001All right. December 9th, 2025 uh monthly business meeting to order. Would someone like to lead us in? Okay. I pledge algiance 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. >> Are there any revisions to the agenda? >> Public comments. Uh this is the appropriate side of uh appropriate place to make comments on an item not on the agenda but within the board's jurisdiction. In order to protect individual rights of privacy, avoid comments that identify students or staff members. Additionally, public comment cannot be used make comments regarding confessive cases, grievances or legal proceedings. Due to open meeting laws, the board cannot respond in any way to comments made during this public comment period. Any public comment?
002Wait. >> Okay. >> Shannon. Uh, we have a public comment that is on a discussion item. Does that need to be made now or can it be made? >> We don't need public comment or discussion on an action item. Oh, we can take both. >> We can take it down. Take it down. >> Okay. And again, just a reminder, two minutes. So, thank you. >> Got it started. Okay. Yeah. Um, yeah. Good evening. My name is Robin Peony and I'm a White Pish resident. Um, so I'd like to really briefly touch on five topics. Um, so first of all, the electric school bus grant. I just wanted to publicly thank Rocky Mountain Transportation for applying to the Montana EQ clean truck and bus program for two school buses that are electric for our district. And
003I especially want to thank Seth Sole for leading that detailed process, which is a great step forward. So um secondly um at last month's meeting we heard that the project team would compare boilers and heat pumps and evaluate the most climate friendly and efficient systems and I didn't see that analysis in our packet so I hope it will be available soon. Um and then my letter in today's agenda um highlights the benefits of heat pumps for heating and cooling and hot water as well as induction cooktops. But I also noted the federal, state, and local incentives, including up to 50% federal reimbursement for school heat pump systems. So I also wanted to um encourage the district to plan ahead by sizing conduit for future rooftop solar and future EV charging. Um, all right. The district's
004energy, this is number four. The district's energy management plan is available on the center for sustainability and entrepreneurship web page. And it already calls for selecting equipment based on the lowest cost of ownership, including lifetime energy use assessments. And I'm not seeing that assessment yet for the high school expansion. So, I hope we can ensure that it's completed per that policy. And then the last thing in the last 15 seconds, um, the cse continues to be an incredible example for students in our community. As school heating systems are updated over time, I hope the district will evaluate new heat pumps and so the cse can reach uh zero pollution by eliminating the burning of fossil fuels in its two gas fired heating units. Okay, that's it. Thank you and happy holidays. >> Thank you. Is
005there any other public comment? We will move on to the public correspondence. Um believe you'll see four or three attachments there we all have a chance to look at. Um then we'll move on to approval of minutes. Um intervene. >> I move we approve. >> Uh we both have everyone here. Uh is not here. >> Okay. So, I hope we approve the November 11th. >> No, hold on. We can >> with without her being here, she can just abstain and we still don't. >> Then I go back to my original >> move to approve both sets of minutes as >> move by Quincy, seconded by Katie. All those in favor? I >> Lucy. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right, we will move on to our student trustee report with Carmela. >> Take
006it away. >> All right, so I'll start with the high school. Um, we have winter activities kicking off. Uh, winter cheer just completed their triyouts and we have a full JV and girls and boys basketball is also starting up as well as girls and boys wrestling. Speech and debate is continuing and will be continuing until January I believe and swimming has started and drama club is now auditioning for their new production club. We also have some clubs with community service opportunities that those students are providing. Uh Leo club is doing a food drive. SOC is doing or was formally doing a coat drive, but that is now more led by two students for a NECA project. Um, cancer awareness club is doing a toy drive and yes, various students are helping out the warming center
007with a coat and food drive for adults and as well as HOSA is doing the blood drive. Some updates on the unsung hero and top dog awards. They're continuing to make a difference in the school and highlighting some students and teachers that are making a difference. Uh we also have competitions coming up like science olympiading preparing for events like agriculture, wind power, chemistry and things in the medical fields and it's like DECA is also preparing for events and things like hospitality, tourism, marketing, international business plans, multiple principal events and we had a guest speaker come in on Friday I believe he came into a class and biom class as well as students can come in and watch but his name is Ay Young. He inspired young white students to take action and speak out against
008climate change. He is named one of the top 17 most influential young people currently and accomplished the first ever clean and renewable energy world tour. And I will go into Vivian with the middle school. In last month's report, we shared that the White Fish Middle School Student Council sponsored a fundraiser for the North Valley Food Bank. The fifth and sixth graders competed in penny warf. Mr. Duff's class one in the fifth grade and Miss Klein's class one in the sixth grade. The seventh and eighth graders contributed to the bring a book fundraiser. Every book that was donated earned a raffle ticket. Multiple prizes were won by seventh and eighth grade students. Overall, the wife student council has raised $3,447 to the north valley. Student council continues to be active with more holiday activities, annual door
009decoration contests, holiday spirit day and both activities are encouraging to enter the holiday spirit. White fish middle school boys basketball season is wrapping up. The seventh grade teams competed at the West Valley tournament last week and the eighth grade team will be competing at Palis Middle School tournament. The White Fish Middle School music department will also have their winter concerts. Whitefish Middle Choir sang their hearts out last week's concert. Whitefish Middle School orchestra will be stringing together a beautiful concert this week and the White Fish Middle School band will be looking for you to their Right. And now to with the hold down report. The trimester ended on November 25th. Report cards will be going home on Friday, December 10th. The first round of MAST testing has be completed and every third and fourth grader
010at Moldown completed the test. These students and teachers worked very hard to score the best they could on these. The third graders conducted their annual moldown Thanksgiving Day parade on Wednesday or Thanksgiving break. Miniature floats were paraded around the building and outside around the flag pole. The kids did amazing work on their float projects. The fourth graders recently constructed medieval diaramas depicting the culture of Middle Ages. The Middle Ages were studied in our CKLA curriculum. There they were displayed around the main hallway. All the fourth grade students and displays. Everyone is gearing up for Christmas and the winter break. The second graders are putting on holiday music program on Thursday. Miss Hashley and Miss Sir Talic have been working hard to prepare them. These programs are always so much fun. Next week, each day has
011a dress up theme, the highlight of which is when each grade level group picks a family photo theme for for the holidays. Mold wants to wish one and all a very merry Christmas and happy new year. >> Thank you. Is there any questions? >> Thank you. Thank you. Thanks a lot. >> Appreciate it. >> Is this How long has it been since the cheerleading team has had a full JB at varsity? Gosh, >> this whole year actually has had a full JV, but sophomore, freshman year, I don't think that. >> It's really exciting. >> Yeah, very cool. >> It seems like we get more participants each year. It's awesome. >> All right, thank you very much. Uh, we will move on to a WA and WCA update, but I don't believe. So moving into discussion
012and action items. We start with the winter activities discussion with Eric Harris. >> Good evening everyone. Thank you for having me. Yeah, >> actually the fall report. No, it's all right. I'll talk a little bit about winter, too. But, uh, >> it was a a very busy fall. Um, I don't know if anybody else felt that way, but kind of just like flew by. Um, a lot going on, but it was a very successful fall in and u um sports and activities and, you know, all the different things that our students have going on throughout the uh the fall season. So, I'll do just a a fall recap on um activities to start with our music department. That's kind of funny because I pulled what I talked about last year and um you know my
013first line is how this was like the biggest most number of kids get all state for music. Well, here I am again saying the same thing. Um this was the the largest number of students that we've had receive um all state for music and band choir and orchestra with 11. Um last year at this time I was here telling you we had seven. So um kudos to our our music department. uh one of the best representations or the best representation that that our high school has had um for all state music. So, congrats to those three departments. Um choir, a growing program for us. 38 students involved in choir. Uh they've been very busy and uh performed the national anthem at the football game. I don't know if anybody caught that, but it was awesome.
014Uh did a a volleyball game. Uh and then did a great job at the Veterans Day assembly. Um, in mid-occtober we had a record six students uh perform at the Montana All State Festival and were selected as the best singers in the state through a rigorous audition process. Um, in congruence with the All State Festival, um, Mr. Thorson, our choir teacher, pres uh, presented a session at the Montana Music Educator Conference on teaching choir as a trained director. That's pretty neat to see that. um choir also performed a full concert in collaboration with the Crown of the Continent Community Choir at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls in November and spent um two days in Hamilton at the Western A Choir Festival. They they go there every fall for the Western A Choir Festival.
015Uh four students were selected for the All Northwest Honors Choir through the Montana Coral Directors Association. Uh it's quite the honor. So students from six states, they submit auditions. Uh they're obviously um graded on those and only the top students were chosen. So we had four uh two of those students, Maline Spear and Kendall Dy were selected for their renowned all Northwest Jazz Choir, which only takes 20 students from a six state region. So pretty impressive. Um, with the help of the North Valley Music School, the high school choir hosted a professional trio from Alaska called the Pipeline Vocal Project for a daytime concert in October. Uh, it was incredible from what I hear. Um, and the students were were very inspired. Uh, last week on Thursday, they held the the choirs uh both high
016school and all school held the holiday season uh winter kickoff. Um, that was here at the pack last Thursday. And then the treble choir performed today at the Rotary lunchon up at the Moose Lodge. I don't know if you were probably there, Dave. Yeah, thought about that. >> Yeah. And um they're hoping to do some caroling at nursing homes here next week. >> Uh band another another busy busy program. Um had a lot of involvement with our homecoming activities with the drum line, um the football game, and just a lot of things going on uh with that program. Uh the fall concert uh very successful and meaningful for all involved. Uh Mr. King wanted to note that um included a monster professional level solo featuring Bejorn Bunganer on trombone uh with the band accompanying him.
017Um band had another banner year four students in all state band. Ginger Berglin on eu euphonium um Bjorn Bungner uh Cohen Gates and page seven. Uh the band made made up of all school classifications C through double A. Um and some of these students make selections of four people. And so that's that's quite the honor that we had four represented there throughout the state of Montana. U the entire band combined with the entire orchestra for Veterans Day. That was an awesome assembly. I think some of you were there. So if you got to witness that I thought it was very well done. And um um want to note that our our student council did a great job with that as well. Um then they the band was also able to perform at the Wacle Center
018at FBCC uh for the Northwest Day Band Festival and they combined with all the other schools um in our area. The jazz program is growing um rapidly. It feels like uh they're doing a great job. Uh presented a great concert in November and Uh they're getting ready for their band concert uh next Thursday at 7 o'clock upstairs in the pack um with a highlighted presentation of a Russian Christmas music um bolstered by 15 local professionals that are joining our students up on stage. So uh a lot to look forward to um coming up with our band program. Uh orchestra very busy as well. Of course we have middle school going on upstairs. You can probably hear them through the walls. Uh, but our orchestra will be performing Thursday, next Thursday, I'm sorry, this Thursday, uh,
019at 7 o'clock in the pack and they're also preparing for their music trip to New York City in the springtime. Uh, speech and debate, Sarah, we're about halfway through, right? Yeah. Um, very busy. We have gained kids, I think, um, >> since since since fall got fall sports wrapped up, we've added a few >> about 40 students competing. They're taking off to East Helena here this weekend and the state right around the corner after the winter break. Um yeah, so um of course the defending state champions and debate teams. >> So pressure. >> So um with all that we have about 236 participants in MHSA activities at Wish High School. Uh clubs, we have 21 active clubs right now. We had a busy club day. We usually kick that off on the Monday of uh
020homecoming week where kids we have tables set up and kids go sign up for clubs that they have interest in. Most of the clubs meet during lunchtime. Some are after school. Uh but I did the count today and we had 436 kids that are involved in clubs at Whitefish High. So um there's there's something for everybody. guys feel that way and so it's good to see that that number and the amount of involvement that we have um from our students in in our various activities. Uh drama just wrapped up a play here. Um they did their first Shakespearean play at WHS in over 10 years. Uh it was exciting to bring a Midsummer Night's Dream to the pack uh stage. It was a challenging script learning a new language and finding meaning from the text
021to act out the scenes on stage. Uh they just did a fantastic job and then they're kind of taking a little break and they come back after the holidays and and get ready for their spring show. So, and then as I noted, uh student council has just been very involved. Had a great uh busy week with uh homecoming week and and the Veterans Day assembly. So uh one last activity I want to note is national honor society. So our fall members have collectively completed over 200 service hours as part of their involvement in national honor society. Uh it's an expectation for serving the community. So it's neat to see that 200 service hours have uh have been conducted there by our students. Uh some examples of those service hours are uh helping with the mon
022monastery school pumpkin patch, uh the Whitefish uh songwriters festival, trick-or-treating events, um tutoring, going over to Moldown and helping um teachers over there. So those are just some examples of some of the service hours that they they uh completed. Any questions on activities? Athletics? Uh we had a a fantastic fall. Um sure everybody followed along in the pilot and and whatnot the media. Uh but we had 254 student athletes out for athletics. Uh 153 letter winners for the fall. Um of those 254 participants, we had 105 academic allstate students. So they not only did they letter, but they had a 3.5 or higher GPA. uh 45 of those were 4.0's and we had 13 allstate selections. So very impressive, very proud of our uh our programs this fall and the job that they did both
023in competition and also in the classroom. Uh golf had a competitive season in a very tough Western A conference. Uh girls ended up finishing second at state over in Sydney. Um, funny story. I'm not sure everybody's aware, but we had to ride Amtrak over to Willist, North Dakota. Rented a car from Wilston, drove down to Sydney, played played two days of golf after a practice round. So, three days of golf, got drove back up to Willist, rode the train back, and we were home 10:00 on Sunday in school Monday morning. So, that was the state golf experience. They said it was awesome, though. The Amtrak car was cool. >> We weren't delayed. It was they said it was awesome. So, >> we'll file that one away. I don't It was a It was a lot
024of coordinating to where pull that one off, but we did it. >> But yeah, second place came back with some hardware. Um we had two two ladies ear all state honors over in Sydney and fairly young team both on the boys and the girls side. So, I think next year looks it's really bright. Looking forward to it. Uh cross country program had another solid season led by Coach Men. I think some of the highlights for that season were hosting um our invite over at White Fish Lake Golf Course and just very thankful of Tim Olsson and his crew for for basically shutting down a golf course that's the busiest golf course in the state of Montana and let a bunch of middle school and high school kids can run around out there. So, um but
025Coach Menick and his crew did they do a great job hosting that meet and and then of course we had State Missoula. So, we had a solid year in uh cross country. Uh 32 kids were out for cross country this year. It's our biggest number, I think, in my 13 years as as AD. So, and I see that program continuing to grow as we we move forward. Um soccer, so uh great soccer season for both boys and girls. both uh were uh uh playoff teams, qualified for the class A playoffs, and of course our boys ended up taking second um at the state championship game down in Pulson. Um just a great year for those two programs and again I feel like we reload those programs every year. So um see what next year brings.
026But I think one thing to point out is that every uh girls soccer player that lettered was a academic all state student. So, that was pretty neat. Eden was pretty proud of that. So, wanted me to point that one out. Um, volleyball had a great season. Again, it was a younger uh team. Uh, had a had a good conference record. We ended up uh competing at the qualifying for the Western Division. Libby really played tough over there. I was really proud of of how we competed over there against the number one seed, uh, Frenchtown, who eventually ended up taking third at the state tournament. I uh I thought we played really really well with a young roster. So I think our volleyball program uh looks pretty bright in the the three four years down the
027road to come. And then of course football um ended up with a great season. Went eight and three. The three losses were a combined of eight points is what they lost by in those three games. So, highly competitive um you know, for a semi-final team and and just just a great all all around um program this year and just did a great job. Yeah. Uh one thing to note is the uh conference realignment that we went through. This is our first year in the new uh football conference realignment. So, we are just a Northwest A in football. Basketball we are um basketball we're Northwest A. Um in previous seasons football was western so we every every game that we played was a conference game so obviously had a lot of weight. Um this year you
028know we're just uh just uh Libby us Columbia Falls big for Pulson Ronan um are in our conference so we had some flexibility with our scheduling early on. I think that helped us um schedule more more uh uh programs that are closer to us. Cut down travel costs. Uh we brought back the Hav game, the railroad trophy game. Uh that's been a big part of our history. So it was it's pretty cool to see that. Um and so we'll be doing that again uh next year. And then of course cheer had a great year. So um another growing program and and um um just their involvement with everything. It's really fun to watch, getting the crowd hyped up and everything. So, >> I don't think I've noted uh on this one recently. Uh we do
029have a new athletic trainer provided by Logan Health. Probably a familiar name for some of you. Josie Windower is our athletic trainer. She was a Columbia Falls um three sport athlete, Lady Grizz player. um she's just doing a a remarkable job for our students and um just on top of everything. She's been a great addition to our athletic program and I think Carrie and I receive daily emails from her on injury updates and reports and I just really appreciate the communication that she's providing and uh working with our school nurses on uh return to play protocols if you know a concussion were to happen and whatnot. So uh just doing a great job. Uh, want to note just a few other quick things. I don't want to take up a lot of your time, but
030um, we launched a Bulldog app that was probably about the Fourth of July. So, we have a a White Fish Bulldogs app in the app store and you it's everything from um, you want to buy a t-shirt to where's the gym in Frenchtown to um schedules and rosters and and all sorts of things. So, if you're kind of a techsavvy person and want that Whitefish Bulldogs app, um there's any and all information about athletics and activities is is through that app. So, um check that out. It's pretty cool. Uh we updated our website on online and everything's current and um Eden did a lot of that work. So, um really appreciate you know all the time and effort that she put into that. Uh we launched a new platform uh this fall. It's called Arbiter
031360 for student registration. And it I think if any of you have students that are um did a fall sport, you had to go through that or you will, right? Um I I registered my two kids. It took me five minutes for both of them. So it was from the parent side of it, it was awesome. On the ad side of it, that's another conversation. Um but um it's been a it's been a good tool for us. We we schedule officials through that. We schedule um games, confirmed games. Uh we have all the information if a student were to be injured. You know, we have all their information that we would need if you know we were to go to a hospital or anything like that. So, I think it's been a good addition. There's
032some bugs that need to be worked out still and we're working through that. But on the parent side, it's it's set and ready to go. It's awesome. The ED side, we we got >> Well, the parents appreciate that. >> Good. Good. Um, and then, uh, NFHS network, we, you know, we're still streaming games. Anything in our gym, um, will be streamed, uh, on on the NFHS network. We were able to stream a soccer game, semi-final soccer game through an iPad that was, uh, way above my level. Um, but I pulled it off and, um, it turned out pretty good from what I understand. Um, so we'll look into doing um baseball and possibly softball in the springtime streaming streaming some of those games. Um, tracks a little bit too complicated with all the different events.
033So, I I don't anticipate us doing that one. But, uh um and I guess the last thing I want to point out is I was reading because I got here early. I thought it started at 6, but uh >> uh Dylan Bner, 2019, uh wait grad is the FCS student athlete of the year for the Montana Grizzlies. So, that's >> that's pretty cool. I just wrote that down when I was there. So, >> yeah. Any questions that I can answer? >> I know. I'm sorry. I do have one question. Um, when we talked about the number of kids in clubs, >> Yeah. >> is that do we know about like people? Did you just go through the clubs to figure out each club membership class or did you see if names are duplicated? >> I
034didn't see if names were duplicated. >> Okay. So, that's just Okay. >> So, you know that >> there could be some. Yeah. But, um, >> you know, some kids like to find their their pocket of, you know, what what interests them and that's kind of what they stick with. Yeah, that's a good >> Um, and then my other thing is, have we ever put the Bulldog app like information about that on our website? >> I think it is. >> Okay. >> But I I will double check. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that's really cool. >> Yeah. Um, but we have like if you come into our games, we have a QR code. You'll just go up and scan and it pops up. So, yeah. Anybody that walks into the gym or a field Yeah. we always
035have that up. So, they they scan right by the ticket. It's been a It's been It saved a lot of questions on our end. You know, we're constantly get phone calls. Where's this place? >> What time is the game? Sorry. >> It's It's helped us out a lot. >> Thanks. >> Yeah. >> I kind of like the cross shape. >> Oh, yeah. Let me say, "Are you supposed to call me or is Carrie talking about um I >> I think I'm talking about athletic fees." >> Okay. >> And I I apologize. I had a uh freshman basketball game right before this. I didn't grab it off my printer, but I got it right here. Um, >> we've got it. >> You got it. >> It's good. >> Yeah. So, um, just to transition over to,
036uh, fees, you know, Carrie and I have been working on this for a little while, and he'll talk about, uh, academic fees, but, um, just so everybody's aware, all of our MHSA sports and MHSA activities. Um, there there's a fee associated with that just mainly because of they're expensive, their travel's expensive. Um, so what we require of all our students is if they want to be out for a sport or MHSA activity, they they uh buy a $50 activity card and that gets them into every regular season home game for free with that $50 activity card. Um and then if they come out for, you know, they're a three sport athlete, it's $50 per sport that they go out for. um band, choir, orchestra, speech and debate is $50 also, but we are capping that
037at $200 per MHSA sport and activity per student. So, what we don't want to do is discourage, you know, a three sport athlete to not do orchestra or, you know, maybe a kid um is out for band and basketball, football, and they don't want to do track because it's 50 51 bucks. We we we don't want to discourage that. Um along with that, you know, several programs, there might be some additional um fees or expectations of of costs um associated with each one. And um so working with like a lot of our team moms so to speak, they'll they'll uh at the beginning of every season we'll have a big pair meeting and a team mom will stand up and you know she's the point person for homecoming posters and um coolers for lunches and
038and so they'll collect maybe $100 from parents or 50 bucks from parents to get through the season. And so we try to cap capture that as accurately as possible. I think we did a pretty good job there. But um and they they vary, you know. Um out of a lot of seniors will do like a poster that'll be hung up in the gym or on the fence out of football and you know just need to parents to be aware that there's going to be maybe some additional costs there. Are there any questions on any of that? >> I just I have asked for this for a while and I am super grateful. I'm sure it was very hard to do. So, I just want to acknowledge I know it was a big ad. >> Yeah.
039>> But as a parent, it's also great to understand it's $50 for each and then also that $50 is for something else, not for the next $100 you'll be asked for for the meal or and now I need the shoes and now because those add up if you are a three sport a like that's that's a lot, right? >> And so it's very I think just transparent and as honest and upfront and that is just very helpful. >> Yeah. >> Thank you for the efforts. Yeah, absolutely. Um, yeah, we don't want to catch anybody off guard and you know, sure a team shoe and it's Yeah. So, um, it's worth noting, you know, most of our clubs don't have a fee or cost associated with them. >> Um, and then we have some kind of
040different outlier clubs like DECA. There's, you know, some significant travel associated with those that maybe Tampa, Florida, Missoula. >> Um, yeah. So >> the one thing I would ask is that like wrestling um or sorry not wrestling excuse me swimming, softball, baseball, it says no fee, but we know that there is a sizable cost associated with that that isn't through the fee. So I guess that would be my only thing if there would be a way to just put like a little asterisk that's like explains that this is a non school sponsor and therefore there's >> additional fun you know that would just be a thought to consider if we are because are you are you potentially going to post this or give it out at the parent ahead of time or like how could
041parents have access to >> Carrie and I thought was we would just put it in the uh the handbook the student activities handbook so so they know. Um yeah. >> Yeah. So, uh to your point, you know, baseball, softball, and swimming are not school funded. They're school sponsored, but they're not they're not Yeah. They're not school funded. Um so, those could vary a little bit depending on the year and >> sure, >> you know, how the bank accounts >> just explaining that that it's probably greater than $100, greater than $200, greater, you know, whatever that is. Anticipate additional costs related to that fact would be just full disclosure. Um because I think that surprises. >> Yeah, for sure. >> So why because they're not school funded, are they not considered MHSA? >> They are MHSA,
042>> but there's just no $50 fee. There's extra fees. There's different fees. There's no FA fee. There's another fee. So that's where that's because of that participation fee is more like just almost more like an MHSA fee on this form. And so there's no MHSA fee, but there is a fundraising component. There's a fundraising component. Okay. Yeah, that was confusing. I thought maybe because it wasn't school, but I was like, it has to be MHS. >> Yeah, we we require them to have the $50 activity ticket, which covers them for everything throughout the school year. >> Okay. >> But we don't charge them a $50 participation fee because they're not school funded, but they might might have to >> that program might require that, you know, every kid pays $150 if you want to play
043baseball this year, >> right? Okay. >> We try to do as much fundraising through those boards. So, we have a baseball board, softball board, swim. >> They try to cover as much of those costs so we're not having to ask, you know, right >> individual payment. But, um, and they do a pretty good job. I think for the most part, we've I mean, Lucy could probably speak to that. Um, so we're not we're not asking for $300 to play baseball, >> right? >> Yeah. Um, I didn't go up though. So, I was just going to say my other only other question is um like for football, right? Like uniforms are given, but like cleat aren't. So, is there any way to maybe put like an aster of like I mean there's still some equipment you're
044going to have to buy that's not listed on here, right? Even like track, soccer, you're going to need your own cleat and I don't know for cheering drum shoes. But anyways, I just wonder if there's a way because some like obviously volleyball they're requiring them to buy matching shoes. football, you can buy whatever you want. So, I don't know if there's a way to say like additional equipment >> should be covered at your Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um, but you can choose your own pleat versus like the volleyball player, they all have to be the same shoe or whatever, right? >> They don't have to. I mean, it's it's kind of expensive. >> Not like Yes. >> Well, it's just again, it just is like, can I get the $20 or can I get that?
045You know what I'm saying? like it just adds to >> no, you know, >> but this is a really great system to start, right? Like and I think it's going to be very well appreciated. As you can tell, there's lots of questions we get and filter and mis misunderstandings and Yeah. >> Sure. >> And then people don't know who to ask. Do they ask the coach? They're trying to get to their kid. Is it kid doesn't really understand? You know, whatever. >> Sure. >> Um my question is, is there a mechanism for those kids that can't afford this? >> There is. Yes. So, >> and are and how do they know that? >> Right. Um great question. So, we have what's called the Randy Dobby Fund, um, right that we we utilize. Actually, we, you
046know, we're processing some right now with the startup of of winter sports. So, >> um, we ask that the student athlete or the parent contact the coach. The coach will fill it out on that student's behalf. You know, it's very short. Should not take much time at all. You know, the amount requested, just a short description of what's going on. And then it goes to a committee and then it's reviewed and voted on. And I'd say most of it >> the student would request this at the time of payment or >> beforehand. Beforehand. Yeah. We just ask that the student and or the parent talk with the coach, let the coach know and then the coach will fill it out on their behalf. >> Yeah. So we we try to make sure we cover that
047in all of our individual program meetings. You folks start at the scenes. >> Yeah. That just for athletes or does that also apply to like DECA? >> Yeah, it'll apply to Yeah, anything really. >> So if a kid for national DECA once their family can $1,800 then they would apply for Randy County and number >> that would be kind of an extreme um because you know we want to make sure that we can take care of as many kids as we can, >> right? So how do prior trip to Europe that's like >> really expensive? >> Uh New York this year. uh follow the acquire one. I don't know. Anyway, they're expensive. >> A lot of trips. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And so what happens if you qualify but you can't afford it? Does the
048Randy Daddy >> I think it you know every every one of them is is evaluated individually. >> Okay. >> Um so we'll the committee would look at it. I you know I can't really answer what they would do on that. >> Yeah. I'm only one vote. So, >> um, >> but it would it would seem unlikely that they could fund the entire thing because aren't those fundraising kinds of things >> that they do? >> There's usually still a percentage that you're paying though. >> Yeah. So, we, you know, we have several trips or clubs or organizations that, you know, they're going to go above and beyond what we expect them to do, such as, you know, say a kid makes it to the Shrine game in football, right? Well, that's not covered under us, but
049um there might be some fundraising opportunities for them to to get to be to plan. >> I just have to mention there's a there's been a little bit of activity and discussion on this recently that not aware of it. I also want to mention Mr. Brown will be later in our sharing address some of those costs. Uh but if you're if the are okay, Lisa Blue has a little bit more information related to like Becca and some other clubs to cover with different fun. >> So Randy Daddy's one. There is also uh the advanced opportunity fund that um there's a a certain percentage of that money that is designated specifically 25% of the money that we get from the state has to go specifically to out-ofpocket expenses for parents and students and we've been able
050to use that in a number of ways. And in addition to that, web is looking into this possibility helping support those kind of scenarios that aren't necessarily MHSA activities but activities that are academic in nature. >> So they're that discussion is already >> and and we've used it in a variety of ways. Last year when DECA went to nationals, we paid for their celebration dinner. Um we paid for um students to they had a passion in working towards um uh learning a trade and so we helped them purchase tools so that they could learn that trade. Um students who we had a student that needed a way to get to school or excuse me to work and we purchased a bike for them. So, we've been able to use that fund um to help students
051in a number of different ways be successful. >> One thing I really appreciate related to project is that I don't I I feel like it it must be intentional that currently I don't feel like each club or activity or athletic season. It's not like we're inundated with fundraisers all the time. >> It seems like it's once per season. >> Yes. >> And I really appreciate that. >> Yeah. We we don't want >> right expensive but at the same time you can't keep tacking the well right from the community. >> Yeah. So >> so there our our rule is they get one fundraiser they all have to do the same one >> per season. >> Yeah. >> With the exception of our not school funded programs they you know obviously they need money to exist. So
052but that's that's our rule. So um >> that's >> yeah so it's it's in alignment with MHSA policy and title N. So everybody's doing the same thing and then it's done it's done. Yeah. Can I ask you a question? Um and maybe you were you know chat about it but just since we are architect the center next are any of the or how or I'm sure they are but um to clarify what role the coaches and maybe student athletes are playing in some of the design of the athletic go out is there any what does that look like on your end? >> Well that was very early on. >> Okay. >> Yeah. then switched over to the whole >> you're gosh I don't even know where >> they're all the committee >> yeah um it
053was it was >> okay >> way early um >> I know it's evolving and I know that the committee still I just didn't know if there was still input or thoughts as we get closer to >> yeah and then you know on for me personally I I bounce it back and forth between our track coaches and football coaches got and you know everybody >> PE teachers you know what do you think about this does this need to move that's constantly going on I relate that back to Shane and >> Great. And then >> so there's ongoing open doors. Fantastic. >> Yep. >> So >> thanks. I assumed I just need to hear it. >> No, that's that's a great question. Yeah. I I don't want to be responsible for something that they don't like. So
054>> Right. Exactly. That >> is rich. Yes. >> I just I actually have one quick question, too. For a student who hasn't actually tried out for a team but is scared to because they think they might not be able to afford it. Is there a way that they're may contact about the funds before if like a co if you don't have that coach relationship yet but you're like I'm thinking about it but I don't think I can afford it. >> Did they get that information somewhere? >> And I really think that those uh those relationships are built in the classrooms and in the hallways. And I think our co our teachers and our coaches do a really good job of, you know, they identify these kids that, you know, need to be a part of
055something. You know, it might not just be the best athlete, but they want them to be a part of something. And I think that they do a good job of identifying those kids and we'll we'll take care of them. I mean, we have coaches that buy shoes for kids and >> Yeah. >> all the time. We have kids that buy shoes for kids. I see that happen. And so, yeah, we we never want money to be an issue of why they don't Exactly. >> Go out for music or pledge for >> you. Okay. All right. Any other questions for Eric on this item? You have to stay up there. So, no problem. >> Okay. We're moving on to uh discuss item B, which is the WHS tracks uh practice schedule. >> Yep. >> Incoming construction.
056>> Yeah. So, um obviously with the the timeline of construction, um you know, about uh spring break time, it's about two weeks after we start or a week after we start uh spring practice. And so, we've had to come up with an alternative practice location for our track and field teams. And so, uh, Willie Roach Matt Beck with and myself went over to Columbia Falls, met with them, and they are willing to welcome us with open arms to practice with them at uh, Columbia Falls Junior High School. Um, we're not going to be there every day. I think you probably have the the schedule that we came up with. Um, but it's we we've got a good relationship with them. we we feel like we can help benefit one another. Um if you've been to
057a track meet, it's it's like this big gigantic fraternity of coaches coaching other people's kids and giving pointers and and so I think that we can work some things out with um Columbia Falls coaches. We have a great relationship with them and um you know they might have some special specialty coaches and and some uh events that we don't and vice versa. And so I think that it's going to be a really great relationship for them. Um, so we did work out a schedule. Um, like I said, we won't be over there every day for practice. Um, you know, I've really, um, urged our coaches to get really creative with the space that they do have, and they are creative. And so, we'll utilize, you know, Pride Memorial Park a lot, a lot of sidewalks
058around the the high school building a lot. um you know, probably go up to the armory for some different practice stuff, but uh I think we have a great uh plan in place. Um and just want to thank uh Troy Bowman and Jamie Hines over at Columbia Falls for just being willing to sit down and listen to us and and then how the conversation evolved and I think that we could do this. I don't see it on. So that's great. Uh we we also did get an offer from Glacier High School to to practice there as well. So and Jamie Hines, you know, his comment to me when I left the meeting was, you know, I I hope if we them were ever in this position that you would do the same for us. I
059said, absolutely. We hope you guys do. So it's good that we have those connections and and those types of relationships with our neighbors. >> Are we busing kids then for those? Is that how that looks? What does that look like? >> Yep. So, um, we will be busing over there. So, we'll load a school bus or two, too, and and head over to Columbia Falls. We want to we don't want to impact their practices negatively. Of course, they're going to have middle school kids there as well. So, you got 120 high school kids, you got a 150 middle school kids, then all of a sudden 120 more high school kids show up. Uh, we we don't want to be a a pain to them. Um, so we're going to let them get practice going. And,
060you know, if you're familiar with track kids, you know, might have one or two events that they're going to work on, then they're going to take off. Well, some of these other multi-e event kids are going to stick around. They're going to be practice longer. So, kind of let that first wave go home and then we're going to show up and do our stuff and then I yeah, load up for buses and head back to White. >> And what's our middle school plan? >> I don't know. Um that's something that that Yeah, I'm um willing to help out in any way I can answer, but >> Oh, yeah. >> But uh high school had to be my >> top just had mentioned that as they usually go side to >> side. >> Does Josh want
061to add anything? Sure. >> Yeah, you don't have to if you don't want. >> Oh, I know. went and uh chatting with our middle school coaches um knowing that probably limited use of the track with our middle school season starting right after the uh middle school starts after spring break and we are planning on like Eric said utilizing what we have around here on campus as much as we can and really focusing on those fundamentals that they can they can practice in hallways. We have upstairs gyms that we can work on and once it's nice out, we can go outside. >> And I think what's really important for our all of our coaches, high school and middle school, is they utilize those meets as another opportunity for practice. If there's open lanes at a meet
062on the backstretch, well, that's where you have your kids over there doing handoff exchanges for relays. And you know, got an open pit, you're over there getting practice in. And knowing these coaches, I know that that's what they're going to be doing. So, it's not only are they competing at these events, but they're also getting in some quality practice. >> Thanks. >> Would there be any options potentially for middle school bus to go to Glacier? I mean, does that, >> you know, we looked into that, you know, be $1,000 per >> Oh, I don't think so. >> It's takes at least three buses to get there. It's about $300. >> Okay. that >> it gets expensive. >> Expensive and that's why, you know, we're we're trying to be real careful about making sure that we
063when we go to Columbia that we have a practice plan that's dialed in and we're getting the most out of it. Um, and I think I think with the, you know, the plan that the middle school is going to have, I think it's going to be um appropriate for their for their level and, you know, as long as they're utilizing that time at the track when they get there. For me it's the to work on some key things. What we don't want is gaps of you know because we didn't have a track one year and now we have a cap and >> our program progress. >> Another question. >> Thanks Eric. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. Okay. We will move on to C which is the expansion of representative report for
064blue. Hi everybody. >> This is the December update to the high school expansion projects. And I agree with Eric. It feels like falls flew by and also 2025 blew by. All of a sudden we're here and the year is almost over. Uh but it means things are getting more exciting for the project. We're getting closer. Um and so uh it's it's really getting exciting for us. Um, so starting off with the budget like we do usually, uh, this is all consistent with what we've seen. Uh, the only update is total spent to date, which is at 1,589,000, uh, which is all on track for what we expected. So nothing nothing changed there. Um, and then diving right into uh, schedule milestones. Um we did have a couple things uh new new action on site a
065bit um since the last meeting. Uh the first one was that we installed a microp pile test file which is a a drill into the ground as a structural support system for foundations um to test the soil conditions and give us some design parameters for the structure. um that was installed a couple weeks ago and we also installed some conduit for a fiber switchover that we are tracking um to have a a fiber splice switch over occur over Christmas break. Um so some some movement there which is always fun to see. Um and then uh key updates this month also on the design front things are uh again full steam ahead. We're getting very close um near the tail end of the design process. And so a couple weeks ago, Annie completed the 50% set
066of the CD side of things for the academic phase. Um and we also are still in the midst of a cost estimate value engineering exercise for the 100% um DD set for the athletic side. Um so a lot of work going on to get us there to the finish line for groundbreaking. Um, very exciting time. Uh, and then we touched on the internet conduit that was installed in the micro pile test file. Um, and the work that's planned to occur over Christmas break. A couple things that aren't on here that I wanted to touch on. Uh, we did have the community update last Wednesday, which was a success. Not a ton of um, people showed up, but it was still a good update for the community. Um and then also um Amy did respond to
067a letter from the uh climate action committee. Uh that response was sent out a few days ago I believe and uh very thorough detailed response to a lot of those items that were in the letter. U but I just wanted to touch on a couple of the main points uh from 30,000 foot view just to give a quick um update status update for the for the group. Um so that letter had a few main things. Uh there were three really and uh the first one was the heating and cooling systems. Uh the heat pumps and the boilers and um the design team looked at this uh and the first part of that component is that cooling is not designed into this project. Um and so when looking at that considering heat pumps um there's a
068few considerations. Uh, one of which is that heat pumps still require backup heat and so hot water heating is typically the most practical for that. Um, and then we have existing boilers there at the high school uh that were installed roughly 10 years ago. Um, so they've got a lot of life left in them and replacing those would have a pretty high embodied cost as well as a a high electrical load cost to switch over to electrical heating. Um so the cost of all that and considering uh what was included in the bond um the decision was made to stick with the current systems. Um and but there are some efficiencies that are being made to the current systems to help with uh design efficiencies and um or energy efficiencies and energy load. Um and
069so that's all positive. That will help the the big picture. Um and we're also planning for all electrical systems on the athletic side of the of the projects. Um so that is that topic. We also touched on uh the induct induction stoves were a topic in that letter and um that was also evaluated. Uh induction stoves have a very high electrical load to them as well and so that carries a cost. Um and also the culinary program tries to prepare students for the industry standards and gas is a um widely used industry standard. So gas was selected for that component as well. Um and then solar ready roofs um that was also evaluated. Um the addition to the high school uh is planned for the northwest area where solar is not really a good uh
070it doesn't have a good um orientation and exposure to the sun because of the roof to the to the east that's existing. Uh but the CTE area does have a good spot for potential solar. Um so that is being looked at for potential to add solar ready supports and infrastructure for those uh systems that would potentially be added in the future. Um there are also considerations like flathead electric um caps the allowable solar array system and there's also there's already uh solar on the cse. So taking a lot of factors into consideration for what that cost is and if the project can support it from a budgetary standpoint. Um so I just wanted to hit those on a high level just to give everyone kind of a a picture of where things are at with
071that uh from that perspective. Um, and then the only other thing this month is a couple visuals which are also um not the most exciting this month yet. But the first one is just a cover to the uh 50% CD set of drawings which uh is exciting for some of us but not uh so much to just to see a cover sheet. But it's a lot of work in the background and I know um Shane and Amy here in a minute will give an update on that. Um, and then the second photo is what looks like a pile of concrete in the ground, which it kind of is. Uh, that is one of the microp pile that was installed for a test microp pile to um determine the structural parameters of the soil and what
072that means for how we design the system for the actual high school. So, that is the update. Any questions? Yes. >> Does this micro pile test pile still look like this? >> It does >> because that looks like a lawsuit. Can we get any cover? Can we get >> We Yes. So, this was wet and so surrounding it like that was to ensure that no one would step in it. Um, and at this point, it could probably have have a cover on it. Yes. >> Any other questions? Thank you. Okay, we'll move on to uh D which is the expansion update with A. >> All right, good evening Sh with A Design. Um, as Luke mentioned, we had recently completed the 50% CD set for academics and that is was 330 something sheets of large
073format drawings with 50% specs with I didn't count those, but those were significant number of pages as well. We're arriving at the same milestone for the athletic side on Wednesday next week. Last Wednesday, as Luke mentioned, we gave the uh community update, which looked very similar to previous community updates. That's the presentation that's uh in your packet and that's up on the screen right now. So, very, very similar. It's always hard to kind of give you updates on these things because it's really a lot of detail that is continuing to just make this building stand up, heat it, light it, make sure it's safe, and work through all the design details and keep layering those in and that coordination and getting these documents ready for bid and permit. Um, and then next week we have
074a page flip um on Tuesday. And so we're going to walk through a model and it's kind of dry information and do a big page turn, but to make sure that we're just staying on track with what the design is intended to be and make sure that everybody's aware and if there's any questions that they can they can come up at that time. And so the very next day, we got the athletics uh 50% CD deadline as Luke mentioned. We're in a little bit of a balancing act of just making sure that we're tracking with costs and and uh we're kind of getting to the point where we be just you're always thinking about what is the market going to bear what are those unknowns when they're doing this. So we're working closely in that
075owner architect contractor triangle to make sure that we're tracking with the best information we have so we can have a positive bid day and get as many of those bid alternates as we can. Um the next day we have a planning commission meeting at the city and that's part of the conditional use permit and that's been submitted about 40 to 5 days prior to that. So the planning folks are working on their report and so that's uh basically required because the high school is a nonconforming use within the residential neighborhood. So you have to do this back in 2013 as well. So, it's really just a place look at how compliant or not compliant this building is with with this ordinance. So, we've been working closely with them already. So, I don't anticipate any surprises,
076but I'm sure there will be public comment. And then, if all goes well there, that will go to city council for final approval, whatever the first Monday is of January, that's the 4th, and the very next day, we can be submitted for a final art review. And then we'll be pushing through the uh rest of January for final for 100% construction documents on both bonds. They'll get packaged up by Martell in early February and go out to bid. And then it's pretty much the month of February that they're advertised, go through that process, do pre- bid walkthroughs on the site and answer questions from biders and issue agenda and then open bids at the end of that month and and see how all the numbers shrink out. getting pretty real after almost a year of
077working on it. Any questions for me? >> I actually have a question um that has been asked of me and then I looked I was like, "Oh, that's a good question." Um >> for uh like page 17617 just some of the design and just because you're the design guy. >> Um you highlight even that the west facing building mounted signage with relationship to academic wine in alignment to the existing entry. So, it says that nice big white because that is one comment we get a lot is no one knows where the door is. >> Yes. Yes. >> Um, and one of the things is, and it's just hard for me because I'm a visual like 3D kind of person. So, if you could explain because in the parking lots there, I think one of the
078comments we get a lot is it's so recessed from the street too. >> Correct. >> And then if we're dark here like all the time, correct? Um, during the school year. So, is there going to be lights on that? Like like not not crazy like Vegas. I'm just Is there any drawing your eye to that or >> we are talking about there? So there's some columns along that side and you don't see them where that face steps out that has the sign and so we were talking about some lights up above. We need to be careful of dark skies, right? >> But to wash that would be a really nice >> a really nice ad to that. >> You're right. It's there's it's very easy for an architect to walk in and do like their
079ode to school architecture and then the next one do the same thing on and on and there's a lot of examples of that around the state and so this has taken quite a bit of design restraint to just say this is a nice backdrop that's complimentary very regimented in the form the openings the rhythm the repetition we did do some studies early on about whether admin needed to move or not because that front door is not very obvious in its current configuration. >> So, we're also trying to work with that addition to say, "Hey, it's over here." >> A subtle nod. >> Okay. >> There's also in that gable when you walk in, it doesn't show on this rendering, but there is a little sign above that as well. >> We were talking about that
080in a design meeting this week, but now we have facing that way though and most people are driving by. You know what I mean? Yeah. So, you see the functionality of it that I was >> for the conversation. >> Agree. I totally agree. and discussed it in uh preliminary architectural review. There's a >> one of the um seats as a graphics and branding >> professional that's on that for >> and I assume then again we've never or I haven't myself anyway seen I've looked a lot at the sky view of the athletics but similar concept of how do people like what does the outside of the athletics compound look like? I don't know if I know >> how do you find it? Yes. >> And also how is it not ugly or like >> Yeah.
081Yes. You know, I've been to many track and like they can they can also look like concrete bowls in the floor. You know, like it's just a tricky and I know we have lots of neighbors like you commented on. It's very residential. So, I just wondering >> what the outside looks like. I have no idea. >> Yeah. So, they're very um the projects are almost seem a little inverted in a way. You've got this big building on it's about the same size piece of property, but it feels like the land the horizontal >> Yeah. >> is a lot smaller because it's by parking and other things on the academic side. And then uh it's indicative of the cost estimates as well on the athletic side. It's largely horizontal. It's a lot of improvements to um
082to the surfaces and the utilities below the surfaces. >> Okay. >> With smaller structures sitting on it. Um the grand stands will feel large. That field building is relatively small compared to >> Okay. >> compared to Yeah. So it's a little understated. We're trying to be complimentary to the high school and mold as well just because you're kind of seeing this collection back there and then also cleaning up the the more onsight collection buildings you currently have to get rid of some of those sheds. I mean, I've had Yes. comments of like it just how is it not going to just like like a compound? Like how? >> Yes. >> Because part of it's just the nature of having the two schools right by each other and then there's always parking and then when buses
083are coming in now that we're going to have hosting more athletic like I'm just throwing it out there. These are questions >> and similar front door questions. How wayfinding? >> Yeah. Wayfinding. >> Yes. >> There's a lot of visitors that visit athletics and that's the first time. >> Yes. >> So for the guests that we're hosting. So, yes, finding their find in the back there, but um we talked about parking a little bit at the um at the open house last week at the the uh the public presentation and uh I hadn't thought about it before, but we kind of had a discussion in the middle of the presentation about because football is actually happening further south that we can take advantage of all parking lots as well, >> which I think will help in
084some of the parking lots. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So it doesn't feel like a twob block check trek to Memorial Park, but rather it's going to right in the same area, less of a block. >> Um, and then we're also adjusting where that gate is on the uh on the back side of the high school. We're moving a little further south. It eliminates the cut through in the bus loading zone. And so we're moving it a little further south because it was recognized that when that gate is down previously or as it as it is today or especially like this last track in football seasons um that you're seeing unused parking just going to the side of your close game. >> It's a good word for it. Yes. >> So okay. >> So we're moving
085that further south so we still don't have the cut through but we're we're balancing that parking more to the north side of the >> Sorry. I'm sure these conversations are happening. >> They're great. So actively happening. >> Good questions. >> So on the entrance to the school, will there be signage that says main office or entrance or something to give people the indication that this is where you go? >> Sure. Yeah. So we started having a conversation about this week. We didn't land on it, but you see the new sign that's in white on on the gray mass there on the addition. And then what's not seen is just to the right of that over the entry on that the smaller gable. That's truly the entry. >> It also has some lettering above that. So,
086we might consider maybe changing that because I think it says almost the same thing. It's like it says Whiteish High School or >> Well, no, it there should definitely be something entrance or office or main office. >> It is. I think it's layers and that's how we're looking at that way finding is it needs to be obvious from pine then you park you're heading towards that oh you see the actual doors and there's also um there's also some final graphics on the actual entrance so I think it's those layers that are going to help >> my my other question is um now it may look very different in real in real life but the white lettering to me is totally washed out Like if I was driving by, I wouldn't even see it. >> Sure.
087So >> the contrast of it, >> more contrast, metal letters, black letters. I don't know. Something that since the roof line is black and that sort of thing. Um, this is just to me is way too washed out. >> You wouldn't even hardly see it if you weren't by. >> I think the goal is to see that this is school. >> I know it's a school, but you Yeah, I don't see that. But >> it's like a hotel. That's what I always hear. >> Anyways, >> thanks. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Question. >> All right. We will be moving on to D with Lucy for call for election. >> Thank you. Presented for your consideration are two resolutions calling for an election on Tuesday, May 5th, 126. The elementary uh election resolution covers three testing
088positions and a potential levy. The high school resolution is only for potential levy. Uh now comes the important stuff. Uh please note that the deadline for calling an election has been moved up due to a change by the 2025 legislature. School districts are now required to hold an election no less than 145 days before election day compared to 70 days in previous years. This means the deadline has moved from late February to >> to December. interesting and I think this was one of the this was a great change. I actually welcome it very much uh because what this does it better align the whole election calendar with with the trustee candidate application window. So in the past the application window for trustees to file opened in December but we didn't call election until late February
089>> right so there was a complete misalignment >> so the firsties theoretically were you know applying for a candidacy for an election that hasn't been called >> and some really smart people at OPI uh said This makes absolutely no sense. Let's change it. Hence this tune. Okay. Any questions? Is there any uh public comment on this item? Back to the board for further discussion or motion. Move approved. I second. Moved by Katie and seconded by Quincy. All in favor? Great. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Um, okay. F is a governance calendar draft update of Mr. Me. >> Thank you. So, yeah, this is a draft. We I think it was it Octoberish. I think when we met, we talked initially about this and and talked about changing this, streamlining this. Some examples were shared
090about some possible one pagers. And so we went to work at trying to incorporate that feedback, look at everything and see what we could come up with. This isn't a finished product. It's not as colorful as what we would, you know, end up with or anything like that or uh it could be a little fancier, but we wanted to get a draft to this point. So um you can see there that uh what we did incorporate is all the things that we typically do and again these are guidelines for possible agenda items. member of the system a road map just to say here's some concepts and ideas and generally when we talk about so we looked at previous uh uh meetings and work sessions and put this together based on that plus the feedback that
091we received duplication as much as we could and then also you'll see some that are highlighted in yellow um and then because those are then moved moved into the fall to create a little bit more balance. So this year it was probably would make sense for us to do the highlighted areas yellow this year during this time of the year coming up in January through June. But as you move forward to create a little bit more balance, a heavy agendas the end of the year, it might be a consideration to move some of those to the July through December. Any questions on >> So one thing I noticed is I thought we were going to try to do the active plans. I thought we talked that it didn't work very well to do the action
092plans during the visit week. that just me I wasn't I remember I was actually that meeting that was I think like three three and a half hours long then there was conversation about maybe moving the action plans back to the work session because it was such a long meeting and maybe that wasn't the best place for it but >> sure could do those during work session it would probably need to be the September work session then >> or the August one could I guess the because you don't have any feedback at all >> if you wait just if you >> or unless it's a a smaller update on the action plan. I just >> there was just something about that piece that wasn't flowing very well. I remember and it got pretty frustrating and long
093and so I just wonder if there's a way to >> break it up. >> Yeah. Or if you could yeah do it a a work session as part of it and then just presenting the final action plan business meeting, >> right? like kind of do a rough draft of them and then if there's any finetuning >> sure in the first >> in August you do that and then just have >> and there's a final review >> and it supports that idea of using the work session >> to kind of fit with assessment >> I was going to say it fits with the assessment data and I think for both those conversations about the assessment data and that's might be partly recovery is that we definitely talked about during the work session too is that we
094don't necessarily need to have all of not read to us >> like the land that is we look at the action plans if we look at the assessment we can just see it we could read it we're already going to read it ahead of time then let's like >> yeah just talk about it yeah well I think the discussion should be what are our areas that we need to approve how are we going to approve >> what are the top three highlights for each building or something like that versus >> question is how student >> this was a quick turn Well, I was going to comment too that I reached out to Lisa and Lucy and Amy. There's a lot of people that help. >> This is so much better. >> It is so beautiful.
095>> Incorporate all the babies. >> Fancy. >> I would not add a bunch more. >> I think it's great. >> I think the more colors there are then your brain gets a little confused like why is this one blue? This one's green. I don't know. Like what's happening? >> Yeah. All I did was highlight those for >> but other than that I just move forward. I don't >> It's so nice to be able to see it all on one page. >> Um I hope it's the Efa >> the Can I ask just a maybe I should know this answer and I just don't but why does it start in July? >> So it starts in July. Okay. I was like, why is it not you? >> Thank you. >> Like there must be know what
096it is. >> Thank you. >> Exactly. There's a reason I don't know. >> Thank you. >> Sure. There's a very good >> any other with some of the new timelines that they come out. >> So, yeah. Sure. teamwork. >> Do you want us to bring back a final version of this just cleaned up a bit? >> Do we need to vote? >> I didn't put it as >> we'll just finish up. >> Yeah. Yes. I appreciate all. >> Thank you. >> I'll make copies for >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Uh moving on to G which is me. Uh so uh last Wednesday uh the search committee for the superintendent search committee met interviewed four different firms. Um it was Katie and I and Shannon and Sarah and Lucy. Um and we had all agreed
097our top choice was the same. Um, and it's McFersonson and Jacobson is who we all without even discussion I think everyone rated them number one. Um, and then Sarah did some followup on their references. Um, and they were all good. Um, and so my recommendation would be to hire if Pearson and Jacobson as our search firm Lucy on it. say anything? >> No, I think it was um it was uh pretty clear to all five of us that uh McFerson and Jacobson uh put on the best presentation uh answered all of our questions and the questions we didn't we wanted to ask. Um and we just feel very comfortable uh going forward um working with them. Uh what was nice was that they were very open to helping us with the whole search process and
098they're also with uh the onboarding of the new super >> and they they were of the not the MPS but the other three they were the only one somewhat local representation that person >> Victor >> victim exchange and they have experienced people that don't resort town and that was really good too and they have really strategic solutions to problems that we might have like the cost of living you know and so >> yeah they just have a really good batting record. >> Yeah. They were also uh they uh proposed coming uh to the district in person and uh doing some of the you know staff surveys and stuff like that. Uh they were not big on uh remote meetings or anything like that. So we love that as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. Great. Exciting. >>
099I just want to say thank you to the team taking time to do this. This is a lot of work. So thank you guys. >> Honestly, Lucy so efficiently. Lizzy interviewers. She had the questions ready for them. So they all reviewed the question. It was so good. It was absolutely >> 20 minutes. So they really had to >> really >> 20 minute meetings were not my idea. They were Sarah's idea and I think it's genius. >> It works really well >> and we should adopt it going forward. you've ever done was way too long. >> Question and they had them ahead of time. So they prepared you through it ahead of time. So it wasn't like it was really clean. Thank you all. >> Obviously we have serious professionals. >> Truly. Thank you. >> And
100so yeah, so this is It's an action item. So, is there any public comment on this? So, back to the board for further discussion or a motion. >> Make a motion that we hire that has for the contract negotiation. They've agreed etc. >> Dave has they've agreed this they >> they have they change that they would like to >> Yes. Okay. They did confirm by email that they're excited working with >> that. In that case, I would >> sorry I thought you said Dave has nothing to do with it by second by Jerry. >> Jerry all in favor who lives in Victor best like guitar. >> Oh yeah. We we wanted to ask I can't ask her because six guitars. >> We were all like >> Yeah, we do. >> Would you play as a
101tune? >> Okay, so we're moving on to H, which is the British Health Alliance. >> Thank you. Uh presented for your consideration are two agreements regarding the district's potential enrollment in the Lebridge Health Alliance. the newly established health insurance trust for Montana public school employees. After several months of analysis, information gathering, and conversations with the bridged alliance leadership administration recommends that the district join this health insurance group effective July 1, 2026. Joining us remotely is our health insurance consultant, Mr. Mike Burns who will now share his perspective on joining the plugs. Mike, >> hello board members. Thank you Lucy. Hi Dave. Good to see you. Uh I guess I can't turn my camera on, but I'm glad that I was able to unmute so I was a little worried there. Get getting a little sweaty.
102Anyways, um I appreciate uh a moment of your time and I'll give you an I I think as objective as a view as I possibly can. I've been working for Whitefish School District for almost 5 years now. You've been well I've been involved with your school district on the health insurance side since 2012. So it been a long time. Um but in a different capacity than your technical advisor from a consulting perspective. uh bridged health alliance I think is a fantastic uh concept and direction for public school districts within the state of Montana. It was derived from House Bill 332 which I think you all probably have a little bit of familiarity with. Um the the bottom line is that what I think the advantage is looking at this objectively and looking forward is that
103monies derived from u public funds and sources to support public education stay within the state of Montana and are used to keep costs as low and mostly as efficient the efficiency of the plans uh within the state as possible and I think that's what um bridged will deliver. I have full faith and trust in John Dorne and his team. Uh you have been with the current uh association today under not now but with must in the past. Must is a similar concept that I don't think had the uh same level of guard rails nor details that bridged is bringing to the table. And uh from an objective perspective as a health insurance consultant, I think this is the right way for your district to go. Your health insurance committee has voted to uh deliver this
104as the solution for 2026 and beyond. Um, and I'll talk a few things specifically about Bridged and why I give you that opinion. Bridged has the ability to do what the state of Montana did about 10 years ago and providing contracts with health delivery systems. That's really hospitals, a fancy word for hospitals and and providers that are owned by hospitals to be aligned with a Medicare baseline pricing. And what that does is it alleviates increases in subsequent years that could be considerable or even drastic in some cases. Medicare is um a capped program by the federal government and it is um capped at a percentage increase that aligns with the consumer price index or CPI on a year-over-year basis. So having that as a baseline to control cost is something that commercial plans and when
105I define commercial plans um your current plan with Bluec Cross of Montana or the prior year's plan with Sigma or in prior years with must through Blue Cross didn't have those same controls in place. So that really is a gamecher uh to be able to align pricing with a Medicare benchmark um from this point forward and really July 1 going forward into subsequent years. Um I do know there's still work to be done with uh bridged across the state. They need to get what's called validation. Uh and that validation consists of 150 school districts uh joining into bridged and I I believe the deadline is December 19th. Um, and also they need 12,000 employee lives to join into this trust or consortium as you'll call it to make it viable and achieve the $40 million
106of state money to allow health insurance to have some sort of stabilization going forward. So, um, they still are working on contracts with provider systems that I am aware of. I I do believe they still need to execute an agreement with Logan Health, which is 95 plus% of the dollars that your school district um will, you know, transact in terms of all the services provided for medical services. Um but I do believe they will get that done and I do believe they will validate. I've had subsequent conversations with John about that and um I I think every major school district that I'm aware of is is on board to validate this trust December 19. So with that I'm open for any questions that you may have. When you say 12,000 employee lives, is that only
107employees or does that include family members? Also, >> that is just employees of school districts across the state of Montana. The the total state pool is somewhere between 15,000 and 16,000 and they need 12,000 employed lives and 150 school districts to validate. So to invalidation RA basically means to get the state funding of $40 million to commence this program. >> And so everybody who is signing on to this program is signing on with bridged and like this pricing or is this pricing specific to our district? >> It is it is AC it is statewide. It is across the state. Yes. But they do there is there is a lot of work to be done. Bridge has a lot of uh mountains still to climb. They've got to execute contracts with Logan Health. They have to
108execute them with Providence in Missoula. They have to execute them with uh um you know, Billings Clinic, the St. Vincent Group, which is you know, now owned by Inter Mountain Healthcare, uh St. Peters in the state in Helena. So there's there's still quite a bit of work to be done. Uh, but I'm confident in their model and their team that they'll get this done. And if if they don't, you'll know on December 20th, as we will. And that's my job is to make sure that you have the most power bene powerful benefits that you can deliver to your teachers and staff. Um, whether that's with Blue Cross, Sigma, Allegiance, whoever it may be. But but if this does come to fruition, this is the best platform from a multitude of perspectives. I the one thing
109that I really think is a differentiator is today you're with Blue Cross of Montana. They are a local organization in Helena, but they are owned by a bigger organization in Chicago, Illinois called Healthcare Service Corporation, which owns seven, I think maybe seven or more Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations across the country. your premium dollars, as much as we think they reside in Montana and stay in Montana, they they don't. They they travel to other places where healthc care service corporation needs them. And I just say this because bridged is defined to keep all dollars within the state of Montana. And I think that is a differentiator that is what the state was trying to achieve from legislating this and also from what um efficiency and scale will do for health insurance across K through 12
110districts in your state. >> Can I just ask a clarifying question on the 40 million from the state? Yeah. >> I guess what what does that money do? like how is that? >> That's that's a great question. Um because honestly, if you took every school district health plan today, $40 million might cover about one month in terms of expense, >> right? But but what that does is it starts this trust with cash to be able to take in premiums beginning July 1 of 26 and have a cushion to be able to pay claims as this thing start you know be commences. So >> it's like they got it. Okay. >> Yeah. That's like, okay, it's a one time. >> It's the seed money to get Bridged Health to be able to operate in a uh
111capitalized fashion so that they can actually produce um plans for all the schools within the state and be able to pay claims and everybody will start paying premiums on July 1. And so they'll be flushed with more cash starting at that point. But they need seed money to be um operating, you know, by July one. >> Got it. Okay, that makes way sense. Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> If I may add, u Mike mentioned the agreements with Logan Health and the other hospital chains uh as not being executed yet. Um and one of the things that bridge first needs is the commitment from 12,000 employees and 150 school district. So they can take that information and go to Logan Health and say look we do have that commitment. Now let's talk about
112the net. So it's almost like doing it a little bit backwards but not really. Okay. >> Uh because um obviously the hospitals also need some kind of uh you know um something to consider as a little thing. >> Yeah. >> Yes. And Mike also mentioned that one of the one of the most important things why we ultimately and me personally uh uh support bridge is their use of the Medicare baseline costs >> which we had not known we hadn't known that in the past when we first started talking about bridge we didn't know we thought okay It's just another big group just like M was and once they once we enroll and they have the the white fish group for five years then we learned about the Medicare baseline and my understanding is that um
113just like there's you know uh an inflation factor on everything that we buy there's inflation factor on health insurance and health are the Medicare in inflation rate is runs much lower than the inflation rate in other industries. So currently is at at about 3%. Let's say and uh our original hesitation or there were many reasons why we hesitated about bridge. Uh one of them was the what is the exit clause? What if we enroll in year one and year two everything doubles and we can't leave for five years? Well, the exit clause in the agreement which is one of the attachments in your packet states that uh their increases cannot be more than 150% of that rate or 1.5 multiplier. So if the Medicare rate inflation is 3% bridge says you cannot have an increase
114higher than 4.5%. or you can raise. You know, when you when you look back over the last x number of years, uh our premiums with the exception of one I I think two years ago, uh Mike was able to negotiate an excellent contract with Sigma where we actually decreased our rates. Uh you know that we know that that's an exception. uh if we can uh ensure that our annual those long-term increases looking not looking just a year from now looking five 10 years ahead. If we know those increases can stay within those you know singledigit numbers as opposed to double digit percentages that's huge. And when you multiplied year after year after year, that was one of the things when I I really started listening to the bridge leadership and said, "Ah, I find this
115in this." We we I don't think we didn't leave any stone unturned at least. I'm not aware of any right now. >> Is there somebody else? I mean, is bridge the only group out there that districts are looking at? like is there another insurance company that's also out there? So it's like or bridge the only one. >> Bridge is a state thrust, >> right? But so cuz like Blue Cross Blue Shield could have bid on this. I know they didn't want to like put together a package, but is there another company that like the billing school district is looking at? So like is bridged having or like competition for 150 school districts and 12,000 employees? Yes, you can say yes because there are some districts who can say, well, you know, we're self-insured and we
116have $2 million in our cash reserves, >> right? But Bridged is the only one that if you're looking to go with the state, >> that's available. Okay. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Bridged is the only approved uh vendor that has been supported by House Bill 332. >> Okay. >> Yes. I just want to make sure >> which is having state monies to the tune of 40 million at inception. there is an escalator to go to 60 million and I can't remember all the details about that but there's some things if they achieve some performance metrics they can get more money from the state um but it's the only state approved one correct >> okay thank you >> and allegiance is the third party administrator so we'll be with allegiance >> uh and those uh
117in the medical field who are familiar with allegiance allegiance as uh one of the largest networks in the country. >> Thank you. >> West change. >> I have three. Um >> three. >> Yeah. So first one is what if there's no validation has a do we stay with our current do we have a backup plan? Has that all been sorted out if they don't validate? >> Yeah, great great question. And that that's really my job as as your health insurance consultant is to validate and uh confirm that where we are today, which is with Blue Cross Blue Shield, and that contract runs through June 30th of 26, um we'll get renewal positions once claims, you know, additional claims data comes in uh in subsequent months and they'll price it accordingly. But depending on what that
118looks like, will we look at other markets such as Sigma and Etna and maybe we'll look at a self-insured model? Probably not, but that's a possibility. But yes, there's there's plenty of options if the trust does not validate for Whitefish School District to be evaluated for July 1 of 26. >> Okay. Second question. Um, you mentioned that these they are committed to spending, if I understood you correctly, you mentioned that they are committed to spending all all premium dollars in the state of Montana. Is that that's what you said? Correct. >> That all premium dollars collected truly stay in the state. So the the the double A schools that are self-insured like Callispel, Helena, Great Falls, Billings, Missoula, those guys today use a reinsurance or stop-loss carrier that are out of state. So those premium
119dollars go to um Pennsylvania for HM insurance because I know Billings and Missoula use HM insurance for their stop-loss. With bridged, all those dollars stay within the state of Montana. So that is a differentiator um for you all. You're you're going to be under an insured chassis where bridge is taking all of the medical risk and all of those dollars under insurance stays within the state. Yes. >> It's not it's not as if you're contracting with Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana which you do today and they are headquartered in Helena. However, they are owned by Healthc Care Service Corp, which is a Chicago based Blue Shield organization. >> Okay. But does that that does not lock dollars spent on patient care to the state, does it? >> Treatment dollars. >> No. >> So, somebody needs
120something that they have to go to Seattle for. >> No. Absolutely. If you have cancer and end up at Fred Hutch in Seattle, absolutely it is going to pay for services there. You bet. And final question. Um, this one's for Lucy. What does this look like to the employees in our district as far as their premium? >> So, uh, one of your attachments is a rate shape. Don't get overwhelmed. There's about 15. It is overwhelming. This is just, um, this is a proposal from bridge and each district can select as few or as many plans that they wish. So we have not finalized our selection of the rates. Uh we will do that at a later date. Again we will work with Mike who will uh guide us and make a recommendation for how many
121revised medical and uh high deductible plans we should have on that. She uh I uh made notes at the bottom uh by I believe three different plans where I selected the plan that is most similar to our current plan and made a note in blue about what the current rates look like. What is comparable? And as you can see, they're very comparable because what we have to remember, the numbers in blue are the current rates. Bridge is all already giving us 2026 rates. >> So the blue numbers have not been increased yet for next year. And uh with uh with the way our um you know our you know claims history is and our risk ratio is uh it will not be probably as >> well I'll give you some perspective on that Lucy medical
122trend in the state of Montana the medical cost trend in the state of Montana today is at 14%. The pharmacy increase year-over-year. The pharmacy cost trend for prescription drugs in the state of Montana is at 18%. That's year-over-year. You can expect that as a bump in your premium cost year-over-year from medical medical and pharmacy trends. So what bridge is proposing is very competitive >> and that it all that that also goes back to a function of why what they're doing is dovetailing what the state of Montana did 10 years ago and Marilyn Bartlett has got a lot of press about this but putting all of the provider systems and and large health delivery systems on a Medicare baseline because the cost inflation is capped in the commercial market. Cost inflation is not capped and hence
123why we see sometimes drastic increases year-over-year for for medical expense and healthcare premiums. >> Are there any other questions? There any other public comment on this item? >> Back to the board for further discussion or a motion. I move approve as presented. >> I'll second. Moved by Darcy, seconded by Quitzy. All those in favor? >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Lucy. This was a big item. Thank you. And thank you, Mike. >> Thank you, Whitefish School Board. Appreciate it. Good to see you all. >> Thank you for sending us. Well, >> keep the snow on the mountain. >> Byebye. Thank you. All right. So, now we got to move along here. So, let's move on to I try and be as speedy as we can. I'll vote with Lucy on this one. Presented
124for your approval is a donation check in the amount of $5,000 received from Robert and K. An Foundation. The funds are earmarked for the performing arts center. >> Is this to go in the endowment or is it just for anything that >> directly to this for the endowment? up. Thank you. >> Please up. >> Uh there was no um there were no specific instructions on uh how the donors wish to spend this money. Uh so it will be used for anything at the uh before as need. >> Thank you. So any other clarifying question? >> Is there any public comment on this? Back to the board for further discussion or a motion. I move it approves. And now move by Darcy, seconded by Jerry. All in favor. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Very
125cool. >> Uh all right. So J is personal recommendations for hire. >> So you have through our human resources process, administration recommends approval of our driver's education instructor, special Olympics assistant, playground supervisor. see the information detailed there in the recogn plus we also have substitutes listed as well agenda >> question is there any public comment on this item it's not back to the board for further discussion or a motion >> I move we approve I love it and second moved by Darcy and seconded by Quincy all in favor That's everybody. All right, we're moving here. Okay, into the reports. Um, and we'll start with Drown academic cost of PhD. >> Wonderful. Good evening everyone. Happy holiday season. And uh as mentioned earlier when Eric was giving his report um with the athletic and club fees,
126activities fees um we tried to separate those from the academic fees so that make it into a palatable amount in each one. Um so what's provided to you there is our attempt at extracting everything that we could think of everything that we could find in terms of um charges that families could expect when their students take particular courses primarily. Um so when they choose different courses then there may be a fees associated with those. Um, and so with some of these fees, um, such as our lab fees, what what you're seeing there, whether it's culinary arts or art or, uh, the metals, woods, is a fee that pays for materials and students actually get a product that they take home. So, it's in exchange for something they get, whether it's a multiple trays of cookies
127or it's an actual Christmas present under the tree. Um, so, you know, so that that's basically what's covering the the cost of those items. Um, some of the other things in here wanted to note, you know, some some things as as pitly as a a pair of earbuds that we will sell a pair us to students. The point being um some of our courses it's it's advantageous for a student to be listening independently to a video for instance in in class but that doesn't mean the parents need to go out and buy a $300 pair of earbuds to make that happen. Um so we try to you know provide some of those things the calculator rental fee similar you know so that we can try to make things a little more affordable where we can
128uh rent rather than need to purchase. Uh we we uh we have a very low parking permit fee in relation to a lot of places. Um and and that's just basically to pay for the tags. U and that's to help us u monitor our parking lot better. And we if we have parking issues and those those tags need to be displayed then we see a number we have a teachable moment with the young person and uh so so on. So we're not trying to make money on those kinds of things. We're just trying to um operate. Yeah. So, um, AP like mentioned earlier and Lisa mentioned the advanced opportunity grant and, um, you know, that's exciting for us to be able to offset some of those costs. I think that that AP section that was
129a big move for us. We have some students who take five um, maybe two students in the family that, you know, compiles to six or seven tests total. Um, at a 100 bucks a whack, that that's significant. And so by us putting a $200 cap per family, um that doesn't matter how many kids they have, how many tests they're taking, um that is the cap. And um and that and I think that's a significant improvement in that category. Um let's see. Anything else that kind of stands out? >> Just curious about the PE one. >> Yeah, PE. >> Just that you $10 for a towel. friends and tell they take home. >> So, um, >> so there's there's a fee for their uniform. One of the one of the >> really good things we do
130is have a uniform, >> believe me, >> and they get to keep it. It's it's not something they probably wear all over town, but it it serves its purpose. >> Um, and that's a very inexpensive rate for that. and uh for both the shorts and the shirt total of $10. But the the palen lock fee is to cover for we supply the towels for their um for their use whether they choose to shower kind of dry shower kind of towel off whatever they choose. Um there is a wear and tear that comes with that. There is a detergent that comes with that to to keep those things up. And then we do provide locks for students and then they contribute to that lock fee that so combined it's a towel and lock fee. Um if
131you were split it it would be basically the towel in the gym and like you guys wash it scrub not like the towel they bring back and forth. Correct. >> Got it. Thank you. That's what I >> No, they're thrown into a bin wash daily and they get fresh ones the next day. >> Thank you. >> Yes. I just had to understand it. Thank you. >> Buy those things in bumps. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Um >> I think that's kind of it from my perspective. What else can I answer for you? >> I just want to reiterate what I mentioned Eric and I know this was a big list. Thank you so much. No, it's it is impactful to everybody who goes to your school. So, thank you. >> Yes, indeed.
132And um just would like to you know say briefly that you know I think the concept comes up of what about the students who can't >> you know they can't afford and um and I think that you know we have several systems in place and I think our greatest resource is our staff and the relationships that they have with our students and they're hearing these things and they know that a student is couch surfing and yet they've got a couple hundred bucks in AP fees for instance. And so they they bring that to our counseling team. Our counseling team is meeting with us regularly, sharing these kinds of things, constantly going in and supporting students and waving fees for them. Um, we get I my primary source for that is um we get some nice
133kickbacks from the um Whitefish Credit Union with their debit card program. Each year we get um somewhere around 15 to1 to $2,000 and we've been you know so we we take that in and that and that's earmarked. It's put in our what's called our CCR fund. um class courtesy and respect is what I started when I was when I came to the high school and started that building that over time to and the only and the only rule is with it is it goes right directly back to students and so it go it takes care of our incentive programs this unsung heroes program I just handed out a whole bunch of coffee coins today to the teachers that are you know recognizing students that's where that money comes from but it also helps offset these
134costs that we can't anticipate when family says, you know, 300 and something bucks for driver's ed. Um, it's a pretty big bite right now. You know, my my husband just lost his job. We, you know, we hear these stories. They talk to us and um and so we, you know, we talk about, you know, well, can we can we meet halfway? You know, what's that feel like? Or um and sometimes, you know, it's like, hey, if you can, my kid can help the custodian after school, can you help pay for some of these things? So, um, it comes in all kinds of different forms, but we do have a method to help with that, >> right? >> And it's and it's truly vetted through mostly vetted through our counseling team and and their um ear
135to the ground with our staff. >> My question is, as you were looking at, I guess both sets, because I'm sure you went over it with Eric, too. Um, were there any that really like stood out to you? You thought we need to lower this, maybe we're not charging enough for this based on like the current environment we're in? Um, is there anything that like I don't know, did you have to revise it or was there anything interesting that stood out to you? >> Um, you know, you look around the state and I do a lot of comparisons, you know, how are we measuring up? And I would say a lot of the things that we see here, those little $15 lab fees, and that that's very common, um, very similar. Some of the activity
136fees vary. Um, some are lower. Some of the bigger schools have lower and I think it's a maybe a power and numbers kind of a thing, a multiplication factor that can get to the same end a different way. Um, but I would say schools our size were pretty comparative with participation fees, activity fees. Um, the special trips are unique here. Um, and that's and that's a big bite. you saw those numbers and you feel that those of you who've had children that go and travel and it's a it's a great experience, but at the $2,000 price tag. Um, >> yeah, >> it's hard. Um, so the and fortunately the teachers and the staff that are involved with those get out ahead of it and try to get, you know, a couple years worth of buildup
137rather than one fail swoop. So um get a couple fundraisers there but um it is it is challenging that's so I'd say >> special opportunities are the ones that >> when I look at it I think that these seem very >> you know they seem very reason why I was just think >> actually the $200 >> yeah is that new this year I was curious >> it is new this year um >> yeah thank you personally how did you come up with the 200 just so I understand it >> um I I had the secretaries print me out every student that took that takes an AP class right now in an alphabetized list so I could see family chunks. Um so that by last name I could I could see not only just an individual
138how many different classes they were taking. I could see how many of the families and then I created um a a big chart in tally marks of how many were taking one, how many were taking two, how many families were, you know, expected to pay three, four, five, six, seven. um and and started working through it and throwing some different calculations at it to say what um what can we afford that comes from the the money that we have available that gives the biggest um return to the parents and and so I I threw a different couple equations at it. I then I bounced it back at our secretaries. You know, is this manageable at the front office? You know, if I come up with something, I don't want you up there going, I don't
139want to account for all of this and collect all this. So that's how it worked. Um, and I got some feedback from the counselors too, but it was really just a combination of um, our current total enrollment in AP and where we could maximize the funds to create a nice cutline. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Math. Yeah, it's >> good practice. Thank you. Thank you. We'll move on to trust the announcements to me again. I love you. I'm surprised. >> Um, so everyone received the superintendent of Eval. Um, and I think uh in the email I sent they said December 16th is what we have written in our >> in in the the writing is December 16th. Absolutely. >> Um, and I know I heard some I think in the future something we have
140to think about u because this is all within a month that they made his announcement, but I think something in the future we need to consider is as part of our eval process or on that committee. Is there a different road we can take when a superintendent is leaving within that year and what that could look like? um as far as an eval because I think to pivot within you know essentially this all happened beginning in November it's it's a very hard pivot to make >> um because eval teams but I think to have a a fork that we can say well this is where we go if it's the same all year but if we could have another process um some as I'm learning in this I think is there something that we could
141follow in that house and I don't know I think as the year goes on as we look at that committee is way they have for the differenti situation that we're in this year and what that could look like I guess would be my two cents >> or maybe we just do the same process but from a different perspective >> right and I think that's what >> work forward this year I think this year we kind of are flying by the seat of our pants a little with the eval in that light but in the you know if there it would be awesome to have that other >> I think it needs to stay in place we troubleshoot process the the system >> right >> as much as we do >> right >> and so I
142think that's >> right and I think keeping it in pro but then like you know can we have a plan of what that looks like in the scenario yeah how that >> I don't think an aspect of like then the conversation turns to >> right what does that look like and just to have it just so it isn't like oh well how are we going to go about this this year it'd be cool to have or helpful >> for as we go through it be helpful to have that backup plan >> especially because when you look at so much of it yes we look at processors but so much of it is very of that email is very specific to the individual it's a ranking of a human completing a task >> it's kind of
143a loophole >> it seems like a waste of our time >> right and I think yeah and I I hear that and I think this year we have to just again because it happened very like a 30-day period but I think in the future can we plan >> what that might look like because it might happen again and um so that was kind of nice. >> One thing that came up in our interview process was that in the onboarding Mac and Jay >> goes over the evaluation with the new superintendent and can help inform the the evaluation process. So after that would probably be a great resource and I don't know if we're meeting with them before >> um but maybe we can get their input. Yeah. >> Yeah, absolutely. It was just I don't
144think we have Yeah. And it was just a thought I like as we're going through this and kind of the >> they can help us make the most of the experience and look forward >> like how you use it to look forward. >> Do you know when we're going to meet with them? >> Now that we voted, we'll just have to make contact if >> Well, >> you mean a special need as far as >> a special meeting with Mac and Jay and the fourth for the holiday? >> Yes. >> Okay. Yes, >> I think we need that. Yeah, because then they can help guide us through how we want to approach. Is it some January 4th that you're seventh or January 7th? How we want to approach that >> and also how they're going
145to gather input and all just kind of get our ducks in a row before the holiday break. >> Um, >> you mean the superintendent? >> I mean maybe the superintendent search firm. >> Oh yeah. >> And then getting their input on the eval. >> Yes, I will. >> Awesome. Yes, because I do think that still going through the process and doing the eval is an important piece whether Dave's here or not here because it does help us inform what we want. >> Well, I know but I mean the next year but it does help us inform >> and what the district's priorities are for the next year. So >> I think though when they meet with us they're going to take that part of their in so we might be Yeah. So I do I
146think it'd be good to get their input then go from there. >> I can I can >> Yes. >> But I also think we do have to still do this for the community. It is >> 100%. I just don't think we can pivot if it was just too short. >> I think we can do we have to do an eval for the community. I don't know if we have to do the specific eval that we have that is so in depth, >> you know. But at this point, like Elizabeth said, given the timeline, yes, we do. But in the future, it seems like >> Yeah. And also just this is interesting timing given that we just had a work session about eval. So I think it's important for us as a board to reflect upon
147our own processes just like we're asking everyone else to reflect upon their val processes and how do we practice what we preach >> for evolving when the situation demands and being open to alternatives if we are we don't have anything set up we can't >> that's why I said but I think in the future we have that >> plan B section would be awes >> um any other superendent or uh trustee announcements >> just just that I think it's important that we get that meeting before we break. >> Yes. I hope we can all that be the board. >> Yeah. Yes. I don't know. >> Okay. Okay, we'll move on to that >> announcements. >> I believe that was the day that was the day we had planned my >> the 6 one week. So
148the superintendent of vibration meeting with January 6 special board meeting. >> Correct. >> Okay. Just >> that would be it. >> We'll get that out. Yes. >> Okay. >> Because I think it has to be done before the business meeting. M so it had to be >> okay. Um I'm surprised. >> No, you're I'll quickly jump or talk through some of these specific areas. Uh like requests were touched on earlier. What we're talking about transportation is move forward on that process that application process attendance committee. Um there is going to be a new date uh coming out here pretty soon. January 29th was the next time they come together. Dar was facilitating that committee but she had to make a >> change in the date. So she'll throw out that date here pretty soon to
149the committee to see if that works for everybody. Um and then you know of course that includes parents, students, staff, administrators and trustees and here the first meeting went really well. And then school survey timelines. I was unable to get reach Deborah before this meeting tonight, but we've talked in the past about potentially doing some of those surveys one in possibly January, end of January and one possibly in March or April. So, or one to two in March and April. So, still working on that with her and she's still working on drafts of those. So, glad we did. And then upcoming meetings, we've got the calendars you can click on there. We've gone through a lot of that information tonight already. The enrollment um I think are really close one. >> Yeah. >> Less than
150last month at this time, >> especially with what was the countywide we've lost. >> Yes, I saw that. >> Yeah. Yeah. So that that statistic will go over that in our January meeting because that report is now available. It wasn't available at the time of the publication of this. So we can go over that information in January, but it does indicate yeah that our high school district. So we all know that. There was a report about that today in the >> um let's see resignations you have there and I see the resignations listed there and retirements. >> Um I'm sorry to bring us back to this which goes back to the governance calendar which was actually I didn't think about this but you reminded me. So, in the governance calendar, >> Mhm. >> it talks
151about talking about that Flathead Valley statistical report in February, but if it's just came out in December, I'm wondering if that's timely. >> No, I think you're right. I think we um it's been in both January and February in the past depending >> depending on when it comes out. Okay. >> So, um >> yeah, I can move it to January, but I just did wasn't sure. No, >> it's okay. I just like that's kind of the timing was odd because I saw that. >> Yeah, I was surprised to see that recently so >> earlier than I anticipated. So, but >> yeah, as long as it's just maybe like, you know, because we don't want to look at it a couple months after it comes out. When it comes out, >> we're usually going to like
152press like a favorite. >> I know. I love that. >> Thank you for that. Wow. >> We'll move on to the director of business with Lucy. Uh so all the reports um are only preliminary because by the time I posted them to the agenda uh the real estate uh tax revenues uh have not been reflected yet. Uh I got those numbers from the conf yesterday. So our cash should be about 7.2 million higher. Um and then another highlight is um I've added another pie chart in u on the page with our state grants. Uh we got a few small grant for Bento students of about $10,000. So I just to the sheep um everything else is very often. >> How did we get that? >> Did you um Yes. Uh Sarah Miller >> erector of
153scriptures. So this is how you >> is behind all that magic and I Yeah. So then any other any questions? >> Thanks Sarah. >> Thank you. Lucy, >> can I ask a clarifying question just because I thought about Yeah. At least I mentioned it before. The advanced opportunity and like the MC Vento. Are those those grants are for one year? Like do we have to spend them all or can you does it roll? >> You can carry over. >> You can. Okay. >> Thanks. And we did carry over. >> We did carry over. Good. Okay. >> CCR. >> We'll move into the consent agenda. Any public comments on the consent? back to the board for a motion or discussion. >> I move approve. >> I second it. >> Okay. Moved by Katie, seconded by Darcy.
154All in favor? >> Okay. One last motion. >> I move for second. >> Jerry, seconded by Katie. >> All in favor? >> Thank you. >> I know. I love Okay, that's what I would have