Diane Blevins Posted June 9, 2008 Report Share Posted June 9, 2008 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana June 3, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The Special Board Meeting/Work Session 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, June 3, 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 Treve Icenoggle, Thomas Smith, Ed Ulledalen, Shawn Ashcraft, Vince Ruegamer, Mandi Creble, Bob C. Besel, Ken Cunningham, Judy Williams, Nick Johunen, Cathy Pomeroy, Sally Bishop, Erin Pehl, Rich Barth, Tina Boone, Carolyn Osik, Deborah Agnew, Janet Baum, Lana Lynch, Tammy Hobsen, Ione Schneider, Karen Long, Nicole Chakos, Gary Ostermiller, Kim Anthony, Lori Booke, Judy Walton, Mary Karen Marek, Paul Dunphy, Mari Jane Orner, Linda Dahl, Rilla Hardgrove, Tina Belvin, Shanna Henry, Darcy LaBeau, Diana Hedden, Paige Montague, Jan Besel, Sharon Petersen, Judie A. Gage, Kim Beatty Liz Madden, Maureen Klaboe, Joan Sleeth, Tonia Moore, Nathan Moore, Shaun Harrington, and Darlene Rector. Chair Kelker stated she would move the approval of the BEA contract forward in the agenda. There were no objections. APPROVE THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH BILLINGS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Jeff Greenfield, BEA President, reported the BEA members voted to approve the contract. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve the three-year contract with the BEA. Trustee Guthals reported the negotiating team had extensive negotiations sessions with the BEA. He reviewed the changes that were made to the proposed contract. Trustee Trafford voiced his concern regarding the possibility of a raise in health insurance in years two and three, as the Board is responsible to protect the interests of the District. Trustee Kelker explained that there is a limit to an insurance increase of 6% for the second year, which is understood by the BEA. Dan Martin, Human Resources Director, stated that in order to make the plan more solvent, the District would pay 100% of a $1,000 deductible premium unless there is a problem where the benefits would need to be changed. If participation in the plan becomes an option, the District would lose the healthy employees, which would cause adverse reaction and higher premiums. Mr. Martin stated that the District needs healthy, young people who do not have a lot of claims to level out the claims. Trustee Kelker stated labor management has worked well over the past to balance the system. Trustee Aragon asked about preventative health care. Mr. Martin stated the health assessments have been offered to the employees as well as other services of the Wellness Clinic. Trustee Kelker reported the benefits are not addressed at the bargaining table but by the Insurance Committee and the Budgeting for Results (BFR) Committee. Trustee Fox asked if the committee considered steps and lanes in salary increases? The Chair reported that it is a cost to the District and is above the percentage raise. Trustee Guthals stated steps and lane increases reflect the dedication and further studies by the teachers. Trustee Fox stated when she looks at raises, they are very modest raises but the Board has to consider what people deserve and what is available. She did not feel they were being fair to the community as a whole and she could not support the second and third year increases, as the District did not have the funds. Trustee Achten reported the District did not know what it would have for the second and third years. The Chair stated that multi-year contracts are considered to be a value. The District never knows what is going to be available in future years of the contracts but the contract could always be reopened. Trustee Kelker felt the team brought back a very nice contract. Trustees Guthals and Goodrich agreed that the contract is a good financial move as the cost of living is expected to be higher than 4%. Trustee Trafford stated neither side got exactly what they wanted and voiced his concern about the possibility of having to reopen the contract due to the ambiguity. Trustee Mossman felt that a three-year contract makes good management sense. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. Mary Jo Fox opposed the motion. The motion passed. 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. Ed Ulledalen and Vince Ruegamer, City Council members, addressed the Board to urge them to discuss the Cottonwood property and open a dialogue with the City. The following addressed the Board in support of the various issues on the list of budget cuts: Judy Williams spoke in favor of keeping the K-8 counselors; Jennifer Brackney, Becky Hatler, Patricia Loken,and Catherine Cole in support of the seven-day period; Toni Schneider and Nicolette Schuman spoke in favor of middle school programs and electives; Treve Icenoggle and Karen Long spoke in favor of middle school activities; Darlene Rector suggested various dollar cuts in programs; and, Amy , Deborah Agnew, and Darcy LaBeau spoke in favor of keeping Rimrock Kindergarten Center open. Tim Trafford was excused at 7:10 p.m. STUDY SESSION FOR 2008-2009 BUDGET Superintendent Copps stated administration needs direction to reach the $2,250,000 in cuts. Trustee Achten voiced her concerns about the cuts to middle schools, especially activities, as some students would not be able to participate otherwise. Without activities, she felt students would get into trouble. Superintendent Copps stated the District must pass levies. Next year in the first and second grades, there will be 40 classes that will exceed the accreditation standards. Scott Anderson, Executive Director of Secondary Education, reported the option to go back to junior highs would have six periods, of which five are chosen with one elective. The team time would be lost and electives would be cut in half. Read 180 and other special programs would still exist. Trustee Guthals asked what the effect would be if activities were cut. Dave Williams, Activities Director, stated it is the best at-risk program the District has and the drop-out rate would rise if activities were cut. Trustee Guthals asked if the costs could be saved in cutting assistant coaches. Superintendent Copps reported the District could not cover this with volunteer coaches due to a liability issue. Trustee Goodrich asked if the cuts could be funded with private donations. Mr. Williams reported he had not looked at donations yet but would look at various options. Trustee Fox asked if participation fees could be raised. The present fees generate $76,000 a year and a Wendy’s Scholarship fund pays for students who cannot afford the fees. Trustee Fox asked how many teachers there were on special assignments (TOSA). Superintendent Copps reported any teacher that is not in the classroom is considered a TOSA, such as Reading 180, math coaches, and Early Literacy Intervention teachers. There are three teachers assisting in administration -- Rob Wells, Music Director; Lisa Scott is aiding in curriculum; and Larry Bryson who serves as an intervention specialist at Riverside. Trustee Guthals asked about using one time only money. Mr. Copps reported that there is $1,100,000 left and none has been earmarked. It is for deferred maintenance and left over from one time only funds for full-day kindergarten. Mr. Copps stated that if the one time only funds were used for the $1,100,000 shortfall, it would only delay the problems for one ear. There is approximately $300,000 left from full-day kindergarten. Trustee Guthals asked if 15 FTE could be eliminated instead of the proposed 10. Mr. Copps reported that more students would have to be bussed out of their neighborhood schools. Kathy Olson, Elementary Education Director, stated that there are already forty third and fourth grade classrooms over accreditation standards, and eliminating more teachers would mean a higher number than forty classes. Mr. Copps stated if five additional teachers were cut, the District would definitely be looking moving from the middle school concept to junior highs. Trustee Goodrich asked what the current percentage rate was for the reserves. Thomas Harper reported it is in the range of 4.4%. Trustee Goodrich asked if the District could be above 5% by the end of the year. Mr. Harper felt it would be difficult as the budgets were lean and tight. Mrs. Olson stated, if five additional teachers were cut, the students would suffer and the State would give the District a grade deviation for not meeting accreditation and funding could be cut short. Trustee Guthals asked what would happen if the Board took $200,000 Board contingency to solve some of the problems, and used one time only money to fund any problems needed from Board contingency? Trustee Goodrich suggested one time only money could be used to move the reserves up and then the money left over could be put into the general fund. Superintendent Copps felt it would be a good idea to get the reserves up to 5%. Trustee Aragon asked if the District could negotiate with the BEA for volunteer coaches. She also asked if sixth graders from Highland could be moved to space at Lewis & Clark, and if a long-term plan for kindergarten could be developed. Mrs. Olson stated there were two sixth grade classes at Highland. Superintendent Copps saw no problem in moving the sixth graders. Mrs. Olson reported time would be needed for prep periods and gym time would also be needed. Steve Pomroy, Lewis & Clark Principal, felt Lewis could take the two sixth grade classes, but the cafeteria space might also be a problem. Trustee Gesuale asked why save the $300,000 of one time only money for full-day kindergarten. Mr. Copps stated one time only funds could only be used one time. The money was never looked at using it for salaries. The cuts would need to be addressed the next year so it would only put the problem off for one year. Mr. Copps further stated that the one time only money could be used for textbooks or maintenance. Trustee Mossman asked if the $1,000,000 from the State for full-day kindergarten would have to be repaid if the District went back to half-day kindergarten.. Mr. Harper stated that is a grey area. Trustee Mossman asked what would the ramifications would be if reading tutors were cut. Mrs. Olson reported it would affect kindergarten students, as that is when the Scott Forsman early reading program begins. Trustee Aragon asked if there was redundancy in the programs. Mrs. Olson stated that there is some redundancy -- Early Literacy Intervention begins in grades one and two as well as Reading 180 for those who score below the 23% on reading tests. 2008-2009 ELEMENTARY BUDGET Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Mossman: Motion to adopt the Superintendent’s recommendation for the Elementary general fund as presented in the Board packet subject to an increase in cuts in teaching positions from 10 to 12 FTE. Also to implement the changes to Highland elementary recommended which includes reducing second grade from three sections to two and moving sixth grade to Lewis and Clark middle school. The cuts should include the $150,000 suggested decrease in middle school activities, close Rimrock Kindergarten Center, eliminate reading tutors, take one time only money to bring reserves up to 5% and if there is end of the year surplus money, it would be applied first to restore middle school activities and then to other eliminated items in reverse order of the rankings in the Board packet. The Board contingency would be restored using one time only money, which would free up an additional $50,000 which would save the middle school concept. The source and amount of estimate savings would then be as follows: 12 FTE Teaching Positions $798,000 1 Librarian 40,000 1.34 positions in Human Resources/Business Office 40,000 2 K-6 Specialists 80,000 Textbooks 250,000 Middle School Activities 150,000 Reading Tutors 192,736 Close Rimrock Kindergarten Center 218,513 Board Contingency 200,000 Trustee Goodrich noted that Superintendent Copps stated that he could find another $100,000 in savings in addition to the above cuts. Trustee Goodrich felt the Board could be back next year to make more cuts. He wanted to spread the cuts across the system as best as possible. Trustee Goodrich felt the motion should be subject to administration review to make sure the numbers were correct. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Katharin Kelker, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Guthals is ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to use one time only money to close the budget gap up to a maximum of $176,000. Trustee Goodrich noted that if the budget gap still exists after the above two motions are implemented, the administration would have to take necessary action to eliminate the deficit. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Katharin Kelker, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Guthals is ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Aragon wanted the Board to work on a long-term plan for kindergarten only. The Chair reported it would be a topic at a later date. Trustee Gesuale suggested that Mrs. Olson and Mr. Copps needed to come forward with anything that could help kindergartners from being bussed out of their neighborhood schools, such as a portable classroom. POLICY 8415 ENERGY MANAGEMENT CONSERVATION, FIRST READING Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to suspend Policy 1310 that requires the first reading be done at a regular Board meeting and approve Policy 8415 Energy Management Conservation on first reading. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. AUTHORITY TO MAKE CHANGES TO BALANCE FY2008-09 HIGH SCHOOL BUDGET Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to authorize the Superintendent to engage in a process in hiring as many of our non-tenured teachers to fill our employment needs according to the regulations that have just been voted on by this Board. Trustee Gesuale felt this motion was out of order, as it had not been noticed. Leo Hudetz, District Clerk, said it was included the agenda item addressing changes to the budget. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Katharin Kelker, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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