001All right, welcome everybody to the special board meeting of August 5th, 2024 at 6 PM. We only have really one thing on the agenda tonight. is to interview for the vacancy on the board. But we like to welcome everyone to our mission statement is to educate, educate, engage, and empower those we serve. Our vision statement, we will be the innovative destination district for all 60. We call to order at 602. Mrs. Thomas >> here. >> Mr. Ren here yet. ML is here. Mr. Heath >> here. >> Mrs. Shville here. Mrs. >> here. >> Oh, Mr. Thomas. >> Mr. Thomas. Sorry about this. >> Okay. If everybody would please stand, face the flag. I pledge algiance to the flag of the standy and justice for all. >> In the agenda, um are there any revisions to
002the agenda tonight? Hearing none. Is there a motion to accept the agenda as presented? Motion >> motion by Mr. Heath. Is there a second? >> Second by Mrs. Sheel. >> Mr. Wright is not here yet. Missy, yes. Mr. Keith, >> yes. >> Mrs. Shufelt, >> yes. >> Mr. Thomas, >> yes. >> Mrs. Thomas, yes. Hey, that passes five to zero. Motion is here. Our discussion item for tonight is we are going to interview the vacancy on the school board. Okay. The way it's going to go tonight, you can you can have the first person come in. You have a set of questions for our members in front of you. We will ask those of both. Um they will have a chance to make a closing statement at the end. Okay, I'll go over this again
003when I get here, but we will not vote tonight. We will be voting on the 7th at our right schedule for new. Okay, I am going to step aside from asking questions tonight. I'm going to just be the moderator and keep things going. Okay, our first candidate. Guess I should let her get in the building. Yeah, it's hot in here. Okay, Mrs. Fields, thank you for um applying for this position and you know that it is to fill out the remainder of Mr. Meyers's term which will go into January of 2026. Um I will be the moderator tonight. There will be uh Mr. Wright, this board secretary should be joining us shortly. But we have four board members here who are going to be asking questions. Um you don't have to go into a long
004dissertation. Um it's way hot in here and um we have uh heard from you in the past. So we're going to try and make this as painless as possible. Please say what you want though. Um, if you do get long-winded, I will give you a wrap it up. >> Not me. >> At the end, you can uh go back to whatever and a closing statement. You can go on as long as you want. >> Okay? Until either we passed out or you pass. >> All right. Um, I think I covered everything. Do you have any questions before we start? >> No, ma'am. Okay, we're going to start with Mr. Pete. >> Uh, good evening. Uh, >> good evening. >> Oh, you have the questions in front of you. Yes. >> Yes. Um, do you have
005time to devote to the school board meeting and all it entails? >> I do. I've been retired as of July 1, 2023. So, uh, my husband is partially disabled. So, I am 2 minutes from here uh at Wood Creek and I would be available whenever needed. >> Awesome. Thank you. I guess the next question would be um what has motivated you to apply for this position at this time? >> Well, I've been a member of this community for over four decades. um went to school at Taylor schools, was employed for for uh 35 years. I was fortunate enough to work for Taylor schools and a few years prior to my retirement um I felt that having the knowledge that I have as far as institutional knowledge and experience would be would benefit and help the
006board. >> Great. Thank you. Missfield, what unique qualification experiences do you bring to the board that would help us make Taylor a better school? >> Well, um I believe being a secretary for 35 years, I I have had experience in purchasing payroll. Um purchasing payroll. Oh god. everything the secretary does and I don't have the list in front of me. >> Um, >> just take your time. >> You pardon me? >> Just take your time. >> Well, you told me I couldn't be long- winded. Now, what do you want? You can't have it both ways. >> Purchasing, payroll, budgets, um, being a union leader at one point, negotiations, um, I've been involved in discipline. Uh so there I have a a variety of talents I think that that would be a benefit. >> What is
007your number one priority if chosen for this position? >> Oh if chosen >> my my number one priority is kids. It's been it has always been kids. It was for 35 years. It was as a union leader. Um we are educating young minds in our community and that has to be the priority. Um the education process also needs to be in they have to be safe. So, educating kids and a safe put a safe environment for them to learn in are two of my to and the staff. The staff has to be safe. So, those would be my priorities coming in. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we're going to give Mr. Wright just a second here. >> All right, question number five. What do you see as a major issue facing our school district? >>
008Look at him smile. >> Um financial. I know we got in a pickle from prior uh administration. Uh now it's trying to get out of that pickle. Um, I also see accountability, lack of accountability. That's a problem I see. And that's accountability across the entire all the bargaining units, the students, the staff, the the whole bit. Um, but money would be the major issue. And then question number six, are you willing to participate in board classes to better understand your role and responsibilities? If so, what courses do you think you could benefit that you think could benefit you in this role? >> Actually, yes. I researched that and the CBA 101 fundamental of board of school boards, but you can't I guess you can't do it until you become a board member because I thought
009maybe I could get it ahead of time, but I wasn't able to find any link to allow me to do that. So that that what is that called? C CVA, did I say? Yeah, CBA. They had a whole list of interesting ones that I would like to take. Your answer was yes. >> Oh, you're next. >> No, your answer was yes to that question basically. >> Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, at times you will be caught between legitimately opposing points of view. There may be a difference between your personal point of view and the policy or law that you're required to uphold as a trustee. How will you handle this? >> That's easy for me because if you give me a set of rules, that's what I'm going to
010follow. And if somebody isn't following them, then that's where the accountability comes in. I have read and reread as it's changed through the years uh board policy and that has a a wealth of information in it and it changes as as we evolve. But to me those are rules and that was some of my biggest issues as an employee was saying you made the rules how come only some people get to follow them. So yes, I would absolutely have no problem. It would be the the law or the board policy or whatever was mandated that would be followed in my opinion. >> Um what do you think are the most important skills for students to have when they graduate? >> First thing is reading. Um, I would like to see them know how to balance
011a checkbook, to make out a grocery list, um, every day. And not all of our kids are college mom. I'm a blue collar person. I raised two blue collar kids. So, um I think the basics, the the math, the reading, but I would like to see I I don't know what you would call it. Not wouldn't be home skills, would it? >> Life skills. >> We used to have that. >> We did years ago, but I I would like to see that reinstituted for kids so that they make it when they get out of here, if they don't go on to college. Well, even college kids need to know how to write out a check. >> As a board member, you'll be asked to make decisions where you must put aside your personal feelings. What
012does this mean to you? >> Well, you have to make a decision on information that you have, any kind of research that you've done. Um, you may not like the decision you have to make. You have to go, again, if we're talking about school issues, you have to go by student code of conduct or board policy or state law or whatever. Irregardless of how you feel, there are rules and regulations that you're going to be expected to follow and make decisions on. Did that answer it? >> Did that answer the question? >> Yeah. Number 10. Working effectively with other school board members and the superintendent requires skills in communication and decision making. What are your communication strengths? >> Um, they're strong. Um over the years I I made good working relationships with um staff um
013Taylor families, principles, directors because of what my position was at that time. You had to you had to communicate. And I'm a firm believer in communicating because when you don't, that's how things get really messed up. Okay, those are all the questions we have for you. So, do you have a closing? >> I do. I I prepared just something real short. >> Okay. >> First, I'd like to thank um this board for the opportunity to interview for this position. I believe my school district experience and institutional knowledge would be helpful in achieving district goals of providing the best education possible and the sa in in the safest environment possible for our students and staff. I hope over the years I've proven my loyalty and dedication to our district. I feel blessed to have been a
014tsd employee for 35 years, which is yes, I'm old, almost half my life. Now, my desire is to give back to the district and my community. Being appointed would allow me to begin that process. So, thank you again for the opportunity. >> That it. >> Well, is that it? The closing statement is up to you. >> Did you want these to stay here? Um, did you want to take it with you? >> Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. We're all done. >> We can be done if that's >> I don't know. You want to sit and chitchat and >> do you and 100° temperature? >> No, I'm heading home. >> Okay. >> Over there. I got to >> No one's gonna hold that against >> Thank you. Thank you for coming and answering our questions. >> You
015are going home though. >> Okay. Next contestant. school board vacancy name is Boring Morris. You also have his resume in here as well. >> They're the same order. >> Pardon? Yep. Do you mind? >> Hello. >> Good evening, Cory. Um, we're just going to ask you a simple 10 questions. Then you can give a closing statement, okay? You can elaborate as much as you want. Um, if you get too longwinded because it is 100 degrees in here, I will give you a wrap it up sign that that won't be for 20 minutes or so. But please don't answer every single question in 20 minutes. Um, it is a hundred in here. Just so people online know, um, are there any other questions you'd like answered? Okay. Each board member has two questions to ask you
016and then you can make that closing statement. Okay. >> Okay. >> You want to make this process as painless as possible. >> Sounds good. Thank you for having me. >> Yeah. So, I'll start. Uh, Mr. Morris. Um, question number one. Do you have time to devote to the school board meetings and all it entails? >> Uh yes, I believe so. I uh whenever I join something, I put my whole heart into it just to make sure I have, you know, the best version of me going and addressing that whether it's uh meetings, homework, you know, chores, family life, always 100%. >> Sorry. Do you have a copy of the questions? >> I do not, but Sean, I come to the next. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Sean. You lost. >> Sorry about
017that. >> Yeah. Uh, question number two. Um, what has motivated you to apply for this position at this time? >> Um, I've always had a big passion for education. I I feel like our futures are in the hands of our kids and uh what better way to make sure that those kids have the best start possible than you know putting a positive effort towards you know making the school system as best as it can be. >> Thank you. >> Question number three, what unique qualifications, experiences do you bring to the board that would help us make Taylor a better school district? Uh well I do have experience working for the Taylor school system. I was a former uh substitute teacher for um about six seven months a couple years ago and uh I got to
018work in all the buildings from the preschool up to the high school. So I got a firsthand experience and seeing what was working maybe things that could be addressed and just uh getting that first person experience I think is pretty crucial. um my background before I switched trajectories in my education. Uh I was going to be a teacher and I would decided to switch at the last moment because I thought working in a museum and educating people in that capacity would be a little bit easier cuz those people are more like energetic to be at the museum generally as opposed to the students. So you got to put a little bit more effort into, you know, having them be happy and excited to be there every day. And so, um, but in a super in
019a schoolboard capacity, I'd be behind the ball or, uh, I had to do the best I can to make sure that we're putting our kids forward. >> Question number four, what is your number one priority of children for this position? >> Number one priority, um, making sure the students are happy. Um, from a more of a board perspective, probably a balanced budget. Question number five, what do you see as a major issue facing our school district? I would say uh the biggest issue that I see is um people are our students and families leaving the school district and not sticking it up with us here as we're trying to, you know, create the best situation possible for Taylor families and the surrounding communities. Um we got to make sure those kids are coming here. It
020helps fund our schools so that we have more money to, you know, invest more back into the students themselves. And some of that also is just making sure we're getting the most funding we can from the state as well. So, it's just making sure the funds are here and making sure the students are here. Then, are you willing to participate in board classes to better understand your role and responsibilities? If so, what courses do you think could benefit you in this role? >> Uh, absolutely willing to participate in uh classes. Uh, I I think we're always if you're not learning, I don't think you're like, you know, developing as a person at that point. You kind of just cut yourself off. I think everyone should be a lifelong learner. Um, courses that I think could
021benefit myself. Um, I'd have to see what was out there to be honest, but I'm always willing to listen to new perspectives and different points of view to come to the most holistic like together approach on almost anything. Uh, at times you may be caught between legitimately opposing points of view. There may be a difference between your personal point of view and the policy or law that you're required to uphold as a trustee. How will you handle this? >> Uh, well, you always got to follow the law. um you know, move forward with what how the rules are, but if there's something you fundamentally disagree with or I fundamentally disagree with, we can talk those things out and and try to address those in the future. But if something's like urgent, like there's a deadline
022and something has to be voted on, got to do what you got to do. But there's always room for compromise before and after. What do you think are the most important skills for students to have when they graduate? >> Um the the readiness to participate in like the local economy and to be adults, whether that's um being able to balance a checkbook, both e checkbook or a physical one if they happen to have one still. um being able to pay their bills, buy a buy a house, you know, just making sure their students have the ability to function in our society and our ability to critically think for themselves so they can come up with the best answers for themselves moving forward in an always changing world. >> Thank you. >> Number nine. As a
023board member, you'll be asked to make decisions where you must put aside your personal feelings. What does this mean to you? >> Um, let me read that one over real quick. You must I would say just doing what's for the better good of the districts. um making sure that you know it's it's functioning and uh that the the students, the staff, everyone involved are given the best uh options available to them, even if it's something that I might personally disagree with for some reason. Uh I would probably need an example to elaborate further. Is there an example? Anyone? Oh, I should wait until it's my turn to ask questions. I apologize. >> Yeah. Um, number 10. Working effectively with other schoolboard members and the superintendent requires skill in communication and decision making. What are your
024communication strengths? >> I feel like I'm a pretty good like people person. And what I mean by that is I can read body language pretty well. And uh, you know, you just got to be forward because this is all publicly accessible anyway. There's no reason to try to, you know, uh, say like off-handed comments or stuff to the side when, you know, we we're all adults here. We're all working for the betterment of the community. Just, uh, be forward with your like with my opinions anyway and, uh, work to, you know, come to compromises >> all of the questions and answers. Y, >> it's your time now, Mr. And I was hoping if I can get an example from one of the board members about uh number nine. Uh if someone wanted to swing at
025that and maybe I can elaborate further here. >> Well, sometimes there are uh I can't give you a specific but sometimes there's you know there's only one bucket of money. >> Okay. Sometimes uh the one bucket of money can go one place or the one bucket of money can go another place. Um they're equally important. Uh so how you have certain board members that are leaning to the one bucket and others that are leaning to the other. So >> how do you decide? Oh yeah, that's that's a that's a pretty tough question. Uh in that context, I would have to have some good conversations with like people representing both sides and you know eventually if I'm that middle vote have to come to a conclusion one way or the other and hope that the uh
026the faction that didn't win uh is willing to keep moving forward and keep serving the community the best way possible. >> Do you have any personal experience with that? Um, I mean, I've always I've worked in group settings before and where people have different opinions and, you know, some of them are valid, some are, you know, equally as valid. But, you know, I might be the wrong direction. It's just you got to talk to people and come to a common coming common conclusion at some point. Even if it ends up, you know, upsetting some people, just remembering at the end of the day, you're all here working towards a common goal. >> Do you have any closing remarks? Um, let's see. I just wanted to say I do appreciate all the work you guys have
027done for like the book, The Bond Mill, and getting that moving. Um, you know, it was the first millillage passed since the moon landing is what some of the phrasing I heard uh a cycle ago or so. And I think that's pretty amazing that we're able to get that through. And I'm just looking forward to see what comes next from it. But I am uh here to help if e either way if I'm uh appointed or not. So please reach out if for you need me for any reasons. But thank you guys for spending your time and thank you for volunteering to do this. Like it's it's a commitment. >> That it don't want to eat up too many people's time. You know we got families to go home to and you know cooler cooler
028buildings to be in. Well, >> feels better in here than outside just so everybody knows. >> Okay, we appreciate you um coming in and talking. >> Okay, the vote will be on um Wednesday. Okay, and um you can tune in, you can be here in person, um or you could be surprised when somebody posts it. >> That sounds fun. >> Whatever way you want to >> work it, >> I appreciate it. But the uh like I I think I stated this in the hallway. Um the next board member will be sworn in um at our meeting on the 25th. >> Okay. >> Sounds good. Thank you guys. >> Thank you. Appreciate >> it. Appreciate you, >> too. Did you did you get the thing that I should never take out of here? >> No. Okay,
029that's fine. >> Um, our next thing on the agenda is items scheduled for next agenda, Wednesday, August 7th, 2024, selection of new board member. We do have a few other things though guys. So the next up on the agenda would be number six and it'll be public comments. Um we will take public comment. Um I'm doing I'm terrible about this leaving that piece of paper not around. So um we welcome members of the public to come up. You must state your name and your address. Uh we also uh will assist you with timekeeping because we ask you to keep it to three minutes. Um also please uh respect personal courtesy and um what else? I know that >> we'll start with those in person and if there are any online we'll go to you after
030that >> and any questions will be answered by >> yes thank you >> the superintendent or one of his >> designates okay we do have one person in and I guess the microphone's over there >> hello my name is Leah Murphy I live at 74 I'm sorry Leah Murphy. >> Sorry. >> I live at 15748 Park Village Boulevard here in Taylor. I've been here since 2015. I have five children in the Taylor School District. Two of which have moved to Romulus now. Um I have two in the high school, one Truman alumni. Well, he's Truman Taylor. He's the last He was like our first Taylor graduate. Um he played football for you guys and it was awesome. I've always been that cheer and football mom. Um my awesome elementary school here in Taylor and they
031love it. That's that's their go-to. That's their life. That's what they love. is the only thing that keeps smiles on their faces. That's how we keep them talking and you know being able to interact with the public. This is they can cheer and be fine, but when it comes down to like public speaking, I have one in the car who um was just with me, but she just said she couldn't do the public speaking. I was like that when I was younger. I grew out of it. Hopefully, she will as well. She helped me with that. Um I had an issue with um the cheer coach. Um she um befriended me and when our friendship wasn't where it was because of $100 that I paid in the beginning for cheer camp this it it I
032don't know what happened and I asked her um it it was issue with the money and when I brought that up she pushed me over to Mr. Simons, which is our cheer director. And because my daughter didn't get a receipt when she gave it to her, the cheer coach admitted that yes, your daughter tried to give me the $100 outside. And I pulled up to the to the um career center to give the money because my daughters, they take themselves, they drive. So I would never have a issue or a reason to be up there unless I was bringing something there. I went to the bank, I got the money, I brought it to them. She, my daughter said she tried to give it to her outside during practice, but then she said, "Well, we'll
033just wait till we get in the building in the gym." My daughter said she gave the money to the cheer coach in the gym. Then, um, she walked away. She never got a receipt. Days went by. I gave up another $200 just towards cheer camp. My daughters have been cheer camp multiple times, you know, because they've been Taylor cheerleaders their whole lives. But to be kicked off a team because of an issue with money is is just downright unreal. And to be told, oh, you did something wrong. and it to drag on this way is is is definitely you know at this type at this time it feels as if it's some type of you know retaliation against me because I asked about where my money went and I was told that oh it's I'm
034not getting that because I don't have a receipt. I didn't get a receipt because she never got one. And so I at that point I told the coach hey well you know I've never went through my children to pay money. I've always been the one to give the money to the coaches. I never had an issue with any other coach. Every coach you guys have ever had has loved me, still talk to me till this day. And they're willing to back my girls. They say, "You have beautiful girls." Principles, everybody in y'all district says, "I raise beautiful children. They never lie. They don't take anything from anyone. They're always helping people. I help people. I'm a foster mom. I adopted children." >> Okay? >> Un, you know, not even just my own. So, I just
035wanted to know that my daughters aren't going to be shown that because someone doesn't like your mom or has an issue with being, you know, embarrassed because something happened. We're all human. Things happen. And even when she said she missed, the coach said she missed our talks. We talk about our grandchildren. I have grandchildren. I have three. So, we talked about that. She befriended me. I didn't even know her in the beginning. I met her at a um Lincoln Park competition for cheer and I I try to love everybody. I I will talk to you 100%. But then when it got to the point where, you know, I don't know what's going on, >> you know, I'm sorry, >> but yeah, I'm going to wrap it up. But I just want to Taylor to not
036forget about my girls who have given their all to this team. even with other teammates, taking them to to cheer practice. They've never been late. They've always helped everybody else. I even bring girls into my home, stay the night, who's not even in a district anymore. So, I just don't want my girls to be kicked off a cheer team for no reason because they're the epiphany. They're they are true cheerleaders. >> This is the high school team. >> This is This is high school >> and this is the new coach. >> This is the new coach. Yes, ma'am. She found me on Instagram. My Instagram name isn't even my name. So, I'm just like, I never gave you my Instagram names or my phone number. So, how did you buy me? She, you know, I
037have all my receipts as far as how we met. She's friends with our with our our high school, you know. >> Okay, you're out of time. >> Yeah. Okay, I'm out of time, but yes. >> Thank you so much for your time. >> Thank you, my girls. I really appreciate if you guys could get back with us. Are there any online? None online. Board member comments. >> I'd like to thank the candidates for coming out uh taking time out of their day to come and see what we're about and uh to Miss Murphy. I hope we can get a resolution for you. >> Okay. Are there any other comments? Um, I just want to shout out the transportation department. Um, they're working with the little league, um, running the teams, like transporting the teams back
038and forth. And so, I just wanted to thank the district and Jack for um, >> coordinating that again this year. It's super helpful. So, thank you. >> I'm sure all those all those boys need transportation >> and you're getting there safely. So, >> good. I know the coaches and stuff at the hotel appreciate it. >> I'll just want to give a shout out to Taylor North. I know they won their first game and tonight they play, right? >> They play tonight. Um with the rain there was a little delay, so the game is going to start at 8:30. >> And good luck to your son. >> Thank you. >> Anybody else? Okay, our next item is adjournment. I will entertain a motion for adjournment. >> Motion by Mr. Keith. Was that a second already by
039Mr. Thomas? >> Miss Black is a yes. Mr. Keith. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Shel. >> Yes. >> Mr. Thomas? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Thomas? >> Yes. >> Mr. Wright? >> Yes. >> Okay, that is 6. Thank you guys all for coming out and braving >> the heat. We are adjourned at 6:40. >> Good night everyone.