gonzalesk Posted April 11, 2006 Report Share Posted April 11, 2006 Proceedings of the Education Committee School District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana March 13, 2006 Call to Order The Education Committee Meeting of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, and the High School District, Yellowstone County, Montana was duly held at The Lincoln Center, 415 North 30th Street, Billings, Montana, Monday, March 13, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. Chairman Conrad Stroebe presided. Roll Call The following were present at the meeting: Conrad Stroebe, Margaret Aukshun, Anne Barlow, Kathy Boehler, Dave Cobb, Kyle Colling, Patty Fain, Kip Farnum, Shaun Harrington, Ellen Hilde, Brett Jette, Kathy Olson, Karen Ziegler, and guests were; Nancy Hines, Pat Bellinghausen, Adrian Wegner. Curriculum Process Shaun Harrington of the Curriculum Department gave a presentation on the adoption process including curriculum writing and material adoption. 1. Accreditation requirement or Curriculum Assessment. This policy states the District would review the curricula not to exceed 5 years. The district currently is reviewing at 8-10 years between adoptions. 2. The Billings Public Schools Philosophy. This Board adopted a running policy that directs how the District curriculum is chosen and text adopted. 3. The Program Evaluation, Curriculum Development and Revision. This follows the philosophy based on the Montana State Content and Delivery Standards adopted by the Montana Board of Public Education. The curricula must meet the standards before being adopted. The needs of the students are met and then resources are located. Textbooks are a resource only. 4. Instructional Resources and Textbook Adoption. The District will select resources that are designed to support the educational program in keeping with District goals to meet appropriate learning objectives and to serve diverse needs of the students. A committee comprised of teachers, students, parents, curriculum specialists, and administrators will develop criteria which will be weighed and recommendations ranked. During a review period not less than 30 days, the public may review, evaluate and make comments towards the proposed adoption before the Board adoption. Once adopted by the Board, the selected primary resources shall constitute the common core of appropriate materials to be used by the instructional staff. 5. K-12 Curriculum Department-Process for Textbook Adoptions. The District uses Best Practice programs. They will meet the Montana State and National standards. The curriculum teams research, write, edit and review learning objectives for a curriculum document. All teachers have opportunity for comments and suggestions. Following Board Policy-curriculum is reviewed and approved in a three reading process. After written curriculum is complete, the research team begins to find materials that could be used. Publishers are contacted for samples. The department teachers are asked to look at the materials to see how they align to written curriculum. The Publisher will meet with the teachers for a presentation. When selected they go out for a public review. The recommendation goes to the Board for approval. After curriculum is approved, the teachers will write a self-pacing guide and lessons so they are prepared in time for classes to resume. Professional development would be implemented. There was discussion if the district considered the higher education community when looking at standards. Shaun stated the exit bench marks were 4th, 8th and 12th grade and we fill in between those years to help students with their skills to meet those standards. Also, the district needs to improve their working relationships with the colleges such as; MSU-B, and COT. Spanish The Spanish Curriculum team has been working this past year on curriculum revisions. Concepts were designed for every grade level and would meet the school standards. The last revision was in 1993. There is money allocated in this year’s budget for this program. It will cost approximately $19,100.00, without any supplementary materials. Student textbooks run about $60.00 and the teacher’s manuals cost about $73.00. It is estimated 1460 textbooks would be needed for Spanish Levels 1, 2, and 3. Dave Cobb motioned to approve the curriculum as the first reading and Kyle Colling seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Art Adrian Wegner, art instructor from Senior High School, presented art curriculum he has been working on for the past 4 years. The national and state standards were considered when looking at content. This curriculum would be used as an additional authoring tool for creating tutorials. This program would integrate power-point presentations into art projects, and the Internet would give the students more opportunity to explore art. Presently 2,925 students participate in art classes in the 4 high schools and there are 16 art teachers. The curriculum would comprise of a classroom computer, scanner, light-book projector and digital camera. This program would cost approximately $60,000.00 for the entire department. Dave Cobb motioned to approve the art curriculum on the third reading. Kathy Boehler seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mill Levy- Pros and Cons Kathy Olson reported the Board asked the Education Committee if there was a need to request a mill levy. She stated we are looking at the fiscal year of 2007. And considering the A & B formula for students K-6 and 9-12, and the projected revenue, the district would be working in a deficit of $346,000.00 for K-6 and $607,000.00 for 9-12. Flex, MAC and Medicaid funds have not been used in the General fund for the development of 2006- 2007. Items that have been previously funded using MAC, Medicaid and Flex funds have been moved back into the general fund. 90.44% of the budget goes to salaries. There was discussion addressing what may be eliminated if a mill levy wasn’t passed. K-8 would lose class size, less staff, athletics, computers and possible 7 period school days. High school would have courses cut such as the AP programs. Dave Cobb stated it would be important that we do not mislead the public and keep them informed of the ramifications of a levy not passing. Conrad stated that the district would need 2 million to keep status quo. Patty Fain motioned to request a mill levy necessary to maintain educationally, relevant and essential programs, services and maintain optimum class size at Elementary and High School levels. Ellen Hilde seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Building Reserve Levy- Pros and Cons The levies approved in 2001 will expire July 1, 2006. The Committee discussed if there was a need for a new levy. Buildings are in constant need of repair and Kathy Olson stated if there wasn’t money set aside for building maintenance, then it would come from the General fund. There is a list from facilities that prioritizes repairs. Dave felt the public would like a specific needs list and Conrad stated we must be careful with specifics on wording and that monies are to be used responsibly for what is absolutely necessary. Dave Cobb said we should look at the overcrowding in the buildings. We need to look at the short-long term for Academies. The busing and staff is an added expense. Ideas were solicited on solutions. Kathy Olson said the public should have the right to make the funding decision if there should be funding or not. Dave Cobb motioned to recommend a Building Reserve Levy to maintain an optimal learning environment. Kyle Colling seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Response to Drop Out Report Ms. Wicker provided a report on the study of dropouts in the district. Opportunities for students in the schools were discussed. There are several programs in place such as the Tutoring Centers, Math recovery, Nova Net, Cafes and Senior High provides a program called Credit Recovery. The other high schools are looking into the program but do not have the funds. Senior High is a Title I school which receives funds for that project from the SLC grant. Skyview High School has a Math link to help students with their math. With the Land School software program that accompanies the Nova Net, the teachers would be able to monitor students working on-line from their own computers. This program is not yet purchased. Science is a subject students are struggling with possibly due to the reading. Studies show when students struggle with a subject(s) they tend to give up. Bullying and discrimination were also factors. Overcrowded classrooms make it difficult to give more individual attention to those students needing more one-on-one attention. Redefining school boundaries was discussed. Approval of Meeting Minutes February 6, 2006 Education Committee Meeting Anne Barlow motioned and minutes were approved. Handouts Informational only Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm as there was no more business. ________________________ Conrad Stroebe, Chair __________________ Barbara Gustafson, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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