The regular meeting of the Cass City Board of Education was called to order on October 27, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. in the Cass City High School Cafeteria by President Douglas Lautner.
The members present were Craig Bellew, Michelle Biddinger, Danny Haag, Douglas Lautner, Randy Severance, James Turner and James Veneziano. Also present were Superintendent Wilson, H. S. Principal Daniels, M. S. Principal Hartel, Campbell Principal Fernald and Assistant Principal Markel.
It was moved by James Turner, seconded by Craig Bellew, that the minutes of the regular meeting held September 22, 2008, as well as the governance team/board retreat meeting and the closed session meeting be approved as sent. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Danny Haag, seconded by James Turner, that the bills in the amount of $416,377.48 be paid in their entirety. The motion carried unanimously.
Gary Anderson of Anderson, Tuckey, Bernhardt & Doran, P.C. presented the fiscal audit report for the 2007-2008 school year. He gave a copy of the audit report to each Board member and answered any questions they had.
Shari Bock, Food Service Director, requested Board approval for a Peers DWI Simulator. Cass City Public Schools will be the first school in Michigan to have the simulator. The funding for the entire amount will be provided by a Pinney Foundation grant. It was moved by Randy Severance, seconded by Douglas Lautner, to approve the request for the Peers DWI Simulator as presented by Shari Bock. The motion carried unanimously. (A copy is in the Secretary’s book.)
Public Participation – Linda Bailey gave an informative report on testing being done in the school. (Copies of her hand-outs are in the Secretary’s book.)
Superintendent Wilson gave a budget report. He stated significant cuts need to be made either this year or next year due to decreased revenues and the need to keep money in the fund equity.
Bill Pearson gave a bond construction report. A few of the items mentioned were the new track was striped and ready along with the long jump and pole vault, new doors on the grandstand, etc. December 4th is the date set for bidding the remaining work, December 16th the bids are due and December 22nd recommendations will be made with the work starting as soon as school is out.
Principal Fernald recommended that Marnie Hacker be hired to fill the Kindergarten position at Campbell Elementary. It was moved by James Turner, seconded by Randy Severance, to approve the recommendation to hire Marnie Hacker. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Danny Haag, seconded by James Veneziano, to accept the resignation of Betsy Dillon with regrets and wishes for good luck on her new job. The last day for Betsy will be October 31st. The motion carried unanimously.
President Lautner read the 2007-2008 Board goals and told their results and read the 2008-2009 Board goals. Superintendent passed out a draft of the 2008-2009 Board goals.
(A copy is in the Secretary’s book.) It was moved by James Turner, seconded by Michelle Biddinger, to adopt the 2008-2009 Board goals as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
The formation/resurrection of a standing committee for curriculum was discussed. Superintendent Wilson mentioned hiring a company to go over the policy book, that idea was rejected. It was moved by Randy Severance, seconded by James Veneziano, to appoint a committee to review the policies. The committee would consist of James Turner, Randy Severance and Douglas Lautner. The motion carried unanimously.
The review/establishment of a school district media relations policy was discussed.
This was tabled until the policies are reviewed.
Superintendent Wilson requested approval to sell the sprinkler pump originally located at the football field. It was moved by James Turner, seconded by Michelle Biddinger, to approve the sale of the sprinkler pump for nothing less than the appraised value. The motion carried unanimously.
Superintendent Wilson made a recommendation to establish an account at Thumb National Bank & Trust Company to serve as a deposit account that will remain open with a $.0 balance as a “wire into only” account. This account will be utilized when assets are sold and Cass City Public Schools requires receipt of a wire or pay pal deposit as payment. The account name will be the internet sales account. A general fund payable account needs to be established also to pay the general fund bills. It was moved by Danny Haag, seconded by Randy Severance, to establish these two accounts. The motion carried unanimously.
The Finance Committee recommendations were discussed. It was mentioned that mid year this year or next year more cuts be made. The proposed cuts will be presented at the next Board meeting.
It was moved by Michelle Biddinger, seconded by James Turner, to adjourn the regular meeting to go into executive session for a student expulsion and contract negotiations. The motion carried 6-Yes to 1-No (Danny Haag).
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Randy Severance, Secretary
C.C.P.S. Board of Education