coen Posted June 15, 2012 Report Share Posted June 15, 2012 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana May 9, 2012 Call to Order The Special Board Meeting of the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County and High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana was duly held at the Lincoln Center, Billings, Montana on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. Roll Call Members present included: Trustees Connie Wardell, Dr. Greta Besch Moen, Teresa Stroebe, Lindy Graves, Pam Ellis, Allen Halter, Kathy Aragon, Travis Kemp, Travis Smith; Clerk Leo Hudetz; Administrative Staff: Jeana Lervick. Registered guests were Mary Westwood and Bruce Swanson The meeting was called to order by Chair Teresa Stroebe at 5:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was said. COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC Mary Westwood addressed the board and congratulated them on the election results. She particularly congratulated Trustees Pam Ellis, Lindy Graves, Travis Kemp, Allen Halter, Teresa Stroebe and Travis Smith on their work on the passage of the bond issues. She feels this is a sign the board is beginning to work together. Bruce Swanson, Laurel, addressed the board. The board had not received the grade transcripts from the superintendent candidates. INTERVIEW DR. DOUGLAS REISIG FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Dr. Reisig thanked the board for the opportunity to interview for the superindent position and said he feels honored to be chosen for an interview. He outlined his background and stated that he has not applied for another job since starting his position in Missoula but he feels now is the time. He wants kids in Billings to feel as special as he did growing up and going to school here. Jeana Lervick, Director of Human Resources, asked him a series of 25 questions. He feels that Billings sits on the cusp of change and he has a plan and a vision. He said that good communication skills involve actively listening. He feels that education is about the kids and providing good education for them. He would let the community know they are welcome and he would reach out to the community, help people understand how and what we are doing in the schools. We need to understand from them how they feel. He feels there are challenges in Billings. He said you cannot change the culture of the school district without changing the culture of the community. You need to work in partnershiop with the community. Regarding finances, he feels that you need to make your priorities your core beliefs. According to the website, the core beliefs are small class sizes, neighborhood schools, professional development. These should be funded as core beliefs. His compass is the students – the challenge is to make sure programs are preparing them for the future and not the past. For staff, he would help people to get into positions to be successful and what is best for the district and the students. He feels that strategic planning is important and that you must involve the stakeholders both in and out of the district. You need to have benchmarks and need to have a process in place to move forward. Staff – uniform acceptance, equal educational opportunity, political and moral do right by kids, teachers need to understand the art of teaching, positive relatonships with kids. Need students to be actively involved in their education. We must be clear in our expecations and needs and where the money is going to be spent in regard to needs. Having quality schools is not only good for the students, but is also good for the community. Instructional priorities of students are paramount. Positive things going on in the schools all the time. Student achievement needs to be curriculum, instruction and assessments that are meaningful. He would describe his leadership stye as participatory. He makes decisions by getting the best and most information available at the time. He is passionate about his beliefs of what is best for kids. He thinks the board should put their personal issues aside and act professional. His goals would be: 1) stop bad-mouthing; 2) shift attention to the position; 3) share information; 4) sustainable effort will take time; 4) starts day one. He sees the biggest challenge going forward as trust. He will bring management, leadership and vision. He would have a vibrant outreach program to help the community understand what the district is trying to do. He knows the “Billings way.” He would be honest, trustworthy, respectful, and forgiving. He would be a listener, would get out of the office, take input from all kinds of sources, promote needs in the community. This would take time. Common core should serve as a baseline. Early childhood education should be the educational foundation. The 21st century learning is very important. Dr. Reisig asked the board what they expected in a superintendent. Trustee Kemp wants someone to be outside the office. Trustee Ellis working on the election as to involve staff, need to engage the community always. Trustee Wardell is concerned about the difference in size and state funding from his current position. He stated that you have to make the community understand what we are planning. Outreach needs to be done constantly even when we do not need money. Trustee Aragon stated that she wants a collaborative style. Trustee Halter would like someone who speaks to everyone with the same voice, board, students, staff, etc. Trustee Halter made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded and the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Teresa Stroebe, Board Chair Nancy Coe, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.