Diane Blevins Posted June 15, 2005 Report Share Posted June 15, 2005 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana May 25, 2005 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 25, 2005, at 5:30 p.m. Those present included: Superintendent Rod Svee, Katharin Kelker, Joel Guthals, Sandra Mossman, Conrad Stroebe, Clerk Leo Hudetz, Malcolm Goodrich, Dale Getz, and Karen Moses. Dawn Achten was absent. The Chair reported new assignments have been made to the three standing committees for the Board members. The new assignments will begin in June. 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. Denise Goodman addressed the Board and urged the members to reconsider the reinstatement of Integration Specialists. She stated the specialists are a valuable asset for students in her reading classes. Administrative Recommendation to Balance the 2006 High School Budget Through Certified Staff Reduction Budget; Administrative Recommendation to Terminate Nontenured Elementary Teachers for Budgetary Reasons Thomas Harper reviewed the line items on the handout for the Board members. The cost for gas and electricity will be slightly over what was originally budgeted for the 2005 budget. Trustee Getz was concerned about the risk if the numbers for 2006 would not be enough if a typical Montana winter were to occur. The $25,000 budgeted for food in line item 630 is for Consumer Science classes. Replacement textbooks will be purchased out of 640 and books that had been planned to purchase for this year. Trustee Moses asked about year-end dollars. Superintendent Svee reported he is not anticipating any year-end dollars. If by any chance there would be year-end dollars, it will be brought before the Board for a decision. Mr. Harper reported account 650 is for periodicals are for library reference books. Minor equipment, account 660, is for items under $5,000 and are used in the classrooms. Approximately $60,000 of 661 (Minor Computer Hardware) is for the infrastructure. Trustee Goodrich asked if the system had to be updated. Superintendent Svee reported all grade books are kept on the system and reports must be electronically generated to the state. Superintendent Svee reviewed the handout involving the reduction in FTE. The $300,000 necessary cuts could come from shifts in FTE or other possible cuts could be $25,000 for an attorney, $40,000 in technology, and $60,000 for the JMG (Jobs for Montana Graduates) contract and personnel. The amount for supplies per student is $160, which has not changed in six years. Indirect transfers are an allowable item. Amounts can be taken from the federal grants for indirect costs, or administrative expenses. The planned percentage for indirect expenses for elementary is 1.35%-7.93% and 1.47%-8.64% in the high school. If the administration follows its plan, indirect costs reimbursement will generate $279,667 in the elementary and $24,793 in the high school, but it would decrease the grants which would impact students. If more is taken out of the high school grants, it would impact the elementary grants. Trustee Moses asked if staff would be hired for Read 180. Dan Martin reported no new hires will take place but a shift in the Special Education staff would be expected. The advantage of Read 180 is it would give the services to all students, not just the students eligible for the grants. Superintendent Svee reported MAC (Medicaid Administrative Claimant) money has replaced voted levies for the last two years. When the process began to obtain the MAC monies, it had been the hope to give it to the buildings, but that has not been able to occur. The transportation shifts replaced the voted levies last year. Mr. Svee reported another possibility for funds is from a transfer from the debt service, as the Skyview bonds will be paid off. It is anticipated there may be $650,000 from that transfer. The State has informed Mr. Harper those funds could be put into building, flex or technology funds. Dan Martin stated it would be wise to hold onto some of that money because it is not known if the District could pass another building reserve levy. The budget contains $180,000 for resignation/termination pay for 2006, with an actual of $433,000 in the elementary district. There are a number of administrators retiring, but they are paid out of the compensated absence funds. The compensated absence fund will be exhausted this year and there is no way to replenish it for next year. It is expected there will be fewer administrators retiring next year, but there could be more teachers as the teachers’ contract is in the third year. Trustee Goodrich asked what would happen if the supply line item were reduced to $140 per student in the high school. Dan Martin reported teachers will either do without or will provide the materials out of their own pockets. Trustee Kelker stated she was reluctant to make the last cuts in a hasty manner, as it is difficult to understand what the implications will be. Trustee Stroebe requested options to run a mill levy. Superintendent Svee stated the District has the option to run a mill levy until August 15th. The notice cut off date would be July 6th. Trustee Stroebe requested guidelines to run a mill levy for a future discussion. He also asked if the elementary district could transfer funds into the high school district. Mr. Svee stated it is not as easy as it seems because each district is an individual district. It is easier in a unified district where the elementary and high school districts are one in the same. Trustee Stroebe wanted to find out if it were possible to transfer from budgeted fund to budgeted fund to solve the $300,000 problem. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Getz, for the purpose of discussion: Move that the administration and this Board take such steps as necessary to effect a $300,000 reduction in the high school budget to bring it into balance for the 05/06 fiscal year. Trustee Goodrich stated he was hoping to get the Board members to agree to bring the budget into balance. Trustee Guthals asked if the motion precludes the Board from looking at the revenue side. Trustee Goodrich did not feel it does as the Board has already made the decision not to run a mill levy this year. It would require reconsideration of that decision. Trustee Guthals asked if there were other opportunities for revenue that have not been explored. The Chair stated the list addressed by the Superintendent named other areas for revenue. Superintendent Svee stated there are possibilities but they are limited. Trustee Goodrich added to his motion and restated it as follows: Move to balance the budget by either reducing the appropriate amount to bring it into balance, or to secure alternative sources of funding to bring it into balance. Trustee Getz seconded the motion. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dale Getz, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Karen Moses, Sandra Mossman and Conrad Stroebe. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Getz: Move to reduce the budget by the four-health enhancement and PE FTE, and one language arts teacher, which is approximately $150,000. Trustee Goodrich stated he is very troubled in eliminating any FTE, as it will have an impact on students and teachers. Superintendent Svee reported the health enhancement positions were no longer needed. Trustee Moses stated she opposed the motion. Mr. Svee reported, if the four Integration Specialists were kept, the Board would exceed the hiring freeze by 2.6. Superintendent Svee stated he had hopes of reinstating the one health enhancement teacher soon. Trustee Goodrich hoped to eliminate the superfluous positions in order to have further discussion about the Integration Specialists. Trustee Stroebe stated he could support the motion only if the hiring freeze was lifted. Those voting in favor were Dale Getz, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, and Sandra Mossman. Karen Moses and Conrad Stroebe opposed the motion. The motion passed. Superintendent Svee stated there is the need to notify one individual for non-renewal in the elementary district, as the budget is still short by approximately $15,000. Trustee Moses made the following motion with a second by Trustee Goodrich: Move to reject the recommendation of administration to notice one non-renewal for budgetary reasons. Karen Moses voted in favor of the motion. Those opposed were Dale Getz, Malcolm Goodrich, Katharin Kelker, and Sandra Mossman. The motion failed. Trustees Guthals and Stroebe are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Trustee Getz made the following motion with a second by Trustee Goodrich: Move to accept the administration’s plan for non-renewal of one in the elementary for budgetary reasons. Those voting in favor were Dale Getz, Malcolm Goodrich, Katharin Kelker, and Sandra Mossman. Karen Moses opposed the motion. The motion passed. Trustees Guthals and Stroebe were ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The Chair stated, in the future, there will be a healthy discussion of ways to deal with the budget to maintain the program that involves technology integration and other areas that are prioritized as important. Superintendent Svee reported it will go through the Business Committee but it will come before the Board for the final decisions. Trustee Goodrich asked if the Board would consider a special meeting to discuss the budget matters. A meeting to discuss the budget will be scheduled. Mr. Svee stated the April 25th motion has been rescinded and the Integration Specialists will remain in the high school. There is still $150,000 to be cut from the budget. Trustee Getz was excused from the meeting. Resolution for Establishing Crossroads High School The Chair stated the advantage of the proposal might be possible for a larger budget and a Title I school with the possibility of receiving grants. Superintendent Svee reported it will have no effect on the operation or staffing, but it would free up the possibility of Title I positions. The student body will still retain attendance at their home school. The students would be able to receive Title I services at Crossroads. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stroebe: Motion to adopt the resolution for establishing Crossroads as a separate high school. Those voting in favor were Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Karen Moses, Sandra Mossman and Conrad Stroebe. The motion passed unanimously. The resolution is as follows: Whereas, Billings Public Schools established the Crossroads Alternative Learning Center in the 1997-98 school year, Whereas, the Crossroads Center has proven to be a valuable learning program, and Whereas, the Board wishes to reorganize and establish this program as a high school to recognize the value of the program, elevate its status, deliver education services more effectively and efficiently, and ensure these continued services to its students. Therefore, Be It Resolved: The Board of Trustees of the Billings High School District No. 2 wishes to open a new, fourth high school in the District called Crossroads High School pursuant to MCA 20-6-503. The Superintendent is directed to make application to the Superintendent of Public Instruction as required by Montana law. Superintendent Svee reported administration is very close to a dual credit agreement for tuition and fees. Trustees Guthals and Stroebe were excused as only an elementary issue remained. Proclamation of Budget Amendment to Elementary Tuition Fund for Unforeseen Tuition Costs Thomas Harper reported the District budgeted $75,000 last year for elementary tuition and then levied for it. The proposal is to increase the expenditures to the tuition fund. This year, the population sent to Yellowstone Academy increased from 14 to 34 from the elementary schools and middle schools. As this fund does not have a reserve, Mr. Harper asked the Board to approve a loan from the elementary building reserve fund, which would be paid back in November through a levy. There are ample funds available and it is the safest way to address the issue. The elementary building fund began last year with approximately $972,000, with $1,024,000 available now. $500,000 has been committed to the elementary bond projects. Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Mossman: Move to make up the shortfall from the building reserve fund with a commensurate levy to replenish that fund at its earliest possible opportunity. Those voting in favor were Malcolm Goodrich, Katharin Kelker, Karen Moses and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. The proclamation is as follows: WHEREAS, the trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, have made a determination that as a result of unforeseen tuition costs in the elementary district due to an increased number of students attending other facilities and an increase in the tuition rates, the district’s budget for the elementary 113 tuition fund does not provide sufficient financing to properly maintain and support the district for the entire current school fiscal year; and WHEREAS, the trustees have determined that an amendment to the elementary 113 tuition fund budget in the amount of $125,000 is necessary under the provision of Section 20-9-161 (6), MCA; for the purpose of unforeseen tuition costs that cannot be postponed until the next school year without dire consequences affecting the safety of the students and district employees or the educational functions of the district and WHEREAS, the anticipated source of financing the budget amendment expenditures shall be the Elementary Building Fund 160; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, proclaims a need for an amendment to the elementary 113 tuition fund budget for fiscal year 2004-2005 in the amount of $125,000 under Section 20-9-161 (6), MCA for the purpose identified above, and; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Center on June 20, 2005 for the purpose of considering and adopting the budget amendment. Dated and posted this 27th day of May 2005. As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Katharin Kelker, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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