Special Board Meeting, October 24, 2011

[Diane Blevins]

Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

October 24, 2011

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The Special 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, October 24, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Members present included Trustees Connie Wardell, Greta Besch Moen, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Kathy Aragon, Teresa Stroebe, Travis Smith, Pam Ellis, Associate Superintendent Josh Middleton, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz.

 

Registered guests included Autumn Moore, Jeff Weldon, Chris Goodridge, Mary Westwood, Valeri McMurtry, Karen Moses, Kim Lemke, and Wade Spartz.

 

Leo Hudetz, District Clerk, gave an outline of how the meeting was called by Trustees Pam Ellis and Lindy Graves who called the meeting after the resignation of Chair Bryan. Trustee Moen went through the timeline after the resignation. Mr. Hudetz reported he contacted Jeff Weldon, district attorney, who stated a special meeting could be called on Friday following the resignation to elect a new chair. Trustee Moen voiced her concern that trustees need to trust each other and there was no predictability for the community.

 

Trustee Stroebe stated she was glad all members were present at the meeting and they needed to make sure everyone was comfortable in moving forward. Trustee Aragon wanted to make sure the members were polled for availability before calling a special meeting.

 

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. There were no public comments.

 

DECLARATION OF VACANCY--ELEMENTARY/H.S. TRUSTEE OF SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT, ZONE 6

 

Jeff Weldon reported there was nothing typical in what this board is experiencing right now. The vacancy created by the resignation of Trustee Bryan requires board action. The first step is for the board to declare a vacancy. Board policy states a board should accept a resignation at the next regularly scheduled meeting which is not in state statute but could mean the next scheduled meeting pursuant to law. If there are any interested candidates, they may contact Leo Hudetz’s office before the regularly scheduled meeting. Mr. Hudetz reported he contacted the Montana School Board Association (MSBA) and was told the vacancy should be declared at a regularly scheduled meeting.

 

Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moen:

 

Motion to table the declaration of vacancy.

 

Trustee Stroebe felt the board worked better when thinking through an issue and wanted consensus and unity in moving forward. Mr. Weldon suggested referring the policy to the Policy Review Committee for clarification and stated filling the

position as soon as possible makes sense.

 

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

 

Trustee Ellis made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stroebe:

 

Motion to refer Policy 1112 to the Policy Review Committee and to consider modifications to language which would state a trustee vacancy is filled no later than the next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

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

 

ELECTION OF BOARD CHAIR

 

Mr. Hudetz stated if a tie vote occurred, voting would continue until a decision is reached. Mr. Weldon urged the members to conduct an oral vote, not a paper ballot, as the public has the right to know how the members vote. Roberts’ Rules of Order are a guide for the board to follow in the election process.

 

Trustee Graves made the following motion which failed due to a second:

 

Motion to break a tie vote with a coin toss.

 

Trustee Ellis made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell:

 

Motion to vote up to five times for board chair and then continue it to the next regularly scheduled meeting if all votes result in a tie.

 

Vice-Chair Aragon would continue to act as chair until a new chair is elected. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Hudetz opened the floor for nominations. Trustee Kemp nominated Lindy Graves. Trustee Moen nominated Teresa Stroebe. Vice-Chair Aragon asked the candidates to speak to their qualifications.

 

Trustee Stroebe reported consensus is important to her and the healing of this board. She was more concerned about how we are examples and how to proceed in the best interest of the committee. She has served ten years as a trustee on the Lockwood Board and eight years on the MTSBA board. She reported she has the experience, the will, and the desire.

 

Trustee Graves stated he was a county commissioner in South Dakota for one and one-half years as well as a member of 10--15 various boards. He could not remember the last time this board talked about kids. He believed this board needs a chair who will step forward and represent the taxpayers’ dollars. Mr. Graves stated the members have to step back and allow staff to work. He stated that none of Doug Eadie’s suggestions have been followed. He recommended the reinstatement of the Budgeting for Results Committee and get community members involved.

 

After two votes, the elections were tied. Those voting for Lindy Graves were Travis Smith, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, and Travis Kemp. Those voting for Teresa Stroebe were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The third vote is as follows: For Teresa Stroebe, Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell; For Lindy Graves, Lindy Graves, Pam Ellis, and Travis Kemp. Teresa Stroebe was elected the chair.

 

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Teresa Stroebe, Chair

 

 

 

Diane Blevins, Recorder