0 0 0 0 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD AUGUST, 0 A duly called Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Great Falls Public Schools was held at the District Office Building, 00 th Street South, on the th day of August, 0. ROLL CALL: Brian Patrick took roll call. Trustees Present: Jan Cahill, Chairperson Jeff Gray, Vice Chairperson Jason Brantley Ann Janikula - via phone Bob Moretti Trustees Absent: Don Ryan Laura Vukasin Others Present: Tammy Lacey, Superintendent; Brian Patrick, Director of Business Operations; Ruth Uecker, Assistant Superintendent K-; Tom Moore, Assistant Superintendent -; Mindy Kiser, Director of Human Resources; Dale Lambert, Director of Student Services; and Tom Hering, Director of Information Technology. Also present was Leisa Drain, MAFB School Liaison Officer. At :0 pm Chairperson Cahill called to order the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees and asked everyone to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ADOPT AGENDA Motion Jeff Gray, Seconded Bob Moretti, passed unanimously to adopt the agenda as presented. Trustee Gray s motion included moving the Communication items of the agenda to after the Action items of the agenda. CONSENT AGENDA Motion Jason Brantley, Seconded Bob Moretti, passed unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. A. Minutes of July, 0, Regular Meeting The Board approved the minutes of July, 0 Regular Board Meeting as presented. B. Personnel Actions The Board approved the Personnel Actions as presented.
0 0 0 0 C. Good Apple Awards - The Board recognized and honored the following individual for receiving the Good Apple Award : Rebecca Clark, Overload Aide at Sunnyside Elementary School. D. Electric City FFA Delegation to Attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in October 0 The Board approved the Electric City FFA Delegation to travel to the National FFA Convention in Indiana in October 0. E. Incoming 0-0 Student Attendance Agreements - The Board approved the 0-0 Incoming Student Attendance Agreements for the two students listed in the agenda. Tuition will be paid for by the district of residence. F. Montana School Bus Driver Certificates OPI TR- The Board approved the Montana School Bus Driver Certificates TR- for the five individuals listed in the agenda. G. Donation of $00.00 from Holy Spirit Catholic Parish to the Great Falls Public Schools Summer Food Service Program The Board approved donation of $00.00 from Holy Spirit Catholic Parish to the GFPS Summer Food Service Program. Trustee Brantley gave special thanks to Holy Spirit Catholic Parish for their generous donation. ACTION ITEMS A. Financial Report and Approve Check Register for June 0 Motion Bob Moretti, Seconded Jason Brantley, passed unanimously to approve the June 0 Financial Report and Accounts Payable checks #-0 in the amount of $,,. and Payroll checks #0-0 in the amount of $,0,0.. Director of Business Operations Brian Patrick explained that this report reflects the closing balances of the accounts for the 0-0 fiscal year. B. Student Activity Month Report for June 0 Motion Bob Moretti, Seconded Jason Brantley, passed unanimously to approve the Student Activity Monthly Report for June 0 as presented. Superintendent Lacey explained that some accounts on the report have had low activity and that the Business Office will be contacting the schools to close these accounts. C. Electrical Easement Request from Verizon Motion Jason Brantley, Seconded Jeff Gray, passed unanimously to approve Verizon Wireless easement request of a 0 utility easement along 0 th Street as required by the utility provider in order to bring power to Great Falls High School for Verizon operations. Director of Business Operations Brian Patrick explained the route will not interfere with the construction plans at Great Falls High School. He also reported that a contract already exists whereby Verizon pays the school district $,000 per year with an annual inflationary adjustment of %.
0 0 0 0 D. Health Insurance Committee Recommendation for 0-0 - Motion Jason Brantley, Seconded Bob Moretti, passed unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Insurance Committee to move to a self-insurance model for district-wide health insurance, with Blue Cross Blue Shield as the third party administrator and Berkshire Hathaway as the stop loss provider for the 0-0 plan year. Human Resources Director Mindy Kiser reviewed for the Board the current health care plan and the two options/benefits associated with the plan. She thanked the Insurance Committee members for their commitment through the process of ensuring a quality insurance program for District employees. Mindy Kiser explained the pros and cons of moving to a self-insurance program. She explained the recommendation by the Insurance Committee to transition to a self-insured health plan was made in part due to the flexibility a self-insured health plan arrangement may offer such as stop loss coverage, pharmacy, networks and even onsite clinics. Mindy Kiser said the renewal goals of the Insurance Committee included a maximum 0% overall premium increase, minimization of benefit changes, exploration of strategies and programs to make benefit programs sustainable, transition to an equitable -tier rate contribution and minimization of the impact on the Rate Stabilization Reserve (RSR) Fund. She explained that the Insurance Committee reviewed bids from three companies; Cigna, PacificSource and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Cigna s pricing was a.% fully-insured option, PacificSource s pricing was a.% fully insured and self-insured option, and Blue Cross Blue Shield was the lowest pricing with a fully insured option at % and self-insured option of.%. The Insurance Committee voted to change to Blue Cross Blue Shield s self-insured option and to continue to offer both the Base Plan and the Catastrophic Plan with no benefit changes from the current plans with Cigna. Mindy Kiser also explained that the existing stop loss amount is set at $0,000 under the current fully insured arrangement. Along with the recommendation to move to a self-insured arrangement, the committee also made the recommendation to use Berkshire Hathaway as the stop loss carrier for the 0-0 plan year. Berkshire Hathaway not only provided the lowest rates, but also provided a no higher than 0% quote for the following year and reduced the stop loss amount from $0,000 to $00,000. Lowering the stop loss from $0,000 to $00,000 mitigates the overall risk to the health plan and the District. Vice Chairperson Gray stated he thinks the changes make sense and gives the District more options. E. Self-Insurance Fund for District-Wide Health Insurance Motion Bob Moretti, Seconded Jason Brantley, passed unanimously to approve the creation of a Self- Insurance Fund for district-wide health insurance. Director of Business Operations Brian Patrick explained the Board must take action in order for the District to be able to open a Self-Insurance Fund for district-wide health insurance. The fund allows the District to appropriately manage and track the costs associated with health insurance. He said the funding will come from the District s portion budgeted for health insurance and the employee premium contribution. F. Health Insurance Budget for 0-0 Motion Bob Moretti, Seconded Jason Brantley, passed unanimously to approve the recommendation of the Insurance Committee of a % increase of overall funding along with the continuation, but reduction
0 0 0 0 of the premium RSR support to $0. Human Resources Director Mindy Kiser reviewed with the trustees that currently, the total health plan premium contributions are derived from three areas: employer premium contributions, employee premium contributions and the Rate Stabilization Reserve (RSR) Fund. She explained that if one of these areas is increased or decreased from the overall amount, the other areas are affected. In this year s case, the RSR amount, which is provided to each insurance eligible employee that completes the wellness incentive, will be decreased, therefore, the employees and District s portions will be increased to make up the difference. This year the RSR s contribution will be $0 as compared to $ last year. This will result in a % increase for both the employee and employer portions of the premium. Mindy Kiser explained that insurance eligible employees received a $ premium subsidy last year for participation in the Wellness Program. These employees needed to complete a health risk assessment (HRA) and a biometric screening. She explained that this year, both employee and spouse will need to participate in the HRA and biometric screening to be eligible for a $ premium subsidy. She then reviewed the health insurance matrix and explained the tiered plans. Superintendent Lacey thanked Human Resources Director Mindy Kiser and the Insurance Committee members. She said the District is moving in the right direction with the health insurance changes. Trustee Gray also thanked the committee and acknowledged the impact the $ decrease in premium subsidy will have on the employees. Chairperson Cahill left the meeting at : p.m. and Vice Chairperson Jeff Gray took his place. A quorum remained. G. Life Insurance, Employee Voluntary Benefits and Flexible Spending Accounts for 0-0 Motion Jason Brantley, Seconded Bob Moretti, passed unanimously to approve the recommendations to move the employer paid life insurance benefits from The Standard to LifeMap, to continue the voluntary insurances through LifeMap, and to continue the Flexible Spending program through Allegiance Flex Advantage. Human Resource Director Mindy Kiser explained that the District currently provides life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance and/or Long Term Disability (LTD) for administrators, teachers, administrative support, clerical, teamsters, electricians, painters, operating engineers, plumbers and carpenters through The Standard. She explained, that under the recommendation of The Partners Group, it is recommended that the employer paid life insurance plans be moved from The Standard to LifeMap. This action will have the life insurance and voluntary insurances, offered to employees under one vendor. By moving the life insurance to LifeMap, the overall cost will be lower. This lower cost also includes all the current plan design details such as AD&D and LTD, and also an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Mindy Kiser reminded the Board that cuts were made from the District s CARE Program for the upcoming school year that included EAP support. She explained the District will have an approximate $,000 savings per year by moving the employer paid life insurance to LifeMap from The Standard. Mindy Kiser said it is recommended that the Flexible Spending program remain with Allegiance Flex Advantage.
0 0 0 0 H. Transfer of Budgeted Funds Elementary General Fund Budget to Interlocal District Fund Motion Bob Moretti, Seconded Jason Brantley, passed unanimously to approve the Elementary General Fund budget transfer of $, to the Interlocal Agreement Fund. Director of Business Operations explained that the transfer will allow for a more balanced approach to addressing shortfalls in State funding due to reductions made during the 0 legislative session. He also stated there were no available high schools funds to be transferred. COMMUNICATION A. Audience Communication - None B. MAFB Communication Malmstrom Air Force Base (MAFB) School Liaison Officer Leisa Drain reported on her trip to Washington D.C. last week to the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) Convention. She said this was an exceptional training and thanked Superintendent Lacey for representing the school district. Leisa Drain said that Colonel Allen would like to extend an invitation for a mission tour/briefing to district employees and Board members. She said this will be tentatively scheduled for the fall with more information to follow. Leisa Drain gave special thanks for allowing transportation to and from the Youth Center on MAFB for Chief Joseph Elementary students. C. Superintendent s Report Our Kids Superintendent Lacey said that she, along with MAFB School Liaison Officer Leisa Drain, attended the MCEC Conference last week in Washington D.C. She said the conference was very motivational and that she enjoyed meeting other School Liaison Officers from around the region. Superintendent Lacey explained she had received a scholarship for the conference that covered all expenses except for approximately $00. Superintendent Lacey announced that the th annual Stuff the Bus event will be held on Thursday, August 0 at both Walmart locations and at Target from am pm. She also announced that Super Foods has donated 00 full backpacks for students and expressed her gratitude for such a wonderful gift to the students. Our Community Superintendent Lacey said that the annual MAFB Fair will be held on Friday, August at Loy Elementary School. She explained MAFB families can attend to register their children for school, sign up for after-school programs, purchase school lunches, and much more. Representatives from Loy Elementary, North Middle, and C.M. Russell High Schools, along with representatives from the District s Student Services Department, Food Service Department, Transportation Department, Assistant Superintendent s Office, MAFB Youth Center, and Family Readiness will be available. This event gives MAFB families a chance to learn about different services offered to them in one location.
0 0 0 0 Our Future Superintendent Lacey reported that the annual Leadership Training will be held on Tuesday, August. This annual meeting is to Welcome Back the District Leadership Team, introduce new members to the Leadership Team and to review and report on various topics of interest to the team. Superintendent Lacey reported that banners have been made for schools currently receiving facility upgrades. She showed a sample of the banners and said that they will be given to the principals to display at their buildings. She explained this is another way of thanking the community for their support of the Facility Bond Levy. Superintendent Lacey said there are updated photos on the website of the various projects that are in progress throughout the district. She explained that approximately every two weeks, new photos will be available on the website to update the progress. She announced that a live feed of the Roosevelt replacement site is on the website as well and updates every minutes. Superintendent Lacey said the first Renaming Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, August at :0 pm. She also said that the Boundary Adjustment Committee is in need of community members. The application process is available on the website for anyone that is interested and the deadline is August. ACTION: OTHER None REPORTS, DISCUSSION, AND POLICIES A. First Reading of Revised Board Policies Students and 0 Financial Management Superintendent Lacey explained that Board policy was revised last year and that the only change being made at this time is the addition of a paragraph dealing with the stock of opioid antagonist required by the House Bill (HB). She said that HB will be listed at the bottom of the policy as the legal reference until there is a Montana Code Annotated (MCA) number assigned to it. Superintendent Lacey explained the only change to Board policy 0 is adding a sentence stating that The Board adopts all applicable provision of the Montana Procurement Act. She explained the District currently follows the Montana Procurement Act, it was just not stated in policy. Trustee Brantley said the District is wise to add the section of opioid antagonist stocking to the Board policy. Superintendent Lacey said the District is currently looking for grants to help with the cost of these items. B. Non-Union Classified Personnel Compensation for 0-0 Human Resources Director Mindy Kiser explained that the non-union classified personnel group is very diverse, serving a variety of functions in the District. The recommendation for the non-classified personnel compensation for 0-0 is a % raise. This is approximately a $,00 increase. She said the Board will be requested to approve the 0-0 District Budget at a later date which authorizes expenditures associated with this item.
0 0 0 0 C. Para Educator Compensation for 0-0 Human Resources Director Mindy Kiser explained that previously, para educators were included within the non-union classified employee personnel group. However, due to the unique training and skills as well as the number of para educator employees, this group will be established as its own group starting with the 0-0 school year. She also explained that the recommendation for the para educator compensation for 0-0 is a % raise. This is approximately a $0,0 increase. She said the Board will be requested to approve the 0-0 District Budget at a later date which authorizes expenditures associated with this item. D. Teacher Aide Compensation for 0-0 Human Resources Director Mindy Kiser explained that teacher aides are one of the hardest classified positions to fill. She said that there were a number of teacher aide positions that were not filled last year. Mindy Kiser said that the Board Budget Committee requested a study be conducted of the teacher aide salary structure. Upon review of the current salary structure, an increase to the starting wage of $. to $0.00 was recommended, with the proposal that the new structure be implemented over the next three years. This will increase the base salaries by cents each year. She explained that the new structure also reflects the one year service/longevity be changed to a two year service/longevity. Mindy Kiser said that the additional increase is approximately $,000. Trustee Brantley asked how many teacher aides are currently working for the District and the number of open positions. Mindy Kiser said currently there are approximately teacher aides and that she anticipates approximately will need to be hired for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Lacey said that this is the same group overload aides are hired from. The District will not know the number of overload aides needed until after school begins. E. Support Personnel Compensation for 0-0 Human Resources Director Mindy Kiser explained that the Support Personnel group is comprised employees throughout the District serving in a variety of capacities. She explained that this year the Prevention Specialist position has been cut from this group and that a. Career and Technical Education (CTE) Facilitator has been added. Also for this upcoming year, the Foundation will be paying for 0% of the Community Connection Manager s salary as compared to % last year. The recommendation for this group is a % raise to base salaries. The % raise, along with the reduction of a position and reduction in the Community Connection Manager s salary, will result in an $,00 decrease for the 0-0 school year. F. Part-time Nurses Compensation for 0-0 Human Resources Director Mindy Kiser explained that previously the part-time nurses were within the Medically Related Professional (MRP) employee group. She explained that with the part-time nurses salaries being hourly, not based on post-secondary degrees, it was recommended to establish a separate entity for this group of employees. Mindy Kiser said the recommendation is a % raise on the base salaries that is estimated to be an increase of approximately $,00. These employees will be paid from federal funds the District receives annually.
0 0 0 G. Administrator, Principal and Supervisor Compensation for 0-0 Human Resources Director Mindy Kiser explained that the administrator, principal and supervisor group is comprised of employees throughout the District. She explained a change in the group from last year is that Director of Curriculum and Assessment position was replaced with Interim Co-Coordinators of Curriculum and Instruction. She said it is recommended that this group be given a % increase on the base salaries. Superintendent Lacey explained that administrators, principals and supervisors are the leaders of the District that make things happen. She said that last year, this group took a 0% raise and this year will lose their cell phone stipend. Mindy Kiser explained that with the recommended % base salary increase and the reduction of the cell phone stipends of $ per month, the approximate increase is $0,00. She said the Board will be requested to approve the 0-0 District Budget at a later date which authorizes expenditures associated with this item. H. Discussion, Committee Reports, and Comments UPCOMING EVENTS Superintendent Lacey noted the Special Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August at :0 p.m. She explained the agenda for this meeting will be the 0-0 Budget and that action will not be taken at the meeting. The Board will take action on the 0-0 Budget at the August Board meeting. Vice Chairperson Gray reminded everyone of Convocation that will be held on Monday, August at the Great Falls High School Fieldhouse. He also said Paris Graduation is scheduled for August and Adult Education Graduation on August. ACTION ADJOURN Motion Bob Moretti, Seconded Jason Brantley, passed unanimously to adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees at : p.m. Jan Cahill, Chairperson Brian Patrick, Clerk