Diane Blevins Posted August 3, 2009 Report Share Posted August 3, 2009 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana July 20, 2009 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, July 20, 2009, at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Joel Guthals, Malcolm Goodrich, Mary Jo Fox, Teresa Stroebe, Barbara Bryan, Peter Gesuale, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Trustees Aragon and Achten and Superintendent Copps were excused. Registered guests included Aaron Roberts, Deana Elder, Michael Peterson, and Becky Shay. WELCOME NEW TRUSTEE The Board welcomed Joyce Weber as the new member to the Board. 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. Jeff Greenfield, BEA President, addressed the Board on the budget. He felt the Board should consider the suggestions from administrators and teachers as they were worthwhile and came from experience. Mr. Greenfield stated, as the budget for the 2010/11 school year will be even less, new teachers should not be hired now as too many layoffs will occur the following year. Aaron Roberts and Michael Peterson addressed the Board to request the Teacher on Special Assignment for Rob Wells not be cut due to his extensive job description in coordinating the music program as well as the various music festivals. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Bryan: Motion to approve the agenda as presented. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. GIFTS AND DONATIONS Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to accept the gifts and donations with gratitude. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the gifts and donations: Big Sky -- EBMS, $974 Gary and Sharon Pogue, two bicycles Big Sky PTA, $15,378.42 for computer lab and software Pryor Mountain Masonic Lodge #151, four bicycles Target, Take Charge of Education, $710.43 Bitterroot -- Farmers Insurance, book, “On the Go” Debi Burris, $100 Capstone Wealth Mgmt., $50 Jennifer Duval, Coach Hoff & Team, $50 Billings Outlaws, game tickets Miles Avenue -- Yellowstone Soccer Association, soccer balls Ponderosa -- Ellen Knight, $210 for recycling Joel and Ann Guthals, $210 for recycling Guthals, Hunnes & Reuss, P. C. Law Firm, $210 for recycling COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Chair Goodrich reported on the Board appointments for the various District committees as follows: Budgeting For Results Planning & Development Joel Guthals, Chair Kathy Aragon, Chair Peter Gesuale Malcolm Goodrich Barbara Bryan Mary Jo Fox School/Community Audit Dawn Achten, Chair Peter Gesuale Teresa Stroebe Joyce Weber Joyce Weber Policy Review Calendar Malcolm Goodrich, Chair Dawn Achten Joel Guthals Mary Jo Fox Mary Jo Fox Diversity MTSBA Kathy Aragon Peter Gesuale, Delegate Teresa Stroebe Teresa Stroebe Education Foundation Liaison EEIC (Energy & Environmental Innovation) Teresa Stroebe Joel Guthals Kathy Aragon Insurance Peter Gesuale 403B Joyce Weber Peter Gesuale Legislative City/County Planning Liaison (Not needed this year) Kathy Aragon Education (as needed--Board members will be asked when there is an issue) The Chair reminded the committee chairs to keep in mind that members of the bargaining units are to be included on the membership lists. Trustee Fox asked, if a Board member attends a committee meeting but is not a member of that committee, should that person only speak during the Communication from the Public or can he/she participate in the meeting. The Chair stated during the Communication from the Public. Trustee Guthals stated a resolution is needed to appoint Peter Gesuale, as the delegate for the Montana School Board Association Committee. The Chair reported the resolution will be on the next agenda. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve the Trustee appointments and Chairs for the various committees as announced by the Chair Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to approve the Audit Committee membership as outlined in the agenda for 2009. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve the Budgeting for Results membership as seen on page 8 of the agenda. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. STATUS REPORT ON QUICK START PROGRAM APPLICATIONS Rich Whitney, Facilities Director, reported the Board had approved a project list for Quick Start funds on June 2nd. There were three projects totaling $1,800,000. Quick Start funds projects that were approved by the State Commerce Department totaled $564,000. Mr. Whitney reported there were no more Quick Start funds available to the District. The projects included $452,850 for the Career Center roof and $239,000 for the Facilities list but an additional $128,012 will be needed from deferred maintenance or rebate dollars to complete the projects. Trustee Guthals asked if there were any deficiencies in the applications. Mr. Whitney stated there were none. The projects for energy audit dollars have not been submitted yet. Trustee Guthals stated that this District has over 10% of the students in the State and only received $564,000. No explanation was given as to why the District did not receive more money. Trustee Guthals asked if the District could appeal or go to a higher power. Mr. Whitney reported he knew of no way to appeal. Trustee Gesuale asked for the timeline on the project. Mr. Whitney reported the Superintendent has signed the contracts and the work will be complete by September 30th. Trustee Fox asked if there was a representative of the Department of Commerce looking at the projects in Billings. Mr. Whitney reported that no one visited the projects as pictures were submitted with the applications. Trustee Fox asked if the Governor signed off on the projects. Mr. Whitney did not know as the Department of Commerce assigned the funds given. Trustee Fox asked if it was under the control of the Governor. Mr. Whitney reported it was. REPORT FROM AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE ON FACILITY ISSUES Trustee Bryan reported the task force has met three times with the goal to conduct a survey for a consultant to provide planning service. The task force has discussed the price and the scope of service. Chair Goodrich asked if the issue should be scheduled for the Board Retreat. Trustee Gesuale felt the task force should continue to work on the scope of the service and bring the issue back to the Board. The Chair asked the task force to put the strategic goal portion together and then give it to him for a future meeting. The task force will report back to the Board in August and the Chair will provide its goals for the Board retreat. Trustee Bryan was not sure if the goals should be driven by the Board or the committee. Trustee Stroebe wanted to include the community in the process before moving forward. The 20-year plan will also be reviewed which includes the high school study which was compiled previously. Trustee Stroebe asked where the funds would come from for a consultant. The Chair stated, after the amount is known, outside donations will be sought. Trustee Bryan felt some of the work will address both the elementary and high school districts. Community involvement should also come up front. SODEXO CONTRACT ANNUAL RENEWAL FY2009-10 Thomas Harper, Chief Financial Officer, reported Sodexo is requesting no increase in price for students in the 2009/10 school year. It is expected that there will be more free and reduced lunches given the financial times. Trustee Stroebe asked if the free and reduced levels had increased. Mr. Harper reported the levels have increased. Trustee Stroebe asked if the information about applying for free or reduced meals will be given to the public. Mr. Harper reported there will be information for free and reduced meals on the District’s website as well as published in the school section of the Billings Gazette. Information will also be available at the HRDC office and the Job Service sites. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to approve the contract renewal with Sodexo for FY2009/10 as attached on page 18 of the Board packet. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. INCREASE IN ADULT BREAKFAST & LUNCH PRICE Mr. Harper reported the District does not subsidize Sodexo for adult pricing and the increase proposed this year may continue in the future. The cost of the meal must be higher than the cost of the replacement rate which is 10%. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to approve the increase in Adult breakfast and lunch prices to comply with the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program guidelines to be $1.60 for Adult breakfasts, $3.00 for Elementary School Adult lunch, and $3.20 for MS/HS adult lunch. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. FIRST STUDENT--ANNUAL RENEWAL OF 5-YEAR TRANSPORTATION CONTRACT BY2009-10 Mr. Harper stated the price ceiling and floor on fuel was raised last year. First Student has been paying the District a surcharge this year due to the lower fuel costs. The request is for 3.45% increase in the contract for FY2009-10. Trustee Guthals reported he has received calls from members of the community asking why the busses were not full. Mr. Harper stated the District determines the schedule and the rides, and it is possible that busses are close to empty at the beginning or ending of routes. Trustee Fox reported there are a small number of students who are bussed to another school for a special program such as ESR. Mr. Harper reported it might be possible to get smaller busses for the 2012 school year. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to approve the annual renewal of the 5-year transportation contract with First Student FY2009-10. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. SALARY INCREASE -- DISTRICT CLERK The Chair reported the only employee that has not received an increase is the District Clerk. The Board is being asked to approve a 3.6% increase for Mr. Hudetz which is similar to the increase given to the administrators. Chair Goodrich urged the Board to approve this increase in salary. Motion Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve a 3.6% increase in the Clerk’s salary to $54,498 for 2009-2010 fiscal year. Trustee Gesuale felt Mr. Hudetz’s work is very valuable to the members of the Board. He further stated he believed that an increase in salary for administrators should be based on merit and recommended the Board move in that direction in the future. The Chair felt it was an issue for Budgeting for Results Committee. Trustee Stroebe stated she valued Mr. Hudetz and Mr. Harper’s sharp skills. Trustee Guthals reported he considered the increase in salary a cost of living raise and would not impact the District’s financial picture. The Budgeting for Results Committee will look at evaluating administrative performances. Trustee Fox stated she agreed with Trustee Gesuale in approaching salary for administrators in the future. She further stated, looking at the District Clerk’s background and education, she would hate to lose him to someone who would pay more. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA MANDARIN CHINESE PILOT PROGRAM Scott Anderson, Executive Director of Secondary Education, reported the District has been approached to participate in the Mandarin Chinese Pilot Program through the University of Montana. Classes would be taped and viewed by the District’s students with instructors being present in the classroom. The students will pay for college credits for dual credit. Trustee Guthals asked if there would be any financial burden for the District. Mr. Anderson stated there would be a cost of $50 per computer station for headphones which amounts to approximately $1,000 for each high school. Textbooks would be provided by the university. It might be possible to add another year of Mandarin Chinese in the future. The university will also pay for a native speaking aide to help with the students. Only juniors and seniors would be accepted at this time. There are at least 16 students signed up at each school. Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Bryan: Motion to approve the University of Montana Mandarin Chinese Pilot Program. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. MONTHLY LEGAL REPORT The Chair reported there were no cases to report but there were long-term suspensions to approve. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to approve the long-term suspensions. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. BILLS PAID -- JUNE 2009 Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve the bills paid for June 2009. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the bills paid: Claims $3,956,294.83 ACH Tax Deposits 3,847,016.91 Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits 12,363,717.93 Procurement Card 285,946.28 INTERCAP Loan Network Infrastructure & Vehicle purchases Total $20,452,975.95 FINANCIAL REPORTS -- JUNE 2009 (UNAUDITED) The following reports were received: CS101 Account Expenditure by Fund CS102 Account Receipts by Fund CS105 Statement of Estimated and Actual Revenue CS108 Object Cost Analysis PERSONNEL REPORT Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to accept the Superintendent’s current employment recommendations as included in the Personnel Report. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve and accept the items within the Consent Agenda without objection to recommended action. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the approved Consent Agenda items: Regular Board Meeting Minutes, June 15, 2009 Special Board Meeting Minutes, July 13, 2009 Addition of Social Trust Fund Account at Poly Drive Addition of Library Book Fair & Loss/Damaged Books Trust Fund Account at Bitterroot Addition of Summer Tutoring at Newman Trust Fund Account in Human Resources As there was no other business, the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Malcolm Goodrich, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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