BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Monday, May 12, 2008

7:00 p.m.

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

 

The regular school board meeting of the Fremont Board of Education was called to order by President Anita Osterman at 7:00 p.m.

 

Present:  Anita Osterman, Karla Gilliland, Linda Blais, Phil Harmon, Ed Wosinski and Matt Hendrie

 

Absent:  Jim Featherstone

 

People Who Addressed the Board:  Darlene McCastle, Mark Houston, Terry Sergent, Tim Groenevelt, Greg Dykema, Stacy Church, Cliff Somers, John Kingsnorth, Tom Palmer and Jim Hieftje

 

Anita Osterman, President, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

#4902— Motion by Phil Harmon  and seconded by Linda Blais  to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 28, 2008.    Ayes – 6; Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

#4903 — Motion by Phil Harmon and seconded by Linda Blais to approve the agenda for tonight’s meeting.   Ayes – 6; Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

Darlene Mc Castle addressed the Board regarding her concerns for Developmental Kindergarten.  Twelve parents have expressed interest in a D-K class if it were offered at Fremont Public Schools.

 

Mark Houston addressed the Board.  He wanted to thank Mr. Mellema and Mr. DeVries for hiring him.  He also invited the Board to view the outstanding Industrial Arts projects his classes had on display at the High School.

 

Terry Sergent addressed the Board regarding his concern over FPS hiring a JV softball coach with no softball experience or a background in the sport.

 

President Osterman addressed those in the audience with concerns regarding softball.  She instructed them to start a dialog with Mr. Sherman and Dr. Kingsnorth.  This is not a Board issue and they needed to start with them.

 

Stacey Church addressed the Board in support of a D-K program at Pine Street.  She was also thankful for passage of the recent renewal of the non-homestead millage.  In addition, she would like to see the district use in-put from the on-line surveys before making their decision to renew the High School Principal’s contract as was on tonight’s agenda.

 

President Anita Osterman administered the Oath of Office to Phil Harmon.  Phil was re-elected to serve on the Board for four more years (2008-2012).  Jim Featherstone was also re-elected to serve four more years but was absent.

 

 

John Kingsnorth, Superintendent

·         Reviewed the S3 sub-committees recommendations (Community Connections, World Ready and Technology) and would like to bring them to the Board for approval at the June 9, 2008 Board meeting.

·         The S3 Facilities Committee is working on a long-range master plan for the district—especially the High School.  They begin in June—looking at 4 different options to replace the High School.

·         Next fall they would like to get feedback from the community.

·         FPS staff was presented with lanyards for Staff Appreciation as a token of appreciation.   They can be used to secure picture ID’s for security purposes.

 

Jim Hieftje, Director of Curriculum and Instruction/Quest Principal

·         Several retirees leaving FPS.

·         We are in the process of replacement with interviews beginning May 13.  The principals are heavily involved in the process.

·         Recommendations are scheduled for the June 9 BOE meeting.

 

Tom Palmer, Executive Director of Student Services

·         Presented to the Board a report on Athletics and the effect of changing of the sport season to the district as well as proposed changes to the Athletic Handbook

1)       Girls Basketball gate receipts increased

2)       Boys Basketball gate receipts down 40%

3)       Hurt us from a financial standpoint

4)       A drop in gate receipts for football season were also seen

5)       We started playing before school was in sessions

6)       Since we make more money in home games, we prefer no home games at beginning of season

·         Discussed dual sport athletes

·         Discussed internet and social sites

·         Discussed MHSAA Rule changes

·         Discussed academic warnings

·         Mark Houston and Cliff Somers discussed the MHSAA standards for all students

·         Discussed Code of Conduct and dealing with student violations

 

President Osterman reported that the Board would be looking at a student recovery program in an effort to meet the new graduation requirements.

 

The proposed handbook will be sent on to review by the Policy Committee.  Any concerns or comments should be forwarded to Linda Blais, Policy chair.

 

#4904Consent Agenda:  Motion by Phil Harmon   and seconded by Matt Hendrie to approve the disbursements for April in the amount of $2,897,518.04.   Ayes – 6; Nays – 0.  Motion carried

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4905Action Agenda:  Motion by Phil Harmon   and seconded by Ed Wosinski   to approve the criteria change for Excellence in

Education – Vocational Area Scholarship.  Roll Call Vote: 

 Ayes – 3 (Ed Wosinski, Phil Harmon and Anita Osterman); Nays – 3 (Karla Gilliland, Matt Hendrie and Linda Blais).  Motion failed

 

 

 

#4906— Motion by Matt Hendrie  and seconded by Linda Blais  to approve the criteria change for Excellence in Education – Vocational Area Scholarship with a required GPA of 2.5 and choice to attend a 2-4 year educational institution. Roll Call Vote:  Ayes – 6, Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

 

#4907 — Motion by Phil Harmon and seconded by Karla Gilliland to approve the 3-Year Contract for the High School Principal.  Ayes – 6; Nays – 0.  Motion carried

 

 

#4908 — Motion by Phil Harmon and seconded by Ed Wosinski to approve the authorization for the Superintendent to enter into a contract

with PCMI for hiring personnel (2008-09).  Ayes – 6; Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

 

#4909 – Motion by Ed Wosinski  and seconded by Matt Hendrie  to approve new High School textbook adoption for natural Resources class (AG Science).  Ayes – 6; Nays – 0.  Motion carried

 

 

 

 

#4910 — Motion by Phil Harmon and seconded by Ed Wosinski  to go into closed session at 8:15 p.m. in accordance with MCL 15.268 Sub-section 8(c) for the purpose of negotiations and MCL 15.268 Sub-section 8(d) – sale of property.  Ayes – 6, Roll Call Vote:  Linda Blais, Anita Osterman, Karla Gilliland, Matt Hendrie, Phil Harmon and Ed Wosinski; Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

Returned to Open Session at 9:10 p.m.

 

BOARD COMMUNICATION

·         Thank you note from the family of Dale Hansen.

·         Flyer regarding a fundraiser May 31, 2008 for Angie Kurtz.

 

#4911 — Motion by Linda Blais and seconded by Phil Harmon to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m.  Ayes - 6; Nays – 0.  Motion carried.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

LEADERSHIP REPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOTION FAILED TO APPROVE CRITERIA CHANGE FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION—VOCATIONAL AREA SCHOLARSHIP

 

APPROVAL OF CRITERIA CHANGE FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION—VOCATIONAL AREA SCHOLARSHIP

 

APPROVAL OF 3-YEAR CONTRACT FOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

 

APPROVAL OF AUTHORIZATION FOR SUPERINTENDENT TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH PCMI (2008-09)

 

APPROVAL OF NEW HIGH SCHOOL TEXTBOOK ADOPTION FOR NATURAL RESOURCES CLASS

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPEN SESSION

 

BOARD COMMUNICATION

 

 

ADJOURNMENT