Roundup School Board Minutes

MINUTES OF REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 17, 2023 SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. SSH - HIGH SCHOOL

The Trustees of School District No. SSH, Musselshell County, Roundup, Montana met for their regular board meeting on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the District Office. Trustees present included Chairperson Vandeberg, Vice-Chairperson Brewer, Snook, Bedford, and Serrano. Administrators in attendance were Elementary Principal Griffith, Superintendent Mayfield, and Clerk Eiselein. Principal Larson was not present at this meeting. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and the meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairperson Vandeberg.

Guests present were Emily Shoup, Diane Stundon, Kenny Davis, Sharon McLeod, Sabrina Lemons, Clint Pedrazzi, Angie Mozqueda, Adam Toombs, Emily Toombs, Amy Jones, Stacey Mihalovich, Alicia Godfrey, Bonnie Turner, and Dan Main.

Via Google Meet: No one present.

Consent Agenda

Without objection, the minutes of the regular board meeting held on March 13, 2023, were approved as written.

Without objection, Claims, Supplemental Claims, Payroll and Activities in the month of April were approved.

McCleary Distributing did not submit an April fuel bid for review and approval.

The order of agenda was approved without changes or amendments.

Correspondence received was a letter by an individual who wanted Chairperson Vandeberg to read the letter as public comment. This letter was emailed to all Board members. Said individual was not present at this meeting, so Chairperson Vandeberg decided against reading this as public comment at this time.

Public Comment

Stacey Mihalovich reported students can compete in a spelling bee each year up through 8th grade. Currently, Roundup students compete through 6th grade. Emily Toombs, 6th grader, was present and expressed interest in competing in junior high. Discussion was held, and the Board decided to keep working on allowing students to compete in the yearly spelling bee through 8th grade.

Dan Main again reiterated his concern with how many certified staff members have resigned this school year and continuing concern the school will not be able to fill these positions. Mr. Main asked the Board what they are doing to address the reasons for these resignations and asked the Board what is being done to fill these positions? Discussion was held. Superintendent Mayfield responded to Mr. Main's concerns.

Angie Mozqueda thanked the Board for allowing her to post flyers and reported she wished the Board would implement the 4-day school week for the 2023-24 year. She continued stating most poll data reports the majority of people are in favor of the 4-day school week.

Sabrina Lemons reported she has subbed in schools this year, and she discussed the overall lack of respect she has been given by the students as well as overall poor student behaviors in our district. Ms. Lemons stated her views of the 4-day school week as well. Trustee Snook stated he volunteers at the elementaiy, and students are very respectful to him.

Angie Mozqueda asked the Board if they are working on security for the school, and the Chairperson Vandeberg reported yes.

Stacey Mihalovich reported both 6th grade classes went to Yellowstone and had an awesome time.

Superintendent's Report

Superintendent Mayfield discussed the following items:

Drivers Education - We will be posting for a driver's education instructor for summer sessions. We have reached out to one possible candidate, and we are waiting to hear back. We will have more details about summer sessions, once we have an update on an educator.

All-Staff Meeting - RPS staff met on April 5th from 8am to 11:30AM for an all staff meeting prior to the spring break. The meeting was productive and collaborative. Attached is a copy of the agenda. Discussion was held.

Negotiations - We have conducted the second meeting with RSEA, where we received their proposals. We will work to schedule another meeting shortly. We received our latest Health Benefits quote, and that is reflecting a 6% increase.

High School Principal - Om candidate for the high school principal position declined the contract. Their family made some changes and he felt he couldn't give enough to the position commuting from Billings. Have another candidate looking to interview this week.

Roundup School Board

Minutes

Future Agenda Items -Anything for the May meeting.

Unforeseen Items to Report - Unforeseen will be presented at this time.

Insurance Offering for Staff-Adding a higher deductible plan, and removing a traditional plan that staff are not choosing. Trying to keep premiums down.

Old Business

Board Goals for 2022-23

Community Center - Pool Area, Wrestling Facility, Daycare

School Housing

School Safety Communication Platform and Anonymous Reporting Procedure

Personnel Management System and Online Application Portal

District-wide Discipline Matrix and Procedures~Superintendent Mayfield reported during our all-staff meeting last week, staff discussed a new Discipline Matrix to add to the student handbook. It is attached for your review.

Athletic Engagement and Operating Procedures (Review of Procedures and Handbooks)

Four-Day School Week (added)~Superintendent Mayfield reported we have conducted a staff survey, community forum, and community survey. Preliminary community survey results are attached, and the updated results will be provided at the meeting.

Balanced Instructional Hours in Both Buildings

Elementary Increased by 12 Minutes

Junior High - 6 Minutes

High School - 3 Minutes

Current Year

Elementary- Went 11.5 Day over State Requirement

Junior High- Went 13.5 Days over State Requirement

High School- Went 14.75 Days over State Requirement

Proposal-All Schools will go 3.92 Days over Requirement

Proposal - Days of School

Student Days - 165

Teacher Days - 174 (9 PIR days)

Teacher Collaboration Days - 4 Early Out Days Teachers will stay until 2PM

Bus Order to possibly change to HS first at the end of the day

Discussion was held. Emily Shoup asked if the bus drivers were involved in this discussion? Ms. Shoup asked the Board to please involve them in future discussions.

Upon motion by Serrano , seconded by Brewer, it was ordered to approve the presented calendar for the 2023-24 school year. A copy is attached hereto. Trustee Bedford asked what the biggest disadvantage of going to a 4-day would be at this point? Trustee Serrano stated the Board needs to take time to be able to complete the checklist from MTSBA in order to successfully transition to a 4-day school week. Trustee Bedford stated he personally wanted to see the 4-day school week implemented for the 2023-24 school year. Emily Shoup reported concerns over the long two week break at Christmas and losing extra days (snow days), and discussion continued. Trustee Brewer stated it is the parent's responsibility to make sure their child is in school and receives an education. Angie Mozqueda stated she has concerns with the shortened intervention days.

Passed 5-0

New Business

Personnel

Superintendent Mayfield reported he received a letter of resignation from Sande Larson as a JH/HS librarian effective May 26, 2023. Discussion was held.

Upon motion by Brewer, seconded by Bedford, it was ordered to accept Sande Larson's letter of resignation and to allow the administration to advertise this position.

Passed 5-0

Superintendent Mayfield reported he received a letter of resignation from Ramon Ochoa as a high school music teacher, Instrumental & Vocal Ensemble and Pep Club advisor, effective at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Discussion was held.

Upon motion by Snook, seconded by Serrano, it was ordered to accept Ramon Ochoa's letter of resignation and to allow the administration to advertise these positions.

Passed 5-0

Superintendent Mayfield reported an assistant golf coaching position has been advertised, and the administration recommends offering Makenzie Bymaster a contract for the 2023 season. Discussion was held.

Upon motion by Brewer, seconded by Bedford, it was ordered to offer Makenzie Bymaster a contract as an assistant golf coach for the 2023-24 school year.

Passed 5-0

Superintendent Mayfield reported he received letters of resignation from Cislee Barth and Jessica Olinger as head and assistant cheer coaches effective immediately. Discussion was held.

Upon motion by Brewer, seconded by Snook, it was ordered to accept Cislee Barth's and Jessica Olinger's letters of resignation and to allow the administration to advertise these positions.

Passed 5-0

Superintendent Mayfield reported he received a letter of resignation from Jessica Olinger as a pep club advisor effective immediately. Discussion was held.

Upon motion by Serrano, seconded by Bedford, it was ordered to accept Jessica Olinger's letter of resignation and to allow the administration to advertise this position.

Passed 5-0

Unforeseen Personnel

Superintendent Mayfield reported an HI/HS science teaching position has been advertised, and the administration recommends offering Bonnie Turner a contract for the 2023-24 school year. As Bonnie Turner is currently a teacher at Sunset Colony, Superintendent Mayfield asked to the Board for permission to advertise that teaching position. Discussion was held.

Upon motion by Snook, seconded by Serrano, it was ordered to offer Bonnie Turner a contract as a JH/HS science teacher for the for the 2023-24 school year.

Passed 5-0

Upon motion by Serrano, seconded by Snook, it was ordered to allow the administration to advertise for a colony teaching position for the 2023-24 school year.

Passed 5-0

Superintendent Mayfield reported the following substitute needs to be approved pending fingerprints: Bridgette Prince.

Upon motion by Bedford, seconded by Brewer, it was ordered to approve the above-referenced substitute, pending fingerprints.

Passed 5-0

Certified Staff Recommendations for Employment-High School 2023-2024

Superintendent Mayfield gave recommendations listed below for renewal contracts with School District SSH for the 2023-24 school year. All certified staff has been informed, in writing, as to date, time and place when the reeommendations(s) (would) (will) be made. As per statute, 2-3- 203(1), (2) and (3), Montana Code Annotated (MCA), the agenda item will be held in open meeting except"... if the presiding officer of any meeting may close the meeting during the time the discussion relates to a matter of individual privacy and then if and only if the presiding officer determines that the demands of individual privacy clearly exceed the merits of public disclosure. The right of individual privacy may be waived by the individual about whom the discussion pertains and, in that event, the meeting must be open." Chairperson Vandeberg did not go into executive session.

Upon motion by Brewer, seconded by Snook, it was ordered that the following contracts, on recommendation of the superintendent and assisted by the building principal, for the certified staff for the 2023-24 school year be awarded.

Roundup High School 2023-24

Teacher

Years in System

Bourn, Christian 4

Bymaster, Zach 1

Christiaens, Abby 7

Cliff, Jennifer 2

DeMers, Wendy 3

Eiselein, Dan 11

Jones, Amy 9

Lemmel, Susanna 6

Lesnik, Heidi 18

Mayfield, Angela 1

McNamara, Donna 8

Olinger, Jessica 1

Stepper, Marc 14

Unterseher, Peggy 17

Passed 5-0

Extra-curricular Activity Coaches

Superintendent Mayfield stated that the next agenda item would be re-employment of extra curricular coaches for the 2023-24 school year.

Coach

Bymaster, Zach Vandeberg, Hayden

Jones, Amy Mihalovich, Stacey

Head Girls' Basketball Asst. Girls' Basketball

Co-Head Speech & Drama Co-Head Speech & Drama

Years of Experience

4

1

15

10

Upon motion by Snook, seconded by Bedford, it was ordered that contracts be awarded upon recommendation of the athletic director as stated above.

Passed 5-0

Note: Spring activity coaches/advisors, namely golf and track, will be considered for employment at the stated meeting in June 2023.

Co-Curricular Activity Advisors

Superintendent Mayfield stated that the next agenda item would be re-employment of co curricular advisors for the 2023-24 school year.

Upon motion by Snook, seconded by Bedford, it was ordered that the following co-curricular contracts, on recommendation of the activities director, be awarded.

Advisor

Activity

Years of Experience

DeMers, Wendy FCCLA 3

Mayfield, Angela FFA 8

Unterseher, Peggy National Honor Society 11

Potter, Lori Special Olympics 12

Jones, Amy Head Drama/Play15

Smith, Sam Asst. Drama/Play 6

Eiselein, Dan HS Student Council 5

Lesnik, Heidi Science Olympiad

6

Jones, Amy Yearbook 5

Passed 5-0

AGENDA ITEM: DATES TO REMEMBER

OSHA Training - RHS Ag Students - April 18-19

BPA Nationals -April 25-30, 2023 -Anaheim, CA

N Golf Tournament, Roundup-April 27

Varsity Golf Tournament, Roundup-May 3

State Music Festival - May 5-6 - Billings

Divisional Golf-May 8 - Huntley

School Board Meeting - Monday May 8

No Executive Session

No Future Agenda Items

XL Adjournment

Upon motion by Brewer, seconded by Snook, it was ordered that the meeting be adjourned at 7:59 PM.

Passed 5-0

 

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