LINDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Board Workshop

Linden High School

7201 W. Silver Lake Road

Linden, Michigan  48451

(810) 591-0410

April 22, 2009

7:00 p.m.

 

 

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

Present                         

 

Members                      Scott Maker

Absent                                                                                                                                                                          

 

Others in attendance:       Ed Koledo, Mike Engelter, Evie Jensen

 

 

The workshop was called to order by Board President Elaine Porter at 7:00 p.m.

 

The Board discussed the pros and cons of student board representatives.  Mr. Kursik feels it is a benefit to a student interested in public education/service.  He feels they have not been effective this year, but it does not hurt to have them.  Mrs. Snyder suggested maybe two months of service.  It was suggested that Student Board Representative Reports be placed after Superintendent Reports on the agenda so they can leave at 9:00 p.m.  Mr. Kursik also suggested assigning a board member as a mentor.  Steve Murphy agreed with Mr. Kursik.  Mr. Murphy also suggested the student board representatives alternate meetings.  Mrs. Porter suggested a third student representative to serve as an alternate and that she would like the student representative to report to Student Council.  Another suggestion was to have middle school and/or elementary representatives attend a board meeting.  Mr. Koledo will get with Mr. Ciesielski to work out details.

 

The next topic discussed was Committees of the Whole versus sub committees.  Mr. Kursik stated he prefers committees of the whole but would like to continue with ad hoc committees as needed.  Steve Murphy prefers Committees of the Whole as it is not fair to the other board members as information is not always shared.  When there are ad hoc committees the information needs to be provided electronically to the rest of the Board.  Mike Murphy stated he prefers the Committees of the Whole.

 

Discussion took place on whether to give the SWOT Analysis of board meetings another try.  Mr. Kursik feels the tool is useful if used properly.  He indicated strengths and weaknesses should be viewed as internal; opportunities/threats are external.  The consensus of the board is to reinstitute the SWOT Analysis and use the strengths and weaknesses as an internal meeting evaluation and discuss the external components at workshops.

 

Mrs. Snyder asked if the Board could split the reading of publications they receive.  Board members will make a list of the publications and send to Mrs. Porter and Mr. Koledo.

 

The Board discussed utilizing change management tools such as communication strategies and the Elevator Speech (handout).  Using these tools would add consistency.  The Board needs to go through four steps, discuss them and then have the same statement.  One person would draft the statement, finalize it and then publish it.  These would be the talking points.

 

The Board discussed their concerns with some of the GISD expenditures/communications, i.e. Innerviews.  Mr. Koledo stated he has discussed these concerns with Dr. Svitkovich, GISD Superintendent, and they are looking at it internally.  Mr. Koledo suggested individual board members e-mailing the ISD and/or write letters stating their concerns.  Mr. Koledo will get the addresses for the board members.  The Board stated they support electronic communications from the ISD.

 

In regards the GISD expenditures, Mr. Koledo suggested a short presentation by the GISD on what services does the GISD provide for the district (curriculum and technology areas) and what are their cost cutting measures. 

 

Mrs. Porter stated the Board needs to get more involved in voicing concerns to our elected officials.  This was one of the Board’s weakest areas on the Board Self Evaluation.  One of the Board’s goals for next year should be to get more involved with local and state representatives.

 

The Board reviewed their Board Self Evaluation.

 

Public Comments:                                      

 

None.

 

Roundtable:

 

Mike Engelter stated he is investigating a different route for sending Board packets.  He will keep the Board updated.

 

Ed Koledo stated Fenton Schools are going with the State Schools of Choice plan.  Lake Fenton is going back to their board to revisit their decision, as is Goodrich.  May 6th their will be a special meeting for the bleacher bids, teacher resignation and trip requests.

 

Steve Murphy asked how our incoming kindergarten count looks.  We need to attract as many kindergarten students as we can.  Mr. Murphy asked when we should start looking at all day kindergarten. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m.

 

                                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                                                _____________________________

                                                                                                                Steve M. Murphy, Board Secretary