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September 2007

BRIDGMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Bridgman, Michigan
Minutes of Regular Meeting
September 24, 2007

Call to Order: The Regular Meeting of the Bridgman Public School District Board of Education was held on Monday, September 24, 2007 in the Media Center of Bridgman High School, 9964 Gast Road, Bridgman, MI 49106. The meeting was called to order by President Ramso at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: Richard Fodor, Judy Kelly, Lisa Kiewel, Scott MacMartin, Alfred Ottusch, Eric Ramso, Pat Strebeck

Members Absent: None

Additions to Agenda:  It was moved by Member MacMartin, supported by Member Kiewel, to add a closed session to discuss the superintendent's evaluation, per the superintendent's request. Motion carried 7-0 and the meeting went into closed session @ 7:03 p.m.

It was moved by Member Kiewel, supported by Member Strebeck, to come out of closed session at 7:20 p.m. Motion carried 7-0.

Open Session: President Ramso reported the Board met with the superintendent and discussed the possibility of changing committee meeting times so he can attend both the finance and non-finance committee meetings. Also, Board members and the superintendent will be working with a facilitator starting next month and continuing until approximately January. The facilitator will be chosen at the October 8, 2007 Joint Committee meeting. When the mediation process is complete, the Board will discuss the superintendent's contract extension. The Board and superintendent are all in agreement. President Ramso commented that the Board is looking out for the best interests of the district and thanked community members for attending the meeting.

Superintendent’s Comments:   Amended 11/19/07   Kevin Ivers, Superintendent, reported the following: (1) a letter of resignation was received from Andrea Hauck, part time math teacher at RMS; (2) ACT scores for juniors were above the state average in all areas; (3) Lake Michigan Catholic will be using Bridgman’s football field on September 21, (September 28) 2007; (4) he will be attending the Michigan Association of School Administrators Conference, September 26-28, in Traverse City, MI.; (5) the fall edition of the Bridgman Buzz newsletter has gone to print; and (6) he has met with the building principals and business manager to set goals for the 2007-08 school year.

Member Kiewel wanted the staff to know that the Board appreciates their extra efforts in dealing with the performance contracting projects.

Principals' Comments:  John Wittmuss, BES Principal, reported the following: (1) data collection for NCA goals will continue for the next several years and they are now preparing for the QAR (Quality Assurance Review) on March 18-19, 2008; (2) the PTO has made it possible for the BES multi-purpose room to have oscillating fans installed on the walls for air circulation. Other PTO sponsored events include a fundraiser held on September 9-24, an electrical safety program held on September 14, a book fair week on October 22-26 and a Tall Trees Assembly on October 19; and (3) he thanked his staff for the wonderful job they have done while performance contracting projects have been completed.

Lori Graves, RMS Principal, reported the following: (1) sixth grade students and teachers took a field trip to Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph to view original illustrations from a number of African American books; (2) the Back to School BBQ was well attended and the Scholastic Book Fair held the same night was a big success; (3) student senate elections will be held on
October 5; and (4) the teachers have been doing a great job during the performance contracting project.

Jim Hutfilz, BHS Principal, reported the following: (1) sixty-five students are attending Career Technical Education, dual enrollment, co-op and Math/Science classes off campus. This includes seventeen students attending the Math/Science Center at Andrews Univ. (a record number) and eight students attending LMC or Andrews Univ. under the dual enrollment program; (2) twenty-seven students are enrolled in Chemistry II, also a record number; (3) two National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists, Hillary Kovacs and Jordan Hodge, were announced; and (4) the development of a peer-to-peer counseling program under the able guidance of Katie Cuthbert, Chris Davis, Liz Radenbaugh and Lisa Bartoszek, of Lory's Place, is underway.

Student/Staff Recognition:  None

Public Comments:  Amended 11/19/07    (1) Bryon Higgins commented that the primary responsibility for the Board and Superintendent is the education of children and applauded them  for coming together to work on issues; (2) Joellen Kamp questioned the organization of board committees, which was answered by President Ramso in his earlier remarks; (3) John Gast spoke on his concern regarding the superintendent’s professionalism and contract extension and how it goes hand in hand with property values and people coming to our area; (4) Greg Wardecke spoke on the superintendent’s contract extension and how the Board looked at this towards the vision statement; and (4) Mike Frakes spoke on his concern about politics going on in the community and the four Board members being attacked; the community voted these people in and he is glad to see it is not a rubber stamping board as in the past.  (The following people spoke on the Superintendent’s contract extension: Bryon Higgins, John Gast, Greg Wardecke, and Mike Frakes.  Joellen Kamp spoke on the organization of board committees.)

Judy Kelly made a statement to clear the air of all lies and rumors going around about the four Board members who voted against (not) extending the superintendent’s contract until 2010.

Board Communications:  None

Approval of Minutes:  The August 27, 2007 Regular Meeting & September 10, 2007 Joint, Finance, Non-Finance & Closed Meeting minutes were accepted, as written.

Financial Reports: Pat Strebeck presented the July Treasurer's Report, which was accepted as presented, pending audit.

It was moved by Member MacMartin, supported by Member Strebeck, to approve the August bills for payment. Motion carried 7-0.

Action Items: It was moved by Member Kelly, supported by Member Kiewel, to nominate Pat Strebeck for office of Vice-President. Motion carried 7-0. It was moved by Member Fodor, supported by Member MacMartin to close nominations. Motion carried 7-0. Pat Strebeck was elected Vice-President.

It was moved by Member Kiewel supported by Member Kelly, to approve a Public Act 56 Resolution. Motion carried 7-0.

It was moved by Member Kiewel, supported by Member MacMartin, to approve Aras Vitkus & Jason Saul as student auditorium assistants @ $7.86/hour, as needed. Motion carried 7-0.

It was moved by Member MacMartin, supported by Member Kelly, to approve Pamela Whittier as girls' varsity diving coach @ $2,235 (BA, Step 0). Motion carried 7-0.

Discussion Items: Board Training Options - A vote will be taken at the October 8, 2007 Joint Committee meeting to determine the facilitator to use.

Committee meeting times - Board members should come to the October 8, 2007 Joint Committee meeting with times for committee meetings. Any dialogue regarding these times should go through Superintendent Ivers.

Letter from Mr. & Mrs. Brad Murphy - The Murphy's will attend the

October 8, 2007 Non-Finance Committee meeting and help set up a committee to move forward with putting something in place for bullying and suicide prevention.

Committee Reports:
Financial - Discussion on times for committee meetings
Non-Financial - Set up committee to address bullying and suicide prevention.

Upcoming Dates: 1. Week of October 1, 2007 - Homecoming activities
October 2 - Dinner & Movie @ 7:30 p.m.
October 4 - Powder Puff football & bonfire
October 5 - Football game @ 7:30 p.m.
2. October 8, 2007 - Board Committee Meetings - 7 p.m. @ BHS
3. October 22, 2007 - Regular Board Meeting - 7 p.m. @ BHS
4. October 24, 2007 - Fall Concert - 7 p.m. @ BHS

Adjournment: It was moved by Member Fodor, supported by Member Kiewel, to adjourn. Motion carried 7-0 and the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.