September 30, 2009 ACE Board Meeting
9:00 A. M. @ Billings Hotel and Convention Center

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

Guests present were: Luke Enemy Hunter, Jennifer Hickok, Stephanie Zickefoose, Lanny Stene, Brent Lipp, Fran Swensgard and Tobin Novasio.
Gail Richardson and Jerry Scott were also present.

1. Chairman Al Sipes called the meeting to order at 9:15 A.M. and had all present introduce themselves.

2. Les Cabot moved for the approval of August 19, 2009 minutes. Josh Middleton seconded the motion, which passed 6 - 0.

3. The financial report was reviewed.
   A suggestion was made for ACE to send a contribution to the Bob Barnes memorial scholarship fund. Les Cabot made a motion for ACE to contribute $500 to the Bob Barnes Scholarship fund. Andy Begger seconded the motion, which passed 6 – 0.

4. Membership / dues / survey: Jerry Scott reported that Pryor and Shepherd have not paid their 2009 – 2010 ACE dues. A fourth billing was sent to them on September 22nd. 24 member profiles have been returned. The board suggested they be placed on the ACE web site.

5. September 14 PIR day with Harry Wong and bus driver training: Jerry reported that about 720 attended the Harry Wong presentation and about 100 attended the bus driver training on that same day. A summary of the evaluations was presented with an average of 85% giving the workshop 5 or the highest score possible. Very positive comments were made on the evaluations with the exception of a few who felt Dr. Wong pushed his book too much, the auditorium was too crowded, too hot, to start later, and to not have the Montana Highway Department work on the streets during the PIR days. The vast majority felt that Dr. Wong had a great sense of humor, was enthusiastic, passionate, and very knowledgeable. The presentation was said to be fast-paced, concise, well organized and realistic. Most stated that they came away with ideas and procedures that could be immediately implemented in their school and classrooms. Jerry reported that a number of schools liked the idea of having the afternoon to work on the implementation of Dr. Wong’s suggestions and/or other school matters with their own school. Tobin Novasio said it was good to be able to interact with other schools. The group agreed but emphasized the importance of having a planned agenda for such meetings. Stephanie Zickefoose suggested that some schools might even want to schedule a follow-up PIR day. There were over 200 lunches left over due to the fact that a number of attendees went to lunch on their own. Jerry took all of the left over lunches to Saint Vincent DePaul’s who not only were very glad to receive them, but stated that the lunches would only last a couple days at the most. The board asked Josh Middleton if there was some sort of fund or item that ACE could contribute to or purchase for the Laurel Schools in appreciation for the use of their facilities all of these years. Josh said Laurel was happy to be able to provide the site. The board felt that the projection and sound system was outstanding and well worth the money, especially for that large of a group. The snacks and lunches were outstanding. Laurel will send ACE a bill for labor and costs. Jerry said he planned to send a registration billing based on the last number the schools sent him.

6. September 24 New Member workshop: Gail Richardson and Jerry reported that Laurel, Joliet, Reed Point, Roundup, Big Timber, Belfry and Bridger sent a total of 13 to participate in the workshop. Marlene Deis helped present that day. Those attending felt the workshop was very informative and helpful providing them with an understanding of the ACE consortium as well as what ACE can do to help them and their schools.

7. New Day, Inc, training: Gail and Jerry went to New Day to do an introduction to ACE and to deliver their ten-sigma books and rubrics disk. Jennifer Hickok felt the session was very helpful for her staff.

8. Gifted and Talented program professional development: Josh Middleton wondered what ACE members were doing in their GT programs. He said Laurel is trying to offer advance classes but said there really is no direction on what or how to offer GT programs. Josh felt perhaps ACE could set up a workshop in order to get some suggestions. Les Cabot agreed and suggested that ACE set up a meeting so teachers and administrators could come and share what they are doing in their schools.
   
   Al Sipes said that Jim Staab is working on setting up a 6 + 1 Trait Writing workshop and asked Jerry to send the information out to all member schools. Al said he and Jim have had problems getting e-mail through to Jerry’s metnet address and requested him to get a second e-mail address. The second address is jerrys955@gmail.com and Jerry will check both sites for information.

9. Member School visits: Jerry reported that he and Gail have now visited Blue Creek, Luther, Shepherd, Huntley Project, Roundup, Roberts, Canyon Creek, Elysian and Elder Grove schools inquiring how ACE could help, to see what programs are being offered, and to hear suggestions on what more ACE can be doing. A summary of the visits was sent to the board via e-mail.

10. Gail Richardson report: Gail reported on the plans for the October 1st and the October 8th science curriculum review. The goal for both days will be to utilize the essential learning skills OPI has now posted for Science and put them into a format comparable with the entire ACE curriculum.

11. ASCD annual conference in San Antonio March 6 – 8, 2010: The board instructed Jerry to announce that ACE will continue to fund up to 10 teachers or administrators to attend the conference with ACE paying 50% of the travel, room and registration costs. Dates and applications will be emailed to all member schools. The board felt that both Gail and Jerry should continue to attend.

12. March 1, 2010 ACE PIR Day: The board would like this day to center around assessment data and how to utilize it schools and classrooms. A discussion on the ACT, CRT, MAP testing and other forms of data was lively and informative. The group questioned the wisdom of the 10th grade CRTs stating that a lot of subject matter is not covered by this grade. Al Sipes suggested all questions be directed to the State Superintendent of Schools, Denise Juneau, at the 11:00 South Central Administrator’s meeting.
    
    Stephanie Zickefoose and Lanny Stene inquired about the possibility of ACE having Dr. Melissa Genaux do a presentation on Autism on the March 1, 2010 PIR day. Both Lanny and Stephanie attended a presentation by Dr. Genaux and would like our region to be able to have the opportunity to hear her. Dr. Genaux would work in the area of behavior management, Autism, Asperger Syndrome and classroom management. Her cost would be somewhere around $3,000 for a full day. CSPD and other special education cooperatives are willing to help with the expenses. The ACE board felt this would be a good idea, especially since there were suggestions on the evaluation forms asking for workshops dealing with special education. Lanny will contact Dr. Genaux and work with Jerry to set up the workshop. ACE will also offer speakers and sessions dealing with implementation of data in the classroom and schools. Jerry will continue to map out the day and bring suggestions to future board meetings.


13. Fran Swensgard, Judith Gap Superintendent of Schools, was present to inquire about joining ACE. Jerry has already been in contact with Fran. Fran has also visited with Andy Begger about ACE. Mark Brajcich moved to allow Judith Gap to join ACE under the same contract as New Day, Inc. Les Cabot seconded the motion which passed 6 – 0. Jerry will draw up the contract and send it to Fran.


14. The next ACE board meeting is set for October 28th at 9:00 A.M. in the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 A.M.