Broadwater Task Force - October 27, 2008

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Broadwater Task Force

School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

October 27, 2008

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The Broadwater Task Force of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, met at Orchard School, 120 Jackson Street, Billings, Montana, on Monday, October 27, 2008. Chair Julie Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. Committee members present were: Nate Allie, Sheryl Alpers, Julie Anderson, Weldon Birdwell, Jodi Cockburn, Dennis Deppmeier, Jon Dyre, Jim Hartung, Wendy Jam, Karin Lucas, Travis Niemeyer, and Rachel Romei. Members absent were: Eric Anderson, LuAnn Birdwell, Jason Jam, and Gary Romei. Also present was Ex-Officio Member Lee Kvilhaug, Architects Karen Kelly and Bob LaPerle, Guests Kristina Stiles and Kurt Klein, and School District No. 2 Superintendent Jack Copps.

 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC

 

No one wished to address the Committee at this time.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

The minutes of the October 13, 2008 meeting were approved as written.

 

GUEST SPEAKER JACK COPPS

 

Lee Kvilhaug invited Superintendent Jack Copps to the meeting for the purpose of explaining bond procedures. Lee handed out maps showing the voting demographics of the school district. These maps also show the areas that voted yes or no on the mil levies.

 

Jack Copps explained that bonds are used for capital construction and are paid with property taxes. School District No. 2 has a bonding capacity of $290 million and is the only school district in Montana with no indebtedness. Mil levies are property taxes made available for the operation of the school. The ballot for this bond issue is scheduled to go to the public as two issues; Broadwater and McKinley Schools will be voted on as one bond and Cottonwood School will be voted on as another bond. Jack stressed the importance of the town working together. He also reminded the Committee that a bond with a narrow focus has a better chance of passing.

 

TOUR OF ORCHARD SCHOOL

 

Mark Venner, principal of Orchard School, led the group on a tour of the building. Rich Whitney from Facilities also accompanied the group and answered many questions relating to the design and construction of the building. The group returned to the library at 8:10 and resumed the meeting.

 

 

 

 

CO-CHAIR APPROVED

 

Julie Anderson suggested the Committee appoint Travis Niemeyer to be Co-Chair of the Committee. Her purpose for this suggestion is to have someone who can conduct a meeting if she is unable to attend. The Committee agreed and Travis was appointed Co-Chair.

 

 

COMMUNITY MEETING

 

Julie Anderson reported on the meeting she had with Nancy Hines. They came up with seven strategies to advertise the Community Meeting which will be held Monday, November 10, 2008. The seven strategies are: posting on the School District No. 2 website, articles in the Broadwater School newsletter and Billings Gazette, the Community Calendar on Channel 7, email to parents, send a letter home with students, and have teachers hand out reminder cards at Parent-Teacher Conferences. Another suggestion was made to get the word out to parents at local preschools as their children will be attending Broadwater in the future.

 

Discussion was held regarding the length of the Community Meeting and what guidelines are used to ensure an orderly meeting. Wendy Jam made a motion to start the meeting at 6:30 instead of 7:00 to allow extra time for public comment. Jodi Cockburn seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

 

Weldon Birdwell proposed a motion to save time and money by voting to recommend renovation and forget building new. Discussion was held and the consensus was to wait until after the Community Meeting before making this decision.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Julie Anderson at 8:25 p.m.