Borad of Education Work Session of Aug. 18, 2004

communications/expressions from the public

Mr. Kowalski read a letter from a parent requesting reinstatement for his daughter who had been expelled earlier this spring. Mr. Kowalski asked Mr. Andress to follow up on this request. Mr. Andress said that he would send the family a letter.

Cecilia Wieland asked that the Board to consider giving her daughter, a tenth grade John Glenn student, a parking permit for the upcoming school year. She stated that her daughter had to walk nine-tenths of a mile to the bus stop and stated her concern about this. Mrs. Wieland had already discussed this with the high school administrators who informed her what the district’s policy was for distributing parking permits. She then contacted Mr. Heinrich who investigated the situation and told her he did not want to go over the principal’s head. Mrs. Wieland said that she has repeatedly contacted the Board Building in the past to get a bus to come down her street to pick up her daughter, but has been unsuccessful in her attempts. Mrs. Wieland had contacted Mr. Andress today and informed him about the issues. Mr. Andress told her to come to the Board meeting to express her concerns.

Mr. Kowalski asked the high school administrators what the policy was. Mr. Wetters reviewed the policy stating that only juniors and seniors indicating a need to drive to school were issued passes. He said sophomores may request a day pass for special circumstances.

Mrs. Smith informed the student of the policy when the student asked if she could get a pass. Mr. Heinrich became involved when the concerns of the parent were brought up. Mr. Heinrich was checking to see if it was possible to have a bus pick the student up closer to her home.

Mr. Kowalski asked what the district’s policy was regarding distance. Mr. Heinrich informed board members that there was a policy about distances between bus stops.

Mrs. Wieland said that transportation was not being provided and asked for an exception to the policy. Mr. Kowalski informed her that the district would look into the transportation issue. The policy is established and there are good reasons for this, but initially the transportation problem needed to be resolved.

Mr. Sturm asked what the situation has been for solving this in the past. Mrs. Wieland said the was told there was no rule about walking distance. Mr. Heinrich said that, as far as the bus issue was concerned, he had talked with the Transportation Coordinator and bus driver about making a stop closer.

Mrs. Klida stated that if the situation could not be worked out in two or three days, Mrs. Wieland could come back to the Board meeting on Monday evening. Mr. Kowalski said that he would have the superintendent review this issue with staff and get back to Mrs. Wieland. He also told Mrs. Wieland that if she was not happy, she could come back to the meeting Monday.

construction update

Mr. Kennedy gave a brief update on the fire marshal’s inspection who has given the approval for occupancy at all buildings. He said that they will be ready to open next week. Tests and balances will be done this fall on the air handlers and heaters. He also gave an update on the boilers and roofs.

Mr. O’Hare said that he has been hearing a lot of rumors. He asked for confirmation that the district would be opening for school on time. Mr. Kennedy confirmed that things would be ready. He reported that Mrs. Klida and Mr. Shaffer had taken a tour of the buildings.

Mr. Kowalski informed Board members that all staff members would be given an update on the construction next Tuesday during inservice.

Mr. Haeger then reviewed the change order summaries as presented to the Board for approval later in the evening. He also distributed copies of an up-to-date budget.

Mr. Loop said that Consumer’s was still holding the district up regarding the poles. Mr. Haeger stated that he had heard from them today, and they would be starting the pole-ready section on Phase I which should be done in three weeks. He said that the problem was on the second phase due to a number of violators on the poles.

Mr. O’Hare asked if the Michigan Public Security Commission was still operating and if the district could go to them for assistance. Mr. Haeger said that it was suggested that they go to the violators. Mr. Kowalski asked Mr. Andress to contact Joe Rivet to see what he could find out.

reports

Board Committees/Members: Mr. Loop reported that the Buildings and Grounds Committee had met recently and reviewed the same items as presented by Mr. Haeger and Mr. Kennedy. These items will be brought before the Board for approval later this evening.

Mrs. Klida said that she will be giving Ms. Barcia possible dates for a Personnel Committee meeting with the BTESP Living Agreement team.

Mr. Andress informed Board members that Mrs. Skowronski had requested four dates be set for the Curriculum Committee.

Mr. Shaffer asked Mr. Andress if the computer labs would be ready for the opening of school, because in the past they have not been. He asked where they stand now. Mr. Andress asked Ms. Rutkiewicz to address this issue. She informed everyone that the labs are being worked on now and should be ready. They are doing their best to get any problems taken care of.

Mrs. Klida asked if the Athletic Director had a computer yet. Ms. Rutkiewicz informed her that she had ordered him a lap top, but this had not come in yet.

Mr. Kowalski asked Ms. Barcia to copy all Board members with Mr. Andress’s absence slips.

Financial Consultant: Mr. Andress said that Mr. Lenar would give his report on Monday evening.

Director of Buildings and Grounds: Mr. Balash reported that the bleacher project was pretty much completed. Mr. Kowalski asked him to report on the berm grass. Mr. Balash said that he has not been given possession of the berm and that the contractor was supported to take care of that. Mr. Balash will not authorize payment until the grass has germinated. Other questions were answered about the seeding.

Assistant Superintendent/Director of Special Education/Federal Programs: Mr. Heinrich reported that the bus bid meeting had been held. Bus drivers have gone through training and had physicals. He also reported that the state and federal grants had been closed out from last year. He thought they would stay pretty much the same as last year. Mr. Heinrich reported that the district did get an increase in IDEA grant money of $20,000. He also explained that the pre-school special education program at Bangor North brought in approximately $80 - $100,000.

Mr. Heinrich said that he had talked to Mr. Andress about a district brochure. He also talked to Mr. Mertz who had put together Essexville-Hampton’s brochure to get information. Mr. Heinrich will try to initiate meetings with the middle and high school to help organize a logo contest. A prize, such as a savings bond, could be offered. Mr. Heinrich also discussed Tuesday’s Inservice Day activities.

Superintendent: Mr. Andress was told by Marty Doring that Dave Camp and Dale Kildee would be present next Tuesday to be introduced by Mr. Mynesberg. He informed everyone that Friday would be orientation for new teachers with a picnic taking place at State Park.

Copier replacement is also being reviewed with careful review being done for cost savings. He felt that tremendous savings, sixty to seventy-five percent, could be seen for copying, as well as maintenance fees.

Mr. Andress reported that a response had been given to the Ironworkers FOIA request. He had contacted Mr. Allsopp about the “certified payroll” request that they had wanted. He then read the law regarding covering payroll to Board members.

Mr. Andress stated that next Wednesday he would be attending the Planning Commission and reviewing the district’s construction with them. He said that he would like John Loop to go with him. Mr. Kowalski said that he would like the Board members not to get involved in that. He asked that Mr. Andress, as well as Terry Balash and possibly Mr. Kennedy to represent the schools at that meeting. He did not want to get the Board involved in this unless they needed to later on. Mr. Kowalski said that there seemed to be something going on that is not clear at this time, i.e., the egress from Bangor Central and selling the property behind that building.

Mr. Andress reported that a resolution would be brought to the Board next month to establish a date for upcoming school elections. A hearing would then be held with a final resolution adopted to set that date. Ms. Barcia reported that she had been attempting to get Janet Santors, Township Clerk, and her Deputy Clerk, Dawn Cygan, to give an election consolidation cost-savings presentation to the Board on Monday. She had not heard back at this time from Mrs. Santos.

Mr. Andress then reported on student enrollments and distributed copies of an article from the New York Times. He stated that the district had adopted a policy that students pass the MEAP tests in order to graduate. Mr. Loop said that there had been discussion about an endorsement, not that you must pass the test to graduate - an endorsement stance. Mrs. Smith reported that she has been reviewing the MEAP scores for all students and will be encouraging those who are close to passing to retake the test. Mr. Kowalski said that a recent newspaper article stated that it would be mandatory for students to have community service in order to graduate. The district may become responsible for keeping track of this in the near future.

Mr. Andress reported that a refund check for $18,000 dollars had been received recently from SET-SEG.

Recommendation for James Woolfolk - MASB Board of Directors Election: A motion was made by John Loop, supported by Dawn Klida, to approve James Woolfolk for the Region IV Board of Directors. Motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Change Orders: A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by Terrence O’Hare, to approve the change orders as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Certification of MASB Voting Delegates and Alternates: Mr. Kowalski stated that, historically, if someone goes to the Delegate Assembly that person would be the delegate. If there is not anyone interested in this, the Board will pass on it.

2004/05 Goals Discussion: Mr. Kowalski felt that a good job had been done to establish where they wanted the district to be. He asked if any clarification was needed by anyone regarding the draft goals. Mrs. Klida asked to be able review these in greater detail and bring this item back to the Monday meeting for discussion. Mr. Kowalski said that maybe Monday night they could make this more firm and move ahead.

other items for discussion

Mr. Loop stated for general information that the ticket booth project was 95% completed and will be ready for the first home game. He also said that the brick walkway should be completely done as well. He personally thanked the Booster Club and Don Middleton for all of their work.

Mr. Loop also reported that the late Jim Doyle would be inducted into the Bay County Hall of Fame for his coaching career at John Glenn. He asked that as a Board or maybe Mr. Andress could send a letter to Carol Doyle thanking her for her husband’s service to the district.

Mr. Loop commended Mrs. Smith and Mr. Wetters for their work on the Professional Learning Communities.

Mr. Kowalski asked Mr. Andress if the school calendar had already been sent to printing. He had a concern about publishing the graduate rate numbers and asked if there was a chance to have this information taken off. Mr. Andress said that the report Mr. Kowalski had seen was an old one and that the numbers were up. Ms. Barcia said that she would be able to access the current data on line shortly and be able to make any needed corrections to these numbers before an August 31 deadline as set by the state.