BATH COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION WORK SESSION
Monday, February 11, 2002
High School Media Center
MINUTES

I. The meeting was called to order by President Nancy Hawkins at 7:10 p.m.

II. Members present:

Dean Sweet Jr., Steve Plemmons, Mike Wood, Dan Schultz, Carl Chaffee, Nancy Hawkins Members absent: Walter Pett
Staff present: Superintendent Susan Bolton Business Manager Jon Pechette High School Principal Greg Wieman Middle School Principal Melody Hasselback Elementary School Principal Kathleen Senita

III. Additions/Deletions to the Agenda

There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.

IV. Public Comments

Nancy Roberson, teacher and BEA President, said that she thought the presentation by Mr. Tom Clay at the Public Forum held February 4, 2002 was excellent and she has heard good feedback from it.

V. Discussion Items

A. Update on Technology in Each Building
1. Elementary School
Fifth grade teacher Judy Edgeworth gave an update for the elementary school. She indicated that all classrooms have at least one computer and that second grade and up classrooms have two computers in each. Attendance is now being done on the SASI program two times per day. The elementary teachers use the computers in the following ways: a. Learning centers b. Publishing student work c. Research d. Writing reports e. Tutorial for History Alive (fifth grade) f. Accelerated Reader The elementary also has a computer lab. It was indicated that there are a total of 28 computers, but only 22 are functional, making it difficult when classes are larger than 22 students. The keyboarding program is not working as well as they would like, but the problems are being addressed. Mrs. Edgeworth then showed examples of the students' work. A question regarding what elementary students are expected to have accomplished using technology when they leave the school was asked. Mrs Edgeworth stated that the expectations are that students can type 15 wpm using correct fingering and have the ability to use MS Works to publish a document and save it to a disk.
2. Middle School
Media Specialist Maryanne Boylan read a letter written by middle school computer teacher Valerie Simmons. The letter described the courses taught at each grade level. They are as follows: a. Sixth Grade-Keyboarding (required), Graphics, Intro to PCLogo (exploratory) b. Seventh Grade-Word Processing, Web Page Design (required) c. Eighth Grade-Spreadsheets, Database (required), Advanced PCLogo, Print Journalism (exploratory) Middle School Principal Melody Hasselback stated that the computers are used extensively across the curriculum. Maryanne Boylan stated the students use the computer labs for researching different subjects such as: African American History, Native Americans, Australia, etc. in nine-week rotations. Maryanne went on to say that the computer labs are filled 70 percent of the time for curriculum work. Maryanne Boylan addressed the Internet-based research skills at the middle school and high school. The primary focus of instruction beginning in sixth grade is the understanding of authority based Internet resources. This begins with search engine research skills that teach students basic techniques for navigating the Internet. Step Two involves site evaluation, which includes interpreting site addresses and authors. Step Three increases the level of search sophistication with the introduction of subscription-based sites. The subscription-based sites available for Bath Community School students include Access Michigan and REMC 13. The goal is for the student to understand when to access a subscription site and understand that it is authority based. Maryanne stated that in a culture where we have perpetuated the idea of cut and paste students may not understand that they may be plagiarizing. Consequently, at the high school level students are taught a basic understanding of what they can and cannot do. This is accomplished in the English courses at the high school, and it is the intention to integrate this concept into the middle school as well. Trustee Dan Schultz asked what grant proposals Maryanne was going after to either extend resources or expand services. Maryanne stated there needs to be a shift to a web based catalog so that the book, tape, cd rom and database sources could be available on the Internet through our web page. LSEA grants were open to public school libraries last year. She is hoping to obtain funds through this grant to use for a web-based catalog.
3. High School
High school teacher Gloria Bond gave an update regarding technology at the high school. She stated that there are three labs in the high school. Courses taught are computer-aided design, programming, accounting and intro to computers. She stated that the Auto Cad program needs to be upgraded. Gloria gave several examples of drafting projects the students have done and how it has translated into skills usable in the future. One example was that the students revamped the fire and tornado plans. She stated that in programming the students start with Visual Basic, and then some move into C++. Computers are used across the curriculum for various reasons such as research, reports, presentations, etc. The tech lab, which is the lowest level class, replaces the careers classes and the exploration type classes that they have in the middle school. There are eleven computers, and each computer teaches the student a different subject. They rotate from computer to computer approximately every month. Subjects learned include desktop publishing, graphics design, animation, automation, robotics, computer servicing, biotechnology, problem solving, logical thinking, electronic music, etc. Gloria stated that the tech lab created the quilt on the wall in the media center by an electronic version of silk-screening. Gloria invited the Board members to stop by the tech lab at anytime.
B. Update from Technology Coordinator Doug Murphy
1. Overall Use of Technology
Doug Murphy showed a graph depicting Bath Community Schools Internet usage through the MSU SCNC router over the last year. He noted that the district updated the ISDN line to a T-1 line in June 2001. Doug included information in a handout regarding the infrastructure and the hardware replacement schedule. He highlighted what was done in 2001, what is currently in progress and the remaining items scheduled for 2003 and 2004. Replacement of hardware for 2002 is estimated at $45,000.00. Additionally, some software upgrades are needed in the library, elementary school and high school tech lab.
2. Technology Plan
Doug pointed out that the technology plan is on line in the technology portion of the Bath Community Schools web site. He stated that the district technology curriculum and objectives are in the process of being reviewed. Trustee Mike Wood asked if the technology committee would be the place to start if there were an objective section that related to staff and their skills. Mike clarified his question in relation to the possibility of a teacher applying to the district and from the web site to view what is expected from a teacher applying to the district. President Nancy Hawkins stated that this would be addressed in three different areas. The first being with the administrative team, then the technology committee, and finally the curriculum committee. Trustee Dan Schultz said he thought it was timely that the new ESEA language has some significant technology requirements that will have a bearing on the State's technology plan. He said that this will trickle down to the districts' technology plans and so the extent that we are able to demonstrate that we have something that has been refined and adopted for 2002 should put us in an updated situation.
3. Universal Service Fund/Grant Possibilities
Doug Murphy stated that he had just received word that 46% of our Internet access is going to be funded by the USF, which is roughly $3,000.00 or about half of our Internet access cost. Doug has been talking with Media Specialist Maryanne Boylan about the software for Surpass, which needs upgrading. Surpass is a DOS based program and the ability to put it in a web based version that everyone could access would be a huge step forward. The cost for this would be in the $1,500.00 to $2,000.00 range. Consequently, they are looking into some other grant possibilities. C. Michigan Virtual High School Two students are taking a microeconomics course, which came on a cd and was set up as a virtual cd on the network. The students' submissions all occur on line over the Internet, and the students have email access to the professors as well. There are four other students taking classes via Michigan Virtual High School at home. High School Principal Greg Wieman stated that the funding is no longer available for this program. The costs for this program for next year will be $3000.00 plus .50 cents per student. This issue will be discussed further in April or May.

VI. Action Items

A. Approval of Purchase and Financing of Bus Moved by Sweet, Supported by Chaffee THAT the Bath Community Schools Board of Education adopt the resolution to purchase the 1999 78-passenger International transit style school bus from Capital City Bus Sales at a cost of $52,000, and authorize the Superintendent of Bath Community Schools and/or her designee to solicit bids for the financing of the purchase of the bus by issuance of a three-year installment agreement with semi-annual principal and interest payments due on May 1 and November 1 of each year, as presented. AYE: Wood, Schultz, Plemmons, Sweet, Chaffee, Hawkins. NAY: None. ABSENT: Pett. Motion carried.

VII. Closed Session-Student Discipline Matter

Moved by Sweet, Supported by Chaffee THAT the Bath Community Schools Board of Education appoint Thrun, Maatsch and Nordberg Attorney Lisa Schwem hearing officer for the purpose of conducting a student discipline hearing Monday, February 11, 2002. AYE: Wood, Schultz, Plemmons, Sweet, Chaffee, Hawkins. NAY: None. ABSENT: Pett. Motion carried. Moved by Chaffee, Supported by Schultz to go into closed session at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

The regular open meeting reconvened at 10:07 p.m. Moved by Sweet, Supported by Chaffee that Chris Sedlar's suspension commencing January 30, 2002 shall continue until his evaluation and related proceedings are complete and an administrative recommendation has been made. AYE: Wood, Schultz, Plemmons, Sweet, Chaffee, Hawkins. NAY: None. ABSENT: Pett. Motion carried.

VIII. Adjournment

Moved by Sweet, Supported by Schultz to adjourn at 10:07 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

Respectfully submitted, Michael Wood, Secretary
Teresa Massey, Recording Secretary

Bath Community Schools Board of Education Work Session Minutes February 11, 2002 5