Special Board Meeting (Retreat) - November 18, 2010

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Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

 

November 18, 2010

 

 

Call to Order

 

The Special Board Meeting (Retreat) of the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County and High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana was duly held at the Billings Food Bank, 2112 Fourth Avenue North, Billings, Montana on November 18, 2010.

 

Roll Call

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:05 PM by Chair Barb Bryan.

 

Those present included: Trustees Barb Bryan, Lindy Graves, Connie Wardell, Greta Besch Moen, Travis Kemp, Joel Guthals, Joyce Weber, Teresa Stroebe and Kathy Aragon; Superintendent, Dr. R. Keith Beeman, Clerk, Leo Hudetz and Barb Fettig, Vice President of Billings Education Association.

 

Superintendent Beeman gave a power point presentation on his first 100 days as superintendent. He discussed his interactions with the Board, staff, community leaders and other stakeholders. He informed the Board of accomplishments such as the successful passage of the bond levy, the favorable rating received on these bonds, developing leadership within the Central Office Leadership Team (COLT) and all district employees. Superintendent Beeman stated that he is bringing about positive change within the district but at times change is difficult for employees. He emphasized change takes time and is an ongoing process. Trustee Guthals asked that any major changes be communicated to the Board and Superintendent Beeman assured him that this would be his practice.

 

The Board then considered what priorities the Superintendent should focus on during the coming year. Superintendent Beeman presented a list of goals that he felt the board should consider. Over twenty priorities were listed but Superintendent Beeman asked that the board select a smaller number, such as six, which would be his top priorities. He stated that even though the board may designate six or seven major priorities he would continue to work on the total list to some extent during the coming year.

After considerable discussion, the Board selected the following eight items as the main priorities Superintendent Beeman should focus on during the remainder of the school year with number one being the most important:

 

1) Conduct daily management and oversight of the school district and its operations.

2) Complete the fiscal year 2012 budget development process.

3) Facilitate employee contract evaluation and negotiations.

4) Develop and implement plan for deferred maintenance projects funded by bonds passed in September 2010.

5) Develop a high-performing Central Office Leadership Team.

6) Develop preliminary ideas for Career Center expansion.

7) Develop preliminary ideas for alternative use of Lincoln Center.

8) Community Engagement.

 

 

These priorities were agreed upon by the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent. They are intended to 1) help focus the superintendent’s energy and attention, and 2) help focus board requests of the superintendent. It is understood that the superintendent will continue to work on other matters, but that the identified priorities will be the primary basis for evaluation of the superintendent’s work for the period January-June 2011.

 

The Board then discussed the evaluation process for the Superintendent. Dr. Beeman said that he would also perform a self evaluation and present it to the Board. Chair Bryan suggested that all Trustees should complete an evaluation as well as COLT and some key leaders in the community. There was a consensus by the Board that Chair Bryan’s recommendation should be followed.

 

Superintendent Beeman distributed draft evaluation forms. Trustee Guthals stated that the Vice-Chair of the Board has traditionally compiled the evaluations. Chair Bryan asked the Board to review the draft evaluation forms and questions and make any recommendations for additions or changes by Monday, November 22. Chair Bryan and Vice-Chair Aragon will develop the evaluation forms and present it to the full Board at its regular meeting in December. The Board and others will then complete the evaluations. The results will be presented to the Superintendent first and then to the entire Board in January or February.

 

Having no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Barbara Bryan, Chair

 

 

 

 

Leo Hudetz, Clerk