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Special/Performance Monitoring/Stakeholder RelationsCommittee Minutes July 23, 2012


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Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

July 23, 2012

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The Performance Monitoring/Stakeholder Relations Committee/Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, and High School District, Yellowstone County, Montana, was duly held at The Lincoln Center, 415 North 30th Street, Billings, Montana, July 23, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Members present included Trustees Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Connie Wardell, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, and Superintendent Terry Bouck. Administrators present included Kathy Olson, Brenda Koch, and Kim Anthony.

 

Registered guests included Mary Westwood, Jay Lemelin, Stacy Lemelin, Kathleen Benoit, Karen Moses, Elaine Bankston, Rilla Hardgrove, and Debbie Richert.

 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC

 

The Board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of listening to members of the public in its meetings. The Board also recognizes the statutory and constitutional right of the public to participate in governmental operations. The Board encourages members of the public to participate in and express opinions about issues important to the District. This part of the Board’s meeting is dedicated to public comment on any public matter that is not on the agenda of this meeting and is within the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees. Members of the public may also address particular items on this agenda either now or at the time the Board considers the particular item. There were no public comments.

 

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS PLANNING

 

Karen Moses stated she was pleased to see this discussion take place and gave a brief history on the volunteer groups such as Support Your Schools in stakeholder relations planning. Kathleen Benoit believed communication with the Billings public is essential to the work of the district in order to pass levies. She urged the board to bring in community members to aid in public communication and invite the community to the schools for their open houses in order to engage them. Support Your Schools had members who were from the community, principals, staff, and parents.

 

Debbie Richert reported she has served on this school board and was part of the School/Community Committee. The School/Community Committee consisted of members from across the community in Billings, including three high school students. Support Your Schools focused their efforts in those areas where there are positive responses and pushed for the passage of the levies.

 

Superintendent Bouck stated a district cannot pass a levy when you only have one month to plan. It takes prior planning to pass levies. Trustee Graves suggested a section be included in the Billings Gazette for information on the schools to assist in informing the public. Trustee Ellis believed another way to inform the public is to get the principals out in the community again.

 

Rilla Hardgrove, retired principal, stated she has been a member of the Rotary Club on the west end and felt that is a meaningful experience. Superintendent Bouck reported he will join the Rotary Club and felt it was important for principals to get out into the community. Trustee Ellis reported the Billings Classified Employees Association has conducted a survey of their members to determine which organizations they belong to and she suggested the principals conduct a survey of their group also. Superintendent Bouck believed, in order to pass a levy, the district members must be truthful, honest, and give the facts. He reported he will form a parent advisory council made up of parents from the various PTA groups. Trustee Ellis suggested having an open house at Senior High to show off the renovations made from the bond funds. The district should also advertise now on how the last two bond funds are being used. Superintendent Bouck suggested calling the report Delivering on a Promise. Elaine Bankston, retired teacher, suggested getting the people who do not vote into their community school. Trustee Halter felt it was important to see the positive things that are occurring in the schools.

 

Kathy Olson, Executive Director, reported history teachers are taking time in their classrooms to sign up 18-year-olds to vote. Schools are also sending registration cards home in the kindergartners’ packets. Ms. Hardgrove suggested having the Support Your Schools up and running soon in order to aide district staff. Superintendent Bouck stated he would begin by speaking to the principals to form the parent advisory council. He stated he would also meet with Debbie Richert and Karen Moses to discuss ways to get started and the vision for the group of stakeholders.

 

TRUSTEE SCHOOL VISITS

 

Trustee Graves reported this item will be discussed at a future meeting.

 

REVIEW OF REPORTS FOR AUGUST 2012 BOARD MEETING

 

Brenda Koch, Executive Director, reported she will meet with Trustee Aragon next week regarding Safe Routes to School and an update will be given at the October meeting.

 

INCREASE PARTICIPATION OF RETIRED STAFF MEMBERS

 

Trustee Graves reported he wanted to get more retired staff involved in the dealings of the district. Trustee Ellis suggested having a social time for discussion on ways that the retired would like to stay involved with the schools. RSVP meets once a month. Trustee Ellis suggested contacting the BEA office to gain the names of those who are retired. Ms. Bankston stated there are many ways retired staff can help in the schools without being a tutor.

 

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Lindy Graves, Chair

 

 

 

Diane Blevins, Recorder

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