BANGOR TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

                                                                              REGULAR MEETING

                                                                                     MAY 24, 2004

The Bangor Township Board of Education held a regular meeting on Monday, May 24, 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, Barbara Skowronski, John Loop, and Scott Sturm

Members Absent:        Terrence O’Hare (personal business

expressions/communications from the public

Mr. Kowalski read notes from Jan Maillette and Janet Levandoski thanking the Board for the mantle clocks they received for retirement gifts. 

“stargram recipients” - kevin ora, nancy leiner, linda ryder

Mr. Andress presented “Stargram” certificates to Kevin Ora, Nancy Leiner, and Linda Ryder.  Members of the CMMS staff had nominated these individuals for the award.

student/staff recognition: honors level in accelerated reader: taylor sullivan - bangor lincoln

Mr. Andress, Mrs. Tuttle, and Mrs. Wilson presented Taylor Sullivan with a certificate of achievement and a gift certificate for reaching Honors Level in Accelerated Reader

margaret dziurka - varsity baseball bleacher presentation

Mrs. Dziurka asked permission from the Board to proceed with fund raising activities that would help purchase materials for bleachers for the baseball field.

Mr. O’Hare stated that the last time this had been visited they were looking for an architectural person, and Mr. Dave DeGrow had volunteered to do this.  Mr. Kowalski said that the Board was supportive of anybody who is willing to do a project such as this.  He just wanted to make sure that the people involved in the fund raising activities be in constant contact with Mr. Balash about the project.  Mr. Kowalski then added this item to the Regular Agenda as Item 8I for approval.

reports

Board Committees/Board Members:

None.

Interim Superintendent: Mr. Andress reported that he had attended a Michigan Negotiators’ Conference in Lansing last week.  He also reported that interviews for new staff members would be taking place this week.  Board member identification cards were distributed.

Mr. Kowalski said that he had received a request to find out the amount of money that will be needed to refurbish the high school industrial arts classroom for next year.  Mr. Andress stated that the existing equipment would be used for the first year, plus the equipment from the middle school classroom.  The plan is to use the old equipment that was in the high school.  Mr. Heinrich stated that this would not really be a “wood shop” like it was.  He is looking at different curriculum for that class, i.e. robotics, etc.  The program would be similar to what Heritage has.  Mr. Andress said that the curriculum needed to be written - the class would be like a HGTV-type program, i.e., dry walling/home improvement.

Mr. Andress asked that the elementary handbook changes be placed on the Regular Agenda for approval.  This item will be added to Item 8H along with the high school student handbook changes.

Interim Assistant Superintendent

Mr. Heinrich distributed copies of the consolidated grant budget figures and reviewed his previous suggestion to eliminate a Reading Recovery position at Bangor West.  He felt that this would be a good year, due to retirements, to move a Reading Recovery teacher into a classroom and downsize the Reading Recovery program by one teacher.  The teacher being moved did not object to the reassignment.  If the district waited another year to do this, it could lead to laying people off.

Mr. Kowalski felt that this position was very important to the students and would like to see the program continue as it stands.  He stated that if the Board wanted to fund this position, it would be done out of the general fund.  Mr. Heinrich reviewed the cost for the position and the funds available through the grant.  Mr. Thomas asked Mr. Matuszewski his opinion.

Mr. Matuszewski said that this had been the first year Bangor West had two such positions - they had only one in previous years.  Mr. Kowalski said that, as a Board, they had concerns about the reading success of the students.  He asked if one teacher could do the job.  Mr. Andress reviewed criteria regarding the teacher/student ratio.

Mr. Andress stated that he and Mr. Heinrich had to give both sides of the issue.  Mr. Loop felt this was too important an area.  He would like to continue the program as it stands.  Mr. Andress said that he would like the opportunity to search for another Reading Recovery teacher. 

Mrs. Klida agreed that this is not where the district should be cutting.  She inquired if the $70,000 cost included training.   Mr. Heinrich informed her that this amount was for the actual position that included a raise for next year.  Training would be an additional amount.  Mrs. Skowronski felt this program was very important as well.  Mr. Sturm agreed with the rest of the Board.  Mr. Kowalski stated that it was the consensus of the Board to maintain this as it stands.

Mr. Heinrich reported that the summer school program was at capacity.  He also said that he would like to see a similar program for both middle and high school in the future. 

Mr. Heinrich said that he had a meeting with Mr. Dewey, ISD Superintendent, last week to discuss itinerant staff.  Mr. Heinrich will be setting up a meeting with them to discuss this as well.

Mr. Heinrich reviewed the criteria and cost for adding a Family Services Coordinator at the middle school.  He also reviewed the bids received for used buses and the driver’s education car.  He felt that the bus bids were too low and will be checking salvage companies to see if he can get  better prices.  The car bid will be awarded to the highest bidder at $2,660.

Building Administrator Reports: Written reports by administrators were distributed to Board members.

consent agenda

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

a.         Approval of Minutes: May 13, 2004 (special meeting); May 19, 2004 (work session)

b.         Approval of Monthly Expenditures

Grand Total All Funds - $1,582,239.45

(Payroll portion equals - $1,090,845.60)

b.         Personnel: Approval of Leave of Absence: Darcy Nicholas - JGHS Teacher

Motion carried unanimously.

regular agenda

Recommendation to Approve Resolution Appointing Election Inspectors for the June 14, 2004 School Election: A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Scott Sturm, to approve this recommendation.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Wage Increase for Election Workers: Mr. Andress asked for an increase which would align the school district with the wages the township currently pays.  The increase would give workers $90 per day and the chairperson $115 per day.  A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve this recommendation.  Mr. Kowalski stated that Mrs. Santos had approached him about this as well.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve MHSAA Membership Resolution for 2004/05: A motion was made by Barbara Skowronski, supported by Dawn Klida, to approve this annual resolution.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Post for Middle School Family Services Coordinator: A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Scott Sturm, to approve this recommendation.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Job Descriptions for Athletic Director and Recreation Director: Mr. Andress reviewed the job descriptions for these positions.  He said that this may end up being the same person, but wanted to clarify this point. 

Mrs. Klida said that the issue of functioning as assistant principal and athletic director had been expressed before.  She wanted clarification about the time frame for duties and being pulled away from duties.  Mr. Andress did not feel that the individual would be pulled from duties in either position, but he would say “when available.”  Mr. Andress has already discussed this with Mrs. Smith and Mr. Wetters. 

Discussion took place about this position historically and how duties were handled.  Mr. Andress stated that, when polling other school districts, he had found out that the person was one-half time athletic director and one-half time teacher. 

Clarification was made about which two job descriptions were being recommended for approval.  Mr. Andress also said that the stipend for the Recreation Director position needed to be worked out and may be posted like a coaching position.

 Discussion took place about the cost of the position coming out of the general fund.  Mr. Andress clarified that one-half of Mr. Wetters’ salary had been funded by the Recreation budget.  Approximately $35,000 would now have to be funded by the general fund. 

A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by John Loop, to approve this recommendation.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Letter of Undertanding with BTEA - Advisory Period: Mr. Andress explained that this was for one year only, at which time the BTEA contract would be renegotiated.  A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve this recommendation.   Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Superintendent’s Contract: Copies of the final contract were distributed to Board members.  A motion was made by Barbara Skowronski, supported by George Thomas, to approve this recommendation.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve John Glenn and Elementary Student Handbooks: Mrs. Smith reviewed the wording and criteria used for the breathalyzer section.  Mr. Kowalski asked if there were procedures established that will be followed.  Mrs. Smith reviewed the process of “observable behavior.” 

A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by John Loop, that these recommendations be approved with the contingency that Mr. Allsopp approve the wording on the high school changes.  Mr. Sturm asked if the “communications that threaten” would include bomb threats.  Mrs. Tuttle clarified this issue by stating the principals felt that it was covered by that section.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Bleacher Fund-Raising Project: A motion was made by George Thomas, supported by John Loop, to approve this request as presented earlier in the evening by Mrs. Dziurka.  Motion carried unanimously.

other items for discussion

Mr. Loop asked for an update on the boxing club.  Mr. Balash said that he would follow up on this when he returned from vacation.

Mr. Kowalski asked that the facilities rental policy be reviewed with possible recommendations for increases in fees to be brought back to the June meeting.

At 8:50 p.m. a motion was made by George Thomas, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to adjourn the meeting.

Respectfully submitted,

Dawn Klida

Secretary