LINDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Work Session Meeting
7201
(810) 591-0410
February 4, 2009
7:00 p.m.
Members
Laura Starrs, Mike
Murphy, Steve Murphy, Rick Kursik, Scott Maker, Pam Snyder,
Present
Katie McCauley
Members Elaine Porter, Andrea
Firth
Absent
Vice
President Starrs stated Mrs. Porter was out of town and Ms. Firth was taking
care of a
family
member.
OF AGENDA All yea
votes. Motion carried 6-0.
97-08
(P)
SUPERINTENDENT
REPORTS
Superintendent Koledo stated he has received compliments on our bus drivers for being
courteous during morning drop-offs and keeping safety first and foremost.
The high school Quiz Bowl team finished 16-0, first time in Metro League history. They
competed
in the WFUM Tournament and made it to the semi finals.
team scored the most points of any team this year.
The Board Finance Committee has met and the Budget Advisory Committee is in place and
will meet February 9, February 23 and March 9. The Board Finance Committee will review
the recommendations brought forward by the Budget Advisory Committee and make their
recommendations to the Board of Education.
Superintendent Koledo and Mike Engelter met with the LEA Contract Maintenance
Committee on a possible savings plan with insurance. Mr. Koledo and Mr. Engelter met with
Jim Anthony of the Oak Pointe Group and he will put together a package based off our
current
staff. Mr. Anthony provided
work for free.
Response to Public Comments:
Mr. Koledo recognized Paul Scott, State Representative, attended the meeting and offered
Meg Walton questioned an item on the Consent Agenda was addressed prior to the Board
adopting the Consent Agenda.
SPECIAL
PRESENTATIONS
None.
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
None.
DIRECTOR/BUILDING
PRINCIPAL REPORTS
None.
TOPICS FOR
DISCUSSION
Board Survey Superintendent Koledo shared the
results of the Board Survey that was given to all staff in Results the
fall. The survey was done to provide the
Board with baseline data from the employees in
the district.
The results will be placed on the
Board Goals Superintendent Koledo and the
Board reported and discussed where the Board is in
accordance
with the goals they set in the fall. The
Board has completed Goal 1, which was to
hire a
superintendent. Goal 2 is to improve
student achievement. One strategy of this goal
was to
form a Board Curriculum Committee, which has been done. By conducting the Board
Survey of employees in the district, a part of Goal 3 has been met. An area discussed by the Board was being more
visible at the schools and school events.
Goal 4 is to continue to
operate
in a fiscally responsible manner, and Goal 5 is to implement and evaluate the
superintendent’s
evaluation. The Board is in sync with
this goal.
Public
Comments:
Gary
Hall, resident, stated Board members should attend all functions, not just big
ticket
functions.
Parking Lot As a part of ongoing efforts to
conserve energy and save money, Superintendent Koledo Lighting - shared
information on how reducing the hours of parking lot lighting on weekends and
late Reduction in evenings
at each building could save approximately $3,500.00. Discussion among board Hours members
took place on safety concerns and possible installation of motion lighting at
the Discussion entrances
to the buildings.
Public
Comments:
Meg
Walton, high school teacher, asked if this was to be done to coordinate a
system to make
sure
lights are on for weekend events.
POLICY REVIEW
Review/First The Board of Education conducted the first reading of the revisions to Policy Sections 8600-
Reading of 8800. This item will be placed on the February 18th Board agenda under Old Business for
Board Policies the second reading and adoption.
8600-8800
Rick
Kursik attended the varsity basketball game, both boys and girls. Mr. Kursik had the
pleasure
of working in the concession at the Power lifting Competition. The competition was
very
impressive with over 100 athlete’s participated. Mr. Kursik thanked Greg Vadasz and
his
maintenance staff for the half-steps installed on the bleachers in the
gymnasium. This is a
great
tool for the challenged spectators.
Mike
Murphy helped with the popcorn sale at Hyatt Elementary, which was quite the
experience.
Scott
Maker attended an Organizational Meeting at McLaren as did seven students from
interested
in this field. Mr. Maker attended
parent/teacher conferences at the middle school
and,
although it was packed, it was good to see the participation by parents. Mr. Maker
reported
that all cheer squads, 7th grade through varsity, took first place
at the county
tournament
held in Goodrich.
Steve
Murphy thanked Bill Kimball, Michigan Leadership Institute, for moderating the
Board
Workshop. Mr. Murphy attended the last part of the
GCASBM meeting. The hot topic was a
mega-league
concept for athletics. Mr. Murphy feels
there is more fact finding and educating
to be
done. The Curriculum Committee met and
an extensive discussion on trimesters took
place. The committee also ought on kindergarten and
if districts will be forced to go to full
day
kindergarten to get full funding for these students.
Pam
Snyder thanked Mike Engelter and Evie Jensen for finding an alternate, less
expensive
way to
provide the board packet to Board members.
Laura
Starrs stated the sophomore class has a date for prom, May 1, 2010. Mrs. Starrs also
thanked
Dr. Benford for the donation to the athletic department. Mrs. Starrs attended the
HAT
(Health Action Team) team meeting.
STUDENT BOARD REPORTS
Katie McCauley stated Saturday is the
Snowcoming Dance. Ms. McCauley stated
that
although
the students are happy with the new busses, they don’t feel three students to a
seat
safe. She suggested maybe rerouting bus runs to
reduce the number of students on each bus.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
98-08 Moved by S. Murphy,
supported by Maker to adjourn to Executive Session per Section 8(h),
(P) Pending
Litigation,
Drain
Commissioner Case No. 05-82311-CZ, of the Open Meetings Act at 8:05 p.m.
Roll
call vote taken.
Regular
meeting re-convened at 9:07 p.m.
All yea
votes. Motion carried 7-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Board President
Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Steve
M. Murphy, Board Secretary