HPMP Irregular Meeting notes: Wednesday, May 13, 2009
7-8 pm in the Central School Library

Attendees: Co-Presidents Amy Lambrecht and Joe DeFilippis, Treasurer Dayna Baumeister, Secretary Diana Hammer, Smith Principal Pam Wright, Incoming Secretary Marika Adamek , In-Coming Co-President Joshua Schultz, Past Co-Presidents Denise Barber, Anne Hedges, Cherche Prezeau, and Mark Lambrecht.

From the discussion at the regular monthly HPMP meeting on May 4, it was clear that HPMP needs a training funding policy. This policy needs to be put in place so it will be clear — to HPMP and the teachers – what expenses HPMP can afford to cover. The HPMP Board agreed to go back and examine past practices and develop a policy in conjunction with the incoming HPMP Board. Therefore, current HPMP Board members, incoming HPMP Board members, and past HPMP Co-Presidents were invited to begin a discussion about an HPMP training policy and to provide input regarding the two current training requests.

Discussion topics:

• Request for payment of expenses from Annie Tague
• Request for payment of expenses from Jodi Delaney
• HPMP Training Policy

Funding Request #1

• Annie requested $2624 in expenses (lodging, gas, food). HPMP has already paid about $10,500 for her Elementary I training. After much discussion, HPMP decided to provide $2000 (77%) of the expenses requested.
• Follow-up: Joe will talk with Annie and Sue in person about this decision.
• Result: Joe spoke with Annie on Thursday, May 14 and told her about the decision to provide $2000 toward her expenses. She sent the current officers a thank you email.

Funding Request #2

• Jodi requested $2577 in expenses (lodging, food, gas). HPMP was concerned that this training would be a repeat of the on-line Elementary I training HPMP has paid for previously. Given that and the very real probability that an Elementary I training will be available in Helena next summer (2010) and the limited funds available (given the upcoming retirement and other trainings planned), HPMP decided not to fund Jodi’s training request.
• Follow-up: Meet with Jodi in person and ask her if she did complete the on-line Elementary I training. If she completed it, terrific! If not, ask that she complete the training as soon as possible. Explain that we are asking that she simply postpone her training until next summer (so no travel away from her young family ).
• Result: Amy and Diana met with Jodi and Sue Johnson on Tuesday, May 19 to discuss her training and HPMP funding. We confirmed that Jodi has completed her on-line Elementary I training. We explained the HPMP decision and rationale. Jodi expressed a couple of concerns re: 1) Certainty of the planned 2010 training in Helena; 2) Completeness of that training, i.e., would it include a practicum too; and 3) What part of the Kalispell training costs might be non-refundable/fees?
• We have since learned that there is a $900 non-refundable portion of her training, the remainder will be refunded. Also, according to Pam Wright, things are moving head with the planning for the 2010 training – the vendor is finalizing its costs. Pam also said that the training would include 4 on-site visits by the vendor over the course of the 2010-2011 school year.

Development of an HPMP Training Policy

It is clear from discussions with past HPMP members and from the meeting notes that a training policy or training guidelines are needed. There was much discussion and the following agreements were reached:

Agreed:

General:

• HPMP will only pay for a particular training one time
• HPMP will make decisions regarding training on a case-by-case basis – considering funding available.
• HPMP’s priority is to train existing teachers.

Contract:

• Create a contract between HPMP and individual teachers accepting HPMP training funds.
• Amy described the “Spokane model”. She also said that in speaking with other Montessori groups like ours, they were surprised that we would fund teacher training without an agreement in place.
• Cherche will speak with Dr. Messinger and will prepare a draft contract/MOU. Amy will seek a copy of others’ contracts to use as model for ours as it is developed.
• Training/Tuition (includes materials and certification fees):
• HPMP will provide up to $6000 for Elementary I training and up to $4000 for Elementary II training. [These amounts are to be re-examined each year by the new HPMP board and revised as necessary by looking at the cost of available training.]
• Montessori teachers desiring training have a duty to ensure that any training requested meets requirements. [For example, “I, ______________, certify that __________________ training fits with my Montessori training goals and is necessary to complete my Montessori certification program.]
• The HPMP Board has discretion to review training requests on a case-by-case basis.
• HPMP believes it is important that some portion of the Montessori training be completed on-site.
• There are opportunities to observe in Bozeman and at Children’s World Montessori; Nadia Zylawy is a wonderful local resource.
• Expenses (transportation, food, lodging) – Several ideas were discussed but no formal decision was made.

Suggestions to consider:

• HPMP does not pay any teacher expenses
• HPMP pays a set amount/day for expenses, e.g. $50/day
• HPMP pays a set amount to cover expenses incurred while attending both Elementary I and Elementary II trainings, e.g., $3000
• HPMP loans money to teachers for their training
• Let teachers know that they can apply for “New Professionalism” dollars from the District. These are available one a first-come basis and many teachers seem unaware of this possible resource.
• Another point was raised: HPMP could consider not paying any expenses if the training need can be meet in Helena

Classroom materials

• Diana suggested that HPMP consider developing some guidelines regarding how to make decisions about funding for classroom materials.
• To be discussed at a later date.

Other Discussion

• Helena Montessori Training. Pam described her efforts to bring a Lower Elementary I training to Helena next summer (2010). Would be open to area teachers. Consider charging reduced rate for Helena teachers; higher rate for out-of-District teachers. 5-6 week training with 4 follow-up observations over the course of the next school year. She’s working with Montessori Opportunities out of Bozeman. They are finalizing their costs. Hope to have one price so the more who can attend, the cheaper it will be for everyone. From previous trainings, she knows of a several teachers in Helena who are interested in Montessori – plus Jodi and Charla. Need a minimum of 10 trainees for Elementary I and 10 for Elementary II. If this goes well, would hope to bring an Elementary II training, maybe in 2011. Look at Carroll College: education program, housing, etc. This training would provide a “pool” of trained Montessori teachers in Helena and would make it easier to find a new Montessori teacher when one retires.
• Budget. At various times in the past, HPMP has developed a budget for upcoming years. Would be a good idea to develop one for upcoming years; assess need and set appropriate fund-raising goals. Discussion about how having more predictable expenses and available funds could open the door for further expansion of the Montessori program in the Helena public schools e.g., Kindergarten, Middle School.
• Dayna will develop a template for meeting reports showing the real HPMP balance (i.e., cash on hand considering upcoming/known obligations).

Terminology clarification:

• Primary = pre-school, ages 3-6
• Lower Elementary or Elementary I = grades 1-3
• Intermediate or Elementary II = grades 4-6

There WILL be a regular HPMP Board meeting on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 7 pm at the Central School Library.

Out-going and In-coming HPMP Board members will meet from 6-7 pm to transition from old to new HPMP Board.