Proceedings of the Board of Trustees District No. 2, Yellowstone County High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County Billings, Montana

December 2, 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, December 2, 2003, at 4:00 p.m.

Chair Katharin Kelker presided.

Roll Call

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

Communication from the Public

The Chair stated anyone wishing to address an item listed on the agenda, but not wanting to wait for the scheduled time, may do so now. The Board will take no action until the scheduled agenda time. There were no public comments.

High School Building Issues

Mac McGahan, Bob Whalen, Dennis Sulser, and Scott Anderson reviewed the proposed projects as listed in the agenda. The proposals are based on input from students, parents, and the community. The proposed costs for the Career Center is $4,557,054 for the needs, but based on warm, safe and dry the total is $2,430,554. Members of the community have voiced their opinion the Career Center is under utilized. The image of the Career Center is also a top priority. The proposal includes program changes and increasing enrollment by 200 students, which would mean a total of 650 students.

Keith Rupert, CTA Architects, gave a brief update on the proposed new high schools based on 1200 students. The total projected costs, equivalent to the quality of Skyview, is $37,040,057. Randy Freeck reported driven piles are being recommended due to the poor soil composition, and a two or three story building.

Bob Whalen reported Skyview is 17 years old and is in need of a few items. Skyview presently has one teacher on a cart as they have run out of room. One issue addressed in the proposal is the irrigation system to install a holding tank for the ditch water. Additional classrooms and a health center are included in the proposal. The total cost for the proposed Skyview revitalization is $3,930,630.

Dennis Sulser reported four meetings were held to discuss the proposed revitalization of West High. Rich Whitney has identified several projects as being completed. The revised proposed cost of the plan is $16,201,859. Proposed additions are for classrooms and additional gym space for health enhancement classes as more graduation requirements have been added. Trustee Stroebe asked for information on paybacks on windows and HVAC systems, and why lights would have to be replaced due to the retrofit conducted in the past. Rich Whitney reported the cost was higher to reuse the older lights than to replace them with new ones.

Scott Anderson reported two meetings were held with parents to discuss the plans for Senior High, as well as a meeting with teachers. Parking was not addressed as it was felt more emphasis was needed for the educational opportunities for students. The total project for Senior is projected at $26,564,524, which includes moving the auditorium that would result in a larger seating capacity, a larger cafeteria, more classrooms, and allows the music and art departments to be in one area instead of the current five locations.

The Superintendent reviewed the costs for the renovation and the relocation of Daylis Stadium as included in the agenda packet. The cost to renovate is $1,261,000 and the cost to relocate is $7,079,400, which is a tentative figure.

Trustee Cabrera stated the District is now paying for neglect of the buildings and urged the Board to avoid putting future boards in this same situation. The maximum debt level for the high school is approximately $100,000,000 and the elementary is a little less than the taxpayer level. Trustee Jarussi was concerned on how to defend the proposals, looking at land for a possible fifth high school, and the amount of the building reserve levy in a couple of years.

Trustee Richert asked if the architect fees are standard. The fees are 10% whereas 15% is reasonable. The fees maybe reduced when the architects are more comfortable with the numbers. The fees will be less on new construction than on remodel jobs. Trustee Stroebe felt cost analysis reports are needed and a discussion on boundaries should take place. He also asked about the ownership issue of the middle schools. Will James, Castle Rock and Riverside were bought by high school funds. He asked administration to consider retaining Joe Floyd to see where the community is. He inquired if options could be offered on the ballot and requested the Board look at different funding options. He asked for information on what the impact on operating costs would be. Trustee Moses felt the period for public input should be extended and the Board discuss boundaries. The Superintendent stated it would come to how the resolution is worded. Trustee Moses stated Larry Martin’s letter on the site has not been discussed. Mr. Svee felt it is a philosophical decision for the Board if it wants to ask the public to decide. If the public approves it, a process would have to be followed to figure out a trade between the two districts.

Trustee Herzog voiced her concern the voters will not approve this and where would we be then. Trustee Richert felt the information was very good regardless of the outcome. Trustee Gesuale urged the Board to have a discussion on what is really needed and felt the revitalization plans would not be possible without the new high school as the plans are for fewer students in the existing high schools. He wanted the same opportunities for all students as the ones at a new high school.

The Chair reported she and the Superintendent would develop different scenarios for the Board members to consider at the December 15th meeting. The Superintendent reported the Agenda Setting meeting would be held on December 4th at 3:00 p.m.

Trustee Gesuale asked for the transportation figures. The site at 56th and Grand would have five or six more routes than the 48th Street location, which would cost in the $40,000 range with a 3% increase each year. Deborah Long reminded the Board another meeting would have to be scheduled following the December 15th meeting to vote on the resolution again as the bond attorney would have to review it.

As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Katharin Kelker, Chair

Diane Blevins, Recorder