Agenda Setting Meeting - January 5, 2010

[coen]

Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

January 5, 2010

 

 

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, January 5, 2010.

 

The meeting was called to order at 12:05 p.m. by Chair Malcolm Goodrich.

 

Roll Call

 

Those attending were: Trustees Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Barb Bryan, Joel Guthals, Mary Jo Fox; Superintendent Jack Copps, Scott Anderson, Kathy Olson, Nancy Hines, Thomas Harper, Dave Williams, Dan Martin, Rich Whitney, and Michael Mace from Rocky Mountain College.

 

Chair Goodrich stated that the Superintendent had received a letter on November 18th from Michael Mace, President of Rocky Mountain College, stating the desire of RMC to reacquire Rimrock School and surrounding property if School District 2 no longer has a need for the property. Mr. Goodrich stated that the Board of Trustees needs to formally respond to the College. The Rimrock property is not currently being used as a school building but remains in the district inventory.

 

Mr. Mace stated they have several ideas for uses of the school, one of which is a possible laboratory school. He presented some information regarding lab schools which included his summary. Mr. Mace stated that he has the authority from his board to offer the District up to $1 million for the Rimrock property. They do not want to lose the ability to have their student teachers student teach in the district. They want to be involved in District master planning..

 

Mr. Goodrich stated that this is not a meeting in which the board makes decisions. He mentioned that Jeff Weldon is aware of and has had conversations with a member of Rocky’s board regarding this issue. Mr. Goodrich suggested having a small committee of the board meet with Jack Copps, Jeff Weldon and Michael Mace to discuss this issue. He asked if Barb Bryan and Joel Guthals would be willing to be on the committee. They will be approved as members of the committee at the meeting in January so they can bring back a recommendation to the Board at the February meeting.

 

The Chair stated that he had received a letter of resignation from Trustee Dawn Achten which he had accepted with reluctance. The position will need to be declared vacant and the Board will have 60 days in which to appoint a new trustee to serve until the election in April. Clerk Leo Hudetz will be in charge of this. In a related issue, the Chair asked those trustees whose position is up for re-election if they will be running again. Peter Gesuale is not sure. Mary Jo Fox will run again.

 

Since the meeting on January 18 is Martin Luther King Day, Trustee Fox will prepare a presentation in honor of Dr. King.

 

Trustee Bryan and Nancy Hines are working on names for the steering committee as requested by the Ad Hoc Committee on Strategic Planning. They are polling possible committee members to see if they are interested in serving. The committee will verify with MTSBA the date for starting the process. Trustee Bryan stated that they are going to attempt to have the first meeting on Saturday, January 16. The proposed names will be presented to the Board before the BFR meeting on January 11, 2010. The Steering Committee meetings will be Board meetings as well so will need to have at least 48 hours notice.

 

Trustee Bryan asked about the uses for the technology levies. Superintendent Copps stated that information is easy to obtain. It will be presented at the next Board meeting.

 

Mr. Goodrich asked about the last day to call for a levy election since it is a mail-in ballot. Thomas Harper stated that it will be March 25th.

 

At the next Budgeting For Results meeting, the budget discussion will be regarding middle school. Ms. Bryan has information she would like included in that meeting. She will request Joel Guthals to include that since he is the Chair of the BFR Committee.

 

Superintendent Copps stated that there is a Chamber Board meeting today to discuss support for levies and which levies to support. COLT has not been able to come up with a list of cuts for BFR due to two things: 1) February 1 enrollment count; 2) do not have information on insurance increase. Also, the issue of one-time money is a consideration. Mr. Goodrich stated that the target is to call for levies in February. March is going to be too late. Dan Martin stated that we could look at insurance reserves. We need to have six weeks of run-out in the reserves. Jack Copps stated that we need to know as far as the elementary levies what we are identifying as a shortfall and we need to have agreement on how to use the one time money.

 

Mr. Goodrich’s concern is public relations. He will plan to have a Special Board meeting on February 8th to review where we are and come up with some proposals and analyze information. Mr. Copps stated that there is concern about the amount of the levies with the Yes For Kids group since together the levies total over $4 million. The group may support some of the levies and not others. A study session will be planned for February 8th and the numbers need to be available. The decision will be finalized on February 15th. Mr. Goodrich asked Joel Guthals if Budgeting For Results could discuss insurance issues and one time money issues to make some sort of recommendation to the Board.

 

The committee for the superintendent search is just waiting for applications. Applications will be accepted through February 5th.

 

Ms. Bryan asked for a report from Successful Schools at Senior High. That will be arranged for a future meeting.

 

Ms. Fox asked the Superintendent to remind the Chamber about tax revenues and school funding. There are 256 new homes and the school district does not receive any benefit from those new homes.

 

Mr. Copps stated that the board is stuck with a three year union employment contract with increases built in.

 

Barb Bryan stated that Candi Beaudry did a presentation to the Planning and Development Committee. She asked about informal meetings with the planning board and school board again. Kathy Aragon was the previous liaison from the Board.

 

Trustee Fox asked for an update on handicapped parking signage in the parking lots. This will be on the Superintendent’s report.

 

The Chair asked those present to remember Trustee Achten’s service.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

_________________________________

Malcolm Goodrich, Chair

 

 

 

_______________________________

Nancy Coe, Recorder