Diane Blevins Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana November 17, 2008 CALL TO ORDER The Regular 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, November 17, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Peter Gesuale, Mary Jo Fox, Sandra Mossman, Katharin Kelker, Joel Guthals, Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Tim Trafford, Superintendent Jack Copps, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Trustee Malcolm Goodrich was excused. Registered guests included Jerry Hansen, Dayle Hayes, Janet Baum, E. Nicholson, Kristina Stiles, Steven Wisch, and Stacy Lemelin. 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. There were no public comments. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Mossman: Motion to approve the agenda. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. GIFTS AND DONATIONS Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion for the Board to accept these gifts and donations with gratitude. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the gifts and donations: Beartooth – Elizabeth Vanderhorst, $500 for playground Anne Cowan, $25 for playground Harvest Church, $1,000 for playground Bitterroot – Tumbleweed, Inc., winter coats Boulder – Michelle Anderson, $33 Eric Bjorgum, $120 Jeff Redding, $30 Eagle Cliffs – Farmers Insurance Group, new book every month for library McKinley – St.Vincent Healthcare, bicycle Helmets Newman – Rita Dosch, yarn and plastic canvas for art projects Tumbleweed, Inc., winter coats Becky Shepard, reconditioned bicycle and new helmet Volunteers of America WY and MT, books Billings Lions Club, school supplies Think First, St. Vincent Foundation, bicycle helmets CTA Architects and Engineers, $300 Office Max, camera, supplies, teachers gifts, school supplies ($1,108.98) Melody Thompson, school supplies Ponderosa – Torres Café, tortillas for Saturday Life Big Splash, use of tent for Saturday Live Interstate Powersystems, use of generator for Saturday Live Pat Choriki, water and ice for Saturday Live Rose Park – Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, coupons for shoes CARE Academy – ExxonMobil Corporation, $5,000 for JUMP Fitness Program Trading Card Program – George and Patricia Selover, $3,500 Billings Gazette, $3,500 RECOGNITION FOR ORCHARD ELEMENTARY PLAYGROUND Carrie Miller introduced Jim Foley, landscape architect, who reviewed the project of the Orchard playground. In addition to previous donations from Mr. and Mrs. Sample and the Sample Foundation for the playground, the following checks were presented: the Sample Foundation gave $77,000 and $436,442 from Joe and Miriam Sample. Trustee Guthals noted that the Exchange Club also gave donations and thanked both the Samples and the Exchange Club for their generosity. The Samples are also considering further donations for maintenance of the playground. The Board also recognized Virginia Mermel and Dayle Hayes who worked on the nutritional health for the District. Both were presented with plaques from the District. Superintendent Copps thanked them for their work on the nutritional content of school meals. Marcy Mutch, Audit Committee, presented the District with awards for excellence in financial reporting for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. Thomas Harper stated he hoped to sustain this success while keeping the numbers transparent in all reporting. SUCCESSFUL PRACTICES NETWORK – SENIOR HIGH Dennis Holmes, Senior High Principal, reported Bill Daggett, Successful Practices Network (SPN) President, gave a presentation to the staff last year. Senior High was given the opportunity to submit an application to the SPN which was accepted. Three Lincoln Center members and nine Senior High staff members attended a workshop in Las Vegas. Senior High is 1 of 740 schools nationwide in the program to interact with and share ideas. Scott McCulloch, a Senior High teacher, stated SPN is an exciting program. The nine trained teachers will go into other classrooms and ask those teachers to put together lesson plans in order to improve teaching in the classroom. There will be pressure to make a change in teachers. Mr. McCulloch hoped that they would be able to share their abilities to get their students more involved. Senior High is the only school in the State that has been accepted into the program. The original 9 teachers have now increased to 23 teachers. The teachers are being asked to write a lesson plan using Bill Daggett’s model to reach rigor and relevance. Superintendent Copps added that readiness and recognition would also be reached. Quality often comes from within the program. Carrie Miller reported Ray McNulty, Bill Daggett’s partner, would be in Billings to speak to the staff on January 19th. ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION COMMITTEE REPORT Trustee Guthals reported the Energy and Environmental Innovation Committee (EEIC) met during October and reviewed the schools facilities planning process, received a presentation of the Berkley Survey which has been approved by the Board, received a report from the Energy Management Program, reviewed the study on Central Heights Elementary School, and a presentation on the recycling program. Trustee Guthals stated he was very impressed with the energy management program. Lew Anderson, Energy Manager, reported utility usage in the District is decreasing. It is not a capital improvement plan but a plan for behavior. Mr. Anderson stated it is imperative for this District to decrease actual costs. The temperature at Rimrock Elementary has been dropped to 55 degrees with the latest report showing the cost is the same as last year, which is good as natural gas costs have risen drastically. EEIC also recommended postponing the CREBs project until next year as the District’s applications are approved for next year also. Central Heights Elementary underwent a study to determine what capital improvements could be made for the school and to show how to approach the lighting issues in the District. It was recommended that $242,000 in improvements be made with a payback of 7.6 years. BUDGETING FOR RESULTS COMMITTEE REPORT Trustee Guthals stated, in the BFR system, the budgets are created from the ground up and presented to the departments to see what was needed. BFR has not been able to do that lately due to the budget cuts. The idea is to get back on track and Trustee Goodrich wanted to make sure the Board is still agreeable to the process. Trustee Mossman felt the prioritization process should also begin as the Governor is proposing school funding for next year, which will cause large problems for the District. It was the consensus of the board members to work the BFR process into the next budget. MTSBA/AA CAUCUS REPORT Trustee Guthals reported that MCEL and MTSBA have both elected new officers. They are engaging a grass roots approach to advocate for K-12 education to be coordinated with the “AA” districts. The 2009 legislative platform for the MTSBA was reviewed by those present. Trustee Guthals reported the highest priority in the legislative platform was the resolution to carry over general fund balances. Trustee Mossman stated the “AA” Caucus met one week ago and discussed the enlargement of advocacy to the stakeholders. John Brewer from the City is arranging for a bus to take constituents to Helena for a meeting on February 5th at MTSBA. Trustee Mossman urged the Board members to urge constituents to get involved with the grass roots advocacy. A meeting with newly elected legislators and the Board will be held on December 3rd at 5:30. POLICY 4311 PERSONNEL COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC This policy would allow members of the public to make complaints about a staff member. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to approve Policy 4311 Personnel Complaints from the public on second reading. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. POLICY 1700 UNIFORM COMPLAINT PROCEDURE Policy 1700 was adopted because of the previous Policy 4311 with the suggested changes on pages 23, 25 and 29 of the Board packet. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to approve changes to Policy 1700 Uniform Complaint Procedure on second reading as amended. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. POLICY 5014 ACQUISITION OF STAFF – CERTIFIED AND CLASSIFIED Dan Martin, Human Resources Director, reported the Policy Review Committee has made changes regarding acquisition of staff. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to approve Policy 5014 Acquisition of Staff – Certified and Classified on second reading. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. POLICY 5210 ASSIGNMENTS, REASSIGNMENTS, TRANSFERS, VACANCIES Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve Policy 5210 Assignments, Reassignments, Transfers, Vacancies on second reading. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. POLICY 5501 EVALUATION Trustee Fox had requested that any teachers not evaluated in the past three years be evaluated during this school year under this policy. The Board concurred that this should take place. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten Motion to approve Policy 5501 on second reading. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. 2009 LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE The Chair reported, in the past, there was a legislative committee that was authorized to work on legislative issues from the standpoint of the committee. Members serving on the legislative committee are Sandra Mossman, Joel Guthals, and Kathy Aragon. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve Trustees Mossman, Guthals, and Aragon to the Ad Hoc Committee for the 2009 Legislative Session and authorize the Ad Hoc Committee to advise Montana School Board Association and legislators on the District’s position regarding legislative issues. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. CITY OF BILLINGS COMMUNICATION UPDATE Trustee Kelker stated the she as well as Trustee Guthals had agreed to meet with the City of Billings to discuss various issues. One issue discussed was the areas that are growing within the community and what has occurred in terms of the growth. They informed the City which schools were presently overcrowded. The City is interested in curtailing growth outside of the core of the city and is encouraging development within the core. Trustee Guthals stated the liaisons between the City and the District are now partnered for informational purposed. A new beltway is planned from the Rims to the interstate highway and it might be possible to purchase state owned land in the area at a lower price before the development begins. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Superintendent Copps reported the Board has approved three different building neighborhood facilities task forces at Broadwater, McKinley and the Cottonwood site. The task forces have met three times each and Broadwater and McKinley have also had neighborhood meetings. The majority are interested in renovating the old buildings. According to the Governor’s budget, the high schools will be receiving a 1.5% increase which Mr. Copps felt was not reasonable. The anticipated budget cuts at the high school level are $1,700,000. Mr. Copps reported he received a letter from the president of the Hilands Golf Course stating their board is interested in purchasing Highland Elementary. Direction of the Board will be needed and the item will be placed on the December agenda. Trustee Fox urged the Superintendent not to move forward to sell a school but let the Board weigh in on the issue. Superintendent Copps stated there are delineations in the accreditation report with 64 classes of K-2 that exceed the accreditation standards in Montana. There are three classes in the upper grades that exceed the accreditation standards. There is also a problem in the counseling area, as the District cannot afford to hire more counselors due to lack of resources. MONTHLY LEGAL REPORT The Chair announced there were no new lawsuits and the district is waiting for the decision from District Court on the MQEC lawsuit. Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to accept the recommendation of the long-term suspension committee. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. BILLS PAID – OCTOBER 2008 The BFR Committee reviewed the bills paid for October 2008. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to approve the bills paid for October 2008. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The bills paid are as follows: Claims $4,026,215.63 ACH Tax Deposits 1,726,894.99 Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits 5,654,467.90 Procurement Card 345,834.99 INTERCAP Loan Network Infrastructure & Vehicle purchases TOTAL $11,753,413.51 FINANCIAL REPORTS – OCTOBER 2008 (UNAUDITED) The BFR Committee has reviewed the following reports: CS101 Account Expenditure by Fund CS102 Account Receipts by Fund CS105 Statement of Estimated and Actual Revenue CS108 Object Cost Analysis PERSONNEL REPORT There was nothing unusual in the Personnel Report. Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to accept the Superintendent’s employment recommendations as presented in the personnel report. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION PROCEDURE The Chair reported the Vice-Chair would conduct the evaluation. She asked the Board to choose between a close circle review or a wider circle. Trustee Mossman felt a smaller survey is adequate and the larger is cumbersome and more expensive. The wider circle would include the administrative staff as well as the Board members and the COLT team. Trustee Fox felt it was better to have more perspective and have the principals give their input also. Trustee Gesuale felt the input from the principals was useful and would aide in managing the process down the road. Trustee Achten asked if all of Superintendent Copps’ evaluations have been smaller groups and was informed they were. Trustee Trafford felt it was the job of the Board to evaluate the Superintendent. Trustee Fox agreed but wanted to receive input from the principals also. Superintendent Copps suggested a cross section of staff. Trustees Gesuale, Fox, Achten, Guthals, and Aragon favored sending the evaluation surveys to the larger group with Trustees Trafford and Mossman favoring the smaller group. The evaluation will come before the Board at the January meeting. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve and accept the items within the Consent Agenda without objection to recommended action. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. Items contained in the Consent Agenda are as follows: Regular Board Meeting Minutes, October 20, 2008 Budgeting for Results Minutes, October 13, 2008 Agreement with ING for 403(b) Administration Committee Membership Changes Addition of Wal-Mart Recycling Trust Fund Account at Eagle Cliffs Addition of Advocates ECA Fund Account at Senior High Addition of Computer Technology Club ECA Account at Senior High Addition of Exxon Science Grant Trust Fund Account at Lincoln/Curriculum Addition of Ponderosa Library ECA Account at Ponderosa Amended Procedure 4210-P2 – Food Fund Raising Procedure 8231-P1 School Wellness – Concession Stand The Chair reported the school calendar would come back to the Board during the December meeting As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Katharin Kelker, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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