September 27, 2006 ACE Board Meeting
9:00 A. M. @ Billings Hotel and Convention Center

Attending were board members Bob Barnes, Al Sipes, Mark Brajcich, Andy Begger, Dave Huether,  and Tim Dolphay.  Also present were Gail Richardson, Fritzie Walker, Josh Middleton, and Jerry Scott.

1. President Bob Barnes (AKA “The Godfather”) call the meeting to order at 9:15 A.M.


2. Al Sipes moved to approve the minutes of the August 30, 2006 meeting. Dave Huether seconded the motion which passed 6 – 0.


3. The financial report was reviewed. Jerry reported that all member schools except Lodge Grass have paid 06 – 07 dues. Lodge Grass did send him a form to pay their dues. Elder Grove has paid their fees and dues except for $200, which will be paid later. ACE materials have been ordered and training sessions will be scheduled for Elder Grove. There was discussion on the wide variety of charges for the PIR day presenters. Jerry stated that he had agreed to some of the charges and had each presenter complete a billing form from which he issued the claims shown on the financial report. Mark asked what the present balance compared to last years balance was and Jerry said he forgot to do that for this meeting. Andy Begger moved to approve the financial report with Mark Brajcich making the second. The motion passed 6 – 0.


4. Dan Martin from the Billings Schools would like to meet with ACE in order to visit about proposed Indian Education Curriculum Project. He could not attend this meeting and will be placed on the October 25 agenda. Discussion followed on how some schools were using their Indian Education for All money. Those present felt that OPI should be leading the state by producing curriculum guides for all grade levels. Mark felt that if there were not some leadership from OPI there would be lots of groups going in all kinds of different directions. Al and Gail said that any lessons produced should be integrated for all curricular areas. Andy said he is paying his teachers to integrate IEA into their classroom with standards alignment. The discussion ended by saying there already was lots of different directions but no real expert.


5. The September 11, 2006 PIR Day was reviewed. Those present felt it was one of the most successful professional development days ever put on by ACE. There were many positive comments about the wide variety and presenters and sectionals offered as well as excellent comments on the speaker, John Anotnetti. The summary sheets for all the evaluations were given to those in attendance. Jerry also passed around a printout of those attending and said he would email the attendance sheet and the evaluation summaries to the member schools in the near future. The group thanked Josh for providing the facility as well as arranging to have lunch at a cost of $4.00. Jerry said he issued tickets for the ACE presenters and workers and paid for their lunches. Other schools also paid for their staff lunches.


6. Lanny Stene was scheduled to discuss a suggestion for the March 5, 2007 PIR day but could not come. Al Sipes passed out a letter from Lanny suggesting Ace contact Dr. Wayne Callender to be the main speaker for that day. Other presenters were discussed including those listed on last year’s survey. The board directed Jerry to continue with the same type of schedule as on September 11th and use his own judgment in contracting the main speaker and presenters.


7. Jennifer Hickok could not be present to visit with the board on Pryor’s gear up program and will be placed on next month’s agenda.


8. Jerry reported that the K – 6 ACE Curriculum booklets and disks were passed out or mailed to all member schools.


9. Gail and Jerry reported on the September 26 New Teacher workshop held in Laurel. 37 teachers and administrators from 10 member schools attended. The board felt it was important that ACE continue to offer the workshop and suggest going back to an August and a September date so schools could choose which one to attend. The board also felt the August administrator workshop should be continued. Jerry will work on dates for the 2007 – 2008 school year for these workshops.


10. Gail reported on the Indian Education for All grant saying that 36 teachers were registered and all was ready to go. Two graduate credits from MSU-B can be obtained for $200 if the participants choose to do so. The first session will be held on October 7 at MSU-B. Gail went over the list of those who have already signed up. The board asked if Gail to send the schools the registration list. Gail agreed that people could still sign up if they let her know right away. Some of those present felt that there might have been more attending if the classes were not held on Saturdays. Gail said the grant would not pay for the trainers if they also received their teacher’s pay and that is why classes are to be held on Saturdays. It was felt that schools would have been glad to release their staff to attend during the school week if that could have been worked out.


11. At the August meeting there was discussion of the possibility of ACE helping pay for the ASCD Annual National Conference as well as other national conferences members might choose to attend. Jerry said the cost per individual to attend last years ASCD conference in Chicago totaled $1,264.96. Six teachers/administrators, five ACE board members, Jerry and Gail attended. ACE paid the full cost for Jerry, Gail and the ACE board members. 1/3rd of the cost for the other six was paid by their schools with ACE paying 2/3rds. After further discussion Mark Brajcich moved that ACE provide a maximum of 10 scholarships of 50% of the cost of registration, travel and room to attend the March 17 – 19 ASCD conference in Anaheim, CA. Schools would be responsible to pay per diem for the conference. Full expenses for two board members as well as Gail and Jerry would be paid by ACE. David Huether seconded the motion which passed 6 – 0. Jerry was instructed to develop an application form and send it to all member schools.


12. The next board meeting was set for October 25 at 9:00 A.M. in the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. Bob adjourned the meeting at 10:40 A.M.