June 2012 School Report - Ionia Public Schools

Highlights of the Board’s May 2012 Meeting
1. With four members present, the Board approved the following actions:
-- approved the June 2011-2012 School Year Calendar.
-- tabled consideration of Support for the Ionia ISD Budget Resolution; the Ionia ISD Budget Resolution was approved at a Special Board Meeting on May 30.
-- approved the Camp Jack student trip
-- approved a new 6th Grade Teaching Position for 2012-2013
-- approved the Reproductive Health Video and Pamphlet for the IHS Health Class as recommended by the IPS Reproductive Health Advisory Board and DSICC.
-- approved the second reading of Board Policy 5517.01 - Bullying and Other Aggressive Behavior Toward Students.
-- approved the second reading of Policy 3120 Post-Issuance Tax Compliance Policy for Tax-Exempt Obligations and Tax Credit Bonds
-- following a presentation by the IPS Scholarship Fund Board, approved the establishment of a scholarship program, under the guidelines of the Scholarship
Committee, to benefit Welch High School graduates going on to college.
2. IHS Teacher Scott Pischea, pictured on left, presented on the real life experience IHS Government students have when they
participate in Teen Court at the Ionia County Courthouse with Probate Judge Robert Sykes. Mr. Pischea noted Teen Court is a
real trial where students determine punishment, students take roles as jurors, bailiff, clerk and jury foreperson; and the student jury
deliberates and announces the punishment. Teen Court, which is a National Program which all Ionia County schools participate
in, addresses many Government standards. Cost of busing for all 3 Trimesters is covered by fundraiser in the Fall.
IHS Teacher Scott Pischea
3. Board Vice President Dave O’Mara, who is also a member of the IPS Scholarship Fund Board, gave an update on membership,
fund balances, goals, and events and activities designed to create awareness and give recognition.
4. Welch Principal Jack Manciu shared information on the American Academy’s No Dropouts Program as a potential resource for Welch High School. The goal
of partnering with an organization like the American Academy would be to provide one more way to prevent students from dropping out before they achieve graduation.
Representative Janice Barnes shared details on how the program works, including staff, technology support, and costs. She noted 20 districts in Michigan utilize
services of the American Academy.
5. Director of Finance Don Wilcox noted his expectations that the State would pass a State Aid Bill by the end of May and encouraged residents to express their
concerns to our representatives on a timely basis. At the time, Mr. Wilcox expressed his concern about whether the State would restore the $470 cut from the 2011-
2012 per pupil funding in light of the good news that state revenues exceeded projections by $100 million.
He also discussed concerns about current debate about changes
to the Retirement System, the School Bond Loan Program, and
the Personal Property Tax.
Negotiations Update
As of June 2012, Ionia Public Schools has not reached
contract agreement for 2011-2012 with the IEA (teachers).
On June 12, the Negotiation Teams for the Board of Education
and the IEA will meet with a Mediator.
A hearing on the Unfair Labor Practice charges originally
scheduled for June 5 in Lansing has been postponed at the
request of the IEA’s MEA attorney. Ionia Public Schools is
awaiting a new date for the hearing.
Based on the new legislation and advice from the District’s
legal counsel, the Board of Education passed a resolution on
March 19 to initiate unfair labor practice charges against the
IEA.
These charges maintain that the IEA has not bargained in
good faith by insisting that illegal or “prohibited” matters be
included within the contract now being negotiated.
The unfair labor practice charges will be heard by the
Michigan Employment Relations Commission, the agency
that administers the Public Employment Relations Act.
Ionia VFW is Community Partner for May
Representatives of the Ionia VFW and Auxiliary received a standing ovation at the Ionia Public
Schools Board of Education when the organization was honored as the May Community Partner.
Pictured are from left, Board Vice President Dave O’Mara who presented the certificate, Commander
Shane Houghton, Service Officer Jim Huver, Senior Vice Commander David Richardson,
Auxiliary Guard Mary Richmond, Trustee Dave Richmond, Jr. Vice President, Auxiliary Madolyn
Richardson, Guard Frank Slagel, Ellis King, Jr. Vice Commander Kevin Defrates, and Chaplain
Russ Roberts.
Among the many activities, the VFW is well known for posting the colors and raising and lowering
the flag at many school events as well as educating young students on the significance of the
stars and stripes and each fold of the flag.