BANGOR TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 28, 2004
The Bangor Township Board of Education held a regular meeting on Monday, June 28, 2004, at Bangor Edison School. President Kowalski called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Richard Kowalski, George Thomas, Dawn Klida, Terrence O’Hare, Barbara Skowronski, John Loop, and Scott Sturm
Members Absent: None
expressions/communications from the public
Mr. Ken Malkin, member of the Bay City Board of Education, explained an education plan that he has written regarding equity for school funding.
Mr. Horner, a representative from the contractor’s association, asked that the district enact the “Responsible Contracting Policy”, as well as using educated people to work on the buildings. Mr. Kowalski gave Mr. Horner a copy of a draft “Responsible/Quality Contractor” policy that he has gotten from MASB. He explained that the district is working on adopting a similar policy, but needed to finalize it at this time.
Mr. Horner also inquired about a FOIA request that had been sent to the district from Sanilac Steel regarding certified payroll information. The request had not yet been honored. Mr. Heinrich explained that the request had been given to the school’s attorney who was aware of the deadline for the request and was dealing with it.
board member recognition: george thomas and barbara skowronski
George Thomas was presented with a plaque in honor of his years of service to the district as a Board member.
Mrs. Skowronski was given a Certificate of Recognition for completing the Bay Area Chamber’s Leadership Bay County Program.
staff member recognition: jeff hartt - baseball hall of fame inductee
Jeff Hartt was presented with a Certificate of Recognition for his induction into the Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Mr. Loop commended Mr. Hart on his years as a staff member and coach for the district.
reports
Board Committees/Board Members: None.
Interim Assistant Superintendent: Mr. Heinrich stated that he would have additional information about items on the Regular Agenda later in the evening.
Financial Consultant: Mr. Lenar presented the Board with estimated figures on the budgets for 2005/06 and 2006/07.
consent agenda
A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a. Approval of Minutes: June 23, 2004 (public hearing and work session)
b. Approval of Monthly Expenditures
Grand Total All Funds -2,116,926.36
(Payroll portion equals: $1,388,053.12)
c. Personnel: Approval to Hire: Elizabeth Bailey - John Glenn Counselor; Troy Lynch - John Glenn English; Justin Jamrog and Shawn Maison - John Glenn Science; Jill Learman - CMMS Family Services Coordinator; Elizabeth Walter - CMMS Art; Daniel Brandt - CMMS 8th Grade Math; Amy Kemp - CMMS 6th Grade Language Arts
Motion carried unanimously.regular agenda
Recommendation to Approve Facilities Use Rates: A motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by George Thomas, to approve this recommendation. Motion carried unanimously.
Recommendation for Approval on Property Sale: Mr. Heinrich reviewed the three properties in question - 1) the old boxing club, 2) Bangor South, and 3) property located behind Bangor Central. He asked for a motion and discussion regarding what direction the Board would like to take on these properties.
Mr. O’Hare asked if motions and discussion could be broken down by individual property. Mr. Heinrich stated that this could be done.
Mrs. Skowronski made a motion, supported by George Thomas, authorizing Mr. Balash to go ahead and put the boxing club on the market. Mr. O’Hare said that the value of the property had been discussed before, and he asked that all of the property values be reviewed again. He asked why the district had gone with the realtor presenting the figures.
Mrs. Klida had a question regarding the retention of Mr. Satkowiak as the realtor. She said that it was typical in real estate that the fees could be negotiated. Mrs. Klida asked that this information be checked out before proceeding.
Mr. Kowalski asked how the district decided on a realtor. Mrs. Klida stated the need for a commercial realtor. Mr. Balash said that he would get other bids from different realtors. Mr. Kowalski asked that Mr. Balash check with Bill Allsopp regarding getting other bids.
Mrs. Skowronski asked what would happen with the revenue from the sales and if it would go into a special account for improvements needed for the road at Bangor Central. Mr. Balash said that he was sure that a special fund could be set up for use of that money. Mr. Kowalski stated that he was not sure that the district would be putting that road in.
Mr. Thomas asked if Mr. Balash had checked to see if the boxing club had any historical standing. Mr. Balash has not been able to find anything locally or in Lansing.
Mr. Lenar stated the revenue from the sales could be placed in a separate fund and
reserved for a special project.
Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Dawn Klida, to consider sale of the property behind Bangor Central. A Point of Order was established by Mr. Loop who explained that, when Jeff Mayes had approached the district on this, there were a couple of different plans for the property in question.
Mr. O’Hare believed that the property was worth a lot more today than before. He had a problem with selling these lots because it was a continuous block area. It would be a valuable place to expand the schools if needed. He was not opposed to the driveway, but getting rid of property when the district may need the money in a couple of years. He preferred to hold on to it at this time.
Mr. Kowalski asked if the egress was a mandatory item that had to be done. Mr. Balash stated that the egress would only be a township requirement that the district would be meeting. Mrs. Klida asked if this was a requirement or a request. Mr. Balash said that it was not clear at this point, and that he is checking this with Mr. Allsopp. Mr. Kowalski felt that this should have been brought up earlier by the architect if it was needed.
Mr. Sturm agreed with Mr. Kowalski. He thought that the Board had talked about an easement before the water problem came up so that buses could get in and out. Some of the issues with the fire marshal scenarios are pretty big. Mr. Sturm did not feel that the district should fund the whole water problem. Further discussion took place about the water lines. Mr. Loop said that, since it was the township that came to us with pictures of a subdivision and access road, he thought there was a little production trying to stimulate housing in Bangor Township. We need to make it perfectly clear that bond money cannot be used for this type of project.
The motion was defeated unanimously.
Mr. Kowalski suggested that the Bangor South property get properly rezoned. Mr. Balash stated that he still needed to go through the realtor and neighbors before this can be done. Mr. Loop stated that the ten-year plan had taken this property into consideration. He said that the bond took care of the five buildings being used for educational purposes, and the district needed to find some way to sustain Bangor North, South and Edison, as well as the HRC. Money would be needed to convert Edison into a Board Building. Something needed to be done with these buildings soon. He also asked Mr. Balash what the cost was to maintain Bangor South at this time. Mr. Balash said that the cost was between $30,000 and $50,000 to operate the building without students. Mr. Heinrich said that at this time it is a constant drain, and that pursuing re-zoning did not lock the district into sale of the property. Re-zoning could take the better part of a year to get done. He could then bring the information back to the Board at that time to consider the sale. Mr. Balash stated that the neighbors would have to agree to the re-zoning.
A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by George Thomas, to check into re-zoning for Bangor South property. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Balash asked if the Board would like him to look into any of the other properties noted in the ten-year plan. Mr. Kowalski said not at this time.
Mr. Sturm asked how deep the property is at Bangor Edison. Mr. Balash was not sure.
Recommendation for Salary Increase for Non-Union Employees (Family Services Coordinators and Lunch Aides: Mr. Heinrich distributed copies of a 3% salary increase proposal for the non-union employees. He stated that these increases had been built into the 2004/05 budget by Mr. Lenar. A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Terrence O’Hare, to approve this recommendation.
Mr. O’Hare asked for verification that these increases fit into the budget. Mr. Heinrich verified that they did.
Motion carried unanimously.
Other items for Discussion
Mr. Heinrich asked the Board to consider a proposal with the ISD for Severely Emotionally and Physically Impaired students. Bangor currently has such a student that is being educated by a homebound teacher with a half-time aide. Mr. Heinrich said that the parents will be coming to us saying they have a right to have their child in an educational setting and the district will have to provide this. He asked the Board to consider pursuing this program with the ISD.
Mr. Thomas asked about the number of students, and if the cost would be higher if the maximum number was not reached. Mr. Heinrich said that the ISD would have that number of students to fill the room. Mr. Heinrich said that the potential cost would be about $20,000 per seat, but Bangor needed a seat for one student. He also informed Mr. Kowalski that this was not budgeted.
Mr. Kowalski wanted to know why he was bringing this to the Board at this time if Mr. Heinrich had known about it before. Mr. Heinrich stated that it was a political process with the ISD who had finally come to him in May. He felt that this was almost the cost of an aide for the student. Mr. Heinrich said that this plan may crumble yet.
Mr. Kowalski asked who had agreed financially. Mr. Heinrich informed it was the ISD. Mrs. Klida reiterated that the seat had not been placed in the budget, but that the district was currently paying for an aide for the student. She asked how much was not in the budget that the district would have to put in for this. Mr. Lenar said that the total cost may be close to zero or maybe plus or minus $5,000. Room rent and supplies can be offset or shared.
Mr. Kowalski said that he had no objection to this plan and that it was the general consensus of the Board that they let Mr. Heinrich move ahead. Mr. Heinrich stated that he would come back with specific numbers in July.
Mr. O’Hare stated concerns about outside receptacles at the press box that would be needed for filming. Mr. Balash will check on this.
Mr. Balash discussed the drafts for the mural that will be on the wall of the press box.
Mrs. Klida said that, at the work session last week, there was a brief discussion
about elimination of a position in the support staff bargaining unit without prior discussion. Mrs. Klida thought that with a Living Agreement and current working relationship with the union, she was disappointed that there was no discussion whatsoever about this position. She did not want that to happen again. There had been no Board input and felt this may need to be revisited. She was disappointed to have it presented in that way.
At 9:20 p.m. a motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by John Loop, to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Skowronski, Secretary