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 24, 2010 CALL TO ORDER The Special 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 24, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Travis Kemp, Lindy Graves, Connie Wardell, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, Barbara Bryan, Joyce Weber, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, and Superintendent Jack Copps. Registered guests included Jodi Schreiber, Bridget Ekstrom, Peter Gesuale, Jeff Weldon, and Paige Darden. 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. There were no public comments. MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING – SPECIAL BOARD MEETING – MAY 12, 2010 Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to approve the minutes of the Special Board Meeting of May 12, 2010. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Travis Kemp, Lindy Graves, Connie Wardell, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, Barbara Bryan, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT SELECTION MATTERS Peter Gesuale spoke in favor of the contract for Dr. Beeman, the new superintendent. He reported he worked with Trustee Guthals and legal counsel, Jeff Weldon, to develop the contract. The Billings superintendent salary has lagged behind the rest of the State in the largest communities. Billings has fewer administrators for the number of students and facilities then any other districts in Montana, and Billings is the largest. Mr. Gesuale thanked Jack Copps for what he has done for the students in Billings. Trustee Guthals reviewed the contract and the process followed. The salary range of $140,000 to $165,000 was selected by the Board at a previous meeting. Trustee Guthals reviewed data on what other superintendents were paid. Trustee Wardell felt the relocation expense reimbursement was low. Trustee Guthals responded that the amount was approved by Dr. Beeman. Trustee Weber asked if the taxes were included in the relocation expenses. Trustee Guthals stated the total amount is in the contract and it does not include a clause to cover any additional taxes. Trustee Fox asked if there was an annuity or cost of leaving increase. Trustee Guthals stated they were discussed but due to the financial situation in the District, were not included in the package. Chair Bryan felt it was a fair balance between the salary and benefits. Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the new superintendent contract with Dr. R. Keith Beeman. Mr. Weldon stated it was a good negotiation session. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Travis Kemp, Lindy Graves, Connie Wardell, Joel Guthals, Teresa Stroebe, Barbara Bryan, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. BONDING OPTIONS WITH ARRA Chair Bryan reported the bonds under American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) were not competitive grants. Bridget Ekstrom, D. A. Davidson, reported that empowerment zones can qualify for Quality School Academy Bonds (QZAB) if 35% of the school’s students qualify for free and reduced lunch program. Bonds are paid back without any interest. She reviewed the time table listed on page 19 of the agenda packet. Quality School Construction Bonds (QSCBs) could be used for either district but the Quality Zone Academy Bonds (QZAB) are for the elementary district only. QZABs allow school districts to improve their district. The District will be able to reinvest the accumulated deposits to lessen the burden of the taxpayers. Individual investors can now buy the funds, not just financial institutions. The Board determined the issue will go before the Energy Efficiency Innovation Committee, Planning and Development Committee, and the Budgeting for Results Committee meetings for review. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Barbara Bryan, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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