Board of Education                                                                       Regular Board Meeting

Grant Public Schools                                                                                  October 9, 2006

 

The Board of Education of the Grant Public Schools met in regular session on Monday, October 9, 2006 with President, Dave Robinson presiding.

 

Board Members Present: Dave Robinson, President; Jim Stuart, Vice President; Kris Lesley, Secretary; Bob Jenema, Treasurer;  Jill Niewiadomski and Paul Roberts Trustees.

MEMBERS

PRESENT

 

 

Administrators Present: Scott Bogner, Superintendent; Mike Ostyn, Assistant Superintendent; Tom Szocinski, H.S. Principal; Scott Cousineau, H.S. Assistant Principal; Lance Jones, M.S. Principal; Dan Simon, M.S. Assistant Principal, Joel Schuitema, Elementary Principal; Renae Galsterer, P.C. Principal; John Klever, Learning Center Director; and Jan Lesley, Finance Director.

ADMINISTRATORS

PRESENT

 

 

Others Present:   Kathi Thornton & others.

OTHERS PRESENT

 

 

President, Dave Robinson, called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 p.m.  

 

 

Motion by Paul Roberts, supported by Jill Niewiadomski, to approve the agenda as presented.

AGENDA

 

 

Motion Approved 6-0

 

 

 

Bob DeVries, Dr. Joe Gasper, and Dr. Lori Clark from NCRESA provided a presentation on grants that are procured by NCRESA that benefit Grant Public Schools.

SPOTLIGHT

 

 

No public comments were offered at this time.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

 

Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

     a.    Approval of Minutes of September 11, 2006 Regular and October 5, 2006 Board Workshop

     b.    Approval of Treasurer’s Report

     c.    Approval of Payment of Bills

CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

Motion Approved 6-0

 

 

 

Scott Bogner, Superintendent, updated the board on enrollment figures.  He talked about Proposal 5 that will be on the ballot in November and how it would affect public schools.  He informed the board that the district is going forward with work needed to repair/replace roofs that are leaking.  The Newaygo County Association of School Boards dinner is coming up on October 26th.                                        

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

 

Kris Lesley, Chairperson, informed the board that the committee reviewed NEOLA policy 9270 regarding guidelines for educating a child at home.  This policy will be presented for first reading by the board later in the meeting.

POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING

 

 

Bob Jenema informed the board that the committee discussed ticket prices and policies for athletic events and the need for Wednesday practices due to the changing of the athletic seasons.

ATHLETIC COMMITTEE METING

 

 

Jim Stuart, Chairperson, informed the board that the committee discussed the school forests and the development of a plan to manage the forests as a viable entity for Grant Public Schools.

AG/FORESTRY COMMITTEE MEETING

 

 

Dave Robinson, Chairperson, informed the board that the committee discussed the repair/replacement of several leaking roofs, fixing of the middle school steps, and setting a time to do a walk-through of all grounds in the spring.

BUILDING AND SITE COMMITTEE MEETING

 

 

Bob Jenema, Chairperson, informed the board that the finance committee discussed the anticipated loss of student enrollment and how that impacts the district. 

FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

 

 

Tom Szocinski, High School Principal, informed the board of upcoming events at the high school including the National Honor Society induction on Monday, October 30th. 

PRINCIPAL

REPORTS

 

 

Lance Jones, Middle School Principal, thanked Nelson’s Farm Market for donating apples for snacks for the students during the MEAP tests.  Middle School students were treated to a performance by PRIDE and had a great time at the homecoming assembly led by varsity cheerleaders and the band.

 

 

 

Joel Schuitema, Elementary School Principal, invited board members to visit Science Alive on October 12 & 13.  MEAP testing is coming up on October 16-20.

 

 

 

Renae Galsterer, Primary Center Principal, thanked Parent Involvement for the donation of graham crackers for the Elementary students during MEAPs. They also created a fund for students at the PC who can’t afford regular lunch but whose family won’t apply for free lunch.  She also informed the board of upcoming field trips, both internal and external.

 

 

 

John Klever, Learning Center Director, presented Vicki Gardner as student of the month.  He also thanked the high school science staff for their help with supplies/curriculum for Jonathan Allen, the new Learning Center Science Teacher.

 

 

 

Policy #9270 regarding procedures for educating a child at home is being presented to the board for first reading.  Motion by Kris Lesley, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve the policy for first reading.

NEOLA POLICY UPDATE

 

 

Motion Approved 6-0

 

 

 

Pam Gillespie, bus driver, is requesting a reduced work schedule so that she can take care of her mother who is undergoing treatments for cancer.  Motion by Jill Niewiadomski, supported by Paul Roberts, to approve the leave as requested.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST

 

 

Motion Approved 6-0

 

 

 

Merri Jo Tuinstra, Elementary Teacher, is requesting a leave of absence to recover from emergency surgery.  This leave is in line with FMLA requirements.  Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Kris Lesley, to approve the leave as presented.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST

 

 

Motion Approved 6-0

 

 

 

The monthly board calendar was discussed along with the need for another finance committee meeting. 

DISCUSSIONS

 

 

There being no further business before the Board, a motion was entered by Jim Stuart to conclude the meeting, supported by Jill Niewiadomski.  Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Kathi Thornton

Recording Secretary