Minutes of Regular Meeting - Forest Hills Public Schools

FOREST HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Minutes of Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
Held on January 21, 2013
The Forest Hills Board of Education met in regular session on Monday,
January 21, 2013, at Central Middle School. President Josephson called the
regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Atwater, Fahner, Fischer, Josephson, Lenhardt,
Perschbacher III, Vonck
Members Absent: None
Central Middle Schools’ Student Council officers led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Glenn Mitcham, Principal of Central Middle School, welcomed everyone to
tonight’s meeting. He announced that Tonja Bogema was nominated for the
Grand Valley State University’s Cool Teacher Program. In celebration of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, Glenn showcased photos that his father
took in 1965 of Dr. King. January is School Board Appreciation Month, and
we appreciate the time, energy, and effort that our Board gives to our
students, staff, and community.
As a special token to the Board, Superintendent Behm presented luminaries
that were made by Northern High School students in Laura Madison’s craft
class. Superintendent Behm said, “Our Board gives of their time in the
interest of children; living by always doing what is best for children. Every
decision that is made is pressed through this filter…always doing what is
best for children. The luminaries were presented for a reason – our Board
provides illumination for all of our staff and students. Thank you for what you
do and for lighting the way for us.”
President Josephson read a letter from Board Trustee Maureen Fischer
announcing her resignation from the Forest Hills Public Schools Board of
Education effective Monday, January 21, 2013.
Pam Christensen, Northern High School secretary, thanked Maureen Fischer
for always being present in joyous and challenging occasions.
Member Perschbacher III, Finance Committee Member, and Member Vonck,
Curriculum Committee Chair, presented their respective committee reports.
Motion by Member Fischer, second by Member Fahner, that the Forest Hills
Board of Education approve consent grouping items VI, A-C. Motion carried
7-0.
AYES: Fischer, Perschbacher III, Fahner, Josephson, Lenhardt, Atwater,
Vonck
NAYS: None
CALL TO ORDER
ATTENDANCE
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
WELCOME
PRESENTATION
BOARD OF
EDUCATION
RECOGNITION
BOARD MEMBER
RETIRES
PUBLIC COMMENTS
APPROVAL OF
CONSENT
GROUPING ITEMS
Accepted the $50,000 donation for educational enhancements at GIFTS TO THE

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING: 1/21/13 - PAGE 2
Northern High School from an anonymous donor; $5,000 donation to the
Goodwillie Environmental School from Bill and Amy Bennett; $600
donation for math awards at Northern High School from Dave Kapolka;
$1,000 donation to Collins Elementary School from Anand Kelkar; $1,500
donation toward the building of the fifth grade canoe at the Goodwillie
Environmental School from John and Victoria Pindred; $500 donation for
the boys’ varsity basketball team at Northern High School from Scott and
Michelle Russo; two portable display cases for Northern High School
from the Gabriel Group/Scott Gaviret; and $500 for the boys’ varsity
basketball team at Northern High School from the Orthopaedic
Associates of Grand Rapids, as presented.
Approved the minutes of the December 17, 2013 regular meeting, with
any added changes or revisions.
Approved expenditures for the payment of bills for November 2012, as
presented:
GENERAL FUND $ 8,367,146.19
DEBT FUND 6,679.79
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND 2010 222,197.04
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND 2012 138,890.59
SCHOOL SERVICES FUND
1. Food Service Fund 182,805.44
2. Child Care Fund 4,062.43
TRUST AND AGENCY FUND
1. Activity Fund 165,963.07
TOTAL EXPENDITURES $9,087,744.55
Authorized reimbursement of $44,119.14 to Kent County and $1,527.34
to Cascade Township for refunded taxes.
Renewed the license agreement with Follett Software Company for
$25,230.88 for the period February 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014.
Approved the literature-based book request for Wonder for the middle
schools.
The following extended leaves have been approved per Article XII of the
Master Agreement:
Julie Damstra, teacher at Knapp Forest Elementary, has requested a
leave of absence from February 11, 2013 through May 27, 2013.
Jessica Priem, teacher at Orchard View Elementary, has requested a
leave of absence from February 14, 2013 through March 26, 2013.
Rebecca Seward, teacher at Orchard View Elementary, has requested a
leave of absence from January 14, 2013 through February 22, 2013.
DISTRICT
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
PAYMENT OF BILLS
NOVEMBER 2012
TAX
REIMBURSEMENT
FOLLETT LIBRARY
SERVICE RENEWAL
LITERATURE-BASED
BOOK REQUEST
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
REQUESTS

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING: 1/21/13 - PAGE 3
Kathleen Sobecki, teacher with the Post-Secondary Transition
Program, has requested a leave of absence from April 8, 2013 through
June 10, 2013.
Amanda Surdenik, teacher at Ada Vista Elementary, has requested a
leave of absence from February 11, 2013 through April 5, 2013.
The following educational trip requests have been approved by
Superintendent Behm:
94 students from Ada Vista Elementary School will visit the State Capitol
and Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing, Michigan, on January 31,
2013.
48 students from Northern Hills Middle School will visit the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra in Chicago, Illinois, on May 11, 2013.
281 students from Northern Hills Middle School will visit Mackinaw City
and Mackinac Island in Mackinaw, Michigan, on May 14-15, 2013.
Board Bylaws 0142.1–Electoral Process; 0142.3–Term; and Oath-0142.4
were submitted to the full Board for a first reading.
(NOTE: The Board Bylaws may be found in the Board Reference File, which
is located in the Superintendent’s Office and identified as Ref. No. 13-01/21-
A.)
Glenn Mitcham, principal of Central Middle School, introduced Becky
Telzerow and Lisa McCambridge, counselors at Northern Hills Middle
School; Jackie Roberts and Julie Bouley, counselors from Central Middle
School; and Amy Pavelka, counselor at Eastern Middle School. The
counselors presented an overview of the middle school counseling program
and discussed the importance of student connections with peers, staff,
family, and community.
Superintendent Behm thanked the counselors for all they do. They are
critical members of our staff and have been stretched in so many ways.
Superintendent Behm thanked Dr. Fahner for his five and one-half years of
leadership. He told Dr. Fahner that he is better at what he does through his
service and that his support has been instrumental. He thanked Doug
Josephson and Mary Vonck for signing up for another tour of duty as
members of the Board, and also thanked Doug Josephson for taking on the
position of President.
Superintendent Behm announced that the Weiming Education Group has
decided at this time to withdraw their partnership with school districts in West
Michigan.
Superintendent Behm said our counselors are instrumental and have joined
STUDENT TRIP
REQUESTS
FIRST READING OF
BOARD BYLAWS
INSTRUCTIONAL
HIGHLIGHT
SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING: 1/21/13 - PAGE 4
together with the parent-driven AAA Team. We need more people to know
the role of our counselors. On Monday, January 28, at 7:00 p.m. at the Fine
Arts Center, Dr. Steve Pastyrnak will present Stress, Anxiety, Depression,
and the Developing Brain.
Superintendent Behm said, “When I think of a public servant I think of
Maureen Fischer. Maureen you were one of the first people that I met, and
you took me on a tour of the district. Maureen, your legacy will never end.
Thank you Maureen for touching my life. I will miss you.”
Member Fahner said, “Maureen the Board will move forward but in so many
ways you will be irreplaceable. Please accept our heartfelt thanks. Your
conscience, sense of humor, and guiding light will be profoundly missed.”
President Josephson closed with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot
drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Motion by Member Fischer, supported by Member Fahner, that the Board
adjourn. The regular meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:35
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Atwater, Secretary
Forest Hills Board of Education
(MINUTES APPROVED BY THE FOREST HILLS BOARD OF EDUCATION ON 2/18/13.)
BOARD
COMMUNICATION
ADJOURNMENT