coen Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees School District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana March 21, 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, Monday, March 21, 2011 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, Joyce Weber, Superintendent, Keith Beeman, and District Clerk, Leo Hudetz. Registered guests included Damian Combs, Jenny Combs, Jodi Schreiber, Lacey Young, Katy Lefler, Errin Schmitz, Sally Cebuhar, Dorothy Bonn, Penny Burklund, Alexies Pierson, Cassie Sanchez, Candice Holsinger, Casey Bradley, Roderick Pierson, Carmella Pierson, Ebony Pierson, Deanna Logar, Theresa Helsinger, Jeff Weldon, Rhonda Kapszinger, Wade Spartz, Valerie McMurtry, Summer Tate, Nicole Redfield, Michele Sullivan, Kathy Sullivan, Terra Van Overbeck, Sara Pemberton, Damian Gaglia, and Lyn McKinney. 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. Jenny Combs addressed the Board regarding the budget and the Superintendent evaluation process. Ms. Combs questioned why teachers and principals did not have input regarding the evaluation questions to rate Superintendent Keith Beeman? Ms. Combs suggested more teacher training and noted that if the Board freezes steps and lanes it will reduce teaching training. Ms. Combs encouraged the Board to reconsider priority budget cuts to school personnel as it translates to cuts in student education. Kevin Nelson addressed the Board regarding legislative funding issues. Mr. Nelson wants to overhaul and rein in the tax increment districts system which he said diverts money from schools. Mr. Nelson read an article on Tax Increment District reform by city governments. Mr. Nelson said he finds it troubling that the Board would send a representative that is representing School District 2 to legislative hearings opposing reining in the Tax Increment Districts. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Superintendent Keith Beeman explained an amended agenda has been presented due to material that was not prepared on Friday, March 18, 2011 when the original agenda was prepared. The amended agenda includes a portion of the personnel report that reflects Superintendent Keith Beeman’s recommendations for three new administrative hires and Superintendent Keith Beeman’s evaluation results from the Board as well as summaries from the COLT and community survey. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve the agenda as amended with the description of the changes. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. RECOGNITION AND GIFTS AND DONATIONS Stanley Barr, Career Center Principal, introduced the following students from the “Scrap Iron Chef” Competition at the MATE Show, February 17, 2011: First Place finalists; Alexies Pierson, Penny Burklund, and Cassie Sanchez. Second Place finalists; Candice Holsinger, Terra Van Overbeck, and Sara Pemberton, Third Place finalists; Summer Tate, Brandi Painter, and Michele Sullivan. Mr. Barr recognized Dorothy Bonk, teacher, and Sally Cebuhar, M.C. 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 Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Arrowhead –Julie Harman, $60 - Michelle Anderson, $36 Beartooth – Wal-Mart Store, Valentine candy and cards - PEO Chapter Y, clothing, gloves, hats Bench – PEO ChapterY, clothing, gloves, hats - Lori Mader, $249.60 through United Way Giving Campaign - Lori Mader, $249 through Wells Fargo Matching Employee Plan - Wendy’s of Montana, chili for Title parent chili night Bitterroot – Cathy Muessig, cold weather apparel - PEO Chapter Y, cold weather apparel - Grey and Shirley Wallander, $25 - KTVQ, $150 Boulder – Eric Bjorgum, $249.60 through Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign - Jeff Redding, $262.40 through Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign Broadwater – GFWC Billings Junior Club, teacher rewards, carnival prizes - Steven and Deborah Tucker, $50 in memory of Sharon Sauther Eagle Cliffs – Mr. and Mrs. Chris Brink, donation through Wells Fargo McKinley – PEO Chapter Y, clothing, gloves, hats Miles Avenue – GFWC Billings Junior Club, bag of wind-up toys - Maps for kids, Montana maps for 4th graders Newman – PEO Chapter Y, clothing, gloves, hats - Evergreen IGA, cakes and cupcakes for winter carnival/cakewalk - Albertson’s Bakery, cakes and cupcakes for winter carnival/cakewalk - Good Sam Fund, $250 - Rotary Club of Billings #999, dictionaries for 3rd graders - KTVQ, $175 - Billy Holland, Children’s books - Stockman Bank, children’s books and stuffed animals to library Ponderosa – Maps for Kids, Montana maps for 4th graders - PEO Chapter Y, clothing, gloves, hats - - Maps for Kids, laminated maps for 1st graders Rose Park – Cindy Hanchett, eight library books Washington – Rotary Club of Billings #999, student dictionaries - Good Sam Fund, $250 - PEO Chapter 5, t-shirts and socks for students - Schweitzer engineer Laboratories, Inc., $100 Will James – Tom and Kim Hauptman, items valued at $109.60 to soldiers’ fund - Myrle Theimer, $25 to soldiers’ fund - Faith Chapel, $45 to soldiers’ fund Music Department – Holland & Hard, $100 in memory of Jeff Tochihara MONTHLY LEGAL REPORT Jeff Weldon, legal counsel, stated there was nothing new to report on The Dustin Ferguson suit. Jeff Weldon stated a proposed settlement agreement and release of all claims between the District and Mr. Reinhardt has been reached and the Board will need to take action on the settlement agreement. Mr. Weldon stated that state law and district policy permits the Board to close the meeting to discuss matters of litigation strategy if the Board would wish to do so. Mr. Weldon introduced Mr. Singer, legal counsel representing the District, to discuss the settlement agreement. Mr. Weldon and Mr. Singer recommended that the Board approve the proposed Settlement Agreement and Release. The settlement agreement specifies the District will pay $20,000.00 to Mr. Reinhardt. Mr. Singer suggested that it would cost more to continue with the litigation. Mr. Singer stated the settlement is a clear and complete release with no admission of liability by the School District regarding the disputed claim. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to move to approve the proposed settlement agreement and release and authorize the Board Chair to sign the agreement of behalf of the District. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. LITERACY PRESENTATION Superintendent Keith Beeman introduced Gail Surwill, Executive Director of Curriculum, Literacy Coaches; Susan Irion, K-3 grades and Jodi Sulser, 4–6 grades who presented on literacy. Gail Surwill explained coaches in the District are instructional coaches who provide professional development to teachers. The District has a two year in-depth program that all new teachers teaching kindergarten through sixth grade go through and work on what are the best practices and what does literacy instruction look like. Ms. Surwill said there are also math coaches who learn best practices of classroom instruction of math best practice and classroom instruction. Another way coaches are utilized, is upon request of teachers, the coaches go in and work with classroom teachers that are not a part of the two year program, but are brand new to the District. The coaches will model, help plan, and reflect with teachers so the best instruction that can take place takes place in the classroom and student achievement is raised. Susan Irion and Jodi Sulser gave an overview of the literacy and explained what literacy coaches provide, which includes: professional development to teachers, classroom instruction, and interventions. The goal of the program is to assess appropriate growth and bring all student skills to a proficient level. Gail Surwill said one piece they look at is variables as they assess growth trends to identify ways to improve classroom instruction. Ms. Surwill said the positions are advertised and interviewed for. The coaches are certified teachers and have taught in our District. CORE CURRICULUM Gail Surwill reported that the Core Curriculum State Standards is an initiative about “raising the level of challenge”. Ms. Surwill explained that these are standards that will provide a consistent clear understanding of what students are expected to learn in commonality with other states. The initiative will set standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, Technical subjects, and Mathematics. There are two consortia developing assessments aligned to Common Curriculum State Standards; Smarter Balanced and PARCC. Montana will align with the Smarter Balanced assessments. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Test will replace the MontCas Test currently being used by the District. Trustee Wardell suggested the Core Curriculum State Standard Assessment test may not be fully funded the way a currently proposed legislative bill currently reads. LEGISLATIVE AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORT & AA CAUCUS REPORT/DAY OF ADVOCACY AT LEGISLATURE Trustee Wardell suggested the confusion in the legislature regarding school funding bill is due to the bill is a Senate Bill and the appropriations have to come from the House. Trustee Wardell reported on the main bills that the District is still tracking, which include: - SB 403 on education funding will go to the Senate floor tomorrow, but in terms of appropriating the money it has to come from the House and the House declined to appropriate the money to fund Senate Bill 403. - The Common Core Standards Bill will partially be funded with state money for core standards only and the rest will have to be levied for at the local level. - The District took the stand to ask for basic entitlement on a per high school basis for the High School District only. - The District is watching HB 603 for Charter Schools, but did not testify on it. - SB 141, Senator Kim Gillian’s bill on bullying, has amendment added to it. - SB 214 is still being negotiated on and is one bill we have asked to have carried and MTSBA has put it forward for us. - SB 214 would allow school districts to have the same taxing privilege that counties and cities have so that when there is new construction and the value of the mill increases the number of mills that you have to access to get the same value decreases. The way it now to capture that the district has to go back to the voters for a vote. - SB 244 would allow school districts to charge certain preschool fees which the district supports. - SB 315 revises the law on the standard of review for School Board decisions regarding terminations. - SB 329 the district has actively supported brought by Bozeman to collaborate between districts on projects or purchases, funds could be contributed to a common pot from the general fund money. Trustee Wardell said relative to the Tax Increment Districts, the district did testify on that legislation and we did not support the bill. Trustee Wardell reported that the Day of Advocacy was a successful event. A large cross section of the school districts in the state attended. There were several legislators that came to the evening reception. The legislators managed to schedule the committee hearing for SB 403 bill the same day school district representative were in Helena so they could testify. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Trustee Aragon reported that the Planning and Development Committee has completed the Comprehensive Demographics study. The report will be presented at the April, 18, 2011 Board meeting. The report includes detailed information on who lives in Billings, their ages, their racial background and education. The report looks at the city’s population growth and the district’s enrollment levels over the same period of time. It looks at land use and how the district growth and city growth affect each other. Included in the report is also detailed information on housing and income as well as economic conditions in the city. The report tracks school trends from the past forty years, schools that opened, closed and reopened. POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE/STRATEGIC PLANNING REPORT J-1 Policy 1111 Election: First Reading J-2 Appointment of Trustee to Strategic Planning Committee Chair Bryan reported that the Board considered Policy 1111 Election: First Reading at the February, 21, 2011 Board meeting. The Board sent Policy 1111 back to the Policy Review Committee for revision. The revision read as follows: Trustee boundaries shall be reviewed and if necessary reestablished every ten years based on new decennial census data collected each decade. In the event the Board of Trustees decides to reestablish boundaries, the Board shall appoint a committee to set the guidelines for reestablishing boundaries. Trustee Aragon made the following motion seconded by Trustee Wardell: Motion to approve Policy 1111 Election: First Reading Chair Bryan said that change was in response to a comment that Trustee Guthals made at the last Board meeting and asked Trustee Guthals for comment on the change. Trustee Guthals asked if this policy leaves it up to the Board to establish the boundary criteria. Trustee Wardell said it leaves it up to a committee. Chair Bryan said it would not preclude the Board from establishing criteria and establishing a committee to redraw boundaries based on those criteria. Trustee Guthals suggested changing the wording from “to set” to “to make recommendations”. Trustee Aragon made the following amended motion seconded by Trustee Wardell: Motion to approve Policy 1111 Election: First Reading with the amendment, Board shall appoint a committee to make recommendations on guidelines for reestablishing boundaries. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. J-2 Appointment of Trustee to Strategic Planning Committee Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve the appointment of Trustee Greta Besch Moen to the Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Superintendent Keith Beeman reported that an amendment to the Board packet was added due to the final work not being concluded until Friday, March 18, 2011. Trustee Guthals suggested that to ensure the public has an opportunity to comment on Superintendent Keith Beeman’s personnel recommendations prior to Board action, the Board convene in a special meeting. The Board concurred and a Special Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. to take action on Superintendent Keith Beeman’s appointments. Superintendent Keith Beeman shared the following good pieces of news regarding the District, which include: - Recognized Burlington, Kyra Gaskill, Principal, and Newman Elementary School, Kim Anthony, Principal, and students as the district has received word from the office of public instruction that both of the schools are being recognized for meeting yearly adequate progress for the 2009-2010 school year. - Senior High symphonic band that was one of only two Montana bands selected to perform at the all Northwest Educator’s National Conference in February under the direction of Jeff Long. - Budding artists from district’s fifth grade classes whose art exhibition concluded at the Yellowstone Art Museum. The District’s appreciation goes out to Rob Wells, art specialists, Yellowstone Art Museum and parents. - Recognized debate team members Erica Burdick, in the student congress house competition, Spencer Sheehan, in the original oratory, and Hanna Swanson, in dramatic interpretation of literature who have qualified for the National Tournament of the National Forensic League based on outstanding performance at a tournament in Bozeman. All three students are from Senior High school. - Recent outstanding success among our high school basketball teams: West High school girl’s basketball team won first place in the state tournament; West High school basketball boy’s team took second place in the state tournament; and the Skyview high school basketball team took fourth place in the state tournament. - Acknowledged Karen Palmer, Technology Director, who was one of forty educators from across the country from the public school ranks and university ranks to be invited to Google headquarters in Mountain View, California. Ms. Palmer participated in conversation with Google executives and she had the opportunity to share with them some of the things the District would be interested in seeing, in the Google programs. - Facilities department on behalf of the district for submitting a grant application for $50,000 that will be provided from Northwestern Energy. If the grant is received the district will use the money to install solar panels on the roof of Career Center. The Career Center was selected to install the solar panels because of the inter-active web-based monitor system and it will be incorporated into the curriculum at the Career Center. The solar panels will generate 8,000 kilowatts of electricity. The district will be notified by June 1, 2011 if the District will receive the grant or not. Superintendent Keith Beeman reported on the projects that are being paid for by the deferred maintenance bonds, which include: - The alarm projects which are on schedule with project design and bid walk through that have been conducted. It is anticipated that a bid recommendation will be brought back to Board at the April 5, 2011 meeting. The alarm projects are scheduled to be completed at Broadwater, Burlington, Miles Avenue, and Washington. - The window projects are on the same schedule at Bench, Highland, Poly Drive and Washington. - At Senior High, the asbestos abatement project design is going on which is tied to the boiler project. The District is proceeding with the legal advertisement and the pre-bid walk through work has started. The bid work at Senior High for the design work and the cost of such is coming in at less than was expected. Even though the design work for Senior’s roof is being done now the actual work on Senior’s roof will not take place until summer 2012 and summer 2013, but it is necessary to move all these projects forward. - A bid is anticipated to be brought to the Board at the April 29, 2011 or May 3, 2011 meetings for the mechanical work and asbestos abatement project at Senior High. Superintendent Keith Beeman reported several teachers this summer are taking an innovative step and offering, Camp Invention. Camp Invention is a week long summer camp for students grades one through six. The program is lead by the district’s teachers and will consist of a series of five activity oriented modules for up to 110 students. Each module represents an integration of science, mathematics, art, history and hands on activities to advance the student in their studies. Superintendent Keith Beeman gave the names of the people who will be serving on the negotiation team for the remainder of this year or for next year, which include: Scott Anderson, Executive Director, Sandi Mammenga, Big Sky Elementary Principal, Jeril Hehn, West High Associate Principal and Jeff Weldon, District legal counsel. PERSONNEL REPORT Superintendent Keith Beeman reported that an amendment to the Board packet was added due to the final work not being concluded until Friday, March 18, 2011. Trustee Guthals recommended that to ensure the public has an opportunity to comment on his recommendation prior to Board action the Board convene in a special meeting. The Board concurred and a Special Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. to take action on Superintendent Keith Beeman’s appointments. Superintendent Keith Beeman reported he is recommending the appointment of three administrators, which include: Josh Middleton, Assistant Superintendent for Administration for Operational Support, Gail Surwill, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Support, and Brenda Koch, Executive Director for the Division of School Leadership. These positions are part of COLT and they will provide a more efficient and effective level of service to our schools, staff, and students. The people participating in the interview process, included: representatives from COLT, a District administrator, a principal, and presidents of the BEA, BCEA, and MPEA. Superintendent Keith Beeman acknowledged and thanked each individual for their valuable time that was provided to this process. Superintendent Keith Beeman reported there are multiple leadership positions both at the district level and our elementary schools that are currently being advertised for and will close on Wednesday, March 23, 2011. Following a screening and interview process, the hope is to bring recommendations to the Board at the April 18, 2011 Board meeting. Trustee Guthals raised the question regarding the new education leadership department Superintendent Keith Beeman is establishing. Superintendent Keith Beeman stated that department will be comprised of the principals with two executive directors, Brenda Koch and Kathy Olson. Ms. Koch and Ms. Olson will provide the day to day supervision, work, plan, implement, and assess the leadership skills of all thirty principals, associate principals, and assistant principals, so in turn they become more skilled in working with their staffs to improve student achievement. Chair Bryan asked if COLT will consist of the superintendent, the two assistant superintendents and the executive directors. Superintendent Keith Beeman stated it will be a smaller COLT team in raw numbers, but the organization will allow more time to focus and enhance the level of service. Superintendent Keith Beeman said the reorganization will allow him to use his time a little differently by being able to be in the school to work and interact with the principals and staff. Superintendent Keith Beeman noted there is nothing unusual on the report. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the personnel report, with the exception of the three administrative new hires that are going to be taken up at the Special Board meeting that will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. in the Board room. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. WILL JAMES MIDDLE SCHOOL CEDAR SHAKE MANSARD ROOF REPLACEMENT Chair Bryan reported Will James received hail damage on a portion of the cedar shake roof that surrounds the building and the damage was reported to the insurance company. The decision was made to stay with the cedar shake system to maintain the original architecture of the school. All of the cedar shakes will be replaced with this project. Empire Roofing is the low bidder at $149,454. Funding for this project is $85,416.32 insurance, recoverable depreciation, and $64,037.68 from District Building Reserve. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to move to award the construction contract for Will James Middle School Cedar Shake Mansard roof replacement to Empire Roofing for $149, 454. Trustee Strobe suggested oiling the cedar shakes so they do not crack. Rich Whitney is not familiar with any product that you add to cedar shakes. Mr. Whitney will look into products for oiling the cedar shakes and if there is a product see if that product would meet fire codes. Trustee Wardell asked if the fiber glass looks a like cedar shake product has been looked into as they would never have to be replaced. Rich Whitney said, yes, but the price is considerably more. Chair Bryan asked if the cedar shakes were not replaced at this time would there be a risk of additional building damage. Rich Whitney replied, yes, and the entire cedar shake group would be compromised. Trustee Guthals noted that if the cedar shakes were not replaced the insurance would not pay for the recoverable depreciation amount, which is a significant amount. Those voting in favor were Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Greta Besch Moen, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. High School Trustees Guthals and Stroebe can not vote on elementary issues. BUDGET: 2011 – 2012 Superintendent Keith Beeman reported that at the February 22, 2011 Regular Board Meeting and the February 25, 2011 Special Board meeting the Board asked budget questions. In addition, the public has asked or e-mailed questions in. In the Board packet those questions and the responses to those questions are presented. Superintendent Keith Beeman encouraged the Board and/or public to call or e-mail him with questions that still need to be answered and he will research and respond to them. Chair Bryan asked if there are any additional questions or clarifications that need to be made to the questions and answers found on pages 34-52 of the Board packet. Chair Bryan noted on pages 53-54 of the Board packet are State Accreditation Standards for staffing and class size. Superintendent Keith Beeman noted that the information can be found on the School District 2 web-site. Trustee Wardell asked, relative to the literacy presentation presented tonight and the fact that several funding bills are going to require tracking growth on a per student basis, can funding be taken from any fund as stated in one of the bills? Is the technology levy considered a fund and could a fund transfer apply? Superintendent Keith Beeman stated he will research the information and will respond appropriately. Chair Bryan said the question would be, “if the technology levy has to be for technology that is in the hands of the students”. Trustee Wardell noted the legislation reflects that it can be taken from any fund and the opportunity is just a one time opportunity. Trustee Moen asked Superintendent Keith Beeman what his recommendation is for a reasonable amount to be spent on preventable maintenance and what is the trend for budgeting for deferred maintenance. Superintendent Keith Beeman stated at the present time our budget is such that we are setting aside zero percent in the high school district and $500,000 in the elementary district. Superintendent said that is not enough to take care of emergencies should they arise. Two to three percent of the whole budget is more of an industry norm but with recognitions that would only take care of emergencies. You need five to six percent to maintain and seven to eight percent to start to nibble away at the total deferred maintenance. We would need upwards of 115 to 120 million dollars to address deferred maintenance. Our budget as it sets today will not allow for the five to six percent set aside for deferred maintenance without making a massive overhaul to the budget. Dr. Keith Beeman said we would have to do a building reserve levy to handle that kind of challenge. Trustee Moen asked Superintendent Keith Beeman what his recommendation is to handle the unfunded liabilities and how do we compare to districts across the state. Superintendent Keith Beeman stated currently we are funding for what we are legally mandated to budget for and is comparable to districts across the state. In response to that question Chair Bryan would like to know what annually is taken out of the general fund for unfunded liabilities and what those dollars are for. SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATION Chair Bryan said the Superintendent position is challenging, diverse and there are high expectations. Chair Bryan added more is expected of our schools than ever before and staff, parents, Board, public, etc., only see a piece of the responsibilities involved with the position and Chair Bryan’s hope is that the job can be looked at from the entire context not just one aspect. The current Superintendent’s evaluation is a little different from those the Board will be doing moving forward in that specific goals were not set when Dr. Keith Beeman first arrived in the district. At the February Board Retreat specific goals and priorities were set for the superintendent through the end of the school year. Superintendent Keith Beeman’s next evaluation will be based on those goals and priorities set by the Board. The Boards hopes to evaluate Dr. Keith Beeman every six months or on a yearly basis based on goals and priorities set by the Board. Trustee Aragon reported on the process and reviewed Dr. Keith Beeman’s evaluation information. Trustee Aragon stated that the Superintendent’s evaluation is the sole responsibility of the Board. Trustee Aragon reviewed the summary, comments, average total rating, and percentage of returned evaluations from the three groups which included: the Board, Colt, and Community members. A detailed summary of scores and comments were presented in the Board packet. The following is a summary of scores received by the three groups with 5 being the best rating and 1 the lowest. Board of Trustee: 4.3, Central Office Leadership Team (COLT): 3.7, and Community: 4.1. Chair Bryan reported that the evaluation responses reflect very positive responses. Chair Bryan noted even when ratings were slightly lower comments were positive. Trustee Wardell reported on one comment that she suggested was interesting, “I feel Keith is getting pushed back for no reason, he is simply asking that contracts and policies be followed by all, this appears to have people uneasy and it should not, we are all professionals hired to do our jobs”. Trustee Stroebe shared the one thing she likes about an evaluation process. Trustee Stroebe suggested it is a two way street for the employee and employer and fosters the relationship. Trustee Guthals thanked Dr. Keith Beeman for serving as Superintendent for the district and commended Dr. Keith Beeman on the scores presented in the evaluation that are very good. Trustee Guthals asked Superintendent Keith Beeman to clarify one comment in the evaluation regarding “the lock down of the staff talking to the media”. Superintendent Keith Beeman stated he would address that comment at this time, but he requested that talking about that topic at this time that he does not want someone to interrupt that he is being argumentative to an honest view point that is reflected on a survey or evaluation. Dr. Keith Beeman responded that there is “no lock down, gag order, or another phase that is somewhat of an urban legend regarding the staff talking to the media”. Dr. Keith Beeman suggested that what he does recognize is that when we have over seventeen hundred employees, that seventeen hundred employees can not be seventeen hundred district spoke people for a public school district. Dr. Keith Beeman has asked if the principals have an activity or an event that they have to publicize or wish media attention on that they share that with the district office and in return we will contact the media and make those connections. In return we have asked the media work with the district office. Dr. Keith Beeman said his office is working hard on this issue. We all have an opinion and we are all entitled to our opinions, but there is an element of differentiation between a personal opinion that is separate from an opinion of a designated spokesman who speaks on behalf of the District. Trustee Bryan commended and thanked Dr. Keith Beeman for his implementation of better information on our web-site for transparency, instituting better business practices in the District, standard practices for personnel reviews at the top level, and additional savings in our budget. Trustee Graves noted there are Board comments on the evaluation to receive more information for better communication. Trustee Graves suggested that the Board address the issue of getting more information to Board members especially before the media receives it so Board members have the right facts. Trustee Moen appreciates the fiduciary responsibilities Superintendent Keith Beeman has taken on and the budgetary options he has given the Board. Trustee Moen applauds that the budget is research based and educationally driven with criteria. Superintendent Keith Beeman thanked everyone for the insightful comments and he will take to the comments to heart and consider all the comments. 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 were Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Lindy Graves, Joel Guthals, Travis Kemp, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Q-1 Bills Paid – February 2011 Q-2 Financial Reports – February 2011 Q-3 Minutes of the Board Meetings Regular Board Meeting, February 21, 2011 Special Board Meeting, February 25, 2011 Special Board Meeting, March 8, 2011 Q-4 Minutes of Committee Meeting Planning and Development Committee, October 25, 2010 As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Barb Bryan, Chair Brenda Cross, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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