by Justin Gibson | Jan 11, 2018 | Government, Vicksburg
Fire Authority board members Colin Bailey a representative from the village of Vicksburg and Randy Smith a representative of Brady Township, shake hands during an earlier meeting.
By Sue Moore
South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority (SKCFA) members balked at a request for quick bylaws changes from Trustee Randy Smith after he announced he was leaving his post as Brady Township Supervisor in May and with it, his post on the Authority as of December 31.
By the end of a contentious December meeting, the board members insisted they’ll take a couple of months to discuss the changes with their respective village and township elected officials.
Brady said he expects to be replaced on the township board by Tracy Locey, who holds a paid position as treasurer of the fire authority. Serving on both the governing board and as a paid employee appeared to some other delegates to pose a potential conflict.
Smith presented a draft of bylaws to deal with that issue prepared by Craig Rolfe, the authority’s attorney. The draft was not made public at the meeting.
His announcement that Locey would fill his position appeared to blindside other authority members when Smith presented the bylaws changes he said would enable the transition to take place. Smith asked board members to flesh out the proposed changes and bring them to their respective township boards and village councils.
The bylaws changes would provide for hiring a recording secretary, a person who would also serve in a paid position as treasurer and retain a seat on the authority board – in the expectation that Locey would fill the post.
Some authority members complained about short notice. Smith said he had told board members in a closed meeting a year ago that he would retire in May and that the authority had done nothing in the meantime to prepare for the proposed changes.
Smith appeared to be asking other members for a vote at the December meeting, or at least to take the new wording back to their respective boards. But others said it isn’t clear if they had the power to make a change to bylaws without consulting their fellow elected officials.
Colin Bailey, representing Vicksburg, said Locey succeeding Smith on the authority board wasn’t the issue: The issue was the way Smith handled the matter. Locey, he indicated, is very qualified to fill a position on the board. She has served as administrator and treasurer for many years and has met and exceeded expectations in those posts.
No officers of the authority board are paid. Todd Carlin, Schoolcraft village’s representative, said the issue should have gone to the human resources committee and then to each unit’s board for discussion as it has the potential to change the budget numbers.
Locey said she would only be paid as treasurer since only five percent of her time is allotted as administrator. Locey said there are ways to work around this issue.
Although Smith had said he would leave the fire Authority as of Dec. 31, he later indicated that Brady Township’s board would choose to keep him on the authority’s board for now. The township did so.
by Justin Gibson | Jan 11, 2018 | Government, Vicksburg
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Trustee James Earl.
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The Vicksburg Village Council mulls things over at its December meeting in the Vicksburg Library. They are from left to right: Gail Reisterer, Julie Merrill, James Earl, Tim Frisbie, Bill Adams, Ron Smith and Colin Bailey.
By Sue Moore
Asserting that Angels Crossing Golf Club and its separately-managed Creekside Grille are underperforming, Vicksburg Village Trustee James Earl asked Village Manager James Mallery for a list of options to improve profitability at both.
The request was somewhat of a bombshell. The issue, not on the council agenda, was raised at the end of the meeting. Mallery and other council members did not respond.
“Both business units the village owns have continued to underperform in ways that are measurable and perhaps just as importantly, in ways that are unmeasurable,” Earl said.
“I request a report from the village manager that provides a list of options to strategically accelerate performance and profitability of both business units. All we can do is attempt to protect the taxpayers moving forward by making this entity a profitable one. Both the Golf Club and the Grille have made some improvements. I see signs that indicate it is time to review our strategy for both.”
He specified that the report should include all golf operations including the pro shop. “Plus, all Creekside Grille operations which includes how we serve our dining room guests and our golf patrons before, during and after golf rounds.” He specified a deadline of 45-60 days for the report with the possibility of using outside resources if needed.
A detailed job description for each position should be part of the package, Earl said. It should include a list of needed policies in order of priority that the unit needs to succeed under this new model.
Earl ended with the caveat that “We must be willing to change when necessary to be successful. We will not maintain the status quo and expect different results.”
In other business, the Council approved a three-year contract with the Vicksburg Police Officers Association. It includes a one percent pay raise each year on base pay wages and a one percent signing bonus each year that would not be used for purposes of pension calculations or compound future base pay.
A Water Asset Management plan and program as outlined by Prein and Newhof was also approved. It was largely a generic document according to Trustee Ron Smith when he wondered aloud if the village actually had a water reliability study. The answer from Mallery was yes.
Mallery also recommended an extension of the treasurer’s hours from 20 to 30-32 a week. Michelle Morgan has been working part time as treasurer, but her work load has been increasing since she came on board in July, Mallery told the council. She will receive benefits with a total cost not to exceed $20,000 in the six months of the current budget cycle.
by Justin Gibson | Jan 11, 2018 | Schools, Vicksburg
On the left, State Representative Dave Maturen, former Vicksburg Schools Superintendent Pat Reeves came to offer their good wishes to Karen Hill in the middle upon her retirement from the school district. She was the Executive Assistant to Reeves and then for Superintendent Charlie Glaes on the right. Skip Knowles, president of the school board is on the far right.
By Linda Lane
After serving as executive assistant to the Vicksburg school superintendent for over 20 years, Karen Hill retired at the end of December. The school board recognized her service with a standing ovation at the board meeting and a retirement party prior to her last day at work.
“What I will take away from my years with Vicksburg schools are many fond memories and some wonderful friendships with the people that I’ve worked with here,” Hill said. “It’s just been such a great place to work. I’m going to miss all the people.”
“I have relied upon Karen’s outstanding professionalism, thorough attention to detail, productivity, problem solving, communication skills, and incredible empathy and understanding with people,” Superintendent Charlie Glaes said at the meeting. “Karen has been the cheery voice of the school, and an uplifting source of joy and support to those around her. Her strong values pervade her work and interactions. She will be truly missed.”
Karen has been tasked to oversee and manage complex processes involving multiple people and governmental organizations, wearing many hats for the District over the years, from election manager, FOIA coordinator, crisis communications coordinator, Kalamazoo County Excellence in Education Student Scholarship chair and other positions.
Karen and her husband, Mike graduated from Vicksburg High School. So did their two children, Greg Hill and Christie Hill-Moore. Hill has a granddaughter, Lili Hill, in second grade at Tobey Elementary School, and a few additional grandchildren who will attend Vicksburg schools when they enter kindergarten in a few years.
“Because I’ve got grandkids who are still attending Vicksburg schools, I’ll still be seen around,” Hill noted.
by Justin Gibson | Jan 11, 2018 | Schools, Vicksburg
Vicksburg’s new teachers. Front row left to right: Justin Lehman, Jennifer Heeres, Breanna Welling, Jill Boudrie. Middle row left to right: Justin McDonald, Lauren Noyes, Sawyer Duncan. Back row left to right: Cindy Kessler, Kyle Roberts, Cody Caswell. They serve at Indian Lake Elementary: Jill Boudrie (5th); Sawyer Duncan (PE). Sunset Lake Elementary: Erin Clark (Kindergarten); Cindy Kessler (Special Ed); Justin Lehman (Begindergarten); Breanna Welling (School Psychologist). Tobey Elementary: Julie Sorenson (Behavior/Guidance). Middle School: Jennifer Heeres (Science); Lauren Noyes (Math). High School: Cody Caswell (PE & Health); Justin McDonald (Business/Computer); Kyle Roberts (Economics).
By Linda Lane
The December Vicksburg School Board meeting was a happy occasion to celebrate successes for the District and school staff.
Vicksburg High School received the “Elite AP School” designation for the second year in a row from the College Board organization. This honor is awarded to schools which show each year an increasing number of students scoring a “3” or higher on AP tests and a growing percentage of students taking AP tests. It is a high honor for the high school, according to Principal Keevin O’Neill.
Ruth Hook, principal at Indian Lake Elementary School, was honored as the Region IV Principal of the Year by the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals association. Steve Goss received a Leadership Institute award from the Michigan School Business Officials (MSBO) association and Rebecca Durant earned a MSBO Business Office Manager Certification.
by Justin Gibson | Jan 11, 2018 | Schools, Vicksburg
Sunset students with their green screen technology. Top row, from left, Hailey Zagar and Fletcher Haase. Bottom row: Lily Johnson and Braedon Akans.
Steve Fryling,
Vicksburg Schools Communications Director
Students from Sunset Lake Elementary went to Lansing in December to participate in the 17th annual Student Technology Showcase. The event was held in the State Capitol rotunda and gave students opportunities to demonstrate and display for state lawmakers technology projects they have created. Parents, students and other attendees discussed technology and innovation in schools with state education leaders.
The event is hosted by the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) and featured demonstrations from students representing more than 30 schools across Michigan.
The group of Sunset students had been working with Dawn Phelps, fifth grade teacher, who organized the trip. The students included Braedon Akans, Fletcher Haase, Lily Johnson, and Hailey Zagar. “I am so proud of all the work the students have put into their green screen projects,” Phelps said. “They work so well together and I am very excited for them to have the opportunity to share this technology at the Capitol.”
The Sunset students’ display featured the use of green screen technology, which is used to add virtual “backgrounds”. Students can then be videoed in front of the green screen and the two images blended to make one smooth image. The technology is used in digital communications, filmmaking, and some news and weather segments seen on television news broadcasts. This technology is in use by students and staff at all buildings for instruction and for project creation for students.
The students got to speak to many state legislators including local State Senator Margaret O’Brien, who was impressed with their work, as were other education and industry leaders at the event.
The students were also impressed with the State Capitol and those they met with. Fletcher Haase said, “The best parts were when we got to go to the Senate during their recess and seeing all the people who came to our booth.”
“The Capitol building was very interesting and amazing, but I really liked seeing the Senate and the House of Representatives. I liked meeting new people who came to see our green screen project, “ said Braedon Akans.
Lily Johnson said, “I liked sharing the technology that we use with others and the Capitol was awesome. I really liked looking around the rotunda too.”
“The whole trip was amazing! Seeing Senator O’Brien was cool too!” remarked Hailey Zagar.
“We have been doing the Student Showcase for several years now, and without fail we always leave blown away by the incredible work these students do, and this year was no different,” said Mark Smith, MACUL executive director. “As always, we’re really excited to watch these students demonstrate their work with technology.”
Said Jim Murray, president of AT&T Michigan, an event sponsor: “It’s exciting for us when we see students embracing technology learning and using it to create. That kind of creative, innovative thinking is going to serve these students well in a world where it’s increasingly important to have a comfort and familiarity with technology.”
by Justin Gibson | Jan 11, 2018 | Schools, Vicksburg
Receiving of the first place trophies at the Sunset Coast Splash FTC Qualifier at Coloma High School. Front Row: Justin Plankenhorn, Gabe Nevenhoven, Sawyer Durian, Thomas Murphy, Marcus Hackman, Jonah Schmidt, Caleb Johnson, Faith Smith. Second Row: Ethan Willis, Morgan Wood, Connor DeVries, Noah Caster, Cater Johnson and Kyle Szyldlowki. Third Row: Mr. Hackman, Mr. DeVries, Sam Schnepp, Kyler Dean, Tyler DeVries, Owen Bishop, Mr. Ackerman, Kyle Ackerman, Mr. Wireman and Mr. Caster. Not pictured: Mr. Hull, Mrs. Murphy and Lilyann Campbell.
The Vicksburg Middle School Robotic team, aka The Control Freaks, qualified for a mid-December state robotics competition for the second year in a row. Its two robots finished in 20th and 26th place at the Battle Creek competition , according to its Facebook page.
The club includes rookies – first-year students in grades 5-7 – and experienced students in grades 6-8 compete in the competitions. The club has been operating for the past seven years and continues to grow and succeed.
In this year’s challenge, the club’s two robots operated in a 12-foot-square field with a foam mat floor surrounded by foot-high walls. They scored by moving “relics,” foam blocks, into boxes, completing rows and columns. The robots operated autonomously for the first 30 seconds of a match, then under driver control for the remaining two minutes.
The worldwide competition is organized by FIRST, an acronym for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology,” founded by Dean Kamen in 1989. The students were participating in the FTC, the FIRST Tech Challenge. The 2018 world championships in Mid-April are being hosted in Detroit.
The nonprofit organizer’s website notes that first-year costs for a team are about $2,200, including registration, kits and travel, but less in later years as parts are reused. FIRST accepts tax-deductible contributions and makes grants available to some schools. The Vicksburg group operates completely with local sponsorships.
The FTC season began the first full week of school with students gathering to watch a video from a previous competition. They met at the Middle School for about 3 hours on Tuesdays and every other Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to design, program, build and test their robots. The group is very thankful to its sponsors and to the Vicksburg Schools for the support and the allocation of old woodshop space to the club for the season which extended through to the holiday break.
The Control Freaks are led by adult mentors Eric Hackman and Matt Bombich. Hackman said “Next year we are planning to grow the club at the Elementary schools with First Lego League teams.” They’re assisted with technical expertise by fellow mentors Andy DeVries, Jason Caster, Andy Ackerman, Chad Wireman, Bill Hull and Andrea Murphy. The Rookies group met weekly to learn about and program their own smaller scale robot. The group has 20 members with 14 or so regularly attending, allowing two or three students to work with each robot. This group of rookies will advance next year to compete with the FTC teams as they lose eight of their 20 members to high school.
