April 21, 2010 ACE Board Meeting
9:00 A. M. @ Billings Hotel and Convention Center

ACE board members present were: Al Sipes, Jennifer Hickok, Josh Middleton, Tim Dolphay, Brenda Koch, and Andy Begger.

Guests present were: Peggy Azure, Bill Feyereisen, Victoria Falls Down, and Sharon Stands. Jerry Scott was also present.

1. Chairman Al Sipes called the meeting to order at 9:10 A. M with introductions of all present.

2. Brenda Koch moved to approve the March 31, 2010 minutes. Jennifer Hickok seconded the motion. Andy Begger asked for a clarification of item 4 in the minutes dealing with the motion for ACE to pay for legal services for Jerry Scott and his situation with TRS. Josh Middleton stated that his motion dealt with the initial response requested from ACE by TRS. Al Sipes said he had not heard from Jeff Weldon to help with a response so he went ahead and sent a letter to David Senn of TRS. It is the ACE boards understanding that ACE will pay for the initial legal fees in order to respond and take care of anything concerning ACE, but would not be responsible with any personal fees for Jerry. Jerry Scott said this was also his understanding and he agreed with the discussion. Al Sipes said he and Jerry would be attending a phone conference at 10:30 with Jeff Weldon, David Senn, TRS director, and Denise Pizzni, TRS legal. The question on the motion to approve the minutes was called for and passed on a 6 - 0 vote.

3. The financial report was reviewed and is on file at the ACE office.

4. Peggy Azure, the present director for SMART, distributed a brochure on Sothern Montana Alliance for Resources and Training (SMART). She reviewed the initial creation of the organization and the OPI vision for regional resource centers based on the CSPD regions. Peggy felt the initial goal from OPI was to have regional centers to help with Title II training and the roll out of state standards. She felt that when federal applications were on the line, OPI did not have any means to get information and training out to schools. Although professional organizations, such as SAM, ACE, etc, tried to help, OPI decided they needed a different model, thus the creation of regional resource centers such as SMART. Peggy said that SMART was different from the other centers because it has a higher education component by involving MSU-Billings. She felt that at times this is a handicap because any professional positions have to follow and flow through the MSU-Billings and higher education state guidelines. Peggy felt this was also a benefit because of the great number of resources available through MSU-Billings. Peggy reviewed the other regional centers that are currently in operation. Al Sipes commented that the problem with such centers is that they limit participation because of the grant guidelines, namely that schools have to be free and reduced lunch schools or Title I schools, or meet other guidelines. Peggy agreed that this is the problem, especially with federal funding, which limits participation and are now tying such funding into the race to the top funds. Al said his schools probably will receive a total of about $1,800 spread across four years and this would not begin to cover expenses for any training. Peggy felt that Jerry’s position as an ACE representative on the board allowed him to express such frustrations. Jerry said he has always maintained that if these are truly regional training centers, everyone should be invited to participate, even if it means they do not qualify for mileage or stipends. Schools should be able to decide if they wish to participate even if they have to use their own funds. Peggy said SMART funds are now OPI funds, but OPI does not want to staff the regional centers. She thought OPI still want the centers to be a model, probably based on what the state of Oregon is doing. She felt at the present time there really is not a clear vision nor leadership from OPI for the centers. Peggy pointed out that there is never any charge for any level one training, but there is a charge for other levels. She passed out information on the new SLATE technology grant and Transforming Perceptions summer workshops that will be offered at MSU-Billings on June 7 - 10. Scholarships are available for some participants. Peggy said that because of the time demands for meetings and managing the grants, she has resigned as the SMART director. She hoped they would hire a full time director in the near future who would lead the organization in a direction that would become a true regional resource center for professional development.

5. A report on the funds for the March 1, 2010 ACE PIR Day was distributed. Jerry said he had made some errors on some of the billing, so the numbers may change somewhat. Evaluations for all of the sessions will soon be posted on the ACE web site.

6. The September 13, 2010 ACE PIR Day with Jay McTighe is still being finalized. Commitments from Jay, Faith Chapel, and Maxine Mougeot have been verbally confirmed. Jerry will continue to work with Andrea Fisher. When he finds out which McTighe book will correspond with the workshop, he will purchase a set for each ACE school and pass them out at a second principals meeting to be scheduled sometime before the end of the school year.

7. ACE will work on scheduling a 6 + 1 Trait Writing workshop for the fall of 2010 - 2011. Jerry asked if he should also set up any summer and/or MEA days workshops. Andy Begger said he has already contracted with presenters to offer a 6 + 1 Trait Writing at Harlowton and has room for other ACE schools to participate if they wish to. He will send Jerry information so it can be posted on the ACE web site.

8. As soon as a commitment can be made from schools that wish to start MAP Testing in 2010 - 2011, ACE will set up a date and location for the initial training. Victoria Falls Down asked if those who are already using MAP testing could also attend, especially new staff members who had never used the test. Jerry said that it would depend on room available. However, ACE will continue to offer further ACE training throughout the year. Bill Feyereisen said Belfry has an aide who is excellent in managing their MAP testing and perhaps she could be used as a resource. Peggy suggested that SMART might be able to help with such training.

9. TRS: Josh Middleton moved that ACE be responsible for today’s legal costs with Jeff Weldon. Any other expenses are to be brought up at the May ACE board meeting. Tim Dolphay seconded the motion, which carried 6-0.

10. Next ACE board meeting was set for 9:00 A.M on May 19th at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.