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Regular Board Meeting January 21, 2008


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Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

January 21, 2008

 

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, January 21, 2008, at 5:30 p.m.

 

Chair Goodrich led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Members present included Trustees Katharin Kelker, Tim Trafford, Malcolm Goodrich, Dawn Achten, Joel Guthals, Sandra Mossman, Mary Jo Fox, Kathy Aragon, Superintendent Jack Copps, and District Clerk Leo Hudetz. Trustee Peter Gesuale was excused.

 

Registered guests included Jerry Hansen, Ronnie Iams, Kim Anthony, Shanna Henry, Jeri Anton and Janet Baum.

 

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.

 

Josh Stagg addressed the Board regarding the budget. He felt the budgeting process was excellent and a lot of good has come about. There is nothing that should be exempt from the budgeting process including health and employee benefits. Mr. Stagg stated there are significant savings to be had if the Board would look at that subject. He voiced his concern about increasing class sizes if teachers are laid off due to the budget constraints.

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

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

 

Motion to approve the agenda as approved.

 

Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, 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 and donations with gratitude.

 

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

 

Big Sky – Terry Mammenga, computers and funding for staff appreciation gifts and dinner, valued at $3,600

Bitterroot – PEO Chapter Y, $54, hats and gloves

Jodi Stugelmeyer and Accounting Students at Senior High, coats

Chris Dunbar, three bicycles for holiday gifts

Olive Garden, angel tree gifts

Katie France, Secrete Santa gifts

Diann Kramer, Secret Santa gifts

Dora Bean, Secret Santa gifts

Cheryl Klunder, Secret Santa gifts

Shelly Dunbar, Secret Santa gifts

Judy Smith, Secret Santa gifts

Don Casey, Secret Santa gifts

Mr. and Mrs. Wood, Heath Wood, $200 for school supplies

Central Heights – Downtown Exchange Club, Christmas gifts

Billings Village Downtown K Kiwanis, $400

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Ulledalen, $500

Highland – Dave Williams, $250 for library books

McKinley – Mr. and Mrs. Bob Kem, $100

PEO Chapter Y, $54, hats and gloves

3rd Floor Nurses, Billings Clinic, Christmas gifts

Billings Clinic, Christmas gifts

Olive Garden, Christmas gifts

North Park Task Force, $100

The Coffin Family, Christmas gifts

Shiloh United Methodist Women, warm clothing and coats

Billings Friendship Chapter 124, Eastern Star, kindergarten packets and treats for teachers

St. Thomas Church, food baskets

Salvation Army, Dress-A-Child

Dillard’s, Christmas gifts

Riverside Optimists, $200 gift card and box of fruit

Orchard – PEO Chapter Y, $54, hats and gloves

Ponderosa – Sonshine Worship Center, $51.62

Briarwood Bible Study, coats

Van’s State Avenue IGA, two $25 gift certificates

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Nelson, eight Target gift cards

PEO Chapter Y, $54, hats and gloves

Jodi Stugelmeyer and Accounting Students at Senior High, coats

Rose Park – Jeanne Burgoyne, new microwave for teachers’ lounge

Stockton Oil Company, Michelle Stockton, $500 grant

Will James – Patricia C. Remmer 1995 Charitable Lead Trust, $1,000

 

RECOGNITION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

 

Trustee Guthals honored Martin Luther King with the reading of various news reports from April 1965.

 

REPORT ON 2008-09 BUDGET

 

Trustee Kelker reported the Budgeting for Results Committee met three times to discuss the potential revenue and the shortfalls in the elementary budget.

 

Superintendent Copps gave a brief report on the State of the District. Enrollment for School District #2 is 15,303, which equals the enrollment for 29 counties in the state. He felt the strengths of the District were a high quality staff that includes 48 nationally board certified teachers. Demographics are changing, as there are more at-risk students.

 

ELEMENTARY LEVY REQUEST

 

Kevin Nelson addressed the Board in opposition of a mill levy. He challenged the Board to seek funds from the tax increment districts and to prevent the city from establishing these.

 

Trustee Kelker reported the major charge for the Budgeting for Results (BFR) Committee, as part of the strategic plan of the Board, was to make a recommendation as to whether it was the intent to ask for an elementary levy. The committee has voted to recommend running an elementary levy. The basic reasoning involved was the shortfall expected in the elementary district. The maximum amount allowed is $870,000, which would bring the District to the cap allowed by state law. The elementary district would still have a deficit if the levy would pass. The BFR Committee has decided that mill levies are necessary to running a school district and that should be communicated to the public.

 

Trustee Guthals felt the Board needed to keep in mind that only a 1.7% increase is expected in the elementary budget, which means the elementary district, will be in trouble. If a levy does not pass, there will be approximately 50 teachers that will be cut, as well as an increase in the number of combination classes and class sizes will increase.

 

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

 

Motion that the Board notifies the public of the likelihood of a General Fund Mill Levy Election in the Elementary

District in May 2008.

 

Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Katharin Kelker, and Sandra Mossman. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees Guthals and Trafford are ineligible to vote on elementary issues.

 

Trustee Goodrich reported that once any vote of the Board that involves public funds is formally declared, only the Superintendent and the Board of Trustees might speak on the need of the levy or bond. The issue will be reviewed at the regularly scheduled meeting in March.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Copps stated his report was included in the earlier State of the District item.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S EVALUATION

 

Trustee Kelker reported the Superintendent has chosen to have his evaluation done in public. The Chair and Vice-Chair have met with Superintendent Copps to discuss the report. Trustees and the COLT team participated in the evaluation. On a scale of 1-10, the overall composite is 9.6. The Board’s overall composite was 9.3%. The comments were very favorable.

 

Chair Goodrich stated he intended to bring a new contract forward for the Superintendent. Superintendent Copps thanked everyone who participated in the evaluation and reported he intended to sign a new contract for 2008/09. Trustee Fox expressed her gratitude to the Superintendent for his leadership.

 

DELETE POLICY 5010 TOBACCO FREE FACILITIES

 

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

 

Motion to delete Policy 5010 Tobacco Free Facilities on third reading.

 

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

 

MTSBA/MQEC UPDATE

 

Trustee Guthals gave an update on the Montana School Board Association (MTSBA) and the Montana Quality Education Coalition (MQEC). He attended two days of meetings for the MTSBA. The MTSBA focuses on the expertise of trustees and on increasing student achievement. Those attending the meetings agreed that there is a need for advocacy. They are now working on a tool kit showing how to talk to the legislators. The Governor is interested in visiting schools and wanted districts to invite him. Almost all school districts are facing financial programs that School District #2 is facing or worse.

 

Trustee Guthals reported MQEC is considering remedies to enforce the judgment stating the funding system is unconstitutional and inadequate and must be fixed. The MTSBA Board of Directors approved moving forward after the 2009 legislative session. Those attending the meetings also discussed distance learning and a loosening of restrictions for teachers teaching these courses, which also might be applied to dual credit programs in the state. The state facilities report is underway.

 

Trustee Fox asked why wait until 2009 to challenge the state on funding. Trustee Guthals reported it would have a strong significant record after the 2009 session. Superintendent Copps reported he would attend the MQEC meeting on Thursday and expected the vote to be to go back to court. He felt it was time for the districts to make a decision and would encourage a return to court quickly.

 

 

 

CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROPOSAL

 

Trustee Guthals reported the Energy and Environmental Innovation (EEI) Committee is recommending a proposal to begin the recycling of materials by Earth First Aid at 23 elementary schools. Sponsors will pay for the recycling and it is expected

that the cost of trash pickup for the schools would decrease. Recycling will also be incorporated into the curriculum. Trustee Aragon reported that teachers and staff are enthused about the project.

 

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

 

Motion to approve the Earth First Aid Curbside Recycling Proposal as set forth on page 22 of the agenda.

 

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

 

BILLS PAID – DECEMBER 2007

 

Trustee Kelker reported the BFR Committee has reviewed the bills. Trustee Kelker made the following motion with a second by Trustee Fox:

 

Motion to approve the bills paid for December 2007.

 

Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously. The bills paid are as follows:

 

Claims $3,085,873.24

ACH Tax Deposits 1,666,072.64

Payroll Warrants & Direct Deposits 5,548,705.40

Procurement Card 216,776.77

INTERCAP Loan Network Infrastructure

Elem. Bond Payment 39,225.00

TOTAL $10,556,653.05

 

FINANCIAL REPORTS – DECEMBER 2007 (UNAUDITED)

 

Trustee Kelker reported the BFR Committee reviewed the financial reports. The reports are as follows:

 

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 report on the MQEC had been given earlier. There was nothing new to report on the Opie case.

 

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

 

Motion to accept the long term suspensions.

 

Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, 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 Achten:

 

Motion to accept the Superintendent’s employment recommendations as presented in the personnel report.

 

Trustee Guthals asked if there was anything unusual or extraordinary. Superintendent Copps replied there was none. Those voting in favor were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, Malcolm Goodrich, Joel Guthals, Katharin Kelker, Sandra Mossman, and Tim Trafford. The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

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 were Dawn Achten, Kathy Aragon, Mary Jo Fox, 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 Minutes, December 17, 2007

Special Board Meeting Minutes, December 20, 2007

Budgeting for Results Minutes, December 10, 2007

Planning and Development Minutes, November 26, 2007

Planning and Development Minutes, December 10, 2007

Policy Review Committee Minutes, October 5, 2007

Policy Review Committee Minutes, October 25, 2007

Energy & Environmental Innovation Minutes, December 6, 2007

Addition of Activities Construction ECA Account

Approve Committee Appoints

 

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

 

Motion to adjourn.

 

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

 

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Malcolm Goodrich, Chair

 

 

Diane Blevins, Recorder

 

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