October 15, 2007

Transcribed 10/16/2007

 

Regular meeting of the Pittsford Area Schools Board of Education was held with Robert Clarke, Mike Fowler, Pete Wines, Denese Belson, David Billington, Cindy Fenton, and Brian Hoard being present.

 

Mr. Shaw, Superintendent, was present from the administrative staff.

 

President Robert Clarke called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

 

Mr. Clarke asked the Board of Education and audience to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

A motion was made by Denese Belson and seconded by Brian Hoard to waive the reading of the minutes and approve the September 17, 2007, regular meeting minutes.  The motion carried (unanimous).

 

A motion was made by Pete Wines and seconded by Denese Belson to pay the bills.  The motion carried (unanimous).

 

No visitors addressed the Board.

 

On October 8th the National Honor Society inducted 14 new members into its organization.  Mr. Shaw thanked Advisor Mrs. Town for her work with the group.  The Elementary Parents Club recently purchased 5 new computers for elementary teachers to use in their classrooms.

 

Keith Brown from Congressman Tim Walberg’s office was present to update the Board on what is happening in Congress.  He reported that Mr. Walberg is on the Agriculture and Education committees.  If anyone has any questions or comments for Mr. Walberg they can contact him at 877-TIM-MI07.

 

Due to the decline in enrollment, the district has decided not to fill the bus mechanic position at this time.  We will do the general maintenance on a daily basis and any major repairs will be done as a contracted service with a certified mechanic.  This position will be reviewed at the end of this school year.

 

Student count came in at 684.  We are working through the budget to make adjustments for the decline in enrollment.

 

A recent food service inspection showed no violations for the district.  Mr. Shaw commented on the good job our cafeteria staff is doing.

 

Mr. Shaw asked Board members to consider serving on the School Board Advisory Council for the Educational Leadership Initiative at the ISD.

Mr. Shaw received a phone call from Mr. McGonigle, Superintendent of Waldron Area Schools, apologizing for comments made in the newspaper by one of their football players as well as comments made at one of our player’s who was injured.

 

Thank you notes from 4-H youth were presented to the Board for sponsoring trophies to their division at the Hillsdale County Fair.

 

A motion was made by Pete Wines and seconded by Cindy Fenton to approve the Senior Class trip to the Kalahari Resort in February.   Chaperones will be Mr. & Mrs. Irelan and Mr. & Mrs. Minor.   The motion carried (unanimous).

 

A motion was made by Pete Wines and seconded by Cindy Fenton to approve the resolution calling for a special election for the purpose of a sinking fund millage.

WHEREAS:

 

1.                     This Board intends to submit one or more millage propositions at a special election to be held on the Presidential Primary Date of Tuesday, January 15, 2008 or Tuesday, February 26, 2008, or such other date as the Michigan Legislature shall hereafter determine to be held; and

 

2.                     On or before Tuesday, November 6, 2007, if the Presidential Primary is held on Tuesday, January 15, 2008; or on or before Tuesday, December 18, 2007, if the Presidential Primary is held on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, or other dates required by law if the Presidential Primary is held on another date, the Board shall certify any ballot proposition to be submitted to the voters at such election to the election coordinator or coordinators designated to conduct elections within the District (the "Election Coordinator").

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

 

1.                     A special election of the electors of the District be called and held on Tuesday, January 15, 2008-or Tuesday, February 26, 2008, or other date if the Presidential Primary is held on another date.

 

2.                     The proposition to be voted on at the special election shall be stated on the ballots in substantially the form as set forth in Exhibit "A".

 

3.                     The Election Coordinator is requested to:

 

1.        Utilize  the Hillsdale Daily News, a newspaper published
or of general circulation within the District, for publication of notices in accordance with the election law requirements.

2.                     Text Box: Secretary, Board of Education Utilize ballot proposition summary information, as prepared by legal counsel, in the_ form of the notice of the last day of registration and notice of election in the form as set forth in Exhibit "B" attached hereto.

3.                     Give additional notice of the last day of registration and election by causing notices to be posted in three (3) public places in each precinct in the Intermediate District on or before (i) Monday, December 10, 2007 and Tuesday, January 8, 2008, respectively, if the Presidential Primary is held on January 15, 2008 or (ii) Monday, January 21, 2008 and Tuesday, February 19, 2008, respectively, if the Presidential Primary is held on February 26, 2008, or (iii) other dates required by law if the Presidential Primary is held on another date.

4.                     Provide a proof copy of the ballot to the District and its legal counsel in sufficient time to allow the ballot to be proofread prior to printing.

5.          All resolutions and parts of resolutions insofar as they conflict with the provisions
of this resolution be and the same are hereby rescinded.

Ayes: Members            Robert Clarke, Mike Fowler, Denese Belson, Pete Wines, Cindy Fenton, Dave Billington, and Brian Hoard

Nays: Members     None

Motion declared adopted.

The undersigned duly qualified and acting Secretary of the Board of Education of Pittsford Area Schools, Hillsdale County, Michigan, hereby certifies that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of a resolution adopted by the Board at a regular meeting held on October 15, 2007,
the original-of-which resolution is a part of the Board's minutes and further certifies that notice of the meeting was given to the public under the Open Meetings. Act, 1976 PA 267, as amended.

Secretary, Board of Education

JJS/abs

 

Text Box:

 

 


EXHIBIT “A”

 

MILLAGE PROPOSAL, BUILDING AND SITE
SINKING FUND TAX LEVY

 

Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all properly in Pittsford Area Schools, Hillsdale County, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) for a period of 5 years, 2008 to 2012, inclusive, to create a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2008 is approximately $94,000.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT “B”

 

SUMMARY OF BALLOT PROPOSITION TO BE INSERTED IN THE NOTICES OF LAST DAY OF REGISTRATION AND ELECTION:

 

 

PITTSFORD AREA SCHOOLS
SINKING FUND MILLAGE FOR BUILDING AND SITE PURPOSES
1 MILL FOR 5 YEARS

 

 

Full text of the ballot proposal may be obtained at the administrative offices of Pittsford Area schools, 9304 Hamilton Street, Pittsford, Michigan 49271, telephone:  (517) 523-3481.

 

 

 

 

 

A motion was made by Dave Billington and seconded by Pete Wines to approve the goals for the high school principal for the 2007/08 school year as presented.  The motion carried (unanimous).

 

A motion was made by Denese Belson and seconded by Brian Hoard to hire Gerald Bump as custodian.  The motion carried (unanimous).

 

A motion was made by Pete Wines and seconded by Denese Belson to approve the custodian contract as presented.  The motion carried (unanimous).

 

 

Mr. Shaw reported that the elementary students have started the MEAP test with the writing portion needing to be retaken due to the recent writing topic being revealed in the Jackson Citizen newspaper.  Pittsford Prowling will be held October 31st from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Parent/Teacher conferences were held October 4th with 93% of our parents in attendance.  Fire Safety Week was October 8 – 12th.  Our fire department was here on October 12th  and provided lessons on safety for our students.

 

In the high school, it was reported that conferences were down.  Mr. Pelham felt that parents were utilizing the Pinnacle system for information they needed.  The schedule for next year will be available to the teachers in January so that they can review it and see the scheduling situation and problems.  Mr. Pelham reported that the MHSAA is looking at possible changes in the football season.  They are looking at going to an 8 game schedule and increasing the number of teams in the playoffs.  They are also considering shortening the basketball seasons.  He will discuss this with the coaching staff.  Homecoming saw a record in gate receipts and the football team has again qualified for the state playoffs.  High school MEAP testing has begun and will be given in the classrooms.

 

Rachel English, student representative, spoke to the Board regarding concerns the students have with seminar only being held once a month for an hour.  She said the students do not like the current arrangement.  They feel it does not give them enough time to hold class meeting,  group meetings, or get with teachers for help on homework.

 

A motion was made by Dave Billington and seconded by Mike Fowler to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

Denese Belson, Secretary

Board of Education