Cottonwood Task Force - October 29, 2008

[coen]

Revised (11/6/08)

 

Cottonwood Task Force Minutes – October 29, 2008

 

Call to Order

 

 

The Cottonwood Task Force Committee of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County and High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana met at Orchard School, 120 Jackson St, Billings, Montana, on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. Steven Wieder called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Committee members present were: Andrea Chambers, Liane Frieders, Summer Gappa, Danielle Kieckbusch, Jim Majerus, Elizabeth Potter, Mike Stock, David Trost and Steven Wieder. Ex-Officio members present were: Kathy Kelker and Kathy Olson. Presenters present were Terral Sukut, JGA Architect and John Eisen, JGA Architect.

 

Minutes from the October 13th meeting were unanimously approved.

 

David Trost reported that Mike and Nancy Vermeulen resigned from the Cottonwood Task Force. It was questioned whether they should be replaced and decided unanimously that it would be difficult to bring a new person in at this time.

 

Steven Wieder asked if there was Communication from the Public. There was none.

 

Mark Venner, Principal at Orchard School led members on a tour of the newly remodeled school. Kathy Olson reported that it had a 500 student capacity – at this time there are approximately 320 attending. She explained that because of the poverty level and location of Orchard School the goal was to meet the different needs of the community. They wanted to include areas for intervention programs and areas that the school could be open for community use. Mark Venner reported that the school is being very well used in both of those areas.

 

Members then came back together for a presentation by John Eisen. He asked "What do we want our school to look like?" and "How do students learn?" He gave a power point presentation and handouts of innovative schools around the world. He said that statistics show that 40% are visual learners, 12% need to talk about it, 30% are hands on learners and 15-20% needed an active process. Teachers need a building that works so they can reach each individual student’s needs now and in the future. Some of the main things to be concerned about are acoustics, thermal comfort, lighting, enough space to be flexible, outside lighting, various learning styles, community needs and cost.

 

Steven Wieder asked Kathy Olson what size school was needed in the Cottonwood School area. She said that we should plan for a 450-500 capacity school with an average 23 student per classroom. Kathy Kelker talked about the technology design of our new school now and in the future

Other concerns and ideas that members thought should be included in the Cottonwood school:

 

-Before and after school care

-School/Community area - partner with the city

- Possible sight for Boys and Girls Club

-Community summer park programs

-Plan for year round schools in the future.

-Plan for pre-schools to be added within the next 10 years.

 

 

Future Meetings:

Committee members discussed the need for longer meetings. It was decided that the meeting on December 8th would begin at 5:30 and end at 8:30 so there would be enough time to break into 3 groups to work on different designs.

 

Next meeting November 10 - Lockwood School

November 24th meeting – Laurel Middle School

December 8th - St. Johns Chapel (?). - start at 5:30-8:30

 

30-Second Check:

 

Reflection summary comments by committee members are as follows:

 

-Technology should be cutting edge but not over the edge

-Concerned with how it will be received by the community

-Making good progress

-Concerned how it is presented to the public

-What learners are going to look like in the future?

-Don’t cut out any educational avenues

-Today’s kids talk about having to “power down” in schools today.

-Have easel and paper available at future meetings so ideas don’t get lost.

-Concern with passing the bond issue if the same size gym as Orchard School is built

-Cottonwood Elementary School and Community Center

-Integrate Senior Citizens since many students don’t have easy access to grandparents

-Excited for the community

-Plan for changing technology

-Positive meeting – going in right direction

-After school activities

-Ask kids now what works and what doesn’t work for them – what is good now and what could be done better

-Think outside the traditional park also – partnerships

-Go on-line and look at Rosa Parks Elementary School.

 

David Trost asked if the can minutes be approved at the next meeting before they are posted on the District website.

 

Seven Wieder called and adjourned the meeting.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm

 

David Trost, Chair

Karen Frizzell, Recorder