Special Board Meeting - Monday, August 10, 2009

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Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

August 10, 2009

 

 

Call to Order

 

The Special Board 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 Monday, August 10, 2009.

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Malcolm Goodrich. Pledge of Allegiance was said.

 

ROLL CALL

 

Those attending were: Trustees Malcolm Goodrich, Barb Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Dawn Achten, Joyce Weber; Clerk Leo Hudetz, Superintendent Jack Copps, Kathy Olson, Scott Anderson, Thomas Harper. Trustee Kathy Aragon was excused. Registered guests included Becky Shay (Billings Gazette), Reed Gerth, Dan Elser, Mike Littleton, Kristy Morgan, Melanie Connole, Molly Barta, Brennan Barta, Cody Turnquist, Evan Turnquist, Sheri Bond, Lani Monical, Kerri Miller, S. Miller, Randy Shelton, Abbey Kochel, Todd Rose, Rich Malia, Jeremy Hernandez, Corey Cortez, Amanda Cortez, Tim Kaczmarek, Toni Gordon, Joe Rambin, S. Klepps, Keri Braaton, Lonnie Robertson, Michael Falcon, Scott Lynch, Francisco Soto, Jim Wright, Darla Gretch, Deana Elder, Ken Waterson, Lorrie Waterson, Gregg Dillon, Patti Dillon, Justin Martin.

 

WELCOME AND ORIENTATION TO THE MEETING

 

Chair Goodrich welcomed those present to the meeting. He stated that there was approximately 18 minutes available to fit the timeline for public comment for this meeting and asked those speaking to limit their comments to three minutes or less. He told those present that it was the intention to have the budget discussion continued to next Monday evening at the Regular Board meeting, August 17, and the public would again have a chance to comment. Budget approval is not an action item for this meeting.

 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC

 

Jeff Greenfield, BEA President, addressed the Board. He urged the Board to keep the activities at the middle school fully funded. It is a means to keep kids in school. He said there is enough money in the budget to fully fund this. It is in everyone’s best interest to keep all activities maintained, and there is money available to fully fund activities.

 

Steve Klepps, local physician, addressed the Board in support of the wrestling program. He stated that wrestling fits all shapes and sizes, unlike some other activities, and is a big dollar scholarship program sport, more than football and basketball.

 

Lonnie Robertson, Senior High head wrestling coach, stated that the middle school wrestling program is beneficial in that there are lots of contacts made with kids for good long-term benefits.

 

Rich Malia, head wrestling coach at Skyview High School, stated that he had previously spoken to most of the Board members individually. He feels that the middle school wrestling experience is very positive for kids. It is beneficial in that it keeps kids in school and makes school a positive experience. He quoted numbers for the last three years, and stated that there are more kids involved in wrestling than in boys’ cross country and boys’ basketball in the middle school. He further stated that there are fewer coaches for wrestling than for other sports.

 

Jeremy Hernandez, head wrestling coach at West High School, stated that he was a product of the school district, and his first experience with wrestling was at the middle school level. He stated his life could have been very different without the positive experience of wrestling.

 

Todd Rose, teacher at Shepherd and coach at West High, stated that the loss of the middle school wrestling program would affect other outlying programs as well because of less competition. He stated that he is a cancer survivor and many of the kids who raised money for his cancer treatment were from the wrestling program.

 

ADOPT FINAL BUDGETS FY 2009-2010

 

Chair Goodrich stated that at the June Budgeting For Results Committee meeting it was the administrative proposal to fund deferred maintenance. The Board reviewed the recommendations. The decision was made to freeze middle school activities at current level. Administration contacted the BEA about continuing with the 80 percent stipends from last year which was approved by the BEA for one year only. The BEA will not entertain the same proposal this year. Mr. Goodrich stated that the Board has not made a decision to terminate softball and wrestling but did freeze the dollar amount for middle school activities. A decision was made to freeze activities to try to add more elementary teachers for early intervention in the lower grades.

 

Chair Goodrich said this meeting is required by law to start approval of the budget. The final date for approval of the budget is the fourth Monday in August with the recommended date to be the regular meeting on August 17, 2009. This discussion will be continued next week. This will be an action item next week.

 

Trustee Stroebe left the meeting at 6 p.m.

 

Trustee Peter Gesuale made a motion to consider elementary budgeted funds for year 2009-2010 and to continue the budget hearing to the Regular Board meeting on August 17, 2009. Trustee Weber seconded the motion.

 

Trustee Achten asked Jeff Greenfield why there was no movement from the union on the 80 percent funding of middle school activities. The Chair stated that Mr. Greenfield was not required to answer any questions as he does not represent the administration. Mr. Greenfield stated that the BEA does not bargain contracts for individuals, and cuts cannot be just in softball and wrestling. Ms. Achten asked the Superintendent about information she had heard in the public about 13 Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) positions. The Superintendent stated that he would be glad to provide answers if she would provide the names so he could explain who they are and what they are doing.

 

Trustee Fox also asked about TOSA positions, and said she is not clear how many there are, feels there are more TOSA positions that help teachers. She would like to consider cutting back on these areas. She regrets that the BEA has not agreed to go forward with the 80 percent for another year. She would like to see areas where teachers are willing to give too.

 

Trustee Gesuale asked about the timeline for approval by the fourth Monday of August. The Chair stated that there is no meeting scheduled for the fourth Monday at this time but that is a possibility.

 

Mr. Gesuale stated that it is his understanding that the TOSA positions are not funded totally from the General Fund. He wonders if these budgets reflect the priorities of the Board and of the community right now. Much of what was said about how much money is available is false. The issues are class size versus middle school activities. These issues need to reflect our priorities as a community and a Board. A solution to the middle school activity cuts is that the BEA would agree to reduce their stipends 80 percent.

 

Chair Goodrich stated that the approximate cuts in the 2009-2010 budget were $1.9 million to the Elementary General Fund and $1.5 million to the High School General Fund.

 

Trustee Weber asked about increasing participation fees for the participants of middle school activities. Jack Copps said that Barb Bryan had mentioned a fee increase at the meeting on July 13th but the motion by the Board was to freeze middle school activities at the 2008-09 level. He stated that increasing participation fees would necessitate developing a plan for those who could not afford to pay. Trustee Goodrich asked for an analysis of fee increases and the possibility of private dollars for activities as well as information about how many kids would not participate if fees were raised.

 

Mr. Goodrich asked Mr. Malia and Mr. Copps to meet and go over participation figures so they agree on the numbers.

 

Trustee Guthals made comments about making suggested cuts in the budget for upcoming year. The cuts total about $3.5 million and include textbooks, aides to classrooms and Career Center cuts. The district is moving funds from federal stimulus funds to make budgets balance. No one wants to cut activities. The State of Montana defines a quality education and does not include activities in the definition. They do not allocate dollars for activities. Those dollars have to come from another area. He urged those present to look for a solution at the state legislative level. He cautioned that it will be worse next year. He has been striving to have people get fair pay for their work compared to other AA districts in the state. He does not agree with paying people less than 100 percent for work performed. He appreciates the break last year from the BEA when its members accepted less compensation for coaching middle school activities.

 

The Chair stated that this discussion will continue until August 17th. He called for a vote on the motion. The motion passed unanimously with Trustees Goodrich, Weber, Achten, Fox, Bryan and Gesuale voting in favor. Trustee Guthals is ineligible to vote on elementary issues.

 

A motion was made by Trustee Guthals to consider high school budgeted funds for year 2009-2010 and continue budget hearing to the Regular Board meeting on August 17, 2009. Trustee Fox seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with Trustees Goodrich, Guthals, Achten, Fox, Bryan and Gesuale voting in favor.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

 

 

 

_________________________________

Malcolm Goodrich, Chair

 

 

 

_______________________________

Nancy Coe, Recorder