LINDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Work Session Meeting

Linden High School

7201 W. Silver Lake Road

Linden, Michigan  48451

(810) 591-0410

September 2, 2009

7:00 p.m.

 

 

Members                      Laura Starrs, Pam Snyder, Mike Murphy, Steve Murphy, Rick Kursik, Rob Rossow

Present                         

 

Members                      Scott Maker

Absent

 

 

ADOPTION               Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder to adopt the agenda as presented.

OF AGENDA          All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

59-09                            

(P)

 

                                       

SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS

 

                                        Superintendent Koledo provided the schedule of back to school events.

                                       

                                        September 3:

·         Second staff work day.

·         WEB Play Day at middle school, 8:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

·         Elementary Open Houses, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

·         Community Kick Off/Ice Cream Social, Middle School, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

·         First home varsity football game vs. Swartz Creek, 7:30 p.m.

 

                                        September 8:

·         First day for K-12, Discovery Day and Eagle Club.

·         President Obama internet address to all school children in America, 1:00 p.m.

 

                                        September 14:

·         First day for preschool students.

·         Local Politician Community Awareness Event, Grand Blanc High School

 

                                        Mr. Koledo recognized four state top area runners:  Jacob Hurd, Brendan Sage, Dylan Ryan

                                        and Mark Swartz.

 

                                        Mr. Koledo recognized Tri County Times reporter, John McKay, who will be going to work for

                                        a Port Huron newspaper.

                                               

STUDENT BOARD REPORTS

 

                                        None.

                                       

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

None.

 

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

 

                                        None.

 

DIRECTOR/BUILDING PRINCIPAL REPORTS                                                                                                                                

                                       

                                        None.

 

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION                                                                                                                                                  

 

Update on                    Superintendent Koledo shared information with the board on the shared time Special

Special Education     Education Director, Kathy Wurdock.  It will be a one year contract with additional service to Director       be determined prior to June 1, 2010.  The shared position will be 60% at Linden and 40% at

                                        GISD.  The director will be available by phone and email 24/7.  This item will be placed on

                                        the September 16th agenda under Old Business for approval.

 

Renaming of               Discussion took place on possibly changing the name of Argentine Elementary School now Argentine    that there are no kindergarten/first grade classes there.  It has been suggested to keep it as is, Elementary               but possibly reflect Argentine Early Childhood and Development Center underneath.  Mr. School           Koledo asked if there is a need to put together a committee to bring potential name changes

                                        to the Board.  The board felt there was no need at this time to make any change at this time.

                                       

POLICY REVIEW

 

Discussion of              Further discussion by the board took place on the proposed revisions to Policy 5421-Grading.

Policy 5421 -               S. Murphy stated he does not want to see drops in AP classes and feels there has been success Grading  with the contract students and parents sign prior to taking AP classes.  Mr. Koledo stated

                                        unique situations will be considered for students wishing to drop.

 

                                        Public Comments:

 

                                        Elaine Porter, resident, stated her rationale for supporting giving students who take AP

                                        classes weighted grades at the end of each trimester. Mrs. Porter stated that when she taught

                                        honors classes, she had very few students drop.

 

                                        Meg Walton, high school teacher, stated the contract is not intended to be punitive.  It just

                                        states the expectations and benefits for taking an AP course.  Mrs. Walton again voiced the

                                        ethical concerns she has with the proposed revisions to this policy.

 

                                        Rene Juhl, parent/teacher, stated her daughter, a senior, who as approached by staff to take

                                        AP Biology.  Mrs. Juhl stated parents need to ask themselves why students are taking these

                                        classes and then walk away or drop if there is no weighted grade offered until the end of the

                                        year.

 

                                        Board President Starrs stated this item will be placed on the September 16 agenda under Old

                                        Business for action.

 

BOARD REPORTS/RECOMMENDATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Rob Rossow attended CBA 101 and now feels he is more informed.

 

Rick Kursik attended the volleyball tournament hosted in Linden and has spent time helping to get the concessions stand open.  Mr. Kursik stated he liked the open communication with Representative Paul Scott.

 

Laura Starrs attended the Welcome Back Breakfast and stated the Community Kick-Off/Ice Cream Social is Thursday, September 3 at the Middle School.  Ice cream scoopers are needed.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

60-09                             Moved by S. Murphy, supported by Snyder to adjourn to Executive Session per Section 8(c),

(P)                                   Collective Bargaining,  of the Open Meetings Act at 8:10 p.m.

                                        Roll call vote taken.

                                        All yea votes.  Motion carried 6-0.

 

                                        Re-convened to Open Session at 8:35 p.m.

 

ADJOURNMENT   

                                        Board President Starrs adjourned the meeting at 8:48 p.m.

 

                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                _____________________________

                                                                                                                Steve M. Murphy, Board Secretary