Budgeting For Results Committee Mtg - Jan. 26, 2009

[Guest sullinss]

School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

January 26, 2009

Call to Order

 

The Budgeting For Results Committee of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County and High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana met at Lincoln Center, 415 North 30th Street, Billings, Montana, on Monday, January 26, 2009. Chair Malcolm Goodrich called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. and led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. Committee members present were: Joel Guthals, Mary Jo Fox, Paige Darden, Deana Elder, Rod Gottula, Jane McCracken, Peter Grass, Shanna Henry, Joan Sleeth, Bruce McIntyre, Kelly Donovan, and Malcolm Goodrich, and Ross Johnson. Member Don Stanaway was absent. Also present were CFO Thomas Harper, Budget Analyst Becky Zent, Controller Sheri Weidinger, Executive Director of Secondary Education Scott Anderson, Executive Director of Curriculum Gail Surwill, Career Center Principal Stan Barr, West High Principal Dave Cobb, Senior High Principal Dennis Holmes, Skyview Principal Bob Whalen, and Adult Education Director Woody Jensen, and Jeff Greenfield.

 

Communication From the Public

 

No one wished to address the Committee at this time.

 

Program/Budget Review

 

Administration was asked to discuss and support all current and envisioned district programs with written projections. Particular attention was to be directed to current programs offered and the expense to maintain, eliminate or enhance such programs; statutory or educational mandate or relevance; educational and expenditure goals for 5-10 years; capacity to minimize expenses to meet projected income; and proposed restructuring of educational and expenditure priorities in light of projected declining income and future educational needs.

 

Scott Anderson, Executive Director of Secondary Education, presented High School demographics, staffing, class loads, and course offerings for English and Social Studies in relation to accreditation standards and graduation requirements. The Career Center is not considered a high school, it is considered a program; however, they serve 731 part-time and 90 full time students per day which is more students than many Class A schools in the State of Montana serve.

 

High School staffing of Administration, Counselors, and Library Personnel meet or exceed the Montana Standards of Accreditation. Our average number of students per classroom is below the MT Standards of Accreditation. Scott indicated there are many variables that influence staffing: there’s a greater need for counseling today’s students; teachers are limited to 150 students per day and 30 per class; English class teachers are limited to 100 students per day and 20 per class; facility size affects lab/studio class size; and specific skills of the teaching staff. Scott will check on video conferencing class size standards.

 

 

 

Our graduation requirement of 21 units exceeds the State of Montana graduation requirement of 20 units. We have a 6-period day, each worth ½ credit. The average student was earning 23.5 credits even before we raised the graduation requirement to 21 units. Most AA schools require 24-27 credit to graduate and they are on a 7-period day. College entry level requirements are the minimum standards; however, if students want to be eligible to compete for scholarships and go to quality colleges then they will probably need 4 units each of the core subjects. It was questioned how many senior students do not attend full time because they have already earned most of their credits. Over 100 are considered early-in or early-out for various reasons; but, there is only an average of 1-2 per year that graduate early.

 

For cost-saving purposes the Committee questioned why we need to teach so many different foreign languages, why shouldn’t we raise educational standards and combine AP and regular classes into one class, what happens if we go over 30 students in a class, can we limit the number of electives in a given discipline, and do facilities exist to teach by video conferencing.

 

Scott responded there would probably be a cost savings if we eliminate English electives and put everyone in English 4 classes. There is no requirement for AP classes at the college level or State level. We are required to have a Gifted and Talented Program, but there are no specifics on this. We offer Honors and AP courses to fill this requirement as well as independent studies and college classes. College entry requirements are only English 1-4. Each high school can have different offerings: they may be driven by specific talents of the teachers in each building, limits to class sizes, and Title school offerings. If class size goes over accreditation standards the principal gets noticed and they must prepare a plan stating how they will rectify that problem. If corrections are not made, sanctions are imposed and it may potentially effect funding. If AP courses are eliminated, it may force students into taking college electives. The restriction on that is the teacher must be a Montana High School certified teacher in order to get high school credit for that class.

 

Scott said we have a solid curriculum and we continue to look at quality and raise standards. Our Curriculum Committee under the leadership of Gail Surwill examines the Montana State standards to set our District objectives and decide which courses meet those standards. The State sets standards at grade levels 4, 8, and upon graduation. Our Curriculum Committee sets curriculum standards at all grade levels to meet these benchmarks. The OPI curriculum specialists re-write Montana standards and allow each District to write their own curriculum. Gail noted if standards were pushed higher and classes combined, students could probably meet those standards.

 

It was questioned if higher standards would increase the dropout rate. Gail responded those potential dropouts are taught those standards in a different way. The highest dropout rates are at grades 9 and 10. High Schools have an attendance policy and grades K-8 have no attendance requirement. There are higher expectations and graduation requirements in high school that do not exist at elementary levels.

 

Malcolm asked if there was a cost to raising the rigor to the AP level at all three high schools. Scott believes there is a cost associated with it. It would involve professional development through technology supporting the teachers, and a systematic K-12 review of curriculum. Malcolm said funding is not going to keep up with our needs; therefore, we can either consolidate down and teach at a lower level to save costs, or we can consolidate down and potentially restructure to a higher level by having internal cost savings and raising expectations at the same time. Malcolm asked if a financial analysis of this perspective could be done. Scott said there are a lot of variables involved. If we choose to eliminate something, students still have to be placed somewhere else.

 

Peter believes voters may support funding if they have the perception the District is doing something different to save money and also raise standards.

 

Chair Goodrich stated we will need to continue this presentation at the next Budgeting For Results Committee meeting on Monday, February 9, 2009. He would like to continue forward exploring if there is a way to measure the dollars spent to increase expectations and the potential for cost savings.

 

Adjournment

 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:52 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Malcolm Goodrich, Chair

 

Sherrill Sullins, Recorder