001I'd like to call the Harper Creek Board of Education regular meeting for Monday, August 11th, 2025 to order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance followed by a moment of silence. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. >> Madam Secretary, please call the role. >> Mr. Hverson, >> here. >> Mrs. Risner. Mrs. Wat >> here. >> Mrs. Alward, I'm here. Mrs. Wallace >> here. >> Mr. Smith >> here. >> And Mr. Bus, >> I am present. >> We have a quum. >> All right. Thank you for that. Mr. Rididgeway, we have no modifications to the agenda. Correct. >> No modifications to the agenda tonight. >> All right. We'll
002move on to communications and president's remarks. Like to thank all attendants here tonight and those viewing on YouTube. August is here, so lots of back to school excitement. Uh full fall sports begin today. Orientation for 9th grade and fifth grade will be this Friday. Teachers and staff will be here next week. Hopefully we'll have a great 202526. And with that, I'll pass it on to administration, Mr. Rididgeway. >> Yeah, just a few announcements. I'll do them in a chronological order. So, Friday we have what we call the fall sports community kickoff uh at 7 o'clock at the stadium. Um all of our sports teams will be there to be introduced. And then we also are doing a blue and white scrimmage with the football team. Um so that'll last a hour and a half or
003so. All staff breakfast at 7:30 in the high school cafeteria. Um board members are welcome to come if you'd like to. Uh the event uh goes from 7:30 to about 9:30. Uh we do breakfast, then we have awards for uh years of service, we have honoring retirees, and then we meet our new teachers. I'll say a few words. My understanding is Mr. or I'm sorry, Officer Pierce is going to say a few words about school safety and then uh the staff will go back to their staff meetings. Meet the teacher nights. So Monday, August 18th is middle school high school and elementary is Tuesday the 19th and both are 5 to 7. That is a time change uh for those parents who are used to 6:00 to 8 who are a little earlier. Uh first
004day of school is on the 20th. Coming up quick, we have our uh Harper Creek Educational Association Beaver Booster Golf Outing on August 23rd. There is definitely still time to register. It's a fundraiser for both of those groups. So, two good causes. Um Oh, we're doing a dedication ceremony. So, we are renaming the sports complex at the uh stadium the Ed Greenman Sports Complex. And that event will occur at the first football game Thursday, August 28th. And so the reception is before the game 5:30 to 7. We just uh sent um a press release to the local press and we will also put it in um social media. And then there is a Labor Day weekend pretty quickly. So Friday, August 29th, no school, Monday, September 1st. And then I'm going to have Carla get
005with the building committee. We are ready to look at the facility assessment. So we'll check with you for dates. A date that that they would like to do it is Wednesday, August 27th because that is already a uh core team meeting, but we can schedule at the building committee's convenience. And that is all the communications that I have. >> All right. Thank you for that, Madam Secretary. Any communications? >> Not tonight. >> All right. Thank you for that. District updates, curriculum. Mrs. Williams, good evening. >> Good evening. Uh we successfully wrapped up summer school programming. As you know, we had a couple of different locations. We pivoted because at the last minute, we found out we received some grant money that we thought we were not getting in partnership with the community unlimited. So, our
006K1 um two was at Beetle and then the rest of our kiddos were at the high school. So, it uh was a continuation of last year's goals of infusing careers as well as the um foundational skills in math and reading. Um if you got the opportunity to go, I know I sent you an invite um you would see that they had a final project kind of articulating um something that aligned to their aspiring career at their current age. So, if you were ever 11 or 12 or eight, that may change, but right now they're starting to do some thinking about what they'd like to be when they grow up or what they're becoming. Um we are full force getting ready to on board approximately 23 to 25 new certified staff which is the largest cohort
007um in this district that I've had the opportunity to lead in training. Wednesday will be uh restorative practices. Thursday they will learn about our tool for growth which is thoughtful classroom. And Friday as Mr. way said we have breakfast which we hope you'll all come to at 7:30 to meet them and then they sign and then we move into training um some things around our district as well as our social emotional learning um trails. We had our leadership retreat which uh Rob and I co-led and we had a theme of careers also just bringing new life into our third goal which is not new but it was kind of wasn't dormant but we were we had to get our student support specialist our student support and our counselors trained. So, we've spent a couple years
008doing that and the software is yellow to help um our students explore careers not in high school but starting in elementary. >> Does Mr. Ridgeway have a new four-wheeler we didn't know about? >> He does. We, you know, >> uh Oh, of course he paid for himself. There were no fun, but we uh we worked really hard to create an infused fun. We had a pirate theme, the voyage, whatever. Hence the the silly accessories and um so we visited both the career center our own many have seen it um some had not and then we also um Mr. Mr. Ridgeway coordinated an opportunity to go to Career Connects in Kazoo. So we had one day >> heard by Wing Stadium. >> Okay. >> One day in our own backyard and one day in Kazoo. So
009we did an escape room. We did a scavenger hunt in 90 degree heat which I heard about. But it was fun, wasn't it? Did you? >> It was great. Anyways, so just a lot of exciting things happening and you know it's I always say that it's going to be the best year yet and I am just super excited about what we're doing for kids with kids and with parents. >> Questions for Mrs. Williams? >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Facilities. Mr. Robinson, good evening. >> Thank you. for the report. Um, couple things just to mention. The new oven that we purchased through the food service program has been installed in high school and middle school. Many of you have seen tomorrow. What we did with the crack fil continu. >> Anybody have any questions
010on his report? >> We we continue to work on the rental house. Uh we are not renting anymore and so we are in process of um eventually removing the house. So we're taking everything out for not to be a residence anymore. Right now completely disconnect. All right, thank you for that. We'll move on to finance and Mrs. Overber, good evening. >> Hi. Um, I submitted my reports. A couple of updates. One, the audit is September 2nd through the 5th. Um, so for sure by next meeting I will have the unofficial where we stand as of 6:30. Um, I have almost everything in and ready to go. I'm just waiting on August 8th um to be able to tell you exactly where we ended. Um, I'm hoping we get paid on the 20th, but it gets
011released. I was really hoping it had it just now, so I could tell you guys, but it's not up yet. Um, a couple of were right on track, though. Um, it'll it'll be a little It's right around there, right? There's no way of knowing exactly, but um, it'll be right around either. >> You're not committed to me. >> Yeah. In a week, I will give you the committed answer. Um the a couple of updates. Uh nothing's still from the state as far as funding, which is crazy to me. Um we're about to start school and we don't know how much or what finance financial aid looks like. >> Um one thing that we did sure up um I was assuming but we didn't know for sure food service for the past few years really since
012co um has paid has reimbured us 100% for meals for all students. breakfast and lunch uh no matter what uh income level you were at. That's for sure continuing through September 30th. There was some back and forth on whether it would and then um but no word yet on if it's going to continue. Um Mr. Rididgeway, Mr. Rumaf and I have all sat down and we are coming up with different plans and scenarios, but without their guidance, we don't really know. But for sure, the families will eat free through September 30th. and our principles had indicated that in their back to school letters to parents just to give them a heads up that it's possible that we go back to paid breakfast and lunch. Of course, the free and reduced is still there and people
013have to fill the form out >> and so we're really encouraging families to fill the forms out just in case it does come back and they do qualify. We don't want to have anybody that qualifies able to >> get the benefit. >> And in your opinion, if it goes the opposite way, we still did free breakfast before this, correct? And so that's the contingency plan that we do. We we do have excess fund balance in food service. I think we all know that we've been working with that and we would come to the board with either a plan or ideas of how we could continue or if we chose not to then we would do that. I would guess breakfast would be the priority over lunch, but maybe I'm wrong. >> We're going to run
014the different numbers and scenarios and yeah, I would imagine breakfast would be priority. >> We we did that before. um before co so in 2019 the state superintendent came down to Harper Creek and some of you were on the board because we we were the first district to do a universal breakfast program using our fund balance for for food services and we thought it was a really good way to put money back into food for kids and our families >> the cash balance we're we're looking good we earned around 19,000 in interest which isn't a huge amount because our debt um because we're just now starting to collect taxes again. Um, so that'll continue to grow, but that's just one. >> Yeah. One plug for, you know, folks that are happen to be here and
015we talk about this a little bit. So, we've refinanced our bonds over the years. So, a long time ago, the high school was built in about 2002. And those bonds, you know, have matured over the years and we've refinanced them. And so we are we've been able to cut three years off the end of the bond payments which is estimated by our financial advisors at about $15 million in interest we'll save. So we're really excited about the fact that you know the the board did go through those processes when they could and were able to save that much money. So the bond will be paid off in 2034 instead of 2037. Any questions? >> Thank you. All right, move on to technology and Mr. Mayer. >> It's been a busy summer and everyone's favorite project.
016They expect to have that completed this week. That is all the stuff that was in stock. Cleaned out the inventory and the installation up the balance. That's really exciting. Otherwise, it's been busy with that. And then secondly, I provide you anformational update on the status of the broadcast FCC license we applied for last year. Kind of speaks for itself on that one, but take any questions. >> Everybody knows we're near radio station. >> Just talk about it just a little bit just to give people a flavor of what what you mean. >> Okay. So the idea is if this came to fruition it would be a low radio station radius um from the campus here open to students staff community it comes to fruition. So, you just talked maybe 30 seconds about the the federal
017grants that are kind of out there but not there right now. And >> are we looking for donations? >> It's a wild card. The um Corporation for Public Broadcasting is administering a grant through FEMA. Well, FEMA is a grant through them for funding basically next generation warning system. So, the emergency alert system you hear when there's weather or whatnot. So they're upgrading that through federal funds and there's three rounds of funding. We applied for it in round two. They were still giving out round one funding. That's that's their dragging their feet. And um well with the recent announcement that CPV is closing down this fall that leaves things in limbo, but we have heard that we're still in the running. So I'm guessing whoever picks up the reigns on that um hopefully will consider us
018still because that grant if we received it would pay for everything we need. Otherwise, if anybody has a charitable foundation, Jim would uh love to talk to you. Anything further for Mr. Mayard? Anything further on your side? All right. Thank you. Uh open up to comments related to agenda items. Anybody have anything? Nope. All right. Move on to consent agenda. Madam Secretary, >> chair calls for a motion that the Harper Creek Board of Education approve the consent agenda as follows. Approve the general fund check, school services fund check, school lunch, and the student school activity fund checks in accordance with the list discussed. Approve the general fund check, school services. Okay. Approve the following minutes as reviewed. June 9th, 2025, board of education meeting minutes. July 14th, 2025, Board of Education meeting minutes. July 14th,
0192025, close session meeting minutes. July 22nd, 2025, building committee meeting minutes. July 23rd, policy committee meeting minutes. August 7th, 2025, budget committee meeting minutes. for the audience. We're just reviewing the close session meeting minutes. So moved. >> It's been moved and supported. Do we have discussion? >> Hearing see please call the role. >> Mr. Hverson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Risner, >> yes. >> Mrs. Wat, >> yes. >> Mrs. Alward, I vote yes. Mrs. Wallace, >> yes. >> Mr. Smith, >> yes. >> Mr. Bess, >> I vote yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. 70. Move on to information discussion. School safety. Mr. Ridgeway. >> Okay. Our standing agenda item for school safety. We just again, so folks that are haven't been around, we meet as a school safety committee once a month is a conglomeration
020of local uh police, fire, um, countywide folks as well as school folks and we have two board members on the team. Um, this time we invited all of our staff for our athletic events because we want to talk about athletic uh, safety for fall. We do have, you know, some games in on Friday nights that are very large and wanted to make sure that we had a plan in place um for all situations to keep people safe. Um we always do talk about the worst case just just say just in case. Uh and so we did talk through a few things that we think are going to be positive improvements. Um we we want to make sure that we post with large uh posters evacuation routes from the from the facility. Um, our staff is
021going to wear lanyards that are going to be uh neon. I was orange or red. Jim was green. Jim was ordering those. So that people when you always hear at an airport, see something, say something, but you don't know who to talk to. So we're going to have people with with these on about 20 and if somebody sees something at the game that is suspicious, they can talk to a staff member so we can hopefully address it appropriately. We will have for example the Lake View game, the first game, five resource officers there, three from Harper Creek and two from Lake View. Uh but lots and lots of things that um that we are doing to put in place to make the game as safe as possible uh accessible to everyone. Sometimes our lines are
022really long getting into game so they they've made some adjustments so they have two different entrances. Uh small things like that that can make sure everything works out well. We also talked about the other athletic events. Cross country is another big event that we do several different meets. Um we did identify an issue with the cross country trail or course is near the junior football practice field and making sure we're coordinating to make sure there's no issues um with with folks getting either in the way or getting injured. Beyond that, uh we I did mention already that we talked a little bit about the dedication of the football field to Mr. agreement or football complex. It's a Mr. Agreement. Um and that will be uh from 5:30 to 7 on um August 28th, which we're
023excited about. We also talked about this project out front and so just to give you a heads up and this is not official. This is not Harper Creek official. This is word from the county and the county said that they're going to start that project next Thursday and finish on Saturday, >> but possibly Wednesday. >> Maybe start Wednesday, finish on Friday. Now, that seems like a pretty I don't know, aggressive timeline, but they say that's what's going to happen because when school starts on August 20th, I certainly don't want to have a line of people s out on B Drive North angry and not sure what's going on. So, we did ask the local police to make sure if the project wasn't done that they were present on that first morning of school. That was
024the other conversation we had. >> And then we will be meeting at I believe we said the middle school. So, we're going to go from school to school to school to ask about specific safety issues that are occurring within buildings and how we can continue to progress. >> Quick question. >> Yes. >> Is it the Ed Greeman Sport Complex or athletic? aletic. Did I say sports? >> Well, it says sport on I keep messing that up. Agreement. Athletics. All right. Sounds >> just one >> sounds more official. >> Universal. All right. Any questions on school safety. >> All right. Uh strategic plan update. >> Okay. Same thing. Uh standing agenda item. We want to see what's the progress. So the biggest progress we made is when we had the retreat that Laura spoke about. We
025took quite a bit of time to go over our strategic plan in detail with our administrative staff. who's responsible for what and what things are the priorities. We went through the entire thing, you know, at the board meeting last time. We went through a few things, the entire PL plan to say when exactly are things going to happen, what are things that are going to happen now, what are things that are going to happen in the future. And then the second part is we connected the strategic plan to the school improvement goals that we have so that they're all connected together as we're talk when Mrs. William talks about goals in school improvement planning that those will match up directly with strategic plan pillars. Now, not every pillar has a goal, but we went into
026pretty good detail. And then the the third thing that we did is we want to have a front-facing dashboard. So, we want to have something that the community can look at to say how are we progressing towards this plan? How are we doing academically? How are we doing with all the different things, communication, um you know, all the things that we have within our pillars? and we had EAB, which is now outside company, come in um and help us look at other samples and then decide how we're going to do it. And so what we decided was we're going to take the strategic plan and basically mirror it with our dashboard so that when somebody looks at all the documents, they can kind of see how we're doing each one. Now, we know academics is
027the first thing. And so you're going to see our academic data, our our NWA, which is our local testing, the state testing, our um growth, our achievement. Those things will be out there front-f facing, but you're also going to see things that are that are happening within the school that you may not know, like how are we doing with collaboration these Wednesday uh early releases, you know, how is it going, what's going on, and how is that improving our instruction? because we promised a long time ago that that was the best way to improve our instruction was to ensure our teachers had collaboration time. I mean, the research is pretty clear about it. So, all the stuff that's in the plan will be front-facing with that. Um, and then Carla went around and I think
028she has one more building to go, but all of our posters, the strategic plan posters are on every classroom and so everybody in the district will be able to see them on a daily basis. So, that's the direction we're going. So, that's the progress this month. Good. Yeah, it's it's exciting, but it's, you know, we're the plan is driving the work >> living document. >> All right. Move on to new hires. >> All right. So, guess I'll just do it this way. That that I have a few more. I'm not sure if I can get them up on the screen or not, but um so we've been hiring and sometimes I see on social media people say stuff, but uh basically we're hiring because we had so many retirements last year and so we we've
029had a lot of lot of hires and when people retire other people move into their jobs it opens up a different job and so there's a there's a big shell game going on. So here are the hires for this meeting. So Staca Beagley uh middle school music she she will do band and choir at the middle school. She uh is coming to us with lots of experience and she will start at BA20. So that means 20 years of experience. Ryan Klutch, Soma fourth grade teacher. He is brand new BA1, so bachelor's degree first year. Um Melissa Ralph, who has been a long-term uh substitute teacher, parah interventionist for us. She will be doing middle school, sixth grade English um and math. And she's done a wonderful job with that throughout her entire career. She'll start
030off with the sub pay up until she gets her interimm certificate and then she will move into the um teachers salary. Kelly Tus, middle school functional classroom teacher, that would be for special education. Uh MA13, so someone that is highly experienced. Leslie Wardell, uh middle school art teacher, she has some experience as well. And then Kevin Fra, middle school vice principal. And then I'm going to quickly see if I can get this up and I'll pull it onto the screen for the I had three new hires today and I'm happy to say that we are sec this is the second page. Hold on. We are all but one teaching possession full right now and we have somebody in know that we are in process with hiring um that will the next meeting. So Danielle Henden,
031Sonoma kindergarten, BA1, Kelly Overwick, Sonoma Second Grade, MA10, and Paul Kitchenen, a high school special education teacher. We were a little bit worried about that when we had had many applicants. Um, and Paul comes to us actually from uh an alternate path. He's been a KCC instructor for a long time working with dual enrolled kids, high school kids do enroll. And so we feel like he'll be he'll be a good fit for our district. So I am recommending for hire all of those folks, lots of them. >> Tammy Chapman has been doing a lot of work getting people in and into interviews and going through the process. >> Thank you, Tammy, wherever you're at. All right. Uh let's move on to Trune policy updates. >> Okay. I can go in as much detail or as
032little detail as you want. Oh, >> policy committee met and I put on your on your on your desk. It was in board book also, but I'd like to just sort of reference this. The first one is called June 11th. It's blue. Uh June 11th true and policy update if you can kind of get your hands on that. And if you go in one, two, three pages, it has the policy update summary. There was 38 policies that the policy committee looked at. There's no reason in the world we should go through and look at all these policies individually as a group. But I want you to have this document. It is the summary of the changes so that as a board member that's not in the policy committee that you have, you know, you are
033aware of the things that happened. I can quickly go through a lot of these things. An example, the very first one, they clarified the first amendment rights for individuals at a board meeting. It used to say the public. Now it says individuals first amendment rights. Just a small clarificational change that every individual has has first amendment rights. The second one data breach response. For example, last year there was a big power school breach of data in the in America. We were spared because of Jim Maynard's I don't know it was either really good fortune right of looking ahead because he did not allow any emails from out of country into our district. And the email that came in for fishing came from I think Ukraine. Is that correct? >> Yeah. And so we were not
034affected thanks to his his work. >> But basically this this uh this policy says I digress a little bit if we're notified by a third party. So Power School notified all the districts and said, "Hey, you may have had a data breach." And at that point we have to investigate to see what happened. Luckily we we did not. And then as I go through here they're like the 315s which is title 9. They didn't really change title N at all. They just changed the way they the I'll call it the grammar of the way that they identified things. Uh the next one they changed the address of of the off office of civil rights. So really simple things. What do you need to know? Um there is a requirement of districts. It's on the second
035when I say second page the next page. 3408 firearms and weapons. We have to send out information to all parents in our district about safe storage of uh firearms notice regarding best practices for safe storage of firearms. This a new new thing that the legislators put in that we have to do. For example, um there are some things on 3212 above 33 3301 from the audit that Ginger was talking about that we have to make sure that are matching up with what the federal government expects when we have a debt compliance officer. So, we have some debt at the district. Jinger's our debt compliance officer and the training that's required. for example, uh they remove language that prohibits Michigan-based businesses uh for pref for preferential treatment. Um so now you can have Michigan based businesses
036having preferential treatment for a job you might want to do. Let's just say we are going to do we we received a grant and we put out a RFP. we could say in the RFP that um if you're a Michigan based business, you will get like more points on your rubric when we score it. Um so just things like that. Uh going down to the bottom of that page, uh this is kind of interesting and it it goes with something else later. Religious workplace accommodations for employees and applicants. So let's say somebody has a religious issue with let's say a date on the calendar and they they would like to take the date off. They basically fill a form out and then go we go through a process to see if that person will be
037granted that accommodation. Next page I mean 4106 is the top. Uh it it changed the fe family and medical leave act used to be called uh the Michigan paid medical leave act and now it's the earn sick time act. So it just changed the reference of of what we do. Um this one is interesting for discipline and termination. and it added it added language to include extracurricular positions including athletic coaches. So before our policy didn't stretch out to extracurriculars and now it would and the same processes and policies would be would be there. Um all right a big one 5401 54056 this is all about um title one and parent involvement. So there's been a really big push in the federal government to make sure parents are involved in their ch children's education. And so
038they put a little bit more meat on the bone for uh when we go through a process um to look at our parent and family engagement policy or policy um uh what's the word am I looking for there? Uh the uh the formed uh when we when we create the the parent and family engagement >> guidelines. So the parents need to be involved and we have to prove that the parents were involved. So you may have been to elementary and meet the teacher night and they have something called a parent I'm sorry a title one parent night. So you sit and listen to the principal talk for 10 or 15 minutes about title one. And so we need to go a little bit further throughout this school year to get more information. So going through
039our PTO's PTAs, PTC's, uh trying to get information from parents who were involved with title one to see how we might change our plan. Um, >> I think we already do that, but we will make sure. >> Yeah, we'll make sure that we're doing it to the level that of the expectation. Parents have been involved. I think they're trying to make sure that we are that all school districts in in in America basically are making sure they do that. Um, did you realize in 5411 student promotion, retention, and placement that the school district has the final say on any retention, placement or promotion? Um, but we want to make sure we get parent involvement. We listen to parents. Uh, and we want to make sure we follow any any and all laws that might be
040might be there because sometimes we have um special education IEPs or 504 uh plans that might cause us to make a different decision if those are in place. So, we need to follow laws, but the school does make the final say in in those decisions. um school wellness policy. We added uh if somebody has a meal modification for a 504 plan. So their 504 plan is something to do with nutrition or what they eat. And so we have to make sure that it includes in our wellness policy as well. And then concussion awareness. This one's going to be a tough one to implement. So we have always done athletics where we have concussion forms that parents fill out and students fill out. It is now extended to physical education courses. So virtually every student we
041have takes a physical education course from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. And so getting these forms completed by our parents is going to be a pretty big task. Now we've put it in our new registration form. So any new students to the district already have this, but current students and we don't we we didn't have the information to put it in the this year's re-registration. So, we're going to have to do some work to make sure we get those forms out and filled out by parents. And that's it. The next page is uh administrative guidelines, which are not um things that the board has to approve. So, that was the the update. We also had a request from the school nurse to update policy 5709, lice, knits, and bed bugs. It's going to
042be the best topic tonight. So, you're going to start itching a little bit. >> So, in general, we would like to have, and I think this might be in your blue folder. It looks like this. I can put it up on the screen. >> All right. So, basically, it gives us a little bit as a school district a little bit more um uh how do I say this? Let's say in the lice and knits a student has lice. Previously, we would not have anything in here about student not being able to come to school. But this add addition to the policy at the very top one, I suppose student wrong. I apologize if that's spelled wrong above me. Um, if the parent has to consent to a head examination for them to be readmitted. So,
043the head examination occurs by the nurse, the health aid, or someone that's trained within the school. Um, without this, we wouldn't be checking kids for headlights. And we think it's a good idea that we do that. We continue that process. We've always done it, but this way it's in board policy that if if a parent says, "No, you cannot check my child for headlights." Then we could say, you know, the student can't come to school until we are checking the student for headlights. We don't kick them out because if we find lice, but we make sure that the parent follows through um with, you know, making sure that they're treating the head lice. And then bed bugs is somewhat similar in the blue. If a student's clothing or belongings are infested with by bed bugs,
044the student may be excluded from school until the parent has confirmed that successful treatment has occurred or other remedial steps have been taken place. We have had instances this last school year where we've see bed bugs and the remediation wasn't occurring. It didn't seem as though that there was an effort to remediate the situation and so we could exclude a student in that situation. So those are the two changes from before. Before we wouldn't exclude students. So policy committee did look at those. I think, you know, they can't vote, but they were in agreement that that would be a little bit of help for a school district. And then I finally got the July 25th um true policy update guide. This is only two policies and a form. And this is about opt outs. So
045there was a Supreme Court ruling recently, Muhammad versus Taylor, and basically it said that parents have the right to request an opt out of curriculum materials that you know it could be a relig religious situation. It could be disagreeing with a curriculum that we may be teaching. And so if that were to occur, then there is a form that the parent would fill out and it would go through a process. We all we're all about process. go through a process by which to see if a student would be opted out of that particular curriculum or not. Now, I bring this to your attention because policy 5407, it's called instructional materials. We took a lot of time on this a few years ago and it was about when somebody challenges what we're teaching in a classroom,
046instructional materials or challenges to library books. And we put in processes in place. And I want to make sure you're you're either okay with um take this up. I don't think I have it up on the screen. You're here. I don't I'll just talk I'll kind of talk through two different versions. Just give me a second. I apologize. These I mean the policy thing is like 100 pages thick. So it just gets a little bit long on the two. >> Policy committee meetings are really fun. By the way, if you want to join the policy committee fun group. >> It is a fun group. All right. So, I'm going to talk a little bit about the our current policy and the suggestions from TR. So, let's say we have a complaint about instructional material. In
047the past, it would go to the teacher, then the building principal, second level if there was an agreement, and then a third level that we had put in was a committee review. Um, the new policy instead of going to the teacher then goes to the building principal. So, the parent fills out the form, the new form, it goes to the building principal. If the parent does not agree with the principal's um assessment or or ruling, then it would either go to superintendent or committee review. I would suggest it goes to committee review just like we have. So, the difference is instead of teacher, principal, committee, it's just pr principal committee for library material. So, a parent objects to a book, Trun, the new one, wants it to go just to the superintendent. Um, and I
048would have 30 days to review the book, read the book, go through the book. Um, and then I would get a committee together or at least an advisory group together to talk about it, and then I would make a ruling. What we have in place previously that we came up with was um it would go to the building principal and then to a committee review. So my question is do you like the building principle then committee review or do you prefer to superintend it and I bake in a committee within what I do for the review >> and taking out the principal >> it if the principles were sitting here that have done this and it hasn't happened very often it has happened twice I think um it was a it was a a pretty
049big effort the principal's part because you got to read the books right now they're elementary books they're pretty short but if they're high school books they're novels that are pretty long and so it takes it takes a minute. U I know when Ed did it I mean it was quite a big deal for him to read two or three different books in that 30-day period because he's got a job to do not just reading books. We had decided previously in the committee to make sure that we had our library specialists because they can look up things um to say what level is the book like this book would be for elementary kids, this book would be for high school kids. you know, people that do that do it more for a living than than maybe
050I would. So, I would get a committee to do that if I was the person doing it. Or does the board prefer the committee review? Maybe you say, I don't I don't know. The policy committee could take a look at it. We could wait and keep with what we have. The only issue we have is this opt out was a Supreme Court decision and we need to implement it as soon as possible in case it happens to follow the law. If you're asking my recommendation, I am okay with trying out having the superintendent do it with the with the caveat that I will have an advisory committee that will help the process and not just an individual person making the call on my own accord because I may have my views might be different than
051other people's views and you know I I think the board is the community. Um, it could always come to the board, but if we have book reviews coming to the board, I mean, you're obviously gonna have people that are going to have really big opinions and, you know, I think you'd rather put me in the line of fire than you in the line of fire. >> Is this in a motion for tonight's action? >> We we would we could we can either take the motion or take it out of the motion. I think it would probably be in the motion to do the board the policies as reviewed, but if we don't feel comfortable, we can take this is what I say policy 5407 out. Anybody have any objection to 5407 right now? Any concern?
052>> Because I would go with with TRUN's recommendation. Um very similar to what we had previously for instructional materials and a little bit of change for book reviews. It's like I said, it's happened twice so far in our >> voting is the policy change that has you with a committee reviewing for the book >> for the library books. Yes. >> And that's in the Truan update. That's that's what Truan is suggesting from the Supreme Court ruling. >> Correct. >> I'm fine with that. >> The policy or sorry the the form is no big deal. There is another policy that was in there. It was employee speech and that just simply says if a if a teacher receives a opt out asked then it they reference this the parent to the form. So it goes through
053the process. >> By the way for the audience Trun is our legal uh firm. >> Yeah. They do our policy state. >> I have no problem with as recommended >> and we could always do it and then have the policy committee look at it. The board the board can always change policies. You can change policies every meeting if you'd like. If this is one that we don't feel comfortable with, you want the policy committee take a look at next time they meet. We certainly can do that and dig dig deeper into it than at a board meeting. Now, >> I just had one question on the concussion um protocol. Was there a timeline? I can't remember. I know we talked about it at the policy committee meeting. Was there a timeline that that the parents
054or or grown-ups needed to >> There was no nothing in the law says it has to be done it by a certain date. You have to do it each year and then we have to keep those papers, those signatures. I believe it was for five years. Okay. >> So, a parent would do it once every five years. >> And then is there a protocol for gym class to then follow related to concussions if they happen during gym? just like football. >> So, basically it references the MHSA protocols and I have put those into our student handbook which I'll talk about next. >> I only had one question 50 5104 age of majority added language clarifying student rights and I think in your notes you've got 18year-old and then F not G. >> Oh, I can
055let me do something really quick. You guys are gonna see my messy computer, but I'll move it over here so you can >> I'm just gonna look it up real quick. Hold on. It was Which one was it? >> 5401. >> I'm sorry. 5104. >> 5104. >> I I because I can grab it real quick. If you as an audience member would like to see our policies, they're on our website as well. I'm pulling it from actually my hard drive so it's quicker. Okay. So right now there's the age major majority. So ch a student turns 18 these are the things that a student can do. So unless inconsistent with court order students who are 18 or older may have the same rights as their parents as they relate to access to control their student
056records. So they can access their student records represents themselves in a disciplinary conference. request a personal curriculum, have other rights or privileges as determined by the superintendent designate, sign themselves out of school, or provide reasons for their absences. And so the change, what my what? >> It says F, not G. >> F G was put. >> I apologize. I I believe um there was other rights that they would have. So we we said we would do provide reasons for an absence or attorney, but we would not allow students to Oh jeez. >> I'll go different. >> Hey, you can get back to us if you like. I don't think it's going to uh >> we talked about it. >> Do you remember what was it that we would >> I have the the printed stuff
057from Junior right here. So I got this F not G. >> So we said so we okay with >> I forgot my flash. >> Oh, I know what it was. >> Okay. So there was two options. The the committee was okay with signing themselves out of school, but the committee was not okay with providing reasons for their absence. So we would get rid of providing reasons for absent. The committee recommendation was that >> FN >> that it would still come from >> I don't see a G up there. Well, there's a G in this. >> Oh, okay. >> That it would still have to come from a parent or guardian. The reason for their absence didn't agree on it, then it probably just >> Okay. So the new policy basically is this with A through
058B's got it >> unless you want kids to sign themselves or write their own absences. That's not a great idea. >> An honorary >> can can we do that legally? I mean they are >> it's e optional too. So we could say they can't sign this out of school, but we never been there. >> Okay. >> Anything further on updates? >> All right. Move on to student handbooks. >> All right. So, we have a student handbook now, even though it is plural on the thing. And so, we have a student handbook that does all of our schools. And I'm not going to go through the entire thing because most of it did not change. Um, we made sure that it looked really good, um, in terms of the formatting and all of that kind of
059stuff. It is kind of nice. Uh, the table of contests is accurate in terms of all where all the page numbers are. The things that may have changed. I'm just trying to get to a spot where you can see how this is for all there's our calendar, school calendar, daily schedule for all of our different classes. That didn't change. We are no longer going to call all of the radio stations because they typically don't pick up the phone when we call them anymore. So, we're going to do the callout system, the website, um the app that we have, social media, wood, channel 8, TV8, and WWMT3. So, channel 3 are the new are the places we're going to advertise. That was a change. There's lots of legal things like this. Notice of non-discrimination is legal.
060We have our title N coordinator, our 504 coordinator, our civil rights coordinator. All those things are identified within within the handbook. Of course, I can't get get to one where it's different between elementary and high school. There's the bed bugs we just talked about. I did include the new thing if we do approve that. This is a draft. It hasn't been put out yet. So, if you approve it and everything will match up. A big big deal nowadays, cell phone use. We didn't change our cell phone usage from last year, but we do not allow cell phone use at school anymore. Um, kids at the high school can have them on their person, but they're not allowed to use them during the school day. Middle school kids have to have them in their lockers. And
061then elementary kids would have to, if they have a cell phone, has to be principal permission basically to have it inside of their backpacks. >> Another district within the Battle Creek area just went to a >> Yeah, I think you did the same. Yeah. >> No. Harper Creek High School middle school cell phone rules as opposed to elementary cell phone rules. So I found one where it's a little bit different between the different buildings. But that kind of gives you an idea the changes that that are in the policy or I'm sorry in the handbook mostly around the high school schedule change. Um you know we went from a block schedule to a more traditional schedule and that changed the number of credits to graduate. Um it it it uh it basically changed it by
062year too. So, freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors have different numbers of credits. Eventually, the freshman will be all will be where everybody's at, but it takes a four-year process to get to there as to what credits they need. Um, we did change the grading scale from a four-point scale to a 12-point scale. We talked about that previously a little bit, I think, at a board meeting where an A was a 4.0, an A minus was a 4.0. Now, uh, an A is a four, an A minus is a 37. Make sense? And all the way down the line. So, you get to an E, you get a zero. >> Looking at the the bottom piece, do we have anything on there about use of AI? >> Q of AI. >> Exactly. >> We we have
063an AI policy for the board. Now, you asked me that question. I'm going to take a look real quick just to see if there's an AI reference in our in here. It's alphabetical. So, I'm just looking at from the top there on each section. I don't believe we have an AI um rule in the handbook, but we do have AI in the policy book. >> I mean, it's it's a good question. I mean, I've read some articles about how they're seeing an uptick in that in colleges, kids, students using AI to basically write term papers and >> yeah, we we've been dealing with it for sure and we have procedures in place. It might be a good idea for us to take a look about adding it in. The really nice part about this student
064handbook is it's easy to update and change because it's electronic. We don't we used to print these things, right? Big old piece stacks of paper. Now they're not. And so if we made an update at the board level, we could we could literally put it in place. So if we said we think AI is a is something we want to make sure we have rules or regulations on, we will go search those out, talk to TRUN, um see what we're currently doing, and then bring it back to the board. And a shameless plug for our joint board meeting on September 29th, Monday, um we will have um what is the uh person's name from the >> Anna McRum is going to be will be um speaking to us about um AI. So maybe it is
065something that we look at, but might we want to consider waiting to hear what she might weigh in on the topic and just suggesting or maybe we start to craft something have it ready to go once we've heard her >> position. I I think that's great. I I got to believe Churn has a has a point of view on this. A policy statement somewhere on AI. >> Yep. >> I'd be shocked if they did. >> Yeah, we definitely have policy. We just got to get to the procedure level >> for the handbook. >> Yeah, I would think if there's something in there that is prohibitive, it needs to be set at the beginning of the school year. >> Okay. Let me take a let me take a hard look just to make sure it's not
066already in there. But there really wasn't a lot of changes except for changing the legal requirements that we should just are going to change with our policies. >> I'm trying to I thought for sure there was something about AI in here, but I'm just trying to look for it real quick. I know I'm taking time up. I apologize. >> Yeah, it's a bit it's a big thing for us. We just went through a lot of training and we're required to identify if we've used it. >> I did a letter of recommendation for somebody and I got it back AI corrected. Can we use your ver the new version? I thought okay. >> Yeah. Yeah, when I was talking about credits, 2026 graduates, 27, 28, 29, and the different credits that they need to graduate is
067outlined in here. And you say, why is there why is there more and less? It's because with a block schedule, there was more possible credits than there is with our traditional schedule. These are all the requirements by grade level, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. I'm just trying to get to the spot where we have the discipline that I think that's where the AI stuff was at. >> I'm in discipline. So there all the different types of discipline. >> You know what pages? 52. >> Come >> 52. >> You were so close. >> So that that's the only reference so far. That's a that's a small reference. >> Good job. >> AI is definitely bigger than that. I mean it's it's not okay. I would say to cheat >> in there somewhere. >> So technically it's
068in. But I I do think that we should take a deeper dive. I really do. I >> Well, and it's not just about plagiarism cheating. It's also about using it correctly and using it. I mean, if you're not using AI and some sort, then you're probably missing out a job that >> and then how how to use it correctly. >> Yeah, exactly. So, >> okay. How about this, President Best? Why don't I uh at the next next meeting come back with um suggested I'm not I don't say changes in the handbook, but suggested uh and guidelines for the district. We're good with that. I know you had mentioned Brad that you like to see something before the start of the school year, but >> I think it's there. >> It's a little bit. It's got
069enough in it there. If we had an issue, if we want to make an adjustment after that, then we can. >> I think it's there, but if we have a plan that >> helps clarify, >> I think that give administration enough time to to actually, you know, >> get the details worked out. Jinger, you had something >> page 14. There's a longer information >> 14. How did I miss that? >> Even speed reading, right? >> Yeah. >> Oh. >> Or is that this is just about cheating, right? Using AI to assist completely >> that seems a little vague. >> Yeah, >> because I could see uses of it where it can assist, but >> positively, right? And so what what we've learned uh is the practice that you should do is really teacher byte teacher
070in giving assignment. What is the use of AI for this assignment? >> You can't use it. You can use it to enhance your work or AI is the assignment. We're going to use AI to do something and then we're going to critique it. For example, write a paper and critique it afterwards. But I I can dig the guidelines up and then I will bring them to the board and and that'll give us a better idea on top of the thing we're doing with Anna that will help and then see if there is things in the other things in the handbook that we need to put specifically. Um one thing at the very end was this idea of concussions is at the very end of the handbook which is say it's new but this is the
071form. So, it's called concussion information sheet awareness from the CDC. This is what the MHSA is using. And so, this is the form that we'll give to all parents. I'm just going to flip through it kind of quickly. And then at the next page, a little more information and then a signature at the bottom. Um, and so we will work on getting this out and signed by our district parents. >> And then our gym teachers will be working on how they notify and deal with those issues. Yeah, that that that is set pretty well now. We went through through a process with the athletic director and what we do for athletics and now all of our visa teachers and teacher or coaches will be trained the same way. >> Um my biggest concern for concussions
072would be uh junior football and making sure that the protocols are ironclad so that type of thing does not get missed. um saw a lot of of undiagnosed concussions is what I thought when I was a junior football coach. So, making sure our athletic department >> Yeah. dials in dials that in. >> So, generally speaking, we didn't have we didn't have many or if any internal changes that were different than what the law firm is suggesting. So, last year we had a few with the cell phone policy and there's a few big ones. This year we didn't have any big changes like that. So I want you to be rest assured it's long document but it wasn't a lot of changes just legal changes that came along with our policy review. >> All right if
073nothing further there let's move on to MASB delegate assembly. >> All right we have to pick uh somebody who can attend. Um and so we have to do this I believe by October. We don't have to do it tonight but if we can it'd be great. Right now, Shay is our rep. The meeting is Thursday, October 2nd. Unfortunately, it's in Traverse City, so it is a long drive. It's part of I'm sorry, Thursday, October 23rd at 7. We have to notify by the second. It's in Traverse City during the MASB conference. Barry is technically the alternate, >> but any board member could be the delegate that that may be attending. >> Okay. If something happens, No, >> no. If you if you can't make it, let me know. >> Okay. >> So, hey J, >>
074you're in. >> All right, let's move on to U item G, naming of facilities. I tried to explain this in the Friday email, but basically we, you know, we had a naming of facilities request um to name the basketball court at the high school gym in honor of Gary Lincoln who passed last year, earlier this year, I guess. Um and so the the naming facility got together, they had quite a few questions and they wanted to get some clarification um from the person that requested who happened to be um Gary's son, Ben. And so I've gone through the process of of having those conversations and my next step is going to be reaching back out to the naming facility and talking to each individual about, you know, this is what the request is and they
075basically make a recommendation to the board. The board will make the final decision of whatever that final decision is, but they just wanted clarity. Um I think I mentioned at the last meeting that this if we were to move forward with it, it would come with a um $250,000 uh donation. Um, so I look at it in the sense that, you know, does the person that we're honoring, are they I don't use the wrong word here, worthy of the of the of the naming? And, you know, Mr. Lincoln put in a lot of time and effort in our district. He did a lot of that time and effort, you know, with the men, but prior to that, you know, a longer time ago, he was a coach. um he was a teacher, he became a
076board member and then you know the men's coach stuff is always in the background and then it became the foreground for him. So I think he has the legacy to certainly have something named after him and the committee did agree to that. They said they that that yes, we think that he does. They just wanted to know if that was the only request and so I I did some clarification and yes, that is what the request is. So I'll go back to the committee and they'll come back to you. We were hopeful to come to you tonight but unfortunately it just it didn't work out that way. So, we will come back. I'll come back to you with their recommendation. Um, I talked about a special meeting, but President Bess said we think it's best
077that something like this should happen at a regular meeting with advertising so people can in the community can voice their opinion. I believe is what we had talked about. Well, that's that's where it stands right now. We met, didn't make a decision at this point or a recommendation at this point, got more information, and I'm going to reach back out to give the information to the committee. I really wish the money wasn't something we were talking about and that they were separate >> because I we're naming a facility for somebody because of their legacy or we're naming a facility because it's coming with money which are two very different things and that was >> just like it's being bought, not that it's because of the legacy because every time we've talked about it, it's been
078about the money. >> I want to make sure we're separating the two that if it's about a legacy, let's name it for the legacy money. >> But in the committee, we did talk about that like I mean Barry's >> I mean I was I because I share that opinion, right? I mean, I think and we we talked about it in that vein. Uh it's interesting because um we talked about the contribution Gary contributions Gary's made and they're significant. We all felt that, but it was worthy of recognition. Um the reality though is it's it's hard to ignore part B of that discussion which is a pretty not only a sizable donation to Harper Creek to begin with but then an ongoing um partnership. And so you know the intent was hey let's separate the two
079but once you have the initial discussion it's hard to it's hard to keep them separate in reality. I guess that's the best way to put it. And uh um so again I think the the committee was very supportive. It just they wanted to explore some other options with Ben. Um and then for me just to comment on on on Ben. I you know I obviously knew Gary very well through board service and through uh the men's club. I had never met Ben. I have not uh ever had a conversation with him before I was on the phone with him. Um, I found him to be uh very genuine. Um, I found him on both fronts, both very genuine about um what he believes his dad meant to the Harper Creek community, but also very genuine
080about his own personal experience at Harper Creek and wanting to continue his dad's legacy of giving back to the community, not only in 2025, but in years beyond. So, I was I was very I was very impressed with his his his approach and uh how genuine he was in the in the request. >> I'd say he definitely had a holistic approach, but um I I agree the >> kind of a push pull a little bit, >> right? Are we are we selling options to >> Yeah. provide it? >> I gotcha. Anything further? That's the information I have at this point. I want to make sure is as up to date with what what I what I know and what I have at this point. >> All right, let's move on to the transportation hoist. >>
081Okay, unfortunately our hoist now I'm going to talk out of school here because I don't know what I'm talking about with this uh this stuff, but basically the back end the rear of the hoist cylinder broke is in the floor. So, we have to cut cement out, all kinds of different things, put a new cylinder in, and unfortunately, it's it's a cost of $41,589.40. A very large bill. It's bigger than what I can approve, you know, as superintendent. Um, so I'm bringing it to the board. Uh, I asked a lot of questions. Ginger, our finance director, asked a lot of questions. Do we have to have this? Can we live without this? And generally speaking, we we cannot safely pick up a bus without this fixed. So, it's one of those things we have to
082move forward with. We want to continue to fix buses. If we were to farm out our buses from for mechanic services, our costs would probably triple. So, I I do believe this is something we have to do. So, I am asking the board to approve this uh bid uh and a 5% contingency just in case there's anything that happens to pop up during the process. This is the only company that we know of that does hoist. American hoist air and loop. >> Yeah. You know, because we always want to get lots of bid, three bids, but this was the only place that does the work. >> We've done work with them before, Jim. >> They rebuilt that place that does work. >> Yeah. So, that's the request. Uh, and I would recommend that we move
083forward with it. Yes, it's a lot of money, but we just can't go without. Do they accept coupons? >> Probably not. >> All right. Um, move on to comments from the audience. Anybody have any comments? All right. Action item A, new hires. >> Chair calls for a motion. The Harbor Creek Board of Education approve the following new hires. Stacia Bagley, middle school music teacher, bachelor's degree, Eastern Michigan University, MA20. Ryan Klutch, Sonoma, fourth grade, Ball State University, BA1. Melissa Ralph, Middle School, sixth grade, math, alternative pathways, teachers of tomorrow, $200 per day until intram certificate, then BA2. Kelly 2's, middle school functional classroom teacher, master's degree, Walden University, MA13. Leslie Wardell, middle school art teacher, master's degree, Western Michigan University, MA13. Kevin Farac, middle school vice principal, master's degree, Western Michigan University, 84,000 Z $84,48.
084Danielle Henden, Soma Elementary kindergarten teacher, bachelor's degree, Western Michigan University, alternative pathway, K3 endorsement, BA1. Kelly Overwick, Sonoma Elementary, second grade teacher, master's degree, Eastern Michigan University, MA10. Paul Kitchen, high school special education co-teer, master's degree, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, Alternative Pathway, Secondary English and Special Education Endorsement, BA3. >> So moved. >> Been moved and supported. Do we have discussion? We we've had quite quite a few hires and this is the theoretically the end of the hires starting school and we have a full staff. So I appreciate that. >> All right. >> Please call the role. >> Mr. Halverson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Risner, >> yes. >> Mrs. Wat, >> yes. >> Mrs. Alward, I vote yes. Mrs. Wallace, >> yes. >> Mr. Smith, >> yes. >> And Mr. Bess, >> I vote yes. >>
085Motion carries 70. >> All right. Thank you for that action item B. Trune policy updates. Chair calls for a motion that the Harper Creek Board of Education approve the TRU and policy updates June 11th, 2025, July 25th, 2025, and the update to policy 5709, lice, knits, and bed bugs reviewed by the policy committee. >> Support. >> It's been moved and supported. Do we have any discussion? I'd just like to say thank you to the policy committee through going through all those and Rob for earning every penny of this paycheck today. That was difficult. So, thank you for that. >> Yeah. I mean, what what we do, we we go through this this whole thing on put on the overhead and we go through every single policy to see what the changes actually are. So, you
086feel comfortable with somebody is going through all >> there's a reason in my 10 years and eight months that I have chose not to be on the policy committee. All right. Thank you for that. If nothing further, please call the role. >> Mr. Hverson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Risner, >> yes. >> Mrs. Wat, >> yes. >> Mrs. Alward, I vote yes. Mrs. Wallace, >> yes. >> Mr. Smith, >> yes. >> And Mr. Best, >> I vote yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you. Action item C, student handbooks. Chair calls for a motion that the Harper Creek Board of Education approve the 2025 2026 Harper Creek Community School student handbook as discussed and reviewed. >> So moved. >> Been moved and supported. Do we have discussion? >> Hearing see none. Please call the role. >>
087Mr. Hverson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Risner, >> yes. >> Mrs. Wat, >> yes. >> Mrs. Alward, I vote yes. Mrs. Wallace, >> yes. >> Mr. Smith, >> yes. and Mr. Best. >> I vote yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> Thank you for that. Action item D. MAS MASB delegate assembly. >> Chair calls for a motion that the Harper Creek Board of Education assign Sheay Wat as region 6 delegate representative and Barry Smith as delegate alternate alternate in the MSAB 2025 delegate assembly on October 23rd, 2025 at 700 p.m. So moved. It's been moved and supported. Do we have discussion? >> Hearing see none, please call the role. >> Mr. Hverson, >> yes. >> Mrs. Risner, >> Mrs. Wat, >> yes. >> Mrs. Alward, I vote yes. Mrs. Wallace, >> yes. >> Mr. Smith, >> yes.
088>> Mr. Bess, >> I vote yes. >> Motion carries 70. >> All right, last action item. E, transportation hoist. Chair calls for a motion that the Harbor Creek Board of Education authorized the bid from American Hoist and Lube to repair the transportation hoist for $41,58940 with a 5% cost contingency. >> So moved. >> Support. >> It's been moved and supported. Do we have discussion >> or coupons? >> All right. Hearing seeing none, please call the role. >> Mr. Herson. >> Yes. Mrs. Risner, >> yes. >> Mrs. Wat, >> Mrs. Alward, I vote yes. Mrs. Wallace, >> yes. >> Mr. Smith, >> yes. >> And Mr. Best, >> I vote yes. >> Motion carry 70. >> All right. Does anybody have anything for the next meeting? As usual, I reach out by text and email. >>
089Not really anything for the next meeting. I would just jot it down in my notes. Is there anything that um the school districts or the board of educations in Calhoun County can do to put pressure on our representatives to get some movement at the state level for their um dragging feet of the >> So I believe >> Lake View did some type of national >> they did one for federal >> federal for funding um to release funds, But it's a to me it's it's a formality. It's just something that we would do. But and ultimately I don't know that it that it goes anywhere. Not unless every school district in the state did it. Then that would be a >> you know different >> one thing I've done is I reached out to our state
090senator Thomas Albert talked to him personally um to try to you know what's going on with what's happen like um he didn't have a lot of answers at the time. Um, I could reach out to Steve Frisbee, although he does not represent Upper Creek. He does represent areas in Battle Creek. He would pro, you know, he probably would talk and say what what he feels is happening. And then Sarah Lightner is our other one who is our representative, but the way that our district is set up, she's a ways away from us. So, we don't really I don't see her much in the area. But that kind of pressure I could do. >> But >> a board pressure would be, you know, >> well, I mean, from a from a practical standpoint, it seems >>
091should there be legislation that's that says that the state of Michigan and individual school districts will be on the same calendar >> timing for budget approval. So it's it's less about a complaint saying you do your job just but from a from a standpoint of practicality if >> I think there is they're in violation right now are they not? >> Uh I from my experience in the past October 1st is the real deadline. >> Okay. >> So then then the question becomes if their deadline if their deadline is October 1st why are the school districts for June >> different findings. Yeah I think that they had put in place I don't know if it was not in law but The goal was to have it done by July 30th every year. June or July, I'm
092sorry, June 30th every year, which is our end. >> Is MASB doing anything? Because they would be the ones who think >> MASB MAS >> they're not having everybody take action collectively. >> They they are all continuing to write letters, pressure, all the things to >> but not collectively. I mean, >> yeah, they're all doing it together. >> No, no. >> So, they're having you do it? No, they they do it on behalf of >> but they didn't ask us to take any >> they didn't ask every school district and state to to pass a motion. >> It would be more if every school did it, not a organization for the schools. >> It I think >> I think it's kind of fallen off the um the radar of the press. I don't see it
093as much in our local press. And I think that um when the press catches wind of something, I think if there's if there's more movement and pressure from from us, it makes a story and then it puts more pressure on like it's a >> it's kind of a domino effect. I It just seems like it's making our job harder as a school district to get things done. >> And it's like >> there's no question. I think it is. you've got each side pointing at each other and and you can tag on to one side or the other, but really comes down they don't want to work together. >> I think it makes us hesitant, right? We're not we we're not willing to put ourselves out there and either move forward with something, you know, the
094hoist. I mean, >> that was something to >> we take a deep breath on because we're just not sure. I mean, are we going to be okay in our budget because we got to buy this hoist >> and poor ginger. It's just it's illogical >> from a from a financial and budgeting standpoint. It's and we continue to operate in this illogical environment >> and just I mean things as as you know it might sound it might be a little thing to a lot of our families but school breakfast and lunch >> that might be a big deal to to many of our families and if it makes a difference for one of the families then it's our problem not or it's an issue that we should really I appreciated the communication about hey heads up
095there might be some financial um ramifications at the family um level, but this is kind of silly. >> Are you uh making any recommendations that we >> I I mean whatever we need I'm happy to I love writing letters. Um you know I I don't know what that looks like. I don't know if it's something that we can bring up at our joint meeting. If that's too far in advance, like I'd like to think that by September 29th, there would be something. I I don't know what the answer is, but I think that that as a board we can we can do something. >> Yeah. The key for this this is not a a partisan commentary. This is just a logical financial planning item. So, I think it it probably worth I mean we we're
096having all of our local schools. We're getting together for this joint meeting. I think we should at least carve out a spot on that agenda to have a discussion about that. >> My guess is by then they're going to have this plane landed. Um because >> but it's going to be the same problem a year a year from now. This isn't just a one and done. I mean um so I and I guess I would go even so far as to maybe there's a hungry reporter at Channel 3 who wants to hunt this one down. I mean, it it it's illogical. It's creating a ton of angst and extra work for every school district in the state and it gets brushed under the rug every year. >> Something where we may make a joint motion
097of the four Battle Creek districts to move the date from October 1st to June 30th or >> Well, whatever the date, just pick 88, >> right? But make it make it the same. >> Yeah. >> So we're not >> Yeah. >> living in limbo. >> Um >> might administration uh >> I I'll look for see if I can find some sample motions that are already potentially created >> and then I will take that to the next president's meeting and >> there probably is >> see if the other boards are interested in supporting it and that might be something that we could then do as a four joint boards uh at that meeting. Anything further? >> I was just going to say and then they could see if the other ISD ones would want to join
098in. >> Not just the four, but the whole county through the ISD >> to 12 of them. >> So, you want to speak to the superintendents at your next meeting? >> Yeah, we meet Friday. >> Oh, good. Okay. >> Yeah. And I'm happy like if there's anything that I can do and like I do love writing. >> I'm glad you do because >> I love writing. >> Oh, I thought you said fighting. Oh, no. No writing. >> All right. Uh, we are going to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. Good night and thank you to the audience for coming.