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Anita
Osterman, President, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
#4820 - Motion by Jim Featherstone and seconded by Ed Wosinski to
approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 22, 2007. Ayes – 5; Nays – 0. Motion carried.
#4821 – Motion by Jim Featherstone and seconded by Matt Hendrie to approve the agenda for tonight’s
meeting. Ayes – 6; Nays – 0. Motion carried.
Kathy
Sikanas, Middle School Arts Teacher and Chair of the Arts Program at
Fremont Public School, addressed the Board on behalf of the Art Department
regarding the use of the Middle School Industrial Arts Room for the 2007-08
school year. The Art Department
wanted it on record that the room would only be used by the Wrestling Team
for one year (2007-08) and then would revert back for use of the Arts
Department. She also requested that
the Art Department be included in planning
for the future use of that room.
John
Kingsnorth, Superintendent, presented Board Recognition to Cliff Somers and
his Cross-Country Team for their outstanding year and for earning the State
Championship title. The Fremont Boys
Cross Country team was also named as an Academic All-State Team. The team consisted of: Erik Westbrook, Mike Morgan, James
Lanciaux, Davis Lindsay, Nick Butcher, Charlie Fias and Matt Carlson.
In
addition Dr. Kingsnorth presented Board Recognition to the Little League
Team for their volunteer work on the baseball diamond. Paul Mellema and Mike Ensing accepted on
their behalf.
Dan
Slate and Lisa Hansen from Hendon & Slate gave a presentation
indicating the financial status and district audit of Fremont Public
Schools for school year 2006-07.
Total
general fund expenditures for this last year amounted to $19.5 million
dollars. The previous five-year average general fund expenditures amounted
to 20.6 million dollars, a decline of 5.15%.
General
fund expenditures for the year ended June 30, 2007 of
$19,499,983
were only $416,238 or 2.2% greater than for the year ended June 30, 2001 of
$19,083,745 in spite of an increase of 17.05% in inflation over the same
six-year period.
The
student count has dropped over this time period. While the average cost to educate one
child for this last school year exceeded June 30, 2001 by $292 or 4.6%;
compared to the inflation adjusted costs of June 30, 2001, the costs have
decreased by $791 or 10.6%.
The
latest fiscal year also represents the first year since June 30, 1999 that
we added to our fund balance. The
General Fund balance at June 30, 2007 amounted to 6.42% of General Fund
expenditures, a significant improvement over the prior year’s balance of
1.73%. The traditional goal remains
at 17%.
Dan
Slate commended Fremont Public Schools administration and office
staff—especially Bing Hanson Lake, Director of Financial Services for her
budgetary and fiscal monitoring skills and expertise.
John
Kingsnorth, Superintendent
·
Audit reflects the hard work of Bing Hanson Lake
·
It is remarkable we are doing more with less
money
·
Also, Jim Hieftje with curriculum and whole
staff
·
The Strategies
for Student Success subcommittees have formed and scheduled meetings
o
Facilities – November 20, 2007,
6:30 p.m. (Scott Sherman, Facilitator)
o
Community Engagement – November
27, 2007, 3:00 p.m. (Carolyn Hummel, Facilitator)
o
World Ready – November 28, 2007,
7:00 p.m. (Jim Hieftje, Facilitator)
o
Technology – November 29, 2007,
7:00 p.m. (Bob Cassiday, Facilitator)
Jim
Hieftje, Director of Curriculum and Instruction/Quest Principal
·
Scheduling Principal conducted walkthroughs—all
principals will take a turn
·
A walkthrough scheduled for Nov. 14, 2007
will be hosted by Pathfinder staff
·
The Pre-teacher Internship Program starts
November 26, 2007 at the High School (first day of 2nd
trimester)
·
Cheryl Falkowski is the teacher
·
13 students are enrolled in the new program
·
3 student teachers coming into the High
School will help mentor the program
·
John Mellema (GVSU) is the Field Coordinator
Bing Hanson Lake,
Director of Financial Services
·
We didn’t lose 50 students we anticipated,
down 44.29 students
·
Projected budget is slightly lower
·
Will amend the budget at the January 14
meeting
Anita
Osterman, President
·
Annual Christmas letter to be distributed to
staff is ready to go once signed by Board members
·
Requested Board to notify Anita when you are
in need of a sub for Board committee meetings
·
Requested members and guests not to have
cell phones, beepers on during meetings
·
Pathfinder students scheduled to travel
downtown with their Christmas tree decorations on Nov. 30, 2:00 p.m. for
the annual tree ceremony
Linda Blais, Trustee
·
Attended MASB conference and will be doing a
report to the Board
·
She has brought back numerous pieces of
information at the very worthwhile conference to share with the Board
#4822 - Motion by Phil Harmon and seconded by Jim
Featherstone to
approve the disbursements for October in the amount of $2,588,124.40.
Ayes
– 6; Nays – 0. Motion carried.
#4823 - Motion by Phil Harmon and
seconded by Jim Featherstone to approve
the resolution authorizing Fremont
Public Schools 2008 Refunding Bonds.
Ayes – 6; Nays – 0. Motion
carried.
#4824 - Motion by Jim Featherstone and seconded by Phil Harmon to approve
the amended Superintendent’s contract for 2007-10. Ayes – 6; Nays – 0. Motion carried.
John
Bull, representing the FEA as Grievance Chairperson, presented a grievance
(#2007-08-01), dated October 15, 2007 requesting all FEA members
accumulating 90 sick days (per pay statement balance) receive one
additional leave day per contract.
Both
Mr. Bull and Dr. Kingsnorth presented their views to the Board seeking
their decision as to the interpretation of this issue.
#4825 – Motion by Jim Featherstone and seconded by Matt Hendrie to approve Administration’s
decision to deny the grievance presented by John Bull. Ayes:
4 (Anita Osterman, Linda Blais,
Jim Featherstone, Matt Hendrie),
Nays: 2 (Phil Harmon and Ed
Wosinski). Motion carried.
BOARD COMMUNICATION
·
Board decided to start the December 10 Board
meeting at 5:30 p.m. and then proceed to the Double JJ Resort for the
Board/Administrator Christmas Party.
·
The Board meeting scheduled for November 26
may be cancelled if agenda does not warrant having a meeting.
·
Personnel Committee discussed the retirement
and replacement for Rod Burkle.
Posting will be going out.
·
The position may be partnered with NCRESA or
potentially another local district..
#4826–
Motion by Jim Featherstone and seconded by Phil Harmon to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Ayes - 6; Nays – 0. Motion carried.
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