Diane Blevins Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana June 30, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The Special Board 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, June 30, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, Mary Jo Fox, Tim Trafford, Joel Guthals, Dawn Achten, Malcolm Goodrich, Superintendent Jack Copps, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Trustees Gesuale and Aragon were excused. Registered guest was Jeff Weldon. COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC The Board recognized 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 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. Amy Griffin addressed the Board regarding facilities planning and urged the Board to form a public outreach plan. She suggested city and county personnel be invited to present to the Board at a future meeting. PERSONNEL ACTION ITEM -- TEACHER LICENSURE ISSUE Jeff Weldon, District legal counsel, addressed the issue of educator licensure. He reported that this is not the time for the allegations to be discussed by the Board. Mr. Weldon reviewed Superintendent Copps’ recommendation which is to refer the personnel matter to the Montana Board of Public Education. If the Board directs Mr. Copps to take action, the issue will go to the Montana Board of Public Education and that board will investigate the information regarding Stacey Rambold, the teacher at Senior High. Mr. Rambold is the teacher in question. A retired administrator, Bobbi Larson, investigated the allegations against Mr. Rambold of having a sexual relationship with one of his students and found that the complaint is with merit. If the matter is sent to the state board, it will probably go before a hearing examiner. By law, the Montana Board of Public Education could revoke Mr. Rambold’s teaching certificate. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Trafford: Resolved: In accordance with MCA § 20-4-110(2), the Trustees of Billings High School District 2 request that the Montana State Board of Public Education initiate and conduct proceedings in accordance with MCA § 20-4-110 to determine whether the teacher’s license of Mr. Stacy Rambold, a licensed teacher in this District, shall be revoked based upon the report of District Superintendent Copps and independent investigative findings provided to Superintendent Copps that it is more likely than not that Mr. Rambold had a sexual relationship with a minor student of this District. Such a relationship, if confirmed by the Board of Public Education through applicable proceedings, would be immoral conduct related to the teaching profession and would be grounds for revocation of a teacher's license pursuant to MCA § 20-4-110(1)(f). The Trustees of Billings High School District 2 hereby designate District Superintendent Copps as the representative of this District in any proceedings before the Board of Public Education, which occur as a result of this resolution. Further Resolved: In making the request for the initiation and conduct of MCA § 20-4-110 proceedings regarding the teacher's license of Mr. Stacy Rambold, the Trustees of Billings High School District 2 make no findings or conclusions regarding said matter or the reports of District Superintendent Copps or the independent investigator at this time, deferring to the jurisdiction and proceedings of the Board of Public Education with regard to the subject of Mr. Rambold's teacher's license. Further Resolved: The Trustees of Billings High School District 2 make no findings or conclusions about whether Mr. Rambold engaged in the alleged misconduct or shall be subject to employment discipline, awaiting such employment disciplinary recommendations that Superintendent Copps may make after following all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures attendant to Mr. Rambold’s employment, including the right of Mr. Rambold to contest the allegations and present evidence on his behalf before this Board. Trustee Mossman asked when the next state board was scheduled. Mr. Weldon replied that there is one scheduled in July but that agenda is set so the next meeting would be in September. There should be a special meeting by the state board following the July meeting. Superintendent Copps reported he would speak to the state board next week about the issue. He stated the allegation is a grievous matter that is a state matter and should go before the state board. If the teaching certificate were to be revoked, this Board would not have to make a decision. Mr. Weldon reviewed the sequence of events as outlined in his letter to Mr. Copps, which is included in the Board packet. Trustee Guthals stated, that if the Board approves the resolution, the Board would not be making any statement on guilt or innocence. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. ADMINISTRATIVE HIRING Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Mossman: Motion to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation to hire the administrators as listed in the agenda in Item C-1. Trustee Goodrich asked if these were new positions. Mr. Copps replied that there were no new positions in the recommendation. Mr. Copps said there are 2,100 employees for approximately 15,500 students. Trustee Guthals asked if the recommendation is within state requirements. Mr. Copps reported that the state requirement is to have a principal at each school as well as an associate principal and assistant principal, dependent upon the size of the school. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The following are those approved for hire: Rusty Martin, Principal at Riverside Middle School Rob McDonald, Associate Principal at Will James Middle School Reece Kalfell, Associate Principal at Lewis & Clark Middle School Scott Lynch, Assistant Principal at West High School Michelle Strouf, Assistant Principal at Senior High School Mr. Copps reported that Sharon Tietema has been moved from Will James to Riverside Middle School to fill the Associate Principal position. BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTIONS TO ELEMENTARY & HIGH SCHOOL RETIREMENT FUNDS FOR UNFORESEEN RETIREMENT COSTS Trustee Guthals reported the Board addressed the resolutions at the last Board meeting and now the Board is in the second and final stage. The official resolutions can now move forward as they have been announced to the public. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to adopt the Budget Amendment Resolution to increase the Elementary Retirement Fund 114 budget by $200,000 (from $8,000,000 to $8,200,000) for unforeseen retirement costs FY2007-08. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Katharin Kelker, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The resolution is as follows: WHEREAS, the trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, have made a determination that as a result of unforeseen retirement costs in the elementary district due to service credit and compensated absence retirement payouts have increased the district match requirements under TRS Option 1, the district’s budget for the elementary 114 retirement fund does not provide sufficient financing to properly maintain and support the district for the entire current school fiscal year; and WHEREAS, the trustees have determined that an amendment to the elementary 114 retirement fund budget in the amount of $200,000 is necessary under the provision of Section 20-9-161 (6), MCA; for the purpose of unforeseen retirement costs that cannot be postponed until the next school year without dire consequences affecting district employees or the educational funds of the district and WHEREAS, the anticipated source of financing the budget amendment expenditures shall be the Elementary Retirement Fund 114 reserves; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, proclaims a need for an amendment to the elementary 114 retirement fund budget for fiscal year 2007-2008 in the amount of $200,000 under Section 20-9-161 (6), MCA for the purpose identified above, and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Center on June 30, 2008 for the purpose of considering and adopting the budget amendment. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to adopt the Budget Amendment Resolution to increase the High School Retirement Fund 214 budget by $250,000 (from $4,450,000 to $4,700,000) for unforeseen retirement costs FY2007-08. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Katharin Kelker, Joel Guthals, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The resolution is as follows: WHEREAS, the trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, have made a determination that as a result of unforeseen retirement costs in the high school district due to service credit and compensated absence retirement payouts have increased the district match requirements under TRS Option 1, the district’s budget for the high school 214 retirement fund does not provide sufficient financing to properly maintain and support the district for the entire current school fiscal year; and WHEREAS, the trustees have determined that an amendment to the high school 214 retirement fund budget in the amount of $250,000 is necessary under the provision of Section 20-9-161 (6), MCA; for the purpose of unforeseen retirement costs that cannot be postponed until the next school year without dire consequences affecting district employees or the educational funds of the district and WHEREAS, the anticipated source of financing the budget amendment expenditures shall be the High School Retirement Fund 214 reserves; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, proclaims a need for an amendment to the high school 214 retirement fund budget for fiscal year 2007-2008 in the amount of $250,000 under Section 20-9-161 (6), MCA for the purpose identified above, and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Center on June 30, 2008 for the purpose of considering and adopting the budget amendment. COMMUNICATION PLAN Nancy Hines, Communications Director, reported her main position is to bring the District out to the community and involve the community. She hopes to get the information to the audience faster than at the present time. Mrs. Hines reviewed her plan to expand the District’s communication opportunities in using RSS (Real Simple Syndication) & subscription. This avenue allows the District to deliver the information directly to the public through email. Those being able to obtain the information faster are parents, staff, and the public community. The goal could be to talk about what is a bond issue and why it is run. Mrs. Hines stated it is best to reach the public over and over again with the same message. Trustee Guthals asked, when people sign up for the information, can the names of other individuals needing the data also be received? Mrs. Hines said yes and reported it is just an advocacy for information. She will discuss this concept with the Chamber of Commerce and the Billings Public Education Foundation in July. Trustee Mossman suggested a book on Billings Public Schools be given to new parents. Mrs. Hines also recommended that the community and area residents be invited to open houses in the fall or ice cream socials. It was the consensus of the Board that it supported the plan. GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE BILLINGS COMMUNITY Rick Leuthold, Engineering Inc., addressed the Board to provide information on real estate developments that would affect the District in the next five to ten years. The Yegen family is moving forward with a development by Will James Middle School. The first phase is close to the school. The other portion is farther out west on 56th Street West and Grand Avenue. An annexation process has begun with the City extending water services out on Grand Avenue. The areas affected include Ironwood, Cottonwood, Fox Trail, and Trails West subdivisions. Mr. Leuthold also reported Jeff Junkert is purchasing 60 acres from the Zimmerman family which is located on Grand Avenue and Zimmerman Trail to build a new subdivision. Trustee Kelker stated the Board needs to know if there is a dense area of development so it can plan for the schools. REVIEW OF LONG-TERM FACILITY PLANNING AND PENDING DECISIONS Chair Kelker reported the concentration of building renovation is on Broadwater and McKinley. Two architectural firms looked at those schools and presented ideas to bring them up to the standards of Orchard Elementary School. Also, another option to be discussed is building another school in Cottonwood Park and what should happen to Rimrock. Rocky Mountain College is interested in purchasing the Rimrock property and would give the Rocky elementary building on Rimrock Road to the District. Trustee Kelker spoke to Mr. Weldon regarding that process. The Board would need to first declare Rimrock surplus property and then it could be sold with the proceeds going into the elementary fund. Head Start currently occupies a portion of Rimrock and could pay the District some money to remain there, but Head Start does not have much money. Another option is to make Rimrock into a mega-school. Trustees Guthals and Fox agreed that developing the Rimrock school is a good idea as the District already owns the property and it would help the inner city students. Trustee Guthals stated the District needs buildings that are safe and efficient for the community. Trustee Kelker reviewed the enrollment counts as included in the packet. Trustee Guthals stated, if an elementary school were to be built on the Cottonwood property, enrollments at Arrowhead and Boulder would decrease. A bond issue for Cottonwood would have to be for $9,000,000 and the State would pay 46% of the bond. Trustee Guthals did not feel it would make sense to mothball Rimrock as it would still cost to do that. Mr. Copps suggested that the sale of Rimrock should not be considered at this time but consider leasing the building. Trustee Kelker stated that if the District moves ahead to refurbish McKinley and Broadwater, and build at Cottonwood, area task forces should be engaged in the discussion. Trustee Guthals recommended the Board set parameters for building and/or refurbishing the schools. Mr. Copps felt a good starting point would be to get both Broadwater and McKinley started as soon as possible as both buildings are in need of repairs, look at how the next phase for 8-10 years down the road. Trustee Mossman suggested the architects, a planning committee, and a task force work together in the developing stage to sell the project to the public, as that has worked in the past. Mr. Copps stated he could get the Request for Proposal requirements to the Board members for hiring architects. Trustee Goodrich stated he agreed with Trustee Kelker’s plan but was concerned about the timing of a November bond election as it is too short. He felt it was a good idea to have a developer build a school on Cottonwood and lease it to the District. Trustee Goodrich was also not sure the District could afford the operational costs for a new elementary school. Trustee Guthals agreed and voiced his concern of not being able to pass a bond this year. Mr. Copps reported that we are the only district in the state who is not investing in its facilities, and we are the largest district. This District has $290,000,000 bonding capacity at this time. Mr. Copps stated that costs will continue to rise and the price of a school will increase. We have to do something soon to keep the costs down. Trustee Trafford asked why the District couldn’t have a building reserve levy because bonding is expensive. Trustee Kelker stated the District could but felt more than one school should be addressed. Mr. Copps stated, with the idea of using task forces, it would give the District a better idea of the interest. Thomas Harper, Chief Financial Officer, felt a building reserve levy should be run. The Chair stated that a building reserve levy could not be passed unless projects were identified. Trustee Guthals suggested a levy of $40,000,000; $10,000,000 for the high school district and the rest for the three elementary schools in question, in order that everyone would receive something. Trustee Kelker stated the public would have to be told how long it would take to pay it off. She suggested going for $10,000,000 in November, telling the public how much things would cost, and how long for the payoff. She further recommended the Board get projects on a schedule. Trustee Goodrich suggested having an elementary bond election for $30,000,000-$40,000,000 in November and using the $2,200,000 in the elementary building reserve in order to lower the amount of the bond payments assessed to the taxpayers. He recommended telling the public bond payments would phase in and we would use the building reserve for the debt service for the first couple of years. Trustee Goodrich said then the taxpayers would not see any tax increases for the first couple of years after a bond is issued. Trustees Achten and Mossman agreed. Trustee Kelker felt it could be done if building remodel dollars were structured for the high schools also. The consensus of the Board members was to support Trustee Goodrich’s plan. Superintendent Copps asked what the consensus of the Board was regarding the leasing of Rimrock School. Chair Kelker stated it was the consensus to lease it to Rocky Mountain College with the stipulation that the college addresses the boiler problem. The Chair stated the Board would refine the Malcolm Goodrich plan, make arrangements for the neighborhood groups meetings, and move forward with the bond election plans. BOARD OPERATIONS Trustee Kelker felt the Budgeting for Results Committee seems to be working well. The other two committee duties might be better done by task forces. She felt the members of the Planning & Development Committee could be used on the task forces and there also seems to be a need for an Education Committee. Trustee Mossman felt it should be very well structured with a definite mission. She suggested that more study sessions take place as the City Council conducts study sessions and then votes on issues. Trustee Guthals felt study sessions could be held whenever there is a need. Trustee Kelker stated the public also needs time to respond to issues. Trustee Trafford suggested, as an issue comes up, then have a study session but do not have a regularly scheduled session. Trustee Kelker stated the remainder of the agenda will be completed on July 21st. Trustee Fox asked if there was any Trustee who wished to serve on the Foundation board. 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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