We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Information from unapproved board minutes.
Chinook Schools board members approved tax levies for the 2016-2017 school year, approved contract offers to classified employees and contract offers for extra-curricular activities positions. It was announced that two vacant board positions need to be filled by appointment by June, residents of District 67 interested in serving on the board should contact the Business Office at the high school.
The meeting was called to order, on Tuesday, April 12, by Chairwoman Miller. Board members present were: Scott Gunderson; James Hodgson; Ernest Johnson; Pauly Miller and Joel Pruttis. Viki Tillman was excused, Travis Buck and Keith Raty were absent.
Laura Kellam, a high school teacher, made a presentation on graduation requirements. Board members had questions and comments regarding what should be allowed for the district’s graduation standards. Wrestling Coach Perry Miller presented the possibility of researching for a new wrestling room and is requesting permission to actively pursue funding. There were no personnel/staffing issues presented and no public comment.
A consent agenda was motioned and approved. That agenda included approval of the March meeting minutes, receiving the investment reports and approval for activity warrants as well as electronic and paper payroll warrants. The elementary board approved a motion to pay the paper and electronic warrants.
Old Business
Superintendent Hannam provided additional information regarding security weapons in schools. MEA/MFT (created when the Montana Education Association and the Montana Federation of Teachers merged in 2000) is proposing state legislation that could make any weapons in schools unconstitutional. Further board discussion may become a moot point if the state legislation passes. No action was taken.
New Business
The High School Board motioned to ratify the 2016-2017 High School General Fund Levy Proposition. The levy amounts to 0.71 mills for maintenance and operation of school programs. The levy is permanent once approved by voters, assuming the district levies that amount at least once in the next five years. Motion was approved.
The Elementary Board motioned to ratify the 2016-2017 Elementary General Fund Levy Proposition which amounts to 5.34 mills for maintenance and operation of school programs. It would also be permanent once approved by voters and if the district levies that amount at least once in the next five years. There was also an Elementary Reserve Fund Levy Proposition to impose a levy of 9.47 mills for five years. The building reserve is used for paving school grounds, planning construction, reconstruction, remodeling, renovating, equipping, furnishing or improving, as needed, for purposes of the school district. Motioned was approved.
A number of classified contract offers was motioned. A Kitchen Aide contract, 2015-2016, was approved for Gregory Martin for the remainder of the year in the dishwashing position where he is currently subbing. The Elementary Trustees approved 2016-2017 contract offers to Elementary Secretary, Melissa Evans and Meadowlark Technology Coordinator, Rose Stuker. The High School Trustees approved 2016-2017 contract offers to: High School Secretary/Assistant Business Manager, Christina Downs; Head Maintenance, Don Swenson; Head Cook, Heidi Brown and 7-12 Technology Aide, Billie Haugen.
The High School Board motioned and approved offering the following individual 2016-2017 extra-curricular contracts: Athletic Director, Paula Molyneaux, approved; Football Assistant Coach, Christian Lehnert, unanimous; Volleyball Head Coach, Mollie Rose, motion passed 3:2 with Miller and Pruttis against; Volleyball Assistant Coach, Paula Molyneaux, unanimous; Boys’ Basketball Head Coach, Mike Seymour, unanimous; Boys’ Basketball Assistant Coach, Matt Molyneaux, unanimous; Girls’ Basketball Head Coach, Mollie Rose, failed 2:3, Miller, Hodgson and Pruttis against; Girls’ Basketball Assistant Coach, Lesa MacLeod, unanimous; Wrestling Head Coach (Shared), Adam Tilleman, unanimous; Speech and Drama Head Coach, Bonnie Ortner, unanimous; Track & Field Head Coach, Paula Molyneaux, unanimous; Track & Field Assistant Coach, Kendall Harwood, unanimous; Track and Field Assistant Coach, Christian Lehnert, unanimous; Tennis Head Coach, Thom Maclean, unanimous; Golf Head Coach, Mike Seymour, unanimous; Fall Cheer Head Coach, Jerilyn Wood, unanimous; Winter Cheer Head Coach, Jerilyn Wood, unanimous and Wrestling Head Coach (Shared), Perry Miller, unanimous, Chairwoman recused herself from the vote on the Head Wrestling Coach.
Superintendent’s recommendation to continue membership in the Golden Triangle Cooperative was motioned and approved. An item to consider a Math Teacher and Elementary Teacher was deleted with no action taken.
Board motioned a recommendation to offer a contract to Dean Buffington to train through the month of April for the position of Business Manager/District Clerk, with official appointment at May’s organizing meeting. Motion approved.
Superintendent recommended the board approve, on first reading, Personnel Policy 5015-Bullying/Harassment/Intimidation, which provides guidance to adults for dealing with the described situations. During discussion Trustee Johnson clarified the policy follows law and falls to law enforcement. Motion was approved.
Announcements/Communications/Information to the board
The Chairwoman noted absentee ballots had been mailed and School Election is May 3. The vacated board positions of Mike Copenhaver and Keith Raty need to be filled by appointment. Interested persons in District 67 should contact the board or the Business Office.Appointments need to be made by June for the vacant positions. MTSBA (School Boards Association) will hold its spring workshop in Havre on May 16.
Reports and Information from the District
Superintendent Hannam reported the Chinook Schools has received accreditation from the Office of Public Instruction in the elementary, middle and high school with approved deviations in 6th grade class size and one PE course class size. Chinook Schools, after a site review, has been recommended for accreditation through AdvanceEd. Finding report emphasizes need for improved communication with stakeholders and specific written processes throughout the system.
Hannam reported health insurance rates increased 5%. Cyrstal Stepper (HUB International) presented options that allow employees to use the district contribution to select one of four plans. The amount of the district contribution will not change. Montana Quality Education Coalition asked if district would join their organization for a $1250 fee, superintendent said further research was needed before recommending joining.
At Meadowlark School, Principal Martin noted: students have finished third benchmark testing of MAPs and are continuing Smarter Balanced Testing; April 19 is Kindergarten Roundup and the Medieval Feast (6th grade) that evening. Martin reported survey results regarding K-6 dismissal times: “Yes” votes for a common dismissal time were parents, 68% and staff, 63%. Special Olympics competition is April 27 in Havre. Two elementary students, Shay Hauer and Liam Edwards, have roles in “To Kill a Mockingbird” being staged in Havre. At Harland Colony, students did a fishing trip and older students are studying a new novel.
For Chinook Junior/Senior High, Principal Molyneaux reported junior/senior high students are finishing MontCas testing as well as Smarter Balance testing. He is meeting with sixth grade teachers to discuss next year’s placement of students through RTI (Response to Intervention).
Molyneaux announced two new courses in the high school curriculum—Technical Writing in lieu of 12th grade English and Technical Math in lieu of geometry. Through Infinite Campus parents can use the academic planner to help their students with course choices. Access to the Infinite Campus is through the parent portal on the school website.
The CHIPS (Chinook Improvement Process for Schools) team is working on a plan to recommend yearly and overall district goals to the board by including board members and other stakeholders in the decision-making process. Athletic class realignment is proposed to move in two years to class B if it passes in 17-18 school year, with football possibly being allowed to stay at 8-man competition division.
District Music Festival was in Shelby, April 15-16. Academic Olympic results from Glasgow: Blake Downs, 2nd in English, 8th in Social Studies and 10th in Science and Chase Lenz, 9th in Math.
