2024-02-07 | Regular Board Meeting

001I have sorry about that everybody. >> All right. Welcome everyone to the Taylor School District regularly scheduled board meeting of February 7th, 2024 where our mission statement is to educate, engage, and empower those we serve. And our vision statement is that we will be the innovative destination district where all succeed. Roll call. Oh, the meeting's called to order at 6:10 p.m. Roll call. Mrs. Shufelt >> here. >> Mr. Wright, >> here. Miss Black is here. Mr. Heath >> here. >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas >> here. >> Mrs. Thomas >> here. >> There are six of us in 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. And then if we could just please stay

002standing, we're going to do a moment of silence for um our athletic director, Lauren, who passed away um just recently. So everybody Okay, our first order of business, we have a student representative uh from Taylor Virtual Learning Academy and Miss Marlene Scott is the principal. Okay, I just want to take a second to introduce um one of our students that's going to speak to you today. Her name is Ally. Um and she is a graduating senior. So, she's going to tell you a little bit about her story and um her path to success. >> Sorry, I'm a little bit nervous. Hello, my name is Ally Puit. I started TVLA my sophomore year. At least it was supposed to be. I put an application in for TVLA in the summer of 2022. Traditional school has never

003seemed to work for me. I've always learned a little differently. You know when you're in class and they give you an assignment? Well, for me, I always wanted them to give me all of the work for the class so I could just get it done because after a while, I'd be unmotivated and honestly uninterested. But when I was talking about changing schools to find something that worked for me so I could catch up, my brother told me to try TVLA. He said it he said he loved it and he thought it would be perfect for me. I started TVLA with 5.5 credits. Now I have three classes to finish and then I graduate. And I did that in two years. If it wasn't for TVLA and the people at TVLA, I honestly think I would

004have dropped out. TVLA is very flexible. So you can do work whenever you want to and at your own pace. And the people at TVLA are amazing. All you have to do is be willing to do your work and actually do it. I graduate in four months and I'm very happy that I do. But I'm also sad because the people at TVLA are amazing and I'm going to miss them. My mentor, Miss Underwood, is who I'm going to miss the most. I don't think I would be here about to graduate if it wasn't for her. She motivated me on days that I had no motivation. She makes learning an adventure. She inspires me to be someone that I never thought I could be. After high school, I'm going to college to become a lawyer, but

005more specifically a criminal lawyer. It is my passion, and thanks to TVLA and Miss Underwood, I have the opportunity to do what I have always dreamed of doing. If I could give anyone advice when it comes to deciding if you want to join TVLA, I would say do it and you won't regret it. If anything, you'll you'll regret not joining TVLA sooner. Thank you. >> Thank you for that. Um, TVLA uh is there for our students to make a success story going forward. So, uh, where you want to go to college? >> Okay. And then where are you going to transfer to? >> Oh, this is a nice place. >> Congratulations, too. That's an awesome accomplishment. >> And then real quick, we do have a card for you, too. It's from the board to you

006for being here, sharing your story. We wanted to kind of just give you a gift to say thank you for representing the TVA program. >> Congratulations. >> So, next up on our agenda is item number four, our good news. And we have champions program which mu felt I think you're going to speak on that. >> Um so I have to think through my chicken. Um, so Vanessa and the champions program just wanted to recognize and thank Jack and Michelle um sites and it was like real short notice and they arranged busing and um like they made the transition super smooth. They were calm and Vanessa in the program was just very thankful for that. And so she wanted to make sure that they got the proper recognition and a great big thank you. So she

007couldn't be here so I got that job today. So thank you to Jack and Nan and great job. >> I guess I'll just also give a shout out. Thank you to Blair Moody for taking on that program. I know that Blair Moody um there's two programs at Blair Moody and Taylor Parks. I believe the Taylor Parks program is the one that closed and Moody was gracious enough to open their program up to all those students. >> Yes, >> I did forget that. No, >> Moving on to item number five, the revisions approval of the agenda policy 0166. Is there any revisions to the agenda? With not is there a motion to approve the agenda? >> Motion by Mr. Heath. Is there support? >> Support by Mr. Thomas. Mr. Wright is a yes. Miss Block >>

008I don't know. Do I say yes? >> Say yes. >> Mr. Heath. >> Yes. >> Mr. Myers is absent. >> Mr. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Missel. >> Yes. >> That carries 6. Okay, we're moving on to uh item six, discussion items. Our first discussion item is overnight field trip request Howell Nature Center and that is Kathy Wen Sorski. >> Yes. >> Go ahead. >> Thank you. Hello, my name is Kathy Worerski. I teach fifth grade at Holland Elementary. We are excited to be able to take our students to camp at How Nature Center. Learning at camp provides our students with authentic science and social studies experiences as well as team building activities and opportunities for personal goal setting and growth. We are scheduled to attend camp from April 10th to

009the 12th. Camp provides students with memories to last a lif a lifetime. Thank you for your time and consideration. Are there any questions >> other than thank you for taking the kids to camp? We appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> All right. Number two, an overnight field request to Camp Mish Adona. >> And speaking on that is Chrissy Gibson. She also online. >> Yes. >> Okay. Go ahead. Hello, my name is Chrissy Gibson and I teach fifth grade at Moody. I am so excited to share with you why we at Moody believe that fifth grade camp is such an amazing and valuable experience for our students. Many of our students lack the opportunities to expand their learning outside of the classroom in our community. We would like to provide them with a week-long experience that

010will take them out of their traditional educational setting and allow them to experience Camp Machundo in Hillsdale, Michigan. Camp mission provides outdoor educational activities with hands-on lessons that align with our curriculum in social studies, science, math, language arts, and social emotional learning. The students will attend various classes offered at the camp that teach about the life cycle of various animals, team building, colonial life, sports and wellness, species of animals, challenges, and problem solving in outdoor living and history. They will also have the opportunity to participate in various team building activities each evening which is a very important part of social emotional learning. Students are given daily afternoon choices that might include archery, canoeing, rock climbing walls, open gym, drama and crafts. Camp staff, teachers, and chaperones are with students during all activities, breakfast, lunch, dinner

011and night events. Our field trip will take place from Monday, May 6th through Friday, May 10th. Transportation will be provided through our Taylor school buses and we are very fortunate to have eight chaperones accompanying us to help ensure the safety of our students at all times. The chaperons will be a combination of juniors and seniors from Taylor High, parents, and then our teaching staff. There is also a fully staffed medical center on site. The fifth grade staff has selected a few fundraisers to help families with the cost of camp, including Little Caesar's Pizza Kits and the Detroit Salsa Company. In addition, we have had many staff and community members willing to sponsor any students who need financial assistance. Our goal is that any student that wants to participate, regardless of need, will be on the

012bus to camp on May 6th. Thank you. >> Thank you. Are there any questions >> other than just saying thank you for taking our kids to camp and also to Camp Ashinda. It's an awesome program. >> Okay, number three. We have an overnight conference request for Michigan Association of State and Federal Funds, Federal Programs, excuse me, and that is Stacy Vaspreami. She's on Zoom. Um, sorry I wasn't prepared to speak, but uh it's a overnight conference to stay up to date on all of our state and federal programs. Uh, making sure that we're in compliance and that we're in regulation with all of the the things that the state and federal guidelines uh put in place for us. >> Okay. Is it I that's it, Stacey? And if I could add >> Oh, okay. Jason,

013go ahead. >> Stacy's also on the MASFBF board. So, she's there as a board member, but also representing the district. So, it's as a person that's gone to this conference multiple times, it's very worthwhile and could definitely help us as we're making a lot of the transitions things with our state. >> Thank you, Mr. Grible. Are there any questions >> other than learn a lot and bring a lot of good things back to the Taylor School District? >> Thank you. >> Okay. Number four, it's the overnight outofstate conference request link crew basic training. And because of a last minute uh change, Mr. W. >> Yep. >> Our superintendent's going to talk. >> Yep. You got it. So, um, it is my pleasure to recommend that we approve, uh, two of our staff members from Taylor

014High to go to the Link Crew basic training. Uh, we have had Link Crew in the Taylor School District now at our high schools for about roughly 20 years. Uh the program is intended as a way of helping build that transition for students from 8th grade to 9th grade because research shows that the more that you are building those transitions and the more you are helping those incoming ninth graders, the more they're going to see success throughout their uh high school career. So the link group program is one where we have uh 11th grade and 12th grade students. Essentially they become mentors for the incoming freshmen. uh they have a orientation for them during the summer where they run different uh kind of sessions. They do different team building. They do lots of exercises with

015the incoming ninth graders and then throughout the year the role of the mentors is to continue to check up on them and make sure that they are having success uh throughout their high school career. So, um it is to me a valuable program and us keeping up to date on the training for our uh adviserss is essential to making this a successful program. >> Were you ever an adviser to this program? >> I was not. Uh when I was at Kennedy, we had Miss Osborne who was a fantastic adviser for the program. And then when I was at Truman, it was Miss Mack who also they both did a great job with those programs. And I always enjoyed as a teacher being able to make the recommendations for the mentors um and giving it to

016those kids who maybe they weren't always the traditional like all a student but they had leadership skills and they could teach the other kids like the ways to hey this is the best way to to go forward and improve their self are not fellow Victorians. I can speak. My son is a link through um leader and he does a good job and some of the freshman um are friends of my youngest son and they do look for him like for like help and guidance throughout the year so far. So it does work and they do utilize those those students. So, it is a good >> thing as well. >> I like it. >> Real quick, the funding source for this and the last conference, that's title two, correct? >> I believe so, but haven't been

017thrown on the spot for presenting. I don't know that I have that. So, >> it's not here. Okay. Number five, we have an overnight conference request. Michigan Reading Association, Mr. A. And uh our person is in house tonight, Michelle Hutchinson. >> Murder. Sorry. It was pajama day at school today. So, everybody back here is just jealous. They wish they were a Packers uh fan from the beginning. So, um the MRA is a wonderful conference. It's the 68th annual conference. It's taking place in March in Lancing. Um we did put it in our school budget this year to send three teachers. Um two of them are classroom teachers and one is our coach. And this um the conference really promotes best practices and literacy. Um they have se they're our keynote speakers and they have several

018then small group sessions that the staff can pick to see what best suits their needs. Um because we all know like if you're a kindergarten teacher, your needs might be different than a fifth grade teacher. Um, so they will go and get all this wonderful information and sometimes you fang girl because there are, you know, amazing authors that come and speak and I remember going myself many times and you're just you're amazed and enthralled at the amazing quality of speakers that they bring. Um, there's a variety of sessions to pick from and um, we're really looking forward to sending our teachers. I definitely believe it's something worthwhile and uh this is my sixth year in Taylor and I've never asked for any of our staff to go to an overnight conference. Our teachers are giving

019up a Saturday and a Sunday of their own time to go because they think this is so important to attend. So I'm presenting on behalf and most of them are new teachers so they were a little scared to come up and ask. I'm like I got you I'll go and present for you. So it's a really great opportunity and I would appreciate it if you could allow them to go. Thank you very much, Michelle. >> Can real quick, can we recognize Stacy? I think she might have to answer about the funding source. That's >> No. And it's funny. I just got a text while we were sitting here. Title two. Yes, that was what it came across to me. So, yes. >> Okay. So, I'm unmuted. So, the MASFPS conference is title two. The link

020crew conference is title one. So the the Taylor High is funding that out of their title one building budget. Uh the conference that Miss Hodkins just uh Hodkinson just presented on is out of our title one ride grant. So all of these are coming out of grant funds. >> Thank you very much. Number six, collaborative group and that'll come from Gary Kent. >> Good evening. Uh Gary Ken with Plant Moran Real Point here to present the award recommendation for architectural and engineering uh services for the 2021 bond program. Uh this update is a mutual effort based on the Taylor School District board of education administration, the district's legal council and plant marine rail point to make up the bond team. Um the bond team has had several discussions with the collaborative group to review potential

021services based on timing, staffing, and fees and terms for the work that we're doing throughout the district for the elementary schools. Um one of the the main things that we're looking at for this firm is, you know, outside of just the experience of the firm is is the schedule that they're proposing to accomplish the work. Uh we understand that's a high priority to get this work done so that students can you know return to the buildings this fall and and have them be uh occupied. Um the collaborative group proposed a fee of 7.5% of the cost of work which will be converted to a fixed fee at a later date once we get through the drawings and have a better understanding of what the cost of that work will be. Um we think it's a

022fair rate based on the current cost of the work that they're being engaged for and proposals we're seeing elsewhere along with the schedule that they're uh proposing for the work. Uh one thing we did note is that future work if they were to be engaged for additional scope uh that fee would come down. The fee is a little bit higher for this one just based off the schedule to accomplish it. Um but they're looking at anywhere from 5.5% to 6.25% 25% for new work and 7 to 7 and a half% for renovation work for all future uh engagements. Uh the 7.5% based on the estimated amount right now of 4.5 million is 337,500. Again, this will become a fixed fee. Once we understand if it's actually $4.5 million or if it is 3 million, we'll

023adjust that fee based on whatever the bids come in at and the construction drawings are estimated at. um attached we've included a the proposal from the collaborative group will enter into a formal AIA B132 document which is you know 70 pages a lot longer than the three-page document you see in front of you which will outline scope requirements for their contract and and what we expect throughout the engagement any questions >> I don't have a question I guess a comment but if that's okay um I just got to say we have started to work with the collaborative group. Um we've begun the renovation projects at each of the buildings or the elementary buildings. And right now we've initiated I want to say six or seven or six committees out of the seven that will be

024formed um at all the elementarymentaries and they've been in attendance and they have done amazing work. Um they've had been very responsive. They've taken staff input. They've produced, you know, already schematic designs of the buildings in weeks time. I mean, when they truly like get the feedback, they're putting right in and then sending it back to us. They're very responsive. Um, and it's also I just want to rec or I just wanna, you know, give them a shout out about them committing to the district because I know that we have a very tight turnaround time um and them committing to making sure that all interior renovations are completed by the start of the fall school um this next school year specifically at Holland McDow and Meyers. So, uh just all around they've been really actually

025awesome to work with. >> Yeah, I would second that. get a heartbeat. >> Are there any other questions from the board? Kyle is the point person for the utilization study. >> Okay, we'll go on. Thank you, Gary. Go on to number seven, contract renewal administrative assistant for human resources, Pat Delator. >> Okay. Okay. Um in the uh packet today is a contract renewal for um the you could call it the third person in HR and um the board had previously approved a temporary position for this person for three months and three months is ending as so I'm requesting that we um that the board approve the extension to June to June to um June 30 um for Mr. Zowski so that we continue to operate in a an efficient manner and um it's been very

026beneficial to the district or to actually to the department because she has she has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the HR because she had retired from here. So she can kind of work on both sides u meaning certified and non-certified and um with the moves we would not have been able to do the moves without the extra hands and we still are okay so we need as many hands as we can get so if the board I would really appreciate if the board could have heard the same thing because then we can still continue to move forward. Are there any questions? >> So you said the contract would be until June. >> Isn't that what >> Yeah, that's what Mike and I Yes. >> We just >> So what is >> what

027is the uh pay? >> I don't have that on top. >> Well, it would be an extension of what was currently in the uh what was agreed upon. So we would maintain the existing contract but change the date until June 30th. >> Correct. >> Yeah. So that that annual amount previously was prrated for those three months. So then it would be prrated for the remainder. Yes. >> Okay. >> Till June of this year. >> Yes. Correct. >> June 30th this year. >> Any other questions? >> Okay. Moving on. Number eight. TPA memorandum of understanding and that will be >> so uh as we've started working our way through the utilization plan and I know Gary and Kyle spoke about in terms of what we need to do for building pieces uh we also know there

028are uh pieces that we have to resolve in terms of how we are going to staff as we make these transitions and I know I spoke at a previous board meeting that when we came back from break after we had unveiled the proposition for what we were going to do to utilize our elementary schools that the next steps we had to do was to finalize what we do with staffing. So the first piece here uh tonight is for the administrative piece for the Taylor Principles Association and this was kind of a two-part uh memorandum that we are proposing to enter in to with TPA. Uh first part is the board has expressed all along through this process the wish to not uh lay off staff members but to find places where we can continue to

029operate. So uh with that in mind we created a new position that would exist for next year only um and it would be a principal on special assignment. In the TPA contract, there is language that states that buildings that are elementary schools that have over 400 uh students in them are to receive extra additional supports. It's something that is not always been clearly defined, but we saw this as opportunity to define that a little better and that we can have somebody who has that ability to go and work in those buildings that are going to be over 400 students and provide them those additional supports. Um, we also recognize obviously our largest of our elementary schools is Randall Elementary School. So, we are proposing that this new position would be housed at Randall Elementary, but

030they would rotate and they would work to support those other buildings. Um, it also gives the district the ability to if there are initiatives that we need to see at all elementary schools, it gives us that extra support piece to make sure that um they can be working with each of the individual principles as they go along. Um the second piece of this was uh obviously with the closing of Eureka Heights uh we did need a place for the Eureka Heights principal Mrs. Hall uh to go from there. What this does establish in theou is essentially she will have the choice of either following contract language that currently exists for when you close a building in the TPA contract or to take the newly created position. uh and once we uh have an agreement uh

031then we would go and make that uh well we would offer that choice to Mrs. Hall at that point. >> Are there any questions? >> So basically you're saying that this is going to be a rotating principal that's going to be housed at Randall Elementary but she'll be supporting all buildings that have above uh an enrollment of 400 kids. >> Yeah. But there may be times where we're supporting other buildings that may not be at that 400 threshold depending on what the project may be. But definitely in terms of we know that there are more needs of the the larger elementary schools and that's where we want the primary the focus to be. >> Was this supported by TPA? >> Yes, their executive board. Uh yes, they they were in approval and that's why we've

032brought it forward to them. >> Is that it? No more questions? No more comments. >> And then so at I know that this is probably going to be another action item, but this is for next school year and then correct when we >> we're in the middle of next school year, then we'll address the following year. >> I'm hoping earlier than middle. Uh that's the way I like to be. But uh yeah, we absolutely are going to have to relook at it then when we take uh Taylor Parks and Randall. Um, and with the plan in my mind, I keep looking at the size that the new Randall will be uh in Hoover Ele or Hoover Middle School. And I I really see the potential that that would be an area where we want to

033consider co-principles in the future. And uh so yes, we're still have to negotiate all that. Uh but that would be next year. >> And then I see it says that if a if a vacancy becomes available due to like a retirement, >> Yes. then she would fill in that position. >> Correct. Okay. Yes. >> Anybody else? Are you done, Kyle? >> Yes. >> Okay. Number nine, we have a tax of memorandum of understanding. Mrs. Saltory. >> Okay. Um, we're asking the board to approve the NLU to place um, Jack Gerard into the newly created position, which is a combination of the director of facilities and operation and the director of transportation. And the purpose of that is due to the fact that the position has been posted, the director of transportation has been posted since

034I want to say maybe the third week of Novemberish, somewhere in there. and we really have not found any qualified candidates to be able to do the job. There can there are candidates that potentially could be an assistant director but to actually assume the role and um Jack was very um gracious to step up to go and help out and he even helped out the previous individual when needed on a regular basis. So um with that we we were figuring What are we going to do if we can't find the candidate? So, with Superintendent Wagger's permission, I sat down with Tata and we tried to brainstorm what could we do. So, we came up with this newly created position, which would be the director of facilities and operations and transportation. And we could still continue

035to look for a director of transportation. Um, however, we need to make sure that we have a director or somebody who can do those duties um currently and stay there. So, um, so taxa represented leadership and I, we came up with this, came up with the new title and with that, um, we would continue to look for a director of transportation and that at the time when we do find somebody, then he'll revert back to his um, director of facilities and operations. And I think that that I think what Jack brings to the table is that he understands the district. So he knows our little ins and outs and everything and that is so valuable in this type of a position because and also because he's been in facilities and a lot of our people

036cross over between maintenance and bus driving. Um he has the rapport and I think that I personally think that he has done a wonderful job in taking this over and still doing facilities and so we're just asking you the board to approve this so that we can have continuity He's making the time. Yeah, he's making the time. >> And was this approved by tax? >> Oh. Oh, yeah. Definitely. >> Okay. There any other comments or questions by board members? >> So, the pay increase received when a new director was hired back to >> That is correct. Yes. And I'll just say this. I know from talking with a lot of people from transportation um they said this is the first time transportation has ran smooth since the departure of Steve um our former director transportation.

037Um the amount of bus runs that have been cancelled have been cut dramatically. Um, and I know a lot of people there in the transportation office truly appreciate Jack being there. Um, I know it's early mornings for Jack and it's running late into the evening, but um, I just appreciate him stepping up and being willing to do this for us, especially in this time of not finding candidates. It's >> I really appreciate that. >> He's been doing an outstanding job. >> Are there any other comments or questions? Okay, hearing none, we'll go to number 10, the virtual day plan, and that's Mr. Jason Herbert. >> Good evening and thank you. Um, so what you have before you and with the assistance and as much as we'd like to provide leadership opportunities for our staff in

038the district, Miss Marlene Scott has taken on the task of helping and working with a collaborative team to put this plan together. background on this is the state of the department of education with the support of Governor Whitner knowing that over the last few years with how many snow days and those types of things and coming out of COVID knowing a lot of districts already set up to be in a virtual state. This gives us an opportunity once we exhaust our snow days as you can see in the plan here as well on state testing days so we can bring the seniors in, bring the high school students in to take the t the SAT and those we can do virtual days for everybody else and that way we don't have to have the bells

039going on. We can set up we can do our testing days on that as well. But this allows us to identify 15 days throughout the school year to consider as virtual days and then we're not getting dinged by the state of going over our snow days and then having to go into the middle of June and days like that. The plan is with this is after we exceed extended our sixth or seventh and snow day which obviously we're getting close and knowing that we have the election day coming up, we have the testing days coming up, we can easily notify parents ahead of time that we are going to be doing a virtual day. We have worked with Mr. Ross knowing that one of the issues it would be would be we is with our

040elementary students. How are we going to provide technology and opportunities for our elementary students? We have an abundance amount of Chromebooks that we would train our elementary staff on how to check those out ahead of time knowing that if we are planning on a day or knowing how our lovely Michigan weather is, we can plan ahead of time and check those out. And then when we know that the weather is going to be nice, it has been recently, but again, we will probably have at least one more snow day in March because we always do or ice day. But this gives us the freedom and the flexibility to just go ahead and declare a virtual day where teachers would then go and put assignments on on the Google classrooms. Students would check in with the

041teachers in the morning based on the schedules of which is developed into the plan. We mark them for that day gets into our auditing system so we're not getting dinged and we don't have to go into the second and third week of June of making up snow days. Uh Mrs. Scott, did I miss anything? I >> think so. Okay. that um you'll notice like the times are equal for students K12, but they're staggered throughout the day so that families with multiple students could share devices if they needed to share devices, but that it's equitable for staff and students. >> Yep. So, when you do have multiple families or students in multiple buildings, they're not all trying to get on a computer at the same time. the elementary students can get on one time, the middle

042schools can get on a different time in the high school. That way, we're going through, we're marking, and then if they're not meeting during that time, say they slept in for whatever reason, or they're still driving to grandma's because grandma's got to babysit that day, as long as they're logging into Google Classroom and getting on a task or doing I Ready or whatever they're working on, that counts. They've gone on and done an activity that day. So, it counts for attendance purposes and we can go ahead and mark it. And that way we're not getting in a situation where we're not meeting our quota for the state for number of students on there. We call it a virtual day. It counts and we're good. >> So our elementary schools don't have a Chromebook assigned to

043them. >> They currently do not have one where they take the ticket home. Our middle schools and high schools correct every day. >> Not the elementary school. >> Just not the elementary schools where the middle school and the high school are set up. And same thing with TVLA because I know TVLA is still here. Yep. So, they've already got their devices, but if we know ahead of time that this is going to happen. >> So, they would just have to set that up at the elementary school. >> Yes. And Mr. Ross is already working on that plan and how we would do the distribution for the elementary schools to make sure that the students have what they need. Now, I will say too, just to kind of add to that as well, when this went

044into place, when this uh change in state law came through, um couple of key points that are are to unveil it is it does require board approval to proceed with the plan and it does require that once we have the board approval that we do have to communicate out exactly what we are doing uh to our families and to our community. So, that would be the next steps after uh we get the recruitment process. And one thing I want to add on this, this is a living document. So after our first year of going through, if it's if it doesn't meet the needs and we're having issues here with their this and that, we can bring it back, ret reevaluate the tool, bring it back for another board approval. And I know Mrs. Scott looked

045at multiple other districts in regards to what their board approval packet has. This is very similar to a lot of the other districts in our area following. So it's not just something that's Taylor doing. It's a lot of schools in our area, a lot of neighboring schools in our state that are doing this same type of month. >> We have enough Chromebooks that every student in the elementary school can can take out a Chromebook. Correct, Mr. Ross? >> That's Go ahead, Miss Scott. Yeah, I just want to so the elementary plan you'll notice does have a slight difference in it from the secondary plan to account for that. So there we also created a Google form that embedded in it has um a check-in feature and an assignment feature and so that families could use

046a personal cell phone even that like if they didn't have Wi-Fi or or a device or something happened because they're not taking them back and forth every single day. um that there's a different accessibility um for the elementary students than there is for the secondary students. There's two different methods for them to check in for attendance. One being the actual Google Meet and one being the Google form where they're reporting the work that they're working. That was on our wish. That was on our wish list during COVID that we could keep doing this on days like this. So there would never be a snow day. >> So that was going to be my one question is will this only be used when we've exhausted all of our snow days. So this is a secondary. >>

047So we're not gonna like come out the first snowstorm and be like we're going virtual today. We're going to we're still going to >> You're going to be so mad. >> I'm going to say if anybody in this district knows Mr. Wager well enough by now, he loves his snow days. And so therefore uh no, I'm not going to be trumping the snow days with no the agreements have all been about we will exhaust what we have uh what's allotted by the state before we go. >> Okay. So this is a this is a backup plan if we do exhaust our snow. >> Correct. And it does help us if we do have multiple building closures. We would just say those buildings are virtual. Everybody else is still face to face. That way we're still

048counting those days as well. So we're meeting the the quota that we need for the state for the the pup counting. >> And I guess on that note, how many days has the district exhausted? >> So we are currently at four for the entire district. We have two buildings that are at five. So, we have two buildings that potentially they're one day away uh as it stands right now from us either having to make up a day or use this plan. That's part of why we wanted to get this going and uh make sure we had this as an option uh if we so chose to to the state gives us a total of six days per building. >> Correct. >> And then has changed sometimes the state will you know alter but that's where

049we currently are right now. >> If you go over sometimes you can ask for forgiveness. Yeah, there are waiverss you can ask. But what what happened last year particularly uh and I think what a lot of districts were frustrated with and this is why it came to the state level was um lots of districts went over their allotted days for a variety of reasons. It wasn't necessarily all weather related. Um but we did have that giant ice storm and that took out some districts for an entire week right there in addition to your usual snowstorms, those pieces. Um, and what was seen is there was little forgiveness when those waiverss were filed last year. And so the state thought, well, let's throw a different option on the table so that it's not worried about whether

050we're applying for forgiveness, but we're giving you the opportunity to have another path to to not get into that situation. >> I anticipate now that the state has said you can do this option, they're even going to be more strict on waivering. >> That would be my guess. Yes. >> They're going to be like, "No, we use this option. We've given you a virtual option. Use it. Correct. Or you have to make up the days of school. >> Correct. >> Mr. Heath, do you have a question? >> It's not just weather days. It's >> Yeah. Yes. >> I I would say too, so like where this came from when we're saying like the state said this is it was an addition to the people accounting manual that came out in the fall for this year.

051So like next year they could make adjustments to it or you know, so as Jason said, I Obviously, we would adjust to whatever the people accounting manual says it's allowable to count students for attendance. >> So, if the school doesn't meet the attendance record on a certain day that we're virtual, then it inevitably will get tacked on at the end of the year. Correct. Or it would try to do another virtual day. How does that like >> because like at our school buildings we have to have a 80% attendance >> to get counted 75. >> Uh yeah, it would be the same but this gives us a lot of unique ways to get that to that attendance because you're going to have the uh Zoom period that's there. So any kid who shows there can

052be counted. uh let's say a kid doesn't show to the zoom but they actually go online and they get done with whatever assignment or coursework or I ready that they were assigned then they can count too. So we actually have a variety of ways of meeting that uh attendance piece without them necessarily showing up to the the Zoom meeting that we're putting there. Essentially the Zoom is there I think in my mind to to get as gather as much attendance as we can to give as many different opportunities. But what's the what's the time frame for the accountability like got a virtual day today? When do we have to let the state know that yeah we didn't meet it or how does that go? Do we have a excuse me do we have a time

053frame if you will that oh hey this Google page didn't load and that would have made us at our 75% and or I don't know that I have that answer completely because this is all brand new but uh I would imagine if we are worried about that number that is something that again there would still be that opportunity to say hey we made this effort we put this there we came up just short of the number you'd still have that possibility to go and explain Sorry. >> And I'll say I mean >> but I'll follow up to make sure that's >> on that point too. I mean if they're not showing up virtually they're probably not going to show up in person >> and so it's better to try the virtual route too because the

054moment we don't meet and which happened this year I believe at some of all but one of our buildings. Correct. >> Correct. We did have a day where we did have um Taylor High and Randall were closed due to building issues. Um and then we did not make attendance in other buildings. It's a day that we're going to have to go and submit to the state and say, "Hey, we made every effort to be open that day. We did what we were supposed to do." And so, um >> building that day that made attendance, correct? >> Correct. >> This is just the school year. >> Correct. So we'd have to go back and do it. >> So that would be based on as Miss Scott said like they're going to make adjustments to the people

055accounting manual. They do that every single year. So what adjustments they make to the people accounting manual would make we have to change and adjust what we're doing here and that would come back to the board for approval again and we go through this process. >> Now say um we wake up tomorrow and Randall is going to be closed. How would you make that a virtual day for an elementary school at that point? Would they have to submit through that other type of form because they wouldn't have a opportunity to get a Chromebook for that day? Well, I think the parent education is a the next step after it's approved is making sure that all of the parents understand what the plan is, what they should do in the case because obviously the day it

056happens is not the day to tell them what to do. Right. >> Right. So, so there's going to be a period of time where the district and all of the schools have to educate, >> okay, >> you know, the parents on what the exact procedures are, what do we do in the space, and and so that everyone's ready and that they understand that it's an alternative to adding things in June. >> Okay. >> And that hopefully that is also an incentive to parents and students >> in >> I'm going to knock on wood that we never have to do it well, but >> for sure. >> Correct. In conversations with other districts and other curriculum directors in our area during our meetings, they've actually set dates when their district hits number six, they're issuing the

057Chromebooks for the elementary schools just to prepare for that day, knowing that we're already at four slash5 knowing that the potential will be there. But we could say when we hit number six, when they come back that next day, hopefully we're issuing Chromebooks to prepare us for that. Now the topics that have been caught up that we brought up with the person of pupil counting a lot of time we have ice storms we lose power so it's obviously going to be difficult for them to be able to use their device but if they're jumping on their parents' phone logging in that way it still counts because they're still making some type of communication for that purpose. I know a couple of districts have this plan as well and they have used this day um for

058like that new voting day that just popped up. They're they've already prepared their parents. They're signing out Chromebook. So, it does work. They're not having a day off of school, but they're using it as a virtual day. So, I mean, that's also just an example. >> Yep. This was an idea that was talked about quite a bit during CO. So, uh I mean it's a just another way to not have to go to school until July. >> Yeah. >> Well, and the fortunate thing is after coming out of CO, our teachers and a lot of our students already know how to use the Google Classroom format. We've already we've lived through we've lived it. Now, it's just unfortunately we have to look at possibly going back to that for a couple days. >> And I

059think this is the nextou that we're talking about, but I know we're talking a lot about classrooms and kids. What are we doing for the staff that aren't the instructional staff? >> Well, that is the next topic on the discussion items. So obviously when putting together this plan, we do have to think about um all of our employees, all of our staff and what their roles are. Um and we did need to look at particularly with our support staff, what would be the equitable solution uh for them to still have that day of pay um just like the teachers would have that day like just to make sure that we were in that equitable place. So, um I did work with the leadership from 26M uh to put together a memorandum of understanding that uh

060in order for it to not be considered the act of God day in their contract that this would become where they will be required to do uh GCN uh professional development modules and it would be equivalent to about the same time that we are expecting that uh teaching staff is going to be in the class or and not in class but putting in the time for the the work that is required for this plan and uh we worked very closely with Tom and uh Lynn Clary and to try to find what was that most equitable piece uh to address that need that is what the memorandum understand >> so then across the board everybody's going to be doing something >> correct >> so the GCM modules uh who reports the the completion >> yeah and

061we and theou we talked about that we're going to be working with the HR department and that we are going to make sure that we have a list that is stuff that is relevant and fitting to what those employees what those support staff may need in and what they do and there is a wide variety of items that are that are in there that that they can choose from. >> How do you track that? >> Yeah, with GCN we can check everything on the back end. um much like we already use GCN in terms of like for bloodborne pathogen training and for um some of the other modules that are required for all staff. >> Yeah. And actually in GCN um because I just printed and I didn't print it out but uh Kathy Mos

062printed it out just printed out mine and you can go in a name and you can print them all out and it has the date that they were done on. So if we did have two days when we were using this and say this David was said inoculate B and C the next one was DEF we would be able to see that they did that and because some of the people may not have devices at home themselves and it'd be very hard to do that on a cell phone. We're going to give them the the fiveday period to get that done and then if there is any adjustments for somebody who decides I'm not going to do it just document the day then we will make those adjustments um within a two week pay period.

063>> Okay. Do you have anything else to add? Next is the 26mm task. >> Yeah, that is >> I know we did. So, um, was there anything else to add to that? >> I think we're good, Tom. Did I miss anything? I think on your end, I don't think so. I think we're there. >> you're good, Tom. Oh, there you are. >> Okay. I'm like, I don't have my glasses on. I forgot to take them out. Um, so everybody's good with that. Do are there any other questions? So all both those items really all kind of >> they kind of together but they're they are different actions. >> Correct. >> So everybody's happy with that. Okay. Go on to number 12. Mr. Dibble with courses >> new courses. So it is February is that time

064of the year where our counselors are diligently get ready prepared to sit down with our students and and prepare to schedule for next year because again as our goal is let's make sure that we have their schedules in our hands before they leave for the end of the year and we're not spending the summer doing that. So knowing that it is crunch time at the moment and obviously with the transitions going on here in central office and the changes we in a short time frame had our secondary curriculum council meet. We had our district curriculum council meet over the next last two days. And we have two proposals for you. One is for a class going to be at our career tech center and another elective course that's going to be presented at or going

065to be offered to our high school students. Both of those committees met and listened to the presentations and we're both in favor of this. I do have uh I do have Carly and Shaya here to go ahead and share with you the marketing digital media and marketing year two course. >> I'm not a public speaker so I apologize. My name is Shaina Hal. I am a business tech teacher at the career center. Um, right now I teach digital multimedia year one and we're asking for year two. Um, switch. So, the next slide talks about what we're going to go over in this presentation. Um, I want to look at what we currently teach and what we're going to add on with year two. I want you to see our computer lab if you haven't seen

066it before, the curriculum that I do teach, and the costs. So, in year one, this is a picture of our current lab. It is a brand new $70,000 state-of-the-art um lab that we received a grant for last year. Um this year-long class is designed to engage students in hands-on projects, and it really is hands-on and real world activities. This course is based on the development of a specific set of skills that would be required in the field of digital media such as graphic design, digital communication, animation, web design, and the exploration of digital careers that may interest our students. Um students will learn how to use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator along with some other interactive programs like web design and posters through Canva and other um aspects. Most importantly, they will have fun while learning.

067And in my classroom, you can see the fun that they're having on their faces. On the next slide, you'll see some of the projects that our students have created this year with Canva and Photoshop. Um the about me posters are up in the top left corner. And then we did use Adobe Photoshop with the fruit. That was our first Photoshop um project. It was a black and white photo and they used color. Um, in the middle you'll see in the beginning of the school year we created um sketch pads so they could sketch what their projects would look like. We did just create magazines and that is all created by a student. We also did the Warhol project. So they used a football player in their original and then they got to do their own

068personal one after that. And we also did an ad and then we just did posters for Black History Month. So in year two, here are some of my students who would be taking year two if it is approved. As you can see, they are excited. Um we are excited to create this year-long class to continue engaging our students in hands-on projects and real world experiences. This course is an extension of year 1 with emphasis on working within our community and school to complete work workbased learning. Students will learn how to interview a client and find out their wants and needs, complete a project for a client and work within a deadline. Students will use Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and other programs to complete their assignments. Um, plans in the making are to create podcasts like Wood

069Haven has and post it on the um, school website, school news because we don't have broadcasting right now. So, our students could use the iPads that I'm going to talk about to create things that we could post about our school, creating posters or websites for teachers. We currently do that in a small scale and a lot of teachers are interested in that. Um and also creating ads for local businesses. So asking local businesses, we actually own a business and um doing small little projects and they can see their work out in the community. Um and much more. I have lots of ideas. Again, these are more pictures of our lab. You can see the actual computers that are in this lab. the students walk in and are like, um, this is these items were bought

070with our 2023 grant last year. Um, we got a brand new computer lab. We also were able to get GoPro cameras, a poster printer, a awesome Canon camera that we haven't touched yet. Um, sketch tablets that the students love, and we actually ordered more, well, we're going to order more with our new grant money and laptops. Um, I just wanted to give you an idea of what is coming as soon as um, our grant we're allowed to spend the money. So, I did apply for a new grant this year and I was awarded it. So, with that money, we are hoping to get iPads and Apple pencils. So, that that's what my students said that they would really love. And so, we're going to try that. And I'm hoping with the iPads, we can also

071use them to do videos and all that. Um, podcast equipment. I'm not a podcaster, but I know that's really cool right now. So, um that's um on the plans. A laptop to run the podcast and additional artist pro drawing tablets, which the students have had fun with. So, this is our current curriculum. This is through CTE. So, we look at the legal, ethical, design and safety. So, creative commons if you know of that. Um we look at digital communication, graphic design, technical support. We do a lot with web design, layout development, admin, testing and evaluation. We look at development tools, project management, customer service and planning and of course multimedia production. Now we know money, right? There are no costs. There are no additional costs. Um I got the grant money, so our lab is

072good. Um, the only thing we do is we buy Adobe, but our year one students do get that. It's with our CTE budget money, so there are no additional costs. And then today, my students made a little video for you. So, I don't know if you'll be able to hear it, but they were really excited to do it and I cried at the end. So, if you can watch it, I don't know if you'll be able to hear it. It's right under two minutes >> class because it's a great learning environment. There's many different things that you can learn through digital multime media and it's a great place to be in general. They have great like learning they basically help you learn in different ways. If you struggle in learning a certain way, you can

073learn a different way. And I enjoy text. So, this is a great class for me. >> Hello. Um, I'm Emma Farmer and um, my favorite part of this school, this class, is that I get to be myself without judgment >> from other people. >> And I just like doing something that I'm good at and that I can get good grades in. And >> yeah, >> I'm Gavin and um I'm in the digital multimedia class and um my favorite part about it has been the Photoshop stuff. Um but I'm waiting to get to the animating and illustration part of it. But um I also like the teacher a lot, Miss Hail, because she is always there to help you and she's really patient about certain things and she's just Yeah, she's always kind about it. So

074yeah, >> so those are some of my students who would be in year two if you choose to accept this. And I think the last slide is just thank you and if you have any questions, >> how students do you know how like coming in for potentially year one? Um like is it a growing class? So like if we have year two for next year, the year after that, are you looking at having more students? >> Okay, so currently our year one digital multimedia class is full. We could there were more students who wanted to come in and we didn't have the computers for them. Um I do have I believe 14 15 juniors. So those potentially would be our year 2 students. I don't have I don't believe I have any tenth graders. So,

075it's 11th and 12th. And with digital multimedia, that is a class that technically ninth graders could take. They usually can't because of the classes they need. So, does that answer your question? >> Okay. >> I just, you know, because the picture only shows like a few. So, like if this is like a growing class, then that's obviously huge that >> you would want it to. >> Yes. And I will just advocate that those skills are so critical out there in the workplace. Um, I use Adobe Photoshop every single day. I use Adobe Illustrator, everything Adobe right now. Um, and then on top of that, learning like Canva and just being able to do like digital ads for businesses. It's really it's a a career path that people can truly excel and succeed in and be

076very successful. Well, it's fun watching them like we just did research. So, they're doing the fun stuff and not realizing they're actually learning. >> Yeah. Or working really. >> Yeah. Yes. >> You know, like the thing that I like especially what we do with our CTE program is promoting these students for a job, a career when they get out of high school. These kids could go work for Kinko, go work for UPS stores, they can go work at Staples and help on top of just even those small firms that are doing those types of things. and even a pathway into a college or a tech school to continue to enhance these programs. So my biggest thing as I shared with with Mr. Wagger is I want to provide our kids hope and his provides our

077kids hope having something beyond high school that's going to get them a career. the amount of people that went for like communications or um >> the design >> graphic design. >> The amount of people that did freelance work with the skills that they got from high school. I mean, that's a path making money right there while they're going to school. So, I mean, there's a lot of things that you can take. >> And we also offer certifications. So my year 1 students will be able to take a certification this year. My year two it would be a different certification. So if they pass that they would have two certifications to put on their resume. And also we have the accreditations with colleges. So they could also get college credit at certain colleges. >> Do you

078anticipate they're seeing additional staffing needs with the year 2 program? Um possibly just we >> because the program is at >> it it keeps growing. Yeah. >> So um like that confession We have right now it love these classes and we have Another good part about it >> for the immediate. So like if this starts in the next school year, would you see us needing to post for additional position or do you It's starting off with just the staff and >> I'd say that's tough to say until you see the student interest. right now. >> Yeah, >> you're good. Thank you. And I do want to share like I love in the presentation here that um you know it's one thing that you're learning all these different programs and those pieces, but what I love

079is that in year two we're talking about how do you work with a client as well? How do you meet their needs? Like that is an essential skill that if a student wanted to pursue this as a career, that's something that they're absolutely going to need. And I'd love to see that uh built into the proposal. >> Yeah. And that's why all There's so much department that most of our Are there any other questions? >> A great job um getting awarded on the grant presentation and all the things. >> Thank you. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. Good job. There is a second course. >> Yes, there is another course. The other course that we're looking to adopt is an elective course high school and we have Mr. Sean Kelly, one of our high school

080staff members here to do his presentation about academic games. >> Good evening everyone. Um, I first want to apologize. I have no color or animation on my slides. Um, but to give you a bit of background information, I know a lot of you may or may not be in or have knowledge about what academ games is. Um, it it was started with games created by Professor Layman Allen back in the 1960s and leagues began to officially form during the 70s. So, it's been around for a long time. Um, I've been participating as a coach for roughly 10 years. Um, I've served on the steering committee for the Michigan League. I'm currently a tournament director for the Michigan League. Um, so this is something I'm kind of passionate about. Um, I came to the district uh

081at the beginning of second semester last year and I actually started with a small group of students around last March and so we kind of have a small group of students who are interested. Uh, this year we were able to actually take some to some competitions. We actually hosted a competition at the high school and so the buzz is kind of starting to build. Where we have an issue is that we can only kind of meet during Griffin hour and it's not a lot of time. And so I wanted to propose it to, you know, to be a course. And if you look at the next slide, these are some of the schools in our area who already have active teams and who participate in the league. Uh the next slide shows where as a

082Michigan school, we feed into a national chapter, the academic games, academic games league of America. And so these are the states who participate in the league. So now looking at how this relates to curriculum. Um all grade levels play with the same set of procedural rules. However, each division level of competition introduces increasingly more difficult concepts for the players to use as well as age and grade appropriate vocabulary. So in addition to teaching the rules of play, the instructor coach must also teach key academic skills to which the rules of play apply. I like to use the example of the game of Uno. no matter how old you are, Uno is just Uno, right? The rules of play are the same. So that's kind of what that is referencing. Um, now as we start to

083look at some of the specific games, we'll see some of the how it differentiates. So the first game is the game of equations and it is just what you think it is. It's a math game. But academic game starts as early as third grade. So we see in that minor division third and fourth the concepts focus on number sense and then addition subtraction multiplication and division and while they're playing these games there are no calculators so they are learning these skills and they're doing it mentally or with pencil and paper and they're timed doing it in the competition and so you first again teach those skills and then you're taught how to apply them to the game. As they move on to elementary, we see concepts added. Factorials, greatest common factor, least common multiples, averaging,

084fractions, fractions, fractions, negative numbers, decimals, and percents. We know they avoid things like fractions, decimals, and percent. So, they're learning them and then learning how to use them as a strategy in the game. They move on to middle. Uh they continue with the minor elementary skills, but then they add on working in bases other than the base 10 number system. They learn about fractional and negative powers and roots in middle school. And then variations, what variations are, if I can use my uno example, you know, some people stacks and do triples and doubles and all that extra stuff to make the game more interesting. So, as they progress, variations are then added to increase the level of difficulty while they're playing. From there, going to the high school level, there are really three different levels.

085There is an intermediate division which was designed for that high schooler who was interested but didn't play third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth grade. So they're new. They might be deficient in some skills but they also just don't know how to play the game itself. And so it bridges the basic concepts with a few of the upper letter upper level variations to kind of get them acclimated and get them started. And then at that point they can proceed to their actual level junior or senior. Junior being ninth and 10th, senior being 11th and 12th, which as you can see there are other concepts added, modular arithmetic, imaginary numbers, logarithms, and then other variations are added to increase the level of difficulty. So that's the game of equations. The next game is called onsets, which

086is another mathematic game set on the principles of set theory. So players learn to create and describe sets of colored objects using the operations of union, intersection, set difference, set complement, the universal set, and the null set. And so again, this is played across all levels with all of those operations. So they're using those operations early, and they're applying them to the game. And as they progress through school, they get more variations to increase the level of difficulty. The next game we've been going from our math games because we know a lot of students they hear math they don't want to try it but there's something for everybody. So woof and proof is one of our more difficult non-mmathematic games. So woof is used for wellformed formula. If you've ever taken a logic class or

087studied logical arguments this game relates to that. And so the students learn how to use different variables to form an argument and prove it. writing down a proof using these variables in the game. And it's also has two uh levels. So the regular game encompasses all of the rules, but if a child is not quite ready for that one, there is a basic version where they can kind of play that one. The next game, propaganda. So students learn to recognize techniques of persuasion that are often used by advertisers, politicians, editorial writers, and in everyday conversations, thus increasing their ability to discern truthfulness and validity. So the questions and clues for the games are categorized into six categories. So propaganda techniques of selfdeception, of language, irrelevance, exploitation, form, and maneuver. And then within these six categories,

088there are other different techniques. And so with this, we call it a reading game. Someone is reading a clue or they're showing a picture. You have to try to identify what type of propaganda is being displayed in that. And in teaching this game, we also talk about how these techniques are also techniques of writing and how they can apply them to some of their academic uh writing in their English classes. Uh presidents, the next game is president. Students learn about and develop an understanding of the personalities, historical context, political decisions, and other events of the presidents of the United States. This is where we dig into academic research. In this game, it is another reading game. So, they have to actually do the research to make their own study material so that they can be

089prepared to to play the game. And so, we talk about that academic research component. What is the credible source? How can you look for it? Books versus journals, all of that. And within this game, there are subcategories that happen every year. So in addition to just researching the presidents, you know, and what they did in their presidency. So for example, this year the themes are vice presidents and presidential campaigns and elections. So that's a lot of additional information that they need to know outside of just information on the president themselves. Uh the next game is theme. Theme changes every year. So students learn and apply academic research techniques to gather information on a particular historical theme. So this year you see the theme is the history of rock and roll. And the questions cover the

090subtopics of performers, early influences, the music industry, politics, cultural impact and technological advancements. And these things again change every year. Past things have been I remember one year that was women who changed the world. One year was Greek and Roman mythology. And so the themes change year to year again they do the research to create their study material so that they have something to study to use to play the game. Uh current events a similar reading game again they do the research is based on the last full calendar year. So this mean the 2324 year the clues would be based on anything happening in the year 2023 not just in the US but anything historical that might have happened in the year of 2023. Uh the next game is linguistic. Of course, a play on

091the word linguistics. This is an English game. So this game challenges players to improve grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and writing skills. And this one is also layered per level. So in the elementary division, you see the parts of speech, noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, interjection. So they start to apply all of these in a game. U moving on to the middle level and for the sake of time I'm not going to read through all of that but you see towards the end we see indefinite uh relative pronouns infinitives so on and so forth and then into the junior and senior division uh cases and tenses complex clauses so on and so forth there is another English game that is only played at some of the lower levels uh which is called on the next

092slide it's called on words which involves spelling counting grammar phonetics roots inflections, inflection endings, prefixes and suffixes. So all of those different type of things that they're applying at some of the lower levels that game then becomes a feeder into the game of linguistics. So the last part kind of talks about the participation in the league. So students who elect the course do not necessarily have to play on the team. They can just take the course and get the knowledge. But if they do choose to play, each school pays a $200 participation fee, which is waved if they host a tournament. And I typically choose to host a tournament like I did this year, so we didn't have to pay $200 to participate this year. And then if the students do choose to go on

093and compete, there is a cost associated with attending the state competition, which would happen in March of each year. It's roughly $320 per attendee. That covers the lodging, the registration, and their meals. If they do well and are successful, they can get an invitation to nationals. That cost varies yeartoear because the national travels. I believe last year was in Orlando. So, it travels year to year and depending on where it is, there are costs associated with that. However, it is beneficial to us as a Michigan school. The Michigan League is taxdeductible 501c3. So, we could also just ask for someone who wants a tax write off to write a check for our kids if they can get that tax deduction. But again, a student who wants to take the class can't just take the class.

094If they didn't choose to play on the team and represent the school, they can do that as well. >> That concludes my presentation. If you have any questions, >> how many kids are usually on a team? >> So, your monthly competition leading up to the state tournament, you play as a school team. So, however many kids you take from your school, that school score is a team score. At the state level, you compete in teams of five. So, a school can take however many students make up a team of five. And if you, let's say, you only have three, you can partner with another school and get two and do a combination team. >> It can be only after school activities. Most schools have it as a class because the after school time is not

095enough. So they will have the class and then those who wish to do a little bit more can come after school for additional practice. >> Ideally you would need one we typically will have one teacher per 20 students but if we have a full class of 25 you just as long as you have a teacher who knows the games they can teach the class. Um, in the initial proposal, I did uh mention that if more teachers are interested and want to come along as coaches, the league offers training free of charge. So, they can learn how to play the games, they can learn the procedures and the rules, and once they feel comfortable enough, they can choose to maybe teach it as an elective, >> right? >> Yeah. This is only for the high school

096right now. >> Ideally, yes. Well, we want to start with the high school. The plan is that over time we can do it across the district. That's like future expansion, >> right? Right. >> And this would you would be teaching the program, >> right? >> Okay. >> And that would be like one hour of the day, >> correct? >> Okay. >> Because how many students right now come to Griffin hour for that? >> On average about five. >> Five. Correct. >> Do you have more students that are interested in it or do you only have five students that are currently interested to? Initially we had about 12 or 13 but we lost them to other activities that they were already class. So like right you're thinking if you have like a class that they could

097actually take during the day you might have more interest. >> Correct. >> Does this cover a math credit for the kids? >> This would be just a strictly elective course >> course. Okay. >> But as you can see as during the presentation Mr. really did. We're hitting multiple different subject areas to expand and enhance the things that they're learning as well. >> That was actually one of my questions too. >> Is there a way to have it cover one of the credits or is that not recognized? >> That's something that we continue to grow. If this continues to grow, we would look to see how that would look because we have to make sure it's meeting all the standards that we would need to fulfill that as he as Mr. Kelly shared, it's not just

098math. There's also the EL components or social studies components. So, it's hitting a broad different areas within the curriculum. And as I look at it during the presentations when I'm listening to it for two days, especially if we're offering this and doing these logical type situations, it's really going to enhance what we're really building on within our normal core classes in preparation for the PSAT and SAT is building on these concepts and especially, correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Kelly, this is nondigital. >> All right? >> None of these games are done in front of a computer. They're not done on your phone. These are board games that could be taken home and introduced to their families as well and making Christmas a little bit more interesting. >> Right. >> So we have two ends

099of the spectrum tonight. We have the digital course. >> Can I ask um so when they go to these national competition, state competitions, uh are scholarships available uh to students through this process of participating? Any student who participates and applies as a senior can receive a book scholarship. Because there are so many, you know, students involved, they typically do a book scholarship of about 2250 $250. And that's any student who is a senior who applies, they will get it. >> Okay. H how did you guys do? You said you hosted a tournament at the school. How did you guys do? So, the one that we hosted, we had one student show up who was actually in the video with the the other um and when he came, he had been playing, I think, a week

100and a half. >> Okay. >> He won every round he played. >> Okay. >> Against students who had been playing for a while. >> A while. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Are there any other questions, comments? we will move on like um just to throw out there in terms when you're thinking of like the scheduling process for a high school to go through it. Um a lot of times when we're offering courses like this, we're getting them on the course book so that they can be options and we can see what that student interest and we can see what what's there. Um, so I know it sounds like right now like, you know, we have this amount of kids, but once it's in the course book, that allows time to sell the program and try to

101to drum up that student interest and and make it a a feasible option, too. So, I just want to throw that out there. That's kind of how it worked in the scheduling process. >> And from my understanding though, it's like still even if it's a course offering, still has to meet the requirement of students for it to operate as >> Yeah. Essentially, yes. because it's going to need uh when we determine and we look through master schedules and we're doing that building process. Uh that is one of those tough decisions you have to make is did it meet the the amount for student interest. But having it at least as an option allows us to go out there and drum up the support and see what we do. >> I'm sorry. I have one more

102question, Mr. Kelly. Um the $200 participation fee that would be like an out-ofpocket cost per student that wanted to play on the team. Correct. Not like a district. >> Okay. So it would just be like a school cost. So do you break that down? >> Okay. So if you host a tournament at the school, the whole fee gets waved. Okay. Just want to clear that up. Like otherwise you would break it up or would you want the district to cover that? >> But you would just plan on hosting one so they would wave it anyways. >> Okay. >> All right. >> And to answer that question, we would be able knowing if this is something that we do have a class, we do have it offered, we could write this in as a title four

103plan for for the exceptional students. So we would be able to use grant money to cover the fees for >> for the clubs. >> Okay. >> For the team. >> Do a lot of schools connect their like gifted programs to this or >> no because they don't always sense. >> Okay. Number 13 there. Every year we are asked to vote for members of the MASB board of directors and we are district 8. There are three candidates. They did all send uh emails. I don't know if you read them or not. Um I sit on the Casper board. So, some of these people I have had the opportunity to meet. Um, but the one that I'm going to recommend is the incumbent. Uh, she's from Lake Oran, which is Oakland County, but our district, our region

104covers Wayne, Oakland, and she is the sitting person, and she has taken it upon herself to take classes. Uh the president's award is for um board members when they take classes to improve uh their knowledge of being on a school board. So um my recommendation is forget aquiston. Is there any other discussion? Would anybody like to discuss >> forget region eight >> 17? >> She's on page 17. The other two are on 16 and eight. Anybody have any questions, >> comments? >> I'm good with your recommendation. >> You are. >> Anybody else? >> I agree. >> You agree? >> Anybody else from down that way? >> Okay. All righty. We are now going to action items. >> All right. Item number seven, action items. First up, we have the overnight field trip request. Holl Nature

105Center policy 2340 and policy 8640. It is recommended the board of education approve the following overnight field trip request. Holland Elementary, Howell Nature Center, Howell, Michigan, April 10th through the 12th, 2024. Is there a motion? Motion by Mr. Thomas. Is there support? >> Support by Mrs. Thomas. Miss Block. >> Yes. >> Mr. Heath. >> Yes. >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas. Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Miss Shufeld. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wright is a yes. That carries. 6. Item number two, overnight field trip request. Camp Machindo. Policy 2340 and policy 8640. It is recommended the board of education approved the following overnight field trip request. Moody Elementary, Camp Machindo, Hillsdale, Michigan, May 6 through the 10th, 2024. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Mr. Heath. Is there support? >> Support by Mr. Thomas.

106>> I think it was Mrs. Shoefeld. >> Mr. Heath. >> Yes. >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Miss Shufeld. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wright, is he? Yes. Miss Block? >> Yes. >> That carries 6. Item number three, overnight conference request, Michigan Association of State and Federal Programs, policy 6550. It is recommended the board of education approve the overnight conference request for Stacy Best Premiere to attend the Michigan Association of State and Federal Programs, Lancing, Michigan, April 24th through the 25th, 2024. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Miss Block. Is there support? >> Support by Miss Shufel. Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas. Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Miss Shufo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wright is a yes. Miss Block. >> Yes. >> Mr. Heath. >>

107Yes. >> That carries. 6. Item number four, overnight of conference request. Link crew training policy 6550. Is recommended the board of education approve the overnight ofate conference request for Shelby. this >> some >> for Shelby to attend link crew training taska Illinois March 10th through the 13th 2024 is there a motion >> motion by is there support >> support by Miss Thomas >> Mr. Thomas Mrs. Thomas >> yes >> miss >> yes >> Mr. Right is yes block >> yes >> Mr. Heath >> yes >> Mr. Myers is absent. That carries. 6. Item number five, overnight conference request. Michigan Reading Association MRA policy 6550. It is recommended the board of education approve the overnight conference request for Carrie Busel. >> Busel Ki Busel. Ki Busel, Jennifer Albertson, and Laura Davidson Davidson to attend the Michigan

108Reading Association MRA Conference, Washington, Michigan, March 15 through the 17th, 2024. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Mr. Thomas. Is there support? >> Support by Mrs. Thomas. Mrs. Thomas, >> yes. >> Miss Shufeld, >> yes. >> Mr. Wright is a yes. Miss Block, >> yes. >> Mr. Heath, >> yes. >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas that carries 6. >> Item number six, collaborative group policy 6320 is recommended the board of education approved to enter into an AIA B132-209 standard form of agreement between the Taylor School District and architect as modified with the collaborative group pending final negotiations of terms by district legal council. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Mr. Heath. Is there support? Sup support by Mr. Thomas. Miss Shufeld, >> yes. >> Mr. Wright is a yes. Miss Block, >>

109yes. >> Mr. Heath, >> yes. >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Thomas, >> yes. >> That carries 6. Item number seven, contract renewal administrative assistant for human resources policy 4120. It is recommended the board of education approve the contract renewal for Miss Patricia >> what Miss Block said for the position of administrative assistant of human resources effective February 1st 2024 through June 30th 2024. Salary for the position will be $55,32068 prrated. Is there a motion? >> motion by Mr. Thomas. Is there support >> support by Mrs. Thomas? >> It's cuz his mouth is right next to me. So I >> speak so that >> Mr. Thomas >> and then you're the second. >> Okay. >> Mr. Wright is a yes. Miss Block. >> Yes. >> Mr. Heath. >> Yes. >> Mr. Myers is

110absent. Mr. Thomas. >> Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Misso. >> Yes. >> That carries 6. Item number eight. Taylor Principal Association TPA memorandum of understanding. It is recommended the board of education approve theou between the Taylor School District and the Taylor Principles Association TPA with regard to the creation of a principal on special assignment and the placement of the Eureka Heights administrator upon the closure of Eureka Heights Elementary School. Is there a motion? >> Motion by >> Mr. Thomas. Is there support? >> Support by Mrs. Thomas. Miss Block, >> yes. >> Mr. Heath, >> yes. >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas, >> yes. >> Mrs. Thomas, >> yes. >> Miss Shufeld, >> yes. >> Mr. Wright is a yes. That carries 6. Item number nine, Taylor Association of Central Staff Administrators, taxa, memorandum of

111understanding. It is recommended the board of education approve theou between the Taylor School District and the Taylor Association of Central Staff Administrators TACSA taxa regarding the newly created position director of facilities operations and transportation and assistant director of transportation. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Miss Shufeld. Is there support? >> Support by Mrs. Thomas. Mr. Heath? >> Yes. >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas. >> Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Miss Shufo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wright is a yes. Miss Block. >> Yes. >> That carries. 6. >> Item number 10, virtual day plan. It is recommended the board of education approve the Taylor School District virtual learning plan. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Miss Block. Is there support? >> Support by Miss Shuo. Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas. >> Yes.

112>> Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Miss Eufeld. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wright is a yes. Miss Block. >> Yes. >> Mr. Heath. >> Yes. >> That carries 6. Item number 1126M. Taylor School Support Staff Association TSS >> A Memorandum of Understanding. It is recommended the board of education approve theou between Taylor School District and the 26M Taylor Schools Support Staff Association TSSA regarding virtual learning days. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Mr. Heath. Is there support? >> Support by Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Mr. Thomas. >> Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Missel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wright is Yes. Miss Block. Yes, >> Mr. Heath. >> Yes, >> Mr. Myers is absent. That carries 6. Item number 12, new courses policy 2220. It is recommended the board of education approve the following new courses.

113Digital media and marketing year two academic games. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Miss Shufeld. Is there support? >> Support by Mrs. Thomas. >> Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Miss Shufeld. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wright is yes. Miss Block. Yes, >> Mr. Heath. >> Yes, >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas, >> yes. >> That carries 6. >> Item number 13, MASB board of directors region A candidate. It is recommended the board of education hereby approve candidate Miss Bridget McQuiston for the MASB board of directors region A candidate. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Miss Block. Is there support? support by Mr. Thomas. Miss >> Yes. >> Mr. Ray is a yes. Miss Black, >> yes. >> Mr. Heath, >> yes. >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas, >> Mrs. Thomas, >> yes.

114>> That carries 6. >> Okay. Next thing on our agenda is superintendent report. >> Yeah, we've kept you busy tonight uh on this meeting. All those uh action items tonight. So, um, I do want to just kind of talk about two things real quick in my superintendent report. Um, I know we had the student representative tonight from TVLA. Uh, I think the student representative an excellent job in talking about what that program truly is. And it is truly a place for our non-traditional learners to be able to find that avenue that they are going to be successful. They are going to be there. Um, I have one representative on my student advisory from uh, TVLA and that one is definitely a fierce advocate for that program and what we need to do to be able

115to provide and make that truly that home for those non-traditional learners. And I think it's great things that those students are doing and great things that our staff are are doing at TVLA. Um, second thing I wanted to say tonight, I know uh I thank you, Mr. Wright, for uh putting in the moment of silence for uh Lauren today because um it was very uh you know, it hit a lot of people very hard in our community when we learned of his passing yesterday. And uh Lauren served this community diligently as our athletic director for over 15 years. Um, I personally worked with him as a coach when I coached uh, middle school track in the district and when we needed things, he found a way. Um, even when he didn't have the budget, even

116when he didn't have the resources, he made it happen to be able to provide for us uh, what we always needed as coaches. Uh, and it was greatly appreciated. Um but on that personal level, even the last few months that I was uh in the district uh in my previous capacity, uh him and I did share office space together at Taylor High School when we moved the athletic director in. And it was done so because I was the uh activities assistant principal, the athletics assistant principal. And so got to know him a little better in that time. And he was always somebody who had that positive look. He was always looking to bring other people up and make them feel better. And I think he did that in a great many people's uh lives. And

117I don't think people realize that as athletic director, you know, you may not be the person who's directly impacting a student at all times, but the decisions he makes, the way he conducted business was for the betterment of all our student athletes. Uh and he will truly be missed. Um, I do look back and go probably the last time I know that I had kind of had the opportunity to, you know, interact with Lauren was, uh, when I was principal at John Glenn High School and I went to go watch our, uh, girls bowling team in the, uh, state tournament. And lo and behold, the final four uh, for that bowling tournament was Taylor High was in that in that final four and John Glenn was in that final four. And so the two of

118us were there uh both cheering and hoping that that would be what happened as the the final to see who would be state champion. We didn't get our way that day, but uh it was really a great moment for me to spend that time with him and have that positive energy and both of us cheering for uh each other in those capacities. And uh he will, like I said, truly be missed. So, please keep him and his family in your thoughts uh in your prayers uh going forward because it it truly is a a tragic loss for us. >> Thank you. >> Next item on the agenda is the consent agenda. Mr. Wright, >> item number nine, consent consent agenda, policy 0166.1 and policy 6470. First, we have minutes from the January 24th, 2024 regular

119board meeting. Number two, we have consolidated items, payment of current bills, certified, non-certified, administrative reports, and curriculum requests to hire. I just can I guess can I have discussion? Can I open up discussion on that? I know it's not part of discussion on the personnel. talk about. >> Um I think what you have to do is you have to take a motion and a second and then there's discussion. >> Okay. >> Is there a motion? Motion by Mr. Thomas. Is there support? >> Support by Miss. >> No, you asked for discussion. >> Okay. Um I just wanted to ask real quick when it came to the in-house in school suspension that was the positions that we created that were funded through grant >> correct earlier when we were uh working on that with TFD. Yes,

120that is correct. Okay. Yes. >> And those are the full-time positions. >> Correct. And at the time theou we entered into was uh they they're in the contract as ATA positions um that are grant funed positions within the TFT contract but we were noticing that at the rate of pay for those positions we weren't able to get people to to fill them and that was where we have to do the early >> are they grant funded or they general fund >> I want to say in their contract that's always been in their categorical uh funding for the TFD which has typically been grant funed positions >> and then specifically for the new hires for the non-certifi certified personnel report are these positions were they looked at through to see if we needed the positions >>

121yes absolutely at this point um what we are doing is when we have the requests to hire um they are being brought to my office to me to be able to go through and say like hey right now we to put brakes on this and not refill this position or it's one that we definitely know we're going to need or because of the funding source it's something that it's not going to affect other like uh I'll particularly use the example of ROC um because that is funded through our career center grants like that is something we can proceed and we can fill uh whereas something else we're we're going to take that moment and press pause from time to time. >> Okay. And then a lot of these retirements, so I see a lot of

122the retirements are all slated for the end of the school year. Are those part of the group that as they retire, we're looking at? >> Correct. So essentially right now one of the big steps we have to take right now is to start working on our scheduling processes in all our buildings so that we can analyze and go like okay these are the places that we're not going to replace because of attrition or if it's in the case of some of these uh announced retirements if they are special ed and they're getting the federal funding like that we're going to proceed as building the position. >> Thank you. Yep. >> Going on to the vote. Mr. Wright is a yes. Miss Block. >> Yes. >> Mr. Heath. >> Yes. >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr.

123Thomas. Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Miss Shu. >> Yes. >> That carries 6. >> Okay. Items scheduled for next agenda, Wednesday, February 21st, 2024, will be good news and our student representatives will come from McDow Elementary. Our next item on the agenda is public comment in accordance with the open meetings act of 1976. The board provides opportunities for citizens input during the public comment because agendas are full. Each speaker is limited to three minutes. Thank you to all who are able to be here with us in person, both of you and online tonight. We understand the importance of of continuing to keep you all informed and provide an opportunity for you to be heard. Tonight's audience participation will be for all who wish to speak, whether it be in person or online. We will begin

124with those in person. If you would like to address the board, please step up to the microphone and state your name and address. of the record. After all those in person have had the opportunity to speak, that opportunity will be given to those online. Please take into consideration common courtesy and keep your comments to three minutes or less. We will provide and assist with timekeeping so that each speaker will be able to monitor their own time and know when to conclude so all who wish to speak will have an equal opportunity to do so. If there are any questions at this meeting or by some other avenue, Superintendent Michael Wagner Wagger or his designate will work on getting those answers in a timely manner. We will start with those in person. >> No, Tom, you

125don't want to say anything at all? >> Okay. Now, is there anyone online? There is. Okay. Good evening. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. This is Caroline Pat, 6860 Jackson. Um, speaking on the virtual day plan, um, back in 2020 during COVID time, I was in charge of distributing all of the Chromebooks for all of the students in the schools, every school. Um, and back then we also had hotspots for those families that did not have Wi-Fi. Those were also something that I was in charge of distributing to the schools to get them to those families that needed it. Um, before I left, every library was set up with barcodes on the Chromebooks in their system and the libraries were the ones who distributed them to the students if they had something that

126was wrong with them. Um, if they needed a new cord, all those kinds of things. That was all set up that way. And so when I retired in two 2021, um the libraries took care of that, but I was not I'm not involved in that part anymore, of course, but I didn't know that the students don't have the Chromebooks anymore. Uh because they were talking about distributing them, you know, to the students if they had some kind of a day like that in the elementary where the high school already has those. So I was kind of, you know, concerned or or just wondering whether the students still use the Chromebooks, if they have to bring them into school, if they use them at home. Um so and if the students um didn't you know had

127something wrong with them then it always went through um the library. Um so that was one thing. Uh the other thing is is um I have a question. Um and maybe you know Mike I can I'm going to see you tomorrow. So maybe if you know the answer you can give the answer to me tomorrow. Um can a board president make a motion? Um I've never heard a president and I'm not saying anything bad. I'm just saying I never heard a president make a motion for something. Um, and I didn't know if that was something that that you could do or you couldn't do or I just don't know about it. The last >> pardon, >> I shouldn't say. I shouldn't speak. >> Oh. Um, and the last thing, if I don't cry, I also

128wanted to say I'm really sad about Lauren. Um, sorry, my emotions got to me when I found out because I worked with him for the time that he became administrator or athletic director and he also took money out of his own pocket to make scholarships for the foundation for our senior students. So, I wanted to make sure that was said, too. He was a wonderful man. Thank you. >> Thank you, Carolyn. And um according to Rrow's rules board and legally I can make a motion else. >> Thank you. >> Okay, that's it. We're online and in first. So our next order of business is uh German to close session. Mr. Right. >> All right. Item number 12, adjourn into close session policy 0137.2 pursuant to Michigan's open meetings act being public act 267 of 1960

1291976. And as amended, I move the board convene in close session pursuant to 8H material exempt from disclosure by state and federal statute. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Mr. Thomas. Is there support? >> Support by Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Miss Blot. >> Yes. >> Mr. Heath. >> Yes. >> Mr. Myers is absent. Mr. Thomas. >> Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Miss Shufo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wright is a yes. That carries. 6. We will go into close session at 8:03 p.m. >> There. I didn't think you were. Okay, we're back from close session at 9:08 p.m. There is no action after close session. There are board member comments. Anybody have any comments? >> Yeah, just thoughts and prayers out to Warren and his family and all the >> viewings tomorrow and the

130funerals on Friday. >> So, so sad when we lose people. Um, on a happier sports note, today was National Women and Girls in Sports Day. Just so you know that. Anybody else have anything to say? Okie dokie. That's end of that and adjournment. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Mr. Thomas. Is there a second? Second >> second by Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Mr. Myers not here. Mr. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Thomas. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shufeld. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wright. >> Yes. >> Miss Black is a yes. Mr. Heath. >> Yes. >> It is six. Yay. No. Motion is carried. And we are out in that 9:09 p.m.