Van Buren Public Schools

The 2019-2020 School Improvement Plan for Belleville High School is a roadmap to enhance student learning and development. It focuses on six key goals: providing a safe, supportive, and respectful learning environment that eliminates barriers to student learning and promotes college and career readiness; improving student proficiency and growth in Social Studies, Science, Reading, Writing, and Mathematics.

The Board convened for a regular meeting that included an executive session to discuss attorney-client privilege matters. The agenda was approved, and there were questions and comments from the audience regarding test preparations. The consent agenda was approved, which included regular minutes from previous meetings, the check register for March, requested changes in instructional staff including a retirement, and non-instructional staff terminations and employments. A presentation was given by Belleville High School regarding preparing students for state assessments, addressing the achievement gap, and student culture. A community forum was held as part of the Superintendent Search process. The meeting was adjourned.

The Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education held a meeting where they approved the superintendent contract with Peter Kudlak, effective July 1, 2016. They also approved the resolution for membership in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) for Belleville High School and McBride Middle School for the 2016-2017 school year. Additionally, the board approved the renewal of membership in the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) for 2016-2017. A resolution was passed for the authorization of a Master Lease/Purchase Agreement for copiers to maintain tax-exempt status. The board also approved the election to defer the procurement provisions included in 2 CFR 200.317 to 200.326, making the effective date of these provisions July 1, 2017. The board rescinded a previous action regarding the paving of McBride Road and the use of sinking funds for that purpose. There was also a discussion regarding a proposed easement change to accommodate an increase in the pipeline for the low-pressure gas line.

The special meeting included the recommendation for Belleville High School Principal, where Stacey Buhro was awarded a one-year contract as Principal. A presentation and discussion by Dr. Rodney Green of MASB regarding Board and Superintendent Roles and Relationships took place. Additionally, there were questions and discussions from the audience regarding agenda items, dissemination of the agenda, conflicts between schools' events, agenda creation, audience input on administrative items, legal fee breakdown, and process changes. The Salvation Army acquired calculators for Van Buren Public Schools, and a recommendation was made to reach out to retired teachers as substitute teachers.

The board covered multiple topics including accepting the June 30, 2016 Audit Report from Taylor & Morgan, selecting April Crawford to fill the temporary vacancy created with the resignation of Martha Toth, approving the use of the MASB Evaluation Tool for the 2016 -- 2017 school year, and Superintendent Kudlak gave a presentation on the upcoming Non-Homestead Operating Millage renewal that will be on the ballot on November 8, 2016. The board also discussed NCLB/ESSA changes, Evaluation Training being provided to principals and recent Professional Development topics, on-going negotiating with the District unions, and interviews for the Assistant Principal position at BHS, the financial statements sent to the Board regarding the Audit, new legislation and on-going transportation issues being addressed. The board also reviewed a student reinstatement recommendation and pending litigation discussion and conditionally reinstated student 001 16/17.