Members Present:

Richard Kowalski, President; Dawn Klida, Vice-President; Terrence O’Hare, Treasurer; Barbara Skowronski, Secretary; John Loop, Trustee; Patrick Shaffer, Trustee; Scott Sturm, Trustee

Members Absent:

None.

expressions communications from the public

Mr. Kowalski asked that an additional item be added under the Regular Agenda.  Item 5C would be “Fund Equity Discussion” as requested by Mr. Sturm.

Mr. Bristow, Bangor resident, asked various questions regarding the homeland security grant and how Mr. Mynesburg was paid for his duties.  Mr. Andress informed him that the district did not directly pay Mr. Mynesburg because it belonged to a consortium of districts.  Mr. Bristow was directed to talk to Marty Doring from Bay-Arenac ISD regarding information concerning the homeland security grant.

Mr. Bristow suggested that the Homeland Security Department be contacted to get safe schools information to save the district money.

Greg Lobodzinski, Representative for Local 9 Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, and members of this local were present to ask for assistance in getting information from bond contractors regarding paying prevailing wages.  He and other members have requested this information, but have either never been given a return call or have been denied this request.

Mrs. Klida asked Mr. Lobodzinski if he has requested this information.  She was told that, once the job commences, a request can be made.  He also said that the Board could ask that contractor as well.

Mr. Bill Borch, Representative from the Ironworkers Local, also stated his concern over payment of prevailing wages.  Other items regarding the bond projects were discussed that included coming in on scheduling, certified payrolls, and coming in on bid.

Mr. Lee Schultz, Board member candidate, stated that he has attended the budget meetings and listened to what has been said, from blaming the state to blaming individuals.  The Board needed information and has needed it from the beginning.  He asked when they were going to get some responsibility and step up to the plate on the budget issues.  He felt that everything was not on the table.  He felt that services to the children were being cut.

Katheryn Koseki asked the Board if they knew that the library position affected the NCA.  Mr. Kowalski said that he had made the Board aware of this and it would be discussed Monday evening.

reports

consent agenda

regular agenda

discussion and recommendations for budget reductions

Board Committees/Members:  Mrs. Skowronski reported that the Curriculum Committee had met and discussed updates regarding state mandates, social studies, and fine arts.  Mr. Baciagalupo had presented the committee with a new Extra-Curricular Code of Conduct to review.  This is being revised and should be ready to present to the Board in April.

Mr. Shaffer stated there was a suggestion that employees have the opportunity to donate to the Imagination Library Foundation through payroll deduction, i.e., United Way.  Mr. Andress said that this is being investigated and will inform the Board at a later meeting.

Mrs. Klida reported that the Personnel, Policy, and Finance Committee would be meeting with the BTEA Living Agreement Team on April 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Director of Buildings and Grounds: 

Mr. Balash gave reports on the bond projects that included the pool, locker rooms, and science labs.

Assistant Superintendent/Director of Special Education/Federal Programs:  Mr. Heinrich reported that most of the high school staff met the NCLB highly qualified standards.  He will be meeting with staff members who are not highly qualified to help them begin the process. 

Mr. Heinrich explained the need for a part-time tutoring position.  He is researching a grant that may help pay for some of the ESL services, as well as forming a consortium with other districts. 

Negotiations with the bus drivers have started.  Mr. Heinrich said that the Personnel Committee will be contacted when the financial aspects will be discussed.

Superintendent:  Mr. Andress reported that 130 Kindergarten students had been registered to date for the next school year.  He also informed the Board that the count report was completed.  Other items included an incident at the middle school and highly qualified teachers at the middle school.

Approval of Minutes:  February 28, 2005 (regular minutes) and March 2, 2005 (special meeting)  A motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve the minutes as recommended.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Posting ESL (Spanish) Tutor Position

Mr. Andress asked permission to post a three-hour ESL after-school position.  A motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve this posting.  Motion carried unanimously.

Discussion Regarding Leasing Two Classrooms at Bangor Central:  Mr. Andress explained that the ISD had approached him regarding use of classrooms at Bangor Central for an EI program.  The program requires a regular education setting.  Mr. Andress asked permission to enter into discussion with the ISD regarding this option which is contingent upon what Bay City will act on at a Board meeting next Monday.

A motion was made by Barbara Skowronski, supported by John Loop, to approve this request.  Motion carried unanimously.

Fund Equity Discussion:  Mr. Sturm stated that he was not clear about where the Board wanted to be with fund equity.  He asked for more discussion about this issue.  He said that there was the possibility for two more cuts to be made at Monday’s meeting.  He stated that the cuts Monday may be a potential savings, but wanted to know if that would put the total cuts at where the Board wanted to be.

Mr. Kowalski thought that the consensus was a total of $1.0 million.  The auditor recommended a fund equity of 10% of the total general fund. 

Mr. Sturm just wanted to clarify the amount.  Mr. Kowalski thought that the recommendation was for $2.0 million, but the consensus was for 5%, or $1.0 million.  Mr. Shaffer understood this to be true also.

Mr. Loop did not know that the Board had arrived at a number.  He thought that a goal had been set of $1.2 million in cuts to balance the budget. 

Mr. Kowalski asked Mr. Lenar what the fund equity was in Holly Schools.  Mr. Lenar said that that the fund equity was $5.0 million with a general fund of $37.0 million.

Mrs. Skowronski understood last evening that the district still had about $800,000 in fund equity now.  If that is to stay, then the district still needed to cut approximately $200,000 from expenses for next year.

Mr. Andress said that the district needed to cut about $1.0 million which would leave a $900,000 fund equity. 

Mr. O’Hare said that over the years the district’s fund equity had been lower – approximately $200,000.  Money was needed for a rainy day, and it was raining.  He understood cuts needed to be made, but not $2.0 million.

Mr. Sturm still did not hear a specific number stated.  He asked if the Board would be looking at cutting the athletic director to meet the goal at next Monday’s meeting.  Mr. Andress said that three scenarios are being built varying from $1.17 million to $1.2 million which will be in Friday’s packet.

Mr. Sturm said that he wasn’t sure the Board had come up with a dollar amount.  He asked how much they needed to cut on Monday night.  Mr. Andress said that he and Mr. Heinrich felt that ten percent could be cut out of the transportation budget. 

Mr. Sturm asked if there were enough cuts left to get where they wanted to be.  Mr. Andress believed so.  Mrs. Klida said that the Board had a responsibility to the taxpayers.  They are waiting until Monday night to have those discussions.  She felt the Board should be looking at a minimum of $900,000 in fund equity and not less.

Mrs. Klida said that she would be finished on the Board on June 30.  Other Board members would be left with these decisions.  She could not leave the rest of the members holding the bag, that is why she is so firm on these items.  The Board would be fiscally irresponsible if they sat back and waited to see what happened next year.  She said that until there was a public outcry by the people to have something done about public education, this was what the Board is going to be faced with.  She would not support less than $900,000 at a minimum.  Anything less is not a balanced budget.

Mr. Sturm agreed 100%.  He was not clear earlier with where the Board wanted to be with the fund equity.

other items for discussion

None.

adjournment

At 6:47 p.m. a motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to adjourn the meeting.