Special Meeting of July 25, 2005

[Diane Blevins]

Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

July 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, July 25, 2005, at 5:30 p.m.

 

Those present included: Katharin Kelker, Superintendent Rod Svee, Sandra Mossman, Dawn Achten, Joel Guthals, Malcolm Goodrich, Mary Jo Fox, Karen Moses and Conrad Stroebe. Dale Getz and Clerk Leo Hudetz were absent.

 

The registered guest was Teresa Stroebe.

 

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.

 

Teresa Stroebe addressed the Board to ask them to consider other options besides those given by the 20-Year Planning Committee. She urged the Board to consider the needs of all the children other than the people who have their own interests.

 

Salary Increase for Superintendent and Clerk/Internal Auditor for 2005-2006

 

Trustee Goodrich made the following motion with a second by Trustee Moses:

 

Move to approve an increase for the Clerk/Internal Auditor position of 3% consistent with Agenda Item C.

 

Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, 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 Guthals:

 

Move for an increase of 3% for the next contract year for Superintendent Svee, which will be commensurate with

the other administrators in the District.

 

Trustee Goodrich felt Superintendent Svee deserved an increase and it would be consistent with the other increases. He stated it would be unwarranted to single out the Superintendent for no increase. Trustee Moses felt the current salary was very good and did not feel the time was right for an increase. Trustee Achten reported she heard from many people in the community who were against an increase. Trustee Fox stated she could not support the motion, which does not reflect on the person but the budget concerns.

 

Trustee Guthals asked if the Board does not approve the 3%, could it consider an increase later on in the year. The Chair reported the Board could consider a raise at any time, but the budget must be set in August and it could be changed at a later date. Trustee Guthals suggested the decision be deferred until more information is known on the funding. Trustee Mossman felt an increase be tied in with the evaluation process. She could not support the motion due to the budget limits. Trustee Stroebe felt Superintendent Svee deserved a raise as he worked very hard with the legislators in support of funding for the schools, and making Crossroads fully accredited.

 

 

Trustee Guthals made the following amendment:

 

Move to amend the motion to authorize the increase in pay of $1,500 for this coming year, which would demonstrate

the Board’s appreciation and still demonstrate some fiscal restraint in these times of uncertainty.

 

The motion died due to a lack of a second. Those voting in favor of the original motion were Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Malcolm Goodrich, and Conrad Stroebe. Those opposing were Mary Jo Fox, Dawn Achten, Karen Moses and Sandra Mossman. The motion failed.

 

Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stroebe:

 

Move to increase the Superintendent’s salary by $1,500 for this fiscal year in recognition of our appreciation for

his service.

 

Trustee Achten felt the Board should let the community know the Board is focusing on the needs of the schools. Trustee Fox stated her ‘no’ vote is not an evaluation of his work but the passage of the mill levies is very important. She suggested the increase be addressed with the evaluation. Those voting in favor were Malcolm Goodrich, Conrad Stroebe, Katharin Kelker and Joel Guthals. Those opposing were Karen Moses, Sandra Mossman, Mary Jo Fox and Dawn Achten. The motion failed.

 

Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Mossman:

 

Move that the Board states its appreciation for the Superintendent’s work during the past fiscal year and intends

to consider adjusting his salary in the future as a result of the Board’s normal evaluation process.

 

Trustee Guthals stated, not granting a raise at this time, in no way reflects upon the excellence of service that the Superintendent has given to the District. Trustee Goodrich voiced his concern about commending him for his work before the evaluation. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Karen Moses, Sandra Mossman, and Conrad Stroebe. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Board Discussion of High School Renovation and Measures to Relieve Overcrowding

 

The Chair reviewed the information obtained from the public forum held in October 2003 during the work session. She asked the Board members to indicate what information the Board members needed from past studies. Chair Kelker reported a vote would need to be taken at the August meeting for a bond election in November. Trustee Stroebe suggest information be obtained from administration on incremental bonds and recommended a $10,000,000 bond every five years. Superintendent Svee suggested a meeting be held with Tim Cranston, Ramona Mattix and MSU-Billings to get the most recent enrollment figures. Trustee Goodrich suggested, instead of having a bond election in November, do the proper educating of the public and hold the election next June.

 

Trustee Stroebe asked if information could be obtained from the people at Senior as to what they would need to house 1200 students, what would happen to the housing of 1800 students, and two houses of 900 students. He also felt the Board should make a decision on what the goal would be for students participating in activities.

 

The Chair stated the vote would be taken on August 15 to determine if a bond would be sought in November.

 

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Katharin Kelker, Chair

 

 

Diane Blevins, Recorder