RSSLive Blog

Live coverage: School board meeting

A pair of Billings residents will get their moment with the School District 2 board Monday night when they interview for the seat left vacant by Trustee Pam Ellis.

3rd & 7 37yd

For example, he says, he didn't know what team teaching was so he went and researched it. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:01:24 AM
Kathy asks him about spending priorities. Virgil tells him getting right with the state's accreditation standards must be the priority. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:02:09 AM
He tells trustees that he appreciates Lincoln Center being willing to make budget cuts. That helps with perception, he says. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:03:02 AM
Greta asks him about change. "Schools have to adapt," he tells them. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:03:26 AM
He learns different from his parents because he grew up with TV. His kids will learn different 'cause they grew up with the internets. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:04:02 AM
Lindy asks him about how best to include unions in decision-making process. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:04:30 AM
It's important to include unions, because they represent teachers, who are on the "front lines" of educational work. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:04:58 AM
Kevin asks him about curriculum standards at #SD2.

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:05:51 AM
Virgil says he's pleased with the standards, explaining that his kindergartners left their class knowing how to read. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:06:38 AM
But, he worries about "out-of-the-box" learners, those with special needs and kids with troubled home lives. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:07:04 AM
Allen asks him how best to resolve conflict. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:07:27 AM
Virgil says you have to understand where people are coming from when conflict arises. You gotta communicate. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:08:04 AM
Allen asks him what skills he'll bring. Virgil says he was born and raised in Minnesota, so he's got a little different perspective. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:09:29 AM
He also says he works in an office that prizes customer satisfaction. Those same principles apply to a school board and its community. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:10:45 AM
A trustee has to be ready to answer questions about the school district. He discovered that after his picture appeared in Saturday's paper.

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:11:34 AM
And he's studied and prepared to be on the board for the last 3 years. He said he's been thinking about doing this for a while. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:12:55 AM
Board now invited to ask follow-up questions. Kathy asks if Virgil has an experience with governance. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:13:42 AM
Board now invited to ask follow-up questions. Kathy asks if Virgil has an experience with governance. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:13:42 AM
Virgil tells her sat on a his church board for a while. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:14:00 AM
Allen tells trustees, "Now, discuss." #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:15:18 AM
Kevin wants it on the record that he has a business relationship with Jana. His company leases her company its space. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:15:58 AM
Lindy likes the fact that Virgil is involved with PTA, parent council that he comes to meetings regularly. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:16:46 AM
Kathy says both have done a very good job answering the questions and likes that their both willing to serve. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:17:24 AM
Both are very well qualified, she says. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:17:53 AM
She'd move to vote on Janna but would support either candidate, she says. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:18:17 AM
Greta likes both candidates, too. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:19:04 AM
She'll support whichever candidate is put forward, but is leaning more towards Janna. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:19:31 AM
She'll support whichever candidate is put forward, but is leaning more towards Janna. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:19:31 AM
Kevin praises Virgil's "active involvement" in the district. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:20:02 AM
Allen echoes the sentiments of the other trustees. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:20:57 AM
Board votes 4-2 in Janna's favor. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:21:51 AM
Board now moves to appoint Janna to the board. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:22:24 AM
Here's the breakdown of the vote, Janna: Kathy, Greta, Allen and Kevin. Virgil: Travis and Lindy. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:23:15 AM
Lindy expresses some concern about Kevin's relationship with Janna. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:25:12 AM
Leo Hudetz, board clerk, says he talked to the state about it and they said it's all on the up and up, no conflict of interest. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:25:41 AM
Lindy is the lone no-vote in the resolution to appoint Janna to the board. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:26:20 AM
And the meeting is adjourned. #SD2

by Rob Rogers via twitter 7/23/2013 12:26:26 AM