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Regular Meeting October 15, 2007


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Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

October 15, 2007

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The Regular Board Meeting 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 15, 2007, at 5:30 p.m.

 

Members present included Trustees Sandra Mossman, Malcolm Goodrich, Tim Trafford, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Joel Guthals on speakerphone, Superintendent Jack Copps, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Trustees Kelker and Aragon arrived at 5:50 p.m. Trustee Dawn Achten was excused.

 

Registered guests included Greta Besch Moen, Kyle Moeh, Tracy Johnson, LeAnne Pearson, Rob Quiroz, Beth Quirox, Zack Quiroz, Alyssa Quiroz, Judy McLaughlin, Bob Quiroz, Barb Quiroz, Jerry Hansen, Christina Watts, Kristi Summers, Scott Summers, Mandi Summers, Amy Darling, Jim Darling, Andy Darling, Schuyler Goodman, Stuart Goodman, Shannon Goodman, Eric Dunham, Brenda Dunham, Corwin Albrecht, Thelma Albrecht, Anne Gauer, Jack Gauer, and Shannon Gauer.

 

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. There were no public comments.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Trafford:

 

Motion to approve the agenda as presented.

 

Those voting in favor of the motion were Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously.

 

RECOGNITION AND GIFTS AND DONATIONS

 

The following National Merit Scholars were recognized by the Board:

 

Senior -- Christina Watts, Semi-finalist; Kelsey Johnson, Commended; Zachary Quiroz, Hispanic Recognition

Program Honorable Mention Finalist; Samuel M. Green, Outstanding Participant in the 2008 National

Achievement Scholarship Program

Sky view -- Andrew Letson, Semi-finalist; Kyle Moen, Commended.

West -- Philip Bradley, Eric Dunham, Jon Gauer, Schuyler Goodman, Alison Smyth, Semi-finalists; Amanda

Darling, Kevin Murray, Amanda Summers, Michael Zundel, Commended.

 

The Board also recognized Joe Barbero, Career Center, for his work as an Outstanding Specialist for Jobs for America’s Graduates. Steve Gardiner, Senior High, was recognized as the 2008 Montana Teacher of the Year. Ponderosa teacher, Patrick Kenney, was recognized as the 2007 Roche Jaune Award recipient in Education Excellence.

 

Trustee Fox made the following motion with a second by Trustee Kelker:

 

Motion to accept the gifts and donations with gratitude.

 

Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The gifts and donations are as follows:

 

Arrowhead -- Wal-Mart, school supplies

Beartooth -- Sondra and Jerry Anderson, school supplies

Billings Women’s Club, help in library, book nook and opening day

Cindy Hanchett, collected donations and books for library

Fawn Gongre, helped on opening day

DEX Media, Inc., furniture

Montana Rescue Mission, items for landscaping

Ace Hardware, items for landscaping

Good Earth Nursery, items for landscaping

Boy Scouts of America, helped with landscaping

Gainan’s Greenhouse, items for landscaping

Wal-Mart, water for landscaping workers

Albertson’s, snacks for landscaping workers

United Rentals, items for landscaping

Ostermiller Construction, gravel for landscaping

Sweetheart Bakery, snacks for landscaping workers

Westco Machinery, inflatable for Saturday Live

Beartooth Bank, use of logo

Big Sky -- PTA, $5,000 for laptops for teachers, $1,000 for office supplies and equipment

Doreen Cloud, school supplies

Bitterroot -- Take Charge of Education, money

Reporter Office Supplies, school supplies

Scottish Rite, shoes

Boulder -- Eric Bjorgum, money through Wells Fargo Giving Campaign

Michelle Anderson, money through Wells Fargo Giving Campaign

Jeff Redding, money through Wells Fargo Giving Campaign

Central Heights -- Mr. and Mrs. Ronan, money

Mr. and Mrs. Stock, money

OPI School Computer Program, Scott Buswell, computer equipment

McKinley -- The Billings Clinic, Gerele Pelton, gift card

The Family of Judy Frazier, beanie babies

Meadowlark -- Wendy’s, discounts for students and staff during outings

Miles Avenue -- In Memory of Kathleen and Theresa Paxinos from Shar Murphy, money and books for library

Jeff Keil State Farm Insurance Agency, 4 copies of Atlas

Wal-Mart Super Center, school supplies

Chinook Wireless, school supplies

Newman -- Christie Schwartz, backpacks

Billings Lions club, school supplies

Mel and Frankie Yerger, school supplies

Sylvia Schlieper, school supplies

Curt Wyss, backpacks

Paulette Laslo, Ron and June Panian, school supplies

Anonymous from Goodwill, supplies

Ponderosa -- Whitewood Transport, money for Saturday Live

Big Splash, use of tent for Saturday Live

Van’s State Avenue IGA, hamburger for Saturday Live

Action Electric, use of generator for Saturday Live

Brockel’s Chocolates, chocolate/caramel apples for Saturday Live

KOA, ice cream for ice cream social and open house

Bobcat, Inc., use of cart for Saturday Live

Hoy Enterprises, tortillas for Saturday Live

Wal-Mart Super Center, teacher appreciation gift boxes and school supplies

West High -- Royce Faulkner, CHS, Inc., $1,000 to track fund

Daylis Stadium Project -- MDU Resources Foundation, $15,000

 

BUDGETING FOR RESULTS -- IMPACT OF STATE FUNDING INCREASES FY2008-09 ON CORE PROGRAMS

 

Thomas Harper, Financial Officer, reviewed the impact of state funding: state funding increased for 2007-08; funding increases cover new programs or have strings attached, and require increased local spending; core funding for basic education did not improve; both mill levies for the District were approved for the first time in five years; and, the elementary District is at 99% of maximum budget and the high school District is at maximum budget.

 

Mr. Harper stated, assuming enrollments remain the same, the highest budget without a vote in the elementary District is $58,680,546 with an additional voted amount possible at $890,305. In the high school District, assuming the same enrollment, the highest budget without a vote is $37,026,615 with an additional $221,929 voted amount possible. Revenues for FY2009 are expected to grow at 1.9% in the elementary district and 2.4% in the high school district. The proceeds from the sale of the Crossroads property and the Career Center property will be placed in the building fund.

 

Trustee Kelker reported that the Budgeting for Results Committee has set out to determine what would not be needed in the budget. Request for Proposals will go out for energy management as soon as Jeff Weldon, legal counsel, has a chance to review them one last time.

 

POLICY 3250 STUDENT DISCIPLINE - BOMB THREATS & THREATS OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

 

Trustee Kelker stated that Policy 3250 has been before the Board earlier. Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Kelker:

 

Motion to approve Policy 3250 Student Discipline - Bomb Threats and Threats of Hazardous Substances on

third and final reading.

 

Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously.

 

POLICY 5008 ALCOHOL AND DRUG DEPENDENCY

 

Trustee Kelker stated this policy deals with the District’s response to employees who may have developed an alcohol or drug dependence. It also says that employees are responsible for abiding by the District’s policy. Termination may occur if employees do not adhere to District policy. Trustee Gesuale made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon:

 

Motion to approve Policy 5008 Alcohol and Drug Dependency on third and final reading.

 

Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

 

 

POLICY 3416 ADMINISTERING MEDICINES TO STUDENTS

 

Trustee Kelker stated this policy is the result of new legislation regarding caretakers as set by the last legislative session. The policy is based on MTSBA recommendations and there is a plan for the special education students who need emergency medication. Trustee Trafford wanted to make sure that people feel comfortable administering emergency medications. The policy will be sent back to the Policy Review Committee to assure that all areas have been addressed.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Copps reported there are 100 more students enrolled in K-6 as per the October enrollment counts versus the first enrollment count. The middle school enrollments have remained the same and the high school enrollment has declined.

 

Mr. Copps reported the CARE Program began six weeks ago and addresses the problem of students not having a place to go before or after school. The program provides the opportunity for students to be in the proximity of teachers. Start up costs were at $10,600 with the goal to make sure that the program is self supporting. Students have been recruited and there are currently 233 students in six different elementary schools. There are 35 employees at 15.36 FTE. The program needs to add four more students in each of the six schools to be self sufficient. The cost is $200 per week for afternoon sessions for each student. Additional marketing is being done to draw more students. Some employees may have to be cut in order to make the program self sufficient.

 

The dual credit program discussion is continuing with MSU-B. Classes have two different kinds of credit, one for high school and one for college. Mr. Copps reported he hoped the program could begin in the second semester. During the discussion with MSU-B, the college agreed to lower the cost of classes by 33% per credit in order to help those students who have the need. Credits would be considered portable and would be accepted at any university system in Montana.

 

Mr. Copps stated a settlement conference was held on September 17th in federal court for the LeAnn Wickun case to determine if the case could be settled. The insurance company offered the amount of $50,000 to settle the case so no District funds were expended. In the settlement, the District also agreed to continue to provide training in discrimination law and to provide an annual evaluation on the labor laws.

 

MTSBA/MCEL REPORT

 

Trustee Guthals reported on the Montana School Board Association. This week there will be the MCEL conference in Great Falls for the school board association members and any Trustee may attend. A report will be given to the Board on those meetings at the next regular meeting. Trustee Guthals stated, if he is unable to attend the meetings, Trustee Aragon will attend.

 

DISTRIBUTION OF PRELIMINARY GOALS

 

The Chair distributed copies of the preliminary goals as outlined at the October 8th Board retreat. He asked the Trustees to review the preliminary goals before the October 22nd meeting and bring any other items forward at that time. Action items for the October 22nd will be to approve the strategic goals and work on the assignment of those goals to the committees. A special meeting could be held every other month to discuss educational issues with the full Board.

 

BILLS PAID -- SEPTEMBER 2007

 

Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Gesuale:

 

Motion to approve the bills paid for September 2007.

 

Those voting in favor of the motion were 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 list of bills paid for September 2007:

 

Claims $3,471,912.38

ACH Tax Deposits 1,608,881.27

Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits 4,613,502.47

Procurement Card 285,719.97

INTERCAP Loan Network Infrastructure

Elementary Bond Payment

TOTAL $9.980,016.09

 

FINANCIAL REPORTS -- SEPTEMBER 2007 (UNAUDITED)

 

The financial reports were not reviewed by the Budgeting for Results Committee. The following are the list of reports 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

 

MONTHLY LEGAL REPORT

 

The Chair reported the Columbia Falls case is in a holding pattern and there is hope that a working relationship can be established with the Governor’s office. The Opie case is still in litigation.

 

Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Aragon:

 

Motion to accept the long term suspensions.

 

Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously.

 

PERSONNEL REPORT

 

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 of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

District Clerk Hudetz reported the October 8th minutes were not included in the Consent Agenda as the meeting will be continued on October 22nd. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox:

 

Motion to approve and accept the items within the Consent Agenda with the exception of the October 22 minutes.

 

Those voting in favor of the motion were Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Peter Gesuale, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. Items approved in the Consent Agenda are as follows:

 

Regular Board Meeting Minutes of September 17, 2007

Acceptance of Minutes of the Policy Review Committee, September 7, 2007

Procedure 3300-P2 Discipline Procedure for Special Education Students

Addition of Pre-Engineering Extracurricular Account at Career Center

Addition of Work Adjustment Extracurricular Account at Lincoln Center

 

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

Malcolm Goodrich, Chair

 

 

 

Diane Blevins, Recorder

 

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