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A regular meeting of the Board of Education of Pellston Public Schools was held in the Gerald E. Mallory Board of Education Conference Room on Monday, October 8, 2007. President Kathy Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Members present: Arnold Burkhart, Ronald Wolford, Connie Dzedzie, Chris Rybinski, Jim Milbrandt and John Ritter. Member(s) absent: None The Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were led by Jim Milbrandt. It was moved by Ron Wolford and supported by Chris Rybinski to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on Monday, September 10, 2007 and the Special Meeting held on Tuesday, September 18, 2007. The motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Connie Dzedzie and supported by Jim Milbrandt to approve payment of the bills for the months of September and October, 2007 in the amount of $ 138,710.92 with payments being made from the following funds: General Fund, $121,208.30; Athletics, $1,741.03 and Food Service, $15,761.59. The motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Connie Dzedzie and supported by Ron Wolford to approve payment of the payrolls for the dates of October 12 and October 26, 2007. The motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Connie Dzedzie and supported by Jim Milbrandt to approve payment of the benefits and utilities from October 9 through November 12, 2007. The motion carried 7-0. Public Petitions - None The PTO Report was given by Kathy Smith. The Gordon Food Service Pie Sale will begin this week and will include the elementary and middle school. Delivery is set for Nov. 15th. PTO okayed the purchase of field day ribbons, third grades ski lessons. PTO will be selling sweatshirts and t-shirts in children’s sizes only. PTO will march in the homecoming parade and throw goodies. Meetings will be the first Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. with some meetings taking place after school, as well. Provided snacks for Middle School MEAP testing. The Pellston Sports Boosters Report was given by Connie Dzedzie. Sports Boosters have been busy running concession stands for fall sports and getting ready for Homecoming. Principal’s Reports were given by: Donna Baszler – MEAPs began this week at the elementary school and will continue for two weeks with makeups the following week. Enrollment is up to 312 from 302 last year. The September Staff In-Service on bullying was wonderfully presented and well received by staff. Grandparents Day will be a spring event this year as it has been too difficult to get in with MEAPs going on. Tony Basanese – Sixth grade MEAP testing begins on Oct. 9th and continues daily until Oct. 25th for some middle school grade. Halloween Dance will be on Friday, October 26th from 3:15 until 5:15 with a disc jockey. Terry Emery – Lots of testing has already taken place this fall or will within the next several weeks. Testing includes: ASVAB, PSAT, 9th Grade MEAP, MME retakes, ACT retake off-site. This week is Homecoming and Spirit Week, including the Friday parade and game, the Sat. dance from 7-10 P.M. Closed Campus update: going well and getting through the lunch line in plenty of time. Kids are walking around the building and going outside. Kids have come through the change in a responsible way. Our new Home-School Liaison has been working hard to contact parents whose children are already in danger of failing. Mr. Tebbe informed the Board that Thursday we will meet to review the budget for the first quarter. Board Association Meeting in Boyne City will be attended by Kathy Smith on October 17th. “PTO Today” recognized Pellston Elementary School PTO for outstanding efforts made to serve. They were presented with a Certificate of Recognition. Thank you to the Dzedzie family for the donation of two camcorders for use by the athletic department. New Business Superintendent Tebbe asked that the Board acknowledge the receipt of the audit. The Audit Reports were handed out at the last work Session in Sept. While we do not have a large fund balance Pellston is in the positive column with approximately $7,000. in fund equity. Thank you to Pam Mayhew and Michelle Ferris for the good work that they do and the helpful way that they handled the audit. The auditors raised some minor questions regarding internal control issues which will be discussed at Oct. work session. It was moved by Connie Dzedzie and supported by Ron Wolford to acknowledge the audit report. The motion carried 7-0. Snow Removal Bids: Super M Excavating and Spierling Excavating submitted snowplowing bids. After some discussion it was concluded that Spierling Excavating would be less expensive and with a larger crew, more capable of responding to the school’s needs throughout the winter. It was moved by Arne Burkhart and supported by Chris Rybinski to approve the bid by Spierling Excavating for the 2007-08 school year. The motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Ron Wolford and supported by Arne Burkhart to approve a Cooperative Track and Golf athletic program between Pellston and Littlefield for the 2007-08 school year and to revisit this cooperative agreement in the next year. Transportation fee will have to be worked out but we want to get the ball rolling with MHSAA before deadline passes. The motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Ron Wolford and supported by Connie Dzedzie to approve the Middle School winter coaching recommendations as follows: 7th Grade Boys’ Basketball, Colin Green; 8th Grade Boys’ Basketball, Mark Wagenschutz, 7th Grade Girls’ Basketball, Patti McNitt; 8th Grade Girls’ Basketball, Steve Kirsch. Board Trustee Burkhart had concerns about coaching recommendations. Tim would be coaching high school girls all year. No diversity for students and it’s a big job. He would support for one year but doesn’t want it to be a future expectation. We need continuity and experience but having Tim in three sports is a huge commitment. Tim is one of the few coaches who have committed himself fully to program development. The Board would like to see Mr. Litzner pursue getting a coach for next year, now. The Board wants to thank Tim for stepping up and volunteering. Either he or the kids risk getting burned out. JV boys’ basketball is a concern for Arnie, too. There are concerns about Mr. Mathews coaching style and Board members would like to see our Athletic director begin a search now for someone to fill that position next season. President Smith said we need to view our coaches as a strong representation of our school and role models for our students. Girls’ Varsity Basketball applicants have been exhausted. Mrs. Emery said Mr. Litzner, Athletic Director has spoken with coaches at length regarding time management and is well satisfied with their plan of action. The motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Connie Dzedzie and seconded by Jim Milbrandt to approve the hiring of Tim McNitt as Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach as a one year interim position. The motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Connie Dzedzie and seconded by Arnie Burkhart to approve the hiring of Kim Wagenschutz as the High School cheerleading coach. The motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Arnie Burkhart and seconded by Ron Wolford to approve the hiring of Mandy Robinson as Junior Varsity Girls’ Basketball Coach. The motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Ron Wolford and supported by Chris Rybinski to approve the hiring of Mike Mathews for Junior Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach for the 2007-08 season, if the Athletic Director and coaching staff provide significant mentoring throughout the season and re-evaluate performance prior to next season. The motion carried 6-1. It was moved by Arnie Burkhart and supported by Connie Dzedzie to approve the Extra Duty positions for the 2007-08 school year, as proposed by the building principals (see attached lists). The motion carried 7-0. Superintendent Tebbe asked the Board to begin giving some thought to the possibility of supporting an ISD-wide Enhancement millage. An enhancement millage is only mechanism for raising revenues since the passage of Proposition A. This would require 50% of the ISD-wide Student’s populations school boards to agree to allow this to be a ballot issue. Superintendents meet on Nov. 1 and Mr. Tebbe requests the Board’s input about our support or non-support on such a millage vote. All schools would share the revenue raised. Designated purpose would have to be the same throughout the ISD. Mr. Tebbe said that this method of fund-raising is not very popular state-wide. Superintendent Tebbe asked that the Board members think and consider this issue prior to further discussion at the next Board Work Session. The regular monthly reports were reviewed as submitted by departmental supervisors including Transportation, Athletic, Food Service and Trust and Agency. Committee Reports The Finance Committee discussed the manner in which T & A monies should be distributed. These ideas will be incorporated into all general T & A rules and brought to the Oct. work session. The Building & Grounds Committee is still working on permits for the Building Trades Class house building. Excavation and block work and materials bids are up for selection in next 30 days. Mr. Tebbe asked whether or not the Board would agree to allow the committee to review bids and allow work to commence and get the Board approval afterwards? The committee is authorized to review bids, make selections and get the work started. LTBB also interested in having us build a home for them. This would be similar to what has been done previously for Habitat for Humanity. We have not heard back from them about further developments. The Personnel Committee is in need of another member. Diane Burkhart was on the committee and needs to be replaced. President Smith asked Board members to consider and let her know if you are interested. Superintendent Tebbe informed the Board that a review of the Athletic Code should be done and suggested that an Ad Hoc committee be formed for review, updating and approval. Connie Dzedzie volunteered to be on such a committee. It will be open for inclusion by coaches, parents, etc. Arnie Burkhart will assist, if necessary. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:09 P.M. |
Pellston
Public Schools