December's minutes

A regular meeting of the Waldron Area Schools Board of Education was held on December 14, 2009 and was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by president, Dick Storehalder. Members present were Scott Knapp, Joe Fether, Dick Storehalder, Tom Schaedler, Jen Long, and Jay Williams; Sabine Young was absent. Administrator present was Superintendent William Stitt. Members of the audience joined the Board in reciting the Pledge to the American flag.\.

The Board of Education waived the reading of the minutes the Waldron Area School December 14, 2009 regular meeting and the January 2, 2010 special meeting. Motion by member J. Williams, support by member T. Schaedler to approve the minutes. Motion passed 6 – 0.

In Public Comment Jodi Emens, parent of a senior student planning on participating in the senior trip voiced concerns with the Board Policy stating that students are required to work 50% of the fund raisers during their Junior and Senior year to be eligible to go on the trip. If a student has raised the money to go on the trip should he/she have to work the fund raisers and take a portion of the profits if there are other students that still need to raise money to pay for their trip. Senior class advisors were present and reassured the Board that there are no students that will be ineligible for the trip due to lack of participation. The policy committee will meet and review this policy. Lisa Baker asked for follow up information regarding the use of class funds for personal use. Mr. Stitt presented her with a letter from our auditors Rehman Robson stating that class funds are for class expenses only and should not be used for personal use.

Motion by member T. Schaedler, support by member J. Fether that the Board approve the payment of general fund bills with check #24642-24681. Motion passed 6 – 0. janu

In committee reports T. Schaedler and D. Storehalder reported that the budget and personnel committees have met and come to an agreement with the bus drivers on the extra trip rates for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year. Mr. Stitt reported that the school improvement committee had met and discussed the results of the parent survey and they are looking at areas that need improvement.

In Old Business Mr. Stitt reported to the Board his findings on the State mandates for student discipline. There is no State requirement for verbal threats and the school policy states that such acts can result in expulsion for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 180. Superintendent Stitt recommends that for the safety of all students said student be expelled for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year. Motion by member S. Knapp, support by member J. Fether that the Board expel the student for the remainder of the school year and require him to request readmission prior to returning for the 2010-2011 school year. Motion passed 4 – 2 (Knapp – Y, Schaedler – Y, Williams – N, Long – N, Storehalder – Y)

The Board conducted the second reading of the Fundraising Guidelines. Motion by member J. Fether, support by member J. Williams that the Board adopt the Fundraising Guidelines as policy. Motion passed 6 – 0.

The final senior trip itinerary was presented to the Board by class advisors Lisa Baker and Shelley Knowlan. The total cost of the trip is $1250.00 and this includes all expenses, passports, transportation and excursions except parking at the airport. Motion by member T. Schaedler, support by member J. Long to approve the final trip itinerary. Motion passed 5 – 1 (Storehalder cast the one negative vote).

. The Board was issued a letter from Lenawee Christian Schools requesting to be admitted into our league for eleven man football. The request is denied due to a lack of a motion. .Motion by member J. Long, support by member J. Williams that the Board grant an unpaid leave of absence to M. Beth Shaw for the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year. Motion passed 6 – 0. .

In the Superintendent’s report Mr. Stitt reported that the Board needs to look at the FMLA policy and make some clarification per the recommendation of our legal council. He gave the Board an update on the Race To The Top program. He reported that at the Superintendent’s meeting the county has 6 of the 8 district schedules aligned for next school year; the six schools will have a common start time and will be running a 7 period day. He reported that Waldron schools “School of Choice” status shows that we have 15 more students going “out” than coming “in”, we will continue to improve that number. He also reminded Board members of the upcoming School Board election. Petitions are due to the County Clerks office by February 9, 2010 and we have two members with terms expiring.

.Motion by member J. Williams, support by member J. Long to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.. Motion passed 6 – 0.

January's Minutes

A special meeting of the Waldron Area Schools Board of Education was held on January 5, 2010 and was called to order at 5:45 p.m. by president, Dick Storehalder. Members present were Scott Knapp, Joe Fether, Dick Storehalder, Tom Schaedler, Sabine Young, Jen Young and Jay Williams. Administrator present was Superintendent William Stitt. Members of the audience joined the Board in reciting the Pledge to the American Flag.

Per parental request the Board entered closed session at 5:50 p.m. to discuss a student discipline.Board returned to open session at 6:03 p.m. Motion by member S. Knapp, support by J. Williams to table student expulsion and extend his suspension until the regular board meeting on January 11, 2010. Motion passed 7 – 0. Motion by member S. Knapp, support by member J. Williams to adjourn at 6:12 p.m.. Motion passed 7 – 0.

March's Minutes

A regular meeting of the Waldron Area Schools Board of Education was held on March 8, 2010 and was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by president, Dick Storehalder. Members present were Scott Knapp, Joe Fether, Dick Storehalder, Tom Schaedler, Jay Williams, and Sabine Young; member Jen Long arrived at 7:33 p.m. Administrator present was Superintendent William Stitt. Members of the audience joined the Board in reciting the Pledge to the American flag.

The Board of Education waived the reading of the minutes the Waldron Area School February 8, 2010 regular meeting. Motion by member S. Knapp, support by member J. Williams to approve the minutes. Motion passed 6 – 0.

Motion by member T. Schaedler, support by member J. Fether that the Board approve the payment of general fund bills with check #24715-24718 & 24720-24858. Motion passed 7 – 0.

In committee reports Joe Fether reported that the Policy Committee met on 3/2/2010 regarding the senior trip policy; a revised policy has been attached to the Board Packets.

Jay Williams reported that the School Improvement Committee met on 3/1/2010. They discussed MEAP scores, identifying areas for improvement.

Members of the Board conducted the first reading of the senior trip policy.

Motion by member S. Knapp, support by member J. Long that the Board approve the hiring of Marty Emens as the head baseball coach with his unpaid assistants being Kevin Klingler and Troy Masters pending fingerprinting results. Motion passed 7 – 0.

Motion by member J. Fether, support by member J. Williams that the Board approve Kathy Lockwood as the head softball coach with her unpaid assistants being Barry Lockwood, Brian Spencer, and Troy McVoy pending fingerprinting results. Motion passed 6 – 1 (S. Knapp cast the one negative vote).

Motion by member J. Williams, support by member J. Long that the Board approve Helena Jagielski as the High School track coach, pending fingerprinting results. Motion passed 7 – 0.

It was noted by the Board that no coach or assistant coach is allowed to work without students until fingerprinting has been completed and results have been received.

Motion by member J. Long, support by member J. Fether that the Board deny the request from Lenawee Christian to become a part of our football league. Motion passed 4 – 3 (Long – Y, Fether – Y, Williams – N, Storehalder – N, Schaedler – Y, Knapp – Y, Young – N)

In the Superintendent’s report Mr. Stitt reported that our school has been chosen to receive the Healthy School Environment Outstanding Award and he has been granted a scholarship to the SPLASH Conference where he will be receiving this award. Mr. Stitt also reported that he has been chosen, along with other Michigan educators, to spend Spring Break on a Marine Base in California. He reported that our elementary school is in the process of changing from a Title I Targeted Assistance school to a Title I School wide school.

. Motion by member J. Fether, support by member J. Long to adjourn at 8:31 p.m.. Motion passed 7 – 0.