REGULAR SESSION CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 pm

Chair Susanne Vinton opened the regular meeting and called it to order at 7:00 p.m. and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. The following trustees and officers were present: Trustees Susanne Vinton, Jason Hamrick, Holly Sather, Peter Freivalds, Becky Malenowsky, and Tamara Spillum, Superintendent Eileen Johnson and District Clerk Diane Brook. Trustee Greg Bochy was absent.

Staff members present were Mike Bowman, Mike Sullivan, Dave DeBoer, Art Anderson, Pam Richau, Don Christman, and Tammy Biggins.

There were no registered guests.

Evelyn Pyburn from the Yellowstone County News was present.

Mrs. Vinton welcomed visitors and advised the following:

Any person present who wishes to address the board or raise any question about public school district matters or governing policies may do so under public participation. No discussion of personnel or individual students is permitted at this time. A limit of three minutes is placed on each speaker. Persons who want more time may make arrangements to be placed on a future agenda. The public is also reminded that they may provide input on all motions being considered by the board at this meeting.

INDIVIDUALS, DELEGATIONS, CORRESPONDENCE, DISTRICT NEWS

Rob Osborne notified the Board that he will not return next year. We thank him for his years of service to our students and give him best wishes for a successful career in administration.

ITEMS FOR ACTION

A. Approval of Minutes

Chair Vinton asked if there was any objection to the minutes as presented. Hearing none, the minutes of the March 10, 2009 regular board meeting and the special board meeting held on March 31, 2009 were approved.

B. Approval of Bills

Chair Susanne Vinton asked if there was any objection to the bills and wages as presented. Hearing no objection, the bills and wages were approved.

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C. Recommendation for Physical Education Uniforms

Principal Mike Sullivan recommended using PE uniforms in the Middle School. He advised that they are working with a company that would charge $7.00 each for the t-shirts. The uniform would be black t-shirts with a red and white logo and red shorts. The shorts would be 9-inches in length which is right above the knee. They would cost $9.00 for cotton and $11 for nylon. Students will be required to wear them. If they cannot afford to purchase them; the uniform will be provided for them.

Trustee Peter Freivalds advised that the shorts should all be cotton or nylon, so all uniforms are exactly the same.

Mr. Sullivan noted that this would also be their uniforms for games, which parents are buying separately now.

Tamara Spillum moved to approve the use of uniforms for physical education and sports in the middle school. Holly Sather seconded the motion.

Mike Sullivan will report back next meeting regarding this item. He will work on getting a business partner or sponsor to assist with the purchase of the uniforms.

Susanne Vinton, Jason Hamrick, Holly Sather, Peter Freivalds, Becky Malenowsky, and Tamara Spillum voted aye. The motion passed six to zero.

D. Board Policy No. 5251 - Second Reading

The attached policy from MTSBA is recommended for consideration. There are times when this can be helpful to an employee who wants to leave for legitimate reasons and must wait to be released from the contract.

Eileen advised that there were no changes after the last meeting, so this policy is the same as first reading.

Becky Malenowsky moved to approve Policy No. 5251 on second reading. Peter Freivalds seconded the motion. Susanne Vinton, Jason Hamrick, Holly Sather, Peter Freivalds, Becky Malenowsky, and Tamara Spillum voted aye. The motion passed six to zero.

E. Hire Substitutes

Becky Malenowsky moved to hire Terry Argersinger as a substitute teacher. Tamara Spillum seconded the motion. It was noted that a fingerprint background check had been completed.

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Susanne Vinton, Jason Hamrick, Holly Sather, Peter Freivalds, Becky Malenowsky, and Tamara Spillum voted aye. The motion passed six to zero.

F. Hire Paraprofessional

Barbara Clayton was recommended for hire as a paraprofessional for the remainder of the school year. She will carry out duties in the Middle School. Since she was previously hired as a substitute all of her background information is completed.

Jason Hamrick moved to hire Barbara Clayton as a paraprofessional to work for the remainder of the 2008-09 school year. Peter Freivalds seconded the motion. Susanne Vinton, Jason Hamrick, Holly Sather, Peter Freivalds, Becky Malenowsky, and Tamara Spillum voted aye. The motion passed six to zero.

G. Approval of K-5 Handbook for 2009-2010

The handbook was presented for approval. It was a collaborative effort by Principals Mike Bowman and Dave DeBoer.

Sue asked if there was anything they should note. Mr. Bowman advised on Page 32, they added the phone call out system as part of the parent notification of an emergency. The system had not yet been purchased when they had first given the Handbook draft to the Board, so this was added in the last paragraph on Page 32.

Peter Freivalds moved to approve the K-5 Handbook for 2009-10 as presented with the addition on Page 32 noted. Jason Hamrick seconded the motion. Susanne Vinton, Jason Hamrick, Holly Sather, Peter Freivalds, Becky Malenowsky, and Tamara Spillum voted aye. The motion passed six to zero. 

DISTRICT REPORTS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA

A. Primary – Mike Bowman
B. Intermediate – Dave DeBoer
C. Middle School – Mike Sullivan
D. Curriculum – Don Christman
E. Technology – Pam Richau distributed her report at the meeting. We are
    currently updating our bandwidth on the campus. Her report detailed the
    $21,439 E-Rate discount Lockwood Schools received. We will also be
    upgrading First Class. She is trying to solve the problem that started in
    mid-March that has caused some staff and trustees to be unable to
    connect to First Class from home.
F. Superintendent – Eileen Johnson reminded everyone of the upcoming
    negotiations meeting. Six more students have enrolled since the
    March meeting.

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G. Facilities – Art Anderson gave his report orally.

1. They have identified the amount of damage due to cracks in the new middle school. They will repair them in June.


2. There is a problem with the installation of the stair coverings in the middle school. The coverings will be removed and installed correctly.


3. They are still working with the software program for the HVAC system and they are still fine tuning the controls.


4. He has asked for extended warranties for systems that have come on late. These warranties will be extended. He hopes the stairs warranty will also be extended.


5. They are working on an HVAC system punch list.


6. There is a lot of ongoing demolition in building one. There was some asbestos left behind after the 2003 upgrade; they have had it tested and removed. It will be added to the ADHERA report.


7. The units will be delivered soon. They have modified the original plans to make them better; they have been able to reduce the work of the contractors. ACE has been very helpful in this process.


8. The landscaping supplies have been delivered to the contractor. The sod installation will be done on June 25, 2009. A group of 80 volunteers will be coming to help lay the sod.

Trustee Peter Freivalds asked about resolution of the sewer odor problem in the middle school.

Art responded that he believes they have the majority of the problem solved. They found several instances where pipes had been penetrated, and the contractor is on notice that they do not feel the traps are working correctly.

TRUSTEE REPORTS

Trustee Becky Malenowsky advised that it is important to provide information to taxpayers about the levy request. She is glad the Election Newsletter is being mailed out. Eileen said that every postal route had increased since the beginning of the year.

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Supt. Johnson advised that current Legislative strategy seems to be to remove state funding and replace it with the federal stimulus money. The ARRA says a state must first meet its obligations, then they can use the money to stimulate the economy.

Chair Vinton distributed copies of Trustee News to all trustees present.

Becky said Yellowstone County News interviewed her recently. During that process, she realized how much she appreciates all the trustees and the strengths they each bring to the board.

ADJOURN

There will be a Negotiations Committee Meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at 6:00 p.m.

There will be a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. for negotiations.

The next Regular Meeting will be on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at 7:00 p.m.

Jason Hamrick moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Peter Freivalds seconded the motion. Susanne Vinton, Holly Sather, Tamara Spillum, Becky Malenowsky, Peter Freivalds, and Jason Hamrick voted aye. The motion passed six to zero.

___________________________     ___________________________
Sue Vinton, Chairperson                       Diane M. Brook, District Clerk