001We are going to go ahead and call our budget hearing to order in June June 22nd, 2026. Everyone could please rise for the pledge. Pledge 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. >> Let the record show all members are present with the exception of Margie Sanders and Chase Mallaloy. >> Thank you everybody. I'm sorry for being a little bit late. We just came out of finance committee meeting and it ran a little long. I was talking as fast as I could. and I'm sure everyone will um attest to that. Um so we'll we'll go through the budget hearing um and then at the end if there's any questions we can address those accordingly. Uh
002tonight we'll provide an over overview of the 2026 2027 proposed budget and the millage rates that support the budget. The budget was reviewed in greater detail during the finance committee meeting held earlier this evening and will be presented for adoption later tonight. uh you will see the uh the chart with the proposed millage rates for the three different types of millillage the district levies. The first is our operating millage which is levied only on nonhomestead property. Non-homestead property is property that is not used as a primary residence such as commercial or rental property. We are recommending to levy the full 18 mills required by statute. If we don't levy the full 18 mills, we would lose revenue due to the state subtracting the equivalent of 18 mills from our per pupil revenue regardless of whether
003we collect the full amount. The syncing fund is our next item. The fund is subject to a headley reduction in 2026 similar to the similar to the reduction in 2025. Headley caps the amount our millage revenue can grow each year based on inflation. This year we were required to reduce our millillage from 1.7961 to 1.7626 mills, a decrease of 0.335 mills. A rate of 1.8285 was established when the sinking fund replacement mill was passed in August of 2024. But after two years of headly reduction reductions, the the district sinking fund rate will now be capped at 1.7626. The stabilization of the rate with the heavily reduction for 2026 will result in revenues in line with last year and we expect the sinking fund millage to provide close to $1.3 million in new revenue for capital
004projects acquisition or upgrading of uh technology security improvements and or the acquisition of student transportation vehicles trucks and vans. Uh the final mill is our debt fund. The mill just split split between the 2016 debt, the 2020 debt, and the 2022 debt. Our debt fund for the upcoming year will remain at 6.3 mills. This rate will allow the district to meet its debt obligations for the upcoming year. This table will show how much the proposed debt mill will cost for various taxable values. For a home with a market value of 170,000 and a taxable value of 85,000, the homeowner would pay $4463 per month or $535 uh.50 per year. Similar to the last slide, this table shows how much the sinking proposed syncing fund village would cost for various taxable values. For a home with
005the same market value of 170,000 and a taxable value of 85,000, the homeowner would pay $1249 per month or $149.82 um per year. Moving on to the general fund budget. For budget planning purposes, we are using a foundation allowance of $10,300 per student for the upcoming fiscal year. Similar to last year, the state has not yet finalized school aid budget. So, we're relying on the most recent estimates available from Lancing as we prepare for our fiscal year beginning on July 1st. Based on these estimates, the foundation allowance would increase by $250 per pupil compared to the 2526 funding level of $10,50 per pupil. While the final amount could change once the state budget is approved, both the House and Senate budget proposals currently reflect a consistent foundation allowance amount. Uh under the uh general fund
006with our revenues, uh total revenues are budgeted at 60.5 million with 49.4 million coming from state sources. Um, outside of state revenue, local revenues are projected at $5 million, while federal revenues are estimated at $2.9 million. Federal funding includes revenues from idea, title programs, and the CTE Perkins grant. The state foundation allowance is budgeted to show a modest increase per student compared to the prior year, and student enrollment is projected to remain consistent with the previous year. However, certain funding components for the 2627 school year remain under discussion at the state level and a final state budget has not yet been adopted. Revenues from the Wayne County enhanced mill and previously unreimbured special education cost comprise a significant portion of the incoming transfers in other re revenue category. Items known to be absent or reduced
007for the 2627 school year inc include the uh school resource offer officer grant the SRO grant uh which was budgeted for full utilization in the 2526 year and the SE494 reimbursement from Wayne Risa which the district has been notified will be reduced by 50% for the upcoming year and that translates to about um 75 uh about 80 to 90,000 Um total expenditures are budgeted at 62 62.2 million. Included in this amount is the line item labeled fund modifications which rep uh represents the transfer of state aid received for Burgger students to the center program fund. All state revenue is initial recorded in the general fund and the portion attributed to Burgger students is subsequently transferred to the center program through this expenditure. General fund expenditures have also been updated to reflect the recently approved collective
008bargaining agreement with the GCEA and the tenative agreement with the GCAA. We are budgeting uh for a $ 1.7 million decrease in the fund balance for the 2627 fiscal year resulting in an estimated ending balance of 12.3 million um or approximately still 20.3% of revenues. These figures re uh reflect a cautious approach to budgeting uh for 2627 as final state budget figures and several key funding components have not yet been finalized as additional information becomes available. Midyear revenue and expenditure projections will be adjusted accordingly. Next is the center program fund more commonly known as our BGER budget. Uh total revenues are budgeted at 15.6 6 million uh with more than half of that coming from act 18 reimbursements received through uh Wayne Resa uh Wayne kind revenue is uh revenue also includes 6.6 million in
009transfers from the general fund as this as we discussed in in the previous slide. Uh we're budgeting for $15.6 million in expenditures for the center program. Expenditures are primarily concentrated in two areas. instructional staff with a budget of 11 million and pupil support services with a budget of 4.6 million. Uh combination of state aid, federala funding, and program operator payments are used to fully fund the program. As a result, the Senate program fund is budgeted to have revenues and expenditures that net to zero each year. Um a combination of state aid, federal um Yeah, never mind. That was a repeat there. Uh next is our debt fund. Um this fund is supported by the debt millage and is used to make payments on the bonds issued by the district. Uh total revenues are budgeted at
010$5 million with the majority of funding coming from tax collections. Um we are budgeting for $5.2 million in total expenditures um for the debt fund for the 2627 year. This includes $2.9 million in principal repayments and $2.3 million in interest payments related to the district's three outstanding bonds for the upcoming year. Um, our fund balance for the debt fund is projected to decrease by approximately 131,000, ending the year at just over 628,000. During the 2526 fiscal year, the district took advantage of an opportunity to refund its 2016 bonds. Through this refinancing, approximately $6.3 million in outstanding bonds with maturity dates extending through 2031 were refinanced. In addition, the district utilizes uh utilized uh 1.085 million of its existing fund balance to reduce the outstanding debt principle. As a result of these actions, the district is
011expected to realize a net savings more than 670,000 between the fiscal uh current fiscal year and 2031 when the refinanced 2016 bonds will be fully retired. Next up is the food service fund. Uh the total revenues are budgeted at 2.1 million with the majority of funding coming from the national federal national school lunch program. Um, we're budgeting just under 2.1 in total expenditures for the food service fund. With the completion of the middle school and high school serving line improvements over the past 12 months, maybe going back 14 months at the middle school, the excess food service fund balance that the district had carried for several years um has been addressed. Uh the district continues to maintain a positive fund balance and state guidelines allow for districts to retain a fund balance equal three months
012of operating expenses without it being considered excessive. Um the district is also excited to announce new partnership with rain Wayne reset to support the food service component of its great start uh readiness program beginning in September. The joint venture will allow the district to expand its food service program and extend its services to students and families in neighboring communities. Uh with with all that um projections, revenue and expenses, uh our fund balance is expected to increase slightly by about $37,000 uh resulting in an estimated ending fund balance of approximately 392,000 for the 26 27 fiscal year. The district does not anticipate having an excess fund balance at the end of the 2627 school year. Now we review the syncing funds. The district syncing funds are divided into two categories. The first category consists of taxes
013levied prior to August of 2024. We refer to this as our old syncing fund. Um the second category consists of taxes levied beginning um after um August 2024 which we refer to as a replacement syncing fund. Projects supported through syncing fund and millillage include repairs and renovations to existing facilities. Um, in the beginning in 20 beginning in August of 2024, the allowable uses of syncing fund proceeds were expanded to include technology purchases, security improvements, and and the acquisition of student transportation vehicles, trucks, and vans. Uh, for the old scing fund, we are budgeting approximately $32,000 in total revenue. The majority of this revenue is expected to come from delinquent tax collections which are anticipated to continue declining over time as the remaining delinquent balances are collected. Um we're budgeting 194,000 in total expenditures for the
01426 27 year in the old sinking fund. the balance of the old sinking fund um will be allocated to the middle school athletic complex um restroom concession uh construction and the district plans to complete that uh project in September of 2026. Uh and at the end of 2627 we do not anticipate our old syncing fund to have a balance but we just have to remember each year we do anticipate a little and it and it'll be diminishing every year a small component of old revenue that was levied before um the 2024 year. So we'll have to constantly recognize a little revenue and then allocate it to um you know certain projects. We can't use it for our transportation or our technology, but there's always um some type of a project we can allocate. Uh 2026
01527 replacement syncing fund. Um we're budgeting 1.3 million in total revenue with the majority of our revenue coming from current year tax collections. Um uh for the 26 27 year, we're budgeting approximately $1.8 8 million in total expenditures for the replacement from the replacement sinking fund. Potential projects for the upcoming year include the purchase of two new school buses with air conditioning, uh new playground equipment at Farmington Elementary, and an additional community use play structure at the Burgger Transition Center. Additional investments include completing the remaining work at the middle school athletic complex, fencing improvements at the high school athletic fields, completing HVAC upgrades at the middle school, and purchasing new Chromebooks for students. Uh these projects reflect the district's continued commitment to maintaining and improving facilities, enhancing student safety and learning environments, um supporting technology
016uh supporting the technology needs of staff and students. Uh the replacement sing fund is expected um to show a decrease uh by approximately 492,000 resulting in an estimated fund balance of approximately 311,000 for the 2627 school year. The scholarship and student activity is our next fund. This special revenue uh accounts for student activity and scholarships um that are maintained by the district. uh total revenues are budgeted at 800,000. We're also budgeting 900,000 in expenses. And to wrap up the presentation, the scholarship and student activity fund is budgeting approximately a h 100,000 more in expenditures than revenue, resulting in a projected ending fund balance of approximately $899,000. Uh there any questions? Thank you. >> Uh comments from the audience and we have none this evening. Item six adjournment. >> Madam President, >> Mr. Ry. Any discussion?
017All in favor? >> Okay, we will adjourn. >> Okay, we're going to go ahead and call our regular board meeting of June 22nd, 2026 to order. If everyone could please rise for the pledge. >> 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. >> Okay. Let the record show all members are present with the exception of Chase Mallaloy and Margie Sanders. Is everyone okay with the agenda? Do we have any communications this evening? >> No, we do not. Thank >> you. Board committee update. Finance, Miss Rafie. >> All right. Thank you, Madam President. Our finance committee met this evening at 6 o'clock. In attendance were uh Derek Fischer, Steve Wnooki, Kevin English, and Brett Mesk. Board
018members present were Lynette Childress, Jamie Cashio, Scott George, and myself. Um we discussed um a new curriculum that will be brought to us at our next board meeting. Um it's a one um one class set of a genetics textbook. We're bringing gen a genetics class as an offering next year. Fantastic. We can be expanding our science program. Um the staff's choice was um the curriculum called human genetics. So that and it's going to start in the fall. So that will come to us at our next board meeting. Um we discussed classroom equipment purchases for Burgger Transition Center. um flooring project for Burgger Transition Center and uh and those are both act 18 money. So that's our um funding from RESA and then Farmington Elementary and Burgger Transition Center playground equipment. Um we also discussed the
019millage rates that we just reviewed in our prior meeting and we went over the 2526 final budget and the 2627 initial budget. That was it. >> Thank you. Item seven, presentation, Hope Empowerment Coalition, Brian Galdis. >> Good evening. >> I first want to just um start off by saying thank you for allowing me to come and kind of give you an update on where the Hope Empowerment Coalition is. Um some of you are familiar faces. I've seen you in the past and and um um and um so to begin with uh my name is Brian Galdis. I'm a former superintendent of South Redford schools. Um I currently work for Growth Works um who really is the financial backer of this work. Um and I'm the suicide prevention coordinator for them now. Um the Hope Empowerment
020Coalition is made up of nine school districts, Baron City being one of them, and um two hospital systems, Trinity Health and and um Cornwell Health. Um and you can see up here, this is our um our mission and vision. Basically, we want to work with schools to eliminate um youth suicide in in in our schools. That is our goal. Um here you can see in in in this um slide you can see um the school districts that are involved in the in the coalition as well as um some other service agencies. These aren't the only service agencies. These are just some of the larger ones. Um of course growth works is um is is the financial backer for us. And then um students versus stigma is a new group that I'll talk about in a
021little bit. If you have any questions just um you have to wait till the end. you can just kind of signal and go from there. Um I always do statistics when I talk because the the statistics are just jaw drop jaw-dropping and um if if one of one of our one of our goals is to break the stigma around mental health. We're not going to be able to help adolescence um any any group that's struggling with suicide until we start breaking the mental health stigma group uh issues. And so the only way we're going to do is by talking about it and really getting out there what the issues are. So, um, suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10 through 14. It used to be the third. It's now the second.
022So, do the math. It's not going in the right direction for sure. Um, we did have we did have a reduction in uh suicide in the last state collection um for this age group. And the one of the problems is is is data is always about two years behind. And so I actually am working now with the state in some of this work. And I can tell you that there are four districts right now that the state recognizes as a contagion district, which means multiple districts. And there's a district not too far from this area has had six student suicides in two years. And so um I fear that although we had a dip in 24, I think that as we move forward, we're going to Um so this slide um is um if you
023look at the center for disease control um data and you look at the MIFI data that is taken by some districts across the state of Michigan um and it's a it's a um it's a they're both surveys that students self-report and if you look at the data it's almost identical between the MIFI and the and the national data. And so, um, what I've done is is I've taken you have about 850 high school students. I think I have that correct. Um, high school students. Um, so when you take the the the numbers from those surveys and then you extrapolate them over to those numbers. Now, let me be clear, these are not reported cases that I'm talking about. It is an extrapolation of the of the data, but there's no reason for Garden City to
024think that their numbers are any different than any other community in the state of Michigan. I will tell you that these numbers are consistent across high socioeconomic social districts, low soio economic districts. This males, females, um race, religion, it's almost identical. Um there are some sub some some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub some sub communities that that experience higher or lower but they're pretty much identical. This is not somebody else's problem. This is all of our problem. Um so we look at we look at sadness and hopelessness because anyone adolesence included if they're going to take their life or if they're
025going to choose to take their life or they're going to attempt to take their life there's usually a there's usually some some sadness or hopelessness. So across we'll just talk about the state of Michigan and in the state of Michigan 40% of the students have identified that they felt significantly hopeless or or sad for a significant amount of time over the last 12 months. So if you extrapolate that to the 825 you'd have high school students in Baron City who have felt significantly sad in the last 12 months or hopeless. Um and then you can look at the numbers for considered an attempt and made a plan. The one that just just um keeps me going, keeps me working is made an attempt. 9% of the students across Michigan have made an attempt. That means
02676 students again these are not these aren't identified cases. This is an extrapolation but 76 students will have attempted a suicide in some in the last 12 months. you know, and those are numbers that we can't we we shouldn't ignore, we can't ignore. It's a tough problem there. We don't have any easy answers. I will tell you that um our steering committee is made up of um a steering or a cabinet level administrator from each district and then someone who's boots on the ground, works with kids every day. And um Dr. Stan is on our steering committee and I will tell you that um you you should be very proud of Dr. Stan. Dr. Stan has done incredible incredible work. Um he's a leader of our group in our group not of the group necessarily
027but but in the group he is definitely a leader. When um when when issues come up and Dr. Stan start talking people listen and I mean there's so much respect from the the community and in mental health. I just want to thank you for um allowing us to have Dr. Stan develop. I'm gonna tell a little story if it's okay if I have an extra couple minutes. Um I was a principal for a very long time, an elementary principal. And um you know, I was always frustrated because I could never get the the professionals outside of our schools to work with the kids, you know, in the schools. They would do their work and then they would send a letter to the teachers or whatever and and it just just wasn't effective. So, I always
028would at least try to make a call to the the mental health professional outside of the district and say, "Hey, could you meet with us? You know, can you this is long before Zoom and everything, but you know, we we'll be efficient. We we'll waste your time or whatever." And it was always, "Well, we'll see. We'll see. We'll see if they so um I did have one one person, one one outside professional, mental health professional come in and work with us." And I remember this. This is a significant and we were successful with this young man. Um, and it was a lot had a lot to do with the work that this this person outside the school helped us with and led us through. Um, so fast forward, I don't know, 15 years, I'm working
029with the suicide coalition. I'm talking to Dr. Stan and he's going to call me for something and we're giving each other a number and they both popped up. His name popped up on my phone and my name popped up and it was principal official elementary school and then off came rushing back. It was Dr. Stan. He was the only one I could ever get. This over 16 years I was a principal that that actually responded to the call. So, you know, there's Dr. Stan is the real deal and I really appreciate everything he does for us. >> Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Thank you. Um, okay. So, um, so what do we do? How do we make a difference? Um so we we we've some of the things that we've done um we've done a
030lot of QPR training which is um it gives adults and students tools to be able to um deal with somebody who's in in in crisis right Dr. Stan comes up to me and says, you know, Ryan, I don't want to I don't want to wake up tomorrow. Man, that's pretty heavy. You know, what do I do? And so, it gives me a lot of tools to be able doesn't make me a counselor. It doesn't make me someone who's going to be able to help him um with his issues. What it allows me to do is help him get the help he needs. Um so, we've done a lot of that. We, matter of fact, this is our numbers are a little bit uh old on there. We've trained about 6,000 adults across all of the
031school districts um and and quite a few students in in in most of the districts. Um we work on collecting data, which is not not an easy thing to do, but in order to make good decisions, we need to be able to collect data, but the the group does a lot of research. We really look into what we want to do to move forward um and make sure things are are researchbased some of our intervention. Um, and this is one that really has been kind of an unforeseen um, help. The coalition members are mostly made up of special ed directors and social workers. And because of the work that we're doing, they have really really made connections across districts and in larger districts, across schools even. Um, a lot of them knew each other, but
032we're still going back in their offices and making really tough decisions for students and families all by themselves because it's kind of how our system is. It's very siloed. Um, not the best way to do it. Because of these relationships, they now call each other. They're working together. They're they're helping each other out with different projects and whatnot. Um, I've received calls, Brian, I got this issue. have dealt with it. Um, can you help us out? Um, so what I would do is is is I I talked to a lot of the special ed directors. You know, I might know a different district is having has had this issue before. That afternoon we're on a Zoom call and you have people who who are in the field that are have dealt with some of those
033same things. Um, helping each other out and that has really really been been helpful. Um, also just talking to each other. Again, most of the people that that are in the coalition, their positions might be the only person in the in the district um that do their work and so they're alone, right? This allows this allows the you know crossing of districts and crossing of schools to be able to help each other out. Uh so we do a ton of professional development. We have a huge conference professional mental school based mental health professionals um that we we work with on election day each year um as a professional development. We also do a lot of um u we do four meeting conferences at Trinity Health on different topics and super well attended and so it's
034well received. Um so what are we doing now? Currently the work we're currently doing this year and and this is going to carry on into next year because they're pretty big lists um when we have um supporting students and families who are in crisis. So students in crisis is families in crisis and so you have a student garden city high school goes into crisis um you know what do you do? Well there's a couple different paths. Student can go home, student can stay at school. Student can go to ER go to residential treatment. Student can go to um private practice person, lots of different paths. Um and then it can vary from there. You go from emergency room to residential treatment. Um the communication between all of those groups is not good for lots of
035reasons, but um so what we're attempting to do is bring representatives from all of those groups to the table and talk about how can we make this work? How can we streamline things? how can we um how can we help get good communication across different transitions? And I was a little bit blown away. I knew we I knew what it meant for schools as a principal and a superintendent. What I didn't realize is emergency rooms, how they struggle. Um residential treatment centers, how they struggle with being able to help getting information, transitioning to the next level. Um, and then how do we transition them back into school? Worst case scenarios, we don't even know a student's out. They come back to my school and they've been gone for a week, sometimes two weeks, sometimes longer,
036and we don't know where they've been and we don't get any information. Um, so we're trying to come up with a way to, and this is a big lift, but we're come trying to come up with a way to kind of normalize how that information is shared, standardize it a bit, um, so that it becomes kind of more of a natural flow. Um, and so that's some work that we're doing now. Um, we have, uh, I I know that, um, Garden City is using be nice K12, I believe, uh, Dr. Stan. And um so each school district was um asked to if you're in a coalition we ask that you have a some type of a peer-to-peer program. And so we researched them and three of them um were okay by the steering committee. Be
037nice squad and sources of strength and so guaranteed going with be nice. Um we're able to get that grant funded also for three years. And so for the high schools and the middle schools and um so again that's thanks to growth works and that's for all of the high schools and middle schools and that across the whole coalition to all the districts. Um I also believe personally that we're not going to be able to move that needle down until we center student voice and get student leadership. You know we we we need students to be part of this. They know what it's like to be in high school now. I remember the angst I had as a high schooler, middle schooler. Um, you know, but my kids are are into their 30s, so you know,
038they they're too different now, even even different than when my kids went to high school. Um, you know, how does how does a high schooler deal with all of the social media and all the filters and all the all of all of the all of it, right? uh media news being in your face, being so polarized, all the things that we as adults struggle with. Um you know, how do you do that with this, you know, a 16-year-old who's going through all that other 16y old stuff? Um so the best thing to do is bring the kids to the table. Um again, no easy task because we don't want this to be just a, you know, bring them all in for a day, go through the exercises, and then have them move on. We really
039want this to be ongoing, consistent. um truly having student voice. Um and so we have a lot of high schools, we have a lot of um you know, a lot of high schools to coordinate and bring together. Um and so we began that work this year. Um the idea is that we'll have all 19 high schools involved um as we move forward. Um and um and I think that will really that might be the most powerful thing we do is really again center center of the student leadership and truly truly give their voices to the table. And um so this is students versus stigma. This is the this is the the um our student group. This is our our high school student group. And I just want you to read the mission and vision statement.
040I will tell you that there isn't one word in there that came from an adult. This is purely student le and student written, student edited formatting. This is we've done we the adults did nothing for this and I'm so proud of it. I sometimes think they do better work than we do as the adults. It is really really awesome. Um the they even came up with their own logo. That's Jeff. Um Jeff's in the process of getting a backstory. Um and so kids are really doing everything on their own. They have their own leadership structure. Um and um I'm really I I'm really looking forward to next year and the year after coming and you know giving you the progress that they're doing because I think that's going to help move the needle the most.
041This is just some more of their work. Um it's some we we've had a couple of meetings um larger meetings and and so this is this was advertisements for And we do a lot of legislative work. So we're working with um legislators to, you know, work with schools to for resources, all those kinds of things. We had we we've done tours with legislators through emergency rooms, through high schools. We've had them sit down with high school counselors, social workers, um to talk about what their needs are, those kinds of things. So we coordinate a lot of those things. Um, and we also have been working with the state of Michigan in terms of looking at the work we're doing as a coalition and how that model might fit across the state of Michigan. So, I'm
042pretty excited about that, too. Any questions? >> Yes. >> Um, one, do you I'm sure answer. Do we have students that we've trained at our high school with QPR? Dr. St. >> Madam President, we do trainings for uh the health class for uh twi twice a year. Uh so we probably do uh at least I'd say 60 kids every semester and we've been doing that for three years. >> That's correct. >> Mr. Gro, >> uh graphas graas. Yep. Yep. Uh that was a something we initiated and uh kids have come to it really well. Uh it's uh sometimes they're a little sleepy because it's usually an early morning class but it's great to get their engagement because they realize it's very important. >> And then um the students versus stigma, how how are those students
043um chosen or selected or volunteered or how how do we get those students in that? >> Great question. Um so it's infancy so we're still we're learning how to work with kids and how to do this right and so um what we did this year is we had we picked different locations um different school districts or different schools high schools um growth works we met at and um um you know we had different different students show up um and um so what we're going to do next year is we're going to open it up So it'll be it'll be it'll be a hybrid. So you can either show up in person or you can show up you know through video. And so, um, it really it will be open to all all the high schools
044in the, um, in the coalition and, um, we for next year we're looking at doing two large events, um, where we'll bring everyone together and then I think the model that we're going to look at will be more work um, that'll be um, that'll be facilitated through the coalition at the high schools and then we'll bring that work, you know, the individual high school then we'll bring that work uh together. So um so so I I think the way to answer your question how would garden city students be involved? Um they would um uh they would um start at the high school um through sometimes sometimes kids start with a club or a group. Sometimes some districts have one or two kids who are interested in it and then they attend some of the meetings
045to move forward. Um I will say that um every single school district is in a different place with this work and we're really asking school districts to do a lot and so that's what I mean by it's in it's in its infancy. you know, um so so you know, in terms of how moving forward with it, and I would tell you that Garden City is definitely one of our leaders in terms of work that's being done, um that's that's, you know, coalition le work. And so, um, I would say that, um, this year, looking at the next school year, um, coming up, that there'll be opportunities for Garden City students to to be involved, um, either in person, um, either at these larger groups, um, if they want to do some leadership role, they'd be
046able to do that, which is more involved, um, both in person and and virtually. So, and and you know, Dr. understand will have more information on on how we move forward with that. >> Awesome. >> Still, we're still early, but >> I think that's going to be the most powerful piece. >> Yeah, I agree. >> Mr. Galdez, thank you. It's good to see you and uh great to know that you're doing good work beyond uh superintendency retirement. So, thank you for continuing to serve Western Wayne. Much appreciated. >> My pleasure. Thank you very much. Okay. Item eight, comments from the audience focused on today's agenda, and we have none. Item nine, approval of the general consent agenda items. A, regular meeting minutes of June 8th, 2026. B, building committee minutes of June 8th, 2026. C,
047curriculum committee minutes of June 8th, 2026. D, closed meeting minutes of June 8th, 2026 for GCEA. and e closed meeting minutes as of June 8th, 2026 for bargaining update. Motion is in order. >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Motion passes. On to new business a human resource report. Derek Fischer. >> Madam President, thank you. In your board packet, you will have your human resources report dated uh 6226 created by Associate Stu Superintendent Miss Williamson. Uh that human resources report details one promotion, one retirement, three resignations, and three new hires. Uh baring any concerns from the board, it's a recommendation that you pass the human resources report as presented. >> Motion is in order. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> Any oppose? Motion passes. Item B, the 2025 2026 amended budget proposal. Steve
048Waznooki. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, I'm recommending approval of the amended 2025 2026 budgets for the general fund, center program fund, debt fund, syncing funds, food service fund, and student activities and scholarship fund. The amended general fund budget was reviewed and discussed during this evening's finance committee meeting. The proposed bud the proposed budget amendments reflect updated revenue expenditure projections based on current financial information and year-end estimates. Uh, it is the recommendation that the board of education approve the 2025 amended general appropriations resolution as presented. >> Motion is in order. >> Any discussion? Kathy, could we have a roll call vote? >> Sierra Rafy. Hi. >> Jill Bterbal. Hi. >> Scott George. Hi. >> Lynette Childress. Hi. >> Jamie Picassio. Hi. Item C, the 2026 mill rates resolution. Mr. Wiznooki. >> Thank you, Madam President.
049Uh, the following mill rates were presented earlier this evening during the budget hearing. It is recommended that the board of education establish the following millage rates for 2026. Operating millage of 18 mills on non-homestead property. Uh, 2016 debt of 3.34 on all property. 2020 debt of 1.86 uh% on all property. 2020 two debt of 1.1% or 1.1 uh0 mills on all property sinking fund of 1.7626 mills on all property. Um the Headley amendment limits the amount of property tax revenue that may increase from year to year. As a result, the district is required to reduce its syncing fund millage from 1.7961 mills to 1.762 1.7626 mills for the current year. While voters approved the sinking fund replacement millage at a rate of 1.8285 mills in August of 2024, required Headley rollbacks have reduced the authorized
050levy to 1.7626 mills. This reduced rate will remain in effect unless voters approve a future millage increase or additional Headley reductions are required in subsequent years. Uh the district's total debt millage for 2025 was 6.3 mills and will remain unchanged at 6.3 mills for the 2026 levy period. The district's financial advisor PFM provided an analysis and recommendation regarding the allocation of the debt uh of the total debt millage among the district's three debt funds to ensure sufficient revenue for debt service obligation. Uh the recommended motion is that the board of education approve the following millage rates for 2026. Reading them again. Uh operating millage of 18 mills on non-homestead property. Uh the 2020 2016 debt of 3.34 mills on all property. The 2020 debt of 1.86 on all property. Uh and 2022 debt of 1.1
051mills on all property. And finally, the sinking fund of 1.7626 mills on all property. >> Motion is in order. >> Any discussion? >> Uh Kathy, can we have another roll call vote? >> Lynette Childress. >> Hi. >> Jill Bterbaw. >> Hi. >> Scott George. >> Hi. >> Sarah Rafie. >> Hi. >> Jamie Picassio. >> Hi. Item D, the 2026 2027 initial budget proposal. Mr. Whisper. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, I'm recommending approval of the initial 2026 2027 budget proposal. The budget was reviewed during this evening's finance committee meeting. In addition, a public budget hearing was held prior to tonight's board meeting to provide community members an opportunity to offer comments and feedback. During the hearing, a summary of the proposed budget, including the millage rates that support the budget, was presented to the community.
052Uh the recommended motion is that the board of education approved the 2026 2027 general appropriations resolution as presented. >> Motion is in order. >> Any discussion? >> Kathy, can we have a roll call vote? >> Sarah Rafie. Hi. >> Lynette Childress. Hi, >> Scott George. >> Hi, >> Jill Bterbal. >> I >> Jamie Buicio. >> Hi. >> Item E, the 2026 2027 board meeting schedule. Mr. Fischer. >> Madam President, thank you. Board members, in your packet, you'll have the uh draft board meeting schedule for the 2026 2027 school year. Uh please take note there are total of 21 regularly scheduled board meetings. Uh as proposed, the schedule reflects one board meeting for the month of July on July 27th, one board meeting in the month of August on August 24th, and one board meeting uh
053in the month of December that falls on December 14th. All other board meeting dates fall within that uh second and fourth Monday cycle. And then starting on October 12th, uh, every first board meeting through June 14th will be quote unquote away game hosted at one of our buildings yet to be identified. So, barring any questions or concerns of the proposed schedule of 21 dates, which is consistent with the open meetings act, we're in full compliance certainly, uh, it's my recommendation that the board adopt the regular board meeting schedule as presented. >> Motion is in order. support. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Item F, the Burgger Transition Center Classroom Equipment. Mr. Wnooki. >> Thank you, Madam President. On June 1st, 2026, Garden City Public Schools received a discretionary funds allocation
054from Wayne Rhysa designated under the act 18 program. These funds were authorized for use of purchase services, supplies, or capital expenditures directly supporting the district's act 18 initiatives. The district has chosen to invest these funds in new classroom equipment for the Burgger Transition Center and additional Act 18 classrooms located throughout the district. To maximize value and ensure competitive pricing, the district will utilize NVS commercial interiors, which provides access to consortion pricing through ENI Cooperative Services, a nonprofit organization whose procurement methods meet or exceeds competitive RFP standards. This purchase will be the district's third order with NBS Commercial Interiors, a vendor that has consistently provided exceptional service, quality products, and strong value. It will also be the district's first purchase using the 2526 discretionary fund allocation. In accordance with uh general in accordance with current fiscal
055guidelines, all allocated funds must be fully expended by June 30th of 2027. Uh the total purchase amount of 30 $319,782.76. On the recommended motion is that the board of education approve the bid from NBS Commercial Interiors for the amount of $319,782.76 for the new classroom equipment at the Burgger Transition Center and additional act 18 classrooms throughout the district. >> Motion is in order. >> Any discussion? >> Um, Madam President, I have a quick comment on this. Um, I would just like to say that being familiar with the Burgger program, I'm a little disappointed um at the timeliness of that this money came in from Wayne Resa. Um, last year we received it earlier in the year. Um, had we done that, we would have been able to order it. It would have been here probably
056well before the school started and we could have gotten it in the classrooms and the facility would have been ready. Um, I appreciate the money. Um but just this the slow allocation this year um from Wayne Resa just if there was any um I don't want to say upheaval but disruption um to the program and the students at Burgger. We tried to get this ordered as quickly as we can. We could not get it ordered until we received that money from Marissa which for some reason came in a bit late. I I I don't know what happened there. Why they sat I don't want to say sat on the money why the money wasn't allocated quickly. Um, but whatever the reason, hopefully there's not a disruption. Hopefully this can come in before the school year
057because, you know, that's that's not fair to our students. Thank you. For where we were. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay. Motion passes. Item G, Burgger Transition Center and Farmington 56 playground renovations. Mr. Weski. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh the district is committed to enhancing outdoor play opportunities for students and has identified a need to improve the existing playgrounds by adding new equipment to the current structures. These improvements will provide additional play options, increase student engagement, and help ensure the playgrounds continue to meet the needs of our students. On May 26th, um May 27, 2026, quotes were received from Game Time for new playground equipment at the Burgger Transition Center and Farmington Elementary. These projects were not required to be competitively bid because they are being procured through the Omnia Partners Cooperative Purchasing
058Program. Renovations to the playgrounds at BTC and Farmington Elementary are scheduled for completion during the summer of 2026. Funding for these projects will be provided through a combination of syncing fund and act 18 discretionary funds uh for the playground one of the playground pieces at BTC in the amount of 92,788 that that will be funded through the act 18 discretionary funds. um another piece another component um for the playground at BTC in the amount of $144,212 that will be funded through syncing fund and the final piece the playground uh new new playground equipment at Farmington um funded through syncing fund in the total of $130,200 grand total $367,200. Um, the quoted prices include labor and the cost of equipment. Uh, the recommended motion is that the board of education approve the playground renovations at BTC
059and Farmington Elementary by game time in the amount of 36 $367,200. >> Motion is in order. >> Any discussion? >> All in favor? >> Any opposed? Okay, motion passes. Item H, Burgger Transition Center flooring project. Mr. Wnooki. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, on June 6, 2026, Garden City Public Schools issued a bid proposal for the removal of existing flooring and the installation of of Shaw LVT flooring, that's luxury vinyl tile, uh, flooring at the Burgger Transition Center. The bid notice appeared in the Detroit News and Free Press along with a posting on the State of Michigan Sigma website. Bids were required to be returned to the district no later than June 16, 2026 at 2 p.m. Four bids were received for the project. Um the bid submitted by floor floor craft floor coverings was
060determined to be the most qualified and at $89,977 was also the lowest responsive bid received. The project will be paid out of the district's act 18 discretionary funds which were received by the district on June 1st. Uh the recommended motion is that the board of education approves the bid from floor floor craft floor coverings in the amount of $89,977 for the removal and replacement of the old classroom flooring at Burgger Transition Center with new Shaw LVT flooring. Motion is in order. >> Any discussion? >> I have a question. >> Uh, Mr. Ry, can you explain the difference of why one would have to go out to bid and one would not have to go out to bid? >> Uh, great question. Um there are certain um um consortium pricing opportunities out there where the the
061competitive bid is taken away is taken out of the picture because the consortiums are doing this for us. Uh in a case of the the flooring project, we could have received consortion pricing on the product itself, but the labor was the component that was not covered under consortium prices. So, we took that out to bid and I'm pleased to say that the the estimates we the the quote the proposal we received was actually much lower than our rough estimates. But great question. Uh Jesse and I had spent a lot of times a lot of time researching this because we were getting conflicting information. Um but yeah, the consortium pricing model does seem to be gaining some traction. there is a lot of additional expense and time when it comes to um the bid process. Um
062but you know overall you know as we just demonstrated that it can be it can be favorable favorable but um you know in the case with the the um the furniture um and even the playground equipment we received quotes just for estimates that were much much higher than once you apply the consortium pricing. So right thank you. No. >> Anyone else? All in favor? >> Any oppose? Motion passes. Item I, the GCAA contract ratification. Mr. Fischer. >> Madam President, as you know, we've reached tenative agreement with the Garden City Administrators Association. At this time, I'd like to call for a close session for a purpose of updating the board on where we're at with that proposal and then ultimately uh return to the boardroom uh the hopes that the board will be able to hold
063a vote on that item. >> Okay. Motion is in order. >> Any discussion? >> Kathy, can we have a roll call vote? >> Sarah Rafie. >> Hi. >> Jill Bterbaw. >> Hi. >> Scott George. >> Hi. >> Lynette Childress. >> Hi. >> Jamie Bashio. I >> we are back. We'll uh go to item J. Vote for the GCAA contract. Mr. Wnuski. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um, at this time I recommend that the board of education ratify the collective bargaining agreement between Garden City Public Schools and the Garden City Administrators Association, the GCAA, for the period of July 1st, 2026 through June 30th of 2029 as negotiated and tentatively agreed upon by the parties. >> Motion's in order. >> Any discussion? Kathy, can we have a roll call vote? >> Lynette Childress, >> hi. >>
064Jill Bterball, >> hi. >> Scott George, >> hi. >> Sarah Rafie, >> hi. >> Jamie Picassio, >> hi. >> Item 11, comments from the audience, and again, we have none this evening. Item 12, recommendations. Mr. Fischer. >> Madam President, thanks. Uh start like to request to close session immediately after this regular part of the board meeting for purposes of superintendent quarterly review and update on progress toward the mutually developed goals. >> Motion is in order. >> Any discussion? Kathy, one last roll call vote, please. Sarah Rafie. >> Lynette Childress. >> Hi. >> Scott George. >> Hi. >> Jill Bterbal. >> Hi. >> Jamie Buicio. >> Hi. Thank you. I want to uh just thank again to Mr. Galdez, the former superintendent of South Redford and now member of the Hope Empowerment team for his great
065work and coordination with Dr. Stan for really uh promoting mental health awareness and responding to students in mental health crisis and having that focus on uh reducing if not eliminating teen suicides across the Wayne Western way region. Very important work. So, thank you to all involved there and happy to host uh Brian this evening. Uh congratulations to the GCAA on their contract and thank you to all involved in negotiating that contract. Happy to have that wrapped up certainly. Uh also thanks and shout out to our folks involved with us for Autism. Last Monday night was the for autism event, the annual event that sort of ushers in our summer. very well attended. And again, I I hate I kind of say this every year. I have to say it every year. I do believe we
066had another record amount of cars show up. Had wonderful and cooperative weather, uh great music, a lot of volunteers, and just a wonderful outpouring and support for our Burgger program uh with our car enthusiasts. So, great night and a great way to really start the summer. Kind of a milestone event for all of us. So, the B&G team did an excellent job getting set up and we're just happy to have uh the support for that continued support for that event. Um, let's see what else they want to share real quick. Um, next regular board meeting just to keep on your radar is Monday, July 27th with central office as the venue. And I do believe that sums up my comments. So, any comments at all from the candidate team? Dr. Stan. >> Thank you, Mr.
067Fischer. very quickly uh remind the community that to we still have school of choice application window open and we are collecting those via the link on the website. We always look for new students to fill up our open spaces and another reminder to for all returning students for the 2627 school year uh we required to do a back to school registration. Thank you. >> Thank you Mr. English. Just really quickly uh just on behalf of the GCAA, I just wanted to thank the district for really collaborative and engaging process. I know we truly appreciated the cooperative approach. Uh we think our combined efforts will help maintain and attract administrators to join our great team and our really great district. So want to share that. >> Thank you. Uh I do want to share um here
068it is June 22nd. There are eight days left in the month of June, and I'd be growing more and more skeptical, if not doubtful, that the Michigan legislature will deliver on their statutory requirement to give us a school a budget by July 1st. I've been tapped in the shoulder as the current president of the K12 Alliance, among other presidencies, uh to dialogue with WWJ News Radio at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday morning. And I'm going to thoughtfully share my frustration, thoughtfully share my hope uh that a budget is delivered and uh perhaps promote awareness that there is a statutory requirement that we live up to is school officials and school districts. Wouldn't it be wonderful if our legislature held themselves to the same standard? Who would have thought? Uh with that, I think Yeah. One thing I
069just want to thank Brett for all his work on the budget. Um it's uh it's a it's a monumental task. So I appreciate your efforts. Um I'm old getting old and hard to remember all this stuff and your young brain is a much welcome addition. Um so again I appreciate you. You know we I we we spent the last two solid weeks working on the budget amendment uh next year's next year's initial budget. So, um, you know, I think every time we do it, we get a little bit better. We we figure out a couple more things. Um, you know, between us, we're looking at what about seven seven whole years of school business experience, which is not a lot in today's world. So, um, the fact that we're able to do, you know, what
070we what we have been able to accomplish is is it's a great, you know, it's a great thing. So, again, appreciate your help. Appreciate all your efforts. And, um, you know, tomorrow we'll start on our prelim audit coming Friday. So, uh, no rest for the weird. So, thank you. >> All right. Item 13, review and recommendations. Anyone have anything? >> Um, I would like to thank um, Mr. Bnooki, Brett, and the business office um, for uh, getting another budget to us as we do every year on time, but one that we can trust. As our audits show every year, they're very accurate. Um it's very hard to do like Mr. Fischer just said without the legislature doing their jobs. Um which I suppose because there's no consequences they decide they don't have to but um
071we do and we do it on time guessing the amount of money that we have to work with. Um and our business office does a fantastic job estimating and getting us close to possible um really we're within 1% usually at pretty close at audit time. Um so without any support for really from the legislature that we're supposed to have. Fantastic job. So thank you again this year. Um and I know it's a lot of hard work. You're appreciated. >> Um anyone else? All right. We will move into recess. All right, we're back on to item 14, adjournment. Madam President, Mr. Rocky, >> I move that we adjourn. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> All right, meeting adjourned. in a million years. >> All right, we're back on to item 14, adjournment. Madam President, Mr.
072Rocky, >> I move that we adjourn. Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Meeting adjourned.