Conference Session
Friday, October 22, 2021
9:20 - 10:10 am
Relationships Make Leaders … Using Restorative Practices as a School Administrator - Presenter(s): Matt Johnson
Using the concepts of Restorative Practices to promote teamwork, communication, trust and retention with your staff.
Clerk and Superintendent Duty List – Presenter(s): MASBO Board Members
MASBO has a handy document intended to serve as a communication tool to assist the school district administrative team with collaboration, planning, and agreement on how certain duties and responsibilities can be most efficiently and effectively carried out to ensure compliance with board policy and state and federal rules and regulations. The district clerk, district superintendent, and board chair are encouraged to review this list each year following the organizational meeting in May.
School Construction and Repairs: Protecting Districts’ Investments – Presenter(s): MTSBA Legal Staff
MTSBA legal staff will review the steps to ensure school districts have necessary contractual guidance and legal protection throughout the school construction or repair process. The legal staff will also review the statutes and regulations governing school elections and election advocacy, community engagement strategies, and facility improvement planning.
Leading the Way to a New Future through Capital Improvements to Your District’s Campus – Presenter(s): Dan Rispens, Superintendent, East Helena K-12 School District, Godfrey Saunders, Superintendent, Belgrade Public Schools, Bridget Ekstrom, Senior Vice President, Aaron Rudio, Senior Vice President, D.A. Davidson & Co., and Dan Semmens, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Despite challenges presented by COVID-19, Montana School Districts have had good luck passing school bonds and completing school building projects. Since May of 2020, 10 of 11 school districts have passed their bond elections. During this MCEL session through an interactive format, attendees will learn from the recent experiences of East Helena K-12 District and other Districts and hear the keys to (1) putting together a capital improvement plan for the district, (2) communicating with the community in passing the bonds at a bond election, (3) issuing bonds with favorable financing terms and (4) designing, constructing and managing the construction projects. NOTE: East Helena School officials will provide a guided tour of their new high school for anyone interested at a time to be determined during MCEL.
10:30 am – 11:20 am
Rural School Issues in Montana - Presenter(s): Dennis Parman
Learn about rural school issues at the federal level, state level, the Board of Public Education, and the OPI. Bring your questions and concerns.
Social-Emotional Learning in Montana Schools - Resources for Students and Staff - Presenter(s): OPI SEL Team – Michele Henson, Todd Wester
In this session, you will be able to understand what is social emotional learning and the benefits of intentionally supporting SEL across schools and districts. Share the approach and resources to implement SEL in MT schools. Consider evidence-based strategies to include and improve SEL in your settings. Consider the use of universal screening and survey to measure SEL outcomes.
Core Curriculum Evaluations: How to Provide a Collaborative, and Flexible Student Learning Environment in Math & ELA
In this session, you will learn how to combine a digital platform with print-based instruction in Math and ELA to empower student discussion, critical thinking, and problem-solving. We will provide a brief description of Illustrative Mathematics and EL Education’s instructional philosophy followed by an interactive implementation example.
Historical Trauma and Cultural Resilience – Presenter(s): Deserae Kill Eagle
Back by popular demand, Deserae Kill Eagle will be providing an overview of U.S. federal policies and how they have historically impacted Indigenous communities of North America. Despite governmental assimilative tactics, tribal nations still possess innate protective factors such as cultural resiliency to overcome historical loss symptoms of poverty, violence, discrimination, and oppression. This session will help create a sense of community by viewing the current assets of tribal nations as tools to overcome historical loss and contribute to sustainable solutions for future generations.
11:40 am – 12:30 pm
Yes, We’re Still Talking About the Open Meeting Law: Opportunities in District Communication – Presenter(s): MTSBA Legal Staff
In this 50-minute session, MTSBA legal staff will give the history of the open meeting law and discuss how it has evolved from constitutional concept to state law to vital community engagement tool. School leaders can learn about opportunities available through innovative compliance with the law to reach new stakeholders and encourage support for district operations.
Lessons Learned About Recruiting Teachers to Rural Schools - Presenter(s): Dennis Parman
MREA has spent the last five months helping member schools recruit online using Facebook. There has been lots of feedback on the Teach-In Montana Facebook site. Come and learn what we found out and refine your recruiting practices to be more effective.
COVID-19 and ARPA Update – Accelerating Learning and Infrastructure - Presenter(s): Sharyl Allen, Julie Murgel, Colet Bartow
OPI Leadership will share and update on all efforts related to COVID-19 impact on our schools through the lens of Accelerating Learning and meeting Infrastructure needs.
Facility Maintenance and Use – Presenter(s): Shawn Bubb, Director of Insurance Services, Annette Satterly, Risk Management Associate, Harry Cheff, Risk Management Associate
Join the MSGIA staff as they provide some best practices for maintaining the facilities and allowing safe usage. There will be ample time to ask questions. We look forward to a lively discussion.
12:50 pm – 1:40 pm
Transfers Between Funds – Presenter(s): Denise Williams, Executive Director, MASBO
Transfers between funds are allowed under certain circumstances and may be a viable option for your district. Restrictions, requirements, and ideas will be explored in this session.
Responsible Government Services: Ethics for School Trustees and Employees – Presenter(s): MTSBA Legal Staff
MTSBA legal staff will review the obligations under state and federal law the govern trustee and employee conduct with regard to district facilitates, funds, and equipment. School leaders can also find out about criminal laws for official misconduct and civil recourse for citizens affected by impropriety in a school district.
More than a Worksheet: How Digital Math Tools are Essential for Supporting Teachers and Streamlining Differentiation – Presenter(s): Dr. Tim Hudson, DreamBox Learning
Digital math tools can engage students in thinking about math concepts in ways that aren’t possible without technology. When students interact with digital tools such as virtual manipulatives, they have the opportunity to understand math concepts in new and deeper ways because the experiences and interactions can’t be replicated outside of a digital environment. Join this session to learn more about how digital math tools enhance student learning and enable teachers to gain new insights about students that support differentiation.