Board of Education                                                                              Regular Board Meeting

Grant Public Schools                                                                                   September 10, 2007

 

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

 

Board Members Present: Dave Robinson, President; Jim Stuart, Vice President; Jill Niewiadomski, Secretary; Kris Lesley, Treasurer (7:02); Jon Chase, Bob Jenema, and Paul Roberts, Trustees.

MEMBERS

PRESENT

 

 

Administrators Present: Scott Bogner, Superintendent; Mike Ostyn, Assistant Superintendent; Lance Stray, Athletic Director; 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

 

 

Administrators Absent: Tom Szocinski, H.S. Principal

 

 

 

Others Present:   Kathi Thornton, Barb Foster & 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 Jon Chase, to approve the agenda as presented.

AGENDA

 

 

Motion Approved 6-0

 

 

 

Barb Foster, Recreation & Enrichment Director, made a presentation to the board on the After School Program and the overall Recreation Program.

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 August 13, 2007

     b.  Approval of Treasurer’s Report

     c.  Approval of Payment of Bills

CONSENT AGENDA

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

Scott Bogner, Superintendent, updated the board on current enrollment figures, and news from Lansing.  The first week of school went well.  The Middle School, Elementary, and Primary Center all made AYP.  The high school will receive their information later in the fall.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Mike Ostyn, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, presented the 2006-07 Annual Report. 

ANNUAL REPORT

 

 

Dan Simon, High School Assistant Principal, reported that the school year started on a positive note, Fall sports have started and homecoming is September 28th.

PRINCIPAL

REPORTS

 

 

Lance Jones, Middle School Principal, reported that the new floor in the upper level of the cafeteria and the stairway have been completed and look fantastic!  The 5th grade open house was held on August 29th, and the 6th – 7th grade open house is scheduled for September 13.  School opened with 675 students enrolled.

 

 

 

Joel Schuitema, Elementary School Principal, reported 434 students enrolled at this time.  Picture day is coming up on September 14th and the elementary will be celebrating Constitution Day on the 17th.

 

 

 

Renae Galsterer, Primary Center Principal, reported that the Primary Center had a really smooth first week.  She recognized the custodial staff for the wonderful job they did preparing the school for back-to-school.  They are still enrolling students!

 

 

 

John Klever, Learning Center Director, reported the hiring of Rosina Morales who will be working with the Limited English Proficiency students at the Elementary School.

 

 

 

The board is being asked to approve a State Aid Operating Loan Resolution which will allow the school to borrow $1,000,000 against our state aid for cash flow purposes.  Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Jill Niewiadomski, to approve the State Aid Operating Loan Resolution as presented.

RESOLUTION TO BORROW FOR CASH FLOW PURPOSES.

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

Linda Paton, teacher at the Elementary School has requested a 12 week leave of absence as outlined by the Family Medical Leave Act.  Motion by Jim Stuart, seconded by Paul Roberts, to approve the request for leave as presented.

FMLA REQUEST

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

Scott Cousineau, Beth Longstreet and Tina Ingell have all resigned from positions within our system.  It is recommended by the administration to accept these resignations with appreciation for their years of service to the children of Grant Public Schools.  Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Jon Chase.

EMPLOYEE RESIGNATIONS

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

It is recommended by the administration to realign our administrative staff to cover the resignation of Mr. Scott Cousineau.  Changes will be as follows:  Mr. Dan Simon will assume the duties of MS/HS Assistant Principal and Mr. Lance Stray will assume the duties as the HS/Middle School Athletic Director and HS Dean of Students.  Motion by

ADMINISTRATIVE REALIGNMENT

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

In keeping with our financial plan, the board of Education is asked to consider raising MS Athletic Ticket prices to $2.00.  Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Jon Chase, to approve the new ticket prices as presented.

MS ATHLETIC TICKET PRICES

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

After reviewing bids for snow removal for the 2007/08 school year, it is recommended by the administration to approve the bid presented by Dan’s Excavating.  Motion by Jim Stuart, supported by Kris Lesley to accept the bid from Dan’s Excavating for snow removal for the 2007/08 school year.

SNOWPLOWING BID FOR 2007/08

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

The administration as procured the bylaws and policies for all student organizations represented at Grant Public Schools.  They are being submitted to the Board of Education for first reading.  Motion by Jill Niewiadomski, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve these bylaws and policies for first reading.

FIRST READING FOR STUDENT ACTIVITIES BYLAWS AND POLICIES

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

Two positions are up for filling due to resignations at the end of last school year.  The administration is recommending Ms. Rosina (De La Torre Barraza) Morales for the bilingual aide position at the elementary school and Mr. Vernon Lefeber to fill the open bus driver position.  Motion by Jill Niewiadomski, supported by Paul Roberts, to accept these hirings as presented.

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

The monthly board calendar was discussed.  A date was set for the workshop and upcoming conferences were discussed.

DISCUSSIONS

 

 

At 7:55 a motion was made by Jon Chase, supported by Jim Stuart, to convene the board into closed session for discussion of negotiation items.

 

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

Motion by Jill Niewiadomski, supported by Jon Chase, to reconvene in open session. 

 

 

 

Motion Approved 7-0

 

 

 

There being no further business before the Board, President Dave Robinson entertained a motion for adjournment.  Motion by Bob Jenema supported by Jim Stuart.  President Robinson declared the meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Kathi Thornton

Recording Secretary