Ad Hoc Committee for Strategic Planning - October 14, 2011

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Proceedings of the Ad Hoc Committee for Strategic Planning

School District No. 2. Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

October 14, 2011

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Committee members met at 8:30 a.m., Friday, October 14, 2011, in Room 213 of the Lincoln Center. Ad Hoc Committee members in attendance were Trustees Barbara Bryan, Greta Besch Moen, and Connie Wardell. Also in attendance were Dr. Josh Middleton, Assistant Superintendent–Administration and Operations, Lew Anderson, Facilities Services, Jeff Greenfield, BEA President and Jodi Schreiber, parent.

 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC

There was no communication from the Public.

 

WEBEX CALL WITH FIELDING NAIR TO DISUSS RECENT SITE VISIT AND NEXT STEPS

 

Prakash Nair and Jennifer Lamar, (via WebEx), and the Committee discussed next steps/follow up process and dates Fielding Nair could return to Billings to present the draft report from the visioning event that was held September 19-21, 2011 in Billings.

 

Jennifer Lamar shared that the draft report should be completed the week of October 24, 2011. Ms. Lamar said Fielding Nair would like to schedule a date to return to Billings to present the findings of their report and recommendations November 7-8, 2011. Prakash Nair suggested a panel of five individuals, made up of; a teacher, student, and draw from the leadership group to review, give feedback, and make revisions to the draft report before the final report is completed. Mr. Nair said the report will be an instrument for the community to consider when deciding the next step to move forward.

 

Committee members asked a variety of question about the draft report. Jennifer Lamar said the report includes; community feedback of the surveys, recordings, public comments, concerns, questions, videos, etc. that were voiced by community members who attended the visioning focus event and focus groups meeting and the names of attendees present. Ms. Lamar explained the report is separated into the summary portion and the bulk of the report is the meeting group results, attendee names, visuals, and photos. Chair Bryan asked for a one to two page executive summary to be included.

 

Jodi Schreiber asked about the anticipated expenses for the services of Fielding Nair. Chair Bryan explained that the current contract is for $50,000, which covers Fielding Nair’s time for two trips to Billings for the visioning events and presentation of findings. The $50,000 does not include travel expenses and accommodations, however. Mr. Nair explained that additional costs incurred in the future would depend on the direction the community decides to go from here.

 

Prakash Nair stated that the aspirations and needs of our district are not so different from those of other school districts throughout the United States. He indicated that, based on his work in other countries, considerable progress in school design is being made around the world, but not so much in the United States. Forward movement in Billings could make the community a notational leader in school design for improved teachings and learning.

 

Additional discussion focused on feedback given by committee members who attended the visioning focus group and focus meeting groups.

 

The next presentation by Fielding Nair is tentatively scheduled for November 9-10, 2011. Mr. Josh Middleton, Chair Bryan, and Trustee Wardell will work on the logistics for the presentation. Mr. Nair suggested that a moderator be chosen for the presentation and that a video of the presentation be made and posted.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara Bryan; Chair, Ad Hoc Committee for 2011 Strategic Planning

 

 

 

 

 

Brenda Cross, Recorder