february 10 board of trustees meeting

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Superintendent Business Manager

Dr. Kent Kultgen Kim Harris

324-2001 324-2007

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

Ray Bjork Learning Center

1600 8th

Street

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

5:30 p.m.

AGENDA

5:15 p.m. Board of Trustees Group Photo

I. CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance

II. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT:

III. REVIEW OF AGENDA:

IV. BUSINESS: A. Items for Action (The Board of Trustees will accept Public Comment on the

Following Items):

a. Board Policies Second Reading on the Following Policies: (See Attached) 1. 3000 Equal Educational Opportunities

Superintendents Recommendation: Adopt the above Policy

b. Board Policies First Reading on the Following Policies

(See Attached)

1. 3060 Misconduct by Students with Disabilities 2. 4025 Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities 3. 6000 District Organizations: Superintendent & District Clerk 4. 6020 District Organization: Building Administrators & District

Administrative Personnel

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c. Call for Election by Mail Ballot: (See Attached)

A mail ballot election requires an official call at least 70 days before the election. The annual trustee/levy election that is required by State law is to be

held on May 5, 2015. The ballot will contain several issues: Elementary and High

School Trustee Elections, and Elementary and High School General Levy

elections. Any of these elections can be cancelled later should they be determined

not to be necessary. With the legislature undecided on funding, the trustees will

be required to set the levy amounts, if necessary, later. The trustees should include

both an elementary and high school motions.

The information necessary to file for the trustee openings is available on the

district website at http://www.helena.k12.mt.us/district/legalnot/index.dhtm

Superintendents Recommendation: Call for Election by Mail Ballot

d. 2015-2016 School Calendar Second Reading:

(See Attached) The calendar committee began meeting in the fall to determine the 2015-2016

school calendar. The calendar is very similar to this years calendar in that there will be a three-day start which seems to work best for everyone. The breaks for

the 2015-2016 school year are similar to this years based on the feedback communicated to the committee. Early-out Mondays will also be the same as this

year. All employee groups have reviewed the calendar.

Superintendents Recommendation: Adopt the 2015-2016 School Calendar

e. Consent Action Items: 1. Minutes from the January 12, 2015 Special Board of Trustees Meeting: 2. Minutes from the January 13, 2015 Board of Trustees Meeting: 3. Minutes from the January 27, 2015 Board Work Session 4. Approval of the January, 2015 Warrants: 5. Personnel Actions: 6. Financials Year to Date July January, 2015: 7. Sabbatical Leaves for 2015-2016

(See Attached)

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B. Reports: a. Policy Committee Report: b. Budget Committee Report: c. Health Benefits Committee Report: d. Community Advisory Committee Report: e. Facility Committee Report: f. Helena Education Association Report: g. Montana School Boards Association Report: h. Legislative Report: i. Student Representatives Report: j. Superintendents Report:

V. ADJOURNMENT

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TRUSTEE RESOLUTION CALLING

FOR AN ELECTION BY MAIL BALLOT

BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Trustees for the Elementary and High School Districts #1, of Lewis and

Clark County, State of Montana, will hold the annual regular school election by mail ballot on Tuesday,

the 5th day of May, 2015, which date is not less than sixty (60) days after the passage of this resolution.

All active and inactive electors* registered by the close of registration, 5pm on Monday April 6, are

entitled to vote at said election.

*Ballots will be automatically mailed to active electors only. If you are a registered voter and do not

receive a ballot, contact the county election office to update your information as necessary and receive a

ballot.

Voting will end at 8:00 p.m. on May 5th, 2015. The designated places of deposit will be located at:

55 S. Rodney, Helena Mt 59601 the May Butler Center

316 N. Park, Room 168, Helena MT the Lewis and Clark County Election Department

The purpose of the election is to:

1. Elect TWO (2) elementary/high school trustees for a three-year term each; 2. Seek approval of additional levies to operate and maintain the Elementary School district for the

2015-2016 school year;

3. Seek approval of additional levies to operate and maintain the High School district for the 2015-2016 school year;

4. Elect ONE (1) high school only trustee for a two year term to represent the Trinity, Wolf Creek and Craig elementary districts on the Helena High School Board of Trustees;

5. Elect ONE (1) high school only trustee for a three year term to represent the East Helena elementary district on the Helena High School Board of Trustees;

If it is later determined that any portion of the election is not required, the Board of Trustees may cancel

that portion of the election in accordance with 13-1-304 and 20-3-313, MCA and notify the election

administrator.

At least thirty electors of this district who are qualified to vote as such election are hereby appointed as

judges at the election. A list of the election judges is available from the election administrator.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the clerk of this school district is hereby directed to notify the

election judges of their appointment and to notify the county election administrator of the date of holding

said election, and request her to close registration and to prepare and furnish election materials as required

by law. If any of these judges should not be able to serve, the election administrator will choose a

replacement from certified judges.

No further proceedings were conducted relating to the election.

___________________________________ ________________________

Libby Goldes, Chairman Kim Harris, Clerk

DATED February 10, 2015

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May Butler Center

55 S. Rodney

Helena, Montana

Monday, January 12, 2015

11:00 a.m.

The Board of Trustees Meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Chair Libby

Goldes at the May Butler Center, 55 S. Rodney, Helena, Montana, at 11:00 a.m.

ATTENDANCE Present unless otherwise noted.

Libby Goldes

Cherche Prezeau via phone Aidan Myhre - Excused

Terry Beaver

Libbi Lovshin - Excused

Betsy Baur

Ellen Feaver

Vacant, Trustee for High School District

Joe Cohenour, Trustee for High School District

Dr. Kent Kultgen, Superintendent of Schools

Kim Harris, Business Manager

GUESTS

Kristina Huffsmith, Randy Huffsmith, Alexander Deedy, Katrina Chaney

I. CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance

Chair Goldes called the meeting to order at 11:02 a.m., and led the Pledge of Allegiance

II. REVIEW OF AGENDA

None

III. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

None

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IV. BUSINESS:

a. Appointment of Kristina Huffsmith to fill vacant high school trustee position.

Dr. Kultgen confirmed that Ms. Huffsmith was a registered voter and lived within the

appropriate boundaries and the appointment would end with an election of a trustee in the

May election.

Ms. Huffsmith briefly explained her interest in being a trustee and past related volunteer

experience.

Motion: Ellen Feaver moved to appoint Kristina Huffsmith to the vacant High School Trustee

position. Joe Cohenour seconded.

Public Comment: None

The motion passed unanimously.

Betsy Baur arrived.

County Superintendent Katrina Chaney administered the oath of office.

b. Superintendent Report:

Dr. Kultgen explained a few bills at the legislature including a proposed change in

funding for the Digital Academy, the k-12 expansion bill, and the upcoming AA Caucus

meeting.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

There being no other topics for future meetings and no public comments on issues not on the

agenda, the meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Goldes, Chair

___________________________________________

Kim Harris, Clerk Date

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Ray Bjork Learning Center

1600 8th Avenue

Helena, Montana

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

5:30 p.m.


Goldes at the Ray Bjork Learning Center, 1600 8th

Avenue, Helena, Montana, at 5:30 p.m.


Libby Goldes

Cherche Prezeau

Aidan Myhre

Terry Beaver

Libbi Lovshin

Betsy Baur

Ellen Feaver

Kristina Huffsmith, Trustee for High School District


Taylor Blossom, Capital High School Representative

Madison McLaughlin, Helena High School Representative


Greg Upham, Assistant Superintendent of Schools


Barb Ridgway, Staff & Student Services Administrator

Joslyn Davidson, Curriculum Administrator

Pat Boles, Technology Administrator - excused

Jim Opitz, Activities Administrator - excused

John Carter, Director of Support Services - excused

Bill Rasor, Personnel Service Administrator

Lisa Lowney, Special Education Services Administrator - excused

Fong Hom, Recording Secretary

GUESTS

Bob Brigham, Chere Jiusto, Christine Brown, Karen Reese, Kati Seliskar, Kevin C., Darryl

James, Jan Lombardi, Lisa Cordingley

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I. CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance Chair Goldes called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m., and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chair Goldes introduced Kristina Huffsmith as the new high school trustee, representing

the Canyon Creek/Wolf Creek area.

II. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

Christine Brown, 220 Wallace Street, talked about the petition by Central School

supporters to reopen Central School.

Chere Jiusto, 4529 Union Hill Road, talked about the research that she had done on the

costs of repairs to Central School and what was needed to reopen the facility.

Adam Eslahpazir, 1974 Orofino Gulch, felt that the Board was making a gamble in the

50-year vision that the community would never see the fruition. Small neighborhood

schools were the way to go.

Darby Bramble, 708 North Warren Street, commented on the idea that she had heard of

dividing up the Central School students, dividing up grades, and dividing up the schools

in the community. She said that when looking at the greater community of the Helena

School District, this would not only be disastrous in the Central School neighborhood

area, but it also would negatively impact other schools having these displaced children

coming into the community, and leaving their safe environment.

Bob Brigham, 1101 Woodbridge, said that one of the things that had been so frustrating

about seeing this process play out concurrently with everything else that was going on in

the district was that there seems to be contempt for representing democracy and when the

entire community keeps saying, dont close our neighborhood schools, all of the plans for bonding were for Helena to pay for it and the county to get the benefits. And if urban

Helena was not taken care of by the Helena public school district, there was no chance

for East Helena to ever be taken care of. There were huge ramifications for continuing to

insist on closing neighborhood schools.

Jennifer McGee, 827 Fifth Avenue, said that it was disheartening to see plans for other

elementary schools and plans for Central School to put their children in modulars and

leave them at the location to what they refer to as the clink or just disperse them in four directions.

III. REVIEW OF AGENDA

None

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IV. BUSINESS:

A. ITEMS FOR ACTION (The Board of Trustees would accept Public Comment on the

following items):

a. Board Policies: (First reading on the following policies)

1. 3000 Equal Educational Opportunities

Barb Ridgway said that Policy 3000 was required by law and was about equal access

for all students to both activities and academics.

Public Comment

None

b. 2015-2016 School Calendar (First Reading)

Greg Upham gave a presentation on the 2015-2016 School Calendar. He said that the

final draft of the calendar would be brought to the Board in February.

c. Request for County Administration to Conduct Election

Dr. Kultgen discussed the complexity of conducting elections. He recommended that

the Board approve the County Administration to conduct school elections for both the

high school and the elementary elections.

Motion to approve the County Administration to conduct the High School

elections

Trustee Cohenour moved to allow the County Administration to conduct the high

school election. Trustee Prezeau seconded the motion.

Public Comment

Barbara Rush, 720 Holter, said that she was interested in how the county verifies

signatures. She doesnt think that the countys method of verification was very good. She said that she wonders about the security when the county just looks at signatures

to see if they were the same and allows a change of address card to be the verification

of a new signature as people get older and their signatures change.

Kim Harris said that signatures were verified by the county whether the county holds

an election or the school district holds them. She explained that in the last couple of

years, staff had to be certified by the Secretary of States Office to operate the ballot machines. Signature verification was done at the county by county personnel or by a

Secretary of State trained personnel on the county system. She noted that last year

there were quite a few more ballots that were put on hold waiting for signatures that

did not agree to the record. The reason she had this placed for the Boards consideration was that with the bond election, it was to the Boards benefit and advantage that there would not be a question about the security of the ballots, about

any of the process or procedures and compliance with the Secretary of State.

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Chair Goldes asked if this would cover all elections in the coming year or was this for

a specific election. Ms. Harris said that she talked with the Clerk and Recorder and it

would be for a bond election or any election for the next 12 months.

Vote


Motion to approve the County Administration to conduct the Elementary School

elections

Trustee Prezeau moved to approve the County Administration to conduct the elections

regarding the Elementary District; Trustee Lovshin seconded the motion.

Public Comment

Barbara Rush, 720 Holter, asked if the school levies would be run by the county.

Vote


d. CONSENT ACTION ITEMS

1. Minutes from the December 9, 2014 Board of Trustees Meeting 2. Minutes from the December 18, 2014 Board of Trustees Meeting

3. Approval of the December 2014 Warrants

4. Personnel Actions

5. Financials Year to Date July December, 2014

Dr. Kultgen noted that the date on the heading for the December 9, 2014 Board of

Trustees Meeting was incorrect.

Motion Trustee Cohenour moved to approve Consent Action Items 1 through 5, with the date

of the December 9, 2014, Board of Trustees Meeting corrected. Trustee Prezeau

seconded the motion.

Public Comment none

Vote The motion passed unanimously.

B. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

1. Accomplishments and Goals of the District

Dr. Kultgen gave a presentation on the Districts accomplishments and goals.

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Chair Goldes said that it was helpful to have these things laid out so that we have a

view of what the future would bring and how our accomplishments have led us to the

goals that we were intending to strive for.

C. REPORTS

1. Policy Committee Report

Trustee Cohenour said the committee had been working on four policies: 3060, 4025,

6000, and 6020. The committee also reviewed Policy 3070 for revisions. The next

meeting was scheduled for February 3.

2. Budget Committee Report

Trustee Lovshin said that the committee met and reviewed the finances and statistics

for PAL, Access to Success, and Adult Basic Education. The next meeting was

scheduled for February 6.

3. Health Benefits Committee Report

Trustee Feaver said that the committee had not met since their last meeting. This

committee was scheduled to meet January 29th

.

4. Community Advisory Committee Report

Dr. Kultgen said the committee met and discussed the school district facilities, and

more specifically, Central School. The committee wanted to make sure that the

Central School topic was fully vetted and that they have looked at all the options.

5. Facility Committee Report

Trustee Beaver said the committee met last week and he felt that they were getting

close to presenting something to Board. It was requested last week that the committee

came up with a third alternative for the resolution to Central School.

6. Helena Education Association Report

Jeff Cowee reported that HEA would hold bargaining on the 19th and 20th of March.

7. Montana School Boards Association Report

Trustee Cohenour said that due to bad weather, their January meeting was

rescheduled to February 23, 24, and 25. They had the AA Caucus meeting at noon on

Monday. He gave an update on the education bills in the Legislature.

8. Student Representatives Report Madison McLaughlin reported that Helena High student Claire Inman had received

early acceptance into the Air Force Academy, the Helena High administrators were

looking into the Tier Diploma, and registration for the next school year which begins

early February.

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Taylor Blossom reported on semester tests, the start of registration, the program

Elective of the Day, participation in the Star Math Benchmark, staff meeting on the

writing assessments, Mr. Murphys students winning the Verizon App Contest, working on the textbook protocols, and the Robotics Club winning a grant from the

Montana Masons.

There was a discussion about weighted GPAs and class ranking.

9. Superintendents Report Dr. Kultgen discussed the four areas of concern with Senate Bill 107 and the impact

to the school district if East Helena were to build their own high school facility. Dr.

Kultgen said that SB107 had a lot of traction because of the local control issue and

school choice. He encouraged members of the Board to attend the hearing on SB107

before the Senate Education Committee on Monday at 3:00 p.m.

Question from the Public A member of the public asked if there had been information given out through social

media. Dr. Kultgen said that no, but in working with East Helena, it was a matter of

giving them a choice.

VI. ADJOURNMENT





___________________________________________


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Jefferson Elementary School

1023 Broadway

Helena, Montana

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

4:00 p.m.


Goldes at the Jefferson Elementary School, 1023 Broadway, Helena, Montana, at 4:00 p.m.


Libby Goldes

Cherche Prezeau

Aidan Myhre - Excused

Terry Beaver

Libbi Lovshin

Betsy Baur

Ellen Feaver

Kristina Huffsmith, Trustee for High School District - excused



Greg Upham, Assistant Superintendent of Schools


Barb Ridgway, Staff & Student Services Administrator

Joslyn Davidson, Curriculum Administrator

Pat Boles, Technology Administrator - Excused

Jim Opitz, Activities Administrator - Excused

John Carter, Director of Support Services

Bill Rasor, Personnel Service Administrator - Excused

Lisa Lowney, Special Education Services Administrator

Fong Hom, Recording Secretary - Excused

GUESTS

Jeff Cowee, Lona Carter-Scanlon, faculty, staff and students of Jefferson Elementary

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Helena Public Schools foster dynamic educational experiences that prepare all students for life.

I. CALL TO ORDER Pledge of Allegiance Chair Goldes called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm., and joined the Jefferson Elementary

student choir in the Pledge of Allegiance.

II. REVIEW OF AGENDA

None

III. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT

None

IV. JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRESENTATION

Principal Carter-Scanlon introduced the staff from Jefferson school and reviewed information on the

facilities, acreage, square footage, age, and facility improvements by year. The school mission,

guiding principles, and universal rules that had been adopted in the past were covered. The staff FTE

and years of experience were graphically presented. Student statistics were reported and included the

number of students, gender, poverty percentage, at risk and those who received other special services,

race, numbers receiving special services including gifted, and those with health care plans. Most of

the students lived within the Jefferson boundaries; and others who attended from out-of-district,

attended because of the proximity of the state capitol complex. Most students walked or arrived by

car (about evenly split). Ms. Carter Scanlon covered the attendance and tardy rate percentages for

the current and previous year. The final statistic provided was the mobility numbers.

Achievement was the next major topic of the report. The achievement of students by percentages

was compared to district standards (benchmark, strategic and intensive) in math and reading. The

new English Language Arts curriculum, with the adoption and implementation of the new materials,

was expected to improve the scores in the future. The SuccessMaker (a self-paced math computer)

program for students who were not at benchmark had demonstrated significant improvement by the

student in all grades.

The presentation concluded with a listing of academic and facility challenges as well as the

impact of the at-risk populations on education at Jefferson. The facility weaknesses included

heating, space needs, technology, gym, playground and parking size. The music and art programs

were explained.

The trustees asked about the home visit program in relation to the at-risk students. Educators

explained that the program made the first day easier for the student and parent and increased the

relationship between the teacher and parents. Educators reported that some parents chose to meet

elsewhere but did meet with the teacher. The keyboarding pilot class was explained. The

advantages/disadvantages of keyboarding in relation to testing on computers had resulted with the

last Smarter Balance testing. Keyboarding was preferred over cursive writing instruction. Both the

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Professional Learning Communities positive and negative aspects were discussed by classroom

and specialist teachers.

V. BUSINESS A. Items for information

Legislative report: Joe Cohenour reported that the Republican caucus had placed SB 107 as a

priority. Dr. Kultgen stated that the bill had an impact on the operations of the Helena Public

School District #1 through the bonding, asset division, and taxing provisions. Joe Cohenour

updated the trustees that legislative information was provided by MTSBA as well as other

groups.

Dr. Kultgen reported that the scenarios requested by the facilities committee would be prepared in

draft to trustees and would be refined after their input. Current events dates were reviewed. The

progress of the middle school English teachers suing the PLC process was reviewed.

Administration was working on streamlining the PLC process to make it work for teachers and to

improve the process.

VI. ADJOURNMENT





___________________________________________


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PERSONNEL ACTIONS

January 14, 2014 February 10, 2015

CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL

Appointments

Name Effective Location/Assignment Salary

Dobyns, Lacey 02/20/2015 HMS/Resource Teacher $196.38/day*

Ford, Michelle 01/26/2015 Fort Harrison/Starbase Teacher $18,460.31/yr.*

Melcher, Jill 02/19/2015 HMS/Librarian $206.97/day*

OMalley, Jamie 01/26/2015 Fort Harrison/Starbase/Teacher $24,626.51/yr.* Richem, Karen 02/25/2015 CHS/Resource Teacher $196.38/day*

*Temporary Contract: Contract expires 6/11/2015 or upon the

return of the regular classroom teacher or administrator, whichever occurs first.

Terminations

Name Effective Location/Assignment Reason

Bristow, Susan 6/10/2015 Rossiter/Grade 4 Retirement

Chaffee, Julie A 6/11/2015 HHS/Nurse Retirement

Downhour, Vicki 6/11/2015 HHS/Math Retirement

Driessen, LuAnn 6/10/2015 HMS/Nurse Retirement

Erickson, Janet M 6/10/2015 HMS/Health-PE Retirement

Goyins, Kellie 6/10/2016 Warren/Grade 5 Retirement

Grassl, Patricia 6/10/2016 Jefferson/School Psychologist Retirement

Gray, William 6/10/2015 Jim Darcy/Health-PE Retirement

Holmes, Harold 6/11/2015 HHS/Industrial Arts-Drafting Retirement

Hurley, Patrick 6/10/2016 CHS/Health-PE Retirement

Johnson, Deborah 6/10/2015 Central/Montessori Retirement

Lustgraaf, Joy 6/11/2015 HHS/Math Retirement

Messmer, Elaine 6/10/2015 Bryant/Grade 2 Retirement

Meyer, Joan 6/11/2015 CHS/Library Retirement

Pederson, Julieta 6/11/2015 HHS/Spanish Retirement

Rieley, Mary 6/10/2015 CRA/English Retirement

Rillihan, Karen 6/15/2016 CRA/Geography Retirement

Schulz, James 6/11/2015 HHS/Science Retirement

Seitz, Mary 6/10/2015 Jefferson/Health-PE Retirement

Seitz, Richard 6/11/2015 HHS/Math Retirement

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CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL

Appointments

Name Effective Location/Assignment Salary

Cook, Sandra 01/16/2015 Central-Linc/SACC Para Educator $11.94/hr.

Franco, Richard 01/01/2015 MBC/Health Benefits Manager $40,154/yr

Kloker, Maureen 01/01/2015 MBC/Personnel Assistant $16.76/hr.

Lawson, Devon 01/26/2015 Exploration Works/p-t Ed. Liaison $17.32/hr.

Terry, Brenda 03/02/2015 Hawthorne/p-t Para Educator $9.81/hr.

*Temporary Assignment

Terminations

Name Effective Location/Assignment Reason

Balcken, Lauren 02/10/2015 Central/Para Educator Personal

Dayton, Paulette 06/10/2015 Four Georgians/Para Educator Retirement

Lamping, Beth 06/10/2015 Four Georgians/Para Educator Retirement

Opitz, Patty 02/13/2015 HHS/Career Center Resource Asst. Personal

Radke, Patricia 02/16/2015 Kessler/SACC Site Manager Retirement

Werner, Mary 02/13/2015 Kessler/Para Educator Retirement

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Helena Public Schools Sabbatical Leaves for 2015-2016

BACKGROUND:

The New Professionalism Committee has met and reviewed applications for sabbatical leaves for the 2015-

2016 school year. The committee recommends the approval of a one semester, full-pay sabbatical for

Colette Ozburn, Helena High educator, and a semester, full-pay sabbatical for Don Pogreba, Helena High

School educator.

Below is a brief description of each applicants plans. Their complete applications are on file at the May Butler Center.

Colette Ozburn, Helena High School Educator:

Colette is a Helena High Social Studies teacher. The purpose of her sabbatical is to complete 400-500 of the

required 600 hours of internship for a Master of Education degree in Counselor Education through MSU-

Northern. She plans to complete 100 hours interning in the HHS Counseling Office this spring and another

100-200 hours in the spring of 2016. She also plans to intern at the middle school level.

Don Pogreba, Helena High School Art Educator:

Don is a Helena High English teacher. The purpose of his sabbatical is to take a college course on the study

of rhetoric, construct a web site focused on AP Language and Composition materials, begin the process of

writing a book on AP Language, and prepare PIR workshops and materials to be delivered through the

District professional development program.

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february 10 board of trustees meeting

Documents

school calendar

superintendents report

calendar committee

policy committee report

facility committee report

budget committee report

adjournment p

board policies