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