001Good evening. It is 7 pm. I am calling to order the Wayne Westland Community Schools meeting of the school board and we're going to begin with item 152.26, pledge of allegiance to the flag. I'd like to welcome up Brooklyn Coleman, Liam Bahar Baharino. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And Cameron Wimbert. You're going to lead us in the pledge. So, come on down. >> And we have Mr. Tyler, principal of Edison, with us as well. >> Oh, yes. I I apologize, Mr. Tyler. >> Wait, what? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Good job. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. Stay here. >> Not off the hook just yet. All
002right. So, we have three fifth grade students here. So, we have Cameron Rebert, who's a fifth grade student at Edison. He's in Miss Martin's classroom. He lives with mom, dad, and grandma. He's got two older brothers and a sister also at Edison. Uh Cameron loves to play football, appropriate for tonight, and wants everyone know that Edison's team is still undefeated. Had to plug that in there. Um he also loves to eat Oreos and barbecue ribs, not necessarily in that order. And when he grows up, he hopes to be either a business owner or something affiliated with the NFL. >> Uh, next, just stay there one sec, bud. Next, we've got Liam Berano. Um, also a fifth grade student at Edison. He's in Miss Devil's class. Uh, he lives with mom, dad, and brother. Um, in
003his free time, Liam enjoys building Legos, eating cheeseburgers, playing baseball with friends. Uh when he grows up, he hopes to be an air traffic controller is what he >> must have done this right for lunch. You guys are all in food. And last but not least, we got Brooklyn Coleman, also a fifth grade student. Um she's in Mrs. Brown's fifth grade class. Um she's also I'd like to mention our office safety. She helps us out in the office. Um she lives with her mom and brother. Um in her free time, Brooklyn enjoys drawing and cheerleading. And when she grows up, she hopes to be a vet to help animals. Thank you so much. >> Okay. Oh, hang on because we need a picture. One last thing. Can you turn your certificates around? >> Turn your
004certificates around. There you go. Perfect. Again, thank you all for being here this evening. We are now at um item 153.26. Roll call in attendance. Mrs. Hines, >> Mr. Ambrose, >> present. >> Miss Abney Mitchell, >> present. >> Miss Hines, present. Mr. Cox is excused. Dr. Weaver is excused. Mr. Roshan >> present. >> Miss May, President May >> present. >> We have five and two. Thank you. Next we have item 154.26 recognitions and presentations. Um to lead us this evening with that we have building updates from Edison Elementary School, Mr. Bennett Tyler. Thank you for being here. All right, thank you so much. All right, so for Edison, just some uh demographics. You should have this in your packet, but we currently have 407 students. That's of our fall count. We have 18 K5 classrooms.
005Um that includes two resource room classes, speech, social work. We service about 65 students with an IEP. We have uh 40 multilingual students which includes 20 newcomers from 15 different countries. >> Wow. >> You can see the ethnicity for our school broke down there. And we got about 6.4% for our mobility rate. Um next we have a uh social emotional attendance goal. Um, you know, we're working to build healthy relationships um with staff, with students. Um, we actually have very good attendance. I can show you in this graph right there. Fluctuates by month, but we're right around 90%. Uh, chronic absences, we're doing a little better this year than last. It's kind of small, but you can see the drop there. All right. So, what do we do to support our students? We have the
006family resource center, which offers food pantries, clothing banks, financial aid, uh mental health support, we have care solace, um we have access to clinics, we have free breakfast and lunch. We're a PBIS schoolwide. We have a full-time behavior coach, an attendance monitor, and we offer EMU bright futures as well as champions. All right. Any students want to comment on this? Have you guys had a token yet? >> Anybody get a token yet? Anything you want to share on this? This is a new addition this year. >> You want to say anything about it? >> Um, so basically it's like a vending machine. So, you put the coin in, you put the number, like the book you want, like there's a number of booking. >> In a true vending vending machine fashion, the books do get
007jammed sometimes, so you still have to jiggle it. >> That is a thing. But, uh, we're really excited. So, we're giving those out to incentivize behavior in the halls, classroom, not putting a lot of parameters, just trying to encourage the students to do well. Um, we also have lots of student of the month assemblies. So, these are from last year because this year's kind of new, but there's a picture there and the famous student of the month frame. Kids love getting their picture taken. Of course, parents love coming for good news as well. Uh, tier one instruction, MTSS goals. Um they're rather lengthy and lofty goals, but our goal is to increase literacy instruction through our DI block or differentiated instruction. Um we're also really pushing our MTSS program. Um making sure that students are
008getting all the help they need to do the best that they possibly can. Um I've got some great data to show to prove that. Um the next one, this is our NWA data and um this this shows our winner data for the last few years. So, we want the green up and the red down, of course, our reading data. And then the next couple slides were added to your packet because um when I told the teachers I was doing this presentation, they were real quick to pull data to show off our school. So, I definitely wanted to show these next couple. So, this is our letters data and these would be current fifth grade students. So, if you can see the red shifting all the way to almost all green. >> Mr. Tyler, for those
009at home, what is letters data? Can you >> um Yep. That's our So, this one it's it's it's different assessments. Um the one you're looking at is our letter sound correspondence. So, just assessing if students know their letters and their sounds. So, these are current fifth grade this year. So again um this slide shows um MTSS. These are our first graders with closed syllables. So you can see again the red um dropping. These are our second graders looking at blends and diagraphs. And our third grade uh vowel consonant e So, we like that the red's going down. That's our celebration, of course. A few more points of pride. As Cameron already mentioned, we have an NFL flag team that is doing very well. Um, we offer cheer and then boys and girls basketball. And I've
010got a few more pictures to share. We have a safety patrol service squad. Safety's on the left there. They get to go to a baseball game, Tigers game. I know Daryl was excited about that. That's in the spring. This is actually on Thursday. We have our trunk retreat, which is incredibly well attended. Pretty much the whole school and neighborhood shows. We have our fifth grade camp. They go to a camp in Jackson. Uh we do a career day. We've done two. This will be our third annual. We have about 25 different volunteers that come in and share info about the careers to the students. It's usually day in May. Then last year we did our first celebration for fifth graders. We didn't want to call it a graduation. Um, but we went on a riverboat
011cruise down the Troy River and then we had all the families in for pizza, salad, and um, kind of an end of the year celebration. So, they had a great time. Perfect weather as well. >> Didn't really have a rain day, so that was perfect. >> All right, any questions? >> Thank you. Um, does anyone from the board have any questions? Yes. just like to make a comment. Um, this is really good information. It's really positive. Everything's moving in the right direction. And I like that you guys do like the career ahead of time because I was telling a lot of um people I know in the community like don't wait till like high school. You got to start earlier because kids don't really know when you wait too late and then they can prepare.
012So, I really like you guys getting them out. And then two, like some kids, they don't get out of the city. They never get a chance to go down to Detroit to see the river and all that good stuff. So, >> we were very surprised how many had not been on the river. Definitely a boat. Yeah. So, thank you for all your guys' achievements and congratulations again. >> Thank you. Any other questions? This is >> I got a couple of questions and comment, but um how many safety officers do you guys have? >> Obama park. >> I was going to say we got a we have the answer right there. >> We have about 40 students that participate. >> Oh, I like that. I was a safety officer and I'm glad y'all continue the tour
013as your one of the things that we look forward to as safety officers is going to see the ball game. So, I'm happy that y'all still do that. And also just thank you for all you do. And I just have one more. Um, are you guys following um sharing with the family um the gun safety laws and the gun locks? Do you have >> We are. Yep. They're in our vestibial with signs and they've been passed out. >> Okay. Okay. Yep. >> Okay. Thank you for everything. >> No, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Not to brag, I was safety captain in sixth grade and look randed up. >> Thank you. All right. Thank you. >> President, may were able to excuse the families. Correct. >> Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. Yes. Thank you all
014for being here this evening. Cameron looks like he wants to stay. He is welcome to stay. >> Next on the agenda, we have the audit presentation from Plant Maran. Well, >> thank you and good evening. >> Good evening. >> Appreciate the opportunity to be here tonight to present the results of the audit of the district's financial statements for the year ended June 30th, 2025. My name is Jeff Higgins. I'm a partner with Plant Moran. And like all school districts in the state of Michigan, Wayne Weston's required to have an annual audit conducted by an independent accounting firm. And so we've completed our audit and we're here tonight to talk about those results. There's several documents that come out of the audit process. There's the financial report with supplemental information which contains the district's audit financial
015statements. There's a separate federal award supplemental information which is a separate report that for an audit that we do specifically on the federal programs administered by the district. And then finally, there's a report to the board of education which provides some insight into the audit process itself. And so we put together a presentation tonight just to go through some of the key highlights and touch upon some of the financial results for this last year. So just starting just the the key highlights, the key results of the audit. So the basic audit or out of the financial statements, we've rendered an unmodified or clean opinion on the district's financial statements. That'd be the highest level of assurance that we can provide on the set of financial statements. for our separate audit of the federal programs. Specifically,
016this year we tested the child nutrition program, the title one program, and the title two program. Again, we've rendered an unmodified or clean opinion on those programs. No findings reported. Um, no question costs. Again, a very clean audit for this last fiscal year. And we're also required under the state of Michigan uh rules to perform separate compliance procedures on the syncing fund and bond activities administered by the district. So we did our procedures on the 2019 bond fund which is the b fund that just wrapped up this last fiscal year and the syncing fund. And again the results of our procedures indicated no compliance findings. The bond was very clean and the proceed uh the monies were spent in accordance with all the applicable rules and regulations. So again, a a clean report on the
017bond and syncing fund dollars administered by the district. Next, getting into a few of the details on the audit, jumped forward on me. So essentially our job as a district's independent auditors is to provide opinion on the finan opinion on the financial statements pro uh prepared by the district. And so in order for us to render that opinion we are required to perform an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in the United States of America. And again as I mentioned the results of our tests and procedures we've rendered this unmodified or clean opinion on the district's financial statements. So touching on some of the uh financials themselves then so based on that clean opinion as of June 30th 2025 the total assets of the districts amounted to just over $91 million. You see
018liabilities about $57 million. The primary sources of the assets in 91 million was primarily cash. About 40% of that or 36.3 million was cash and investments. There was 24.4 million of receivables which was primarily made up of July and August state aid receivables and property tax receivables. There was another 30 million of restricted assets which essentially represented cash and qu cash equivalents which is then to be used on the liability side. We'll talk about in a moment. There was a state aid note which that cash was then used to pay off after the end of the year. One quick item to note on the receivables. So, we talked about how that primarily, you know, roughly $20 million of your receivables are July and August state aid payment. As we'll see in a minute, the majority
019of funding for districts in Michigan is through state aid. Um, the foundation allowance. Foundation allowance is actually paid in 11 installments. So, you get your first installment in October and you're paid through the following August. What that effectively means is that over 18% of your state aid is actually received after the end of your fiscal year end. So it just caused this district to have to do a lot of balancing and cash management to to deal with that uh sort of stretched out cash uh payment protocol that the state uses to fund districts in the state of Michigan. On the liability side, as I mentioned, there's about $57 million in total of liabilities with that. But the primary part there is a state aid note payable about $30 million and that was paid off shortly
020after year and that was paid off by the end of end of August of this year. Next we'll go take a look at the general fund revenue. So for 2025 you can see revenue totaled just under $42 million. Of that total revenue local source revenue is about 25.6 6 million and that's primarily property taxes. You can see the largest portion of the funding though is from state aid that was about $104 million. Federal funding was in the general fund. Not a lot recorded. That's primarily Medicaid funding by $211,000. And you have interd district sources which is primarily the act 18 funds received through the uh the county enhancement millillage. You can see that compares to last year's total revenue about 146 million. So revenue was actually down a little bit from 24 compared to 25.
021And really the largest portion of that was as you can see in the state aid funding and there was some changes in some of the Mipers funding that the state had been paying the district to offset some of the Mipsers costs and the pension costs as they try states continue to try to pay down that unfunded liability at the state level. Next we take a look at general fund expenditures. You can see that the expenditures for 2025 were about 139 million. This exp this graph shows the expenditures by function. So you can see that for the total expenditure breakdown the majority of it would be through instructional expenditures. So that's about 57% of total expenditures were related to instructional costs and that would include basically direct teacher pupil interaction and other direct classroom activities. Next
022we have support services about 41% and you can see the percentages decline decline from there. Next we take a look at general fund expenditures again but this time by object. So where those were expended and you can see the majority of the salaries uh the majority of the expenditures are for salaries and benefits. As you would expect any service organization the majority of your costs would be salaries and benefits. And for this last year, total salaries and benefits were roughly about 88% of the total costs incurred by the district. And that would be what you would typically see in districts throughout the state. Just again, you're you're paying people to educate kids and that's where the majority of the costs end up getting expended. Next, we take a look at the general fund balance. So
023general fund balance is impacted by those results on an annual basis. So we just looked at the revenue and expenditures for the year. The district had 1.6 million um in e of revenues in excess of expenditure. So that effectively adds to your fund balance. The fund balance is really you can look at it's the difference between your assets and your liabilities. It really represents the financial reserves of the district. It allows the district to manage financial surprises and uncertainties that might uh pop up throughout the year. So you can see this five-year history. You can see this year we've added, like I said, about 1.6 million to our fund balance to end the year at $33.7 million of fund balance. And you can see the history we've had for the last few years. There is
024obviously that uh that dip in 2023, but the district has been able to to recover and recoup that fund balance and get back on that kind of stable trend line where it's historically been. So fund balance is an important metric. It is something that's assessed, you know, certainly by the state and other folks. Again it's it helps determine it's the financial reserves. It helps uh give some indication of the financial strength of an organization. So the question then becomes what is an appropriate or adequate level of fund balance or fund reserve. Oftent times fund balance is analyzed as a percentage of your expenditures. So if you take your fund balance at June 30th 2025 which was like we just mentioned about $33.7 million. You divide that by your expenditures of roughly 139 million, that gives
025you a percentage about 24.2%. So you can see in the graph here at 24.2. The statewide average as a point of reference for June 30, 2024, which is the last uh year at this point for which complete data is available was about 24.7%. So you're right about that straight state average level for last year. here. And as you can see, other than the the 2023 uh dip we had, it's the Wayne Weston's always been just at or just above the state average. So, in terms of of managing and being a steward of your financial resources, you've been at about or a little above the state average level. So, that is a a quick summary of the financial results for the year ended June 30th, 2025. I'd be happy to address any questions if there are
026any this evening. Does anyone have any questions? Yes, Mrs. H. >> I just had a brief question because I'm really concerned about a lot of the cuts from the federal government, a lot of programs and you know, we're trying to keep our fund balance together and um do you see like a trend of other districts? I know thank god we're a little bit of ahead, but do you see like like districts in our area are they struggling as well with some of the finances? >> So, it is interesting if we looked at the fund balance percentage like so we said the state average last year was just over 24%. And if you went back 10 years ago, the state average would have been more kind of in the the mid- teens. When COVID hit, there
027were significant funds that were sort of injected into the educational system. So the state averages really went up and now that the CO funding has essentially been exhausted. So for Wayne Westland, for example, all your CO funds have been expended. There is a concern about now these fund balance levels are going to come down to maybe more historical levels. That being said, the a lot of organizations who would make recommendations usually that 15 to 20% fund balance level is what's recommended by the Michigan School Business Officials, Government Finance Officers Association. So historic with the last few years, districts have sort of gone above that. But now again with the exhaustive of the COVID funding uncertainty in Washington, what's going on with federal funding going forward? Will the Department of Education even exist next year? you
028know there is a lot of concern. So fortunately districts are at the moment in a little bit better position to deal with that have a little bit more fund balance and again that's why fund balance is important and enables you to deal with those uncertainties. So again you have an ability to deal with those things as they come up and a little bit more long-term perspective versus having to deal with immediate drastic cuts. So again by having maintained and really monitored and and nourished that fund balance gives you some flexibility to deal with those uncertainties. Thank you, >> Mr. Rashan. >> A question. Are there any um >> uh things that we may could uh consider adopting that you've seen in other districts? >> Uh I wouldn't say anything really off-hand. I mean, I think
029you know, Juel and Kate and the business office has done a fantastic job these last couple years. We obviously saw in 2023 some of the challenges that the district faced and things have really turned around and said the audit process this year was very clean. There was no findings. It went according to plan. They were well prepared. The audit this year went went really really well. So certainly a testament to the to the business office and the team there for the jobs they've done. So um so overall like I said it was very very clean audit process. >> Great. Thank you. Thank you Juel. >> Thank you. I just have a follow-up question um from slide two. under the federal programs CNC title one and title two. >> Yes. >> Can you speak a little
030under federal programs the third bullet not issued due to release of 2025 compliance supplement. I think I missed what you said but if you don't mind. >> Yes. So certainly uh so you'll notice in your packet that the federal program audit is listed as a draft. So, we actually can't issue the that report until the the federal office of management and budget every year comes out with what's called a compliance supplement. The compliance supplement updates their requirements that you're have to follow. It's usually issued usually in the springtime. Well, it hasn't been issued yet. So, they're already behind when it would be typically be issued. Now, of course, the federal government is shut down. So, you know, who knows when that's going to be issued. So we say we haven't issued it yet until that
031gets that they come out and issue that compliance supplement. Now they there is a draft available. So we have a good idea of what the final is going to look like and based on all that like I said there's no findings there's no issues a very very clean audit result but yeah so we're sort of in limbo until the federal government issues the compliance supplement and once that happens we'll be able to then issue that federal program audit. >> Thank you. That makes sense. And so then once that's issued will we get a final copy of that document? >> Yeah. So, it's interesting and the state actually had to change the law about this because you're required to submit your audit reports by November 1st. Well, a complete audit report includes that federal program audit.
032>> Obviously, it's outside of district's control. We can't issue it. So, they actually put some provisions in this year that >> it'll be considered timely file if it's filed within 30 days of when the compliance supplement is final issued. So, so once that's final issued, we'll get that turned around quickly and you'll get the final reports at that point in time. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. Any other questions? See, right. Thank you so much for being here. >> Okay. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Next on the agenda is item 155.26, citizens comments on agenda items. >> Here we have a Miss Gwen and I don't want to say Fredboro. How do you pronounce that? Say it wrong. >> Fret. Hi. I just have um two things. I was just wondering and hopefully I'll hear
033it, but I wanted to make sure I got it said during consent agenda items. Um how the new mission statement came to be 159.26. Um I I I kind of like our old mission statement. And so I'm wondering if there was a group that was put together that did this or if this was just um so I'm hoping to hear how the new mission statement came to be. And under 157.26 under the finance report um I was reading that earlier and um it kind of makes me sad that we're already talking about how we're going to have a deficit next year and how that's going to affect things moving forward. Um, and then just another side comment. I'm wondering, um, are there other companies out there besides Plant Moran that can do our audit? So,
034thank you. >> Thank you. Any others? >> Besides, are there any others that we have? >> Um, that's all I see for right now. >> Thank you. We are now at item 156.26 consent agenda. >> Sorry. I will entertain a motion for the consent agenda. >> Support. >> Discussion. Mrs. Hines, will you please call roll? >> Mr. Rashawn? >> Yes. >> Miss Hines? Yes. Mr. Ambrose? >> Yes. >> Miss Abney Mitchell? >> Yes. >> President May? >> Yes. Motion carries 5. >> Thank you. We are now at uh oh 157.26 board of education committee reports. Mr. Ambrose with the finance and facility committee report. The finance and commi uh facility committee meeting was called to order on October 8th at 5:35 p.m. with the following in attendance. Mr. Ambress, Miss Abney Mitchell, Miss Hines, Dr.
035Cost, Miss Claire, uh Mr. Montaine, Mr. BBE, and uh Miss Barky. Uh we first heard from uh Mr. Montaigne uh requesting that we approve um an award for the filter first contract to a Spartan Constru construction group uh for $1.6 million. This was a request uh proposal uh that was put out for public bid and our opening was held on September 18th. Um the good news with this um this will this project will be completely covered uh by our filter first grant which purchased the equipment in the healthy schools uh 12A grant uh for the installation and it will not be charged to the general fund. This will all come from grant funding. Um the second thing that uh was discussed was uh the renewal of a single wire infor informcast uh licensing by by
036Mr. Be. Um this program is a critical component of our district's emergency notification system. It synchronizes our clocks, our fire alerts, our weather and lockdown notifications. Uh this will be a three-year renewal at uh just over $40,000 and it will be charged if approved to the general fund. Uh we went over our our check register. Um for the month of September uh we spent uh just over 3.9 million across all funds. Um our investment report uh had we had a balance of just over 56.5 million dollar. Uh this was uh due to property taxes being being put in. Um our state budget was signed. Um, it gives us an increase of $400 per student. Uh, there were also increases to uh at risk, which is our 31A funding and ELLL funding. Free student breakfast and
037lunch lunches will continue. Uh, we did however lose uh some small categorical funds for uh literacy grants and uh the driver education grant. Uh we heard from Dr. Cost um she is concerned while the budget is done um the way the budget was structured um over the next few years does give us the the possibility of having some deficits as she does not expect our uh student uh grant allowance to uh to increase over the next few years. And with that, she is going to work with her executive team to limit any increases in spending and to be more uh judicious in in what we are going to fund. Um and with that, um I we adjourned. We did reconvene again this past Thursday the 16th where we met with plant Moran to go over
038the audit. Um as as the first read as it was said there was no deficiencies. I do want to thank uh Miss Claire and her team. uh to be able to have an audit like that speaks to the dedication that they have over the stewardship of the funds of this district and so thank thank you for for your hard work. >> Thank you. Are there any questions? >> Thank you Mr. Roshan for the um student achievement committee report. >> Yes. Um the student achievement committee report um was held October 15th at 5:00. Um instead of having the student achievement committee um meeting formal meeting, we instead um participated in the district's trunk or treat which was amazing. Uh when I went outside and saw how many kids was out there, the lines, the uh trunks,
039the the costumes, I was like, why did I not have my car pulled up? my costume on. Uh I really look forward to next year. Everyone was telling me it's going to be amazing. I was expecting it to be amazing, but I was truly blown away. Um just to be able to engage with the children, the parents, the community. Uh great way to spend our uh afternoon last Wednesday. Uh after that, actually in the middle of that, me and President May, we went over to there was a uh parent advisory uh committee uh meeting. we kind of stepped in there and just kind of listened and uh got some feedback from parents. So, uh last Wednesday was a great day uh for our district and uh for our community. So, that's our report. >> Thank
040you. Next, we have review I'm sorry, item 158.26, review and approval of business service and finance. We have a recommendation to approve filter first purchase. Mr. Toko, >> good evening board and community. Um, as Gino Montaigne, executive director of maintenance and operations, presented at the October finance committee meeting, I am requesting approval to award the filter first contract to Spartan Construction Group uh, as recommended by TMP Architect Architecture, which is our architectural uh, company. The total award recommendation is 1,647,000 and will be charged to both the Filter First grant and the Healthy Schools grant. Thank you. I'm looking for a motion. >> So move. >> Support. >> Discussion. >> Mrs. Hines, will you please call roll? >> Mr. Ambrose? >> Yes. >> Miss Abby Mitchell? >> Yes. >> Miss Hines? Yes. Mr. Roshan? >> Yes.
041>> President May? >> Yes. >> Motion passes 5. >> Thank you. Dr. Philly is up next with the recommendation to approve the renewal of single wire and formcast licensing. >> Thank you, President May. As Daryl BBE, executive director of technology and innovation presented at the October 8th, 2025 finance committee meeting. The district is seeking approval to renew the single wire informalcast licensing, which is a critical component of our district's emergency notification systems. Approval of this renewal represents an essential investment in maintaining the safety and security infrastructure of our schools. The proposed renewal covers three years of licensing at a total cost not to exceed $40,000 720 722 which will be charged to the general fund. Thank you for your consideration. >> Thank you. Looking for a motion. So move >> support >> discussion. >> Mrs.
042Hines, will you please call roll? >> Mr. Rashan? >> Yes. >> Miss Hines? Yes. Mr. Ambrose? >> Yes. >> Miss Abney Mitchell? >> Yes. >> Mr. May? >> Yes. >> Motion carries 50. >> Thank you. We are now at 159.26. Review and approval of curriculum instruction and assessment. This is a recommendation to approve the district the district's strategic plan, goals, mission, and vision statements. Mrs. Jefferson, Dr. Jefferson, I'm sorry. >> Thank you. Well, first I just wanted to um also thank the board for the work session or special meeting because I thought that was a great opportunity to to work with the board and talk about how the um goals were came to be and give credit to Nancy Scholes who's done an incredible amount of work on this. Um, I also want to just
043mention she has done a lot of work on this. Um, before I ask for the approval, I am prepared to answer the question if you'd like me to do that or I can reach out separately um and answer that question regarding the mission. >> No, please answer the question. Thank you so much. >> I can speak from only my understanding. My understanding is that at some point um dur during um Jen Curry's interimm superintendency, she requested a little bit more specificity to the mission and that there was a cross department team put together that included all the departments and had input and then they prepared this mission statement that um as the last one was a little vague, this one is a little bit more specific. That is my understanding of how the new mission
044came to be. So that that's it from my perspective. Um and then I can go over the recommendation for approval. >> Yes, please. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. So um as discussed at the September 20th 25 special board meeting, I'm requesting board support and approval of the district strategic plan. Um with our MTSS attendance in tier one being the three specific um goals that we have. These are really uh crafted with data and um and a lot of input much of what occurred before um I was blessed to be in the district. Um but I'm super supportive and we've um am working together uh to come up with these and um curriculum instruction and assessment recognizes that uh these three goals are heavily owned by our department and CIA. So the first one is
045a tier one standard of care. Making sure just all students um are having what they need academically. Um looking at ELA and math and getting those standard aligned common benchmark assessments fully developed and entered into a system that is accessible um for us that is a combination of DNA and edge of climber. Um but so that those common assessments are every are everywhere uh or accessible to leadership so that we can look at data across multiple settings and have that data be common. And um so this will help teachers and administrators be able to establish and um ready for imple implementation by the same date next year. So we're thinking um based on this goal that is a June goal. Uh the second major goal is the multi-tered system of support which you've heard a
046lot about. Um but that's an effort to equitably support the social emotional growth and sense of belonging for our students while increasing academic outcomes. Um secondary MTSS process will be created, documented and aligned in progress process and implemented across all 612 buildings. As you know K5 is is already implementing and and running. And then the third one uh is attendance and looking at chronic absenteeism. And that that is a not a deficit that is unique to Wayne Westland. But certainly um attendance and chronic absenteeism is something that we feel is a goal uh because we want students here so that they can learn and take advantage of all the opportunities that Wayne Wesland has to offer. So, I would just ask for um support for the strategic plan and the goals that we have set
047out before you and the ones discussed at the special meeting in September. Any questions? >> I have one. >> So, what you're asking us to approve tonight is for 2526, not the full strategic plan that runs through 2029. I believe this um approval is for the strategic plan um >> along with the 2526 goals >> goals. Yes. >> The 2526 ones are just a little bit more dialed in for some immediate um accountability by the by June. >> So I see posted there are the goals for 2526. Do we have the goals that were approved for >> We do. I didn't include them in this presentation, but in the one that we did before with Nancy, it scopes it out for 2028. >> I remember that. I just wanted the community to see it. >>
048They're called They're called challenge statements in that one. Um, and they're very similar. They just scope out to 2028. >> Okay. Are there any other question? Are there any other questions? >> Discussion. >> I have a Yeah, discussion. I I would love for the community to see um those those goals for 2000 all the way up to 2028 before I um approve this right now. Um let's if you're if it's acceptable approve the goals for the 202526 goals >> and then it and then we can look at the the whole strategic plan in a month or or we can hold off till next month and provide the whole strategic plan. >> So we don't need to approve the goals for 2526. We would just be approving the entire strategic plan. Do you know what I
049mean? So, we could hold off so that we could do the entire plan >> versus the 2526 goals, pulling those outside of the strategic plan because really we would the board is only approving the strategic plan, the mission, the vision, and the belief statements. >> Yes, I certainly can put the challenge statements up there. They're not in this presentation, but they are the same ones from the work session. >> So, you think you can put them up tonight or do we need to table it? >> I think we could up tonight. >> Okay, >> let's just do that just so that everybody sees what we're voting for >> if we can. Okay. >> Okay. >> So, do we need to take like a fivem minute recess? >> Y. >> Okay. >> So, can I have
050a motion support for fivem minute recess? >> Support. >> Thank you. All in favor >> to take a fivem minute recess. >> Uh, Mr. Roshan and then Mr. Ambrose. Thank you. >> I am now calling the board meeting back to session at 7:49 p.m. >> We don't need a motion to go start, do we? We do. Okay. May I have a motion to go back into open session? >> So moved. >> Thank you. So, uh, Mrs. Abney Mitchell. All right, Dr. Jefferson. Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to add more information in here. So, this is the full uh presentation and strategic plan. Um and I don't have the ab ability to go through but he may. So if we keep going to the challenge statements you will see where it is scoped out
051to 2028. Um and this whole thing does kind of show to the process that was gone through. So this is the 2025 through 2030 um challenge statements. and then as the three to five year and then when it progresses on in the presentation is where you get dialed into the 20 uh 526 ones that I presented earlier. >> Thank you. >> So I'm just going to pause for a minute so that people in the audience can read those challenge statements. And so then based on these challenge statements each year there will be goals derived based on >> to something a little bit more specific concrete for accountability. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. Are there any questions from the board? President May, if I could interject. Absolutely. >> So, we saw um um Mr. Tyler with
052his students and the data they presented on were these exact goals. So, we're hoping that by doing the presentation, people can see how schools are making these goals real. >> Awesome. What I can appreciate is the alignment and that we're not and we see where we're going. we see where we are and then what we're trying to achieve. So, thank you for that. Um, at this point, we will take a motion. >> Support. >> Thank you. Support for the recommendation to adopt a strategic plan. >> We had a motion. >> So, I would motion that we >> Right. I said you did the motion. I was waiting on the support. >> I support the motion. >> Oh, I motion a motion. >> We got it. Got it. Discussion. >> Oh, real quick. >> So, I'd
053like to thank everybody who participated in this activity. It was really enlightening to see like the positive uh strides that we're making. Um, one thing I did like about our strategic plan session, we're talking about doing like the positive social media, you know, kind of getting ahead of things and really um highlighting the amazing things that we do in Wayne Westland. So, thank you for all of you guys's work and board members as well. >> Thank you. If nothing else, Mr. T, would you please call roll? >> Yeah. Mr. Ambrose? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rashan? >> Yes. >> Miss Abby Mitchell? >> Yes. >> Mines? Yes. President May? >> Yes. >> 5 Z. Motion carries. >> Thank you. Next, we are at item 160.26, review and approval of board of education. Um, looking for a
054recommendation to approve the adoption of board book. We talked about this at our um September meeting and we said we would bring it back to our October meeting to vote upon to vote on. So I'm looking for a motion. >> Motion support >> discussion. >> I'd like a quick discussion. >> Absolutely. >> So again, you guys, it makes a lot easier. You know, you have the stuff electronically and saves paper and all that good stuff. So saves money and it works itself out. And the one thing I do like about having electronically is uh we had it in the past. Um Dr. Holden, it went really good. Um because sometimes you need to dig up some stuff from way back and it's like already on file so it makes it easier to find things. >>
055That's it. >> Yeah. I'm finding myself having to go through the emails to to find stuff and and having it in a central location would would really help out. >> Absolutely. I um I agree with everything that has been stated. I also just like the fact of like run say some trees um and and some time for people um you know we always talk about how do we maximize the staff that we have and and maximize the just the things that we have and that we're not we're moving forward right we're not still operating um from times in the past and so that was one of the things that I appreciated about board book and again just having that immediate access to our um information versus having to wait for a packet. All of us
056work and so when you can, you know, if you have some downtime and you're able to jump on a computer or your um iPad and take a look at it and not have to wait for a packet to come, that's always great. So, with that being said, any other discussion? >> Um I don't know if we have it available, but that did request a fall apart figure of the savings, so I don't think we have that available tonight. No. Okay. >> Any other questions? >> Mrs. Hines, will you please call roll? >> Miss Abby Mitchell. >> Yes. >> Mr. Ambrose. >> Yes. >> Miss Hines. Yes. Mr. Rashan. >> Yes. >> Miss President May. >> Yes. >> Sorry. Motion carries. >> Thank you. We are now at item 161 point. I'm sorry before I go
057to that item I do have a question. We talked about um the public having access to board book as well. Will we implement that moving forward? Are we still talking about that? >> We can talk to our representative about that. Okay. >> This was going to be implemented in January. >> Right. Right. Okay. >> Also, um so now we are at item 161.26 26 citizens comments on non-aggenda items. Do we have any Mr. Hines? >> Um I don't see any new ones. Anybody in the audience would like to do any additional citizens comments. >> Okay. Thank you. So now we are at 162.26 in superintendent report and comments. Dr. CS. >> Thank you. Uh first of all, I would like to thank Juel and her staff. Um the the audit having no findings is just
058such a strike of confidence um in her department as well as the district and the board that we are spending money the way we say we're going to spend money in the ways that the law says we need to. So um what a huge confidence booster going into the November 5th ballot election or ballot um language. I just wanted to remind voters that um there is a motion on the ballot. Uh it's a 0% tax increase that would support schools. I know the language is atrocious. We had attorneys that had to create that for us. Um a a vote of support would be yes. A vote of no support would be no. Um and that's confusing at times. Um, so I just wanted to say please vote and um, we're looking forward to good news
059November 5th. Last but not least, I have not only a certificate of recommendation for our president, Kimberly May in addition to a state of Michigan proclamation from Peter Herszburg and it starts out, let it be known with great respect and admiration that we together with the citizens and the community of Westland join in honoring honoring Kimberly May at the Westland land multicultural festival >> and it you were one of the keynote speakers. You did an outstanding job and he wanted to present this to you. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. Thank you. I'll take that for you. Thank you. >> Great. Kind of thrown off. Um, we are now at review and recommendations board of ed 163.26. Um, Mrs. Hines. All right. So, uh, we had a really good meeting today. Things are moving in
060an amazing positive way. um was able to watch the Wayne Memorial Marching Band at a couple of events and they are just amazing. Um I actually had a guy come out through a podcast just to you know take a look at the band the homecoming um over the weekend and um so we had uh the city of West had a farmers market. So I'm the president of the Kanas Club and we had a spooktacular so we had a table there. We were able to give out over a hundred free brand new books to the kids in the community and it was so awesome because like even though we're giving out candy and books, the kids were excited for the books and we actually went through like almost all the books. We only had like 10
061left. So I'm super excited about the book drive and I kind of want to work more with agency to see how we can collect books and really just give out books because I was just so happy to see the kids were excited to get like new books. It was really awesome. Um there's a trunk or treat that's going to be with hype uh Wednesday, October the 29th at 6 o'clock. And I think the um 18th district court is having a trunk or treat Wednesday, October 22nd from 5:30 to 7. And it looks like it's going to be let's see over at the parking lot right near the court in Westland, um the 18th district court. And um I'm just excited with my colleagues will be going to Traverse City to take some classes and learn
062some more exciting things. One thing I love about going to the um Michigan Association of School Boards um conferences, you learn so much. We make a lot of connection with different districts. We learn a lot of things because sometimes other districts might be struggling with the same thing. So just making those partnerships, collaborations, and then again the classes, especially now what's going on in the new environment, you know, the different cuts, the funding, you can't say this, you can't do that. So, you know, it's a really scary time for board members right now. So, I think like the additional information that we get is really helpful. And that's all I got to say for right now I can think of. Thanks. >> Thank you so much, Mr. Roshan. >> Uh, yes. Every month I um
063with the help of Kim, she just really put the schedule together for me to visit different schools in the district. I want to attend and visit and meet students and principles uh just have conversations and seeing how we can support the district, the schools. And today I I visit um uh Wayne Westland Innovative Academy and I visit uh Franklin uh uh middle school today. One of our stellar staff was there. I saw her working. I was like, "Hi." I was walking around with the principal. Um talked to um at at Wayne Westland uh innovative academy. Talked to Dr. uh Roer and um just amazing what we're doing in our district. Just amazing. All I kept saying is where are the cameras? Because our students um I was t one student he asked he said are
064you the new principal? I said no I'm not the new principal. He said cool because we like our principal. I said I'm not mad. I'm not mad. And he but he said uh he said well who are you? I said I'm on the school board. and he said, "Man, I got put out uh of Wayne Westland." I said, "Well, if you if you get back on track, we can get you back in there." He said, "I don't want to. I love this school." So, just to see the students excited about being in school, giving them that second chance uh was uh really did my heart uh well. And um also had an opportunity to talk to the student council at uh at uh at the uh high school as well. And I told them we
065want to get uh get them involved in our our our school board um uh maybe get a student representative and they were excited and uh I said I want to come and support. They said well we'll come back today at our student council meeting at 1:30. I was like whoa all right I'll be there and I made my way back got there a couple minutes late but I just wanted to show them that I we're here to support them uh as uh parents community members uh staff schoolboard members. Uh from there um went over a little later and went to um uh Franklin Middle School and I said, "I wish I went to a middle school like this." Just the building was pristine. Principal um Pring Pringle, she was amazing. I watched the students come
066up to her just, "Miss Pringle, can I tell you about my weekend? Can I tell you this?" And just the connection that she had with the students, the staff. Um we went to every week. She showed me around the whole building and I was like, "It's so quiet." And listening to watching the students learn and the the the classrooms were very peaceful but also um um um um energized in some classrooms. I went to some science labs and I was like, "Man, we really need to highlight our district. We really need to highlight our district more because people saw what was going on in our schools, there would be more people trying to get into our district." So, I just wanted to uh shout out those principles. Uh they're doing a great job from what
067I've seen and um we're here to support you and I'll be making my rounds to hopefully all the schools this year. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Ambers. >> These past few weeks have actually been a a lot of fun. Um our employee recognition night, I got a lot of steps in that night. Um, we had two very big events that happened that night at the district. Recognizing our employees, which I don't think we do enough of sometimes. Um, a our employees do a lot of little things that that I think we take for granted. And it was nice to be able to see that some of our employees were were recognized for their contributions in in moving this district forward. I was amazed how many of them actually were graduates from this district and wanted
068to give back. And why I say a lot of steps was uh during dinner I I walked out because our middle school kids were at at the football field playing a national anthem. John Glenn followed them with their halftime show for MSBA. Um, I came back in time just to see uh the awards being given out. Um, and then afterwards, a few of us walked over and watched Wayne Memorial perform their show. Um, the trunk or treat was an awesome event. I had a lot of fun with that. Um, I actually I think surprised a lot of people by showing up. I didn't bring have a have a vehicle, but I had a replica uh drum uh that dates back to the revolution. It was a modern uh replica. Um and I let the kids
069have some fun with it while I handed them out candy. I don't think the people next to me appreciated the noise that came from it. Um but but that that was a lot of fun. And then so and then I had the chance to talk to the uh the Canton residents about our our bond our bond proposal. So it's it it's been a fun and productive month of October and our I can't say enough about Miss Claire's team. this to have a have no deficiencies in an audit is is is amazing. Um it's the attention to details that that make that h that make that happen and and so again thanks to your team for for all their work and that's it. >> Thank you Mrs. Abney Mitchell. >> Yes. Good evening. I just have
070a few comments. So you know this is the season when we become festive. We give thanks and we have gratitude and you know I have so much gratitude and thanks to be on this board. So first I'd like to thank all my colleagues you know for all the things that we do. We show up for the students. We be in the places. We may not all be together, but somebody is going and they reporting back. So it ain't like they going and and you and and it's on a hush hush, but they sharing the information with you. So now I want to run over to the school, Miss Swanson. I'll be over there to see you since he came. No, I'm just playing. But you know, it shared information and it just makes you smile.
071And I'm just thankful and I appreciate our students. And I say this with all my heart. I'm on the um I'm part of the discipline hearing committee and we meet every Wednesday but since the school year has started we have cancelled the meetings on Wednesday four or five times because we didn't have no discipline hearings. That is great. That makes me feel so good. Um, and I just like to thank Miss Claire and her team, but I'd like to thank all of our staff from our administrators to our groundkeepers, everybody that come here every day and show up for our students because this was a chosen job and we do it so well. We do it and we do it better together. And when we sharing and caring, it makes it better for our students,
072for our parents, our community, you know, the young safeties, everybody has a point of pride in the Wayne Westland School District. Whether it was your teacher gave you a hug or your classmate gave you a hug or you got a a on your paper, it's a point of pride somewhere. And I also another thing that I do in the community, I'm part of End Gun Violence Michigan where we um promote the gun laws and everything. So to see all the past bomb work done on our buildings. My biggest concern was in the buildings you used to be able to just walk straight through John Glenn. You could walk in the building, go straight up the stairs. But for our buildings to go straight to the office now, that's a sign of times of the times.
073And it makes me so proud that our students are safe, that our teachers are safe. So I'm just happy to be proud of the Wayne West School District. I have a lot of gratitude. On Tuesday, November the 4th, we do have a bond issue on the ballot. Please get out and vote yes. Cuz like I just explained from the past bond, we had work done and it benefited the safety of our students. So if we get the next bond approved, we can have more work done to still promote the safety, the education. I got a foot on me. I guess they want to watch the Lions game or either they want my Lion socks. >> No, we just want you to encourage people to vote. >> I just did that. >> And not tell them
074how to vote. >> Oh, vote yes on the bond ballot. You have a choice. Yes or no? Yes or no? Yes or thank you. >> Thank you. Um, so I just like to say thank you to Brooklyn, Liam, Cameron, and Mr. Tyler this evening. Um, truly appreciated the children leading us in the pledge. It's so nice to be back to that, to have them here with us and to have Mr. Tyler um, present such a wonderful um, presentation. I was really impressed with the attendance as we've had the various um, presentations. We've had the conversations around attendance and attendance being at like 60 70 80% but to see where his attendance was for um Edison was really good. Um I'd like to also thank Mrs. Claire and her staff in regards to the audit with
075Plant Moran and just the work that has taken place. We know where we were. We also know some of the recommendations that were made from Plant Moran previously and Mrs. Claire came in immediately jumped on those recommendations and we see the difference that that made. So, thank you so much for that. Um, as my colleagues have shared, the trunk of treat was just a fabulous event. Um, the kids were so happy and dressed in some of the cutest costumes. It was just amazing to see them and just h they had so much fun. um really enjoyed the seeing the line for the haunted h house that the um students from John Glenn put together and how the kids would go through and they immediately jump right back in the long line and say I'm going
076right back through because they just had such a ball. Um I also want to just take a moment to say thank you to Mrs. Jenny Johnson for her work with the parent advisory um committee. Um as Mr. Roshan shared had an opportunity to stop by the meeting just excited to hear what the parents had to say and it wasn't from a space of criticism but how do we work together these are things that we would like to see these are ways that we want to support the district but these are ways in which the district can help us to support our children and so I'm I'm really excited to see what comes from that I also want to take a moment to just say congratulations to our employee of the year recipients thank you for
077all that you all do each day showing up and knowing that this job is not an easy job. So, thank you so much. Um, wanted to just shout out Dr. Jefferson really quick for the pivot tonight with putting the goals up for us. So, thank you so much for that. And then um wanted to just mention the multicultural breakfast um and having the opportunity to hear Glenn's choir um lead us in the national anthem as well as um some other pieces that morning. It was just a re a really really really nice event and to have our students there was just heartwarming. And the final thing that I would like to say is just I want to say thank you to my esteemed board colleagues. Um the way in which this board shows up at
078events and supports the district is phenomenal and I truly truly thank you all for that. Um, I have been somewhat MIA at events and that's due to some family issues, but I am just truly grateful that um, my colleagues are are there and as Mrs. Abney Mitchell shared, it's not a competition. Everyone shares the great things that are happening and it just continues to motivate all of us and we are I am grateful for that. And with that being said, it is 8:14 and I am looking for a motion to adjourn. >> Can I say something very quick? I know I'm out of order, but what else is in there? Just I do apologize, but please November Tuesday, November the 4th, go out and vote. Yes, it's a favorable v vote for the school district,
079but it's your choice to vote your way. Thank you. I make a motion to adjourn. >> Support. >> All in favor? >> I thank you. I'm sorry.