Diane Blevins Posted December 7, 2010 Report Share Posted December 7, 2010 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana November 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, November 15, 2010, at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Travis Kemp, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Connie Wardell, Barbara Bryan, Joyce Weber, Lindy Graves, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, and Superintendent Keith Beeman. Registered guests included Bob Barone, Krista Hertz, and Dee Neither. 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 on participating in the Montana State University Urban Institute study of tax increment districts (TID) and their affects on the District. The committee currently studying TIDs consists of people who benefit from TIDs with no school personnel participating. Mr. Nelson encouraged the Board to get involved with the study as TIDs take away dollars from the schools. There will probably be $1,500,000-$2,500,000 in the TIDs this year. Mr. Nelson asked the Board to get involved in this study in order to bring dollars back to the school district. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Bryan pulled the Personnel Report from the Consent Agenda in order to recognize a retiree. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the agenda with the exception of the Personnel Report on the Consent Agenda. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. RECOGNITION AND GIFTS AND DONATIONS The Board recognized Kim Busch as the recipient of the Pam Atchinson Award at the Montana Reading Conference. The Board further recognized the West High Girls’ Soccer Team as the 2010 State AA Champions as follows: Cassie Flynn, Ciara Gorman, Macy Hobard, Madison Schwarzkoph, Rachel Hein, Laura Prosinski, Ambri Stein, Janell Cabrera, Abby Paulson, Kaylee Kimmet, Kennedy Smith, Danielle Muri, Marta Prosinski, Katie Maier, Mikaela Robinson, Savannah Witt, Devon Donahue, Courtney Hunt, Tori Weyand, Taylor Smith, Cate Hanna, and Coaches Dr. John Dorr, Dennis Pyburn, Derek Fuchs and Stephanie Jensen. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to accept the gifts and donations with gratitude. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the gifts and donations: Arrowhead – Julie Harman, $70 Michelle Anderson, $42 Beartooth – Wal-Mart, 42” TV and computer Kelly Slehofer and Atonement Lutheran Church, school supplies, backpacks, $200 Boulder – Eric, Linda and Calvin Bjorgum, $145.60 Jeff Redding, $36.40 Broadwater – Donna Ross, Scarlett-O-Hatters, winter clothing Ed Thurner, CPA, PC, $630 for recycling Michelle Stockton, Stockton Oil Company, $750 St. Vincent Foundation, cross country t-shirts Kohl’s Cares for Kids, Kohl’s Department Store, cross country t-shirts Highland – Michelle Stockton, Stockton Oil Company, $750 McKinley – Todd Graves, school supplies and supplies for school store First Student, coats, sweatshirts, hats and gloves Meadowlark – Michelle Stockton, Stockton Oil Company, $750 Newman – Kelly Stergem, iMac and computer stand Ponderosa – Cold Stone Creamery, three cakes for staff Sandstone – Paul and Linda Marks, $400 for kindergarten field trips Riddle’s Group, Inc., $250 for books for students Robert Morgan, $250 for books for students Pam Malek, ExxonMobil, $630 for recycling Will James – Douglas Handlin Insurance, Inc., items valued at $109 to soldiers’ fund Faith Chapel, items valued at $25 to soldiers’ fund Linda Murphy, items valued at $75 to soldiers’ fund Kelly and Kim Compton, items valued at $10 to soldiers’ fund David and June Wittman, items valued at $50 to soldiers’ fund Trading Card Program – Billings Gazette, $3,500 EDUCATION FOUNDATION Krista Hertz, BPS Education Foundation, gave a brief presentation on the Education Foundation. Since 1998, the foundation has funded $300,000 in classroom grants. One of the largest projects done by the foundation is Saturday Live which raised $105,000 this year for schools. The Reading Rocks Program is in its sixth year and partners with the free-lunch program and has given out over 1700 books with the use of 300 volunteers. Educational scholarships are also given to students. Partners in Education has grown over the years. Employees are also able to donate to the foundation through the payroll deduction and have done so for a total of $15,000. Seventy-nine classroom grants for a total of $60,000 have also been given out. BOND UPDATE Bridget Ekstrom, D. A. Davison, informed the Board the District’s bond rating has been established as AA- for both the elementary and high school bonds. Bond ratings are based on financial situation, economic and demographic issues, debt service, and financial management assessment. The higher the credit rating, the lower the bond interest rate the District must pay to purchasers of the bonds. In the next few weeks, Ms. Ekstrom will look into interest rates and will lock into rates the week of November 29th. At the next Board meeting in December, the Board will need to approve a bond resolution in order to sell the bonds on December 29th. RECONSIDERATION OF EXISTING FACILITIES PLAN Chair Bryan asked the Board to reconsider the facilities plan adopted by the Board of Trustees on July 21, 2008, as she felt it as no longer viable. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to render inactive any and all facility plans previously adopted by the Board of Trustees. Trustee Guthals stated he felt the facilities plan was still an excellent starting point for the District and the values were a good basis. The optimum school size is the point that must be addressed as to what is an efficient school. Mr. Guthals said there are some schools that are smaller but need a full staff. The staff is the same for a school of 250 or 400 students. In order to sustain our school district, Trustee Guthals felt school boundaries must be addressed. Trustee Aragon reported she worked on the facilities plan which was based on consolidating schools. She felt the District now has more tools to use for the facilities plan which includes the new demographic study as well as the study from Riverstone Health, She believed the District has not had a discussion on what ‘efficiency’ is for this District while meeting accreditation standards. The UC Berkley report is also a study that can be useful for the District in developing a facilities plan. Trustee Wardell stated it is important for the public to know that the Board is looking at what is educationally sound for students and the plan should be repealed. Trustee Stroebe voiced her concern about the plans that have been developed over the years but never implemented. She cited a prior plan to purchase land in Lockwood for a future High School that was never acted upon. The Board needs to do more than just planning. Chair Bryan did not believe the plan would be thrown away but used as a base as the District moves forward. The process will go forward with the demographic study, two more strategic planning phases that would result in a master plan, and a capital improvement plan that the public can understand. Trustee Weber asked how soon a new plan would be available as she was concerned the Board would be stuck in the planning phase. She asked when the Board would move forward to address the issues. Trustee Stroebe believed the public was getting frustrated as this current plan will not be used. Trustee Kemp asked if the current plan could be used up to Phase I and the remaining plan be reviewed. Trustee Besch Moen agreed with the values and assessments of the facilities plan and felt it was important to use the Davis information to develop a 5-10 year plan. She believed the plan should be data based and strategic. Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. Those opposing were Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed. LEGISLATIVE AD HOC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Trustee Wardell reported the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee could not bring recommendations to the Board on legislative bills until the bills are available for review. The committee discussed issues that legislators will bring forward. Trustee Wardell has spoken to a couple of legislators about possible bills they would carry that Leo Hudetz and Jeff Weldon could draft for submittal. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stroebe: Motion to authorize the development of language for bills to be drafted and brought forward to the Board for final approval: 1) remove statute that requires districts to maintain salaries of individuals who are moved to lower- paying positions; 2) ability to lay off employees based on the needs of the district rather than seniority; 3) increase flexibility for use of transportation levy funds; and, 4) legal ability to use school district resources to promote school district levies and bonds. Trustee Guthals wanted to see legal opinion on the issues before approval was given by the Board. Superintendent Beeman stated the removal of statute regarding maintaining salaries is not very clear and felt there might not be statues on the other three ideas as listed on page 13 of the agenda packet. Chair Bryan stated no additional funds would be requested by the bills proposed but more flexibility would be requested. Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. Those opposing were Lindy Graves and Joel Guthals. The motion passed. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stroebe: Motion to request that the scope of work of the Urban Institute at Montana State University-Billings study on TIFs be expanded to consider the impact of school districts. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to authorize the legislative committee to organize and invite legislators to a reception with the Board and the Superintendent at the Billings Career Center. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. LOBBYISTS Superintendent Beeman asked the Board to approve a District person as a lobbyist to work with Board members who would go to Helena to testify on bills. That person must be a registered lobbyist for the District. Dr. Beeman also requested approval for him to appoint another person as a lobbyist. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to appoint Superintendent Beeman as a Billings Public Schools lobbyist for the 2011 Montana Legislative Session and to authorize the Superintendent to appoint up to two additional Billings Public Schools lobbyists. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR LOBBYING AND INTERACTIONS WITH LEGISLATORS Chair Bryan distributed a list of guidelines to the Board members which outlined communication with the public and legislators. She urged the members to be careful what they say when speaking to the public because their statements may be construed as an official position of the full Board. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Dr. Beeman reported the meeting with legislators will be held at the Career Center on December 10th. He attended a meeting with Lockwood’s Superintendent, Eileen Johnson, and the Exxon refinery staff which is considering protesting their taxes. A protest by Exxon would also impact our high school district, not just the Lockwood school district. This District has not yet heard from Exxon but a final decision should be made by the tax payment deadline of November 30, 2010. The high school district might stand to lose $237,000 this year if Exxon protests their taxes on the land. If Conoco should also protest, $343,000 could be lost for the high school district and $629,000 for the elementary district. Superintendent Beeman also reported he attended the state volleyball tournament in Bozeman where he enjoyed watching the players from Billings participate and they represented this District well. He further reported Will James Middle School teacher Curt Prchal won an award from National Technology and Engineering. West High School is also hosting a teacher from Kazakhstan. The governor has also released his budget which is being reviewed to see how the District will be impacted. Dr. Beeman stated he will be traveling to Missoula on Wednesday to meet with other superintendents. CONSIDERATION OF PRE-K-12 EDUCATIONAL PORTION OF 2010 BILLINGS AREA COMMUNITY Chair Bryan stated she felt the legislative tool submitted by the 2010 Billings Area Community Policy was a fair statement regarding Billings Public Schools. It will be given to legislators to let them know what the concerns and issues are for the community. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to endorse the Pre-K-12 Education section of the 2010 Billings Area Community Policy. Trustee Guthals did not feel the Board should endorse it now until the District’s strategic plan is complete. Boundaries are one section that he was concerned about as some statements could be contrary to the District’s existing facilities and future facilities. Trustee Stroebe liked supporting the issue of reducing bussing and could support it personally but agreed with Trustee Guthals. Trustee Wardell withdrew her motion and Trustee Aragon withdrew her second. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to endorse the school facilities portion of the Pre-K-12 Educational section of the 2010 Billings Area Community Policy. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stroebe: Motion to approve the School Funding portion of the Pre-K-12 Public Education section of the 2010 Billings Area Community Policy. Trustee Guthals asked to add a statement to add ‘central to the development of caring, competent and contributing members of the community’. Trustee Kemp felt a portion of the District’s mission statement should be used. Trustee Graves made the following amendment to the motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to amend the language of the Facilities section to include wording from the District’s mission statement. The first sentence of the Facilities portion shall read “To support a growing 21st Century economy, Billings needs a first-rate system of Pre-K-12 public schools that teaches students to be caring, competent, and contributing members of the community and world.” Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Those voting in favor of the original motion were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following additional language was suggested for the School Attendance Boundaries section, the third line, on page 45 of the agenda “. . . school districts should review attendance boundaries frequently and readjust the boundaries as needed to alleviate overcrowding, reduce busing, and address operating efficiency and educational needs. The last sentence was recommended to be changed: “We support schools where children can walk and bike for transportation.” Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stroebe: Motion to approve the amended language in the School Attendance Boundaries section found on page 45 as suggested. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Language was recommended to include “career educational facilities” instead of concept of schools in the first sentence of the Scope-Specific Schools section. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to approve the recommended language in the Scope-Specific Schools section found on page 45. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Suggested changes to Operating Efficiency on page 45 is as follows: “We support efforts to give local public schools more flexibility to use their resources more effectively to support local needs.” Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve the suggested language in the Operating Efficiency portion found on page 45. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. UPDATE OF MONTANA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION AND MONTANA CONFERENCE OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP Chair Bryan stated the Board will continue to have vision net meetings with other AA districts. Trustee Stroebe reported the speakers for the recent MCEL meetings were from Vermont and Pennsylvania and discussed tax equity and school consolidation. She urged the other members to watch the recordings of the presentations as she felt they were thought provoking sessions. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Trustee Aragon reported the report from the Planning and Development Committee is available to review online on the District’s website. The committee has continued to review it to assure that Policy 9000 regarding facilities is addressed in the report. Public comments can be made through the website. BOARD RETREATS Chair Bryan reported there was a consensus of the Board on some priorities that the Superintendent should address during the coming year. Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Weber: Motion to approve the minutes of the Special Board Meeting (Retreat), October 7, 2010; approve the minutes of Special Board Meeting (Retreat), October 19, 2010; and reach a consensus that the Superintendent will continue to work on prioritized items and quantification of costs. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Linda Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. BUDGETING FOR RESULTS COMMITTEE REPORT Trustee Guthals reported the establishment of two trust fund accounts listed on the consent agenda were being recommended for approval by the Budgeting for Results (BFR) Committee. The committee also reviewed the bills paid for October 2010 for $12,011,662.51 and is recommending approval. The financial reports were also reviewed by BFR. BFR also reviewed the Health Insurance Report through September. Trustee Guthals further stated an excellent report was received from Dan Martin, Human Resources Director, regarding the District’s contracts with its employees and its contract with administrators. The committee asked for information from the Business Office which will also be given to all Board members regarding employee statistics. A discussion was also conducted as to the new mission statement for BFR and some members were not happy with the potential changes but will wait to see what the Board decides. A discussion was also held on unfunded liabilities, which is at $86,626,000 (employee benefit liabilities). The $86,000,000 will not be set aside to fund those liabilities. BILLS PAID – OCTOBER 2010 Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Weber: Motion to approve the bills paid for October 2010 in the amount of $12,011,662.51. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Linda Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The bills paid are as follows: Claims $2,515,370.95 ACH Tax Deposits 1,819,462.53 Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits 6,233,583.15 Procurement Card 329,104.40 EBMS ACH Payments 1,110,513.23 ECI Building Rental 3,628.25 TOTAL $12,011,662.51 DECEMBER MEETING Chair Bryan stated no decision has been made at the Policy Review Committee meeting on the status of BFR but the BFR would continue to meet until the end of the school year and the Board would review the BFR agendas. Trustee Graves made the following motion for discussion purposes with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to decide whether the December Budgeting for Results Committee will be held. Chair Bryan stated the Board needed to decide how staff time is best spent and how the Board time is best spent. Trustee Stroebe liked the idea of proceeding slowly with changes to the BFR Committee. Trustee Wardell reported the Policy Review Committee was discussing all committees and their purposes. Trustee Stroebe thanked all the people who serve on the District’s Committees and their time commitment. Trusted Graves liked the idea of the Board setting the agendas for the committees. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Linda Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. DECEMBER BOARD MEETING DATE The Board reached consensus to hold the December Regular meeting on December 13th. Trustee Guthals will look at moving the BFR meeting or postponing it for December. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to hold the Regular Board meeting for December on December 13th. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Linda Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The Board Retreat on Thursday, November 18, will cover the evaluation for the Superintendent. PERSONNEL REPORT The Board recognized David Munson, Special Education Director, for his dedication to the students of the District. Mr. Munson will retire on November 30th. Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Weber: Motion to approve the Personnel Report. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Linda Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Weber: Motion to approve and accept the items within the Consent Agenda without objection to recommended action. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Linda Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the approved items in the Consent Agenda: Monthly Legal Report Regular Board Meeting Minutes, October 18, 2010 Audit Committee Minutes, September 17, 2010 Budgeting for Results Committee Minutes, September 13, 2010 Planning and Development Committee Minutes, September 13, 2010 Policy Review Committee Minutes, July 13, 2010 Policy Review Committee Minutes, July 27, 2010 Addition of Saturday Live Teacher Grants Trust Fund Account at Washington Addition of Dewey Hansen Grant Trust Fund Account Through Education Foundation for BPS Financial Procedures Approval of Meetings to be Held in a Non-District Owned Facility As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Barbara Bryan, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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