April 24, 2017 Board Minutes Page 1 of 5 MINUTES OF THE COMBINED WORK/BUSINESS SESSION OF THE MARSHALL BOARD OF EDUCATION HELD ON MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2017 AT 7:00 PM, IN LIBRARY OF THE MARSHALL OPPORTUNITY HIGH SCHOOL PRESENT: DESMET, LINDSEY, MCCOMB, NICHOLSON, DAVIS, JONES, SEIFERT JOINED THE MEETING AT 7:14 PM ABSENT: CAMPAU, MIDDLETON CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by President DeSmet. A moment of silence was observed. The pledge of allegiance was recited. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Moved by Lindsey, supported by McComb, that the agenda be approved including the appointment of Trustee McComb as secretary for the session and a change in the award amount for Action Item 8-C, lawn mowing services, to $69,316.74, with remaining items as presented. A roll-call vote unanimously carried the motion. Treasurer Seifert was not present for the vote. ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHT TITLE I PROGRAM HUGHES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Superintendent Davis introduced Hughes Elementary School (HES) Principal Matt Lefebvre to present an academic highlight. Mr. Lefebvre was joined by Title I Educator Julie Underhill. They shared a PowerPoint about the Title I Program at HES. Ms. Underhill shared how she became a reading specialist. Their presentation explained what Title I is, how students are identified, goals of the program, how the program operates, progress monitoring, the Fountas and Pinnell Reading Program that is utilized, parent communication, parent nights and Title I Family Nights. PUBLIC COMMENT President DeSmet called for any members of the audience to address the Board. There were none. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Superintendent Davis presented to the Board for employment Victoria Owens as bus driver and Jennifer Uldriks as LRE aide at Walters Elementary; he shared their educational background information. Superintendent Davis recognized and thanked retiring staff member Lisa South; he shared background information about her time with the district. He indicated that retirements would be recognized at the district s end of the year picnic on the last day of school.
April 24, 2017 Board Minutes Page 2 of 5 MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL (MHS) CLASS OF 2017 TOP 10 AND DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS: Superintendent Davis announced that MHS s Top 10 Graduates and those receiving Departmental Awards would be recognized by the Exchange Club and Rotary at a luncheon Monday, May 1 st at the Franke Center for the Arts. GOVERNOR S EDUCATION & TALENT SUMMIT: Superintendent Davis reported that he would be attending the Governor s Education & Talent Summit in Lansing April 25 and 26. CALHOUN AREA SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ASSOCIATION (CASBMA) ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY: Superintendent Davis indicated CASBMA will recognize the Vic Potter with a Citizen s Award and Harry Bonner, Sr. with a Special Commendation at its award ceremony on April 26, 2017. PK-16 ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Superintendent Davis reported that he has reformed the PK-16 Advisory Committee and they would be meeting for a second time April 27 at the Ludington Center on Albion College s campus. He will be reporting how high school students from the former Albion School District have performed. LEADERSHIP TEAM REPORTS: Superintendent Davis indicated that Leadership Team members were in attendance and available to respond to questions from board members regarding reports on their areas. DISCUSSION ITEM THE CROWELL BUILDING: Superintendent Davis reported that through annexation the district acquired ownership of four schools. He indicated the district anticipated demolishing Caldwell School and turning it into green space. Harrington Elementary School was revitalized and became the home for elementary students K-5. The former Albion High School became the home of Marshall Opportunity High School (MOHS). And The Crowell Building currently houses early childhood programs. It has become evident that The Crowell Building has significant problems that include paint issues, broken water pipes, a roof in poor condition, boilers that require high maintenance, plumbing problems, security camera needs and updates needed to playground equipment. Repairs would cost in excess of $500,000. He added that the annual cost to keep the building running is $160,000. The district is looking at bringing the programs currently housed at Crowell to the MOHS site then closing The Crowell Building. The Board will consider selling or demolishing The Crowell Building at a later time. Trustee Nicholson asked if the site of MOHS is suitable for programs currently housed at The Crowell Building. Superintendent Davis indicated changes would need to be made to the building to fulfill licensing requirements in order for the programs to be licensable. He added he has been in contact with the current occupants of The Crowell Building and they are excited about the proposal. He added the district needs to determine the best pathway for updates and consider if the investment in renovations needed to keep The Crowell Building operational would be better directed toward updating MOHS. Vice President Lindsey asked if there would be an opportunity for any public input as he would like to see parent input about where their students would be attending.
April 24, 2017 Board Minutes Page 3 of 5 Superintendent Davis responded indicating there is not a lot of pedestrian traffic at The Crowell Building and that most students are dropped off; transportation has been explored and these needs can be met. A plan for renovation to MOHS will be brought back to the parents; it will drive discussion. CURRICULUM PROPOSALS: Curriculum Director Linda Bennink presented curriculum and textbook proposals for Advanced Agriculture Food and Natural Resources (AFNR) Leadership, middle school Agriscience/FFA Leadership and English Science-Fiction beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. She indicated the Curriculum Council has reviewed and supports the proposals. The Board will consider approving the proposal at its meeting in May. TECHNOLOGY: Director of Technology Terron Erwin presented a detailed assessment of both immediate and long term technology needs for the district. Items identified included network infrastructure, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), copying and printing, desktop computers, laptop computers, Android Tablets, ipads, Chromebooks, document cameras and projectors. He emphasized the importance of having a replacement plan and presented a six-year purchasing plan. Board members shared comments, concerns and asked questions as follows: Is a six-year replacement cycle aggressive enough? It is not aggressive enough. The purchasing plan was suggested across six years to allow for costs to spread because of the substantial costs involved. What would the cost per year be if the proposal were to be spread over three years? It would cost approximately $800,000 per year. Can sinking fund dollars be used to cover the technology costs? The sinking fund millage would have to be taken back to voters and it would need to specify technology in the ballot language. The current sinking fund is not due to expire until 2022. Video surveillance systems have not been included in the purchasing plan; the cost would be addition to it. What about a technology millage? A technology millage has not been attempted by any district in the area. Why a six-year plan? The proposed plan was spread over six years to keep the annual costs to around $200,000. What about a technology bond? Current law would need to be explored to see if a technology bond is possible. Sustainability for the district is ongoing; there will be more equipment failures. The speed at which technology changes will always drive the need to change at the minimum every three years to keep on top of it; and the plan could become obsolete because of the fast pace that changes occur.
April 24, 2017 Board Minutes Page 4 of 5 Technology replacement and equipment needs are things the MTA Conference Committee has been asking for. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES, EXPENDITURES AND PERSONNEL Items included on the consent agenda were minutes of the March 27, 2017 business session; March disbursements in the amount of $2,912,275.05; and the employments of Victoria Owens as bus driver and Jennifer Uldriks as LRE aide at Walters Elementary. Moved by McComb, supported by Lindsey, that the Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda Minutes and Personnel as presented. A roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously. APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEMS FINANCIAL PURCHASE ONE OFF-LEASE REGULAR EDUCATION SCHOOL BUS: Approve the purchase of on off-lease regular education school bus at a cost of $55,260. LEASE ONE BUS FOR TRANSPORTING MICHIGAN YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY (MYCA) STUDENTS: Approve leasing one bus for transporting MYCA students from Midwest Transit at a cost of $14,995 per year for two years. AWARD BIDS FOR LAWN MOWING SERVICES: Award bids for lawn mowing services totaling $69,316.74. Moved by Lindsey, supported by Seifert, that the Board of Education approve Action Items Financial as recommended. A roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously. APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEM CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION CURRICULUM UPDATE: Approve Advanced Placement World History Curriculum to be offered beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. The curriculum has been available for the public to review since the Boards first read of it at its March 27, 2017 business session. Moved by Lindsey, supported by Seifert, that the Board of Education approve Action Item Curriculum and Instruction as presented. A roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously. PUBLIC COMMENTS President DeSmet called for any members of the audience to address the Board there were none. A woman from the audience announced that the next class of Build Albion Fellows would be recognized by Albion College April 27 at 6:00 P.M. at Baldwin Hall. She indicated that seven students from Marshall High School would be inducted. Cynthia Stanczak, Albion District Library Director, shared a list of activities scheduled at the library that included Family Literacy Night: Color Your World (ages 2-6), Reading to a Dog certified therapy dogs Jax and Nero are available to be read to, Death by
April 24, 2017 Board Minutes Page 5 of 5 Chocolate event for adults and teens, wind chime making and computer class drop in help. She spoke to the issue of technology echoing that the library struggles to keep technology up to date as well. Kevin Metz (Albion) provided a reminder and pointed out he is frustrated. He reminded the Board a year ago the district committed to offering equity across all elementary schools in the district. While he realizes it takes time to achieve change he shared that his daughter is very much aware of the inequity. He does not know what is planned to help this. Superintendent Davis asked Mr. Metz to meet with him to discuss his concerns. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS FOR WHICH NO ACTION MAY BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING Superintendent Davis shared his enthusiasm for the outstanding performance of the Redhawk Players in Les Miserables over the weekend. He commended them for their performance and he is excited for direction the theatre program is moving in at Marshall High School. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m. ADJOURNMENT KIMBERLY VANWORMER, RECORDING SECRETARY CHRIS MCCOMB, ACTING SECRETARY