Board of Education Regular Meeting Agenda • May 16 2022

Posted bybuchananchroniclePosted inAll Issues, Buchanan, Community, Issue 28 - May 21 2022, Local Meetings, Schools, Spring
Submitted by Michelle Munyon, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, Buchanan Community Schools

Please note that the Board of Education Meeting Agenda is posted below. At the end of the agenda, click on the link to take you to more detailed minutes of the meeting. Also, the meeting minutes will not be published in each issue of The Buchanan Chronicle, but instead as they are available.

  • Buchanan High School Auditorium
  • 401 W. Chicago Street
  • Buchanan, MI 49107

Begin Agenda:

A. Call to Order – Opening of Meeting by President

  • Dr. Burnett opened the meeting at 7:02pm.

B. Pledge of Allegiance

  • Dr. Burnett led the Pledge of Allegiance.

C. Roll Call

  • PRESENT: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • ABSENT: None
  • OTHERS PRESENT: Superintendent Patricia Robinson, Mark Kurland, Phil Place, Carrie Brunsting, Melissa Frost, Melissa Prestine, Stacey DeMaio, Donna Southwell

D. Adoption of Agenda

  • MOTION by C. Carlson, SECONDED BY Member R. Writer the agenda for the board meeting of May 16, 2022 be adopted as written.
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

E. Recognition of Visitors (All visitors, please sign the sign-in sheet.)

  • Mrs. Robinson welcomed all guests.
  • T. Hoyt, R. Hoyt, J. Hoyt, G. Brinkley, C. Warner, M. Warner, J. Brackett, J. Singleton, K. Singleton, K. Singleton, S. Leidy, A. Patnoudes, D. Patnoudes, M. Klingerman, C. McKean, M. Nixon, M. Dunn, C. Lolmaugh, K. Lolmaugh, J. Mitchell

F. Points of Pride

  • BMS Student Advisory Committee – Khloe Singleton read her writing on her opinion of the district survey regarding Moccasin Elementary.
  • Buck Staff Recognition May Winner: Melissa Prestine, Ottawa and Moccasin Elementary Music Teacher. Mrs. Laesch recognized Ms. Prestine as this month’s winner.
  • Nominees included:
    • Amanda Horton, BHS Food Service
    • BJ Scott, Ottawa Food Service & Transportation Assistant
    • Kari Chase, Great Start Readiness Program Teacher
    • Kathryn Lolmaugh, Moccasin Administrative Assistant
    • Margaret Cowles, BHS Food Service
    • Melissa Frost, BHS Science Teacher
    • Melissa Sweeney, BHS Food Service
    • Missy Lyons, BMS Special Education Teacher
    • Rebekah Marschke, Moccasin 4th Grade Teacher
    • Ryan Frontczak, BMS Dean of Students
    • Shelby Beasley, BMS Principal
  • 2022 Hall of Fame Winners
    • Performance in School-Related Activities, Mr. David D. Shoemake
    • Contributions to Society, Mr. Eddie L. Miller
    • Contributions to Buchanan Community Schools, Mrs. Sharon Gregorski
  • Superintendent Shadow – Mrs. Robinson shared how a 5th grade student spent the day with her to write an essay for class.

G. Superintendent & Department Reports

  • Updates for BHS, BMS, Moccasin, Ottawa, Athletics/BVA/CTE, Business Office, Operations, Food Service, Information Technology, Transportation, and Assistant Superintendent were provided respectively.
  • Mrs. Robinson apologized for the survey not reaching all of our district tax payers.

H. Presentations

  • School Highlight – Mrs. Stacey DeMaio, Buchanan High School Principal and Mrs. Donna Southwell, BHS Interventionist, presented to the board. Mrs. DeMaio spoke on BHS student points of pride, staff points of pride, upcoming events, goals, initiatives, standards based learning, and grading. Mrs. Southwell spoke of interventions and enrichment opportunities.
  • Plow Day Presentation – Mrs. Melissa Frost along with five BHS students presented to the board reviewing Plow Day on April 23rd. A total of 19 students volunteered at Plow Day.
  • BMS/BHS Music Department Presentation – Mrs. Jennie Bracket shared about the Collage concert.
  • School Perceptions Survey Results – Mr. Rob DeMeuse from School Perceptions reviewed our recent district project survey results.

I. Information, Reports, & New Business

  • Superintendent & Buck Parent Conversations, May 2nd Meeting – Mrs. Robinson spoke about the district project survey.
  • BHS Student Advisory, May 10th Meeting – Mrs. Robinson reviewed with the students the district project survey.

J. Public Comment

  • Gail Brinkley
  • Carol McKean

K. Adoption of Consent Agenda Items

  • MOTION by K. Berry, SECONDED BY Member C. Lee, the Board of Education approves the consent agenda for the regular board meeting of May 16th, 2022 be adopted as written:
  1. Minutes:
    • 4-18-2022 Regular Meeting
  2. Warrants:
    • Treasury & Expenditure Reports – April 2022
  3. Retirement:
    • Kathryn Lolmaugh – Moccasin Administrative Assistant to the Principal, 29 years of service
  4. Recommendations to Hire as submitted by:
    • BCS Director of Operations, Mr. Al Berget
    • BCS Transportation Supervisor, Mr. Nate Will
Recommended EmployeeTitle
Robert KlecaOperations Utility Staff (contract attached)
Lacey ChaseBus Driver
  1. Resignations:
    • Brittney Gmeiner, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

L. Buchanan High School 2022 Graduation Certification

  • MOTION by C. Carlson, SECONDED BY Member C. Lee, upon satisfactory completion of district requirements for high school graduation, the Board of Education hereby approves the graduates as listed on the attached roster to be certified for graduation; and further authorizes the administration to prepare diplomas to be presented at the 2022 Commencement Ceremony.
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

M. Buchanan Virtual Academy Graduation Certification

  • MOTION by C. Lee, SECONDED BY Member R. Writer, upon satisfactory completion of district requirements for high school graduation, the Board of Education hereby approves:
    • Buchanan Virtual Academy Students:
      • Katelynn Larsh
      • Hannah Blumka
      • Jesus Gutierrez
      • Luzmaria Lira
      • Aaron Walters
      • Bryce Placher
    • Buchanan Step Up Students:
      • Justin Glinka
      • Lizette Wiesinger
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

N. NEOLA – Second Reading

  • MOTION by R. Writer, SECONDED BY Member K. Laesch, the Buchanan Board of Education approves the second reading of the following NEOLA revised policies:
PolicyDescription
0167.3Public Comment at Board Meetings
2410Prohibition of Referral or Assistance
2414Reproductive Health and Family Planning
2418Sex Education
5511Dress and Grooming
6110Grant Funds
6114Cost Principles – Spending Federal Funds
6325Procurement – Federal Grants/Funds
7440Facility Security
8600Transportation
9190Shop Project Charge
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

O. Berrien RESA General Fund Operating Budget Resolution

  • MOTION by K. Laesch, SECONDED BY Member C. Lee, the Buchanan Board of Education approves the following resolution:
  • WHEREAS: This Board received the Berrien RESA General Fund Operating Budget following the RESA Board meeting of April 20, 2022; and
  • WHEREAS: In accordance with Section 380.624 of the Revised School Code, this Board must now adopt a resolution expressing its support or disapproval of the proposed Berrien RESA budget, and must submit to the Berrien RESA Board any specific objections and/proposed changes the Board may have to the budget prior to June 1, 2022.
  • THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The Berrien RESA General Fund Operating Budget for the 2022-23 school year be supported, and that the Secretary of the Board is hereby directed to submit a copy of this resolution to the Secretary of the Berrien RESA Board of Education, along with any specific objections or proposed changes on the budget.
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

P. Auditor Services Recommendation

  • MOTION by C. Lee, SECONDED BY Member C. Carlson, the Buchanan Board of Education approves a change in auditing companies to Kruggel Lawton & Company to conduct Buchanan Community Schools audits as recommended by the Finance Committee.
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

Q. Donation Approvals Over $1,000

  • MOTION by C. Carlson, SECONDED BY Member R. Writer, the Buchanan Board of Education approves the following donations:
    • For the softball trust and agency batting cages:
      • Keiwit Power, $6,000 (in kind as well as monetary)
      • Indeck Energy, $6,000 (in kind as well as monetary)
      • Honor Credit Union, $3,000
    • For the High School Centennial Celebration & Marquee Sign:
      • Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, $14,000
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • ABSTAINED: K. Berry
  • MOTION ADOPTED

R. Batting Cage Construction

  • MOTION by C. Carlson, SECONDED BY Member K. Berry, the Buchanan Board of Education approves the construction of the new batting cages for Buchanan Community Schools. This project has been funded by donations received to the softball program.
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

S. Lakeland Conference Handbook

  • MOTION by C. Carlson, SECONDED BY Member R. Writer, the Buchanan Board of Education approves the Lakeland Conference Handbook and Bylaws for the Buchanan Community Schools Athletics Department.
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

T. Proposed Tree Plantings at Buchanan High School

  • MOTION by K. Laesch, SECONDED BY Member R. Writer, the Buchanan Board of Education approves three white pine trees donated by the Dougherty family to be planted by Elm Valley Evergreens at Buchanan High School.
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

U. RFP – Buchanan High School Water Softener

  • MOTION by C. Carlson, SECONDED BY Member K. Laesch, the Buchanan Board of Education approves Director of Operations, Alan Berget, recommendation to accept the bid from Andy J. Egan Co., Inc. for the Buchanan High School water softener replacement project.
  • ROLL CALL VOTE: C. Lee, K. Berry, C. Carlson, K. Laesch, S. Carlin, R. Writer, and H. Burnett
  • NAYS: None
  • MOTION ADOPTED

V. Questions & Comments from Board Members

  • Mr. Carlson congratulated Coach Marazita, former Buchanan graduate, on his 300th victory with Brandywine Girls Tennis.
  • Dr. Carlin thanked the district administrators for being prompt and providing accurate information in responses when there are questions from the community.
  • Mrs. Writer invited all to Buchanan High Schools 100th Anniversary Celebration happening on June 11th.
  • Dr. Burnett noted the BMS D.A.R.E. graduation will be May 19th at 6pm.

W. Next Board Meeting:

  • Tuesday, May 31st at 6pm

X. Adjournment

  • 9:25 pm

You may view the completed May 16, 2022 Board of Education Meeting Minutes on the Buchanan Community Schools website here.

Buchanan Community Schools Board of Education

Mission: Educating students for life-long success in their civic, academic, physical and social/emotional lives. 

Vision: To develop responsible, resilient, creative citizens capable of succeeding in a global society.

Beliefs: We Believe in providing a safe, supportive, respectful environment, opportunities for all students (options), student growth and achievement, and cooperative relationships among students, families, stakeholders and community members.

“We welcome you to a meeting of the Buchanan Community Schools Board of Education.
This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the school district’s business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. 
There is a time for regular public participation during the meeting as indicated in agenda item H. If you wish to make a presentation to the Board, please fill out the Speaker Card and pass it to the Board President before item H on the agenda. 
Thank you for your support of Buchanan Community Schools!”

Members of the public may contact members of the school board to provide input or ask questions on any business that will come before the board. These items will also be shared with the Superintendent.

Official minutes of school board meetings are stored and available for inspection in the Superintendent’s Office. Meeting minutes are also posted on our district website under the Board of Education. www.buchananschools.com

Upon request to Michelle Munyon, the District shall make reasonable accommodations for a person with disabilities to be able to participate in the meeting.

%d bloggers like this: