HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL
SBDM COUNCIL MINUTES
OCTOBER 22, 2013
4PM
1. OPENING BUSINESS
a. Call to Order:
Mr. Goetz called the meeting to order at 4:03pm.
b. Members Present:
Mark Goetz, Kevin Nieporte, Patty Ohntrup, Melissa
Trimbach, Sandra Morrison, Kristan Vennefron
c. Guests: Sheilah Bashford (to fulfill Student Teacher observation hours)
d. October Agenda Approved: Mr. Goetz asked that the Agenda be amended to add
under New Business: Non-Academic Issue for Discussion Only: HMS Girls playing
HHS Sports. A motion was made by Melissa Trimbach and seconded by Kevin
Nieporte and the Agenda was approved with addition.
e. September 24, 2013 Minutes: A motion was made by Kristan Vennefron and
seconded by Melissa Trimbach and the September 24, 2013 minutes were approved
as read.
f. Good News Reports:
 Mr. Goetz distributed copies of the 2012-2013 HMS Brags and Bravos to
members. This summarizes the Good News of 2012-2013.
 Mr. Goetz reported that the HMS Open House on September 26th was
attended by a majority of our parents and was a tremendous success. It was
agreed that scheduling this in the early part of the school year was very
beneficial. PTSO generously provided bottled water and snacks. A magnet
listing HMS telephone/fax/attendance hotline numbers was given to all
parents in attendance.
 Student Council is off to a busy start; Mr. Rafferty is the new sponsor and
meetings are scheduled twice a week. Important projects are under way.
 PTSO Fundraiser: Mr. Goetz complimented Kathleen Groeschen and the
HMS PTSO for their outstanding work organizing the HMS PTSO Fundraiser.
Kristan Vennefron, PTSO Treasurer, reported that sales were approximately
$33,000.00.
 Parent/Teacher Conferences were held on October 10th from 3:30 to 9pm.
Mr. Goetz thanked teachers and staff for this evening of positive
communication with our parents.
 Mr. Goetz congratulated Griffin Huber, Davis Recht, and Jackson Recht for
being recognized with the highest accolade at YMCA Camp Ernst this
summer: Honor Camper. This award is given to campers who display
outstanding character qualities; only 2 percent of the nearly 3,000 campers
are chosen for this award.


Mr. Goetz thanked Debbie Hamel, HMS teacher, for her outstanding job
organizing HMS students and staff in our Walk and Roll to School on October
9th as part of the National Walk to School Day.
Special Student Recognition/Rewards t-shirts: Mr. Goetz reported that tshirts were given to each Team Leader to have available for presentation to
students who display exceptional individual effort.
g. Public Comments: No public comments.
2. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
a. K-PREP Data Review: At the time of the September 24, 2013 meeting, K-PREP
scores were embargoed and discussed in closed session. Mr. Goetz distributed the
report and Council reviewed and discussed.
3. PLANNING
a. CSIP: Council reviewed the Tentative Timeline for Comprehensive School/District
Improvement Planning. After discussion, a motion was made by Patty Ohntrup and
seconded by Melissa Trimbach for Mr. Goetz to prepare a draft to present to Council
in December. Motion carried.
4. BUDGET REPORT
a. 2013-2014 Budget: Reviewed
b. Monthly Report: After review, a motion was made by Kristan Vennefron and
seconded by Patty Ohntrup and the Monthly Report was approved.
5. COMMITTEE REPORT
a. Committee Policy Changes – Second Reading: After review and discussion, a
motion was made by Sandra Morrison and seconded by Melissa Trimbach and the
Committee Policy Changes – Second Reading was approved.
Ad Hoc Committee Request: Mr. Goetz reported that he received a request from
Lisa Birkley, HMS Teacher and STLP Club Sponsor, for an Ad Hoc Committee to assess
HMS technology needs. A motion was made by Sandra Morrison and seconded by
Melissa Trimbach and Council agreed to permit Lisa Birkley to chair an Ad Hoc
Technology Committee. This committee may only assess the technology needs of
HMS and report to Council. It may not take any action; any action would need
Council pre-approval.
6. REVIEW
a. Emergency Plan Policy – Second Reading: After review and discussion, a motion
was made by Patty Ohntrup and seconded by Kristan Vennefron and the Emergency
Plan Policy was approved. Mr. Goetz reminded Council that this may be amended if
needed.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Non-Academic Issue – Discussion Only: Council discussed the benefits of girls
playing volleyball and basketball for HMS, not HHS. No action; discussion only.
8. ON-GOING LEARNING
a. Consensus: Council reviewed and discussed By-Laws XI Decision Making, C.
Consensus.
9. SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING
After discussion, it was decided to cancel the regularly scheduled meetings of November
26, 2013 and December 24, 2013, and instead combine the meetings on December 10,
2013 at 4pm. Motion was made by Kevin Nieporte and seconded by Melissa Trimbach;
motion carried.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made by Kristan Vennefron and
seconded by Melissa Trimbach and the meeting was adjourned at 5:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Shelley Kappesser