Board of Education                                                                              Regular Board Meeting

Grant Public Schools                                                                                   December 10, 2007

 

The Board of Education of the Grant Public Schools met in regular session on Monday, December 10, 2007 with President, Dave Robinson presiding.

 

Board Members Present: Dave Robinson, President; Jim Stuart, Vice President; Kris Lesley, Treasurer; Jon Chase and Paul Roberts, Trustees.

MEMBERS

PRESENT

 

 

Jill Niewiadomski, Secretary and Bob Jenema, Trustee

MEMBERS ABSENT

 

 

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

ADMINISTRATORS

PRESENT

 

 

Lance Jones, M.S. Principal

ADMINISTRATORS ABSENT

 

 

Others Present:   Kathi Thornton, Dr. Lori Tubbergen-Clark, Dr. Joe Gasper & others.

OTHERS PRESENT

 

 

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

 

 

Motion by Kris Lesley, supported by Paul Roberts, to approve the agenda as presented.

AGENDA

 

 

Motion Approved 5-0

 

 

 

Mrs. Candace Flauaus, 2nd grade teacher at the Primary Center, brought five of her students along and they made a presentation to the Board regarding their annual yard sale event.  The students made over $3,600 which will be used to purchase coats and warm clothes for the needy.  Dr. Lori Tubbergen-Clark and Dr. Joe Gasper, both from NCRESA, presented the 2006-07 Annual Report and talked about initiatives they are working on for the future.

SPOTLIGHT

 

 

No public comments were offered at this time.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

 


 

Motion by Kris Lesley, supported by Jon Chase, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

     a.  Approval of Minutes of November 12, 2007 Closed and Regular

     b.  Approval of Treasurer’s Report

     c.  Approval of Payment of Bills

CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

Motion Approved 5-0

 

 

 

Scott Bogner, Superintendent, asked the Policy Committee to set a date for a meeting to discuss policy updates.  He asked the board for input on the purchase of a stage that can be used for graduation.  The one we currently have is borrowed and is not handicap accessible.  He invited the board to the upcoming holiday concerts and promised they will be amazed at the talent our students possess.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

 

Mike Ostyn, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, presented the board with his curriculum and instruction report.  Some points of interest were: Education Yes grades have been released for all school buildings.  Grant was the only district in the county to have all schools make Adequate Yearly Progress.  MEAP testing has been completed in grades 3-9.  Results will be in later this year.  Due to the new state-mandated high school curriculum, we have expanded the high school math curriculum into the middle school with most eighth graders taking Algebra and Earth Science.  We are piloting two software programs that help students make up credits needed at the high school level.

CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION REPORT

 

 

Tom Szocinski, High School Principal, updated the board on happenings at the High School and invited the board to attend the holiday concert on December 17th.

PRINCIPAL

REPORTS

 

 

Dan Simon, Middle School Assistant Principal, reported that the MS had many students participate in the District VII Solo and Ensemble Festival held at Reeths-Puffer Middle School. The MS band will be having their holiday concert on December 18th and the choir’s concert will be on December 20.

 

 

 

Joel Schuitema, Elementary School Principal, reported that several classrooms will be going on field trips to the Hackley/Hume houses in Muskegon.  The students will be having a holiday sing-a-long on December 21st to wrap up the day before leaving for Christmas break.

 

 

 

Renae Galsterer, Primary Center Principal, reiterated her appreciation for the work Mrs. Flauaus put into the yearly Yard Sale.  She also spoke of some of the programs touched on during the NCRESA Annual Report and how well they work with the students that attend Grant Public Schools.

 

 

 

John Klever, Learning Center Director, reported his student of the month is Ruby Lopez who has now left to return to Texas.  He also expressed his appreciation for the trimester scheduling and how beneficial it is for our migrant students.

 

 

 

Dianne Ring has requested an FMLA Leave of Absence due to some upcoming surgery.  Motion by Paul Roberts, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve the FMLA Leave as presented.

FMLA LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST

 

 

Motion Approved 5-0

 

 

 

A position has opened up at the elementary school for which Jennifer Byland, previously laid off, is qualified for.  Motion by Jon Chase, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve the recall of Jennifer Byland to fill the recently vacated position.

EMPLOYEE RECALL

 

 

Motion Approved 5-0

 

 

 

Jennifer Byland is requesting the remainder of the 2007-08 school year off for child care leave as per Article XI, Section E-2 of the GEA Contract.  Motion by Kris Lesley, supported by Paul Roberts, to approve the leave as presented.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUEST

 

 

Motion Approved 5-0

 

 

 

The Administration is recommending contracting with the City of Grant for police liaison services.  This liaison would focus on delinquency issues and complaints and provide some classroom instruction.  Motion by Jon Chase, supported by Paul Roberts, to contract with the City of Grant for a police liaison.

POLICE LIAISON SERVICES

 

 

Motion Approved 5-0

 

 

 

It is recommended by the Administration that Kyle Beerman be hired for the open bus driver position.  Motion by Jim Stuart, seconded by Kris Lesley, to hire Kyle Beerman as a regular bus driver as recommended.

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS

 

 

Motion Approved 5-0

 

The high school has five students that are placed in classrooms as teacher assistants as part of their educational experience.  The state requires us to have curriculum descriptions on hand for these students.  The Administration recommends the board approve these for first reading.  Motion by Paul Roberts, supported by Jim Stuart to accept this curriculum for first reading by the board.

CURRICULUM UPDATE

 

 

Motion Approved 5-0

 

 

 

Mr. Bogner reminded the board that next month is Board Appreciation month and the superintendent performance review.  The upcoming board calendar was also discussed. 

DISCUSSIONS

 

 

Motion by Kris Lesley, supported by Paul Roberts to enter into closed session due to a personnel issue.

CLOSED SESSION

 

 

Motion Approved 5-0

 

 

 

It is recommended by the Grant Public Schools Board of Education to continue the employment of the employee mentioned in the correspondence dated November 26, 2007.  Motion by Kris Lesley, supported by Paul Roberts.

OPEN SESSION

 

 

Ayes:  Kris Lesley, Paul Roberts, Dave Robinson, Jim Stuart & Jon Chase.

 

Nays:  None

 

 

 

Motion Approved 5-0

 

 

 

There being no further business before the Board, President Dave Robinson entertained a motion for adjournment.  Motion by Jon Chase supported by Paul Roberts.  President Robinson declared the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Kathi Thornton

Recording Secretary