Special Board Meeting, June 20, 2005

[Diane Blevins]

Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

June 20, 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, June 20, 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, Mary Jo Fox, Dawn Achten 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. There were no public comments.

 

Informal Discussion of MQEC and Status of Quality Schools Interim Committee

 

Jack Copps, Montana Quality Education Coalition (MQEC), gave a brief history of the committee. Quality education has never been defined at the state level. Deciding what is available has funded schools in the past. In 1993, the State of Montana provided 71% of the public fund for K-12 education, which has declined down to 60%. The taxpayers pick up the difference. The Supreme Court has ruled the state is not adequately funding education. The MQEC had requested $500 per student for ANB entitlement at elementary and high school level. The 2005 legislature increased the elementary students by $250 or 50% of what was requested, and $50 per year for two years for high school students, or 20% of what was requested. MQEC also requested statewide health coverage for all staff members statewide (KSHIP). The legislature did not approve KSHIP. The Supreme Court ruled the deadline was October 1, 2005 to adequately fund quality education.

 

Mr. Copps reviewed SB152. Trustee Guthals asked where extra curricular activities (ECA) come into play. Mr. Copps stated ECA was not addressed by the legislature. Superintendent Svee reported ECA is included in the accreditation standards, which are addressed in SB152. The Chair asked what the consequences would be of not following the Supreme Court’s decision to have a system in place by October 1st. Mr. Copps felt if the court is convinced that progress is being made, it could grant an extension.

 

Jack Copps reported the legislative committee called the Interim Quality School Committee consists of four representatives, four senators, state superintendent, and the chairman of the committee for education. The only voting members are the legislators. The committee will report to the legislators on the costs of the new systems and make suggestions on how to fund the system.

 

It was suggested the voice of Board members statewide would carry a lot of weight with the legislators. Trustee Stroebe suggested a meeting be set up with ‘AA’ schools first. When new funding is designed and the cost determined legislators must pay attention to what people have to say who work in the schools. The study ordered by the legislators will be ready by the end of August. The legislators did not want to review the study down by the MQEC in the past.

 

The Chair referred to how Wyoming addressed basic costs. The key is to build into the mechanism to have the dollar amount rise with the economic raises. Trustee Malcolm suggested large employers in Billings, such as the hospitals, be contacted to gain support with the legislators. It could be used as a selling point to attract people to the area.

 

Trustee Guthals suggested, as a violation has already occurred regarding the October 1st deadline, MQEC might want to consider going back to District Court for the violation. Mr. Copps stated they do not want to go back to court and wanted to move forward. MQEC did receive attorney fees, which is one-third of the total of $499,000.

 

The Chair asked Mr. Copps to take back the following three points: 1) the new funding system for public education in Montana provides adequate state funding for all of the components in the Legislature’s definition of basic, quality education; 2) the funding system is tied to inflation so the state support increases when costs go up; and, 3) the funding system takes into account state support for capitol improvements.

 

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Katharin Kelker, Chair

 

 

Diane Blevins, Recorder