001really good for them because they'd sell it and they'd get all their money for >> always go for a good chunk. >> Yeah. They always loved the money they got to buy clothes, you know, once they were in high school. Yes. >> Without baby today. >> I know. out. He's at grandma's. I also know a guy who hasen so I don't know if you could give that thought >> if there's a way we could incorporate that in school. Incorporate She basically just comfortable. >> Okay, cool. >> Are we ready? >> Let's do it. Okay. To order 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. minutes. Sorry. Anybody have any questions or concerns with those minutes?
002Oh, around. >> Yeah. >> Oh, funny. >> He's sneaking around the last meeting on March 10th. >> Oh, what the heck? >> Is that right? >> Which one? >> Yes. Yes. Approval of the minutes for March 10th. Yes. >> Okay. I make the minutes. >> No, April 14th. >> If you look at the minutes up top, it's for April 14th. >> Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. You asked for that. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Apologies. I make motion to approve the minutes on April 14th, 2025. >> You can second it if you like. >> Would you? >> All in favor of say I. >> I approve. I'd like to explain a few things on the expenditures real quick. So, from the packet I sent you, um at the end of last week, I've added one additional payroll
003uh because school gets out at the end of May instead of bumping into June like it sometimes does. Um I ran a second payroll for all of the end ofear checks for the teaching staff, for the certified staff. And so there is um an additional list in there. So the first your claims list and then there is the regular May payroll and then when you go past that report there is a second payroll report I wrote at the top certified staff final paid payrolls okay >> and so that's going to be all the certified staff's June July and August pay so that's been >> been added in there um so they can get paid on the last day of school which is my 30th this year >> for the whole summer Yep. Yep. And then
004also I wanted to point out in the claims um and Jan you might remember this from last year um the special ed co-op um they run the idea funds through and so we do a thing where our IDA funds go to the co-op and then they provide the services and then what they do is they filter them back through the school. So, they send us a check, we ship some things around, and then we pay them back the money. So, we don't gain or lose any money. It's just a weird little filter thing we do. Um, which is why when you look on the claims list, you've got um >> about $11,000 worth of that somewhere. >> Yeah. And so, it's not services. >> Yeah. I was wondering about >> Yeah. And so, it's not
005really money in money out. I mean, it is money in money out. We're not actually be gaining any money from the check they sent us. We're not losing any money by sending the check back to them. It's just it's a funding it's a coding thing is essentially what it does. It shifts money that we've already spent the general fund to the miscellaneous fund where we deposit the check and then we send it back. So it kind of inflates the claim number a little bit makes it look a little a little more than it really is. >> Okay. Do you guys have any questions? >> Let me look back on this one for the summer real quick. >> Yeah. So, that's going to have our three teachers and John for three months worth of >> pay
006and all that. >> Yeah. >> And what about Jill? >> Jill's on there. >> Yeah. So, there's four. >> Yeah, there's four. >> Oh, three in. Okay. Make a motion to approve the May payroll for 39,5159. Certified final pay 61,81743 the claims for 27,42476 and the activities for 12,334. All in favor of I say I >> I so Okay. >> Okay. So, I handed out a little packet that looks like this to everybody. Um that's from the election department that has the results of the trustee election. Um I just want to point out that there were 267 ballots that were sent out. um of which we received 125 ballots back. Um if you go to the second page in that report, um those 125 ballots, um 64 voted for Eden, 40 for Danica, five people
007chose to write in, which pretty much avoids their vote. Um and there were 16 under votes, which means 16 people chose not to vote at all. Um, and that equates to the 125 ballots that they received back. Um, and then that last page is a report spit out by the um, election wearer uh, software that the county uses. And I put a little arrow next to next to Woodmans that shows 125 and 120 total ballots. Um, and it's just you're just confirming essentially when you canvas the votes that all the numbers are matching up and that everything's accounted for. Um, and if you guys are good with that, um, we would need a motion um to approve uh the canvasing of the votes and the and the results and then I'll have you all sign
008something. >> So, where's the are we talking about school district 18s for that? Yep. Yeah. >> What's the discrepancy between the 267 that they mailed and 309 registered voters? >> That is a very good question. Um >> people on account for >> Well, it is and I don't I honestly don't know the answer to that. Um it could be there were issues with their registration or um I honestly don't know 100%. That's a good question. Why there weren't 309 ballots mailed? >> Ballots. Yeah. >> So, there's more ballots mailed than there were registered voters. Is that less? No. Quite a bit less. >> No, there were 309 registered voters. 267 ballots were actually issued. >> Oh, >> yeah. >> So, there were what? 42. >> Yeah, 42. Who would know that? >> I can I
009can contact Nathan at the election department tomorrow and confirm what's going on there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, we need to approve this. >> Yeah. A motion just to accept the results and >> the campus summary. >> Okay. Okay. Uh I make a motion to accept the election results. selection and approve the canvas. >> Okay. >> All in favor. So, let me sign. >> Yeah. Yes. The top one here. That's if we had more trustees. We only have the three of you. >> So, who's one year and who's three years? Three years. Okay. Perfect. So if we want to move on to the appointments of >> trusters trustees let's see who do I have top here so this is so Jan I'll have you start by signing right there There you go. >> And I'm
010gonna have you do the little O. So, if you'll put your hand up, repeat after me. You can just kind of follow along. That way, it's a little easier. Um, I do solemnly swear that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Montana and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity. So, just I made sure >> now we will do. So I will have you sign again right here. No, actually they just >> Yeah, they are kind of they're springtime, I guess. Okay, so if you will raise your right hand, I'm just gonna repeat after me. I do solemnly swear that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of
011Montana, and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity. >> I do solemnly swear that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of the State of Montana. >> Um, if you will print and sign So, >> oh, sorry. Go ahead. >> We're done with that >> with that little portion. >> Organization of the school board. >> So, this is where you guys need to decide who wants to be board chair. Um, make a motion on that and then I will have you um decide on a vice chair and uh that portion will be done for >> I can So do we want to do each one at one at a time? I think we can just do it in one motion. >> Okay. Who wants to be
012Who wants to be the vice chair? >> I'll do it. >> Okay. >> So, why don't we have Eden make the motion? >> Can you speak up? Sorry, it's really hard to hear you >> both. >> Yeah, we'll just do rapid just just the motion to to have Jan remain or chair and be the vice chair. Next year I move to appoint. So moved. >> So >> and then the appointment of the clerk that would be you again >> unless there's somebody else running. >> Unless somebody else is interested. >> No way. >> Okay. Absolutely. >> Somebody want to make a new motion to accept Jessica for a motion to appoint Jessica Bird as our clerk. >> All in favor of >> Okay. So on that note, I will have you guys each sign again
013next to your name. Okay, moving right. >> I have a couple more signatures. I need >> Yeah, exactly. Um, so that guy. So, we're going to um update the signature pages with the county. So essentially Emily was never taken off um because we just had a couple months until the elections rolled around to make everything official. So essentially what the letter is saying that we're adding Eden as a signer for the the school's account and we're taking Emily off. So I need each of you to sign the bottom of that and then on the signature page I just need each of you to sign your name and print and that will go into the official records with the county for your official semeures. Okay. Having a hard time seeing Yeah, I know. I got must
014got distracted midway. Okay. >> Anything else on there? >> No, that finishes everything up there. >> Okay. And we don't have any public presentations. So John, you're on principal report. >> So things that we've already done is we went to the butterfly garden insectarium and planetarium as a school. That was a fantastic trip that we did K8. Uh we had the family spring lunchon and egg hunt that went really well. great participation there. Uh we took a field trip to Lee Metap Wildlife Preserve and did bird watching for half the trip and golfing lessons with the kids for the other half. So that was fantastic. We went to Travelers Rest uh State Park. We got invited to a really cool trip uh focusing on Native American history and culture and they actually brought tribal members
015down from the Sish Coupney tribe uh to teach and we did station. So that was really cool and we competed. >> What were the stations? >> Um so >> are they different places in the park or are they different things that were native related? >> Um different places and different um cultural aspects. So like one station was sish language, one was historical games like they taught them this stick game um running with the stick game different historical things. >> What about kind of bead work? >> We got lots of compliments. Several districts were there and our kids got lots of compliments. >> That's cool. people running it. Uh we competed at the county quiz bowl. We had three Woodman students and um four students from other schools that joined Woodman just for the competition. I
016was the coach for that and lots of fun. She won a couple rounds and had a great day at the competition. And second through fifth grade went to the natural history field trip. They've been doing that program all year where a naturalist comes into the classroom and teaches lessons and they went on the open. So that was cool. And then the older grades did a highway cleanup. Um, luckily the DO gave us new signs. We the first ones to use them after I made many comments that we needed new signs and they actually bought some. >> So signs for what? >> Saying litter cleanup. Okay. >> The other ones are kind of falling over and hard to put up and not great. >> Did it actually slow the traffic down? >> Um, I hope so.
017And >> we'll find out. >> Mr. Martin's truck that was going very slow a few times with emergency flashers on. Definitely slowed traffic down a little bit. >> Making sure that everyone was being safe and things were getting picked up. But it's a good success and the weather was good. Um, and then last week the younger grades, fouryear-old through first grade, we went down to Hamilton and to Kuanas Park and I did kind of a nature trail with them there. Talked about Lewis which are in the park and then we did a nature scavenger hunt. Um, and then we went to St. Mary's mission um and did the historical tour there in Stevensville in Fort Owens. And then for their reward, because they were the top selling class for the fundraiser, um I took them
018for um ice cream at the old antique soda fountain. >> That's cool. >> Yeah, it's a lot of fun. Um coming up this week on Wednesday, the um Lobo Creek Watershed is coming out to teach a lesson to hold their grades. Um and then on Thursday we are going to Silverwood theme park with the middle schoolers. So that'll be a nice long day. Um so far all the students have earned that and it's going to be their science physics day. So they teach the physics of theme parks. So >> that must be a tough >> it's going to be a long drive though. Adam, it might be a tough one for you >> as the driver of the >> the vehicle. It'll be a long drive, but it'll be worth it. I've done it before
019with students. It's an amazing trip. >> That's cool. >> And then coming up on the 27th, we have our field day in the morning and then our family barbecue at noon, we're going to be um cooking up some burgers and other foods um that families bring. That'll be a lot of fun. And then in the afternoon, we have a retired uh forest ranger coming out that used to be um a lookout ranger. Um and he has a whole model of >> testing my knowledge. >> He's wrote several books. The name is right in the tip of my tongue. It's been kind of a long day. to get back. >> Who is the one whose wife taught here? >> I believe that is him. >> I just can't remember the name. Yes. >> Yeah. >> Oh,
020cool. That's good. >> So, that'll end our day that day. Um, and then on the 29th, we have our end of the year assembly and then we have 8th grade graduation at 5:00 p.m. to come to that. And what time is the graduation? >> 5 p.m. [Music] >> 27. >> Uh, yes. So, we have a little bit left over from the other day, but I've talked to Jonah about him donating donating 25 more pounds. He said um he gave me the thumbs up on that. >> Is there a time that's best to bring it over or does it >> um probably sometime this week. I'll need to unthought it probably. >> He might be delegating that to you. I don't know. >> Last day of school on May 30th. It's a half day that we're
021getting out. Um and then I don't have a lot of updates about bus safety. Um, I talked to the safety director for Beach today. The bus driver reported four illegal passings of the bus Friday. Um, so I reminded them that we need to log that and report that to highway patrol. Um, we are still looking into having a camera on the stop arm. Um, the county attorney for Missoula decided that they would not make a decision if that was legal. that for ticketing people. So, it's actually gone to Helena and we are awaiting a decision of the attorney general probably the governor's office on that. >> What about putting a um flashing light that went off during the time that buses are for that time? >> So, we talked >> then you could then you
022could >> um can be ticketed if people know the license plate number and whatnot. The debate is if we're able to use an external external camera on the bus to be able to use it to ticket them directly and because I don't want Beach HRs to invest in all of that and I don't have a quote on money yet if they're not even going to take it down based upon that. Um so at the First, we went to the town council. Danica had that on the town council agenda. And then we went to the city um county commissioner council and they have that on the agenda and the department of transportation and the county commissioners felt that signage along the stretch where the houses are, I forget the mileage number, um would not be beneficial.
023They didn't they weren't account for that. They did say if we want to explore putting signage with the flashing lights in front of the school, we could look into that. And certainly if we were having kids like walk from the ranch, I think we should definitely explore that. Right now, no kids are walking. Um it might make people more aware on Highway 12. Um but right now there's no kids actually walking. Um but that's kind of the only signage to my memory. they said they'd be willing to do. >> I mean, we could still petition uh MDT, I believe, to put flashing beacons on the school sign. That's something that's still within the MUTCD, you know, kind of the uniform transport transportation control device code that they use. They can add those flashing beacons really
024to any sign just like you've got on the warning signs, you know, for curbs and whatnot. So, if we feel like I mean it sounded like MDT was pretty resistant to that, but it's still something that we could petition them for. >> Did they say why they would be resistant to it? >> They just feel like people ignore them and that's not going to do any good and that it's a behavioral issue that needs to change with the drivers by getting tickets. So, that's why they kind of pushed it off onto the sheriff. >> And they did write the county commissioners wrote a letter to the sheriff and to the highway patrol and it did increase highway patrol um patrols up here. They actually were waiting at the gas station and escorting behind the bus
025several times. I saw they did it once last week. Um but again, it'll become less and less as time goes on. So really awaiting the attorney general on that >> is the driver bus driver unable to capture visually write down the license plate numbers or >> he often is um there's been a few times he's gotten the plate numbers. There's been a few times that parents have gotten the plate numbers. Um but so far most people, that's one thing I told the parents, please take your camera out with you to the bus stop. >> Um that is the best thing you can do, you know, don't go in front of the moving vehicle. Um take take a picture. I mean, that is what they can use because they can look um up. We have our
026own assigned deputy. He can look up and at least call people. Nobody wants a call from the sheriff. even if you don't get a ticket. Um, you know, >> well, they could they could even issue a warning. >> Yeah. >> So, they're not capturing it very often. Only once in a while. I think it's so fast. >> And part of our unique situation is the speed limit. I mean, very few places there's this many bus stops along a highway that's 70 miles hour. It's just kind of a unique thing because really the rest of Missoula County and we talked about this with the commissioners there's not this isn't happening other places very often and I think a lot of it is the the high speed limits >> I was wondering if the lights would slow
027down that was a >> well the school bus has got all kinds of flashing lights on it >> I That ain't that ain't going to stop. >> They're running past the stop sign and the arm. >> Wow. >> Extend it even further. >> Yeah. So, it takes paint. >> So, it gets some paint when they go by. >> So, so we actually talked about that at the county commissioner meeting and beach felt like that it already went halfway, they said halfway into the other lane. They did talk to the bus safety director about making sure that they're over right along the line. >> Um, but yeah, people are actually going out waiting around. Um, I don't get it. >> No, I don't either. >> So, that's my updates on that. I'll keep you posted if
028we ever get word back from the attorney general. Um, our deputy is also committed to looking into and working with us on this. Um, we have an assembly tomorrow. The sheriff's department's actually bringing out a canine unit that they're going to show the kids and demonstrate how a canine works and how it functions. So, we're going to have that assembly tomorrow. Um, I got invited to a Discovery Education event. Um, last week um in Missoula, they actually invited me to come and participate and they invited a lot of different businesses and it was actually to help build partnerships with business, the state government and local schools and discovery education uh and how we can work together especially with career technical education. Uh it was a great event well attended. Not only were there lots of
029government officials, uh, but school superintendent and myself, uh, as well as folks from OPI and several representatives from the state legislature. Uh, there's actually a bill that has went through the House and Senate, but has not been signed yet by the governor that actually will continue access for programs like Discovery Education to be able to give kids that type of technical education resources. So, we're hoping the governor signs that bill. Yeah, it's a great event and great partnerships all around. Uh out of district enrollment, uh in policy, June 10th is the last day. Uh we're definitely getting more interest. I made a new flyer. Um Jan shared that on social media and definitely that um got a couple more kids interested So definitely the word is spreading on that. Um for facilities, I'm going to
030talk later an agenda item about projects, but uh you might have noticed we're keeping up with groundskeeping. I brought several new flower pots. Flowers have been planted. Also, we have the new volleyball net up. They finished that this weekend. Uh and we also have the picnic tables. We're going to have a new fire pit area. I'm going to put in the fire pit probably next week over there. Uh pest control. Um we have had to have a project for ground squirrels. The ground squirrels were getting really bad and actually burrowing under the buildings. Um so I had Eco Lab do a project. Um and I've only seen two. I think they killed about 12. That's the two fat ones up here. >> That's the two that seem to somehow survive. He's coming out one more
031time. So hopefully those two will be gone. Um you know a sad thing, but they are so destructive. Yeah, they've been um really um doing some destruction underneath the porches. Uh the fencing project was a great success. Thanks to everyone that helped a lot of work for sure, but I've gotten so many great compliments on the fence. So, lots of people are recognizing that. Um, with that being said, um, Jim and I talked about maybe scheduling a day to invite people for painting and to continue to work on the fence. There is still some repairs that need to be made, too. Um, I was thinking maybe the first two weeks of June, um, school will be out. Um, So question, do you think this is where you've come in? >> Oh, what's that? >> Do
032you think that you and I could could power wash that front of the fence like a or I mean the this the front fence down the front this way and that way. So the whole front fence is power washed to work before a work day to Then we could paint. Some people could paint and some people could repair the rest of that fence. You think you could do that? >> My pressure washer requires large hose. You know what? >> Yeah. Instead of the regular garden hose, just a larger size to get enough water to it to pressurize up. And I suppose all the water's got to come from school here, I guess. Right. >> Yeah. That hose spet is the the closest on the front of this old >> two years ago. >> So therefore,
033it takes a lot of hose. I've got some >> um where I >> Do you guys have any 3 3/4 one in hose? Maybe a power washer. washer for >> lots of regular size. >> Yeah, that won't work on oursel. Yeah. Is there only one? >> I think there is only one hooked up and you're going to need all that pressure. But we could are you willing to put in a day helping get that power washed. >> I wonder I wonder too is I've got a Jonah's got one too. trash pump with for a fire hose, which I've got containers. He's got containers. I wonder if that'd be enough pressure to from a fire hose versus a pressure washer to peel that off. >> We got the irrigation hook >> cuz that we could we
034could haul the water remote, you know. >> Like a riser. >> Yeah. So, Right by the playground, we have an irrigation. >> I think I think we have hooked up from a riser. So >> if nothing else, we lay pipe to where we needed it >> along the fence, right? probably just a section of holes >> or you could run off of that you could run a couple washers. >> Could you talk to John about that? >> So with that being said, do we want to shoot for me inviting anybody that wants to come up one day the second week of June, hoping that we pressure. >> So Ron and I could power wash it the first week of June and then the second week of that second Saturday that like June 14th. >> Yeah.
035Should we shoot for the 14th and see if we have any takers willing to volunte? >> Yeah, let's do it. >> That's my question. >> Yeah, let's do it. >> I can always put it out there. And again, if nobody signs up, then That's all right. >> We got it done. >> Okay. >> I just personally think that's pathetic. >> You know, I guess I don't fight so much because I don't think we've been involved in the school so much this year. You know, our kids aren't in school and stuff, so we don't know a lot of the parents. >> Yeah. So, it'd be nice to get to some of these events. So, maybe you guys know more. >> Well, it's hard. at the right day. I mean, a lot of families have sporting events
036for the kids and different things. So, >> but maybe with school being out, some of the sports maybe being ended, maybe June will be a little bit better. >> Well, go ahead and post it. Let's see what we can come up with. >> Okay. 7:14. >> Yeah. or six. >> And my last thing to talk about is I did finally have a chance to connect with Dia um who is our district lawyer about a board training. Um so she offered several dates up that she can do um she can do May 5th, 4th, 9th or 12th. >> May 5th, >> June, sorry. >> Okay. June >> June >> 5th 4th 9th or 12th. >> The 9th is already our board meeting. Um the tricky thing about the 9th is that the out of district applications
037aren't due till the 10th. Um so we could do the 9th but know that there is a chance that we may have to do um a special meeting to get those approved some other time in June. >> So the dates were the second the third No. The fourth. >> The fourth >> the fifth >> fifth >> the ninth >> nth >> and the 12th. Well, the fifth and the 12th won't work. >> So, what do those look like for you ladies? >> How long was that last time? Is it a few hours? >> Um, I think she did it in an hour, I think. Yeah, >> I think the time before that it was hour. >> Okay. I think she can probably We could take the 9th with the board meeting and put it with
038>> the training from 4 to 5. That's what we did last time, right? >> I'd be okay with that >> on the night. How about you? Would that work for you? >> We'll just do >> Okay. Yeah. >> So, I'll confirm that. I think everything else I have is an agenda. >> Okay. What time is that K9? >> Okay. So, we didn't have Do we have any public input? Um the only thing I had a question about is the state legislators approved some um maintenance money school districts. I was wondering if there was any way that the fence would fall under that. Um, if there was any funding there available to replace it, whatever. And certainly we could use our money for that. Um, and we'll do a legislative update in a bit. I'll let
039Jessica get into the how much money we're really looking to get. >> That would be in the order of business number four facility. >> It's okay. >> Good question. >> Okay. All right. Order of business. The Montana reads literacy grant. >> Oh gosh. So, I was telling Jan, um, it's pretty frustrating day today. Um, didn't find out a lot. Um, I have been bugging OPI. They told me the 12th. They let us know. Um, I've been emailing, got an email back today and the gal who is running the grant program said, "Sorry, I've been out sick for a week. Looking like you won't know until the end of the month." So, not bad news that we don't get it, but we continue to be in limbo waiting to hear about this grant. >> Do you
040have any idea how many competitive grants are out there? >> They won't even tell us how many districts apply. Um, which I think is ridiculous. I know 80 districts were eligible. Um, I think probably a lot of them did apply, not all of them. I know two double A districts uh Billings and Great Falls both applied and both were eligible. They don't the money depends on the size of your district. So those bigger districts can get more money. So not only do they have to decide okay here who is who rated the highest amount of points given to your application, but then they have to decide okay well how are we going to divide up the money? Well, if they decide we're giving money to both Billings and Great Falls, that's a lot of money
041right off the top. Those districts are huge in a lot of schools. Um, and then it just kind of goes from there. Um, I still think we have a really good chance. We've never had the grant before. Um, the gal that we hired to help me um has successfully done it multiple times. So, I think we got a good chance. The problem is now we're going to have to wait possibly to the end of the month. Um really frustrated with OPI on this. Um there's nothing we can do. It's in their hands. So sorry to have news. >> Okay. You had some legislative updates as well. >> Yeah. So, the good news is is the STARS Act, which is increased teacher um pay funding as well as additional funding for CTE and some other items
042that did pass and actually got signed into law by the governor. So, that has been passed. A lot of the other bills we're waiting to see, the smaller ones that would benefit. Um but then I'll turn it over to you, Jessica, to talk about the building reserves. >> Yeah, the major maintenance one. Um So, as it stands right now, um, we get those funds and it's based on a formula that's 15,000 plus specific amount per student. And then what happens is it ends up being about a 2575 split. So, taxpayers pick up a smaller portion and then the state pays the rest. So, we end up getting about $20,000, 18 to $20,000 um with the taxpayers footing the for about 4,000 of it with the state picking up the rest. With the new version, that
04315,000 base becomes a 40,000 base plus I think 125 per kid. Don't quote me on that, but it's real close to that. Um, which means we are able to permissively levy, which means we don't have to go to the voters for a lot more money each year and that money can then be rolled over for bigger projects or It's kind of great because we've got one more year of our voted levy in the building reserve and then that's that goes away and so this almost comes in and gives us that plus a little more. Um and so the fence could definitely be considered. >> When would you first see that money coming in? >> I think it's kicks in this next school year. I will have to double check that. I think it kicks in
044for the next next budget budget season. Um, and I think if I'm not mistaken, I think the governor just signed that one. It's HB515 if I'm remembering correctly. Um, but yeah, it will help tremendously for some of these bigger projects that come along. we won't have to stress about splitting them up or trying to wait a couple years to, you know, it'll give us essentially almost two years at a time. Um, compared to what we >> So, so if we're able to um increase some funding without voter approval, how how are the voters or how are the is it being funded by the taxpayers? >> Because we can permissibly. We we can levy taxpayer money having to go to the to the voters to request permission. That's kind of like the transportation fund, the retirement
045fund. We need a certain amount of money in order to run the bus. We need a certain amount of money to cover the retirement the employee to cover women's portion of the retirement costs for the um teachers retirement system or the tax the federal tax monies that that we have to pay. And so it's all um funded by the taxpayers, but they can't really say no because we are required to to pay it. We're required to provide the transportation. So whatever money that that is necessary, that's how that's how it's funded. So there's a few different little pockets of money like that throughout the whole budget. Um where it's it's taxpayers, but they really say in it. It just is something that has to happen. Um it's not like the levy buildings or levy we
046passed where they can say yes or no or if we were to run a general fund levy and yes or no. It's we're legally required to provide transportation and do certain things and the building reserve um permissive that that I want to say it's 2019. Has it been around that long? Um I think it's 21 the legislature first implemented the permissive portion of the building reserve fund. >> I think I'd want to know for sure when that money is going to come. >> Yes, I will >> because that does >> and you can roll that over from year to year and let it build up >> and we gain interest on it through the county. they do get. >> So then you have to determine, okay, what's what's the building uh projects that need to
047be done? >> And I don't where we're at right now. You did a lot of interior stuff last year. Are the buildings pretty well >> sound at this point? >> That's actually the next agenda item. >> I always jumping ahead, don't I? >> That's okay. >> Okay. You >> want to jump into the next one? >> Sure. >> Um, so that actually brings up a good point. I mean, if we were sure we were going to get this money um for the next budget year, that could open some potential for more projects than I initially thought we could do. Um, there is a lot to be done. These are old buildings. Um, and if you don't maintain things, you start to lose things and it figure problems um with the fence. What was the quote
048you got for repainting? Was it >> I think for spray washing and repainting was about 6,6500 maybe. >> It brings up I mean I wonder then >> if we were sure we were getting this money. >> Well, if Ron and I Yeah, Ron and I if we got the front that bring it down too. >> And I ain't too worried about the the the spray the pressure washing in the painting. That that that we can probably handle, but that fence ain't very far from needing replaced period. >> Curious the original date on it, but it's pretty old. >> Yeah. So, um it's one of those things that could maybe uh be budgeted like the front one year and a side one year and you know do it in pieces instead of trying to do the
049whole thing all at once. >> Is it like is it rotting out the paint at all or is it >> Yeah, I think those boards are >> Yeah, I think they're old. has got to be 30 years old at death. >> 30. >> Jonah went around to every post and he only found six, I think, that he said was rotten. But it's the boards itself. Many of them are are rotten. I mean, when you guys went to take off that one, boy, it just >> disintegrated. Um, so the boards itself are falling. You know, they're going to start falling off. I mean, we can make it look look nice, but it's not going to be >> it's it get real close to needing replaced. >> Yeah, it's really true. So, what they had quoted was
0506320 for three sides >> and that was a solid base game. >> So, that's something to keep in mind. There are several other projects that I want to talk about that I've been working on getting quotes hopefully for this summer. Um, one is the external doors. So, um, and we talked we've been talking gosh for a year about these. We've been having problems with all of the doors to be honest, but these four in particular in this building are original to this building and we have put new runners at the bottom of the door. But that honestly that is how the mice were getting in this building. They actually have chewed under the door and are getting in. Um I really feel like these four doors need to be replaced. Um they also stick. They're
051having trouble opening. Um all of the doors are starting to warp and um even the metal ones and I think that goes back to the frame. But all of these are at least 1980s vintage at the newest uh like in building three and whatnot. Um That's something I feel like we need to get done. Um, I'm still working on quotes. I had one from a year ago from Jackson Con's um contractors who are the main contractors for schools and that was sitting at about 27. But when I called them, the person that gave me the quot no longer works for Jackson and Jackson >> 27,000 >> for the doors >> lockers >> for five >> and that was five doors was $27,000 >> because they have to be fireproof they have to be commercial and
052that many of them have the keyless entries the fault that has to be rehooked up. Um, it's an expensive project and cannot be done just by any general contractor. Most will not do commercial doors. >> But the gentleman who gave me the quote who used to work for Jackson is coming out this week to give me a new one because he started his own commercial um contractor company. I have I got a quote from a company in Billings that uh would do commercial doors and for five doors they were sitting at $35,000 >> and to add on the rest at an additional $45,000. >> Yeah, that's how I felt. Um, >> but the bottom line is is that um it's going to have to be done sooner rather than later. Um, it's to the point
053sometimes that the doors just won't even open. They're just warping pretty bad with the heat or the cold. It's a thing. So, I'll keep you updated. >> How many doors are there total that need to be replaced? There's five that really have to be and then, you know, another five that should be. One in building three is completely rusted out. We're no longer using that door. Yeah. But again, I mean, we're looking, you know, one building 1902, 1950s, this building, 1980s that building. you got to keep up on the maintenance or >> stuff will happen. So, that's one project. The other is I'd really like to get a washer and dryer for the school. Currently, we don't have one. Um, currently all the school laundry happens at Mr. Martin's house. Um, which is not convenient
054for the custodian um who has to wait for me to do all the laundry. It's not convenient when children have accidents and we have to just send it home in a bag with the families. We could be washing things if we had a washer and dryer. Um so I got um but unfortunately we don't have the hookups. Um, I had temp right out who does our heating um who also does plumbing and they said in buildings two and three there's no way because these are concrete slabs and to get any rain we're going to have to drill out the concrete. So we're looking starting at 14,000 just for the concrete removal. So it's going to have to be building one. So, for the plumbing, construction, and labor for that part, we're looking 1,74950. Um, we're
055also going to have to have electrical work done, and I had an electrician come out, but I don't have the quote yet. Um, he seemed to think he can do that for not too much. And then with a government discount at Fred's appliance, we're looking at for the two units, 1600. And I was looking at getting a compact unit that stacks together to take up less room. So we're not doing a major. >> So that's one thing I'm still working on, but I'd love to get done for the school. It's the first school I've ever been in that doesn't have a washer and dryer. Um, the other thing I'm working on is a miscellaneous list of things. I have one window that's broken. Um, we have some rot going on in two of the sheds
056that's going to need a little bit of sighting repair. Um, we have a few other miscellaneous things that we've got to get done. So, on Wednesday, I've got the folks that remodeled the bathroom coming out to give me a quote for just the miscellaneous things. But again, just trying to keep the facility contained up to date, making sure that you know the rod of the sheds doesn't become replacing the whole shed. Let's get it taken care of sooner rather than later. I was hoping like with the doors have a decision with more, but I'm going to have to keep you updated at the next meeting. question. >> Actually, I jumped out of order. Sorry. >> So, number three is out of district students and I've updated the list that you approved last year. I've highlighted
057the kids that are new for this time. Um, I have some not so great news about distance learning students. Um, I've been working with Harmony and pursuing that. We actually are having a recruiting event um at 6:30 that I might make it to. Uh but unfortunately I found out from Stevensville school OPI was has been refusing to pay them for out of district students doing distance learning through harmony. um which is a huge problem for us uh moving forward because the way it works is that we collect the A and B payment from the state and then we pay Harmony for providing the online distance learning. If we were to not get money um we would have a problem and so would Harmony. We'd be providing all this for free and so would they. Um
058so I talked to our lawyer said, "Sure enough, OPI is interpreting a law saying that um that they're not going to pay um for distance learning for out of district students um through this." So, Beia has a meeting with Superintendent Headland next week and her recommendation to our board um and me was to table at a district um remote students at this time until she has a chance to meet She said, "Honestly, it's probably going to be that we would have to sue office of public construction." Um, and I've talked to Harmony uh to talk to their lawyer. Um, as well as I am talking with Corval School District, which is the first district to bring Harmony distance learning into Montana. Um, so we may have to get a group lawsuit. OPI is for sure
059going to do this. Pete, who's the superintendent down there, he has met with Susie and he's going to meet with her again. He seems to think that she is eventually going to approve this. Our lawyer is not so sure. She's not very optimistic about OPI stance on this law. Um, so the bottom line is my recommendation and our lawyers is on the second page is out of district distance learning students uh is the table the approval hear again from my lawyer and move forward one way or another. >> So we're so for now we would lose those students. >> Um >> just >> it's for next school year. >> Okay. >> So I think the recommendation is to table because meeting with Susie next week. Um she assures me she'll get back to me right
060after that meeting and let us know. Stevensville is actually in the boat where OPI they had harmony this year and out of district students and OPI is telling them that they're not going to pay them and we're talking >> yeah over a dozen or more um >> thousands per isn't it? It's a about 6,500 >> per kid and then >> a chunk >> about 50% profit share with Harmony. Um >> yeah, and I when I signed up for this I had no idea all of this is new. Um it's a new office of public instruction. It's a new superintendent. Um hopefully our lawyer can get things settled out. She's also the lawyer for Stevensville as well. So she's advocating for both of our districts. We do have three um out of district um fully inerson
061students to approve today though. So my recommendation is to approve those three students for next school year and then to make a separate motion to table. >> So we should probably let's since we were on the distance learning should we start with that? Is are these the new ones returned that you may need to make a motion to? >> There's three. >> These three. Okay. So, I guess the out district we need to approve those three and then table and then the ones on the second. >> Okay. I'll make a motion to approve black river and do um for the 20 256 district. Sorry. 2025 2026 school year for district students. table. >> Yeah. Do you do you want me to make a motion to table? >> Okay. I make a motion to table the
062um >> and you can just just say 2526 distance learning out of district. >> Okay. 25 26 distance learning out of district students table that all in favor of. Okay. So now on to the 2025 school new business school calendar. >> So I was hoping to have the answer about the grant um before approving this but um with that being a month off um we don't have that um I did make some changes to PI days before school starts which doesn't affect students um but it gives opportunities uh the week before school starts to do some professional development there'll be more PI days to add in we get the grant that we need to do. Um, but that will be additional pay for teachers if we add those days in um, out of the grant.
063Um, but we're looking at starting the 28th of August, which is very similar to MCPS. Um, and then there is uh, two weeks for um, the December holiday, New Year's and Christmas, and then a week of spring break in April a little bit later this year. um those match up with MCPS um sense that um some families have high school students as well as elementary student most elementary school students we are ending in May on the 29th um which is different than most districts most um because of early outs um go into June usually the second week of June we end in May um in a lot of ways it's very similar to this year's Okay. Does somebody want to make a motion to accept the calendar? So, let me hand this out. So, we're
064going to start with the certified staff. So, that's going to be teachers. Um, John's included on here, our counselor. Um this is the um new salary schedule that I came up with. We had to try and work within the oh um work within the lines of the stars act that was just approved. So we needed a minimum of um grab my little cheat sheet here. We needed a minimum of 41615 um for our base. And the way we the way we did that is if you'll you'll notice the the kind of grayed out sections here. These have always been here. Um the ones at the bottom we put there to kind of encourage teachers to do a little additional um university credits, that sort of thing, food from the overlings, you know, in order to
065to keep going. Um but what we ended up doing is in order to meet the requirements but um stay within budget um we grade out a few of the starting steps. So what that means is um you'll see the highlighted yellow version there. That's Mariah Bishop. She would regularly be in that step this year. It just so happens that's where she lands. if we ended up hiring a new teacher who just was a brand new with a bachelor's degree, they would start on the exact same step. >> Okay. >> Um and so, um as time goes on, we might be able to phase it back down to where we're not graying out those first ones, but where where we're standing with the general fund budget and with the the minimum requirement of 41615, um that
066was our solution to to get there. Um What that shows, um, if you look down here, I've got the teachers with their, uh, this year's salary, next year's salary, and so they're each getting an increase of $2,314. And of course, Jill's much further along on the salary schedule. And so her percentage is showing her percentage change is a little lower than the others, but when you add them up, funny enough, they average out to exactly 5%. Um, and so, um, I kind of thought that would work out pretty pretty slick. Um, and then for, um, for John, um, I bumped him up to 89,000. Um, Dr. Ce um would be $42 an hour. She is strictly on an hourly schedule. And I don't know She's coming in it seems like about 15 hours a month
067right now, but I know she's been sick off and on and I don't know if there's a set schedule for her and if that would continue for next year. She's actually paid out of title one, so she's not even she doesn't even fall into the the general fund portion of things as far as the funding aspect of it. But um so yeah, I mean it it it worked out um pretty slick in in making sure we We'll get that additional funding with the stars act, but um give the teachers a a decent little bump up. >> Okay. >> And then we're we would not hire we wouldn't keep the other par. Are the paras on here at all? >> No. No, they're classified. >> Yeah. We're looking at strictly the certified staff. Yeah. And so
068yeah, at the bottom of yours, I've got I've got John's 25 26 and I've got Emily C's hourly at the bottom. >> Okay. >> And part of this is to stay competitive. Um we want to make sure that we're staying competitive with other schools in Missoula County, especially for recruitment. Um this puts us pretty close to MCPS. I believe >> it's getting there. We're not we're not as bad as I mean some other schools are still really low. We've been doing a pretty good job over the last few years of trying to to get that up. Um and the stars act had us, you know, forced us a little bit to be a little more creative in the salary schedule and and be able to to move them up maybe a little faster than we
069would normally. >> But certainly worth it to collect that state. >> Yes. Yeah, still not where MCPS is, but um moving in the right direction. >> So, we get 41,650 from the stars act. >> No, that's the minimum salary that our Yeah, our teaching staff needs to be making in order to qualify. And then we How much do we get from the stores? >> So we get double quality educator payment. The quality educator payment is I think somewhere right in there. It's less than 4,000 but >> Per teacher. So we would get two of those for each of our certified staff. So that would be 8 FTE. Um they also included a um section of the stars act that also a quality educator payment is given for the clerk. Um and for this first year
070it's as though I'm a full-time I'll get the full amount. Um next year it will be prrated based on my actual hours worked. Um but um and then we get a you know of course Emily Ce is our counselor. She works very part time, but that little bit we get a little chunk for her and that doubles too with this. Um, so yeah, it it what it did is it gave us some increased funding but also made up a little bit for the kiddos were down. So it kind of helped fill the hole and then added some on top of it. So, we want to approve their >> certified staff. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I make a motion to approve the certified uh staff salary increase for the 2025 2026 school year. >> And the
071contracts, please. We can wrap that into one. So, the contracts are essentially going to just of course have the same salary amounts on there. So, you're hiring them and giving them >> Oh, I'm sorry. For the for the staff. Okay. And to um uh contract them for the 2025 2036 >> contract. I'll pretty it up for you. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Okay. And then the classified staff. >> So I think what we're going to do with the classified staff is put table them until we know what's going on with the grant. Then we'll have >> that. >> So that's going to be Mariah Cruz. >> Okay. >> Uh it's going to be Grace, our custodian, and it's going to be Regina our >> And so um once we know where
072we're sitting with the grant, we'll have a better idea. >> And so what we can do is the next hopefully the next meeting in June um we'll revisit them and >> do we need to make a motion to table that one table >> okay I made a motion to table the classified >> yeah the discussion of the classified salary >> salary and contract >> and contract >> all in favor say I >> so moved the district court. >> So, we're not talking about classified, but what I essentially did is I took the classified staff and myself and I took that 5% average and I gave everybody 5%. >> Is essentially what I did. Um, so that would put me at 25725 um for the year and then um you've kind of already okayed my it's
073kind of a weird Julio is >> contract. Yeah, but I still have a contract to sign. So you did the same sort of thing with the salary and the contract if you guys are good with that. >> Okay, do you want to keep it up there? I move to the salary. >> The salary and the contract for the clerk >> 256. All in favor say I. >> So moved. >> Okay. 2025 26 bus route. >> This is something we do every year um before the County Transportation Committee meeting in July. Um there's no changes. It's the same bus route. Um it's >> time frame, >> same everything. Yeah. It hasn't changed for years and years and it's not changing again. I just need the board to say yeah working on it again in 2526. >>
074Okay. Make a motion to approve the 2526 bus. All >> in favor say I. Okay. And the 2025 26 election contract with >> and this is once again one we do every year. Um it essentially says yes, if we need to have an election, we want you to do it. Um and uh >> so we wouldn't have it here. >> We wouldn't have to plan it, put it together, send out the ballots, do any of that. They will take care of all the publishings. They take care of we get a little bill at the end for you know postage and and printing and and it's done. We don't have to think about it. They take care of everything. >> Motion to approve. All in favor say I. So move. Okay. Next regular meeting, June 9th,
0752025. You guys can adjust that if we feel the need. >> And just know we may have to have a special meeting. >> Oh, no. We won't we won't change it because we decided the board Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> We might have to have a special meeting if we get the grant. >> Would it be before you said the 10th or something that it need to be before? >> So the 10th is the due date for out of district students. >> So we may have to after that to approve out of district students. >> Gotcha. Okay. Okay. >> I'll keep everyone updated. >> Anything else? So, they want to make a motion to adjourn. >> I guess I can say >> you're going to remind me of that. >> Can you make sure the doors
076are closed? You don't