E.U.P. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

  Preliminary Minutes

  April 21, 2005

The E.U.P. Workforce Development Board meeting was held at the Big Boy Restaurant in St. Ignace.  Workforce Development Board President Jim Wagner called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

Workforce Development Board Members Present:

Jim Feil
David Goldthorpe
Jill Hazel
Jeff Holt
Kathy Langhals
Carmen McLaren
Joe Halvorsen (Alt)
Dave Ramsay
Pat Shimmens
Ken Smith
Aaron Tadgerson
John Ufer
Jim Wagner
Vicky Wagner
Barbara Weber
David Weber

Workforce Development Board Members Absent:

Tony Bosbous
Ernie Maas
Karen Olsen
Jen Prpich
Sandee Raappana

Bold names denote private sector.

Guest Present:

Bill Sutter

Staff Present:

Gwen Worley
Kim Wilcox

There was no public comment addressed at this meeting.

The minutes of the March 17, 2005, Workforce Development Board meeting were approved as submitted following a motion by Jill Hazel and support by Ken Smith.

Workforce Development Board members reviewed the Distance Learning Pilot Proposal received from Consolidated Community School Services.  CCSS is requesting $45,000 to operate this pilot program and was the only proposal received.  Bill Sutter, Director of CCSS, described the program and answered questions.  After a brief discussion, John Ufer moved to award the Distance Learning Pilot Program contract to Consolidated Community School Services.  Pat Shimmens supported.  Motion passed.

The Career Initiative Grant Application for 2005-2006 was reviewed.  This grant includes CTE/Perkins and Tech Prep funds.  The CTE Perkins grant totals $118,876 and the Tech Prep grant totals $55,041.  Funding from the Perkins grant is mainly used for programs maintained at the Sault Area Career Center.  Tech Prep funds support secondary/postsecondary articulated programs.  The CI Grant Application requires approval by the Education Advisory Group and the Workforce Development Board.  Jeff Holt moved to approve the CI Grant Application as submitted contingent on EAG approval.  Ken Smith supported.  Motion passed.

Director Worley described suggested modifications to the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Planning Committee recommended expanding the goals and also submitted a mission statement for approval.  The five goals would include assisting in employment services, workforce readiness, workforce development, regional economic development, and maintaining the informational center to provide employment and economic development information to the area.  Workforce Development Board members were enthusiastic with the additional goals and the mission statement and commended the committee members in their efforts.  Jeff Holt moved to approve the modified Strategic Plan.  Jill Hazel supported.  Motion passed.

Several informational items were reviewed.

Director Worley mentioned that employers should be receiving a letter from the Governor directing them to contact Michigan Works! with all of their hiring needs as a part of the Michigan Opportunity Partnership.

Under new business, Workforce Development Board members reviewed the Governor’s proposed high school graduation requirements.

As this meeting was to be Jim Feil’s last meeting, Workforce Development Board members thanked Jim for his service on the WDB and wished him well in his future position.

The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. following a motion by Dave Ramsay and support by Jeff Holt.

        Signed                                                                           6/16/05

    Jim Wagner, President                                         Date Approved

E.U.P. Workforce Development Board

Prepared by Kim Wilcox