VAN BUREN COUNTY ASSOCITION OF SCHOOL BOARDS

Legislative Dinner Meeting

Van Buren Technology Center

MINUTES

APRIL 12, 2012

The meeting began at 6:00 PM with dinner prepared by the Van Buren Technology Center Hospitality Services students and staff. The meal was served buffet style. The students and staff were complimented with applause for the fine meal. Prior to the meal, piano music was provided by VBISD school board member Richard Barden.

President Ruth Fuentes called the formal meeting to order at 7:15 PM. Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Secretary-Treasurer Burl Ghastin conducted a roll call of members in attendance. There were 30 board members from 12 school districts in attendance. A quorum was declared.

The following members signed the attendance roll:

BANGORRuth Fuentes

BLOOMINGDALETim Remington

COVERTMaxine Jeffries

DECATURDavid McLeese

GOBLESJim Smith, Bonnie Miller

HARTFORDMike Banic, Ben Chambers, Jason Sadler, Tim Summerhill, Scott Smith

LAWRENCEChuck Carpp

LAWTONTim Somers, Toby Fields, Walter Hitchcock, Matt Ryan, Kathryn Drew

Bryan Cronenwett

MATTAWANHeidi Pfannes, Jeff Dufon, ZbigSrodulski

PAW PAWKaren Ayres, Pat Lynch, Steve Peterson

SOUTH HAVENAnnie Brown, Cindy Liscow

VBISDRichard Barden, Frances Sage, Burl Ghastin, James Crandall

Guests present:

Michael Alexander, Covert Superintendent

James Jeffries, Covert Board Member Spouse

Elizabeth Godwin, Decatur Superintendent

John Overley, Lawrence Superintendent

Connie Hitchcock, Lawton Board Member Spouse

Joe Trimboli, Lawton Superintendent

Mark Bielang, Paw Paw Superintendent

George Sage, VBISD Board Member Spouse

Jeff Mills, Superintendent VBISD

Renee Richardson, VBISD Administrative Assistant

Don Olendorf, VBISD Legislative Liaison

Tonda Boothby, VBISD Migrant/ESL/NCLB Administrator

Cindy Kent, VBISD Technology Curriculum Administrator

Scott Starkweather, VBISD Technology Center Director

Paul Garrod, Paw Paw Courier Leader Newspaper

Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, 20th Senate District

Representative Aric Nesbitt, 80th House District

Representative Margaret O’Brien, 61st House District

Adam Mensinger, Senator Proos Assistant 21st Senate District

Burl Ghastin introduced Scott Starkweather, Director of the Technology Center. Scott in turn introduced students and instructors from the First Robotics Program. The robotics team presented a live demonstration of their robot and a video of a competition that the students were able to demonstrate their skills. Each table had a miniature robot assembled by the students and one lucky winner from each table got to take it home.

Burl Ghastin then asked Don Olendorf, Legislative Liaison from the VBISD to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the legislative part of the program. Legislators present were introduced and gave a brief presentation of education issues. Attendees questioned the legislators and Don regarding the status of current legislation.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

______

Burl Ghastin, Secretary/Treasurer

Van Buren County Association

of School Boards