Diane Blevins Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana May 16, 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, May 16, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Travis Kemp, Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Greta Besch Moen (arrived at 6;15), Lindy Graves, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, Joyce Weber, Superintendent Keith Beeman, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Trustee Guthals was excused. Registered guests included Karleen Hagenbuch, Jon Graeve, Suzanne Graeve, Raquel Graeve, Glen Schmidt, Shirley Schmidt, Glenda McCarthy, Amanda Olson, Caitlin Peterson, Valeria Long, Kami Palm, Stacy Lemelin, Jeannie Jones, Theresa Hoppe, Melissa Ash, Brittney Bailey, Donna Townsend, Lane Maddock, Errin Schmitz, Tiffani Stewart, Carol Forney, Lori Booke, Dave Deming, Kelly Deming, Nate Deming, Marcia Peterson, Shelly Strouf, Christian McPherson, Arlyne E. Anderson, Susan Maddrin, Lisa Blohm, Rebecca Egan, Reese Christensen, Brittne Enright, Kristi Tolliver, Nancy Huges, Joe Honea, Spencer Zaugg, Beverly Zaugg, Valerie McMurtry, Lori Wilson, Kierney Ross, Earl Ross, Josh Anderson, Chimene Dahl, Justin Bonanno, Jeff Hanser, Rob McDonald, Helene Ranweiler, Bruce Wagge, Kelly Wright, Shayla Brywon, Kim Verschoot, Jeri Hehn, and Heather Marvin. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Chair stated items #2, #3, #4, #6, and #7 were pulled from the Consent Agenda for discussion. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the agenda as amended. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The Superintendents contract item was moved to June as the incorrect contract was shown in the agenda packet. RECOGNITION AND GIFTS AND DONATIONS The Board recognized the following winners of the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics Contest: Ben Morledge Hampton, Isabella Whitworth, Malia Gesuale, and Patrick Zimmer. The following award winners of the National Spanish Exam 2011 were introduced by teachers Genevieve Polkowske and Leslie Whalen: Gold Awards Colby Nelson, Cameron Augustine, Emmett Zavitz, Thomas Sawatzke, Sarah Scheie, Mariah Scott, Thomas Knee, Daniel Robison, Alexandra Eagle, Kathryn Maier, Christian Butler, and Ryan Marcotte. Silver Awards Skye Laveau, Zev Lustgarten, Emily Haight, Hope Watts, Katelan Jennings, Madison Michaelson, Parker Pearsall, Shayla Peterson, Raquel Graeve, Brock Maddock, Miles Otstot, Rachel Temme, Lila Hamburg, Andrew Campbell, Jeremy Brooks, Madison Schwartzkoph, Brock Meyer, Kjersti Johnson, Kalani Williams, Benjamin Keeley, Nicole Williams, Stephanie Eddy, Nathan Fritz, Tyler Blohm, Colton Zaugg, and Daniel Khoe. Bronze Awards Michael Pursley, Michaela Miller, Alyssa Radue, Jordan Harris, Brady Davis, Samantha Guzman, Tanner Greyn, Jake Linnell, James Oblander, Hannah, Hansen, Joshua Lieuallen, Kierney Ross, Harper Swords, Alexandria Ullman, Nathan Deming, Brady Gustafson, Natasha Smith, Cathryn Hanna, Tiffani Stewart, Kendal Jacobsen, Nathanial Richardson, Kimberly Anexander, Ciara Gorman, Kelsey Holle, Justin Bonanno, Alexander Wambach, Kaitlyn Rangitsch, and Reese Christensen. The Board recognized the following certified and administrative retirees: David Allen, Sandra Anseth, Linda Bakken, Carolyn Barnett, Linda Bayne, Sally Jo bishop, Barbara Bonini Karen Bravo, Laura Brown, Colleen Chapman, Susan Clendenin, Vicki Cunningham, cheri Dale, Thomas Feeley, Kim Flohr, Carol Forney, Donna Fox, Kathleen Goodheart, Denise Goodman, Sylvia Jensen, Dennis Johnson, Richard Jones, Gerald Kessler, Kristeen Keup, Deborah Kewer, Joani Lewandowski, Bess Lovec, Joy Mallard, Catherine Malone, Mary Karen Marek, Dan Martin, Kathleen Mehrer, Joan Micheletti, David Munson, Donald Olsen, C. Diane Peach, Susan Peterson, Judene Pierce, Curtis Prchal, Roxanne Rast, Neala Rausch, Bruce Raw, Linda Raw, Darlene Rector, Sharon Reynolds, Lori Smith, Peggy Smith, Rondel Smith, Rose Steiner, Catherine Tobin, Kristi Tolliver, Jeffrey Weik, Robert Wells, LeAnne Wickun, and Dave Williams. The following support retirees were also recognized by the Board: Sandra Bailey, Sharon Carns, Pat Cunningham, Terrie Diede, Joan Forseth, Ronald Huet, Kaye Jacobson, James Jelle, Deboray Krieger, Richard Martin, Jerold Mehus, Claudia Morgan, Bonnie Presley, Glen Schmit, Sherrill Sullins, Mary Thielen, and Barbara Vandenburg. The Board recognized the following teachers who received their tenure: Joshua Anderson, Melissa Ash, Brittney Bailey, Shayla Bryson, Alissa Cox, Chelsi Diedrich, Rebecca Egan, Brittney Enright, Corney Falcon, Linda Gibson, Kelsey Gum, Heather Hackey, Kerry Hancock, Jeffrey Hanser, Theresa Hoppe, Justin Huck, Megan Jones, Valeria Long, Sarah Lord, Glenda McCarthy, Kate McPherson, Whitney Michel, Ryan Nafts, Todd Nevin, Amelia Nicolaus, Amanda Olson, Kami Palm, Brooke Peterson, Susan Pfeifer, Charine Schlosser, Janet Schneider, Nicole Schultz, Erin Small, Monica Stapleton, Wendy Tyree, Saral Walter, Terry Wheeler, James Wilsey, and Lori Wilson. Trustee Kathy Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to accept the gifts and donations with gratitiude. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the gifts and donations: Arrowhead Steven Fisher, $200 Kristy Levin, $500, ExxonMobil volunteer grant Burlington Connie Pacot, books Newman Helping Hearts and hands, assorted school supplies Billings Lions Club, pencils and emergency clothing Montana Dept. of Transportation, 25 pairs of field binoculars Martha Wetstein, craft boxes Brittana Glasgow, $25 Wal-Mart gift card Hansers Automotive and Wrecker, $50 for flowers Ace Hardware, six bags of potting soil Ponderosa KOA, partnership, employees volunteer time and playing cards for students Magic City Fly Fishing, scholarship to fishing camp at RMC ConocoPhillips, Travis Sloan, ACEC grant Simply Family Magazine, camp scholarships Yellowstone Naturopathic Clinic, Billings Gazette Als Body Shop, Billings Gazette Universal Awards, Billings Gazette Towe, Ball, Enright, Mackey & Sommerfeld, Billings Gazette American Title & Escrow Washington Ashlar Lodge #29, six bicycles and helmets Wendys of Montana, $3,000 to PTA over past four years and $400 for Wendys Washington Night District Judy Gould, Gina Bears Opening Lines, 20 boxes of card stock paper Mike Ross, Dell Dimension desktop computer with monitor 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 Boards 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. Joy Honea addressed the Board regarding the space problem at McKinley. She felt bussing kindergarten students away from their home school due to overcrowding was not good for those students. She asked the Board not to move the kindergarteners at McKinley. Lisa Pierce addressed the Board.regarding school boundaries as her daughter was not allowed to attend Senior High with her friends next school year but had to go West High, her home school. Kathy Wilkinson addressed the Board regarding extending Dr. Beemans contract. She believed the Board should wait until it is known the effect of his changes, based on the data based decisions being seen. She did not believe it was in the best interest for the students of the District. Ms. Wilkinson also voiced her concern on the administrators stipend for cell phones as they cannot decline the stipend. She felt the stipends should be reasonable and their private phone numbers be secure. Ms. Wilkinson expressed her concern over freezing an administrators salary if his/her performance was unsatisfactory. Karlene Hagenbush addressed the Board to voice her concern over extending the Superintendents contract and felt it was premature. She also believed the administrative handbook should not be approved tonight as the information was only given to the administrators four days ago. She did not feel that was respectful to the administrators and discussions should be held to determine what changes should be made. She further stated that she wanted to become involved and will continue to attend the Board meetings. Ms. Haagenbush felt a recent restraining order against her by Trustee Wardell was unjustified. ELEMENTARY/HIGH SCHOOL SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICTS ZONES 1, 2, 3 TRUSTEE ELECTION BY ACCLAMATION Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to approve the Resolution of electing Travis Kemp, Pam Ellis, and Greta Besch Moen for terms as specified to the Board of Trustees of Billings Public Schools No. 2 from Elementary/High School Single Member Districts Zones, 1, 2, and 3 Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Stroebe is ineligible to vote on elementary issues. HIGH SCHOOL TRUSTEE (NOMINATING DISTRICT B) ELECTION BY ACCLAMATION Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to approve the Resolution of electing Travis Smith by acclamation for a three (3) year term to the Board of Trustees of Billings Public Schools High School District No. 2. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, and Joyce Weber. The motion passed unanimously. ADMINISTERING OATHS AND REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD District Clerk Leo Hudetz administered the oath of office to Trustees Travis Smith, Travis Kemp, and Pam Ellis. Clerk Hudetz opened the floor to nominations for Chair of the Board. Trustee Wardell nominated Barbara Bryan with a second by Trustee Aragon. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. The Chair opened the floor to nominations for Vice-Chair. Trustee Wardell nominated Kathy Aragon with a second by Trustee Besch Moen. Travis Kemp nominated Lindy Graves with a second by Trustee Ellis. Those voting in favor of Kathy Aragon were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. Those voting in favor of Lindy Graves were Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, and Travis Smith. Kathy Aragon was elected as Vice-Chair. Trustee Ellis requested the meetings be scheduled at a time when all Trustees would be able to attend. Trustee Besch Moen made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to appoint Leo Hudetz as the District Clerk. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Bryan administered the oath of office for Clerk Hudetz. APPROVAL OF YEARLY BOARD MEETINGS CALENDAR Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the meetings as per the schedule included in the Board packet. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. FRESHMAN ACADEMY TRANSITION PRESENTATION Dennis Holmes, Senior High Principal, gave a brief history of the academies at Senior and West High Schools. Learning centers for freshmen will be implemented at all three high schools. The focus at the high schools will be on student achievement. August 24th is the first day for freshmen without sophomores, juniors, and seniors but mentors will be present for the freshmen students. The learning center at Senior will be comprised of English, Earth Science, Math, and PE/Health Enhancement. Skyviews classes will be English, Earth Science, Math and PE/Health Enhancement. West will have English, Earth Science, Math, PE/Health Enhancement, Spanish and Special Education. There will be assessments made to determine if the learning centers are working. CLASS SIZE PRESENTATION Kathy Olson, Executive Director of Elementary Education, reported on the accreditation standards: 20 students for K-2, 28 students for 3rd and 4th grades, and 30 students for fifth and sixth grades. She is expecting 87 classrooms over accreditation standards for the 2011/12 school year and is expecting 74.2% of K-6 classrooms to be at accreditation standards or under. Four teachers are being held back from assignments through the summer to determine where they will be needed. Trustee Graves asked about classroom aides for K-6 grades. Ms. Olson reported a part-time aide is assigned to each elementary school. The aide will be assigned by the principal to a certain classroom or area. Title schools may have additional paraprofessionals or may have enough title funds to hire another teacher. Scott Anderson, Executive Director of Secondary Education, reported the District is experiencing steady declining enrollment in the high schools. Administration had to look at attrition and the need not to cut any teachers. Accreditation standards state that no class should exceed thirty students, which does not apply to music classes. Lab classes are limited for safety purposes. Teachers with a writing program have a maximum of 100 students a day. Currently, those teachers have a 22.55 students per class with next years projections at 23.91 average per class. Core subject classes range from 22.08-26.08 students per class for the 2011/12 school year. All base course classes are also under accreditation standards. Staff levels at the Career Center have been increased for next fall to bring in more sophomores. Mr. Anderson reported that administration is also looking at expanding further at the Career Center. HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY LEVY PRESENTATION Karen Palmer, Technology Director reviewed the handout for those present. The total allocation for technology is $1,100,000. Senior High will receive $232,897, Skyview $207,595, West High $261,695, and the Career Center $104,985. Infrastructure and support for the high schools will receive $267,710. Trustee Graves wanted to make sure the bond language was being addressed by the distribution of funds. The Career Center is receiving 68 computers, 3 printers, and 3 classroom clicker sets. Senior High will receive 141 computers, four classroom clicker sets, software upgrades and professional development. Skyview will receive 121 computers, three printers, three whiteboards, software upgrades, and professional development. West High will receive 205 computers, 12 whiteboards, 75 graphing calculators, software upgrades, and professional development. The old computers are being given to the middle schools. CONSENT AGENDA Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Kemp: Motion to approve items 1, 5, 8, 9, and 10 in the Consent Agenda without objection to recommended action. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Items approved in the Consent Agenda are as follows: Monthly Legal Report Regular Board Meeting Minutes, April 18, 2011 Special Board Meeting Minutes, May 4, 2011 Lunchroom Tables RFP R-193-B-11 Establish New Trust Fund Accounts for Book Fines Establish New Trust Fund Accounts for Billings Public Education Foundation Grants The meeting recessed at 8:53 p.m. to be continued on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. The meeting reconvened at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. Members present included Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. Registered guests included Rob McDonald, Shelly Strouf, Shaun Harrington, and Valerie McMurtry. 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 Boards 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. Paige Darden addressed the Board to report the passage of mill levies is very important and allows the District to operate at the level that is allowed. She urged the Board to work together on the issues of the District including the administrators benefits. PERSONNEL REPORT Trustee Wardell wanted to clarify several items on the personnel report. Scott Anderson is being approved this evening as an Executive Director of Administration and Operations. Some of the director positions were changed to coordinator positions without any change in salary. Lee Kvilhaug was transferred to be Big Skys principal and Sandra Mammenga will serve as Benchs principal. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the personnel report. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. FINANCIAL REPORTS APRIL 2011 (UNAUDITED)/BILLS PAID REPORT Thomas Harper, CFO, reported there was nothing unusual or out of the ordinary in the financial reports and the bills paid. The bond payment is due in June and the bonds are going according to plan. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the bills paid report for April 2011. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. The bills paid are as follows: Claims $2,103,310.62 ACH Tax Deposits 1,777,457.57 Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits 7,421,083.54 Procurement Card 350,364.32 EBMS ACH Payments 1,274,470.94 ECI Building Rental 3,737.10 TOTAL $12,930,424.09 CAREER CENTER HOUSE CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF BILLINGS AND BILLINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS Stan Barr, the Career Center Principal, stated the contract is similar to all other construction contracts that have occurred in the past. Jeff Weldon, Districts legal counsel, has looked over the contract and approved it. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the Career Center house construction agreement between the Home Builders Association of Billings and Billings Public Schools. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. FACILITIES USE PROCEDURE Trustee Wardell thanked Dave Williams for his work on the Facilities Use procedure. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Kemp: Motion to approve the Facilities Use Procedure. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS: CITY OF BILLINGS INFILL CONFERENCE Chair Bryan reported on the meeting with the City. The District and City are working together to make the best impact on infill in the City and make for more sustainable government. NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE Trustees Stroebe, Wardell, Moen, and Bryan attended the National School Boards Association Conference in San Francisco recently. The problems experienced by Billings are going on throughout the country. CITY/COUNTY MEETING Trustees Bryan, Ellis, Wardell, and Bryan attended the City/County meeting. Trustee Moen reported the Trustees are reaching out to other community groups and shared information was well received. CITY/DISTRICT QUARTERLY MEETING The meeting was held to discuss collaborative planning and land owned by the City and the school district. The districts capital improvement plan will eventually be compared to the Citys capital improvement plan. POLITICS IN THE PUB Chair Bryan reported she, along with Dr. Beeman and BEA President Jeff Greenfield, met with the public to discuss issues facing the district at a forum called Politics in the Pub. JOAN BENOIT-SAMUELSON VISIT Trustee Aragon reported Joan Benoit-Samuelson, an Olympic gold medalist, visited with elementary students at Highland, Lockwood, McKinley, and Washington before attending the middle school track meet. She was an inspiration to the students. AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING Chair Bryan reported the committee was authorized to look at ways to put together a facility planning process for a 21st century vision. A boundary study must be conducted but the facilities process must get moving along. A request for proposal would take too long and the committee recommended working with one company for approximately $50,000. The committee may come back to the Board to seek approval for a contract with Fielding Nair International (FNI). Trustee Wardell stated she was impressed with the way the company has created a phenomenal design for the 21st century and designed it to fit well with the surrounding community. Trustee Ellis voiced her concern about asking administrators to take less and use $50,000 for this proposal. She felt there were people in Billings who could do this project and she could not justify the cost as the District is asking people to take salary cuts. Chair Bryan disagreed and felt the District needed to follow this plan in order to pass mill levies for our schools. Trustee Ellis stated the last bond election was passed in very difficult times and urged the Board to plan and communicate. Trustee Stroebe reported more money was spent to bring back Beartooth School after closing it and she felt the District needed a strategic plan to move forward. She did not want to work out of a vacuum again. Trustee Bryan stated, if the Board did not plan, it will cost more in the end. Trustee Aragon suggested the Board might also pay to work with someone locally along with FNI. Trustee Graves believed, if the Board approved the $50,000 now, next year the District is looking at a worse picture and this plan will probably have to set on a shelf. Trustee Moen hoped that working with boundary restructuring will help move the District forward. Trustee Stroebe did not want to restructure boundaries without a plan. She wanted the community to know that we have a plan and we are getting things done. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion that the Board of Trustees of Billings Public Schools authorizes the Ad Hoc Committee for Strategic Planning to work with the consultant Fielding Nair International to develop and bring to the Board for approval a proposed contract or contracts for Fielding Nair to help the district develop a 21st century vision and develop the scope of work for a comprehensive facilities planning process to start in fall 2011. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. Pam Ellis opposed the motion. The motion passed. LEGISLATIVE AD HOC COMMITTEE/AA CAUCUS REPORT Trustee Wardell reviewed Jeff Weldons report on the bills passed by the legislature. She hoped to keep working hard to gain more money in the next session. The next meeting is May 23rd at noon. Chair Bryan reported the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee will continue to be active. POLICY 1111 ELECTION: THIRD READING Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve Policy 1111 Election on third reading. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. ARRANGEMENTS FOR BOARD RETREAT Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to suspend language in Policy 1400 regarding meeting requirement in district owned facilities and approving holding the Board retreat meetings at a non-district school facility. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. The retreat will be held on June 1st at a non-district owned building. APPOINTMENT OF RETREAT PLANNING SUBCOMMITTEE Chair Bryan stated a team will be established to plan the Board retreat to be held in June. Trustees Kemp, Ellis and Moen volunteered to serve on the committee. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to appoint Barbara Bryan, Dr. Beeman, Travis Kemp, Pam Ellis, and Greta Besch Moen to the Retreat Planning Subcommittee to set up the agenda for the Board retreat. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. ADMINISTRATOR BENEFITS BOOKLET Dr. Beeman reviewed the process that was used and the key items in the benefits booklet. Administrators are not a collective bargaining group. Dr. Beeman reported he has had concerns regarding administrators absences on student days, the accrual of vacation days, use of cell phones, and evaluation of administrators. Changes have been made to those areas in the booklet. Dr. Beeman stated he met with two groups of administrators and received feedback from those groups. He is concerned about the increasing liability of vacation accrued and not used, as the District must make up that amount. Administrators may accrue up to sixty days and are paid when they separate from the District. Dr. Beeman stated there are a number of administrators that have not been evaluated in over five years. Cell phone charges are over $80,000 a year for administrative phones. Certified administrators will no longer accrue vacation. No administrator will have an increase of work days in the proposed benefit package. The new plan allows for administrators to use up to five days annually for personal reasons and those days would be deducted from their sick leave account. If an administrator does not use the five days, they accrue those days in their sick leave account. Administrators vacation days will be frozen on June 30, 2011, and if they have accrued over 60 days, they may use them by September 30, 2011. Audits are being conducted by the Human Resources Department on administrators accrued days. Any days accrued will be frozen on October 1, 2011 and days may not be added after that. If this is done, it will stabilize and decrease the unfunded liability. No new hires will be able to accrue vacation days. Administrators will have the month of July off for vacations. As of today, there is $1,100,000 on the books that the District owes administrators for vacations. Dr. Beeman reported administrators should be given evaluations on a regular basis but many have not been evaluated. If an unsatisfactory evaluation is made, it is appropriate to place that administrator under a remediation plan. Dr. Beeman stated he would also freeze that administrators salary. Cell phones are also an issue as the cost is high. Dr. Beeman wants to give a stipend to the administrators each month to help pay for their own cell phone to be used. Trustee Ellis asked when the administrators saw the package for the first time. Dr. Beeman reported they saw it last Wednesday in its final draft. He further stated he is trying to get caught up on evaluations and is developing an on-going evaluation cycle. Dr. Beeman reported the administrators individual cell phone numbers will not be made public. Dr. Beeman reported that the time administrators take for vacation during the school year has an impact on the students and vacations could be taken when students are not in school. The administrators benefit booklet will be brought back every year for the Board to review and Dr. Beeman will continue to work with administrators to gain their feedback. Trustee Kemp agreed with the evaluation and cell phone changes but felt vacation days should be looked at again. Chair Bryan reported she supported the benefit package and wanted to be able to continue attracting excellent administrators to the District. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the Administrator Benefits Booklet as presented. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. Pam Ellis and Lindy Graves opposed the motion. The motion passed. SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT Dr. Beeman reported Riverside Middle School has received a scoreboard for its football field. The Facilities Department has been accelerating projects to be completed with the $12,000,000 bond monies. Dr. Beeman reported he attended the Pastries for Parents at Beartooth on May 13th. Decisions are not made easily on class sizes and all of the students at McKinley will not be able to be accommodated next year. A meeting with McKinley parents has been set for May 26th at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Beeman invited the public to attend the three high school graduations on May 29th and 30th at MetraPark. 2011-2012 BUDGET DISCUSSION Dr. Beeman reviewed the budgetary handout for those present. He asked the Board to decide if the recommended changes should be completed. Trustee Wardell asked what would happen if the District does not hire counselors and librarians. The Office of Public Instruction will not accept it and will want a plan as to how the District will become compliant by June 1st. If we do not file a plan, OPI will develop a plan for the District. Trustee Wardell wanted to have legal counsels opinion on this issue. Thomas Harper reported the unfunded liability amounts for terminations are an educated guess. At the end of the year, it has always been a struggle to come up with the necessary dollars. Deferred maintenance has also not been funded in the seven years Mr. Harper has been an employee. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moen: Motion to add eleven K-6 and 1.0 FTE for a K-6 specialist to the proposed 2011-2012 budget. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, and Lindy Graves. Connie Wardell opposed the motion. Trustees Smith and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The motion passed. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to approve the additional materials and supplies for K-6 to the proposed 2011-2012 budget. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Smith and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to the hiring of 1.0 FTE librarian each year for three years to the proposed future budgets. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, and Travis Kemp. Connie Wardell opposed the motion. The motion passed. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Graves: Motion to add 1.0 FTE counselor per year for three years to the proposed future budgets. Chair Bryan recommended looking at ways the Board could partner with the medical community. Kathy Olson reported the District is partnering with two agencies and they hire a counselor and a behavioral aide at title schools. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Smith and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Dr. Beeman reviewed the budgetary sheets for the high school district. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moen: Motion to direct administration to assure funding for annual deferred maintenance for $500,000 in the proposed 2011-2012 budget. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. SUMMER/FALL BOND AND LEVY DISCUSSION Thomas Harper and Rich Whitney reviewed the handout on Qualified Zone Academy Bonds. Mr. Whitney recommended approval of $5,600,000 on the project list. The District is limited to $5,600,000 in bond revenue but can give an additional $233,447 for the roof repairs at Riverside. Trustee Wardell asked what effect SB329 would have for the District. Mr. Harper stated he would research the issue. He did not feel it was doable to have an August mill levy election. Chair Bryan agreed and did not feel the District could pass up the QZAB bonds. It was the consensus of the Board to not run general fund mill levies in August. Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to run an elementary technology levy and QZAB bond election and combine it with the city election in the fall. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Connie Wardell, and Travis Kemp. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Smith and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Barbara Bryan, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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