Board approves routine agreements, funds and personnel reports

The Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees approved a series of routine consent and business items during its July 15 meeting, with unanimous votes from trustees present on each motion.

Items approved included: - A transportation agreement with the Drummond School District allowing Drummond to run a school bus stop within MCPS boundaries because it is a safer stop and state law requires an interdistrict agreement for that arrangement. Trustees approved the agreement without discussion.

- Establishment of bus depreciation reserve funds for both the elementary and high-school districts to set aside levy revenue to replace buses in the future. Trustees approved separate motions for the elementary and high-school reserve funds.

- Creation of an enterprise fund for the district’s Schoolhouse Meats (meat lab) so sales and related activity are accounted for in an enterprise fund, in compliance with accounting standards. The administration said existing miscellaneous-program funds will be transferred into the enterprise fund.

- A lease of modular space at Jefferson School to the Center of Restorative Youth Justice, from Aug. 1, 2025, to June 30 (year end). The administration said the leased space is the modular buildings behind the school, roughly 1,600 square feet (two modules of about 800 square feet each). Trustees approved the lease; the elementary program will not be operating at Jefferson during the year in question, administration said.

- Personnel reports (new hires and internal movement) for the elementary and high-school districts.

- A tentative agreement reached with the Missoula Education Association on July 2; the administration presented highlights including a $25 increase in district insurance contribution per eligible employee, whole-dollar increases to the salary matrix ($2,526 this year and $2,100 next year by the administration’s account), a longevity stipend for long-tenured teachers, increases to stipends and curriculum rates, caps on multiple horizontal movements, and an increase in personal leave from two to three days. The tentative agreement will be presented to MEA members for ratification in August and, if ratified, will come to the board in September.

- A motion to grant salary increases for nonunion employees consistent with market comparisons and the board’s overall compensation strategy.

All votes on the above consent and business items were recorded as unanimous among trustees present.