June 25, 2007 Special meeting of the Board of Education
Lawrence Public Schools, Van Buren County, Michigan
Members Present: Julie Beam, Chuck Carpp, Jeff Johnson, Dave Nicholas, Tom Reynnells, Jim Sanborn, Carol Sjoquist. Carrie Rokos, Board Member Elect was also present.
Administration Present: Phil McAndrew, Sue McQueen, John Overley, Bob Gendron
Student Representatives Present: None
The meeting was called to order by President Reynnells at 7:30 p.m.
Sanborn moved and Sjoquist supported the motion to approve the minutes of June 4, 2007 as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
Sjoquist moved and Carpp supported the motion to approve the bills of $289,952.69 as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
Comments from the public:
Three parents were present to express their concern regarding large class sizes in the lower elementary. They also expressed concern over waiting a month after school starts to hire a new teacher if the class sizes remained large. The board stated that a decision to hire another elementary teacher would be made at the first meeting in September.
A concern was expressed regarding awarding a contract to a business that was $2000 more than the low bid. Discussion was held.
Val Marsh, Jon Pobuda and Barb Smith, Lawrence physical education teachers, presented an overview of the Carol White Physical Education Grant.
Johnson moved and Sjoquist supported the motion to approve the purchase of math textbooks for grades 7-9 for the 2007-2008 school year at a cost of $12,037.20. Discussion was held. Motion carried 7-0.
Sjoquist moved and Sanborn supported the motion to increase hot lunch prices by 15 cents for the 2007-2008 school year. This would bring the prices for the elementary to $1.75/day or $8.75/week and the Jr./Sr. High School to $1.90/day and $9.50/week. Discussion was held. Motion carried 7-0.
Sanborn moved and Johnson supported the motion to approve the 2007 tax rate request at 18.0000 operating mills, 3.0200 1998 debt mills and 3.9800 2006 refinance mills. Motion carried 7-0.
Sanborn moved and Carpp supported the motion to approve the 2007-2008 school calendar with 166 full days, 11 half days and 5 professional development days as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
Carpp moved and Beam supported the motion to approve the 2006-2007 short form budget update. Discussion was held. Motion carried 7-0.
Sjoquist moved and Johnson supported the motion to approve the proposed short form preliminary general budget for 2007-2008. Discussion was held. Motion carried 7-0.
Johnson moved and Sjoquist supported the motion to approve the athletic budget for 2007-2008 and the hot lunch budget for 2007-2008 as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
Sanborn moved and Nicholas supported the motion to approve the 2007-2008 Bond Debt Budget. Motion carried 7-0.
Beam moved and Johnson supported the motion to approve a contract with PCMI for the junior/senior high school secretarial position. Motion carried 7-0.
Johnson moved and Sjoquist supported the motion to accept the low bid from DJ’s Professional Tree Service for cutting down and removing three mature sugar maple trees at a cost of $1750. Motion carried 7-0.
Sanborn moved and Johnson supported the motion to set the date for the reorganization board meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Motion carried 7-0.
Discussion was held on the technology bond proposal. Since the final dollar amounts had not been received, the discussion was tabled to the next board meeting.
McAndrew presented the following athletic policies for their first reading:
Dual Sports Policy:
The purpose of allowing a student-athlete to participate on two athletic teams during the same season is to increase the opportunity for student-athletes to have a positive educational experience. It must be understood, however, that playing time may be limited in one or both sports due to lack of practice and/or contest participation time.
Students are allowed to dual sport in middle school providing the student meets the weekly and semester eligibility requirements. Once a student reaches the 9th grade, he/she may dual sport if they meet the following criteria:
1. Fill out the request to dual-sport form in the high school office prior to the first day of practice for both sports.
2. Determine in writing the primary sport for both practice and games (this must be the same sport) and the secondary sport. Once this determination is made it cannot be changed for the remainder of the athletic season.
3. Understand that the primary sport games and practices will take precedence over the secondary sport games and practices unless the secondary sport has a MHSAA sanctioned contest on a practice day of the primary sport.
4. Acknowledge and accept the condition for the secondary sport that the athlete must have been in attendance and competed in at least 80% of the regularly scheduled contest dates in order to be considered for post-season tournament competition (MHSAA sponsored tournaments).
5. Make up all conditioning and practice work missed with the respective coach of the secondary sport due to the primary sport obligation.
Joining a Team Policy All athletes are expected to join their athletic teams on the first day of sanctioned practice.
If an athlete is unsure if they want to participate in the upcoming season, they must make a commitment within one
school week (5 practice days) after the first day of sanctioned practice in order to be on the team with the
exception of the Fall sports. Only in the fall season, determination of play must be made within five days from the
first day of school. Failure to do so will result in loss of privilege to join the team for the season. Students who
move into the school district after the first week of practice, wish to participate, and meet all MHSAA
requirements for participation, may be allowed to join the team within one week of his/her enrollment date
providing the team has not reached its maximum allowed number of participants.
Once the season has started after the first week of practice and only in the event of not being able to field a team
for competition, coaches may petition the Athletic Committee in writing requesting permission to “recruit”
athletes in order to field a team for competition. The coach must attend a meeting with the Athletic Committee to
secure special permission to “recruit” athletes before any conversation takes place between the coach and the
prospective athlete.
Discussion was held. The policies were accepted as a first reading.
Sanborn moved and Johnson supported the motion to have a meeting at the end of the school year for all of the
varsity coaches and the athletic director to vote on the Athlete of the Year. Discussion was held.
Motion carried 7-0.
Sanborn expressed the board’s appreciation to Tom Reynnells for the many years he has served on the school
board.
It was stated that Linda Marshall had paid $198 last month towards the $59,484.90 she owes the school. The balance
owed and amount paid each month as will be placed in the board minutes.
Sjoquist moved and Johnson supported the motion to move into closed session for a student discipline appeal and
for negotiations. Roll call vote: Julie Beam Y, Chuck Carpp Y, Jeff Johnson Y, Dave Nicholas Y, Tom Reynnells Y,
Jim Sanborn Y, Carol Sjoquist Y. Motion carried 7-0.
The open session of the board meeting adjourned 9:15.
Pat Garrod, Recording Secretary
The meeting returned to open session at 10:02. Johnson moved and Sanborn supported the motion to bar a student
from participation in sports until the spring sports season with the following criteria:
1) The student should have no grade below a “C” on the nine weeks grading or semester grading.
2) The student should have no violation of any school rules as described in the student handbook.
Roll call vote: Julie Beam Y, Chuck Carpp Y, Jeff Johnson Y, Dave Nicholas Y, Tom Reynnells Y, Jim Sanborn Y, Carol
Sjoquist N. Motion carried 6-0.
Roll call vote to move into closed session at 10:18. Julie Beam Y, Chuck Carpp Y, Jeff Johnson Y, Dave Nicholas Y,
Tom Reynnells Y, Jim Sanborn Y, Carol Sjoquist Y. Motion carried 7-0.
The meeting returned to open session at 10:23. Johnson moved and Sjoquist supported the motion to give a 2%
raise to support staff with the exception of John Overley, Bob Gendron, Jenny Sinkler and Carmelitta Beeching.
Motion carried 7-0.
Johnson moved and Sanborn supported the motion to discontinue competitive cheerleading. Discussion was held.
Motion carried 7-0.
Meeting adjourned at 10:32.