The Trustees of Whitefish School District No. 44 and High School met for a work session on May 24, 2005 in the Whitefish High School Library.

Members Present: Chairperson Dave Fern, Pat Jarvi, Doug Rhodes, Amy Eddy, Phil Mitchell, Eric Hosek, and Brian Lauterbach.

Members Absent: None.

Officials Present: Superintendent Jerry House, District Clerk Danelle Reisch and Student Representative Steven Clark.

Call to Order-Special Meeting

Chairperson Fern called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Review and Revision of the Agenda

There were no changes.

Public Comment

There was none.

WHS Softball Program

Superintendent House introduced Barb Barker who addressed the board regarding the Whitefish High School softball program. For the last nine years, the program has been sanctioned by the district, but not funded. She provided budget information and requested $5,000 financial assistance for the 2007 year, for the transportation costs to start contributing to the program. Dave Dachs addressed the board requesting funding assistance. Tom Hodges informed the board of the scholarship opportunities available for women’s softball players and encouraged the board to support the program.

Fulbright Exchange

Superintendent House presented information relating to an exchange between WHS English teacher Beth Beaulieu and a teacher from the Czech Republic. High School Principal Kent Paulson endorsed the exchange teacher based on a telephone interview with the exchange teacher. Formal approval of the exchange will be placed on the June business agenda.

WHS Reading Intervention Program

Curriculum Coordinator Bobbie Barrett, WHS Principal Kent Paulson, and Special Services Director Dave Means presented information about a new reading intervention program at the high school designed to students who are not reading at grade level. The program includes two levels: two classes of ninth grade English with reading strategies as a focus for struggling readers; and intensive corrective reading for non-functional readers. The program will be place on the June agenda for action.

Whitefish School District Education Foundation

Amy Eddy provided background about the relationship between the Whitefish School District Education Foundation and the Whitefish Community Foundation. The Whitefish Education Foundation advisory board originally opted to be a part of the Community Foundation. She shared that the advisory board of the Whitefish School District Education Foundation recently agreed to establish its own non-profit status separate from the Whitefish Community Foundation because a change in philosophy of the Community Foundation does not fit well with the goals of the Whitefish Education Foundation.

Policy Review

The following policies will be on the June board meeting for second reading and adoption:

· Policy 2160, 2160P – Title I Parent Involvement

· Policy 3300, 3300P, 3300F – Suspension and Expulsion

· Policy 3630 – Cell Phones and Other Electronic Equipment

Request for Change of Meeting Date

Superintendent House requested changing the June business meeting date because he will be attending the School Administrators Conference in Helena during the regular meeting date. The June meeting will be held Tuesday, June 7.

WHS Construction Project

Superintendent House provided information about adding classroom space with some remodeling at Whitefish High School. The project will allow more space for art classes, a reading classroom, an additional math classroom, as well as additional space for special education.

Food Service – Price Increase Request

Superintendent House presented Food Service Supervisor Judi Darner’s request for an increase of $.25 in lunch and breakfast prices. The increases are necessary to continue to meet the expenses of the food service program. The request will be placed on the June agenda for action.

Adjourn

Pat Jarvi moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 p.m. Doug Rhodes seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

6/7/05

Chairperson of the Board Date

6/7/05

Attest: Clerk to the Board Date