School seeks funding sources

Lynn Volkens

04/10/2008 - Gilpin School’s Board of Education conducted a strategic planning meeting on April 7^th. Board members Scott Groginsky, Rusty Hardy, Craig Holmes and Bob Masslich began by discussing policy with Superintendent Ken Ladouceur.

Board-Staff Communication

  The Board revised the Board/Staff Communication policy (BFGB) to provide formation of a committee (four employee representatives, superintendent, and two Board members) to resolve concerns. BFGB also allows the committee to choose an independent facilitator, if necessary. Items for consideration of reasons for requesting formation of this committee must be put in writing. Discussions are to be held in executive session only, with information revealed to the organizations involved, or the public, only after all parties approve. The Board of Education reserves final binding decision-making powers whenever the parties cannot reach agreement.

Meet and Confer

  The Meet and Confer policy (BFGB-R) was read into first reading. It provides formation of a committee to recommend salaries and benefits to the Board of Education. Staff must request formation of this committee by March 15^th, annually. There is to be one subcommittee composed of four individuals representing the Board (with at least two Board members and the superintendent). The second subcommittee is to be composed of four members representing the staff (with at least two certified staff members). These subcommittees are to meet as the joint Meet and Confer committee. Their recommendations must be mutually agreed upon by the entire committee and then put forth to the Board of Education in writing. The Board decides whether or not to provide a hearing process for interested parties who were not otherwise involved, to give input. The Board has final authority to accept, modify or reject any or all of the recommendations.

Postponed to Future Meeting

  Discussions about the Senior Tax Work Off Program, selling advertising on school buses and athletic facilities, and meeting with students for their input on school matters will be taken up at a future meeting.

Community Engagement

  Following through with former member Ron Slinger’s inspiration, the Board plans to schedule meetings with homeowners’ associations, local service organizations, business owners and other governmental agencies to solicit input on what works at the school and what doesn’t.

PeeWee Wrestling

  The elementary wrestling program is coached by a volunteer and not currently a school sponsored activity. Ladouceur recommended the Board consider making it an official school activity to cover facilitation and insurance liabilities. The Board agreed.

Seeking More Tax Money

  As part of their goal to seek all possible sources of funding, the Board is considering hiring a professional consulting firm to sell district taxpayers on increasing the school mil levy. The Board has indicated they will seek a mil levy increase to fund technology and possibly a full day kindergarten program. However, this latter must be checked for legality against the new school finance bill recently passed by state legislators. Ladouceur was directed to contact the firm of Stiefel Nicholaus to determine the cost of their services.

Budget Due

  The 2008-09 budget must be completed by June 15^th. That document is to be available to the public for thirty days prior to approval and a public hearing must be held during that time. The Board generally holds the public hearing beginning just before the meeting in which they approve the budget, currently scheduled for June 2^nd, 2008.

Special Meeting

  Applications for Board membership (to fill the seat vacated by Ron Slinger) were due in today. The Board has scheduled a special meeting at 6:00 p.m. on April 14^th to review those applications and choose which applicants to interview. The Board will appoint a new member to serve until the election in November.

Executive Session

  Following the public meeting, the Board met in Executive Session with Superintendent Ladouceur to discuss personnel issues. They took no further action except to adjourn at 9:36 p.m.