Diane Blevins Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana July 23, 2011 CALL TO ORDER The Retreat 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, July 23, 2011, at 8:00 a.m. Members present included Trustees Barbara Bryan, Greta Besch Moen, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, Kathy Aragon, Pam Ellis, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, and Superintendent Keith Beeman. Trustee Travis Kemp was excused. Others present included Jeff Greenfield, Jeff Weldon, Scott Anderson, Gail Surwill, Josh Middleton, Brenda Koch, and Kathy Olson. Superintendent Beeman reported a car struck the shed at Daylis Stadium during the night. There were no injuries and the site has been secured. REVIEW/DISCUSSION OF OUR 1000 SERIES POLICIES (ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES) WITH JEFF WELDON, DISTRICT COUNSEL Jeff Weldon, legal counsel, reviewed the 1000 policy series which are the basic rules for the board. Mr. Welcon stated high school trustees may weigh in on elementary issues. Mr. Weldon recommended the board review and make changes to the 1130-P1 committee procedures. Mr. Weldon stated, if a member of the board abstains during a vote, he/she should abstain only if it pertains to the hiring of a relative. The voting record should show a yes or no vote for all trustees. An abstention is really a no vote and a trustee may not be prevented from abstaining. A trustee may also attend a meeting via telephone but it is difficult for that trustee to hear the entire communication. Mr. Weldon reported there is no policy that would allow a board member to be censured. The issue could only be addressed through a recall. COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC The Board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of listening to members of the public in its meetings. The Board also recognizes the statutory and constitutional right of the public to participate in governmental operations. The Board encourages members of the public to participate in and express opinions about issues important to the District. This part of the Board’s meeting is dedicated to public comment on any public matter that is not on the agenda of this meeting and is within the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees. Members of the public may also address particular items on this agenda either now or at the time the Board considers the particular item. Suzanne McCarren, Blue Creek school district, addressed the board and stated the board must be prepared for all meetings. If more information is needed for a meeting, a trustee should contact the board chair, superintendent, or district clerk. That information should be given to all trustees. Mr. Hudetz reported he would post all answers received from the Superintendent to board member questions on the district’s board email system. Trustee Aragon wanted information presented in a comparative manner. Mr. Weldon addressed the board’s email system. Under Montana law, a meeting of a quorum of the board is discussing or acting on a decision. A board email system is now used but this board has been told not to use ‘reply to all’ for an email message in order to avoid violating open meeting laws. The chain of command to obtain information is through the board chair or the superintendent. The superintendent will allocate appropriate staff to get the necessary information. Trustee Graves wants all information requests be sent to all board members in order to gain the necessary information. Trustee Graves stated all information requests should be sent to the Clerk who would post the request on the Board email and forward it to the Superintendent. The Superintendent’s response should be given to the Clerk to disseminate it to the board members through the board’s email system. Chair Bryan reported she would work with the logistics on dissemination of information. Mr. Weldon urged the board to meet in retreat sessions to continue this work. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:22 p.m. Barbara Bryan, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.