January 28, 2009 ACE Board Meeting
9:00 A. M. @ Billings Hotel and Convention Center

ACE board members present were: Andy Begger, Tim Dolphay, Josh Middleton, Al Sipes, Stephanie Long, and Mark Brajcich.

Guests present were: Tobin Novasio, Justin Klebe, Chad Johnson, Brenda Koch, Dan Nelson, and Luke Enemy Hunter. Also present were Gail Richardson and Jerry Scott.

1. President Al Sipes called the meeting to order at 9:00 with the introduction of guests.

2. Tim Dolphay moved for the approval of the January 28, 2009 minutes. Stephanie Long seconded the motion which passed 5 – 0. (One board member arrived a little late)

3. Andy Begger moved to approve the financial report with Josh Middleton seconding the motion. The motion passed 5 – 0.

4. Under correspondence was a letter from Krisy Savaria, MSCA president, complementing Gail Richardson for her dedicated work with ACE to complete the school counselor curriculum standards. An article from the January / February NEA Today entieled “What’s In An ‘A’” was distributed to all present.

5. Jerry reported that he and Gail traveled to Ryegate on January 21 to do a 3-hour new member workshop and distribute their ACE materials. They stopped at Broadview and Lavina for member schools visit.

6. A MAP Testing meeting has been arranged with NWEA on January 29th at the OPI Assessment Training in Billings. A report from that meeting will be sent to the ACE board and all ACE members to see what further interest they may be between NWEA and ACE. Jerry was instructed to find out if there was a minimum number of students who had to be tested, if there was a limit to the size of the schools, the requirements for MAP training, and how ACE would need to be involved.

7. ACE received 8 applications to attend the 2009 ASCD National Conference in Orlando. 50% of the cost of registration, travel and room will be paid by ACE. The applications were distributed to the ACE board for their review. Josh Middleton moved to accept all 8 applicants and send them to the conference along with Gail Richardson and Jerry Scott for a total of 10. Tim Dolphay seconded the motion which passed 6 – 0. Jerry will make final arrangements and registrations. The group will leave on March 12 and return on March 18.

8. A proposal from Martha Kohl, historical specialist from the Montana Historical Society, to have ACE help with a Preserve America Teacher Workshop in June was passed out to all present. The board approved ACE to proceed in helping with the workshop. More information will be presented in the future.

9. A proposed survey for the March 2, 2009 ACE PIR day was reviewed. The board felt that what was needed at the present time was the total number of participants and the names of their schools. Jerry will revise the survey to reflect this and send it to all members via email. Registration fees were discussed. Jerry estimated the cost a continental breakfast and lunch would run about $15 per person. Jerry will try to encourage participants to have lunch with other techers in their grade or curriculum area. The group felt that it would be good to hold some round table discussions in each subject area in the future. He said that Dr. Pollock’s cost is $5,000 with some other costs for the sectional presenters. Room rental at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center will run about $600. Jerry said that Region III CSPD might sponsor Shawna Heisers session. The board said to drop this session if there is not a sponsor. The boards also felt it would be best to have Jeff Weldon do some type of law workshop for principals and administrators sometime in the future and drop his session for the March 2 PIR day. Discussion on possible registration fees took place. Andy Begger moved to not charge any fees for member school for the March 2, 2009 PIR day and to charge non-members a fee of $50 per person. Tim Dolphay seconded the motion which passed 6 – 0.
   
   A contract for $1,350 to use Faith Chapel for the September 14, 2009 ACE PIR day was accepted. The contract includes the use of the hall plus a sound technician. Jerry reported that there have been non-member schools interested in attending the September 14 Harry Wong workshop. He said a school the size of Lockwood would be paying around $5,000 if all of their staff attended. Discussion on fees for the Harry Wong workshop followed. Mark Brajcich moved that non-member schools continue to be charged $50 per person with a cap of $2,000 per school. Andy Begger seconded the motion which passed 6 – 0. Participants will be given a 1.5 hour break to eat lunch on their own this day.

10. Gail Richardson reported on the January 22 ACE curriculum review for technology and media literacy. Gail called OPI to make sure she had their latest revision and essential learning skills. The group modified the state information into the ACE curriculum and a draft was sent to the member of the group for review and approval. The final product will be placed on the mtace.org web site. There was some discussion on the OPI standards and ELS as well as standards based report cards.
    
    Gail said they have now finished the last of the IEA grant with purchased of reference and library books for ACE member schools. She worked with Deani Kirkness to place all of the ACE IEA projects and material on the web site. They also added links to other IEA sites.
    
    March 26 will be the curriculum review for world languages and drivers education. All member schools are encouraged to send representatives to help with the review.

11. The board felt that the ACE board retreat led by Jim Staab on January 27 went very well. Jim will send all of the participants a report in the near future.

12. Next Ace board meeting was set for February 25, 2009 at 9 AM at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35.