March 26, 2018 Board Minutes Page 1 of 5 MINUTES OF THE COMBINED WORK/BUSINESS SESSION OF THE MARSHALL BOARD OF EDUCATION HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018 AT 7:00 PM, IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ROOM PRESENT: DESMET, LINDSEY, CAMPAU, SEIFERT, NICHOLSON, WILLIAMS, DAVIS, JONES ABSENT: MIDDLETON The meeting was called to order by President DeSmet. The pledge of allegiance was led by Trustee Williams. CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Moved by Lindsey, supported by Campau, that the agenda be approved as presented. A roll-call vote unanimously carried the motion. PUBLIC COMMENT President DeSmet called for any members of the audience to address the Board on agenda items only. There were none. ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP: Superintendent Davis indicated the scheduled Kindergarten Round Up highlight was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. He added it would be presented at a later time. MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL S (MHS) RED HOT CHILI BOTS: Superintendent Davis introduced Robotics Coach Steve Seifert to present an academic highlight. Mr. Seifert was joined by MHS Robotic Club Members to present. He shared that after six years of having the program the team succeeded in receiving its first blue banner. Team members introduced themselves and shared the positions they have held on the team. A Youtube animation clip was played; it demonstrated how team members would compete to earn points. They shared plans for 2019 of restructuring the team as well as thoughts for feature projects. APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA MINUTES, EXPENDITURES AND PERSONNEL Items included on the consent agenda were minutes of the February 12, 2018 executive/closed session, February 26, 2018 business and executive/closed sessions and March 5, 2018 special session and executive/closed sessions; February disbursements in the amount of $2,242,756.19; employment of Mary Davis as media center/library aide at MHS, Carrie Fogel as bus driver, Ariel Osterhouse as special education teacher for Hughes and Walters Elementary Schools and David Ward as technology specialist; and a School of Choice Resolution for 2018-2019.
March 26, 2018 Board Minutes Page 2 of 5 Moved by Lindsey, supported by Campau, that the Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda Minutes, Expenditures, and Personnel as presented. A roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Superintendent Davis presented to the Board for employment the new hires; he shared their educational background information. CALHOUN AREA SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ASSOCIATION (CASBMA) ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY: Superintendent Davis indicated CASBMA will recognize the following individuals at its award ceremony on April 25, 2018: Annette Campau - 10-Year Service Award Tony Warren - Professional Award Blaine VanSickle (posthumously) - Citizen Award Loraine Mahar (posthumously) - Special Commendation EAGLE SCOUT RECOGNITION: Superintendent Davis presented Joshua Stanley Kilbourn with a letter of congratulations and a certificate of achievement recognizing him for having earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Kilborun explained briefly what his community project entailed that helped him achieved his Eagle Scout designation. ADMINISTRATOR CONTRACTS: Superintendent Davis reported that he completed performance evaluations for administrators. There is one current administrative position posted with seven internal candidates expressing interest in it. He added that Linda Bennink is currently providing leadership at Gordon Elementary School. 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. Secretary Campau asked for clarification about roof repairs at MHS and if kindergarten placement testing was occurring in Albion. Facilities Director Brad Shedd reported that roof repairs at MHS were still under warranty and that flashing issues have been addressed where the glue failed as well as he is working on the smoke vents in the auditorium as one set does not fit correctly and leaks occur when there is heavy rain. Superintendent Davis indicated that kindergarten placement testing would be held in Albion. Ms. Bennink added that students are being tested while parents complete enrollment paperwork and learn what to expect.
March 26, 2018 Board Minutes Page 3 of 5 Superintendent Davis shared the district is preparing for M-STEP testing that will take place after spring break. He added that according to the State of Michigan students cannot opt out of testing. DISCUSSION ITEMS BID REQUESTS: Director of Business Operations Becky Jones informed the Board that the district was seeking bids for lawn care. Mr. Shedd is putting together a request for proposal (RFP). She added that anyone who wants to may submit a bid and that pricing will drive whether the district will go with one or more contractors for services. REVIEW OF EXISTING BONDS: Ms. Jones provided an overview of the district s existing bonds. She indicated that because property growth has decreased the return on the bonds has decreased as they were projected based on a 1% growth in property values. Superintendent Davis indicated that if there is no growth in property values it will be hard for the district to maintain its payment schedule and assessed tax rate for the capital improvement bonds. Vice President Lindsey asked if refinancing helped the district to minimize the loss to which Ms. Jones said it did however the district does not have a lot of cash to maintain itself; percentages will increase unless property values go up. APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEM CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION STEM CLASS FOR MARSHALL OPPORTUNITY HIGH SCHOOL (MOHS): Approve STEM Class for students at MOHS. Moved by Seifert, supported by Williams, that the Board of Education approve Action Item Curriculum and Instruction as recommended. A roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously. APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEMS A & B FINANCIAL ELECTION RESOLUTION AND SETTING BALLOT LANGUAGE Action Item A: Approve a resolution calling for a special election and setting ballot language that will offer Proposal 1 that asks school district voters to renew the 18 mills for the operation of the school district for a period of 10 years, 2019 to 2028. Moved by Lindsey, supported by Campau, that the Board of Education approve Action Item A Financial as recommended. A roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously. PURCHASE TWO OFF-LEASE REGULAR EDUCATION SCHOOL BUS AND LEASE TWO BUSES FOR TRANSPORTING MICHIGAN YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY (MYCA) STUDENTS Action Item B: Approve the purchase of two off-lease regular education school bus at a cost of $48,274 each and lease two buses for transporting MYCA students from Midwest Transit at a cost of $14,995 per bus per year for two years. Moved by Lindsey, supported by Campau, that the Board of Education approve Action Item B Financial as recommended. A roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously.
March 26, 2018 Board Minutes Page 4 of 5 APPROVAL OF ACTION ITEM PERSONNEL ACCEPT SUPERINTENDENT S PERFORMANCE EVALUATION RESULTS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE OVERALL AND EXTEND CONTRACT: Based on the results of the annual evaluation and the superintendent being found highly effective an extension of his contract of one year through June 30, 2022 was presented. Any changes to the superintendent s compensation package/contract will be considered at a later time. Moved by Lindsey, supported by Seifert, that the Board of Education approve Action Item Personnel as recommended. A roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously. BOARD PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STUDENT ENGAGEMENT: Superintendent Davis shared the three primary focuses for the district s shared vision this year and rolling into next year as well: 1) student engagement, 2) positive professional relationships with students and with students and each other, and 3) student ownership of the work they do. It is especially important to discuss because of the recent incident where the district had a staff member arrested for allegations of misconduct with a student. He reviewed relevant Board Policies and made recommendations for a couple additions that he wants included in Administrative Guideline 3213 Liability of Staff for Student Welfare in regards to the way we take care of student welfare. He expanded on each of the primary focuses; defining what each represents. Superintendent Davis recently met with a group of middle school students that asked to speak with him; they had a good discussion about student engagement. They expressed their peers are not feeling connected. He suggested having a fish bowl that would include 8-9 students along with teachers and the principal that he would facilitate; it would be videoed, edited and then shared a message that can be viewed by all students and teachers. He reported the district s policy provider NEOLA is recommending new changes that will update policies related to student engagement. Board members asked questions and responses were shared about mindfulness and sharing observations that included: reporting adult/student relationships that become casual; cautioning one-on-one student adult meetings or when transporting; established patterns between an adult and student that is ongoing; and parents/guardians reporting observations that do not fit. PUBLIC COMMENT President DeSmet called for any members of the audience to address the Board. Vice President Lindsey shared that he was contacted by a couple of people in Albion about a postcard that was sent by Concord Community Schools; while his not advocating to do so he wondered if MPS was going to send any. Superintendent Davis responded that a few schools surrounding MPS are sending postcards. He has asked contiguous districts to work with him and not come into the
March 26, 2018 Board Minutes Page 5 of 5 MPS district to pick up student and he indicated only one district is honoring his request. He added that MPS is looking at a marketing plan. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS FOR WHICH NO ACTION MAY BE TAKEN AT THIS MEETING President DeSmet called for any board members for comment; there were none. EXECUTIVE SESSION Moved by Lindsey, supported by Campau, that the Board move into executive session in the superintendent s office under Section 8 (h) of the Open Meetings Act to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure. A roll-call vote carried the motion unanimously. The Board entered into closed session at 8:16 p.m. The Board returned to open session at 9:21 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION ADJOURNMENT ANNETTE CAMPAU, SECRETARY KIMBERLY VANWORMER, RECORDING SECRETARY