Monday, April 20, 2015
7:00 p.m.
~ Minutes ~
A Parent Advisory Forum was held at the Mason Middle School on Monday, April 20, 2015. The meeting
was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Ronald Drzewicki, Superintendent.
Present:
Community and staff members; Mike Prelesnik, N. Aurelius Principal; Lance
Delbridge, High School Principal; Jerome Brzezinski, Technology Director; Chris
Mumby, Mason Foundation President; Matt Stuard, Interim District Curriculum
Director; Cheryl Wald, Chief Financial Officer
Construction Reps:
Courtney James, Construction Manager, The Skillman Corporation
Michael Kenney, Business Developer, The Skillman Corporation
Ted Moore, Moore Trosper Construction Company
Dave Wright, Moore Trosper Construction Company
Mr. Drzewicki opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. and thanked the group for their attendance at the final
Parent Advisory Forum of the 2014-15 school year. He stated that he has been on the job for 7 months
and is loving it. Mr. Drzewicki has had many opportunities to talk with parents, students and staff since
coming to Mason.
Mr. Drzewicki introduced Mike Kenney and Courtney James from the Skillman Corporation. He thanked
Ted Moore and Dave Wright from Moore Trosper for attending.
Purpose of the Parent Advisory Forum
Mr. Drzewicki stated the purpose of the Parent Advisory Forum is to develop a strong connection between
the school district and the parents that we serve.
Review of SWOT Analysis
With participants, Mr. Drzewicki reviewed the SWOT analysis process conducted at the previous Parent
Advisory Forum on November 17, 2014.
Strengths mentioned in all discussions included great community support, a highly qualified staff,
strengths of the visual and performing arts program and a welcoming culture. Most noted weaknesses
during the analyses included technology, crowded buildings, security, parking, transportation issues and
limited financial resources. He shared that more technology infusion, increased parent and community
volunteers, enrollment growth, and additional curriculum development were district opportunities most
frequently stated. When participants at previous meetings were asked to reveal district threats, the
common responses included a lack of funding, security needs at school entrances, excessive standardized
testing, drugs, schools of choice students, overcrowding and the need to keep up with technology.
Top Responses on February 23, 2015 to Focus Question –Technology
At the forum a primary focus was technology. Participants responded and sought solutions to what type
of technology our buildings should have available for staff and students and what type of devices students
should have access to and how often. Possible solutions included a bond issue to infuse our district with
technology, receiving additional Mason Public Schools Foundation funding or students could provide
their own devices. Mr. Drzewicki stated the Mason Foundation works tirelessly to provide extra resources
for district technology. He added that they do an awesome job and the Promise Scholarship is also a great
resource for students.
Top Responses to Focus Question – Building Facilities Needs
Mr. Drzewicki shared that the February meeting also discussed building space needs, aging facilities and
safety improvements. Groups discussed the pick-up and drop-off process and ways to improve event
parking at our elementary schools. Possible solutions to the questions included reconfiguration of parking
lots, expansion of buildings, finding additional funding and increasing property taxes.
Since the Last Parent Advisory Forum
Since the last Parent Advisory Forum, SWOT analyses were shared with the Board of Education, a districtwide Strategic Planning process was introduced, and district staff members have completed SWOT
analyses. A facilities assessment began with services provided by GMB Architecture and Engineering,
The Skillman Corporation, and Moore Trosper Construction.
Facility Audit – Skillman
Courtney James, Construction Manager of The Skillman Corporation explained the facility audit process.
She indicated that The Skillman Corporation, GMB and Moore Trosper are working in tandem. As part
of the audit, they will be assessing existing structures. They will be looking for things that can be a
detriment or benefit to children and how it impacts education.
Ms. James explained that a walk-thru was conducted at the end of March in each district facility to
investigate buildings. They documented in written and photo communication the condition of the district’s
facilities. The construction managers met with custodial staff, the technology department and Kevin Doty,
Building and Grounds Supervisor. They will prepare a report of their findings and meet with staff to be
clear that nothing has been overlooked. The document will provide the district with a tool to manage the
facilities.
The team will report back to the Board of Education in June with document drafts.
Topic Questions
Mr. Drzewicki shared the current enrollment numbers at each elementary school. It is anticipated that
Mason will have a 1.5% - 2% annual growth in the next two years. He stated the average size of an
elementary school in Michigan is 386. We have the potential to reach 500 students per building in the
next two years.
The group reviewed a map of the repurposed Cedar Street Elementary School. An explanation of how
one section of the building was repurposed from an Adult Education program to an ECSE classroom,
Ready, Set, Go and Headstart program was discussed.
A question was raised regarding the number of Schools of Choice students attending Mason Public
Schools. Mr. Matt Stuard indicated that we gain as many Schools of Choice students as we lose. The
district currently has approximately 300 Schools of Choice students.
Process
The attendees worked in small groups to discuss focus questions, reach consensus and document possible
solutions to the listed topics. A district administrator, construction manager, architect or the owner’s
representative was present at each group.
Elementary Size
The first topic question was as the school district continues to grow, what is the preferred size of an
elementary school? What options should we consider when our elementary schools get too big?
The top responses reported out from each group included:
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Restructure the district
Build a new building
Smaller class sizes
Expand current buildings
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350-375 maximum students for buildings
Pass a Bond
Add cafeterias
Get staff input on design
Move kindergarten to H.E.C.
Alaiedon and N. Aurelius have room to build
Early elementary/upper elementary buildings
Two sections per grade at each building
Add staff and space to accommodate
Building up instead of out
Move Early Learning out of H.E.C.
Additional classroom space
No more than 450 students with smaller (24-25) class size
A new high school and make the current building a middle school – the middle school would
become a 5th/6th grade building
A new high school or new 5th/6th grade building
The group continued to discuss technology needs, classroom sizes and restructuring the district. A
suggestion was made to move kindergarten to the Jim Harvey Center. Members thought N. Aurelius and
Alaiedon elementary schools have more land to expand.
A participant thought the community would be favorable of a Bond issue.
Mr. Drzewicki gave an explanation of classroom spacing issues at each building. He stated we currently
do not have space to add additional teaching staff. Currently 5th grade is one of our largest classes.
A parent provided input stating his daughter is in a portable at N. Aurelius and it has not been detrimental
to her learning.
Capital Improvements
The second topic question was related to capital improvements. The question was: If the district decided
to ask the voters to support a capital improvement plan, what would you like to see included in the plan?
Groups spent time collaborating and the following top responses were reported:
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Add cafeterias at all elementary schools
Improve heating and cooling in all buildings
Build a new school
Computer labs and technology
Create dedicated spaces for extracurricular activities
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Security updates
Improve gym size for plays, parent events, etc.
Improve parking/transportation
Improve the Fine Arts area
Address parking at elementary schools
Auditorium at middle school
Improve bathroom facilities
Handicap accessibility
Network/telephone updates
Reading/testing space
Specific rooms for specials
2nd or 3rd through 5th grade move to current middle school
Build new middle school for 6th – 8th grade
New auditorium
New high school
Air conditioning everywhere
A parent suggested involving high school students in the process if the district looks to build a new
building.
Mr. Drzewicki informed the group that a survey will be presented to staff members on Monday, April 27,
2015. The survey will ask for staff to identify needs within their work environment. The survey will be
compiled in June. Examples of needs were discussed, which included the STEM program has financial
donations, but there is limited space for the program.
Mr. Drzewicki stated that good families are moving to Mason. Stanfred Consultants completed an
enrollment study and identified that Mason is likely to grow 7.5% in the next few years.
The district applied and was awarded a Competitive School Safety Grant with Ingham ISD. The ISD
applied for a $177,000 grant to be used for security purposes only. Ingham ISD was awarded $82,000.
Of that total, Mason Public Schools will receive approximately $67,000 to be used toward security
remotes, 2-way communication for building entrances, door cabling and key cards. A meeting has been
scheduled to further discuss the implementation of safety resources that must be completed before the
beginning of the 2015-16 school year. Mr. Drzewicki stated that this is a very specific grant. Additional
information will be presented to the Board of Education as it becomes available.
Mrs. Michelle Barlett, N. Aurelius teacher, thanked Superintendent Drzewicki for offering community
input through the Parent Advisory Forums.
Closing
Mr. Drzewicki stated that information from the meeting will be shared with the Board of Education and
the Task Force. He asked participants to attend more events and contact him if they had further questions.
The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.