Webberville Community Schools
Board of Education
Regular Board Meeting
October 18, 2004
Minutes
This regular meeting of the Webberville Board of Education was called to order by Board President Simmons in the Webberville Elementary Library on Monday, October 18, 2004 at
7:03 p.m.
Present: Clifford H. Simmons II, Patricia Shanabrook, Teri Chamberlain, Kristine Brenner, Kathleen Westbrook, Tina Beauvais, and Dorris Crandall.
Absent: Mr. Greg Glover
Also present: Dr. Skilling, Brian Friddle, Suzi Slater, Jerome Learman, Barbara Weathers, and student representative Eric Holmes.
Approval of Agenda:
Ms. Chamberlain moved, Ms. Crandall seconded a motion to approve the Agenda of the Regular Board of Education Meeting being held Monday, October 18, 2004 as presented. Motion passed 7-0.
Approval of Consent Agenda:
Ms. Beauvais moved, Ms. Brenner seconded a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion passed 7-0.
Presentations:
Mr. Simmons presented Mrs. Ruth Ann Rice with a plaque that recognized her 24 years of service to the district. Mrs. Rice was thanked by the board for her dedication and service to the school district.
Fanning/Howey presented the drawings and site plan for the new athletic/recreation facility. Mrs. Jill Baillargeon and Mrs. Kathe Westbrook presented the plan for the school based health center.
Mr. Ed Lorenz from Clark Construction gave an update on the projected budget for the new athletic/recreation center. Bids should go out at the end of February 2005.
Mr. Ed Lorenz also gave an update regarding the current building projects. Site work has begun on the preschool playground and regular playground. The multi-purpose room continues on schedule. Mrs. Suzi Slater thanked Clark Construction for how wonderful they are to work with and how they have been so accommodating to the elementary school.
Mr. Dave Raech of Maner, Costerisan & Ellis, P.C. presented a review of the audited budget for 2003-2004.
Mr. Don Hyvarinen gave a presentation on the MSBOA competition. The marching band attended the festival at Jackson NW High School and achieved a 2 (good) rating. Mr. Hyvarinen acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the band.
Discussion Item:
Career Center Transportation
Mr. Bob Schang, 5389 M-52, commented that his grandson attends the CACC and he didn’t think it was right that the bus was discontinued after the program had already started. At that point, it was too late to get his grandson into other classes at the high school because they were full. The school should have known ahead of time that they were going to cancel the bus.
Mr. Clifford Simmons, President, responded that this was not a new issue and that the board had been talking about it since August. The issue was the cost to run a bus with so few riders. The district is under no legal obligation to provide bus service.
Mrs. Trish Cook, 381 North Haywood, Webberville, stated that the parents, not just the students, should have been notified about the possibility of the bus being discontinued. When the students were told that there had to six students on the bus, there were six. Mrs. Cook also wanted information regarding the district using vans to transport kids, information regarding transporting special education students but not general education students, and commented that the CACC students are not getting out of class early enough to eat lunch.
Mr. Clifford Simmons responded that the average number of riders on the bus was 4 students.
Mrs. Patricia Shanabrook responded that schools don’t have a choice, they have to make cuts.
Mr. Josh Cook, student, commented that it costs a lot of money in gas to get to the career center. If he can’t afford the gas, he would have to drop the Career Center and then he wouldn’t graduate.
Mr. Earl Griffes, 1165 House Road, stated that when he was on the board they found out that it actually costs more money for a district to operate a mini-bus than a full size bus.
Superintendent Skilling commented that the cost savings to the district for not running the afternoon run to the CACC is $12,162.45. This is the savings of not running the bus and still running the car. He said that the average number of riders during the first two weeks was at a high of 5-7 riders and a low of 4 riders. Dr. Skilling apologized that parents weren’t notified about the bus change in a timely manner from the district. He will investigate the CATA bus option, Williamston transporting kids, and the cost of running the bus only during the winter months.
Mrs. Katrina Dodson, 4609 E. Columbia, commented that she is concerned about the winter months. Is there anything that Webberville could do with Williamston during the winter months?
Mr. Jim Gale, 2323 Elm Road , Webberville, was upset that the parents weren’t notified and able to make an informed choice. He suggested that the district re-establish the career center run and try it again now that parents are notified. He is concerned about students driving in the winter.
Mrs. Kathe Westbrook stated that she agreed that the district should not have offered the bus and then discontinued it. She said that the normally has low numbers in terms of riders and that parents won’t stand behind requiring their kids to ride the bus.
Mrs. Caren Guidroz, 421 Apple Lane, Webberville, stated that all concerned parents should get together and form a committee to bring a recommendation to the board.
Mrs. Sandy Monroe, 1680 N. House Road, Webberville, suggested the parents drive their kids to the CACC and form a carpool for those that could.
Reports:
Policy Committee - Ms. Westbrook stated that the policy committee did not meet. They are waiting on the policy book to come back from NEOLA.
Finance Committee - Ms. Brenner stated that the audit presentation covered the finance information.
Building and Grounds Committee - Ms. Chamberlain stated that the presentation by Clark Construction covered the building and grounds information
Personnel Committee – Ms. Shanabrook stated that the personnel committee met to review the administrators evaluation format.
Legislation - Ms. Beauvais reported that the legislation is looking at tougher standards for bus drivers with the addition of an “S” endorsement. They are looking at reforming the college loan program. The open meetings act was amended so that you can not put the names of students in the board meeting minutes. The government is looking at doing away with the MEAP and using the ACT instead. They are also looking at reimbursement to elementary teachers for out of pocket expenses.
ISOA – Ms. Brenner commented that Webberville is the pilot program for the ISD offering business services to districts. She said that professional development is one of the top priorities for the ISD.
Student Representative – Eric Holmes reported that homecoming week was a great success. Student Council would like to see hall decorating back next year. In November there will be a canned food drive, holiday gift program and blood drive. Student Council will purchase benches for the high school. FFA taking 5 students to nationals.
Elementary School – Ms. Slater gave an update for the elementary school. Lifetouch has provided ID cards of students. This is in conjunction with the missing child program. Students signed a pledge for safe school week. The elementary received a grant to do an asset survey of the 4-6 grade. Per the Michigan Model program – the elementary will be working on math as a goal. 60 5 th and 6 th graders are in band. The homecoming pep rally was a huge success.
Secondary School – Mr. Friddle reviewed his report on progress at the secondary school. He thanked the students who have taken over doing the announcements on the TV. He also recognized Kathy Pierman and Marie Lloyd for all their work with homecoming. He is working on the MEAP plan for the building. Saturday detention has been working. They have had 5-10 students who have participated. Mr. Friddle thanked Christopher Card and Barry Palmer for their work with the pep rally.
Athletic Department – Mr. Glover was not at the meeting.
Superintendent - Dr. Skilling commented that he will have an article on finances in the November district newsletter. December 14 th will be the State of the School address to staff. December 3 rd will be the strategic plan accountability meeting at Angel’s from 8:00-4:00pm. The choir has raised 8K towards choir uniforms. The library furniture was taken out without litigation and the new furniture will be installed in November. S&S Truck service has been doing a great job with the busses. Food service is seeing an increase of 40 students a day. Dr. Skilling met with Diane Byrum regarding finances and the MEAP. He has been invited to speak at a committee meeting regarding the MEAP vs. ACT test.
Technology – Dr. Learman gave an update on the technology within the district. They are trying to work out the bugs with the phone system.
Marketing – Ms. Weathers gave an update on the marketing activities. November newsletter will go out the week of October 25 th.
Communications and Petitions:
Earl Griffes - 1165 House Road , Webberville, stated that what is important is to find a balance with the limited funds. Don’t take money away from academics to fund athletics.
Dr. Skilling commented that we did not take money away from the academics to support the athletic programs. He stated that it was as much a crime to charge for an English class as it would be to charge for band or to play on an athletic team. This fall the numbers of student/athletes participating is significantly up. He further explained that we are offering our students more opportunities in their class selection this year even though we reduced the number of teachers.
Caren Guidroz – 421 Apple Lane, Webberville, stated that the athletic department should be conscious of the cost of uniforms as not all students can afford to purchase the same things. Coaches should get approval from the athletic director when requiring students to purchase uniforms.
Action Items:
Ms. Shanabrook moved, Ms. Brenner seconded a motion to approve the audited budget as presented. Motion passed 7/0.
Ms. Chamberlain moved, Ms. Beauvais seconded a motion to approve schematic design for the athletic/recreation facility as presented.
Motion pased 7/0.
Ms. Shanabrook moved, Ms. Brenner seconded a motion to approve the increase in the expenditure limit of the superintendent without bidding and board approval from $17,932 to $18,345 which reflects the revised school code change. Motion passed 7/0.
Ms. Shanabrook moved, Ms. Crandall seconded a motion to approve the evaluation instruments for athletic director, elementary administrator, secondary administrator and technology director. Motion passed 7/0.
Ms. Chamberlain moved, Ms. Beauvais seconded a motion to close bank accounts as presented. Motion passed 7/0.
Ms. Crandall moved, Ms. Brenner seconded a motion to approve the discontinuation of the PM Career Center bus transportation due to the low number of student riders as of September 20 th, 2004 . Ms. Westbrook requested a roll call vote.
Simmons: Y Westbrook: N
Chamberlain: Y Crandall: Y
Shanabrook: Y Beauvais: Y
Brenner: Y Motion passed 6/1
Questions or comments from the audience:
Caren Guidroz, 421 Apple Lane, Webberville, asked if the proposed auditorium will be a new addition or the old gym renovated into an auditorium.
Dr. Skilling responded by explaining that the old gym would be renovated which would account for 80% of the space needed for the new auditorium. The other 20% would be additional square footage for the ancillary spaces need to support the auditorium such as the scene shop, green room and lobby.
Questions or Comments from the Board of Education:
None
Closed Session:
Ms. Shanabrook moved, Ms. Brenner seconded a motion to move into closed session for the purpose of contract negotiations. Motion passed 7/0. The board entered closed session at 10:38 p.m.
Ms. Shanabrook moved, Ms. Beauvais seconded a motion to move back into regular session. Motion passed 7/0. The board entered regular session at 11:16 p.m.
Adjournment
Ms. Shanabrook moved, Ms. Brenner seconded a motion to adjourn. Motion passed 7-0. The Webberville Board of Education Meeting adjourned at 11:18 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted;
Teri L. Chamberlain
Secretary, Webberville Board of Education