Diane Blevins Posted July 3, 2007 Report Share Posted July 3, 2007 Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana June 18, 2007 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, June 18, 2007, 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, Tim Trafford, Kathy Aragon, Joel Guthals, Dawn Achten, Peter Gesuale, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, Mary Jo Fox, Superintendent Jack Copps, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Registered guests were Kim Anthony, Ed Graff, Jerry Hansen, and Steve Pomroy. 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 Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Getz: Motion to approve the agenda. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. Gifts and Donations Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to accept the gifts with gratitude. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The following are the gifts and donations: Bitterroot – Atonement Lutheran Church, vases of roses Beall Transport, three-ring binders McKinley – Presentations to Students at Riverfront Park Paul Schultz, BFI Waste Systems Gary Grocholski, Custer National Forest Craig Haynes, BLM Norm Schoenthal Hugh Huntley Barbara Butler Fred McCracken Orchard – ConocoPhillips, Bonnie Burks, loan of barbecue for cakewalk Perkins Restaurant, Martin Goodrich, money for cakewalk Crowley Law Firm, money to rent dunk tanks for cakewalk Superintendent’s Report Superintendent Copps reported that Beartooth would be reopened as a K-6 school as a result of the passage of the mill levies. Staffing is complete and supplies and equipment will be arriving in the next two or three weeks. Air conditioning will be put into the building but will not be available for installation until the middle of October. There is also new carpeting being installed. Superintendent Copps further reported on the funds from the mill levy elections. In the elementary district, the levy dollars are being used to protect the neighborhood school concept. New textbooks are on order and should be received. In the high school district, textbooks have also been ordered in foreign languages, math, and science. Security measures are also being discussed and camera systems are being reviewed in order to monitor traffic in the hallways and outside of the schools. Keypad systems are also being considered. Another use of the mill levy funds is to improve services for At Risk students. The Summer Recovery Credit Program is being implemented with 268 students currently enrolled with a waiting list. The Summer Recovery Credit Program does not cost the students any money. There will be 168 additional students able to take classes at the Career Center next year. Staffing at the Career Center has increased by five teachers. Superintendent Copps stated he would like to have the opportunity for students to earn credits at the College of Technology when attending the Career Center. A computer lab at Senior High’s Academy at Lincoln Center is also being installed. Trustee Kelker asked if elementary schools were giving equipment to Beartooth. Some schools have given desks and excess equipment. When Beartooth was closed, the desks and equipment were dispersed among the other elementary schools so any excess equipment is being moved back to Beartooth. Superintendent Copps stated administration is exploring the possibility of implementing an after school program called CARE. The current program, REWARDS, was federally funded and that funding is ending. Parents will be asked if they are interested in another after school program. However, the cost might prove to be a detriment. Instruction would also be included in the after school program and charges would be comparable to other programs in the community. Major renovation is occurring at the West High track. The work is being done with the generous contributions from the community and no tax dollars are being spent. The curbing and asphalt should be completed by the end of the month and the rubberized track would be completed after that. The Chair reported the Yes For Kids Committee have requested that a report card on how the mill levy funds are being used be put out to the public. Superintendent Copps stated that administration is working on the figures now and will publish a report card on the expenditures. Trustee Gesuale asked if something is being done with the teacher/student ratios in order to reduce the number of students needing the Credit Recovery Program. Mr. Copps reported administration is trying to keep a better track of the students and will have better communication to keep the at risk students in school. Energy Savings Matters Update Trustee Guthals reported a combined meeting of the Budgeting for Results and Energy Innovation Committee was held to discuss energy savings. The Energy Innovation Committee has identified several items in capital improvements that would save money. Recommendations by the combined committees would define detailed projects to review. A new chiller at Skyview would cost $100,000 to $125,000 but would pay for itself in two years. The energy systems in half of the facilities in the District are antiquated programs and it might be a good idea to budget to replace those old systems. At the Career Center, the HVAC units are 33 years old. The cost to replace those is approximately $750,000. Rich Whitney, Facilities Director, is reviewing a projects list and will refine it to provide information to the Board on costs and project paybacks. There are deferred maintenance funds available for projects. Trustee Guthals reported, as a result of the Board’s action, the engineering firm of Matney-Franz was hired to begin working on the wind maps and preliminary decisions on where the windmills would be constructed for the CREBS Program. The application deadline is July 18, 2007 and the proposals should be ready shortly. Administrative Salary Proposal Superintendent Copps stated it is his recommendation to give the administrators the same amount of raise as the teachers received, which was 3%. None of the money for the raises would come from the mill levy funds. The Chair reported the Superintendent has asked to forego a raise for himself in the next year. He further stated that there were nine administrators located in the Lincoln Center. Trustee Gesuale voiced his concern that the information for the raises was not received in advance and felt time was needed to study the material before making a decision. He suggested the Board needed more time in order to defend the raises to the public. He suggested the matter be tabled until another meeting. Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to table and consider the issue at the July 9th meeting. Trustee Gesuale stated that, as Trustees, we should get our questions submitted in a timely fashion so that the administration can provide further information. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Kelker stated the Board had asked the administration to bring information so a decision could be made. The information that was received is what was requested. Trustee Kelker said the Board should not tinker with the matrix information. The Chair stated the Board needs to make sure it has the necessary information but has to keep in mind it should not micro manage the District. Superintendent Copps felt the Board was moving down two different paths. The recommendation is to give the same percentage to the administrators as the teachers received. The Chair urged the Board not to scrutinize salaries and approach it as a 3% salary increase on July 9th. Administrative Support Salary Increase Proposal Superintendent Copps stated the proposed increase for the administrative support salary provides the same level of increase as administrators, which is also 3%. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Mossman: Motion to approve the increase of salaries of the administrative support employees in the average amount of 3% for the high school general fund in the amount of $6,610. Trustee Gesuale stated there is less information for this proposal than the administrators’ information. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. Peter Gesuale opposed the motion. The motion passed. Trustee Mossman made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox: Motion to approve the elementary general fund issue for administrative support salaries to the amount of $11,553. Trustee Gesuale reiterated that more information is needed in order for him to support the motion. Trustee Achten stated administration had been requested to supply the information that was given to the Board. She further stated the Board is not into micro managing the District. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Katharin Kelker, and Sandra Mossman. Peter Gesuale opposed the motion. The motion passed. Joel Guthals and Tim Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues. Board Clerk Contract Review and Approval The Board appointed Leo Hudetz as the District Clerk at a previous meeting. The contract that the clerk signs lists the number of days that he would be working. The clerk now serves half time. The Chair reported the Clerk’s salary would be an action item on July 9th. There has been talk in the past of expanding the position. The Business office has wondered if Mr. Hudetz could work on auditing functions. The Board has discussed increasing his position to a full-time position. A decision would not be made until July 9th. Trustee Mossman stated she calls Mr. Hudetz in the mornings and afternoons, and always reaches him. She felt, as he works more than half time, the Board should strongly consider increasing his hours. Trustee Kelker stated the Board should consider what duties they want him to take on and expanding the position. She wrote the job description for an Internal Auditor, which states the he/she would look at issues the Board would like to have reviewed, and the Business Office does not have the time to complete. Trustee Guthals wanted to know what other districts do in regards to the position and felt he would want to know what other duties Mr. Hudetz would be performing. He further asked for compensation from other districts for that position. Mr. Copps recommended using comparable districts, which in Montana would only be Missoula. Trustee Gesuale asked Mr. Hudetz if he would be willing to work full time. Mr. Hudetz stated he has his own CPA business that is busy from January to April. He would request continuity if he were to close his business. He measures the time spent working on Board issues and that schedule is available to the Board. Trustee Trafford asked how the benefits would change and felt the discussion should be centered on the position, not Mr. Hudetz. Trustee Aragon asked if the Board could be flexible during the months of January through April so that he could continue his business. The discussion and action will take place on July 9th. Monthly Legal Report The Chair reported he spoke to Jeff Weldon and there was nothing new to report on the Columbia Falls case, the M.T. case, the Opie issue, and the LeAnne Wickun matter. Mr. Weldon will be at the July 9th meeting. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Mossman: Motion to approve the long-term suspensions. Trustee Fox felt it was important to make a Board policy to address the issue of bomb threats. The policy should have what would be tolerated and what would not. She felt it was an uneven application when dealing with these suspensions. Trustee Achten felt the hearing officer did a very good job. Peter Gesuale volunteered to serve on a committee to work on a policy. Trustee Guthals stated the recommendations made by the committee were based on a thorough analysis of the offense that occurred and the circumstances of the child. He agreed the District should have a policy rather than having a mandatory minimum sentence. There should be zero tolerance for bomb threats. Trustee Kelker stated it is the job of the Board to make sure that due process was followed. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. Mary Jo Fox opposed the motion. The motion passed. Policy Approvals on First Reading—K-1 Policy 2100 – School Year Calendar and Day; Policy 3231 – Searches and Seizure; Policy 3250 – Student Discipline: Gambling; Policy 7320 – Purchasing Bid Limits Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve, on first reading, the changes to Policy 2100 recommended by the Policy Review Committee. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The second reading will take place at the July regular Board meeting. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve Policy 3231, on first reading, as printed in the packets. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve Policy 7320, on first reading, on student discipline for gambling.. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. Trustee Guthals made the following motion with a second by Trustee Kelker: Motion to approve Policy 7320, on first reading, on purchasing bid limits. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. Bills Paid – May 2007 The bills paid for May have been reviewed by the Budgeting for Results Committee. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to approve the bills paid for May, 2007. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The bills paid are as follows: Claims $ 5,312,372.73 ACH Tax Deposits $ 4,682,569.31 Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits $13,588,159.15 Procurement Card $ 222,652.20 (May) INTERCAP Loan Network Infrastructure Elem. Bond Pmt. TOTAL $23,805,753.39 Financial Reports – May 2007 (Unaudited) The following financial reports were received for review only: CS101 Account Expenditure by Fund CS102 Account Receipts by Fund CS105 Statement of Estimated and Actual Revenue CS108 Object Cost Analysis Personnel Report Superintendent Copps stated an addition had been made to the personnel report and was given to the Board this evening. The addition is for Robert Martin to replace Troy Zickefoose, Assistant Principal at Riverside Middle School. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Guthals: Motion to accept the Superintendent’s employment recommendations as presented in the personnel report, including the addition Robert Martin. Leo Hudetz also noted that the salary information for the West High Science teacher is incorrect in the report. The salary is $27,880 for a .6 FTE position. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. MTSBA Update Trustee Mossman reported she was in Helena for the quarterly meeting of the Montana State Board Association and chaired the Planning and Resource Development Committee. The committee is doing a survey of the needs and wants of area school boards. At the quarterly meeting, a presentation was given on the legislative session and its implications. Strategic planning should also be considered. Trustee Mossman asked Board members to attend the Delegate Assembly to be held on August 25th in Helena. The assembly will cover what the lobbying needs will be in the next session, as well as in between. As every vote counts, good representation is needed from the Billings Board. Trustees Trafford, Goodrich, Aragon, and Guthals volunteered to attend the Delegate Assembly. Consent Agenda Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Achten: Motion to approve and accept the items within the Consent Agenda without objection to recommended action. Those voting in favor of the motion were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. Items contained in the Consent Agenda are as follows: Regular Board Meeting, May 21, 2007 Special Board Meeting, May 17, 2007 Special Board Meeting, June 1, 2007 Budgeting for Results Committee, May 14, 2007 Policy Review Committee, August 9, 2006 Ad Hoc Committee on Legislation, Continuing from December 31, 2006 Addition of Technology Special Funds Trust Account at Lincoln Center Addition of Poly Drive Field Trip Trust Account Addition of Special Funds Trust Account at Beartooth Elementary Addition of Student Council Extracurricular Account at Beartooth Elementary Tuition Rates 2007-2008 School Year Montana High School Association Membership Dues for 2007/2008 Challenges to Educational Materials Procedures 2311-P1 As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Malcolm Goodrich, Chair Diane Blevins, Recorder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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