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Meeting Agenda
I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance/Welcome
II. Approval of Agenda
III. Approval of Consent Action Items
IV. Financial Audit
V. Communications
V.A. Comments & Concerns
VI. Superintendent Informational Report
VII. Superintendent Recommendations
VII.A. Personnel
VII.B. 2021-2022 Quarterly Budget Modification #1
VII.C. Summer Tax Resolution
VIII. Board of Education Reports/Action
VIII.A. Administrative Affairs Committee
VIII.B. Facilities & Finance Committee
VIII.C. Policy Committee
IX. Superintendent Recommendation
IX.A. Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan
X. Other Matters for Possible Discussion or Action — Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting

Lakeshore Public Schools
Meeting: October 11, 2021 at 5:30 PM - LAKESHORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Regular Meeting
Subject:
I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance/Welcome
Presenter:
Jason Beckrow
Description:
CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
At this time the Board will conduct the routine activities related to calling the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.


WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS will be conducted by the Board President as we ask Board members, administrators, and the audience to introduce themselves.
 
Subject:
II. Approval of Agenda
Presenter:
Jason Beckrow
Description:
The Board should consider any changes or additions to the agenda including the potential removal of any matter scheduled as a consent action item.  The Board should approve the agenda with one of the following motions:

 
Subject:
III. Approval of Consent Action Items
Presenter:
Jason Beckrow
Description:
The Board may approve the Consent Action items with the following motion:

Minutes - that the minutes of the September 20, 2021, Regular Meeting be approved as presented; and

Financial Statement & Bills - that the September 2021 financial statements be accepted, and the September 2021 payrolls be approved for payment; and

Virtual Full Time Pupil Status - that an adjustment for the elementary students enrolled in a virtual academy are considered full-time based on grade level: Grades K-1 are enrolled in a minimum of 2 virtual courses. Grades 2-5 are enrolled in a minimum of 4 virtual courses, be approved as presented.
 
Subject:
IV. Financial Audit
Presenter:
Tracy Althouse
Description:
A representative from Plante Moran will give an overview of our financial audit. The Board will then be asked to accept the 2020-2021 Financial Audit as presented.
Subject:
V. Communications
Subject:
V.A. Comments & Concerns
Presenter:
Jason Beckrow
Description:
The Board President will call on citizens who would like to make comments or express concerns at this time.  The Board of Education Policy, "Public Participation at Board Meetings," does apply to this section of the Agenda.
 
Subject:
VI. Superintendent Informational Report
Presenter:
Greg Eding
Description:
We are 6 weeks into school, and I’m happy to say that our students are doing great.  Kids are genuinely happy to be in school, hanging out with friends, doing activities, and of course learning.

Homecoming was an amazing experience for the community.  Wow.  The band, the poms, the fireworks, the elementary football players and cheerleaders, the student section, the floats and halftime crowning... and of course we had a football game.  What a night to be a part of Lakeshore Schools!

As you know, the Berrien County Health Department rescinded their mask mandate on September 29th.  The health department has also issued new quarantine rules that allow schools who have a universal mask mandate to not place any close contacts into quarantine.  Our district, as of Friday, October 8, has 5 active cases with 43 listed as needing to quarantine.  The one caveat to this new rule is that if a class has two cases, then the quarantine would apply.

On Monday, three board members and myself met with Ms. Davis, the interim Health Officer for the BCHD, and Mr. Miller, the BCHD epidemiologist.  Ms. Davis and Mr. Miller were extremely open to meeting and providing data and information in helping with any questions.  Much of our discussion was around the COVID case and hospitalization data related to school age students, as well as understanding the new quarantine rules.

And finally, on Thursday, October 7th, the first meeting with the district’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee happened.  About 30 people attended the meeting.  The meeting was intended to be an overview of the process towards an action plan, and was also a chance for everyone to get to know each other.  I will keep the Board updated as this work continues.
 
Subject:
VII. Superintendent Recommendations
Subject:
VII.A. Personnel
Presenter:
Julie Powell
Description:
We have a familiar name returning to the faculty staff at Lakeshore High School.  Due to the recent teacher vacancy in Marketing, Tonya Jahnke has decided to return to that role after retiring a few years ago.  Her first day was October 4 and she has be hired at 80%.
Subject:
VII.B. 2021-2022 Quarterly Budget Modification #1
Presenter:
Tracy Althouse
Description:
Quarterly Budget Modification #1 - Tonight, Chief Financial Officer Tracy Althouse will review the Quarterly Budget Modification #1 and recommend adoption by the Board.
 
Subject:
VII.C. Summer Tax Resolution
Presenter:
Phil Freeman
Description:
Annual Summer Tax Collection Resolution - We recommend approval of the resolution which invokes the continuing resolution to collect 100% of summer taxes for the 2022 tax levy in July 2022, be adopted as recommended.
 
Subject:
VIII. Board of Education Reports/Action
Subject:
VIII.A. Administrative Affairs Committee
Presenter:
Griffin Ott
Description:
The Administrative Affairs Committee met on September 28, 2021.  Members present included Kevin Bushu, Jeff Hannan, Julie Powell, Greg Eding, and Griffin Ott.

The Administrative Affairs committee discussed included the following:
  • Discussed the new posting for a Student Support Director.  This position is not administrative, but is a track towards administration.  The Student Support Director will help with the professional development of our teachers, specifically helping develop intervention instructional skills.
  • Discussed various issues that our administrative team is managing within the district, including some safety concerns at pickup time for one of our elementary buildings.
  • Reviewed an MLive article that named Lakeshore #17 of 100 top Michigan public high schools for athletes in 2022.
Subject:
VIII.B. Facilities & Finance Committee
Presenter:
Kevin Bushu
Description:
The Facility and Finance Committee met on October 5, 2021.   Attendees consisted of Kevin Bushu, Jason Beckrow, Jeff Hannan, Greg Eding, Nick White, Tracy Althouse and two representatives from Plante Moran.
 
The following topics but not limited to were discussed: 
  • Plante Moran’s representatives presented our District’s audit.  We received an unmodified opinion which is the highest opinion they may issue.  
  • Tracy presented the monthly financials and no concerns or issues were noted.
  • Budget Modification #1 was discussed and will be presented tonight.  Adjustments to the presented preliminary budget were discussed and will be updated.
  • Nick White presented an overview of our great custodian crew and what his needs are in that department. 
Subject:
VIII.C. Policy Committee
Presenter:
Scott Allan
Description:
The Policy Committee met on October 6, 2021, with Greg Eding, Rachel Wade, Griffin Ott, and Scott Allan in attendance.

The Policy Committee reviewed the district’s Return to Learn Plan, as well as several other plans from other districts.  The goal continues to be to make this school year as normal as possible for our students.

The new quarantine rules present a dilemma regarding normalcy for students and staff.  Without testing, we can now keep close contacts in school, regardless of their vaccination status.  The only way we can do this is to have a universal mask mandate.

Discussion was around keeping students in school, learning in-person, which we know is the very best, and not having to miss out on extra-curricular activities... especially as we are going into the end of the season with competitions and playoffs.  These experiences are what our students look forward to.

The committee is recommending that the board implement a universal mask mandate.  This will actually keep our students in school.  Some consideration does need to be given to the grade levels, as well as the exceptions that could be beneficial and less restrictive, while still allowing us not to quarantine students.
Subject:
IX. Superintendent Recommendation
Presenter:
Greg Eding
Subject:
IX.A. Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan
Presenter:
Greg Eding
Description:

In-person learning has been shown to provide the greatest benefit to students, and ensuring this can happen consistently and safely during the upcoming school year has been deemed a priority for Berrien County Schools. 

The 2021-2022 Return to Learn Plan provides detailed guidance to ensure that COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures are implemented in a way that fosters optimal learning environments while simultaneously ensuring health and safety for students and staff in Berrien County. This plan was collaboratively developed by Berrien County Superintendents with the support of the Berrien County Health Department to ensure that all Berrien County School Districts have an aligned and detailed plan for a successful return to the classroom this fall.  

The Lakeshore Board of Education appoints the Superintendent, or designee, as responsible for the day to day implementation of this plan, including any optional decisions within the plan.

This plan will be reviewed and ratified by the Lakeshore Board of Education during the regular monthly Board meeting.

Please Note: This plan may change and evolve as knowledge and relevant local data changes.
Subject:
X. Other Matters for Possible Discussion or Action — Adjournment
Presenter:
Jason Beckrow
Description:
Board Meeting Evaluation — Evaluations are available for the audience.

Suggested Meeting Guide — Enclosed is the suggested meeting guide for the Board members to review.

 

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