Bridgeport Township Board Meeting June 2nd, 2015

On tonight's agenda:
Public Comment begins at 2:45
Unfinished Business -
- Cemetery Ordinance revision begins at 5:23
New Business -
- 2014 Audit Presentation by Yeo & Yeo begins at 7:03
- R15-09 MDOT Performance Resolution - road right of way begins at 25:58
- R15-10 Federal Surplus assistance program - Fire Department begins at 27:33
- R15-11 Consumers Energy Easement begins at 29:43
- Revise FOIA Policy 11-01 begins at 30:52
- Recreation Specialist Job Description - Grant Funded begins at 31:51
- Accountant Job Description begins at 32:33
- 2015 Saginaw County Foreclosures begins at 33:31
- Fire Department social media policy begins at 34:26
- Fire Department employment policy begins at 35:14
- Police Department tourniquet policy begins at 35:52
- Appoint Trustee begins at 38:05
Board Member comments begin at 42:45

Things are going really well in Bridgeport Township and with the Township Board so I don't have much to comment on.  I would like to say Welcome to the newest member of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Calvin Willams.  I think he will be a great asset to the board and the community.
During the public comment period Mike Szukhent from the Birch Run/Bridgeport Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitor's Bureau shared information and updates.
The board members comments are always worth listening to, actually it's my favorite part of the meeting.  They share a lot of information about what is going on in the township, upcoming events, etc...

Bridgeport School Board Personnel Committee Meeting June 1st, 2015

Discussed at today's meeting:
- There were two agenda's presented for today's meeting, that discussion starts at the very beginning of the meeting.
- Discussion about the meetings being posted on YouTube begins at 0:55
- Staffing 2015-2016 begins at 4:33
- Administrator Salary Equity begins at 15:37
- Athletics Staffing and Program Issues begins at 20:05
- Discussion about the Interview Committee, Current Jobs That Haven't Been Filled, Resignations/Retirements, Part-Time Groundskeeper, begins at 27:25
- Expulsions begins at 31:09
- Interim Superintendent Plans/Commitment begins at 34:04
- Discussion on Legal Updates, The School Bell, Board Review Of Staff Evaluations, Miscellaneous, begins at 50:59

School Board President and Personnel Committee member Jay Bruns was not able to attend this morning's meeting so Vice President Pat Nelson took his place in the meeting.
It was a interesting and enlightening meeting.  At the beginning of the meeting they discussed these meetings being posted on YouTube.  Martha Sageman said she contacted "Brad" concerning the matter.  I am assuming she meant one of the legal staff members at the Michigan Association of School Boards.  By law I have the right to video tape and post these meetings for the public to see.  Some people may not like it but I will continue to do so whenever I am able to.
By law notice must be posted prior to the regular board meetings taking place. The school board does post a schedule of planned meetings.  In the past if someone wanted to be notified of any special board meetings or the committee meetings that will be held, they could request in writing to be notified of these by email.  There was no notice sent out that this mornings meeting would be held.  They have a legal opinion from the Michigan Association of School Boards that states that no notice need be posted for committee meetings nor be sent to anyone requesting to be notified.  They may have the legal right to not give any notice of the committee meetings to members of the public, but is that really a wise decision?
The committee meetings are open to the public, but by now choosing to no longer notify the public that the meetings will take place, it appears that they are trying to deny access to these meetings to the public.  Is there a large amount of labor or costs involved in posting a one page notice at the high school or in sending out a few emails to notify the public of these committee meetings?  What is to be gained by keeping the public in the dark about any committee meetings?  Again I say it appears that they are trying to deny access to the public to these committee meetings.  It may be legal, but I feel it is a violation of the spirit of the law of the Open Meetings Act.
Operating in the shadows is never a good idea for any public entity.  Openness and Transparency, Building Communication and Trust with the public should be high on the list of priorities for any public entity such as a school board.
The discussion of the Interim Superintendent Plans/Commitment was enlightening.  Dempsey Allen and Pat Nelson voted to support Carol Selby as the Interim Superintendent until the school district is out of deficit and priority school status.  There were some excellent points brought up for keeping Mrs. Selby on as the Interim Superintendent.  Martha Sageman abstained from voting on this matter.  When she was asked as to why she would not support Carol Selby as the Interim Superintendent, she refused to comment stating that she did not want her comments to end up on YouTube.
If a board member feels that their comments cannot be shared with the public, they are unwilling to take action, or they are not willing to face public scrutiny for their comments or actions, then they do not belong on the school board.
In discussion of any future search for a new Superintendent, it was mentioned that with the school being in a deficit status and priority schools status, and with all the publicity that was brought upon the school district because of the trouble with Mr. Hill, that it would be hard to attract a qualified candidate for the position.  Even after they get out of deficit and priority status it may be hard to attract a qualified candidate when all they have to do is go to Google and find past articles like this - Bridgeport School Board Member Steps Down In Protest
The trouble with the school board has been a long standing problem.  I have hope for the future of this board and the school district, but there are still a few problems that seem to linger on and on.

Bridgeport School Board Meeting May 20th, 2015

It was a short but very important meeting tonight.  On the agenda:
- State Aid Note begins at 0:42 in the video
- Citizen Participation begins at 2:48
- Lawyer Ann VanderLaan presentation concerning the status of Superintendent Thomas Hill begins at 5:32
- Board Member and Superintendent Comments begin at 8:23

Board members Martha Sageman and Robert Lange were absent from tonight's meeting.
So it is now official that Thomas Hill is no longer the Superintendent of the Bridgeport Schools.  I don't know what the "settlement agreement and release of claims" involves, hopefully it does not involve a large amount of money.  Looking forward to the school system being able to finally move on concerning this matter and make plans for the future.
Andre Jackson addressed a serious matter during the citizen participation segment of the meeting.  The boys track coach, Bill Walters, was fired on Monday.  There has been no official reason stated publicly for the termination and now the rumors are running rampant throughout Bridgeport concerning Mr. Walters.  I don't know if the school system can publicly address this issue.  If they can, they need to and soon.
Andre Jackson also made a good point about the difference in how the firing of Coach Anwar Jackson was handled compared to the firing of Mr. Walters.  One of the great things about our country is that you are supposedly "Innocent Until Proven Guilty".  In the case of Coach Jackson, it appears that he was "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" with no chance given to prove himself innocent, and all based on the "accusations" from one man, Fred Townsend.  I don't know how or if any investigation was handled by the Bridgeport Schools concerning Coach Jackson.  Anyone that you talk to concerning Coach Jackson will tell you that he is a great guy and that Bridgeport should never have let him go.
Now as far as Mr. Walters, the only thing I have heard are a lot of rumors, and they are growing by the hour.  Andre Jackson says that the school was notified of the issue concerning Mr. Walters last week but that he was allowed to continue coaching up through the weekend.  I won't repeat the rumors here that I have heard and I don't know that any of them are true.  He is "Innocent Until Proven Guilty", but, considering the severity of the accusations and rumors, I would think that it would have been better to immediately remove him until a full investigation was completed.  In this case it sounds like I am judging him as guilty, but when the rumors involve possibly inappropriate conduct towards minors, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Bridgeport School Board Special Meeting To Be Held

This is a special meeting that will be held at the Bridgeport High School on Wednesday May 20th, 2015.  Like all school board meetings it will be open to the public.
Anyone that would like to be added to a email list to be notified about special meetings and committee meetings to be held by the school board can contact the school.  Contact ROBIN JOHNSON (johnsonr@bscs.k12.mi.us) and request to be added to the email list.

Here is the list of the scheduled school board meetings -

 

Bridgeport Township DDA Board Meeting May 13th, 2015

On today's agenda:
Under New Business -
- Bavarian Comfort Care begins at 1:50
- Saginaw Future begins at 3:11
- Bridge Repairs begins at 9:23
- Speedway Gas Station begins at 12:01
- Knights Inn - Tax Tribunal begins at 13:23
Under Old Business -
- Bridgeport Cass River Trail Head Update begins at 15:42
- Beautification Committee Report begins at 16:30
- Great Lakes Discovery Center begins at 25:55
- Billboard begins at 27:57
- Canoe Launch begins at 30:07
DDA Coordinator's Report begins at 31:45

Bridgeport School Board Meeting May 11th, 2015

On the agenda:
- ISD 2015-2016 Budget Presentation/Approval begins at 0:44 in the video
- Citizen Participation begins at 20:46
- Committee Reports begins at 31:33
- Check Register, Minutes and Personnel Report begins at 35:49
- DEP/Financial Update begins at 37:02
- 2014-15 Budget Amendment begins at 40:42
- Chartwells Food Service Contract Renewal begins at 41:30
- Best Practices Incentive Resolution begins at 55:35
- 2015-2016 Business Office Working Agreements Approval begins at 57:57
- ISD Board Election Resolution begins at 1:03:03
- at 1:06:28 the board goes into a closed session
- Board Member and Superintendent Comments begins at 1:09:04

Bridgeport Township Board Meeting May 6th, 2015

On tonight's agenda:
Public Comment begins at 4:00 in the video
New Business - 
- Proclamation for Walter LaShore begins at 13:05
- Citizen recognition for Fort Road house fire begins at 17:06
- Appoint Treasurer begins at 22:43
- Saginaw Area Storm Water Authority Resolutions R15-5 - IDEP, R15-6 - Standard & Guidelines, R15-7 - Public Education Plans and also Police Department Policies - language access service for deaf & blind subjects, language access services for limited English begin at 28:37
- Recognition for crossing guards Chris Heilig & Tom Mills begins at 36:52
- Bridgeport Charter Township Master Plan begins at 38:20
- Cemetery Ordinance revision begins at 39:22
- Sidewalk bids begins at 40:28
- Sidewalk Ordinance begins at 42:16
Board Member Comments begin at 44:35

Last nights meeting was different than any of the meetings I have been to here in Bridgeport.  It was sad and joyful, the kind of night that helps you keep perspective on the things that are really important in life.
I had wanted to write something about Walter LaShore but I really did not know him well.  About the only thing that I can say about him was how he would joke and laugh at the meetings and it seemed to be infectious to everyone else there.  The meeting started with a proclamation from the township for Mr. LaShore.  The board members and others spoke of him throughout the meeting and I think their words and emotions told you all you ever needed to know about the gentleman and told you how much he will be missed. Rest In Peace Mr. LaShore!
Three residents, Bonnie Pegley, Joseph Horonzy and Phillip Inman were recognized for their actions in saving a elderly resident, Mrs. Mason, from her burning home on March 14th. These three people and their actions, are the kind of things that help to restore your faith in mankind.  Congratulations on your well deserved recognition and Thank You!
Two other residents were also recognized for their actions.  Chris Heilig and Tom Mills are crossing guards for the schools on Williamson Rd. and were given certificates honoring all the hours, actually years, that they have dedicated to ensuring the safety of the children. Again, Congratulations on your well deserved recognition and Thank You!
Jim Secord was sworn in as the new Township Treasurer. Congratulations Jim!  I believe that he will  perform a outstanding job.
Cheryl Hadsall and Michael Hanley from the Saginaw County Board of Commissioners both spoke during the public comment period.  Rose Licht and others talked about all the exciting upcoming events in Bridgeport through the Parks & Recreation Dept and Bridge Fest.

Bridgeport School Board Meeting April 27th, 2015

On the agenda:
- Citizen Participation begins at 1:18 in the video
- Committee Reports begins at 11:44
- Vice President Appointment begins at 17:08
- Acting Superintendent Contract Discussion/Approval begins at 18:23
- Board and Superintendent Comments begin at 20:00

Sorry I am almost two weeks late in sharing this video here but sometimes life gets hectic.   I always post the videos of the meetings first on YouTube, usually hours after the meetings, and then when I have time I share them here on the blog. 
The meeting started with the board going into a closed session and after they returned the citizen participation segment began.  Students Mark Mohn-Young and Jason Pogue spoke on behalf of a teacher at Bridgeport High School who will not be having her contract renewed.  I believe her name is Ms. Roeske but it is hard to hear with the poor audio in this meeting.  Last year there was a school board meeting where students got up and spoke on behalf of a teacher that was going to be let go and the board or administration changed their decision and kept the teacher on.  I remember reading about that incident and it was what got me interested in attending the board meetings.  I believe this is the same teacher that was also discussed in the personnel meeting on April 17th.  I wondered after that meeting why the teacher was kept on despite having poor evaluations and if Ms. Roeske is the same teacher then I understand why.  I have no idea what criteria is used in evaluations of the instructors but I do have to wonder how she could go from 10 years of good evaluations at another school and then receive poor evaluations at Bridgeport.  It seems like there is more to this story but I don't know what it is.
Ms. Manning, a employee of the school district also spoke.  She had issues with her employment and it sounds like her contract will not be renewed.  I have no understanding of her issues so I can't comment on that, but I hope that she has a better avenue to bring those issues to the school board and administration than during the brief 3 minute period allotted during the meetings.
I would like to congratulate Mr. Nelson on his appointment as the new Vice President of the school board.  I think very highly of Mr. Nelson and think he is a good choice for the position.
I was glad to see that Mrs. Selby's stipend contract was approved by the board members.
Mr. Bruns is the new President of the school board and I liked everything that I heard from him in the board member comments period.  I do have just one observation/suggestion and it involves that 3 minute rule.  Mr. Bruns seems to listen to and be concerned about the issues that are brought by the public to the school board.  That is great, and that is what the public, staff, students need to know is that the board is listening; but when you shut the speakers down at the 3 minute mark it appears that you are not willing to listen.  I can understand if you get 20 speakers come and raise a ruckus that boards may feel it is necessary to enforce the time limit to keep some peace and order and move the meeting along for the benefit of everyone that is attending and would also like to speak.  When you only have a few speakers and the issues that they are bringing before you are serious, would it really hurt to allow them a few extra minutes?  It would go a long way to help build that relationship of cooperation and trust back up that seems to have been lacking for sometime between the Bridgeport community and the school board.
The next school board meeting will be held on May 11th at the Bridgeport High School.

Tell It Like It Is

Tell It Like It Is Lyrics - Aaron Neville 

 

Bridgeport School Board Personnel Committee Meeting April 17th, 2015

This meeting was held by the school board personnel committee.  The first 24 minutes was discussion of personnel matters like positions they will be posting openings for and one teacher that has received a less than effective evaluation.  They will recommend to the whole board to not renew this teachers’ contract. 

The discussion on a stipend contract for Mrs. Selby for all the hard work she has been doing as the acting superintendent was a long and at times somewhat tempestuous discussion.  The matter is still not resolved but appears to be moving forward.