Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

Proceedings of the Board of Trustees

District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

October 7, 2003

Call to Order

The Special 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 7, 2003, at 5:30 p.m.

Chair Katharin Kelker presided.

Roll Call

The following officers and trustees were present: Katharin Kelker, Nilo Cabrera, Judith Herzog, Mike Dimich, Superintendent Rod Svee, Conrad Stroebe, Clerk Deborah Long, Gene Jarussi, Peter Gesuale, Debbie Richert, and Karen Moses.

Update on Cost Projections for New High School Construction

Superintendent Svee reviewed the projections for additional classrooms needed at Senior, which is 27, and West is 30. All of the teachers have been moved off of the carts now that the academies are open. He also reviewed enrollment numbers and the census information. The projected costs for the sewer schedule from 56th and Grand to 48th and Monad were given to the members present. If the Board were to decide to change the building site for the high school at 48th and Monad, a legal process would have to be followed, with a possible vote of the public. The public will be given the opportunity to give their input through the use of the Internet.

Dan Martin reviewed the project enrollment and maximum capacity figures, taking into consideration the outlying elementary districts. The figures in the elementary district in the Heights area shows increasing numbers. Trustee Stroebe asked about drop out rates. Mr. Martin did not take that into consideration but was hoping for 100%. Trustee Jarussi voiced his concern the numbers were a straight projection every year and was uncomfortable with those figures.

Keith Rupert reported on the capacity of the existing high schools. If Senior were reduced to 1200 students, it would be 180 square feet per student, West at 1500 students would be 150 square feet per student, and Skyview is 160 square feet per student for 1500 students.

Jim Hartung felt the District has not recognized the cost of sprawl and the cost of traffic. He encouraged the District to work with the City/County Planning Board and urged the Board to look at smaller high schools, as they are better for students. Jerry Hansen stated he did not believe a new high school was needed. He felt the numbers were not increasing, but decreasing. He stated the freshmen academies seem to be working well. He suggested a comprehensive report be developed on the maintenance needs of the District and updated yearly. He further recommended Senior and West be brought up to the same level of educational environment as Skyview.

Glenn Oppel, Government Affairs Director, voiced his concern on the location of the proposed high school. He urged the Board to consider the growth and impact of the costs to develop the site. He asked the Board to consider the legal ramifications of using the site at 56th and Grand Avenue, as the growth is in that area and the costs would be less to develop. Patti Fain urged the Board to address the needs of all the students and not just those students in a west end school. She suggested the Board slow down and look at how to address the needs across the city.

Rich Whitney stated there is a list of projects compiled a few years ago for the building reserves. There are roof issues and mechanical systems that have been added to the list. The list will be reviewed at the next Business Committee meeting. Mr. Whitney will identify the health and safety issues for the $4,000,000 list.

Jim Bauer from the Bauer Group reviewed plans for Orchard Elementary. The plan is for a school in the 450-500 student range. The plan designed in 2000 was a $3,700,000 project, whereas the latest plans range from $4,120,000 to $5,776,000. Trustee Richert stated there are more elementary schools that also need work.

Review of Questions Generated Through Steering Committee Discussion

The Chair asked the Board members to either validate or not validate the list of questions, and add any they felt were needed. Trustee Richert felt the building reserve in 2006 be addressed. Trustee Herzog suggested graphics be put together on the various student capacities that would help the public, and consolidate question #10 and #11. Trustee Cabrera stated since these are questions from the public, all questions should be answered. Trustee Dimich felt number #12 and #13 needed more information. Trustee Stroebe suggested the questions with cost benefits should be emphasized. Dan Martin felt a definition of capacity should be given. Trustee Dimich asked if after developing a budget request for the community, are we going to go back in May and ask for operating costs. He also suggested the correlation between testing scores and overcrowding be addressed and does it enhance smaller schools and education. Trustee Stroebe felt the focus should be kept in line with the District’s mission philosophy. Answering some of the education needs is an important issue. Trustee Cabrera stated what should be addressed are the educational opportunities being neglected as the schools are overcrowded.

Superintendent Svee stated the District does not have a breathing space right now and everything is full. We do not have the luxury of pulling out of a building to remodel. Dan Martin stated there is no space, but there is money to hire teachers but no place to put them. Patti Fain urged the Board to be careful how you use the argument for smaller schools in building a new high school, as it was used to close three elementary schools. Trustee Gesuale suggested an answer be given to why the District will not continue the freshmen academies. Trustee Stroebe recommended informing the public how those facilities would be used after the new building is opened. Trustee Moses asked if information could be given regarding working with the City/County Planning Board.

Trustee Kelker added questions on contributing to urban sprawl, and show the consequences of a bond issue now or later as the interest rates are low. She further stated they would come up with succinct information. It is important for all Board members to use the same information when answering questions and for all to sign on, whether the members agree or not. It is for consistent understanding. Trustee Stroebe asked for information to be given to the public in answering the transportation issue. An example would be to trade $1,000,000 in transportation costs for $1,000,000 in bonds.

Adoption of Decision-Making Calendar

Chair Kelker reviewed the process that could be used. The potential process is as follows:

October 7Special Board Meeting

October 13School/Community Meeting

October 20Regular Board

October 21Public Forum

October 27Special Board Meeting – Board decision – High School scope & type of program

November 3Business Committee

November 4Meet with Rural Schools

November 10School/Community Meeting

November 17Regular Board Meeting

November 24Special Board Meeting – Program options & cost

December 1Public comment deadline

December 15CTA wants decision on bond issue filing on December 22

December 22Bond Filing

January 13Agenda Setting Meeting

January 19Regular Board Meeting

Mail ballots will be used for the bond issue, as they are the most successful option. The election costs will be split between the high school and elementary districts. Trustee Cabrera was concerned the timeline could not be followed. Superintendent Svee assured the Board the timeline was doable, as most of the work has been done. Trustee Herzog urged the Board members to show leadership in this process. Trustee Stroebe asked the ten points of the long-term recommendations be addressed, as well as when Senior and West would get attention. Trustee Cabrera made the following motion with a second by Trustee Dimich:

Motion to approve the timeline as outlined.

Those voting in favor were Nilo Cabrera, Mike Dimich, Peter Gesuale, Judith Herzog, Katharin Kelker, Karen Moses, Debbie Richert, and Conrad Stroebe. The motion passed.

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

Katharin Kelker, Chair

Diane Blevins, Recorder