Negaunee Public Schools

July 20, 2009

 

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, Negaunee Public Schools, City of Negaunee, County of Marquette, and State of Michigan, held on July 20, 2009, at the Negaunee High School Library.

 

Members Present: Fae Collins, Dan Hintsala, Virginia Paulson, Cheryl Radloff, Dave Rice and Martin Saari

Members Absent:      Martin Renaldi   

 

Administrators Present:

James Derocher, Superintendent

Bob Bonetti, Principal, Negaunee High School

Dan Skewis, Principal, Negaunee Middle School

Mary Kay Johnson, Administrative Aide for Finance

Julie Dompierre, Recording Secretary

 

115.     The regular board meeting was called to order by President Dave Rice at 7:00 p.m.

           

116.     A quorum of the board was established.

 

117.     Motion by V. Paulson, supported by M. Saari, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 6-0.

 

118.     Public Comment:

 

            Gail Beauchamp, Stacey Bossert, Elizabeth Collins, Rachel Lambertson, Dawn Schuhknecht, and Bonitia Symons addressed the Board with concerns they have with             four sections of 5^th grade being offered and the number of children in each section.

 

119.     Motion by F. Collins, supported by D. Hintsala, to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting held on June 20, 2009, with the following revision to Agenda Item 114. Adjournment – President Rice adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Motion carried 6-0.

 

120.     Motion by M. Saari, supported by F. Collins, to approve the consent items as presented. Motion carried 6-0.

 

121.     Payment of Bills and Financial Reports:

 

            A. Motion by C. Radloff, supported by F. Collins, to approve payment of bills totaling

            $812,763.45. Motion carried 6-0.

 

B. Received the Financial report from the Administrative Aide for Finance, Mary Kay

            Johnson.

 

122.     A written report was received from the Community Education Director. Oral reports were received from Bob Bonetti, High School Principal, Dan Skewis, Middle School Principal, and James Derocher, Superintendent.

 

123.     Correspondence - None

 

124.     Old Business:

 

A.        Motion by D. Hintsala, supported by F. Collins, to adopt the following Board Policy changes: 2623, 3430.01, 4120, 4430.01, 5460, 6144, 7217, 7540.05, 8310, 8330, and 8470. Motion carried 6-0.

 

125.     New Business:

 

A.        Superintendent Derocher shared with the Board a letter he had received from our auditing firm, Anderson, Tachman & Company, P.L.C.concerning recent changes in the auditing laws. The letter was acknowledged by the Board, signed by President Rice, and was mailed back to the firm per their request.

           

B.         Motion by V. Paulson, supported by M. Saari, to enter into a contract with MARESA for Special Education Services for the 2009-10 school year. Motion carried 6-0.

 

C.         Motion by C. Radloff, supported by V. Paulson, to approve a change in the Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative to allow for the purchase of diesel fuel. Motion carried 6-0.

D.        Motion by F. Collins, supported by D. Hintsala, to approve the continued membership in the School Equity Caucus for the 2009-10 school year in the amount of $900. Motion carried 6-0.

 

E.         Motion by C. Radloff, supported by M. Saari, to approve the continued membership in the MASB and MASB Legal Trust Fund for the 2009-10 school year in the amount of $3,313. Motion carried 6-0.                           

 

F.         Motion by F. Collins, supported by V. Paulson, to accept the Letter of Understanding with the Negaunee Education Association concerning the Third Party Administrator of the Negaunee Public Schools’ 403(b) Retirement Plan. Motion carried 6-0.

 

G.        Motion by V. Paulson, supported by C. Radloff, to hire Jeremy Connin as the instrumental music teacher. Motion carried 6-0.

 

H.        Superintendent Derocher informed the Board that he had received a letter of resignation from Steve Anderson, softball coach. Superintendent Derocher sent a letter of             appreciation. No action necessary.

 

I.          Motion by D. Hintsala, supported by M. Saari, to move into closed session, at

            7:43 p.m., at the request of a student. Roll call vote 6 ayes – 0 nays. Motion carried.

 

            President Rice moved the Board back into open session at 8:44 p.m.

 

            Motion by F. Collins, supported by D. Hintsala, to deny the appeal of an athletic suspension for violation of the athletic code. Motion carried 6-0.

 

            J.    Stu Skauge, MEA Uniserve Director, passed out a packet of material to the Board. Mr. Skauge discussed the packet and the grievance filed by Dennis                       Dompierre, a bus driver. Members of the Board asked various question to both Mr. Skauge and Mr. Dompierre.

 

                  Motion by M. Saari, supported by V. Paulson, to deny the grievance filed by Mr. Dompierre. Motion carried 6-0.                                 

 

126.     Public Comment:

 

            Various members of the public again stated their concerns over class sizes.

            President Rice then stated that the Board would review the budget. At this point Mr. Steve DesJardins, an Economic Professor, at the University of Michigan volunteered his services, to the District.

 

127.     Other Business - None

 

128.     President Rice adjourned the meeting at 9:57 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_______________________________          ________________________________

Dave Rice, President                                Fae Collins, Secretary