The Trustees of Whitefish School District No. 44 and High School met in regular session on October 13, 2009 in the District Board Meeting Room.
Members Present: Chairperson Pat Jarvi, Dave Fern, Brian McDowell, Mike Ferda, and Ruth Harrison.
Members Absent: Eric Hosek and Shannon Hanson.
Officials Present: Superintendent Jerry House and District Clerk Danelle Reisch.
Call to Order
Chairperson Jarvi called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Review and Revision of the Agenda
There were no changes.
Public Comment
Minutes
Chairperson Jarvi requested comments and changes to the minutes of the September 8 meeting, and the September 22 work session. Ruth Harrison moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Brian McDowell seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Administrative Staff Reports
District Clerk Reisch presented the following reports for discussion:
- Elementary and High School Expenditure Reports - September
- Elementary and High School Revenue Reports – September
- General Fund Cash Flow Report – August
- Student Activity Cash Flow Report – August
- Student Activity Fund Ledger Report - August
Superintendent House presented information on the following:
- Student Representative Katie McGunagle’s Report
- Grading Scale – student survey
- Summer maintenance report-Superintendent House commended Maintenance Supervisor Ron Thompson for his summer accomplishments
- District Fund Raising
- Board Self-Evaluation Instrument
- School Board Visitation Day – the day will be coordinated some time the last week of January
- Enrollment
Action Items
Board Policy Revisions – First Reading
- Policy 1010, Code of Ethics for School Board Members – Ruth Harrison rewrote the current policy incorporating MTSBA’s policy recommendations.
Dave Fern moved to approve the revisions to Policy 1010 on first reading with minor changes. Mike Ferda seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
- Policy 6150, Administrative Vacancies
Mike Ferda moved to approve Policy 6150 on first reading as presented. Brian McDowell seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
E-Mail Addresses
Superintendent House requested approval to established district e-mail addresses for the board members, instead of using personal e-mail addresses for district business.
Dave Fern moved to approve district e-mail addresses for board members. Ruth Harrison seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Board Meeting Video Taping
Technology Director Chris Deister presented an estimate of the cost of videotaping the board meetings. The estimated cost for equipment necessary to video the meetings is $8,015. The item died for lack of a motion.
Project Manager Fees
Superintendent House recommended approval of a draft contract with Steeplechase Development Advisors to lead the district through a Whitefish High School bond election. The contract price for Phase I, II and III is $310,000 with the Phases identified as follows:
- Phase I – Discovery and Visioning,$120,000
- Phase II – Initial Design and Cost Estimation,$120,000
- Phase III – High School Bond Election Campaign, $70,000
Bayard Dominick and Christopher Kelsey of Steeplechase Development Advisors were present to answer questions. Dave Fern moved to approve the Scope of Services with Steeplechase Development Advisors as presented. Ruth Harrison seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Consent Agenda
Bills and Payroll
District Clerk Reisch requested approval of the payment of the following bills and payroll for September:
- Payroll – Warrants 105396-105511 for $1,224,552.27
- Accounts payable - Warrants 30653-30872 for $403,913.82
WHS Orchestra Accounts
District Clerk Reisch requested approval of the following Student Activity Fund accounts for the orchestra program:
- HS Orchestra – to account for fundraising activities of the Orchestra program
- Orchestra Resale – to account for items purchased and resold to students, i.e books, strings, rosin, etc.
- Orchestra Equipment – to account for donations and fundraising specifically dedicated to new equipment purchases
- Orchestra Equipment Rental – to account for rental and repair of district-owned instruments
WHS Environmental Club Account
District Clerk Reisch requested approval of a Student Activity Fund account for the WHS Environmental Club.
Personnel – Hire
Superintendent House recommended approval of the following hire:
- Brendan Hardy – District Technology Specialist
- Doug Wehrli – WHS Boy’s JV Basketball Coach
- Kathleen DeMarco – Muldown Special Education Aide
Personnel – Resignations
Superintendent House recommended approval of the following resignations:
- Kathy Cummings – WHS Boys’ Tennis Coach
Mike Ferda moved to approve the consent agenda as presented. Ruth Harrison seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Adjourn
At 8:43 p.m. Dave Fern moved to adjourn the meeting. Mike Ferda seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.