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CALL TO ORDER  DECEMBER 9, 2003

The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of School District No. 26, Lockwood Schools, Yellowstone County, was duly held at the Lockwood Board Room, 1932 U.S. Highway 87, Billings, Montana, on Tuesday, December 9, 2003, at 7:03 p.m.

Chairperson Tim Trafford presided. He led those present in the pledge of allegiance.

The following trustees and officers were present: Trustees: Gayle Walker, Tim Trafford, Teresa Stroebe, Robert Guenther, Greg Bochy, Becky Webber, Superintendent Eileen Johnson and District Clerk Diane Brook. Trustee Jim Painter was absent.

Staff members present were: Dave DeBoer, Mike Sullivan, and Hank Yasenak.

Registered guests were: Evelyn Pyburn, Thomas Jones, Glen L. Seavy, Carlotta Hecker, Daniel McGough, Holly Sather, Tim Sather, Bernard Bookheimer, Ethan Bookheimer, Dale Cunnington, Drew McGough, Neal Hines, Sheila Thum, Cody Thum, Jacob Thum, Clint Reynolds, and Carl Peters.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND PAYMENT OF BILLS AND WAGES
The Board received a copy of the summary of paid bills by account. The summary included a detailed statement of all expenditures of money with the name of the person or business to which payment is made, showing the service rendered or goods furnished.

Teresa Stroebe moved to approve the November 11, 2003 board minutes as presented and the payment of all bills and wages and extracurricular bills. Greg Bochy seconded the motion. Chairman Trafford asked if there was any discussion, seeing none he called for the vote. Tim Trafford, Gayle Walker, Robert Guenther, Greg Bochy, Becky Webber, and Teresa Stroebe voted aye; the motion passed six to zero.

PUBLIC WRITTEN REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
None Received

CORRESPONDENCE
None Received

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EDUCATION AND BUSINESS
 A. Out-of-district Placement for H.O. at Yellowstone Academy
Supt. Johnson advised that a request for H.O. to attend Yellowstone Academy under a tuition agreement has been received.

Becky Webber moved to approve the out-of-district placement at Yellowstone Academy via tuition agreement for HO. Teresa Stroebe seconded the motion. Superintendent Johnson explained the tuition for this placement is paid out of the Tuition Fund, which is funded with a permissive levy. Tim Trafford, Gayle Walker, Robert Guenther, Greg Bochy, Becky Webber, and Teresa Stroebe voted aye; the motion passed six to zero.

Supt. Johnson took a few minutes to clarify the situation with New Day. She advised that Lockwood School is responsible for the education, both special education and regular education, of the boys in grades K-8, because they reside in the group home within the Lockwood Schools’ boundaries. Billings School District 2 is responsible for the special and regular education of girls in grades K-8, because they reside within the elementary boundaries for Billings School District 2. Billings is also responsible for educating all students in grades 9-12 that reside in the New Day group homes.

In order to provide the educational services to New Day students that are required by Montana Law, we must hire teachers to provide services on-site or bring the students to our school. Presently, we do employ a teacher at New Day, Sandra Maloughney. Sandra has dual certification, special education and regular education. We will be providing the New Day facility with our curriculum materials, and Ms. Maloughney will oversee the education of our students on-site. We will provide the Power School grading system to Sandra at New Day for tracking the grades of our students.

Greg Bochy asked how many students we have at New Day. Eileen responded that we have 11 boys.

Teresa Stroebe asked if it is more expensive this way to provide educational services in this manner.
Eileen said she was not sure. She noted that most of the New Day students have very severe problems and many have been convicted of crimes; serving them at Lockwood Schools may not be advisable.

One trustee asked how these students fit into the No Child Left Behind scenario. Eileen advised that they are tested at their site and their scores are included in Lockwood Schools’ statistics.

After this review of the New Day educational situation, Chairman Trafford called for a vote on the out-of-district placement issue before the Board.

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Tim Trafford, Gayle Walker, Robert Guenther, Greg Bochy, Becky Webber, and Teresa Stroebe voted affirmatively; the motion passed six to zero.

Eileen explained that Yellowstone Academy is a public school, and they get the ANB state money, as well as the tuition for the students we place there. New Day is not a public school, so they cannot get tuition or ANB money.

Teresa asked whether New Day could be a public school. Eileen said they are a therapeutic center not a certified school.

  B. Request to bid an addition to the school
Mrs. Johnson had attached information regarding a proposed addition to the school. The information included a plan and proposed costs provided by CTA Architects Engineers. She advised that this issue was open for Board discussion and possibly decision. Supt. Johnson noted if a decision was made, development of a bid proposal could begin which would facilitate getting the work started as soon as possible.

The trustees briefly discussed the steps necessary to get a project to bid.

Robert Guenther noted that the addition of classroom space was part of the ballot request for the 2001 Building Reserve Levy, so the funding is in place for this project. Voters had approved this project with the 2001 Building Reserve Levy.

Greg Bochy moved to approve the project and begin development of a bid proposal for the six-classroom addition. Robert Guenther seconded the motion.

Teresa Stroebe said this is a good project, and she is glad to move forward with it. Becky Webber talked about the advantages of having a multi-use room in the addition.

Robert Guenther, Gayle Walker, Greg Bochy, Tim Trafford, Becky Webber, and Teresa Stroebe voted yes; the motion passed six to zero.

  C. Additional funding of $11,835.90 is available from the state.
Supt. Johnson provided the Trustees with the attached information from OPI regarding Federal funding for education. Lockwood will receive $11,835.90 for technology. This money must be deposited into Fund 128, which is a budgeted fund.

Montana schools were not aware of this funding earlier thus were not able to budget for it, so OPI has suggested that the money be placed in reserve this year and budgeted next school year. This would make the money available after July 1, 2004.

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Supt. Johnson said another option is to run a budget amendment, which requires posting of a budget meeting and a few other steps. She recommended putting the funds in reserve and budgeting for them next school year. This gives the options of using this money for salaries, technology, or other needs of the district.

Eileen also advised that it is possible for the district to obtain some money from the Reading First, if we apply for the grant. This would fund reading improvement in grades K-3. She said they are looking into this.

It was noted that Technology Fund 128 is also where schools that have a Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Levy deposit those levied funds.

Trustee Becky Webber moved to place the technology monies into reserve in Fund 128 this year and budget for them next school year. Gayle Walker seconded the motion.

Gayle Walker, Robert Guenther, Greg Bochy, Becky Webber, Teresa Stroebe, and Tim Trafford voted yes; the motion passed six to zero.

HIRING
  A. Updated List of Substitutes Presented for Board Approval
Substitute Teachers: Pamela Ask, Barbara Kaiser, Kristin Kunneman, Jeryl McCauley, and Brynn Wilcut.

Teresa Stroebe moved to approve the hiring of the above-mentioned substitute teachers. Greg Bochy seconded the motion. Trustee Stroebe asked if each person on the list had been background checked. Eileen responded yes. Tim Trafford, Gayle Walker, Robert Guenther, Becky Webber, Greg Bochy, and Teresa Stroebe voted aye; the motion passed six to zero.

  B. Coach for Basketball
Supt. Johnson advised that an assistant coach for seventh grade girls’ basketball was needed because of the number of girls out for this sport. Chris Peterson, a former student, was recommended for hire as the assistant coach. Eileen advised that a background check has been done.

Teresa Stroebe moved to hire Chris Peterson as assistant seventh grade girls’ basketball coach. Becky Webber seconded the motion.

Trustee Gayle Walker asked how many girls were out for basketball. Mike Sullivan said 32 to 34 girls.

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Eileen advised that Chris had to be hired during the season as there were too many students to coach, especially when you need to teach skills.

Tim Trafford, Gayle Walker, Robert Guenther, Becky Webber, Greg Bochy, and Teresa Stroebe voted aye; the motion passed six to zero.

POLICY
  A. Second Reading for Recommended Change to Policy #5140

It was noted that this is the second reading of a change in Policy #5140 to conform to MTSBA recommendations. This change will set the probationary period prior to the issuance of a contract for a new classified employee, instead of during the term of the contract.

Becky Webber moved to approve on second reading the revision of Policy 5140 to conform to MTSBA recommendations by setting a probationary period prior to contract issuance to new classified employees. Teresa Stroebe seconded the motion. Tim Trafford, Gayle Walker, Robert Guenther, Becky Webber, Greg Bochy, and Teresa Stroebe voted affirmatively; the motion passed six to zero.

REPORTS AND MISCELLANEOUS
   A. Principals’ Reports
Middle School Principal Mike Sullivan said he had nothing to add to his report, but he would entertain questions from the Board.

Chairman Tim Trafford asked how students were selected for PRIDE. Mike said a teacher could nominate any student meeting the criteria of PRIDE. Mr. Sullivan said that the trustees are welcome to come into the PRIDE ceremony any time.

Mr. Sullivan informed the Board that Mrs. Kneib encourages kids to enter the VFW contest. He said Lockwood almost always has kids that place. Mrs. Kneib won the VFW award this year and Harmony Muller placed. Teresa asked if they could get permission to publish the VFW papers. Mr. Sullivan said he would work on it.

Becky Webber asked about having enough time for each family to participate in conferences if they wish. Mr. Sullivan said it is very difficult to get everyone in with only eight hours. He advised that any parent could request a team meeting at any time.

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Dave DeBoer, Intermediate Principal, said he had nothing to add to his report. He encouraged everyone to check out the Christmas Program schedule.

Tim Trafford asked about the amount of reading involved with the math curriculum. It was noted that math is now difficult for those who have difficulty reading, due to having so many story problems.

Eileen Johnson advised that testing for math skills now involves a lot of reading and story problems. The math curriculum is reflecting this trend.

Gayle asked about whether consideration was given to those who have difficulty reading.

Mrs. Johnson said the theory behind adding more reading with math is for students to learn to use all those skills and know how to apply them.

Primary Principal Mike Bowman was not present.

Eileen advised that we now have 1,257 students, and we are continuing to grow.

OLD BUSINESS OR FOLLOW UP INFORMATION
Tim wanted to address the parking situation at the Lion’s Lair. They talked about having a work session in January to discuss the parking situation, possibly January 20. 2004. At 6:00 p.m. would be a closed session for completing the superintendent’s evaluation, and at 7:00 p.m. the Work Session would be open to public. The open session would be for discussion of the parking situation and discussion of early retirement incentives as agreed to during negotiations.

It was noted that the agenda for the regular meeting, January 13, 2003, will include an item for hiring Superintendent Eileen Johnson.

Teresa Stroebe advised that pre-trial information will be presented on MQEC at a meeting on January 15, 2004.

Eileen advised that Pam Rule, lunch clerk, reported that deposits for November 2003 were $500 more than November of last year. Six sack lunches were served for the entire month of November.

DONATIONS
A memorial was set up in honor of Lori Stewart by her family. Her brother’s children attend Lockwood Schools. The memorial is dedicated to the Art Department for a project, which Ms. Morris and Ms. Seilstad choose. The donations at this time amount to approximately $1,130.

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Exxon/Mobil has made a donation of $3,000 to our technology fund. We will purchase three presentation projectors for computers used in the classrooms with the money.

TRUSTEE REPORTS
  A. Report of Monthly LEA Meeting from Trustee Representative

Chairman Trafford said he attended the meeting and the number one topic was the parking lot being icy. He noted that there was discussion about the Peters Street parking also. Mr. Trafford advised per Mrs. Johnson, the people who clear the parking lot will be adding a sander on the back of the truck and they will sand the driveways and parking lot in the future.

Tim said problems due to sharing printers were also discussed. At the meeting, Eileen asked the teachers to refer these concerns back to the building principals. Chairman Trafford said it was a positive meeting.

Teresa Stroebe said the teachers are interested in the parking issue, so they may want to attend the work session. Tim said they would receive the agendas.

  B. Other reports
Trustee Robert Guenther mentioned the turn signal had been installed on Johnson Lane. He said it helps our buses, our students and the whole community.

Eileen advised that she attended the county transportation meeting, and she had thanked those responsible for getting the signal up.

Mrs. Johnson told trustees that they want someone from Lockwood School at the county transportation meetings. She asked if the board would like Eileen to continue to attend to represent the school district. The trustees agreed that she should continue attending. She mentioned some of the things that are in the planning stages.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDA SCHOOL ISSUES
Chairperson Trafford said any person, who wishes to do so at this point in the agenda, may address the board or raise any questions about public school district matters or governing policies. No discussion of personnel is permitted at this time. No mention of names of students, teachers, or the public at large.

We believe in public participation and also strongly believe in the right of privacy. A limit of three minutes is placed on each speaker. Persons wishing more time may make arrangements to be placed on a future agenda.

No one spoke.

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Teresa Stroebe said she wanted to acknowledge Mr. Sather’s service and the fact that he is leaving soon for Kuwait.

NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 13, 2004, at 7:00 p.m.

There will be a work session on Tuesday, January 20, 2004. At 6:00 p.m. there will be a closed session for completion of superintendent’s evaluation, and at 7:00 p.m. there will be an open session for discussion of Peters Street parking and discussion of possible early retirement incentives per negotiations.

ADJOURN
Greg Bochy moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Becky Webber seconded the motion. Teresa Stroebe, Greg Bochy, Becky Webber, Tim Trafford, Robert Guenther, and Gayle Walker voted yes; the motion passed unanimously.

__________________________________           ________________________________

         Timothy Trafford, Chairman                            Diane M. Brook, District Clerk

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