Bus. Sub-Comm. Minutes-Feb 21, 2006

[Guest sullinss]

Proceedings of the Business Committee

School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

February 21, 2006

 

Call to Order

 

The Sub-Committee of the Business Committee of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County and High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana met at Lincoln Center, 415 North 30th Street, Billings, Montana, on Tuesday, February 21, 2006. Chair Dale Getz called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Sub-Committee members present were K. Dale Getz, Peter Grass, Jerry Hansen, Shanna Henry, Tim Cranston, and Curt Prchal. Also present was Business Manager Thomas Harper.

 

Chair Getz stated the purpose of this meeting was given the budget process assumptions established at the prior meeting this Sub-Committee was to develop three to four scenarios to use for the budgeting process for this coming year 2006-2007.

 

Curt offered ideas from practitioners’ viewpoint that the budget is composed of requisite items (the foundation base of building blocks to running schools) plus discretionary items.

 

Group discussion determined that this Sub-Committee would develop and agree upon a comprehensive picture of requisite and discretionary items and how they are funded by the budget.

 

Discussion items considered by the Sub-Committee were:

• Accreditation Standards are a starting point to draw a line between requisite and discretionary programs.

• We value discretionary items to make Billings Public Schools the best school, but they do cost money.

• Enrollment drives allocation of resources.

• Examine enrollment in individual middle and high school classes since some programs are discretionary.

• Not all special needs can be anticipated – need some contingency (utilities, etc.).

• Transportation is more of a safety issue than a money issue.

• There are many layers of teachers and cross-funding – each section needs to be costed out.

• All funds should be considered.

• Examine carry-over programs that remain after grants have ended.

 

The group established a draft of a pyramid with the base composed of requisite funded items and discretionary items on top. Curt will work on costs for items in the base. Thomas will get input from the Curriculum Dept. on discretionary items and will cost those out before the next meeting.

 

A draft of the pyramid established at the meeting (excel block format) is attached to these minutes.

 

The next meeting of the Sub-Committee will be Thursday, March 2, 2006 in room 219 at Lincoln Center at 3:30 p.m. The Sub-Committee will present a preliminary report to the Business Committee at a Special Business Committee meeting to be held on March 6, 2006 at 5:30pm in room 213 at Lincoln Center.

 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m.

 

 

K. Dale Getz, Chair

 

 

Sherrill Sullins, Recorder

 

OPEN LINK BELOW FOR PYRAMID BUDGET BLDG. BLOCK INFO:

 

Pyramid Budget Bldg. Block