Board approves policy cleanup, tax-credit account setup, unemployment plan, Indigenous grant and legislative funding resolution

At its meeting the Board of Trustees unanimously approved several routine and policy actions, authorized the district to register for a state tax-credit program for school donations, approved continued participation in a multi-district unemployment insurance program, and authorized a grant application to support Native American cultural education.

"This is something that we're familiar with. It's a creature of... state law. It arose out of some legislation in 2021," Mr. McHugh said during discussion of the Innovation Education Program Tax Credit. "What it provides for is a dollar for dollar tax credit for donations to public schools in support of innovation transformational learning programs."

All recorded motions under new business and consent passed unanimously "to all trustees present," per the meeting record. Key actions included:

- Board Policy 05/1950 (second reading): Trustees approved revised language described by Superintendent Hill as a cleanup to reflect current titles. The motion was moved by Vice Chair F. Garris and seconded by Trustee Witt; the vote was unanimous.

- Innovation Education Program Tax Credit: The board authorized staff to set up the district account with the Department of Revenue to accept donations eligible for the state dollar-for-dollar tax credit. Mr. McHugh said the district received about $300,000 in these donations in 2024 and described the program's January 15 start date for entering donations; individual donors can contribute up to $200,000 (married couples $400,000) per the presentation. The motion was moved by Vice Chair F. Garris, seconded by Vice Chair Walker Andrews; the vote was unanimous.

- Multi-District Participation Agreement (MTSUIP): Trustees approved continued membership in the Montana Schools Unemployment Insurance Program, a self-funded plan for school districts. The motion was moved by Vice Chair F. Garris and seconded by Trustee Walsh; the vote was unanimous.

- Personnel reports (elementary and high school): Trustees approved routine personnel reports in separate elementary and high-school motions; both motions passed unanimously.

- Indigenous Lifeways Fund (Na'ali Fund) grant application: The board approved a grant application from Native American Student Services to purchase supplies and materials to support making dance regalia and drums and to support elder and family engagement. Mr. McKeown described the application and said the fund would support cultural knowledge and family engagement. The motion was moved by Vice Chair F. Garris, seconded by Vice Chair Walker Andrews; the vote was unanimous.

- Resolution on state school funding: The board adopted a resolution urging the state legislature to act to adequately support public schools, citing inflation and the upcoming decennial study of school funding. The resolution was moved and seconded in separate elementary and high-school motions and passed unanimously. The agenda listed the measure but did not provide a standard bill number in the discussion; the board described the resolution as a local advocacy statement for the 2025 legislative session.

Board members who spoke during the items included Mr. McHugh (presentation on the tax-credit program), Mr. McKeown (grant application), Superintendent Hill, and multiple trustees who moved or seconded motions. Trustees asked clarifying questions about how the tax credit works in practice and whether businesses could participate; district presenters said donations are provided to the district during the calendar year and donors claim the credit when they file the subsequent year's state return.

All motions recorded in the meeting minutes were approved unanimously by the trustees present; no votes were recorded as opposed or abstained.