School Community Committee Meeting - February 11, 2008

[Marta McAllister]

Proceeding of the School/Community Committee Meeting

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

February 11, 2008

 

 

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order by Tim Trafford.

 

Members Present:

Tim Trafford, Kathy Aragon, Nancy Hines, Jim Hartung, Kevin Croff, Jay Kirk, Matt Wall, Kelly O’Leary, and Jan McCandless.

 

Members Excused:

Scott Anderson and Amanda Frickle

 

Guest Present:

None

 

Communication from the Public:

None

 

Approval of the January 28, 2008 School/ Community Committee.

Jim Hartung made the motion seconded by Kevin Croff to approve the January 28, 2007 School/Community Committee minutes. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Introduction:

School Community Committee members introduced themselves and welcomed new member Matt Wall, Skyview student.

 

Overview of Communication Plan for School District 2:

Nancy Hines, Director of Community Relations and Communications presented the history and current status of the district’s Communication plan.

 

Nancy Hines explained that after the Communication plan was completed, the district choose to implement the plan. Nancy Hines noted that originally private businesses partnered with the district to fund the position. Nancy Hines stated the position is now a full-time employee district position funded by the district.

 

Nancy Hines explained that the Communication position works under the Office of Development and Advancement. Within the Office of Development and Advancement Nancy Hines works with others to create collaborative partnerships, generate funding, seek and incorporate community input, and develop programs to expand opportunities for the learner through financial and community support.

 

Nancy Hines discussed several programs that have been implemented in the district which include, Care Academy/Before and After-School Programming, Dual Credit Program, Workforce Development, Professional Development, Drop-out Prevention/Smaller Learning Communities, Native American Achievement Project, Technology/Software and the district’s web-site.

 

Nancy Hines noted that a Crises Communication Call System has been implemented in the district.

 

Nancy Hines agreed to update the School/Community Committee on the district’s Communication Plan at a future meeting.

 

Zangle as a Tool for Parent Use:

Kathy Aragon made the motion seconded by Nancy Hines to move Agenda Item D, Zangle as a Tool for Parent Use, to the March 24, 2008 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Health and Wellness Requirements and Fund Raising Policies:

Kathy Aragon explained that the Student Health Advisory Council, (SHAC) is trying to develop a Fund Raising Policy that will create a healthy environment for schools. Kathy Aragon would like the students to be part of the solution. Kathy Aragon will plan for Kelly O’Leary, a student at Senior high to be included on the SHAC agenda to present ideas at the February 12, 2008 meeting.

 

Jim Hartung asked how the Health and Wellness program healthy lunches affects lunch sales. Kathy Aragon stated that sales have maintained or gone up at the elementary schools. Kathy Aragon noted that studies reflect that there is an initial decrease in sales when healthy changes are made, but sales go back up within six months.

 

Members discussed healthy food choices that teachers can choose to reward students with instead of unhealthy food choices.

 

Nancy Hines suggested SHAC organize focus groups at the schools to see what healthy choices students desire. Kathy Aragon suggested that in February and March meetings SHAC make arrangements to meet with students regarding what healthy choices they want. Kathy Aragon suggested that students have several healthy choice samples to present to the SHAC Committee.

 

Tim Trafford explained that the Health and Wellness Fund Raising Policy is not to prohibit, but to encourage healthier alternatives.

 

Tim Trafford asked Kathy Aragon to return and give an update on the Health and Wellness Program.

 

 

 

Adjournment:

Jan McCandless made the motion seconded by Kathy Aragon to adjourn the meeting.

The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

___________________ ______________________

Tim Trafford, Chair Brenda, Recorder