Board of Education - February 11, 2010 - Meeting Highlights
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF ROYAL OAK
BOARD OF EDUCATION
FEBRUARY 11, 2010 BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
1. Michelle DeJaeger, Director of Special Education, addressed special education class size, a topic which was brought up at a previous Board meeting. She reported the District is within compliance, classrooms are supported by paraprofessionals, and no teachers are beyond their caseload limits. A system has been instituted whereby when a teacher is within two of the maximum limits, Ms. DeJaeger will be notified.
2. Best of Royal Oak spotlighted the Oakland Elementary World in Motion Program sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers to spark an interest in science and math.
3. Gift - A $300 donation from Michael Kimball for Royal Oak Elementary School Programming. The donation will be divided equally ($50 to each elementary building) for funding the emergency needs of their students.
4. Curriculum/Instruction Update - Report on the Royal Oak High School North Central Accreditation Quality Assurance Review Visit.
5. Economic/Budget/Audit Update
The District is facing a projected $5.0 million budget shortfall for 2010-11. Recommendations and considerations to eliminate the shortfall were discussed at the Saturday Budget Workshop held on February 6. The presentation material is on the District's web site, http://www.royaloakschools.com/, and the Workshop is broadcast on WOAK.
The District began the year with a $6.3 million fund equity and plans to use approximately $1.7 million of it to help preserve programs and staff in the current year. The end of the year fund balance at June 30, 2010 is projected to be $ 4.6 million. It was emphasized that fund equity is considered "one-time" money and should never be used for on going expenditures.
6. Calendar Recommendation
The Board adopted a school calendar for March 2, 2010 through June 22, 2010.
March 9, 10 & 11, 2010 - Michigan Merit Examination Days for the High School (half- day on March 11)
April 2-9, 2010 - Spring Recess
April 12, 2010 - Return Date following Spring Recess
April 16, 2010 - Half-day Elementary Records Day, Early Release for Students
May 31, 2010 - Memorial Day Recess
June 16-18, 2010 - High School Exam Days
June 18, 2010 - Final Student Day of the 2009-10 School Year
June 21, 2010 - Teachers Records Day
June 22, 2010 - District Full Comp Day for Teachers
Professional Development Meetings for certified secondary staff - March 3 (Late Start for Students), April 20, May 5 (Late Start for Students) & May 11, 2010
Professional Development Meetings for certified elementary staff - March 16, April 20, May 6 (Early Release for Students) & May 11, 2010
Business meetings for all certified staff - March 2 & May 4, 2010
The approved calendar segment will be posted on the District website, http://www.royaloakschools.com/. A five-year calendar listing the first day of school, Winter Holiday recess and spring break may also be found on the District website.
7. The National Council of Teachers of English Program to Recognize Excellence in Student Literary Magazines gave a Superior Award to Royal Oak High School's literary magazine, Noesis. Out of 428 entrants, 78 were nominated for the highest Superior award, and Royal Oak was one of three selected.
8. In the MEAP preliminary assessment for grades 3-8, Royal Oak has the best scores ever posted in the District. The official report will be available in a few weeks.
9. The Board directed the Administration to develop a Request for Proposal to seek bids for contracted support services including custodial, special education transportation, maintenance, and grounds.
10. The Board approved the elimination of General Education Transportation at the conclusion of the 2009-10 school year.
11. Extension Agreements
The Board approved Contract Extension Agreements with the Royal Oak Education Association and the Royal Oak Educational Support Association.
12. Board Liaison Modification
Jane Addams Elementary - Mrs. Anderson
Northwood Elementary - Mr. Brinker
The next Board of Education Meeting will be Thursday, March 11, at 7:00 p.m.
The Board of Education Meetings are telecast on WOAK, the Royal Oak Schools Television Channel, Comcast Channel 54 or WOW Channel 15.
Videos of the meetings are also available for viewing on the District website, http://www.royaloakschools.com/, under Community. Click on WOAK, Videos on Demand.
The complete Board of Education meeting minutes are located on the District website, http://www.royaloakschools.com/, under School Board. The minutes are posted following approval at the next regular Board of Education meeting.