Coach Peggy Curtis honored by Van Buren School Board

Varsity softball coach Peggy Curtis, who brought back-to-back state championships to Belleville High School during her 39-year career, will have the varsity softball field named for her and her name put on the scoreboard.
At Monday’s meeting of the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education, interim athletic director Joe Brodie explained the plan to honor Curtis. After some discussion, board members voted unanimously to approve his request.
Brodie said Curtis was a member of the staff that started the softball program in the school district, so she basically built the field and program from scratch into one of the most successful in the state.
Curtis was a BHS graduate, an employee, and now even has grandchildren who attend school in the district, he said.
“She is a true example of loyalty and dedication,” Brodie said.
He said on the field, Curtis has accumulated more than 700 wins, numerous coaching honors including induction into the Michigan High School Athletic Association Coaches Hall of Fame, as well as league, district, and regional championships.
Brodie said, to his count, Curtis has been involved with getting 35 of her players signed to play at the collegiate level.
Most impressive, however, is that she also has two State Championships in her career, Brodie said. These are the only State Championships in the history of team sports at BHS and those belong to her and her program.
She also was the first Division I coach to win back-to-back State Championships at the time they were won.
He said this accomplishment is displayed at Bailey Park in Battle Creek, the site that hosts State Tournaments every year.
“Peg did not get into this profession or stay in this profession for personal accolades, awards, or honors,” Brodie said. “She is in it for our students.
“It is her 39 years of giving back to our students, district, and community that represents why she deserves to have this field named after her.”
Brodie said there will be no budget implications, since the letters for the score board will be donated. They are planning to unveil the name at the last home game, he said.
Also, the request to name the field after her was kept a secret from her until it was brought publicly to the board on Monday, he said. Curtis was not at the board meeting.
Board Secretary Kevin English said the district has never named a facility after an individual.
Board vice president Martha Toth said none of the district’s school are named after a person. She said the Van Buren Schools are named after locations.
Toth said some districts are selling naming rights. She also noted it will set a precedent the board might regret.
Trustee Sherry Frazier said, “The kind of dedication she has shown is outstanding… She’s been a role model for our children.”
Trustee Frazier made the motion to approve the request and Trustee Kathy Kovach seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously to approve the motion and the audience of about 50 broke out in applause.
Brodie had also submitted Field Naming Guidelines to cover future requests to name fields after individuals.
Board president Brent Mikulski said those guidelines should be considered later as part of the bylaws.
In other business at Monday’s 50-minute meeting, the board:
• Approved a one-year contract agreement, July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, for the Van Buren Administrators and Supervisors Association (VBASA) in which the administrators agree to freeze step increases for that year. All other contract provisions will remain the same;
• Approved the $16 million 2016-17 Wayne RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) general fund budget, with a fund balance of $10 million, among other funds;
• Approved Schools of Choice for the Van Buren Public Schools for the first semester of the 2016-17 school year. Karen Johnston, Director of Special Services, said they will offer a limited number of openings to help defray the loss in enrollment by students in this community. She said they will continue to monitor and accept students based on academic standing;
• Approved accepting a bid from Applied Imaging as part of the MITN CO-OP bid for 16 copiers on a five-year lease totaling $216,720. The copiers will be maintained on site;
• Approved the McBride Middle School eighth-grade band trip to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, on Saturday, June 4. Students and families will pay $60 cost for tickets and transportation. From 80 to 100 students are involved;
• Approved Van Buren Township Parks & Recreation summer camp bus usage June 20 through Aug. 12;
• Approved the resignations of Shonta Langford from central office after 4.5 years as of May 11 for other employment; and the resignation of Karen Bliven from the Transportation Department after 15 years, as of April 29, for other employment; and the retirement of Michele Gurney of McBride Middle School after 25 years as of April 30;
• Approved the following changes in non-instructional staff: Henry Parks of Owen, resignation as of April 25, after 20 years of service; Joyce White, retired as of June 15, after 15.5 years in Transportation; Kelly Thornsbury, resignation for other employment as of May 13, after three years in Transportation; Earl Young, retired after 25 years in Building & Grounds as of June 30, and employment of Gregory Harris as Afternoon Custodian in Building & Grounds as of April 26;
• Heard a parent complain that she keeps being told that it’s the school policy for her eighth-grade daughter to get a “C” when she doesn’t turn in any work. “I’m told no work at all and she gets half credit,” the mother said, noting that isn’t teaching her daughter to work. Finally, after her complaints, she said, her daughter finally is getting zeroes in English for not doing the work. Board president Mikulski said the administrative office will contact her to discuss the issue;
• Heard another parent say her daughter was at Savage Elementary School last year for the M-Step testing. She said it now is Day 109 since the teachers were marched out of the classroom. She said state officials said it is up to the local school board to reinstate the test scores. She said there is 30% standard deviation. “Why would any superintendent want to put the district and the students out like this?” She urged the board to do what is best for their district;
• Was reminded there is a meeting next Monday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at the Administration Building to discuss the superintendent search; and
• Went into closed-door session to review a written opinion from its attorney. Trustee Frazier said it is detrimental to the public trust to not say exactly what they are going into closed-door session for. Mikulski said they will return to regular session only to adjourn.