Diane Blevins Posted June 3, 2008 Report Share Posted June 3, 2008 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana May 19, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The Regular Board Meeting/Board Retreat 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, May 19, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Mary Jo Fox, Joel Guthals, Tim Trafford, Sandi Mossman, Katharin Kelker, Malcolm Goodrich, Kathy Aragon, Dawn Achten, Peter Gesuale, Superintendent Jack Copps, District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Registered guests included David Munson, Delinda Baxter, Aimee Brown, Marilyn Anderson, Jerry Hansen, Yvonne Eckhardt, Tonia Adam, Trudy Gavin, Rilla Hardgrove, Lynette M. Curtiss, Paige Montague, Kirsten McMullen, Nancy Dimich, Kathy Boehler, Cindy Walton, Deborah Agnew, Brock George, Darcy LaBeau, Janet Baum, Gina Brott, Virginia Mermel, Stacey D;Ambrosia, Scott D’Ambrosia, Tami Evenson, Summer Peterson, Craig Peterson, Darryl Grove. 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. Lynette Curtiss, Gina Brott, Paige Montague, Aimee Brown, Amy Griffin, Nancy Dimich, Deborah Agnew, and Scott VanBrosig spoke in support of not closing Rimrock’s Kindergarten Center. Nathan Anderson, Mandi Achten, Darlene Rector spoke in favor of middle school activities. Jerry Hansen voiced his concern regarding a teacher’s union paying for the Montana Quality Education Coalition’s lawsuit against the State. He also asked why there were two Montana Education Association representatives serving on the Board of Directors for the MQEC as most groups only had one representative. Trudy Gavin addressed the Board to voice her concerns about the smokers from Skyview in the High Sierra subdivision. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve the agenda. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. RECOGNITION AND GIFTS AND DONATIONS The Board recognized Marcia Beaumont as the recipient of the 2008 Montana Indian Education Association K-8 Educator of the Year award. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to accept the gifts and donations with gratitude. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the gifts and donations: Bitterroot – Scottish Rite, shoes for students Broadwater – Yellowstone Bank, $250 school carnival Central Heights – CJ’s Restaurant, $10 gift card Buffalo Wild Wings, four $5 gift cards Windmill, $30 gift card Montana’s Rib and Chop House, two $25 gift cards Dos Machos, two $20 gift cards Fuddruckers, two $20 gift cards Red Lobster, two $15 gift cards Johnny Carino’s, two $15 gift cards Texas Roadhouse, 30 percent off cards for each teacher Ryan Restaurant Corporation, five $0 gift cards Outback Steakhouse, six $10 gift cards Cactus Creek, six $10 gift cards Wheat Montana, two $10 gift cards Old Chicago Restaurant, two $10 gift cards Highland – Keith Cook, First Interstate, $2,500 for playground fund David Williams and Gina Bradley, $150 gift certificate to Thomas Books Ponderosa – KOA, catered lunch for staff Billings Gazette, Heart and Hands, school supplies Poly Vista Softball Field Improvements – Dave Jones Kirk Suchy Greg Peterson Stewart Anthony Mr. and Mrs. Steve Waller Rob Clark Mr. and Mrs. Dave Ballard Hal Olson Gary Fox Tom Frank Paul Dennehy Pat Hennessy Reid Walen PRESENTATION BY SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SHAC) Dr. Virginia Mermel, Chair of the School Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) gave an update on the committee’s work. The committee members have met for two hours each month during the past school year. Dietary practices in the schools were reviewed, spoke with community members to control costs, and have met five nutrition recommendations and seven activities recommendations that Jack Copps has approved. SHAC has brought the District’s food service into the guidelines on nutrition from 2005 and changes have been made. The committee will tackle pop and candy in vending machines in the middle schools and high schools. The committee will also look at eliminating the use of candy for incentives by teachers, as well as requesting that teachers drink water or juice in front of the students instead of pop. The committee will also review birthday parties in the classrooms and award schools with the fit kids program. The committee will also develop guidelines for fund raising as well as a policy for foods in concession stands. SHAC will also address students who do not get meals at home as some families’ run out of money by the end of the month. Trustee Achten voiced her concern that the best moneymakers for fund raising for school organizations are the cookie dough and pizzas and would not like to see that end. Dr. Mermel said the committee would review the options. REVIEW OF OPTIONS AND ACTION FOR 2008/09 BUDGET IN LIGHT OF PENDING DEFICITS The Chair reported that the administration has provided a suggested list to be cut to reach the $2,700,000 shortfall. Superintendent Copps said that figure could fluctuate up or down dependent upon negotiations. There were a couple of items that needed to be taken off the list or a decision made tonight. Band and Orchestra for Grades 5 and 6 was removed from the list. Mr. Copps stated he would like a decision tonight on the Rimrock Kindergarten Center closure and the 10 teaching positions. There has been no prioritization of the list of proposed cuts and if one-time only money were to be used, it would lower the $2,700,000 amount. Trustee Mossman was excused at 7:05 p.m. Trustee Kelker reviewed the suggested cut list: 1.00 FTE for Library; Middle School Activities; 10 teaching positions; Rimrock School closure; 2.00 K-6 specialists, 8.00 FTE to convert Middle School to Junior Highs; 1.34 FTE Human Resources/Business Office; $206,542 in Board contingency; $250,000 in textbooks, 14.00 FTE K-8 At-Risk Non-Title Schools; 8.80FTE K-6 Reading Tutors; 6.00 FTE K-6 Extended Studies; 24.00 FTE K-8 Counseling; $268,000 in Utility savings;; and, compensation. Trustee Guthals reported the Budgeting for Results (BFR) Committee used a model on how school budgeting should work under these circumstances. The process was good and used to go through each possible change and how it would impact students, staff, administration, and the costs. Trustee Guthals stated that this School Board must balance the budget as mandated by law. The funding received from the State is not adequate to keep up with increases and the levy did not pass. Trustee Fox reported that the cost savings to revert to half-day kindergarten would be $1,400,000 in 2009 but there would be a loss of ANB revenue for a total of $2,500,000 in 2010. Trustee Kelker stated the utility savings is based on the energy savings concept that was recently adopted. Trustee Goodrich asked for current numbers for repairs at Rimrock. Rich Whitney, Facilities Director, reported steam system replacement would need to be done for approximately $500,000. In 2010, the roof would need to be replaced which would cost $350,000 to $400,000. Trustee Goodrich asked for information on middle school activities. Dave Williams, Executive director of Activities, reported the $400,000 contains all stipend positions and some are for music teachers. All after-school programs would be eliminated if middle school activities were cut. No concerts would be held except on a voluntary basis by the teacher. Trustee Achten asked if the fees could be raised. Mr. Williams stated that has been discussed but it would only raise approximately $70,000. The last time that middle school activities was being considered in the cuts, the community raised a lot of complaints. Trustee Achten voiced her concern that cutting activities would take away so much from the students. Superintendent Copps stated that administration was trying to stabilize K-6 funding as middle schools are getting hit less than K-6. Trustee Fox asked if Helena had reinstated middle school activities yet as it had been cut several years ago. Mr. Williams replied that he was not sure but would check and get back to the Board. Private organizations could step up and try to offer those activities but they would have to charge more, which means a lot of students, could not afford to participate. Trustee Guthals asked for the percentage of participation. It is 80-90% depending upon the school. There were 5,840 students that participated in activities with an enrollment of 2,383 in middle schools (students participated in more than one activity). Trustee Guthals asked what the educational impact would be if activities were eliminated. Mr. Williams reported that activities have proven to be a dropout preventative for students. Scott Anderson, Executive Director of Secondary Education, stated that participation in activities was an individual indicator for success. Trustee Guthals asked what the 41,100,000 of one-time only money consisted of and how long was there to use it. Mr. Copps said that some state money was left over from all-day kindergarten. The rest of it is from one-time State money for deferred maintenance. He said it should not be committed to salaries. The District is running out of money in the building funds as the levy did not pass. If the District were to experience a catastrophic event, it would have to do a budget amendment and possibly borrow money. The one-time only funds were also not meant to be used for operational costs. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion: Motion to propose eliminating 10 teaching positions, closing Rimrock school, 2 K-6 Specialists, convert middle school to junior high school, and 1.34 in the Human Resources/Business Office. The motion died due to a lack of a second. Trustee Kelker suggested that the Board do a priority list in case there is some savings that has not been realized. Trustee Gesuale voiced his concern that counselors not be cut as the District will not meet accreditation standards. Trustee Aragon asked about student achievement in a seven-period day. Scott Anderson reported that the District would be the only district in the State who would not have seven periods if the schools were to go back to junior highs. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion that the 14 FTE for K-8 At Risk Non-Title Schools be placed at the bottom of the list for cuts. Trustee Aragon asked for the heating replacement information for Rimrock School. Rich Whitney, Facilities Director, stated the heating system would be replaced when it is no longer economically feasible to operate. It could cost $30,000 to keep it going next year as it is 56 years old. Trustee Aragon asked if the other programs in Rimrock help pay for the operation. Kathy Olson, Executive Director of Elementary Education, said every program is the District’s, except two classes of Head Start. Trustee Fox urged the Board to put Early Literacy Intervention and Read 180 at the bottom of the list. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, and Katharin Kelker. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Goodrich: Motion to place the 10 FTE teaching positions at the top of the list. Trustee Gesuale asked how many classes would be over accreditation standards. Kathy Olson reported that 47 classes would be over the standards. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, and Katharin Kelker. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Scott Anderson stated that the K-8 counselors are pivotal for the students and there are two per school. If more cuts are made to middle schools, the counselors would have more on their plates. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to place K-8 Counseling second from the bottom on the priority list. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, and Katharin Kelker. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to place K-6 Reading Tutors third from the bottom. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, and Malcolm Goodrich. Katharin Kelker opposed the motion. The motion passed. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to place K-6 Extended Studies fourth from the bottom. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, and Katharin Kelker. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Trafford asked if there were things that could be cut out of activities that could be taken over by other organizations. Dave Williams reported that there are other clubs that have said they could take over some activities but there are still some legal issues that would impact the District, such as use of facilities, football equipment, and utility costs. Mr. Williams stated he contacted the Helena Activities Director and discovered that Helena did reinstate middle school activities this year. Trustee Guthals suggested that the 1.00 FTE Librarian and the 1.34 FTE for Human Resources/Business Office be placed at the top of the list. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to place the 1.00 FTE Librarian and the 1.34 FTE for Human Resources/Business Office to the top of the list. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, and Katharin Kelker. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to eliminate $150,000 from the Board contingency. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, and Katharin Kelker. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Achten made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to place the K-6 Specialists at the top of the list. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, and Katharin Kelker. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to eliminate textbook purchases of $250,000 and place it at the top of the list. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich and Katharin Kelker. Mary Jo Fox opposed the motion. The motion passed. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion that the middle schools be converted to junior highs for a savings of $320,000 be placed at the bottom of the top of the list. Trustee Gesuale asked what the contractual effects would be. Scott Anderson replied it would have to be addressed in negotiations. Three out of the four principals recommended that activities be cut before converting back to junior highs. Trustee Kelker stated it was important for the Board to look at the whole list again. She reported she would not vote in favor of the motion. Trustee Guthals felt the utility savings should also be looked at for a savings of $268,000 and it be moved up in the list. The Chair did not feel the Board could count on that now but it could be used to purchase something off of the cut list. Those voting in favor of the motion were Mary Jo Fox, Kathy Aragon and Malcolm Goodrich. Those opposing were Katharin Kelker, Peter Gesuale and Dawn Achten. The motion failed. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to close Rimrock. Trustee Gesuale felt it should be placed at the top of the bottom of the list. He voiced his opposition to the motion, as it would move students to the most adverse, crowded schools. Trustee Aragon felt the Board should look at all facilities. Trustee Goodrich made a motion to withdraw his motion and Trustee Achten withdrew her second. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion: Motion that the administration bring back the full set of numbers that relate to conversion from full-day Kindergarten to half-day Kindergarten at another meeting, probably a special meeting, to meet administration’s deadline on the Rimrock issue to determine, once we see that package, whether that is a viable option to the remaining three issues which are middle school activities, Rimrock School, and the conversion to junior highs because that is a savings of $1,200,000 in the next school year. The Chair stated that did not have to be a motion as that information could be obtained from the administration. She further stated the Board needed to finish the prioritization. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to move Rimrock to the top of the bottom of the list. Trustee Fox did not like the idea of prioritizing and felt that the Board was putting off the cuts. Trustee Aragon withdrew her motion and Trustee Gesuale withdrew his second because he felt it needed to be moved down the list. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to move the Rimrock closure to the bottom of the list. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Peter Gesuale and Katharin Kelker. Those opposing were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, and Malcolm Goodrich. The motion failed. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The Chair stated, as it was 9:30, there were items on the agenda that needed to be addressed this evening. The budget cuts will be discussed at a future Special Board meeting. MONTHLY LEGAL REPORT Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to accept the recommendation of the Long-Term Suspension Committee for the high school suspensions. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to accept the recommendation of the Long-term Suspensions Committee for elementary. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich and Katharin Kelker. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. TEACHER NO CLAUSE NONRENEWAL Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Goodrich: Motion to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation that Kim Graff’s employment be terminated for No Cause. Trustee Guthals asked if the policy had been followed. Superintendent Copps reported that the administration followed the proper process. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. BILLS PAID -- APRIL 2008 Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve the bills paid for April 2008. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The list of bills paid is as follows: Claims $4,660,052.26 ACH Tax Deposits 1,682,482.78 Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits 5,593,395.48 Procurement Card 296,783.98 INTERCAP Loan Network Infrastructure Elementary Bond Payment TOTAL $12,232,714.50 PERSONNEL REPORT Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to accept the Superintendent’s Personnel Report. Trustee Goodrich asked if there was anything unusual in the Personnel Report. Superintendent Copps reported there was not. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to approve the items contained within the Consent Agenda. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. Items approved in the Consent Agenda are as follows: Regular Board Meeting Minutes, April 21, 2008 Special Board Meeting Minutes, April 28, 2008 Special Board Meeting Minutes, May 13, 2008 Acceptance of Budgeting for Results Committee Minutes, April 14, 2008 Memorandums of Understanding for Middle School and High School SRO’s with City of Billings Learning Objectives for Honors Algebra II, Honors Geometry, and Intermediate Algebra Learning Objectives for 20th Century Genocide – Pilot Classes at West High School for 2008-09 K-8 Science Learning Objectives Career Center House Construction Agreement Between Home Builders Association of Billings and Billings Public Schools Addition of Eble & Rickard Scholarship Trust Fund Accounts at Elementary Schools Addition of Trust Accounts for BPEF 2008 classroom Grant Recipients Addition of Professional Development (U. S. Bank) Trustee Account at Riverside Middle School Addition of Recycling Partnership Trust Account at Lincoln Center Tuition Rates 2008-09 School Year The Chair asked that written information regarding the remaining items on the agenda not addressed at this meeting be sent to the Board. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Katharin Kelker, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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