Agenda Setting Meeting - Tuesday, December 2, 2008

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Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

December 2, 2008

 

 

Call to Order

 

The Agenda Setting Meeting of the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, and the High School District, Yellowstone County, Montana was duly held at The Lincoln Center, 415 North 30th Street, Billings, Montana on Tuesday, December 2, 2008.

 

The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. by Chair Katharin Kelker. Pledge of Allegiance was said.

 

Roll Call

 

Those attending were: Trustees Katharin Kelker, Joel Guthals, Sandra Mossman, Tim Trafford, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Mary Jo Fox; Superintendent Jack Copps, Clerk Leo Hudetz, Scott Anderson, Dan Martin, Nancy Hines, Thomas Harper, Rich Whitney, Kathy Olson, and Becky Shay. Trustee Kathy Aragon arrived at 12:10.

 

Trustee Kelker began by handing out a draft of the proposed agenda for the regular meeting scheduled for December 15. She asked if any committees would be reporting. Trustee Mossman said that the Committee on Committees will be giving a final report. There will be two action items for the Board: recommendation to establish a Citizen Advisory Committee and recommendation to revise committee procedures. This committee is finished with their work at this time. Trustee Mossman stated that all committees should be presenting executive summaries.

 

Trustee Guthals asked about the budgeting process from the BFR Committee. Trustee Goodrich stated that the BFR Committee is working on a process which will probably take about four months to complete which will look at educational priorities. The Superintendent and Thomas Harper are working on a two-page report of the financial situation. This will be provided to the Board. The Audit Committee will have a report and present the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). The auditors will be attending the meeting. Trustees Guthals and Trafford will have a report on their visit to West High.

 

There will be a study session at the beginning of the meeting. Trustees Goodrich and Guthals were given the task to examine the title to the Rimrock property. They have determined that it is not subject to defeasance (giving back). A copy of the deed will be furnished to trustees. Trustee Fox would like to be sure that the Budgeting For Results Committee's previous motion to not sell the property, which was passed at its October meeting, will be included in the agenda for discussion. Superintendent Copps stated that Rocky Mountain College will be sending a letter with an offer to purchase Rimrock. Trustee Aragon would like to be sure that the discussion addresses long-term planning. Trustee Kelker stated that would be the purpose of the meeting. Superintendent Copps will ask a representative from Highlands to be at the meeting as well as Mr. Mace from RMC. Trustee Guthals would like to have a discussion of the future work on long-term facilities plan on the study session as well. Trustee Fox is concerned that Trustee Kelker will have a conflict of interest because of her work for Head Start and their possible interest in property. She was assured that Trustee Kelker would be cognizant of that and will do whatever is necessary.

 

There may be a discussion of the school calendar. Dan Martin reported the Calendar Committee did look at April for a week for spring break. Easter is in April as well as lots of students involved in spring activities. Dan Martin was asked to bring information pertaining to their discussion to the meeting. Trustee Mossman asked for a list of members of the Calendar Committee.

 

Trustee Kelker stated that Trustee Gesuale is interested in adjustments to the current budget to allow for reading tutors. Superintendent Copps asked if this could wait until after January 1st so a determination could be made as to resources.

 

Trustee Goodrich would like to wait until later to discuss the intent to run a mill levy. This will be on the January agenda.

 

There should be results of the Superintendent’s evaluation on the January agenda as well.

 

Trustee Aragon asked to address the letter sent to the members of the Board by Trustee Kelker and suggested a possible retreat. Trustee Kelker stated that it was up to the Board, that a retreat was normally held in June and the members would have to be willing to spend the time. Trustee Trafford feels a retreat would be a good idea and the function of the agenda setting meeting needs to be discussed as well. The main item of discussion would be board governance. Trustee Fox said there needs to be a discussion of communication, and brought up proposing agenda items by email. Trustee Kelker asked if the Board would like to have a facilitator at the meeting. MTSBA has done that in the past. Trustee Kelker stated that the way the Board communicates via email has been discussed thoroughly and recommendations made from MTSBA and legal counsel. She suggested that Jeff Weldon be involved in the discussion.

 

The Senior High volleyball team and West High boys’ soccer team will be recognized as well as Celebrate Billings for the awareness campaign.

 

Leo Hudetz mentioned the special meeting tomorrow night with legislators. There also needs to be a special meeting (elementary only) to approve QZAB because of the 12/31 deadline. This meeting will be held Monday, December 8th, either noon or evening.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

 

 

 

_________________________________

Katharin Kelker, Chair

 

 

 

_______________________________

Nancy Coe, Recorder