BEDFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012 MEETING MINUTES The Bedford Public Schools, Board of met for a Regular Board Meeting on Thursday, October 4, 2012, at Monroe Road Elementary. The President, Mike Smith, called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were Board Members Dale Barton Trustee; Dr. Tim Brakel Vice President, Joe Gore Secretary, Jessica C. Pienta - Trustee, Wayne Meehean Trustee, and Shawna Smith Treasurer. Call to Order Also present were: Jon White - Interim Superintendent, Howard Schwager Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Debby Kuhl Interim Assistant Superintendent. Jamie Cowan Plante Moran was excused. There were 30 people in the audience. Nancy Brancheau and Kate Schmus led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Barton moved: That tonight s agenda be adopted, as printed. Pledge of Allegiance Adopt Agenda Mrs. Smith supported the motion. Motion carried 7-0. Mrs. Smith moved: That the Minutes of the September 20, 2012, Special Meeting, be approved, as printed. Motion carried 7-0. The first recognition was for the lunchroom aides Nancy Brancheau and Kate Schmus who performed the Heimlich to prevent a kindergarten student from choking. Jon White presented both of the women with a Certificate of Recognition. Jon White told the audience that we (BPS) are extremely proud of their quick response and all their efforts in responding to a student that was in distress. Nancy Brancheau said that she and Kate Schmus were very happy to help the student. The lunchroom aides were congratulated by the School Board, Administration, and the audience. The second recognition was for Nick Cousino and his Teacher Brenda McCormick. Nick Cousino placed seventh in a worldwide competition for Business Professionals of America. The competition took place at Certiport WorldWide Center in Las Vegas, NV. Nick Cousino and Brenda McCormick were awarded a certificate and congratulated by the School Board, Administration, and the audience. Approve Minutes of the September 20, 2012, Special Meeting Recognitions and Presentations Nancy Brancheau and Kate Schmus Nick Cousino and Brenda McCormick
Recognitions and Presentations - continued The last presentation was by former Board Member Kim Hooper. Kim Hooper presented the School Board with a brand new Podium. Jon White said a few words about Kim Hooper and the amount of dedication he has to the community and to BPS. There was no public commentary There was no Board Correspondence The Board President, Mr. Smith introduced the Student Board Representative, Senior Allison Drake. Reports given by: The Liaison to the Bedford Township Government; The Liaison for the Michigan Association of School Boards; The Liaison for the Monroe County School Board Association; The Liaison for the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) Advisory Board; The Liaison for the Policy Committee; and from the Student School Board Representative Presentation of the new Podium by Kim Hooper. Public Commentary Board Correspondence Introduction of the Student Board Representative Allison Drake Board Reports Superintendent s Report Jon White presented a Power Point to the Board and audience titled Interim Superintendent s Priorities. Jon thanked the Board for having the confidence in him and asking him back to serve as the Interim Superintendent. Jon went over his Goals & Objectives for his interim position. Discussion: President, Mike Smith inquired about the time-line to fill the cabinet positions. Jon White replied that Howard Schwager, Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations is in the process of filling the Assistant Superintendent position, and that the CFO job description is in the process of the being re-written, and then it will be posted. Jon would like to see the CFO position filled by February. No other Board Members had any inquiries. Interim Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Student Services, Debby Kuhl, presented the Instruction Items. Mr. Meehean moved that the motion for Instruction Items 1 thru 4, be adopted, as recommended. Motion carried unanimously. There was no discussion. PowerPoint by Jon White Titled: Interim Superintendent s Priorities Board Discussion Presentation of Instruction Items Approve Instruction Items 1 4 Motion carried. The motions approved under the Instruction Items were: That the United Way Month Resolution, be adopted, as That the National School Lunch Week Resolution, be adopted, as That the Character Counts Resolution, be adopted, as Adopt United Way Month Resolution Adopt National School Lunch Week Resolution Adopt Character Counts Resolution
Presentation of Instruction Items - continued That the National School Lunch Week Resolution, be adopted, as Mr. Schwager presented the Personnel Items Mrs. Smith moved: That the motions for Personnel Items 1, be adopted, as recommended. Motion carried unanimously The motions approved under the Personnel Items were: That the 2012 2013 teacher contract with, Brad Lorenz; effective September 20, 2012; and Jennifer Richter, effective September 26, 2012; be approved, as Jon White presented the Operation Items Mr. Barton moved: The the motions for Operations Items 1 thru 2, be adopted, as There was no discussion. Motion approved unanimously. The motions approved under the Operations Items were: That the donation of playground equipment to Monroe Road Elementary, from the PTA and the magazine drive to Monroe Road Elementary, be accepted, as That the President and Secretary of the Bedford Public Schools, Board of authorize and order the Treasurer to disburse from Bedford Public Schools Funds for the month ended September 30, 2012. Payroll in the amount of $2,619,616.61, Accounts Payable in the amount of $478,723.42, for the total disbursement of $3,098,340.03; that the Financial Reports be placed on file for audit; as Adopt National School Lunch Week Resolution Presentation of Personnel Items Motion to Approve Item 1 Motion carried - Approve Two (2) New Teacher s Contract Presentation of Operations Items Motion to Adopt Items 1 and 2 Motion Carried- Motion to Approve Donation of Playground Equipment Authorize Payment of Bills & Banks of Depository Fund 11 21 12 23 25 31 42 45 Category General Fund Athletics Technology Millage Community Food Service Debt Capital Mainten ance Sinking Total Accounts Payable 285,041.35 17,268.43 50,547.46 12,818.52 1,728.23 566.75 168.68 110,548.00 478,723.42 Insurance 424,307.79 424,307.79 Wages 1,231,262.58 1,231,262.58 Taxes 445,792.36 445,792.36 Retirement 518,253.88 518,253.88 Total 2,904,657.96 17,268.43 50,547.46 12,818.52 1,728.23 566.75 168.68 110,584.00 3,098,340.03
Public Commentary heard from Robin Perry, United Way Representative and Sandy Kraine, Marketing and Communications Specialist, for BPS. Robin Perry spoke on behalf of the United Way and advised the audience of the Chili Cook-Off that will take place on October 21, 2012; there will also be a hayride and face painting. The place will be determined. Announcements and Comments PTA, PTO, Administrators, Superintendent of and Board of Sandy Kraine spoke about the fine quality of the teaching staff here at BPS. Sandy spoke about how the teacher s continually inspire all the students. She thanked Jon White for coming back to help the district out and Sandy told the audience that she is proud to be a part of the BPS district. Sherry Farnan, Principal at JRE, thanked Mr. White for coming back to the District to help them out. Sherry said that JRE has officially 101 kindergarten students. All of the students at JRE are having a blast and happy to be in school. Sherry told the audience that she receives notes from the teachers saying how good the school year is going for them. Sherry reminded the audience that the students do not know that we are in hard times so every day is a good outlook for them. JRE is beginning the MEAP testing for grades 3, 4 and 5. The magazine drive is wrapping up, which incidentally, the magazine drive provides a lot of support for the school. Picture Day is coming up for JRE. Sherry thanked the support staff of all of their help and hard work. Kim Maag-Eltschlager, Assistant Principal, at the Junior High School, said that the Junior High is off to a great start. The teachers and students are very happy. Kim is hearing many positive comments from both groups. The Junior High is gearing up for the MEAP testing. Kim had a lot of parent volunteers come in to help put the MEAP booklets together in preparation for the standardized testing. The National Junior Honor Society is up and running, yearbook sales are taking place, and picture day are two of the activities that are going on. Kim reported that they had a great teacher/administrator meeting. Kim reported that the staff is looking forward to the two new staff members coming on board at the Junior High. Lastly, Kim thanked Jon White for coming back to BPS to help the District out during this interim period and before a permanent Superintendent is in place Mr. Schwager remarked that he is very excited to have Jon s leadership to help solve some of the challenges that the Department of Human Resources is tackling. Mrs. Kuhl welcomed the new teacher and told him that he is in a wonderful place to teach. In fact, that is one of the reason why Debby came back as the, Interim Superintendent, is because of all the wonderful people that exists here and that includes all of the Board members. Jon White, Interim Superintendent, asked the Board President, Mr. Smith to join him to present Mrs. Kuhl with a dozen red roses in appreciation of her time spend at BPS as the Interim Assistant Superintendent. Mr. White thanked Mrs. Kuhl for her gift of time, expertise and her love of the District. Mr. White then presented Mrs. Kuhl with a dozen red roses. Mrs. Smith remarked that she really appreciated what the two (2)-lunch room aides did to help the kindergarten student was in distress. She thanked Mr. Hooper for the beautiful brand new podium, it looks amazing. Mrs. Smith welcomed the new teacher, Brad Lorenz who was in the audience for the meeting. Mrs. Smith told Mr. Lorenz that he will love the junior high school, telling him that the junior high school is an awesome place. Mrs. Smith thanked all of the BPS bus
drivers for everything that the do to help for the district. Mrs. Smith thanked the Para- Professionals. Mrs. Smith said that she could not thank Jon White enough for all that he has done for the district. Mrs. Smith reminded everyone that it is Homecoming weekend Go Mules! Ms. Jessica C. Pienta remarked that at tonight s Homecoming game, there will be an announcement about BPS Hall of Fame Inductees and one in particular inductee served to be a great inspiration to Ms. Pienta while she was a BPS student and that teacher was Ms. Ellen Bacon. Mr. Barton welcomed the two new teacher s Brad Lorenz and Jennifer Richter. He thanked Debby Kuhl for her dedication to the district. He also publically thanked Jon White for agreeing to come back as the Interim Superintendent. Mr. Gore congratulated the two-lunchroom aides for the fantastic job that they did in helping the distressed kindergarten student out during one of the lunch periods. Mr. Gore acknowledged Mr. Cousino s Excel achievements and then went on to say thank you to Mrs. Brenda McCormick for his assistance in Mr. Cousino s achievement. Mr. Gore thanked the BPS bus drivers for delivering all of the students in the district safely to and from school each day. Dr. Brakel thanked Debby Kuhl and Jon White for coming back to the District to help out and he thanked them again for all that they have done for BPS. Dr. Brakel welcomed the new employee, Brad Lorentz. He thanked the bus drivers and mechanics for keeping the routes and buses running very smoothly. He thanked the cafeteria staff and the food service staff for all of their hard work. Dr. Brakel recognized that October is National Apple Month and that October 4 th is National Poetry Day. Dr. Brakel recited an elementary poem to the audience. Mr. Smith thanked all the bus drivers, mechanics and Robin Seymour for all that they do to keep the District s transportation up and running very safely and smoothly. Mr. Smith wanted it noted that since we have working phones in the District this year, unlike last year; he did not receive one cellular call from parents about bus stops or transportation issues. Mr. Smith told the audience that if they have not had an opportunity to stop over to JRE to see the updates, to please make some time to check it out.mr. Smith stated that JRE looks beautiful. He also stated that he is very excited about the wireless relay stations and the one-to-one initiative program. Mr. Smith thanked Nancy Brancheau and Kate Schmus for their quick response to the distressed student. Mr. Smith also gave Nick Cousino and teacher Brenda McCormick Kudos for Nick s big achievement on being seventh in the world in the Excel competition. Mr. Smith thanked Debby Kuhl and Jon White for coming back into the school system to help out. Mr. Gore moved: To adjourn at 7:59 P.M. Motion carried unanimously Announcements and Comments from PTA, PTO, Administrators, Superintendent of and the Board of Adjourn Motion Carried - Joseph C. Gore Bedford Public Schools School Board, Secretary