Diane Blevins Posted June 14, 2010 Report Share Posted June 14, 2010 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana May 17, 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, May 17, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Joel Guthals, Connie Wardell, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Travis Kemp, Joyce Weber, Lindy Graves, Teresa Stroebe, Superintendent Jack Copps, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Registered guests included Cathy Malone, Jodi Schneiber, Sheila Kolar, Linda Leligdowicz, Marian Leligdowicz, Julia Morris, and Jeff Weldon. 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. Kevin Nelson addressed the Board in regards to District Trustee boundary changes. The boundaries were set up as equally as possible. He urged the Board to wait until the data from the 2010 Census is reported before changing the boundaries. Mr. Nelson also stated that he believed Tax Increment Districts are a detriment to governmental entities. Josephine Shipman agreed with Mr. Nelson and would appreciate a choice in where her children attend school. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Trustee Bryan requested the item on Race to the Top be removed from the consent Agenda for discussion. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the agenda as amended. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. RECOGNITION AND GIFTS AND DONATIONS The Board recognized Lauren Ficek as the recipient of a $200 scholarship from AGATE for a top score on the SAT Challenge. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to accept the gifts and donations with gratitude. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the gifts and donations: Boulder -- Kristy Levin, $500 volunteer grant through ExxonMobil Eagle Cliffs -- Mr. and Mrs. Chris Brink, Wells Fargo matching donation program Miles Avenue -- Connie Kvilhaug, Billings Hypnosis, newspapers Jean Moses, Sunset Bowl, newspapers Northern Rockies Surgery Center, newspapers Sunset Bowl, 12 games of bowling Outback Steakhouse, four gift certificates for appetizers Texas Roadhouse, $30 gift certificate Ponderosa -- Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic, newspapers Al’s Body Shop, newspapers Universal Awards, newspapers Towe, Ball, Enright, Mackey & Sommerfeld, newspapers American Title & Escrow, newspapers Ron Hildebrand, Magic City Fly Fishers, time, talents, camp scholarship Ashlar #29, six bikes with helmets District -- W. H. and M. C. Randall, iMac G5 computer YES FOR KIDS PRESENTATION Bruce MacIntyre felt the recent successful mill levy election was one of the most challenging campaigns he has ever participated in. The business community found it hard to accept the levies. There were 400 volunteers who were involved in the campaign. The levies were about the kids in Billings Public Schools. Mr. MacIntyre reported the public is looking for accountability from the Board. He asked the Board not to spend all of the money if at all possible. ANNUAL ADULT EDUCATION REPORT Woody Jensen, Director of Adult Education, reported the department is not just General Equivalency Diplomas. He asked the Board to think of other ways in which his department can function. The program prepares students for college and technology schools as well as credit recovery for the high schools. The Transitions program is for students who are in trouble and at risk and a program is developed for each student to graduate. The Adult Education Department also has career advancement certificates and also has a professional development program and recertification of teachers. Enrollments have been increasing in the adult education program. There were 312 GEDs earned for 2008-2009. Thirty-three students on the drop-out list earned their GEDs. The Nite Owl program has also seen an increase in enrollments. Trustee Wardell asked if there were any online courses. Dr. Jensen reported there were. Money can only be spent on students who are 16 and older who are not enrolled in our schools. The Adult Education program also has a contractual agreement with the prison which pays for the salaries of both teachers. Trustee Stroebe asked who contacts the drop-out. Dr. Jensen reported the high school counseling staff are very good at recognizing the signs of drop-outs and steer them to the Adult Education Program. MONTHLY LEGAL REPORT Jeff Weldon, District’s legal counsel, reported there was nothing new to report on the legal report. PERSONNEL REPORT Mr. Weldon explained the non-renewal of a non-tenured employee. There are tenured teachers that automatically roll forward, as well as non-tenured and tenured teachers who receive a contract for the next school year. After yearly contracts for four years, a teacher becomes tenured. That employee who is tenured can only be terminated for cause. The Board does not have to name the cause for a non-renewal of a non-tenured employee. The Trustees have the right to know that the non-tenure process is being followed but reasons for non-renewal will not be brought forward. Superintendent Copps read a letter from the non-tenured teacher being terminated, who chose not to attend the meeting. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the Superintendent’s Personnel Report. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. TRUSTEE ZONE BOUNDARY CHANGE Leon Pattyn addressed the Board as one of the persons serving on the committee that set up the single member trustee zones in 2003. He reported the census data was used in setting up the zones of which the trustee had to live within their zone in order to run for a seat on the Board. He urged the Board not to move the boundaries without the 2010 census data. Mr. Weldon stated the trustees would legally be put at risk if the zones were to be adjusted. The creation of the single member districts was done in 2003. He urged the Board to look at the 2010 census data before moving the boundaries. The statues are not clear as to how to change a zone but the Board could develop a plan, and submit it to the State and the Office of Public Instruction for approval. Ken Weaver, from Bozeman, has stated he would work with the District in three years, pro bono, to determine the zones. Mr. Weaver provided expertise to the District in 2003. Trustee Bryan recommended an Ad Hoc Committee to look at this issue. Trustee Stroebe suggested the Planning and Development Committee also review the matter. Trustee Fox expressed her belief, as a policy making party, the Board can make policy and be a test case as we are the only ones who have single member districts. In 2006, all of the families in the Indian Cliffs subdivision were assigned to Heights schools by the Board due to overcrowding on the west end. K-6 students attend Alkali Creek, middle school students attend Castle Rock, and high school students attend Skyview. If those students are considered Heights students, they need a representative from the Heights to meet their needs. Trustee Fox stated she never requested a change in the zones but believed the Indian Cliff families have received a disservice. She encouraged administration to look at these families to see if they can have options as to where their children will attend school. Trustee Wardell felt it was too early to address this issue and urged the Board to wait until the data is available from the census. Trustee Fox stated these students from Indian Cliffs are Heights students and need to be represented by a Heights Trustee. She recommended giving this issue to the Policy Review Committee to look at and a trustee from their area to represent them. Trustee Aragon reported the Planning & Development Committee noticed that the largest number of students in the Indian Cliffs area are now in Boulder school. She felt some boundaries need to be adjusted and population boundaries should be reviewed. Safety issues also need to be addressed in traveling Zimmerman Trail. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to wait until after the Board has the 2010 Census data to address changing trustee zone boundaries. Trustee Guthals did not feel it was an appropriate motion because it would encumber a future board. Trustee Aragon withdrew her motion. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to recommend to the Policy Review Committee to review the situation of families who are assigned out of their zone to schools represented by another trustee and whether or not we should recommend administration to look at that when assigning schools for high school students. Trustee Stroebe felt the scope had been broadened. Trustee Wardell felt boundaries are about students and trustee zones are about voters. Trustee Guthals did not feel the motion would change anything but the Policy Review Committee will look at the issue, not changing zones. It would be a change in policy only. Mr. Weldon agreed with Trustee Guthals that the Policy Review Committee is only looking at policy. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT SELECTION MATTERS Trustee Guthals reported the contract with Dr. Beeman, the new superintendent, has successfully been completed as he has worked with Trustees Gesuale and Bryan. We are not able to talk about the terms now as it was not in the agenda packet 48 hours prior to the meeting. The contract is within the allowed parameters. Dr. Beeman will be here next week and will attend the next Board meeting where the contract will be presented for Board approval. REPORT FROM BUDGETING FOR RESULTS COMMITTEE Trustee Guthals reported on the Budgeting for Results (BFR) Committee’s recent meeting. As of April 30th, the budget is 83% complete. A report was received from Rich Whitney, Facilities Director, and Trustee Guthals has asked that the presentation be given to the full Board. The energy manager gave a report also and the cost avoidance thus far is 18.4%. A discussion was also held on the food service contract and the next contract will be on the agenda for the regular Board meeting in June. Sodexho was the sole bidder. More discussions will be held with Sodexho and the company will be providing more reports to the Board. Sodexho serves 11,000 meals a day. BFR also discussed having additional servings for those students who are not getting enough food. Sodexho will have enhanced signage that students will have all of the fruits and vegetables they want without any additional cost. Increased signage will also contain nutritional information. Sodexho will also look at more locally grown foods in the school food program. Trustee Guthals reported Sodexho will look at recycling for plates, cups and utensils. Certification of families for free and reduced lunch program will also be discussed. The contract will be for a five-year period. BFR also reviewed energy efficient grants and recommended approval of projects totaling $1,800,000. The committee also discussed the quality school grant program and recommended approval of the projects on this meeting’s agenda. The committee also reviewed technology updates that will save $60,000-$80,000 a year. BFR conducted a brief review of program budgets for the 2010-2011 school year. Reports will be given to the Board in June. Trustee Guthals asked all of the committee members if they would be willing to continue on BFR for another year and they all agreed. Trustee Aragon suggested the certification of families be brought forward to the Montana School Board Association to get information from the census for those families who are eligible for free and reduced meals. DEFERRED MAINTENANCE & ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT GRANTS Trustee Bryan reported the federal stimulus funds for these projects have been received and must be used by September 30, 2010. The projects have been reviewed by BFR and will be a great deal of help to the District. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the projects for the improvement grants for the elementary district. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Weber: Motion to approve the projects for the improvement grants for the high school district. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. QUALITY SCHOOLS GRANT PROGRAM Trustee Guthals reported that Rich Whitney, Facilities Director, worked with the Superintendent and administration to determine which projects that would have an impact in the District and might cost the District less in the long run. Superintendent Copps stated that administration is trying to find out how competitive we were last year as we did not receive anything. The next phase’s rules have been changed and the District can only submit one project for the competition. Trustee Aragon asked if the District had applied for any planning grants. The District did not. Trustee Stroebe asked why the money was given to the Commerce Department and not the Office of Public Instruction to administer. A definite answer was not given by the federal government. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion for approval of the elementary district’s projects for the Quality Schools Grant Program as presented in the Board packet in the amount of $694,758. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Weber: Motion for approval of the high school district’s projects for the Quality Schools Grant Program as presented in the Board packet in the amount of $8,588,882. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND MEMBERSHIP Trustee Guthals explained that the committee members’ terms expired in June and new members will be brought on in September. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to suspend Policy 1130 and procedure 1130-P1 and allow current chairs and committee members to continue to serve until August 31, 2010. Chair Bryan stated Peter Gesuale has declared his desire to remain on the Strategic Planning Committee. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. UPDATE ON MTSBA FACILITATED STRATEGIC PLANNING Chair Bryan reported that she spoke to Lance Melton regarding the facilitation for the Wednesday night meeting. The meeting will be rescheduled after Dr. Beeman arrives but sometime during the summer. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Trustee Aragon reported to the Board on the demographics of the District. The enrollment counts are unchanged for the past twenty years. Large areas have been annexed into the District but the enrollment has remained the same. The second phase of the study by UC Berkley will be on energy efficiency for K-12 students in the next year. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Superintendent Copps stated he has scheduled an appointment with OPI to talk about adding a high school degree to the Adult Education Program at a pace that students would like to follow. He also reported on the medical marijuana issue in Billings. The most important thing is the City Council and the Ad Hoc Committee are doing their part in the moratorium, on marijuana shops near schools. The 1,000 foot corridor from schools will be honored. Superintendent Copps reported teachers may apply to have their classes on the digital academy. Montana will have a virtual academy starting this summer and 43 classes will be offered. Teachers must be currently employed by a school district in the State. Teachers can put those classes online from home and the students can use them 24/7. School districts will be able to participate by paying the teachers who provide these classes. Teachers will be paid $500 per class, per semester. The State of Montana will reimburse the districts plus 24% for the benefits and 4% for administrative costs. The academy is asking that we supervise the teachers which would be impossible if the courses were provided from their homes. A memo of understanding could be adopted to address our concerns. The District needs to have policies but it also needs to put this program into affect for next year. He suggested a set of administrative policies be developed and then have the Policy Review Committee review them. That committee could then recommend approval for Board policy. Home school students may participate but those students must be enrolled in School District #2 but would not have to attend the school. Trustee Graves asked if this would address overcrowding in the high schools. Mr. Copps reported it would but the District has to consider what is best for the students, and also what is valid and reliable. MONTANA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION MATTERS Chair Bryan reported the Delegate Assembly is on June 11th and encouraged all Trustees to attend the meetings on June 11th and 12th. Trustee Wardell stated she has expressed her interest to attend the MTSBA meetings with Peter Gesuale. Trustee Stroebe also expressed an interest in taking over Mr. Gesuale’s position as a delegate when his term expires. The Board agreed to wait until Mr. Gesuale’s term is up. BILLS PAID -- APRIL 2010 The BFR Committee has recommended approval of the bills paid. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Weber: Motion to approve the bills paid for April 2010. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the bills paid: Claims $2,575,683.79 ACH Tax Deposits 1,736,218.79 Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits 6,084,770.75 Procurement Card 361,909.21 EBMS ACH Payments 1,333,788.05 INTERCAP Loan Network Infrastructure & Vehicle Purchases ECI Building Rental 3,628.25 TOTAL $12,095,998.84 FINANCIAL REPORTS -- APRIL 2010 (UNAUDITED) The following reports were received and reviewed by BFR: CS101 Account Expenditure by Fund CS102 Account Receipts by Fund RACE TO THE TOP MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING Superintendent Copps reported there is a large sum of money that will be available to schools across the country under this new federal program. Montana did not apply in Phase 1 but the State has decided to apply in Phase 2 as the rules are less severe. Mr. Copps did not feel Montana had a chance to receive money from the plan. This District can not receive any money unless we submit the memo of understanding by May 19th. He asked the Board’s permission to send the memo of understanding in for approval as there is no cost to the District. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding and preliminary scope of work between the State of Montana and Billings Public Schools regarding the Race to the Top for federal funds application. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Guthals 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 Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the items in the Consent Agenda: Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting, April 19, 2010 Minutes of the Budgeting for Results Committee, April 12, 2010 Addition of Library ECA Fund Account at Beartooth Elementary Addition of BPEF Trust Fund Accounts for Scholarship/Award/Memorial Addition of Trust Accounts for BPEF 2010 Classroom Grant Recipients As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Barbara Bryan, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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