001Welcome everyone to the Taylor School District regularly scheduled board meeting of December 6, 2023, where our mission statement is to educate and engage and empower those we serve. And our vision statement is that we will be the innovative destination district where all succeed. And welcome to our new space. It's a little different from our old one, but this is going to be the new place for the board of education. So, we're excited to be here. So, welcome to our first meeting here. So, this meeting is called to order at 6:04. >> Mr. Rice is here, Miss Block. >> Mr. >> Here, >> Mr. Michaels >> here. >> Mr. Thomas >> here, >> Mrs. Thomas >> here. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
002republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> First on our agenda, we have student representatives. We have the amazing West Middle School here with us tonight. So, we can hand it off to >> Oh, thanks. Just go right to that mic if you're gonna speak. All right. Hi, my name's Lexi. >> Hi, my name's Aiden Huart. >> I'm Joy Grace Kabassi. >> Hi, my name is Ryan Williams. >> Hi, my name is K. >> Hi, my name is Joseph Kassic. And tonight we're here to share our Conor pride. We're eighth grade students at West Middle School. We represent student council NJHS band, chorus, cardinal connectors, sports, and the student body as a whole. As Carninal connectors, eighth grade students mentoring sixth grade students throughout the year.
003Fall orientation. Carninal connectors helping new students with lockers, showing students around the building, and explains studying for exams. The band and choir is always making many tunes and sounds of Miss Farmer and Miss Ranchas. West's music department was a part of Taylor High School's homecoming parade parade. Alan Park's holiday parade, then the white out Christmas parade. >> Always working towards positive celebrations, dances, and bowling were our first two celebrations so far with any more celebrations to come. West Middle School sports include football, volleyball, cross country, and soccer in the fall. Winter sports are wrestling, swim, and basketball. Spring sports are baseball, softball, track, and field. Field trips this year include the Washington DC field trip for eighth graders, a trip to Wayne State University Planetarium and a physics lab, Detroit Institution of Art, a Wayne
004game, and many more to come. Copying Good Fridays is a great way to promote kindness and independence in our school. Staff members recognize behavior and helpness among students and then submit their names for a raffle on Friday. Four students are chosen every Friday and get to choose a gift card. I'll just sit down, but I'm ask you to stand real quick. Miss Thomas has a card and it's card from the whole board. So, thank you all for being here. And thank you all for being here. I know it takes a lot to get up here and speak in front of the whole audience, but you all did absolutely wonderful. And thank you for sharing with us all the amazing things happening at West. Thank you all. >> Thank you. Moving on to our good news.
005First up we have So first up we have our TVLA furniture. So, um, recently with the district's, um, our TVLA was able to purchase all new furniture for their facility and so we had that delivered um, and they've already been using it and our teams have worked really hard to install that furniture into that facility. Um, and it's just a snippet at what's to come for the district. We're really excited about this um, additional furniture and that new environment. really has transformed the TVLA environment. Um I know Miss Scott there she was so excited and told us all about how the students have loved it um as they come in. It really has made an impact not only on the students but the staff as well. So we just wanted to highlight the awesome addition
006to the school district that just got delivered. So and then next we have the thank you to Myers Maint. >> Yeah. So recently um we had uh several staff members at Meyers Elementary reach out send emails in and they really wanted to recognize uh the maintenance staff at Meyers for uh the work that they have really put in recently into um making sure that Meyers is a welcoming environment, a place where kids feel comfortable and safe to learn. Uh they particularly wanted to say thanks to Pam Gerard um because of the leadership she showed in making sure that that was a project that was getting addressed and taken care of. But um on a whole they were just wanted that to be out there and they wanted that in the community that of the great
007work that was taking place. All right, moving on. So after that, we know it's a school night. We know that you all probably want to get home. You don't want to chill at the work meeting. So, at this point, we can open it up. If you all would like to leave, you're more than welcome. If you'd like to stay, you're more than welcome as well. So, thank you all for being here. >> Thanks again. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Moving on to item number five, ML. >> Are there any hearing? None. We need a motion for the approval of the agenda. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yes. Mrs. >> Yes. Moving on to item number six on our agenda, discussion items. First up, we have
008our outofstate field trip request, Imagin Imagination Station, and we have I believe Missco Ms. >> And she's joining us by Yes. Hi. Um, I'm Miss Msco. I teach kindergarten at Eureka Heights and we go every year to Imagination Station down in Toledo. They offer lots of hands-on activities for all the children, especially for the younger ones in particular. They have a space called Kids Space that's reserved just for um 5-year-olds and six-year-olds. So, it gives us an opportunity to do imaginary play, some constructiveness, working with water, um, playing with tornadoes and hurricanes, and they go in the tunnels. It's just a great place. I've been going every year for over years. >> All right. Thank you. Second, we have our overnight field trip request. How nature center All right. So, I can kind of give
009a overview of this field trip. Um, this is the standard field trip that they go on each year. The HA nature center they've come to for previously. Um, it's overnight. They get to go to the Hall Nature Center. They're immersed into kind of more of the environment. They'll go through many lessons with nature center staff. Um they'll have chaperones on board. Um it is student funded. Um and they'll be going from May 13th through May 15th. Um, moving on to item number three, overnight field trip request. >> Hi, sorry, can you guys hear me? >> Yes. Yes. >> Okay. Sorry, I was having volume problems. I'm getting my dog. It's Lori Bell. from Eureka Heights and I am requesting permission to attend Camp Machendo and Hillsdale. Um we've changed our dates to May 8th through
010the 10th this year so that we can join Moody for half of the week. So we're super excited about that. >> Other than I think Camp Machindo is awesome. I went there as a fifth grade student myself and I know I say it every year but if there's ever anything that student needs to help go just let me know. >> I will Kyle. Thank you. >> Um moving on to item number four. We have the Taylor Federation of Teachers M. >> Yes. Um Jay Josephoski has was an EL teacher in the district last year. um he has been filling in in the vacancy for the EL director position. Um he's still been completing part of his duties in the classroom and then also doing the EL director duties outside of the classroom. Um so we
011have reached an agreement with TFT to pay him $50 per half-day work per TFT contract for the days worked between September 18th and current. Um, and then he would be paid that additional stipend of $50 a day going forward from now until that position is filled, which will be next on the agenda. >> Is there any discussion? Moving on to item number five, hire director of English learners and MTSS. >> So, um, Mr. Joseph has been doing a really good job um, filling in for that director position. um so much so that we would like to extend a full contract for him uh to become our permanent director of EL and MTSS. >> Uh quick question. This position is for our students. >> Correct. It is >> and we are required to provide services. >>
012We are Thank you. Moving on to item number six. I'll just say item number seven, Eureka Elementary abatement bid and Eureka Elementary demolition bid. Mr. >> How you all doing? Good. Um, so on uh November 8th, we put out RFP for uh abatement and demo for Eureka Dale. On November 16th, we did a walk through, a pre-bid walk through. We had 10 abatement comp uh contractors show up and four demo contractors show up. On the 29th of November at 1:00, we had the bid opening for abatement. We received four bids. Um, one bid was from MIS Corporation for $130,370. A AI for $283. And I'm sorry, $283,640. Blueest Star was $194,700 and ALAM was $158,450. After care careful consideration, um, we met with EKS. U they're they're the contractor we have that's going to do
013the air quality control. Um we've talked to them. They've worked with this company's many times. We recommend MIS Corporation for abatement of Eureka Dale in the amount of $130,370. On the same day at 2:00 we received four bids for the demo and we we did our had our bid opening. We Thomas Trucking um their bid came in at $210,000. A AI was $367,458 with a a um amendment with a parking lot breakout. We have a part of the parking lot. We can't tear it all out because it cut butts right up to a couple neighbors driveways. So, um they added a little extra in to cut the lot and we're going to break out half of it. So, their bid was $367,458 with an additional $28,000 for the parking lot breakout. Blue Star, their quote
014was $334,300 with no amendment and or alternate, I'm sorry. And the last one was Detroit dismantling $292,511 within a parking lot breakout of 23,000. And after speaking with EKS, um we recommend going with Thomas Trucking in the amount of $210,000. Um we did when we met with the contractors for the walkthrough, we would did tell them that this is kind of a you know, it's in a we're in a hurry to get this done. So the timelines, we're going to move quickly on them. Um once once they're approved tonight, hopefully we're going to send the report to the state for the abatement. That takes 10 to 15 days to get that back and then the abatement would start soon after. We're looking probably just in Jan just uh after we get back from January from
015the Christmas break to start the abatement process. When we talked to the trucking or the demo company from Thomas Trucking, you know, they're they're looking at probably March. I believe they said right around March we could start demo. Um there there's some things that they can do while the abatement's happening um towards the back with all the ash vault that's in the back. So, there's some work we can do. And actually, they're over here demoing here. And they said, you know, once this project's over, they could probably just move their machinery right over. I mean, it it'll be a quick turnaround to them. >> So, by June. >> Yeah. Yeah. Everything should be done. Yes. Yep. So, they're they're they're hoping early March, mid-Marchch to start them. So, it's a very small, you know, quick
016project. >> You said Thomas is the one. That's current. >> Correct. Correct. And then can you walk us through what you said about the parking lot? >> Yeah, if you when you pull up to Eureka Dale, there's the parking lot up front. Um half of when you we have some neighbors that the parking lot actually runs into their driveway. So if we tore that out, we would have to replace it with something. So, we actually we're going to meet with the state, I'm sorry, with the city and architect and just make sure that you know that that's something we can do. We have some drains there. That's another concern because we have some drains in that area. So, we want to make sure that you know we we don't want to damage those. >> Yeah.
017So, but we are going to take out part part of it, you know, from the sidewalk pack back about six feet. >> Is there any maintenance that would be associated with that? That's why we're going to talk to the city because that may be something that they would maintain because there there is parking in in neighborhood. You know, the neighbors could be using that parking. So, we will speak with the city about that. >> Any other discussion? >> Thank you. >> Moving on to item number eight, special education ancillary staff agreements. So, um, in our efforts to try to, uh, meet the needs of all of our students, uh, we do find the times when we cannot find people to fill our vacancies. We do have to sometimes contract with third party vendors to fill
018those, uh, needs, uh, when appropriate. We do have several other companies that we contract with for special education services in particular and even with the ones we're already contracting with, we are still struggling to fill certain vacancies that we currently have. Uh so we do have two companies that these will be brand new contracts that we are um putting forward and proposing the board to have signed. uh just so that we have more more of a pool to draw from for these vacancies that we know we need coverage for. Uh Anthrod in particular uh our attorney is looking over that contract currently and there are some things that we still have to iron out with that company. Um but we are asking that pending what we iron out in that contract that we do go
019ahead and approve them as a service. Um, we also uh for ProAre at one time we did contract with ProAre and so a lot of the language that uh our attorney would normally request is already in that contract because it has one that we we've done for. So that one uh looks good and ready to be approved as today. Uh I did personally reach out to um our bargaining units that would be affected uh for these third party vendors and did get their approval that they were uh good knowing that it's the same thing. We will always try to fill these process these positions internally before going and >> once so say we bring these parties on and then we get applicants positions positions we'll take the third party member >> correct district >> correct
020it's always where we want to be is filling it with our own our own employees always >> and contractually we're not tied in with a certain amount of time. If we use the third party, it's not like, oh, hey, it's one day into the month, we got to pay him for the month. It's it's a dayby-day basis, >> right? And if we were to hire someone that very much any other discussion moving on to item number nine, our athletic trainer agreement, Mr. W. So, we are bringing forward tonight. Um, we need to get approved the agreement we have with Plymouth for providing us our athletic trainer that comes to our afterchool sporting events. Uh, this is a need that we do have to fill. It is something that we we need to have that support
021person for our athletic teams, for our coaches, for our athletes. And, uh, it just us approving the contract. This is something we've done on an annual basis. It took a little longer if we ironed out some of the changes in the contract, but we are ready to go forward. >> Um, and this like our trainers like a service that we use and make that, right? Have we considered hiring like our own full-time trainer? >> We have had those discussions. Uh, that does get into a cost matter. Um, and it depends on what we would build into the athletic budget to cover that cost. Um because when we do have this position covered by the school district that does then take on the cost of retirement push it up. >> And just to clarify it's not
022Plymouth's physical therapy specialist. Sorry, shortened it now. >> Like, wait. >> Any other discussion? >> Moving on to item number seven, actions. No, no, >> you're a okay. Go ahead and feel free to present. >> I had to remember it was here and not somewhere. >> Oh my good. I'm so sorry. >> So, we're going back to overnight field trip request nature. >> That is correct. The second one. Thank you very much. Alrighty. Um, we did this last year as well and it was a really good time there. So, we're going to the Hall Nature Center. It would be on this uh the is it here the 5th or the 13th? Yeah, 13th through the 15th. Yeah, I didn't bring my glasses because I was in a hurry. I was like, "Oh my gosh, I'm
023late. I'm so sorry." So, uh, we're we're anticipating like six chap rooms needing that because it's we need one for every eight students and they get in for half price. Any more than that, they would have to pay the full fee to go. Um, but we go there. Uh, is there any particular thing you want to know >> because I can go through all the stuff they're going to do like I did last time. It's a really cool place. uh you go there and it's like that it has it's it basically they rehabilitate animals there. >> It's a rehabilitation station. So, and they uh they have like cabins and things for the kids to come and they do nature and outdoor activities and they talk about Native American studies and things of that nature. And
024so when you go through it, they have like outdoor education and nature education, all different kinds of stuff. So, we tried to get something from every little section for our kids to have a full experience there. So, one of them, well, we got the camp store because everyone wants to shop there. There's never enough time. So, that's like the last thing you do before you leave to go to the store. So, we got that one. And then, uh, for the outdoor education, we got canoeing. And that's where they so they'll go and they learn how to actually canoe on the lake and some fishing because a lot of our kids over at Taylor Parks have never had that experience whatsoever. So getting the idea to go out and fish. We got archery. They're going to
025learn some basics of archery. And uh survival one says they're going to go outdoor uh using survival strategies. They will work in small groups to build a fire in a shelter. And they don't get anything except what's on the ground. So they literally have to figure out how to take the kindling and put it together. And they make the fire and they make a shelter out of like the surrounding logs and things of that nature. They try to do that. So they do a really good job on that. And then for the nature education, we're going to do skins and skulls. So that's where you see animals skulls up close and they learn the adaptations of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores. And so then they have a challenge at the end to see if they can
026tell which one's which. They get to see all the different schools. And they're going to do a food web activities. So they'll see the uh how they move through the uh ecosystem, how an energy goes through and the cause and effect relationships of a food ref. And they got a zoo there because when they can't uh re fully rehabilitate an animal if it's too damaged because they take local animals that they found hit by cars or pets that people couldn't keep anymore and they try to release them back into the wild, but if they can't, they put them in their zoo. So they got lots of bald eagles and a lot of the nature stuff from around here in Michigan that they get a chance to see. And so they're we're going to do little
027zoo walk there to see a lot of the native animals here in Michigan that you kind of don't see because they hide really really well and you don't really see the owls and the hawks and all the minks and all the things because they're just hiding everywhere. They always like that. And then we got myth crackers. So, this is the wildlife education and that's where they're going to uh tell them about some common myths about animals in our in our area and talk about uh whether they're true or false and things of that nature. Like uh if you put a turtle on the ground, it always knows back where it knows exactly what direction to go where it was born. It'll start walking right back there. It has its own like GPS kind of thing
028on it. Then we got wildlife in our own backyard. So it says they're going to learn about wildlife found in our own homes, including their characteristics and behavior and how we can how they benefit us. So like possums and things of that nature that live around here so they're not necessarily freaked out by all these animals that they we respect them and understand why they're a good part of our ecosystem. We got wildlife detectives where they say uh we're going to use the clue. Now this one's interesting. It's a scat one. basically what you learn from what animals leave behind and you go through it and see what you learn what they eat and all that kind of stuff, right? By seeing what kind of bones are inside and all that kind of stuff. And
029for the adventure one, we got the zipline. So, that's challenging them to face their fears and go ahead and do stuff that they may not think they're they can normally do. They got like this big uh marsh area and it's a hill and they like zipline from one side to the other. They always have a good time on that one. Then they got the team building activity. We put the team challenge and what they do there is they have to get across these little rocks and logs things to get to the other side. But you got to work as a team. You got to lay down this plank. You don't give them so many planks. You got to get from one to the other and not fall off. You got to get the whole team
030across and back. Otherwise, you fail it. So you got to work together as a team to get everyone across just using this one plank of these far apart little rock things. That's always a challenge and they do good on that. Then for a cultural education, we're going to do the indigenous people and their natural resources. So they're going to learn about everyday life for Michigan indigenous people of the past through artifacts and demonstrations. They'll learn the role of plants and wildlife and indigenous people's cultural cultures and games. and then do a hand on hands-on addition to the Michigan history curriculum there. That's a activity there. Then uh since we're also there at night because uh they gave us a second day which was kind of cool after our first visit. So uh we're going to
031do campfires and s'mores. We got to have some fun ones there for the kids to have. And then we got capture the flag which that's a definite team building one. It's a really hard one to do. They made me do that one last year. So, Games Galore is one of the ones we picked. They learned a teamwork again on playing all kinds of different games. And we're going to do a night hike where they go around and see some of the creatures and the little things they leave around at night and how they survive at night. And so, those are some really fun things and those are things we planned on doing. There are those activities. So we try to get a little bit of everything in there, the history and the team building and
032the and the wildlife and all that stuff mixed together. Some science and social studies and of course some physical activities as well in there for the gym activities. So just to give a little bit fullrounded experience because a lot of the kids over by tables, they don't get out. They don't get out very much. So they have a good time with this. >> Well, thank you. We appreciate that. >> Oh, no problem. I'm sorry. I was late. I was like I was so like when I said I'm never late. I hate being late. I'm always like an hour early. >> Is there any discussion? >> This is like the fifth grade camp, right? >> Yes, it is. Yeah. >> Um I'm not sure what the cost is for like the kids if there is a
033cost. >> There is a cost with it. It's 75. >> There's every sponsors that you're looking for sponsor. >> Oh, thank you very much. I might have a few. There's a couple of videos for that. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Moving on to item number seven. Actually Ohio 2024. Is there a motion? >> Motion by Mr. Is there >> yes >> field trip It is recommended for the following request elementary May 13, 2024. Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Yes. Right. >> Yes. >> Number three. He >> is there. >> Motion. >> Second. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Yes. Mrs. >> Mr. >> Yes. >> Number four districted teachers regarding compensation for J. Joseph >> director. Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Yes. >> Mr. Yes. >> Yes. >>
034Request the hire director of English 3120. It is recommended board of education approve the hiring of J for the position director of English learners MTF salary for the position will be 9126 Mr. The start date will be as soon as there motion. Yes, Mr. >> Yes. It was elementary 128,00 Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Mr. Yes. >> Yes. >> Number seven, elementary. It is recommended the board of education adopt 210,000 truck. >> Yes. Yes, >> Mr. >> Yes. >> We just make sure that we get some breaks. Miss Pats will want breaks. >> Just saying it now. is recommended for education school districts and the district motion. >> Yes. Yes. >> Number nine. Please recommendation. Hang on one second. recommended board of education between school district in order to provide education consulting services
035special education students who are enrolled in Taylor. Is there a motion? >> Motion second. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Number 10. Athletic trainer. It is recommended the board of education district services to the district. Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Second. >> Yes. On to item number eight, we have our students report. Uh first update I want to give um and I was so glad to see the West Middle School students here tonight. I I really appreciate them coming out. Uh three of the students who did present for uh last night, Alexandra, uh Aiden, and Ryan are all members of my superintendent uh student advisory committee. And um we had our second meeting towards the end of the month and it's really been this great experience where it's good to get out and
036for myself to still connect with students and get a kind of an idea of pulse of what's going on in the school district from the student level. Uh at our first meeting we had narrowed down that we were willing they wanted to look at four areas of focus that aligned with what the board of education's goals are for this year. Um and those were uh diving into student safety, diving into um equity and inclusion, uh mental health supports and uh communication where there are four areas that they wanted to focus on. So, at the second meeting we just had and one we'll have here in December, uh, we've decided to kind of dive into those deeper, kind of get their ideas on what they truly mean when we're talking safety or what we're truly meaning
037what mental health supports they'd like to see in our schools. And then when we meet again in January, we're going to choose one of those areas, those four that we've uh gotten a little more in depth on, and they're going to start then creating an action plan uh that will help drive us towards our uh board of education goals that we have going on. So, it'll be great to be able to report out in January exactly which of those they chose. And then we're going to start developing the the project that they've uh put forward to to begin to take a lead, allow our students to have that voice and take a leadership role uh in what we do for students across the school district. Um, one of the great things about it, I've really
038been trying to pair this at the same day that I do my coffee with the superintendent because it really is that great day for me to be able to be out and to get perspectives from parents as well from the from that process. Uh so far we've been out to Taylor High School and Taylor Parks. Um we do have uh some coming up in the future. Uh and I just encourage anybody in the community to you know watch on Facebook, watch through other forms of communication that we are putting out there to come and be part of those conversations. Uh we've had really great things happen. >> Moving on to item number nine, our consent agenda block. Agenda number one, 2023. >> Motion Second. >> Yes. >> Moving on to item number 10. Items scheduled
039for the next agenda, Wednesday, December 20th, 2023. We have our good news and we have our grand opening of the board of education and that will be >> Huh? >> You're not asking. >> There's two people right there. Uhuh. Well, that'll be going on from 5:00 pm to 6 pm and then we'll lead into our board of education meeting from there. Um, and it's going to be a great event. We have some amazing people working on the committee to make sure it goes off without pitch. So, I'm excited to see uh that play out and to also honor the hardworking people of this district that put their heart and soul into this building and making it beautiful. We'll be doing that as well. >> Moving on to item number 11, public comments. Thank you to
040all those who could be with us tonight. We understand the importance of continuing to keep you informed and providing an opportunity for you to be heard. Public comment will begin with those in person and then move to our online audience. For those in person, please step up to the microphone and state your name and address for the record. After the in-person comment, our online audience will need to find the raise hand symbol for our moderator to recognize and unmute you. Please take into consideration common courtesy, refrain from any personal attacks, and please keep your comments to three minutes or less. We will provide and assist with timekeeping. So each guest 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
041do so. As a reminder, if there are any questions at this meeting or by some other avenue, interim superintendent Michael Wager or his designate will work on getting those answers in a timely man. You have any in person? Good evening. Can you hear me? >> Yep. >> Okay. Um this is Caroline Pat, 6860 Jackson. Um Kyle, thank you for having my back because that would be one of the things I would recommend too is um to ask if we could get um at least a few bricks. doesn't we don't have to have 300 bricks from Eureka Dale but uh we would like to have a few because I do have some from the old raco Bartlett school or Bartlett Rackco and also Monroe so we do have some of those um and I just wanted
042to say thank you to I know you're going to do this next meeting but I just want to say kudos to the maintenance especially Ken um at the board office there because he was uh he was a trooper all summer long when he was there without help and he was doing what he to do and had to take all of my questions. Um, you know, I think he was afraid to say, "Oh, here she comes again." kind of thing. Um, there was one other thing I was going to mention. Uh, we will um going to we're going to be there also um representing the museum. Uh, I was hoping to come tonight because I wanted to kind of take the board members through um our museum and let them see that, but maybe I'll do
043that at the next meeting uh before it all starts if everyone gets there beforehand. Um, oh man, there was one more thing I was going to say and I can't remember what it was. Oh well. Oh yes. Uh, and also talking about the bricks, but also the brass plaque. If there's a brass plaque inside of Eureka, we would need that out too before it goes down. >> Okay. Yeah. And yeah, Patrick, thank you for getting the one out of the board office. I really, really appreciate that, too. Um, thank you everyone. Have a good evening. >> Thank you. You all have just All right. Any other? All right. Moving on to item number 12. Close session. >> Close session. Michigan's open session. Is there a motion? >> Motion. Is there second? No. Okay. I know
044it's hard. >> Yeah. >> Mrs. >> Mr. Mr. >> Yes. >> Mr. >> Yes.