Board of Education Regular meeting minutes of December 20, 2004

expressions/communications from the public

Mark Bauer, Assistant Business Manager for the Electricians Local in Bay City, requested copies of the weekly certified payrolls from the district on the employers being used for bond projects. He claimed that the State of Michigan is presently investigating projects and wages for the employer used by the district. He expressed concern about non-payment of prevailing wages and how the district would know the level of apprenticeship wages being paid. He stated that certified payroll did not cost the district any money, and that employers needed to keep weekly certified payrolls. He asked that the district consider requiring certified payroll.

Mr. Kowalski informed Mr. Bauer that this had previously been discussed with the school’s attorney and the superintendent. The information would be provided as long as a written request was given. Mr. Kowalski said that they have been told, as a Board, that this information has been provided. Mr. Kowalski asked that information Mr. Bauer had be given to him or the superintendent.

Mr. Bauer said that he was told the reason the district did not require certified payroll was because if it was handed to you the public could then get copies.

Mr. Kowalski stated that nothing was being hidden. He asked how Mr. Bauer got his information and from whom. He said that as President of the Board he wanted to know.

Lynne Moore asked if the Board would consider open communications from the public after Item 5E on the Regular Agenda. This could give employees affected the opportunity to give input. Mr. Kowalski said that this was no problem.

At this time, Mr. Kowalski added the following items to the Regular Agenda:

5F Recommendation from Board of Education Regarding a Public Freeze on Hiring

5G Recommendation for Student Health Insurance

action items

Recommendation to Approve School Trip: John Glenn Choirs - Chicago, April 15 & 16, 2005: A motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve this recommendation. Motion carried unanimously.

Second Reading and Approval of Revised Board Policy #5118 - Admission of Non-Resident Students: A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve this revised policy. Mr. Andress explained that a provision giving resident students preference of a school building over a Schools of Choice student was deemed discrimination. This was the attorney’s opinion. Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Title I Parent Involvement Plan: Mr. Heinrich reviewed the language that the state provided and explained that it was a requirement for the district in order to received funding. A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by Terrence O’Hare, to approve this plan. Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve 2005/06 School Calendar: Mr. Andress explained that this calendar had been presented by Dennis Trzeciak with the BTEA’s approval. A motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve this recommendation. Mrs. Skowronski asked if the calendar contained the required minutes. Mr. Andress stated that the state-required minutes were in the calendar. Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Freezes and Cuts for the 2004/05 School Year: Mr. Andress reviewed the list being presented and a meeting that was held last Thursday with bargaining units and administrators. He stated that, with careful planning, he believed the district could save $250,000 out of the current budget.

Mr. Kowalski asked about mileage reimbursement. Mr. Andress felt that employee payment of hotel fees was reasonable, but had not considered non-reimbursement of mileage. Mr. Loop stated that this was a tax deductible item. Mr. Andress suggested adding mileage to the freeze list. He then reviewed the lay offs suggested. Mr. Shaffer asked if Bangor South would need to be inspected before it was closed. Mr. Andress said that this would need to be done if it was closed for an extended period of time - more than one year.

Mrs. Skowronski asked that the thermostats be set at 68 degrees per recent information from Consumers Energy regarding energy efficiency. Discussion took place about various rooms at John Glenn where temperatures fluctuated drastically. There was a need for a comfort factor that would not affect the students’ learning process.

Mrs. Klida asked that all overtime be subject to approval and only if it was absolutely necessary.

Mrs. Moore stated that she had not seen a copy of the final cuts. She wanted an opportunity for the audience to speak to it if they chose to do so. She also had requested that lay offs be done from the bottom up.

Mr. Kowalski asked the employees if they had any comments. There were none.

A motion was made by Patrick Shaffer, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve the recommendations.

Mr. Kowalski stated that as Board President he was personally disappointed that the information was not presented better and more timely. He hoped that the district would get much better at communicating and working with employees.

Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Freeze Hiring: Mr. Kowalski stated that, if the district was looking at cuts, they should include a motion to address a hiring freeze and not hiring anybody unless it was brought to the Board for approval. Mrs. Klida stated that there should be no posting or hiring unless it was brought before the Board. A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by Patrick Shaffer, to approve the recommendation that no posting or hiring would be done unless it came before the Board of Education. Mrs. Skowronski asked if this included athletics. Mrs. Klida said “yes.” Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation Regarding Student Health Insurance: Mr. Kowalski stated that the district had provided insurance to students in the past with parents signing off. Mr. Andress explained the past policy regarding insurance coverage for students. Mr. Loop also said that students had to sign an insurance waiver in the past. Mrs. Skowronski explained that the insurance company no longer offered insurance due to low participation. Mr. Andress agreed to review this again.

Mr. Kowalski asked that, if there were no objections from the Board, the superintendent formulate a procedure and/or policy to get parent waivers and offer student insurance. Mrs. Klida asked that the entire Athletic Department be notified about this, particularly the coaches.

other items for discussion

Mr. Loop asked that By Laws 9110 and 9362 be revised to bring them up to date.

Financial Consultant Update: Mr. Lenar stated that the issues regarding cuts were positive. He said that there was still the possibility that the state would cut aid to districts. What was done this evening was the first step. After the holidays they would get heavily into the issues for next year’s cuts.

Mrs. Klida enquired about grant money accounts. Mr. Lenar stated that Mrs. Welskop was setting these accounts up. Mr. Kowalski asked if all of the bills had been paid regarding the grant accounts. Mr. Andress said that they would be, but some items Mrs. Welskop has had to put on hold.

On behalf of the Board of Education, Mr. Kowalski expressed a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all employees.

Mrs. Skowronski reviewed a recent problem at a Caro elementary school regarding boiler fumes. Mr. Andress explained that our administrators were well-trained to handle an incident such as this.

Mr. Shaffer asked, as the district enters Phase 4 of the bond projects, if certified payroll could be readily available to outside requests. A motion was then made by Mr. Shaffer, that certified payroll be requested from the general contractors and sub contractors for Phase 4 so it is available for outside requests. Mrs. Klida supported the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Heinrich asked if the internal posting process would be affected by the motion made earlier about hiring. He stated that there may be an occasion to move an employee in the support staff. Mrs. Klida asked how the Board would know if it is a position that they would need to keep. Mr. Heinrich gave her an example regarding an internal need. Mrs. Klida said that she did not want moving around that would end up in someone being hired for a position that would be terminated by the Board.

At 6:25 p.m. a motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to adjourn the meeting.