Diane Blevins Posted December 4, 2006 Report Share Posted December 4, 2006 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana November 20, 2006 Call to Order 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, November 20, 2006, at 5:30 p.m. Chair Malcolm Goodrich presided and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call Members present included Trustees Malcolm Goodrich, Dawn Achten, Rachel Stagg, Joel Guthals, Sandra Mossman, Katharin Kelker, Susan Messerly, Mary Jo Fox, Superintendent Jack Copps, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Trustee Dale Getz was excused from the meeting. Registered guests included Terry Holzwarth, Janet Baum, and Lori Mendenhall. 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. Approval of Agenda The Chair reported items J and G would be moved forward in the agenda. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to approve the agenda as amended. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Rachel Stagg, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Susan Messerly, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Recognition and Gifts and Donations The Board recognized the West High State AA Golf Champions as follows: Tyson Bickford, Jake Hedge, Eric Nell, Mallory Harmon, Erin King, Allyson Peterson, Austin Dean, Sean McGrath, Emily Gates, Lindsey Holzwarth, Sarah LeVeaux, Coaches Rob Bazant and Alexis Buss. Stan Barr recognized his staff as the recipients of the National Society of Human Resource Management Pinnacle Award. The staff of the Career Center gave a brief presentation on the programs offered at the Career Center. The following is the list of gifts and donations that have been presented to the School District in accordance with Board policy. Such items have been incorporated into the District’s inventory and an acknowledgment of the contribution has been made to the donor. Bench – ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company, Robert Schicktanz, $500 grant Bitterroot – Lisa Woods, books Central Heights – School Computer Program, Scott Buswell, computer equipment KAKATU Foundation, Inc., money for computer lab and Apple Digital Learning Series Tina Vauthier, money Meadowlark – Cindy Hanchett, books Newman – Curt and Teri Henrichs, saxophone and case Westend Wal-Mart Employees, school supplies Mario and Darla Burcham and Family, two winter coats Deann Arbeuhnot, school supplies, backpacks, lunch boxes Costco, backpacks filled with school supplies Ponderosa – JTL, sand for new playground Trading Card Program – Billings Gazette, money Heights/Castle Rock Road Access Issue Superintendent Copps reported a subdivision is planned by Castle Rock Middle School that would contain 500 homes. An access road by Castle Rock, and on District land, would be needed and the Superintendent supported that request. Mr. Copps met with the City/County Planning Department, city engineer and Engineering Inc. who all supported the access road, as it would be safer for the students at Castle Rock. The access road and subdivision would not take place for some time. Trustee Fox felt something should be done at the intersection of Governors and Senators and possibly tie the access road in at that location. Trustee Kelker voiced her concern about the traffic by the entrance to Castle Rock and parents stopping to pick up their student. Superintendent Copps reported the District owns property that could be used for an area for parents to pick up their students, and as the project proceeds, the details would be ironed out for the safety of the students. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to authorize the controlled access road as a proposed at the new subdivision to go through the District’s land at Castle Rock Middle School. Trustee Mossman asked if there would be a problem with the traffic to and from Skyview. Mr. Copps did not feel there would be a problem. Trustee Fox felt it was irresponsible of the zoning commission to put more homes in without a better access in and out of the Heights. Those voting in favor of the motion were Susan Messerly, Katharin Kelker, Malcolm Goodrich, and Dawn Achten. Those opposing were Joel Guthals, Sandra Mossman, and Rachel Stagg. Mary Jo Fox abstained. The motion passed. Budgeting for Results Update Trustee Mossman reported the guidance team met last week and the subcommittee met on Friday to design the surveys. Most of the work of the Ad Hoc Committee has been completed in the timeline and design process. It will now go to the Budgeting for Results Committee for implementation after the first of the year. The surveys are for the community and students. Thomas Harper stated the process would be a pilot process for one year. The pilot basis should be completed in March. Trustee Mossman made the following motion with a second by Trustee Stagg: Motion to accept the recommendation to focus this year on a pilot and look at the area of operations for this go around in the Budgeting for Results process. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Rachel Stagg, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Susan Messerly, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Resolution Regarding Potential Need for Levy Chair Goodrich reported the District is doing a fantastic job educating our students but he is starting to see structural cracks and felt the Board and District has worked hard to meet those challenges. There is a cooperation based system and not an adversarial system between the staff and administration. Mr. Goodrich felt the Board has greatly expanded its efforts in reaching out to the business community and has received excellent response from them and it is relieving the burden of the local taxpayers. Expenses are rising faster than the revenue. This resolution is not a definite vote for a mill levy but it would allow planning for staff and the community. Chair Goodrich stated he brought this issue forward to get a sense of the Board as it may come that an elementary and secondary mill levies would be necessary in 2007. Superintendent Copps reported it is becoming apparent that the District cannot continue to operate and provide the type of education without additional resources. If programs are cut, it will be a long time before they could be made up. A mill levy has not passed since 2002. In the high school district, we are behind 8% in resources available to the other AA school districts in the State and will drop more without the passage of a mill levy next year. Trustee Kelker felt, in terms of communication, it would be best to say right now that a mill levy might be needed if the chance of additional revenue from the legislators might not happen. She would support a resolution that might call for a mill levy in the spring but an exact list would have to be given to the public. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion that the Board notify the public of a likelihood mill levy in the elementary district in May 2007. Information can be dispersed to the public until a formal resolution comes from the Board. Trustee Guthals stated there is a projection in 2008 of $4,200,000 deficit and almost a $1,000,000 deficit in 2009, which are based on current programs. The District is also operating without a building reserve in either district and will have to ask for a building reserve also. The Chair stated that Trustee Getz voiced his support of potential mill levies. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Rachel Stagg. Trustees Messerly and Guthals are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to notify the public that it is the Board’s intent given current financial conditions to ask for a high school mill levy in May of 2007. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Rachel Stagg, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Susan Messerly, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Recap Of, and Planning for, Legislator Forum Chair Goodrich thanked Trustee Stagg for her hard work on the legislative forums. Another follow-up meeting with the legislators has been scheduled for December 6th. The Ad Hoc Committee was appointed to follow legislative action and work with the legislators and provide them with information. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Kelker: Motion to approve the membership of the Ad Hoc Committee for the 2007 Legislative Session: Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Rachel Stagg. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Rachel Stagg, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Susan Messerly, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Copps reported the enrollment count for the first quarter was given to the Board members. The elementary district is down by 189 students at this time, which is a decrease of 2.5%. Each elementary school has lost, on the average, 9 students, which does not allow for any reduction in classrooms. In the middle schools, 32 students were lost. The high schools experienced a small increase of 9 students. Senior High has 189 more students than last year. West High has 67 fewer students than last year. The Crossroads students continue to do quite well. Mr. Copps stated the focus needed to be on American Indian students as 12.79% of those students were lost last year, which he found to be unacceptable. He has begun conversations with the colleges and the American Indian community in the hopes of creating a Native Indian Achievement Center and use the two colleges’ student teachers and other students at the college level to work in that center. Superintendent’s Evaluation Trustee Kelker reported it is the Vice-chair’s responsibility to handle the evaluation of the Superintendent. She will send the evaluation forms to the Board members and COLT. The evaluation instrument follows the job description. It was the consensus of the Board to follow that procedure. MCEL/MTSBA Report Trustee Mossman reported there was good participation of the MCEL in Billings this year. The ‘AA’ caucus is moving forward to set up a VisionNet meeting in the near future. Trustee Mossman handed out the updated Governor’s proposal as put out by the MTSBA. She urged the Board members to review the report. Bills Paid – October 2006 plus Procurement Card Expenditures Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to approve the bills paid as presented. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Dale Getz, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Susan Messerly, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Following are the bills paid: Fund Description Fund Total 101 Elementary General Fund $ 278,531.83 110 Elementary Transportation 260,999.26 114 Elementary Retirement 72.75 115 Elementary Misc. Programs 172,697.52 117 Elementary Adult Education 6,062.93 128 Elementary Technology 1,049.00 160 Elementary Building 115,250.75 161 Elementary Building Reserve 89,362.75 184 Elementary Student ECA 16,941.98 185 Elementary Misc. Trust 17,926.89 201 H. S. General Fund 311,531.51 210 H. S. Transportation 171,640.54 212 H. S. Food Services 563,530.21 215 H. S. Misc. Program 55,302.10 217 H. S. Adult Education 45,738.04 218 H. S. Traffic Education 6,360.81 228 H. S. Technology 27,354.00 229 H. S. School Flexibility Fund 631.25 261 H. S. Building Reserve 64,676.79 278 H. S. Self Insurance Health 825,504.49 279 H. S. Self Insurance Liability 780.80 282 H. S. Interlocal Agreement 135,117.85 284 H. S. Extracurricular 150,613.29 285 H. S. Misc. Trust 20,258.12 286 H. S. Payroll 1,538,708.83 Grand Total $4,876,644.29 ACH Tax Deposits 1,531,735.14 Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits 4,262,034.30 Procurement Card 179,804.97 (Oct. 2006) INTERCAP Loan by 2-15-07 Elem. Bond. Pmt. TOTAL $10,850,218.70 Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Rachel Stagg, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Susan Messerly, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Financial Reports – October 2006 (Unaudited) Trustee Kelker reported the reports were reviewed by the Budgeting for Results Committee. The following financial reports (unaudited) for October 2006 were received: CS101 Account Expenditure by Fund CS102 Account Receipts by Fund CS105 Statement of estimated and Actual Revenue CS108 Object Cost Analysis Personnel Report Trustee Fox asked for a status report on the counselor from Will James. Superintendent Copps stated he is still on paid leave until a guilty or not guilty decision has been reached, as per state statute. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to accept the Superintendent’s employment recommendations as presented in the personnel report. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Rachel Stagg, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Susan Messerly, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Monthly Legal Report Chair Goodrich reported on the monthly legal report as included in the Board packet on page 42. The KTVQ issue is in limbo, a motion has been filed for reconsideration in the Erekson matter, a settlement conference has been held but a jury trial has been set in the Hudak case, and the Opie case is in litigation. Trustee Guthals asked the Superintendent to request attorney fees be reimbursed to the District in the Erekson case. Superintendent Copps will look into the request report back to the Board. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to accept the recommendations of the disciplinary committee. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Rachel Stagg, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Susan Messerly, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Consent Agenda Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve and accept the items within the Consent Agenda without objection to recommended action. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Mary Jo Fox, Rachel Stagg, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Susan Messerly, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the items approved in the Consent Agenda: Regular Board Meeting Minutes, October 16, 2006 Special Board Meeting Minutes, October 30, 2006 Budgeting for Results Committee Minutes, October 9, 2006 School/Community Committee Minutes, April 10, 2006 School/Community Committee Minutes, May 8, 2006 School/Community Committee Minutes, September 25, 2006 2006-2007 Planning & Development Committee Membership 2006-2007 Budgeting for Results Committee Membership Appointment to Appeals Panel Addition of Washington D.C. Trip Fundraiser Extracurricular Account at Will James Middle School Calendar/Agenda Planning The following are the future scheduled meetings and events: Monday, November 27, 2006 – Audit Committee Monday, November 27, 2006 – School/Community Committee Monday, December 4, 2006 – Budgeting for Results Committee Tuesday, December 5, 2006 – Agenda Setting Wednesday, December 6, 2006 – Legislator Forum Monday, December 11, 2006 – Planning & Development Committee Monday, December 18, 2006 – Regular Board Meeting As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. Malcolm Goodrich, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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