Student Expelled for 180 Days for Weapon + Other Business at Gwinn Area Community Schools Board Discipline Hearing Summary March 25, 2013

GWINN AREA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

GWINN, MICHIGAN 49841

SPECIAL MEETING SUMMARY

MARCH 21, 2013

The Board adjourned to Executive Session for the sole purpose of discussing negotiations.

GWINN AREA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

GWINN, MICHIGAN 49841

BOARD DISCIPLINE HEARING SUMMARY

MARCH 25, 2013

The Board took action on the following:

• Expelled Student D for 180 school days for possession of a dangerous weapon while on school property.

GWINN AREA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

GWINN, MICHIGAN 49841

BOARD MEETING SUMMARY

MARCH 25, 2013

Congratulations to the following Gwinn Middle School students who were named “Students of the Month” for March: Benjamin Maki & Morgan Micheau (6^th); Sydney McNeill & Joshua Tosch (7^th); and Jacob Abbott & Nicole Lightford (8^th).

Congratulations to Mr. Matt Moilanen, Gwinn High School’s “Student of the Month” for March.

The Board heard the following public comment:

1. Lynn Osborne – concerns with the potential closing of Gilbert Elementary School

2. Gina Wilson – concerns with the potential closing of Gilbert Elementary School

3. Dion Kryzmalski – concerns with the potential closing of Gilbert Elementary School

4. Lisa Coombs-Gerou, YMCA of Marquette County – highlighted the success of their early childhood program at KIS and the excitement about opportunities available to move forward with that program

5. Kristen LaRock – concerns with the potential closing of Gilbert Elementary School, announcing the Gilbert Talent Show which will be held on May 3^rd, and applauding the work of Connie Sather and the 5^th grade “Girls on the Move” program

6. Amanda Peterson – concerns with the potential closing of Gilbert Elementary School and the potential for asking voters to approve a millage to establish a K-12 campus at the current GMS/GHS location

Claims in the amount of $591,114 were approved for payment.

District News

Gilbert Elementary School

• Congratulations to the following Students of the Month: Kaleb Farnsworth & Dixie Meier (Kdg.); Drew McAlpine & Neo Wilson (1^st); Ashley Scott & Grace Anderson (2^nd); Masen Smith & Abbie Myers (3^rd); Taylor Dauphinais & Tristan Jancsi (4^th); Seth Quayle & Martina Hedlund (5^th).

• Our February “Classes of the Month” were as follows: Lower Elementary (K-2) – Mr. Langin – Kdg.; Upper Elementary (3-5) – Mrs. Jancsi – 4^th grade.

• Our February Staff Member of the Month was Mrs. Lorrie Ghiringhelli, custodian.

• Gilbert hosted the 4th and 5th grade Select Choir from KI Sawyer and Gilbert for a special performance of the Nutcracker Suite on Thursday, March 21st. This concert featured the group telling the story and performing the wonderful music of Tchiakovsky’s Christmas ballet. While it may not be Christmas, this timeless story charms us and warms us in the chill of March (which does look like Christmas). Thanks to Mr. Hanmer and choral members for their hard work with this wonderful presentation.

• We have had 13 students attend our first two sessions of Countdown to Kindergarten. Thanks Heather Anderson, David Langin, and Leslie DesJardins, for the good program.

• Our 5^th grade students enjoyed a shoeshoe trip on March 19. Students got a taste of the good outdoors travelling cross-country, identifying tracks in the snow, and recognizing the value of team building. Thank you to Mrs. Debbie Goldsworthy, Ms. Amanda Noel, and Ms. Janet Koistenen, for planning and work with our students.

• Gilbert Elementary students, under the direction of Mrs. Christina King, created a Pony Express mail system this past month. Students in all classes participated in mailing letters to their friends and teachers. Thanks Mrs. King for running the program.

• To date, Gilbert students have read a total of 45,801 minutes during March is Reading Month. Each class has done a tremendous job reading many minutes. Good job students.

• Gilbert students enjoyed an outstanding program by the MSU Physics Club where they performed higher level physics demonstrations. Students were excited to be entertained and so some learning at the same time.

KI Sawyer Elementary School

• Congratulations to the following Students of the Month: Breann Poland, Katlynn Strickler & Parker Koenig (Kdg.); Angelina Mancini & Amelia McGeshick (1^st); Noah Iery & Preston Heiskala (2^nd); Caleb Stieler & Taylor Findley (3^rd); Lilyian Benzie & Clarissa Remmilard (4^th); Mariah York, Hannah Powell (5^th). 

• March is Reading Month! Each day students and staff have participated in various activities to promote reading, based on author Roald Dahl. The Early Childhood Class has their annual Teddy Bear Picnic this Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.

• As we end the third quarter: 42 students had perfect attendance and 315 ROAR cards were turned in. That is 3,150 recognized acts of students being Respectful, Orderly, having a Positive Attitude and being Respectful.

• Eighteen (18) of our 5^th grade students traveled to Houghton, Michigan, in February to participate in the VFW/ROTC “Day of Challenges.” Students were challenged through team activities and demonstration of individual physical fitness skills.

  • Audrey Morford earned a trophy for recognition as the “Ironwoman” in the junior division (grades 5, 6, 7, and 8), honoring her for being the best in the physical fitness challenge.

  • The boy’s team, comprised of Isaac Burgess, Scotty Daugherty, Alex Lehtomaki, Nicolas Lightford, Dsean McCoy, Adrian McLean, and Connor Teeple, earned a first place award in the junior division for the Situational Challenge.

 Gwinn Middle School

• Congratulations to the GMS Chorus for receiving Division 1 ratings in performance and sight reading at the Superior School Music Association Choral Festival held at NMU on Friday, March 8. 2013.

• Congratulations to the following GMS students who received Division 1 ratings at the Wisconsin School Music Festival Solo & Ensemble competition this past weekend: Ashley Chaudier, flute solo; Kyle Rozich, trumpet solo; Bethany Woodruff, clarinet solo.

• Congratulations to the following GMS students who participated in Gwinn’s first ever Michigan Archery In the School Program (MASP) tournament in Bark River Harris this past Saturday: David Poland shot a score of 268 (1^st place), Garrett Foreback shot a score of 238 (2^nd place) and Barbara shot a score of 221 (3^rd place).

• A “thank you” goes to Mrs. Viitala for all of her work in helping GMS students complete work that is on the ICU list.

• The trout in Mrs. Gollakner’s room are on track for a spring release. Another “thank you” goes out to her students who stay after school to help clean out the tank.

• We are making progress in getting our 8^th graders ready for the Great America trip in May.

Gwinn High School

• Congratulations to the GHS Chorus and Chorale for receiving Division 1 ratings in performance and sight reading at the Superior School Music Association Choral Festival held at NMU on Friday, March 8. 2013.

• Congratulations to the following GHS students who received Starred Division 1 ratings at the Wisconsin School Music Festival Solo & Ensemble competition this past weekend and who will advance to the WSMA State Festival in May: Chorale, vocal jazz; Gwinn High School Jazz Band; Gwinn High School Chorale Women’s Ensemble; Naria Ford-Thompson, musical theater; Ben Hafer, musical theater & bass solo; Kaileena Haralson, alto solo & musical theater; Lauren Kowalski, soprano solo; Daabii Reinhardt, soprano solo; Erica Sanford, soprano solo (perfect score) & musical theater; Laura Thompson, soprano solo & musical theater; and Ellie Woodruff, soprano Solo & musical theater. Those students receiving Division 1 ratings include: Naria Ford Thompson, alto solo and Mara Westman, soprano solo. Those students receiving Division 2 ratings include: Gwinn High School Jazz combo, Lauren Kowalski, alto solo, Bobby Proulx, tuba solo and Paula Vincent, trumpet solo.

• Congratulations to Devin Poland who shot a score of 260 which earned him a 2^nd place designation in Gwinn’s first ever Michigan Archery In the School Program (MASP) tournament in Bark River Harris this past Saturday.

• GHS Drama Club will present “Bye Bye Birdie” — Thursday 3/18 through Sunday 3/21. Shows are at 2:00 each evening with Sunday’s being a 2:00 matinee.

• MME testing was completed last Thursday 3/21 with re-takes. Eighty-four juniors were tested, with only 2 not having completed all 3 tests.

• Materials are being prepared for course enrollment for next year. This process will get into full swing right after spring break.

• Congratulations to the following girls basketball players who have received MPC recognition this season: 1^st team – Ellie Olsen, 2^nd team – Lydia Asplund, Honorable Mention – Morgan Bruce, All-Defensive Team – Lydia Asplund.

• Congratulations to the following boys basketball players who have received MPC recognition this season: 1^st team – Derek Reetz, 2^nd team – Owen DeVooght, Honorable Mention – Justin Nyquist, All-Defensive Team – Luke Sinnaeve.

Superintendent Tufnell’s Board update included a comprehensive review of the recent Board Finance Committee meeting at which the main topic of discussion was what cuts can be made and/or possible District reconfiguring can be established to eliminate the nearly $1.3 million deficit we are facing for the 2013-14 school year. Ms. Tufnell also presented the Board with minutes from the recent Personnel Committee meeting.

 

Superintendent Tufnell formally recognized and congratulated Debbie Goldsworthy, George D. Gilbert Elementary School 5th grade teacher, as the recipient of an individual Michigan Reading Association (MRA) Literacy Award. Superintendent Tufnell stated that Mrs. Goldsworthy was recognized for her literacy projects such as “Word…to the Mic..” and “Writing in Unexpected Places” that extend beyond her classroom and out into the community.

The Board took action on the following:

• Conducted the Superintendent’s Evaluation and extended Superintendent Tufnell’s contract through the 2015-2016 school year.

• Extended the employment of Kevin Luokkala, Sandra Petrovich, Daniel Barry and Elizabeth Bond through the 2013-2014 school year.

• Accepted the certified election results from the February 26, 2013 special millage renewal election.

• Approved a contract with the YMCA of Marquette County to provide the District’s Parent Involvement in Education programs through September 30, 2013.

• Approved the following student trip as a Board-sponsored activity:

1. French Trip to Montreal, Quebec, Canada from June 11-18, 2013

2. GMS Student Council trip to Mackinac Island from May 10-12, 2013

Approved a 12-week unpaid leave of absence for Jacqueline Cole, Gwinn Middle School Principal.

Accepted the following employee resignation:

1. Doug Heslip – JV football coach, Gwinn High School, effective date of resignation – February 19, 2013

Approved the employment of the following personnel:

1. Maria Slater – girls softball coach, Gwinn High School, effective date of hire – 1^st day of the 2012-13 spring sports season

2. Ashley Leppanen – interim assistant track coach, Gwinn high School, effective date of hire – 1^st day of the 2012-13 spring sports season

Accepted the following gifts and donations, with great appreciation:

1. Robert Goodrich – used storm windows (valued at $75) donated to the GHS building trades classes

2. Dr. Catherine Kroll – cash donation for the “Girls on the Move” program for 5^th grade girls at Gilbert and KI Sawyer Elementary Schools

3. Gwinn All-Sports Booster Club – girls & boys basketball uniforms ($6,584), girls tennis uniforms ($750), Matrix 4-stack Multi-Station for weight room ($3,250), track equipment ($1,907), track warm-up hoodies and pants ($3,500), and volleyball warm-ups ($2,520) donated to the Gwinn athletic programs

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