MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION Livonia Public Schools Farmington Road Regular Meeting January 19, 2010

Transcription

1 MINUTES BOARD OF EDUCATION Livonia Public Schools Farmington Road Regular Meeting January 19, 2010 President Scheel convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room, Farmington Road, Livonia. Members Present Members Absent School Funding Update Colleen Burton, Robert Freeman, Steve King, Daniel Lessard, Patrice Mang, Gregory Oke, Lynda Scheel None Dr. Liepa shared an update on school funding. The State Revenue Consensus Conference occurred on January 11, at which time the $127 per pupil cut was restored. As a result, the mid-year cuts to Livonia Public Schools will be reduced from $10 million to approximately $8 million. The budget the Board of Education passed on December 14 reflects the cut of $8 million. Dr. Liepa also relayed that we have Tentative Agreements with two of our union groups - LEA and LEADS - and many reductions will be restored if those Tentative Agreements are ratified. Cabinet and the Superintendent also have agreements in place and will be working with all other groups to discuss similar concessions. Upcoming Community Meetings Donna McDowell, Administrator of Communications, invited the community to the following upcoming meetings: Legislative Hour 7:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 25 Stevenson Cafeteria Information hour with our state legislators regarding school funding. Community Forums 6:30-8:00 p.m. Feb. 3 Churchill Cafeteria Information regarding school funding Feb. 11 Franklin Cafeteria challenges and the opportunity to offer input. Feb. 22 Stevenson Cafeteria Superintendent s Coffee 9:30-10:30 a.m. Feb. 4 Administration Bldg. Information and idea sharing regarding the Superintendent s difficult budget choices that lay ahead. Conference Room Gift - TRW Mrs. McDowell recognized John Wilkerson, TRW Communications Manager, for TRW s generous gift of $3,500 to help fund educational projects for Livonia Public Schools. Board Secretary Freeman presented Mr. Wilkerson with a plaque of appreciation for TRW s many contributions to Livonia Public

2 Regular Meeting -2-1/19/10 Schools over the last ten years, including donations of $54,500 and countless volunteer hours by TRW employees. It was moved by Mr. Freeman and supported by Mr. Lessard that the Board of Education of the Livonia Public Schools School District accept the gracious gift of $3,500 from the TRW Foundation to help fund district educational projects. Board Appreciation Month Written Communication Audience Communication Response to Prior Audience Communication Consent Agenda Mrs. McDowell thanked the Board for their continued commitment to Livonia Public Schools and for working responsibly to make the difficult decisions necessary during these hard times. Mrs. McDowell read the Wayne County RESA resolution honoring the Board of Education and presented Board members with Certificates of Appreciation for their dedication to public education in Michigan. Dr. Liepa extended his appreciation to the Board for the significant job they do and for their contributions to Livonia Public Schools. Trustee Lessard distributed Race to the Top information to Board members. President Scheel received a Thank You card addressed to Dr. Liepa and Board members and will share the note with them. Dianne Marietti, Fairway Street, addressed the Board regarding the lease with the city of Livonia for gymnastics classes and asked if the district held leases for any other facilities. None Ms. Scheel stated that Item VI.A. Bills for Payment January 20, 2010, would be removed from the consent agenda. It was moved by Ms. Mang and supported by Mr. Freeman that the Board of Education of the Livonia Public Schools School District approve the following consent agenda items as recommended by the superintendent: IV.A. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 14, 2009 IV.B. Minutes of the Special Meeting of December 16, 2009 IV.C. Minutes of the Special Meeting of January 6, 2010 IV.D. Minutes of the Special Meeting of January 11, 2010 IV.E. Minutes of the Closed Session of January 11, 2010

3 Regular Meeting -3-1/19/10 CLASS (Continuous Learning And Student Success) Approval to Purchase Waterford Early Reading Program Mrs. Sheila Alles, Director of Academic Services, presented a video of the first program in the CLASS (Continuous Learning and Student Success) series, showcasing the use of graphic novels in LPS classrooms. Students at Cooper Upper Elementary and Stevenson High School shared their experiences with graphic novels, relaying that this type of writing makes information much clearer and easier to understand. It was moved by Mr. King and supported by Mr. Lessard that the Board of Education of the Livonia Public Schools School District approve the purchase of the Waterford Early Reading Program for use with Title 1 students at Hayes Elementary School, for a total cost of $30, (to be purchased with Title 1 ARRA funds). Bills for Payment January 20, 2010 It was moved by Ms. Burton and supported by Ms. Mang that General Fund check nos through for $6,883, be approved for payment and general fund wire transfers of $6,183, and payroll direct deposit of $6,977, be approved for total expenditures of $20,045, Service Consolidation Plan Resolution It was moved by Mr. Oke and supported by Mr. Lessard that the Board of Education of the Livonia Public Schools School District resolve to develop a Service Consolidation Plan to reduce school operating costs in compliance with Michigan Department of Education guidelines. LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Service Consolidation Plan Resolution Whereas, MCL D(2) requires that a district enter into an agreement with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) if the district intends to apply the $165 per pupil deduction in State School Aid revenue against one of the unprotected State School Aid categoricals other than Section 22b. Under this document the district agrees that it will develop a Service Consolidation Plan to reduce school operating costs that is in compliance with MDE guidelines. Whereas, the Livonia Public Schools local school board have been involved with service consolidation plans in the past, sharing various services; and Whereas, the district continues to pursue additional new opportunities for the consolidation of services; Whereas the Livonia Public Schools intends to apply some, if not all of the $165 per pupil membership deduction to categorical funding; Now therefore be it

4 Regular Meeting -4-1/19/10 Resolved, that the Livonia Public Schools intends to enter into an agreement with the Michigan Department of Education to develop a new Service Consolidation Plan. Ayes: Nays: Resolution declared adopted. Robert J. Freeman, Secretary Livonia Board of Education SERVICE CONSOLIDATION PLAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Attachment A MCL D(2) requires that a district enter into an Agreement with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) if the district determines that it will develop a Service Consolidation Plan to reduce school operating costs that is in compliance with MDE Guidelines. This determination is made by the district because it has chosen to apply the $165 per pupil membership deduction to categorical funding (MCL D(1)) that the district receives. Therefore, based on the requirements set forth in law, the Livonia Public Schools School District agrees to develop a Service Consolidation Plan to reduce school operating costs in compliance with MDE Guidelines. The Livonia Public Schools Board of Education resolution approving this agreement is attached. Livonia Public School District Superintendent Livonia Public School Board of Education President Director of Academic Services Retirements It was moved by Ms. Burton and unanimously supported by the Board that the Board of Education of the Livonia Public Schools School District adopt resolutions of appreciation for services rendered by:

5 Regular Meeting -5-1/19/10 Nancy Averill, who has devoted years of dedicated, loyal, and outstanding service to the Livonia Public Schools as a secretary with the Transportation Department, Western Wayne Skill Center, and the Purchasing Department. Kathleen Goebel, who has devoted 30.1 years of dedicated, loyal, and outstanding service to the Livonia Public Schools as a Head Start teacher with Community Education and as a paraprofessional at Webster Elementary School. Kimberly Lyczak, who has devoted 21.6 years of dedicated, loyal, and outstanding service to the Livonia Public Schools as a general helper and kitchen manager at Grant Elementary School. Recall of Teachers It was moved by Mr. Lessard and supported by Ms. Mang that the Board of Education of the Livonia Public Schools School District accept the recommendation of the superintendent and recall to district employment as teachers for the school year the persons listed below: LIVONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TEACHER RECALLS January 19, 2010 Name Assignment Jaime Benkelman (.5) School Psychologist Student Services Kevin Etue (.8) Business/(.2) NCA Leadership Livonia Career Technical Center Erik Hughes (.6) Information Technology/ (.4) Special Populations Coordinator Livonia Career Technical Center Victoria Johnson Grade 4 Hoover Elementary School Mary P. Wright (1.0) Fashion Merchandise Livonia Career Technical Center Adjournment It was moved by Mr. Lessard and supported by Mr. Oke that the Regular Meeting of January 19, 2010 be adjourned. President Scheel adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.

6 Regular Meeting -6-1/19/10 Certification I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 19, 2010, and that said minutes have been and are available for public inspection in accordance with the provisions of P.A. 267, Michigan Public Acts of Robert J. Freeman, Secretary Livonia Board of Education Off/Supt/jw