's something people had an interest in
030um it is kind it is a tight commitment it's about three days um >> is it in the area >> I believe it's in Missoula this year or I think it's >> And can you do it online as well? Can you do or does it have >> I think this is in person >> that would be kind of nice. >> What What is the actual conference out? >> Um it is a leadership conference and so it's designed for school administrators and board members. Um they're bringing in Ron Clark who has um I actually brought the teachers to see him the other day. It's the keynote, but they bring in a lot of folks to do many sessions on things like our insurance company will be there. Um the lawyers will be there. It's a lot
031of legal stuff. >> They break out into groups and stuff to where you can ask questions and things about different things or or go to certain ones that you have concerns about. >> Exactly. But it is about three full days. So it is a time commitment. >> Is it free or >> No. No. The district would have to pay for it. >> Okay. How much is it for three days? I can't go. I don't know. I wouldn't mind going >> in Helena. >> Oh, it's in Helena this year. >> That probably couldn't happen for me if it's three days. >> And it's not >> this year, >> but in the future. Um I definitely have had some board chairs that have gone before. Um it's a great chance to work with insurance company and the
032lawyers and learn stuff. They have sessions on hiring and stuff like that. >> Okay. Okay. That's nice to know. >> What concerns would you guys all have that you wouldn't think John is qualified for hiring a teacher that you would be more qualified than he is? I mean, just as a marketing professional in my firm, I would never think that I would be more qualified to hire an engineer than the engineering manager would. So, I'm just curious what your concerns are. I think that I would just like to get to see the person and communicate with them a little bit or see how they communicate. That's what I would think. Not that I don't trust the person. What's that? You get a feel of the person. >> So you're you would want to discriminate just
033based on a feeling, >> I guess. >> Well, no, not necessarily. >> Okay. >> I would like to see how they communicate personally. So in this example, you'd have the interview Jan. >> Yeah. >> If you wouldn't ask any questions, but you could still be the one asking questions. >> Demeanor and stuff. You could get a lot of feeling from somebody. Their demeanor, their mannerisms. I don't know. We hire blindly, which no one's saying he's not qualified. It's just you want to get a feel for somebody, I suppose. And I don't know if the chair could sit in. I think it's a good idea. Another thing that we could do is invite the candidate to come to the hiring board meeting. >> That would be awesome, too. >> yeah, I think that would be awesome,
034too. >> Yeah. >> And then we could and then we could ask some questions. I mean, I think we do need to be careful because there are legal things and I think that's what the protection is. >> But yeah, I kind that's why I asked you last time, how did I know? And I know that that's your responsibility, but when we're the ones approving it, I do always have some questions, too. Like, you know, I think that you answered most of them that I have, but then I go and wonder if I should have asked this or that, but I have the same. >> Maybe it' be good to just start with the candidate shows up. >> Would that be anything that would be needed to be added to the policy or anything or could
035you Next time you go to hire somebody, let us know. >> I would just have to make sure we schedule around their schedule. >> Right. >> And now questions. >> What's that? Don't ask any questions. >> We can give them. >> I think I would ask John first the questions I have before I just make sure I was you know say years ago we had them just give an introduction of themselves kind of >> a little bit of their history kind. >> Yeah. Not there was no it was not a question answer but yeah it was just this is my background. This is why I'm here. Would you guys get a chance to cool? >> Awesome. I I would be happy with that. >> Okay. Order of business, old business discussion and possible action. Montana
036reads literacy grant. >> Yeah. So, we are continuing to work on the grant. Um last week, Mrs. Wilson and I attended a training on a new version of the Dibbles assessment. So, this is both a reading assessment and it's a screening uh to make sure that uh students have the skills they need for reading. We've already been doing this paper and pencil, but as part of the grant, we are purchasing a new system uh that uses the same stories and whatnot, but it's on the computer. Um so, Mrs. Wilson and I enter the scores into the computer and it'll actually print out just like the MAPS assessment cool reports for the parents and the teacher. Um so really that's the only change is the computer will burn uh print out the reports when we were
037um not having those reports um before we were just hand scrolling everything. So just a more efficient way to do this uh and help gather information on students and required as part of the grant they wanted to be a computer system. So you should be able to assess how much those reading skills have improved from the beginning of the year to the end of the year or and beyond >> and beyond because we have to share that information as part of the grant not by student name but uh so we did a training on that. Um and then uh mentoring and coaching is happening. So, we've got our um instructional coach and mentor coming out this month. Um she'll be coming out about every other month and providing professional development as well as sitting in
038with the teacher helping them coach training. Uh so, Tanya is an expert in literacy. Um she's a specialist um in reading literacy, dyslexia. Um she's got a whole bunch of qualifications and She's going to be great information for the teachers and to help support them so their instruction and reading can only improve and she's a great resource for us. And that's what I've got on the grant. Still working with OPI in their meetings and gathering more information. Still some unknowns on some particulars, but we hope to find out soon. Okay. >> Facility maintenance projects. >> Yeah. So, we have most of the projects done. Um there is one window that's still on back order for the library. And then uh we have the doors that are not done yet. The five doors, they arrived um
039yesterday. So, they're here on site, but they need to be painted. And the install will be happening Saturday. So, we're hoping to get that done over the weekend. Awesome. >> So, do they have to paint them this weekend or do they paint them out? They must paint them before. >> They're actually painting them starting tomorrow. >> Okay. >> I've hidden them away in the sheds because it might rain tomorrow. >> We hope. >> Yeah. >> Okay. out of district students. >> Uh as per the policy change on 3141, we now allow before quarter distance learning to remote students to start and we did have four students turn in paperwork before the start of school. Um so we can see two first graders. second grader and a fourth grader all out of district. >> These names
040are like crazy. >> No wonder they're being old school. Parents named them really if they went to school. >> Creative names are very popular. >> You want to make a motion to accept those? I make a motion to approve the four new students for learning the year 2026. I second. That's unanimous. So moved. Okay. New business are there. any new people on there that we don't know that you can tell us about or are all these Gretch and other one are they the ones that do the >> long care was here >> was the teacher >> there's one new gal that's subbing at a few districts >> which one's it >> and she's becoming a teacher >> it's nice to have a lot of subs >> we struggle in the class I know heard So,
041we've done some things to really increase our >> When I first started, there was actually only one or two people on the list and we have done things as a district to raise the rate. Um, and also we've recruited um so we've posted flyers, we've posted online, we've done a lot, Jessica and I, to really get the list up. >> Um, but we are the highest paying district >> um in Missoula and Valley counties. >> Um just we are just slightly above MCPS but we did that on deliberately have options. >> Okay. Any questions? >> I'll make a motion to approve the 25 26 uh substitute list. >> So moved. Okay. Next regular meeting October 13.