Diane Blevins Posted April 13, 2012 Report Share Posted April 13, 2012 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana March 12, 2012 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, March 12, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Greta Besch Moen, Connie Wardell, Teresa Stroebe, Allen Halter, Lindy Graves, Kathy Aragon (arrived at 6:00), Assistant Superintent Gail Surwill and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Administrators present included Kathy Olson, Brenda Koch, and Jeanna Lervick. Trustees Kemp, Ellis, and Smith were excused. Registered guest was Karen Moses. 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. Kevin Nelson addressed the board regarding the misappropriations from the Department of Revenue. He stated he believed those funds belong to the taxpayers. He addressed the issue of the recalculation of the tax increment district on North 27th Street which went from $800,000 to $1,800,000. He urged the board to get involved to help assure the funds are appropriated correctly. Elysian School District received more funds than was allowed and School District #2 shouldered the entitlement payment for the two districts. ADVERTISING POLICY 4333 – 2ND READING Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moen: Motion to approve Advertising Policy 4333 on 2nd reading. Trustee Moen asked for a list of all of the exterior signage in a spreadsheet form, including details of starting and ending dates, and the extracurricular fund account that sales of advertising are deposited. She requested a discussion on sharing of the advertising funds from Senior and West with Skyview as Skyview is not on a busy street and does not receive as much advertisements. Trustee Halter believed it should be internal issues also as there are advertisements within the schools. He would like to see the list for both internal and external, and see who is receiving the resources from those funds. Trustee Graves made the following amendment with agreement by Trustee Moen: Motion to approve Advertising Policy 4333 on 2nd reading and send the policy back to the Performance Monitoring Committee for changes and then bring it to the board for 3rd reading. Those voting in favor were Greta Besch Moen, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moen: Motion to send Advertising Policy 4333 back to the Governance Committee and get the information requested by Trustee Moen. Those voting in favor were Greta Besch Moen, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. McPHERSON & JACOBSON SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH PROGESS Dr. Terry Donnick, Dr. Candace Donnick, and Dr Tom Jacobson were present from McPherson & Jacobsen recruitment services to discuss the superintendent search process. The next meeting will be held on April 30, 2012 to bring forth candidates. The past few days were spent meeting with stakeholders to receive input regarding the selection of a new superintendent. Dr. Terry Donnick said the stakeholders did not hold back on their responses to four questions. There were 200-300 people present at these meetings. Dr. Terry Donnick discussed the responses to the questions. The following are the four questions and the top two answers for each question: What are the greatest assets of the Greater Billings Community? Big city amenities in a small town atmosphere Wonderful place to raise a family (reported that it is the 3rd best community in the US to raise a family What are the strengths/assets of the Billings Public School District? Exceptional teachers who are committed to meeting the needs of all students The district has great kids What characteristics are most important in the next superintendent of the Billings Public School District? Someone who is trustworthy, honest and a person of integrity. A person who fosters respect. An effective communicator who will listen. What are the most significant district, community, or state issues the selected person will face and need to deal with in order to be effective immediately? The board is perceived as fractured, non-collaborative and fails to work together collegially. Lack of longevity of superintendents and trustees contributes to creating an educational environment that lacks of stability and direction. Dr. Jacobson reviewed the sample interview schedule for the candidates. Each candidate will experience one full day in the district. The board will meet prior to the interviews to identify the stakeholders that they wish to be part of the interview process. A meeting will be held with those people prior to the interviews and chairpersons named. Chair Stroebe reported interviews have been set up for May, 7, 8, 9, and 10. April 11th has been determined for the date for candidates to apply. A group from McPherson & Jacobson will come back on April 30th to go through the list of candidates. Trustee Moen asked if it was recommended any prospective board members be allowed to sit in on the interviews. Chair Stroebe reported that would be decided after March 29th as that is the cutoff date for filing for seats on the board. Concerns were raised as the May interview dates may need to be moved up earlier in the month. Trustee Moen suggested meeting on April 25th instead of April 30th with the McPherson & Jacobson group. A decision will be made after March 29th. Dr. Jacobson felt a salary range for the new superintendent could be decided this evening. Similar sized districts to Billings pay from $121,000 to $150,000 for Montana. Out of state, the range is $120,000 to $176.000. The board recommended the salary range as $155,000-$180,000 and a consensus was reached. Trustee Wardell asked Dr. Jacobson if interviews have been conducted by Skype and then bring the top two to Billings for another interview? Dr. Jacobson reported it has been done but felt it was best to have the candidates come to Billings. Trustee Graves felt it was better to interview candidates in person to determine their demeanor. Dr. Jacobson stated he wanted the board to be comfortable with the process. Trustee Moen asked if the interviews should be conducted in closed session as Montana has an open meeting law. Dr. Sunblad said it was important to respect the privacy of the individuals and closed meetings would be preferred. Jeanna Lervick, Human Resources Director, reported she would ask for a legal opinion before a decision would be made but expressed that Montana law would most likely not allow the meetings to be closed. Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Halter: Motion to adjourn. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Teresa Stroebe, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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