001meeting August 18. United States of America to the stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. here. >> Next item on the agenda is the election. You know, Secretary Are there any special? Yes. Congratulations. contst is very the excellent service our teachers provide. is focused on cost represent proposed.5% increase total wages also proposed to significantly increase starting wage teachers. social workers psychologist added between seven and 13.6% the next years under Michigan calendar. We fully believe students of also announce that agreement Now recognizes value issues and the importance. Please comments question issues. [Applause] Okay, first of all, I appreciate the um opening. However, there are two sides to every story. Just let's start there. I want to be very clear. I am a huge advocate for our teachers and our school system.
002Every bond, every millillage, every election cycle, you will see a sign in my yard. I have organized several school supply drives. If a teacher needs supplies or the PTO is hosting a staff appreciation event, I don't hesitate. Take my money. I have always stood behind our educators because they are the heart of this district. Respect and value are passed down from the top. What when leadership fails to model them, the entire structure is broken. That's why I'm so disappointed in this administration right now. Why are our educators, the very people who make the biggest impact on our children, not being shown the appreciation and respect they deserve? Let's say hypothetically we have a superintendent who values his educator more than any superintendent in the history of superintendent. But at the same time, we have staff
003and teachers who are grasping to feel seen and heard, dealing with constant roadblocks and a feeling huge lack of support. Then we have to ask ourselves, where's the disconnect? Who is in the chain of command is not doing their part to foster the relationships built on appreciation and gratitude. I urge this board to talk to our teachers and to their staff. If there is a weak link, it needs to be identified and corrected. This is a trickle down effect for families. The first line of contact, the real first impression of our district is the teachers. This is the person our children see every day and the one that we as parents build trust with. Next is the principal. Most know who they are, but rarely need to interact with them. After that comes the administration,
004the school board. Some may recognize the superintendent's name, but very few know him personally. And if you ask the average parent to name the school board members, I'm going to say the percentage that could would be pretty slim. This isn't to disinish the importance of the administration. Their roles matter, but the reality is the teachers are the foundation of our schools. And where there's a lack of contract agreements with those teachers, it sends a message that their value is negotiable. And that message is frankly embarrassing for our district. I urge this board and administrators to prioritize contracts in a swift, fair, and respect our educators. Our teachers deserve better. Our staff deserves better. And ultimately, our teachers deserve better. [Applause] Next is James Ernest. [Applause] Maybe nothing is easy for a school board. Lots of
005things are complicated. Some things are definitely hard and debatable. Some issues just have to be divisive. So taking an issue that should be only moderately difficult and making it hard, turning it into a big hairy deal is kind of an impardonable sin. Simply put, education is essential. I think we all agree on that. And teachers are essential to education. We all agree on that. Buildings are nice, but they're not essential. Boards are not essential. Superintendent are not essential. We appreciate them greatly. They can be helpful, but students are essential, and teachers are essential. And teachers are beloved collectively. Teachers are next to our mothers and fathers, the people who do the most for us when we're children. Teachers are beloved for that reason. So for many of us, bickering and bickering with our teachers strikes
006us somewhat like dickering with our mothers. It doesn't sit well. Calonia has had an excellent reputation as a school system. It's why my wife and I moved here with our children in 2003. We don't think that our teachers should have substandard pay, pay that lags behind other districts in the area. I have had no inside information from the negotiations that have been ongoing, but I would say given the late date at which we stand now, this late date and still no contract, I'm skeptical of any assertion that the administration has been negotiating in good faith and with generosity from the beginning. it wouldn't have taken this long. So, just a plea, please get it done. Please make sure that our teachers are well compensated and are not lagging behind others in the district. We value
007them very highly. Thank you. Thank you. Next is Jason. >> Uh good evening. Uh Jason Zadu used to sit up there, so um it's different being on this side. Um, I'm going to talk a little bit something different cuz there's a lot of people here to talk about the negotiations and contract. Um, but a couple of the recent board meetings have brought to my attention something that I'm also a little bit passionate about and that is on a cell phone policy. Um, our district I think already has a pretty good balanced policy at least at the high school where kids can't use them during class but can use them in passing time. Um, it's been very beneficial for me and for my family. Um, personally we get text messages, can I go to Ice Cream
008Express after school? uh at the middle school. That's great for meaning I don't have to go to the pickup line at Duncan Lake and you know add to the traffic. Um can we get can you bring some pain medicine uh you know I'm not feeling too well. Um can I get a ride home with my friend uh instead of you coming to pick me up all of these things right quick easy um and it makes it beneficial. I know we've had someone else come and speak uh in favor of a bell to bell ban uh concerns about distraction, appropriate content, and kids being less social at lunch and a passing time. I appreciate the concerns. I do. I think he does a great job raising concerns on all this. Um but I think these are
009matters for families, right? From a parental rights standpoint, if you think they're going to be a distraction for your kid, tell them leave it at home. Tell them leave it in their car. Don't buy them one. For the idea that kids that it's making kids antisocial, right? Um, just look at pictures of commuters on a train, faces in the newspaper. Doctor's offices, faces in the newspaper from long before technology. Before papers, it was books. After then, it was Walkman, then the iPod, and and now phones. So, people find ways to still make meaningful connections while finding other ways to occupy themselves. My kids can't wait to go to lunch and talk to their friends. uh they talk about the social media stuff, the newest Tik Tok trend, this funny video, sharing it around, etc. So,
010I think they're using these to create their own connections. Another thing that has changed is they can be a critical safety tool. We know this from real events in Yuvaldi. Students called 911s from their classrooms, right? Giving police vital information. In Georgia last year, students texted and called during the shooting, aiding families and authorities in real time. Phones have saved lives in most cases. So, in closing, I don't believe a full ban is necessary. We have current policy that I think is a good balance. And then also, while my focus has been on cell phone policy, I also want to make sure I voice support for all of these teachers that are behind me. They are the heartbeat of this district. They pour themselves into our kids far beyond what is required and I hope
011the board can settle their contract and show them the value that they bring to this district and our community. Thank you. Next is Kim Gates. Woo. >> Hi. We love our Cal educators. I happen to know that I taught here 31 years and it's been a while. Greg, I retired in 210, but there are still some teachers that are here that are still hanging in there, well beyond that. They are great educators. We've been known since I was here in 79. You can do the math on it. It's been known as a great school district. We've won lots of awards. Our schools have, our teachers have. They go above and beyond what the call of duty. It concerns me though when I heard Tim read the um proposal at the beginning of the meeting and
012I'm seeing people that I know are involved in negotiations shaking their head no. So, I don't know who to believe here. I hear one thing here. I see head shaking. No, here. I like to think that my our teachers are honest individuals. So, I'm not quite sure where the disconnect is, but to be sure there is some disconnect. If one thing's being said here, and the shaking head is here, and I know you were negotiating through today even, so something is not happening. And I'm not sure what that is. I know that these teachers are the lifeblood of this district. Like we've heard said before, they are the front line. They are who parents come in contact with. They are who students come in contact with. They are the second set of parents raising these
013kids. And it is critical that we show them that we value them, that we settle a contract that says you don't belong in the bottom half of the county on pay scale here. This c this city, this township is so much better in teaching staff and education than the bottom half of the county. We need to reward them for their efforts and let them know that we appreciate them and we want them to stay with us here in Calonia. Thank you. Next is Kimberly Jackson. Hi, I'm not going to be as eloquent as the other people. It's been a day, a Monday at that. Um, what I am going to say, I'm an alumni of Calonia. I have two kids in the school. They have grandparents, aunts, and uncles, all that graduated from this district.
014My daughter was mortified last year when we got her schedule, and I was like, "Oh, I know that teacher, that teacher, that teacher." Like, "Oh my god, are you kidding me?" But the fact that I know the teachers, I graduated with them. I had them in class. We have teachers that stick around from the beginning of their career to their retirement. We need to honor that commitment. We want to keep these teachers. They see our kids more than we do during the school year. If we're honest, like between sports, sorry, anxiety, sports, school, all of that, teachers are with our kids more than we are. They deserve this money. We put so much money into our sports facilities. The sports are nothing if we don't have the kids coming into the education here because these
015kids want to go to college. They want to go to trades. We want them to have a good education. They can't do that without well- paid educators. That's why I'm here today. Thank you. Thank you. >> Next is Susan Rio. Is that right? >> Ri. >> All right. Read. >> Sorry about that. >> Oh, no one can say it right. That's okay. That's fine. Um, so my name is Susan Riyak. Um, I've lived here for 20 years. Um, I have five kids. Three graduated from Calonia High School. I currently have one at the high school and I have one in middle school. Um, I'm a CPA. I used to be a public accountant and auditor. I'm here today because I'm in I'm supporting our students and because I'm supporting our students, I'm supporting our teachers.
016I would like to get this district to get back to focusing on students and education, supporting learning. I thought our motto was cultivating agile learners. If we are cultivating agile learners, the focus should be on the students and who impacts the students most directly. It's the teachers, it's the parapros, it's the counselors, it's the school staff. Then it makes sense that we should be spending our resources on supporting teachers, parapros, counselors, and school staff. Teachers are our greatest asset. How can we support them? Well, the administration can support them when we have discipline issues. We can provide supplies and resources. And most importantly, we can pay them a reasonable wage. They are not greedy. They have families to support and to care for. I've heard the argument that there is uncertainty in funding we will
017receive from the state budget. We don't know how many students we're going to have. Every business and every school has that same uncertainty when proposing a budget and negotiating salaries. Yet, other schools have agreed to 5% or more rate increases with the same uncertainty. And given this uncertainty, I would not expect our school to move over $1 million out of the general fund until the teacher contract is finalized. The priority should be on the education of our students. We can use gond funding for busing that apparently is coming out of the general fund, but we don't do it. So, I would like you to please show our teachers and staff that they are valued. They have made an incredible impact on my kids and their friends, and they deserve to be paid fairly. And to
018not spend, I don't know, four months negotiating a teacher contract. >> Seriously. So, My my last comment will be the statement that was read and saying you guys have offered a 4 and a.5% rate increase and whatever you want to make the math look. I will tell you that when you were in the lower half, the bottom 10 of the Kent County school districts, giving even a 4 and a.5% raise doesn't make it an acceptable wage. It's simple math. You can't get there. They need to be paid what they should have been paid already. Thank you. Next is Josh Rose. All right. Hi guys. How we doing? Um teacher for uh 28 years and you guys are like who is this guy? I teach at LOL. So which is you're like maybe what who is
019this guy? Um I just got to say uh we moved here in 2016 and we have loved our Kettle Lake family and our middle school and our high school and our coaches. It's been great and we've loved um everything about Calonia. I want to do a different uh perspective. I want to do a big picture perspective. Uh I just put my starting salary in 1998 into an inflation calculator and I got $57,000. So step one, what we've done in this country and in the state is we have made it so that teachers cannot keep up with inflation. And it's wrong. Every year we get poorer compared to past generations of teachers. And you guys are like, well, what about the what about the healthcare? That's kind of out of our hands because healthcare has had
020enormous increases in its costs year after year, nearly 10% year after year. That's a societal problem. Um, not a not a we problem. And um, what I want to see is I want to see the pendulum swift back uh, shift back to rewarding teachers in times that are good. >> We always hear when times are bad, you know, it's like, oh, you got to take your lumps. Got to take your lumps. times are bad, but when times are good, teachers should be rewarded. And teaching, like everybody knows, is one of the most important things uh jobs that we have in our society. And I think everybody agrees with that. But I just feel like we need to shift the pendulum back. Um I don't expect $57,000 for step one, but um we need to keep
021people in this business. Right now in our school, we're scraping the bottom of the barrel. We just had to hire somebody from California for a STEM job. Why? What's wrong with the people in our community and our young kids wanting to go into education? We have to move the pendulum back so that education is a desirable career. So that people enter it and keep this machine rolling and keep our quality product that we have every day and making um um smart citizens who contribute positively to society and uh and are able to reach their dreams. That's it. Thanks. Next is Emily Murphy. >> Hi, I'm Emily Murphy. I usually I've been to a lot of meetings. I usually just sit and listen, but today I felt the urge to speak up. So, I really wish
022I would have showered today, but um before I start, I have three kids in the district. It's my first year with three kids in three different schools. So, that should be fun. And I just wanted to take a moment and ask any staff or coaches out here that have taught my kids, have helped me raise my kids to stand up or wave or just say hi. There's at least a dozen. They're in the back. They're everywhere. So, I just wanted to come and stand up. and they have helped me raise my kids. They support my kids and I just wanted to come and say I support them. I just got back from the my first orchestra fitting. $50 for a cello. I know many of them have kids in the district. Life is expensive. They
023deserve all the pay. They're really priceless and we love them. And we hope you guys can come to a deal soon and get them paid and get them ready to rock with our kids. Thanks. Thank you for all the public comment. We we do appreciate hearing what's on everyone's mind today. Next, we're going to move on to our consent agenda. July 2025 special meeting minutes. July 2025 close session minutes. >> August 13, 2025 committee of a whole meeting minutes. July 2025 payables. August 2025 personnel report. Is there a motion? >> I move that the board of education approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Is there any discussion? >> All those in favor of consent agenda indicate I saying I please call the role. >> Barbara Garcia, >> yes. >> Rando, >> yes. >> Collins,
024>> yes. >> Con Morris, >> yes. Nichols. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Consent agenda is passed. On to item seven, superintendent report. Item eight, bond update. >> All right. Thank you. Uh quite a lot uh going on obviously and we talked about some of these things last week on Wednesday, but uh just really appreciative of all of the efforts uh this summer that have uh made a really busy summer um move as smoothly as possible. So, uh, the work, um, at Calonia Elementary and at New Dutton and at the stadium, uh, has progressed along with a number of other items like playgrounds and parking lots and signs. And so, we're really, really excited, uh, for our students now to come back and enjoy uh, these facilities. So, just a heads up on a couple of
025dates. First of all, uh, New Dutton, we will be, uh, having the ribbon cutting and a community open house next Wednesday. This Wednesday rather, uh, like 48 hours from now. The ribbon cutting will be at 5:30 and then the building will be open for the general public until 7:00 that night. And then on Tuesday the 26th, the stadium ribbon cutting will be held. And we'll be doing that at 6:30. and uh then the stadium will be open for the general public until 8:00 at that point. And of course, this year we're recognizing the 75th anniversary of that stadium. And uh it's also the 20th uh anniversary of our football state championship. So, uh that's a very exciting time. And of course, today was particularly wonderful to see the breast box get hoisted up on top
026of the bleachers. 35,000 lbs worth uh is now up uh on top there of the bleachers. So, uh, looking forward to those great events. Uh, it is obviously an exciting time of year and so, uh, we're looking forward tomorrow, uh, to having all of our staff back and welcoming them back and then professional development will happen on Wednesday and Thursday. Open houses in most buildings will be taking place on Thursday. So, parents should have received uh, an email and uh, they can also check the schedule on the website. And then of course school starts one week from uh today on the 25th. And then finally just a quick note it was uh wonderful on Saturday to um be able to go to the bianual reunion held at the high school and see so many alums
027from um years past there in attendance. The oldest alum was 99 years young and so uh great to see him and all of them there. They had Elvis was in the building uh performing and um I believe the oldest couple has been married 70 years and um they kissed right there in school and didn't get a detention for it. So that was good. So uh we just big thank you to all those who put in so much time and effort uh to make that event happen um and really connect with all those alums from years past. So that's all for my report tonight. >> Great. Thank you, D. On to item eight, discussion items. Board consideration of item A, policy revisions, second reading. We discuss some of these almost well, I think we talk about
028every policy at the committee of a whole meeting on Wednesday. And this is the second opportunity we have to discuss them. and um the they are listed under action items, but I wanted to give the board the opportunity to share any comments about what changes they might like to see in in the um policy action that we're going to be taking. I don't know that we have to go through each of them one by one, but I'll open up the floor for anybody on the board to raise any questions or comments and foster discussion on any of the policy items indicated below. The only one that I brought up, if there's anyone else I can come back to, but the policy 8500, the USDA non-discrimination statement. Um, my only recommendation would be to strike the
029optional tax and have it read as the non-discrimination statement reads on the USDA non-discrimination statement. So, I'll pass that down and you can match it up if you would like. I know when we discussed it, the the text was parenthesized and after speaking with Derk and Neiola, they indicated that was an optional um optional to the board as things have rapidly changed over the last years when it comes to USDA and non-discrimination policy. >> I'm assuming that we typically follow the feds in terms of that type of stuff. Is that what we ask? >> Yeah. So Neil of course um takes every um new change that comes down the line from the federal government and seeks to incorporate that in the policies in this particular case u since the time that this uh update came
030out which was February uh and um we began preparing it in April and then we had discussion starting in June. So in that time period uh things have changed in Washington DC and so this uh change here came as a result of that. It is in checking with them. Uh it would not be out of order to keep it as it had been uh originally put forward in their update but um this has also been altered since then as evidenced by the USDA website itself. I'm curious if you would also have to change the beginning of that statement if we did this because the current um reading says that it's also in accordance with federal civil civil rights laws. And I think that the statement as it reads now um is still consistent with federal
031civil rights laws despite some um uh changes that have been made on the national scene. So I'm curious if we would also have to change that. >> That's a good question. And I I think when it if we want to bring that up and have that discussion as a policy, we can do that. But at this point, we're discussing the USDA 8500 policy. Um I think it's a good idea to do that. >> Yes, I would agree because if we did not strike that from the statement, we would not be in compliance with what we are saying. We would be in compliance with >> Right. I maybe D if you have any information on that at this point. >> If you could just point out to me Britney where you're talking. >> Yes. In the
032very beginning of the non-discrimination statement, it says in accordance with federal civil rights law and US Department of Agriculture >> USDA regulations and policies. And that is exactly the way that this USDA non-discrimination statement reads. >> And then it but here this is um inconsistent with the current civil rights laws. which is a different document al together. >> All right, we can check into that. Um, >> I think we should look >> when I when I asked Neil on this, they they stood behind that statement. So, I can ask them about that aspect of it. So, >> yeah, I think we should. >> Okay, I would agree. We might as well get some clarity. Oh, sorry. I would agree. It might as well be some clarity right before we >> Yeah. >> Yes. You think
033that's a good idea? >> No, definitely want the facts. We want sure it's correct. >> Yeah, I'm in in agreement with getting clarity on it. I I like um if we're going to say that we're making this non-discrimination statement consistent with the USDA. I like the fact that people could look it up on their website and they would match and mirror one another um as long as it's comprehensive. So yeah, I'm in favor of getting that information, but I do like if our website and policy would also match the USDA's policy as close, you know, so that they reflect one another. >> Then I would have a follow-up question. So if the USDA policy changes at any given time, we would be notified probably sooner rather than later so we can revise our policy, right?
034Rather than waiting, you know, this if this was changed a while back. >> Yeah. So the next update for instance, Yep. Next update, for instance, is coming out here shortly. So Um I don't know what's going to be in that yet >> it's coming out soon. >> I would just I guess for me again being new I would just ask that we have it more timely if things are changing that quickly. Right. So we can act on it quicker then no way. That's all. >> Correct. In fact update our >> we have any idea how much policy we have coming down the pike? >> No idea. >> Let's find out. We want to have the time it takes to look at all this and be clear on what it says and go through the two
035readings. Are there any other policies that we want to discuss ahead of the action item? We'll have another opportunity during the action items. But >> the only other question I have is we just had two two of the policies that have the that language, right? Or the non-discrim. >> That's correct. There are two. Okay. So, okay. Okay. It's in the wellness policy as well. >> So it be 8500 and 8510. >> So to be clear, Tim, are you thinking we table this on those two until we get clarity? Is that >> No, I think if we're all in favor of changing 8510 and 8500 to match the non-discrimination policy of the USDA, which is referenced in both of those policies, then there's no reason to wait. But I think to what trustee Barbara Garcia was
036saying, this is also being referenced in the federal non-discrimination act and we should look at that and if that changes we should be looking at other policies that are affected by that. Okay, seeing there's no further discussion, we'll move into action items. Item number nine, the policy revisions, second reading. Um, anyone that makes the motion here, if we can go through those individually and we want to discuss them at any point that we please do that. So, with the motion, we can read the motion at 1.131, go through it for a formal motion, and then we'll open it up to discussion. we can pick which ones we'd like to discuss further and amendment if necessary. Is there a motion? I might not have totally followed what you just said. I'm sorry. Um I was assuming
037we would um just uh make a motion that would include all of the other policies that we were not considering amending and correct at once. Yeah. >> One motion with further discussion. >> Okay. I move that the board conduct a second reading and adopt immediately the following board policies. 0131.1 bylaws and policies. 2340 field trip and other district sponsored trips. 5320 immunization. 5330 use of medications. 5330.01 epinephrine auto injectors. 8320 personnel files and 8660 transportation for field trips to delete the policy. Is there a second? Seconded by John. Any further discussion? Um, I would raise a motion to adopt the non-discrimination statement found in to amend, I should say, >> if if I could if I could. A motion's on the table and it's been seconded. So, we need to deal with that first and
038then we can come back to >> do call. >> Yes, please. >> Collins? >> Yes. >> Con? Yes. Clement? Yes. >> Rando. >> Yes. >> Barbara Garcia. >> Yes. >> Nicholls. >> Yes. >> Morris. >> Yes. Now, any discussion? >> I recommend that we modify 8510 and 8500 to include the non-discrimination statement as written from the website of the United States Department of Agriculture. I'll support So we need a little bit >> I think we need a little bit of clarity about exactly which parts of the current green text under the non-discrimination statement you're looking to amend. >> This is >> and specifically what you want >> the non-discrimination statement as it's written in the paragraph in the first paragraph >> in 8500 and 8510. So he's taking saying take the non-discrimination statement from USDA.
039Basically we're copy and pasting it and Right. So, if I could, I think it would be better, we would be better uh having us um let this get put down in writing and then we can bring this back, I would say, next month. uh because the language in this particular thing off the USDA website references um the USDA its agencies offices and employees and institutions uh prohibit participating in administering programs are prohibited from discriminating and that's not the way our policy is or should be worded because our policy only pertains to ourselves. So I would prefer to have us if there are questions here we need to look into it. Let's u correct this the whatever way it wants to be uh corrected and then we can bring it back um and do it next
040month on that. >> So would we table 8510 and 8500? >> That that sounds to me like the best idea. >> Okay. Yeah. >> And that's a and that's a motion. Somebody needs to move for that. >> No, we don't need it because the motion was made. Uh this was these two policies were not included in the motion and therefore Okay. >> They they said until pursuit for >> just want my notes to be right. So >> Okay. So we'll be taking no action on this item until the next meeting. >> Is that what I'm hearing the board? >> Okay. On to item 10, discussion items, anticipated board considerations. Item A 202425 audit report. I >> think it's Sarah. >> So yes, we are looking to bring the um fiscal year 2024 2025 school years
041um audited uh report to the board next month. Um so we'll look at that during during committee and then um present it to the full board at the regular meeting in September. Thank you. Item B, are there any other items? >> That's all this time. >> Okay, moving on to board comments. Um the uh superintendent is due a mid-year review and uh this is a new state law that was passed I believe last year requiring districts to do an informal review of the superintendent. Um in December we do the formal review uh and tonight we will be uh beginning the process um reviewing the superintendent and in uh close session. And I want to welcome Kyle back to the the board. Thank you for stepping up and we appreciate having your expertise and your experience
042back on the board. >> Thanks. And I apologize for being a few minutes late. First football practice of the year. So I was trying to get kids pointed in the right direction and just lost track of time. So >> I'm sure parking was an issue. >> Parking was fun. Yes. Thanks. Thanks for having me. Welcome. Okay. Item 12A. The board will meet in close sessions as pursuant to Michigan Compiled Law 15.268C for the purpose of conducting a strategy and negotiation session and MCL 15.268 268A at request of the superintendent to conduct the midyear review. >> Motion support. >> Need a motion. >> I have a motion. >> I'll second. >> Great. Please call the role. >> Grand. >> Yes. >> Barbara Garcia. >> Yes. Clement. >> Yes. >> Collins. >> Yes. >> Con. Yes. Nicholls.
043Yes, >> yes, >> we are officially adjourned for close session at 6:48. Okay. Is there a motion to come out of full session into regular session? That motion >> second roll >> yes >> Garcia >> yes >> Clement >> yes >> Collins >> yes >> con yes Nichols >> yes >> Morris >> yes we are in regular meeting mode and the next item on the agenda is ajournment >> so moved Second. >> All in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. >> Post. We are 756. Second.