Webberville Community Schools Board of Education

Regular Meeting Minutes

September 19, 2005

 

This Regular Meeting of the Webberville Board of Education was called to order by Board President Simmons in the Webberville Secondary School library on Monday, September 19, 2005 , at 7:00 p.m.

 

Present: Clifford H. Simmons II, Patricia Shanabrook, Teri Chamberlain, Kristine Brenner , Kathe Westbrook , Caron Guidroz , and Matt Kulaga (arrived at 7:08 ).

 

Also Present: Dr. William Skilling, Superintendent, Mr. Brian Friddle , Principal, Mr. Bruce Mann, Assistant Principle and Athletic Director.

 

President Simmons made a motion to move Item #9 Questions or Comments from the Audience to Item #7 on the agenda. Ms. Shanabrook seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0.

 

Approval of Agenda:

Ms. Chamberlain moved, Ms. Shanabrook seconded a motion to approve the Amended Agenda of the Regular Board of Education Meeting being held Monday, September 19, 2005 , as presented. Motion passed 6-0.

 

 

Approval of Consent Agenda:

Ms. Brenner moved, Ms. Guidroz seconded a motion to adopt the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion passed 6-0.

 

 

Presentations:

Mr. Ed Lorenz from Clark Construction updated the board on the progress on the Community Center. The masonry work is ahead of schedule, the electrical is on schedule and the Ag building should have the electrical completed in three weeks and should be ready for use in about a month.

 

 

Reports:

Policy Committee - Mr. Kulaga discussed Neola and how to proceed with turnaround issues. They are waiting for policy updates before scheduling their next meeting.

 

Finance Committee - Ms. Brenner reported that the Audit was almost complete. The Audit Committee will be meeting with the auditor without any administrators present to review the audit. The committee continues to work on the budget.

 

Building and Grounds - Ms. Chamberlain stated the Mr. Lorenz had covered the information in his presentation.

 

Personnel Committee - Ms. Shanabrook stated that waiting for the applications for the representative position. Once she has the applications a meeting can be set for this committee to interview the students. She continues to work on the superintendent evaluation tool and is asking for input from other board members. Ideas should be submitted via email.

 

Legislation - Ms. Shanabrook stated that there may be an increase of $175 in the foundation grant. It appears that there may be no reductions in categoricals, however, early childhood programs may see a 50% reduction.

 

ISOA - Ms. Brenner told the board that she was elected President of ISOA. The group will be working more closely with the superintendent's round table. ISOA would like to make a presentation to the board of the services that they can provide.

 

Superintendent - Dr. Skilling talked about K-12 workshops on how to analyze data. We would have a data coach come to the district to help staff. This is the next piece in this process.

 

 

Questions or comments from the audience:

Mr. Tony Choszczyk asked if the minutes were available for review. Dr. Skilling said that they were on the schools website. Mr. Choszczyk asked if the policy manual was also on the website. Dr. Skilling said that there are copies at the school and in the school board office that may be reviewed by anyone.

 

Ms. Tina Choszczyk asked about the religious plaque in the hall and if it should be removed. Dr. Skilling said that this plaque has the legal right to be there. It is the plaque of the Christian Fellowship group. Mr. Friddle also said that all signs must be approved by him before they can be hung in the school.

 

Ms. Terry Chase asked if it was true that staff has been told not to talk to parents. President Simmons said that was not true and that the board of education encourages communication between staff and parents as well as the board members.

 

Ms. Laurie Young asked if it was true that the kids are locked in the cafeteria at lunch. She feels that the kids should be allowed into the gym and outside at lunch. Mr. Mann clarified that the students are not locked in the cafeteria. The students are able to go to the restrooms or to the office as needed. They are not allowed outside or in the gym. In the past, students had been going into the gym and taking food and drink and dropping food and drinks on the gym floor. This is also a safety issue. We do not have the funding to provide teachers to supervise students outside of the cafeteria.

 

Ms. Tracy McEwen wanted to know why we have a closed campus. Dr. Skilling stated that it was a liability issue and a monitoring problem. Dr. Skilling discussed the budget cuts again and how we do not have the funding to have extra staff for lunch monitoring.

 

Ms. Laurie Young asked it the elementary student were still allowed a recess. Dr. Skilling said yes.

 

Nicki Huntsinger asked why the students couldn't use the courtyard and why have it if they can't use it. Mr. Friddle stated again that this is the issue of there not being someone to supervise this area. Mr. Friddle also stated that the reason most schools have a courtyard is to provide daylight into interior classrooms. Miss Huntzinger also stated that she thought that the discipline was too strict. She said that this is her senior year and she should be able to have fun. She questioned the holey jeans issue. Dr. Skilling said that part of Mr. Mann's job as assistant principal is to help with the discipline in the school and the dress code policy and it states that torn jeans were not acceptable, however, jeans that have holes in them will be allowed as long as the holes are not in inappropriate places

 

Melissa Lake asked questions on the monitoring of students. Dr. Skilling stated that it all goes back to lack of funding from the state.

 

Meagan Choszczyk said that this year they only have 25 minutes for lunch which is 5 minutes less than last year. The lunch lines are too long and the food quality is bad. Dr. Skilling said this is the first that he had heard about poor food quality and the food line taking too long and will look into it. Ms. Guidroz suggested that maybe we survey the students as it relates to food service as they are the customers.

 

Ashley Crandall asked about getting the 5 minutes back. Mr. Friddle said that this is due to how the schedule is set and that this is not an option at this time.

 

Mr. Dan Norton also voiced concerns about the food quality.

 

Mr. Friddle encouraged people to bring the issues to him He can't fix problems if no one brings the issues to him. If he doesn't address the issues then go to Dr. Skilling.

 

Ms. Tina Choszczyk asked about the layoff of the food service workers. Mr. Simmons addressed this issue. The food service program has been running into deficit spending. We lost $25,000 last year. Chartwell's took $15,000 of the loss and the school had about a $10,000 loss. Dr. Skilling said that the cuts were necessary in order to stop the losses. The staff that was laid off was able to apply with Chartwell's for a position in the kitchen. This makes the workers Chartwell employees and we pay Chartwell's a contracted amount.

 

Mr. Tom Simpson questioned the hiring process of the junior high basketball coach. Dr. Skilling stated that the Board does not do the hiring of the coaches. Mr. Mann said that the varsity coaches in each sport hire the junior high, freshman, and the junior varsity coaches. When asked about the timing, Mr. Mann said that the varsity coach was hired late this made the hiring of the junior high coach late also. All of the coaches were contacted about the positions. Mr. Simpson said the feeling is that the people who built this school are being left out. Mr. Simmons said that we are doing things the right way and not just the way it has always been. We are proud of the community and our school. We are trying to make this school what we've always wanted it to be. We are bringing in new people to help with this mission. The board wants the best school we can have and provide the best education possible. We want no door closed to any of our graduates. They should be able to do whatever they dream to do. Mr. Simpson said that he wanted to applaud the board's effort. He mentioned the good changes with the band and choir. He said that people need to be open-minded and see how things progress and give the changes a chance.

 

Dr. Skilling said that the history and background of the community is something we don't want to forget. We are not trying to change tradition. Proud of our past promoting the future is the district's slogan. He said that he has spent a lot of time with senior citizens and has heard the history of our community. Dr. Skilling apologized for anything that was done due to his not knowing the history. There are things that do need to change. The MEAP scores need to improve, continue support of the arts, and improve the culture of learning. We need to give our kids the best resources possible. If we give them the best then we can get the best of out of them. These changes are a community effort.

 

Mr. Choszczyk said that is something the community has, that everyone is welcome no matter what you are. It is a close school and community.

 

The students in attendance said that they are feeling uncomfortable with the changes and everyone is on edge. Dr. Skilling said the anxiety level is high all over the state in schools due to the budget concerns. Student anxiety is high due to being held accountable.

 

Ms. Tina Choszczyk mentioned the Lansing State Journal article that was about our teams in Webberville. Mr. Mann explained that the reporter did not do his job. The school was not contacted as stated in the article.

 

Dr. Skilling addressed the concern over discipline be tough. For the most part, there was lack of discipline among students and athletes. Dr. Skilling is proud of the way Mr. Mann addresses discipline. We needed it and we won't settle for mediocrity. Common sense is being implemented - we want high standards and accountability.

 

Mr. Tom Simpson stated that he is pleased with the way the school board is going.

 

Dr. Skilling and Ms. Brenner said that they had the K-12 Petition for anyone who was interested in signing it. This is a petition for school funding changes.

 

Mr. Mann said that his job is not to be popular. He wants to be told when he is right and when he is wrong. He is here for the kids. He said that he loves the kids, that's why he is here.

 

Ms. Kathy Pierman said that the staff is happy with the changes in discipline. The staff supports Mr. Mann and his efforts to improve the discipline.

 

Ms. Westbrook moved and Ms. Guidroz seconded a motion to move into closed session for the purpose of contract negotiations and personnel. Motion passed 7-0.

 

Ms. Shanabrook was excused from the meeting at 10:20 p.m.

 

The Webberville Board of Education moved into closed session at 10:20 p.m.

 

Ms. Chamberlain moved and Ms. Westbrook seconded a motion to return to regular session. Motion passed 6-0.

 

The Webberville Board of Education returned to regular session at 11:35 p.m.

 

Adjournment

Ms. Chamberlain moved, Ms. Guidroz seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11:36 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted;

Teri L. Chamberlain

Secretary, Webberville Board of Education