Minutes, November 23, 2004

[palmerk]

Proceedings of the 20-Year Facilities Planning Committee

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

November 23, 2004

 

The meeting was called to order by Co-Chair, Barbara Bryan on Tuesday, November 9, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. in room 213 at Lincoln Center.

 

Members Present: Barbara Bryan, Peggie Smith, Matt Brosovich, Mike Marnin, Donnell Small, Ed Workman

 

Members Absent: Ludlow Howe, John Eisen, Randy Hafer, Tim Cranston, Larry Brewster, Greg Krueger

 

Others Present: John Fitzgerald of the Billings Gazette

 

Approval of Minutes: No quorum for approval of minutes.

 

Handout: The following information was received from Dan Martin:

 

• Information regarding the suggestion for changing Orchard to a K-8 school

and making Riverside a comprehensive high school

 

• E-Mail messages regarding Orchard and Riverside from Principals, Linda Bakken, and Mike Smith

 

• October 29, 2004 1st Quarter enrollment counts

 

• December 17, 2003 Billings Public Schools, Building Summary

 

Discussion: Barb reported that Trustee, Conrad Stroebe proposed that this committee consider the idea of converting Riverside to a comprehensive high school and make Orchard elementary a K-8 school. During discussion of this idea the members were reminded that the community recently approved remodeling Orchard as a K-6 school. Converting it to a K-8 and Riverside to a high school could be quite costly and may not significantly impact enough students to ease the overcrowding in our high schools. Discussion on this could continue at the next meeting.

 

Peggie has been trying to gather information regarding the successfulness of the freshman academies. She has e-mailed three of the principals but has had only one reply so far. She will report her findings as soon as the information is received.

 

In discussing academies, those present were reminded that information shows that success of academies and/or “smaller schools within schools”, autonomous staffing is very important.

 

Ideas discussed for Senior were to relocate Daylis Stadium, keep the gyms intact and build out toward the east. If the west side auditorium section were removed there could be room for a three stories of classrooms and build a new auditorium on the northeast. When completed with all phases the old sections would all be removed.

 

The work of this committee will continue at the next meeting, which will be held on November 30th at 6:30 p.m. in room 213 at the Lincoln Center.

 

With no further business the group adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 

 

 

____________________

Barbara Bryan, Co-Chair

 

 

 

________________________

John Eisen, Co-Chair

 

 

Donna Obie, Recorder

Approved 12/13/04