April 29, 2009 ACE Board Meeting
9:00 A. M. @ Billings Hotel and Convention Center

Present were board members Al Sipes, Tim Dolphay, Andy Begger, Josh Middleton, Les Cabot, Stephanie Long, and director Jerry Scott.

Guests present were Dan Nelson, Darryl Bertelsen, Anna Archer, Brenda Koch, Luke Enemy Hunter, Barbara Ostrum, and Andrea Fisher.

1. Al Sipes called the meeting to order at 9:15 and had everyone introduce him or herself.

2. Tim Dolphay moved for the approval of March 25, 2009 minutes with two spelling corrections. Andy Begger seconded the motion and all 6 board members voted in favor.

3. The financial report was reviewed. Les Cabot felt that the Joliet auditors would be happier with the lower balance that was indicated.

4. Jerry reported that the ACE computer is now about 8 years old. The board gave permission to purchase a new computer for the ACE office with a limit of about $1,200. Al Sipes suggested a laptop because of the amount of traveling the office does.

5. The board thanked Stephanie Long for her service on the ACE board and presented her with an engraved clock.
   
   Al Sipes opened the meeting for nominations for the open board position. Josh Middleton moved to have Brenda Koch serve on the ACE board. Andy Begger seconded the motion which carried 6 – 0. Brenda will start her board position beginning with the next meeting.

6. Anna Archer from Bytespeed Partners for Education informed the group about equipment and services she could provide for ACE and its member schools. Anna is working with Harlowton’s Technology Consortium grant and other schools in Montana. Al Sipes said Bytespeed saved his school quite a few hours as well as money because the company preloads the school software and makes sure all of the equipment is ready to work on the school’s servers. Anna presented the group with information brochures and shirts. She said she would be happy to help ACE and any other group set up a statewide technology workshop. Anna donated other “prizes” for door prizes for the June Montana Educator’s Institute. Bytespeed also paid for the room rent and meal costs for the meeting.

7. Jerry reported that Jon Moore was schedule to travel to Ryegate to do an introduction to 6 Trait writing workshop. Lodge Grass had requested help with curriculum mapping and 6-trait writing but has not confirmed dates nor details as to what is needed. Jerry sent Lodge Grass emails and a letter saying ACE would be glad to help if and when they wanted.
   
   Luke Enemy Hunter passed out a handout for the Plains States Technical Assistance Center with offices located in the old Garfield School in Billings. Luke said the group specializes in working with schools to help children to succeed in school and in life. They are presently visiting with about 35 Montana schools that have not made AYP. They are very willing to help with professional development.

8. MAP Testing … Blue Creek, Roberts, and Lavina have all submitted commitments to start MAP testing through ACE in the 2009 – 2010 school year. Other members have expressed interest but have not committed at this date. Training will take place in August at Laurel. The group wondered if the federal stimulus money could be used for MAP testing. Jerry will contact ACE member school one more time and try finalize the list by the end of May. He will work with NWEA and Laurel to set up the August training.

9. The group was provided with the final expenses for the March 2 ACE PIR Day along with a summary of evaluations for the sessions that were offered. The evaluations have been placed on the mtace.org web site.


10. Gail Richardson was doing a curriculum review so could not be present. She has continued to update the curriculum on the mtace.org web site. Andy Begger wondered if the web site could not include the dates the curriculum areas were last completed as well as when they are scheduled for future reviews. The board felt it would be a good idea to include the history as well as schedule.


11. The board decided to do the ACE board retreat follow-up with Jim Staab on June 8th. Jerry will announce the time and place if that date is open for Jim. A last regular board meeting before the summer break will also be held on that date.


12. ACE is trying to gather information on summer workshops that will be held in the area and throughout the state. The information is being place on the mtace.org web site. Some of those present said they are still in the planning stage and will send information as soon as their schools finalize it.


13. Jerry passed out a report summarizing the Montana ASCD / A – Z meeting he attended on April 3 in Helena. He reported that some presentations made during the meeting might be beneficial for the South Central Administrator’s group.


14. The question on obtaining a web site license mentioned during the Effective Schools workshop was brought up. The ACE board felt that was not necessary.


15. Jerry asked if the ACE board would like to purchase a sponsorship or pay for a scholarship for an ACE member to attend the Montana Educator’s Institute in Helena on June 14 – 17. The board felt this was not necessary either.


16. The board said that the 2009 – 2010 ACE membership dues should remain the same as the 2008 – 2009 school year.


17. Next ACE board meeting was set for June 8, 2009 along with the Jim Staab workshop. A time and place is to be announced.