Whitefish Public Schools public meetings in 2021
35 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The board will consider adopting a revised COVID-19 safety plan that would make face coverings recommended rather than required for all grades K-12, effective January 3, 2022. Other action items include extending emergency paid sick leave agreements for WEA and WCEA staff, a retirement bonus program MOA, and an update on the ARP ESSER federal relief plan. The meeting also includes approval of November 2021 accounts payable and payroll, and appointment of a trustee to the retirement plan multi-district cooperative board.
- Vote on draft Safe Return to In-Person Instruction plan recommending masks for all K-12 instead of requiring them in K-6
- Extension of WEA/WSD and WCEA/WSD Emergency Paid Sick Leave MOAs for COVID-19
- Draft WEA/WSD Retirement Bonus Program MOA
- Update and possible action on Whitefish's ARP ESSER (American Rescue Plan) spending plan
- Appointment of Lucie Shea to the Retirement Plan Multi-district Cooperative Board for 2021–2024
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will hold a work session to discuss two items: a draft long-range facility plan from the Enrollment and Facilities Advisory Committee, and a review of COVID-19 data, ESSER funds, and the district's Safe Return plan. No votes are scheduled; both items are for discussion only.
- Draft Long Range Facility Plan presented by consultant Darlene Schottle from the Enrollment and Facilities Advisory Committee
- Review of COVID-19 data, WSD Indicator Tracking, and ARP ESSER plan strategies
- Discussion of health/safety improvements, social-emotional support, and extended learning programs under ESSER
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will discuss and possibly act on Electronic Communications Policy 5460. They will also review the Safe Return to In-Person Learning and Continuity of Services Plan, though administration recommends no changes. The consent agenda includes approval of October payments totaling $2,291,498.74 and several personnel hires.
- Discussion and possible action on Electronic Communications Policy 5460
- Review of COVID-19 guidelines and safe return plan (no changes recommended)
- Consent agenda: accounts payable and payroll totaling $2,291,498.74
- Consent agenda: personnel hires including coaches and paraeducators
- Activities report from Aric Harris on WHS activities program
Board Policy Committee Meeting
The Board Policy Committee is meeting to discuss a proposed policy revision. The agenda includes a discussion regarding the new proposed 5460 document.
- Policy Revision Discussion (Proposed 5460)
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
This monthly work session of the Whitefish School Board includes discussions on the WHS Advanced Placement program and an enrollment and facilities update. No action items or votes are scheduled. Public comment is accepted on items not on the agenda.
- Discussion of Whitefish High School Advanced Placement program
- Enrollment and facilities update
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will discuss and consider action on the continuation of current COVID-19 mitigation strategies, including face coverings for grades K-6 and a review scheduled for December 14. Other items include potential approval of several agreements: a Logan Health CSCT contract, a WCEA/WSD cover-a-colleague MOA, a Jobs for Montana's Graduates contract with the state labor department, and a COVID-19 testing agreement with Logan Health. The board will also receive reports on I-Ready assessment results, suicide prevention resources, and financial statements. The consent agenda includes $2,060,862.70 in accounts payable and payroll.
- Review and possible action on COVID-19 layered mitigation strategies, including K-6 mask mandate and recommendation to continue current guidelines
- Discussion and possible approval of Logan Health Comprehensive School and Community Treatment (CSCT) Agreement
- Discussion and possible action on the WCEA/WSD Memorandum of Agreement 'Cover a Colleague'
- Consideration of a contract with Montana Department of Labor and Industry for Jobs for Montana's Graduates program
- Consent agenda approval of $2,060,862.70 in September accounts payable and payroll
Board Policy Committee Meeting
The Whitefish Public Schools Board Policy Committee is meeting to discuss a revision of a policy, referenced as file 5460. The agenda includes procedural items such as call to order, agenda revision, and public comment. No specific details of the policy change are provided in the agenda.
- Discussion of policy revision (file 5460)
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will hold a work session to discuss three topics: a COVID-19 update and data review, introduction of the I-Ready assessment for K-12 students, and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework with social-emotional learning examples from Whitefish Middle School. No formal votes are scheduled; this is a discussion-only meeting.
- COVID-19 update and data review presented by Means
- I-Ready Assessment introduction for K-12 students (Bloom)
- MTSS framework and Social Emotional Learning update with WMS examples (Branstetter)
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will discuss and possibly act on updates to COVID-19 guidelines and procedures, including removal of isolation and quarantine items delegated to the health department, and accommodations for face coverings. The board will also consider MOAs for a COVID-19 coordinator stipend and for COVID-19 leave for both the WEA and WCEA bargaining units. Other items include a field trip proposal to Colorado and the consent agenda approving $954,035.72 in August payments, out-of-district students, and new hires.
- WSD COVID-19 Guidelines and Procedures update (possible action)
- MOA for COVID-19 Coordinator stipend
- MOA for WEA/WSD and WCEA/WSD COVID-19 leave
- WHS field trip proposal to Colorado (Freeflow)
- Consent agenda: $954,035.72 in accounts payable and personnel hires
Special Board Meeting
The Whitefish Public Schools board will discuss and possibly vote on updates to the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan, focusing on COVID-19 guidelines. Administration recommends options for face coverings ranging from optional to required, varying by grade level and county transmission rates. The board may also authorize the superintendent to mandate masks if cases threaten school closures.
- Discussion and possible action on face covering options for K-12 students, staff, and visitors at the start of the school year
- Options include requiring masks for K-6 while recommending for 7-12, or recommending for all when transmission is substantial or high
- Proposed policy allows superintendent to implement mask requirements if cases threaten school closures
- Face coverings required on public transportation as per current law
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will vote on the final budget for the 2021-22 school year and discuss policy updates and an enrollment/facilities advisory committee update. The meeting includes approval of consent items such as accounts payable totaling $1,341,315.67 and personnel hires.
- Approval of 2021-22 final budget requested by Business Director Shea
- Discussion on policy updates and new policies (790 KB attachment)
- Enrollment and Facilities Advisory Committee update presented
- Consent agenda includes $1,341,315.67 in accounts payable and payroll
- Six new hires listed: teachers, paraeducator, school nurse, and others
Board Policy Committee Meeting
This is a Board Policy Committee meeting for Whitefish Public Schools. The agenda includes opening procedures and three discussion items: review of draft policies, HR procedure discussion, and board handbook discussion. No action items or votes are listed, and the meeting is largely procedural with opportunity for public comment.
- Review of draft policies (attached document: 2021aug2 board committee meeting.pdf)
- HR procedure discussion
- Board handbook discussion
Special Board Meeting
This is a special meeting of the Whitefish Public Schools board. The primary item is a discussion of litigation strategy, with the possibility of entering executive session. The agenda also includes routine opening items and public comment.
- Litigation Strategy Session (possible executive session)
Special Board Meeting- Board Retreat
The Whitefish School District Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting/retreat on July 15, 2021. Trustees will discuss the Board Self-Assessment Survey report, roles and responsibilities, and effective school governance, facilitated by Dr. Ivan Lorentzen. All items are discussion-only; no action items are scheduled.
- Discussion of Board Self-Assessment Survey report facilitated by Dr. Ivan Lorentzen
- Discussion of trustee roles and responsibilities
- Overview of effective school governance
- Public comment opportunity for items not on the agenda
Special Board Meeting
The Whitefish School Board holds a special meeting to discuss reporting of teacher conduct. The board may enter executive session as permitted by Montana law. Public comment is allowed for items not on the agenda.
- Reporting of Teacher Conduct – possible executive session (per Montana law)
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will discuss and possibly act on the Safe Return to In-Person Learning and Continuity of Services Plan, with administration not recommending changes. Directors will present a preliminary 2021-22 budget for discussion, with final approval scheduled for August. New and updated board policies, including on student discipline and suicide prevention, are up for action. A recommendation to hire an interim director of curriculum and instruction will also be considered.
- Safe Return to In-Person Learning and Continuity of Services Plan presented for review, discussion and possible action
- Preliminary 2021-22 budget presented by Director of Business, final approval set for August 10
- Board policy updates for consideration: 1112, 1400, 1512, 2150, 2160, 2422, 3110, 3141, 3310
- Recommendation to hire an interim director of curriculum and instruction
- Consent agenda includes $4,462,876.73 in accounts payable and payroll for June 2021
Board Policy Committee Meeting
This is a Board Policy Committee meeting for Whitefish Public Schools. The agenda consists of procedural items (call to order, revision of agenda, public comment) and a single discussion item: review of draft policies. No specific policy proposals are named in the agenda; supporting documents are attached as a PDF.
- Review of draft policies (specific content not listed in agenda)
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
This is a monthly work session of the Whitefish Public Schools Board of Trustees. The board will discuss WSD District Priorities and Building Strategies as the main action item. Other agenda items are procedural, including call to order, agenda revision, and public comment.
- Discussion of WSD District Priorities and Building Strategies
Special Board Meeting
The Whitefish Public Schools Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting to discuss and possibly adopt the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan, including updated COVID-19 guidelines. The board will consider a recommendation to move to Phase III, which would make face coverings optional for students, faculty, and staff if COVID-19 rates remain low. Additionally, the board will discuss and possibly declare a state of emergency related to COVID-19 through June 30, 2022.
- Discussion and possible action on the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (COVID-19 guidelines)
- Recommendation to move to Phase III of the Whitefish School District COVID-19 Guidelines for Reopening Schools, making face coverings optional
- Proposed declaration of a state of emergency due to COVID-19, effective immediately through June 30, 2022
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will discuss and possibly adopt a new social studies curriculum aligned with Montana Content and Skills Standards. They will also consider approving i-Ready as a diagnostic and growth monitoring tool, multiple labor agreements (remote teaching, King schedule, flexible work day), and updates to COVID-19 guidelines. Consent agenda includes $2.16 million in May payments and dozens of personnel hires.
- Social Studies Curriculum Review Recommendation – possible adoption of new K-12 standards-aligned curriculum
- i-Ready Diagnostic and Progress Monitoring Tool – possible approval for dyslexia screening and growth tracking
- WEA/WSD MOAs – three memoranda of agreement on remote teaching, King Schedule, and flexible work day
- ESSER Fund update – discussion on using federal COVID-19 relief funds for positions and programs
- Consent agenda – $2,159,569.14 in May payments and hires for summer school and permanent positions
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish Public Schools Board of Trustees will hold a monthly work session with one main discussion item: STAR student assessment data and ESSER federal relief funds. No votes or decisions are scheduled.
- Discussion of STAR Data and ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding
Special Board Meeting
This special board meeting is devoted to procedural business: the county superintendent will administer the oath of office to two newly elected trustees, and the board will reorganize by electing a chairperson, vice chairperson, and district clerk. No substantive policy or budget items are on the agenda.
- Oath of office administered by Flathead County Superintendent for newly elected trustees Quincy Bennetts and Todd Lengacher
- Reorganization of the school board: election of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, and District Clerk
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish Public Schools Board of Trustees will hold its monthly business meeting, considering and taking action on several items. Key decisions include voting on a $174,750 donation from the Whitefish Community Foundation for a Computer Science Enhancement program, approving compensation agreements with teachers (2% salary increase) and classified staff ($1.00 hourly wage increase), and adopting the 2022-2023 school calendar. The board will also canvass the May 4 trustee election results and approve a budget amendment to utilize tax increment payments from the City of Whitefish.
- Action on $174,750 donation from Whitefish Community Foundation for Computer Science Enhancement
- Approval of 2% salary increase for teachers under WSD/WEA compensation agreement for 2021-2022
- Approval of $1.00 hourly wage increase for classified staff under WSD/WCEA collective bargaining agreement
- Approval of 2022-2023 school calendar
- Budget amendment to use tax increment payments from City of Whitefish
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will hold a work session to discuss the Social Studies Curriculum Review and the PLC (Professional Learning Community) Process. No formal votes or action items are on the agenda; the session is primarily for discussion and information.
- Discussion of Social Studies Curriculum Review and the PLC Process (Means/Delaloye)
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will discuss and possibly accept a $125,000 donation from the Whitefish Community Foundation for CSE groundwork, hear the 2019-20 audit report, and consider a budget amendment proclamation to spend $577,077 in final tax increment funds from the City of Whitefish. Also up for action is the recommendation for hire of a new Muldown principal and approval of a consent agenda including $2.4 million in March payments and personnel changes.
- Donation of $125,000 from Whitefish Community Foundation for CSE groundwork
- Budget amendment proclamation to spend $577,077 in final TIF payment from City of Whitefish
- 2019-20 audit report by Denning, Downey & Associates
- Recommendation for hire of Muldown Principal
- Consent agenda: $2,449,300 in March payments and personnel hires/resignations
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
This is a monthly work session of the Whitefish Public Schools Board of Trustees. The board will discuss a possible candidate forum and review a data profile along with summer school options. No votes or decisions are scheduled; all items are for discussion only.
- Discussion of possible candidate forum for trustee elections
- Data profile and summer school discussion
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish Public Schools Board will approve the February meeting minutes and review the upcoming school year levy amounts. It will consider a transportation contract renewal with Rocky Mountain Transportation for $599,946 and a curriculum review cycle policy. Additional items include a teacher leave of absence request and several personnel hires and resignations.
- Election Resolution – set levy amounts for 2021‑22 school year (budget discussion)
- Transportation Contract Renewal with Rocky Mountain Transportation for $599,946 (unchanged)
- Accounts Payable and Payroll payments totaling $2,771,868.23 for February 2021
- Personnel hires: Muldown paraeducator, speech pathologist, orchestra teacher, golf coach, school cook, director of student services, credit recovery coach, math substitute, custodian
- Board Policy – Curriculum Review Cycle (proposed policy update)
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish Public Schools Board of Trustees will hold a monthly work session. After routine opening items and public comment, trustees will review enrollment data and the 2022 General Fund budget projection. The discussion will be based on attached PDFs showing enrollment figures and budget estimates.
- Review of 2022 General Fund Budget Projection (PDF, 90 KB)
- Review of 2021 enrollment data (PDF, 147 KB)
- Discussion of facilities needs for 2022 (part of the enrollment/budget item)
Board Policy Committee Meeting
The Whitefish Public Schools Board Policy Committee is meeting on Monday, February 22, 2021 to discuss the Trustee Handbook. The agenda includes public comment and revisions, with the only substantive item being a discussion of the handbook.
- Trustee Handbook Discussion
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish Public Schools Board of Trustees will discuss and possibly act on transitioning to Opportunity Wednesday schedules for K-8 and 9-12. They will also consider a letter to the governor regarding health insurance, election resolutions for trustee and levy, and a new superintendent contract. Consent items include $1,931,017.45 in January payments and acceptance of a $5,000 donation from the Broussard Foundation.
- Discussion and possible action on Opportunity Wednesday Transition Plans for K-8 and 9-12
- Discussion and possible action on a draft letter to the Governor regarding health insurance
- Election resolutions for annual trustee and general operating levy elections
- Discussion and possible action on a new superintendent contract for 2021-2024
- Consent agenda: January payments totaling $1,931,017.45 and $5,000 Broussard Foundation donation
Board Policy Committee Meeting
This Board Policy Committee meeting is primarily a discussion session. The committee will consider possible additions or changes to board policy 2120, which relates to the curriculum review process, and also discuss the trustee handbook. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the agenda is limited to procedural items and discussion.
- Discussion of board policy 2120 (Curriculum Review Process) and potential changes
- Trustee handbook discussion
- Public comment period for items not on the agenda
Special Board Meeting
The Whitefish School Board will hold a special meeting primarily to discuss litigation strategy, with the possibility of entering an executive session under Montana law. The meeting also includes procedural items such as call to order, agenda revision, and public comment.
- Discussion of litigation strategy and possible executive session
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish Public Schools Board of Trustees holds a monthly work session with one discussion item: the K-12 Connect program and the district's Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. The agenda also includes procedural items such as call to order, revision of agenda, and public comment. No votes or decisions are scheduled.
- Discussion of Whitefish School District Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework under K-12 Connect
- Public comment period for items not on the agenda
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will discuss and consider action on a bus stop change for Route #5, a draft letter to the governor regarding COVID-19, the superintendent's contract, and the 2021-2022 school calendar. The board will also receive updates on the Muldown project and approve consent items including December 2020 payments totaling $2,225,969.08.
- Discussion and possible action on changing a bus stop for Route #5, moving it off Highway 40 into a subdivision
- Discussion of Muldown project updates, including budget
- Discussion and possible action on a draft letter to Governor Gianforte regarding COVID-19
- Discussion and possible action on Superintendent contract
- Discussion and possible action on 2021-2022 school calendar
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish Public Schools Board of Trustees is holding a special meeting to discuss and act on the superintendent's evaluation. The meeting will be conducted remotely with public participation allowed by phone or Google Hangouts.
- Discussion and possible action on superintendent evaluation