BUCHANAN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN
NOVEMBER 20, 2019 SPECIAL MEETING BUCHANAN HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
| CALL TO ORDER | President: H. Burnett opened the meeting at 5:35 pm.
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| ROLL CALL |
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| ADOPTION OF AGENDA
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MOTION BY Member D. Wentworth, SECONDED BY Member K. Laesch the agenda for the
Special Board Meeting of November 20th, 2019 be adopted as written.
ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, D. Wentworth, R. Writer, S. Tobler, K. Laesch, J. DeVlaminck, and H. Burnett NAYS: None MOTION ADOPTED
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| RECOGNITION OF VISITORS | K. Berry, R. English, K. Mills, T. Chase, C. Lolmaugh, S. Nowlin, M. Lindley
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| COMMUNITY DIALOGUE CITIZENS CONCERNS | None.
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| PRESENTATION BY JERRY FLENAR | – Jerry Flenar presented to the Board of Education recommending the hiring of Dr. Lindley. He stated that Dr. Lindley would work with the Board & staff to put together a plan to improve communications. Dr. Lindley would not be here to mediate.
– Dr. Mike Lindley shared his background and consulting work. He plans on interviewing various groups and can start after the meeting tonight and would hope to finish by the holidays. Dr. Lindley’s perception is to heal and move away from distractions.
– Board Member Dennis Wentworth asked after he developed a plan, would he be willing to help implement it. Dr. Lindley stated it would be up to the Board, but it could be done.
– Board Member Chris Lee understood that Dr. Lindley doesn’t intend to sit down and mediate, but he will do a study and determine what’s been done and what work needs to be done.
– Board Member Kelly Laesch appreciated the clarification and spoke about Strategic Planning also focusing on communication.
– Board Member Jim DeVlaminck asked about the timeline; is there enough time to do it?
– Board Member Chris Lee asked Dr. Lindley about his work in Niles and Dr. Lindley explained that he came to Niles and helped to rebuild trust and relationships and eventually got a bond passed.
– Board Member Kelly Laesch asked Dr. Lindley to clarify which three Districts he had worked with; he clarified the third was Bridgman.
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| CLOSED SESSION – MATTER OF ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGE | MOTION BY Member R. Writer, SECONDED BY Member K. Laesch, pursuant to board bylaw 0167.2, F., The Board of Education moves into closed session for a letter of attorney- client privilege at 5:47pm
ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, D. Wentworth, R. Writer, S. Tobler, K. Laesch, J. DeVlaminck, and H. Burnett NAYS: None MOTION ADOPTED
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| RETURN TO OPEN SESSION | MOTION BY Member R. Writer, SECONDED BY Member D. Wentworth, The Board of Education resolves to return to open session at 6:44pm.
ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, D. Wentworth, R. Writer, S. Tobler, J. DeVlaminck, and H. Burnett NAYS: None. MOTION ADOPTED
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| MEDIATION OFFER FROM MICHIGAN GATEWAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
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MOTION BY Member C. Lee SECONDED BY Member R. Writer, The Board of Education moves to authorize Tim Donahue and Harvey Burnett to work with legal counsel to negotiate a consulting contract with Dr. Michael Lindley.
ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, D. Wentworth, R. Writer, S. Tobler, J. DeVlaminck, and H. Burnett NAYS: None MOTION ADOPTED
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| QUESTIONS & COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS | – Mr. Wentworth added about Mrs. Laesch having to leave during the closed session.
– Mrs. Writer expressed how rewarding it was to serve Thanksgiving Dinner at Moccasin and Ottawa. |
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| NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETING | Monday, December 16th, 6pm @ Buchanan High School | |
| ADJOURNMENT | 6:46 pm |
