By Selina R. Vert
Staff Reporter
BRIMLEY — The Bay Mills Ojibwe Charter School Board met Tuesday, Dec. 9, with all board members present.
Financial Report
During discussion over payment of $135,000 in bills, President Shelly St. Peter asked why the school's speech therapist was contracted through War Memorial Hospital. Principal Diane Benjamin said that was the only source available to them. Benjamin tried to work something out with Brimley School — hiring and sharing their therapist part-time — but was told that was not an option. Benjamin said the cost for the contracted therapist is very reasonable because they pay a flat hourly rate and mileage instead of a salary with benefits.
Mosaica Education Regional Vice President Jim Rundborg said the school received some bills from the tribe they did not anticipate — busing, custodial service and installation of playground equipment — but are included in the payments.
Secretary Michelle Carrick motioned to approve payment of the bills. It was carried with all board members voting, “yes.”
Management Company Report
Benjamin gave an update on school activities.
The students and staff are working on a mitten tree. Community members can bring their old hats, mittens and scarves to decorate the tree. The donated items will be given to area families and children.
The Ojibwe Charter School Christmas Program was held Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Waiska Center gym (see photos on page 10).
A Student vs. Staff basketball game was scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12. Though there was no admission price, Benjamin said the students collected canned food donations (watch for photos in the Jan. 2 Bay Mills News).
Classroom Christmas parties will be held Friday, Dec. 19, which is also a half-day of school. Santa Claus will be on hand to surprise the students.
Benjamin said that publicizing the school has become a priority now that the school is up and running. They would like to keep parents informed of activities at the school and also recruit more students for the second semester.
Vice President Wanda Perron asked how they planned to recruit for next semester. Benjamin said she preferred to talk it over with the staff before elaborating.
Benjamin said that tardiness and absenteeism have become real issues.
“Way too many people are bringing their kids in late on a continual basis,” she said.
The board suggested possible incentives — parties, rewards and prizes — for good attendance.
The school's attendance policy is included in the student handbook, but Benjamin is having a hard time getting parents to sign and return the form stating that they've read it.
Another attendance problem arose when the school had a half-day the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Benjamin said that many families had either gone out of town or kept their children from school that day. They had to call in students because 75 percent attendance is required to count the day as a school day. With a total enrollment of 81 students, if 20 of them are absent, the day has to be made up, either by eliminating a snow day or adding an extra day to the end of the year.
Rundborg said the school is still ironing out problems with the food service. The school currently receives lunches prepared and delivered by Bay Mills Resort and Casino's Sacy's Restaurant, but the kitchen does not have enough staff or room to prepare the extra food during the off-season.
Rundborg and Benjamin have met with Director of Operations John Hutchinson and Executive Chef Walt Lyons to discuss options, but have yet to find a solution.
The board suggested using the kitchen at the Cultural Center, Wild Bluff Golf Course or building their own food preparation area.
Rundborg said a representative from Inter-Tribal Council visited the school to conduct an inspection of the cafeteria. They are still waiting to hear if a self-sufficient kitchen is even an option.
Unfinished Business
Board member Aaron Tadgerson motioned to grant read-only account access to Mosaica Education Accountant Cathi Wojtanek for the purpose of maintaining the school's financial report. Read-only access would allow Wojtanek to see the account activity but not make any changes. Tadgerson's motion passed with all board members voting, “yes.”
New Business
The school received a lease agreement from TENCorp for 22 more computers, laptops for the teachers and networking accessories. The $72,455 lease would extend over three years and would cost the school about $2,000 per month.
The school's attorney, Dan Gallina, had yet to look over the agreement. Rather than call a special board meeting to sign the lease after Gallina's approval, the board voted unanimously to give authorization to St. Peter.
Though board members approved bank signatures in August, recent member changes required them to approve the signatures again. Treasurer Cheryl Baragwanath's motion to approve the signatures was passed unanimously.
Public Comment
Baragwanath asked if the school had made any headway with sports since Brimley school refuses to allow Ojibwe school students to compete alongside Brimley students. Tadgerson said that Boys and Girl Club staffer Ian Healey is working on a co-ed wrestling program with the club, Ojibwe School and a private school in Rudyard that faced similar resistance from Rudyard Schools.
Ojibwe Charter School may also look at starting a golf club in the spring and forming a basketball team next fall in conjunction with Bahweting School in Sault Ste. Marie.
The next Ojibwe Charter School Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 12, 2004, in the school's conference room.
