March 15, 2005 Minutes

[obied]

Proceedings of the 20-Year Facilities Planning Committee

District No. 2 Yellowstone County

Billings, MT

 

March 15, 2005

 

This meeting was called to order by co Chair, Barbara Bryan on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 213 at Lincoln Center.

 

Members Present: Barbara Bryan, Randy Hafer, Ed Workman, Donell Small, Tim Cranston, Peggie Smith, Ludlow Howe

 

Members Absent: Matt Brosovich, Larry Brewster, Mike Marnin, John Eisen

 

Approval of Minutes: None at this meeting

 

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS All those involved so far in the public presentations of the scenarios reported that they have gone well. Today there was a presentation to the BEA with approximately 63 people present.

 

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE UPDATE

Peggie presented an updated presentations calendar with various groups. Those present volunteered to present on the unfilled dates. It was agreed that we would keep track of the attendance at each session and include that data in the report.

 

TELEVISED REPORT ON SCENARIOS

Channel 2 aired a segment on the scenarios, listing four scenarios rather than the three put forth by this committee. Barb reported that John Eisen had called the station and asked where the information on a fourth scenario was obtained. He was informed that the information came from board chair Kathy Kelker. We will notify the station that the information aired did not accurately reflect the work of this committee. It was also suggested that we invite the media to a meeting to inform them of our committee work and progress.

 

HANDOUTS FOR PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

Barb has not yet heard from attorney Jeff Weldon or from Supt. Rod Svee as to approvals to send our handout on the scenarios home with district students. She will keep trying.

 

BUSINESS COMMITTEE & SCHOOL COMMUNITY PRESENTATION

The committee made a presentation on the high school scenarios to a joint meeting of the district’s School/Community and Business committee on March 14. The scenarios and related issues were then discussed with the committees individually. The Business Committee asked for additional information on our population and enrollment numbers, for a breakdown of estimated capital cost, and for information on estimated operating costs. We agreed to provide this additional information.

 

The Business Committee also expressed concern about sending home our handout with SD2 students. Part of the concern is that people might confuse our planning process with current discussions about elementary and high school mil levies.

 

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

A committee report is on the agenda for the March 21, 2005 school board meeting. Barb urged members of the committee to attend. Some of the items to be addressed are:

 

o Review our presentation handout and public comment form

o An update on our scheduled public presentations

o A brief overview of the high school scenarios

o Communication of our desire to send the scenarios handouts and public comments forms home with students before school year end

o Concerns about possible sale of the Crossroads Alternative School

o Discussion of our planning schedule, and a request for extension of our planning timeframe

o A request that all media inquiries about the high school scenarios be directed to our committee to avoid confusion created by inaccurate media reports

 

OTHER

Barb reported that she has an article on the scenarios ready to go to the “Outpost” and will find out if the “Billings Gazette” is interested in publishing it as well. She is also working on an article about why ninth grade students don’t belong in middle school.

 

With no further business the meeting adjourned at 8:35. The next meeting will be next Tuesday, March 22nd at 6:30 p.m. We will also meet at 6:30 pm on the 29th. After that, we will have to find alternative meeting times due our public presentation schedule.

 

______________________

Barbara Bryan, Co-Chair

 

Donna Obie

Recorder