Diane Blevins Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana May 17, 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, May 17, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. Members present included Trustees Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, Allen Halter, Connie Wardell, District Clerk Leo Hudetz, and Superintendent Jack Copps. Registered guests included Bruce Swanson, Mariah Welch, Alli Kieckbush, May Westwood, Mackenzie DuBeau, John Daubert, Kellon Wartnow, Alonzo Daniel Maruez, Molly Stott, Terry Little, Chris Goodridge, Pam Christianson, Tina Postel, Conrad Stroebe, and 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. Mary Westwood commended the board for its continuing effort of boardsmanship. She spoke in support of Leo Hudetz as the CFO as he is the most honest person and the district would gain a good financial officer. Ms. Westwood felt the board had good candidates for superintendent and hoped the board would pick the right person to lead this district. Bruce Swanson stated the person the board chooses will bring on the common core standards and will lead this district. Chris Goodridge reported he was impressed with the entire superintendent candidates and it was a good process. He urged the board to gain more public involvement. He supported Terry Bouck as the new superintendent as he was impressed with the way Mr. Bouck cut the budget in his current district starting with himself and his salary. Kevin Nelson reported the city of Billings is going to sell a parking garage which was finished with tax increment district. The city wants to take the money and use it. Mr. Nelson felt it should go back to the tax increment district and suggested the district ask for those dollars. In 2008, taxpayers paid an inflated tax due to the tax increment district. There is approximately $486,000 in the inflationary adjustment which could be available each year. Mr. Nelson believed the school district should stand up to the constitution and request those funds. Tina Postel, YMCA CEO, spoke on behalf of Terry Bouck as the new superintendent. He not only focuses on the school district but also focuses on the community as a problem solver. Shelli Strouf, Senior High Assistant Principal, introduced students who interviewed the five superintendent candidates. The students in turn expressed their opinions on each candidate. Their top pick for superintendent was Dr. Gary Gray. CANVASS OF VOTES—MAY 8 ELECTION—ELEMENTARY/HIGH SCHOOL TRUSTEE BY SINGLE MEMBER DISTRICT-ZONES 4 AND 6 Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moen: Motion to approve the official canvass of votes from the May 8, 2012 Election, Elementary/High School Trustee Single Member District -- Zone 4. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moen: Motion to approve the official canvass of votes from the May 8, 2012 Election, Elementary/High School Trustee Single Member District -- Zone 6. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the canvass of votes: Zone 4 -- 3 Year Term Votes For Kathleen Aragon 1,717 Dennis Johnson 1,473 Zone 6 -- 3 Year Term Allen Halter 2,699 Mary Jo Fox 1,963 HIGH SCHOOL TRUSTEE—MAY 8 ELECTION—NOMINATING DISTRICT A Trustee Stroebe was nominated by acclimation. CANVASS OF VOTES--MAY 8, 2012 ELECTION: ELEMENTARY TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND DEPRECIATION FUND LEVY ELECTION; ELEMENTARY MILL LEVY ELECTION; HIGH SCHOOL MILL LEVY ELECTION; ELEMENTARY BUILDING RESERVE LEVY ELECTION; HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING RESERVE LEVY ELECTION; CANVASS AND CERTIFICATE OF ELEMENTARY BOND ELECTION; CANVASS AND CERTIFICATE OF HIGH SCHOOL BOND ELECTION Trustee Moen made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the official canvass of votes from the May 8, 2012 Mail Ballot Election for the Elementary Technology Acquisition and Depreciation Fund Levy. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Smith and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The following are the canvass of votes: Votes Against 16,816 Votes For 11,838 Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to approve the official canvass of votes from the May 8, 2012 Mail Ballot Election for the Elementary Mill Levy. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Smith and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The following are the canvass of votes: Votes Against 16,204 Votes For 12,448 Trustee Smith made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to approve the official canvass of votes from the May 8, 2012 Mail Ballot Election for the High School Mill Levy. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the canvass of votes: Votes Against 18,108 Votes For 15,884 Trustee Halter made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moen: Motion to approve the official canvass of votes from the May 8, 2012 Mail Ballot Election for the Elementary Building Reserve Levy. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Smith and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The following are the canvass of votes: Votes Against 15,972 Votes For 11,667 Trustee Smith made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to approve the official canvass of votes from the May 8, 2012 Mail Ballot Election for the High School Building Reserve Levy. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the canvass of votes: Votes Against 19,734 Votes For 13,857 Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the official canvass of votes of the Elementary Bond Election by Mail Ballot on May 8, 2012 Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Stroebe and Smith are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The following is the canvass: Votes Against 12,482 Votes For 15,975 Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to approve the Certificate of Elementary Bond Election by Mail Ballot on May 8, 2012 as attached to the agenda with great gratitude to the public. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Stroebe and Smith are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moen: Motion to approve the official canvass of votes on the High School Bond Election by Mail Ballot on May 8, 2012 with great gratitude to the public. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. The following is the canvass of votes: Votes Against 15,836 Votes For 17,938 Trustee Smith made the following motion with a second by Trustee Halter: Motion to approve the Certificate of High School Bond Election by Mail Ballot on May 8, 2012 as attached to the agenda. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. ADMINISTERING OATHS AND REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD District Clerk Leo Hudetz administered the oath of office to Trustees Halter, Stroebe, and Aragon. Max Lennington, Yellowstone County Superintendent gave Mr. Hudetz permission to administer the oath as he was unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Hudetz opened the nominations for board chair. Trustee Aragon nominated Teresa Stroebe. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. Trustee Stroebe was unanimously elected as board chair. Mr. Hudetz opened the nominations for vice-chair. Trustee Wardell nominated Allen Halter. Trustee Graves nominated Travis Kemp. Those voting in favor of Trustee Halter were Trustees Wardell, Halter, Stroebe, Aragon, and Moen. Those voting in favor of Trustee Kemp were Trustees Graves, Kemp, Smith, and Ellis. Trustee Halter was elected as vice-chair. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/CLERK POSITION 2012-2013 Superintendent Copps stated a district of 16,000 students should have a chief financial officer especially one that has a budget of over $100,000,000. That person should also be a certified public accountant, knowledgeable about school finances, and someone who is familiar with School District 2. Mr. Copps recommended Leo Hudetz to fill the dual positions. It would save the district over $50,000 instead of hiring a new person. He further stated Mr. Hudetz feels strongly that the Budgeting for Results Committee be reinstated. Trustee Wardell made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon: Motion to divide the position. Those voting in favor were Connie Wardell, Teresa Stroebe, Kathy Aragon, and Greta Besch Moen. Those opposing were Lindy Graves, Pam Ellis, Allen Halter, Travis Smith, and Travis Kemp. The motion failed. Trustee Graves made the following motion with a second by Trustee Kemp: Motion to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation that Leo Hudetz be appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer and Clerk which will be combined for the 2012-2013 year. Trustee Wardell felt the recommendation should come from the new superintendent and a very capable person in Patricia Hubbard who could be the CFO. Ms. Hubbard addressed the board to say she met with Superintendent Copps and Leo Hudetz and she felt Mr. Hudetz has been an asset to the district and it would be good to have someone with school finance experience to serve as CFO. She advocated for the superintendent’s recommendation. Trustee Aragon believed it was good to separate the two positions as it was important to be able to answer directly to the board. She recommended speaking to past trustees about the decision to assure that the clerk answers to the board without a conflict of interest. Trustee Ellis spoke in favor of combine the two positions as the chair of the Audit Committee was adamant that the district have someone with a certified public accountant. The auditing firm of Eide Bailly agreed with the Audit Committee chair. Trustees Smith and Kemp spoke in favor of Mr. Hudetz filling both positions. Trustee Moen voiced her concern about the transparency of how the position came about in the community. She asked what other districts do. Superintendent Copps reported Bozeman has been successful for years in having Steve Johnson fill both positions. Trustee Wardell asked what the salary would be for the CFO/Clerk position. Mr. Copps reported it would be approximately $100,000. Travis Smith stated, if another person were hired as CFO, that person would be paid $100,000 which would not save the district any money. Trustee Graves stated, as per Montana law, the clerk is the keeper of the records, takes the minutes of the board meeting, and gives information when requests are made. He called for the question. Those voting in favor were Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Smith, Travis Kemp, and Teresa Stroebe. Opposing were Connie Wardell and Kathy Aragon. The motion passed. Chair Stroebe administered the oath of office to Leo Hudetz. SELECTION OF SUPERINTENDENT Chair Stroebe stated Dr. Thomas Jacobson from the search firm of McPherson & Jacobson was present to aid in the process. Conrad Stroebe addressed the board and urged them to use the Fielding Nair Report as a guideline as the district must stop going through superintendents every few years. Dr. Jacobson felt the process works and the board had five good candidates from which to choose. His firm has the process but the board must make the decision. Trustee Ellis reported she spoke to principals and people who work at the Lincoln Center. Those people told her that they felt good about Doug Reisig and Terry Bouck. Trustee Ellis made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion that the district hire Terry Bouck as the next superintendent. Trustee Ellis amended the motion with approval of Trustee Kemp: Motion to discuss the advantages of Doug Reisig and Terry Bouck. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Ellis spoke to the principals in the Heights and other district administrators who informed her that they were impressed with Mr. Bouck and felt he was the full package. She was impressed that Mr. Bouck took a pay cut when the budget was tight in his district and felt he was able to communicate with the people in the community. Chair Stroebe noted one of the qualities of Doug Reisig is he is from Montana and understands state funding. However, Mr. Reisig is from a district of 1,300 whereas Terry Bouck is from a district of 8,000. Travis Smith voiced his concern that Mr. Bouck might want to hire consultants whereas a person from a smaller district would want to do things himself. Trustee Halter noted that Mr. Reisig is from Billings but both have excellent qualities. He voiced his concern that he worried about how long Mr. Bouck would stay in the district. Trustee Aragon reported she received a call from an administrator in Tacoma who informed her Mr. Bouck has a solid reputation, an excellent leadership style, and has improved student achievement in every district in which he served. Trustee Moen stated her first choice is Terry Bouck but both candidates were open and transparent. Mr. Bouck has also led a thirty-year facilities plan. Trustee Graves also voiced his concern about Mr. Bouck’s longevity but felt he would build relationships in the community. He stated Mr. Reisig has built relationships with legislators and is an elementary principal which is important in moving K-3 students forward. Trustee Wardell suggested a straw vote and the unanimously vote for the chosen candidate. Trustees selecting Doug Reisig were Travis Kemp, Teresa Stroebe and Travis Smith. Those selecting Terry Bouck were Pam Ellis, Greta Besch Moen, Kathy Aragon, Connie Wardell, Lindy Graves, and Allen Halter. Trustee Ellis made the following motion with a second by Trustee Wardell: Motion to direct Jeff Weldon and McPherson and Jacobson to negotiate a contract with Terry Bouck. Dr. Jacobson reported negotiations would be for a competitive salary with nothing else included. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Aragon made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moen: Motion to adjourn. Those voting in favor were Kathy Aragon, Greta Besch Moen, Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Allen Halter, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith, Teresa Stroebe, and Connie Wardell. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Teresa Stroebe, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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