11-18-2019 Board of Education Meeting Minutes

ABSENT:   None.

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, D. Wentworth, K. Laesch, R. Writer, J. DeVlaminck, S. Tobler and H. Burnett.     NAYS:  None     MOTION  ADOPTED

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

–         Board Updates for BHS, BMS, Moccasin, Ottawa, CTE/BVA, Executive Director of Academics, Business Office, Operations, Food Service, Information Technology, Transportation and Athletics were provided respectfully.

–          Craig Miller on behalf of the City of Buchanan Water Department presented two models to BCS to utilize in the classroom to teach about pollution. BMS Science Teacher, Angel Whitsel, accepted the generous gift on behalf of BCS.

–          Jerry Flenar, Buchanan’s former School Board President, spoke to the Board on behalf of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. Mr. Flenar recognizes communication issues between the Board and the community and wanted to recommend the hiring of Dr. Lindley to bridge the gap. The foundation would pay for all costs associated to put together a plan for the citizens, parents, staff, tax payers, and students to communicate. Mr. Flenar, while opposed to the previous recall efforts, would like to see communication get back on track. Mr. Flenar gave a deadline for a response from the Board by Friday, 11-22-2019 by 6:00pm. Mrs. Writer asked if the Board would be included in the meetings with Dr. Lindley to which Mr. Flenar responded yes.

–          Collective Commitments: Mr. Donahue reviewed with the Board the values each building will uphold. He thanked the Principals for their hard work in putting these together. Mr. Donahue expressed interest in also doing this with the Board, asking the Board in the future to work on their Collective Commitments.

–          Kadin Mills, Senior at BHS, informed the Board of the foundation created by him and Serynn called the SCSR, mentioning how reform is necessary for the good of the student body.

–          Julie Legault raised concern to the Board about why the American Flag on the football field was still up without a light shining on it.

–          Cole Martin addressed the Board with meeting format concerns, stating that the Board’s meeting format was not in compliance with Michigan Open Meetings Act handbook guidelines.

ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by R. Writer, SECONDED by C. Lee, The Board of Education approves the consent agenda for the regular board meeting of November 18^th, 2019 be adopted as written:

1.     Minutes:

10-15-19 Special Meeting

10-21-19 Regular Meeting

2.     Warrants:

Expenditure Reports & Payroll – October

3.     Recommendations to Hire as submitted by Ottawa Principal, Mrs. Stacey Dennison:

4.     Recommendations for Parent Representatives to the Berrien RESA Parent Advisory Council as submitted by the District Special Education Director, Mrs. Karin Falkenstein:

Dina Manderson – Child: Blossomland MoCi

5.     Staff Resignations as submitted:

Brittany Mohney, Moccasin Speech Pathologist

6.     Coaching Recommendations from Athletic Director, Mr. Lonnie Hoover:

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, D. Wentworth, K. Laesch, R. Writer, J. DeVlaminck, S. Tobler and H. Burnett.     NAYS:  None     MOTION  ADOPTED

WHEREAS, this Board previously adopted a resolution to impose a summer tax levy to collect 100% of annual school property taxes, including debt service, upon property located within the District and continuing from year-to-year until specifically revoked by the Board.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1.  The  Board,  pursuant  to  1976  PA  451,  as  amended  (the  Revised  School  Code), invokes for 2020 its previously adopted ongoing resolution imposing a summer tax levy of all of annual school property taxes, including debt service, upon property located within the District and continuing from year-to-year until specifically revoked by the Board and requests that each city and/or township in which the District is located collect those summer taxes.

2.  The  Superintendent  or  designee  is  authorized  and  directed  to  forward  to  the

governing body of each city and/or township in which the District is located a copy of this Board’s resolution imposing a summer property tax levy on an ongoing basis and a copy of this resolution requesting that each such city and/or township agree to collect the summer tax levy for 2020 in the amount specified in this resolution. Such forwarding of the resolutions and the request to collect the summer tax levy shall be performed so that they are received by the appropriate governing bodies before January 1, 2020.

3.  Pursuant to and in accordance with Section 1613(1) of the Revised School Code, the Superintendent or designee is authorized and directed to negotiate on behalf of the District with the governing body of each city and/or township in which the District is located for the reasonable expenses for collection of the District’s summer tax levy that the city and/or township may bill under MCL 380.1611 or MCL 380.1612. Any such proposed agreement shall be brought before this Board for its approval or disapproval.

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

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, D. Wentworth, K. Laesch, R. Writer, J. DeVlaminck, S. Tobler and H. Burnett.     NAYS:  None     MOTION  ADOPTED

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, D. Wentworth, K. Laesch, R. Writer, J. DeVlaminck, S. Tobler and H. Burnett.     NAYS:  None     MOTION  ADOPTED

–          Mrs. Writer thanked Mr. Miller from the City of Buchanan Water Department for their generous donation of the models to BCS. She also thanked Mr. Mark Kurland for including her in the Vertical Team meetings.

–          Mr. Wentworth commented that the Policy Committee will be looking into the time limits in current board policy.