LINDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Organizational Meeting

7201 W. Silver Lake Road

Linden, Michigan  48451

(810) 591-9411

July 22, 2009

7:00 p.m.

 

The Organizational Meeting was called for the purpose of organizing the operation of the Linden Board of Education for the 2009-10 school year.

 

 

Call to Order               The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by ranking officer,

                                        Laura Starrs.

 

Oaths of Office           Newly elected board members, Rob Rossow and Mike Murphy,  were administered the Oath of Office by Evie Jensen and assumed their seats on the Board of Education.

 

Board Member           Laura Starrs, ranking officer, read the Board Member Ethics portion of the By Laws.

Ethics                           

                                       

Appointment              Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Maker to appoint Evie Jensen as recording secretary

of Recording               for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

Secretary                      All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

1-09

(P)

 

Appointment              Moved by Snyder, supported by Kursik to appoint Michael Engelter as the “administrator to

of Treasurer                 assume specified responsibilities of the Treasurer” for the 2009-10 fiscal year per board policy.

2-09                                All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

(P)                                  

 

 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

 

Election of                    Steve Murphy nominated Laura Starrs for the office of President, supported by Kursik.

President                     

                                        There were no other nominations for the office of President.

                                               

Close of                         Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder  to close the nominations for President of the Nominations                                        Board of Education.

For President              All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

3-09

(P)

 

President                      Ballot vote taken and read by recording secretary, Evie Jensen.

Elected                          All votes cast for Laura Starrs as President.

4-09                                Nay votes:  None

(P)                                   All yea votes. 

                                        Laura Starrs elected President 7-0.  Laura Starrs accepted the position.

                                               

 

Election of                    Kursik nominated Pam Snyder for the office of Vice President, supported by Maker.

Vice President                   

                                        There were no other nominations for Vice President.

                                       

Close of                         Moved by Maker, supported by S. Murphy to close the nominations for Vice President of Nominations    the Board of Education.

For Vice                        All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

President

5-09

(P)

 

Vice President            Ballot vote taken and read by recording secretary, Evie Jensen.

Elected                          All votes cast for Pam Snyder as Vice President.

6-09                                Pam Snyder elected Vice President 7-0.  Pam Snyder accepted the position.

(P)                                  

 

Election of                    Steve Murphy nominated Mike Murphy for the office of Treasurer, supported by Kursik.

Treasurer                    

                                        There were no other nominations for Treasurer.

 

Close of                         Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder to close the nominations for Treasurer of the

Nominations              Board of Education.

For Treasurer              All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

7-09

(P)

 

Treasurer                     Ballot vote taken and read by recording secretary, Evie Jensen.

Elected                          All votes cast for Mike Murphy as Treasurer.

8-09                                Mike Murphy elected Treasurer 7-0.  Mike Murphy accepted the position.

(P)                                  

 

Election of                    Rick Kursik nominated Steve Murphy for the office of Secretary, supported by Starrs.

Secretary                     

                                        There were no other nominations for Secretary.

 

Close of                         Moved by M.Murphy, supported by Maker to close the nominations for Secretary of the

Nominations              Board of Education.

For Secretary               All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

9-09

(P)

 

Secretary                      Ballot vote taken and read by recording secretary, Evie Jensen.

Elected                          All votes cast for Steve Murphy as Secretary.

10-09                             Steve Murphy elected Secretary 7-0.  Steve Murphy accepted the position.

(P)                                  

 

ROLL CALL

 

Members                      Laura Starrs, Pam Snyder, Mike Murphy, Steve Murphy, Rick Kursik, Scott Maker,

Present                          Rob Rossow

 

Members                      None.

Absent

 

ADOPTION

OF AGENDA            

11-09                             Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Maker to adopt the agenda as presented.

(P)                                   All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

 

SUPERINTENDENT

REPORTS

                                        Superintendent Koledo stated the district is waiting to see if their will be a need for an early

                                        elementary teacher.

 

                                        Progress has been made in the steps to contract with the GISD for a shared time special education

                                        director.  Mr. Koledo stated the GISD will hire the individual then Linden can move forward.

 

                                        Mr. Koledo stated he and Mr. Engelter are working with the Community Education Director to

                                        combine her services with the Food Service department.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

                                        Terry Wright, resident, complimented the Board on the uncontested nominations for officers.  The

                                        public is happy.  He wished the Board the best of luck with the tough decisions that lay ahead of

                                        them.

 

                                        Gary Hall, resident, suggested amended the policy on Public Participation at work session to have

                                        discussion with the public during the meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

First Reading -            Discussion took place on a revision to Policy 5421 on Grading.  The revision will allow weighted

Revisions to                grades to be given in AP classes at the end of each trimester.  S. Murphy indicated there needs to be a

Policy 5421-                starting point, but he does not agree with giving students credit for a student who does not complete

Grading                        the year long class.  Mrs. Snyder feels this revision provides equity for all students.  This item will be placed on the August 19th agenda under Old Business for the second reading/adoption.

 

                                        Public Comments:

 

                                        Meg Walton, high school teacher, stated teachers expressed their concerns with the possible revision

to this policy as AP is a year long course and a transcript could be misleading to colleges/universities with trimester grades.  She indicated this would put district in an ethical dilemma as AP classes have a year long syllabus for completion and grade.

 

Elaine Porter, resident, stated she understands the Board’s decision and suggested waiting until full decision making process is complete, but don’t punish students until all research is done.

 

Award Bid for            Moved by Snyder, supported by Maker to award the bid to Dugan Building Company to install a High School                           storefront glass wall system in the high school office entry at a cost not to exceed $29,317.00.  Sinking Office Window                       fund dollars will be used to pay for this project.

Project                          

12-09                             Public Comments:

(P)

                                        Amy Kursik, parent, asked about the possibility of doing half the amount of window.

 

                                        Sally Satkowiak, parent, asked if there was another way to go, only take half the wall out and place a

                                        sign by the office door indicating Main Office.

 

                                        Meg Walton, teacher, stated many visitors can’t find the office.  She indicated a buzzer system would

                                        be a nightmare and secretaries do not have time to watch security monitors.  We need to make the

                                        high school office consistent with the other buildings.

 

                                        Gary Hall, resident, stated the window will be a deterrent to possible problems and provide better

                                        security.

 

                                        Terry Wright, resident, stated changing to a half wall would require re-engineering of the project,

                                        which would be like starting over and increase the cost.

 

                                        Roll call vote taken.

                                        Yea votes:  Starrs, Snyder, M. Murphy, S. Murphy, Maker, Rossow

                                        Nay votes: Kursik

                                        Motion carried 6-1.

 

Award Bid for            Moved by Snyder, supported by M. Murphy to award the bid for new windows at Hyatt Elementary Hyatt Elementary                  School to Brivar Construction Company at a cost not to exceed $118,867.00.  Sinking fund dollars will Window Project         be used to fund this project.

13-09

(P)                                   Public Comments:

 

                                        Terry Wright, resident, stated this project would bring everything up to code when this work is being

                                        done.

 

                                        Roll call vote taken.

                                        All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

                                       

NEW BUSINESS

 

Compensation           Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Maker to establish compensation to board members at

for Board                      $0.00 for 2009-10.

Members                      All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

14-09

(P)

 

Establish Board         Moved by S. Murphy, supported by M. Murphy to adopt the Regular Board Meeting Dates,

Meeting Dates            for 2009-10 per attached scheduled.  The first meeting of the month will be conducted as a

for 2009-10                  non-action Work Session.  Special meetings will be conducted as needed (Attachment A).

15-09                             All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

(P)

 

Establish Board         Moved by Snyder, supported by Starrs to adopt the Board of Education Meeting

Meeting                        Agenda format with the deletion of Student Board Reports.

Agenda Format         

 

Amendment to           Moved by Snyder, supported by S. Murphy to amend the motion to place Student Board Reports to Original Motion                          after Superintendent Reports on the agenda.

16-09                             All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

(P)

 

Amended                     Moved by Snyder, supported by Starrs to adopt the Board of Education Meeting Agenda with

Motion                          Student Board Reports after Superintendent Reports on the agenda.

17-09                             All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

(P)

                                               

Establish Work          Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder to adopt the Work Session Meeting Agenda with

Session Agenda         the deletion of Student Board Reports.

Format                         

 

                                        Public Comments:

 

                                        Elaine Porter, resident, stated one of the CBA classes she went to indicated a Board president can

                                        deviate Public Comments with agreement of the Board.

 

Amendment to           Moved by S. Murphy, supported by M. Murphy to amend the motion to place Student Board Reports Original Motion         to after Superintendent Reports on the agenda.

18-09                             All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

(P)

 

Amended                     Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder to adopt the Work Session Meeting Agenda format with Motion                                        Student Board Reports after Superintendent Reports on the agenda.  Board members would like to

19-09                                            get clarification on Superintendent Reports after reports given.

(P)                                   All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

 

                                        Scott Maker left at 9:00 p.m. due to work assignment.

 

Designation of            Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder  to re-designate the institutions listed as

Depositories/             depositories of the school district and the individuals specified be the authorized signatories

Signatories                  for the listed accounts for the 2009-10 fiscal year (Attachment B).

for 2009-10                  All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

20-09

(P)

                                       

Designation of            Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Kursik to designate Michael Engelter and Pam Dickie as the Electronic                                         Electronic Transfer Officers, which authorizes them to complete electronic transfers on behalf of the Transfer                                         Board of Education.

Officers                         All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

21-09

(P)

 

Approval of                 Moved by Kursik, supported by Snyder to approve the law firms of Collins & Blaha and Thrun Law

Legal Counsel            Firm, P.C. as legal counsel for the Linden Community School district for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

for 2009-10                  All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

22-09

(P)

 

MHSAA                       Moved by Snyder, supported by Kursik to approve the continuation of our MHSAA

Membership               membership for the 2009-10 school year (Attachment C).

for 2009-10                  All yea votes.  Motion carried 7-0.

23-09

(P)

 

Approve                       Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder to approve the invoices for the month of July, 2009 in the Invoices for                                   amount of $3,132,150.96.

July, 2009                     Roll call vote taken.

24-09                             Yea votes:  Starrs, Snyder, M. Murphy, S. Murphy, Kursik, Rossow

(P)                                   Nay votes:  None

                                        Motion carried 6-0.

 

Cast Ballot for             Moved by Kursik, supported by S. Murphy to cast the ballot for the GCASBM for 2009-10 officers.

GCASBM for               All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

Officers for

2009-10

25-09

(P)

 

Designation of            Moved by S. Murphy, supported by M. Murphy to designate Steve Murphy as the representative and GCASBM Working   Mike Murphy as the alternate to serve on the GCASBM Working Committee for 2009-10.

Committee                   All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

Representative/

Alternate

26-09

(P)

 

Approve                       Moved by Kursik, supported by Snyder to approve the amendment to the Michigan Schools Energy Amendment to           Cooperative Interlocal Agreement (Attachment D).

the MISEC                    All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

Agreement

27-09

(P)

 

Certification of           Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder to designate Laura Starrs, Rob Rossow and Rick Kursik

Delegates/                   as voting delegates and Pam Snyder, Mike Murphy and Steve Murphy as alternates to represent Alternates for                                   Linden Community Schools at the 2008 MASB Delegate Assembly on October 22, 2009.

2009 MASB                 All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

Delegate Assembly

28-09

(P)

 

Employment of          Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder to approve the employment of Jennifer Addy as an art Elementary Art          teacher at Hyatt Elementary effective August 31, 2009 with a pay rate of $36,318.00, BA Step 1, hire Teacher                                        date of July 22, 2009.  Union affiliation- LEA.  This offer of employment is conditionally based upon a 29-09                                        satisfactory result from the criminal history check, PA 99, PA 83 and the Professional Misconduct Act

(P)                                   PA 189.

                                        All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

 

Employment of          Moved by Snyder, supported by S. Murphy to approve the employment of Natalie Cavett as a special CI Special                          education teacher at Hyatt Elementary School for the CI classroom effective August 31, 2009 with a Education                    pay rate of $36,318.00, BA Step 1, hire date of July 22, 2009.  Union affiliation – LEA.  This offer of Teacher                                        employment is conditionally based upon a satisfactory result from the criminal history check, PA 99, 30-09                                        PA 83 and the Professional Misconduct Act PA 189.

(P)                                   All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

 

Employment of          Moved by Snyder, supported by Kursik to contract with Cathy North to provide athletic director Athletic Director                        services for Linden High School effective August 3, 2009, pending negotiations of a final contract. 

31-09                             A final contract will be brought back for Board approval. 

(P)                                   All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

 

BOARD REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS OR ANNOUNCEMENTS

                                       

                                        Pam Snyder hopes Board members will respond to the GISD survey regarding GISD mailings. 

 

                                        Rob Rossow stated he is happy to be part of the Board and that everyone has been very helpful.

 

                                        Rick Kursik welcomed Rob Rossow and congratulated Laura Starrs and being the new Board

                                        President.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

32-09                             Moved by Snyder, supported by Kursik to adjourn to Executive Session per Section 8(c), Collective (P)                                        Bargaining, and Section 8(h), Pending Litigation, Grand Black Community Schools, et al v. Jeffrey Wright,

                                        Genesee County Drain Commissioner Case No. 05-82311-CZ, of the Open Meetings Act at 9:30 p.m.

                                        Roll call vote taken.

                                        All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

 

                                        Regular Meeting re-convened at 10:43 p.m.

 

ADJOURNMENT

                                        Board President Starrs adjourned the meeting at 10:45 p.m.

 

                                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                                ________________________________

                                                                                                                                Steve M. Murphy, Board Secretary