BOARD OF TRUSTEES SCHOOL DISTRICT #6 The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of School District Six was held at 6:00 P.M., Monday, April 11, 2016, in the Boardroom of the administration offices at 501 Sixth Avenue West, Columbia Falls, Montana. PRESENT: Jill Rocksund... Board Chair In at 7:11 p.m. Dean Chisholm... Vice Chair Barbara Riley... Trustee via telephone Larry Wilson... Trustee Jim Henjum... Trustee Gail Pauley... Trustee Lyle Mitchell... Trustee Scott Emmerich... Trustee Steven Bradshaw... Superintendent of Schools Dustin Zuffelato... Business Manager/Clerk CALL TO ORDER Larry Wilson called the meeting to order at 6:06 P.M. Vice Chair Chisholm in at 6:07 P.M. APPROVE AGENDA APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA REPORTS: Superintendent Steve Bradshaw requested consideration of an Early Retirement Incentive Program under item 7. Motion by Emmerich, second by Pauley, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion passed 6-1. No-Wilson Motion by Mitchell, second by Emmerich, to approve the consent agenda as presented: -Approve the March 7, 2016 Regular Board Meeting Minutes. -Approve March bills. -Approve student activity account transfers. -Approve investment reports. Passed 7-0 Reports: Dave Wick, Elementary Education Director, provided the Board with a written report. Scott Gaiser, High School Principal, provided the Board with a written report. Dustin Zuffelato, Business Manager/Clerk, provided the Board with a written report. Trustee Barbara Riley updated the Board about the recent proceedings of the National School Board Association (NSBA) and the Montana School Board Association (MTS- BA).
PAGE 2 Superintendent Steven Bradshaw provided the Board with a written report. Vice Chair Chisholm informed the Board that Bill Dakin, President of the Columbia Falls High School Academic Endowment wrote a letter to the Board advocating for the District s participation and financial support for the state science fair. Vice Chair Chisholm informed the Board that Michele Goodman addressed correspondence to the Board regarding the basketball program. Vice Chair Chisholm informed the Board that the Office of Public Instruction reviewed the accreditation status of the District and found no deviations. Public Participation: High School Student body representative Sadie Panasuk presented the recent proceeding of the Student Council. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: Head Swim Coach Mike Nelson presented a recap of the 2015/16 swim team season. Thirty-two students participated on the four teams (Whitefish/Columbia Falls girls/ boys) as compared to twenty one in the inaugural year of this program. Coach Nelson requested a three-year commitment to operate this program during the 2016/17, 2017/18, and 2018/19 school year. Superintendent Bradshaw recommended a one-year agreement due to concerns with the possibility of Coach Nelson relocating out of state and difficulty to raise funds to fully support this self-funded program. Trustee Wilson noted that he is not concerned with a long-term agreement as the Board can terminate the agreement at any time if the swim club violates the terms of raising the funds necessary to operate the program. Motion by Wilson, second by Pauley, to approve the Memorandum of Agreement to establish a Montana High School Association sanctioned swim team for school years 2016/17, 2017/18, and 2018/19. Passed 7-0 Chair Rocksund requested public participation on any agenda or non-agenda items. There was no additional public participation. MOTION TO APPROVE MOA OF MHSA SANCTION SWIM TEAM FOR SY 2016-17, 2017-18, AND 2018-19 Action/Discussed Items: Dustin Zuffelato, Business Manager/Clerk, presented the fiscal year 2015 Audit Report. Mr. Zuffelato reviewed the financial statements. Net assets were diminished to a negative $1,645,756 due primarily from implementation of Governmental Accounting Standards Board pronouncement 68 and 71. The implementation of these standards requires governments to calculate and report the cost and obligations associated with the teacher s retirement pension (TRS) and the public employer s pension (MPERA). Total revenue of $23,751,694 was generated from 61% state/federal funds and 39% local property taxes. Mr. Zuffelato noted that there were no internal control deficiencies or compliance and other matters reported. Motion by Wilson, second by Emmerich, to accept the audit report for fiscal year 2015. Passed 7-0. ACTION / DISCUSSION ITEMS: MOTION TO ACCEPT AUDIT REPORT FOR 2015.
PAGE 3 MOTION TO APROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LEAVITT GROUP CANYON ELEMEN- TARY BUILDING USE AGREEMENTS WITH CANYON BAPTIST CHURCH FOR 2016-17 AND FLATHEAD CITY- COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Chair Rocksund in at 7:11 p.m. The Board considered the Health Insurance Committee recommendation of contracting the Leavitt Group as a broker/consultant for the self-insured health program. Dustin Zuffelato, Business Manager/Clerk, noted that the Committee requested proposals from two companies (1) PayneWest Insurance (2) Leavitt Group. The Committee reviewed the proposals and conducted interviews on March 23, 2016. The Committee is recommending the Leavitt Group based primarily on their experience and focus on self-funded insurance programs and cost transparency. The contract term is for one year. Motion by Riley, second by Wilson, to approve the professional services agreement with Leavitt Group. Passed 8-0 The Board considered building use agreements for the Canyon Elementary School. The Canyon Baptist Church has requested to renew their rental agreement for 2016/17 to conduct a children s ministry, a weekly activity night, and a summer lunch program. The Flathead County City-Health Department requested use of the general office and former Principal and Nurse Offices one day per week to conduct a health clinic to serve the community. Motion by Pauley, second by Emmerich, to approve the Canyon Elementary Building Use Agreement with Canyon Baptist Church for 2016/17. Passed 8-0 Motion by Mitchell, second by Emmerich, to approve the Canyon Elementary Building Use Agreement with Flathead City-County Health Department. Passed 8-0 MT INTERQUEST DETECTION CANINES SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR 2016-17 The Board considered the procurement of detection canine services for school year 2016/17. Motion by Wilson, second by Pauley, to approve the Montana Interquest Detection Canines service agreement for 2016/17. Passed 8-0 SY 2016-17 CALENDAR DISCUSSED MTSBA RESOLUTIONS FOR 2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION The Board considered the calendar for school year 2016/17. Superintendent Bradshaw noted that the proposed calendars include extra professional in service days before school starts to facilitate training for the new school information system (Infinite Campus). Vice Chair Chisholm expressed concern with the calendar proposal that has students attending school during Martin Luther King Day. Motion by Pauley, second by Henjum, to approve the calendar committee recommended 2016/17 school calendar version which includes a pupil instruction day being conducted on Martin Luther King Day. Passed 6-2. No-Chisholm and Riley. Superintendent Steve Bradshaw informed the Board that consideration of the Montana School Board Association resolutions for the 2017 legislative session was placed on the agenda just in case the Board wanted to discuss any of the resolutions during a formal Board Meeting. Mr. Bradshaw noted that it was his understanding that other School Districts were reviewing these proposals as a group during a Board Meeting. Board consensus was that no action or discussion was necessary. Individual Board members could provide input but it is unnecessary to utilize the limited time during a Board Meeting to make the considerations.
PAGE 4 The Board considered an Early Retirement Incentive Program. Superintendent Bradshaw acknowledged that this item was not on the agenda and the School Board did not have ample time to review the details of the program. It is important for the Board to at least gauge the concern of this program so teachers can start contemplating if they will retire prior to the end of the school year. Mr. Bradshaw would like to roll the program out to the teaching staff in anticipation of final approval during a subsequent Board Meeting. Mr. Bradshaw described the details of the proposed Early Retirement Incentive Program. A minimum of twelve (12) certified staff members would be required to accept the program and agree to retire at the end of the current school year or the end of the next school year (2016/17). Eligible certified staff who elect to retire during the next two years will be provided with a benefit of $15,000. Vice Chair Chisholm informed the Board that 46 full time equivalents of approximately one-third of the staff are in the lower right portion of the salary schedule. This program would provide an incentive for a portion of this highly compensated staff to retire. Trustee Wilson noted that he values the level of service that these veteran teachers provide to the students and would rather see them continue to educate students as opposed to retire. Motion by Pauley, second by Chisholm, to approve the Early Retirement Incentive Program in concept, subject to final approval during the April 25, 2016 Work Session Meeting. Passed 6-2. No-Wilson and Mitchell. Personnel: Motion by Emmerich, second by Chisholm, to accept the following Elementary District retirements effective at the end of school year 2015/16: Rose Beranek-Library Paraeducator, Linda Sawtelle-Preschool Para-educator, and Chuck Perkins-Para-educator. Passed 7-0 Motion by Emmerich, second by Henjum, to accept the following Elementary District resignations: Cindy Kollenborn-Para-educator (at the end of school year 2015/16) and Libby Denman-Teacher. Passed 7-0 Motion by Pauley, second by Henjum, to accept the following High School/District-wide resignations: Tuck Lunday-Bus Driver and Carrielynn O Reilly-Teacher. Passed 8-0 Motion by Emmerich, second by Chisholm, to approve the Elementary District hiring recommendations of David Wanner-Special Education Para-educator and Megan Burns- Teacher. Passed 7-0 Motion by Pauley, second by Wilson, to approve the District-wide hiring recommendation of Jacoby Holte-Long Term Substitute. Passed 8-0 Motion by Wilson, second by Pauley, to approve the substitute hiring recommendations. Passed 8-0 EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM PERSONNEL: ACCEPT ELEM RETIREMENT OF R. BERANEK, L. SAWTELLE, AND C. PERKINS ACCEPT ELEM RESIGNATIONS OF C. KOLLENBORN ACCEPT HS/ DISTRICT WIDE RESIGNATIONS: T. LUNDAY, C. O'REILLY APPROVE ELEM HIRING APPROVE DISTRICT WIDE HIRING APPROVE DISTRICT WIDE SUBSTITUTE HIRING
PAGE 5 APPROVE ELEM NON-TENURED HIRING APPROVE HS NON-TENURED HIRING Motion by Wilson, second by Emmerich, to approve the Elementary District non-tenured teacher hiring recommendations as listed in attachment #1 for school year 2016/17. Passed 7-0 Motion by Pauley, second by Henjum, to approve the High School District non-tenured teacher hiring recommendations as listed in attachment #2 for school year 2016/17. Passed 8-0 MISC / FUTURE PLANNING: MEETING ADJOURNED Miscellaneous and Future Planning: Health Insurance Committee Meeting April 13, 2016 4:00 P.M. Negotiations Committee Meeting April 18, 2016 6:00 P.M. Health Insurance Committee Meeting(s) April 21-22, 2016 Work Session Meeting April 25, 2016 6:00 P.M. As there was no further business to come before the Board, Chair Rocksund adjourned the meeting at 8:19 P.M. Board Chair Business Manager/Clerk
Attachment 1 April 11, 2016 Page 6
Attachment 2 April 11, 2016 Page 7