minutes+of+past+meetings

Northwest MT Reading Council Meeting

October 6, 2011

In attendance: Jerrie Boksich, Kelli Higgins, Sylvia Heselwood, Sue Brown, Leah Schvaneveldt, Carrie Powers, Megan Koppes, Betsy Kohnstamm

Next year’s conference date: Aug. 22? This date may be a problem for some school districts depending on start dates for the school year. The date is typically set as the third Wednesday of August. **The date will likely be changed to August 15.** The Co-Op institute is set for August 16, and Eliza wants to use the keynote speaker that day.

Treasurer’s Report: Michele is traveling for a conference. We need to clarify whether or not we paid the check fees for Vista Linda and Linda Rief.

Secretary Report: Credit was awarded through PIR net for attendees of the conference.

Reviewed the 2011 Conference: Conference attendance was just over 250 Suggestions included: Newbie / Mentor table for easier mingling between schools (“Welcome Aboard” table) Don’t separate presenter nametags specifically (hand deliver thank you notes with water during presentations) Team of people specified to help with certain tasks: Morning set up Afternoon clean up  Water delivery (sign up IB students in June) Lunch help Registration table / cash box Committee to research lunch options--Leah, Kelli

Update on State Council Activities: Sylvia Heselwood Leadership conference will be June 26-28--Sylvia, Jerrie, and Shannon will be attending. Focus has been on declining membership. They are promoting the state reading conference over MEA weekend in Billings this year. The speakers will include Anne Isaac (wrote Dust Devil and Swamp Angel), James Dashner (wrote The Maze Runner, Scorch Trials, and the Jimmy Fincher Saga), and Linda Rief (expert on Reader’s Notebooks and literacy).

We need access to our list of local IRA members--how could we download their names? Megan does have lists of everyone who attended conferences from the past 3 conference years. I will attach this to Betsy in an email! We need to file a 990 (tax form for nonprofit organizations). This is something that should be done yearly.

Tentative speaker for the upcoming conference: Cheryl Lemke Focus on technology--21st century literacy goals and what they look like in the classroom. Cost is below $3000 ($2700) for the two days (to be split with the Co-Op). Jerrie will move forward with a contract.

Reading Recommendations: Jerrie recommends The Book Whisperer--this book has a lot to say about reading programs and what is effective and ineffective. Also check out Sally Reese.

Update on the Common Core: Sue Brown has been serving on the accreditation committee. She is asking the reading council for a response. You can access the information at Chapter 55 Task Force on OPI’s website. Sue would report that the council favors keeping the counts the same (student to teacher / administrator / counselor / librarian ratios) / we favor no deterioration in those numbers. We also look forward to seeing the blended model. Jerrie made a motion to allow Sue to write this response. Kelli seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

Other Projects: Building our core group of people and holding elections to set committee members and conference help. Goal = bring a new person to the next meeting.

Next meetings: January 12th, March, and April 12th.

Additonal note from Michele Paine, NMRC treasurer after the minutes came out:

Thanks, Megan, for the minutes. I will clarify that both Vista Linda and Linda Rief incurred $20 or less in fees, which we covered.

All schools except Whitefish, Bigfork, and Evergreen have paid conference fees, so we are almost squared up there.


 * Michele Paine **
 * Assistant Principal **
 * Flathead High **