Diane Blevins Posted July 5, 2011 Report Share Posted July 5, 2011 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana November 9, 2010 CALL TO ORDER The Legislative Sub-Committee Meeting of the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, and High School District, Yellowstone County, Montana, was duly held at The Lincoln Center, 415 North 30th Street, Billings, Montana, November 9, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. Those present included Trustees Lindy Graves, Connie Wardell, Teresa Stroebe, Greta Besch-Moen, Kathy Aragon, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, Chair Barbara Bryan, and District legal counsel Jeff Weldon. The committee reviewed the resolutions that were developed at the recent general assembly of the Montana School Board Association as follows: 1. School Funding: Focus on Community Engagement and Trustee Advocacy 2. More Efficient and Effective Governance of School Districts 3. Carrying Over General Fund Balances 4. Residential Development Impact Fees for Montana Public Schools 5. Health Insurance 6. Federal Issues Important to Montana 7. Provide Enhanced Learning Opportunities for Students 8. Impact of Protested Taxes on School Districts 9. Superintendent Qualifications 10. Unfunded Liability Reserves 11. School Funding Increase Tied to Taxable Values 12. High School Trustee Allowed to be Chair 13. Facilitation of Member Input on Optimization of Resources and Regionalization of Service 14. County and School Finance Resolution 15. Resolution Regarding “Options” for K-12 Budget Cuts Chair Wardell did not know where the funding would come from for #1. The Office of Public Instruction has reported they will move in the other direction for #2 and Trustee Wardell believed the Board needed more flexibility. Transportation funds cannot be moved into flex funds at the end of the school year. She felt the District should be able to spend transportation dollars on software used for transportation. Trustee Stroebe felt, if money was saved in bussing, the District should be able to spend it as it desires but the State will not allow that as it is a permissive levy. The District needs to let Denise Juneau, State Superintendent, know our position when the bill is presented. The committee felt they should wait on #3 until the bill could be reviewed. Chair Wardell felt the Board should register no interest on #4 as it might affect support received by the District from the realtors. On #4, it was felt the District should not actively support it. Trustee Stroebe felt the funds were needed for the District but Trustee Wardell felt the funds were needed for levies as realtors’ support is needed to pass the levies. The committee felt #5 and #6 could be supported. The Office of Public Instruction will lobby for #7 but the District should wait until the bill could be reviewed. Jeff Weldon believed the District is impacted heavily by #8 and felt portions of it should be changed. Trustee Wardell felt it should be supported. This District submitted #9 as two of the recent Superintendent applicants did not have the necessary qualifications. It was felt the District should support #10. #11 should be supported since the District’s levies are not currently based on property values. Jeff Weldon reported the risk on #11 is, if a high school trustee were to serve as chair, someone could protest all votes. The committee did not want to spend funding on the bill but would support it. Consolidation of schools in #13 can sometimes cost more money than is saved. The committee believed #14 should be watched as it is too vague in its present form. The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. to be reconvened on November 11 at 7:30 a.m. The meeting reconvened n November 11 at 7:30 a.m. with the following present: Trustees Connie Wardell, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, and Jeff Weldon. Kevin Nelson addressed the committee on tax increment programs by the city. The City has been abating taxes for five years. Mr. Nelson asked the committee to approach legislators to request that the public be heard by those affected by the tax increment districts. The law should state that affected parties should be allowed a hearing prior to the TID being implemented. Trustee Wardell reported she received a letter from the Missoula school board containing funding options if additional money were available. Their board felt there should be longer school days and longer school years to meet the goal of high achievement, however, Ms. Wardell felt more flexibility should be obtained, not more money. Trustee Wardell stated she wanted to invite the legislators for a caucus at the Career Center. Trustee Wardell believed the rural districts might get on board for more flexibility in transportation spending as those districts bus students to Billings for educational needs. Jeff Weldon stated he could speak to other groups but did not feel he could draft a bill. Another issue which could be considered would be to eliminate the cap on funding for the general fund. Another issue to be considered is the legal ability to promote mill levies in using staff time. Trustee Wardell felt the District could support a bill to reconstruct the funding formula for the cap if another district were to bring it forward. Jeff Weldon believed a bill for legalizing the ability of staff to promote a mill levy is a good idea. It is a disservice to patrons not to be able to address the passage of the levies. Jeff Weldon and Leo Hudetz will meet to discuss the issue and report back to the committee. The committee agreed to have a projector at future meetings to be able to watch the status of bills. Trustee Besch Moen asked that the information on bills also be included on the District’s website. Future meetings of the Legislative Committee will be held at the Lincoln Center every Thursday. Trustee Wardell felt it was more successful to introduce bills in the Senate, than the House. Jeff Weldon stated he would have contact information for bills that are brought forward. The members decided which legislators they would contact. The meeting recessed at 9:45 a.m. and would reconvene on November 18th. The meeting was reconvened on November 18 at 7:30 am by Chair Connie Wardell. Members present were : Trustees Connie Wardell, Greta Besch Moen, Kathy Aragon and Teresa Stroebe (joined the meeting at 9:50 am.). Also present were Leo Hudetz, Clerk and School District Attorney, Jeff Weldon. The committee discussed potential legislation regarding administrator tenure and reassignment, transportation fund issues, teacher tenure and using school district resources to promote a ballot issue. Jeff Weldon presented draft ideas regarding legislation on the administrator and school resources for ballot issues. On each item, Mr. Weldon presented two different drafts as options for each piece of legislation. Leo Hudetz reported on information received from the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) regarding transferring funds out the transportation fund and OPI’s draft legislation regarding this. The following motion was made by Trustee Wardell and seconded by Trustee Besch Moen: Motion to recommend to the Board of Trustees that School District 2 promote the passage of either of the two options presented in draft form regarding administrator tenure, removal and reassignments presented by Jeff Weldon. Those voting in favor of the motion were Trustees Wardell, Aragon and Besch Moen. Motion passed unanimously. The following motion was made by Trustee Wardell and seconded by Trustee Aragon: Motion to recommend to the Board of Trustees that School District 2 promote the passage of either of the two options presented in draft form regarding using district resources support or oppose a ballot issue as presented by Jeff Weldon. Those voting in favor of the motion were Trustees Wardell, Aragon and Besch Moen. Motion passed unanimously. The committee asked that Jeff Weldon and Leo Hudetz work on language that could expand the use of transportation funds to include additional crossing guards, “walking busses” and transporting students for educational reasons. The committee discussed the upcoming lunch with the legislators on December 10 and also set meeting dates for December 7 and December 9. Being no further business, the committee adjourned this part of the continuing meeting at 10:05 am. Recorder: Leo Hudetz The meeting reconvened on December 7, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. The following were present: Trustees Connie Wardell, Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe (via phone), District Clerk Leo Hudetz, Legal Counsel Jeff Weldon, and Jeff Greenfield, BEA President. Trustee Aragon wanted to see the law that states only the Chair of the Board and the Superintendent could address issues surrounding mill levies. She felt the entire Board should be able to address mill levy issues. Mr. Hudetz reported the entire Board could address a mill levy so it was not a problem. Trustee Aragon stated she liked the proposed changes in flexibility for the use of transportation funds. Trustee Wardell reported the proposed bills will be carried by Jeff Essman or Ed Walker in the Senate and Dan Kennedy in the House. Jeff Weldon explained the process for proposed bills as they go through the legislative bodies. An attorney will draft a bill after transmittal and the legislative body must request the draft which will show up on a list as an LC#. It will be given to the requestor and undergo a reviewing and editing process. The bill will then come out as a hard draft and legislators may obtain co-sponsors for the bill. Trustee Aragon reported she will be in Helena on January 17-19, 2011 for Green Schools and would be able to contact legislators at that time. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Besch Moen: Motion to send a draft bill for transportation to agenda setting and to seek Board approval. Those voting in favor were Greta Besch Moen, Kathy Aragon, Connie Wardell, and Teresa Stroebe. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Besch Moen: Motion not to move forward with the request for the additional resources for ballot issues. Those voting in favor were Greta Besch Moen, Kathy Aragon, Connie Wardell, and Teresa Stroebe. The motion passed unanimously. The members felt there would not be a problem to find a legislator in the house to carry the District’s bills. There will be two options presented for the administrative tenure bill. The Montana School Board Association (MTSBA) is opposing the governor’s proposed budget. Trustee Wardell felt the District should distance itself from MTSBA on this issue. She also reported that she spoke to superintendents from the smaller districts in eastern Montana who expressed their frustration that they were not able to spend the money from the oil production in their counties due to the cap. The governor has stated he would spread the oil funds around to the entire school districts statewide. Jeff Greenfield stated the governor ignored the quality educator entitlement in his budget. Mr. Greenfield further reported he disagreed with MTSBA’s view of the governor’s budget. He urged the Board to inform the legislators of this District’s position on the budget and encouraged the Board to distance itself from MTSBA’s view and support the governor’s budget. Trustee Wardell felt the Board needed to give Trustee Stroebe direction to take to Helena for the MTSBA meeting. She should tell MTSBA that it does not have the power to protest the governor’s budget. There was consensus of the members present that the Board would support the governor’s budget, give Chair Bryan the authority to address it formally, and give Trustee Stroebe the authority to address the support of the governor’s budget in the meetings of MTSBA. The list of legislative names was split between the members to contact them regarding the luncheon to be held at the Career Center on Friday, December 10th. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 11:10 a.m. and would reconvene on December 9, 2010. The meeting was reconvened on December 9 at 8:10 am by Chair Connie Wardell. Members present were: Trustees Connie Wardell and Teresa Stroebe. Also present was Leo Hudetz, Clerk. The committee discussed the upcoming lunch for area legislators on Friday, December 10 at the Career Center. The committee also reviewed all bills regarding education that have been introduced. It was noted that Senator Walker and Representative Mc Donald of Billings have submitted bills regarding administrator tenure and use of transportation funds. These draft bills were approved by this committee. Being no further business, the committee adjourned this part of the continuing meeting at 10:05 am. Recorder: Leo Hudetz The meeting reconvened on December 16, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. Those present included Trustees Greta Besch Moen, Kathy Aragon, Teresa Stroebe, Connie Wardell, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, legal counsel Jeff Weldon, and Superintendent Keith Beeman. Dan Villa, Education Policy Advisor for the Governor’s office, joined the meeting via telephone. Trustee Wardell asked where the $119,000,000 in extra revenue would come from as reported in this morning’s Billings Gazette. Mr. Villa responded, on November 15th, the Governor submitted his proposed budget to legislature on all of the spending that is proposed for the next biennium. On December 15th, revenue estimates have been analyzed and, the Governor now believes that the revenue for the state is higher than anticipated by the legislative panel. We are over 12% in revenue growth since July 2001. The Governor decided to take half of the 12% growth and build it into the revenue estimates so that is where the $119,000,000 comes from. Trustee Wardell reported the Legislative Committee reviewed the budget at their last meeting. Trustee Wardell thanked Mr. Villa for all of his help on the budget and listening to this District’s concerns and addressing them in the budget. Mr. Villa stated the legislative finance committee has voted twice to implement a 5% base reduction to all state agencies. That means that K-12 would experience a $28,000,000 cut to your base. That has not been put out to the public but the public needs to be aware of this. A $28,000,000 statewide base cut equates to an approximate $2,500,000 for the Billings District. Mr. Villa said the Governor’s budget proposes to increase your budget by $3,250,000 for the next biennium. If you take a $2,500,000 reduction from the legislative financial committee decision, there would be a difference of $5,750,000 between where the finance committee has voted to go and where the Governor’s budget proposes to go. Mr. Villa felt a bill to permanently inflate the quality educator piece has not gotten the attention it deserves. It is proposed for FY2013 which would become a third entitlement for schools along with ANB and basic entitlement. Dr. Beeman asked if Mr. Villa’s office has formulated anything on whether the current proposed funding level of $76,000,000 would be guaranteed if oil and gas revenues fluctuate. Mr. Villa stated HB136 provides a special fund for a teacher non-exclusive source of funding for the quality education payment, including the inflationary increase provided for 20-9-326. It is all statutory as ANB equals X, basic entitlement is worth Y, and quality educator worth C. In order for those to change, it requires a statutory change and they are proposing that the oil/gas money is the first money in. If there is not enough money as the statute says, it is a non-exclusive source so the general fund or another fund must come in and backfill as the statute says an educator is worth $2,042. That is a major proponent of the bill and is built into it. Trustee Wardell asked if the money in the oil/gas reserve in local districts’ funds would be used. Mr. Villa responded the $41,800,000 in statewide flex accounts will be left alone. The current gas/oil funds will be kept for the high school retirement, elementary retirement, and the county transportation fund. All of that stays the same. The discretionary piece, 15-36-331 and 15-36-332, shows the oil/gas computation is complex but there is the discretionary fund that goes to the school districts. The Governor wants 90% of that discretionary fund to go to the state. Ten percent of the discretionary fund is still kept by local schools districts and 100% of the other three-quarters but that is ongoing revenue. Some people believe that taxes will be increased by $300,000,000 for 150 districts. Mr. Villa stated that was not the case. Under the school funding bill, the vast majority of school districts who receive oil and gas money get more in permanent entitlement than they do in fluctuating oil and gas money. Saying that 150 districts are going to have to raise taxes by $300,000,000 is an inaccurate statement. Last fiscal year, the oil and gas districts told the state they would receive $11,000,000 in oil and gas revenues, when in fact, they received $33,000,000 for a difference of $22,000,000. Some of those districts were receiving guaranteed tax base payments as the projected oil and gas revenues were lower and there was $3,000,000 budget amendment received by one district as the revenues were higher. It cost $500,000 in guaranteed tax base payments to those school districts which is $500,000 that could have been given to a district that did not have that type of money. The Governor’s budget has given stability to all school districts, oil and gas or not and it allows the state to focus on where the resources should be. If a district gives a low budget projection that are sent into the state, the district receives guaranteed tax base funds in addition to unchecked budget amendments. Mr. Villa reported the facilities reimbursement for schools is approximately $17,000,000 a year which helps districts to pay their bond payments. The Governor is proposing an allowable school facilities technology account and the Department of Commerce make those payments. The fund is not contingent on PPL tax funds coming into that account. Districts will continue to receive bond reimbursements as you do today under the Governor’s proposal. The state is funding the Digital Academy again but the Board of Regents informed the state it had to make a cut of 12.31%. As a part of that reduction, the regents took a large share of their reduction from K-12 quality educator business programs, and the Digital Academy. The state found funds to backfill both of those programs but the state realized it should minimize the impact the higher education budget could have on K-12 services. So, the state proposed to move Digital Academy under OPI in order to prevent that situation from arising again and K-12 would make those decisions. Clerk Leo Hudetz asked what Mr. Villa’s view was on one-time only money for K-12 as he is worried what happens when that goes away and how to fill that hole. Mr. Villa stated money went out through the quality educator payment and the 2% one-time only base and the future of that funding is uncertain. The facilities money was purely one-time-only money and goes away. The school facilities money from the land trust will still be available. Mr. Villa reported the 5% proposed legislative cut option is going to move forward. If this legislative session decides to cut education, they will do it because they want to and not because the money isn’t there. The first week of the session will be important. If the legislators do a universal rollback as they did in 2003, this time the new thinking is to take it back 5%. If that happens, it will be a $28,000,000 cut to K-12 or $2,250,000 for Billings. The Governor has double downed the local government infrastructure payments for the last couple of years. Education is a priority for the Governor. During the first week of the session, there will be a 3-hour presentation on the Governor’s budget. Mr. Villa asked the Billings Board to help pass the proposed Governor’s budget. Trustee Besch Moen asked why the small oil and gas districts are fighting so hard. Mr. Villa stated no one has read the bill as the analysis they put out is wrong. They are against the budget as the Governor is making a more equitable budget. Mr. Villa offered to attend a Board meeting to fully explain the bill. The members present felt that should occur before January 3rd. Jeff Weldon suggested scheduling a short meeting between Christmas and New Years. It was the consensus of the members to schedule a meeting with Dan Villa and the Board. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 9:45 a.m. to reconvene on December 30th at 8:00 a.m. Legislative Committee meeting December 30, 2010 Room 216 Lincoln Center The meeting reconvened on December 20 at 12:00 pm by Connie Wardell. Members present were: Trustees Teresa Stroebe, Lindy Graves, Connie Wardell and Greta Besch-Moen. Also present were CFO, Thomas Harper, Attorney Jeff Weldon and Leo Hudetz, Clerk. The committee discussed the transportation bill that is currently being drafted in Helena. The bill has been assigned the number LC 1350 until it is moved to the Senate and assigned a number there. Trustee Wardell said she would contact Senator Walker who is sponsoring the bill and convey the committees support. The committee also discussed the bill regarding administrator tenure and expressed its preference for option A prepared by Jeff Weldon. The committee also stated that option B would also be acceptable if for some reason option A was not feasible. Trustee Stroebe gave a history of the Montana School Boards Association’s involvement with legislative matters and representation of all school districts in the state. Jeff Weldon led a detailed discussion of the Governor’s proposed bill for K-12 education. Much discussion was held regarding the proposed use of oil and gas tax revenues to fund a new “Teach Montana Account.” Being no further business, the committee adjourned this part of the continuing meeting at 1:30 pm. Recorder: Leo Hudetz The Legislative Committee reconvened on January 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Those present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Kathy Aragon (via phone), Barbara Bryan, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, Superintendent Keith Beeman, and Jeff Weldon. Trustee Wardell announced that Trustee Stroebe was in Helena. She reported Lance Melton, Montana School Board Association, has changed his stand and reported he supported the Governor’s budget. Those present discussed the draft on administrator tenure. Supervisors would be removed from the tenured positions. Mr. Weldon stated that tenure is a statutory right. Representative Gary Branae’s bill asks for an increase in basic entitlement for schools. Denise Juneau‘s, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, bill is higher than the Branae bill for entitlement. The school districts in Montana have voiced their support for the Governor’s bill. Trustee Aragon suggested a work session before approval of the resolution by the Board. Trustee Wardell stated the resolution will go out in next week’s Board packet. The Governor has reported that the gas/oil revenue realized a larger amount in the month of November and expects those revenues to continue at the higher level. The proposed resolution will be discussed at the AA caucus meeting on Monday, January 10th. Trustee Bryan asked if the resolution should be given to legislators as to the issue of at-risk students, homeless students, etc. Trustee Aragon reported a packet was given to the legislators who attended the luncheon at the Career Center last month and was also mailed out to area legislators who did not attend. Mr. Weldon suggested focusing on the education committee members of the House and Senate. Trustee Aragon stated HB182 allows school districts to run bonds for energy related projects with a 15-year payback, whereas school districts now have a 10-year payback period. The bill, if passed, would not require a vote if the bonds could be paid back with savings. Trustee Bryan felt the Board should support the bill. The issue could be placed on agenda for the January Board meeting along with the bills to support. She further stated the Board needs to reconsider the issue of giving Dr. Beeman more authority to address legislators. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m. The Legislative Committee reconvened on January 10th at 12:00 noon. Those present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Teresa Stroebe, Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Superintendent Keith Beeman and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Districts participating in the VisionNet session were Bozeman, Great Falls, Butte, and Kalispell, as well as the Montana School Board Association. Trustee Stroebe reported that Billings supports the Governor’s budget and appreciates his attempts to fund education. She felt it was important to be in Helena to hear both sides of the issue. Now is the time for student equity funding. Montana is the 48th state as one of the worst states for student equity. This is an opportunity to take huge strides to gain ground. Trustee Bryan wanted to see a breakdown in the $660,000,000 in reserves held by all districts and how we compare to other districts in the state. Lance Melton, MTSBA, reported that some of those reserve funds are restricted and not discretionary. He will send the breakdown on accounts per district as well as the ANB figures. He reviewed the list of general fund budgets. Trustee Wardell asked why the districts couldn’t work with legislators to give the districts more flexibility. Mr. Melton reported he is working with a legislator for a bill that would address proposed taxes so that taxpayers would not be asked for more money. Trustee Stroebe asked how unified mills would affect districts. Mr. Melton stated that is on the table. The latest proposal is that some legislators support uniform mills to support the general budget with no more guaranteed base mils. Every district would have the same mills. Butte would increase but Bozeman and Billings would decrease significantly and would reduce taxes for 90% of the population and increase taxes for 10%. Bozeman reported there are 204 districts that have over 400 students and are losers. Mr. Melton further reported 258 districts would decrease mill levies and 167 would increase. Bozeman stated districts need equity across the state. There are some districts that are going broke and others have huge amounts in their reserves. Trustee Bryan felt the AA districts should know what the other 130 districts have other than the 8 or 9 districts that get so much gas and oil money. Mr. Melton wanted the 8 or 9 districts that have the oil and gas money to come to the table and craft a proposal to spread the money around. Trustee Stroebe believed a compromise is needed on the oil and gas money. Great Falls voiced its concern that districts around the state are starting to turn on each other and the AA districts need to do everything they can to avoid the conflict. Lance Melton reported he was going to meet with Representative Peterson on January 11th and request that 5% cuts across the state not be requested. The Governor’s budget is a maintenance budget and can not afford to have any cuts made to it. He is working on a solution to take care of the AA districts’ concerns. The AA legislative day has been set for February 9th. The AA districts will set up individual lunch meetings and then with the Senate and House Education Committees for a presentation to the legislators. The VisionNet meeting ended at 1:05 p.m. with a meeting following by the Legislative Committee. Trustee Wardell felt this district should support the Governor’s budget but wait and reserve opinion to look at other proposals. Trustee Bryan felt the resolution for the January 17th Board meeting should be further revised. Trustee Stroebe felt it was important to stay neutral and not get involved with the party fights. Trustee Graves believed this district should not support the Governor’s budget. Trustee Stroebe felt it was a compromise at this time. Trustee Bryan suggested items be listed in the resolution as to which portions of the Governor’s budget should be supported. Trustee Wardell will draft the resolution. It was decided that Dan Villa, Governor’s Educational Advisor, would address questions during the January 17th meeting. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 1:45 p.m. The Legislative Committee meeting reconvened on January 17th at 12:00 noon. Those present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Teresa Stroebe, Kathy Aragon, District Legal Counsel Jeff Weldon,and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. It was reported HB204 was in a hearing today. The transportation bill might go to the Senate under Local Government. Jeff Weldon reported he had trouble drafting the administrator bill. Option A does not seem to be working but Option B might work. He is working with another attorney in Helena on the bill. There might be an issue of language in Option A affecting Title II funds. There was consensus of the committee to move forward with Option B. Trustee Stroebe stated she was uncomfortable with the language in the resolution to be presented for tonight’s Board meeting. Trustee Aragon agreed. Trustee Wardell stated the Department of Commerce is in another bill that has been introduced so that is why she included that department in the resolution. Trustee Aragon believed they should make sure applications are filled out properly and funds are equitably dispersed for grants. Trustee Wardell reported she would revise the language in the resolution. Trustee Stroebe felt she could support the resolution now that she heard the discussion. Basic entitlement, guaranteed tax base, ANB, and now the Teach MT Program will be a benefit to the AA schools. Trustee Wardell stated she would send the adopted resolution after tonight’s meeting to the other AA schools. One of the opponents to the transportation bill is the taxpayers association. Rural areas would like to be able to use transportation funds to bring their students into Billings for activities instead of funds from the general fund. Trustee Wardell suggested the bill be introduced as a cost-saving bill. The next meeting was set for Monday, January 24th at 12:00 noon with the AA schools. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 1:20 p.m, Legislative Committee meeting January 24, 2011 Room 213Lincoln Center The meeting reconvened at 12:00 pm by Trustee Barbara Bryan. Members present were: Trustees Barb Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, and Greta Besch-Moen. Also present were Superintendent Keith Beeman and Leo Hudetz, Clerk. Trustees Connie Wardell and Kathy Aragon joined the meeting at 12:30 via vision net from Helena, Ms. Kristine Moen, member of the public, was also present. The meeting was held in conjunction with the AA caucus vision net originating at the Montana School Boards Association offices in Helena. The AA caucus discussed a number of items including; 1) The upcoming day of advocacy at the legislature on February 9; 2) the transportation bill that is being proposed by Billings Public Schools; 3) the idea of including a basic entitlement for each school in a district rather than on a district wide basis and 4) the recent resolution passed by the Billings Public Schools Board supporting concepts of the Governor’s budget on education. Being no further business, the committee adjourned this part of the continuing meeting at 1:15 pm. Recorder: Leo Hudetz The meeting reconvened on Monday, January 31, 2011 at 12:00 noon. Those present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Teresa Stroebe, Greta Besch Moen, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, and legal counsel Jeff Weldon. Trustee Wardell reported her and Trustees Stroebe, Besch Moen, Bryan, and possibly Aragon will be traveling to Helena on February 9th. The need is to make an impact on the area legislators regarding educational funding. It was the consensus of those present that small boxes of candy or baked goods would be given to those area legislators. Mr. Weldon suggested a note be included stating that no district funds were used for the gifts. There are two amendments to SB177, the transportation bill, that Trustee Wardell was aware of at this time. A change has been recommended to MCA 20-10-143c and line 4 on page 3 of the bill will be removed. No effective date has been mentioned but the district has requested July 1, 2011 be used. Jeff Weldon reported on the administrator tenure bill. A district court judge has recently reversed the earlier judgment in a case. An administrator now cannot be moved back into the classroom unless they agree to it. Mr. Weldon stated this reversal supports the need for the bill. It is still in the drafting stage and should be assigned a bill number this week. Trustee Stroebe reported Lockwood is supporting a bill, SB219, to protect their district from the tax protest from ExxonMobil as it would cost Lockwood 40%. She felt this district should support it as we will also be affected in the high school district. Mr. Weldon believed it was a good bill and not a politically charged one. The committee determined it would send an email of support of the bill. The suggested effective date in the bill was December 31, 2011 which Trustee Wardell felt should be July 1, 2011. Mr. Weldon believed the date of December 31, 2011 was fine. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stroebe: Motion to send an email to legislators with a short summary of what the Senate Bill 219 will do. Those voting in favor were Connie Wardell, Teresa Stroebe, and Greta Besch Moen. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Wardell reported the Great Falls energy bill has passed the House and has been sent to the Senate. Legislators have requested the AA districts state two things that are going right in their district when they meet on February 9th. Trustee Besch Moen felt a valued asset is the Career Center. She also named the business partnership at Newman Elementary. Trustee Stroebe believed this district has one of the most premier Adult Education programs. Trustee Wardell suggested the At Risk program at Washington Elementary, Big Sky’s transition program, and the World of Work at Riverside. HB177 regarding transportation is scheduled for an executive hearing on Friday, February 4th in the education committee. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 1:05 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 12:00 p.m. on February 7th. Those present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Teresa Stroebe, Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, Lindy Graves, Superintendent Keith Beeman, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Trustee Wardell reported Chair Bryan will present regarding this District’s Career Center. Bozeman will give a presentation on three components of innovation in their schools. Kalispell will present on three intervention programs that have had an impact on their schools. Missoula will speak on the 21st Century schools and graduation matters. Helena will give a presentation on Access to Success which is a dropout program. Mr. Black reported he has received several responses from legislators who will attend the reception sponsored on by the AA schools. He felt this is where the district representatives will have the largest impact on those legislators. He urged those present to email their local legislators to remind them of the reception. An invitation will also be given to Dan Puyear from the Montana Rural Education Association. Mr. Puyear has been advocating for public education and is fighting for rural schools. Mr. Black reported HB136, the Teach Montana bill, is a divided issue among the state. AA districts will want to stay through the question session on HB136. Mr. Black stated MTSBA is opposing the oil/gas component of HB136. He believed Lance Melton will report that MTSBA would support HB136 except the oil/gas portion. It is also possible that the recent proposed 5% across the board cuts might be reduced as revenue estimates should be out in the very near future, possibly next week. Don Jones will introduce those representatives that will present on February 9th. The recent emails by the Montana Rural Education Association were deemed combative by those members of the MTSBA. Darrell Rud, School Administrators of Montana, stated Monday, March 14th has been set as the Day of Advocacy and invited all of the AA districts to participate. Trustee Wardell reported she would have copies of this District’s resolution on the Governor’s bill to distribute to the legislators later this week. As there was no further business, the meeting recessing at 1:10 p.m. The meeting reconvened on February 14, 2011 at 12:00 noon. Committee members present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Others present were Jeff Weldon and Bruce MacIntyre. Trustee Wardell reviewed SB177 on Transportation. The extracurricular portion of the bill was removed. There has been no opposition voiced in committee. Gary Branae, a Billings legislator, felt the walking component should be removed but it could be addressed in the legislative session. The transmittal date is February 24th. The effective date of July 1, 2011 was changed to October 1, 2011. Trustee Wardell stated the committee must make sure the effective date for the tenure bill is included in the final bill. The committee reviewed the tax increment districts bill. Trustee Bryan felt the District should support any infill plans as it would lessen adding services if more houses were to be built. Bruce MacIntyre stated there are people around the state who are involved in TIF districts that will give their input. Trustee Wardell reported the MTSBA day has been set for March 14th. Trustee Bryan felt committee members should go to Helena for that day. Revenue bills will be transferred at the end of March. Mr. MacIntyre stated school funding will probably be dealt with the last two days. The committee will decide at next week’s meeting who will go to Helena. Jeff Weldon stated it will be known which bills are still alive in two weeks. The education committee will have to hold a hearing this week or next on the tenure bill. Mr. Weldon will have a list of bills for next week’s meeting that are still alive that will give funding to this District. Mr. MacIntyre reported a VisionNet with area legislators will be held on February 17th. Trustee Besch Moen stated she will attend the meeting. The legislators address what is going on and then the meeting is opened up to questions. Trustee Wardell stated that this committee should continue after the legislative session ends to start planning for the next legislative session. This District would have until August to decide on whether to go for a mill levy. The amount allowed for the elementary district is approximately $200,000. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 12:55 p.m. The meeting reconvened on February 21, 2011 at 12:00 noon. Committee members present included Trustees Greta Besch Moen, Lindy Graves, Teresa Stroebe (via phone) and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Cherrie Brady, Safe Community/Safe Kids, addressed those present to urge the Board to support the bill before the legislators to repeal the medical marijuana. Clerk Hudetz reported he has received one email asking if the District will back the medical marijuana repeal. Susan Smith, Safe Community/Safe Kids, stated she has spoken to principals, deans, and SROs who have reported marijuana use has increased by students. Trustee Besch Moen informed the group to attend this evening’s Board meeting to address the full board during the communication to the public portion of the agenda. Trustee Stroebe stated she wanted basic entitlement to be placed back into ANB if the District were to only receive 10% of the oil/gas revenues. VisionNet began at 12:25 p.m. Lance Melton stated he would try to get factual information on the District’s numbers for oil/gas revenues. Eddie Black reported HB456 was on the House floor this morning. An opt-out/opt-in option has been included in the health education curriculum in Helena. Some legislators are pushing for abstinence only. Legislator Dave Lewis’ bill, SB282, needs help as it is still in Senate taxation. OPI has six pages of concerns for SB385 on charter schools, of which the main concern is other groups than school districts could charter schools directly. If a student from Billings wanted to go to a charter school, the home district would have to pay tuition and transportation. Bozeman expressed their concern on the first section of SB329 and asked for Lance Melton’s assistance. Mr. Melton reported he is working with Senator Zinke on the bill to write an amendment. Mr. Melton reported MTSBA has drafted two amendments for SB141 to protect district’s liability. The bipartisan committee passed it but it received opposition in the subcommittee that tabled it. It was felt the bill was poorly written. The next VisionNet meeting was scheduled for March 7th at noon. Changes were made to the transportation bill that some districts felt would mean transportation funds could be used for out-of-district trips. Trustee Besch Moen reported Legislator Kim Gillan’s anti-bullying bill needs the amendments in order to save school districts from legal liability. Clerk Hudetz stated this District does have an anti-bullying policy. The medical marijuana issue will be addressed at the next meeting. As there was no more business, the meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m. The next meeting will be on February 28th at 12:00 noon. The meeting reconvened on February 28, 2011 at 12:00 noon. Committee members present included Trustees Greta Besch Moen, Connie Wardell, Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, Lindy Graves, Teresa Stroebe, Superintendent Keith Beeman, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Schools participating in the VisionNet were Missoula, Bozeman, Kalispell, Great Falls, and Butte. Trustee Wardell reported she spoke to Senator Essmann to ask that basic entitlement on high schools only be reinstated. Senator Essmann urged her to gain support from the other AA schools and he would try to reinstate it. Basic entitlement would be for $1,800,000 for the 14 high schools in the AA districts. Bob Jones, Helena trustee, did not see a problem with adding it. Trustee Stroebe stated the basic entitlement for AA schools now is totally inequitable. Missoula wanted a revenue neutral amendment added. Bob Jones stated he was not sure if it would benefit the Helena Public Schools. Kalispell believed they could support it but was worried it would divide the education community. Bozeman felt there would be a strong backlash from Class C schools. Trustee Stroebe voiced her concern there would be no basic entitlement at all if it fails. Missoula believed the AA schools should take a strong position as they have the largest number of high school students in the state. Trustee Wardell urged the AA schools to advocate for high schools as it would mean jobs. Bruce Messenger, from Helena, had concerns on Llew Jones’ bill: $1,000 per educator base above and beyond all other funds; and, growth model with assessment would not allow us to use a growth model and would need a new criteria for added costs. Butte voiced their concern that it was modeled after Florida and student performances are exactly like Florida’s. It is based on the number of free and reduced lunches of a school. Students on IEP do not count toward the overall achievement score. Eddie Black did not feel Jones’ bill was anywhere close to a draft bill as it has not been heard in committee yet. HB2 will be heard this week. If there is money left, $3,000,000 will be requested to be added to HB2 and HB329 for basic entitlement. Butte felt the costs need to be given to Senator Jones in order for AA schools to implement the plan. If money is on the table, we do not need to consider that for our districts. Mr. Black reported Lance Melton is working with Senator Jones on the bill and believed Jones’ bill is better than the governor’s proposal but the AA schools are still struggling. The Jones bill does not provide for a long term funding stream. Mr. Black stated SB329 has been stripped down so that Montana school districts will cooperate with themselves. It has not been scheduled in the House education committee yet. The next VisionNet session was scheduled for March 7th at noon. This VisionNet session ended at 1:11 p.m. Trustee Stroebe stated she felt there would be a special session in June. She believed they should advocate for basic entitlement and if it is not looking good, oppose basic entitlement for per educator. Trustee Bryan felt they should advocate for all students. It was decided to go for the basic entitlement if it were separated from Jones' bill. Trustee Wardell reported she would talk to Senator Essmann. It was further decided this district would not get into SB385, the charter school issue. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Besch Moen: Motion to adopt the resolution as follows: Because of limited funds, staff and time, the Legislative Committee of Billings Public Schools will focus its efforts during the 2011 Legislative session on issues related to school funding and issues directly related to school operations. Those voting in favor were Connie Wardell, Teresa Stroebe, Greta Besch Moen, and Kathy Aragon. The motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 1:35 p.m. The meeting reconvened on March 7th at 12:00 p.m. Those present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Greta Besch Moen, Lindy Graves, Teresa Stroebe, Kathy Aragon, Barbara Bryan, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, Gail Surwill, Pat Bellinghausen of the Billings Gazette, and Jeff Greenfield. Lance Melton reported on the Pathways to Improvement Act, LC498, which includes $5,000,000 per year for the at-risk programs, adult basic education, and gifted and talented. It parallels the Governor’s budget. Mr. Melton heard earlier it was based on the Florida plan with revisions being made to the bill. Included were per educator payments, $500 at the minimum level and $1,000 at the maximum budget level in year two. LC498 will be introduced by Thursday and heard on Monday, March 14th. Lance Melton felt the grant program should go away and money equitably funded throughout the state. Trustee Aragon asked if it would put more on local taxpayers and less on the State. Mr. Melton stated there is no increase in school funding that does not bring an increase to the local taxpayers. Bozeman asked what extended day or extended year means. Mr. Melton reported school districts must bargain with their staff for extensions. On March 14th, the Day of Advocacy, Llew Jones will give a presentation and will take questions and answers will be given. The hearing on his bill will be held on Monday without a fiscal note which would take six days to obtain. Hb182 is on the House floor with Senate attachments included. It would expand to 15 years payback on bonds. Bob Vogel asked those present to review HB456 and get involved as it looks at local control. It has been sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB329 is up on Thursday for a hearing. It allows flexibility and optimizes collaboration. Trustee Wardell stated she will lobby on Elise Artnzen’s bills regarding bonds. Trustee Stroebe reported Lockwood schools are worried the county commissioners will create a tax increment district in the industrial area for the Metra which would affect Lockwood’s funding. Trustee Wardell felt the committee should speak to Jeff Weldon before going to Helena on Monday. Trustee Stroebe felt not enough attention was being paid to the other education bills. Trustee Wardell reported the next meeting of the Legislative Committee will be on Thursday, March 10th. The meeting recessed at 1:30 p.m. The meeting reconvened on Thursday, March 10th at 10:30 a.m. Those present included Trustees Greta Besch Moen, Kathy Aragon, Connie Wardell, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, and legal counsel Jeff Weldon. Jeff Weldon gave updates on the following bills: HB182 has passed the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. HB204 is also awaiting the Governor’s signature. HB208 addresses students who drop out of school. Records on those students must be submitted to the National Guard and the Youth Challenge Program in order to get those students into other programs. HB288 has passed the House and is in a hearing in the Senate. Currently, guardians are charged tuitions for out-of-area students. If it is a true guardianship issue, districts would not charge tuition. It would not cost districts but would allow them to receive the ANB. HB327 has passed the House and is in the Senate. HB397 is still in the House committee and is still alive as it is a revenue bill. It allows for a tax credit for parents who home school their children. It is not expected to pass. HB456 has passed the House 67-30 and is in a hearing in the Senate. HJ9 is still in the House committee. SB113 has passed the Senate. BEA supports the bill but MTSBA opposes it. The bill calls for districts to maintain the retirement funds not more than 35%. This bill would drop the level to 20% and the difference would be transferred to the teachers’ retirement system. It would make the unfunded liability greater for districts. SB141 has passed the Senate. It calls for all school districts to have a bullying policy which almost all schools have. It would mandate that all schools have a bullying policy in place by 2012. SB208 has passed the Senate and has MTSBA support. SB219 is a good bill as it would protect school districts from tax protests. Some protested funds would be received by the districts. SB244 has passed the Senate and has the MTSBA support. If it passes, districts may charge for a pre-school program. SB315 has passed the Senate. Senator Ripley believes it would make decisions by boards to fire employees harder to do. It would cost districts more as they would have to hire a hearing examiner. Mr. Weldon felt it would be deemed unconstitutional and the bill would make riffing harder for a district. SB329 has passed on second reading. The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m. The meeting reconvened on April 4th at 12:00 noon. Those present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, Superintendent Keith Beeman, and Dan Villa (via phone). Districts participating in the VisionNet were Great Falls, Helena, Bozeman, Kalispell, and Butte, On SB329 for the oil/gas fund, people have asked for a maximum budget so the bill would be brought forward. They also want the feasibility language included, 50% estimate of the oil/gas revenue. The percentage in the oil/gas trust fund will remain the same with the percentage going to the counties and the schools. HB630 on revising the school funding laws using oil/gas revenue, is still in play. A request is expected from Representative Hanson to add to the amendments. There is momentum for removing the Pathways to Excellence program but that program has been defended. Senator Essmann wanted to cut the inflation increase in half on SB329 but is no longer interested in that cut. Billings asked if the oil/gas money would be kept plus an additional amount. It would not be kept but the reserve monies would remain and 10% would be removed as it is in the amendment. Ten percent is the same as what was in Senator Jones’ bill and it would go into the trust. Butte asked where the state was on HB327 for tenure. This bill is a cleanup bill and the governor has given an amendatory veto. If a district laid off a tenured teacher due to financial issues, it could no longer pay dues into several organizations included MREA and MWED. MTSBA did not agree with the amendatory veto by the governor. Dan Villa stated the governor’s office wanted to enhance the ability of teachers to stay in the classroom for quality education. HB327 and SB315 are linked and he felt that expense for teachers should be paid first. The governor and county superintendents will also give their opposition to those bills. Dan Villa was asked where districts could get the revenue since they are still $12,800,000 below the original request. Mr. Villa stated it is included in HB2 as an inflationary percentage in the general fund. Special education inflation has not been addressed yet. Bruce Messenger reported SB315 needs to be resolved or the governor would veto it. He felt the schools could not support the house on HB327. Mr. Villa stated Representative Knutson’s bill, HB630, has a provision that would allow school districts to keep their oil/gas money up to a certain percentage except $1,200,000. Next year, the average of the last twenty years would be down and for each dollar that goes into the fund, above the budget, $1 of each $5 would have to be returned to the state. There are only two opponents to the bill, OPI, and the governor. SB214 allows school districts to raise permissive levies if there is no impact on the taxpayers. Trustee Wardell stated it would mean up to approximately $775,000 for Billings. That bill is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday. SB219, tax protest bill, passed out of the House with a vote of 100-0 and is moving through the process. HB603, charter school bill, will be heard on Wednesday by the Senate Education Committee. HB15, quality school credits project, is being heard today and should move quickly through the Senate. HB456, defining the boundaries of sex education, has passed and is on the way to the governor’s office. Billings and Butte wanted that bill vetoed. Mark Lambert reported he heard the governor would not sign any special education bill until the federal dollars are put back into HB2. The next meeting of VisionNet for Billings will be on Monday, April 18th. The VisionNet session ended at 1:00 p.m. There are 44 out of 56 Montana counties that have less than 16,000 residents which is the total of Billings’ students. The community stated they would support SB214 on basic entitlement for high schools as a priority. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 1:35 p.m. The meeting reconvened on April 25th at 12:00 noon. Those present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Barbara Bryan, Teresa Stroebe, and Superintendent Keith Beeman. Districts participating in the VisionNet were Great Falls, Helena, Bozeman, Kalispell, and Missoula. Eddie Black reported House and Senate representatives came to a compromise of 1.9% and 1.53% inflation. In the first year, 1% was agreed upon and 2.43% in the second year but there might be one-time money only of .8%. All of the language in the Charter School Bill was out. The only charter school language that is being looked at is the language developed by MTSBA. Mr. Black felt they had the votes to kill the charter school bill. Oil/gas revenue in the bill which has $45,000,000 in revenue gives Baker a big hit. Everything in SB329 has been put back in. HB2 still has the State pay plan but it must be worked out further. The conference meeting will be on Wednesday morning. HB315, the tenure bill, will be the last day but it might not pass. Mr. Black expected the legislators to use up all of the days now. Halfway to Excellence in SB329 allows OPI to collect date. $10,000,000 for two years in at risk money is included in the budget. The bill also includes funding for the Digital Academy. Mr. Black stated he did not feel there would be a special session in the summer. If there is a special session, it would be used for the state pay plan as Mr. Black did not believe the Governor would accept it as it is now. Schools will work through their budgets to make cuts as there is only 1% and 1.9% in inflation which is lower than expected. Loss of services is expected and schools will have to work will filling positions through attrition. Missoula reported their budget will take an $835,000 hit and must pass a levy of $430,000 to stay even. Reductions will have to be made. Bozeman stated they will be able to save their reserves and, in the first year, they will have to visit the reserves which they did not want to do. In the second year, Bozeman should be able to build those reserves up a little. Bruce Messenger from Helena stated they would receive approximately $135,000 for the at risk program and will lose approximately $270,000 in the elementary district. Billings may run levies in the fall. Missoula is providing information about their levies and is depending on the passage of the levies. There is support in Missoula for the levies. Kalispell stated they will be cutting approximately $1,000,000 in the budgets. Eddie Black reported he will put information together on clarification of the bill and send it to the superintendents. He will also put together information on the retirement bills. The next VisionNet meeting will be held on Monday, May 9th at noon. Dr. Beeman reported there are no steps and lanes included in the proposed budget but will be discussed. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 1:35 p.m. The meeting started at 12:00pm. In attendance were Trustees Connie Wardell, Teresa Stroebe, Pam Ellis and Barbara Bryan. Also in attendance were Clerk, Leo Hudetz and Billings Education Association representative, Jeff Greenfield. Chair Connie Wardell called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm and the group discussed possible legislation to present to the Montana School Boards Association annual delegate assembly on June 10, 2011. This proposed legislation would eventually be presented in the form of a bill during the 2013 state legislative session. The committee decided to support a transportation bill similar to the one supported by the district during the 2011 legislature. Also the committee decided to support legislation that would provide more equitable funding to the larger, urban districts in the state. This legislation would include basic entitlement for every high school in the district and possible elimination of decrement per student funding. The next committee meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2011 to be held with the AA vision net caucus. The meeting began at noon on Monday, May 9th. Those present included Trustees Wardell, Stroebe, Besch Moen, Graves, Bryan, Pam Ellis, and Superintendent Keith Beeman. Districts participating in the VisionNet were Great Falls, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, and Missoula. SB329 for basic entitlement increases are at 1% inflation in the first year and 1.6% in the second year. The governor wants to distribute 2.43% inflation next year based on base aid included in HB2. There is opposition to the 2.43% in the second year and might lead to a lawsuit. After the bill becomes law, every district has one chance to do a line item transfer, above 15% of the maximum general fund, which could be used to fill in gaps for next year. Two or more districts can form a joint agreement for all budgeted funds. There is currently approximately $2,000,000 that goes to school districts that participate in multi-district cooperation. This district could have a joint effort between the elementary and high school district. If districts are to form a cooperative, the boards must vote on it prior to April 1, 2012 for next year. It can not be done for the current year as it would have had to be done by February 1, 2011. If a cooperative is formed, OPI must be notified by the end of December 2012 with documentation to receive a portion of the funds available. Trustee Stroebe stated taxpayer inequity was put into effect in 2005 which was found to be equitable by Judge Sherwood. No special session is expected this summer unless HB2 fails to pass. Billings is not sure if mill levies will be run in the fall. Helena passed both of their levies. Missoula passed all four of their levies and Bozeman passed their operational levies. The next VisionNet meeting will be held on June 13th, right after Delegate Assembly. Trustee Wardell wanted to meet on June 6th before the Delegate Assembly. It was decided VisionNet would be held on June 6th. Eddie Black will send emails about the building issues including adequacy. VisionNet ended at 1:00 p.m. Dr. Beeman felt some thought should be given to multi-district cooperatives. Trustee Stroebe believed they should talk to other districts to network. Trustees Graves, Bryan, Wardell, Besch Moen and Stroebe will be in Helena for the Delegate Assembly. The next legislative meeting will be on May 23rd at 12:00 p.m. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 1:20 p.m. The meeting began at noon on May 16th. Those present included Trustees Wardell, Stroebe, Aragon (via phone), Pam Ellis, Leo Hudetz, and Jeff Weldon. Jeff Weldon reviewed the bills affecting the Billings Public Schools. HB204 allows any school district trustee to serve as board chair. HB208 contains the Montana Youth Challenge Program and will cost a lot of money as names of students who drop out of school must be given to the program twice a year. HB288 addresses a caregiver who is taking care of an abandoned student and would not have to pay tuition with this bill. HB327 is effective immediately. A candidate can withdraw his name from a ballot where now the candidate cannot withdraw his name. Single member districts can now elect by acclamation and the organizational meeting must be held within fifteen days of the election. SB219 addresses tax protests which are centrally and non-centrally accessed. Districts would be able to have access to a certain percentage of the taxes. Once the county releases the funds and if the protester wins, the district would have to repay the money that was won in the lawsuit. This district may access funds when the November 2011 taxes are paid. HB120 allows a district to designate a public recording as an official record of a public meeting. Mr. Weldon reported he worked closely with Dr. Beeman on the administrators’ handbook which allows for no accrual of vacation time for administrators. It will result in a savings for the district. As there was no further business, the meeting recessed at 1:25 p.m. The meeting started at 12:00pm on May 23rd. In attendance were Trustees Connie Wardell, Teresa Stroebe, Pam Ellis and Barbara Bryan. Also in attendance were Clerk, Leo Hudetz and Billings Education Association representative, Jeff Greenfield. Chair Connie Wardell called the meeting to order at 12:00 pm and the group discussed possible legislation to present to the Montana School Boards Association annual delegate assembly on June 10, 2011. This proposed legislation would eventually be presented in the form of a bill during the 2013 state legislative session. The committee decided to support a transportation bill similar to the one supported by the district during the 2011 legislature. Also the committee decided to support legislation that would provide more equitable funding to the larger, urban districts in the state. This legislation would include basic entitlement for every high school in the district and possible elimination of decrement per student funding.The next committee meeting is scheduled for June 6, 2011 to be held with the AA vision net caucus. The meeting reconvened at noon on June 6th. Those present included Trustees Bryan, Ellis, Wardell, Graves, Moen, Aragon and Stroebe. Trustee Wardell felt the educational formula did not have anything to do with local control. She also felt that anything that includes health insurance will kill a bill and bills should not include a levy for health insurance. Trustee Wardell recommended the AA schools advocate for basic entitlement per school, not district. Billings will support three resolutions: 1) using transportation levy for other items besides bussing; 2) more than a two-year contract for superintendents; and, 3) trustees would take office after July 1st, instead of in May. The VisionNet began at 12:20 with Helena, Great Falls, Butte, Bozeman, Missoula, and Flathead districts participating. Bozeman stated they did not see any funding listed in the resolutions. Trustee Wardell felt AA legislators should be enlisted to work with Representatives Zinke and Jones who are rural legislators. Trustee Wardell will write a proponent page for the three Billings proposed resolutions. She stated transportation funds should be able to be used for student city bus passes, for city busses for special needs students, crossing guards, and to be able to bus from school to school. Bob Vogel stated it is important to keep in touch with rural legislators also as it keeps both sides up to date. Missoula would like more ANB dollars for students. Helena believed AA districts should try to get their AA legislators to attend the MTSBA general assembly. Trustee Bryan felt it was important to address the issue of being able to vote by proxy if trustees were unable to attend the meetings due to their jobs. The next VisionNet meeting was set for July 11th at noon. A survey will be sent out to determine what other days of the week were possible for meeting days. The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m. Connie Wardell, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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