October 27, 2010 ACE Board Meeting
9:00 A. M. @ Billings Hotel and Convention Center

Present were ACE board members Al Sipes, Mark Brajcich, Tim Dolphay, Andy Begger, Jennifer Hickok, and Brenda Koch.
Guests present were Andrea Fisher and Tobin Novasio. Gail Richardson and Jerry Scott were also present.

1. Call to order, introductions
   Chairman Al Sipes called the meeting to order at 9:15 making sure everyone present knew one another.

2. Approval of September 15, 2010 minutes
   After review Tim made the motion to approve the September 15, 2010 minutes. Mark seconded the motion which carried 6 - 0.

3. Financial report
   A financial summary from July 1, 2010 to October 26, 2010 was reviewed by the board and is on file at the ACE office.
   

4. Dr. Jeff Walker, Pryor Superintendent
   Jerry reported that he had received e-mail from Dr. Walker stating that he felt present problems at the school could benefit from the services provided by ACE. He requested that Pryor be allowed to pay its 2010 - 2011 dues to receive ACE services. Jerry responded to the e-mail and sent the 2010 - 2011 dues billing as well as inviting Dr. Walker to be present at this board meeting. As of this date there has not been a reply.

5. New member workshop
   Jerry asked if the board would like him to set up a new member workshop for any new teachers and administrators who had not received such training. Tobin said that the training he and his staff received was very informative and worthwhile. Gail and Jerry felt that the training could take place in a half of a day instead of a full day, perhaps starting with lunch and ending at 4 P.M. The board instructed Jerry and Gail to set up the half day training to be held before the end of the year.

6. ACE March 7, 2011 and September 12, 2011 PIR days
   A discussion took place on the format of the March 7, 2011 ACE PIR day with the group feeling that a follow-up to the September 13, 2010 PIR day would be of benefit to those who attend. The consensus was that the McTighe follow-up training should be held for a half of a day with three sessions; a K - 4 group, a 6 - 8 group and a 9 - 12 group. Consideration of high school departments should be a part of the 9 - 12 group. Andrea said she has been in contact with the McTighe group and would meet with Jerry to begin to set up the training. Andrea also stated that Laurel has people who could help facilitate the groups. The group felt that the training should center on essential learning skills. The board directed Jerry to reserve the Billings Hotel and Convention Center for the March 7, 2011 PIR day.

   It was felt that the board needs to start now if ACE was to obtain a national speaker for the September 12, 2011 PIR day. Tobin said he has several names of speakers that he will present to the board. One area discussed was ACT college prep for 9 - 12 training. ACT is presently involved in the national common core standards that will become a part of the state standards. Al wondered how to involve all grade levels as well as all subject areas stating that it is important to try to involve everyone. Mark suggested the day could be designed for an elementary section and a high school section. Andrea felt the day could be formatted to include all grade level and subject area strands. Further discussion will take place at a future ACE board meeting.

7. ACE Director position
   The group reviewed a suggested time line and announcement about the position that Josh had e-mailed the board and director. Al stated that the future direction of ACE would be an important part of any discussion about the future director. Mark said future budgets would also be dependent on the position as well as future services provided by ACE. Jerry passed out 2005 through 2011 budgets for review. The board felt that the time line and announcement submitted by Josh was the way to begin. Al will put the announcement on the OPI web site and other methods of letting people know about the position. The board felt that by looking at the applications they could also start to get an idea of the future of ACE as well as defining the job description for the ACE director position.
   

8. Curriculum review … Gail Richardson
   Gail reported that math was now completed and will be posted on the ACE web site. She continues to have trouble finding essential learning skills and other information on the OPI web site. She said the information is important for the ACE curriculum reviews in order to make sure everything is aligned with the state. Gail emphasized the importance of ACE member schools participating in the curriculum reviews. She said even if schools have already reviewed their own curriculum, their teachers could be of great value in helping others understand the process as well as helping to review the ACE curriculum models. Gail said everyone’s input was of value. Tobin said he had one veteran teacher and one new teacher participate in the last review and both of them reported the reviews were a great and valuable training for them. Al said the reviews were a good process helping teachers and administrators understand curriculum and essential learning skill models. Andy said the reviews give teachers an opportunity to focus on understanding what should take place in the classroom. Andrea said that although Laurel has already covered the subject areas to be reviewed, she would make sure to send people to help.

9. Technology train the trainer
   Jerry said he visited with the Haddock Education Technology people at their MCEL booth requesting they send him information on the training. He said that he submitted a claim for $6,000 for the train the trainer workshop and wondered why it was more than the amount discussed at the last board meeting. Al said the amount included non-ACE members who would be billed for the workshop. He reported that there are now 10 schools involved in meeting to determine what the training will involve. The purpose of the consortium and the training is to have trainers who can go to other schools and help teachers to fully utilize their white board including the use of standards, understanding by design, and assessment tools. Al said the next technology consortium meeting will take place at the old Laurel Middle School on Thursday, November 11 from 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. Everyone is invited to attend and see what is going on.

10. National ASCD conference … March 25 - 27, 2011, San Francisco
    Jerry said he has one applicant for the conference scholarship; Justin Helvic, a 7 - 12 science teacher from Harlowton. He said applications are due on or before November 30th. Jerry asked how many ACE board members were thinking of attending. Mark, Al, Tim, Andy, Brenda and Josh all indicated their interest in going. Jerry requested that they complete the first page of the application and send it to him. He will also send out one more e-mail to the members reminding them about the opportunity to attend.

11. MAP Testing
    Andrea and Linda will once again set up and provide training on how to use MAP testing data in the classroom and school. They will let Jerry know the time and date so he can get the information out to the ACE member schools.

12. Billings Catholic Schools
    Jerry said that on Monday he mailed the contract for the Billings Catholic Schools to join ACE. He will then set up training and deliver material to the school.
    


13. Next ACE board meeting will be held on November 17, 9:00 A.M., Billings Hotel and Convention Center. Jennifer requested that ACE look into purchasing pens or some item that could be given away and that would have the mtace.org web site on it.