BANGOR TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

                                                                                 WORK SESSION

                                                                                   APRIL 21, 2004

 

The Bangor Township Board of Education held a work session on Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at Bangor Edison School.  President Kowalski called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

Members Present:      Richard Kowalski, George Thomas, Terrence O’Hare, John Loop, and Scott Sturm

 

Members Absent:        Dawn Klida and Barbara Skowronski (both family business)

expressions/communications  from the public

 

Janet Dine complimented Bangor Central’s fifth grade on the new construction web site.  She also thanked Nate Wotta, JV Softball Coach, for doing such a wonderful job.  She also thanked Terry Balash, Shelley Blair, Paul Phillips and the entire high school staff for their help with the band fund raiser, as well as the Board members who attended the spaghetti dinner.

 

Mrs. Dine reviewed the plans for the upcoming band trip to Washington D.C. and asked that the Board consider a change regarding the trip.  The time to return back in Bay City was extended to 5:00 a.m. which would not give students much time to prepare for the upcoming school day.  She asked the Board to consider not marking these students absent for the whole day, or at least give them one-half of the day as being marked absent. 

 

Mr. Kowalski asked that Mr. Andress talk to staff at the high school and bring a recommendation back to the regular meeting on Monday.  Mrs. Dine explained that middle and high school students were involved in the trip. 

 

Mrs. Dine then invited Board members to attend the spring concerts on May 12 and May 20.

construction update

 

Mr. Rob Kennedy distributed copies of an update covering all of the building projects, as well as a budget update from Wakely depicting change orders and the increase in cost.  He explained the changes that were needed as specified by the fire marshal and the increase for each.

 

Mr. Kowalski asked why these changes had not been considered in the initial bids if they were common items.  Mr. Kennedy said that this was normal procedure for items that were of concern by the fire marshal.

 

Mr. Balash stated that Mr. Hager would be in attendance at Monday’s meeting to review the items on Bulletin #1 as presented to the Board.

 

Mr. Sturm inquired about the asbestos in the buildings.  Mr. Kennedy said that this had been reviewed with the buildings.  Mr. Andress asked if the utilities that had recently been put in would be a problem. Mr. Kennedy said that, hopefully, these issues would be taken care of at the same time.

 

Mr. Sturm also asked what the local fire marshal felt about the water problem.  Mr. Kennedy said that it is not a state fire marshal issue.  Wakely has communicated with the state fire marshal about this.

 

Mr. Andress reported that he had received complaints about sand blowing from the burm area during the recent high winds. 

                                                                   

Mr. Loop asked if the district projects were on time and at, or below, budget. Mr. Kennedy replied that the projects were on time and currently under budget. A question was also asked if the track would be power-washed.  Mr. Balash stated that this had already been started and will be finished by the end of the week.

reports

 

Board Committees/Board Members:

Mr. O’Hare reported that a meeting of the Athletic Committee had taken place just prior to the work session to discuss hiring coaches for next fall.  An item on the agenda to approve the coaches should be revised.  Coaches listed as “freshmen” or “junior varsity” should be listed as “assistant.”  This change will be reflected in the minutes.

 

Mr. Sturm reported that the Transportation Committee had met recently.  Budget items were reviewed, as well as the bus inventory.  He stated that two or three of the buses are showing a lot of wear and tear.  Mr. Heinrich will be putting together a five-year replacement plan for buses to bring back to the Board.  Mr. Sturm also reported that a change in the bus driver contract had been discussed.

 

Mr. Thomas reported that the BTESP Living Agreement Team had met recently with the Personnel, Policy, and Finance Committee.  He stated that the support group would like to start a sick leave bank and have  Professional Development Inservice Day activities.  They would also like to set a policy for interviewing and hiring internal candidates.  An extension of the contract was also discussed, as well as a wage increase for 2004/05.  The committee also met with Mr. Andress and Mr. Heinrich to discuss staffing changes and openings.

 

Mr. Thomas also reported that the ground breaking ceremony at Bangor Central had gone very well, and that Becky Scheerhorn, Diana Tuttle, and Tom Matuszewski had done a great job on the Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast.

 

Interim Superintendent: Mr. Andress reported that he had attended a work shop today that explained computerized updating of SET-SEG insurance items, i.e., updating facilities, etc.   He stated that he would need to get a district appraisal of equipment and facilities done to finalize the insurance information for computer input.  Mr. Kowalski gave Mr. Andress the go-ahead to get names of organizations that would do an appraisal and bring them back to the Board.

 

Mr. Andress informed Board members that Jim Bellor told him that prisoners could be used to take down the portables at the high school.  He is looking into this.

 

Interim Assistant Superintendent/Director of Special Education/Federal Programs: Mr. Heinrich reported that he and Mr. Andress had attended an educational legal conference on Monday put on by Thrun Law Firm.  He also reported that the summer school program would be running again this year funded by grant money.  Title I positions may be reduced by one person in Reading Recovery next year.  One current teacher will replace someone who is already leaving.  Mr. Kowalski asked what the impact was on Reading Recovery.  Mr. Heinrich reported that this would drop the district to five teachers, but he hoped to pull 31A money in to fund the five positions.  The district did jump a few years ago from four to six teachers.  He is not expecting an increase in grant money.

 

Mr. Kowalski said that Reading Recovery was important, and that he would like Mr. Heinrich to investigate the potential to keep all of the teachers,  as well as funding possibilities.  He believes this an area that is needed for students at that level.  The Board should at least look at that and then ask themselves whether they want to hire a teacher or make a decision not to spend the money.

 

Mr. Heinrich said that he appreciated the input, but that he also needed to consider the budget.

 

Mr.  Heinrich reported that the bus inventory had been discussed in the Transportation Committee meeting.  He is not anticipating any purchasing for next year.  He said that they need to question whether they want to purchase in the future or lease buses.  He also reported that three old buses would be put up for sale.  Mr. Kowalski asked if Mr. Heinrich would be looking at buying one or two buses if the district looks at a two-year budget.  Mr. Heinrich informed him that he may be looking at one new bus in 2005/06 and one in 2006/07.  Mr. Thomas felt that the district should continue to purchase the big buses.  Mr. Lenar stated that he would look at leasing versus buying again.  He felt that leasing had been good for the Holly School District.  Mr. Lenar will be working with Mr. Heinrich to get information ready.  Mr. Kowalski asked for an update on planning.

 

Mr. Heinrich also reported that a tentative agreement had been reached with the bus drivers association regarding the transportation dispatcher position and reducing the days that person works during the year.  The association officers and dispatcher were happy with the agreement reached.

 

Financial Consultant - Budget Update: Mr. Lenar distributed copies of the budget updates and reviewed them for the Board.  Mr. Kowalski said that he would like a tentative 2005/06 budget to review.  Mr. Lenar stated that he will be asking the Board to amend the Athletic budget.  He will be getting the preliminary numbers to Mr. Andress next week.  Mr. Lenar reported that bids for auditing services were due on Friday, and Mr. Andress would be bringing a recommendation to the Board on Monday for approval of the firm.

 

Mr. Kowalski stated his concerns for budgeting for Schools of Choice students.  Mr. Andress reported that the numbers being used were the same - that no increase had been made.  Mr. Kowalski was concerned that the district was budgeting for more students than it would receive.  Mr. Lenar said that he had used a conservative number.

 

Director of Buildings and Grounds: Mr. Balash pointed out the wonderful web site on the construction updates.  He also reported that the stadium project was up and running, and problems with the discus area that had been traveled over with trucks had been corrected.

 

Director of John Glenn Athletics:

Mr. Deming reported that the Winter Sports Night had gone very well.  He thanked the Board members who had attended.  He also reviewed the “Dream Team” candidates and spring sports.  Mr. Deming reported that Whittemore Schools did make it into the NEMC.  He also said that the coaches and athletes had put a lot of time into fund raising this year. 

 

Mr. Andress reminded everyone about future fund raising events taking place in the district.

 

Director of Middle School Athletics: Jennifer Gradowski reported that she will need to post four basketball positions.  She also stated that the middle school calendar had been set for next year and that the web site for middle school athletics was now available on line.

consent agenda

 

A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Scott Sturm, to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

a.         Approval of Minutes - March 11 (special meeting); March 13 (special meeting); March 15 (special, regular, and executive session); March 15 (special meeting); March 29 (special and executive session), April 14 (special meeting)

b.         Personnel: Approval of Tenure:  Pam Bufe - Elementary Physical Education Teacher; Patricia Jacobs - Bangor West Special Education Teacher.  Approval of Retirements: Becky Scheerhorn - Principal, Bangor Lincoln Elementary School; Jim Deming - John Glenn Athletic Director; Robert Wallace - John Glenn Counselor; Patrick Shaffer - CMMS Teacher; Janet Levandoski - Bangor Lincoln Elementary Teacher; Nancy Ann Leiner - CMMS Teacher, Linda Ryder - CMMS Teacher, Patrick Voelker - Bangor West Teacher, Philip Paulus - Bangor West Teacher, Michael Wemple - JGHS Teacher, Kathleen Bach - JGHS Teacher, Diane Ulmer - CMMS Teacher, John Towlerton - JGHS Teacher, Mary Towlerton - JGHS Teacher, Carol Thomas - Bus Driver.  Approval of Resignations: David Kenyon and Michael Major - JGHS Teachers.  Approval of 2004 Fall Coaches: Mark Miller - Head Football; Tim LeVasseur, Jack Dora, Dale Clyde, Kevin Derocher, Jeff Hartt, Jeremy Werner, Cliff Dupuy, Nate Wotta - Assistant Football; Zane Rybkowski - Varsity Basketball; Dan Pembroke - Assistant Basketball; Mandy Klida - Assistant Basketball; Tony Bacigalupo - Girls’ Swimming; Mike Darbee - Assistant Girls’ Swimming; Pat Shaffer - Boys’ Golf; Pete Remington - Assistant Boys’ Golf; Liviu Gligor - Boys’ Soccer; Tara White - Pom Pons.

 

Mr. O’Hare stated that he was happy for the people who were retiring, but that they would leave a big hole in the district.  Mr. Andress said that some individuals had expressed their desire to have their retirement kept confidential and asked the Board to take this into consideration.

 

Motion carried unanimously.

 

regular agenda

 

Approval of 2004 Fall Coaches: A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Scott Sturm, to approve Sharon O’Hare for Cheerleading Coach and Shannon O’Hare as Assistant Cheerleading Coach.  Mr. O’Hare abstained from voting due to conflict of interest.  Motion carried.

 

Recommendation to Approve Nomination for Educational Advisory Group Representative: Mr. Andress explained that Mr. Wetters had been in this capacity previously and nominated him to represent the district again.  A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Terrence O’Hare, to approve this recommendation.  Motion carried unanimously.

other items for discussion

 

Mr. Andress reported that he, Cara Barcia, and Patty Rutkiewicz will be meeting with ISD representatives to provide active e-mail addresses for all Board members. He personally felt that this would be very beneficial to have this set up and finalized.  He said that he would be personally contacting all Board members about their accounts.

 

Mr. Kowalski said that he had talked to Mr. Andress earlier and will be calling a special Board meeting within the first ten days in May to discuss the superintendent’s contract and staffing for the upcoming year. 

 

Mr. Loop also asked if Mr. Andress would have his recommendations ready in terms of how he would like to reorganize the central office.

 

Mr. Loop thanked everyone for their volunteer efforts and reported that the ticket booth and “Memory Lane” fund raising had raised approximately $25,000.  If there are funds remaining, it will be used for fencing.

 

At 9:00 p.m. a five-minute recess was called.

executive session

 

At 9:05 p.m. the meeting reconvened.  A motion was then made by John Loop, supported by Scott Sturm, to go into executive session.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

At 9:40 p.m. the meeting reconvened into open session.