JANUARY 27, 2005

Members Present:

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

Members Absent:

Scott Sturm (illness)

expressions/communications

from the public

Lynne Moore, BTESP President, requested that she be able to share her concerns during discussion of Item 3C on the agenda.  Mr. Kowalski stated that it was the Board’s consensus that this be allowed.
 

agenda items

Approval of Late Winter/Spring Coaches:  A motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve the following list of coaches:  High School Coaches:  Jeff Hartt -  Baseball; Jack Dora, Troy Lynch (replacing Kevin Derocier) - Assistant Baseball; Jeremy Werner - Softball; Justin Jamrog, Nate Wotta - Assistant Softball; Matt Nemode - Girls= Track; Mike Denay - Assistant Girls= Track; Aaron Jurek (replacing Dave Kenyon) - Boys= Track; Doug Hibbs - Assistant Girls= Soccer; Pete Remington - Girls= Golf; Tony Wyrembelski - Boys= Tennis.  Middle School Coaches: Kristin Hartley - Girls= Swim; Lauren Piering - Boys= Swim; Donna Bohlinger, Jennifer Crowell, Nadine Dahlquist, and Trista Franklin - Volleyball; Jennifer Gradowski - Boys=/Girls= Track.
 

At this time discussion took place regarding one of the middle school volleyball positions.  Mr. Andress explained that the district was running into Fair Labor Standards Act requirements for overtime pay.  He requested that Donna Bohlinger’s name be removed from the agenda until he received more information. 

Mrs. Klida reviewed the memo from Mr. Ruhlig stating his recommendations to hire new coaches.  She did not feel that the memo addressed the hiring process written in Board policy.  The issue needed to be addressed and also include the Recreation Director. 

Mr. Ruhlig explained that the applicant for the open middle school volley position had been the only one and had already been through the series of interviews. 

Mrs. Klida said that the district had policies and procedures, and she would like to see them followed.  Questions followed regarding boys’ and girls’ middle school swim.  Mr. Ruhlig explained why a position was pulled, and stated that he has been trying to contact Mr. Lenar to see about available funds.  He and Mr. Andress had decided to put this position on the agenda for approval and worry about where payment would come from later. 

Mr. O’Hare asked where the hiring policy had come from and if it had been approved by the Board.  Mrs. Klida stated that the process had been approved by the Board, and asked Mrs. Moore how it had come about.  Mr. O’Hare asked where he would get a copy if he wanted one.  Mrs. Moore stated that she had copies of the procedures for support staff, teachers, administrators, and athletics in her office.  Mr. Ruhlig said that he did have a copy and took responsibility for the procedure that he had followed.  Mr. O’Hare said that he did not fault Mr. Ruhlig for the process he had followed, but if there was a policy it should be followed.

Mr. Ruhlig stated that it was hard to get those particular people together to interview for middle school coaches.  He was very confident about the individuals that he was bringing before the Board this evening. 

Mr. Loop said that the district needed to spell out who was responsible – the district, the Board, Athletics, or Recreation.  Mr. Ruhlig said that he had discussed this with Mike Darbee and Tony Bacigalupo.  They understood that the position was in Recreation.  According to Mrs. Moore there is a line item for this in Schedule B.

Further discussion took place regarding how the middle school coaches were hired and procedures followed.

Mr. Ruhlig asked that the Athletic Committee meet to review the process for possible revision.  Mrs. Klida asked if all of the positions had been posted.  Mr. Ruhlig affirmed this.

At this time, Mr. Loop asked if the Board needed to approve a policy about not hiring non-exempt staff members. Discussion took place regarding hourly employees being hired to work miscellaneous positions, i.e. coaching.  Mrs. Skowronski asked if an hourly employee could volunteer for one of these positions.  Mr. Andress affirmed this, but said they may have to sign a waiver from receiving any compensation. 

Mrs. Klida felt that the position Mrs. Bohlinger was being recommended for would have to be posted. 

An addendum to the original motion was made by Terrence O’Hare, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve the coaches as presented with the exception of one middle school volleyball position which will be posted.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Posting for High School Assistant Boys’ Track:  A motion was made by Dawn Klida supported by Terrence O’Hare to approve this recommendation.  Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Temporarily Fill Technical Support Position for 2005 One Act Production:  A motion was made by Barbara Skowronski, supported by Terrence O’Hare, to approve this recommendation. 

Mr. Heinrich reviewed the situation surrounding this request.  He said that Patty Rutkiewicz has volunteered to do the work.  He stated that this position has been discussed with Mrs. Moore, as well as the FLSA situation.  At this point, Mr. Heinrich wanted the Board to be aware that someone was doing the work.  He had told Ms. Rutkiewicz that the district would provide a $750 stipend if approved by the Board.  She is also aware that she may not get paid if the support staff association does not approve filling the position temporarily.

Mrs. Smith was concerned that someone needed to supervise the auditorium students that are working on this project.  Mr. Heinrich reiterated that filling this position at this time was only temporary for the One Act production and not long-term.  Mr. Kowalski said that this needed to be worked out with the union and then a decision made regarding where they are going to go with it.

Mrs. Moore was surprised to see this item on the agenda because further discussion about it was supposed to take place.  She stated her concern about whittling away unit jobs.  Mr. Kowalski said that the Board has not yet had the chance to discuss the position with Mr. Andress and Mr. Heinrich. 

Mrs. Moore felt her unit would agree with the temporary person, as long as the Board would make a good-faith effort to fill the position when the district was financially able.  She had not yet had the opportunity to discuss this with her executive team.  Mr. Andress said that discussion about the FLSA issues also needed to take place with the BTESP.

Mr. Kowalski asked that, with the consensus of the Board, an amendment be made to the motion that the Board would approve the stipend with the proviso that if the temporary position is approved by the BTESP, the stipend would be paid.  If the BTESP had a problem with it, the Board would not pay the stipend.

Mrs. Klida said that a Letter of Understanding would be needed.  Mr. Heinrich just wanted the Board to be informed.  Action could be stated “upon receipt of a “memo of understanding” from the association.  Mrs. Klida said that this could be approved with the contingency that it would be paid if it was okay with the BTESP.

Mr. Loop felt that something needed to be worked out before other event contracts for the auditorium came up later this spring.  Mr. Heinrich stated that he and Mrs. Smith have been looking at what needs to be covered, i.e., events through the end of March and elementary music programs.  They were going to propose that building administrators be assigned to the auditorium and pay a student tech group (2-4 students) minimum wage.  Mrs. Moore said that the tech students had done this under the supervision of the previous employee.

Mr. Kowalski stated that this position held a level of expertise that would not be found right away.  This was a specialty job.  Mr. Heinrich asked if the Board was okay with the idea of paying these students.  Payment would be approved by Patty Rutkiewicz.  Mr. Shaffer said that he was okay with it as long as the administrator signing the time sheets was accountable for the time listed on the sheets.  Mr. Heinrich stated that it would be accountable time.  Mr. Shaffer asked if the elementary administrator would be responsible or the building administrator.  Mr. Heinrich said that the administrator responsible would be Patti Smith.  Mr. Shaffer asked how Mrs. Smith would know if the hours she was signing for were correct. 

Mrs. Skowronski stated that the outside contracts included an amount for workers and use of the auditorium.  Mr. Shaffer wanted to know who was going to supervise the students.  Mr. Kowalski said that the Board was only discussing the grade schools, high school, and the One Act production at this time.  The rest will be taken care of later.

The motion was amended to include temporarily filling the position during the One Act production and three grade school productions provided the Board gets a Memo of Understanding from the union.

Motion carried unanimously.

Recommendation to Approve Resolution Calling Regular School Election:  Ms. Barcia explained the need for approval of this resolution.  A motion was made by Dawn Klida, supported by Barbara Skowronski, to approve the recommendation.  Motion carried unanimously. (Exhibit A)

Recommendation to Approve Curriculum Changes for John Glenn High School:  Mrs. Smith reviewed the suggested additions to the John Glenn curriculum.  Copies of the materials regarding the courses were distributed to Board members. 

Mr. Loop asked if new textbooks were being requested.  Mrs. Smith confirmed this and the number of texts to order was reviewed.

Mr. Andress, along with Patti Smith and Lyn Sylvester, recommended that the entire second page of the proposal be approved, including the textbooks listed.  The approximate cost for the textbooks came to $54,426.  Mr. Andress preferred that a $55,000 cap be put on the amount spent.  Mrs. Klida inquired about increasing the English requirement.  Mrs. Smith stated that this was included in the proposal.  Mr. Andress said that this approval would be just to list the classes. 

Mr. Andress said that a policy should be done and in place for the Film Literature course.  Mr. Loop suggested going through a company that distributed cleaned-up versions. 

Mr. Shaffer expressed his concern about the K-12 technology curriculum and that the classes being added in the Technology Department should have been discussed and reworked within the whole K-12 area.  He did not think the proper procedures had been followed on this, and that there had been no meeting to put these in place.

Mr. Andress said that the consortium would be in and will keep the Board informed of that.  Mr. Loop said that it might have to be modified after the technology meeting.  Mr. Kowalski asked if Mr. Shaffer was comfortable approving this.  Mr. Shaffer said he was as long as the district looked at it down the road.  He reiterated that the procedure was not followed.

A motion was made by Barbara Skowronski, supported by Dawn Klida, to approve the proposed curriculum changes at John Glenn High School, as well as approximately $57,500 for textbooks.  Motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Minutes – January 24, 2005 Regular Meeting:  A motion was made by Patrick Shaffer, supported by Dawn Klida, to approve the minutes for January 24, 2005.  Motion carried unanimously.

other items for discussion

Mrs. Klida asked if all of the cuts previously approved had been taken care of.  Mr. Andress said that moth-balling of Bangor South had not taken place due to some complications regarding Booster Club bingo and taking down tables every week, as well as using that building for the strength and conditioning equipment. Mr. Kowalski said that the district is not realizing the savings, and this needed to be done.  Mr. Miller will need to look elsewhere for placement of the equipment. 

Mr. Loop inquired about the inside doors at the high school that are being left open.  Mr. Balash informed him that the doors will be utilized after lockers come out. 

Mr. Shaffer inquired about the memo from the Athletic Department regarding school cancellation procedures.  He wanted to know if this was informational or if the Board needed to discuss it.  Mr. Andress said that it was for informational purposes only.

Mr. Andress updated the Board on the fiber optic project.  He also stated that he had been meeting with Mrs. Moore regarding the years-of-service and retirement awards.  Discussion took place, and it was the consensus of the Board that the awards continue.