Click here to watch a video blog, featuring Laker Superintendent Bob Smith and Technology Director Scott Miklovic, about the May 5 technology bond proposal that will be on the ballot. Please vote at your local voting precinct (the election will not take place at the school). Thank you.
According to information released by the Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO), Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools is one of only 30 districts across Michigan to receive a perfect fiscal indicator score of zero from Munetrix. Lakers is the only school in the Upper Thumb to receive this recognition. Munetrix has data on all of Michigan’s 500-plus public school districts and 300 charter schools. Therefore, the 30 districts on the perfect score list represent only four percent of the total number of districts. Munetrix provides financial transparency data for schools and municipalities and provides financial reports to the public –through charts and graphs – so taxpayers know how money is being spent. The perfect Munetrix scores are based on the latest available Michigan Department of Education data and consider a variety of factors, such as operations performance, enrollment trends and fund balance status. “Under very difficult situations, these districts performed exceptionally well and should be commended,” stated Bob Kittle, president of Munetrix, in a release. “The fiscal headwinds facing local schools in Michigan and across the country are compounded by declining enrollments and state-aid revenue sources. Fiscal stewardship is taken very seriously by this group.” Mike Klosowski, Laker chief financial officer, is excited about the news. “I appreciate working for a district that works together, as we have remained very fiscally and operationally stable over the years, even with outside forces making all schools … having to make difficult decisions,” Klosowski said. To view Munetrix data on Laker Schools, visit www.lakerschools.org and click the “Munetrix” icon in the “Transparency Reporting” area of the page. For more information on Munetrix, visit www.munetrix.com. When Beckie Binder and some other Laker parents noticed the beloved Laker fight song had been covered in paint as part of the secondary school renovation in the summer of 2014, they shared their concern with Laker Secondary School Principal Brian Keim. They missed seeing it displayed along the once white hallway wall leading from the office to the FFA/woodshop area.
They wanted to know if there was a plan to somehow replace the fight song display. Keim said not at this time. While disappointed, Binder also was inspired. A quilter for 18 years, Binder decided to recreate the beloved display – just in a different format. She decided to create a quilt to display at the school. Keim loved the idea. Binder, who owns the Backstreet Quilt Shop in Bad Axe with her mother, Barbie Brooks, spent 25-30 hours on the quilt, which is large enough to cover a double-size bed. Jeff Rubin at Main Street Mercantile in Bad Axe did the lettering. The quilt is all hand guided – no computer work was involved, Binder noted. She said her children – Kole, Karson and Keegan – gave her input along the way. The quilt is now proudly on display in the front lobby of the secondary school. The white wall really sets off the colors of the quilt. “It really catches your eye,” Keim said. When Binder saw it displayed for the first time at the school, she was pleased the vision she and Keim had for the quilt matched the end product. “I was excited to see how good it looked,” Binder added. Keim, who graduated with Binder from Lakers in 1991, said he’d like to add a plaque alongside the quilt that states who created the quilt and when. This summer, as part of the secondary school renovation project, the science labs and cafeteria/student center will be updated. Contractors and bids for these projects received stamps of approval from the board of education at its March meeting. R.C. Hendrick & Son, Inc. accepted bids on behalf of the Laker district in early March. Based on the results of those bids, the contracting company conducted post-bid interviews with at least the lowest bidder. There were 13 bid categories. The following businesses were selected: Rooney Contracting, Booms Construction, Inc., McMath Masonry, Howard Structural Steel, Brandle Roofing, Dave’s Glass, O’Connors Carpet One, Detail Painting, Farnell Contracting, Thumb Cooling and Heating and Maurer Electric, Inc. The bids totaled $1.37 million, which will be paid for with the sinking fund millage. The work completed this summer also will include HVAC updates. In other business during the recent meeting, the board accepted the retirements of elementary paraprofessionals Beth Tibbits and Pam Stafford. Tibbits has been with the district since July 1999 and Stafford has been with Lakers since October 1994. Both took the $2,500 retirement incentive offered to paraprofessionals. The same incentive was offered to paraprofessionals last fiscal year. Three paraprofessionals took the incentive last year. The board also accepted the resignation of Ryan Rowley, IT technician, who had been with the district for a few years. Candidates are being interviewed for this position. Also during the meeting, newly-chosen Laker Friend of Youth Agnes Kosinski thanked the board for being selected. Each Thumb-area school selects a Friend of Youth. They will be honored at a track meet this spring. During the February meeting, the Laker board of education approved a bond refinancing/refunding resolution that’s set to benefit taxpayers in a big way — by saving them about $650,000.
Representatives from the Thrun Law Firm presented details on the refinancing, saying “it’s an opportunity to (do away with) old bonds at higher interest rates that ultimately results in lower millage rates for taxpayers.” The refinancing will not have an effect on the district budget. The terms on the bond are still to expire in 2025. In other business, the board: *Approved a resolution regarding following seven best practices, as recommended by the Michigan Department of Education. Lakers will receive $50 per pupil (which will total about $45,250) for these practices: 1. The district is the designated policy holder for medical benefit plan(s) 2. The district has obtained a competitive bid on non-instructional services (custodial/maintenance) 3. The district accepts applications for enrollment by non-resident applicants 4. The district offers online courses or blended learning opportunities to all eligible pupils, and publishes course syllabi 5. The district provides a link on the district’s home page to the URL for the MiSchoolData Portal, which will contain the required dashboard indicators. If certain data elements for our district are unavailable from state data collections, we agree to provide those data in the form and manner determined by MDE. 6. The district’s collective bargaining agreements do not include provisions contrary to prohibited subjects 7. The district implements a comprehensive guidance and counseling program *Voted to increase the substitute teacher rate from $75 to $80 per day. At the beginning of the 2014-15 fiscal year, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Lakers projected a balanced budget. A mid-year budget adjustment shows an even sunnier picture.
The Laker Board of Education approved budget amendments at a recent meeting. According to information provided by Superintendent Bob Smith and Chief Financial Officer Mike Klosowski, the district’s financial position has improved by about $120,000. The district was able to save money in fuel, retirements, health insurance and custodial costs. The district also had revenue increases in federal Title funds and E-rate funds. The projected revenues total $8.88 million and expenditures total $8.75 million, leaving a surplus of $123,175. This will be added to the fund balance. In other business, the board approved the hiring of an elementary special education paraprofessional. This position will cost the district $12,000 this fiscal year and after that, the cost for this position will shift to the Huron Intermediate School District. The person hired for this position – Deborah Russell – will work with special education children to ensure they are caught up on basic skills, as this lowers the need for assistance at higher grade levels, Smith said. The board also approved a $2,500 retirement incentive for any interested paraprofessionals. Smith said two paraprofessionals currently qualify for the retirement incentive. The same offer was made in the last fiscal year, when three took the offer. Two of them returned this school year on a part-time basis. In other action, the board: *Approved a purchase agreement with Ricoh USA for copy machines/related services. The cost will be approximately $2,800 a month, which includes the cost of copies, Smith noted. *Went into closed session to review the superintendent evaluation. The results of the evaluation will be discussed at the February board meeting. Tablets and apps. 3D printing. Robotics.
Keeping up with today’s ever-changing classroom technology is an enormous task for schools – about as tough as parents and grandparents keeping up with their ever-growing children and grandchildren. While technology can never replace the importance of one-on-one assistance from educators who have personal knowledge of each student's skill level, the need to upkeep technology tools is becoming increasingly important. Falling behind in this task means students will not receive the top-notch learning opportunities they deserve. With this in mind, Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Lakers will be placing a technology bond on the May 5 ballot. It will replace the technology bond that expired last year. Three years ago, Laker voters approved a technology bond that paid for the one-to-one iPad program, security upgrades at school entrances, a new intercom system, digital security cameras, GPS on buses and more. The technology bond proposal on the May ballot will raise the same amount of money as the previous bond, but for nearly half the millage. The last bond millage was .48 mill. The proposed bond millage will be .27 mill. This is because wind turbine companies will pay the difference, noted Superintendent Bob Smith. This millage would amount to 27 cents on each $1,000 of taxable valuation. For a home with a taxable value of $50,000, the amount paid would be $13.50 per year. "It is a great bargain to make certain that every Laker student has a wireless computer and current technology,” Smith said. The May 5 proposal will cover 14 years, with the goal of continuing the current technology initiative and allowing for long-term planning and changes in technology. Some of the expected technology purchases to be made with this technology bond – if approved – would include replacing aging iPad tablets and computers, improving the security camera system in classrooms and doorways and on buses, upgrading science lab technology, improving classroom technology (projectors, interactive whiteboards, etc.) and software, installing an elementary technology lab, phone system improvements and more. Buses also could be purchased. The technology bond covers a lot of needs because some of the items that could be purchased with the technology bond funds do not currently exist. In a 14-year span, a lot of new technology will emerge. During the 14-year bond, money would be collected in 2015, 2019 and 2023. All funds from any of these collections would need to be spent within six years. Therefore, the bond would take care of three technology replacement cycles, ensuring students continually receive top-notch technology opportunities. "Having a 14-year bond also would eliminate the need for multiple elections, saving taxpayers money," Smith noted. The technology bond funds would continue to be spent on technology-related items only. The funds cannot be spent on staffing, building maintenance or operation costs. "We can give our young people a lifeline to the future for a little more than $10 dollars a year,” Smith said. At recent Laker Junior High and Laker High School Pride Assemblies, during which pieces of positive news are shared with students and staff, some Information was shared about disciplinary issues. It was the kind of news any school would love to share – many schools would want to shout it from a mountain top (or, at least, the tallest building in the area).
Laker Secondary School Principal Brian Keim talked with students and staff about the number of discipline incidents during the first marking period of 2013-14 and compared it with the first marking period of this school year. He also shared disciplinary information from six years ago and how those figures compare to this year. He said in 2009-10, junior high/high school discipline referrals totaled more than 1,600 for the school year. For 2014-15, that figure is expected to be less than 400, based on first marking period totals. In 2009-10, discipline referrals for defiance/disrespect – considered the most detrimental kind of discipline referral by administrators – made up about 50-60 percent of the total number of discipline referrals. This school year, it’s expected that less than a quarter of discipline referrals will be because of defiance/disrespect. Between last year and this year, comparing first marking periods, total discipline referrals fell by one half. This positive trend is something Secondary School Principal Brian Keim is thrilled to see because fewer discipline issues add up to a much more positive school environment for everyone. "Studies show student discipline is a good measurement of your overall school culture,” Keim said. “When discipline referrals are high, your school culture is likely suffering. When discipline referrals are low, school culture is typically in better shape. And when specific types of discipline referrals, such as defiance and disrespect, are low, your school culture is probably very healthy.” Keim said creating a healthy school culture can be slow and difficult, and requires a total team effort, but is the key to building a successful school. “Once that is in place, your academics, athletics, school spirit and community support all begin to grow,” he said. “I believe we are coming into that kind of time right now in our building, and it's very exciting to see." Keim said combined efforts of administration, staff and students - along with positive effects from the Rachel's Challenge program - have made very positive differences in the number of discipline referrals. Laker Elementary making strides of its own Laker Elementary also is on a positive trend in improving school culture, as it recently received a federal $1.83 million School Climate Transformation grant for positive behavior support and behavior intervention initiatives. The five-year grant allowed the school to employ multiple staff members to work with the most at-risk students so they can get the assistance they need as early as possible. Helping to prevent significant behavior issues is a very important goal because of the positive effect it has on the entire student body, said Elementary Principal Kathy Dickens. Those hired as behavior interventionists include Kelsey McCormick, Jim Steinman, Michelle Wolschleger and Aimee Lemke. Behavior Coach Rebecca Krohn will continue in her role. “This grant will allow us to put more feet on the floor to help our at-risk students,” Dickens said. “Paperwork (alone) doesn’t solve behavior issues.” The grant also will be used to bolster the school’s efforts in encouraging consistent positive behavior for all students. The school already does a number of activities (Anchor Assemblies, Lighthouse rewards, Spotlight Breakfasts, Fun Days, etc.) and the grant will allow for more of these types of positive behavior programs. Positive behavior and academic success go hand-in-hand, Dickens said, so spending time and resources on behavior programs is well worth the investment. While Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools expected to dip into its fund balance for the 2013-14 fiscal year, it didn’t have to reach as far as originally thought.
The Laker board of education recently received the district’s audit report from Nietzke & Faupel during its regular meeting. The report stated the district ended the fiscal year with $65,636 expenditures over revenues. In June, when the final budget was approved, the district expected to end the year with $105,205 in expenditures over revenues. Smith credited the board and staff for reducing expenditures to help the district end the year with a reduced deficit. “I am very pleased with the current financial condition of our district,” said Bob Smith, superintendent. “”(We have) over 14 percent (of our budget) in fund balance.” Smith noted the report was considered “clean” ‘by the auditors, which is a credit to Mike Klosowski, chief financial officer. “This will greatly help our credit terms to be favorable,” Smith said. The report stated the district’s 2013-14 revenues totaled $8.28 million and expenditures totaled $8.35 million. The resulting fund balance as of June 30 was $1.18 million. The audit report stated that 48 percent of the district’s revenues came from the state, 46 percent were from local sources and 5 percent came from federal sources. As for expenditures, the district spent 54 percent on instructional needs and 31 percent on instructional support. The rest of the expenditures went to other categories, such as transportation, building and grounds and administration. The district is planning for a balanced budget for 2014-15, officials said. A budget amendment will be presented to the board in January 2015. In other business at the regular meeting, the board: *Discussed its strategic goals and indicators for the 2014-15 school year in the areas of culture, finances, facilities, technology and academic achievement. * Approved winter coaching staff, which includes the same individuals as last winter. * Allowed senior Terrance Dubs to graduate early, as he has fulfilled all of his graduation requirements. He will be joining the National Guard. He will be allowed to participate in the June 2015 graduation ceremony. * Congratulated the Laker Cross Country team on being recognized for its spirit and sportsmanship at an event in Mayville. The team received a plaque for its achievement. The team is coached by Klosowski. Let’s face it – it’s very difficult to concentrate on what you’re doing when you are experiencing a headache, sour stomach or sore throat.
When students experience these and other health-related issues, focusing on schoolwork becomes quite a challenge, especially if the problem gets worse. Fortunately, for Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Secondary School students, they have an on-campus resource to help them feel better quickly – the Laker Wellness Clinic. The clinic is in its second year and it’s provided in partnership with Scheurer Hospital. Services are provided by Brooke McNabb, registered nurse, and Brenda Kretzschmer, nurse practitioner. Some of the daily services provided at the clinic include assessment of symptoms, treatment/prevention of acute illness symptoms, assistance with management of chronic conditions (such as asthma and diabetes), administration of daily medications as prescribed by a physician, sports physicals, etc. Flu shots are provided at the clinic in the fall/early winter, as well. Once a month, the clinic provides free fruit snacks to students as a way to promote healthy eating, and this has become very popular with students who need an extra nutritional boost between classes. The need for this clinic is apparent in many ways, including the number of student visits in the 2013-14 school year – more than 3,600. The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. “We’re busier than we thought we would be,” Kretzschmer said. Clinic staff keep in contact with parents and with students’ primary care physicians about the services provided to student patients. “It’s a collaborative effort – we’re taking a team approach (to students’ health needs),” Kretzschmer said. The clinic also provides a wealth of helpful information for students about various health topics – both physical and mental. Flyers and bulletin boards fill the waiting room and feature Information on such topics as making healthy eating choices, managing diabetes, how to prevent/handle bullying situations, the dangers of smoking and other risky behavior, etc. Near the end of the 2013-14 school year, Kretzschmer and McNabb, along with other Scheurer Hospital staff, visited Laurie Britt’s health class to talk about the “5-2-1-0 Every Day” program. This promotes healthy lifestyle choices by suggesting people have five or more servings a day of fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of recreational screen time, one hour or more of physical activity and zero sugary beverages (drink water or skim/low-fat milk instead). This year, McNabb and Kretzschmer are continuing to provide the helpful services they provided last year and they plan to visit Britt’s health class again. The clinic received a donation from the Laker Class of 1969, and with this donation, the clinic is getting a heart model, a model of a healthy lung and a model of a smoker’s lung. Having such visuals is a key method of getting health-related messages across to students, McNabb and Kretzschmer noted. For junior high students during their seminar time (approximately a half hour in the morning) for three days a week, Abby Knoblock , Scheurer Hospital community health education specialist, teaches a health/fitness class. This is another way for students to learn about the importance of maintaining good health and preventing future health issues by making smart decisions now. In addition, Scheurer Hospital is hosting a junior high/high school health fair Jan. 29 at the high school gymnasium. The all-day event will offer a variety of screenings (such as for diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure) and many activities to promote healthy living. McNabb and Kretzschmer are pleased that they and their fellow Scheurer Hospital staff members are able to provide these needed health-related services on the Laker campus. They said they’ve heard many positive comments from parents and Laker staff. Before the clinic debuted last year, school staff had to deal with students’ health issues – something they weren’t necessarily prepared to do. “Now, we can take care of those issues,” Kretzschmer said. She and McNabb enjoy interacting with students. “It’s been fun getting to know the students and parents,” McNabb said. “We’re helping them feel better so they can stay in school.” “We’re building relationships with the students – we want them to feel comfortable coming into the clinic,” Kretzschmer said. Scheurer Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Dwight Gascho is grateful for the partnership between the hospital and school that’s made the clinic possible. The seed for the idea was planted when Laker administrators spoke with him about students with health-related needs that were not being met for various reasons, and how that was affecting their school performance. "There were some compelling stories, and we (at Scheurer Hospital) talked about how we could meet those needs,” Gascho said. Realizing that students aren’t always able to easily access medical care when they need to, especially during the school day, Scheurer Hospital decided an on-site clinic would be a great way to address this issue. Gascho said the hospital and school didn’t want a "Band-aid solution” – they wanted to ensure the clinic had proper set up, staff and services available. “The hospital board has been impressed by the success of the clinic,” Gascho said. “It's been terrific.” He said the clinic has shown that having such a resource for students "truly adds value to an educational program." To help provide funding for the Laker Wellness Clinic, the Scheurer Hospital Auxiliary is hosting a Healthercise fundraiser from 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 8 at the Laker High School gymnasium. See the accompanying article for more information. Healthercise to support Laker Wellness Clinic Get ready, get set, Healthercise! What in the world is Healthercise? An upcoming event at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker High School will show you. The event is being planned by the Scheurer Hospital Auxiliary to support the Laker Wellness Clinic, a resource provided on the Laker campus in partnership with Scheurer Hospital. During the event, which is for those ages 16 and older, fitness instructor Jeanne Putman will lead a variety of 15-minute exercise classes, giving participants a taste of each type of activity. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. At 9 a.m., the event will begin with a morning stretch. Following the stretch will be “Sit and Get Fit!” – a series of chair exercises. A circuit workout that provides strength training will follow. After that, participants can take part in low impact aerobics, beginning kickboxing and yoga. Those at the event do not have to participate in every exercise activity – they can choose to sit one out if they choose. Refreshments will be served during the event and participants can win door prizes. Paulette Mancuso, of the Scheurer Hospital Auxiliary, said she would like Healthercise to be an annual fundraiser, so she’s hoping the gym will be filled with people ready to get moving and shaking. She said the unique fundraiser will be fun and will support a much-needed resource that helps so many young people. The Healthercise entry fee is $20 a person. The first 100 people to register will receive a free T-shirt. Registration forms are available on the Laker school website: www.lakerschools.org. |