Meeting Minutes August 20, 2012
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Monday, August 20, 2012
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by President, Terry Hutchinson. Present: Terry
Hutchinson, Rod Cole, Jane Finnerty, Denise McBride, Kari Rojas, Bob Pasch, Frank Fox.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Denise Mcbride read the board goal to increase student achievement.
Motion by Rod Cole, seconded by Denise McBride to approve the agenda with the addition of
New Business B. Staff Resignation. Motion carried 7/0.
Terry Hutchinson recognized the following guests: Amy & Ron Schafer, Mark Hoogerhyde, Karen
Rau and Jason Johnston.
Motion by Denise McBride, seconded by Jane Finnerty to approve the meeting minutes of July
16, 2012 as presented. Motion carried 7/0.
Bill Chilman reported that he has forwarded numerous equity caucus newsletters to the board
members and Terry Hutchinson reported that he received a District Administration magazine.
Denise McBride reported for the District School Improvement team. They met before tonight’s
board meeting. They had two new members: Mark Hoogerhyde and Jason Johnston. They discussed
school budget, retirement reform, the senior exit interview process, new dual enrollment laws, how to
increase participation in school clubs & organizations, 0 hour issues, cursive writing mandate, K-12 test
prep, school camp, more writing in the curriculum, and how to reach out to Beal City Alumni. They also
discussed 7th grade orientation. St. Joe’s cafeteria orientation will take place at 7th grade orientation,
and student handbooks will be distributed at 7th grade orientation. The remaining student population
can access the handbook on the website.
Jerry Ward reported that he plans to have a good size group to start in the Fall. He anticipates
receiving a few students from the Mt. Pleasant program 2nd semester due to the changes they have
made to their alternative education program. Jerry will be looking for a new math teacher due to Carrie
House’s resignation.
Aarron Butkovich reported athletics is up and running. Both Volleyball and Football had
competitions last week. The football score board is not working properly. John has someone coming
tomorrow to look at it so it can be ready for the first home game. Aarron will be serving as Highland
Conference president this year. The highland conference will be expanding this year to include the arts.
During the Fall season we will be including the band in the Marion football game and in the winter we
will be showcasing art work during a girls basketball game. This is something the highland conference
hopes to expand on and we are participating in a trial run this year.
Joe reported the he is wrapping up summer projects. The wireless network is out privately, the
custodians have been testing it, and we will be ready to provide public access when school starts. The
state is piloting the Social Studies portion of the MEAP test online this year. Joe tested it today and he
thinks it should be easy for the students to understand and use. The powerschool conversion to the
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Meeting Minutes August 20, 2012
new school year went very well. Joe is still very happy with the powerschool program. Over ½ of our
staff has been using google apps over the summer. The 1st two days of professional development will
have a strong focus on technology training.
Jason Wolf reported that enrollment at the elementary level is steadily increasing on a daily
basis. He currently projects 340 students K-6. Last year the K-6 enrollment was 312. The elementary
and PTA will be hosting an open house and back to school picnic on August 30th from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
The PTA will be providing a meal for a small fee which includes membership in the PTA. This would be a
good opportunity for board members to meet many of the new families we have attending school this
year.
Julie Freeze reported on the retirement reform that has passed the legislature and is on the way
to the governor for signature. The reform should be good news for the district as the retirement rate
will now be capped at 24.46%. However, Julie cautioned that that maximum rate could be changed by
future legislation and if the contributions from the districts and Michigan school employees is not
enough to fund the retirement system, the State will have to fill in that hole. That means less $’s to
distribute to other places such as the foundation allowance. The retirement system will be offering
options to all current employees on how they want to proceed with their pension benefits and their
retirement health benefits. Every employee will need to make those decisions individually after
considering how many years they have in the system and how close they are to retirement, etc. We will
be seeking outside assistance to help staff determine which option is best for them.
Jeff Jackson apologized to those parents with students who have a 0 hour for the lack of
communication on the issue. We will have 3 new exchange students this school year. Two come from
Germany, and one is from Spain. We also have a Korean exchange student returning from last year.
Jeff has been working with other administrators in the high conference to facilitate the art exchanges
that Aarron mentioned earlier that will be taking place this school year. The current enrollment at the
high school 7-12 is 342 students. Jeff congratulated the Students, Staff, Parents and Community on
receiving recognition in U.S News & World report two years in a row.
Marci Faber reported on the new regulations concerning calorie counts and how the regulations
are making it very difficult to prepare a menu for this school year. Marci will be attending a conference
tomorrow put on by the State and hopes to get some answers about the new regulations. At one point
she was afraid that we may have to discontinue the salad bar, but as she learns more about the
regulations she is hopeful that we will be able to continue offering the salad bar.
John Graham reported that the first transportation meeting with the drivers took place this
morning. The new bus will be here next Monday. He has a new sub bus driver this year who will be
taking his test on Aug. 28th. Paul Stickler will no longer be subbing for us. John Haupt and Glen Smith
will be returning as substitute bus drivers. There have been a number of maintenance issues this
summer. The new drain field tank is on order. John hopes to have it here and installed before school
starts. The track will need to be recoated and painted next Summer. The custodians have done a great
job of getting the building ready to go.
Bill Chilman thanked the administrative team for their work this Summer and referenced work
that has been completed by the admin team as they prepare for the new school year. The back to
school professional development breakfast and lunch for the staff will be sponsored by various vendors
this year. Bill discussed the staffing situation at the elementary level and went over a chart with student
numbers illustrating the need to increase our elementary staff by two teachers. We will be posting the
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two new teaching positions, as well as a vacated position tomorrow and are working with the union to
expedite the posting process.
Julie Freeze read the Financial Report.
Motion by Frank Fox, seconded by Rod Cole to approve the General Fund payments of
$275,350.41, Capital Projects/General Fund payments of $8,914.15, Athletic Fund payments of
$2,156.09. Motion carried 7/0.
Bill gave an update on the school board member election. Bill announced that Frank Fox will not
be running for school board member. Kari Rojas, Jane Finnerty, and Denise McBride will be running
again. Ron Neyer will be running for the seat vacated by Frank Fox.
Bill reported that the Beal City Area Foundation advisory board will be meeting on Sept. 5th to
finalize the 2012 Fall tailgate party. The Foundation is planning a Fall concert, featuring Foolish Dreams,
after a football game in the Fall of 2013. Denise McBride will have a table set up at the elementary open
house and then again at parent/teacher conference to help promote the foundation and increase
awareness of the foundation’s existence and mission. Bill also mentioned the Drive One Ford event that
will be taking place next Thursday before the Clare football game.
Motion by Frank Fox, seconded by Denise McBride to accept the coaching
recommendations as presented. Motion carried 7/0.
Motion by Frank Fox, seconded by Rod Cole to accept the resignation of Carrie House.
Motion carried 7/0.
Motion by Bob Pasch, seconded by Denise McBride to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Motion carried 7/0.
Recording Secretary
Julie Freeze
________________________
Terry Hutchinson, President
_______________________
Denise McBride, Secretary
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