LINDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Work Session Meeting
7201
(810) 591-0410
May 6, 2009
7:00 p.m.
Members
Elaine Porter, Laura
Starrs, Mike Murphy, Steve Murphy, Rick Kursik, Pam Snyder,
Present
Katie McCauley
Members Scott Maker, Andrea Firth
Absent
Board
President Porter stated Mr. Maker is still on military assignment.
OF
AGENDA deletion of Teacher Tenure Awards and the deletion of
Student/Parent Handbooks and
129-08 Athletic
Handbooks.
(P) All yea
votes. Motion carried 6-0.
SUPERINTENDENT
REPORTS
Superintendent Koledo stated May 3-9 is Staff Appreciation Week.
Mr. Koledo received an email from a parent stating what a difference Mae Zion made in her
child’s life.
Linden Elementary ORFF concerts are in full swing this week.
Mr. Koledo attended a Best of the Best Recognition Luncheon and stated Ashley McCrite, a
senior
at
Ashley is a career technical education student.
SPECIAL
PRESENTATIONS
None.
PUBLIC
COMMENTS
Meg
Walton, high school teacher, stated the National Honor Society had a work
session on
Monday. Students removed fifty bags of garbage from
the campus in four hours. Students
may
do this again in the fall.
DIRECTOR/BUILDING
PRINCIPAL REPORTS
Cheryl Thomas, Director of Curriculum and Instructional Services, shared a PowerPoint
presentation with the Board on the MEAP Results and how we compare with the State and
County.
TOPICS FOR
DISCUSSION
Athletic Field Greg Vadasz, Director of
Operations, updated the Board on the bids received to replace the Home
Bleachers home
bleachers on the athletic complex. Mr.
Vadasz stated that the company with the lowest Update/ bid could not meet the timeline needed and the companies that could
were $200K more than Discussion the
low bid. Mr. Vadasz suggested having the
work done over the winter which would
provide
ample time to complete the project. This
item will be placed on the May 20th agenda
under
Old Business for approval.
Contracting Mike Engelter, assistant
superintendent, updated the Board on contracting out the Administrative administrative
for principal positions at Central Elementary and Hyatt Elementary. The Services contracts
would be for two years. If the State
disallows this practice, reemployment will be
offered
to the individuals.
Public
Comments:
Cathy
North, LEA president, stated she is opposed to this plan. It creates a double dipping
situation
and will erode the pension plan – higher retirement costs to the district. Also, it is
only
available to administrators.
Meg
Walton, LEA vice president, echoed Ms. North’s comments and also stated it is
edging
on
unethical practice. She feels this could
have long term ramifications.
Audit Firm Mike Engelter, assistant
superintendent, stated the need to extend our contract Rehmann Proposal Robson,
auditing firm. The current agreement was
for three years and expired at the end of Discussion 2008 fiscal year. Mr. Steve
Murphy suggested going out for bids. Mr.
Kursik stated that at
this
time, auditors are very busy and it is unlikely the cost of services would be
matched.
This
item will be placed on the May 20th agenda under Old Business for
approval.
Phase II Superintendent Ed Koledo
presented a list of proposed budget cuts of approximately Proposed Budget $800,000
which would bring a potential savings, including the K-5 realignment costs
savings, Initiatives to
approximately $1,112,344 to $1,154,344.
Mr. Koledo stated he would be recommending the Discussion budget
cuts be approved as a block. A lengthy
Board discussion took place. Mr. Kursik
Old Business stated the same process was
followed as Phase I. This item will be
placed on the May 20th
agenda
under for approval.
Katie
McCauley stated students were asking if it was necessary to have a sign in
front of the
school. Mr. Koledo shared the sign was paid for with
sinking fund dollars.
Mrs.
Snyder stated the fund balance is the district’s savings account – cash flow
back up.
This is
a way not to borrow money.
Public
Comments:
Meg
Walton, high school teacher, stated the school district is not a bank. The public pays
taxes
and expects the district to spend the dollars that are in fund balance. Mrs. Walton also
stated
she does not want to see professional development costs cut. As a member of the high
school
BAC, there have been discussions regarding the third counselor at the high
school and
whether
this is beneficial. Social Studies has
lost three electives due to reduction of staff
members
in the department.
POLICY REVIEW
None.
Pam
Snyder stated the prom was very nice this year and thinks it was best dance
ever. Mrs.
Snyder
also attended the high school track meeting in Fenton and heard that track is
the best
sport in
Laura
Starrs attended the AP classes meeting and stated it was well attended. Mrs.
Starrs
stated
she agreed with Steve Murphy’s idea to add “initial” to Phase II budget
cuts. Mrs.
Starrs
also indicated the signs in front of the high school and Central Elementary
were paid
for with
sinking fund dollars.
Steve
Murphy asked if there was a way to define items paid for by sinking fund
dollars,
possibly
a sticker. Mr. Murphy attended Argentine
Elementary’s Art Fair and stated it was
well
attended. Mr. Murphy gave a brief
synopsis of the Curriculum Committee Meeting held
on May
5.
Elaine
Porter stated this week is Staff Appreciation Week. Mrs. Porter thanked the staff on
behalf
of the Board and hopes staff members will stop by McDonald’s for a free pop,
ice
cream
cone, cookie, or whatever dollar item they may want. Mrs. Porter also attended the
Shakespeare
play and thanked Ms. Leighton and Mr. Schneider for a job well done.
Congratulations
to Dan Schneider for having an article published. Congratulations also to
Mike
Murphy and Rob Rossow on their election wins for school board.
STUDENT BOARD REPORTS
Katie McCauley apologized for not being at
board meetings, but there were family matters to
attend. Ms. McCauley stated there was a good turnout
for the
there
has been positive feedback from students on trimesters. Ms. McCauley stated Band
Bounce
will take place next week.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Board President
Porter adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Steve
M. Murphy, Board Secretary