The Trustees of Whitefish School District No. 44 and High School met in regular session on May 11, 2004 in the Whitefish High School Library.

 

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

 

Members Absent:          None.

 

Officials Present:           Superintendent Jerry House, District Clerk Danelle Reisch and student representative Mike McCoy.

 

Call to Order

Chairperson Maetzold called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

 

Annual Organization of the Board

Chairperson Maetzold recognized David Kauffman for his service to the board. 

 

County Superintendent of Schools Donna Maddux administered the oath of office to newly elected trustees Pat Jarvi and Amy Eddy.  Amy Eddy was seated at the board table.

 

District Clerk Reisch requested nominations for Chairperson of the Board.  Pat Jarvi nominated Linda Maetzold as board chairperson.  The motion was seconded by Dave Fern and carried unanimously.

 

Chairperson Maetzold requested nominations for vice-chairperson of the Board.  Dave Fern nominated Pat Jarvi as vice-chairperson.  Doug Rhodes seconded the nomination and it carried unanimously.

 

Phil Mitchell moved to reappoint Danelle Reisch District Clerk for the 2004-05 year.  Brian Lauterbach seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

Review and Revision of the Agenda

The Central School Bidding Approval was moved to the Superintendent’s report from an action item.

 

Public Comment

Kenneth Topliff addressed the board regarding an incident involving his son, complaining about a lack of disciplinary action to the students involved.

 

Minutes

Chairperson Maetzold requested comments and changes to the minutes of the April 13 regular meeting, and the April 27 work session.  Dave Fern moved to approve the minutes of the meetings as presented.  Pat Jarvi seconded the motion and it carried unanimously

 

Correspondence to the Board

The trustees received a letter from Don and Judy Spivey applauding the board’s decision to conduct an open search for the high school principal’s position..

 

District Program

Technology Coordinator Chris Deister provided information to the trustees about the 8th grade history trip, and data warehousing.  He also explained the computer and technology replacement schedule, internet service provider changes, teacher training, and provided an update on the adult education program.

 

Whitefish CARE Coordinator Brandee Tyree provided a summary of CARE activities for the year including the parenting seminar, senior wall, and spirit assembly.

 
Administrative Staff Reports

District Clerk Reisch presented the following reports for discussion:

·         Elementary and High School Expenditure Reports

·         Elementary and High School Revenue Reports

·         Quarterly report of all funds

·         Cash Flow Report

·         Student Activity Account Ledger Reports

·         Building Fund Cash Flow Report

·         Central School Construction Budget Report

 

Superintendent House presented information on the following:

·         Central School Construction Update

·         Student Council Project- Student Representative Mark McCoy provided information about the outdoor classroom developed by the student council

·         District Newsletter

 

Action Items

 

Bills and Payroll

Pat Jarvi moved to approve payment of April payroll warrants, 8444-8635 for $744,500.00 and April accounts payable warrants, 17677-17916 for $342,099.83.  Dave Fern seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

8th Grade Science – Instructional Materials Adoption

Dave Fern moved to adopt the 8th grade Science Materials as presented at the April work session.  Brian Lauterbach seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

7th-12th Grade Vocational Technical Instructional Materials Adoption

Pat Jarvi moved to adopt the 7-12th grade Vocational Technical Instructional Materials as presented at the April work session.  Amy Eddy seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

Student Handbook Approval

Muldown

Dave Fern moved to accept the Muldown handbook as presented.  Phil Mitchell seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

Central School

Phil Mitchell moved to accept the Central School handbook as presented.  Pat Jarvi seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

Whitefish Independent High School

Amy Eddy moved to accept the Whitefish Independent High School handbook as presented.  Brian Lauterbach seconded the motion and it carried 6-1 with Phil Mitchell opposed.

 

Whitefish High School

Kristin Lucke, Whitefish High School student body vice-president addressed the board regarding students’ freedom of expression regarding hair color.

 

Blake Battle, Whitefish High School senior addressed the board regarding the hair policy, encouraging the board to maintain the current policy.

 

Kenneth Topliff addressed the board urging them to maintain high standards.

 

Daniel Fern expressed his view that hair color doesn’t necessarily affect student achievement.

 

Whitefish High School Assistant Principal Kent Paulson requested approval of hair language like the language in the approved Central School handbook.

 

Discussion followed regarding the desires of the administration, staff and students and potential legal consequences of hair language.

 

Phil Mitchell moved to accept the high school recommendation for the student handbook, except to change the hair language to the same language as Central School: “Unnatural hair colors and styles do detract from the educational setting and will not be allowed.”  Brian Lauterbach seconded the motion and it carried 5-2 with Mitchell, Jarvi, Maetzold, Lauterbach, and Eddy in favor; and Rhodes and Fern opposed.

 

Whitefish High School Activities Handbook

Dave Fern moved to accept the activities handbook as presented.  Brian Lauterbach seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

Flathead Crossroads Interlocal Agreement

Superintendent House requested approval of the interlocal agreement with Flathead Crossroads for the 2004-05 year. Phil Mitchell moved to approve the interlocal agreement with Flathead Crossroads for 2004-05.  Amy Eddy seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

Muldown Bond Refund

District Clerk requested approval of the Bond Resolution refunding the 1997 Muldown Bond issue.  The net present value savings to the district taxpayers is $87,164.39.  Phil Mitchell moved to approve the Muldown Bond Refunding Resolution as presented.  Pat Jarvi seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

Consent Agenda

 

Resignations

Superintendent House recommended approval of the following resignations:

·         Mike Caldwell – WHS JV Girls’ Basketball Coach

·          

Personnel Hiring

Superintendent House recommended hiring the following:

·         Laurie Cullen – WHS leave replacement for Kim Schneider

·         James Bullitt – WHS Assistant JV Soccer Coach

·         Kent Paulson – WHS High School Principal

 

Non-Resident Student Admission

·         Superintendent House recommended admission of 22 students currently enrolled for the 2004-05 school year.

 

Dave Fern moved to accept the consent agenda as presented.  Pat Jarvi seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

Adjourn

At 10:22 p.m. Brian Lauterbach moved to adjourn the meeting. Dave Fern seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.

 

 

 

                                                                        6-8-04                                     

Chairperson of the Board                                    Date                

 

 

 

                                                                        6-8-04                          

Attest:  Clerk to the Board                                  Date