bbryanpe Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 Proceedings of the 20-Year School Facilities Planning Committee District #2 Yellowstone County Billings, Montana September 14, 2004 The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Co-Chair, John Eisen in room 213 at Lincoln Center. Members Present: John Eisen, Barbara Bryan, Larry Brewster, Matt Brosovich, Mike Marnin, Ed Workman, Donell Small, Tim Cranston, Peggie Smith, Greg Krueger, Randy Hafer, Ludlow Howe Others Present: Kathy Kelker, Trustee; Dave Williams, Activity Director; Gene Jarussi, Trustee; Darin Kuntz, John Fitzgerald, Billings Gazette; Tim Kramer and Dave of the Lockwood Steering Committee. Public Comments: The guests were welcomed. There was no public comment at this time. Minutes: Following review with minor corrections being given to the recorder, the minutes of the August 24, 2004 meeting were unanimously approved by voice. Handouts: - Relationship of Area/Student vs. School Enrollment - MT Board of Regents, Policy & Procedures, Academic Affairs, College Preparatory - Special Education Academic Requirements - Prioritization of 31 Criteria For School Building Adequacy - Career Center, Facility Evaluation Study - Report of 1978-1979 Long Range Planning Committee - K-8 School Data (20 Yr. School Facilities Planning Committee) - High School Data (20 Yr. School Facilities Planning Committee) - Baucus, Enzi Introduce Bill To Boost Two-Year Colleges - Report On Visit to Crossroad Alternative School - High School Functional Capacity, Sept. 14, 2004 - Quarterly Enrollment Reports - Report on School Dropouts, 1997 - Drop-Out Statistics 1995-96 - Problem Definition - Notes of Senior/West Subcommittee - Career Center Solution Concept, Career Center Subcommittee - Jim Hartung, E-Mail comments - JGA Architects, May 2000 Study, Summary of Recommendations - School Board Update (Handout to Parents) Barb noted that the High School Data and K-8 Data handouts were not yet complete but will give everyone an idea of what information it will provide. School Board Update Handout Discussion was held regarding the handout ("School Board Update") from the School Board which was sent home with all district students. Kathy reported that the update was authored by the board at agenda setting. Members of this planning committee feel that the update misrepresents the work of this committee, implying that 1) a new school will be built, and 2) that building a new school is a major focus of the committee's work. No member of the planning committee was contacted by the board regarding information placed in the update. Kathy was asked to involve the planning committee in any future reports about the committee's work. Very strong concerns were expressed by committee members that the board of trustees may only be interested in building a new school. A joint meeting with the board was suggested, and John and Barb promised to talk with Rod Svee about this matter. Two members of the committee expressed that they may not wish to continue to work on alternative plans if the Board is already proceeding with its own facilities plan (which might include a new school). Kathy also reported that in regard to the middle school level that the Superintendent is considering reconfiguration, by putting the 6th, 7th and 8th together. This consideration has gone to the Education Committee for discussion. School Capacities Study John reported on his study of Functional Capacity and provided the information in a handout. He explained that a number of methods were used to determine capacity, that it is not a precise calculation but an approximation and can vary with scheduling and curriculum needs. School character, condition and configuration must be taken into consideration as well. The average of the seven methodologies included in the study for each school is: - West High School: 715 over capacity - Senior High School: 415 over capacity - Skyview High School: 53 over capacity Presentations on Alternative Scenarios for the High Schools: A. Daylis Stadium: Mike, Matt, Greg, Ludlow Before presenting possible solutions and rationale, this group felt the need to get a better grasp on the plans for Senior and the inspection of Daylis Stadium. Six areas were identified as possible sites for a new stadium, should the committee recommend that moving is a good idea. Moving Daylis appears to be a volatile subject, however, could possibly form a tax increment district to re-locate the stadium, which would spur business in the area of the new location. Dave Williams reported that a study is being done on tearing down and replacing the stadium. Ludlow requested a copy of the design and cost of this proposal. B. Skyview: Matt, Donell, Ed A better projection of growth for Lockwood and the Heights is needed to determine needs at Skyview. With growth estimations of 2.4% at Lockwood and 0.8% in the Heights and moving the Lockwood freshmen to Skyview, we would be looking at expansion of Skyview. It would be cheaper to add onto Skyview than at the other high schools (due to the newer age of the building). Twenty classrooms, five health rooms, and a weight room would cost approximately $105/Sq. Ft. or approximately $8 million including the Skyveiw renovations. (It was reported that a larger weight room is badly needed at Skyview. The weight room there is significantly smaller than the rooms at other AA schools, including Senior and West.) This group will continue this study and address staffing and other issues. C. Senior and West: Peggie, Mike, Barb, Randy, John This subcommittee agreed that the work of this subcommittee and the larger committee should have these goals regarding high school issues: - Relieve overcrowding in existing high schools - Renovate/revitalize our aging high school buildings - Enhance education for all Billings students - Develop smaller learning communities - Maximize use of existing facilities - Minimize the need for new buildings - Not contribute to community sprawl Also, the group agreed that the work of this subcommittee and the larger committee should have these goals regarding elementary school issues: - Relieve overcrowding that currently exists in some schools - Maximize the use of existing buildings - Minimize the need for construction of new school buildings - Use facilities so as to be sensitive to both the educational and developmental needs of students - Not contribute to community sprawl - Establish a baseline quality and bring all buildings up to this standard Subcommittee Ideas For Phasing Preliminary High School Suggestions: Step 1: Fall 2005 1. Move Lockwood high schoolers ( approx. 300) to Skyview. This leaves Senior with about 1500 kids) 2. Develop Skyview freshman academy at Beartooth for fall 2005 Step 2: Hold bond election in 2006 (spring or fall) to: 1. Reinvent Career Center as standalone high school (retaining vocational focus)for 700-800 students. Career Center students can play varsity sports at other high school if they wish. To make more room at Career Center, move some programs to Lincoln Center (those that don’t coordinate closely with COT). Also, work with COT to eliminate duplication between Career Center and COT. 2. Allow first-phase renovations to Senior and West (HVAC, ventilation, windows, etc.). Would include renovations that won’t have to be redone with phase-two renovations. Step 3: Move Daylis Stadium to alternative site: 2007, if determined that this is a good idea. Ideally, pay for this with private funds, not through bond issue. Step 4: Hold bond election in 2008 to: 1. Complete renovations to Senior/West/Skyview, incorporating freshman academies on-site and possible making further changes to allow schools within schools. 2. Add on to existing high schools as needed to accomplish above. Step 5: In 2010, re-evaluate high school situation, looking at possible need for further changes, including expanded use of Lincoln Center, new building construction etc. Subcommittee Ideas For Phasing Preliminary Middle School Suggestions: Step 1: Run bond issue to expand existing middle schools to accommodate 6th graders. Then move 6th grades, creating true 6-8 middle schools. This will eliminate need for construction of new elementary schools on the west end. Step 2: Renovate K-5 elementary schools to baseline condition. Step 3: If elementary schools become overcrowded in the future, move kindergarteners into stand alone Kindergarten Centers (rather than building new K-5 schools). If middle schools become overcrowded in the future, consider use of Lincoln Center as a middle school. D. Career Center: Greg, Barb, Peggie, John, Ludlow Objective of Concept: • To relieve overcrowding at Senior, West and Skyview • To offer a more meaningful high school education to the 60% of Billings students (3300 of our 5560 high school students) that either drop out or do not go on to college and want to get a good paying job after high school. The goal is to graduate ahead of their peers – either with experience working in their career field, certification in that field, or college credit ahead of their time. • To minimize dropout rate by making school more relevant to the needs and perceptions of the target student population. (Per SD#2 survey) • To maximize utilization of existing facilities. (The 12 classrooms currently used by the freshman academy would be unoccupied if the 9th graders were to leave.) Concept: To maximize the utilization and educational potentials of the Career Center facility and its strategic location by: 1. Reinventing the Career Center into an occupationally centered 4-year high school that students will attend full time and graduate from. Facility would be renamed, for example, Yellowstone Valley High School. 2. Programs would satisfy all high school graduation requirements but would be designed around this school’s unique occupational objective. 3. Would be open, by application, to the whole district; no boundaries. 4. No traditional sports programs or full sized gym but facilities and programs would satisfy state physical education and health curriculum requirements. 5. High school would partner with adjacent College of Technology with high school class offerings designed for compatibility and continuation at COT after graduation; potential for getting 2 year degree in 1 year, occupational proficiency certificates, etc. 6. Curriculum would be developed in partnership with the local business community. How: 1. Carefully analyze Irving Academy model and incorporate into our “reinvented” Career Center what is appropriate to achieve the vision of this solution concept. 2. Create task force of educators and local business community to devise curriculum for new school. 3. Remodel and expand facilities to accommodate new programs and used to accommodate 800 to 1,000 students. 4. Rename facility. 5. Market this new education opportunity through the middle schools. What does Irving Model look like? A. A collaborative four-year learning community that enhances the district’s high school education program. B. Effective integration of business, community and education resources to provide students with career preparation or an introduction to career-track higher education. C. Strategies: • Student- perceived relevance • Smaller learning communities • Focus on the core competencies in all classes needed for employment success. • Introduce internships in the 12th grade • An out-of-the-box educational facility that is designed to address the educational needs of the non-college bound students (in Billings this is 60% of our 5,500 high schoolers). • A four-year occupationally oriented high school that students graduate from. • Students learn by doing. • Learning that is relevant to getting a good job out of high school. • A school that breaks some of our traditions in curriculum offerings. • A school where students are expected to work, equipped to succeed, challenged to achieve. • When a student graduates from this school, graduates will be ahead of their peers either with experience working in their career field, certification in a field, or college credit ahead of their time. The Irving Educational Concept: A. Students choose from six areas of specialization where they get hands-on instruction and real-world job experience. These study areas, listed below, were developed jointly by the local business community and educators: - Advanced and Applied Technology Studies - Education and Early Childhood Studies - Entrepreneurship and Tourism Studies - Legal Studies - Medical and Dental Studies - Visual Arts and Communication Studies (traditional & electronic visual arts, advertising, architecture; on-site art gallery, radio station and a fully equipped TV studio with access to the community TV station) B. Through internships, job shadowing partnerships, and an integrated curriculum, students gain valuable, marketable skills before leaving high school. C. In addition to specialized curricula students are required to complete courses relevant and supportive to their area of specialty in: • Math • History, social studies • Science • Literature • Physical Education/Health, etc. D. Designed to partner with the adjacent College of Technology: - Curriculum designed to allow a seamless transition after graduation to the COT. - Share facilities - Give opportunities for appropriate students to take classes at the college level and to give the potential for getting a two-year degree in one year. Irving Enrollment: A. Enrollment is open to any student in the District in grades 9 through 12. B. Students maintain a relationship with a comprehensive high school where they can be involved in clubs, athletics, and other extracurricular activities. C. Busing is provided. During August 2004 John Eisen (with input from other committee members) and Eric Creeger, Irving Academy Vice Principal, discussed his school’s educational philosophy and mission and the relationship between the Irving Academy and reinventing of the Career Center into a four-year occupational high school. John Eisen handed out a list of questions and answers that resulted from his discussion with Mr. Creeger, and also showed the committee a video presentation on the Irving Academy, provided by Mr. Creeger. E. Other: Matt, Tim, Donell Matt will report on wireless technology at the next meeting. F. Elementary Grade Reconfiguration: Tim, Greg, Ed The K-8 School Data were reviewed. This group concluded that if possible the district should use the facilities and assets we now own before new property and facilities are acquired. However it does appear in order to accommodate sixth graders, three of the four middle schools would probably need to be expanded. The group is looking at middle school footprints, interviewing principals, developing advantages/disadvantages of 6-8 middle schools, and examining costs of expansions. School/Community Meeting Barb reported that she and Ludlow attended the school district 2 School/Community Meeting on September 13, where Barb reported on the planning committee’s progress and goals. Next Meeting Due to the length of this meeting, these agenda items will be carried forward to the next meeting: 1. Small school versus large school – group discussion 2. Group discussion of solution scenarios 3. Miscellaneous items It was also suggested that we have someone from the Lockwood community report to us on issues they are addressing that have an impact on schools. Adjournment This meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. The next meeting will be at 6:30 pm, September 28, 2004, in Room 213 of Lincoln Center. Donna Obie & Barbara Bryan, Recorders Approved 9/28/04 John Eisen, Co-Chair________________________ Barbara Bryan, Co-Chair ____________________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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