001We'll call the June 15th Calonia Community Schools regular meeting to order. Please join me in honoring our country for the pledgece 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. >> Tonight, tonight we have a item four is a public hearing on our uh 2025 I'm sorry. >> Um Barb Garcia >> here, Randall >> here. >> Collins >> here. phone here. Morris. >> Yeah, I'm here now. >> And Nicholls. >> All right. Now we can move on to item four, which is a public hearing on the 2025 26 final budget amendments. Third. >> All right. Um so we're going to look at two different budgets tonight. We're going to look to um finalize our third and
002final amended budget for the 202526 school year and then also look at the proposed budget um for adopting for starting off the 202627 school year. So first looking at the final budget amendments for this current fiscal year that's ending. Um big picture looking to end the year at 75.1 million in revenues and 76.2 2 million in expenses. And that would be an estimated shortfall of 1.1 million. And with that, if we would end the year with that, that would be a 17.1% fund balance at 13 million. And just a reminder that this is a final June amended budget. And so we have to bring a budget to the state um and with final audit that we cannot overexpend the budget. So we do anticipate that the audit will be a a bit lower um close
003to flat. So with that um with audit we would then expect fund balance to approximately be at 18.9%. expenditures. So then looking at the detail behind that and we did talk about this at our um committee of the whole last week. So this it's hard to see here um but it also is on our website as well or will be. The first column is our auditive numbers from last fiscal year. Then each of the grade columns have been the budgets. um from this current fiscal year. So, we're kind of looking at that third grade column highlighted there for the third budget. And so, that looks and you can see the 75.1 million in revenues. It breaks it down by category. And then the on the expenditure side, same thing, breaks it by category um with
004the 76.2 million. And then we'll also be talking about that last grade column is the proposed budget for next year. And with the proposed budget for next year, budgets again are built on assumptions. And so the assumptions that are based and put into this budget on the revenue side, we are adding um preschool classrooms to each of our elementarymentaries this coming up year. And so with that, we have an estimated 137 FTE increase to enrollment. and that equates to a foundation per pupil allowance um increase and so that's 1.4 million and on the same token that's an increase in expenditure side for the staffing also assuming a 2% foundation increase of 250 per pupil and that equates to 1.2 million and then we are seeing in this built-in is the removal of that 31 aa
005of 600 mil thousand Then on the expenditure side, so expenditures includes full staffing all year um with contractual salary increases. So percentages that were on scale as well as steps. Also on the insurance side, looking at a net 3% increase in insurance for medical and that's based on January this past year's enrollment selections. And then ancillary benefits would remain the same. Here's where you see that we're adding 15 preschool positions for those new classrooms. And the staffing for that includes a coordinator for preschool lead teachers and associate teachers. We're also adding young fives at each of our elementary schools. So for us, that would be an increase of two young fives teachers. And then this slide shows you the other positions that we are adding this year based on um needs. So you'll see several
006um for special education and some general education and then MTSS supports and an assistant director of teaching and learning. So big picture with those assumptions, we're looking at um revenues of 76.5 million, 80.5 million in expenditures with an estimated shortfall of 3.9 million. And if that would come to be and if our June amended budget is where we actually ended, then we'd be at a 9.1% fund balance. But knowing that our June where we're going to end the year with audit is expected to be better than our June budget amendment, then we would add that back in and still worst case scenario then we'd be looking closer to a 13% fund balance. Part of this budget also includes um our tax levies. So included in your packet are the L4029s and we are able to
007fully um collect our 18 mills for our operating budget. We did see this year a headley reduction again but because we have that buffer in our millillage were able to access that and collect the full 18 ms and then our death millage is still at 7 ms. Any questions? So just to can you summarize again for our goal as a board is was it 13%. >> Okay. So with the audit budget from 2526 that comes in >> percent. >> Yes. Correct. And I know that this isn't probably the word for it, but essentially in these budgets when we show the shortfall, um, in a way we somewhat have a contingency built in because we can't overspend beyond the budget, right? So when we see a shortfall, it could be if worst case scenario, but >>
008right >> in likelihood if things don't go as terribly as what we think they are, there's going to be money recaptured at the end. >> Correct. Correct. So in this it's broken down, you can see by categories and this is how we're required by the state um to submit this information. And so when the board adopts a budget and approves a budget, um you're approving it by each of the the amounts by category. And so when a final audit comes in, we are not allowed at the state level to overspend the amount per category on the expenditure side of what's listed here because this basically in the resolution that you'll approve is what you're saying that we are able to spend. And if we would go over that, we would get um reprimanded at the
009state level. And so we do try to have our final budget be as close to what we think actual will be. Um but we still have this is put together in late April, early May. So we still have a couple months. We also do acrruel accounting. So then we also have actually June and July that and things in July and August that have to be booked back. So there's some time period in there that still is questionable about what what will come in. >> Thank you. You're welcome. I'll say in the 14 years that I've been on this board, we've had the same sort of situation where it looks looks rough for for the budgeting purposes. So, great question and it's great for the community to know as well and thank you for keeping the
010additional state friends out of our office by the Yes. >> budgets. Absolutely. Yeah. the the goal for for me and um most districts around is to try and keep that variance um anywhere between like a one and a half, you know, one one and a half percent. So that's kind of like the goal to be at. Um so that's what I'm striving for, but some years are a little better, some years are a little worse. That's kind of the goal. We talked about this in committee at length and I want to make sure we have the opportunity for trustees here tonight to be able to ask any additional questions. We will be voting on this tonight. So the other thing I'd just add is that of course a big element to this all is the
011state budget and uh we have relatively little information about how that's going to end up. The one thing that the three different parties who have to agree, the governor and the house and the senate, the one thing that they have all indicated is a similar approach is the $250 per student increase. Uh but as you've seen on that earlier slide here, that's a 2% increase. And as you can tell, many of our costs are going up by slightly more than that. Uh however, the state also has other funds and we don't know yet how that will be rolled out and in what shape that will look like. So um you know this is always a dicey proposition here as we sit in June. We are required by law to have a budget in place by
012June 30. Um the legislature gives itself an imposed target to have something done by July 1. Um but as we saw this past year, they really don't even have to have it until September 30th. And even then this year it went a little past that. So um that makes our budgeting a little difficult because again on the revenue side we don't even really know what we're looking at. >> And with that that's um so this is looking at then pretty much worst case scenarios like if all of our staff that we're hiring started first thing July 1 stayed with us through the end of the year. Um I'm budgeting all of our staff to be at the highest retirement um percentage rate. Um and staff there's many different plans to choose from and so those
013rates vary. So this budget has the full cost and everyone at the highest rate which is not the case. Um so there is already built in a buffer there and um staff can choose to have some of their compensation go into an annuity or and that can be um some savings um towards the district as well on FICA expenses. And so this does not incorporate any of those savings. So there's some built-in um offer so to speak as well. >> Great. Any other questions from our trustees? Great. Thank you very much. Next item on the agenda is public comment for agenda items. I believe these are all relative to non-aggenda items. So, we'll get to that at item 11. It's not that far down the list. It may seem far, but hang with us. It'll
014come quicker than you think. All right. On to uh item six, consent to agenda. May 18, 2026, regular meeting minutes. June 10, 2026, committee of the whole meeting minutes. May 2026 payables and May June 2026 personnel report. Is there a motion? I move that the board of education approved a consent agenda as presented. >> Seconded by John. Is there any discussion on the consent agenda today? See none. Please call the role. >> Garcia. >> Yes. Nicholls. >> Yes. Clint, >> yes. >> Pone, yes. Brando, >> yes. >> Morris, >> yes. Consent agenda is approved. Time to item seven, the superintendent report. Derek. >> All right. Just a couple of uh quick things for you uh tonight. Um we discussed a bunch of other things last week, but uh just a general shout out to our
015staff. Just a another great year that we were able to wrap up and just a big thank you to them for all their efforts uh throughout the year. Also a special congratulations to our retirees and u they are going to earn a welldeserved retirement and uh so it was a wonderful year very very busy year especially as we come down the home stretch and uh you're all starting to maybe get a chance to breathe a little bit here uh this week. Um one other uh note for you and that is also just to congratulate Kelly Clark in the back of the room. Uh Kelly um was uh through her work the recipient of five awards from the National Public Rel School Public Relations Association. Um five national awards is u outstanding and uh just goes
016to the hard work that Kelly puts in and uh really tries to keep the public informed and provide a lot of good information about what's going on in the district. So congratulations to KELLY ON THAT. AND THAT'S ALL FOR my report tonight. Okay, time to animate our action items. Uh, all these items we've talked about at least once or twice, many of them on Wednesday. First item is 8A. That's a discussion. Oh, I'm sorry. Ahead of myself. Oh, sure. Thanks. Go ahead, sir. All right. Final 2025 discussion. Is there any discussion? This is on the uh the two staff contracts that uh the board um sent out after uh this initial after we had our committee of the whole meeting. And uh so uh Darl, if you'd give a quick overview of those two contract
017settlements. >> Sure. Thank you, Mr. will dryer. Um as mentioned um we've talked about these in various committee meetings. Um this is our technology group and our central office support group. Um and we have reached a tenative agreement with both these groups and it follows the same line we've reached with our operations contract where that would be a three-year contract with wage reopener in year two. Specific details have been in your board reports. Um these are are some of our smaller groups. We had a chance to meet with a lot of people on these. So, but uh just waiting for the board's uh consideration tonight. If there's any questions, I'd be happy to entertain them >> and then we will have the vote on this here in just a few minutes. >> Apologize for that.
018I prepare well in advance and the agenda changed in between when I prepared for this and today. So, is there any questions? from the board on technology group and central office contracts. Okay. Now we'll go on to item nine action items 9A final 202526 budget amendment. Your motion. I move that the board adopt the proposed 2025 2026 budget amendment res resolution. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Okay, please call the role. >> Yes. >> Nicholls, >> yes. Collins, >> yes. >> Clement, >> yes. >> Con, yes. Brando, >> yes. >> Morris, >> yes. Motion passes. Under item 9B, 2026 27 budget adoption. Is there a motion? >> I move that the board adopt the proposed 2026 2027 budget resolution. >> There second. >> Second. Any discussion. Okay. Seeing none, please call the roll. >> Randall,
019>> yes. >> Con, yes. Nicholls, >> yes. >> Barbara Garcia, >> yes. Clement, >> yes. >> Collins, >> yes. >> Morris, >> yes. >> Okay. On to 9C, school loan revolving fund. Is there a motion? >> I move that the board adopt the resolution to participate in the Michigan School Loan Revolving Fund. >> Second. Seconded by Sean. Any discussion with the community? This is a routine. Every year we we need to readopt this uh resolution to participate in the school uh board bond loan bond fund and uh that's what we're doing tonight just to bring you up to date on that. Any other discussion? Not please call the role. >> Nicholls. Yes. Barbara Garcia, >> yes. Mint, >> yes. >> Collins, >> yes. >> Rando, >> yes. >> Con, yes. Morris, >> yes. >> On
020to item D, 8 D, Calonia Technology Group and Central off Central office support staff contracts. Motion. >> I move that the board approve the negotiated contracts for the Calonia Technology Group and the central office support staff. >> Second by John. Is there any discussion? >> Thanks for getting this done. Glad we can get this worked out. >> Any other trustees? Okay, please call the role. >> Con? Yes. Brando, >> yes. >> Garcia, >> yes. >> Nicholls, >> yes. >> Collins, >> yes. >> Clement, >> yes. >> Morris, >> yes. >> Motion passes. On to AE 202627 food service contract. Is there a motion? >> I move that the board approve the renewal of Chartwells as the district's food service provider for the 2026 2027 school year for year three of a 5-year contract. >> There
021a second. >> Second move by Sean. Is there any discussion from the board? I will be abstaining from this vote as my wife works for Charle. >> Great. >> Any other discussion? >> More of a comment. Yeah. Um, you know, when I first came on the board, uh, the chart was just coming on on board, right? That was we were voted on and, um, one of the things that like stood out to me is that the price was significantly higher than the previous vendor and provider. And part of my understanding is that we voted for Chartwell because the the food would be higher quality. Um the management would be um better um as well, you know, from a personnel perspective and those kinds of things. Um I have seen the food quality come up. Um
022but we've all sat here and have heard that the quality is not as good as we think it should. For me, when I look at the $200,000 price tag that we switched over to Chartwell for, to me, that's an assumption. Like, we shouldn't have to go back and com not complain, but bring up quality as being an issue right now. It shouldn't be an issue. We shouldn't have to go back and say, "Well, you need to we need to get this better." No, that should have been built in the $200,000 price that we paid, you know, started the contract with two years ago. So, it's more of a comment and more of a we need to keep an eye on this and we need to make sure that when we're going back and giving feedback
023that I will be really kind of put off or upset if they come back and say continue to raise prices for quality because we already have that. So, that's just my comment. Um, and I'll leave it at that. I think the board is is aware and conscious of this situation that we're in and we we have the the ability to seek other um providers if the quality goes the wrong way. It's a three-year contract, I believe. Fiveyear renewal every year. Um so if uh we have the ability to to go another direction if uh the food quality does not meet our our standards and as well as selection and the other things that we heard in our survey that are important to our parents and students. So very good point Trusty Con. Any other comments?
024I just would say that I appreciate um Sarah in the way in which you have uh helped us collaborate with the folks at Chartwells and um have been able to pass along our feedback. I appreciate the reception that we've had of that and um our food service manager came and presented to us. So I think all of that is helpful to have that open line of communication and to uh know that we're all progressing in the right direction. So thank you. >> Thank you. Without any other discussion, I'll ask our secretary to call the role. >> Collins, >> yes. >> Clement, >> yes. >> Con, yes. Brando, >> oh, sorry, abstain. I apologize. >> Barbara, Barbara Garcia, >> yes. >> Nicholls, >> yes. >> And Morris, >> yes. >> Food service contract passes. on to
0258F NEOLA policy revisions. Second reading. >> I move that the board conduct a second reading and adopt the following bylaw 010 0 and policies 1410 2370.01 3120.09 to delete 41.20 uh sorry 4120.09 9 to delete. Uh 4210-5136 7540.09 8120.09 and 8402. Is >> there a second? >> Second move by Sean. Any discussion on this topic? We've been through these um now twice, actually three times um in discussion whether it be in committee or at the regular board meeting. So we've thoroughly these policies and there's any other comments. >> Secretary to call the role. >> Clement. >> Yes. Brando, >> yes. >> Barbara Garcia, >> yes. Snickles. Yes. Morris, >> yes. Policy revisions passes and are approved. On to 8G, uninterruptible power supply. Is there a motion? Move that the board contract with Hedrickk Associates for
026the purchase, installation, testing, and extended warranty of a technology UPS or uninterruptible power supply system at a cost of $60,799.31. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion? I I'll just uh fill in as you as we discussed at the committee meeting um and Mr. Buckfi went back and uh researched a little bit more and um spoke a little bit further with the vendor and as we as I sent around earlier this afternoon, we got a saving additional savings on this uh which then um the question had been on the extended warranty and that extended warranty now is below where the um where four visits would be. Um so we believe that this is the direction to go. like to thank trustee con for asking that very question and save 5334. So thank you.
027Any other comments or questions about this contract? See none. I'll ask the secretary to call the role. >> Robert Garcia, >> yes. Nicholls, yes. Collins, >> yes. >> Clement, >> yes. >> Con, yes. Brando, >> yes. Morris. >> Yes, we have an uninterruptable power supply. Hope to see it soon. >> 8H Craft Meadows Auxiliary Gym Renovations. Is there a motion? >> I move that the board contract with Full Mortise LLC for the auxiliary gym renovations at Craft Meadows Intermediate School at a cost of $39,900. for a second. >> seconded by Sean. >> Is there any discussion >> of the stage? >> Yes, just again this is where the former stage was in the auxiliary gym and just to enclose that area so it can be used for storage and uh it I guess I'll >>
028Yeah, there we go. You want to finish your thought? >> Good. >> Any other comments? I >> think it's going to be well used space. >> Can't wait to see it. >> Please call the role. >> Phone. Yes. Brando, >> yes. >> Barbara Garcia, >> yes. >> Nicholls, >> yes. Collins, >> yes. >> Clement, >> yes. >> And Morris, >> yes. Motion passes. I to 8 I Calplex Road Paving. Is there a motion? I I move that the board approve the paving of the Calplex Access Road from Craft Avenue and Associated Work at the cost of $432,367.61. >> There's a second. >> Second. >> Any discussion? talked about this again quite a bit. Please call the role. >> Nicholls, >> yes. Garcia, >> yes. Clement, >> yes. >> Brando, >> yes. >> Con, yes. Morris,
029>> yes. Complex road paving contract is approved. At 28J, Early Childhood Center is bestus abatement. Is there a motion? >> I move that the board contract quality environmental services LLC for abatement and bestus containing materials at the Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center at a cost of $52,500. >> Seconded by John. There any discussion? Hey, this is something we learned through the process. There is contingency dollars to make this uh there's plenty of contingency to pay this bill. So, that's my only comment. Please call the role. >> Yes. >> Home. >> Yes. Nicholls. >> Yes. >> Garcia, >> can I ask a clarifying question before I vote? You said contingency dollars, which made me think bond, but do you This is coming from the public improvement fund. >> This is coming from the public improvement fund.
030>> Thank you. Yeah. Just wanted to clarify that my vote is yes. >> Comment. >> Yes. >> Collins? >> Yes. >> Morris? >> Yes. >> To AK band instruments. Is there a motion? >> I move that the board approve the bond purchase of fine arts durable instruments from the Marshall Music Company at a cost of $31,996. >> Second by John. Any discussion? Okay, please call the role. >> Yes. >> Clement, >> Yes. Brando, >> yes. >> Barbara Garcia, >> yes. >> Nicholls, >> yes. >> Morris, >> yes. >> And to 8 L, Duncan Lake Cafeteria Furniture. Is there a motion? I move that the board approve the purchase with Kuster Office furniture for the supply and installation of cafeteria furniture at Duncan Lake Middle School at a cost of $56,67.96. >> Second by Sean. Any
031discussion? >> Seeing none, please call the role. >> Con? >> Yes. Barbara Garcia, >> yes. Nicholls, >> yes. >> Collins, >> yes. >> Clement, >> yes. >> Morris, >> yes. Furniture passes on to 8M, I'm sorry, 9M MHSA resolution. >> I move that the board approve the 2026 2027 MHSA resolution. >> Seconded by Jen. Any discussion? This is a routine vote just to remain in the MH SAA. So no different than last year. >> Call the roll. >> Clement. >> Yes. >> Home. Yes. >> Yes. >> Garcia. >> Yes. Nicholls. >> Yes. >> Morris. >> Yes. Mh. SAA resolution is approved. On to item 10, discussion items, anticipated board consideration July 2026. >> Well, at this time we don't have any particular uh items of that would be there for discussion in the July meeting.
032Um so I think as we head into the next portion about board comments uh we be able to determine what we're going to do in July. So, any feelings either way about a July meeting? Are we able to make it if we need it? >> We will be um out of the country on July. >> All right. >> So, that'll be a little challenging to make that. >> Okay. We'll maybe revisit 10 and 11. Board comments. Calonia High School wireless communication device usage. Hey, there's been paperwork problems tonight. We'll get through it. Um, so the board is in in a in the middle of reviewing how to adopt a cell phone policy. What on is it going to be bell to bell? Is it going to be lunch is open? Um we have information that's
033been provided to the the board from other districts. I think our staff for giving us a thorough look on what other districts are doing. We are going to talk about this again maybe in July, probably more likely in August at our committee meeting. So I just ask that board members please do your research, please look at the information and please come ready to have a thoughtful and uh productive dialogue to end up with a policy. Yeah. Is there any questions? >> Okay. Uh >> just a clarifying one from on Wednesday. Um, if we are doing research, you want us to share with everyone via email some of the research that we're finding, right? Right. Via email so that everyone's informed. >> I I think that's a good way to do it. Yes. >> So, as
034long as we're not voting in any way. >> My my recommendation that would be if you're finding things that you'd like to share that you send them to Michelle and Michelle can distribute them to the whole board. >> Thank you. You want to keep administration in the loop on what we >> Yeah. And it just makes it so that there's not we won't be having discussions. >> The only item I have is adopt a road. The the board takes care of craft between 92nd and 100th and we have a window of July 18th through July 23rd. It's been difficult getting everybody on board with the time. So, I thought we might do this a little differently to pick a halfmile section, either the east or the west side between Craft and 100 Street. And I'm
035not going to create a signup sheet. Just text the board what you want to do and when you want to do it. Make sure you have bags and vests so you don't get killed and you have something to put the matter in. We're going to have one drop off location which will be marked on a map which I'll provide. The only thing I ask is that this is done by the 23rd is my name is on the report and I don't want any problems with the county. So, are we good with that? And it leaves it open the time you have available. I like it too, John. Okay. All right. Is there any other board comment tonight? Okay, seeing none, we're going to get to public comment. The board recognizes the value of public comment
036on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express their views. Please limit your statements to three minutes and duration. Participants shall address direct their comments to the full board, not to staff or any participant. No person may address or question board members individually. The board cannot accept public comment regarding personnel issues. All personnel issues are referred to the superintendent for resolution and we never have a problem with this. Remarks are to be respectful and professional. So handle that. We'll start with Kimberly Ables tonight. Please come on. Welcome. >> Hi. Thank you. Um I'm just here because on the May 18th that during that storm um I just wanted to read you the alert that I received. Um I'm in a threat alert National Weather Service severe thunderstorm warning in effect
037in this area until 3 p.m. for destructive 80 mile hour winds. Take shelter in a sturdy building away from windows. Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter. Additional details. This is extremely dangerous situation with tornado- like wind speeds expected. Mobile homes and high-profile vehicles are especially susceptible to winds of this magnitude and may be overturned not or for your protection move to an interior room for the on the lowest floor of the building. These storms have the potential to cause serious injur injury and significant property damage. Um, I got that at 2:24 that I took the picture, but I think there was multiple alerts before that. I'm just showing you what happened in my neighborhood. Like my kids walked through that where that tree fell. Um, my husband freaked out and took
038off in the storm to go get pick them up because he didn't want them walking. And I'm just kind of disappointed that Calonia didn't file suit like Dutton Christian, um, Whan, East Kentwood, Byron Center, all held their dismissal till 3:00 p.m. Um, it's one thing to like screw up, mess up. That's fine. But like, we have to start taking accountability and doing stuff right. I don't think this was handled right. I don't really want to debate it. I just want something done for it. So, I don't know if there's a policy that has to be put in place. I don't know how the other schools did it, but maybe call one of them. Um, but I just it concerned me enough that I thought it should be addressed. So, I'll pass those around if you
039want to see. But it was a huge tree. I mean, there's trees along that path. A ton of kids walk from Craft, Duncan Lake, everywhere. And like, in my opinion, I think you guys got lucky this time. And I I don't want to see anyone get hurt. So, I'm not here to like I I mean, obviously, we just need to do better, right? So, whoever I need to talk to you to get that done. I don't know. I thought I'd start here, but if there's someone else I should be talking to, please let me know. I don't know. I tried to get this to you guys on June 4th. Um, I sent a email to all of you, I thought. But, I don't know. I didn't hear anything. So, I don't know. If you want
040to tell me who I should talk to, that would be great. Or maybe that doesn't happen here. >> I don't know. >> I'll speak with you later. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Next is it Ansley Nights. Welcome, Ansley. I'm speaking tonight as a parent of an incoming second grader at Emmens Lake Elementary and on behalf of many incoming second grade families. The district has recently decided to reduce next year's second grade from three classrooms to two, which will put 28 28 kids in each classroom. Tonight, I'm asking you to reconsider that decision. Over the past several weeks, parents have reviewed district data, spoken with administrators, and examined decades of research on class size and student achievement. What we found was remarkably consistent. While educational research rarely produces unanimous
041conclusions, one finding has remained young children perform best in smaller classrooms. The strongest evidence comes from Tennessee Star Study, which I'm sure you're all familiar with. That study found that students in smaller elementary classrooms achieved better academic outcomes in reading and math. Subsequent studies reached the same conclusion. Researchers Finn and Achilles found that while all students benefited from smaller classrooms, the greatest gains were often experienced by students who were academically at risk and required additional support. Later research by NY Hedges and Consinopoulos found that these benefits extended beyond the years students spent in smaller classrooms, suggesting that early educational advantages can have lasting effects. The conclusion straightforward. The evidence consistently shows that smaller classes improve outcomes for elementary students and the students who benefit most are those who need the support. But we know research
042is only good and useful if we're willing to apply it with matters. So let's apply it to the Emmens incoming second grade cohort. The district data shows that approximately 25% of this cohort remains below academic grade level with up to 15% significantly below grade level. Nearly 30% require academic intervention and approximately 20% have an IEP or a 504 plan in place. These are not isolated statistics. Together, they describe a group of students with meaningful academic support needs during one of the most important stages of their educational development. Yet, the district's response is to increase their class size. And that raises a question I hope each of you will consider seriously. If decades of research show that students benefit from smaller classrooms and if those who need additional support greatly benefit from taller classrooms, what conclusion
043should we draw when our administration has decided to increase class sizes for both? This is not simply a staffing matter. It's not a budget calculation and it's not an issue whether 28 students is permissible. The issue is whether it's the best educational decision for this particular group of children. The contractual maximum is a ceiling. It should not become an educational standard. Parents are not asking for something extraordinary. We're asking for a district to restore a third second grade classroom because the needs of this cohort justify it. So that you have a choice. You can follow the minimum allowed by a contract or you can follow the evidence, the needs of this cohort and the educational mission of this district. We're asking you to restore a third second grade classroom not because it's easier and not
044because it's cheaper, but because it's a right decision for our children. Thank you. Next is Danielle Grassman. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. Hi. >> I was a teacher for 14 years and didn't go to a board meeting once and now I'm a parent and here I am. Okay. So, I have a son that's about to go to the new Dotton Elementary. And so, my comment has to do with your considerations on the effects of the data center that is potentially going in basically Kitty Corner. So things to keep in mind of educational effects, environmental effects, um, and what kind of influence you may have on choices that are made about this data center going in or not. And that's about it. >> Great. Thank you. Next is Patty Hop. Welcome, Patty. >> Thank you. >>
045I've attended a number of meetings and the first time I've ever attempted to speak to one. We'll see how it goes. Um, like Danielle, I'm speaking in regards to the data center that is going a stone throw away from our brand new elementary school. And as I recall, when we chose to build that and move it where it is, one of our concerns was we wanted to get students away from the industrial environment. We haven't just been open a year yet. and the industrial environment is sneaking toward us. Now, my ask of you is really simple, and I know from the rumors I'm hearing, some of you have already done it, engaged with the Gaines Township Board, maybe the Calonas, because they're dealing with data centers as well. Um, to make your thoughts known, educate
046yourselves. Um, I know that Gaines Township Board is extremely frazzled right now. I don't think they can even go to the bathroom without somebody standing outside the door yapping at them about the data center. And that can be discouraging because if you have those conversations or you hit that wall, but I encourage you to keep trying because you never know when you'll hit somebody who's having a good day and you hear it. And if nothing else, you'll learn something. If that dinner center comes and the some of the issues we're hearing actually end up at our school, you'll have the heads up that it's coming and if we have to build a bubble over the Dutton Elementary School, you'll be ready to do that. I truly hope we don't have to do that. But so
047that's my encouragement. If you can get somebody to come speak, I don't know if anybody from the Gaines Township Board would do it right now, but you can ask. You know, they're pretty frazzled. They might even put you in contact with some people they've researched. I know repres Turpstra, our supervisor, has done some personal research on his own time and on his own dime. Maybe willing to share that with you, share his contacts. Maybe Microsoft would be able to come in and you can address the issues with them directly. They might not. They might want to only deal with the township board. But I encourage you to continue to educate yourselves and don't be discouraged if sometimes the communications you have with Gaines Township are a little rocky. They are really struggling right now with
048this issue. Thank you. >> Thank you. I will make a couple comments on the data centers. This board will not put our kids at risk. Uh we we don't have the information available that we want that we I think we need. I think we are going to seek advice from the townships, but uh although we're not a final decision maker in the process, we will lobby hard against this if this ends up being something that affects our children. So, thank you for your comments tonight. On to now item 13, which is adjournment. Is there a motion to adjurnn? moved. All >> in favor indicate by saying I. >> I. We are journed.