October 20, 2008

Transcribed 10/21/2008

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

Mr. Shaw, Superintendent and Elementary Principal and Mr. T.G. Cook, High School Principal were present from the administrative staff.

President Robert Clarke called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked the audience to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

A motion was made by Pete Wines and seconded by Dave Billington to waive the reading of the minutes and approve the September 15, 2008, regular meeting minutes. The motion carried (unanimous).

Mrs. Michelle Hoard addressed the Board as to whether or not there were going to be student representatives assigned to board meetings again this year. Mr. Shaw stated that they were in the process of filling these positions.

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

The food service department recently had a health inspection and there were no violations reported. Mr. Shaw acknowledged the cafeteria staff for another year of no violations.

The cooperative agreement with Sacred Heart has been received and signed.

Mr. Shaw discussed the need of a countywide special education millage through the ISD that could take place at the May regular election.

Mr. Shaw spoke about the Honeywell System, which is a phone calling system that would allow the district to communicate with parents for a variety of reasons like weather conditions, parent-teacher conference reminders, or cancellations. We would work with other districts in the county to save money.

We are five students under what the district had budgeted for the 2008/09 budgets. The administration will be making adjustments to the budget and departments to curtail spending.

There was an inside and outside bleacher inspection/analysis performed. The inside bleachers need a few minor repairs done. There are three sets of outside bleachers that will be removed, as they are unsafe.

Mrs. Gruber has put together spreadsheets calculating the districts energy usage. We are tracking our costs from last year in electric, natural gas, and diesel fuel usage. The district has been taking measures to cut costs by turning off lights and gas to areas where it is not needed.

The Hillsdale County Road Commission is replacing a road sign that were destroyed a few weeks ago during an accident.

The district will use PESG as a third party contractor for substitute custodians, cooks, and para-pros.

Graduation has been set for Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. in the gymnasium.

There was discussion on whether or not random drug testing should be provided for students on a district wide basis. Mr. Cook and Mr. Shaw are looking into the possibility.

Mr. Shaw informed the Board of Education that ISD board member Harold Ferry had passed away and the district sent flowers on behalf of the Board of Education.

We have had a family make two $1,000 donations this fall. $1,000 went to the band program and the other $1,000 was donated to the athletic program. Mr. Shaw expressed his gratitude for these donations.

JoAn Mende of Mende, Burke & Associates, LLC has suggested that the flashing at the roof peak be repaired on the south side of the high school, along with tuck-pointing. The chimney work will be postponed until next summer. As for the mechanical side of improvements, servicing of the boiler controls, calibrating the pneumatic thermostats, and training will also be done now. Bids are currently posted for these projects.

A paint representative from Lowe’s has been here to inspect the paint chipping on our walls. Lowe’s will be providing us with new primer and paint for re-painting of the walls.

Miss Weaver is working with the NHS students to decide on a trip location.

A thank you note was received from Emily Kirk for sponsoring the trophy at the fair.

A motion was made by Robert Clarke and seconded by Mike Fowler to approve the district’s use of a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan. The motion carried (unanimous).

A motion was made by Denese Belson and seconded by Cindy Fenton to approve the senior trip to the Kalahari Resort on February 8 and 9, 2008. The motion carried (unanimous).

Mr. Shaw reported that the fall fundraiser is over and that there will be no further fundraisers for the rest of the year. Pittsford Prowling will be held on Wednesday, October 29^th from 5:30 to 6:30. MEAP testing is going well and the kids are working hard. There was 84% participation for parent-teacher conferences.

Mr. Cook reported that PSAT testing has been completed for the juniors and that MEAP testing is underway in the middle school. The Varsity Football Team has qualified for the MHSAA playoffs and there will be a Selection Sunday Show on October 26^th at 6:00 p.m. in the gym. The end of the first marking period is October 31^st. There was 28% participation for parent-teacher conferences.

Mr. Cook recognized Brent Smith for achieving the SCAA Cross Country Championship this year.

A motion was made by Mike Fowler and seconded by Denese Belson to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m. The motion carried (unanimous).

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Denese Belson, Secretary

Board of Education