BOARD OF EDUCATION

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

Monday, September 28, 2009

5:00 p.m.

SHACK COUNTRY INN

The Board and Administrators’ Retreat was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Interim Superintendent Jim Hieftje led the retreat and discussion. Mr. Hieftje presented Board members with “Good to Great” book by Jim Collins. Linda Blais arrived at 5:30 p.m.

Group discussion:

· What are great districts? What are areas we excel in and the areas we can improve?

· What are our assets as a leadership team?

1. Care about District as a whole

2. Administrators are open to change

3. Board is ear to community; Board is diverse, backgrounds; anchor to community; Board has sense of community and what is going on

4. Sense of humor

5. Dedication to same goals; commitment

6. How can we make this the best place for kids?

· Challenges to Board and Administrators:

1. Board needs to understand what administrators face every day

2. Board isn’t always as knowledgeable as we could be to make decisions

3. Closer Board and administrators are to being on the same page—stronger we can be in tough times ahead

4. Administrators can understand better if they know what is going on amongst the Board

5. When Board gets a parent call, they should direct them to call the principal—Board should not attempt or promise to solve it; pass it on and let administrators handle it.

6. Asset of FPS is the strength of Board and administrators and teachers

7. Do we all believe FPS has limitless potential?

· Goal setting:

1. How measurable do we want goals to be?

2. We will move on from the beginning goals set by Board in August 2009 and set them again new tonight with Board and administrators together; has never been done that way here before.

3. How to measure goals? Look at developmental milestones for kids to measure success (by using what’s developmentally appropriate)

4. Goals 2009-2010:

§ Technology

1) Use technology to be an educational tool and not a crutch

2) $4 million from community to enhance student learning

3) Use professional development to support change for teachers in classrooms

4) Different technology for different levels in FPS

§ Strengthen Community Connections

1) Communication: review all and streamline

2) Strengthen and build connections and partnerships with community, not just parents

3) Look at parent participation, enhance and involve

4) Info on FPS not just to families and children

5) Principal blogs

6) Website

7) Bring FPS pride to NEW LEVEL (not just w/parents)

8) Board and administrators visibility and availability critical

§ Financial Solvency

1) Add dollars per year to fund balance (every year)

2) Financial decisions ahead of Board will be tough for the foreseeable future

3) Keep FPS organization lean but mean

4) Let’s work on “cuts” from the bottom up, versus from the Board down; administrative team tell Board where to make decisions

5) Class size is an issue; additional staff done critically and strategically

6) FPS has a lean Administrative Team; work is done by a few—that will continue for the foreseeable future

§ Student health and wellbeing

1) Work on education of the whole child (mind and body)

2) Life-long healthy living and lifestyles

3) Mental health

4) Physical & emotional health

5) Nutrition

6) Awareness of healthy life choices (diet, exercise, etc.)

7) FPS lunch program – improvement

8) Safe and caring environment of FPS, students have to feel safe

9) Kids coming prepared to learn

10) Promote activity beyond elementary school

11) Our schools must be a safe place (e.g. nut allergies, etc.)

12) Physical activity should be encouraged and part of school experience

13) Nutrition and health—policies to promote instruction

14) Student health and well being can open up opportunities to strengthen & involve community (e.g. Tamarac; Gerber Hospital, etc.)

The Board and administrators took a break for dinner at 6:30 p.m.

The Retreat resumed at 7:15 p.m.

The Retreat was closed at 7:45 p.m.

The regular board meeting of the Fremont Board of Education was called to order by President Anita Osterman at 7:45 p.m.

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

Absent: None

People Who Addressed the Board: Jim Hieftje and Bing Hanson Lake

#5199 — Motion by Jim Featherstone and seconded by Phil Harmon to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 14, 2009 (Board Retreat). Ayes – 7; Nays – 0. Motion carried with one change noted. #5200 — Motion by Phil Harmon and seconded by Matt Hendrie to approve the agenda. Ayes – 7; Nays – 0. Motion carried. Jim Hieftje, Interim Superintendent · Approval of goals is scheduled for the Oct. 26, Board meeting Bing Hanson Lake, Director of Finance · Will keep Board posted weekly Board Reports · Curriculum 1. Mentoring proposal 2. Technology proposal review 3. Mapping curriculum · Finance – no update · Policy 1. Scott met with policy and reviewed valedictorian criteria—no action at this time—tabled until June 2. Co-oping with Providence discussed—Reviewing future need for a policy based upon future opportunities and mutual benefit for the district. 3. Nut allergy discussed 4. October 7 meeting will be changed · Personnel 1. Land discussion 2. Reviewed Recreation and Enrichment position 3. Superintendent search #5201 — Motion by Jim Featherstone and seconded by Ed Wosinski to approve Plante Moran as Technology & Security Designer ($240,000)—(Steering Committee). Ayes – 7; Nays – 0. Motion carried. #5202 — Motion by Linda Blais and seconded by Matt Hendrie to approve Amended Policy 5357 – Family Medical Leave Act (Policy) Ayes – 7; Nays – 0. Motion carried. #5203— Motion by Jim Featherstone and seconded by Phil Harmon to go into closed session at 8:07 p.m. in accordance with MCL 15.268 Sub-section 8(d) to consider the purchase or lease of property. Roll call vote: Linda Blais, Karla Gilliland, Jim Featherstone, Linda Blais, Anita Osterman, Phil Harmon and Ed Wosinski. Ayes – 7; Nays – 0. Motion carried. Returned to Open Session at 8:50 p.m. BOARD COMMUNICATION · President Osterman reminded Board committee chairs that committee minutes are necessary (showed chart) for committee process to work effectively (trust) and to contribute to construction of Board meeting agendas this year. · Jim Hieftje asked Board interest in a Sat., Dec. 12 Board and Administrative team get together (Hieftje house then to Ramshorn on the Lakes, cost to couple $40). Board indicated interest in Jim scheduling that--details to come. #5204— Motion by Phil Harmon and seconded by Linda Blais to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Ayes - 7; Nays – 0. Motion carried.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES APPROVAL OF AGENDA LEADERSHIP REPORTS LEADERSHIP REPORTS CONT’D APPROVE PLANTE MORAN AS TECHNOLOGY & SECURITY DESIGNER APPROVE AMENDED POLICY 5357 CLOSED SESSION OPEN SESSION BOARD COMMUNICATION ADJOURNMENT