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April 2007

BRIDGMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Bridgman, Michigan
Minutes of Regular Meeting
April 26, 2007

Call to Order: The Regular Meeting of the Bridgman Public School District Board of Education was held on Thursday, April 26, 2007 in the Media Center of Bridgman High School, 9964 Gast Road, Bridgman, MI 49106. The meeting was called to order by President Fodor at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: Richard Fodor, Lisa Kiewel, Scott MacMartin, Alfred Ottusch, Patricia Strebeck

Members Absent: Judy Kelly & Eric Ramso

Additions to Agenda:  None

Superintendent's Comments:  Kevin Ivers, Superintendent, reported the following: (1) He received a letter of resignation from Stephen Longstreet, BHS guidance counselor. The positions of guidance counselor, band director and 3rd grade teachers have been posted and applications are due May 11, 2007; (2) Schools of Choice openings for Young Fives and Kindergarten students will be advertised after the numbers are in from the April 16-20 Round-up. (3) Dale Reuss was not selected as one of the four state finalists for the 2007-08 Michigan Teacher of the Year; however, we are still very proud of him for the outstanding job he does as a teacher in our district. (4) A letter was received from State Budget Director Robert Emerson who outlined the chain of events that will occur if the Legislature does not take action to reduce the problems in the school budget. Everyone is urged to contact their state representatives regarding this budget crisis situation.

Principals' Comments:  John Wittmuss, BES Principal, reported that the Young Fives/Kindergarten round-up was held the week of April 16-20. Brochures for these grades will be available for Kindergarten Orientation on May 10. The BES Behavioral Plan adopted three years ago has been re-examined and will be presented to interested parents at the April 26 PTO meeting.

George Waning, RMS Interim Principal, congratulated winners in the "America and Me" essay contest and the Science Olympiad Team. Parent- Teacher Conferences had a good overall attendance of 75%.

Jim Hutfilz, BHS Principal, reported that this year's Lakeland Fine Arts Festival was a huge success. Lakeland All-Conference students participated in visual arts, drama, choir and band presentations. The Bridgman Quiz Bowl and Health Occupations Student Association (HOSA) teams qualified for state championship tournaments.

Student/Staff Recognition:  Crystal Georgia was presented a certificate for being selected as the Bridgman High School Student of the Month for April.

The following 4th grade students were presented certificates for their participation in Science Olympiad: Chase Borkowski, Santiago Buenabra, Jackie Carranza, Janet Davis, Sarah Edgecomb, Jessica Gambino, Daniel Harasin, Taylor Joachim, Jasmine Jones, Jazmyne Kirby, Warren Krettek, Cheyenne Krumrie, Ryan Kuipers, Drew Lundin, Kenzie McFall, Chris Mensinger, Sophia Nelson, Candice Pillow, Kailey Rhyne, Hanna Sanders, Edward Shaver, Jake Smith, Chris Snyder, Gabby Story, Madison Stubbs and Brianna Thomas.

The following students were presented certificates for their participation in the "America and Me" Essay Awards: Michael Kamp (1st place), Chelsea Ott (2nd place) and Stephanie Burkhard (3rd place).

The following RMS Science Olympiad students were presented certificates: Mitchell Hehl and Justin Weber for "Disease Detective" (1st place).

Public Comments: None

Board Communications:  None

Approval of Minutes:  The following minutes were approved as presented: March 15, 2007 Regular Meeting, March 20, 2007 Planning Committee Meeting and April 10, 2007 Joint and Planning Committees and Closed Meeting.

Financial Reports: The February Treasurer's Report was given by Pat Strebeck, Board Treasurer, and was accepted as presented.

It was moved by Member Strebeck, supported by Member Ottusch, to approve the March bills for payment. Motion carried 5-0.

Action Items: It was moved by Member Strebeck, supported by Member Kiewel, to approve the reinstatement of the Recreation Advisory Board. Motion carried 5-0.

It was moved by Member Ottusch, supported by Member Kiewel, to approve on-line learning experience requirements effective with the class of 2011. Motion carried 5-0.

It was moved by Member Kiewel, supported by Member Ottusch,

to approve the K-12 Visual, Performing and Applied Arts curriculum proposal of $30,309 ($9,341 to be paid from the Public Improvement Fund). Motion carried 5-0.

It was moved by Member Kiewel, supported by Member Strebeck, to approve a resolution to accept the contract termination agreement with The Energy Concern (TEC). Motion carried 5-0.

Committee Reports: Planning Committee - Pat Strebeck
Community Foundation Update - Board members have been invited to the May 9, 2007 Lakeshore Community Foundation meeting.

Performance Contracting Update - There is a two week waiting period before reassigning a contract. The pool work is on schedule and other projects should be kept on track for completion.

Retreat date - A suggested Board retreat date of May 15, 2007, at a to-be- determined site, was discussed.

Upcoming Dates: May 3 - Board Committee Meetings, Bridgman High School, 7 p.m.
May 4 - Portfolio Day at Bridgman High School - 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
May 9 - 3.5 GPA Honors Breakfast at Bridgman High School, 7 a.m.
May 21 - Student Awards at Bridgman High School (Underclassmen, 8 a.m. and Seniors, 7 p.m.)
June 3 - Graduation Ceremony, 1 p.m.

Adjournment: It was moved by Member Kiewel, supported by Member MacMartin, to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0 and the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.