Board of Education Regular Board Meeting

Grant Public Schools May 14, 2007

The Board of Education of the Grant Public Schools met in regular session on Monday, May 14, 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; 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; and Jan Lesley, Finance Director. Administrators Absent: John Klever, Learning Center Director	ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT ADMINISTRATORS ABSENT
Others Present: Kathi Thornton & others.	OTHERS PRESENT
President, Dave Robinson, called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 5:40 p.m.
Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve the agenda as presented.	AGENDA
Motion Approved 7-0
Theresa Bonk, Media Specialist for the PC and EL, spoke to the board on the impact that libraries have on the success of education in our schools.	SPOTLIGHT
Mr. Phil Turner, GEA President, addressed the board and thanked them for the way they handled the reduction in personnel situation.	PUBLIC COMMENTS
Motion by Jon Chase, supported by Jill Niewiadomski, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. a. Approval of Minutes of April 9, 2007 Regular and April 30, 2007 Special Board Workshop b. Approval of Treasurer’s Report c. Approval of Payment of Bills	CONSENT AGENDA
Motion Approved 7-0

Scott Bogner, Superintendent, congratulated Jim Stuart and Jill Niewiadomski for being successfully re-elected to another 4 year term on the Grant Public Schools Board of Education. There are no current updates on the state financial crisis and the pro-ration that is looming. Mr. Bogner will be meeting with Representative Hanson on the 21^st, and Senator VanWoerkom will be touring the district on the 25^th. Mr. Bogner thanked Kathi Thornton and Annie Pascoe for the work that they did on the annual staff appreciation dinner, along with custodial staff, kitchen staff, and administrators. The MS Gym lighting project has been put on hold in light of the current financial problems. The Bus Road-e-o was this past weekend and our team is to be commended for taking 1^st place! Pam Gilbert took first place in the individual competition and she and Pam Gillespie will be heading to the state competition. Three of our students, Misty Blain, Hannah Jenkins, and Tasha Leach, are headed to the National History Fair Competition in College Park, Maryland. Our Middle School Odyssey of the Mind team has advanced to the World Finals to be held at MSU.	SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Mr. Tom Szocinski, High School Principal, informed the board of upcoming graduation activities to include Honors Night later this evening and graduation on May 20^th.	PRINCIPAL REPORTS
Mr. Lance Jones, Middle School Principal, informed the board that the sports physicals will be held during the day this year on May 22^nd. He also invited the board to attend the MS Band and Choir concerts that will take place on May 24 & May 29 respectively.
Mr. Joel Schuitema, Elementary Principal, updated the board on upcoming end of year activities and invited the board to Michigan History Day breakfast on May 21^st.
Mrs. Renae Galsterer, Primary Center Principal, updated the board on end of the year activities and Kindergarten Round-up preliminary outcomes.
Lauren Elliott, High School Teacher; Kathy Geers, Middle School Teacher; and Tonya Smith, Elementary Teacher, have all requested leaves of absence for maternity purposes. Motion by Jim Stuart, supported by Bob Jenema, to approve the leaves of absence as requested.	LEAVE OF ABSENCE REQUESTS
Motion Approved 7-0

Jean Teets, High School Teacher; Beth Lindhout, Primary Center Teacher; and Paula Garza, Learning Center Aide, have all tendered resignations. Motion by Jim Stuart, supported by Bob Jenema, to approve the resignations as presented.	RETIREMENT/ RESIGNATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Motion Approved 7-0
The following NEOLA Policies were provided at the April 9^th Board of Education meeting for first reading. They are presented tonight for final approval: · Policy 2623 (revision) Student Assessment · Policies 3121/4121 (revision) Criminal History Checks · Policies 3362/4362 (revision) Staff Harassment · Policy 4120.09 (revision) Volunteers · Policy 5350 (revision) Student Suicide · Policy 5460 (revision) Graduation Requirements · Policy 5517 (revision) Harassment of Students · Policy 5517.01 (revision) Bullying/Aggressive Student Behavior · Policy 5630.01 (new) Student Seclusion and Restraint Motion by Jill Niewiadomski, supported by Kris Lesley, to adopt the policies as presented.	NEOLA UPDATES
Motion Approved 7-0
A consultant was hired to assess the feasibility of combining all the school kitchens into one kitchen at the middle school. After reviewing the information provided by the consultant, it is recommended by the administration that the Middle School kitchen be used as the primary kitchen for food service preparation, with necessary adjustments made accordingly. Motion by Paul Roberts, supported by Jon Chase.	CONSOLIDATION OF FOOD SERVICE KITCHES
Motion Approved 7-0
Due to the loss of students and the failure of other cost reduction proposals, it is necessary to reduce staff at Grant Public Schools. It is recommended that the board of education approve the Tenure Teacher Layoff Resolution which will decrease staff by four teachers and the Support Personnel Layoff Resolution which will decrease support staff by four staff members. Motion by Jill Niewiadomski, supported by Kris Lesley.	PERSONNEL REDUCTIONS 2007/2008
Motion Approved 7-0
In order to reduce expenses, it has been discussed and determined that Driver Education students should be responsible to pay the entire cost of their driver education instruction. Therefore the Administration is recommending the increase of Driver’s Education fees to $325.00 starting in August, 2007. Motion by Jim Stuart, supported by Jon Chase.	DRIVER EDUCATION
Motion Approved 7-0
In order to reduce expenses in the General Fund, the administration is recommending the elimination of our contribution towards the Newaygo County Police Liaison. Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Paul Roberts to approve this elimination.	POLICE LIAISON REDUCATION
Motion Approved 7-0
The Grant Public Schools Board of Education is required to authorize a representative and an alternate to vote at the upcoming NCRESA Board Election on June 4, 2007. The board must direct this representative to vote for two 6-year terms and one 4-year term. Motion by Paul Roberts, supported by Bob Jenema, to authorize Bob Jenema as our representative, and Dave Robinson as our alternate for the NCRESA Board Election and to authorize our representative to vote for Karen Carter and Mary Schafer for the two 6-year terms, and Peggy Gunell for the 4-year term.	NCRESA BOARD OF EDUCATION RESOLUTION
Motion Approved 7-0
The Grant Public Schools Board of Education is required to pass a resolution supporting or disapproving of the NCRESA Budgets for the 2007-08 school year. Motion by Jon Chase, supported by Bob Jenema, to approve the NCRESA Budgets as presented.	NCRESA BUDGET APPROVAL
Motion Approved 7-0
The monthly board calendar was reviewed with the June meeting consisting of the annual budget hearing.	DISCUSSIONS
There being no further business before the Board, President Dave Robinson entertained a motion to dismiss. Motion by Jill Niewiadomski, supported by Kris Lesley, to adjourn the meeting at 6:37 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kathi Thornton Recording Secretary