Diane Blevins Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana January 17, 2011 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, January 17, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Travis Kemp, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Connie Wardell, Barbara Bryan, Joyce Weber, Lindy Graves, Teresa Stroebe, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, and Superintendent Keith Beeman. Trustee Greta Besch Moen was excused. Registered guests included Jeff Weldon, Cheryl Malia McCall, Eran Thompson, Erica Killham, Libby Cranston, and Monty Cranston. 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. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Bryan stated some items would be moved in the agenda to allow Dan Villa, Governor’s Education Advisor, to address the Board at 6:00. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to approve the agenda. Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. GIFTS AND DONATIONS Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Weber: Motion to accept the gifts and donations with gratitude. Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, 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 -- Robert Sukin, $250 Kristy Levin, $500 ExxonMobile volunteer grant Beartooth -- Wal-Mart, notebooks Atonement Lutheran Church, $230 and gift certificates Claudia Ostermiller, school supplies Jay Stevenson, snowplow for lawnmower Kathy Eckhart, coats Norma Waleri, hats and gloves Karen Swenson, sweats and socks Kristina Stenberg, pants, shirts, underwear Bench -- ExxonMobil Billings Refinery, $3,000 grant Bresnan Communications, gifts for 80 families Big Sky -- Village Golden K Kiwanis Club, $500 Bitterroot -- Mr. and Mrs. Travis hoem, student art supplies Wal-Mart Store #2923, student/office supplies Mike Sartorie, Sartorie Farms, corn maize and pumpkins East Gate Wesleyan Church, cold weather apparel Shiloh United Methodist Church, cold weather apparel Broadwater -- Billings Village Golden K Kiwanis, $500 Burlington -- Hope Church, school supplies Karen Lahey, Cricut Expression machine, backpacks, and supplies Golden Nails, $100 for children’s lunches Big Sky Oncology Nursing Society, school supplies Highland -- Anonymous, $500 to library McKinley -- Harold Smith, used Coke reward points to HD flip camera Carol Keenan, hats and gloves Todd Graves, science boards Shiloh United Methodist Women, hats, gloves, coats Billings Clinic Foundation, hats, scarves, and gloves First Student Drivers and Assistants, coats and gloves Miles Avenue -- Valley Christian Church, $2,368.60 Mike Palmer, First Interstate Bank, The Ginger Bread Man books through United Way PEO Chapter Y, basket with school supplies and clothing Newman -- Downtown Exchange Club, Santa visit and gifts for 1st and 2nd graders Dawn Achten, Christmas gifts for 7 children Kelly Timmons, clothing for one child Kara McDonald and Family, Christmas gifts for one family Billings Village Golden K Kiwanis, $500 First Student Bus Drivers and Assistants, winter coats and hats for students ReMax of Billings, clothing and Christmas gifts for 12 children YCCOA, RSVP, mittens and hats Olive Garden, Christmas gifts for several children Montana Styling Company, Christmas gifts for one family Riverside Optimist club, fruit and Christmas gifts for two families CTA Architects and Engineers, Santa and elves’ visit for students and staff St. Thomas Catholic Church, Christmas gifts and food baskets for several students King of Glory Lutheran Church, toiletries for students in backpack food program RiverStone Health, Christmas gifts for needy students Sodexo, Christmas gifts for needy students Billings West Rotary Club, Christmas gifts for 20 children Ponderosa -- Sam’s Club, frosting and graham crackers for kindergarten parent activity Christ the King Lutheran Church, hats, scarves, mittens, and gloves Downtown Breakfast Exchange Club, Santa visit and gifts for K, 1st and 2nd graders YCCOA, RSVP, hats and mittens Mr. and Mrs. Allan Karell, pants and money for student needs KOA, sponsored a family for Christmas Rose Park -- First Student Bus Assistants, coats, hats, and gloves for 8 students Washington -- United Way, Wonka’s Wonderland Christmas Tree First Student Drivers and Bus Assistants, coats and gloves Lewis & Clark -- Billings Village Golden K Kiwanis, $500 Will James -- Kim and Elliot Bertrand, items valued at $25 to soldiers’ fund Gary and Joyce Stoppel, items valued at $25 to soldiers’ fund Mr. and Mrs. Ottman, items valued at $50 to soldiers’ fund Lois Urion, items valued at $15 to soldiers’ fund Col. And Mrs. Morone, items valued at $50 to soldiers’ fund Richard and Ceily Whitman, items valued at $50 to soldiers’ fund West High -- Qwest, $3,075 to buy TI-Napire handhelds for struggling math learners MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY RECOGNITION Eran Thompson read a poem in observation of the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King Day. The poem was entitled “Too Short, Too Long, Long Enough”. AA CAUCUS REPORT Chair Bryan reported the AA Caucus has been meeting on a regular basis. Trustees Stroebe, Wardell, Bryan, Besch Moen and Dr. Beeman traveled to Helena to voice their concerns regarding education funding to the legislators. There are representatives from every AA district participating in the AA Caucus meetings. The caucus wanted to make sure the needs of urban schools are addressed by the legislators. The group also met with Dan Villa to voice their concerns to gain support. The caucus also met with the Governor who addressed the oil and gas funds. MONTANA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION UPDATE Trustee Stroebe reported on the meeting with the Montana School Boards Association (MTSBA). Lobbying efforts were discussed with those along the oil and gas highline. Dan Villa, of Governor Schweitzer’s office, gave a presentation on the Governor’s budget. The education committee then gave their response. Several people spoke in support of the Governor’s bill. Lance Melton from the MTSBA stated that they supported the Governor’s bill except the use of oil and gas funds which was reiterated by the Montana Rural Education Association. A discussion was also held on how to educate the public, how to fund K-12 schools and how to develop a plan to fund the schools. Concerns for quality education for all students were also addressed as well as quality schools through local control. Trustee Stroebe felt, at this point, things were still playing out in Helena and MTSBA is still lobbying for the District. LEGISLATIVE AD HOC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS Trustee Wardell reported the District’s transportation bill was sent to local government, not the education committee. Senator Ed Walker has been working on the bill which should be presented later this week or next week. Anyone who would speak for the bill is welcome to address the legislators. The transportation bill would save money for the District if a way could be found to fund it. Dan Villa, the Governor’s Education Advisor, joined the meeting via telephone to answer the members’ questions. HB136 will be presented on January 24th at 3:00 for the first hearing. Trustee Wardell asked how the oil/gas money affects the guaranteed tax base (GTB). Mr. Villa reported if the oil/gas money is not reported by a district, it increases what is paid on the GTB which resulted in $10,000,000 in unreported oil/gas money. Trustee Stroebe asked why the non-reporting has been allowed. The disincentive is to not report. One district reported $35,000 but did an adjustment last week for $4,800,000 so that the district received more money from the state. Mr. Villa stated districts can also go out and seek permissive levies. Mr. Villa reported one time only funds come in HB2. Chair Bryan asked what the estimation is for oil/gas revenue. In 2010, the state saw $206,000,000 and projects $215,000,000 in 2011, $227,000,000 in 2012, and $239,000,000 in 2013. Trustee Stroebe asked, to make it simpler, is the Governor’s proposal fairer for taxpayers and students in the manner of taxing in the state? The state distributes oil/gas revenues different than other resources. In HB170, federal mineral rates change to allow more equity. Trustee Wardell asked what districts would be disadvantaged? Those not reporting oil/gas revenues would be disadvantaged. If a district has been reporting correctly, it will receive more tax based aid funds. It could be $500,000 per district. More than 80% of the districts in the state would be ahead in the Governor’s proposal. Mr. Villa reported Teach MT will have an excess of $2,000,000 in the account for the biennium. The reduction in the account after the funds are paid would offset any dip in oil/gas revenue. Funds could also be paid out of the timber and dam money in one-time only funds for the next ten years. Trustee Stroebe asked about funds for deferred maintenance. Mr. Villa reported districts could apply to the Department of Commerce to receive funds for deferred maintenance. Districts can build schools, remodel, or add space using these funds but it would depend on what funds were applied for. The discussion with Mr. Villa ended at 6:50 p.m. Trustee Wardell reported the Legislative Committee has drafted a resolution to adopt the concepts of HB136 as shown on page 11 of the agenda. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to approve the resolution on page 11 of the agenda regarding education funding with any appropriate changes. Trustee Guthals stated he has difficulty supporting the bill. He felt the result would be all right but the bill itself is still not all right. The bill continues to fund K-12 education in an irrational way. It is a system that continues to be inequitable and unfair to this District. Trustee Guthals believed the bill does not address entitlement as this District has three high schools but receives the same as a district that has only one high school. This District has 22 elementary schools but only gets $23,238 for all of those 22 schools. The decrement funding is this District gets less for more students than other smaller districts. He felt this law is inequitable and he could not support it. Trustee Wardell agreed with Trustee Guthals which is why the Legislative Committee developed the resolution to address certain concepts only. Working through the AA caucus in the last six months, more has been accomplished than in the last ten years. Trustee Stroebe also agreed but felt addressing equity in entitlement and ANB could also be addressed in the resolution. Trustee Guthals also wanted to add a portion to the resolution to seek equity in school funding in ANB and basic entitlement by addressing the per school, not per district. Trustee Guthals made the following amendment with a second by Trustee Weber: Motion to amend the motion to include equity in school funding in ANB and basic entitlement. Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, 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, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The adopted resolution is as follows: Resolution re support of concepts in Governor’s bill: The trustees of Billings Public Schools (BPS) support the following concepts in HB 136, known as the Governor’s Bill on Education: - Establishment of the Teach Montana Special Revenue Account - The automatic inflationary increase for the Quality Educator Payment - Renaming the Montana Virtual Academy the Digital Academy, moving the academy to the Office of Public Instruction, and changing membership of the academy board - Retaining state reimbursement for school facilities through the School Facility & Technology Account - Appropriation of money to provide grants to high schools for alternative energy projects - Equity in the distribution to all school districts of oil and natural gas production tax revenue, and the direct deposit from the Department of Revenue into the Teach Montana Account of oil and natural gas proceeds The trustees recognize that other school funding bills will be introduced. We will review these bills and consider supporting any that contain the above and/or any additional concepts favorable to Billings Public Schools. Also, the trustees seek further revision of school funding in Montana to 1) award the Basic Entitlement on a per-school rather than per-district basis, 2) eliminate the decremental provisions of the Per-ANB Entitlement so as to provide equal ANB funding for every student, and 3) calculate inflationary increases for entitlements and the Quality Educator Payments so as to reflect current inflation. We encourage all sponsors of school funding bills to include the concepts and funding revisions outlined above. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to expand the duties of the Legislative Committee to allow the committee to represent the Board’s position on specific legislation before full consideration by the Board. Trustee Guthals felt more authority needed to be given to the committee as legislation moves quickly. Trustee Guthals made the following amendment with a second by Trustee Weber: Motion to amend the motion to add a sentence that would allow the committee and Superintendent to work with legal counsel to represent the Board’s position to the legislators. Trustee Stroebe felt she wasn’t comfortable with the motions. Trustee Aragon suggested placing a message on the district’s website as to the committee’s position on issues. Trustee Stroebe agreed to that recommendation. Those voting in favor of the amended motion were Kathy Aragon, 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, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The Legislative Committee meets every Monday at 12:00 noon. MONTHLY LEGAL REPORT Jeff Weldon, legal counsel, stated, if a school district is served with a lawsuit through a Trustee, that person should call the Superintendent immediately. The Trustee should note where he/she is when served, what time served, and who served the papers. The Dustin Ferguson suit was re-filed against the district. There is nothing new to report on the Reinhardt case. Liability coverage from insurance companies goes through the Business Office who gives it to the proper carrier who renders an opinion on any coverage. BUDGET DISCUSSION 2011-2012 Dr. Beeman stated he is putting budget information together for the January 28th Special Board Meeting. He reviewed the budget information in the handout. Any reduction in staff will be done through attrition with no layoffs. Dr. Beeman further stated the District is not staffing counselors as per the Office of Public Instruction’s mandate but distributes counselors where the need is greatest. BUDGETING FOR RESULTS COMMITTEE REPORT Trustee Guthals reported the Budgeting for Results (BFR) Committee was held on January 10th which was productive. Recommendations were made that bills paid be approved by the Board as well as financial reports. Nothing unusual was found in the bills paid through December 2010. Trustee Guthals stated it would be helpful to see accrual reports also. The committee also reviewed the health insurance financials and determined the District has a surplus in that fund so the earlier losses have been made up. The committee is projecting a 6% increase for this year which seems to be an accurate projection. BFR also spent time discussing purchasing policy changes and a new website has been set up for the purchasing department. The policy and procedures previously adopted by the Board have been implemented. The District negotiates with vendors to gain the best possible prices. The committee also reviewed the follow up on the audit report and the recommendations made by auditors in improvements in internal controls which is included in the Board packet on page 40. BFR recommends to the Board that it accepts the findings of the audit report. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to accept the findings in the audit report. Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Guthals stated the policies and procedures that are not in compliance with federal laws should be reviewed. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT Trustee Aragon reported there was nothing new to report but a final meeting will be held on the demographic report with added information. The meeting will be held on Monday, February 7, 2011. STRATEGIC PLANNING UPDATE Another meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee was held on December 9, 2010. There were several members absent and Trustee Aragon stated she would connect with them in order to move forward with the priorities. The vision and mission statement is included on the District’s website. Chair Bryan reported that a draft of core values has been generated and recommended an Ad Hoc Committee instead of the Policy Review Committee to bring forward recommendations for the strategic planning process to move ahead. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to form an Ad Hoc Committee comprised of Trustees Bryan, Aragon, and Wardell for the purpose of formulating a plan and approach for the strategic planning process for this Board and report back to the Board as soon as possible. Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT’S EVALUATION Trustee Aragon reported an evaluation will be sent out to the Board, the central office leadership team, and selected community members. Those involved should complete the evaluations and return them to Leo Hudetz in two weeks. A report on the evaluations should be available for the March meeting. Key community members will be asked to complete the evaluation to evaluate the Superintendent’s performance. Trustee Kemp requested that principals also be included in those completing the evaluation forms. Chair Bryan stated that was not in the motion made at the Board retreat. Trustee Guthals felt principals could be included in next year’s evaluation process. Trustees Stroebe and Wardell felt it was the duty of the Board to evaluate the Superintendent. Trustee Aragon will meet with Dr. Beeman to discuss results of the evaluation. The Board will receive the information before it is brought forward at a Board meeting. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Dr. Beeman thanked staff and the public for the support to the schools. On January 10th, he and Chair Bryan met with Senator Tester who professed his support of education. American bonds will no longer be available but the District will keep in touch with Senator Tester’s office to determine if other funds might become available. Dr. Beeman reported he is also participating in the Urban Institute study through MSU-B on tax increment districts. They are presenting a final draft on January 21st to the advisory board with a final report on January 31st. Dr. Beeman reported a question has been raised as to whether Latin will be offered at Senior High next year. There is a low student enrollment for Latin. This year there are three sections of Latin with a total of twenty-eight students. The District will continue to serve students until there are no more students participating. Projections for next year are eighteen with fourteen the following year. Latin I is being offered this year through the Digital Academy with only one student at Senior High participating. During the recent PIR day, high school and middle school teachers worked with Kim Williams to learn about a student professional learning environment. Elementary teachers participated in workshops of their choice, which totaled twenty-one different workshops. Gail Surwill, Executive Director of Curriculum, is one of five individuals from Montana to represent the state to work on our common core system. There will be a Healthy Kids forum on January 20th which will include grant opportunities for the schools. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve and accept the items within the Consent Agenda without objection to recommended action. Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the items approved: Personnel Report Bills Paid, December 2010 Financial Reports -- Period Ending December 31, 2010 Regular Board Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2010 Budgeting for Results Committee Minutes of November 8, 2010 Addition of Rachel’s Challenge Trust Fund Account at Bitterroot As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Barbara Bryan, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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