Marta McAllister Posted December 7, 2005 Report Share Posted December 7, 2005 Proceeding of the School/Community Committee Meeting District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana November 14, 2005 Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Karen Moses Members Present: Karen Moses, Gail Surwill, Paul DiLorenzo, Jim Hartung, Tom Willis, Sandra Mammenga, Michael Hughes, Mary Jo Fox, Jay Kirk, Greta Besch, Laura Simonsen, and Molly Holt. Excused Members: Carol Wicker and Michael Burke Guests present: Jeff Weldon Communication from the Public: Proposed Revisions for Policy 1700 Uniformed Complaint Procedures: Uniform Complaint Process: This is a means to address certain complaints. A person is not required to use this procedure to pursue other remedies, such as through Human Rights Bureau, the Office of Public Instruction, or the United States Department of Education. A. Addressing Complaints within the District. 1. Building Level Resolution of Complaints Encouraged. Persons are encouraged first to discuss the issue with the appropriated building level person. Complaints of sexual harassment should be discussed directly with an administrator who is not involved in the alleged harassment. 2. Area of Concern. This may be used to address concerns when other District policies do not apply. 3. Board’s Authority Limited. The Board does not have the authority to do everything asked of it. An important example is termination of a teacher without a Superintendent’s recommendation. B. Written Complaint Procedure for Violation of District Policy. 1. Standing. This defines who may bring a complaint under Policy 1700. 2. Written Complaints. This defines what must be in a complaint and the timelines for making complaints under 1700. 3. Clerk’s Review. The Clerk is the complaint coordinator. It directs the Clerk to determine if complaints meet the requirements. 4. Clerk’s Authority to Dismiss a Complaint. This allows the Clerk to dismiss a complaint if it fails to meet the requirements. It also provides for an appeal of the Clerk’s decision to the Policy Review Committee. 5. Typical Route of Complaint. A complaint will typically follow the usual chain of command. 6. Administrator Review and Response. This directs the administrator to review and respond and provides a timeline for doing so. It also provides for appeal to the next level administrator. 7. Superintendent Response. This provides for Superintendent review of the complaint and a timeline for doing so. It states that the Superintendent’s response to the complaint is final, unless (a) Montana law gives the Board jurisdiction over the substance of the original complaint and (b) the decision is appealed to the Board. It authorizes the Clerk to determine Board jurisdiction with an appeal process to the Policy Review Committee. 8. Board Review a. Board Jurisdiction. The Board’s powers and duties are outlined in Montana law. If the substance of the original complaint falls within the Board’s powers of duties, the Board has jurisdiction to consider an appeal of the Superintendent’s decision. b. Board Review. If the Board holds jurisdiction, the Board may consider the Superintendent’s decision. It provides for a panel of the Board to make a recommendation. The decision of the Board is final, unless Montana law specifically provides for an appeal and such an appeal is taken within the period provided by law. c. Complaints Against Superintendent or Clerk. If a complaint is submitted alleging a violation of District policy by the Superintendent or the Clerk, the Board holds jurisdiction over the complaint as the supervisor of the Superintendent and the Clerk. This provides for a means to address such complaints, including engaging an independent investigator. 9. County Superintendent Appeal. If the matter within the jurisdiction of a county superintendent of schools, a decision of the Board may be appealed to the county superintendent pursuant to Montana law. Update Daylis Stadium: An update on Daylis Stadium bleachers was discussed. A request for architectural service to draw the new stadium is moving forward. Dirt samples have been taken. A timetable is being planned for summer construction at the stadium. It appears funding for this project will mainly be contributed by donors. Donors will be announced in the near future. District Communication Work Plan: Nancy Hines’ office is located across from Room 213 at Lincoln Center. The four goals for the District Communication Work Plan were presented. Executive Summary and Suggested Action: Goal #1 Build Awareness Within the District –strategies and tasks to be implemented: 1. Publicize Organization Chart to Staff – November 2005 2. Develop a communication flow chart that identifies how and when information is distributed within the District – December 2005 3. Thank staff for their work – Monthly 4. Include District recognition awards at Golden Apple – Apple 2006 5. Encourage all Colt and Building Administrators to attend Golden Apple 2006 6. Include District wide awards, recognitions and happenings (including Golden Apple on District Web site home page – Weekly Goal #2 Manage Internal Communications – strategies and tasks to be implemented: 1. Develop a “Brand Identity” that reflects the goals of the district and use in all Communications – January/February 2. Join National School Public Relations Association – as soon as budget allows 3. Provide public relations training for all frontline staff and other staff as requested – to be ongoing 4. Identify a “Publicity Coordinator” for each school as a liaison with the Communications Director (i.e. public relations consultant) – November 2005 Goal #3 Create Awareness in the Community – strategies and tasks to be implemented: 1. Increase internal system accuracy and capacity for shared information – March-May 2006 2. Involve the community through a series of school-based Study Circles – January 2006 3. Create a “look what we’re accomplishing” campaign highlighting student, teachers, staff and programs. Incorporate brand identity – April 2006 4. Develop story ideas and present to media to communicate prioritized messages – (i.e. student test accomplishments and academic results, etc.) – ongoing monthly 5. Present audit reports and other financial information to public – ongoing/March 2006 6. Publicize functionality of Lincoln Center (administrative, classes, adult and community edu., etc) and define usage of building –April 2006 7. Define and publicize role of administrators – March 2006 8. Create opportunities for administrators to present information to area service organizations – ongoing Goal #4 Manage External Communication 1. Send monthly information packet to PTA – monthly 2. Hold quarterly meetings with business advisory group – quarterly 3. Attend Parent Steering Committee meetings – ongoing The School/Community Committee would like Nancy Hines to return to a School/Community meeting to give an update on the District’s Communication Work Plan. Members also would like a clarification on “school based studies”. Legislative and MQEC Update: An update was given on the inequities that are still present in the latest formula that the legislative committee presented on funding. It has been discussed that interim funding might be available until the legislation would meet in one year. This would give the committee more time to work on an equitable formula. The committee is to meet again Friday, November 18th. Further information might be available at that time. Old Business/Announcements/Handouts: Vacancies still exist on the School/Community Committee. Members inquired as to how they will be filled. The 2006-2007 school Calendar is in the draft process. The School/Committee Committee requested that the Calendar Committee present the new Calendar draft to the School/Community Committee. Minutes of the School/Community Committee Meeting: A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the October 10, 2005. The motion carried. The next scheduled meeting is December 12, 2005. The Committee members will meet in the Board Room located in the Lincoln Center, at 415 N 30th at 6:00 PM. _________________________ ___________________________________ Karen Moses, Chairperson Brenda Cross, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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