CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Orendach called the regular meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.

ROLL CALL
Present: Beagle, Connelly, Curry, Ehlert, Orendach, Taulbee
Absent: Ludwig

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The board, administration and the audience joined in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

AGENDA CHANGE
President Orendach announced that Item #3 (Bartlett Recognition for Golden Apple Award) would be postponed until the February 5th meeting because Sharon Hardy was unable to attend due to family illness.

SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION
The month of January marks the annual observance of School Board Recognition Month, a time to salute the work of school board members and celebrate public education. Superintendent Pearson thanked the board on behalf of the administration, staff and community. He applauded all the time the board has given to support the schools and the community and noted how well they have served the community. Dr. Pearson noted that school board members make decisions that affect 1.7 million Michigan children and $12 billion in educational expenditures each year. As a token of appreciation, he presented each member with a certificate and a personalized zippered leather portfolio.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Orendach offered an opportunity for public comments. There were none. Mrs. Orendach noted that Mr. Ludwig was not at the meeting because he fell and had to have hip surgery. She wished him a quick recovery.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Mr. Ehlert, supported by Mr. Taulbee to accept the following minutes as presented:

Minutes of the December 18, 2000 -Special Meeting

Ayes-6, Nays-0. Motion carried 6-0.

APPROVAL OF BILLS
Moved by Mr. Taulbee, supported by Mr. Beagle to approve the following bills as presented:

• December Prepaids
• January Accounts Payable
• 1998 Building and Site
• Bond 2000 - series I and II

Roll Call: Taulbee-yes, Beagle-yes, Connelly-yes, Curry-yes, Ehlert-yes,

Orendach-yes. Motion carried 6-0.

HIRING OF INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF
Teacher resignations necessitate the hiring of replacements. Mrs. Mitchell asked the board to approve the hiring of the following teachers:

• Mary Ann Dillon - Speech Pathologist (Sayre/HS) effective January 22, 2001
• Kevin Ferguson - MS Alternative Education effective December 20, 2000

Moved by Mr. Taulbee, supported by Mrs. Connelly to approve the hiring of teachers as presented.

Roll Call: Curry-yes, Ehlert-yes, Connelly-yes, Beagle-yes, Taulbee-yes,

Orendach-yes. Motion carried 6-0.

ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT
Parents who wish to remain anonymous have donated $400.00 to Bartlett Elementary. They have requested that the money be used to purchase materials for the music department. Marilyn Mitchell asked the board to accept the gift on behalf of Bartlett in accordance with Board Policy 9350.

Moved by Mr. Beagle, supported by Mr. Ehlert to accept the gift as presented.

Roll Call: Beagle-yes, Taulbee-yes, Connelly-yes, Curry-yes, Ehlert-yes,

Orendach-yes. Motion carried 6-0.

TEACHER TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE RESOLUTION
A draft of the teacher technology initiative resolution was presented at the December 18 special board meeting. Changes were made to the resolution as directed by the board. Jim Graham asked the board for their approval.

Moved by Mrs. Connelly, supported by Mr. Taulbee to adopt the resolution as presented.

Mr. Ehlert asked if the guidelines had been updated to reflect alternative technology options. Mr. Graham assured him that they had been.

Roll Call: Taulbee-yes, Beagle-yes, Connelly-yes, Curry-yes, Ehlert-yes,

Orendach-yes. Motion carried 6-0.

BOND AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION - REFUNDING BONDS
Due to the reduction in long-term interest rates, the district is in a position to save considerable dollars by refinancing existing bonded debt. A current projection, based on existing market conditions, is a savings of over $1,500,000. Jim Graham asked the board to adopt the resolution.

Moved by Mr. Ehlert, supported by Mr. Beagle to adopt the resolution as presented.

Mr. Ehlert asked if there would be any cost incurred by the district for refinancing. Mr. Graham stated there would not be any cost to the district.

Roll Call: Beagle-yes, Curry-yes, Ehlert-yes, Taulbee-yes, Connelly-yes,

Orendach-yes. Motion carried 6-0.

NEW COURSE RECOMMENDATIONS
Dr. Jean Schmeichel presented three new course recommendations for inclusion in the high school curriculum as information to the board. Applied Geometry for grades 10 or 11, Elementary Statistics and Probability for grades 10-12 and AP United States Government for grades 11-12. Mr. Larry Jackson and Mr. Terry Madigan were in attendance to answer questions. Applied Geometry - Mr. Ehlert stated that Algebra is now in a two-year plan. He doesn’t feel we should offer a “watered-down” version of math until we know if the two-year algebra sequence has failed. Mr. Ehlert felt that we are taking a step backward, which is a disservice to students. He felt the Geometry class that is offered now is a basic class. Other board members felt that an alternative math should be offered to those students who struggle in this subject. Mrs. Connelly stated that by raising the bar, we are leaving some students behind; and with math levels where they are now, some students will not be successful. She remarked that there have to be choices for those kids that are not going to college. Mr. Jackson explained that the Applied Geometry course is a non-college prep course designed for students who have difficulty mastering the skills of Algebra. He indicated that this course would provide hands on curriculum to kids who would have bypassed Geometry. Dr. Schmeichel added that the course would still have the benchmarks for any kind of expectation on MEAP exams. She also added that if the basic class is offered, it would invite the opportunity to increase the pace of the current Geometry course and upgrade it in terms of depth of complexity. She offered to introduce the class as a Pilot Class, which means it would be evaluated after one year and approval would be necessary to continue. Mr. Beagle asked for a comparison of the contents of analytical Geometry that is offered now and Applied Geometry. He also asked to take a look at the numbers of students who are enrolled in Algebra A and B classes. Elementary Statistics and Probability - The board in consensus agreed that this is a good course offering and a nice addition to our math curriculum. AP Government - The board again agreed that this is a good course offering. The courses will go before the board again for approval.

TEXTBOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
Dr. Schmeichel offered two new textbook recommendations to the board for information. They are Conceptual Physical Science and an updated Driver Education coursebook. Mr. Val Radomyselskiy was in attendance to answer any questions on the science book. Conceptual Physical Science - The book provides a first introduction to physics, chemistry, earth science and astronomy. It builds a conceptual base in physics and chemistry, which is then applied to earth science and astronomy. For the non-science student, it is a base from which to view nature. For the science student, it is a springboard to physics and chemistry. Mr. Curry asked if there was any supplemental software that came with this particular book. There is none. The board did not have any other comments. Driver Education - Mrs. Connelly asked if this book was the same as what is used in private training schools. She also stated that the Secretary of State booklet “What Every Driver Should Know” is a very useful tool because that information is what kids are tested on for their road test. Mr. Curry questioned the need for a textbook. The students will pay for the book as part of their tuition. This issue will also come to the board again for approval.

LEGISLATION
Dr. Pearson did not have any new legislation to offer the board.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mrs. Orendach acknowledged the following Board Committee Report:

Building Committee - They met today and reviewed Centennial plans. Within the last two weeks there has been a change in curriculum thinking in regard to technology courses that may necessitate a sense of reworking the plans as far as the facilities. The Dolsen project is on track. The site work at the high school is moving ahead. There are no significant changes. It looks like the football field will be under budget, so there may be potential to do one of the practice fields earlier than planned.

OTHER
The superintendent offered other information to the board.

There is an Oakland Schools Education Summit meeting scheduled on Wednesday, January 24. He asked any board members who wish to attend to contact his office.

He reminded the board of the special meeting scheduled on Monday, January 22, at 7:00 p.m.

REPORTS
President Orendach acknowledged the following reports:

• Monthly Business Report - December 2000
• Granger Progress Report - January 2001
• Oakland Human Resources Consortium Annual Report 2000

Mr. Ehlert had a few questions on the Monthly Business Report. He also questioned the accuracy of information disseminated from Oakland Schools on special education/vocational education.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Orendach again offered an opportunity for public comments.

Donald Patterson complemented Mr. Ehlert on his “eagle eye” observance of how money is spent in the district. He also shared Mr. Ehlert’s opinion on the new math courses being offered. Mr. Patterson felt we should keep the current Geometry course as it is offered. He spoke in favor of the Elementary Statistics and Probability course. He stated it is a course everyone should take.

CORRESPONDENCE
President Orendach acknowledged the following correspondence:

Teacher resignations

• Gretchen Clatterbuck (HS Math) effective January 12, 2001
• Kari Magano (HS Spanish) effective December 8, 2000
• Letter of appreciation - Census 2000

MEETING DATES
President Orendach noted the following meeting dates:

• January 17, 2001, OCSBA Dinner Meeting, Birmingham, 6:30 p.m.
• January 22, 2001, Special Meeting, Administration Bldg., 7:00 p.m.
• January 24, 2001, Oakland Schools Education Summit, 6:30 p.m.
• February 5, 2001, Regular Meeting, Administration Building, 7:15 p.m.
• February 9-11, 2001, MASB Mid-Winter Conference, Lansing

BOARD COMMENTS
Complements were extended to the hockey team on their sensitivity in dealing with the death of a team member’s father. It was impressive to have that kind of depth looking out for a teammate. Congratulations were also extended to Jim Graham on his award.

Moved by Mrs. Connelly, supported by Mr. Taulbee to adjourn the meeting at 9:11 p.m.

Ayes - 6, Nays - 0. Motion carried.

Respectively submitted,