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MICHWORKS-UPNORTH.ORG

E.U.P. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Preliminary Minutes  

January 18, 2007

The E.U.P. Workforce Development Board Meeting was held at the Best Western in Sault Ste. Marie.  Workforce Development Board President Jill Hazel called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.

Workforce Development Board Members Present:

Carol Boger
Tony Bosbous
Gary Deuman
Shirley Farnquist
Jill Hazel
Jeff Holt
Aaron Hopper
Vic Preli
Sandee Raappana
Dave Ramsay
Susan Sliger
Ken Smith
John Ufer
Barbara Weber

Workforce Development Board Members Absent:

Henry Guzzo
Joe Halvorsen
Kathy Langhals
Pat Shimmens
David Weber

Bold names denote private sector.

Guests Present:

Ed Detour
Mike Mullin
Bill Sutter

Staff Present:

Gwen Worley
Kim Wilcox
Carol Murray

There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.

The minutes of the December 7, 2006 , Workforce Development Board Meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Aaron Hopper and support by Carol Boger.

The next item on the agenda was the election of officers.  Director Worley indicated that the current officers have agreed to serve again if elected.  The current officers are Jill Hazel (President), Tony Bosbous (Vice President), Jeff Holt (Secretary), and Dave Ramsay (Treasurer).  As there were no nominations received from the floor, John Ufer moved to re-elect the current officers.  Aaron Hopper supported.  Motion passed.

The WIA Incentive Award Grant was described.  Director Worley indicated that this award is a result of the contractor, Consolidated Community School Services, meeting all of the WIA performance standards set for adult, dislocated worker, youth, and customer satisfaction.  This year’s WIA Incentive Award totals $15,143, of which $12,500 will be added to the WIA Adult program budget.  Tony Bosbous moved to approve the WIA Incentive Grant as presented.  Ken Smith supported.  Motion passed.

Gary Deuman, Director of the Sault Area Career Center , provided a presentation of the new graduation requirements and also the Sault Robotics Team.  The new graduation requirements will begin with the Class of 2011 and will be much more rigorous than the current State requirements.  Local districts have been responsible for determining graduation requirements prior to the new minimum standards.  There is a concern that students may not be able to include a vocational curriculum as a result of scheduling availability.  Students from outlying districts who could attend the Career Center may have issues due to the time required for transportation.  The Career Center may not be able to operate some vocational programs if there are not enough enrollments.  Board members also noted the increased math requirements of Algebra II and Geometry, as not all students may be able to grasp these concepts. 

The Sault FIRST Robotics Team was also described.  This is the third year the Robotics Team is eligible to compete at a national level.  The Team is anticipating competing in Ypsilanti in March and in Atlanta in April.  They are requesting contributions to enable the students to attend competitions.  Last year, the WDB approved contributing $300 to this program.  Director Worley recommended that the WDB consider donating $300 from Strategic Planning funds to the Sault FIRST Robotics Team.  Jeff Holt moved to approve the $300 contribution to the Robotics Team.  Dave Ramsay supported.  Motion passed.

Director Worley provided a brief update of the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative.  The Eastern U.P. with Central U.P. will be working together on the planning of this program.  The amount of funding for this project is still unknown at this time. Director Worley will provide future updates as additional information is received.

Several informational items were reviewed.

Under new business, Vic Preli described the UPSOCs program and its partnership with Kirtland Community College .  He indicated that the business offices and the vascular program will be in Sault Ste. Marie and the cardio program will be held at Kirtland Community College .

As there was no new or old business, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. following a motion by Jeff Holt and support by Dave Ramsay.

                  Signed                                                                                               3/15/07

                  Jill Hazel, President                                                                          Date Approved

     E.U.P. Workforce Development Board

Prepared by Kim Wilcox