News from June 2014 Board Meeting

Public Comment...

• Lynn McKinney - School employee. Concerned about the elimination of Library Clerk positions in West, Senior, and Skyview. 3.0 FTEs of positions. Says that this will decimate Library programs. Libraries will not be fully staffed. These positions provide student services. She wants budget passed this summer to bring back these positions.

Broadwater and McKinley update...

• No updates.

Middle School...

• Second Middle school design cost will be included in first bond issuance.
• Demographics checkup coming.
• Retractable seating in commons area: Dusty said it is not worth doing and cannot do it with quality and stay under budget.

Superintendent Report...

• Working on High School security. Auto Door Locks. Student cards. Security Cameras at 5 entrances with buzz in. Senior first, Lincoln Center second, West, Skyview, and then Career Center. Finish shortly after the school year starts. Lots of pots to pay for Lincoln Center system. Cards are one fits all...building access, library, etc.. Still thinking about after school activities, like basketball games. Trustees bring up concern about interacting and developing relationships with students. Help students before they become shooters.
• 45 people submitted applications for redistricting committee. Sent to Cropper for review and selection. Team will be announced in July. Applicants names will be put in a newsletter.
• Tours of Broadwater and McKinley during Summer. 95% of work will be done by local contractors. 
• Community 7 did onsite interviews at these locations and new middle school site.
• MTSBA Delegate Assembly. 4/5 of our resolutions were passed. 6 grade funding as middle school. Debt subsidizes. Evaluate equality of funding. 
• We are going to have great news in 7 days, but he cannot tell us.

School based health center and Orchard...

• Scott McColough public comment:  BEA supports this. Schools should make sure students are healthy.
• Superintendent: 67% free and reduced lunch. Some parents cannot drive. Supports development of proposal. Board will have a chance vote to approve proposal in a future meeting. Aragon: Do we have space to do this? There is space in Library. Some space where custodians work. Some small learning group rooms. 
• MOA Draft passed 5-0.

Budget Update...

• Budget will be approved Monday August 18th.
• 1 percent savings goal for this school year will be met this school year.
• Books close end of July
• Reserves will all be above 5%. This will help on the rate on the next bond issuance.
• Aragon: Wants FTE information to ensure that 1% savings is not cutting staff too much. Revenues are going up and enrollment is going up, but FTEs are not as much as 2008 for school teachers and staff. Vacancy savings too much. Hudetz resistant in providing this information.
• Stroebe: 1% savings...did they cut staff. Savings with replacing retirees with younger staff? Is on budget documents. Activity Bus fee increase? No legislation to fund this at the state level. Paid by general funds. Will add 5 middle school teachers this summer.
• Toolhill:  Want details of 1% savings. Vacancy savings only replacing retirees. Board Contingencies will pay for facilities and textbooks. 
• Aragon: Wants to know teacher FTE changes over the last 10 years. Calculation of student/teacher ratios important for budget decisions. Stroebe: How we balance the budget is important. CFO will try to put in budget documents.
• Superintendent: Lost 400 students at high school level. Staff paid for using one time money was a problem. 

Board Appointments to redistricting team...

• Toolhill and Ludwig proposed as Trustee representatives. Toolhill encourages others to attend meetings and participate. Layton is Alternate. Hafer added as representative. Motion passed 7-0.

Trustee Vacancy...

• Two applicatons:  Rob Rogers and Sara Neff.
• 60 days to fill vacancy for zone 5.
• Need a special meet to fill seat. July 15 deadline.
• June 30th 530 pm is the special meeting. Decision will be made. passed 7-0.

AA Caucus...

• Resolution #9 still going...Lockwood High School. Everyone wants MTSBA unified for legislative session.
• Toolhill: constant battle between districts...if one gets more, then another will get less.
• Stroebe: Wants to hold on cololition. 
• MQEC dues: Paying for a voice at the legislature. For 10 year review. Passed 7-0.