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Brockton School Board opens talks with teachers, raises superintendent purchase limit and approves staff bonuses
Summary
On Dec. 16 the Brockton School Board voted to open collective-bargaining talks with the Brockton Teachers Association, increased the superintendent's purchasing authority to $25,000, approved multiple hires, and authorized a $500 Christmas bonus for contracted staff.
The Brockton School Board on Monday formally opened collective-bargaining negotiations with the Brockton Teachers Association and approved a series of personnel and administrative actions, including raising the superintendent's purchasing authority to $25,000 and a $500 Christmas bonus for contracted staff.
Superintendent Josh Patterson presented the recommendation to open negotiations with the BTA and said the district and association must address contract language ahead of renewal deadlines. Board Chair Sammy Nygard and Trustee Rae Jean Belgarde were named as the boardrepresentatives to the negotiations team. Patterson noted the state "is making an effort to boost beginning teacher wages" and said the board may consider negotiating language tied to the Stars Act.
The board approved the motion to open negotiations on a 4-0 recorded vote. Nygard and Belgarde will meet with district staff to assemble an initial offer for the bargaining team.
Also during the meeting the trustees approved an amendment to Policy 7320 (Purchasing) to increase the superintendentspending authority to $25,000 and to adopt updated purchasing language aligned with MTSBA and Montana law. The motion passed unanimously.
The board handled multiple personnel motions on consent, including acknowledging the resignations of Norma Big Crow (assistant cook) and Sunni Hilde (paraprofessional); hiring Big Crow as a substitute cook and Hilde as a substitute teacher for the 2024-25 school year; approving extracurricular hires (RaeAnne Edmisten, cheerleading sponsor; Heather Youpee, elementary girls basketball coach); hiring student workers (Kameron Rattling Thunder and substitute Quannah First That Walks); and hiring LaVonne Black Dog as an assistant cook. Abstentions and votes were recorded where noted in the meeting minutes.
A previously proposed payroll-advance policy (Policy 5338) that would limit advances to certain special occasions, cap advances at $700 per occasion, and require superintendent preapproval was discussed but was tabled for rewording. Trustees discussed adding the Native American Classic Basketball Tournament as a qualifying event before returning the item to a future meeting.
The board also discussed proposed language to allow Montana Youth Challenge Academy (MYCA) students to receive a Brockton diploma and participate in graduation if they meet certain criteria (age 16+, complete the MYCA program, pass HiSET, and receive board endorsement). Trustees debated a proposed minimum of 20 combined credits and whether board endorsement should remain a requirement; the item was tabled for rewording.
Trustees approved an amendment to Procedure 5334-P(1) to permit, at the district's discretion, an annual cash payout in June for unused vacation leave. The board also approved Change Order #1 to the district's WIPFLI audit contract to add preparation and maintenance of the fixed asset schedule; the firm will bill at its standard rates.
In executive session to discuss a private student matter, the board voted to allow a returning senior to participate in graduation and receive a Brockton High School diploma if graduation requirements are met but to deny eligibility for senior graduation honors. The motion passed 4-0 following the closed session.
The board tabled a request from the Fort Peck Tribal Diabetes Program to conduct student health screenings beginning fall 2025 pending review of the consent form and potential conflicts with existing programs. Trustees also approved updates to Independence Bank signature authority to remove two signers and add Assistant Clerk Amy Heller; opened student accounts for High School and Middle School JMG programs; and approved a $500 Christmas bonus for approximately 50 contracted staff. The Christmas bonus motion passed 3-1, with Trustee Rae Jean Belgarde voting no.
Chair Sammy Nygard adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m.
The board will reconvene at its next regular meeting; several tabled policy items (payroll advances and MYCA graduation language) were sent back for rewording and additional information before being brought forward again.
