[nfbmi-talk] important mde minutes oct 2008

[joe harcz Comcast]

Colleagues,

Excuse the length, but this goes to OUB, the Blind Trust and the prior article where somehow funds ended up in the MCB account during that year for federal match.

This also denotes that a full audit of OUB was recieved by MDE. Also important would be to get the procedures in here related to the trust for the Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Finally, denote the exact name of the account and the bank that administers the trust. Again I submit the entire meeting minutes here as if I only copied and pasted certain segments some issues would be missed or taken out of context and sequence. Sorry about that.

Sincerely,

Joe Harcz
Attached:
MINUTES 

 STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION 

 Ladislaus B. Dombrowski Board Room 

John A. Hannah Building 

608 West Allegan 

Lansing, Michigan 

 October 14, 2008 

9:30 a.m. 

 Present: Mr. Michael P. Flanagan, Chairman 

 Mrs. Kathleen N. Straus, President 

 Mr. John C. Austin, Vice President 

 Mrs. Carolyn L. Curtin, Secretary 

Mrs. Marianne Yared McGuire, Treasurer 

Mrs. Nancy Danhof, NASBE Delegate 

Mrs. Elizabeth W. Bauer 

Mr. Reginald M. Turner 

Ms. Casandra E. Ulbrich 

Ms. Niya Hardin, representing Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, 

ex officio 

 Also Present: Mrs. Jennifer Haberling, 2008-2009 Michigan Teacher of the Year 

 REGULAR MEETING

 I. CALL TO ORDER

 Mr. Flanagan called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m. 

 II. AGENDA FOLDER ITEMS

 A. Revised Criteria for 21st Century Schools Grant – Revised to show 

criteria recommended by staff (last three criteria) (Item DD) 

 B. Report on the Dissolution of the White Pine School District – 

Memorandum dated October 9, 2008 from Superintendent to the 

Board (Item KK) 

 C. 2008-2009 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Grant – 

Initial (Item HH) 

 D. 2008-2009 Title VI, Part B, Rural and Low Income School 

Program – Initial (Item II) 

 E. 2008-2009 Title I, Part D, Subpart 1, Neglected and Delinquent 

Program for State Agencies – Initial (Item JJ) 

 III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND ORDER OF PRIORITY

 A. Adoption of Resolution Honoring Bernard “Bernie” H. Travnikar – 

added to agenda 

 B. 2007-2008 Michigan After-School Partnership Grant – Initial – 

added to agenda 

 C. 2008-2009 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Grant – 

Initial – added to agenda 

 D. 2008-2009 Title VI, Part B, Rural and Low Income School 

Program – Initial – added to agenda 

 E. 2008-2009 Title I, Part D, Subpart 1, Neglected and Delinquent 

Program for State Agencies – Initial – added to agenda 

 F. Report on the Dissolution of the White Pine School District – 

Memorandum dated October 9, 2008 from Superintendent to 

the Board – added to agenda 

 Mrs. Bauer moved, seconded by Mrs. Danhof, that the State 

Board of Education approve the agenda and order of priority, 

as modified. 

 The vote was taken on the motion. 

 The motion carried unanimously. 

 IV. INTRODUCTION OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS, 

DEPARTMENT STAFF, AND GUESTS

 Mrs. Eileen Hamilton, State Board Executive, introduced members of 

the State Board of Education, Department of Education staff, and 

guests attending the meeting. 

 Mr. Chuck Wilbur, Senior Advisor for Education and Communication, 

Governor Granholm’s Office, introduced Ms. Niya Hardin, Governor’s 

Education Policy Advisor. He said Niya most recently worked with the 

House Appropriations Committee, and prior to that she was on the 

House of Representatives staff as the education policy lead. 

V. POINT OF THE DAY

 Mr. Martin Ackley, Director of Communications, presented the Point 

of the Day which focused on the positive effects of school health 

programs. 

 Mr. Ackley introduced Ms. Amy Bianchi, Centers for Disease Control 

and Prevention, Division of Adolescent School Health. Ms. Bianchi 

commended Michigan for its effective partnerships in school health 

programs. She distributed copies of the booklet “2008 Success 

Stories – Local, State, and Nongovernmental Organization Examples” 

that includes information on the MICHIANA School Health Leadership 

Institute, a partnership between Michigan and Indiana to support 

students in adopting healthy behaviors. 

 VI. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

 Mr. Flanagan said Mrs. Straus will receive the Distinguished Service 

Award at the National Association of State Boards of Education 

Conference on October 17. He said he, Board members, and staff are 

proud of her, and he regrets that he will be unable to attend due to a 

family commitment. 

 VII. RECESS

 The Board recessed the Regular Meeting at 9:50 a.m. 

 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING 

 VIII. CALL TO ORDER

 Mr. Flanagan called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 

9:51 a.m. 

 IX. DISCUSSION ITEMS

 A. Presentation on Graduation Rate Calculation 

 The following individuals presented: 

 • Dr. Sally Vaughn, Deputy Superintendent and Chief 

Academic Officer 

• Dr. Joseph Martineau, Interim Director, Office of 

Educational Assessment and Accountability 

• Dr. Meg Ropp, Director, Center for Educational 

Performance and Information 

 Staff from the Center for Educational Performance and Information 

and the Michigan Department of Education reviewed the new four-

year cohort graduation rate and its calculation. The graduation 

rates for the class of 2007 marked the first time Michigan used a 

four-year cohort graduation rate. 

 There was a PowerPoint presentation shown. 

 Board member comments and clarifications included: 

 1. is it difficult to track students who transfer out of Michigan 

or into private, parochial or home schools; if they cannot 

be tracked, are they considered drop outs – a parent often 

requests the transfer of student records to a new school; 

sometimes districts make follow up calls; if a student is 

reported as unknown, they are counted as a drop out; 

 2. are all of the 17 states participating in the National 

Governors Association Graduation Counts Compact using 

consistent reporting categories – the same core principles of 

first time ninth graders, and four year graduates are used by 

all 17 states; Michigan also collects categorical information 

through the Unique Identification Code that is shared with 

districts to track students and assist in decision making; 

 3. although five year graduates are not counted in Adequate 

Yearly Progress, it is important to educate the community 

about the number of students who graduate in five years; 

graduation is the goal and the number of years that it takes 

to graduate can vary with each student; 

 4. the educational records of children in foster care sometimes 

do not immediately transfer with the student – data are 

collected three times per year and data will be updated; 

 5. are data gathered regarding the reasons students drop out 

of school – Data for Student Success shares electronic data 

and there are other pilot projects being developed to share 

electronic data; 

 6. are data shared among states – yes FERPA has some 

exceptions allowing electronic sharing of data in cases of 

emergency; Michigan is going to be one of the first states 

to use the newly developed United States Department of 

Education Migrant Student Information Exchange program; 

7. how do we track expelled or home schooled students – 

if a student is expelled the reason for expulsion is listed 

in the Single Record Student Database; home school 

data are not collected; the tracking system may extend 

to postsecondary education in the future; 

 8. there is a public misconception that because of Adequate 

Yearly Progress (AYP) diplomas cannot be granted to 

students who complete high school in more than four years; 

how can we more clearly inform the public regarding the 

differentiation between a Michigan diploma and the 

recognized AYP graduation rate – there is a subcommittee 

with the alternative schools that could help form the 

message and organizations could also help inform the public; 

 9. if there are 17 states participating in the National Governors 

Association (NGA) Graduation Counts Compact, what are the 

remainder of the states doing – Michigan is in the early 

stages because we had five years of data in the Single 

Record Student Database; Secretary of Education Margaret 

Spellings said all states are to be moving toward the NGA 

methodology; 

 10. are drop out data collected for kindergarten through eighth 

grade students; there is concern that students are being 

“pushed out” in middle school – yes; and 

 11. students are leaving school at age 16 or earlier; what is 

the status of tracking students and helping them return to 

school – we should share best practices and success 

stories and the resources used for bringing students back 

to school who have dropped out of school; this could be 

presented at a future Board meeting. 

 B. Presentation on Data for Student Success 

 The following individuals presented: 

 • Dr. Sally Vaughn, Deputy Superintendent and Chief 

Academic Officer 

• Mr. Bruce Umpstead, Director, Educational Technology 

and Data Coordination 

• Dr. Meg Ropp, Director, Center for Educational 

Performance and Information 

• Ms. Mary Gerhig, Assistant Superintendent for 

Instruction, Calhoun County Intermediate School District 

• Ms. Cynthia Vujea, Superintendent, Delton Kellogg 

Schools 

 Data for Student Success is a cooperative initiative with the 

Center for Educational Performance and Information and the 

field that meets a goal of Michigan’s Educational Technology 

Plan for data driven decisions. The project extends the State’s 

longitudinal data system to Michigan’s K-12 classrooms. 

 There was a PowerPoint presentation shown. 

 Board member comments and clarifications included: 

 1. impressive and encouraging to see how a district has 

analyzed data and used it to effect a very positive change; 

 2. teachers need curriculum guidance and teaching materials 

aligned to the standards; we need to provide support and 

use good data; 

 3. teachers manually compile and analyze data; this electronic 

system is a great improvement; we are accomplishing the 

goal of achievement through data driven decision making; 

 4. having accessible data are necessary for differentiated 

instruction to meet the needs of individual students; 

 5. how soon will teachers be able to access information – 

after scoring is completed it will take two weeks to load 

the data; this system will provide longitudinal data to 

track students individually; data are ever present not just 

provided at specific times; 

 6. having scheduled time to talk with colleagues is extremely 

important; and 

 7. having the courage to change the way the work is done 

through data driven decisions and differentiated instruction 

is extremely important to the entire educational process. 

 Mr. Austin left the meeting at 11:30 a.m. 

 C. Presentation on the Michigan Mathematics Program Improvement 

Initiative 

 The following individuals presented: 

 • Dr. Sally Vaughn, Deputy Superintendent and Chief 

Academic Officer 

• Dr. Jacquelyn Thompson, Director, Office of Special 

Education and Early Intervention Services 

• Mr. Chuck Allan, Co-Director, Michigan Mathematics 

Program Improvement Initiative 

 The State Improvement Grant from the Office of Special Education 

Programs at the United States Department of Education has 

supported the design and implementation of this initiative. It is 

focused on improved math achievement for all students with a 

focus on students with disabilities. 

 There was a PowerPoint presentation shown. 

 Board member comments and clarifications included: 

 1. teachers have said that there are too many Grade Level 

Content Expectations – state expectations are well-crafted 

assessment statements not meant to be instructional 

statements; instructional topics are used to cluster 

expectations; work needs to be focused; 

 2. need a common language for focus and assessment; 

there needs to be an educational process to help people 

understand that you don’t teach each one individually – 

analysis of data will direct where the focus needs to be; 

 3. can sequence variations of Geometry, Algebra I and 

Algebra II occur – variations of sequence can occur; 

 4. can Algebra be effectively taught in the eighth grade – 

since the number concept is a foundation of Algebra, if 

it is well-developed, Algebra will flow; and 

 5. how is this being implemented in teacher preparation 

programs – Siena Heights University is using this 

program to prepare teachers; perhaps other institutions 

should be coached to do so. 

 X. RECESS

 The Board recessed the Committee of the Whole at 12:15 p.m., and 

reconvened the Regular Meeting at 1:40 p.m. 

REGULAR MEETING

 XI. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

 A. Mr. John Stewart, Plymouth, Michigan. Mr. Stewart, provided 

verbal and written information on the “Bridge” and “Journey” 

Programs, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. 

 B. Mr. Rick McCoy, Canton, Michigan. Mr. McCoy, Director of 

“Bridge” and “Journey” Programs, Plymouth-Canton Community 

Schools, provided verbal and written information on the “Bridge” 

and “Journey” Programs. 

 C. Dr. Paul Kuwik, Ypsilanti, Michigan. Dr. Kuwik, Director of Centers, 

Institutes and New Initiatives, Eastern Michigan University, 

provided oral and written information on Project Lead the Way. 

 D. Ms. Brooke Ballee, Belleville, Michigan. Ms. Ballee, Secondary 

Education and Technology Supervisor, Van Buren Public Schools, 

provided verbal comments on Project Lead the Way. 

 E. Dr. Charles Little, Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Little, Executive 

Director of Indiana Urban Schools, and Clinical Professor of 

Education at Indiana University, provided verbal and written 

comments on Project Lead the Way. 

 XII. PERSONAL PRIVILEGE – MRS. ELIZABETH BAUER

 Mrs. Bauer said her son is a Project Lead the Way teacher in Colorado. 

She said he was trained in Texas and Intel paid his tuition. She asked 

how training is funded in Michigan and Indiana. 

 Dr. Kuwik said there are scholarships funded through many different 

sources that cover the cost of tuition, room, and board. He said they 

are in the process of working with private industry to get support for 

implementation. 

 Dr. Little said Indiana school districts pay for tuition, room, and board. 

He said foundations contribute to grant funding for each program to 

receive approximately $25,000 in start up funding to purchase 

equipment. 

 XIII. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING 

(continued)

 F. Mr. Ryan Donlan, Bay City, Michigan. Mr. Donlan, representing 

Bay-Arenac Community High School, provided verbal comments 

on the four-year cohort for graduation rate calculation. 

 G. Mr. Robert Essenberg, Lake Orion, Michigan. Mr. Essenberg, 

representing Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, provided 

verbal comments on the Camp Tuhsmeheta lease renewal. 

 H. Ms. Sharon Burton, Lansing, Michigan. Ms. Burton, Executive 

Director of Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, provided verbal 

and written comments on programs at Camp Tuhsmeheta. 

 I. Ms. Mary Wood, Warren, Michigan. Ms. Wood provided verbal 

and written comments on Charter School oversight. 

 J. Ms. Ann Turner, Detroit, Michigan. Ms. Turner provided verbal 

comments on Green Dot Public Schools as an option in Detroit. 

 K. Ms. Ann Crowley, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Ms. Crowley, 

representing Detroit Children First, provided verbal comments 

on Green Dot Schools and Detroit Public Schools. 

 XIV. RECESS

 The Board recessed the Regular Meeting at 2:45 p.m. and reconvened 

the Committee of the Whole at 2:50 p.m. 

 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

 XV. DISCUSSION ITEMS (continued)

 D. Update on State Budget 

 The following individuals presented: 

 • Mrs. Carol Wolenberg, Deputy Superintendent 

• Mr. Rick Floria, Director, Office of Financial Management 

• Ms. Elaine Madigan, Executive Director, School Finance 

and School Law 

 An overview of the 2008-09 fiscal year budgets was provided. 

Highlights of the Department of Education budget and the State 

School Aid budget were presented. 

 Board member comments and staff clarifications included: 

 1. why does the Michigan School for the Deaf and Blind have 

an increase; are more children being diagnosed – the 

increase is based on the school’s request for more FTEs 

because they have more students due to increased 

programming; enrollment has leveled off this year likely because of families leaving the state of Michigan due to 

the economy; there is a 7 to 1 student teacher ratio for 

hearing impaired classrooms; there are also several 

classrooms for children with severe multiple impairments 

who are also deaf; there is also an on-site program for 

students with severe behavioral challenges which is a 2 to 

1 staffing ratio;  2. in the Constitution, the State Board of Education is given 

the charge to tell the Legislature what it would cost to 

fully fund education; how does this effect the way 

budgets are proposed – this is related to the Board’s goal 

of re-imagining the educational system; the Board could 

advocate for the cost of a re-imagined system; and 

 3. a re-imagined system could affect the organization of the 

Department of Education, and budgetary issues; have we 

reached that point, or are we still trying to re-imagine the 

system – we are re-imaging the system; some changes 

will occur gradually; the Michigan economy likely will 

have an effect; and 

 4. are there data available on the number of half-day 

kindergarten programs in Michigan – data are not 

currently available, but it will be available in the future; 

it is anticipated that the majority of local school districts 

do not have full day kindergarten. 

 E. Discussion Regarding Criteria for Grant Programs 

 Ms. Ulbrich asked why the Criteria for the 21st Century Schools 

Grant stipulate “a maximum of 110 pupils in each grade (9-12) 

and an average 75 students per grade.” Mr. Flanagan said the 

numbers were statutory. Ms. MaryAlice Galloway, Assistant to 

the Chief Academic Officer, said the numbers are in line with 

smaller learning communities grants and research. 

 Mr. Flanagan asked Dr. Vaughn to explain the three criteria that 

are not statutory. She said private matching funds equal to the 

amount of the grant request are required, and foundations 

insisted on a criterion to “include a statement of commitment to 

site-based management.” 

 Dr. Vaughn said foundations also wanted the criteria to include 

“Identify an intermediary/school developer partner.” In answer 

to Mrs. Straus, Dr. Vaughn explained that an intermediary is a 

group that has a record of assisting school districts with a 

reform process and redesign. 

 Mr. Turner said intermediaries that have met approved criteria 

and have successfully contributed to student achievement are 

important for accountability. Dr. Vaughn said this will be a 

negotiated grant process that will take these factors into account. 

 Mrs. Danhof asked if small schools will be “schools within a 

school” or separate buildings. Mr. Flanagan said “schools within 

a school” qualify as small schools. 

 In response to Mrs. Straus, Dr. Vaughn said the number of grants 

to public school academies is limited to one third. 

 Mrs. Danhof said she is concerned that there will be confusion 

between this grant program and the federal 21st Century Grant 

program. She said there needs to be clear communication with 

the field. 

 Mrs. Straus said she was in New Haven and she was impressed 

with the programs that have been funded by the United Way for 

Southeast Michigan, which is chaired by Mr. Turner. Mr. Turner 

said Michael J. Brennan, President and Chief Executive Officer of 

the United Way for Southeast Michigan, is a very effective leader 

who has been collaborating with others to create long-term impact. 

 XVI. ADJOURNMENT

 The Board adjourned the Committee of the Whole to reconvene the 

Regular Meeting at 3:30 p.m. 

 REGULAR MEETING 

 XVII. APPROVAL OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MINUTES

 A. Approval of Minutes of Committee of the Whole and Regular 

Meeting of September 9, 2008 

 Mr. Turner moved, seconded by Mrs. McGuire, that the 

State Board of Education approve the minutes of the 

Committee of the Whole and Regular Meeting of 

September 9, 2008. 

 The vote was taken on the motion. 

 Ayes: Bauer, Curtin, Danhof, McGuire, Straus, 

Turner, Ulbrich 

Absent: Austin 

 The motion carried. 

 Mrs. Curtin left the meeting at 3:32 p.m. 

 XVIII. PRESIDENT’S REPORT 

 A. Chinese American Relations 

 Mrs. Straus said that on September 10, she and Mrs. Bauer 

attended a meeting in Macomb County with the Education Consul 

and Vice Consul of the Republic of China based in Chicago. She 

said there were representatives of Utica Community Schools, 

Armada Area Schools, Mt. Clemens Community Schools, Warren 

Consolidated Schools, Macomb County Board of Commissioners, 

organizations, and members of the Chinese American community. 

She said the meeting focused on cultural understandings, 

economic development, and language instruction in both 

countries. She said there was a very good presentation by an 

outstanding eighth grade Chinese American student regarding 

what he has learned in school. She said it was a productive 

meeting leading to more exchange between both cultures. 

 B. Special Education Advisory Committee Retreat 

 Mrs. Straus said she and Mr. Flanagan spoke at the Special 

Education Advisory Committee Retreat on September 15. She 

said it is an annual retreat to provide orientation to new 

members. 

 C. Utica Schools Visit 

 Mrs. Straus said she and Mrs. Bauer visited Utica Community 

Schools on September 19. She said Utica, Mt. Clemens 

Community Schools and Armada Area Schools submitted a 

proposal to the United States Department of Education and 

received a grant to bring Chinese people to the United States to 

teach Chinese. She said they saw this program at Heritage 

Junior High School and they also visited the Center for Science 

and Industry. She said enthusiasm was evident in the programs 

that were designed with teacher input with the goal of raising 

student achievement. She said Ms. Christine Cohen, from the 

United States Department of Education Regional Office in 

Chicago visited the district that day. 

 D. Audit Report from Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind 

 Mrs. Straus said the Department received an audit report from 

Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind which is being reviewed by 

staff. 

 XIX. REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

 Reports

 G. Human Resources Update 

 H. Report on Administrative Rule Waivers 

 I. Report on Property Transfer Decisions 

 J. Report on Modifications to the Previously Approved Monroe 

Intermediate School District Plan for the Delivery of Special 

Education Programs and Services 

 K. Report on Department of Education Cosponsorship 

 KK. Report on the Dissolution of the White Pine School District 

 Grants

 L. 2008-2009 Title II, Part D: Enhancing Education Through 

Technology – Continuation 

 M. 2007-2008 Mandated Activities Projects Interagency Contracts, 

Part B & Part C – Amendment 

 N. 2008-2009 Great Parents, Great Start Grant Program – 

Continuation 

 O. 2007-2008 IDEA, Part B Mandated Activities Projects – 

Amendment 

 P. 2008-2009 IDEA, Part B Mandated Activities Projects – Initial 

($3,125,000) 

 Q. 2008-2009 IDEA, Part B Mandated Activities Projects – Initial 

($16,448,000) 

 R. 2008-2009 IDEA, Part B Formula Grants – Initial 

 S. 2008-2009 Title I Schoolwide Program Planning Grant – Initial 

T. 2008-2009 Title I Technical Assistance Grant – Continuation 

 U. 2007-2008 Section 57 Advanced an Accelerated Summer 

Institutes – Initial 

 V. 2008-2009 Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) Grant 

Program (Title II (B)) – Amendment 

 W. 2009-2010 Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) Grant 

Program (Title II (B)) – Initial 

 X. 2008-2009 Michigan Charter School Grant Program – Continuation 

 Y. 2008-2009 Middle College High School Health Partnership Grant – 

Continuation 

 Z. 2008-2009 Pre-College Engineering Program Grants – Continuation 

($680,100) 

 AA. 2008-2009 Pre-College Engineering Program Grants – Continuation 

($75,000) 

 GG. 2007-2009 Michigan After-School Partnership Grant – Initial 

 HH. 2008-2009 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Grant – Initial 

 II. 2008-2009 Title VI, Part B, Rural and Low Income School Program – 

Initial 

 JJ. 2008-2009 Title I, Part D, Subpart 1, Neglected and Delinquent 

Program for State Agencies – Initial 

 Mr. Flanagan provided a verbal report on: 

 A. Houghton Lake School Visit 

 Mr. Flanagan said he visited the Houghton Lake Public Schools 

on October 9. He said there are great things happening in the 

district, which he observed while visiting the elementary, middle 

and high schools, and alternative education program. He said 

he spoke with faculty and board members and was impressed 

with their commitment to living within their budget, making 

hard decisions, and creating innovative partnerships with the 

community. He said an example is that student mechanics work 

on tractors, snowmobiles, and other machines from the 

community. He said he is impressed by the commitment to 

early intervention for struggling students by using intervention 

teams and on-site school social workers. 

 B. Public School Academy Authorizers 

 Mr. Flanagan said staff has checked with the Attorney General’s 

office and neither Central Michigan University nor Bay Mills 

Community College has contacted the Attorney General’s Office 

in writing. Mr. Flanagan said he would leave it to the university 

and community college boards to speak on their own behalf. 

 C. Detroit Public Schools 

 Mr. Flanagan said that on September 17 he notified the Governor 

that Detroit Public Schools has a serious financial problem, and 

last week the Governor appointed the Review Team. He said in 

accordance with Public Act 72, the Review Team is comprised of 

the State Superintendent, the State Treasurer, the Director of the 

Department of Management and Budget, and nominees of the 

Senate Majority Leader and the Speaker of the House. 

 Mr. Flanagan said Mr. Robert Kleine, State Treasurer, has become 

the informal Chair of the Review Team and his staff has worked with 

Ms. Elaine Madigan, Executive Director, School Finance and School 

Law, to set up a series of interviews in Detroit as determined by the 

Review Team. Mr. Flanagan said the Review Team will meet on 

October 15. 

 Mr. Flanagan said the Review Team has 30 days, until November 5, 

to provide its findings to the Governor and him. He said at that 

point, he has 30 days to determine if a Financial Manager should be 

appointed. 

 Mr. Flanagan said the Review Team must include one of the 

following conclusions in its report: (1) the school district does not 

have a serious financial problem, (2) the school district does have 

a serious financial problem, but a consent agreement containing a 

plan to resolve the problem has been adopted, or (3) the school 

district has a financial emergency because a consent agreement 

containing a plan to resolve a serious financial problem within the 

school district has not been adopted. 

 Mrs. Straus asked if a consent agreement would have to be 

agreed to by November 5. Mr. Flanagan said the statute provides 

for a 60-day extension that could be used if all parties were ready 

to concur on a consent agreement. 

 Mr. Turner said the process has been very deliberate and 

cooperative, and Michigan Department of Education staff 

members have been working with Detroit for several months on a plan. He said it could be that a consent agreement builds on 

the existing deficit elimination plan. He said Detroit Public 

Schools Superintendent Connie Calloway and Board President 

Carla Scott have said they welcome assistance to refine and 

implement the agreement.  Mrs. McGuire asked what would dictate whether or not a Financial 

Manager is appointed. Mr. Flanagan said it would be his decision, 

and if necessary he would submit three names to the Governor who 

would appoint a Financial Manager. Mr. Flanagan said the Review 

Team is an advisory board, and he is deliberately distancing 

himself, because the Review Team will submit its report to him. 

 Mrs. McGuire asked what power the Financial Manager would have. 

Mr. Flanagan said the local Board and Superintendent would still 

maintain all educational powers, and the Financial Manager would 

assume all financial duties and powers. Mr. Flanagan said if a 

Financial Manager was appointed, the Board would have a period of 

time to appeal. He said the process is requiring a tremendous 

amount of staff time. 

 Mrs. Straus asked who pays for a Financial Manager. Mr. Flanagan 

said the district does. 

 XX. REPORT OF MICHIGAN TEACHER OF THE YEAR

 Mrs. Jennifer Haberling, 2008-2009 Michigan Teacher of the Year, 

provided a verbal report as an update to her written report. 

 Mrs. Haberling said her students are taking the Michigan Educational 

Assessment Program (MEAP) test on October 14. She said the eighth 

grade Advanced English students saw a performance of a Midsummer 

Night’s Dream, and the seventh grade students are working on large 

essay projects of personal narratives. 

 Mrs. Haberling said she has been invited to work with the Frederick 

Meijer Gardens to bring more literacy into exhibits and attract more 

middle school students. She said she will visit the Gardens with her 

seventh grade students. She thanked Michigan Educational Employees 

Mutual Insurance Company (MEEMIC) for the use of a car during her 

tenure as the Michigan Teacher of the Year. 

XXI. APPROVAL OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TRUST FUND MANAGEMENT 

POLICY, GIFT FUND PROCEDURES FOR THE MICHIGAN SCHOOLS FOR 

THE DEAF AND BLIND, GIFT FUND SPENDING POLICY FOR THE MICHIGAN 

SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND, AND TRUST FUND SPENDING 

POLICY FOR THE MICHIGAN SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND

 Mrs. Straus said the State Board of Education’s Trust Fund Committee and 

Department staff have been reviewing and revising the Board’s Gift Fund 

and Trust Fund Policies and Procedures for the Michigan School for the 

Blind and Michigan School for the Deaf. She said the documents provide 

direction on the use and expenditure of funds donated to the Schools for 

the Deaf and Blind. She said the Trust Fund Committee has approved the 

documents and now recommends that the entire Board review and 

approve the documents. 

 Mrs. Bauer asked if Bank One/Chase (NBD) or J.P. Morgan/Chase Fund is 

the correct title, since both are used in the documents. Mr. Rick Floria, 

Director, Financial Management, said he will determine the correct title 

and documents will be modified accordingly. 

 Subsequently, Mr. Floria received clarification that the bank should be 

referenced as JPMorgan Chase, N.A.; and the Trust Fund Management 

Policy (Attachment B), under Fixed Income, should be referenced as 

Lehman Intermediate Government Credit Index. 

 Mrs. McGuire moved, seconded by Mrs. Bauer, that the State Board 

of Education approve the State Board of Education (1) Trust Fund 

Management Policy, (2) Gift Fund Procedures for the Michigan 

Schools for the Deaf and Blind, (3) Gift Fund Spending Policy for 

the Michigan Schools for the Deaf and Blind, and (4) Trust Fund 

Spending Policy for the Michigan Schools for the Deaf and Blind, 

as attached to the President’s memorandum dated September 29, 

2008, as modified. 

 The vote was taken on the motion. 

 Ayes: Bauer, Danhof, McGuire, Straus, Turner, Ulbrich 

Absent: Austin, Curtin 

 The motion carried. 

 XXII. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 

 Ms. Roberta Stanley, Legislative Co-Director, presented Legislative Update. 

 Ms. Stanley provided an update on Agriculture bills to promote greater use 

of Michigan products in school feeding programs; proposed legislation 

regarding clarifications to the Michigan Merit Curriculum and high school graduation requirements; Detroit’s First Class status; and House Bills 6412 

and 6413, companion bills to the budget.  Ms. Stanley said the Council of Chief State School Officers, the National 

Governors Association, and Achieve, Inc., announced they are collaborating 

to assist states in benchmarking their K-12 education systems to those of 

top-performing nations. She also said education organizations are seeking 

a moratorium on Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left 

Behind regulations. 

 XXIII. CONSENT AGENDA

 Criteria

 DD. Approval of Criteria for 21st Century Schools Grant 

 Resolutions

 EE. Adoption of Resolution Regarding Local School Board Member 

Recognition Month 

 FF. Adoption of Resolution Honoring Bernard “Bernie” H. Travnikar 

 Mr. Turner moved, seconded by Mrs. Bauer, that the State Board 

of Education approve the Superintendent’s recommendations for 

the consent agenda, as follows: 

 DD. approve the Criteria for the 21st Century Schools Grant, 

as attached to the Superintendent’s memorandum dated 

September 29, 2008; 

 EE. adopt the resolution regarding Local School Board Member 

Recognition Month, as attached to the Superintendent’s 

memorandum dated September 29, 2008; and 

 FF. adopt the resolution honoring Bernard “Bernie” H. Travnikar, 

as attached to the Superintendent’s memorandum dated 

October 7, 2008. 

 The vote was taken on the motion. 

  Ayes: Bauer, Danhof, McGuire, Straus, Turner, Ulbrich 

 Absent: Austin, Curtin 

 The motion carried. 

 The resolution regarding Local School Board Member Recognition Month 

is attached as Exhibit A. 

 The resolution honoring Bernard “Bernie” H. Travnikar is attached as 

Exhibit B. 

 XXIV. COMMENTS BY STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS 

 A. School to Prison Pipeline Training – Mrs. Bauer 

 Mrs. Bauer said she attended the School to Prison Pipeline training 

on September 18. She said the Michigan Protection and Advocacy 

Service, Inc., sponsored the training. She said it focused on how 

excluding children from school can lead to incarceration. She said 

she has extra conference materials to share with Board members. 

 XXV. TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING

 Mr. Flanagan said Board members may contact a member of the Agenda 

Planning Committee comprised of Mrs. Straus, Mr. Austin, and Mrs. Curtin 

with suggestions for future agenda topics. 

 XXVI. FUTURE MEETING DATES 

 A. November 12, 2008 

B. December 9, 2008 

C. January 13, 2009 

D. February 10, 2009 

 XXVII. ADJOURNMENT 

 The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m. 

  Respectfully submitted, 

    Carolyn L. Curtin