BANGOR TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

reports

Board Committees/Board Members:

Mr. Thomas reported that the Personnel Committee had held a meeting with the administrative staff regarding contracts.

Interim Superintendent: Mr. Andress reported that Mr. Balash had been researching a traffic sign for Wilder Road. He will be getting quotes and may be able to get this issue taken care of by mid-October.

Mr. Andress also reviewed a situation at the high school. He has researched policies, bylaws, and the student handbook. Mr. Andress has directed Mrs. Smith and Mr. Wetters to draft new language for any event that may occur in the future. He hopes to have this language ready for review at the October meeting.

Director of John Glenn Athletics: Mr. Deming reported on a check that the Coca Cola Company will be presenting to them as a gift. He also stated that the class of 1978 will be erecting a tent and selling hot dogs and popcorn to alumni to help raise funds for the stadium. The district will also be hosting the first Bay Area Thumb Tennis League that will be held at SVSU. Mr. Deming also asked that an Athletic Committee meeting be scheduled for items that need to be approved at the October meeting.

Bangor North Preschool: Mr. Mastuzewski reported that all of the programs at Bangor North were full and in operation. The new lunch program has started, and an open house will be held at Bangor North on Thursday.

Bangor West Elementary: Mr. Matuszewski reported that the NCA team from West had attended a conference. Among other items reviewed were the open house, fund raising activities, and MEAP results. A meeting with the truancy officer had also taken place to review procedures.

Mr. Andress reminded everyone that the MEAP scores were still unofficial at this time.

Bangor Lincoln Elementary: Mrs. Scheerhorn also reported on the NCA conference, a recent open house, and fund raisers. Mr. Andress asked Mrs. Scheerhorn to explain a situation that occurred when she entered updated NCA information via computer for a report. New criteria outlined by the state now considers certain criteria in each building as a violation. These violations included not having a school nurse and standards for administrators in buildings with more than 280 students. Mr. Andress explained that these changes were modeled after the high school standards.

Mr. Kowalski asked if any discussion had taken place with a “real person.” Mrs. Scheerhorn explained that she had just discovered these changes, but will be making telephone calls to verify them.

Bangor Central Elementary: Mrs. Tuttle reported that most of the kindergarten students were not staying all day. She also stated that there were many opportunities and activities available for the schools through Meijers.

Christa McAuliffe Middle School: Mrs. Bibbee reported that the first promotional standards reports had gone out last week. Teachers are now scheduling parent meetings. Other items reported included school group meetings, middle school homecoming activities, and Inservice Day activities.

John Glenn High School: Mrs. Smith started her report with a short story. Her report included homecoming activities, a Positive Learning Communities meeting, Freshmen Success teams, progress reports, assemblies and conferences taking place.

Mrs. Skowronski congratulated the students and class sponsors for doing such a wonderful job on decorating the walls in the school for homecoming.

Director of Christa McAuliffe Middle School Athletics: Ms. Gradowski reported on the coaches that will be returning this year. She also stated that the new score board is up. She thanked the Booster Club for organizing the concession for the middle school. Mr. Dominowski from Meijer’s will be at the middle school assembly on Thursday and will be honored for the score board donation.

regular agenda

Recommendation to Approve State Aid Borrowing Resolution: Mr. Andress reviewed the cash flow situation and recommended that this resolution be approved. A motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve this recommendation. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Richard Kowalski, Dawn Klida, George Thomas, Terrence O’Hare, John Loop, Barbara Skowronski, Scott Sturm. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Recommendation to Approve the Early Childhood Participation Resolution: Mr. Matuszewski explained that it was a requirement that an annual resolution be approved by the Board for this program. A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Terrence O’Hare, to approve this resolution. A roll call vote was taken. Ayes: Richard Kowalski, Dawn Klida, George Thomas, Terrence O’Hare, John Loop, Barbara Skowronski, Scott Sturm. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Approval of School Trip: John Glenn High School Choirs to New York City for Performing Arts Consultant Festival - April 21 - 25, 2004: Mr. Wulterkens reviewed the criteria for the trip. He also asked for approval for a middle school trip to Cedar Point. A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by George Thomas, to approve both of these trips. Mr. O’Hare asked if there happened to be a plan in place regarding refunding the money in case the political climate changed. Mr. Wulterkens said that he would get the information and report back. He also requested that Donna Bohlinger be included as a chaperone for the trip. Mr. Kowalski stated that Ms. Bohlinger would be part of the Board approval. Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Establishment of a 457 (B) Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Andress reported that he has been working with the MEA representative, Tom Sokal, and Mr. Sabedra to finalize this plan. He asked that the Board temporarily approve it at this time. Mrs. Klida stated her concern about approving something that was not in a finalized form.

Mr. Kowalski stated that it was the general consensus of the Board that a special meeting be called to review the preliminary goals and the deferred compensation plan for a special meeting to be scheduled in the near future.

Discussion of Service Provider and Timeline for Superintendent Search: Mrs. Skowronski stated her concern that three districts in the immediate area would be conducting searches for new superintendents - Bay City, Essexville, and Bangor. She stated that the other two districts both would pay higher salaries than Bangor could and, if all used the same search company, they would also be looking at the same candidates. She suggested putting the money used for a search aside and bank it for a year from now. She also suggested that Mr. Andress’s contract be extended for another year.

Mr. Kowalski stated that, based on past experience, everything will depend on the candidates out there. He said the Board may decide to do that after reviewing candidate information anyway.

Mrs. Skowronski suggested putting the $7,000 needed for the search aside for another year. Mr. Kowalski stated that a decision had to be made. The current time line could put Bangor in an earlier posting position than the other districts.

Mr. Loop said that he did not want to delay the search. He stated that major things were going on in the district - outstanding issues - that a new superintendent needed to make decisions on. He wanted to be ahead of the standard timetable.

Mrs. Klida also felt that the district should not wait. If Mr. Andress applied he would have as much consideration for the position as anybody else. She was concerned that if the position was not filled on a timely basis, Mr. Andress and other administrators would get burned out. She at least wanted to get the time line and start looking at what the Board will be doing.

Mr. Thomas stated that he wanted to get somebody on line to start the process.

Mr. O’Hare could see both sides. If the Board did go ahead with the search, but later stayed where it was, the district would be out the $7,000.

Mr. Loop stated his concern that the administrative staff was shorthanded. He felt that when this process was followed, this situation would be remedied. He felt the Board needed to see what candidates were out there.

Mr. Thomas made a motion to hire the Michigan Leadership Institute to start the superintendent search process and come up with a time line. This was supported by Mrs. Klida. The motion carried unanimously.

At 8:50 p.m. a motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by George Thomas, to adjourn the meeting.