Whitefish Public Schools public meetings in 2024
54 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Activities Transportation Task Force Committee Meeting
The Whitefish Public Schools Activities Transportation Task Force Committee is holding a meeting to discuss activities transportation. The agenda includes procedural opening items and a single discussion item on activities transportation. No specific decisions or concrete proposals are listed in the agenda.
- Discussion of Activities Transportation (with attached PDF)
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will vote on retaining A & E Design as architect for the WHS Expansion Project and Tell Construction Advisors as owner's representative. Trustees will also consider a renewed interlocal agreement between elementary and high school districts, establishment of a permanent maintenance endowment for the Performing Arts Center, and a gift agreement for the swim program.
- Architect Selection for WHS Expansion: Committee recommends A & E Design for architecture and engineering services
- Owner's Representative Selection: Committee recommends Tell Construction Advisors for owner's representative services
- Interlocal Agreement between Whitefish Elementary and Whitefish High School for period 2/1/2025 to 1/31/2028
- Establishment of a permanent maintenance endowment fund for the WSD Performing Arts Center
- Personnel hire: Marie Tower as Muldown Lunchroom Supervisor and substitute Barbara Prichard
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees- K-12 Connect- Activity Transportation by RMT
The Board of Trustees will hold a work session to discuss K-12 Connect and activity transportation for Whitefish High School provided by Rocky Mountain Transportation.
- Discussion on WHS Activity Transportation provided by Rocky Mountain Transportation
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will hold a special meeting to consider and vote on personnel hires for a paraeducator and an assistant wrestling coach. The agenda also includes opening procedures and public comment periods. This is the only substantive action item on an otherwise procedural agenda.
- Personnel recommendation: hire Linnea Benson as WHS Paraeducator
- Personnel recommendation: hire David Martin as WHS Assistant Wrestling Coach
- Personnel recommendation: approve substitutes Ralph Jones and Randie Seymour
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board is holding a monthly work session. The main item is a discussion of CNA (Comprehensive Needs Assessment) data. No votes or actions are scheduled; this is a discussion-only session.
- Discussion of CNA data with attached survey results and action plans
Owners Representative Services Interview Committee
The Owners Representative Services Interview Committee will meet to conduct interviews for architectural and engineering services. The meeting includes procedural opening items such as a call to order and public comment.
- Committee interviews for architectural/engineering services
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will consider a resolution authorizing $32.6 million in bonds for the high school expansion and athletic improvements. Other action items include approval of a joint use facility agreement with Whitefish Parks and Recreation, annual review of the Emergency Operations Plan, and personnel hires. The board will also vote on out-of-district enrollment applications, including one denial due to accreditation caps.
- Resolution authorizing $32.6 million in bonds for WHS academic expansion and athletic improvements
- Joint Use Facility Agreement with Whitefish City Parks and Recreation
- Annual review and approval of the 2024-2025 Emergency Operations Plan
- Personnel hires: 10 new employees and 1 substitute
- Out-of-district enrollment: approval for 3 students, denial for 1 due to accreditation cap
Architectural/Engineering Services Interview Committee
The Architectural/Engineering Services Interview Committee is meeting to interview candidates for architectural/engineering services. No decisions are being made at this meeting; it is a discussion and interview session only.
- Committee interviews for architectural/engineering services (discussion only)
Owners Representative Application Screening Committee
The Owners Representative Application Screening Committee is meeting to discuss the screening of applications for an owners representative position. The agenda includes procedural opening items and a discussion item regarding the application process.
- Owners Representative Application Screening
Board of Trustees Superintendent Evaluation Committee
The Board of Trustees Superintendent Evaluation Committee is meeting to discuss the tools and procedures used for the superintendent's evaluation. This process determines how the district's top administrator is assessed.
- Discussion of Superintendent Evaluation Tool and Procedures
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will discuss and vote on personnel hires and a booster club donation at this special meeting. Action items include hiring a special education paraeducator and a boys basketball coach, as well as approving a $58,064.24 donation earmarked for 19 programs, athletic capital, and drama club.
- Hire Abigail Fleury as WMS Special Education Paraeducator
- Hire Rebecca Sisson as WMS Boys Basketball Coach
- Substitute hires: Haley Cherry, Drew Kelly
- Booster Club donation of $58,064.24: $38,000 to 19 programs, $16,514 to Athletic Capital, $3,550 to Drama Club
Monthly Work Session-K-12 Connect-Graduate Profile Update
This is a monthly work session where the board will discuss updating the Whitefish School District Graduate Profile. Administration will facilitate the discussion using feedback results and examples. The session also includes a tour of Whitefish High School. Public comment is accepted in person.
- Discussion of Graduate Profile update with attached feedback results and examples
- Tour of Whitefish High School building
- Public comment period for items not on the agenda
Architectural/Engineering Application Screening Committee
The Whitefish Public Schools Architectural/Engineering Application Screening Committee will hold a meeting with mostly procedural items and one discussion item: screening applications for architectural and engineering services. Public comment is allowed for items not on the agenda. The committee may also revise the agenda before adjourning.
- Discussion/Action item: Architectural/Engineering Application Screening (no details or proposals provided in agenda)
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will canvass the results of the September 17 high school bond election, discuss next steps for the WHS expansion project, and consider approving a school-based behavioral health agreement with Logan Health. Trustees will also vote on a superintendent evaluation tool and act on personnel hires and three out-of-district student applications recommended for denial.
- Canvass of September 17 WHS bond election results
- School-based behavioral health agreement with Kalispell Regional Medical Center / Logan Health
- Discussion of next steps for WHS expansion project
- Consideration of superintendent evaluation tool for 2024-25
- Recommended denial of three out-of-district student applications (IDs 24059, 24441, 24035)
Board of Trustees Superintendent Evaluation Committee
The Board of Trustees Superintendent Evaluation Committee is meeting to discuss the evaluation tool and procedures for the superintendent. No votes or decisions are on the agenda; it is a discussion-only item.
- Discuss Superintendent Evaluation Tool and Procedures
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board is holding a special meeting to consider personnel hires and discuss litigation strategy. The board will vote on recommendations to hire Kari Baxter as DECA Advisor, Cole Jones as Driver Education Instructor, April Williams as Head Drama Advisor, and four substitute teachers. The meeting includes a possible executive session for litigation strategy. Public comment is accepted in-person or by written correspondence.
- Vote on hiring Kari Baxter as DECA Advisor
- Vote on hiring Cole Jones as Driver Education Instructor
- Vote on hiring April Williams as Head Drama Advisor
- Vote on hiring substitutes: Nancy Compton, Christa Lococo, Donald Petersen, Angela Wallace
- Discussion of litigation strategy (possible executive session)
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
This is a monthly work session of the Whitefish School Board, with no votes or decisions scheduled. The board will discuss a review of 23/24 school year data and action plans, and a graduate profile development process.
- Discussion of 23/24 school year data and action plans, presented by Curriculum Director Lisa Bloom
- Discussion of the Graduate Profile development process, facilitated by Superintendent Means
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The board will discuss the Whitefish High School academic expansion and athletic improvements bond proposals, with voting to be completed by September 17. Other action items include approval of a Jazz Band Memorandum of Agreement, out-of-district student enrollments, and several personnel hires. The meeting also features reports on the early literacy program, first days at Muldown Elementary, and financial updates.
- Update on WHS Academic Expansion and Athletic Improvements bond proposals (voting by Sep 17)
- Approval of Jazz Band Memorandum of Agreement
- Out-of-district enrollment for students 24788 and 24082
- Personnel hires: crossing guards, paraeducators, student council advisor, and new teacher mentors
- Financial report and accounts payable consent agenda
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is meeting to act on recommendations for new staff hires and the enrollment of out-of-district students. The board will also consider curriculum materials for a high school hospitality course and a specific kindergarten placement exception.
- Personnel hires including a Title 1 Reading and Math Teacher, coaches for soccer, football, and cheerleading, and a playground supervisor
- Approval of out-of-district enrollment applications for two students (24441, 24600)
- Approval of curriculum materials for the Hospitality Course at WHS
- Placement of a kindergarten student who will not be 5 years old by 9/10/24 per policy 3110
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is meeting for a work session to review discussion materials and handbooks. The agenda consists primarily of procedural items and informational discussions.
- Review of Draft 2024-2025 WHS Student Activities Handbook
- Review of 2024-2025 WHS Coaches_Advisor_Sponsor Handbook
- Discussion of School Board Self Eval Tool and Discussion Guide
- Review of Center for Public Education Eight Characteristics of Effective School Boards Report
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will discuss the Whitefish High School Academic Expansion and Athletic Improvements bond proposals, with updated tax impact amounts. Voting is scheduled by September 17. The board will also consider renewal of pupil transportation contracts with Rocky Mountain Transportation, approval of the 2024-25 final budget, and several data privacy agreements. Action items include personnel hires, out-of-district enrollment approvals and denials, and a football lease contract.
- Discussion of WHS bond proposal (academic expansion and athletic improvements) with updated tax impacts
- Renewal of pupil transportation contracts with Rocky Mountain Transportation for 2024-25
- Approval of 2024-25 final budget
- Action on out-of-district enrollment: eight approvals and three denials due to accreditation caps
- Approval of data privacy agreements for CoGrader, Magic School Inc., and Photo Video Plus
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
This special meeting of the Whitefish Public Schools Board of Trustees includes only one substantive item: a discussion/action item on litigation strategy, which may be conducted in executive session as allowed by Montana law. The meeting will begin with opening procedures and public comment.
- Discussion/action item: Litigation Strategy with possible executive session
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Board will discuss two bond proposals for Whitefish High School academic expansion and athletic improvements, with voting to be completed by September 17. They will also review the 2024-25 preliminary budget, receive a facilities program update, and consider personnel hires and an MTSBA electronic ballot on association business.
- WHS Academic Expansion and Athletic Improvements bond proposals – discussion only, vote deadline Sept. 17
- 2024-25 Preliminary Budget presented for review and discussion
- Personnel hires including a temporary long-term substitute, library media specialist, elementary teacher, assistant golf coach, and art teacher
- Facilities Program Update from maintenance director Chad Smith
- MTSBA electronic ballot on association business (dues, resolutions, nominations)
Monthly Work Session and Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will hold a work session and special meeting to act on personnel hires and discuss the WHS Academic Expansion and Athletic Improvements project. The board will also discuss proposed changes to the 2024-25 pupil transportation contracts with Rocky Mountain Transportation, Inc.
- Personnel hires include Kari Baxter (WHS FACS teacher), Alex Benz (assistant soccer coach), and others
- Discussion of WHS Academic Expansion and Athletic Improvements project with community engagement update
- Review of draft transportation contracts for regular routes and activity trips for 2024-25
- Public comment opportunity for items not on the agenda
Special Board Meeting
The board will meet for a special session to discuss litigation strategy. This item may be moved to an executive session as determined by the Board Chair under Montana law.
- Discussion of litigation strategy
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will review English/Language Arts curriculum materials and a new Hospitality and Tourism course proposal. Superintendent Means will provide information regarding a Whitefish High School bond election scheduled for September 17th.
- Approval of English/Language Arts Curriculum Materials
- Proposal for new WHS Hospitality and Tourism course
- Evergreen Flathead Crossroads Interlocal Agreement
- Interlocal Agreements with Olney-Bissell SD
- Hiring recommendations for 11 positions and 2 substitutes
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will hold a work session to discuss three informational items: Indian Education for All in Whitefish Schools, an ELA committee report, and highlights from a history trip. No formal votes or public hearings are scheduled; the meeting is limited to discussion and information sharing.
- Discussion of Indian Education for All (IEFA) program in Whitefish Schools
- ELA Committee report presentation
- History trip highlights presentation
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will consider approval of the 2024-25 collective bargaining agreements with the Whitefish Education Association and the Whitefish Classified Employees Association. They will also certify the results of the May 7 operating levy and trustee election, seat newly elected trustees, and reorganize the board. Additional action items include renewal of MTSBA membership, staff and extra-duty renewals, and personnel hires.
- Approval of WCEA and WEA collective bargaining agreements for 2024-25
- Certification of May 7 election results (operating levy and trustee election)
- Seating of new trustees and board reorganization (election of chair/vice chair)
- Renewal of MTSBA membership with no cost increase
- Approval of staff renewals, extra duty renewals, and personnel hires (including summer school positions)
Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The special meeting will consider a single action item: approval of the Cigna Insurance Plan for district employees, as recommended by the insurance committee. Public comment is accepted in person, with remote viewing only. No other substantive items are on the agenda.
- Consider and vote on approval of the Cigna Insurance Plan for Whitefish School District employees (recommended by the insurance committee)
WSD K-12 Connect- Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board of Trustees will hold a monthly work session to discuss the WSD K-12 Connect-MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). Public comment is invited in person or via written correspondence. No votes or other action items are listed on this agenda.
- Discussion of WSD K-12 Connect-MTSS framework (Multi-Tiered System of Supports)
WCEA/WSD IBB Meeting
The Whitefish School Board and WCEA/WSD are holding a meeting for interest-based bargaining discussions. The session is scheduled for April 11, 2024, at the school board meeting room.
- WCEA/WSD Interest Based Bargaining discussion
WEA/WSD IBB Meeting
The Whitefish School Board and the Whitefish Education Association will hold an interest-based bargaining session. The only agenda item is a discussion of ongoing negotiations. No specific proposals or decisions are listed.
- Single discussion item on WEA/WSD Interest Based Bargaining
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will discuss and vote on a resolution calling for a mail ballot bond election to fund the Whitefish High School expansion. They will also consider engaging Dorsey as bond counsel and D.A. Davidson for underwriting, approve personnel hires and non-renewals, and accept a $29,530 donation from the Whitefish Community Foundation for PAC hoisting equipment.
- Resolution calling for a mail ballot bond election for WHS expansion
- Engagement of Dorsey as bond counsel for the bond issue
- Engagement of D.A. Davidson for bond underwriting services
- Donation of $29,530 from Whitefish Community Foundation for PAC equipment repairs
- Personnel actions: hires, non-renewal of temporary and non-tenured employees
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
This is a monthly work session of the Whitefish School Board. The primary item is a discussion of building and district action/implementation plans linked to the recently approved 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. No votes or contracts are on the agenda.
- Discussion of Building and District Action/Implementation Plans aligned with the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan
WEA/WSD IBB Meeting.
This meeting is a joint labor negotiation session between the Whitefish Education Association and the Whitefish School District using interest-based bargaining. The agenda lists only one item: discussion and possible action on the bargaining process itself. No specific proposals, dollar amounts, or outcomes are documented.
- Discussion/action item: WEA/WSD Interest Based Bargaining
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Whitefish School Board will vote on increasing minimum math credits to 3 and total credits to 23 for graduation, and on approving new high school courses including Adobe Photoshop, Orchestra-Sinfonia, AP Research, and the AP Capstone program. Trustees will also consider the 2024-25 general fund budget projection and proposed levies, adopt an out-of-district enrollment policy, adjust the 24/25 school calendar for the MHSA tournament, and approve personnel hires. A discussion on winter assessment outcomes is scheduled.
- Increase minimum math credits to 3 and total credits to 23 for Whitefish High School graduation (Action)
- Proposed new courses: Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, Orchestra-Sinfonia, AP Research, and AP Capstone program (Action)
- 2024-25 General Fund budget projection and proposed operating levy and permissive levies (Action/Discussion)
- Out of District Enrollment Policy 3141 and procedures approval (Action)
- Adjustment of 24/25 school calendar for MHSA tournament from Feb 20-21 to March 6-7 (Action)
WEA/WSD IBB Meeting
The Whitefish School Board is meeting to conduct interest-based bargaining with the WEA/WSD. The session is focused on discussions regarding this bargaining process.
- WEA/WSD Interest Based Bargaining discussion
Muldown Scheduling Committee Meeting
The Muldown Scheduling Committee will meet to discuss scheduling for Muldown Elementary School. The agenda includes public comment and a facilitated discussion on the schedule. No specific proposals or decisions are listed.
- Discussion of Muldown schedule, facilitated by Rob Watson
Monthly Work Session of the Board of Trustees
This is a monthly work session of the Whitefish School Board of Trustees. The board will discuss the latest draft of the Whitefish School District strategic plan, including the Graduate Profile, Professional Development Plan, Indian Education for All Plan, and Community Engagement Plan. No votes or final decisions are expected at this work session.
- Discussion of WSD Strategic Plan draft, including Graduate Profile and supporting plans
WCEA/WSD IBB Meeting
The Whitefish School District and the Whitefish Community Education Association (WCEA) are meeting to discuss interest-based bargaining. This is the only item on the agenda, with no other decisions or proposals listed.
- Discussion of WCEA/WSD Interest Based Bargaining
WEA/WSD IBB Meeting
This is a discussion-only meeting between Whitefish School District and the Whitefish Education Association for interest-based bargaining on a collective agreement. The agenda contains no specific proposals, votes, or dollar amounts. The meeting is open to in-person public participation.
- WEA/WSD Interest Based Bargaining discussion
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will discuss updating the 2024-2025 school calendar to accommodate a basketball tournament in February 2025. The meeting includes decisions on personnel hires, data use agreements, and a potential new superintendent contract through June 30, 2027.
- Proposed 2024-2025 calendar updates to allow no school on Feb 20, 21, and 22 for a basketball tournament
- Election resolutions for annual trustee and general operating levy elections on May 7, 2024
- Data use agreements for iCivics, Agile Sports HUDL, and Checkology News Literacy project
- MOU for Rural Behavioral Health Institute Digital Mental Health Screeners for grades 7-12
- Personnel hires including John Coyne as Muldown Principal and Keli Miller as Muldown Assistant Principal
WEA/WSD Sub Committee Meeting
This is a meeting of the WEA/WSD Sub Committee of Whitefish Public Schools. The agenda contains only a single discussion/action item with no specific details provided. The meeting appears to be procedural or preliminary in nature.
- Discussion/action item: WEA/WSD Sub Committee Meeting (no further details)
WCEA/WSD IBB Meeting
This is a single-item agenda for a meeting between the Whitefish Community Education Association and the Whitefish School District to discuss interest-based bargaining. No specific proposals or dollar amounts are mentioned; the agenda is purely procedural.
- Discussion of WCEA/WSD Interest Based Bargaining
WCEA/WSD IBB Meeting
The Whitefish School Board and the Whitefish Community Education Association (WCEA) are meeting for interest-based bargaining discussions. No specific proposals or actions are listed on the agenda, which consists solely of this single discussion item.
- WCEA/WSD Interest Based Bargaining discussion only item on agenda
Muldown Scheduling Committee Meeting
This is a procedural meeting of the Muldown Scheduling Committee. The agenda includes opening items, public comment, and one discussion/action item: a Muldown schedule discussion facilitated by Rob Watson. No specific proposals or decisions are listed.
- Discussion of Muldown Elementary schedule (facilitated by Rob Watson)
WEA/WSD IBB Subcommittee Meeting
The agenda consists of a single discussion/action item for the WEA/WSD IBB Subcommittee meeting. No specific proposals, contracts, or dollar amounts are listed; the item appears to be a procedural meeting of the subcommittee.
- Single discussion/action item for the WEA/WSD IBB Subcommittee meeting (no further details provided)
Board of Trustees Policy Committee Meeting
The Whitefish School Board Policy Committee will discuss proposed changes to Policy 3141 on discretionary nonresident student attendance and Policy 7008 on tuition. The committee will review draft documents and may consider recommendations. Public comment is allowed on items not on the agenda.
- Discussion of Policy 3141 – Discretionary Nonresident Student Attendance (proposed deletion and new policy)
- Discussion of Policy 7008 – Tuition (proposed clean new policy)
- Public comment period for items not on the agenda
7-12 Scheduling Committee Meeting
The 7-12 Scheduling Committee will hold a discussion on the scheduling and teaming concept for grades 7-12, facilitated by Rob Watson. The agenda contains only procedural items and one discussion item, with no decisions or action items listed.
- Discussion of 7-12 scheduling and teaming concept (Facilitator-Rob Watson)
Monthly Work Session/Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will hold a work session and special meeting. They are expected to vote on correcting a clerical error on the school district calendar and designating February 19 as the make-up day for the January 18 snow closure. The board will also continue discussions on the WSD Strategic Plan and Graduate Profile.
- Approval of calendar correction to designate Feb 19 and June 13 as snow days, and Feb 19 as make-up for Jan 18 closure
- Continued facilitation of Strategic Plan and Graduate Profile drafting by Darlene Schottle
- Review of survey results and action plans from previous strategic planning sessions
Monthly Business Meeting of the Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees will meet to discuss several items including a high school budget amendment due to increased enrollment and a potential superintendent contract extension. The agenda also includes updates on adult education, early literacy programs, and various personnel recommendations.
- High School General Fund budget amendment due to enrollment increase
- Superintendent contract extension through June 30, 2027
- $5,000.00 donation from Whitefish Band Boosters for WHS Band trip
- School Resource Officer agreement approval
- Personnel hiring recommendations for various school positions
7-12 Scheduling Committee Meeting
The 7-12 Scheduling Committee is meeting to discuss scheduling and teaming concepts for grades 7 through 12, facilitated by Rob Watson. No specific proposals or decisions are listed; the agenda includes only this discussion item plus procedural opening items and public comment.
- Discussion of 7-12 Scheduling and Teaming Concept (Facilitator-Rob Watson)
Muldown Scheduling Committee Meeting
The Muldown Scheduling Committee is meeting to discuss the schedule for Muldown Elementary. The agenda includes a single discussion item on the Muldown Schedule, facilitated by Rob Watson. No decisions or specific proposals are listed; the meeting is primarily procedural with public comment opportunities.
- Discussion on Muldown Elementary schedule (Facilitator-Rob Watson)
Special Board Meeting
This special board meeting will discuss and possibly take action on the superintendent's evaluation, with a possible executive session as permitted by Montana law. The agenda contains only procedural opening items and this single discussion/action item.
- Superintendent evaluation discussion and possible executive session