Education Committee Meeting April 11, 2005

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Proceedings of the Education Committee

School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

April 11, 2005

 

Call to Order

 

The Education Committee Meeting of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, and the High School District, Yellowstone County, Montana was duly held at The Lincoln Center, 415 North 30th Street, Billings, Montana, Monday, April 11, 2005 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Chairman Conrad Stroebe presided and led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Roll Call

 

The following were present at the meeting: Katharin Kelker, Conrad Stroebe, Kathy Olson, Shaun Harrington, Margaret Aukshun, Ann Barlow, Julie Sykes, Karen Ziegler, Kip Farnum, Kyle Colling. Karen Rice was excused.

 

Minutes of March 14, 2005 Education Committee

 

Kathy Kelker moved, and Julie Sykes seconded, a motion that the minutes of the March 14, 2005 Education Committee be approved as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Educational Factors Relevant in the Study of High School Capacity

 

Kathy Olson explained that at the March meeting members of the 20 Year Facilities Planning Committee made a presentation regarding their three scenarios to deal with overcrowding in the high schools. Kathy pointed out that all of the scenarios include freshmen on their school campus, no academies for freshmen off campus. Kathy Olson went through each of the scenarios as presented in the agenda.

 

Katharin Kelker stated that in her opinion a high value is placed on equity; as in offering the same or equal educational opportunities at each school. She does not feel that equity is included on these scenarios. The facilities should not stand in the way of the opportunities of students.

 

Conrad Stroebe stated that the High School Template was not mentioned. Other ideas need to be considered.

 

Ann Barlow stated that she had recently visited the Career Center and was impressed by the educational opportunities. She asked if the perception was positive for it being a vocational school. Conrad Stroebe stated that it has never been decided which direction the Career Center should do. There has not been a discussion of the pros and cons of turning it into a full high school. Ann Barlow stated that the program was impressive and valuable. Julie Sykes asked if the name were changed to a high school would it change the perception?

 

Shaun Harrington feels that the scenario would necessitate freshmen to make the decision to follow a vocational path too soon when they’re not ready to make that kind of decision. Their decisions could change over time.

 

Kyle Colling had spoken to drop outs who stated they may have stayed in school if they could have gone to the Career Center. Sports and extracurricular activities are great but some students cannot participate because of their grades.

 

Kathy Olson stated that in past years it has been difficult for the counselors to get students to go to Career Center.

 

Conrad Stroebe asked if activities would increase Career Center attendance.

 

Karen Ziegler feels Career Center should be left as is because it benefits lots of students now. There is a different style of education at Career Center. Classes are smaller and colleague to colleague, teacher working with the students, building together. With 11th and 12th grade students they are treated more as adults. Mr. McGahan, Principal at Career Center, would rather see more offerings for each level instead of different grades. The boundaries would have to be changed to fill up the school.

 

Kathy Kelker stated there is a need to have academics at Career Center. There is no special education program there. Ann Barlow stated that she is an advocate for the Career Center. She stated that of the 500 top jobs, 75 percent are vocational in nature.

 

Margaret Aukshun is concerned with scenario #1. Lower capacity is not necessarily better and there are no smaller learning communities.

 

Kathy Kelker asked what are the educational factors? Career Center offers a flexible atmosphere relevant to the job market not a comprehensive high school.

 

One scenario was putting Lockwood students at Lincoln Center which would make for a smaller learning community. Location of school would make a big impact on the Lockwood kids. Crossroads kids have moved from a smaller area and the school size was overwhelming. Make sure all kids have an opportunity to have a smaller learning community. Kyle Colling stated fewer students in the classroom would be beneficial. Margaret Aukshun stated that there would be no equity at Lincoln. Conrad Stroebe stated that the Lockwood community is stirred up by this scenario, and they have formed their own task force to discuss the issues. About two-thirds would like to have a school in Lockwood. They are consistent in that they don’t like the idea of being told where their kids can go to school. We will need to deal with boundaries. The long term committee has ignored the High School Template and the smaller learning concept.

 

Margaret Aukshun spoke to the fact that as far as the academies go, it may be good for the freshmen classes at the academies, but is not good for the classes at the schools because, for the most part, classes are not 9th grade, 10th grade, etc. Classes have 9th to 12th grade students, not just freshmen. The only classes that are strictly 9th grade are English.

 

Career Center is not large enough to have a high school added into their current program.

 

Karen Ziegler stated that the fact still remains that we need a new high school. It is best for kids and their educational needs to have a new high school.

 

Julie Sykes stated that we need to look at the long and short term planning committee reports.

 

World History Textbook Review

 

Shaun Harrington stated that the committee has selected the McDougal Littell series. District criteria and department criteria were weighted, and the vote was 6-5. The materials will be available for review for 30 days, then we will proceed with the adoption. The committee is being asked to approve the adoption on first reading. It will then go to the Board for second reading and back to this committee for third and final reading. Shaun stated that the series is supported by both textbooks and CDs. All teaching materials are “free” with the purchase of textbooks. We need 1625 textbooks which will include 15-18 teacher support material kids. This is a sophomore level curriculum.

 

Conrad Stroebe asked if students could get the book on CD instead of a textbook or in addition to a textbook. Shaun replied that was possible although most students choose textbooks. The materials are also available online.

 

Katharin Kelker moved to approve the recommended McDougal Littell World History materials on first reading. Ann Barlow seconded the motion. This motion was approved unanimously.

 

Family & Consumer Science Curriculum Adoptions

 

Shaun Harrington stated that the Café’ Protégé was added. There are four curricular areas. We will be purchasing the classroom sets after 30 days. We will not be buying books for each student in the course.

 

Katharin Kelker moved to approve adaptations to the culinary arts curriculum and Kyle Colling seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Special Education Parental Survey

 

Kathy Olson stated that surveys are available in the book that the parents are given. Numerous surveys went out to the parents. Data is in the book that was given to the Board. It is expensive to do another one. Kathy Olson said it is time to start implementing the changes instead of doing more surveys. Kathy Kelker stated that we need to look at information from the parents. Some parents stated that kids are moved around too much in special ed and may have programs in various schools. Are we meeting the needs of the families? Kathy Kelker wants to look at information from the survey. Ann Barlow stated it should be part of the IEP process that parents need to be seen as a resource and a part of the team. Communication is a very important part. Kathy Olson will bring the survey results to the next meeting.

 

Innovative Program Committee Report

 

Conrad Stroebe gave a report on the Innovative Program Committee,

the smaller learning communities K-8 application in this district. Bill Briggs has moved so is no longer part of this committee. Kip Farnum felt he had nothing to add. Looking at K-8 concept, he likes the idea but it is hard to implement in this district. Block scheduling is great but is the most costly because it would require an increase in FTE. Teachers need to plan for larger class periods. There are less discipline referrals and it allows for more integrated studies.

 

Kathy Kelker stated that Superintendent Rod Svee is interested in grades 6-7-8 configuration. AYP needs three years for testing preparation. Conrad Stroebe feels we need different configurations in district with the pros and cons of each. Kip stated that the 6-7-8 configuration could be problematic because of certifications. Kathy Olson asked what you would do with kids who move from one configuration to another? Kathy Olson stated that there is no capacity now for 6-7-8, not for the whole feeder system. Conrad Stroebe asked if 6th graders in a middle school concept would bring in more dollars. Kathy Kelker stated that Montessori should be looked at as a model. Bozeman Schools have 6-7-8 and use block scheduling.

 

Helena has full day kindergarten. The price of full day kindergarten would be $1.3 million which is mostly teachers’ salaries, and there would be space issues.

 

Smaller Learning Communities Grant Update

 

This was an informational item. Margaret Aukshun asked about Skyview’s report. Kathy Olson was not aware of the reason it wasn’t included.

 

Information Sheets – FYI

 

Kathy Olson stated that grants are being submitted for programs for highly gifted students. The Jacob K. Javits grant could bring in $200,000 to $400,000 per year for three years. This is for students in grades K-6.

 

There being no other items of business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

 

 

 

_________________________________

Conrad Stroebe, Chairman

 

 

 

________________________

Nancy Coe, Recorder