03/08/2010
Minutes of Regular Meeting of the Harrison Board of Education
Held March 8, 2010
Denise Haskin, Secretary
President Joel Hardy called the regular meeting of the Harrison Board of Education to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Board room located at 224 W. Main Street.
Members present: Joel Hardy, Marie Roth, Therese Haley, Floyd Dennis and Connie Cauchi.
Members absent: Doug Cobb & Denise Haskin
Others present: Superintendent Thomas J. House, Jacob Sullivan, Business Manager, Tammy Harcourt, Recorder.
President Hardy led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Hardy asked Superintendent House if there were any additions to the agenda. Superintendent House stated that under IV. Action Items #4; Please add, Recommendation to reinstate an expelled male High School Student effective April 5th, 2010.
Motion by Cauchi and supported by Roth to approve the minutes of February 15th, 2010. Yeas: Roth, Haley, Dennis, Cauchi, and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Roth and supported by Cauchi to approve the general fund checks as listed for the period February 1st, 2010 through February 28th, 2010. Yeas: Haley, Roth, Cauchi, Dennis and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Cauchi and supported by Roth to approve the financial statements for the General Fund, 1998, 2009 Debt Retirement Funds, Athletic Fund and Food Service Fund as presented. Yeas: Roth, Dennis, Haley, Cauchi and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President Hardy stated that there was nothing to report on the Standing Committees, but that the Financial Committee needed to schedule a meeting this month.
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President Hardy asked if anyone wished to address the Board at this time. No one wished to do so.
Motion by Dennis and supported by Haley to recognize that BECKY CAVANAGH has completed her third year of successful teaching at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Yeas: Roth, Cauchi, Dennis, Haley and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Cauchi and supported by Dennis to recognize that DONNA VENGLAR has completed her third year of successful teaching at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Yeas: Cauchi, Dennis, Haley, Roth and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Haley and supported by Roth to recognize that TORI BLYSTONE has completed her fourth year of successful teaching and will attain Tenure at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Yeas: Roth, Cauchi, Dennis, Haley, and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Roth and supported by Dennis to recognize that KELLY KARCHER has completed her fourth year of successful teaching and will attain Tenure at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Yeas: Roth, Cauchi, Dennis, Haley and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Haley and supported by Cauchi to recognize that KELLY PIEPZRYK has completed her fourth year of successful teaching and will attain Tenure at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Yeas: Roth, Cauchi, Dennis, Haley, and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Roth and supported by Dennis to recognize that JANET SINGLETON has completed her fourth year of successful teaching and will attain Tenure at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Yeas: Cauchi, Dennis, Haley, Roth and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Cauchi and supported by Haley to recognize that AMY GAUTHIER has completed her fourth year of successful teaching and will attain Tenure at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Yeas: Haley, Roth, Cauchi, Dennis and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
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Motion by Roth and supported by Haley to accept the recommendation from Jacob Sullivan, Business Manager, to hire Weinlander Fitzhugh of Clare for Auditing purposes. Yeas: Haley, Roth, Cauchi, Dennis, and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Roth and supported by Cauchi to accept the recommendation from Jim Cooper, Athletic Director, to hire BRIAN CLENNAN for JV Boys Baseball Coach. Yeas: Roth, Cauchi, Dennis, Haley and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Roth and supported by Haley to allow the reinstatement of the male high school student to begin on April 5th, 2010. Yeas: Dennis, Haley, Roth, Cauchi and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Under Informational/Discussion, many items were discussed and explained. Superintendent House stated that the “Love the Bus” Month was for informational purposes only. Superintendent House briefed the Board on what he knew so far on the Retirement System Plan proposed by the Governor. He stated it looked like there would be no action in the legislature by the April 1st deadline.
In reference to the “Race to the Top”, Superintendent House informed the Board that Michigan did not get any of the money as previously hoped. Superintendent House updated the Board on the progress of the District Level School Improvement Team. They have had two meetings so far and are planning more in the near future. Business Manager Sullivan informed the Board that he has been working with the two local banks regarding changes to our current banking process. He is also looking into using the Central Michigan Community Federal Credit Union for some limited services. Superintendent House reported to the Board on the On Site Review of Title I. He stated that we will be receiving the final report, and would share the results with the Board at a future meeting. Hillside Principal, Barb Elliott told the Board that the Review Committee stated we were on the right track.
Superintendent House and Business Manager Sullivan updated the Board on what the Governor is doing regarding funding for schools.
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Superintendent House stated that it looked like the Governor will hold cuts to districts at the $165.00 we already had to endure this year. Her plan is based upon proposed changes in the sales tax which would extend taxes on services. If her proposal is not passed by the legislature, a further reduction in the foundation allowance of $268.00 per student is predicted. This would result in a total reduction of $433.00 per student in the base foundation allowance. MASA and MASB are predicting the Governor’s proposal will not pass. Superintendent House explained to the Board the procedure for the Custodial Collaborative RFP and the Custodial Contract Renewal between 3 other districts and the CGRESD. Also at the last Board meeting some members had questions regarding the custodial contract with our district and the RFP process. Superintendent House then asked the board to bring, call or e-mail any questions they might have regarding our custodial contract. Superintendent House did not receive any questions to pose to GRBS. Superintendent House did contact GRBS with some questions about what kind of options the district could have if we decided to delay any final decision on the current offer to renew the custodial services contract. GRBS responded with a letter outlining options to the district which the Board received in their packets.
Superintendent House informed the Board that he had not heard back from the representatives from the DNR on Amble School and some surrounding property. Business Manager Sullivan reported to the Board on the savings to our district for the Special Education Transportation Contract with the CGRESD. Our district has experienced a savings in excess of $100,000 for 2008-2009 and $56,000 for July 2009 through December 2009. CGRESD is reimbursed by the state for providing this service, but local districts are not. CGRESD contracts the service through First Student. Local districts in turn contract with CGRESD.
Superintendent House and Business Manager Sullivan reported on the Regular IDEA (special education) arrangement with the CGRESD. The plan is for the CGRESD to flow some of the IDEA (special education) funds back to local districts over the next several years. Superintendent House reported on the progress of the RESD Transportation Study. Superintendent House and Business Manager Sullivan will update the Board on this process when the final report is returned.
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Superintendent House gave the Board members a copy of the Quarterly Board Meetings schedule and topics with the first one being held on March 22nd.
Motion by Dennis and supported by Cauchi to adjourn the meeting. Yeas: Cauchi, Dennis, Haley, Roth and Hardy. Nays: None. Motion carried.
President Hardy adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m.
Denise Haskin, Secretary
Tammy Harcourt, Recorder