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 requested the following changes to the agenda.  Item 6E, Recommendation to Approve Central Michigan University Agreement for Student Teachers, is to be moved to the Consent Agenda as Item 5C.  He requested that Items 6C and 6D be combined as follows:  Recommendation to Approve Thumb Educational Services for Contracted Services – Robert Shearer as Interim John Glenn Assistant Principal.  It was the consensus of the Board that these changes take place.

masb board policy presentation – dr. william scharffe

reports

Dr. Scharffe gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding Board policy revision options that the MASB could provide.  He distributed copies of information for Board members to review and answered various questions regarding compensation and services done for extra charges.

Mr. Kowalski thanked Dr. Scharffe, on behalf of the Board, for his presentation.

Board Committees/Board Members: 

Mr. Sturm reported on a Food Service Committee meeting that was held recently.  Among items discussed were the Coca Cola contract, an upcoming retirement, and suggestion to serve a snack to students at Bangor North.

Director of Buildings and Grounds/Construction Update:

Mr. Balash stated that Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Haeger would give an update on the bond project, as well as budget.  Items he reviewed included the transformer change would take place this Friday at John Glenn, utilizing team cleaning of custodial staff, and recent compliance with FOIA requests.

Mr. Haeger distributed copies of an updated budget and discussed the Bangor Central’s unit ventilator motor and the air conditioner at Bangor West.

Mr. Kowalski stated his concerns regarding the necessity of a $150,000 expense for the pool.  He asked if diving was a necessary part of the swim program.  He asked if any discussion had taken place with the swimming coaches about this issue.

Mr. Balash stated that a number of team points are lost if there is no diving program.  He had talked to Tony Bacigalupo and Mike Darbee.  He suggested having them come to a Board meeting to discuss this with the Board.

Mr. Kennedy explained what needed to take place regarding the pool replacement.  A question about depth was brought up if there is no diving involved.

Mr. Kowalski questioned the cost for this as there are some school districts out there that do not have a diving program.  The district will need to make sure that the community utilizes the pool and possibly include swimming in the curriculum.

Mr. Loop agreed totally with that.  He felt that the fitness center, the stadium  complex, and the auditorium should be used community-wide.

Mr. Kowalski said that an informed decision needed to be made.  Mrs. Klida said she would like to hear from the swim coaches. 

Mr. Loop said that not getting the pool done right and having money left over to do something else that is not in the bond issue is not right. They need to do it well and right and then, if there is money left over, they can look at other things.  He said they needed to follow through on the issues in the bond.

Mrs. Klida agreed with that and said that she would rather do it right the first time.

Mr. Shaffer asked Mr. Balash if he received certified payroll.   Mr. Balash said that he gets that information and had just received one.  Mr. Shaffer asked who supplied the copies.  Mr. Balash informed in that Three Rivers supplied the information, as well as other companies.  Mr. Shaffer asked how often this information was received.  Mr. Balash answered that he received this once per month.

Mr. Kennedy gave an update on progress and schedules for the bond projects.  He also gave an update on recent picket activity.

Assistant Superintendent/Director of Special Education/Federal Programs:  Mr. Heinrich’s report included the following items:  1) closing of the summer school program due to water problems; 2) support staff lay offs and bumping reassignments; 3) additional training with the auditor.

Mr. Kowalski asked if there would be a system in place so people know who is handling what area?  Mr. Heinrich reported that he will be overseeing the payroll area with Mr. Andress overseeing accounts payable and the FLSA issue.

Mr. Heinrich also reported on transportation bus routes and closing out grand funds. 

Superintendent:  Mr. Andress’ report included the following items:  a freezer down at Bangor West, the special auditor from Yeo and Yeo coming in regarding the FLSA issue, and AYP scores at the buildings.

He stated that Mrs. Moore had come to him asking to assist Kevin Ora with the damage that was done to his vehicle by devices thrown by picketers.  Mrs. Klida reminded him of other incidents that have occurred with employee vehicles that was not covered by the district.  Mr. Andress is to look into this further.  Mrs. Klida asked Mrs. Moore if the custodian’s insurance would cover the damage.  Mrs. Moore believed the custodian had a $250 deductible.

consent agenda

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

a)      Approval of Minutes – May 23, 2005 (regular meeting and executive session); May 31, 2005 (special meeting)

b)      Personnel:  Approval of Coach:  Kellie Kekel – Cheerleading; Approval of Leave of Absence:  Heather Richards.

c)      Recommendation to Approve Central Michigan University Agreement

      for Student Teachers

Mr. Kowalski had a question about the cheerleading item.  Last year there was a problem Mr. Ruhlig had about two coaches in volleyball.  Now we are going to have two coaches.  He wanted to understand the rationale behind this.

Mr. Loop said that the other concern is that if the other lady is working as a volunteer (Kellie Kekel for fall coach), then she has to go through all of the checks that a volunteer has to go through.  Mr. Kowalski asked if the Board should be approving the volunteer as well.

Mrs. Klida said that she was on the interview committee.  She felt that the other young lady’s resume should also be approved.  The two girls are working together during both seasons.  The Board needs to make sure everything is followed.

Mr. Andress said that the question that came up to him, in terms of funding, was regarding splitting of the cost.  Each girl was coaching different seasons with the other helping.  He said he was agreeable with whatever the Board’s pleasure was or the item could be tabled.

Mrs. Klida felt that the rest of the Board should see the other girl’s resume.

Mr. O’Hare stated that Kellie Kekel was going to be the fall coach.  The Board has not, in the past, gone to the extreme of approving volunteers in other coaching areas.  We should bring the other name to Monday’s meeting for approval.  The difference between volleyball and cheerleading is that both people for volleyball wanted paid positions.  Mrs. Klida did not feel that was true. 

Mr. O’Hare said that if the two girls wanted to get the team into camp, the Board needed to approve them now.  Mrs. Klida said that both young ladies will do a great job.  The Board may not have done this with volunteers before, but they should be proactive and do it the right way.  Mr. Loop stated that when he was coaching volunteers had to be submitted to the state.  Volunteers should also have background checks done, as well as required training.  Mr. O’Hare said that he was also on the interview committee.  The two ladies said that if it was down to who would get paid, the other would be a volunteer. 

Mr. Kowalski asked if it was the pleasure of the Board to approve this young lady tonight and the other volunteer on Monday.  This was the Board’s consensus. 

Motion carried unanimously.

At 8:35 p.m. a five minute recess was called by President Kowalski.

regular agenda

other items for discussion

Item 6A was removed from the agenda.

Approval of Proposed 2005/06 Budget:  A motion was made by Scott Sturm, supported by Terrence O’Hare to approve the proposed budget as proposed by Mr. Lenar. 

Mrs. Klida stated for the record she wanted it noted that she had a particular issue with the Athletic budget.  She asked if the approval was just for the overall budget numbers.  Mr. Andress said the approval was just for the total.

Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Thumb Educational Services for Contracted Services – Interim John Glenn Assistant Principal, Robert Shearer:  A motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve this recommendation.

Mr. Shaffer asked if the district went through Thumb Educational Services to get the interviews for that job. 

Mr. Andress said that he had called them, but was told that there were a number of Bay City retirees who had refused the position.  The other person interviewed contacted us.

Mr. Shaffer asked if the person being recommended was a current employee of Thumb Services.  Mr. Andress said he was not.  The agency acted as a go-between. 

Mr. Shaffer asked if this candidate or the other interview had administrative certifications.  Mr. Andress said that Mr. Shearer did not; it was not required.  Mr. Stevenson, the other interviewee, did have this certification.

Mr. Shaffer said he wondered why Mr. Stevenson would not make the better candidate with all of his experience and the different ideas he could bring to the district.  He asked why this experience would not make Mr. Stevenson more qualified.  Mr. Andress stated that this was a committee decision, and that he, legally, could not talk about the issues that were considered with that respect.

Mr. Kowalski stated that the process is what the district had and the committee was making the recommendation.  Mr. Andress said that he would be an at-will employee, and if the district found he could not do the job, then Thumb Educational Services could help them find someone.

Motion carried with Mr. Shaffer voting nay.

First Reading of:

Policy 3290 – Funds Management

Policy 3292 – Reporting of Investment Risks

Policy 3410 – Fiscal Accounting and Reporting

Policy 3434 – Periodic Audit

Bylaw 9260 – Duties of Auditor

Bylaw 9500 – School District Elections

Mr. Kowalski said that, if there were no objections, he would only read the policy numbers and not the whole content of the policies.  The Board concurred with this. 

A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve the first reading of the policies as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Electronic Fund Transaction Resolution:  A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by Terrence O’Hare, to approve this resolution.  Motion carried with Mrs. Skowronski voting nay.

Mrs. Klida had a question regarding servicing Essexville buses.  She had been told previously that Bangor would not be servicing Essexville buses any more, but has found out otherwise.  Mr. Heinrich asked who had told the Board that.  Mrs. Klida stated it had been mentioned at a Board meeting.  Mr. Andress said that, at one time, administration had been told that Essexville may be contracting with Bay City for busing and that they would not need our services. 

Mrs. Klida asked how this impacted the district’s positions.  Mr. Heinrich said he did not know.  The service was only a small item.  Mrs. Klida said that she had asked at a previous meeting for something in writing about how all of the work was going to be covered, and have not gotten that information yet.  She believed the Board directed that the custodians be kept through the end of August, and has found out now that they will be done at the end of this month.  She was not comfortable with this.  She thought that the Board had directed they be kept through the end of August.  The rationale was if we had additional funds we could call people back.  She would like to make a motion that the custodians be kept, at a minimum, through the end of August.  The motion was supported by Patrick Shaffer.

Mr. Loop asked why the change took place.  He thought it was the general consensus that the custodians be kept through the summer.  He asked why that change was needed.

Mr. Heinrich said that Mr. Balash said that as far as cleaning went, they would be alright.  The John Glenn custodial position that was eliminated did strictly maintenance.  The Central position is a one-half time position and that area is clean.  Mr. Heinrich said that Mr. Balash would not have a problem.

Original:  Mr. Kowalski said that when the Board made the cut they made a proviso that they would keep the custodians through the end of August.  They want to make sure the school is open on time.  Mr. Balash is not saying there will be any problems, but Mr. Kowalski does not want to hear later that there are because the custodians are gone because then Mr. Balash may be gone in August.

Amendment:  Mr. Kowalski said that when the Board made the cut they made a proviso that they would keep the custodians through the end of August.  For instance, this is going to sound harsh, but the Board was generous in giving you the option to have the janitors work until the end of August, and that is all he is saying.  If there is a mistake and you can’t open school, parents and taxpayers will be complaining that school is not opening because you had the opportunity to have the janitors for extra time.  The possibility might be you may not be here Mr. Balash.

Mr. Shaffer said that he realized they could probably get the work done with overtime.  Last year there was a ton of overtime for the middle school.  He is not the person running the show, Mr. Balash was.  They probably would have done things differently than last year.  He is hoping Mr. Balash is not thinking that he can fill this in with overtime. 

Mrs. Skowronski asked if there was the possibility of keeping the custodians on and putting them in other buildings – have them working with other teams and bring them in when needed.  Mr. Kowalski said that was why the Board put the proviso in there – for extra help.

Mrs. Klida said she agreed with Mr. Shaffer regarding the overtime.  The overtime would be on the backs of the people who are left.  They could keep them one more year and then make deeper cuts next year.  She would not support doing anything differently.

Mr. Andress was asked if he had any comments.  He did not at this time.

Mr. Loop said that this was a conscious change.  The Board needed the decisions early, but he thinks it should be followed through.

Mr. Andress said that last summer two major schools were totally off limits to custodian staff.  Administration kept them fully employed.  He did not know what they did, but they were employed.  Now the Board is getting on the Buildings and Grounds Director.  He did not hear the Board coming to administration to keep them on and pay them for doing nothing.  All of our neighboring districts are making huge cuts.  We made huge cuts and have $1.0 million in the bank.  He did not hear anybody say “good job.”   He did not have any recollection of the decision to keep custodial staff until the end of August.

Mr. Kowalski said that last year he did not hear a recommendation to lay off these people.  Mr. Andress was the man who is supposed to help the Board save money.  Mr. Andress said that he did save $350,000.  Nobody in administration has anything out for any union member in this group.  He knows and the Board knows the state of finances of the State.  Administration is doing the best they can to keep the district out of financial trouble.  Mr. Kowalski asked him if he, alone, saved the district the $350,000.  Mr. Andress said “no.”

Mr. Kowalski asked the Board if they wanted to carry these custodians to August. 

Mr. Andress said, just for the record, he did not disagree with this action.  He knows there are a lot of things that need to be done over the summer.  If the Board deems this an important issue, he will not object.

At this time, Mrs. Skowronski called the question.  Mr. Kowalski reiterated the motion to carry the janitors until the end of August.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Heinrich asked the Board to consider compensating Patty Rutkiewicz for her work and supervision during a dance recital program that was held in the John Glenn auditorium.  He believes she needs to be paid, but he was not going to authorize this on his own.  He asked the Board to consider paying Ms. Rutkiewicz $15.00 per hour for her time worked during this event.

Mrs. Klida thought that when the Board agreed to pay her the stipend this was included.  Mr. Heinrich stated that the stipend was only for the One Act.  Mrs. Klida asked how many hours had been worked.  Mr. Heinrich did not have the information at this time.  Mrs. Smith had signed the time sheet.  Mrs. Skowronski said that the contract with Perry Woodard should have included an amount to be allocated for this work.

Mr. O’Hare asked Mr. Heinrich if he had worked this out with the support staff.  Mr. Heinrich said he had not because the district is still in limbo about the position.  Mr. O’Hare asked that he talk with the support staff so there are no problems.  Mr. Heinrich said he would even though it was after the fact.

Mrs. Klida asked to see the information about how much money had been allowed in the contract and the number of hours allocated as well.  Mr. Heinrich said that he would get this information, as well as the time sheets.

Mr. Shaffer asked if the students were paid and if Mr. Heinrich would figure that out as well – the number of hours they worked and what they were paid.  Mr. Heinrich said that he would put this in the packet Friday.

At 9:08 p.m. Mr. Kowalski requested that the Board go into executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations.  A roll call vote was taken.  Ayes:  Richard Kowalski, Dawn Klida, Terrence O’Hare, Barbara Skowronski, John Loop, Patrick Shaffer, Scott Sturm.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

At 10:08 p.m. the meeting reconvened into open session.