Special Board Meeting October 30, 2006

[Diane Blevins]

Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

October 30, 2006

 

Call to Order

 

The Special Meeting/Legislative Forum 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, October 30, 2006, at 7:00 p.m.

 

Those present included: Trustees Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, Mary Jo Fox, Dale Getz, Joel Guthals, Rachel Stagg, Malcolm Goodrich, Superintendent Jack Copps, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Trustees Dawn Achten and Susan Messerly were absent.

 

Registered guests included Bill Harris, Karen Moses, and Rich Whitney.

 

Communication from the Public

 

Karen Moses addressed those present and urged the legislators to seek additional funding for schools and education.

 

Legislative Forum

 

Superintendent Copps gave those present a few statistics on School District #2. The legislators divided into small groups and met with Board members to discuss educational issues. Legislators and candidates present included: Elsie Arntzen, Gary Branae, Roy Brown, Teddee Ann Cuomo, Robyn Driscoll, Ernie Dutton, Uriah Edmunds, Jeff Essmann, Kim Gillan, Wanda Grinde, Dennis Himmelberger, Keith Lang, Michael Lange, Bobbie Larsen, Lane Larson, Margie MacDonald, Shirley McDermitt, Tom McGillvray, Lynda Moss, Ken Peterson, Don Reed, Kendall VanDyk, Bill Glaser, and Dan McGee.

 

After the discussion sessions, Board members reported on the issues covered by each group. Malcolm Goodrich reported his group discussed the link between the economy and public education. Joel Guthals reported his group also discussed that link along with the question of all-day kindergarten. The majority of Mr. Guthals’ group felt all-day kindergarten was a good idea but there were no funds to pay for it. There are also not enough facilities to house all-day kindergarten and, if it should be mandatory, it would result in a $1,000,000 shortfall.

 

Scott Anderson, Director of Secondary Education, reported his group discussed the special needs of large districts and all-day kindergarten and the lack of facilities and funding. Another topic covered was the definition of quality education and where to go once a definition is agreed upon. Dale Getz and Sandra Mossman reported their group discussed the $900,000,000 state surplus.

 

Rachel Stagg reported she would contact the legislators after the election to schedule another meeting.

 

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Malcolm Goodrich, Chair

 

 

 

Diane Blevins, Recorder