ZEELAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
February 18, 2019
Zeeland West High School Cafeteria
3390 100th Avenue
6:00 PM
PRESENT: Board of Education: Todd Brennan, Linda Bush, Rick Dernberger, Tom DenHerder, April DeWitt, Ron Scott, Mark Snyder
Administrators: Cal DeKuiper, Brandi-Lyn Mendham, Lynn VanKampen
ABSENT: Board of Education:
GUESTS: Craig Greshaw, Andy Quick
I. CALL TO ORDER: 6:00pm Rick Dernberger
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Cal De Kuiper
B. RECOGNITION:
Craig Greshaw, Creekside Principal, introduced Coach Andy Quick and the Creekside RoboDux Team. The Board recognized the team for winning the Robotics state championship. Andy reported that they are in their 12th season of robotics at Creekside Middle School, and have also expanded to Cityside Middle School so more students can take part. There are 12 students on the team, and each had to try out for their spot. They were awarded the top two awards in the state out of 450-500 teams in Michigan. They qualified for the World Championship in Detroit, which is attended by 60 different countries and 50,000+ attendees. Team parents thanked Andy and his brother, Mike Quick, for their dedication to this program,
C. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF VISITORS:
II. SUPERINTENDENT COMMENTS
None
III. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
None
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes of the January 21, 2019 organization and regular board meetings were approved.
B. Approved bills and ACH transfers paid as of January 2019. Checks #127396-127665
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: $ 953,850.00
PAYROLL: $3,758,789.86
TOTAL: $4,712,640.11
Tom DenHerder moved and Mark Snyder supported the motion to accept the Consent Agenda as presented.
VOTE: All Yes
V. DISCUSSION
The Board of Education and administrative staff have been part of goal development throughout the process. These are often part of committee conversations. It is important that it is also part of the public record so our community is as informed as they wish. I will keep comments very brief, but providing an update.
for their support of our educational programming. They have generously gifted us $56,000 to be used in the following areas: 1) Computer Coding Education & Makerspace Materials; 2) Elementary Classroom Libraries, and 3) Mental Health/Anti-Bullying Support.
VI. ACTION
The Board discussed the three candidates on the ballot for Region 3 and decided on one to cast a vote for. Mary Miilu will cast the vote through the link emailed.
Tom DenHerder moved and April DeWitt supported the motion to elect John Siemion, Grand Haven Public Schools Board President, to the MASB Region 3 Board of Directors.
VOTE: All Yes (7)
VII. SUPERINTENDENT & REPORTS
A. OASBA General Meeting Reminder – March 12, 2019, 6pm at Jenison Public Schools Kids First Early Childhood Center, 2950 Baldwin Street, Hudsonville.
B. Snow Day Report - ZPS has ten snow days for 2019-20 as of this date. School districts are allowed six forgiven days, and ZPS applied to the state and received waiver approval for an additional three days due to the state of emergency. Theoretically, we are one day over the limit. Legislators have introduced bills and even Governor Whitmer has commented on this topic. At this point, it is simply too early to discuss makeup day topics, as things will continue to change. We assure our community that we cancel school due to safety concerns; the number of snow days remaining, or whether we are over the limit never enters into the decision.
C. BOB 85 Reveal tonight
VIII. CLOSED SESSION
Mark Snyder moved and Ron Scott supported the motion for the Board of Education to go into closed session at 6:57 p.m. per Section 8(d) of the Open Meetings Act to consider the purchase of property.
ROLL CALL: Brennan, Bush, Dernberger, DenHerder, DeWitt, Scott, Snyder
The Board returned to open session at 7:20pm. Tom DenHerder moved and Todd Brennan supported the motion: For the district to purchase the property and house at 3050 100th Avenue for $204,900 and to authorize Superintendent Calvin DeKuiper and / or Finance Director Lynn VanKampen to complete all required legal and financial transactions.
ROLL CALL: Yes - Brennan, Bush, Dernberger, DenHerder, DeWitt, Scott, Snyder
No - None
The regular meeting of February 18, 2019 adjourned at 7:20 p.m.