By Tim Leeds
A regular meeting of the Havre School Board of Trustees was held at the Havre Middle School Assembly Room last night.
District Business Manager Ric Floren answered questions on expense warrants presented to the board during the finance meeting at 6 p.m. Floren also presented an explanation of the process required to set the budget for fiscal year 2000-2001.
Board Chair Judy Bricker called the board meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Bricker dispensed with roll call as all board members were present. She welcomed visitors to the meeting, and introduced Havre High teacher Jim Magera and his Historical Presentations class. Magera's class presented their work for this semester, a computerized slide show giving a brief history of railroads. The class's work is set for a fourth-grade history module.
The consent agenda, including minutes of regular meeting held Dec. 14, 1999, expense warrants, the investment report as of Dec. 30, 1999, activity report, personnel action, and grant application was unanimously accepted as written.
Under items of old business, the board heard Superintendent Kirk Miller's explanation of revisions to policies regarding suicide, and unanimously accepted the revisions as stated.
Under items of new business, the board unanimously accepted recommendations for consideration of a new building telephone system, a request for the Havre High Symphonic Band to travel out of state, a recommendation to direct Charlie Klimas, Havre High Activities Director, to represent the Havre Public Schools at the annual Montana High School Association's meeting in Helena on Jan 17 and vote in accordance with board recommendations, Bricker's recommendation that the Review of Board Performance Assessment and Meeting Evaluation Instrument be returned by Jan. 20, and extending Miller's contract as superintendent an extra year.
In the announcements from the chair, Bricker reminded the board that the employee recognition event has been advanced a month from May to April 17, and that Jan. 24 is the board planning meeting.
Miller advised the board that under collective bargaining agreements it is impossible for school to be let out next year before Memorial Day. He asked for discussion on the idea to hold senior graduation on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and said he will offer three possible school calendars for discussion.
Bricker reminded the board and guests that Jay Springer's, Judy Bricker's and Aileen Couch's terms with the board expire in May, 2000 and petitions for individuals interested in running for the board may be picked up in the clerk's office at Robins School and must be returned by 5:00 p.m., Mar. 23, 2000.
A letter thanking Dennis Parman, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for loaning a video projector to the Clack Museum, and one from Superintendent Kirk Miller congratulating Karen Nave of the Middle School, author of "Educationally Disabling Syndromes, Diseases, and Disorders of Exceptional Children - Causes, Characteristics & Resources," on becoming a published author. The meeting was adjourned at about 8:30.
