Bridgeport Township School Board Meeting January 26th, 2015

- Board Of Education Interviews And Appointment start at 2:35 in the video. (There was no microphone set up for the interviews and they may be hard to hear on the video. I suggest turning the volume up, especially for the second interview.)
- Personnel Report starts at 42:11
- Ad Hoc Committee discussion starts at 46:02
- Board And Superintendent Comments start at 49:07

I was surprised and disappointed by the decision of the school board for the new school board member that was voted in tonight.  There were three candidates on the schedule to be interviewed for the position.
First on the list was Suzanne Kasten-Schnell  but she did not show up for the meeting. 
Second was Tedi Morris, she showed up 1/2 hour late so she was the last one interviewed. 
Last on the list was Mr. John Rhines.  He was the first person interviewed tonight, it starts at about 2:40 in the video. It was obvious that he has put a lot of time and effort into getting involved with the schools and the problems they are facing.  He seems to be very knowledgeable about the school issues and the role of the school board and it's members.  I liked his answers to all of their questions of what his qualifications are and what he would bring to the school board, how he would handle things.  He definitely has the drive and energy to work towards the benefit of the students and the schools.  If I had been a school board member I would have voted for him without hesitation, and with confidence that it was the best decision for the students and the schools.  I have no doubt that his energy and drive would bring about action and perhaps some much needed change to the school board and the school system, but maybe they are not looking for someone with those qualifications.
The interview of Mrs. Morris starts at about 18:59 in the video.  Mrs. Morris seems like a very nice woman, she has previous education experience, her husband was a former school board member.  I was never convinced that she really wanted this position but she was elected by the school board members with a vote of 5 to 1.
There are so many problems facing the school system, and they did not happen overnight, they are not just the fault of the "previous administration".  Tonight's meeting left me feeling like it will be the same old same old.

To Rock The Boat Or Not

I was reminded this evening of a song from my youth and while looking for that song I came across a couple of other catchy tunes.  Rock The Boat - Don't Rock The Boat   
This world needs more people who are willing to rock that boat!

Skeewiff - Dont Rock The Boat

Rock The Boat 1974 Hues Corporation

Betty Grable & Dan Dailey - Don't Rock The Boat, Dear

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting January 14th, 2015

On today's agenda -
SPECIAL ORDERS -
1. Reappointment of Members starts at 1:52 in the video
2. Election of Officers starts at 4:36
NEW BUSINESS -
1. 4800 Dixie Highway - Chris Psetas' Property Donation starts at 11:42
2. Land Bank Property - Dixie & Wiggen starts at 12:40
3. Cass River Clean Up Request - Parks & Recreation Director Bill Wheeler starts at 15:33
OLD BUSINESS -
1. Canoe Launch - Update starts at 19:30
2. GLDC - Update starts at 26:25
3. Beautification - Select Sub-committee starts at 32:12
4. Review of 4422 Williamson starts at 37:10
5. I-75 Billboard - Update starts at 41:21
6. 6137 Dixie Highway - Update starts at 42:40
7. Carpenter Plaza - Update starts at 45:15
DDA Coordinator's Report starts at 47:25
The next DDA Board Meeting will be held on February 25th, 2015

Bridgeport Township School Board Meeting January 12th, 2015

Discussion concerning the vacant board seat left by Judy Young begins at 1:24 in the video.
Public comment period begins at 3:00
Organization Meeting begins at 7:30 with the election of officers.
- Meeting schedule dates begins at 12:49
- Board member compensation begins at 16:02
- Appointment of delegates and other appointments begins at 17:47
- Board of Education Scholarship discussion begins at 28:53
Financial update begins at 29:55
Check register minutes and personnel report begins at 51:04
Reports begins at 58:03
- Thomas White Elementary at 59:15
- Martin G. Atkins Middle at 1:06:29
- Bridgeport High School update and Teacher and Student of the Year begins at 1:11:33
(I had to change the camera battery during this period so I missed a brief portion of the principal's comments)
- Special Education update begins at 1:24:41
- Buses and building maintenance begins at 1:30:58
- Profession Learning Coordinator report begins at 1:32:52
Board member comments begin at 1:43:09

Sadly the newly elected school board member, Judy Young, will be leaving the district and so now that seat is open again.  I understand her desire to do what is best for her children and wish her and her family well.
The seat is for a 2 year term and qualified area residents can apply for the seat.  Applications can be picked up at the Board of Education offices at the high school and must be returned by 2:30pm on January 23rd.  The new board member will be selected at a special board meeting held on January 26th at 6pm.
Hopefully they can find a board member that will actually attend the board meetings, one that does not view the students as "animals" and the parents as "troublemakers".
Hopefully the new board member will be someone that puts the welfare of the children and the schools above their own ego.  Someone that will be willing to do whatever it takes to work together with all the parties involved.  Someone that won't come in with a confrontational attitude from the start.  Someone with a open mind, open heart, and a willingness to learn.  Someone that will take action, and responsibility, someone that will not pass the blame for everything onto others.
The lives of the children and the future of our schools is too important to take lightly.  Every action in our lives, in this world, has a ripple effect.  The ripple effect our schools and these children will leave upon this world is in everyone's hands.
Mr. Larry Brown spoke during the public comment period and I hope everyone was listening closely.  How is it in this age, in this country, that our teachers and students do not even have the supplies they need?
Sorry that Mr. Robert Lange did not accept the nomination for school board president. He seems to be a board member that is on top of things there.  Seems to me that he would be a good strong leader for the future.
Congratulations to all the students and staff members on their awards and recognition!! 


*Almost forgot to add this just in case anyone is interested.  You can see the other projections on the screen during the Finance update section in the video except this one.  Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Ripple by the Grateful Dead

Just because

Abbott & Costello Who's On First

I couldn't get this skit out of my head yesterday so I am sharing it here.

Bridgeport Township Board Meeting January 6th, 2015

On last night's agenda was -
- Public Comments which begins at 3:43 in the video
New Business -
1. Carpenter Plaza begins at 9:23
2. School Resource Officer begins at 12:22
3. Damage To Fire Rescue Truck begins at 15:53
Board Comments begin at 21:10