Board of Education Special Meeting for July 21, 2004

consent agenda

Mr. Kowalski read the Action Items as listed on the agenda for approval as follows:

C Approval of Minutes - July 12, 2004 (Organizational and Regular Minutes)

C Personnel: Approval of Resignations: Diane Stoddard - CMMS/John Glenn High school Band Director; Jennifer Gradowski - CMMS Athletic Director.

C Approval of Resignation: Patrick Shaffer - Boys’ Varsity Golf Coach.

C Approval of Change Orders

A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by Patrick Shaffer, to approve these items as listed. The first two items were left on the Consent Agenda with the last two being placed as Action Items.

Mr. O’Hare stated his concern about the middle school athletic director position. He felt that the person resigning would have been happy to stay in that position if the salary had been comparable to the Recreation Director’s.

Mr. Kowalski asked that this item be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed as an action item for further discussion. This was done with the general consent of the Board.

Mr. Kowalski then stated that the minutes from the July 12 Regular meeting reflected that the John Glenn Athletic Director contract be reviewed by Mr. Allsopp and then by Dawn Klida. He asked if the contract had been given to Mrs. Klida for review. Mr. Andress said that he did not know that this was in the minutes. A copy of the new contract, as well as changes made by Mr. Allsopp were given to Mrs. Klida for review at this time by Ms. Barcia.

Motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Resignation - Jennifer Gradowski - CMMS Athletic Director:

The motion to approve this was made by Dawn Klida, supported by Patrick Shaffer.

Mr. O’Hare stated that this individual held this position for the last two years and has done a lot of work. He did not see what the problem would be if the district increased the amount of pay by $2,500 to match the Recreation Director position of $7,500. He felt it would be worth the increase to keep the person now in that position.

Mrs. Klida agreed with Mr. O’Hare about the job that has been done by Ms. Gradowski, however, with the financial constraints the district is facing she could not really support the increase in pay. She personally thought the district was not in a financial position to offer more. This job had been created at a time when the district had the money. Mrs. Klida was not in support of this increase at this time.

Mr. Loop felt that the work would then fall on the new Athletic Director. He suggested the possibility of asking Mr. Ruhlig to do the job using the $5,000 budgeted for and absorbing the $2,500 out of the Athletic budget so that no extra out-of-pocket money is taken out of the general fund.

Mr. Kowalski felt that the comparison to the Recreation Director was a poor comparison as funds are received from the township toward this position. He also stated that this position had received a 3% increase per the recommendation of the superintendent.

Mr. Andress stated that the position had been posted as soon as he had received the resignation letter. The district has received quite a few applications - some from retired teachers and also one current staff member.

Mr. Loop said that Jennifer had ended up taking games at the high school - he suggested that this be added to the job description. Jennifer had done some of the Freshmen and Varsity contests. This may have been something she and Mr. Deming had worked out.

Mrs. Klida thought Ms. Gradowski had been paid extra for some of that work. A lot of the work was coordinated with Jodi. This would be a big jump in salary and she was not sure that the information regarding duties was accurate. The district has been going back and forth on the band camp issue which isn’t finished yet and now they are going to jump into this.

Mr. Andress reported that Matt Ruhlig is willing to work with the staff to find a person, but he is prepared to run that program. At that point, if there is no one, that money could be used for game managers. Mr. Andress felt certain that he could find staff members who would be willing to be game managers.

Correction:

Original: Mr. O’Hare said that Matt was brand new at being an Athletic Director. He did not think has any idea how much work he has with this job. There is a big difference between Recreation and Athletic Director. Mr. O’Hare felt it was better to have experienced people to call on, and Jennifer would be a benefit for him. Mr. O’Hare felt that an experienced staff member helped identify with the students. He felt that the district was making a mistake not keeping Ms. Gradowski and that he did not want to see athletics suffer.

Correction: Mr. O’Hare said that Matt was brand new at being an Athletic Director. He did not think the Board had any idea how much work he has with this job.

Mrs. Klida stated that Mr. Ruhlig had been the Athletic Director at St. Charles, so he is not new as an Athletic Director. If Mr. Andress said that the district is getting qualified candidates who are applying, then they are opening the door.

Mr. Andress said that Jennifer Gradowski had come to him and discussed the conflict with the administrators about the position. He felt that the whole package needed to be looked at, especially doing the job without taking her from the

classroom.

Mr. Kowalski said that the district funds depended on the number of Schools of Choice students it would get, and they needed to look at the future. This was not part of the plan and is a major jump in salary. The Board has not yet sat down to look at what they are going to do with salaries. He stated that, at the last conference he attended, attendees were told that funding would be $6,700 per pupil, but there may be the possibility of cuts in state aid in December or January.

Ayes: Richard Kowalski, Dawn Klida, Barbara Skowronski, John Loop, Patrick Shaffer, Scott Sturm. Nays: Terrence O’Hare. Motion carried.

Approval of Resignation: Patrick Shaffer - Varsity Boys’ Golf Coach:

A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by John Loop, to approve this resignation.

Mr. O’Hare commended Mr. Shaffer on the wonderful job he has done as the varsity boys’ golf coach. Mr. Shaffer stated that he has been making arrangements for the upcoming golf season until the new person is hired.

Mr. Kowalski congratulated Mr. Shaffer, on behalf of the entire Board, for a job well done.

Approval of Change Orders: Mr. Rob Kennedy presented Board members with the updated figures for recent change orders regarding paving at Bangor Central. The prices had come in well over the original plan for repairs, and he recommended no approvals at this time. Discussion took place about the present condition of the parking lot and drainage problems, as well as the future possibility for a new egress. It was the decision to go with the original plan for resurfacing at this time.