Board Bits
December 2018
The meeting was held at the Torrant Center and began at 5:30 p.m.
Greetings and Goodbyes
You're joining a great team! A hearty and cheerful welcome to newly hired staff members; Christopher Wolcott, Kate Richards, and Michelle Allen.
The board also authorized a short leave of absence for a staff member and heard information about other staff members separation of employment.
Interested in seeing the Personnel Matters and Recommendations Report?
Celebrating the Whole Child
The JCISD led Whole Child Collaborative was formed to work towards ensuring every child and young person in our community has their individual needs met in order to reach their full potential. This is accomplished by raising awareness and understanding of the "whole child," or non-academic factors impacting student learning.
ISD staff and collaborative team members Janelle Buchler, whole child consultant, Caitlin Williams, attendance and homeless programs manager, and Kara Klotz, data specialist, represent the ISD in initiatives like health and physical education support, trauma awareness and sensitivity, mental health support, positive behavior interventions, community school engagement, and cross network authentic engagement.
This, That, and the Other
Based upon the recommendation from NEOLA-the district's policy service-and work done by the administration, several board policy changes were presented. The board was asked to consider the suggested updates over the coming weeks. Action will be sought at the January meeting.
In June 2018, the U.S. Department of Education notified states of their federal determination under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Michigan was the only state to be determined "needs Intervention." The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) sees this designation as an opportunity to create systematic change. JCISD will continue to align its work to the desired state and federal changes through ongoing collaborative actions with superintendents, principals, teachers, and parents.
Two important Career Center capital outlay projects are underway with specifications being developed and bids sought; a target completion time-frame is estimated for the spring-summer 2019; automotive collision repair equipment upgrade, and agriscience watering stations.
The board was told about a Marshall Plan grant having been awarded in the amount of $500,000 to implement the soft skills career credentialing project.
Updates were given on the JAMA/AMC Building concept/project, including an announcement that Career Center Assistant Principal Dan Draper was named JAMA Educator of the Year.
Another hearing date, February 14th, has been scheduled concerning the Fry v. Napoleon (JCISD) litigation.
Correspondence from Transportation employees was reviewed and considered.
Information about the upcoming MASB/MASA Mid-winter conference was shared, along with other upcoming event details the board may be interested in.
All Ayes
The board adopted the wage rate increase for substitute and adult enrichment staff the administration recommended at the November meeting.
Two resolutions were passed: first, provides for the collection of summer taxes, and the second, in honor and celebration of School Board Recognition month, January 2019.
A contract for Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Mitigation services was awarded to Comcast in the amount of $40,000 per year. This is an add-on service that will create an extra layer of protection against online attacks meant to disrupt service and slow-down internet based applications.
The Stars are Shinning Bright at JCISD
Career Center Staff Play Santa
No Lack of Holiday Treats
Agriscience Students Brighten up KEC Luncheon
Spec Ed Giving Tree
PM Culinary Arts Student Serve a Feast
KEC Lobby for the Holidays
Learning Services Holiday Workshop in Full Gear
Season's Merriment
Learning Services Helping "To Make a Difference"
Statement of Purpose
The Jackson County Intermediate School District is committed to the success of all students. The JCISD provides educational leadership, services, programs, and resources in partnership with local schools and the community.