Great Falls Public Schools 1100 Fourth Street South, Great Falls, Montana

AGENDA Board of Trustees

Special Meeting October 6, 2017

Welcome to the Great Falls Public Schools Board of Trustees meeting!

If this is your first meeting If this is your first time attending a meeting, let us extend our special welcome! These meetings are designed to give everyone the opportunity to participate in seeing how the Great Falls trustees facilitate school business.

What is the purpose of these meetings? The meetings of the Great Falls Public Schools Board of Trustees are always open to the public. These meetings are held to officially conduct the business of the school district, as governed by Montana law. Trustees are responsible for key decisions, some of which include hiring of employees, reviewing negotiated agreements, approving new curriculum or changes to existing curricula, facility usage requests, and paying of monthly expenses.

How can I address the trustees? If you’d like to address the trustees on any matter, please fill out a “Request to Speak” card available from the Clerk of the Board at each meeting. Return this card to the Clerk of the Board or the Board Chairperson. This will allow the Chairperson to recognize you at the appropriate time in the meeting and to guarantee you the opportunity to address the board. There are federal and state laws that must be followed when addressing the board to protect the privacy of individuals and to conduct business in an orderly manner. Details can be found on the “Request to Speak” form and on the district’s website at www.gfps.k12.mt.us.

Again – thank you for participating in this democratic process – we appreciate your presence and are glad you are here.

– The Great Falls Public Schools Trustees

GREAT FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS Great Falls, MT

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jan Cahill Chairperson Jeff Gray Vice Chairperson Jason Brantley Trustee Ann Janikula Trustee Bob Moretti Trustee Don Ryan Trustee Laura Vukasin Trustee

SUPERINTENDENT’S CABINET Tammy Lacey Superintendent of Schools Brian Patrick Director of Business Operations Ruth Uecker Assistant Superintendent, K-6 Tom Moore Assistant Superintendent, 7-12 Mindy Kiser Director of Human Resources Dale Lambert Director of Student Services Tom Hering Director of Information Technology Dave Crum Community Connections Manager

Great Falls Public Schools Board of Trustees Special Meeting

AGENDA

October 6, 2017 12:00 p.m.

Aspen Meeting Room – District Office Building 1100 4th Street South, Great Falls, Montana

We Successfully Educate Students to Navigate the Future

Page I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson

Cahill

II. ROLL CALL

Brian Patrick

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairperson Cahill

IV. ADOPT AGENDA Chairperson Cahill

V. APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA Chairperson Cahill

The Consent Agenda consists of routine business items related to the operation of the District. Any trustee may remove an item from the Consent Agenda for discussion. Items so removed will be discussed and acted upon separately under ACTION: OTHER

A. Minutes of September 25, 2017, Regular Meeting Brian Patrick 6 VI. COMMUNICATION A. Audience Communication VII. ACTION ITEMS

A. Committee Recommendation of Architect for the Great Falls High School Addition and Renovation

Brian Patrick 17

B. Resignation of Trustee Don Ryan Chairperson Cahill

18

C. Trustees to Serve on the Ad-hoc Committee to Fill the Trustee Position Vacated by Don Ryan

Chairperson Cahill

19

VIII. ACTION: OTHER Chairperson

Cahill

IX. REPORTS, DISCUSSION, AND POLICIES

A. Discussion, Committee Reports, and Comments Chairperson Cahill

UPCOMING EVENTS Chairperson

Cahill

Tuesday, October 10, 2017 2:00 p.m. Board Policy

Committee Meeting District Office Building

Tuesday, October 10, 2017 4:30 p.m. Board Work Session - Redistricting

District Office Building

Monday, October 16, 2017 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting District Office Building Monday, October 23, 2017 2:00 p.m. Board Policy

Committee Meeting District Office Building

Tuesday, October 31, 2017 2:00 p.m. Board Policy Committee Meeting

District Office Building

Tuesday, November 7, 2017 2:00 p.m. Board Policy Committee Meeting

District Office Building

Monday, November 13, 2017 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting District Office Building Tuesday, November 14, 2017 2:00 p.m. Board Policy

Committee Meeting District Office Building

Monday, November 27, 2017 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting District Office Building Tuesday, November 28, 2017 4:30 p.m. Board Work Session -

Redistricting District Office Building

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 6:00 p.m. Redistricting Community Forum

District Office Building

Monday, December 18, 2017 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting District Office Building Monday, January 8, 2018 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting District Office Building Monday, January 22, 2018 5:30 p.m. Regular Meeting District Office Building X. ACTION TO ADJOURN Chairperson

Cahill

GREAT FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MEETING DATE: October 6, 2017

CATEGORY: Consent

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: V. A.

CABINET MEMBER: Tammy Lacey

Great Falls Public

Schools Great Falls, MT

Vukasin Ryan Moretti Janikula Gray Cahill Brantley

Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain

TOPIC

Minutes of September 25, 2017 Regular Board Meeting BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

The Board is required to approve the minutes of each Board meeting. The minutes of the September 25, 2017 Regular Board Meeting are presented for approval.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

None RECOMMENDATIONS

The District Board is requested to approve the minutes of the September 25, 2017 Regular Board Meeting as presented. For more information about this item, please contact Superintendent Lacey at (406) 268-6001 or Director of Business Operations Brian Patrick at (406) 268-6051.

Return to Agenda

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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES 1 HELD SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 2

3 A duly called Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Great Falls Public 4 Schools was held at the District Office Building, 1100 4th Street South, on the 25th day of 5 September, 2017. 6 7 ROLL CALL: Tammy Lacey took roll call. 8 9 Trustees Present: Jan Cahill, Chairperson 10 Jeff Gray, Vice Chairperson 11 Jason Brantley 12 Ann Janikula - 13

Bob Moretti 14 Don Ryan 15 Laura Vukasin 16 17 Others Present: Tammy Lacey, Superintendent; Ruth Uecker, Assistant 18 Superintendent K-6; Tom Moore, Assistant Superintendent 7-12; Mindy Kiser, Director 19 of Human Resources; Dale Lambert, Director of Student Services; Dave Crum, 20 Community Connections Manager and Tom Hering, Director of Information Technology. 21 Also present was Shelli Lavinder Schwalk, GFEA President. 22 23 At 5:30 pm Chairperson Cahill called to order the Regular Meeting of the Board of 24 Trustees and asked everyone to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 25 26 ADOPT AGENDA 27 28 Motion – Jeff Gray, Seconded – Laura Vukasin, passed unanimously to adopt the 29 agenda as presented. 30 31 CONSENT AGENDA 32 33 Motion – Laura Vukasin, Seconded – Bob Moretti, passed unanimously to approve the 34 Consent Agenda as presented. 35 36 A. Minutes of September 11, 2017, Regular Meeting – The Board approved the 37 minutes of September 11, 2017 Regular Board Meeting as presented. 38 39 B. Personnel Actions – The Board approved the Personnel Actions as presented. 40 41 C. Good Apple Awards - The Board recognized and honored the following individuals 42 for receiving the “Good Apple Award”: Phil Miller, Custodian – Buildings and Grounds, 43 Cheri Warila, Volunteer at Lincoln Elementary and Ande Brinka, Kindergarten Teacher 44 at Meadowlark Elementary. Trustee Vukasin congratulated the Good Apple Award 45 recipients. 46

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1 D. Montana School Bus Driver Certificates – OPI TR-35 – The Board approved the 2 Montana School Bus Driver Certificates TR-35 for the four individuals listed in the 3 agenda. 4 5 6 COMMUNICATION 7 8 A. Audience Communication – Dennis Hogan, 105 Riverview 6W, said he is a 9 teacher for the school district and is also a parent of a CMR senior soccer player. He 10 explained that last week, the date and times for the crosstown boys’ and girls’ soccer 11 games had been changed from Saturday, September 30, 5:00 and 7:00 pm to Friday, 12 September 29, 2:45 and 4:45 pm. He explained that this crosstown game is Senior 13 Night, a night family and friends come to honor the senior players. Mr. Hogan said 14 family members from out of town are invited and having the games on a Friday 15 afternoon versus a Saturday evening makes it more difficult for the traveling families to 16 attend. He said during Senior Night, the seniors are recognized and honored by 17 walking across the field. Given the new time schedule, there will be little time to 18 properly recognize the students. He was also concerned that the Great Falls High 19 School senior girls would have to choose between participating in their Homecoming 20 parade and the soccer game as the new time does not allow them to do both. Mr. 21 Hogan said at the last crosstown soccer game that was played at Memorial Stadium, 22 approximately 1,000 people attended. When the games were held at Seibel Field, 23 approximately 100 people attended. He also said the last crosstown soccer game 24 allowed the girls to play under the stadium lights and the original schedule of this 25 crosstown game would allow the boys to play under the lights. With the new starting of 26 4:45 pm for the boys’ game, this would not be possible. Mr. Hogan asked the Board to 27 consider moving the crosstown soccer games back to Saturday, September 30 at 5:00 28 and 7:00 pm. Chairperson Cahill explained to Mr. Hogan that during audience 29 communication, the Board does not take action and is not allowed to participate in a 30 discussion. 31 32 B. MAFB Communication – None 33 34 C. Superintendent’s Report 35 36 Our Kids 37 Superintendent Lacey announced that Homecoming Season is upon us. She said that 38 Great Falls High School’s Homecoming is this week with the theme of Bison Go 39 Hollywood. She reported on the week’s events to include the Powder Puff Football 40 game at Paris Gibson Education Center, crosstown volleyball and soccer, Royalty 41 Assembly, BBQ, Homecoming parade and football game with a dance to finish out the 42 week. Superintendent Lacey said C.M. Russell High School’s Homecoming week will 43 be October 2-6 with the theme of Discover the Hero Within. She then reported on the 44 week’s events that will include the Powder Puff Football game to be held at Centene 45 Stadium, Coronation Assembly, BBQ, parade, football game and dance Friday night. 46

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Superintendent Lacey encouraged folks to attend the Royalty Assemblies and 1 Coronation Assembly if they haven’t done so in the past. 2 3 Our Community 4 Superintendent Lacey explained that for the past several years, Great Falls Public 5 Schools has sponsored Military Appreciation Nights at fall and winter sporting events. 6 At the designated events, military members and their families are admitted free of 7 charge by showing a military ID and are recognized during a special announcement 8 during the games. She reviewed the dates of the fall sports for this event. 9 Superintendent Lacey announced that Malmstrom Air Force Base (MAFB) has invited 10 the GFPS Leadership and Board of Trustees to a Mission Brief on October 12. She 11 said this will be a window into the work at MAFB and the collaborative relationship 12 between the Base and the school district. 13 Superintendent Lacey said that Native American Heritage Day was Friday, September 14 22. She said that Intertribal Strong, a student service group, participated in events for 15 Native American Heritage Day that included raising teepees across the community. 16 She then introduced the new Director of Indian Education Marcy Cobell Gilbert and 17 gave some background of Marcy’s leadership and experience that led her to accepting 18 this position with Great Falls Public Schools. 19 In a facility update, Superintendent Lacey reported on the Groundbreaking Ceremony 20 that was held at C.M. Russell High School on September 13. She thanked Principal 21 Kerry Parsons and Talcott Construction for their work in preparing the ceremony. 22 Superintendent Lacey reviewed the updated facility project photos that included the 23 bleachers at C.M. Russell High, elevator at Paris Gibson Education Center, the 24 Roosevelt Replacement School site progress, track at Memorial Stadium, and the Little 25 Russell Renovation project. She then explained the timeline of the Memorial Stadium 26 track project. She said the project was behind schedule due to the extra work needed 27 for the preparation of the new turf. Weather permitting, the estimated date of 28 completion of the track is October 5. She said the track must be completed in the fall so 29 that spring sports can take place at Memorial Stadium. She explained that thirty track 30 meets are scheduled next spring and Great Falls will be hosting the State Track Meet. 31 This event will have a large economic impact on the community. Superintendent Lacey 32 said that with work being done on the track the next two weeks, there are several 33 activities that will not take place such as the high school bands not being able to 34 practice before the Homecoming games, the cheerleaders may have to cheer in another 35 area during the game and the crosstown soccer games have been moved from 36 Saturday, September 30 to Friday, September 29 so that the work can take place on the 37 track on Saturday. Given the information received tonight concerning the crosstown 38 soccer, Superintendent Lacey will ask Athletic Director Gary DeGooyer to take another 39 look at the schedule to see if something could be worked out to accommodate the 40 request of the soccer parent. She thanked all groups for their understanding and 41 flexibility during this process. Superintendent Lacey announced that Great Falls High 42 School has been recognized by Architectural Digest for being the most beautiful public 43 high school in the state of Montana. Architectural Digest recognized one school from 44 each state. 45 46

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1 Our Future 2 Superintendent Lacey announced that the GFPS Board of Trustees has been named 3 the School Board of the Year by the Montana Association of School Superintendents. 4 The award will be presented at the Montana Conference on Educational Leadership 5 (MCEL) Conference in Billings on October 19. The Board of Trustees received this 6 award for their efforts around board policy, facility/grounds/infrastructure, and student-7 centered programming. Superintendent Lacey thanked the Board for their dedication 8 and ethical service for which the award seeks to recognize. 9 10 ACTION ITEMS 11 12 A. Financial Report and Approve Check Register for July and August 2017 – 13 Motion – Laura Vukasin, Seconded – Jason Brantley, passed unanimously to approve 14 the July and August 2017 Financial Reports and Accounts Payable checks #90424-15 90792 in the amount of $1,769,501.04 and Payroll checks #60160-60207 in the amount 16 of $37,283.15 for July 2017 and Accounts Payable checks #90793-91318 in the amount 17 of $2,918,551.93 and Payroll checks #60208-60285 in the amount of $106,037.02 for 18 August 2017. 19 20 B. Student Activity Month Report for July and August 2017 – Motion – Jason 21 Brantley, Seconded – Ann Janikula, passed unanimously to approve the Student 22 Activity Monthly Report for July and August 2017 as presented. 23 24 C. Roosevelt Replacement School Name – Motion – Ann Janikula, Seconded – 25 Laura Vukasin, passed unanimously to approve that the Roosevelt Replacement School 26 be named Giant Springs Elementary. Assistant Superintendent Ruth Uecker said that 27 at the September 11 Board meeting, she reviewed in depth, the process the Renaming 28 Committee had followed to present to the Board the two name options for the Roosevelt 29 Replacement School. She said the committee followed Board policy and considered 30 background information, local relevance, and appropriateness. They talked about 31 avoiding controversy – now and for years to come, and discussed that ultimately the 32 name should be what speaks to our kids, our community and our future. Mary Proud, 33 1st grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary, said there are several places around the 34 State named after Mike Mansfield. She said Giant Springs is the place to go when 35 families want to have a picnic, BBQ, weddings, graduation photos and so much more. 36 Giant Springs is vibrant, colorful, and full of life – just like our children. Mary asked the 37 Board to consider Giant Springs Elementary as the name for the Roosevelt 38 Replacement School. Hannah Crawford, 3rd grade teacher at Roosevelt, said she is 39 excited and proud to teach in an environment that values education. She said the 40 public should have voice in the name of the school and that she will support whichever 41 name is chosen. Alissa Kline, 4th grade teacher at Roosevelt, explained that she was 42 part of the renaming process and that the committee took their task very seriously. The 43 public was able to submit names they felt should be considered, and the process was 44 followed. She said as she was speaking to community members, that Giant Springs 45 Elementary rose to the top. People have fond memories of Giant Springs, and feel that 46

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it is a piece of identity and a way to honor the community. 5th grade student Dylan 1 Hendricks said that he took a poll with 5th grade students and that they liked Giant 2 Springs the best. He asked the Board to keep students and teachers in mind when 3 making the decision. Wynn Davis, 3rd grade teacher at Roosevelt, said that she has 4 been a teacher at Roosevelt for 10 years and was on the Renaming Committee. She 5 spoke of Trinity Taylor who was also on the committee. Trinity is a former Roosevelt 6 student and attends Great Falls High School. Trinity had said that a school name is the 7 first impression on people. Wynn then spoke of Mayor Kelly who was also on the 8 committee and that he encouraged folks to think outside the box. Wynn said that 9 Inspire Elementary would need no explanation. It is a great 21st Century name for a 10 building. Inspire provides a strong first impression and stands on its own. She asked 11 the Board to think outside the box and have the goal to “inspire” students. Rhonda 12 Zobrak, Principal at Roosevelt Elementary said that building a new school is an 13 amazing process. She has been impressed that input has been asked of staff, 14 students, parents and the community every step of the way. From funding to design, 15 the input has been considered. Rhonda said the name is the identity of the school. She 16 said that she can identify with both names that have been brought before the Board and 17 will be honored with either name. Community member Leisa Ford said that as a former 18 Roosevelt student, she would recommend Giant Springs. She said it is home to The 19 Roe River, the Guinness World Record’s shortest river. She said that two students from 20 Lincoln Elementary had measured the river. Teresa Appelwick, parent from Roosevelt, 21 explained that she originally came to Great Falls via Malmstrom Air Force Base and 22 decided to stay. When she arrived in Great Falls, Giant Springs was one of the first 23 places she visited. She said that when her family visits from out of town, they always 24 look forward to going to Giant Springs. Teresa said Giant Springs is a strong name and 25 represents the city well. She said she will be proud to be a parent at Giant Springs 26 Elementary School. Trustee Ryan said that the Renaming Committee went through the 27 process and were then to make recommendations to the Board. He said that the Board 28 then makes the final decision. He said the committee was given articles to read at the 29 start of the process that Trustee Ryan felt steered the committee members away from 30 naming the school after a person. He said Great Falls is the only city in Montana that 31 has a high school named after a person and that it has had a positive impact on the 32 community. Mr. Ryan said if the Board is not in favor of naming a school after a person 33 that the Board policy that refers to the naming process should be changed. Trustee 34 Vukasin said that she was a member of the Renaming Committee and that the 35 committee was not steered away from the idea of naming the schools after a person. 36 She said there are many people deserving of having something named after them. 37 Trustee Vukasin said the committee was charged with following the process and 38 narrowing down the names and present the top selections to the Board for their 39 decision. If the Board doesn’t listen to the committee after they have followed the 40 process and go a different direction, people will not want to serve on future committees. 41 During the process, discussions were held around the names and reasons were given 42 for the selections. She said that this decision is about what is best for the community. 43 Trustee Brantley thanked the committee and said it shows that the members cared 44 enough to take the time and go through the process. After taking the input into 45 consideration, he said he is in favor of the name Giant Springs Elementary. Trustee 46

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Gray said this is a great problem to have. It is the first time in forty years that the 1 District has had this discussion. While he appreciates the impact Mike Mansfield has 2 had, he feels there are others equally deserving of the recognition. Trustee Gray said 3 he is in favor of Giant Springs Elementary. 4 5 D. Longfellow Replacement School Name - Motion – Laura Vukasin, Seconded – 6 Jason Brantley to keep the name of Longfellow Elementary School for the Longfellow 7 Replacement School. Replacement Motion – Don Ryan, Seconded – Bob Moretti to 8 name the Longfellow Replacement School, The Michael Mansfield Elementary School. 9 The vote for the amended motion was 2 in favor and 5 against. Those in favor were: 10 Don Ryan and Jan Cahill. Those voting against the amended motion were: Jeff Gray, 11 Jason Brantley, Bob Moretti, Ann Janikula and Laura Vukasin. The vote for the original 12 motion to keep Longfellow Elementary School as the name for the replacement school 13 was 6-1 in favor of the motion. Those voting in favor were: Jan Cahill, Jeff Gray, Jason 14 Brantley, Bob Moretti, Ann Janikula and Laura Vukasin. Voting against the motion was 15 Don Ryan. Ryan Hart, Principal at Longfellow Elementary explained that this is his first 16 year as principal at Longfellow Elementary. He has worked for the district for 19 years 17 with both teaching and administrative experience. He said that while he is still learning 18 the climate of the school, getting to know parents, staff, and students, if he asks anyone 19 about changing the Longfellow name, the response is that the Longfellow name should 20 be kept. Former principal Cal Gilbert had taken a poll last year as to whether or not the 21 name should be changed and 80% said they wanted the name to remain Longfellow 22 Elementary. Peter Gil explained that he was on the Renaming Committee and that he 23 and his siblings attended Longfellow Elementary. He felt that if the name was changed 24 that people would still refer to it as Longfellow and that people he had spoken to did not 25 want to have the name changed. Jess Curtis is a grandparent of Longfellow students 26 and was also on the Renaming Committee. He said that he and others that he has 27 talked to would not want the name changed. Mayor Bob Kelly spoke about his time on 28 the Renaming Committee and that there was overwhelming support to keep the 29 Longfellow name. Corri Smith, Principal at Whittier Elementary said that she has 30 worked for the District for 25 years and much of that time was spent at Longfellow 31 Elementary. She said she has made friends with the parents, staff and students and 32 that the opinions she had heard are that the name should remain the same. Trustee 33 Ryan said that a group of community members had approached him with the suggestion 34 of naming one of the new elementary schools after Michael Mansfield. By naming the 35 Longfellow Replacement School after Mr. Mansfield, it would give kids an example to 36 live by. It would be an inspiration. He said that given the background of Mr. Mansfield, 37 it is someone the kids could relate to. Trustee Ryan said he has spoken to teachers 38 that don’t know much about Mike Mansfield. He said 50 years from now, he would like 39 to know that teachers and students know and can relate to such an inspirational man. 40 Trustee Brantley thanked the committee and said that in the beginning he was thinking 41 this would be a good time to have a new name, to have a fresh start, for the Longfellow 42 Replacement School. He said he quickly understood how folks feel that Longfellow is 43 an institution and they would like to keep the name. Trustee Brantley said he agrees 44 with Trustee Ryan that Mr. Mansfield was an incredible man, but that Longfellow is 45 more than just a school, it is a community center. Trustee Gray said he appreciates 46

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everything Trustee Ryan said about Mike Mansfield. He said the Board could possibly 1 hold a work session to come up with other new facilities that could be named after Mike 2 Mansfield and Jeanette Rankin to educate students about both. He said at this time, he 3 supports keeping the Longfellow name for the replacement school. Chairperson Cahill 4 said he had received five phone calls in favor of renaming Longfellow Elementary the 5 Michael Mansfield Elementary School and feels it should be considered. 6 7 8 ACTION: OTHER 9 None 10 11 REPORTS, DISCUSSION, AND POLICIES 12 13 A. First Reading of New Board Policies 3124 – Students, 4350 – Community 14 Relations and 7550 – Financial Management – Superintendent Lacey explained that 15 these policies are new and recommended by Montana School Boards Association and 16 the Office of Civil Rights. She explained new Board policy 3124, Military Compact 17 Waiver, puts into policy the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military 18 Children Law that Montana adopted in 2013. She explained the purpose of the 19 Interstate Compact on Education Opportunity for Military Children is to remove barriers 20 to educational success for children of military families due to frequent relocation and 21 deployment of their parents. Superintendent Lacey explained new Board policy 4350 is 22 recommended by Montana School Boards Association and the Office of Civil Rights. 23 The policy refers to website accessibility and nondiscrimination. She explained the 24 District is currently working to update the website so that people with disabilities can 25 access the information. New Board policy 7550 states that each budget year, 26 information regarding the amount of indirect cost reimbursement received must be 27 presented to the Board along with a recommendation of expenditures for the amount. 28 Superintendent Lacey explained this is the first reading of each of the new policies and 29 to contact her if there are questions or concerns. 30 31 B. Report on 2017 Test Results for the Montana Comprehensive Assessment 32 System (MontCAS) – Elementary Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction Shelly 33 Kelly explained that Smarter Balanced is Montana’s designated state test for grades 3-34 8. Test scores were released on September 12, 2017 and remain nearly unchanged 35 from last year with fraction of a percent decrease in Math proficiency and a fraction of a 36 percent increase in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency. She explained that this is 37 the third year that Smarter Balanced has been used as Montana’s statewide exam for 38 mandated federal reporting and that the results from this year will be used as the 39 baseline for Montana’s long-term goals in the state plan for the Every Student Succeeds 40 Act. Shelly then reviewed the overall scores for the AA school districts, ELA and Math 41 scores by subgroups, and ELA and Math scores by ethnicity. She explained that Great 42 Falls Public Schools is working very hard to close the achievement gap through 43 customized learning plans, academic language development program and district-wide 44 trauma training. 7-12 Assistant Superintendent Tom Moore reviewed the 2013-2017 45 ACT state and district data. He explained that prior to 2012, students could elect to take 46

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the ACT test, and that now it is mandatory for junior students. Students can retake the 1 test during their senior year, but there are costs associated with retaking the test and 2 the results have proven not to be significantly different. The 2013-2017 scores show 3 that GFPS is at par with the state. He said the secondary leadership team reviews the 4 results to see where improvements can be made. Mr. Moore then reviewed the 2015-5 2017 AA composite score trend data. C.M. Russell High School is above the state 6 average while Great Falls High School is below. He said Great Falls High School is 7 working hard with interventions and will be contacting other AA school districts, such as 8 Helena, to better understand their implementation strategies. 9 10 C. Review of the 2016-2021 Technology Plan and 2017 Summer Projects – 11 Director of Information Technology Tom Hering said his report is to give an update of 12 the first year of the 5-year Technology Plan that was approved by the Board of Trustees 13 on September 26, 2016. He explained the Technology Plan has 9 goals and reviewed 14 each in detail. Goals #1 and #2: Implement Technology Curriculum Standards and 15 Professional Development. He explained the standards were adopted in May, 2016 and 16 gave examples of how GFPS teachers have received professional development around 17 the standards. Goal #3: Hardware and Software Selection, Approval and Use. Mr. 18 Hering explained the ordering of technology equipment is now centralized, a Windows 19 10 upgrade is 90% complete, and the process has been started to have district forms 20 automated. Goal #4: Infrastructure Upgrades for Performance, Reliability, 21 Redundancy, Security and Safety. Mr. Hering explained the internet connection has 22 been upgraded which is now triple the capacity of the previous connection, three data 23 center servers have been upgraded, full campus video surveillance systems have been 24 installed at Loy, Valley View, Riverview, Mountain View, Little Russell, and cameras 25 have been added to C.M. Russell High School, East Middle School, Great Falls High 26 School and North Middle School. He said there are currently 578 cameras district-wide. 27 Also, 2630 replacement computers were deployed district-wide. Goal #5: Ubiquitous 28 Access. Mr. Hering said each elementary school has at least 3 carts of Chromebooks 29 and the middle schools have Chromebook carts for two teams. He said an annual 30 review of technology and the plan will be conducted with each principal. Goal #6: 31 Hardware Maintenance to Enable Reliable and Sustainable Fleet of Equipment. Mr. 32 Hering said with the Technology Levy failing last spring, funding will continue to be a 33 challenge for the replacement of equipment. He said that 33% of Microsoft Windows 34 PCs and laptops are out of date and 80% of iPads and iPods are out of date. Goal #7: 35 Support Structure to Facilitate Consistent and Uninterrupted Process and Operations. 36 Mr. Hering explained that with the budget reductions this year, teacher tech stipends 37 were eliminated and the District was not able to add the two additional Technology 38 Coaches as previously discussed. Goal #8: Security/Privacy to Protect Student Data. 39 Mr. Hering said a security assessment was conducted by a 3rd party security vendor. 40 During the assessment, twenty-three vulnerabilities were identified. To date, seventeen 41 have been remediated. He said the District will be working on a stronger password 42 policy and that he had no significant security incidents to report. Goal #9: Budget 43 Funding to Support the Technology Plan. Mr. Hering said there are no sustainable 44 funding sources identified to date to help support the Technology Plan. Mr. Hering 45 reviewed the new projects that will take place in the 2017-2018 school year. These 46

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projects include a new district-wide phone system, updating the website so that it is 1 ADA compliant and mobile friendly, video surveillance expansion, continuation of 2 Chromebook rollouts, and going out to bid for an internet contract as the current 3 contract will expire in May 2018. He also reviewed the summer projects that were 4 completed. Trustee Brantley thanked Mr. Hering for accomplishing so much given 5 Great Falls has the smallest annual technology levy amount in the state. Mr. Hering 6 said the Technology Department has a great crew and they accomplish a lot with their 7 limited resources. 8 9 D. Report on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) – Assistant Superintendent 10 Tom Moore introduced Erin Butts, Mental Health Coordinator for Great Falls Public 11 Schools. Erin explained that the YRBS is administered every odd year by the Office of 12 Public Instruction (OPI). She said the goal of YRBS determined by the Center for 13 Disease Control (CDC) include identifying leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and 14 social challenges among youth. She explained the GFPS has participated in YRBS 15 since 1991 and that the approximately 10% of the students are surveyed randomly. 16 The 2017 results reflect surveying 369 high school students (grades 9-12) and 192 17 middle school students (grades 7-8). A snapshot of the survey was given as a handout 18 to the Board members. Erin reviewed the results for risky behaviors, suicide and 19 depression, sexual activity, and other health concerns. She explained the handout had 20 additional information and that a more detailed booklet is available from the OPI. After 21 reviewing the information, she said it is clear that mental health services are much 22 needed. She thanked Jody Murrary, Prevention Specialist in the CARE Office, for her 23 continued work and said she is grateful for Jody’s experience and dedication. 24 25 26 H. Discussion, Committee Reports, and Comments – 27 28 Trustee Brantley said he appreciates the work and commitment of the Cabinet members 29 and District employees. He said that as a Board member, he understands that all 30 members may not agree, but that they all want what will benefit the lives of students and 31 the community. Trustee Brantley said he is thankful for the opportunity to serve on the 32 Board. 33 Trustee Ryan said he is disappointed in the Board’s decision not to rename the new 34 Longfellow School the Mike Mansfield Elementary School and that he cannot support 35 their decision. He said the Board relies on committees and their input, but the ultimately 36 decisions are made by the Board. In this case, he feels the Board is making the 37 decision that the committee wants. He stated, effective immediately, he is resigning 38 from the GFPS Board of Trustees. 39 40 UPCOMING EVENTS 41 42 Chairperson Cahill said there is a Special Board Meeting at noon on Friday, October 6, 43 a Board Work Session on Tuesday, October 10 and the next regular Board Meeting is 44 scheduled for Monday, October 16. 45 46

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1 2 ACTION ADJOURN 3 4 Motion – Don Ryan, Seconded – Jason Brantley, passed unanimously to adjourn the 5 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees at 8:25 p.m. 6 7 8 9 Jan Cahill, Chairperson 10 11 12 Tammy Lacey, Acting Clerk of the Board 13

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Great Falls Public

Schools Great Falls, MT

Vukasin Ryan Moretti Janikula Gray Cahill Brantley

Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain

GREAT FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MEETING DATE: October 6, 2017

CATEGORY: Action

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: VII. A.

CABINET MEMBER: Brian Patrick TOPIC

Committee Recommendation of Architect for the Great Falls High School Addition and Renovation BACKGROUND

On October 4, 2016, elementary and high school bond elections were approved by the voters. An addition to and renovation of Great Falls High School were included as projects of the bond.

DISCUSSION

A committee made up of Superintendent Tammy Lacey, Director of Business Operations/Procurement Officer Brian Patrick, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds Shaun Hammatt, Board Chair Jan Cahill, Secondary Assistant Superintendent Tom Moore, Great Falls High School Principal Heather Hoyer, and Trustee Bob Moretti met on September 12, 2017 to screen the Requests for Qualifications. On Monday, October 2, 2017, the committee interviewed four firms. The committee determined that NE45 was the most highly qualified firm to provide Architectural and Engineering services for the Great Falls High School addition and renovations. NE45 will collaborate with Bassetti Architects, TD&H Engineering, and GPD Engineering for this project.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The eventual work completed by the firm will be paid with bond proceeds. RECOMMENDATION The District Board is requested to approve the negotiation of fees with NE45 for the Great Falls High School

addition and renovations. For more information about this item, please contact Superintendent Lacey at (406) 268-6001 or Director of Business Operations Brian Patrick at (406) 268-6050. Return to Agenda

17

Great Falls Public

Schools Great Falls, MT

Vukasin Ryan Moretti Janikula Gray Cahill Brantley

Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain

GREAT FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MEETING DATE: October 6, 2017

CATEGORY: Action

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: VII. B.

BOARD MEMBER: Chairperson Cahill TOPIC

Resignation of Trustee Don Ryan BACKGROUND

Trustee Don Ryan verbally resigned his position on the Great Falls Public Schools’ Board of Trustees at the September 25, 2017 Board meeting. His letter of resignation was received by the Clerk of the Board on September 29, 2017.

DISCUSSION

Per Board Policy 1113, The Board of Trustees, when a trustee vacancy occurs, the remaining trustees shall declare such a position vacant and fill such vacancy by appointment.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

N/A RECOMMENDATION

The District Board is requested to accept the resignation of Trustee Don Ryan and to declare his position vacant. For more information about this item, please contact Superintendent Lacey at (406) 268-6001 or Chairperson Cahill at (406) 899-1988.

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Great Falls Public

Schools Great Falls, MT

Vukasin Ryan Moretti Janikula Gray Cahill Brantley

Motion Second Ayes Nays Abstain

GREAT FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MEETING DATE: October 6, 2017

CATEGORY: Action

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: VII. C.

BOARD MEMBER: Chairperson Cahill TOPIC

Trustees to Serve on the Ad-hoc Committee to Fill the Trustee Position Vacated by Don Ryan BACKGROUND

Trustee Don Ryan verbally resigned his position on the Great Falls Public Schools’ Board of Trustees at the September 25, 2017 Board meeting. His letter of resignation was received by the Clerk of the Board on September 29, 2017.

DISCUSSION

Per Board Policies 1113 and 1113P – The Board of Trustees and MCA 20-3-309, whenever a trustee position becomes vacant in any district, the remaining members of the trustees shall declare the position vacant and they shall appoint, within a 60-day period, a competent person as a successor. An ad-hoc committee approved by the Board shall screen the letters of applications, select finalists for interviews, interview the finalists in a special meeting noticed and open to the public, and make a recommendation to the entire Board. The Board, at its next regular meeting, shall appoint the candidate who, in the judgment of the Board, is most likely to contribute to the growth and development of the District’s education programs and operations.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

N/A RECOMMENDATION

The District Board is requested to appoint two trustees to serve on the ad hoc committee that will ultimately recommend a candidate to fill the trustee position vacated by Don Ryan. For more information about this item, please contact Superintendent Lacey at (406) 268-6001.

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