Board of Education                                                                              Regular Board Meeting

Grant Public Schools                                                                                     February 12, 2007

 

The Board of Education of the Grant Public Schools met in regular session on Monday, February 12, 2007 with President, Dave Robinson presiding.

 

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

MEMBERS

PRESENT

 

 

Administrators Present: Scott Bogner, Superintendent; Mike Ostyn, Assistant Superintendent (7:05); Tom Szocinski, H.S. 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, Dennis McClure & others.

OTHERS PRESENT

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

 

 

Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Jill Niewiadomski, to approve the agenda as presented.

AGENDA

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

Robin Speese, Student Council Advisor and Teacher, gave a brief background of the Learning Center Student Council.  She introduced Denae Myers, Erin Blandford, Hillary Stevens and Vicki Gardner, each of who spoke about what they’ve accomplished through Student Council and how being on Student Council has affected them.

 

As part of Principal Recognition Week, Mr. Bogner introduced each of our school principals and thanked them for the wonderful jobs that they do.  Each principal was presented a small gift as a token of appreciation for all that they do. 

SPOTLIGHT

 

 

Mr. Kris Lesley spoke briefly regarding an anonymous email that was sent to all staff regarding contractor hiring practices at the school.  Should the writer wish to contact the superintendent or board in person, they will discuss the issue at that time.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

 

Motion by Paul Roberts, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve the following minutes:  January 8, 2007 Regular, January 8, 2007 Closed, Committee Meeting of January 16, 2007 with correction

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

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

     a.  Approval of Treasurer’s Report

     b.  Approval of Payment of Bills

CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

Scott Bogner, Superintendent, reminded the board that candidates must file no later than 4:00 tomorrow if they are interested in running for the two open board seats at the May 8th election.  Mr. Bogner also informed the board of the latest information received from Lansing on funding.  February 14th is the supplemental count date.  A meeting on March 8th with area superintendents will discuss some potential county-wide collaborations in an effort to save money.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

 

Mr. Szocinski, High School Principal, reminded the board of the upcoming senior exit interviews on February 14th & 15th.  The Honors Breakfast is Thursday, February 15th.

PRINCIPAL

REPORTS

 

 

Mr. Lance Jones, Middle School Principal, informed the board that the middle school students have been working on the upcoming Spelling Bee and Mrs. Stickney has been busy working on putting together the History Fair.

 

 

 

Mr. Joel Schuitema, Elementary School Principal, reminded the board that along with parent/teacher conferences on the 14th & 15th, that the Scholastic Book Fair will be going on. 

 

 

 

Mrs. Galsterer, Primary Center Principal, thanked Mr. Tanner for being the Zero the Hero on the 100th day of school.  The kindergarten teachers, along with the bilingual program, have identified kindergarteners that are in need of extra assistance due to language deficiencies.  These students are staying an extra ˝ day to work on vocabulary and language with the bilingual program.

 

 

 

Mr. John Klever, Learning Center Director, introduced Michelle Wright as the student of the month at the Learning Center. 

 

 

 

Becky Freeman, aide at the elementary school, submitted a letter of resignation effective February 2, 2007.  Betty Lehnert, school bus driver, also submitted a letter of resignation effective January 20, 2007.  Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Jim Stuart, to accept the resignations as submitted.

EMPLOYEE RESIGNATIONS

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 


 

The monthly calendar was addressed.  The board workshop that was canceled on February 5th due to weather was rescheduled for Thursday, March 1st at the High School Media Center.  Mr. Ostyn, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction informed the board that due to the new mandated high school curriculum, the High School and Middle School were re-assessing its math and science programs.  Starting next year, 8th graders will be able to take algebra and pre-algebra and earn high school credit.  Texts were introduced to the board for their perusal. 

DISCUSSIONS

 

 

No public comments on the discussion items were given at this time.

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

 

At this time a motion was made by Dave Robinson, supported by Bob Jenema, to convene into closed session for the purpose of an employee review.

CLOSED SESSION

 

 

Ayes:  Bob Jenema, Kris Lesley, Paul Roberts, Dave Robinson, Jill Niewiadomski, Jim Stuart & Jon Chase.

 

Nays:  None

 

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

It is recommended by the Grant Public Schools Board of Education to continue the employment of the employee mentioned in the correspondence dated February 12, 2007.  Motion by Kris Lesley, supported by Jill Niewiadomski.

OPEN SESSION

 

 

Ayes:  Bob Jenema, Kris Lesley, Paul Roberts, Dave Robinson, Jill Niewiadomski, Jim Stuart & Jon Chase.

 

Nays:  None

 

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

There being no further business before the Board, President Dave Robinson entertained a motion for adjournment at 8:20.  Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Jill Niewiadomski.

 

Motion Approved:  7-0

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

 

Kathi Thornton

Recording Secretary