MACSS Spring Meeting – Helena
Business Meeting, February 19, 2015
At 1:03, President Jessica McWilliams called the meeting to order, New Officers were sworn in:
First VP – Steve Engebretson of Dawson Co., Second VP – Linda Marsh of Beaverhead Co., Treasurer –
Rhonda Long of Fergus Co, Secretary Cathy Maloney of Silver Bow Co.
Roll Call
A quorum was established with the following 32 counties in attendance: Beaverhead, Big Horn,
Broadwater, Silver Bow, Carbon, Cascade, Choteau, Daniels, Dawson, Fergus, Flathead, Gallatin,
Garfield, Hill, Lake, Lewis & Clark, Liberty, Lincoln, Mineral, Missoula, Musselshell, Park, Phillips,
Powder River, Powell, Richland, Rosebud, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Teton, Treasure, & Wheatland
Absent: Blaine, Carter, Custer, Deer Lodge, Fallon, Glacier, Golden Valley, Granite, Jefferson,
Judith Basin, Madison, McCone, Meagher, Petroleum, Pondera, Prairie, Ravalli, Roosevelt, Sanders,
Sheridan, Toole, Valley, Wibaux, & Yellowstone
Parliamentarian
Jules Waber selected, as motioned by Susan Metcalf of Sweet Grass, seconded by Patty Boyle of
Cascade – approved
The Agenda
Modifications were made, with item 8.a. By-Laws change in Article IV, Section 2 changed to
Action were approved with changes, as motioned by Jack Eggensperger of Flathead, seconded by Kathryn
Pfister of Musselshell
Minutes
Minutes of October 28, 2104 were approved as corrected with the date changed to Dec 31, 2014
in the Treasurer’s Report, as motioned by Sandy Watts of Big Horn, seconded by Susan Beley of
Wheatland
Treasurer’s Report
Rhonda Long presented a written accounting of the financial information on this fiscal year which
will end December 31, 2015, we have $18,582.25 in our First Bank Account and $45,022.98 in Whitefish.
Current expenses are $12,350.19 in line with a proposed estimate of $24,500 for the year. She also
explained an Expense Sheet for our Conventions, Spring 2013 in Helena, we lost $649.25, Fall 2013 in
Billings we gained $229.01. Convention expenses in Fairmont Spring of 2014, we gained $720.66 and in
Fall 2014 in Bozeman, we lost $4,093.68. The loss was due to paying for the entire conference including
room reimbursements with so many retiring county superintendents.
SAM fees were paid late so we actually paid for two years within this period, was the only
unusual detail of interest. Discussion ensued regarding the continuation of the Montana Club as the
venue for the Rural Teacher of the Year Dinner, costs are high and every extra includes a charge – even
slicing a cake. The bus costs $350 for the 3 hours that it is used. The photo that we have taken is getting
more expensive, anticipating a $500 charge this year.
It was agreed that the networking time is very valuable to us as a group and we would need to
discuss this further, The Montana Club has been a lovely venue and perhaps the only opportunity of the
Rural Teacher of the Year to be honored and dine there.
Committee Reports
MACO - Susan Beley reported, the meetings were not well attended due to unforeseen weather and
circumstances. She mentioned that Harold Blattie spoke in support of education – Thank you! Their next
meeting is in June.
Teacher of the Year - Susan Metcalf Dawn Dawson of Choteau county was chosen this year her
Portfolio was beautiful and nearly ready for the National Application. We had a very difficult time
choosing the winner; there were great applicants this year. We have four members of MUST attending
the award dinner; Ms. Dawson did not wish to use her room. The Clock is ready to present and the
television station is scheduling an interview.
Sunshine – Judy Martin, She continues to send out cards, even sent one to herself this last year. Judy
encouraged us to send any information worthy of sharing to her in Stillwater County.
Delegate Assembly – Jessica McWilliams, There has been no recent activity as legislature is in session.
In June, in Helena, five of our members will sit on our panel of representatives to go over position
statements with SAM, if interested please contact Jessica McWilliams in Garfield County.
MSSA – conducted their meeting in audience of the MACSS, - Jessica McWilliams sits on the board.
The MSSA has been around since 1996, and is presently located in Dillon, under the leadership of Dan
Rask. MSSA was originally formed from a contribution of $5,000 from MTSBA and $5,000 from
MACSS and are now officially an affiliate of NREA. MREA withdrew from the NREA and we are now
the sole representatives of Rural Montana Education.
NREA/NREAC- Jules Waber is on the Executive Committee and the President-Elect is a teacher from
Montana. Jules attended the October Conference in St. Louis, MO and our association pays for a
Membership in this organization.
SAM –Kathryn Pfister and Marsha Davis attended the Evening of Excellence, our contributions for the
growth of SAM and the Endowment are monies well spent, Kirk Miller is doing a great job representing
education in legislature and helping with the SBAC, they have had a high turn-over in help, but are now
solvent and continue to look for money to sustain and grow SAM. They are visible at MCEL as a vendor.
Legislative – Steve Engebretson reports it has been a grueling session, Steve and others attended and
testified as opponents late into the night on Bills aimed at eliminating the Common Core, the Smarter
Balanced Assessments, Collection of Data and Reporting Deadlines. It is hit or miss whether we will be
in Helena at our conference to support or oppose legislation as needed. Turned out we were needed and
heard at this session, many challenges will still be there until the 24th hour.
Nominating Committee – Gail Steffanson reported that the regular election through Survey Monkey
worked well for the forty votes that selected the Secretary, Cathy Maloney, she and Erin Lipkind were the
committees selection as a necessity when Linda Marsh was moved up to 2nd Vice-President, due to
Marsha Davis’ retirement which facilitated a bumping of officers.
Historian – Cathy Sessions was left a collection of pictures and a Thank you from Diane Inbody, she
hasn’t done much with this position, and just became aware of the need for taking pictures, Mary Lou
Tweet agreed to take pictures at the banquet.
Old Business
Agenda item 8a, By-Laws Change – Article IV, Section 2
Discussion from Belgrade was continued. Article reads “If the winning teacher chooses not to
attend the NREA conference, any MACSS member may apply to the executive board to use the funds to
attend. Funds may be distributed equally if more than one MACSS member applies to attend the NREA
Conference” Discussion ensued, the money will be rolled back into the program, the trip is expensive and
dues to SAM are better spent. Historically, the President or the County Supt of the Winner goes with the
Teacher of the Year, if neither chooses to go, the money was held.
The question was raised whether it belonged in the bylaws, this was answered in retaining
institutional knowledge; President McWilliams re-read the bylaws and determined that they can be
amended anytime by a quorum. A vote was taken on the motion by JoAn Bjarko of Daniels, seconded by
Kathryn Pfister of Musselshell to amend bylaws striking paragraph “if the winning…attend the NREA
Conf” motion passed with 25 in approval and 4 opposing.
A motion was then made by JoAn Bjarko of Daniels, seconded by Jack Eggensperger of Flathead
to have a committee look at this and bring it back for a vote at the fall conference. Susan Beley, Kathryn
Pfister and Sandy Watts volunteered to do so.
Student Scholarships – Jules Waber let us know of a change in the NREA Essay Contest (not a poster
contest), grades 3 – 8 are an essay while grades 9 – 12 are a digital presentation. He urged us to get more
essays from Montana sent; this may be enticed by offering a monetary prize as an organization. No
action was taken, tabled until next meeting
Fall Conference Missoula September 29th and 30th on Tuesday and Wednesday. Social to be held at
Erin Lipkind’s residence for those wishing to come the night before.
Monday the 28th may be added to the Conference to fit in Emergency Services Training from
Amanda Domino of OPI, this will be revisited by the E-Board.
The need for a Strategic Plan Committee was shared, five members volunteered, Kirk Miller
offered to help/advise and let us use the template of SAM’s, those to sign up were Linda Marsh, Cathy
Sessions, Erin Lipkind, Steve Engebretson and Jules Waber.
Treasurer’s Audit to be moved to fall, reminder to ask for after Roll Call. Kathryn Pfister 1st,
Jules Waber 2nd, motion passed
Spring Conference ideas for 2016 were sought, possible locations Lewistown, Kalispell or
Havre, to be discussed, propaganda and information is encouraged at our fall conference.
Other
Have Lindy Miller present at a future conference.
Assessment training needed
Project Child Safe.org – free gun locks for distribution at gun shows, organizer is Brian Kjensmo of
b@scishows.com He has agreed to let anyone have a booth at his gun shows for free.
EPAS training needed – MSSA has a template that is small school specific
Spelling Bee, Scripps is holding our state for ransom, a three person committee agreed to research
options, Rhonda Long, Jo Newhall & Cathy Maloney, schools are being charged approx $60,000
to participate in Washington D.C. Bee
School Mail Ballots rarely pass – Jules Waber doesn’t recommend them
Acronyms need to be updated
Motion to Adjourn – Jules Waber – passed unanimously, it has been a thoroughly action packed
conference.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Maloney, MACSS Secretary
p.s. I agreed to send this along  Optional language for Annual Financial Report (to be placed in the
newspaper, based on an example as borrowed from Ms. MaryEllen Fitzgerald of Gallatin County):
The Trustees’ Financial Summary for the school year 2012-2013 and Budget Reports for the 2013-2014
school year of each district in Butte-Silver Bow County are available for inspection in the Office of the
Superintendent of Schools in the City-County Courthouse located at 155 W. Granite, Room 315, from 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
According to Montana Code Annotated, 20-3-205 (w), “within 90 days after the close of the school fiscal
year, an annual report must be published in the newspaper stating the following financial information for
the school fiscal year just ended for each district of the county. “ Figures are from the Trustees’ Financial
Summary as submitted by the business manager of each district.
Butte High School
Beginning Balance All Funds
Revenues
Expenditures
Ending Balance All Funds
$1,855,022.94
10,463,889.22
10,378,118.68
1,923,397.79
Butte Elementary
Beginning Balance All Funds
Revenues
Expenditures
Ending Balance All Funds
$ 412,105.55
951,897.53
832,082.83
530,898.50
Ramsay Elementary
Beginning Balance All Funds
Revenues
Expenditures
Ending Balance All Funds
$ 85,785.39
1,163,938.75
1,004,898.50
244,825.64
Divide Elementary
Beginning Balance All Funds
$ 4,359.40
Revenues
Expenditures
Ending Balance All Funds
Melrose Elementary
Beginning Balance All Funds
Revenues
Expenditures
Ending Balance All Funds
65,751,37
68,045.09
2,065.68
$ 17,148.77
111,459.24
115,013.28
13,594.73