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Regular Board Meeting
April 13, 2010

REGULAR SESSION CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 pm

Chair Susanne Vinton opened the regular meeting and called it to order at 6:55 p.m. Chair Vinton led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The following trustees and officers were present: Trustees Susanne Vinton, Tim Sather, Becky Malenowsky, Greg Bochy, Peter Freivalds and Tamara Spillum, Superintendent Eileen Johnson and District Clerk Laurie Noonkester. Trustee Jason Hamrick was absent.

Staff members present were Rob Guzman, Dave DeBoer, Don Christman, Mike Bowman, Pam Richau and Mike Sullivan.

Evelyn Pyburn from Yellowstone County News was in attendance.

Registered guests were Holly Sather, Perry Price, Cristy Price and Alyssa Price.

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

A. Facilities Director Rob Guzman was introduced to the audience.

B. Middle School student Alyssa Price recited her poem titled “My World” for the Board and audience. Alyssa was the winner of the Do the Right Thing Challenge. She will take her poem to Helena to compete at the state level.

C. Trustee Tim Sather served cake to the audience in honor of his deployment.

D. Chair Vinton read the Accreditation letter from the Office of Public Instruction. All three schools in the district passed Accreditation Standards and certificates were handed out to the principals.

E. Chair Vinton noted that the election editorial will be published on behalf of the Trustees with their consent. Consent was given.

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Regular Board Meeting
April 13, 2010

ITEMS FOR ACTION

A. Approve Minutes of Previous Meetings

Chair Susanne Vinton asked if there was any objection to the minutes as presented. Chair Vinton noted that the March 9, 2010 minutes under Items for Action, Subtitle H. should read “Tim Sather” as seconding the motion instead of “Tim Hamrick.” With said corrections made, the board moved to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2010 regular board meeting and March 23, 2010 special meeting.

B. Approval of Bills and Wages for March

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

C. Approve retirement under the Board Proposal

Jane Carlson’s letter of resignation was read by Chair Vinton. She also noted that Mrs. Carlson has accepted the Early Retirement Incentive package offered this year.

Greg Bochy moved to accept Mrs. Carlson’s letter of resignation and grant her the Early Retirement Incentive Package offered by the district. Peter Freivalds seconded the motion. Greg Bochy, Becky Malenowsky, Peter Freivalds Tamara Spillum, Susanne Vinton, and Tim Sather voted aye; the motion passed six to zero.

D. Military leave from the Board for Tim Sather

The law states that during military leave for a Trustee, the board does not vacate the position but that a temporary placement may be appointed to fill in during the regular Trustee’s time away due to military service.

Trustee Tim Sather requested leave from the board for 10 months in order to fulfill his military duty and requests that the board place his wife, Holly Sather as his temporary replacement.

Greg Bochy moved to grant Tim military leave and place Holly Sather as temporary trustee during Tim’s absence. Tamara Spillum seconded the motion. Greg Bochy, Becky Malenowsky, Peter Freivalds Tamara Spillum, Susanne Vinton, and Tim Sather voted aye; the motion passed unanimously.

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Regular Board Meeting
April 13, 2010

E. Request Approval for Out of District Attendance

Supt. Johnson recommends the following students be allowed to continue attending Lockwood School for the remainder of the school year. They are currently students whose family has moved out of district.

           Grade 1      Alexandra Satre Hansen
           Grade 3      Angel Satre Hansen

Tim Sather moved to allow the students listed to attend Lockwood for the remainder of the school year. Becky Malenowsky seconded the motion. Greg Bochy, Becky Malenowsky, Tamara Spillum, Peter Freivalds, Susanne Vinton, and Tim Sather voted aye; the motion passed six to zero.

F. Approval of the Elementary Handbook for 2010-2011.

After discussion, Peter Freivalds moved to accept the 2010-2011 Elementary Handbook with the following corrections; Page 22, strike sentence, “Pagers, laser pointers, and video cell phones are not allowed at school.” Page 28, add to read, “The Board or administration may grant persons and entities advance permission to possess, carry, or store a weapon on school property or at school sponsored events.”

Tamara Spillum seconded the motion. Greg Bochy, Becky Malenowsky, Tamara Spillum, Peter Freivalds, Susanne Vinton, and Tim Sather voted yes; the motion passed unanimously.

G. Approval of Food Service Proposal

Sodexo was the only company that submitted a proposal for the advertised food service contract. Supt. Johnson recommends that the board accept their proposal noting that it did meet all of the criteria and requirements. This is a five- year contract and is renewed annually. Copies of the full proposal are available for review. School meal pricing is set by the district. Mrs. Johnson reported that after an end of the year financial evaluation she may be bringing a request to raise the cost of meals for the next year.

Tim Sather moved to accept the Sodexo proposal as submitted to provide the district with a food service program. Greg Bochy seconded the motion. Greg Bochy, Becky Malenowsky, Tamara Spillum, Peter Freivalds, Susanne Vinton, and Tim Sather voted aye; the motion passed unanimously.

H. Approval of Retirement Package for Teachers

This agenda item was addressed in conjunction with Mrs. Carlson’s letter of resignation in Item C.

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Regular Board Meeting
April 13, 2010

I. Hiring of Track Coaches, Substitutes and Paraprofessional

Superintendent Johnson recommends the following persons for hire. All persons considered new hires have completed successful background checks.

Track coach positions: Wes Caldwell, Randall Rice, Nick Ottoy and Amy Muir.
Substitute: Edith Bridgewater
Paraprofessional for the remaining year: Elizabeth Johnson

After discussion, Peter Freivalds moved to hire those persons for the positions listed. Becky Malenowsky seconded the motion. Susanne Vinton, Tim Sather, Greg Bochy, Peter Freivalds, Becky Malenowsky, and Tamara Spillum voted aye; the motion passed six to zero.

J. Student Discipline Issue

Becky Malenowsky made a motion to move this issue to later in the meeting to allow sufficient time for the parents of the student to attend. Greg Bochy seconded the motion. Susanne Vinton, Tim Sather, Greg Bochy, Peter Freivalds, Becky Malenowsky, and Tamara Spillum voted aye; the motion passed unanimously.

DISTRICT REPORTS

There were no written reports. Principals and supervisors were present to address any questions.

1. Primary - Primary –Mike Bowman had nothing further to add to his report but did encourage the Board to read the article in the latest School Board Journal titled “Leveling the Field.” He thought it very interesting how a Colorado school is handling current level versus age education gaps. A lengthy discussion was held on the dynamics of how a like process would work all through a student’s school career and how some of the developmental practices have been tried. Superintendent Johnson noted that this concept ties in with the “Race to the Top” program that spends federal education monies on professional development to train teachers to educate in the manners discussed. Montana is currently entering the proposal state of applying for these federal monies. Peter Freivalds would like the administrators to prepare a concept plan for future consideration.


2. Intermediate - Intermediate – Dave DeBoer added that a guest speaker presented a talk about bullying a at recent assembly and the new ASEOP attendance software program is working wonderfully. He further noted that the Intermediate library has received needed assistance by the placement of Experience Works employee Lee Scott.


3. Middle School - Mike Sullivan had nothing further to add to his report.


4. Curriculum - Don Christman noted that he has completed a number of reporting and testing requirements.

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Regular Board Meeting
April 13, 2010

E. Technology – Pam Richau reported that a google-apps survey will be sent out shortly that will assist in the move to google-mail and better target needs.

F. Facilities- Rob Guzman reported that he does not have a report but is glad to be aboard.

G. Athletics- Activities Directors Randall Rice and Wes Caldwell were absent.

H. Superintendent – Eileen Johnson reported that we will be having another Experience Works person to help with various jobs around the school. This will be the fourth person this Federal Title VI program has assigned to the district. They work 18 hours a week with no expense incurred by the district.

She further reported that she is working on a debit/credit program for parents to pay on line for lunch, athletic fees, PE uniforms, and other items in the future. This should be available at the beginning of the next school year.

Supt. Johnson is having the Felt Martin Law Firm look into the legality and/or fairness of the $58,080 that will be assessed to leave the MUST Health Insurance Program. Other schools are looking into similar issues with this firm.

In addition, she has received notice that Randall Rice and Wes Caldwell have decided to resign as Co-Athletic Directors. The position has been advertised and a hiring recommendation will be made at the May meeting.

TRUSTEE REPORTS

1. Chair Vinton recommended that the board attend the upcoming Race to the Top seminar. She reminded the board that on the 22nd there will be a steering committee meeting in the Lockwood board room. Tamara Spillum volunteered to attend.

The next regular meeting will be May 11, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

RETURN TO ACTIONS ITEMS

J. Student Discipline Issue

Chair Vinton gave notice that the meeting would now be closed in order to discuss a student discipline situation. A letter giving notice of board discussion regarding this matter was sent to the parents of the student.

After re-opening the meeting at 8:36 p.m. for action by the Board of Trustees; Peter Freivalds moved to expel student Colton Pipin from Lockwood School District 26. Tamara Spillum seconded the motion. Susanne Vinton, Tim Sather, Greg Bochy, Peter Freivalds, Becky Malenowsky, and Tamara Spillum voted aye; the motion passed unanimously.

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Regular Board Meeting
April 13, 2010

ADJOURN

Peter Freivalds moved to adjourn at 8:01 p.m.   Jason Hamrick seconded the motion.  Greg Bochy, Tamara Spillum, Jason Hamrick, Peter Freivalds, and Tim Sather voted aye; the motion passed five to zero.

___________________________     ___________________________
Sue Vinton, Chairperson                       Laurie Noonkester, District Clerk