Diane Blevins Posted March 3, 2010 Report Share Posted March 3, 2010 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana February 15, 2010 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, February 15, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Joel Guthals, Malcolm Goodrich, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Joyce Weber, Peter Gesuale, Superintendent Jack Copps, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Registered guests included Bryan Stafford, Evan Stafford, Joyce Cummings, Grace Kime, Nicole Ficek, Dave Ficek, Mary Anne Ficek, Markie Reichert, Julie Reichert, Melinda Middleton, Stephen MacCartney, Sandra Abraham, Alicia Connolly, Diana Reitler, Karen, Lyndon Carson Singer, Paige Darden, Craig E. Hash, Christian O’Neill, Denise G. Ness, Colin McRae, Jim McRae, and Marian Leligdowicz. 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. Jerry Hooten addressed the Board on the possibility of debate classes being cut at Skyview High School. He offered his assistance to teach the class free of charge and he stated that 1st Interstate Bank has also offered their aid. Quintin Brown, Ryann Dolezal and Jacob Hooten also addressed the Board in support of debate classes at Skyview. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Goodrich reported a Special Board meeting minutes had been added to the Consent Agenda. Trustee Gesuale requested the approval of a sign at Senior High be pulled from the Consent Agenda for discussion. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve the agenda as amended. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. RECOGNITION AND GIFTS AND DONATIONS Dennis Holmes, Senior High School Principal, introduced Markie Reichert as a candidate for the U. S. Presidential Scholars Program. Dave Cobb, Principal at West High School, introduced Nicole Ficek, Alicia Connolly, Michael Silvernagel, and Evan Stafford as candidates for the U. S. Presidential Scholars Program. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Bryan: Motion to approve the gifts and donations with gratitude. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, 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: Arrowhead -- Julie Harman, $35 Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, $157.50 Bitterroot -- Wal-Mart Store #3923, $250 in matching funds for volunteers Farmers Insurance, book Chapter Y PEO, winter clothing and $65 Broadwater -- Chapter IY PEO, winter clothing and money Highland -- Scott Buswell, OPI, computer equipment McKinley -- Jim Graves, 10 chairs Newman -- Lisa Blohm, clothing and snacks for students Chapter Y PEO, $65, clothing, hats and gloves Billings Village Golden K Kiwanis Club, $500 Good Sam Fund, $200 Ponderosa -- Good Sam Fund, $200 Sam’s Club Foundation, $2,500 Chapter Y PEO, money and winter clothing Rose Park -- Cindy Hanchett, eight library books Will James -- Tom and Kim Hauptman, $152.84 for soldiers’ fund Adult Education -- Insurance Associates of Billings, $175 UPDATE ON PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF 2010-2011 BUDGET Thomas Harper, the District’s Financial Officer, reported the elementary February enrollment count was the same as in October, the middle school was down, and there was also a decline in the high school counts. He reported, as of today, there is still a deficit in both the elementary and high school districts. Mr. Harper stated he is also waiting to receive information on the future costs for health insurance. Retirement savings information will be available by the first of March. Budgeting for Results (BFR) Committee will be reviewing all of the information as soon as the figures are known. REPORT FROM BUDGETING FOR RESULTS COMMITTEE; GENERAL REPORT; DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE CHANGES AND CUTS TO DISTRICt PROGRAMS Trustee Guthals reported there was no meeting of the Budgeting for Results (BFR) Committee in February. He recapped the BFR recommendations that were previously made to the Board. The first recommendation is to utilize all of the one-time only money for both districts, $1,370,000 for elementary and $318,000 for high school. There would still be deficits if the one-time only funds were used for the 2010-2011 budgets. BFR did not recommend cluster or sister schools concept in the elementary district. The committee did recommend eliminating 12.75 full-time employees for housekeeping, two full-time nursing care staff, 3.3 FTE for Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSA), Title II positions, and $600,000 for tutors. Trustee Guthals reported the BFR Committee recommended the following for the high school district: 1) eliminate 1 FTE in a Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) position, 8 FTE in instructional teachers, and a contract position in the Office of Development and Advancement. These cuts would have no negative impact on the District’s mission statement. Mr. Guthals reported these cuts were not enough to balance the budget. PRESENTATION BY YES FOR KIDS Bruce MacIntyre, Yes For Kids Committee, reported the committee felt the elementary mill levy was the most important. The committee would devote their staff time to work on its passage. Paige Darden and Karen Sanford Gall, Co-Chairs for Yes For Kids, addressed the Board and stated the responsibility of citizens of Billings is to maintain support for public schools. RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN ELEMENTARY LEVY ELECTION -- MAY 4, 2010 Chair Goodrich stated the Board made its intent known to the public in October in calling for the elementary mill levy, elementary technology levy, and the high school technology levy. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to adopt the Resolution Calling for an Elementary Levy Election to be held on May 4, 2010 and declaring the amount of the Elementary Levy Election to be $1,809,323, such amount being approximately 10.78 mills. Trustee Guthals stated this levy is critical to allow our elementary schools to continue in the neighborhood school concept. This money is critical for the 2012 school year which is an even larger deficit than 2011. The average homeowner would pay $3.75 per month. Trustee Guthals urged the elementary trustees to vote in favor of the motion. Trustee Fox reported the BFR members were not able to come up with a number of cuts to meet the deficit and the future is dismal if the mill levy does not pass. If the community does not vote for the mill levy, the Board will have to make drastic cuts. Trustee Gesuale stated that none of the recommended cuts would solve the deficit as a whole but the mill levy passage is a key piece. He urged the community and Board members to support this mill levy. Trustee Gesuale reported he researched the amounts paid by this District and found this District to have the lowest per student costs in the state. Trustee Guthals stated Montana’s school funding depends on local mill levies to support its school districts. Trustee Bryan reported the larger school districts receive less money per student than the smaller districts. Trustee Stroebe felt the State must realize that ‘AA’ schools need more money than is allowed. Trustee Goodrich stated the decision to call for a mill levy was not taken lightly by the Board. Business developments in this city would dry up if the school district is not a strong system. He further stated the motion was for elementary trustees only. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The resolution is as follows: WHEREAS, the trustees of any district shall have the authority under the provisions of section 15-10-201, MCA, to call for a school election; WHEREAS, the trustees of this district shall have the authority under the provisions of section 15-10-425 and Title 20 of the Montana code Annotated to set the amount of a mill levy; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County call for an election of the registered electors of the District to be held on the 4th day of May, 2010, for the purpose of voting upon the question of whether or not the trustees shall be authorized to make a levy for the purpose of providing funds to support the general fund for the proper maintenance and operation of the elementary district for the 2010-2011 school year, beginning July 1, 2010; and, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County declare that the amount of the elementary levy election to be held on May 4, 2010 shall be $1,809,323, such amount being approximately 10.78 mills. The levy is permanent once approved by the voters, assuming the district levies that amount each year thereafter. The elector shall return the ballot by mail or deliver it to a place of deposit designated by the Yellowstone County Election Administrator so the ballot is received prior to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN ELEMENTARY TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND DEPRECIATION FUND LEVY ELECTION -- MAY 4, 2010 Karen Palmer, Technology Director, reviewed the projected expenditures for the elementary tech levy as found on page 23 of the agenda. There are no budget line items to purchase software at the present time. Individual schools purchase software out of their supply budgets. Ms. Palmer reported she is reviewing the option to move the District’s email service to Google which could save the District money. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to adopt the resolution calling for an Elementary Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Fund Levy election to be held on May 4, 2010 and declaring the amount of the Elementary Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Fund Levy Election to be $1,413,882, such amount being approximately 8.42 mills. Trustee Guthals reported the District has an inadequate number of computers in the schools to serve the students in ways they need for education which creates an inequality as some families can not afford a computer. One of the District’s goals is to update hardware and software every four years. Trustee Guthals stated this District is far behind in the purchase of textbooks as those funds were cut from the budget in years past. Textbooks are now available online but the necessary hardware and software is needed which this levy could purchase. Trustee Guthals reported it would cost the District’s homeowners $6.00 per month for the elementary mill levy and the elementary technology levy. Trustee Goodrich stated the District’s students will need this technology for the 21st century. Trustee Gesuale reported the technology levy funds, if the mill levy were to pass, would be used each year for technology as mandated in State statute. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Stroebe and Guthals are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The resolution is as follows: WHEREAS, the trustees of any district shall have the authority under the provisions of section 20-20-201, MCA, to call for a school election; WHEREAS, the trustees of this district shall have the authority under the provisions of section 20-9-533, MCA, to submit a proposition to the qualified electors of the district to approve an additional levy to fund the depreciation of technological equipment; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County call for an election of the registered electors of the District to be held on the 4th day of May, 2010, for the purpose of voting upon the question of whether or not the trustees shall be authorized to make a levy for the purpose of purchasing, renting, repairing and maintaining technological equipment, including computers and computer network access and the associated technical training for school district personnel for the 2010-2011 school year, beginning July 1, 2010; and, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County declare that the amount of the Elementary Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Fund Levy election shall be $1,413,882, such amount being approximately 8.42 mills. The levy is permanent once approved by the voters, assuming the district levies that amount each year thereafter and satisfies the provisions of 20-9-533 MCA. The elector shall return the ballot by mail or deliver it to a place of deposit designated by the Yellowstone County Election Administrator so the ballot is received prior to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND DEPRECIATION FUND LEVY ELECTION -- MAY 4, 2010 Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stroebe: Motion to adopt the resolution calling for a High School Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Fund Levy election to be held on May 4, 2010 and declaring the amount of the High School Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Fund Levy Election to be $1,099,459, such amount being approximately 4.99 mills Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The resolution is as follow: WHEREAS, the trustees of any district shall have the authority under the provisions of section 20-20-201, MCA, to call for a school election; WHEREAS, the trustees of this district shall have the authority under the provisions of section 20-9-533, MCA, to submit a proposition to the qualified electors of the district to approve an additional levy to fund the depreciation of technological equipment; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the trustees of High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County call for an election of the registered electors of the District to be held on the 4th day of May, 2010, for the purpose of voting upon the question of whether or not the trustees shall be authorized to make a levy for the purpose of purchasing, renting, repairing and maintaining technological equipment, including computers and computer network access and the associated technical training for school district personnel for the 2010-2011 school year, beginning July 1, 2010; and, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the trustees of High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County declare that the amount of the High School Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Fund Levy election shall be $1,099,459, such amount being approximately 4.99 mills. The levy is permanent once approved by the voters, assuming the district levies that amount each year thereafter and satisfies the provisions of 20-9-533 MCA. The elector shall return the ballot by mail or deliver it to a place of deposit designated by the Yellowstone County Election Administrator so the ballot is received prior to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. UPDATE ON MTSBA FACILITATED STRATEGIC PLANNING Trustee Bryan reported the Strategic Planning Committee was approved by the Board last year to move the District into a strategic planning stage. The goal of the committee is to go in the direction the community wants for the District, identify strategies for that path, and develop benchmarks to determine the success. Trustee Bryan reported that strategic planning is widely accepted in the business world. It is hoped that the strategic planning process could save up to $5,000,000 by 2012. A survey was launched today on the District’s website for the next two weeks to gather input from the community. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Trustee Aragon reported the Planning and Development (P&D) Committee continues to work on demographic data on the District. The next meeting of the P&D Committee is scheduled for February 22nd to review the historical data on enrollment and bussing information. Riverstone Health will also visit the committee at a future meeting. UPDATE ON TRUSTEE VACANCY Leo Hudetz, District Clerk, reported he has received one application for the Trustee vacancy in Zone 1. APPROVAL OF SUBCOMMITTEE TO CREATE ORIENTATION PACKAGE Chair Goodrich reported this item was requested by Trustee Bryan to create an orientation package for new Trustees. Trustees volunteering to serve on the subcommittee were Teresa Stroebe, Kathy Aragon, and Barbara Bryan. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale: Motion to create a subcommittee of the board to address new trustee orientation and approve Trustees Stroebe, Aragon, and Bryan to the subcommittee to define the duties of the committee. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Superintendent Copps reported it was good to see that the elementary enrollment has held since the October count. He also reported there will be a federal increase in educational funding of $4,500,000,000 for schools across the country but Montana is at a disadvantage. The Office of Public Education has waived the first round of funding and the second round is coming. Mr. Copps reported one item in the funding package is for charter schools but Montana’s population does not meet those criteria. SUPERINTENDENT APPLICANT’S SCREENING Bob Vogel from the Montana School Board Association explained the process to be used in the search for a superintendent. The Trustees have reviewed the the applications and must now choose 3-6 candidates to be interviewed. Mr. Vogel explained one application was received after the due date and could not be considered. One of the candidates does not have a teaching certificate and no teaching experience. By state qualifications, an applicant must have three years of teaching experience and one year of experience as a principal in order to receive a superintendent’s certification. The 17th applicant does not meet the criteria. The consensus of the Board was to select six applicants. A voting process of the qualified applicants was held by the Trustees who selected R. Keith Beeman, Eric Ely, Barbara Hickman, Scott Rogers, Keith Meyer, and Cole Pugh. As one or more of the applicants may be approved for another position, it was decided to have two alternates. The Board selected Christopher Hines and Josh Middleton as alternates. Mr. Vogel reported he would notify the candidates for interviews which would take place on March 1st and 2nd. POLICY 1441 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION -- 3RD READING Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve Policy 1441 on third reading. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. FORM 1441-F1 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION FORM Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve Form 1441-F1 Audience Participation. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. MTSBA REPORT ON DELEGATE ASSEMBLY/BOARD CERTIFICATION Trustee Gesuale reported there is a schedule to transmit resolutions for the 2011 legislative session for consideration by the Montana School Board Association and the approved resolutions would be presented to the Delegate Assembly for adoption. He urged the members to think about resolutions for adoption and send those resolutions to him. It was decided resolutions would be considered at the next meeting. Trustee Gesuale felt this Board should be Board certified by MTSBA as it is the largest district in the State. BILLS PAID -- JANUARY 2010 Trustee Guthals reported that BFR did not review these bills but he did and found nothing unusual. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve the bills paid for January 2010. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The bills paid are as follows: Claims $2,440,490.53 ACH Tax Deposits 1,734,134.38 Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits 6,077,778.29 Procurement Card 245,763.15 EBMS ACH Payments 1,452,803.58 INTERCAP Loan Network Infrastructure & Vehicle Purchases TOTAL $11,950,969.93 PERSONNEL REPORT Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve the Superintendent’s current employment recommendations. Superintendent Copps reported there was nothing unusual to report in the Personnel Report. Trustee Gesuale asked why Rick Jones was approved a year’s absence. Mr. Copps stated Mr. Jones will participate in an oceanic research ship for a year. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. CONTRACT FOR SIGN AT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL -- GRAND AVENUE Trustee Gesuale requested the BFR Committee review the issue as it contains quite a benefit on such a public street. Trustee Fox asked about the signage at West High. Mr. Copps reported other businesses have donated funds for signs. Trustee Fox felt it was a positive note for businesses to donate to the District. She believed that the BFR Committee could review the issue and the administration could take care of the donation for the sign. Chair Goodrich stated it was his decision to run it in the Consent Agenda as it would benefit Senior High. He felt it was good for the District to be strong partners with businesses in the community. Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Bryan: Motion to refer it to the Budgeting for Result Committee for consideration. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, 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 Bryan: Motion to approve the Consent Agenda without objection to recommended action. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Items contained in the Consent Agenda are as follows: Regular Board Meeting Minutes, January 18, 2010 Joint Special Board/BFR Meeting, January 11, 2010 Joint Special Board/BFR Meeting, January 25, 2010 Special Board Meeting Minutes, February 4, 2010 Planning and Development Committee Minutes, December 7, 2009 Planning and Development Committee, January 4, 2010 Approval of Steering Committee Members for Strategic Planning Approval of Members to BFR Committee Addition of Library ECA Fund Account at Washington Addition of MBI Youth Leadership Team ECA Fund Account at Lewis & Clark Addition of Primary Playground Trust Fund Account at Bench Addition of Sue Dolan Art Scholarship Trust Fund Account at West High As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Malcolm Goodrich, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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