FOREST HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN ...

FOREST HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
Minutes of Regular Meeting of the Board of Education
Held on March 18, 2013
The Forest Hills Board of Education met in regular session on Monday,
March 18, 2013, at Collins Elementary School. President Josephson
called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Members Present: Atwater, Fahner, Josephson, Lenhardt, Perschbacher
III, Seekell, Vonck
Members Absent: None
CALL TO ORDER
ATTENDANCE
Girl Scout Troop 13979 led the Pledge of Allegiance. PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
Mitch Balingit, principal of Collins Elementary School, welcomed everyone.
He said he has been the principal at Collins for three years and the
students, staff, and community are wonderful.
Liz Dolce, teacher at Central High School, introduced Richard Wu, a
Central High School senior, who recited Bob Hicok’s After Working Sixty
Hours Again for What Reason. On February 22-23, Richard took top
honors at the Michigan Poetry Out Loud State Competition. He will
compete at the 2013 Poetry Out Loud National Finals on April 28-30,
2013, in Washington, D.C. Member Atwater presented Richard with a
certificate.
The overview of the Eastern High School Gone Boarding Class will be
presented at the April Board of Education meeting.
Steve Passinault, principal of Central High School; Steve Harvey, principal
of Eastern High School; and John Dolce, assistant principal of Northern
High School, introduced the Advanced Placement Scholar Award students
(which included seven 2012 graduates). Akash Premkumar and Cameron
Shabahang, seniors at Eastern High School; and Robert Wang and Eric
Yu, seniors at Northern High School, were recognized for receiving the
National Advanced Placement Scholar Award, sponsored by The College
Board. Members Fahner and Lenhardt presented the students with a
certificate.
Dave Harrison, residing at 6525 Bridlewood Court NE, Ada, and the
president of Eastern High School Athletic Boosters, expressed his
concerns regarding the process used in hiring the new Eastern High
School football coach.
Member Perschbacher III, Finance Committee Chair, and Member Vonck,
Curriculum Committee Chair, presented their respective committee
reports.
Motion by Member Fahner, second by Member Perschbacher III, that the
Forest Hills Board of Education approve consent grouping items VI, A-C.
Motion carried 7-0.
WELCOME
PRESENTATIONS
2013 MICHIGAN
POETRY OUT LOUD
COMPETITION
EASTERN HIGH
SCHOOL GONE
BOARDING CLASS
ADVANCED
PLACEMENT (AP)
SCHOLAR AWARDS
PUBLIC COMMENTS
APPROVAL OF
CONSENT
GROUPING ITEMS

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING: 03/18/13 - PAGE 2
AYES: Fahner, Perschbacher III, Josephson, Vonck, Lenhardt, Seekell,
Atwater
NAYS: None
Accepted the $1,100 donation from an anonymous donor to cover
uniform costs for the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams for the Cancer
Awareness Game at Northern High School; $1,500 donation from
Lynne Watling to Thornapple Elementary School; Epson Projection
System from the Northern Trails 5/6 PTO donated to Northern Trails
5/6; $500 donation from Exxon Mobil for the Math Department at
Central High School; $500 donation (state championship prize) from
the Poetry Foundation for the purchase of poetry books/materials for
Central High School; and broadcast television equipment from UR
Channel donated to the Communications Department at Central High
School, as presented.
Approved the minutes of the January 18, 2013 organizational meeting
and the February 18, 2013 regular meeting, with any added changes or
revisions.
Adopted the resolution affirming the district’s support of its employees
and employee associations.
(NOTE: The total resolution, as approved, may be found in the Board
Reference File, which is located in the Superintendent’s Office and
identified as Ref. No. 13-03/18-A.)
Approved expenditures for the payment of bills for January 2013, as
presented:
GENERAL FUND $ 9,693,424.74
DEBT FUND 13,364.36
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND 2010 73,451.23
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND 2012 -
SCHOOL SERVICES FUND
1. Food Service Fund 119,870.57
2. Child Care Fund 2,675.66
TRUST AND AGENCY FUND
1. Activity Fund 115,409.06
TOTAL EXPENDITURES $10,018,195.62
Authorized reimbursement of $6,996.76 to Kent County for refunded
taxes.
Authorized the Secretary of the Board of Education to sign the Waiver
and Consent forms to strike delinquent personal property taxes from
the City of Grand Rapids in the amount of $486.97.
Adopted the resolution authorizing execution of the bond purchase
GIFTS TO THE
DISTRICT
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
EMPLOYEE
ASSOCIATION
RESOLUTION OF
SUPPORT
PAYMENT OF BILLS
JANUARY 2013
TAX
REIMBURSEMENT
DELINQUENT
PERSONAL
PROPERTY TAXES
2013 BOND SALE

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING: 03/18/13 - PAGE 3
agreement.
(NOTE: The total resolution, as approved, may be found in the Board
Reference File, which is located in the Superintendent’s Office and
identified as Ref. No. 13-03/18-B.)
Amended the 2012-2013 General Fund Appropriations Act
Amendment Resolution with available funds of $112,908,519 and
appropriations of $101,116,491.
(NOTE: The total resolution, as approved, may be found in the Board
Reference File, which is located in the Superintendent’s Office and
identified as Ref. No. 13-03/18-C.)
Amended the 2012-2013 School Service Fund Appropriations Act
Amendment Resolution, with available funds of $4,975,461 and
appropriations of $4,302,000.
(NOTE: The total resolution, as approved, may be found in the Board
Reference File, which is located in the Superintendent’s Office and
identified as Ref. No. 13-03/18-D.)
Approved the following literature-based book requests:
Schools: Central, Eastern, and Northern High Schools
Grades: 11 and 12
Title: Red Scarf Girl
Author: Ji-li Jiang
Reviewed by: Sarah Velie
Schools: Central, Eastern, and Northern Hills Middle Schools
Grade: 8
Title: Tuesdays with Morrie
Author: Mitch Albom
Reviewed by: Claudia Walters
The following educational trip requests have been approved by
Superintendent Behm:
45 students from Eastern High School will visit The Art Institute
of Chicago and attend an architectural tour in Chicago, Illinois,
on May 7, 2013.
85 students from Thornapple Elementary School will visit
Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing, Michigan, on May 17,
2013.
80 students from Collins Elementary School will visit the Critter
Barn in Zeeland, Michigan, on May 23, 2013.
2012-2013 GENERAL
FUND
APPROPRIATIONS
ACT AMENDMENT
RESOLUTION
2012-2013 SCHOOL
SERVICE FUND
APPROPRIATIONS
ACT AMENDMENT
RESOLUTION
LITERATURE-BASED
BOOK REQUESTS
STUDENT TRIP
REQUESTS

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING: 03/18/13 - PAGE 4
Mitch Balingit, principal of Collins Elementary School, introduced
kindergarten teachers Rachel Fletter, Jenell Spindle, and Kelly Wade who
presented an overview of all day kindergarten.
Jenell Spindle, kindergarten teacher, described a pilot program called
Word Journeys, which is having a positive impact in the classrooms.
Superintendent Behm thanked the teachers for their deep knowledge,
skills, and professionalism to see what is needed and to come together as
a team. Our teachers have stepped up in so many different ways.
Superintendent Behm thanked Dave Harrison for attending tonight’s Board
of Education meeting and for his passion for the athletes at Eastern High
School. He said there are passionate view points on all sides, and we
don’t always come to the same view point. He informed Dave that a
decision has not yet been made and he would gladly meet with him.
Superintendent Behm announced that we graduated another cohort of
“Champions.” Our Champions go through intensive training on creating
equitable and inclusive school environments. This training is a portion of
our Global Learners Initiative. He thanked the Champions for taking the
time to go through the training.
Superintendent Behm thanked the staff and volunteers for hosting the
Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation’s State of the District Luncheon.
This luncheon educates the community about the work of the Foundation
and the impact the mini grants have on our classrooms and students.
President Josephson stated that he had a delightful day at the Capitol with
Superintendent Behm and our legislators. He said Superintendent Behm
is highly regarded by the legislators.
Motion by Member Vonck, supported by Member Fahner, that the Board
adjourn. The regular meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at
8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Atwater, Secretary
Forest Hills Board of Education
INSTRUCTIONAL
HIGHLIGHTS
ALL DAY
KINDERGARTEN
WORD JOURNEYS
SUPERINTENDENT’S
REPORT
BOARD
COMMUNICATION
ADJOURNMENT