Board of Education Regular
Board Meeting
The Board
of Education of the
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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 |
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Administrators Present: Scott
Bogner, Superintendent; Mike Ostyn, Assistant Superintendent; Tom Szocinski,
H.S. Principal; Dan Simon, H.S./M.S. Assistant Principal; Lance Stray, AD/Dean
of Students; Lance Jones, M.S. Principal; |
ADMINISTRATORS PRESENT |
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Others Present: Kathi Thornton & others. |
OTHERS PRESENT |
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President, Dave Robinson,
called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:18 p.m. |
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Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Kris Lesley, to approve the agenda as presented. |
AGENDA |
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Motion Approved 7-0 |
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Jill Kuebler, High School Art Teacher, and
student Michael Hall provided the board with information regarding recent art
awards presented to our students.
Michael Hall’s photograph entitled “Flying Away,” a photo of a bird as
it takes off from its perch, was awarded the American Visions award, which is
the top national award given in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. |
SPOTLIGHT |
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No public comments were offered at this
time. |
PUBLIC COMMENTS |
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Motion by Jill Niewiadomski, supported by Jim
Stuart, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. a. Approval of
Minutes of March 10 Special Open & Closed #1, Special Open & Closed
#2, and regular minutes. b. Approval of Treasurer’s Report c.
Approval of Payment of Bills |
CONSENT AGENDA |
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Motion Approved 7-0 |
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Scott Bogner, Superintendent, reported that the legislature is working on funding for next year. There is a proposal for $142 per student—this most likely will change. Whatever the funding increase is, it will most likely be offset by the decrease in students we are expecting for next year. Negotiations are proceeding with both unions, there is nothing to report at this time. We are working with Newaygo Public Schools to offer an Essentials course during the first trimester next year. This course would help a select number of students to increase understanding in the areas of Language Arts and Math before they are sent on to 9th grade. |
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT |
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Bob Jenema, School Board Trustee, gave a report to the board on
his trip to the National Association of School Boards conference in |
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Mike Ostyn, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, presented the mini-grants recipients to the board. These mini-grants are funded by the Fremont Area Community Foundation and provide our teachers the ability to teach new and innovative ideas that normally couldn’t be done out of the regular school budget. There were 52 grants awarded, totaling almost $30,000. |
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Tom Szocinski, High School Principal, informed the board of upcoming end of year activities including dates and times for all upcoming graduation activities. |
PRINCIPAL REPORTS |
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Lance Jones, Middle School Principal, reported that 8th graders are having their high school orientation on the 16th, and invited the board to the April 17th Chamber Music concert. He also thanked everyone, on behalf of K. C. Nelson and his family, for their unbelievable response they had at the benefit dinner. |
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John Klever, Learning Center Director, reported that the |
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Loida
Lopez, |
ACCEPTANCE OF EMPLOYEE RESIGNATIONS |
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Motion Approved 7-0 |
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This
general curriculum guide will allow our teachers to tailor our student’s work
experience requirements to meet individual needs as well as state of |
APPROVAL OF IN-DISTRICT WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS |
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Motion Approved 7-0 |
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Recommended changes to the high school handbook for the 2007/08 school year are being presented for final approval by the board. Motion by Bob Jenema, supported by Jon Chase, to accept the proposed changes as presented. |
HIGH SCHOOL HANDBOOK CHANGES |
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Motion Approved 7-0 |
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The additional course offerings at the high school level that were presented to the board of education at the March meeting are being submitted for final approval. Motion by Paul Roberts, supported by Jim Stuart, to approve the additional elective courses. |
CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONAL COURSE OFFERINGS |
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Motion Approved 7-0 |
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The administration is recommending that the district discontinue our professional relationship with Mr. Douglas Wohlberg and retain the services of Baird, Cotter and Bishop for our annual auditing needs. Motion by Kris Lesley, supported by Bob Jenema, to approve the hiring of Baird, Cotter and Bishop for the district auditing needs. |
APPROVAL FOR HIRING A NEW AUDITOR |
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Motion Approved 7-0 |
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The board reviewed the upcoming May calendar, including the annual staff recognition dinner, the school election on May 6th and a budget review at the next meeting. The board set dates for upcoming committee meetings. President Dave Robinson, on behalf of the Newaygo County Area School Boards, thanked Kathi Thornton for the work she did putting together the spring NCASB dinner. |
DISCUSSIONS |
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There being no further business before the
Board, President Dave Robinson entertained a motion for adjournment—Motion by
Bob Jenema supported by Jon Chase.
President Robinson declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Kathi Thornton Recording Secretary |
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