Special Board Meeting, September 13, 2011

[Diane Blevins]

Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

September 13, 2011

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The Special 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, September 1e, 2011, at 8:10 p.m.

 

Members present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Greta Besch Moen, Lindy Graves (via phone), Barbara Bryan, Travis Kemp, Kathy Aragon, Teresa Stroebe (via phone), Travis Smith, Pam Ellis, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, Associate Superintendent Josh Middleton, and Superintendent Keith Beeman.

 

Registered guests were Pam Christianson, Mary Westwood, Leonard Koziol, Denise Koziol, Jeff Weldon, Sidena Wagstaff, Christopher Goodridge, Ann Hall, Joe Michels, Janet Baum, Ed Ulledalen, Kristi Betts, Chris Morales, Rita Welk, Julie Betts, Valeria LaFrance, Dan Vierthaler, John Rossiter, Wendy Eubank, Rick Bartell, Steve Snell, Lisa Meyer, S. Dale, Victoria Collendce, Gregg Hergett, Marjorie Glynn, Kathy Wilkham, Thom Smithlin, Tim Hudsen, Margaret Tredt. Jim Romunth, Jim Wulf, Alan Lohof, Pam LeBranc, T. J. Giles, Ann Miller, Karen Miller, Linda Soft, LouAnne Foley, DeVon Mane, Richard Clark, Deborah D., Karen Tetbo, Candace Forrette, Diane Bertrand, Wanda Bueroe, Becky McGill, M. Aukshun, Bruce Wendt, M. Sullivan, Mary Jo Fox, Nancy Boyer, Kim Petersen, Steve Macarthey, Laura R., Kelly Goodman, Noreen Burris, Cecily Zyph, Linda Leligdowicz, Darryl Grove, Tom K., Deb Gilbert, Carol A. Mick, J. Allen, Jim Anton, Wade Sportz, Dee Neiter, Lisa Bazant, Anna Hovland, Tiffany Wetzel, Nanette Stevens, Gloria J. Morgan, Barbara Headlee, Vicki Buford, JoDell Beeler, Judy Barnes, D. Barnes, Tracy Lacy, Ethel C., Lana Lynch, Jane Quass, Andrew Fiscus, Janet Hawk, Peter Gesuale, Rene Rosell, Richard Yarbrough, Cat Repnow, Judy Smith, Gene Kehm, Leslyn Ayers, Nina Sheneman, Nancy Warrden, Jodi W., Barb Adelblue, Cinely Byars, Stephanie Byars, Karen Frizzel, Hunter Jones, Kathi Hoyt, Nina Jackson, Jeff Frank, Julie Reichert, Shan Minnerath, Leah Minnerath, Marnie Sweeney, Valeric McMurtry, Lanny Crum., Joni Stoltz, Decora Jorgensen, Kari Alternburg, Julie Hippler, Jana Vigesaa, Judy Senteney, Virginia Court, Robyn Driscoll, Paul Donato, D. Williams, Nancy baum, Sarah Grau, C. Hague, Reginald H., Gary Chevalier, Dottie Beck, Linda Martell, Gil Martell, Mike Kransky, Robin Martell, Karen P., Jan Kransky, Tammie Erickson, Kelsey Furstenberg, Ronnie Hein, Brie Barron, Rachel Fry, Lucy Normandy, Chris Purcell, Roy Neese, Dennisse Williams, Dale Rumph, Jennifer Lohof, Mary McNally, Jeff Kinman, Katrina Leligdowicz, Kayla Corcoran, James Ellise, and Ted Clark.

 

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.

 

Those speaking in opposition to extending Dr. Beeman’s contract were Deana Elder, Mary Jo Fox, Pam Christianson, Joe Sukut, Val LaFrance, Julie Hipper,Jane Quass, Diane Welhaven, and Carol Mick. The Chair said that time would now be given to those in favor of extending Dr. Beeman’s contract. Trustee Ellis raised a point of order as she felt all of the people should be allowed to speak. Trustee Ellis made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stroebe:

 

Motion that everyone is given a chance to speak within a three-minute limit.

 

Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, and Teresa Stroebe. Those opposing were Barbara Bryan and Connie Wardell. The motion passed.

 

Others speaking in opposition to the extension of Dr Beeman’s contract were Sidena Wagstaff, Ann Hall read a message from Karen Moses, Brian Murphy, Janet Baum, Leo Wohler, Kelly McCarthy, Nanette Stevens, Lisa Bazant, Victoria Calendar, Diane Bertrand, Louise Estee, Dan Vierthaler, Darryl Grove, Judy Senteney, Mary Westwood, and Jeff Kinman. Those speaking in favor of extending Dr. Beeman’s contract were Joe Michels, Richard Clark Nancy Boyer, Ed Ulledalen, and Peter Gesuale. Paige Darden encouraged the public to pass local mill levies to support education and urged district leadership to find common ground to move the district forward.

 

SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT RENEWAL

 

Jeff Weldon, District legal counsel, gave background information on past and new contracts. He reviewed the proposed contract for Dr. Beeman.

 

Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Chair Bryan:

 

Motion to approve the resolution extending Dr. Beeman’s contract as present on Item C, page 3 dated September

13, 2011.

 

Trustee Smith was concerned that Dr. Beeman never stated he would take a pay cut to help the District and felt the District could not afford the contract. Trustee Wardell stated the District is in an economy where it has to do with less. She addressed the shortage of funds from the legislators. Trustee Wardell reported she supported the contract extension as the District must change the way it delivers education. Trustee Aragon stated she has been impressed with the Superintendent’s work and he helped pass the bonds which have been used for various projects. Trustee Graves felt that it seemed like the District is working from the top down and the top is losing sight at the bottom. He believed Dr. Beeman should sacrifice as the administrators have done and could not support the extension. Trustee Stroebe reported she also could not support the extension. Trustee Kemp reported he spoke to many people and was ready to vote. Trustee Ellis believed Dr. Beeman was not a good communicator and motivator and has not worked with the unions in negotiations. Trustee Moen felt Dr. Beeman worked hard to pass the bond levies and has communicated with the board well. Chair Bryan believed low morale is a two-way street and her concern is that student achievement is not discussed anymore. She praised Dr. Beeman for saving $2,500,000 last year. She stated she would support the contract extension.

 

Those voting in favor were Greta Besch Moen, Barbara Bryan, Kathy Aragon, and Connie Wardell. Those opposing the motion were Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Pam Ellis. The motion failed.

 

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Barbara Bryan, Chair

 

 

 

Diane Blevins, Recorder