TECUMSEH PUBLIC SCHOOLS Regular Board Meeting May 14, 2018 The regular meeting of the Tecumseh Public Schools Board of Education was called to order by President Hart at 7:00 p.m., in the High School Media Center. Board Present: Members Hart, Linn, Johnson-Berges, Amstutz-Wild, Davis, and Rice Board Absent: Member Tritt School Present: Dr. Coffin, Superintendent; J. Pfund; R. Schwan; S. Bailey, J. Anastasoff, M. Nowak, D. Thelen, M. Way, and J. Zajac There were 23 visitors present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Member Davis led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. GOOD NEWS: Class of 2018 Valedictorian and Salutatorian: The Board recognized the Class of 2018 Valedictorian Alex Foss and Salutatorian Alex Lammers, and congratulated them on their successful educational experiences at TPS. Tecumseh Community Pool: Sarah Maraskine, Director of the Tecumseh Community Pool, shared information with the Board regarding her background and spoke about the many programs and classes offered at the pool. Week of the Young Child: Sue Dieter, Director of the Preschool Program, stated that April 23-27 was recognized by the National Association of the Young Child organization as the Week of The Young Child. She talked about the schedule of activities the students participated in which also included family members. Mrs. Dieter stated she continues to work towards earning the Gold Star rating to be nationally accredited. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY: There were no comments made. REVISIONS/APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by Member Johnson-Berges, support by Member Davis, to approve the agenda as presented. Ayes: Members Hart, Linn, Johnson- Berges, Amstutz-Wild, Davis, and Rice. Motion carried 6-0. SCHEDULED REPORTS: ARAMARK Food Service Update: Laura Pleasant, Director of Food Service, updated the Board about the food service department programs and offerings to students. Mrs. Pleasant spoke about the breakfast and lunch program that will also be available to students throughout the summer. Mr. David Palmer, Regional Manager for AMARMAK, reviewed the annual renewal documents for the food service program. He indicated this will be the 4 th and final renewal of the 5-year contract with Tecumseh Public Schools. Once the documents are approved by MDE, the Board will need to take action to approve the renewal. Title I & MTSS Report: District Reading Specialists, Interventionist, and Instructional Coaches, reported on the customization of supports that are offered to learners in Kdg-6 th grade and spoke about the data which showed student growth.
Monthly Finance Report: Mrs. Pfund reviewed the monthly financial reports, including the check registry. She then reviewed the budget assumptions and projections for the 2018-19 budget outlining the assumptions the budget was based on. She spoke about an increase in the foundation allowance, increased 31a At-Risk Funding; and other revenue adjustments through federal, state and local sources. For expenses, Mrs. Pfund spoke about the adjustments that have been made in the following areas: salaries to cover increases and insurance adjustments, superintendent s budget to include the communications director, adjustments to the curriculum budget to cover the one time curriculum expenses; technology budget adjustments as we longer have the IPA payment; maintenance budget adjustments for utility costs; transportation budget adjustment to cover contract amount increases; debt services budget as the only bond debt payment left is for the high school building; preschool budget which continues to show strong enrollment and additional students coming from the GSRP program; the Before/After Childcare program which continues to be self-supporting and shows an increase for the summer program; and the $50,000 contingency amount which is set aside for any unforeseen needs. Member Linn questioned what triggers are in place to help monitor the budget and if/when administration would need to consider a reduction in spending. Mrs. Pfund indicated that the budget is dependent on the count day numbers in the fall as the majority of the district s funding is through state aid based on student count. Member Linn stated the budget gives the district a solid fund balance; however he stated there is a need to watch and remain diligent moving forward to ensure we are poised and ready to adjust so as to not fall back to the budget conditions of 2012. Next Mrs. Pfund reviewed the 2017-18 final budget stating she will continue to monitor and shore up the individual line items over the next 2 months. Some of the key budget areas she is monitoring include salaries, dual enrollment, curriculum, technology and maintenance. The current proposal ends the year with a 18% fund balance. Monthly Facilities Report: Mr. Josh Mattison updated the Board on the 10-week plan for the summer cleaning projects. He spoke about the RFP presented to the Board in March and that the Ad Hoc committee met to review the list of repairs and prioritized the needs of the work to be done. Discussion Items Board Committee Meeting of April 24, 2018: Member Johnson-Berges reported on the Ad Hoc Committee of April 24, 2018 at which the committee discussed the LISD Shared Services Agreement for business services as the current agreement expires June 30, 2018. The committee recommends extending the agreement for an additional 1-year. The committee also reviewed the bids for the maintenance projects and prioritized the work to be done over the summer: work at Compass for the metal facade (tuck point) which should provide a 25+ year protection to the building; high school doors at the north and south entrances which will increase safety and security; the ADA ramp and playground upgrades at Compass; and upgrades to the district clock system which will also tie into our communications system as well. Request for Overnight Trip - Girls Basketball Camp to Northwood Camp: Coach Zajac presented information about the girls varsity basketball team traveling to Northwood Camp at Lake George June 20-22, 2018. Request for Overnight Trip Boys Varsity Basketball Team to CMU: Coach Ruhl presented information about the boys varsity basketball team traveling to Mount Pleasant Michigan to attend the CMU basketball camp June 23 & 24, 2018.
2018-2019 LISD Budget: Superintendent Coffin reported that she, along with Members Linn and Amstutz-Wild, attended the Lenawee ISD budget hearing. It is their recommendation that the board approved the resolution supporting the LISD budget for fiscal year 2018-19, which must be done by 7-1. ACTION ITEMS Set Date For Budget Hearing: It was moved by Member Linn, support by Member Rice, to set Monday, June 11, 2018 at 6:30 pm at the high school media center, as the date, time and place for the public hearing on the proposed 2018-19 Tecumseh School s budget. Ayes: Members Hart, Linn, Johnson-Berges, Amstutz-Wild, Davis, and Rice. Motion carried 6-0. Amendment to LISD Shared Business Services Agreement: It was moved by Member Johnson-Berges, support by Member Amstutz-Wild, to approve the Amendment to the LISD Cooperative Shared Business Services Agreement for one (1) additional year with the extended term beginning July 1, 2018 and continuing up to and through June 30, 2019. Ayes: Members Hart, Linn, Johnson-Berges, Amstutz-Wild, Davis, and Rice. Motion carried 6-0. Bids for Summer Improvements: It was moved by Member Johnson-Berges, support by Member Amstutz-Wild, to approve the following bids for the 2018 summer improvement work: Bid to McDonald Commercial Roofing & Metal in the amount of $338,861 for the metal facade work at Compass; bid to Krieghoff of Lenawee in the amount of $75,594 for the high school entryway work to the doors; and bid to F & S Landscape, Inc. in the amount of $49,950 for the ADA ramp and playground improvements at Compass with funds coming from Capital Projects with said funds to not exceed $465,000. Ayes: Members Hart, Linn, Johnson-Berges, Amstutz-Wild, Davis, and Rice. Motion carried 6-0. It was moved by Member Davis, support by Member Rice, to approve the bid to National Time and Signal in the amount of $31,672 to replace the district wide clock system with funds coming from general fund and not exceed $32,000. Ayes: Members Hart, Linn, Johnson-Berges, Amstutz-Wild, Davis, and Rice. Motion carried 6-0. 2018-19 LISD Budget: It was moved by Member Linn, support by Member Amstutz-Wild that the Tecumseh Public Schools Board of Education support and approve the 2018-19 LISD Budget. Ayes: Members Hart, Linn, Johnson-Berges, Amstutz-Wild, Davis, and Rice. Motion carried 6-0. AGENDA - ADMINISTRATION (District Business) Consent Agenda: It was moved by Member Johnson-Berges, support by Member Davis to approve the Consent Agenda which included Minutes from the Special Board Study Session Meeting of April 9, 2018; Minutes from the Regular Board Meeting of April 9, 2018; Minutes from the Board Retreat on April 23, 2019, Minutes from the Special Meeting of April 26, 2018; and Minutes from the Special Emergency Board Meeting of May 4, 2018. Ayes: Members Hart, Linn, Johnson-Berges, Amstutz-Wild, Davis, and Rice. Motion carried 6-0. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT: Dr. Coffin introduced Rebecca Schwan, new Communications Director, and welcomed her to her new position. Dr. Coffin spoke about the partnership with Apple and the recent tour with Apple representatives as well as the tour with representatives from the Governor s office as we continue to be recognized for the work we are doing with customized learning for all learners. Dr. Coffin invited everyone to the community showing of The Most Likely To Succeed film at the public library on May 19 from 1-3 pm.
ADMINISTRATIVE DISCUSSION ITEMS Building Updates High School- Mr. Anastasoff spoke about the parent orientation meetings for the transition of incoming freshmen for next year. He stated he has met with over 40 families about scheduling as well as over 100 learners at East STEAM to prepare them for them for next year. East STEAM Center- Mrs. Nowak spoke about the transition work that has been done with 6th grade learners coming to the West STEAM Center. She spoke about the parent night meeting where many questions were answered about scheduling. West STEAM Center- Ms. Thelen spoke about the final student Expo scheduled for June 8th with West STEAM Center learners. She stated since the 7th to 8th grade learners will be staying in the building, there will be consistency for learners and families. Tecumseh South- Mrs. Way spoke about the transitions at South which has been done in three phases. Phase #1 - informal parent night for all parents; phase #2 - with tours for 1st graders at Compass; and phase #3 - parent tours for children going into 2 nd grade. She stated the 2nd graders wrote letters to 1st graders as they prepare to enter the building in the fall. Director of Learning- Mrs. Bailey shared that she continues to work with learning facilitators to reflect on what went well and what didn t as part of the evaluation process. ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT AGENDA Good News: The Learning Cove Update Discussion Items: Curriculum Update- S. Bailey Action Items: ARAMARK Food Service Contract Extension Request for Overnight Trip - Varsity Girls Basketball to Northwood Team Camp Request for Overnight Trip - 9th-12th Grade Boys Basketball trip to CMU 2017-18 TPS Final Budget Adoption 2018-19 TPS Budget Adoption Closed Session - For Superintendent s evaluation CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT Member Tritt read a letter describing his reasons for resignation from his Board seat effective May 14, 2018. Bev Freese supported Dr. Tritt in his decision to step down from his Board seat and she also expressed concern over the changes implemented this year asking why things had to be changed and asking the Board to change things back to the way they were. Ryan Rhodes stated he recently retired and in all of his travels world-wide and in an ever changing world, he has seen how our educational system does not work to prepare kids for the world that awaits them. He urged the Board to stay the course and incorporate more transparency into their work. Mike Hernandez stated the that while the education system may be broken and a new system sounds good, he feels things were handled poorly and forced on parents the wrong way. Mrs. Hernandez expressed concern with how the changes were introduced to parents; however, she has seen many changes put in place for going forward but she just wishes it would have been like that for her child.
BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS/DISCUSSION Member Davis thanked those who spoke for their input stating she is appreciative of the parent involvement. Member Rice stated he was at the West STEAM Center with the staff from Lansing and that each time he takes a tour he learns more about the process. He stated that with over 20+ years in education, the direction of the Board is much more positive to prepare students for post high school experiences than before. Member Johnson-Berges thanked Dr. Tritt for his years of service to the Board. President Hart also thanked Dr. Tritt for his service and stated public service is difficult. Member Linn urged parents and community members to reach out to him as he has not heard from anyone about concerns. President Hart stated the Board continues to work for the best of all students and he thanked everyone for their comments. ACTION: It was moved by Member Rice, support by Member Johnson-Berges to accept the resignation from Member Tritt. Ayes: Members Hart, Linn, Johnson-Berges, Amstutz-Wild, Davis, and Rice. Motion carried 6-0. ADJOURNED: At 8:54 pm, President Hart adjourned the meeting. Debbie Johnson-Berges, Secretary Board of Education