bbryanpe Posted October 11, 2004 Report Share Posted October 11, 2004 Proceedings of the 20-Year School Facilities Planning Committee District #2 Yellowstone County Billings, Montana September 28, 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, Matt Brosovich, Ed Workman, Donell Small, Peggie Smith, Randy Hafer, Tim Cranston, and Ludlow Howe. Randy Hafer arrived at 7:40 Members Absent: Larry Brewster, Mike Marnin, Greg Krueger Guests: Kathy Kelker, Mike Dimich, Conrad Stroebe, Chair, Tim Kramer and Dave Riley of the Lockwood Steering Committee, Ann Clancy and John Fitzgerald of the Billings Gazette. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Following a correction of the amount $12 million to $8 million a motion to approve the minutes from the September 14th meeting was made by Matt, seconded by Barb and all voted in favor. PUBLIC COMMENTS None Note: Mike Dimich donated soft drinks for the scheduled public meetings. HANDOUTS • Public Invitation, “Our Public High Schools: Issues & Answers” • Effective Problem Solving (from Ann Clancy) • Proposed Shared Beliefs, by John Eisen • Criteria For Evaluating Solution Concepts, Proposed Cost-Benefit Analysis Methodology • Lockwood presentation handouts: • Student Brochure/Survey • 1997 Planning Committee • Small Schools vs. Large Schools • Population & Employment Growth • Graduation Survey by, Conrad Stroebe Effective Problem Solving Presentation Professional meeting facilitator Ann Clancy presented guidelines and methods for effective problem solving. She outlined a process that included steps of data finding, problem definition, criteria development, and analysis of alternatives. Ann distributed a handout outlining her suggested process and methods and explained the benefits of the material for any group working together to solve a problem. Lockwood Steering Committee Tim Kramer, a member of the Lockwood Water & Sewer Committee and the Steering Committee, along with Conrad Stroebe, presented information regarding the growth of the Lockwood community and their interest in having a high school in Lockwood. Conrad explained his graduation survey and the benefits of smaller high schools. He suggested the $8 million this committee proposed for renovations be used for a high school at Lockwood. Donell commented that the idea of a high school at Lockwood was discussed by the committee at one point but is not part of the short-term plan. In response, it was noted by a number of committee members that all potential solutions for high school overcrowding, short- and long-term (including a high school in Lockwood), are still under consideration and that no conclusions have been made as to the best solutions. The Lockwood guests were thanked for their input as well as the maps and information they provided. Shared Beliefs The group reviewed and discussed the proposed shared beliefs outlined by John Eisen. These shared beliefs should be statements that we all agree to regarding Billings Public Schools and any solutions we propose. The draft list is presented as Attachment 1 to these minutes. Committee members will be able to comment and add to the beliefs in the next few weeks, and a final version will be approved at the next committee meeting on October 12. Cost-Benefit Analysis In order for the committee to have a consistent, defendable method for evaluating any solution concepts we develop, it is suggested that a cost-benefit analysis be performed by the committee on every developed concept. The purpose such analysis will be to determine: A. Initial and ongoing dollar costs B. Advantages and benefits C. Disadvantages and negatives D. Consistency with the Shared Beliefs adopted by the committee E. Net advantages or disadvantages Ludlow, Matt, and Randy volunteered to develop a cost-benefit methodology for this purpose. Mike Marnin was absent from the meeting, but later volunteered to join this group in their work. Scheduled Pubic Meetings A flyer developed by Barb Bryan -- and approved by the school district and this committee – has been distributed throughout the community and sent home with K-6 students to announce the Thursday “School Lunch Series.” The series begins Sept. 30th and will continue through Nov. 18th. All sessions will take place at the MSU-Billings Downtown Conference Center and begin at 11:45 a.m. The public is invited to join in and learn about issues and opportunities in our school district. Committee members are also to attend. Barb, along with assistance from Dan Martin’s office, has contacted and arranged for the speakers for all sessions. Joint Meeting With Trustees Superintendent Rod Svee has set Oct. 12th at 5:30 for a joint meeting of this committee, the school board, and member of previous planning committee. The objective of the meeting is to get acquainted and open the lines of communication, to review our shared beliefs, and to hear the concerns and priorities of those in attendance. Following the joint meeting, our committee will convene for our regularly scheduled second-Tuesday meeting. Other Barb announced that she and John Eisen, on behalf of the committee, sent a letter to the school board regarding misrepresentations of the committee’s work in a board update sent home with district students. The board was asked to involve the planning committee in any future communications regarding the committee’s work. Homework Committee members are asked to send suggested problem statements to Barb for compilation into an official statement of the problem we are attempting to solve. The official statement will be developed per guidelines suggested by Ann Clancy in her presentation to the committee on creative problem solving techniques. The next meeting will be October 12th at 6:30 (or whenever the special meeting with the school board is over) in room 213 at Lincoln Center. With no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Recorders: Donna Obie Co Chairs: Barbara Bryan Barbara Bryan____________________ John Eisen ____________________ Attachments: 20 Year Facilities Planning Committee Shared Beliefs Approved 10/12/04 SHARED BELIEFS Twenty-Year School Facilities Planning Committee Billings School District 2 October 12, 2004 The following statements summarize shared beliefs of committee members about 1) the status of K-12 school facilities in Billings School District 2, and 2) the focus of the committee’s work to plan for future use of those facilities. On the basis of these beliefs, the committee will develop a statement defining the problems it is trying to solve, identify reasonable alternatives to solve the identified problems, develop criteria for evaluating the alternatives, evaluate the alternatives using the established criteria, and recommend solutions to the School District 2 Board of Trustees based on the evaluations. 1. Changes in high school function over the years (related to curriculum changes, government mandates, and other factors) have resulted in high school overcrowding. Current enrollments at West and Senior high schools exceed the functional capacities of the schools. Enrollment at Skyview is approaching the school’s functional capacity. 2. Lincoln Center and the Career Center have potential for greater use as educational facilities. 3. In light of the failure of the 2003 high school bond issue, solutions proposed by the committee should be bold, innovative, comprehensive, flexible, adaptable to changing circumstances, and responsive to community concerns. 4. Solutions proposed by the committee should give preference to the use of existing district-owned buildings. New construction and the use of non-district facilities should be considered only when existing district facilities cannot provide a complete solution. 5. Solutions proposed by the committee should: A. Improve the condition of our existing schools so that the buildings enhance, rather than detract from, the educational experience B. Enhance the district’s ability to meet student proficiency and achievement goals C. Improve high school graduation rates D. Enhance post-high-school opportunities for all students E. Incorporate smaller learning communities (either through smaller schools or the school-within-a-school concept) F. Be educationally and developmentally sound for all grades G. Not require that schools be identical in size, design, or emphasis 6. Solutions proposed by the committee should be cost-effective and clearly documented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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