12-14-2020 Board of Education Meeting Minutes

BUCHANAN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN

                                                                                                                                                  

DECEMBER 14, 2020                                      REGULAR MEETING                        VIRTUAL MEETING

 

CALL TO ORDER PRESIDENT: Sandy Tobler opened the virtual meeting at 6:02 pm
ROLL CALL VIRTUALLY PRESENT: C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, S. Tobler

ABSENT:   none

  OTHERS VIRTUALLY PRESENT: Superintendent Trish Robinson, Mark Kurland, Phil Place, Tricia Lowery, Daryl Miller, Becky Kaltenbach
ADOPTION OF AGENDA

 

MOTION by R. Writer, SECONDED BY Member S. Tobler the agenda for the board meeting of December 14, 2020 be adopted as written.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

RECOGNITION OF VISITORS

 

Mrs. Tobler welcomed all those watching online.
SUPERINTENDENT/

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Buck Staff Recognition December Winner: Mary Colglazier, Kitchen Manager at Ottawa Elementary School. Board Secretary Mrs. Laesch recognized Ms. Colglazier as this month’s winner. Food Service Supervisor, Mrs. Kaltenbach, nominated Ms. Colglazier for doing a great job running the Ottawa Kitchen and ensuring that our youngest students get a nutritious, appealing meal every day. She also appreciates her flexibility and cheerfulness.

 

Nominees included:
– Mary Mitchell, BCS Food Service

 

Updates for BHS, BMS, Moccasin, Ottawa, Athletics/CTE/BVA, Special Education, Business Office, Operations, Food Service, Information Technology, and Assistant Superintendent were provided respectively.

PRESENTATIONS School Highlight – BCS Food Service Supervisor, Becky Kaltenbach presented to the board. She spoke of the USDA extending free breakfast and lunch for the whole year for all students. She spoke of the need of still having families complete the free and reduced form. Mrs. Kaltenbach also informed the board of home food deliveries that were being made during the 3 weeks the district was remote and what a success it was. ABC57 did a nice segment on the news and the Niles Daily Star wrote a nice article in the paper.

 

Executive Team Updates – Superintendent Robinson and the Executive Team provided their updates respectively.

 

Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan – Assistant Superintendent, Mark Kurland reviewed BCS extended COVID learning plan and the items required by the state. He advised the board of the November and December submission. He added BCS received a grant of hot spots that are going out to families. He spoke of BHS having an internet room that students can utilize with Mr. Pruett & Mrs. Capron even picking up students to be able to access it.

COMMUNITY DIALOGUE CITIZENS CONCERNS None.
ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA

 

MOTION by J. DeVlaminck, SECONDED by D. Wentworth, The Board of Education approves the consent agenda for the regular board meeting of December 14th, 2020 be adopted as written:

 

  1. Minutes:

11-10-20 Emergency Meeting

11-16-20 Regular Meeting

2.  Warrants:

Expenditure Reports & Payroll – November

3.  Recommendations to Hire as submitted by:

BCS Operations Supervisor, Mr. Daryl Miller (contract attached)

BCS Food Service Supervisor, Mrs. Becky Kaltenbach

 

Recommended Employee Title
Garrick Stubblefield Operations Utility Staff / Ottawa Lunch Aide

 

4.  Coaching Recommendations for Winter 2020 submitted by Athletic                       Coordinator, Mr. Mark Frey:

 

Coach Position Class/Level Step CAP
Andy Jonatzke JV Girls Basketball Coach 4 2 none

 

5. Employment Contracts for 2020-21 School Year:

Mahlon Williams, Transportation Supervisor

6.  Reconfirmation of Buchanan Community Schools Extended COVID-19                Learning Plan

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

BUCHANAN VIRTUAL ACADEMY GRADUATION CERTIFICATION MOTION by J. DeVlaminck, SECONDED by R. Writer, upon satisfactory completion of district requirements for high school graduation, the Board of Education hereby approves:

 

Buchanan Virtual Academy Students:

-Isabella Benson

-India Caulder

-Russell Cole

 

Mrs. Tobler congratulated the students.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

SCHOOLS OF CHOICE RESOLUTION MOTION by K. Laesch, SECONDED by S. Tobler, the Buchanan Community Schools’ Board of Education, exercising the option permitted by Section 105 of the State School Aid Act of 1979, as amended by Public Act 300 of 1996, will accept applications of nonresident students who reside within Berrien Resa boundaries for the available grade level openings as listed below for enrollment into Buchanan

Community Schools for the 2020-21 school year and will operate a Schools of Choice program in our district in compliance with the statutory requirements of Section 105. The window for applications for these openings will be December 18, 2020 to January 18, 2021. Available openings for each grade Level:

Ottawa Elementary Moccasin Elementary Buchanan Middle School Buchanan High School
Kindergarten: 11 2nd Grade: 6 5th Grade: 3 8th Grade: 5
1st Grade: 13 3rd Grade: 6 6th Grade: 6 9th Grade: 3
4th Grade: 4 7th Grade: 5 10th Grade: 4
11th Grade: 6
12th Grade: 2

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

ADOPTION OF THE 2020-21 AMENDED BUDGET MOTION by J. DeVlaminck, SECONDED by S. Tobler, the Buchanan Board of Education, in accordance with the General Appropriations Act, accepts the Buchanan Community Schools amended budget appropriations resolution for the fiscal year 2020-21 as presented, said documents to be entered into the minutes of this meeting and to take immediate effect.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

EXTRACURRICULAR ASSIGNMENTS MOTION by D. Wentworth, SECONDED by S. Tobler, the Buchanan Board of Education approves the extracurricular assignments for the 2020-21 school year.

 

This is a yearly resolution.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

CLOSED SESSION MOTION by R. Writer, SECONDED by K. Laesch, The Buchanan Board of Education moves into closed session:

–          To review a BCS candidate for employment

–          Security Planning

Time: 6:34pm

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION MOTION by R. Writer, SECONDED by D. Wentworth, The Buchanan Board of Education resolves to return to open session. Time: 6:55pm

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

BCS EMPLOYMENT APPROVAL MOTION by D. Wentworth, SECONDED by S. Tobler, The Buchanan Board of Education approves the employment of employee 1071956.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN MOTION by K. Laesch, SECONDED by H. Burnett, The Buchanan Board of Education approves the Buchanan Community Schools Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) as recommended by the Emergency/Security Planning Committee.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

SNOW REMOVAL RECOMMENDATION MOTION by R. Writer, SECONDED by K. Laesch, The Buchanan Board of Education approves Director of Operations, Daryl Miller’s, recommendation to accept the bid from Affordable Asphalt Paving and Bulldozing for two school years (2020-21 through 2021-22) for snow removal services.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, and K. Laesch

NAYS:  None     Abstained:  S. Tobler     MOTION ADOPTED

BOBCAT TOOLCAT PURCHASE APPROVAL MOTION by C. Lee, SECONDED by K. Laesch, The Buchanan Board of Education approves Director of Operations, Daryl Miller’s, recommendation to purchase a 2014 Bobcat Toolcat.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:  C. Lee, H. Burnett, R. Writer, D. Wentworth, J. DeVlaminck, K. Laesch, and S. Tobler.

NAYS:  None     MOTION ADOPTED

INFORMATION/REPORTS & NEW BUSINESS Fall Board Data Report Presentation – Mrs. Robinson spoke to the board. She informed them of the remote learning survey sent out to parents on Number 23, 2020 for their feedback. She went over SAT data as well as PSAT data from the 9th & 10th graders. She also went over grades K-8 NWEA math and reading data. Mrs. Robinson shared how BCS teachers and staff are supporting students and BCS enrollment.

 

Emergency Planning Committee Meeting – Mrs. Laesch shared with the board about their most recent meeting on December 7th. She stated the members worked a lot on the Emergency Plan that is due January 1st to the county.

 

Capital Planning Committee – Mr. DeVlaminck informed the board of their most recent meeting on December 9th. He shared about their meeting with SiteLogiq, who reviews our utility records and provided a proposal on how to save on energy costs. Mrs. Writer also spoke about bonds and interests rates being low.

 

Personnel Committee Meeting – Mrs. Writer updated the board about their most recent meeting on December 9th. They reviewed central administration salaries.

 

Budget Committee Meeting – Mr. Lee updated the board about their meeting on December 10th. The members reviewed the amended budget, probably one of the most fluid amendment they had ever seen with the circumstances around COVID. There was a projected deficit of a little over $800,000 which has dropped to around $290,000.

 

School Board Member Recognition – Superintendent Robinson and all board members thanked Sandy Tobler, Dennis Wentworth, and Jim DeVlaminck for all of their support to our students and staff during their time of service.

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS Mrs. Laesch wished everyone a Merry Christmas and much relaxation during the holiday break.

 

Mrs. Writer wished everyone a Happy New Year and shared information of the onboarding meeting.

NEXT BOARD MEETING Virtual Onboarding Work Session Meeting – Wednesday, December 16, @ 5:30pm
ADJOURNMENT 7:40 pm
Facebook
X
Pinterest
Email
Reddit