Superintendent Denney and the Board of Education were happy to honor the Junior Medal of Honor recipients for December and January and the varsity volleyball all-state academic team members.
Two members of the Leo Club did a brief presentation on their activities during the past year.
In the absence of the high school Student Council representative, Superintendent Denney gave a report on the Student Council activities concerning Snowfest.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, a staff member and two community members addressed the board regarding the disciplinary hearing that would take place at the end of the meeting.
Mr. Cottrell shared with the Board the updates on the implementation of the Jackson County Early College program, which is moving along. A new director, Jean Logan, has been hired and has met with all Jackson County superintendents, principals, and counselors. Our seniors have been given a full overview of the program, and additional meetings are scheduled for senior parents and underclassmen. A FAQ document and parent letter templates have been given to each district that can be modified to their needs to help answer questions about the program.
There was no candidate from our region for the annual election of the MASB Board of Directors, and therefore no ballot.
Superintendent Denney summarized the updates on Governor Snyder’s proposed budget for the fiscal year 2019, which covers the 2018-19 school year. Some of the items that would impact school funding are the possible increase in the foundation allowance of $240 per pupil, a reduction of 25% per pupil in the foundation allowance for cyber school pupils, a CTE premium of $25 per pupil for those enrolled in the Career Center, and maintaining At-Risk funding at this year’s levels. More information will be passed along to the Board as it becomes available.
The John George trust, as in the past several years, has supplied the school district with grant dollars. This school year, we received $30,000, a portion of which is required to be used to support the College and Career Access Center. Each building principal was asked how they wanted to spend the money for their buildings. The elementary decided to continue their focus on their STEM lab and are also purchasing additional equipment for that room. The middle school will use their funds to help cover costs of career-focused field trips, materials for the Comet Character class, and to purchase other materials. The high school would like to purchase iPads for their math and science departments. A total of $20,000 will be spent from this grant.
The Food Service department requested the pay rate of food service substitutes be increased from $9.25 an hour to $10.00 an hour. The Food Service budget can sustain this increase, and it is felt that it may help in recruiting food service substitute workers. The Board approved this pay rate increase.
The Board approved the adoption of changes to the board goals that were the result of last month’s special meeting.
Superintendent Denney reported to the Board members on the following:
- Because of the closing of school on Feb. 9th due to snow and sickness, Snowfest activities have been rescheduled. The Snowfest game and halftime festivities will take place on Friday, Feb. 23rd vs. Vandercook Lake; the spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Larry Dailey will be before the game. The Snowfest dance will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24th.
- The wrestling team has had a solid year and has a record six students who will be competing at Regionals.
- Thank you to Mark Hubbard and his team for the extra hours they put in on snow removal.
- He is excited to see the JCEC program get off the ground.
The Board members commented on the following:
- They were pleased to recognize the Jr. Medal of Honor winners and the varsity volleyball all-state academic team members.
- The Leo Club presentation was well done and appreciated
- A board member who attended a session at Jackson Public Schools would like to explore the possibility of distance learning, especially in languages.
After a short break, the Board held a disciplinary hearing regarding the violation of the athletic code by a student and the suspension handed down.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
