NORTHPORT BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING JUNE 8, The meeting was called to order by President, Tom Wetherbee, at 7:00 p.m.

Transcription

1 NORTHPORT BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING JUNE 8, 2015 The meeting was called to order by President, Tom Wetherbee, at 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Gretchen Ross, Kristin Frank, Robert Bergdoll, Nancy Peterson, Lynelle Wilcox-Irvine, Dan Duffiney, Tom Wetherbee Members Absent: None Public in Attendance: Rick Sneed, Alexia Post, Corrine Wetherbee, Becky Kalchik, Chrysti Duffiney, Teresa Sleder, Fiona Muller, Kathie Bair, Judy Fitzsimmons, Scott Martin, Nathan Kalchik, Steve Wetherbee, Marita Somero, Christopher Somero, Jen Walter, Bonnie Shiner, Liz Lint, Casey Wilcox, Patti Brandt (Leelanau Enterprise), Sarah Jane Johnson (LCC) ROLL CALL: Gretchen Ross Here Kristin Frank Here Bob Bergdoll Here Nancy Peterson Here Lynelle Wilcox-Irvine - Here Dan Duffiney - Here Tom Wetherbee - Here A quorum is present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: Moved by Nancy Peterson, supported by Lynelle Wilcox-Irvine, to approve the agenda at this regular meeting. All Ayes Motion Carried SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT: by: Chris Parker The end of the school year went well. Professional Development tomorrow and Wednesday for staff. Graduation was phenomenal. NWEA testing is complete. Posted for a Title I summer position. Title II next year focusing on School Improvement process. Teachers will go and get instruction.

2 Page 2 SUPERINTENDENT S REPORT CONT : by: Chris Parker School Improvement window for surveys closed last Friday. Bus repairs on wheel-wells. Working on next year s schedules in PowerSchool. Will enter graduation progress in PowerSchool in order to do audits. Interviewing a person this Friday to fill the kitchen position that was left vacant by Brenda Scott who retired at the end of the school year. Janis Groomes will also be involved in the interview process. PRINCIPAL S REPORT: by: Dan Stowe Thanked the staff and community for awards night and graduation. Today was records day for staff. LTCF 70 th Anniversary is coming up. NWEA updates have been posted. School Improvement survey has been taken off of our website. I will compile and send to the state. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Teresa Sleder stated that she is glad to know that the NWEA information is posted on the wall. When course information is sent out can a list of supplies be added? Christopher Somero, who is interested in re-doing the basketball court at the school entrance for his Eagle Scout project, stated that the cost for three baskets, plus backboards, and resurfacing the court, will cost around $2,000. Rick Sneed stated that this project is a great idea. COMMITTEE REPORTS & GOALS: 1. Finance R. Bergdoll:

3 Page 3 COMMITTEE REPORTS & GOALS CONT..: 2. Athletics N. Peterson: A meeting is scheduled for this Thursday morning to discuss co-op possibilities. 3. School Improvement N. Peterson: 4. Building & Grounds R. Bergdoll: This will be discussed later in the meeting. 5. MASB Rep. T. Wetherbee: 6. NCAC Reps. K. Frank & L. Wilcox-Irvine: A meeting was held two weeks ago. They are trying to involve more community members. Northport students have free admission to their events. 7. Northport Promise D. Duffiney: The next fundraising event will be a parking lot garage sale, Junk in the Trunk, held in the school parking lot on July 3 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. 1 Parking Space $10 2 Parking Spaces $15. Tables for Rent $5. 8. LCC K. Frank: Sarah Jane Johnson reported that there will be a Strawberry Ice Cream Social this Thursday evening. 9. Volunteer Program N. Peterson: 10. SEPAC Rep. Teresa Sleder: CONSENT AGENDA: Tom Wetherbee asked if there were any objections to the May 11, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes or the May 18, 2015 Special Meeting Minutes. Hearing no objections, the minutes are approved by consent.

4 Page 4 ACTION ITEMS: MOTION: Moved by Bob Bergdoll, supported by Dan Duffiney, to approve the Bills Presented for Payment in the amount of $53, Discussion: T. Wetherbee: page 2 Software Licenses D. Duffiney: page 1 Anavon repair of credit card machine (that bill belongs to the NCAC) page 5 Membership fees page 6 Technology Services All Ayes Motion Carried DISCUSSION ITEMS: Amended Budget Ben Papes A draft Amended Budget was distributed. Ben reported we have a $360,000 deficit for the year. This is Ben s first experience with working on and presenting the budget. He s waiting to see what else will be coming in. Ben will continue tweaking things, and have a final amended budget ready for the Special Board Mtg. on June Proposed Budget Ben Papes and Chris Parker A draft Proposed Budget was distributed. Local Revenues and State Revenues are down Federal is up Impact Aid will be about double next year Fund Balance will be around 20% Retirement Rate is now 36.31% (has gone up) Eliminate Social Worker Eliminate Transportation Supervisor Principal back to the classroom No replacement for retired teacher Supplies reduced 15% Cost of a part-time office assistant and counselor - $60,000

5 Page 5 Bob Bergdoll asked if this was a conservative budget. Ben responded that it s still conservative, but not as conservative as in the past. This is more realistic. Bob also asked what the parameters are for the state to take over a school. Chris Parker stated he didn t know the specifics. 3. Building & Grounds Summer Schedule Chris Parker The custodial staff will be working four 10 s this summer. Installation of the scoreboard Carpet cleaning a company is coming in to demonstrate cleaning products to get out spots in the carpets. Have posted for a part-time summer position, but have no applicants. In need of roof repair near the fifth grade classroom. Bob Bergdoll asked if we have to prepare a bond for this November election or is it in the spring? This will be investigated. NEW BUSINESS: The work session meeting scheduled for June 22 will be posted as a Special Meeting for the Truth-in-Taxation Hearing on the Proposed Budget. SUPERINTENDENT S COMMENTS: None PUBLIC COMMENTS: Bonnie Shiner is dismayed about the Social Worker position being eliminated. People need to have that trust and relationship when in crisis or need. This is the Small School with the Big Heart where is the heart? Jen Walter stated that we have struggled for two years without a counselor. She agrees with what Bonnie Shiner said. She doesn t feel this is the best option. Nate Kalchik stated that Dan Stowe and Kathie Bair handle a lot of this now, and that problems just happen, they can t be scheduled. If both Dan and Kathie are gone, who s going to handle this?

6 Page 6 PUBLIC COMMENTS CONT.: Fiona Muller stated that by eliminating the social worker position, we re sending the message that student s emotional feelings aren t as important as their academics. She thinks this is a serious mistake. Becky Kalchik stated she is an aide at NPS. She loves her job, and doesn t know what she ll do without the support of Dan and/or Kathie. Casey Wilcox stated that we have a unique group of students at NPS. This is her sixth year here, and she s just now cracking layers with students. Feels we need stability. Kathie Bair reported on the multiple roles/tasks she has done as Social Worker at NPS: 23 Screenings 10 Protective Services 75 Attendance Letters 16 Corrective Action Mtgs. 5 Truancy Petitions 118 page McKinney-Vento Self-Assessment which was done on time, and done correctly 49 Discipline Referrals in PowerSchool 8 Potential Suicides 4 Sexually Abused 3 Potential Runaways 3 Potential Cuttings Scholarships for Graduating Seniors Recommendation Letters Multiple phone calls to colleges and therapists Classroom Management Plans Data Collection Kathie then started a more personal list regarding Chris Parker. Tom Wetherbee interrupted her, and thanked her for sharing. Steve Wetherbee stated that the Northport Education Association unanimously support a comprehensive Social Worker, and Kathie Bair.

7 Page 7 PUBLIC COMMENTS CONT.: Scott Martin stated there is a feeling of trepidation about next year. Dan and Kathie have done so much. He hopes the Board does the right thing. Rick Sneed stated that Kathie has gone beyond what her position requires. Teresa Sleder stated that her stepson, who is older than Andy, lived through the previous budget cuts which included a social worker. She asked about the tax values going down, and if it s just the Northport area? She wanted to know how we can increase them. Bonnie Shiner asked the Board to rewind to graduation and the relationships that the students have with the staff. BOARD COMMENTS: Tom Wetherbee stated that we have heard a lot of good things, and he can t argue with the needs. But, if we don t do these cuts, we would have to cut teachers. Tom thanked everyone for coming. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: Moved by Bob Bergdoll, supported by Nancy Peterson, to adjourn. All Ayes Motion Carried The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Kristin J. Frank, Secretary Ellen M. Gibson, Recording Secretary

8