Last night was the public forum for the Ad-Hoc Committee on Grade Configuration. By most estimations about 100 individuals attended the event at Glacial Drumlin. Mr. Gerlach conducted an overview of the slide show presentation and then moderated a Q & A session. The slide show and details about the committees work can be found at:
http://www.mononagrove.org/4k8grade.cfm
There were many questions centered around open enrollment, T4K program questions, modular unit options and consolidation of Maywood and Winnequah. Comments were both for and against many of the solutions presented from the committee. Many individuals questioned the economics of bussing in this economy.
The one theme that I could sense from the night is that everyone would like to see a sound and just decision made that can work both short-term and long enough to not be revisiting this issue every year or two. As a committee member I really cannot agree more. This issue needs to be put to bed, so that the district and the board can move onto more pressing issues.
Please continue to send comments to the committee thru the district website until this Friday, the 22nd. Also, send all comments to the board as they will take this issue up at the next meeting in June.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Reorganization Meeting
Last Wednesday the school board held our reorganization meeting as part of our normal monthly meeting. It made for a long night, but we got thru it. The results were as follows:
President - Nominated by board vote were Susan Fox, Susan Manning and Peter Sobel. Ms. Manning declined to be included on the ballot. Ms. Fox defeated Mr. Sobel by a 4-3 vote.
Vice-President - Nominated by board vote were Susan Manning, Jason McCutchin, Lionel Norton and Peter Sobel. Ms. Manning declined to be included on the ballot. Mr. Sobel won on a 5-2 vote.
Treasurer - Nominated by board vote were Jill List, Susan Manning, Jason McCutchin, Peter Sobel. Mr. Sobel stated if elected Treasurer he would resign as Vice-President. Ms. Manning won with 4 votes.
Clerk - Nominated by board vote were Jill List and Lionel Norton. Mr. Norton won on a 4-3 vote.
After this reorganization the board got down to normal business. Mr. Gerlach indicated that he had a meeting with Kid's Safari regarding the district and the decision not to provide transportation to Kid's Safari for the upcoming school year. Mr. Gerlach stated that they will be working on this issue and provide an update at a later date.
Mr. Gerlach stated that the Ad-Hoc Committee would be holding a public presentation on Sunday the 17th. Mr. Gerlach further provided an update on the budget, but prefaced his comments by stating "that things are changing daily at the Capital". Therefore, we are still facing a budget deficit in excess of $650k and it may creep closer to $800k depending on the final State Budget.
Next the board heard from the Curriculum Committee regarding the potential purchase of English materials for grades 6-8. The final amount of $105,838 was approximately $25k more than presented to the Curriculum Committee on 4/15. This increase was due to a change in the final materials ordered to add additional web based programming and more texts. The motion to approve this adoption passed.
The Personnel & Policy Committee gave a brief update on their bullying/harassment policy and noted that it would have to be condensed from the current 13 pages down to 2 or 3. Additionally, the Student Handbooks for each building were approved with the minor revisions noted at the committee meeting.
The Business Service Committee presented an overview of some fees for the 2009/10 year. Bill Herman presented bids to the committee at their meeting for new computers to replace aging ones in the district. Finally the board reviewed the proposal to issue general obligation notes instead of lease purchase financing for the McKinstry contract. The reason for the change in financing is due to better interest rates on the bonds vs. lease purchase. This change could result in over $100k in interest savings over the life of the notes. All items above were approved by the board.
Finally the board and the district had a very special "THANK YOU" recognition for Bev Kalish. Bev is retiring after 37 years with the district, including working for 10 superintendents. Bev's experience will be missed by all. However, her replacement Joyce Hamm brings in many years of experience in her own right and will join the learning process with all of the rest of us.
All in all for my 1st board meeting it was quite an eventful night. I am cautiously optimistic that this board will be able to do some good things over the next year. There are many issues facing the district, so it should be an interesting ride......Hang on everyone!!!
President - Nominated by board vote were Susan Fox, Susan Manning and Peter Sobel. Ms. Manning declined to be included on the ballot. Ms. Fox defeated Mr. Sobel by a 4-3 vote.
Vice-President - Nominated by board vote were Susan Manning, Jason McCutchin, Lionel Norton and Peter Sobel. Ms. Manning declined to be included on the ballot. Mr. Sobel won on a 5-2 vote.
Treasurer - Nominated by board vote were Jill List, Susan Manning, Jason McCutchin, Peter Sobel. Mr. Sobel stated if elected Treasurer he would resign as Vice-President. Ms. Manning won with 4 votes.
Clerk - Nominated by board vote were Jill List and Lionel Norton. Mr. Norton won on a 4-3 vote.
After this reorganization the board got down to normal business. Mr. Gerlach indicated that he had a meeting with Kid's Safari regarding the district and the decision not to provide transportation to Kid's Safari for the upcoming school year. Mr. Gerlach stated that they will be working on this issue and provide an update at a later date.
Mr. Gerlach stated that the Ad-Hoc Committee would be holding a public presentation on Sunday the 17th. Mr. Gerlach further provided an update on the budget, but prefaced his comments by stating "that things are changing daily at the Capital". Therefore, we are still facing a budget deficit in excess of $650k and it may creep closer to $800k depending on the final State Budget.
Next the board heard from the Curriculum Committee regarding the potential purchase of English materials for grades 6-8. The final amount of $105,838 was approximately $25k more than presented to the Curriculum Committee on 4/15. This increase was due to a change in the final materials ordered to add additional web based programming and more texts. The motion to approve this adoption passed.
The Personnel & Policy Committee gave a brief update on their bullying/harassment policy and noted that it would have to be condensed from the current 13 pages down to 2 or 3. Additionally, the Student Handbooks for each building were approved with the minor revisions noted at the committee meeting.
The Business Service Committee presented an overview of some fees for the 2009/10 year. Bill Herman presented bids to the committee at their meeting for new computers to replace aging ones in the district. Finally the board reviewed the proposal to issue general obligation notes instead of lease purchase financing for the McKinstry contract. The reason for the change in financing is due to better interest rates on the bonds vs. lease purchase. This change could result in over $100k in interest savings over the life of the notes. All items above were approved by the board.
Finally the board and the district had a very special "THANK YOU" recognition for Bev Kalish. Bev is retiring after 37 years with the district, including working for 10 superintendents. Bev's experience will be missed by all. However, her replacement Joyce Hamm brings in many years of experience in her own right and will join the learning process with all of the rest of us.
All in all for my 1st board meeting it was quite an eventful night. I am cautiously optimistic that this board will be able to do some good things over the next year. There are many issues facing the district, so it should be an interesting ride......Hang on everyone!!!
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