LINDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Work Session Meeting

Linden High School

7201 W. Silver Lake Road

Linden, Michigan  48451

(810) 591-0410

June 3, 2009

7:00 p.m.

 

Members                      Elaine Porter, Laura Starrs, Mike Murphy, Steve Murphy, Rick Kursik, Pam Snyder,

Present                          Andrea Firth

 

Members                      Scott Maker, Katie McCauley

Absent

 

                                        Board President Porter stated Mr. Maker is on military assignment.

 

ADOPTION               Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Starrs to adopt the agenda as amended with the

OF AGENDA          addition of Request for Transfer of Property to Fenton Area Public Schools under Topics

140-08                           of Discussion.

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

                             

SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS

 

                                        Superintendent Koledo stated Kenny Moffitt, high school student,

 

                                        Mr. Koledo has been in two dunk tanks for elementary field days, Central Elementary and

                                        Linden Elementary, and will be at Hyatt Elementary on Thursday.

 

                                        Mr. Koledo shared the timeframe and schedule for graduation events.

 

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

                                       

                                        Superintendent Koledo and the Board of Education recognized thirteen teachers who are

                                        retiring and two playground aides.  Mrs. Porter thanked the retirees for all the time, hard

                                        work and dedication during their time with Linden Community Schools.  Mr. Koledo read a

                                        short bio on each of the retirees as they were presented with their gift.  The retirees are Sue

                                        Brody, Ken Brown, Nancy Casteel, Cindy Collins, Carla Gould, Don Isenberg, Carole

                                        Maguire, Rose Martin, Cathy North, Bill Rose, Susan Smith, Cliff Totzke, Jill Weigandt, Esther

                                        McConnell and Joanne McCormick.     

 

                                        Board President Porter called a short recess to thank and congratulate the retirees at 7:20 p.m.

 

                                        The work session meeting re-convened at 7:45 p.m.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

                                       

                                        None.

 

DIRECTOR/BUILDING PRINCIPAL REPORTS                                                                                                                                

                                       

                                        None.                                                                                                                                                       

 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION                                                                                                                                                  

 

Student/Parent          Superintendent Koledo stated the principals are continuing to update and clarify building Handbook                                        handbooks.  This item will be placed on the June 17th agenda under for adoption, based on Revisions      final quality control checks.  Mrs. Starrs thanked Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Snyder for the

                                        numerous hours proofing the handbooks.

 

Sideline Cheer/         Mr. Koledo read the contract language and the intent of the language on sideline cheer and Competitive Cheer                             competitive cheer.  Sideline cheer is a club sport and will receive 1% pay for the sponsor at Definitions and                                        the high school and 1% for the middle school sponsor which is a separate position.  Discussion                                        Participants in sideline cheer will need a physical, pay the play to participate fees and have

                                        eligibility cheeks, but they will not receive a varsity letter.  Competitive cheer will have

                                        separate tryouts prior to start of season and will run as a varsity sport.  Discussion ensued on

                                        why sideline cheer does not receive a letter.  Mr. Koledo will check with other schools to see if

                                        this is a consistent practice.  This item will be placed on the June 17th agenda under Old

                                        business for a vote regarding sideline cheer receiving a letter.

 

                                        Public Comment:

 

                                        Meg Walton, LEA President, stated this program was seriously considered through the

                                        bargaining process.  The contract was ratified by both sides and it had also gone through

M.     She urged the Board to support the process that was followed.

 

                                        Gary Hall, resident, disagreed with S. Murphy’s comments and stated most coaches are not in

                                        it for the money.

 

Remove Motion         Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder to remove the motion to revise the pay to

From Table Re:           participate fees structure from the table for discussion.

Revision to Pay          All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

To Participate            

Fees

141-08

(P)

 

Revision of Pay          Superintendent Koledo stated that he is recommending that we keep the pay to participate

to Participate Fees     fee structure the same as the current year and not change the structure for the 2009-10 school Discussion                                        year due to budget predictions.  Mr. Koledo feels his original recommendation would reduce

                                        the amount of revenue generated by making the changes.  Discussion took place.  Mr. Kursik

                                        is still concerned with the collection of fees and asked if it had been fixed.  Mr. Koledo

                                        indicated it had.

 

Request for                  Mr. Koledo shared information on a property transfer request for a small neighborhood in Transfer of                                         Linden to be transferred to Fenton Schools.  Mr. Koledo recommended the Board deny the Property to                                        request to transfer the property to Fenton Schools. There will be a meeting at the GISD on Fenton Area                                        Tuesday, June 9, 2009 to hear the request.  This item will be acted on at a Special Meeting of Public Schools                                        the Linden Board of Education immediately following this Work Session to deny the request.

 

POLICY REVIEW

                                       

Review of Policies     Discussion took place on proposed revisions to Policy 1230, Responsibilities of the

1230, 5421, 5430,       Superintendent. Mr. Koledo feels the policy is well written and should remain as is.  After and 5451                                        Board discussion, consensus this should be part of the superintendent’s evaluation.  Policy

                                        1230 will remain as written. 

 

                                        Public Comments:

 

                                        Gary Hall, resident, stated the Board hired Mr. Koledo and the Board does not trust him, they

                                        shouldn’t have picked him.  He stated the Board is the boss and directs the superintendent.

 

 

                                        The proposed change in Policy 5421, Grading, is the addition of “recognize the heavier

                                        burden of certain work, classes, courses, etc., including AP and honors courses with a system

                                        of weighted grades.  A lengthy discussion took place on this policy.  Mrs. Snyder, Mr. Kursik

                                        and Mrs. Porter support the change.  There was discussion on whether students would then

                                        take the heavier burden classes just to improve GPA rather than a class more in line with

                                        their EDP.  This policy will placed on the June 17th agenda under Old Business.

 

                                        A lengthy discussion on Policy 5430, Class Rank, took place.  Mrs. Snyder would like to have

                                        the policy read “directs the Superintendent to maintain a” system.  This policy will be placed

                                        on the June 17th agenda under Old Business.

 

                                        Public Comments:

 

                                        Meg Walton, LEA President, stated there was a process followed by the previous

                                        superintendent with public involved.  She stated students are taking courses that are best for

                                        them – not just because it is weighted.  Mrs. Walton stated that by going to the Latin system,

                                        more students will be rewarded with academic accomplishments.  Mrs. Walton also stated

                                        she doesn’t see the people board members are referring to with these issues in the audience. 

                                        Mrs. Walton indicated the high school staff would be delighted to expand AP offerings, but it

                                        is an extensive, expensive investment as textbooks are more expensive.

 

                                        Renee Juhl, LEA vice president, stated it all boils down to individual students, to the GPA

and ACT and what students want to do.

 

A proposed change for Policy 5451, Student Recognition, was shared with Board members.  Discussion took place regarding the Latin system of student recognition or the process used this year.  This item will be placed on the June 17th agenda under Old Business.

                                       

 

BOARD REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

                                        Steve Murphy attended the GISD Biennial Election and supported the candidates the Board

                                        selected.  Mr. Murphy shared his concerns with Dr. Svitkovich, GISD superintendent, on the

                                        cost of mailings to Board members and possibly doing all electronically.  Mr. Murphy stated

                                        that the GISD has an internal program at zero cost to the district to take the place of Board

                                        Book and indicated we should look into the program.  Mr. Murphy also attended the

                                        wonderful middle school choir concert.

 

                                        Mike Murphy also attended the middle school concert.  Mr. Murphy indicated the gate was

                                        locked which made parking difficult.  Mr. Murphy also attended the Memorial Day Parade.

 

                                        Pam Snyder received a call from Dr. Svitkovich regarding the mailings and changes being

                                        made.  He indicated there will be a GISD survey in July regarding receiving electronic mail

                                        for all Genesee County school districts.

 

                                        Rick Kursik thanked Mr. Koledo for the little bios on the retirees.

 

                                        Elaine Porter visited the middle school and observed students using the Reading Plus

                                        program and was very impressed with the results in such a short time.  Mrs. Porter

                                        congratulated all the retirees.

 

STUDENT BOARD REPORTS

                                                                                                                                                                           

                                        Andrea Firth shared concerns on the student lunches.  She stated there are not enough of the

                                        lunch specials for all students who wish to take that lunch.  This also occurs in the ala carte

                                        line.  Mr. Koledo stated he will look into her concerns.

 

                                        Mr. Koledo shared Katie McCauley’s comments.  Katie met with the new student council

                                        members and indicated they will be having a summer meeting.  Ms. McCauley indicated

                                        student council members would be participating in the Relay for Life on June 12 and 13.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

                                       

                                        None.

 

ADJOURNMENT   

                                        Board President Porter adjourned the meeting at 10:33 p.m.

 

                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                _____________________________

                                                                                                                Steve M. Murphy, Board Secretary