Board of Education                                                                              Regular Board Meeting

Grant Public Schools                                                                                         March 10, 2008

 

The Board of Education of the Grant Public Schools met in regular session on Monday, March 10, 2008 with President, Dave Robinson presiding.

 

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

MEMBERS

PRESENT

 

 

Administrators Present: Scott Bogner, Superintendent; Tom Szocinski, H.S. Principal; Dan Simon, H.S./M.S. Assistant Principal; Lance Stray, Athletic Director; Lance Jones, M.S. 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, Rob Schuitema & others.

OTHERS PRESENT

 

 

President, Dave Robinson, called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:05 p.m.  

 

 

Motion by Jon Chase, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve the agenda as presented.

AGENDA

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

  Mr. Rob Schuitema, from Newaygo County Community Services, made a presentation to the board on the cultural enrichment projects that NCCS helps fund in the county, and specifically at Grant Public Schools.

SPOTLIGHT

 

 

No public comments were offered at this time.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

 

Motion by Paul Roberts, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented.

     a. Approval of Regular & Closed Minutes of February 18, 2008, Regular & Closed Minutes of the Board Workshop on February 25, 2008, and Minutes of the Curriculum and Building & Site Committee meeting of February 28, 2008.

     b.  Approval of Treasurer’s Report

     c.  Approval of Payment of Bills

CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

Scott Bogner, Superintendent, reported that due to inclement weather, the district has incurred 10 snow days and is in need of making up a half of a day.  Therefore, the half day of school that was scheduled on June 5th will now be a full day of school.  Talks are still on-going between the City of Grant, Grant Township, and our district regarding our liaison officer and his ability to provide services at the middle school.  Preliminary numbers for the February count put us down 28 students leaving us with a blended count for next year’s funding being down 52.29 FTE.  If we get the funding the State of Michigan has suggested for next school year, this will be a decrease of $387,991 in revenue for next school year. 

 

The handicapped accessible stage that we purchased, with the help of an Amazing X grant from the Fremont Area Foundation, has been received.  This portable stage will benefit us and surrounding communities for many years.  Mr. Bogner gave thanks to the Fremont Area Community Foundation for all they do to further education in Newaygo County. 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

 

Tom Szocinski, High School Principal, reported that the 3rd trimester started today and the high school will be administering MME testing starting tomorrow.

PRINCIPAL

REPORTS

 

 

Lance Jones, Middle School Principal, reported that the 8th graders will be visiting the Career Tech Center for their orientation on March 11th.  The 7th & 8th grade choirs competed in Grand Haven this weekend and did quite well.

 

 

 

Joel Schuitema, Elementary School Principal, informed the board that Senator VanWoerkom will be at the Elementary School reading to 4th graders on March 24th and that RIF was at the school today.

 

 

 

Renae Galsterer, Primary Center Principal, informed the board that the Primary Center has begun assessing children for kindergarten next year.  Also, the Kindergarten Planning Committee is continuing to meet to study and plan for future programming for our students.

 

 

 

John Klever, Learning Center Director, announced that Ryan Stevens is the Student of the Month at the Learning Center.

 

 

 

Mrs. Susan Sova, Middle School Teacher, has requested a maternity leave of absence starting April 28th through the remainder of the school year.  Motion by Jill Niewiadomski, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve the leave as presented.

EMPLOYEE LEAVE OF ABSENCE

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

At the February meeting, the board was provided with a proposed curriculum guide for ESL classes at the Learning Center.  Motion by Paul Roberts, supported by Jon Chase, to approve the Curriculum Guide for ESL classes at the Learning Center.

LEARNING CENTER CURRICULUM GUIDE

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

The administration at the high school is requesting several changes for next year’s student handbook.  These changes are in the area of discipline and sporting cancellations due to inclement weather.  Motion by Kris Lesley, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve these proposed changes for first reading by the Board of Education.

HIGH SCHOOL HANDBOOK CHANGES

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

The high school administration is suggesting new course offerings be made available at the high school.  These courses are in the area of English, Science, Business, Fine Arts and Social Studies. Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Jon Chase, to approve these courses be submitted for first reading by the Board of Education. 

HIGH SCHOOL COURSE ADDITIONS

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

A recommendation was brought by the Superintendent of Schools to extend the employment contracts of non-union personnel.  Motion by Jim Stuart, supported by Paul Roberts, to extend non-union personnel contracts as presented.

NON-UNION PERSONNEL CONTRACTS

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

Every year the board has to opt to participate in the Newaygo County Schools of Choice Plan.  It is recommended by the Administration that we continue to participate in the Newaygo County Schools of Choice Plan, with openings in all grades except Special Education Categorical Rooms which are being fully utilized.  Motion by Jon Chase, supported by Bob Jenema, to continue with the Newaygo County Schools of Choice Plan.

NEWAYGO COUNTY SCHOOLS OF CHOICE

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

The Building & Site Committee has met to review the many proposals submitted for both the installation of new gymnasium lights and refurbishing of the gym floor at the Middle School.  They have selected the lowest bidder for each of these projects and is suggesting that Swanson Electrical Services, Inc. be awarded the lighting contract and Bay Area Specialty Flooring LLC be awarded the gym floor contract.  Motion by Jim Stuart, supported by Jill Niewiadomski, to award these contracts as presented.

MIDDLE SCHOOL LIGHTING AND GYM FLOOR BID APPROVAL

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

The monthly board calendar was discussed including the county-wide school board dinner on the 27th of March; High School graduation on May 18th, and the Learning Center graduation on May 20th.  The Agricultural Committee and Transportation committee both need to meet, we will be making arrangements in the near future.

DISCUSSIONS

 

 

There being no further business before the Board and no public comments, President Dave Robinson entertained a motion for adjournment.  Motion by Kris Lesley supported by Bob Jenema to adjourn the meeting at 8:05.  President Robinson declared the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Kathi Thornton

Recording Secretary