The board meeting commenced with the election of officers for the year. David Cowen was elected as chairperson by acclamation, with David Marty and Ashley Goodman appointed as clerk and treasurer, respectively, without opposition. Julia Rasmannson was designated as the deputy clerk, serving under the clerk’s direction. The election process was conducted smoothly, with a light-hearted moment where humorous suggestions like thumb wrestling were mentioned as potential tie-breakers if needed. The chair reviewed voting procedures and emphasized the importance of maintaining a quorum during elections, noting that a tie would prompt further voting rounds.

Following the elections, the board addressed its code of ethics and communication protocols. Members were reminded to direct concerns through appropriate channels, such as the superintendent, to avoid potential violations of the open meeting law. The chair shared anecdotes about being approached in public settings and stressed the importance of redirecting inquiries appropriately. Guidelines for handling communications related to investigations or lawsuits were also discussed.

A notable discussion centered around the newly implemented teaching structure at the school, which has fostered increased collaboration among teacher teams. This change has resulted in more consistent communication and stronger relationships across different grade levels. Teachers were reported to be engaging more, with a speaker highlighting the positive response from staff and their enthusiasm for teaching math under the new model. The structure allowed teachers to specialize and teach the same subject to multiple classes. Improved results in assessments like the STAR data were noted, although challenges remained due to the current structure of seven sections per grade level.

Parental feedback on the new teaching structure was minimal, with a lack of significant comments, either positive or negative. However, a parent in attendance praised the variety of teaching styles and perspectives brought by different teachers, which enriched their child’s learning experience. The decision to departmentalize teaching aimed to enhance collaboration and improve support for students, particularly in grades three through five. The principal expressed optimism about the changes, noting that they had surpassed expectations.

The meeting also emphasized community engagement and financial education, with plans for a school finance workshop scheduled for January 22nd. This workshop aims to enhance community understanding of school funding, with reminders and homework assignments to be sent to participants beforehand. The board plans to launch another thought exchange in January, building on previous high engagement levels.

Routine items were addressed, including the designation of financial institutions for school funds and the selection of the district’s legal counsel. The board approved several banks and law firms already in use. The Herald Review was confirmed as the official newspaper, and Rapids Radio and KAXE 91.7 were designated as official radio stations. The board also approved a policy on digital surveillance without changes from its first reading and renewed membership in the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools.

During board reports, members highlighted various community activities and student recognition events. The superintendent reported on a successful music concert in Big Fork and noted tentative agreements with two employee groups regarding contracts. Preparations for the academic calendar and adjustments to assessment schedules were also discussed as the district continues to assess winter benchmarking data.