Board of Education Meeting Overview
An overview of action taken by the
Utica Community Schools Board of Education
Regular Meeting
Monday, June 28, 2010
Contributions of Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board recognized
The Board of Education congratulated the 2010 members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board, which met regularly with Schools Superintendent Dr. Christine M. Johns. Created four years ago, the Advisory Board is a vehicle to provide student input to the superintendent from the district’s junior and senior high schools. Members are selected based on academic achievement, participation in school and community activities, staff recommendation and a written statement outlining why they wished to participate.
Advisory Board members have also worked together to create the Academic Blitz, in which district students were introduced to expanded Advanced Placement courses, encouraged to challenge themselves academically and make college or university their goal for the future. Future plans call for the Board to work on the development of a scholarship program for qualifying UCS students.
Superintendent’s Report filled with optimism for the new school year
Several of the students attended the meeting and were represented by Brandon Barlog, an original Advisory Board member and a recent graduate of Eisenhower High School, who addressed the Board of Education. Barlog, an Eisenhower co-valedictorian, will attend the University of Michigan in the fall.
Schools Superintendent Dr. Christine M. Johns, in her regular report to the Board, indicated that the 2009-2010 school year ended smoothly and that the summer months would be used to prepare buildings for the fall opening, the implementation of some bond projects and the creation of staff development opportunities. She said she was looking forward to the 2010-2011 school year and its positive impact on student achievement.
Board adopts courses and related textbooks; cancels July meetings
The Board approved the adoption of an eleventh grade English course, textbooks and novels to be utilized; a probability and statistics text and an accelerated precalculus and calculus textbooks for the 2010-2011 school year.
Citing budget reductions and employee furlough days, the Board canceled the July 12 and July 26 regular meetings. The next regularly-schedule Board of Education meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, August 9 at the Joan C. Sergent Instructional Resource Center, 14201 Canal Road, Sterling Heights.
Employee contracts ratified
The Board approved a one-year contract extension with the Chapter Local 1664 of the Utica Paraprofessional Association, expiring June 30, 2011. The contract, which expires June 30, 2011, was ratifi ed earlier by the union membership and is within guidelines set by the Board.
The Board also approved a two-year contract with the Utica Community Schools Food Service Chapter Local 1664, expiring June 30, 2012. The contract, which was ratifi ed earlier with the union membership, is within the established guidelines of the Board.
Administrative appointments approved
The Board approved the following administrative appointments effective July 1, 2010:
• Interim Assistant Superintendent Robert Van Camp to Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
•Executive Director of Human Resources David Rilley to Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
• Director of Human Resources Michael Sturm to Executive Director of Human Resources
• UCAL Principal Patricia Gonser to Director of Administrative Services
• Bemis Assistant Principal Jake Palmer to Principal of Switzer Elementary School
• Teacher on special assignment Leah Einhaus to Principal of Messmore Elementary School
• Teacher on special assignment Mary Beth Kaiser to Principal of DeKeyser Elementary School
• Renee Fiema, East China School District - Coordinator of Federal and State Programs, to Principal at Crissman Elementary School
• Jeannette Assistant Principal Tom Yaw to Principal at Bemis Junior High School
• Stevenson Assistant Principal Nanette Chesney to Principal at Eisenhower High School
• Teacher on special assignment Pasquale Cusumano as Assistant Principal at Jeannette Junior High School
• Teacher/Administrative Intern Stacy Gierman as Assistant Principal at Bemis Junior High School
No new administrative positions were created; the appointments were made to fi ll existing openings created by retirements or replace administrators taking on different responsibilities.
Purchase of goods, services approved
The Board awarded contracts for the following: Community Education brochure printing, Advanced Path Contract, Food Service products, milk products, M.A.I.S.L. Joint Risk Management Trust-Property and Casualty Insurance Rates & Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance, Technology Package – various buildings, Davis Junior High cafeteria service line renovations and water main replacement at Wiley Elementary School.