May 2015 Board Packet
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1 BRIEFING SESSION Board May 13, 2015 7:00 P.M. Report ACTION MEETING May 20, 2015 7:00 P.M. Board of Education Ruth Ann Knapp, Treasurer Tamara D. McRae, Secretary Herbert J. Herd, Trustee Barbara S. Kopka, Trustee Rudy Patterson, Trustee Alexis S. Thomas, Trustee Mattie L. Thompson, Trustee Kelley A. Peatross, Ph. D. Interim Superintendent 2 School District of the City of Saginaw COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BRIEFING SESSION May 13, 2015 7:00 P.M. Board Room – Administration Building AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS A. Saginaw Valley League Scholar Athletes B. Saginaw Valley League Teachers of the Year B. Saginaw Valley League Coach of the Year C. Saginaw News Dream Team – SPSD Students D. Arthur Hill High School’s Boys Basketball Team IV. OVERVIEW OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION MEETING V. ITEM(S) FOR DISCUSSION ONLY A. SISD Board Election Candidate B. Public Libraries Board Appointment VI. STANDING BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS (Optional) A. Buildings and Grounds – Alexis Thomas B. Community Relations – Rudy Patterson C. Finance – Ruth Ann Knapp D. Human Resources – Herbert Herd E. Liaison – Tamara McRae F. Policy and Curriculum – Mattie Thompson VII. COMMENTS AND STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (limited to 3 minutes) VIII. COMMENTS FROM THE UNION(S) IX. COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS X. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT ACTION MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: (May 20, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.) XI. ADJOURNMENT 3 School District of the City of Saginaw ACTION MEETING May 20, 2015 7:00 P.M. Board Room – Administration Building AGENDA I. CALL TO ORDER II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. ROLL CALL IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of the April 8, 2015 Briefing Session; the April 15, 2015 Action Meeting; and the April 22, 2015 Special Meeting V. SPECIAL REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS (limited to 20 minutes) A. Saginaw County Art Show Exhibit Winners B. National Merit Scholarship Program Recognition C. Scholastic Art and Writing Competition D. Saginaw Career Complex – SoniCare Cane E. Saginaw Career Complex –Washing Machine VI. COMMENTS AND STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (limited to 5 minutes) VII. COMMENTS FROM THE UNION(S) VIII. TREASURER’S REPORT A. Financial Reports B. Report of Claims IX. REPORTS FROM THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT A. Information Items School Recognitions B. Administrative Recommendations Interim Superintendent Report X. STANDING BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Buildings and Grounds – Alexis Thomas B. Community Relations – Rudy Patterson C. Finance – Ruth Ann Knapp D. Human Resources – Herbert Herd E. Liaison – Tamara McRae F. Policy and Curriculum – Mattie Thompson XI. OLD BUSINESS A. Legal Opinion/Presidency B. SISD Board Election Candidate C. Public Libraries Board Appointment XII. NEW BUSINESS A. Authorization for Board Participation in Workshop / Conference XIII. COMMUNICATIONS/RESOLUTIONS XIV. COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS XV. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT MEETING(S) OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: (Briefing Session - June 10, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.) (Action Meeting - June 17, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.) XVI. ADJOURNMENT 4 BRIEFING SESSION BOARD OF EDUCATION SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF SAGINAW April 8, 2015 I. Roll Call Briefing Session of the Board of Education, School District of the City of Saginaw, held Wednesday, April 8, 2015 in the Office of the Board, Administration Building. The purpose of the meeting was to brief the Board on the items coming before them at the April 15, 2015 Action Meeting. Meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. Vice President Thomas in the Chair. Members Present: Ms. Knapp, Mrs. Kopka, Ms. McRae, Mr. Patterson, Mrs. Thompson, Vice President Thomas Members Absent: Mr. Herd (Note: Mr. Herd was not present for Roll Call, but did arrive shortly thereafter at 7:09 p.m.) II. Special Presentations A. Saginaw Promise Zone Ms. Deborah Sanchez, Director of Saginaw Promise, provided a PowerPoint presentation to the Board. Handouts included a copy of the PowerPoint presentation, Saginaw Promise Student and Parent Guide. Highlights of her presentation included: . Saginaw Promise Zone Authority, Board of Directors for 2015 . Recognized Promise Programs - both in and out of Michigan . Governing of Promise Zone . Impact with regard to the State Education Tax . Positive Economic Impact . Economic Growth . Higher Graduation Rates; Lower Drop-Out Rates . Increase in college applications and acceptances . The Saginaw Community Foundation is the fiduciary for Saginaw Promise and therefore, contributions are tax deductible. Ms. Sanchez thanked Dr. Peatross for her willingness to be an active member and involved with the various committees in the partnership between Saginaw Promise and Saginaw Public Schools. 5 Ms. Sanchez provided an invitation to both Board members and Dr. Peatross to “The Power of the Promise” luncheon to be held on Tuesday, April 28, at the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Note: Ms. Sanchez did not have an invitation for Mr. Herd at today’s Briefing. She will drop off an invitation at the Board Office for him in the near future.) Mr. Wallace Davis, a Saginaw Public School District Alumnus and entrepreneur, who found success in business, as both an owner and manager in the fields of Aerospace, Automotive, Agriculture and Water Well, Renewable Energy and general manufacturing will serve as keynote speaker. His education started in Saginaw at Potter Elementary, Arthur Eddy and Saginaw High School. Proceeds from this event will help fund scholarships for the class of 2015. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased at saginawfoundation.thankyou4caring.org/promise. III. Overview of Action Meeting Recommendations A. Meeting Minutes (February 18, 2015 – Action Meeting) These minutes were not approved at the March Action Meeting, therefore they will be brought forth at the April 15, 2015 Action Meeting. On Page 20 in the third paragraph of the minutes, Mr. Patterson asked that the word “game” be added in the second to the last sentence (following the word basketball). A question had been asked whether “answers to questions” would be considered part of the minutes. Dr. Peatross explained that since the answers to the questions posed at the regular Board meeting were answered following the meeting, they would not become a part of the minutes; they would not be included as part of the official record. Correspondence from MASB regarding what is required in minutes that are taken was placed in Board members mailboxes. It was suggested that if the minutes that are taken are not acceptable to the Board as a group, then the Board may wish to consider including a Bylaw or policy indicating what they want, to avoid continuous dialogue at the table. Mr. Patterson stated there were two or three words he had asked to be included in the minutes, one of which was the word, “attorneys,” the “Administration’s attorney, Mr. Humphreys.” He further stated that when the minutes have corrections from the Board, the language should be noted as italicized or in red text so they are readily identifiable. This had been past practice, but over time had ceased. Dr. Peatross explained that if the request was stated in the minutes and recorded where it identifies Mr. Patterson making that request, then the 6 language would be confirmed and reflected in the minutes. Dr. Peatross will review the tape of the meeting in question. Ms. Knapp stressed the importance of using the Board Operating Procedures manual that outlines how and when the Board acts on certain issues as they arise in the District. This manual provides a calendar of monthly due dates when the Board expects to receive specific information, such as Summer School, Financials, etc. This manual would benefit all Board members currently in place as well as anyone who may wish to apply for a position on the Board. She offered to help facilitate this process. Mrs. Thompson asked that Mr. Humprheys name be added to the minutes, if it hasn’t yet been added. Mr. Patterson explained that there were at least three corrections the Board had asked to be changed in the minutes. The mentioned changes were not contained in one set of minutes, but in multiple sets of minutes. Ms. Knapp made note that in the “blue book,” she has not had a chance to read the information contained to determine if the requested changes have been made. B. Recommendation for Expulsion (Ref. #1-2014-15) Dr. Peatross informed the Board that at last night’s Policy and Curriculum meeting, the Board had asked if Administration was in attendance at a recent student hearing. She explained that the student did not show up for the hearing. Administration asked Chief O’Neal for information on this hearing and Dr. Peatross included the information in her weekly report to the Board. Dr. Peatross offered to make printed copies of this information for the Board. This item will come before the Board at the next Action meeting. If the Board needs further information, they were asked to contact Dr. Peatross before the end of the week. Ms. Knapp mentioned it would be helpful to the Board to indicate “the following information was provided to you in my weekly update (insert date). Mr. Patterson stated the student suspension was sent back to the Policy and Curriculum Committee. He questioned why it wasn’t discussed at the committee level (at last night’s Policy and Curriculum meeting) for possible recommendation? Dr. Peatross explained that there was discussion at the table at last night’s Policy and Curriculum meeting. She further stated that if Board members have additional questions regarding a specific topic, it is imperative that Board members ask questions before it is being presented so we are better 7 prepared to answer their questions. In order for us to do our jobs, it is critical that individuals that sit at this table provide Administration with information in enough time to be able to present the information to all Board members for review so the Board can ask questions based on the information provided instead of at the last minute.