001I was middle school mostly and then I went to Even though I love my job right now's something about intimate. What do you think? You could tomorrow. >> Did he How long >> since freshman year? >> That's opportunities. >> Yeah, >> she loves water. to them. See what the opportunity >> Yeah. I think she would love it, too. It's a great program. water. >> I didn't I didn't put When are we getting water? >> Good evening everyone. We welcome and appreciate your presence at this meeting of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education. We respectfully request individuals silent cellular phones and refrain from clapping, cheering, or making audible comments during the meeting. If you wish to formally address the board, please fill out the public comment card, which is located at the entrance, and
002place the completed card in the provided basket. Tonight, uh, we will allow public comment cards to be submitted until the public comment portion of the agenda begins. Um, I would like to call this meeting to order. Today is Monday, January 12th, 2026. Trustee Rodriguez, could you please call the role? >> Absolutely. Uh, Trustee Davis, >> Trusty Kilpatrick, >> present. >> Trusty Melton, >> present. >> Trusty Moreno, >> present. >> Trusty Rodriguez is here. Trusty Williams >> present. >> Trusty Williamson is hopefully on his way. Uh, VP Wade >> present. >> And President Buchek >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Okay. Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? >> So moved. Support. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Um could everybody Could I just
003ask everybody to put their microphone down close? I know some I saw some of you do that, but I just want to make sure it's picking up our voices. >> Test test test. >> Okay. First up on our agenda is the election of our officers for this year. And to start that process, we actually need a nomination for a temporary chairperson to run this portion of our meeting. Do I have a nomination? >> I nominate Trustee Buchek to be the chair of this temporary meeting. >> Thank you. Any others? >> Support. >> Okay. individual. >> So you do have to have the motion. >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Oh, wait. We do have to take the role for that. I'm sorry. >> Oh, you're correct.
004Uh, Trusty Buchek, >> yes. >> Trusty Davis, >> yes. >> Trusty Kilpatrick, >> yes. >> Trusty Melton, >> yes. >> Trusty Moreno, >> yes. >> Trusty Rodriguez, yes. Trusty Wade, >> yes. >> Trusty Williams, >> yes. >> And no, Trusty Williamson, that passes. >> Okay. Okay. And as the temporary chair's person, I will appoint Trusty Rodriguez to be our temporary secretary for this process. >> So, we do have um some nominations submitted for the different officer positions. And first up is our president position. We have two nominations for president. We have um Trusty Rodriguez was nominated by Trusty Kilpatrick and also Trusty Wade was nominated by myself. Are there any other nominations for president? Okay. Trusty Rodriguez, do you accept this nomination? >> I do. >> Trusty Wade, do you accept this nomination? >> I
005do. Okay, the nominations for president are closed. Do I have a motion? The way I would ask for this motion is a motion for the office of president to either go to trustee Rodriguez or to trustee Wade. And then when we take the vote, I'm going to ask that you name who you would like to see in that position instead of voting yes or no. >> Does that make sense? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, the motion that I'm asking for is a motion for the office of president for either Trustee Rodriguez or Trustee Wade. >> So, moved. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Mhm. >> And Trusty Rodriguez, if you could call that. >> Yep. Okay. Uh, >> excuse me. Is there discussion before we >> We can discuss if you
006have things to say. Yeah. Okay. I would like >> Okay. Um, so I know we've had a little bit of discussion about this in the past, but I would like to um specifically state um uh >> some information. Can you bring your microphone a little closer? >> Me? You >> closer? Yeah, I can't. >> Oh, it sound like I'm real close already. Okay. Um, well, I just wanted to express um my full support for Ari Raid as the ideal choice for the president position. Um, I believe leadership is not just about holding a title. It is about demonstrating behaviors that inspire trust, drive progress, and empower others. As Miss Wade embodies these qualities every single day. First and foremost, Miss Wade is an intentional communicator. She listens actively and shares information transparently and ensures that
007every voice is heard. This ability to connect with people, builds trust and strengthens collaboration. She has led as VP with accountability. When challenges arise, she takes responsibilities, find solutions, and models integrity. Her actions set the standard for professionalism and reliability. What truly sets her apart is the vision and strategic thinking. Miss Wade doesn't just focus on today. She anticipates tomorrow and she also aligns uh the team efforts with organizational goals and inspires others to see the big picture. Equally important, she empowers um those around her by delegating and encouraging creativity. Miss Wayade helps others grow and succeed. She understands that leadership is about lifting others up and not standing alone. In times of change, adaptability is key and Miss Weey excels here. She remains calm, flexible, and solutionoriented. Turning challenges into opportunities for improvement. Her
008emotional intelligence is evident in her interaction. She leads with empathy, resolves conflicts constructively, and fosters an environment of respect and trust. Finally, Miss Wade never misses a chance to recognize achievements and invests in development of our scholars in this district. She celebrates success and motivates others to create a culture of growth and excellence. This is the behaviors that define true leadership and it is why I wholeheartedly support Miss Wave for this role. with her vision, integrity, and commitment to empowering others. I am confident that we um that she will lead us to even greater success. >> Any other additional comments? >> No. Okay. >> All right. Uh, Trusty Buchek, >> I would like to place a vote for VP Wade. Uh, Trusty Davis, >> PP White, >> Trusty Kilpatrick, >> Trusty Rodriguez, >> uh, Trusty
009Melton, >> Trusty Rodriguez, >> Trusty Moreno, >> Trusty Rodriguez. I vote for myself. Trusty Wade, >> I'll vote for myself. >> Trusty Williams, >> VP. >> And Trusty Williamson is not here, so that is a tie. >> I do have a message that he is five minutes out. Um, I'm not sure what to do in this situation. So, >> at this point, I wonder if we need to [laughter] >> No, >> I [clears throat] would say move on to the next one and then just >> I don't think we can move on yet because both of you are up for vice president as well. So, >> recess, >> we could move. >> Julie suggests recessed. >> Yeah, that's what I was going to ask for. So, can I get a motion to take a 10-minute
010recess? >> So, moved >> support >> maybe 15 minute just to be sure. >> Who who made the motion? >> Trusty Kilpatrick and I seconded. >> Okay. All in favor? >> Any opposed? >> Okay. We will plan to be back at 7. I know. I was like, the three of us wearing cream. >> Yeah. It's in the minutes. >> I think there's two nominations for secretary. I can't remember who else. to me. It's not bad. >> It's great that she knows that. I love that you guys expended I think there was a nervous >> Did you have to like give a speech or anything like that? Okay. >> I have dinner on my hand. the same like but also >> I knew all technology too like headphones. >> What's treasure is a big You got
011your >> old sitt there. But there's a whole bunch of reports coming out >> what are you saying about the earbuds? There's like reports coming out more and more that it's causing more >> just better than the onions on my fingers. >> I made a lentil dish and >> it was kind of an experiment and I saw that I failed. So, I'm sure my family will know [laughter] >> I don't like That's a good idea. Goat cheese. >> I know. And I put I put aocado on top of dish. No, notificate these days. >> Yeah. In fact, I know that you know Eric and he's relaunching mindset meals. I just ordered my meals from him today. >> Amazing. >> Were you part of the test? >> Oh, yeah. >> I've been for years. No, this
012is for the pilot. >> It's for next week's launch. Next week's delivery. >> Well, I'm a week behind you. >> I'm gonna bring that up to >> What did you get? Did you get the jerk? >> Yeah, they were good. >> I told himwest the same. So then we get these situations like today >> good know what I But what I could not even reality And then the next choir. We know the director. Do you want to stand up? I'm one voice. >> Or something. That's why I tell you not to make sure >> you took so [laughter] just don't look at >> good. I live in town and >> so I'm like taking every and it's all like one and I'm like I hate cars. So you think I'm like but it's like one
013time I need to get some >> I mean we have Yeah, >> she's got a mask, too, but she's also got >> Yeah, we haven't had any I want to do it myself. >> Thank you. I'm done. >> I mean, I have a sewing machine. Like I have to turn it off. place >> the classic >> our office. Yep. And then doing a public Yeah. >> See how hard it is to do it on one thing though? Just put >> Okay, I think we are ready to get going. So, I'd like to call us back out of our recess and we took a recess because we had a tie vote. So, I have asked Trustee Rodriguez to recall the vote. This vote is for president. There are two people, Trustee Rodriguez and Trust VP Wade,
014Trustee Wade. And please, when he calls your name, please tell us who you are voting for. All right. Uh, Trusty Buchek, >> VP Wade, >> Trusty Davis, >> Trusty Wade, >> Trusty Kilpatrick, >> Trusty Rodriguez, >> Trusty Melton, >> Trusty Rodriguez, >> Trustee Moreno, >> Trusty Rodriguez, >> Trustee Rodriguez. I'm voting for myself. Trusty Wade. >> Trusty Wade. >> Trusty Williams. >> VP White. >> Trusty Williamson. >> Trusty Rodriguez. >> Okay. So, Rodriguez wins that vote. >> Okay. President Rodriguez, um, are you okay with me moving forward until we're done? Okay. >> Yep. So I will continue um with the rest of our um vice president, treasurer and secretary. So moving on to vice president, we did have two nominations. Um trustee Rodriguez was nominated by myself and VP Wade was nominated by Trustee Kilpatrick.
015Um, so I will need uh if you do accept the role of president, Trustee Rodriguez, I will need you to decline your nomination for vice president. >> I declined that nomination for vice president. >> Okay. And you can put down that the motion was b made by myself for VP Wade. And do I have support for that? >> Support. >> And then if you could take the role. >> Yep. >> Uh, Trusty Buchek. >> Yes. >> Trusty Davis, >> yes. >> Trusty Kilpatrick, >> yes. >> Trusty Melton, >> yes. >> Trusty Moreno, >> yes. >> Trusty Rodriguez, yes. Trusty Wade, >> yes. >> Trusty Williams, >> yes. >> Trusty Williamson, >> yes. >> That motion passes. >> And moving on to secretary. We had two nominations for Trustee Kilpatrick to be our secretary. Um, herself
016and myself. And >> you can just put me here. >> Okay. >> Can I get support? >> Support. >> Okay. And then you can take the role for that. >> Yep. >> Trusty Buchek. >> Yes. >> Trusty Davis. >> Yes. >> Trusty Kilpatrick. >> Yes. >> Trusty Melton. >> Yes. Trusty Moreno, >> yes. >> Trusty Rodriguez, yes. VP Wade, >> yes. >> Trusty Williams, >> yes. >> Trusty Williamson, >> yes. >> That motion carries. >> For treasurer, we had a nomination made by Trustee Kilpatrick for trustee Moreno to serve as treasurer. >> Do I have support for that? Um, you all should have also received the nomination from me as well. >> Oh, yes. I'm sorry. Miss Williams also nominated >> Trusty Moreno. >> Okay. >> Support. >> Uh, Trustee Buchek, >> yes. >> Trusty
017Davis, >> yes. >> Trusty Kilpatrick, >> yes. >> Trusty Melton, >> yes. Trusty Moreno, >> yes. >> Trusty Rodriguez, yes. Trustee or VP Wade, >> yes. >> Trusty Williams, >> yes. >> Trusty Williamson, >> yes. >> That carries. >> Okay. Congratulations to President Rodriguez, Vice President Wade, our Secretary, Miss Kilpatrick, and our treasurer, Trustee Moreno. And we will now switch positions. He Next week. All right. Is everyone settled into their new seats? All right. Oh, it's just me and Amber. All right. All right. So, uh thank you everyone for that. Um we are now going to move on to celebrations and we have none today. Um and we are going to then move on to the report from our scholar representatives. Um so we can start off over here with Mr. Beasley. >> I don't
018have >> nothing for today. All right. And then we've got Miss Fitzpatrick. >> Yes. Hi everyone. Um, I just want to report out that the Superintendent Scholar Advisory Council is going to be visiting Kids Food Basket tomorrow and we're going to be volunteering with them and I'm pretty excited about that. And also I want to highlight that my school union, we're going to have a student expo on January 29th. And this is really important because it's a way for students to see each other as not just students, but artists, performers, musicians, and business owners. And I think that's really important because it fosters a a great community where students feel encouraged to engage in society and that's really important for specifically um high school aged people. So yeah, I just want to share because it's
019inspiring to me personally and what I'm seeing my peers do inspires me to be a better um community member as well. So yes, >> when when is that? >> The 29th. the 29th >> the day. It's January 29th >> during the day or evening. >> During the day, >> the school day. >> Thank you very much. Um, now we are moving on to our committee chair reports. We've got ad hoc facilities committee. Um I will share that uh some information has gone out to the board with regards to the work that the AHA committee with the additional meeting we had regarding the matrix around uh scoring uh the candidates and recommendations that come in from the RFPs and then the actual RFP. So that should have been in your board docs for your review. Um
020and just wanted to share with regards to the timeline because I did receive that question again. We are trying to make sure that we go through the process for the first couple buildings to try to figure out um where we should pivot any changes that need to happen with regards to the process before we put in a place um put in place a full schedule of where we're going. So at this time we are going to um kind of go through these first couple um again look at the how the community engagement went how the process went get some feedback from the board and then make sure that we have an established process from there JLL will work out a timeline that's not too conservative and not too rapid for us to be able to
021move forward with the rest of the initial eight properties. >> Uh thank you Trusty Williams. Is there any uh discussion or questions for Trusty Williams? >> All right, seeing none, we'll move on to our superintendent report. >> Good evening everyone and happy new year if I haven't um said that to you individually. Glad to be back and welcome to 2026. Our first item of business, as you know, is um board appreciation month. And we do have when you entered into the lobby, there were cupcakes for our audience and community members who might um want to partake. And then for our board members, we have cupcakes on in the back um for on the piano for you. We also have a resolution that I will read and then share what other activities that we are doing
022um this month in honor of board appreciation. Whereas Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared the observance of January 2026 as board member recognition month in the state of Michigan. And whereas the Grand Rapids Board of Education serves as elected decision-making body of the Grand Rapids Public Schools, guiding policies that impact the educational needs of the Grand Rapids community. And whereas members of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education continually strive for equity, progress, innovation, and expanded access to education, demonstrating a strong commitment to growth and continuous improvement through the approval and implementation of the reimagined GRPS with us plan, committee work, special board meetings, engagement opportunities, and numerous other thoughtful and intentional efforts. And whereas the individual members of the Grand Rapids Board of Education represent unique and varied backgrounds bringing diverse experiences, perspectives, and
023knowledge to their service. Each board member demonstrates a deep passion for public education and a commitment tomies and fiscal stewardship in support of Grand Rapids public schools scholars and staff. Therefore, be it resolved that I, Dr. Dr. Ledrienne Roi, superintendent of Grand Rapids Public Schools, do hereby declare January 2026 as school board member recognition and appreciation month in the Grand Rapids public schools. I commend the members of the Grand Rapids Board of Education for their dedicated service to the scholars, families, staff, and community. I encourage all members of the Grand Rapids community to join me in expressing their sincere appreciation and gratitude to our board members for their public service. Be it further resolved that the scholar representatives to the board are also being recognized with heartfelt gratitude for their time, dedication, and service in
024providing meaningful student voice and input on a wide range of district issues. their leadership, insight, intelligence, and thoughtfulness continue to inspire and strengthen the work of the board and the district as a whole. And so again, congratulations to our board members. If our audience, if we can recognize them with a round of applause. [applause] Thank you so much for your service um as elected officials. It is definitely a it's a journey. And I'm sure as you you have done this for a while, you realize it definitely is a journey. Um Julie is bringing forward the joint use agreement with the city of Grand Rapids. And so what I'm going to do is allow you to look at it. We have a clean copy and then the copy that has um the red line. And so
025that you're able to see where we we are at right now. And if there's additional feedback that you would like to provide um before it is finalized, we can do that today. Thank you. Just This is striking. 31. Thank you. >> I'm give you like two more minutes to um review it and then we'll kind of go over I'll point out a couple things and you can ask questions. Thanks. Another minute and then we'll open up for questions or comments. That's a great question. There's like Everybody ready? >> Okay. So, I just want to point out a couple of items um based around the feedback that we have collected over the last couple of months. Um the request from our board has been to get clarity around some of the things that were a little
026bit ambiguous or left up for interpretation. And what we have tried to do is give a history over how long this um joint use agreement has been in in place. And then also um if you look at page three, wait, page four, kind of spelling out what's the city's responsibility, what's the district's responsibility for those those shared spaces. and and then when we charge fees and the cost, each entity typically absorbs its own cost with the exception of um when the city uses our property, we have to have a custodian on site and so we would charge back to the city for that particular service, but they do provide their own security. The other thing I want to point out is on page six, which is the right of um first offer. That was one
027of the things that the board has asked to change from right of first refusal to the right of first offer. Specifically um identifying that we are clarifying the properties that are shared. So it's not all district properties, it's the properties that we have a shared kind of footprint. and then conversely with the city that um properties that we share with them. So we and I've said this a couple times as examples, we are not looking to purchase their um water treatment facility as an example. We don't that's not that's outside of our lane. So it's only when um that property would be considered for for sale at some point. And the other thing that we wanted to make sure that we clarified is the termination clause is and that's just above um 10 number nine
028moving from 9 months to 90 days. So if we decide that it is not working for us, a three-month um notice seemed more appropriate than a 9-month notice. And those are kind of the major things. Some of the other things are just more um clarifications or or date changes, questions that I can entertain. >> Trusty Williamson. >> Yes. Um thank you Dr. Roby for working on this. I think yeah, I think this conversation has gone a long way and I I like where this is this document is at with the agreement in terms of the properties. So I'm looking on page two. Those are all the properties that would be subject to this agreement that nothing's missing. That's all of them. >> When we did a title search, that's what Yes. >> Okay. Thank you.
029>> Any other questions? >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Roby. >> All right. >> And so I will um send a clean copy over to the city. >> Oh. Um you said um when do we have uh to have in any additional comments or edits in by know some folks maybe didn't express any but is there a date you would like? >> Um let's say this time is a week appropriate. Yeah, >> that >> all right. >> Um I do actually have a question. Can you explain what the rationale? I know previously this has been two years. Why did we go to three years for the length of the renewals? >> I think we I don't have a rationale. So I don't know if it was I I I'm not going to guess. I I'll
030look into that because I I don't know. >> All right. Thank you. All right. [clears throat] Next, we have our public comment portion. Um, and Secretary Kilpatrick, um, will you read us into our, um, public comment portion of the meeting? >> All right. So, there will be one public comment section on the agenda this evening. It accommodates both agenda and non-aggenda items. Um we will be I believe it was three minutes correct >> three minutes for tonight. Okay. So individuals are kindly requested to fully complete the front of the comment card and indicate the topics that they wish to address. >> This provides us appropriate follow-up um procedures from there. We ask that speakers refrain from making abusive or disrespectful statements about board members, employees, volunteers, or contractors. And should you have a complaint regarding
031a specific board member, employee, volunteer, or contractor, please utilize the appropriate process outlined in board policy 9450. Speakers are going to be invited to address the board one at a time. Before beginning your comment, please clearly state your full name for the official minutes. The board secretary, myself will monitor the time, ensuring that each speaker adheres to the allotted time limit. You will be asked to conclude your comments promptly when your time has expired. Board members, we do not respond during the public comment. However, we absolutely do care about what you have to say and all concerns will be forwarded to the appropriate staff for consideration. We value your input and we thank you for sharing it with us sincerely. Thank you, Secretary Kilpatrick. Uh, first up, we've got Frederria Brown. Um, and then on
032deck, we've got Marta Johnson. So, please make your way to the podium to uh give public comment. Hello. Good evening. Um, madame superintendent, board president, officers, and trustees. My name is Frederica Brown, parent of five children, two former students, and three current students. um two at two at Sharma Elementary and one at CA Frost. I would like to talk um about just a few things this evening. Um I first want to uplift that I wish there were more parents and caregivers here. Um not just to air our grievances, but to uplift our children and the good work that is being done and hopes and aspirations for the future. The truth of the matter is that there um the time that we spend going back and forth over differences is less time focusing on our similarities
033and coming up with solutions to move our district in the right direction. That leads me to why I'm making public comment this evening. There is too much division in our district. We are one district, but it feels like we have created our very own charter school system. There are divisions depending on whether you live um in a southeast neighborhood school, um challenge scholar school, division in theme schools versus neighborhood schools or playbased schools, division over if schools service black children over brown children or vice versa. Um, and while there are many different schools and cultures, ethnicities, religions, family makeups, socioeconomic brackets, one thing remains clear. The parents and caregivers of the district should all feel like value partners and not just the district but in their own schools. By having a clear and intentional parents
034declaration or bill of rights, it would ensure that parents and caregivers um sorry parents and caregivers are seen, heard, and recognized as partners to move the good work of our district forward and turn reimagine GRPS into reality. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Next up, we've got Marta Johnson. One second. >> Might just time you on my phone, Marta. We got it. >> Oh, no. >> You had it. It was there a second ago. >> Hold on. Let's see. >> There it is. >> All right. >> Hi. Thank you so much. My name is Marcia Johnson and I have two uh kids at GRPS. Um wanted to uh echo uh what Miss Brown has brought up. I think uh there is definitely a need for for more unity and uh kind of guarantees for
035parents and every student in GRPS. Um uh and I also wanted to uh thank the board for the contract. I did get up. I think it was our last meeting. I don't know what is time. uh and celebrated uh both uh the contract being approved. What a huge step forward and lots more work ahead. Um but that's definitely something that we can all celebrate um uh all together. Uh and then also the resolution to support Invested by Kids. Uh we need more revenue um for our uh teachers, for our students um and for our schools um now more than ever. So that's such uh two positive uh steps forward. Uh in the process of contract negotiations, one thing that was brought up a lot was the need for more transparency. And so I'd really like
036to urge a few things. One is open contract negotiations. I urge the board to immediately explore how we can open up those contract negotiations so that everyone has visibility um and that we have maybe some seats at the table for different stakeholders especially students because this is you know these are their schools. This is uh their uh reality and and it really should be designed with them uh centered in all of this. Um, the second thing I I urge the board to take action on, and I think it's been noted a few budget cycles in a row, is getting earlier budgets um so that we can see those drafts, have an opportunity to engage in that with uh as uh school community members, uh students, parents, community supporters, that sort of thing. Getting that much
037much earlier allows for deeper engagement and allows us to be able to be able to build trust, advocate for uh tweaks, uh ad for our priorities um and and find more shared ground. So, um please consider you know those two uh concrete steps opening up uh contract negotiations and immediately making uh steps to have some like maybe clear deadlines for when budget drafts need to be shared, how can the community can be engaged in that so that we can really uh continue to make progress on some wins that I think we all are feeling uh good about with the contract um and advocating for more school funding for all of us. So, thank you so much and I'm out. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. And that ends the public comment portion of our
038meeting tonight. Next up, we've got uh acceptance of regular board meeting schedule. Um so I hope you all got a chance to look at that on in board docs. Um, we have our uh general board meetings um up through December 14th. Um, is there any questions or comments before we put this to a vote for approval? >> I'd like to have a discussion. >> Yes. >> Um, so I'm just worried of course about the ability for staff to be able to attend our meetings and I know it's really difficult on Mondays. >> Can you come closer? It's harder to hear. >> Sure. I I just wanted to clarify. Um, currently Mondays are taken by staff meetings if I understand on the first and third Mondays and then the second is PLC's which is a longer
039period of time after school. Is that correct Dr. Roby? Those three Mondays are taken up with staff already. >> I'm looking at my talking about for staff meetings. I the reason I'm bringing it up is just accessibility for staff who on second Mondays every month are in PLC's until I believe right before we start. So what I think the reason we selected because at one point we were doing first and third I think and the first bumps up against quite a few holidays. That's what I think that's what it was and then the third. So if you think of um Labor Day >> um and then President's Day, MLK day. So I think that's the rationale behind that. >> Sure. Is I don't know if it's possible like if the staff meetings I believe are
040shorter, but again I'm not sure of all the details if the third Monday might be more accessible than for people to attend. Just bringing it up as discussion, not as a final thought. >> You say the third Monday? >> Yeah, I'm asking. I believe they still have a staff meeting, but that it's about half the time of a PLC. >> So, you're asking for our board meetings to be held on the third Monday. >> I'm wondering if that might be a more accessible approach to have it on the third >> and these >> open to feedback. >> What time did you say they get out of staff meeting? >> Well, that it depends on when they finish school and then it's I believe an hour after that, but PLC's are 90 minutes to two hours.
041>> I thought someone would be able to tell me the truth on that. So, one other addition. Thank you, Miss Anderson. Board staff meetings, excuse me, board meetings are set on policy currently. So, then policy would have to change. So, if that helps. >> Sure. >> Yep. >> Is there any other discussion on this item? >> I guess I just want to point out, it's so minor, but we have a Monday in here listed, but it's actually on a Tuesday date. So we would need to change that to May 11th instead of May 12th. Just a minor adjustment. >> You can make that correction. >> Yeah, just a correction. So we feel confident that the second Tuesday is the best approach as a team. Well, >> well, I'm hearing that we'd need to change policy
042otherwise. >> Yeah. >> So, >> yeah, I think before we we got to that topic, I think we would have to look at our policy and see what it states. >> Um, >> I mean, and and if other folks are comfortable with that until, you know, and I know that a lot of this setting these dates, you know, Dr. Roi staff is reliant on this to know when they have to present to us and such. And so I would say I don't want to delay it much if at all. But if other folks are interested in in setting the date to the third Monday of the month, I would you know I would entertain that. I don't I guess I'd like to ask my board colleagues if there's any interest in that or if everyone's
043okay with these dates. So, you want to change the the the um business meeting to the third Monday of the month? >> Well, I'm just bringing up the topic because I want to make sure we make it as accessible as possible. I guess I wanted to gather the information first. If PLC's are 90 minutes, if I'm understanding correctly, and some of them start at 4:30 because >> they're second Mondays. PLC's are second Mondays. >> Okay. Oh, sorry if I said that wrong. Yeah. Or >> I'm sorry. PLC's are not held on second Mondays. Um so I my comment is um I do think that the what's what works for the board is important to have at the forefront but also that our board meetings is are not the only way to have contact with us.
044The board meetings are posted. They can be viewed. Those people can reach out to us anytime via email or um other ways. So it these meetings are to conduct the business of the district and I think we should be uh I think this is where we do have to kind of lean into the space what is going to work well for us and it is uh very essential that a lot of stuff gets get processed at the beginning of the month >> um as far as the way we pay out things and and handle things. And I think even for uh I just think about my own household. If I waited till the third month to handle my bills, I got a problem. And so I think we have to keep that in mind as
045well as we trying to make these meetings about the conducting the business of the district. And of course there are many ways that people can engage with us and share their thoughts and I think we have those out there. I think but the business of the district um to have wait till the third meeting the third week of the month seems a bit um of a concern for me as a person who's been a treasurer as well as a person who has to deal with as this board we deal with so many different entities. The third week of the month to try to handle business is typically not the best week of the month to try to engage in that way. So um I just put that out there for the board to consider. >>
046Sure. >> Thank you Trusty Williams. And I was just notified that we we may revisit this, but this is something that we have to approve today to continue the business of of the district. Um, and I welcome a a revisit of of this conversation. Um, at the same time, you know, we have started to do live uh streamings of our of our meetings as well. Today being the first one. So, hey everyone on on YouTube. Um, and so I think that also just adds another channel through which folks can participate in these meetings. Um, so I I for one feel comfortable uh moving these forward today. Um, and if there's no other discussion, I would like to put it to a vote. Oh, >> Trusty Williamson, >> I just like to move that we amend
047May 12th to May 11th. So that lines up. >> We got it. Yep. >> We'll we'll make that addition or >> Okay. >> So we're voting on the version that moves that to May 11th. >> May it'll be May 11th. >> Thank you for that. >> Yep. So is there uh support for uh >> a motion? Uh, excuse me. Is there a motion for supporting the uh uh regular board of ed meeting schedule with the uh correction on Monday, May 11th? >> So moved. >> Support. >> All right. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? That passes. So schools do decide when they want to do their PLC's. They vote as a school. So every school might do their PLC on a different day of the week. Correct. >> To make sure people
048have So they're >> in changing, and I'm not advocating one way or the other, but in changing it still may bump up against one school's what they decided as a an entity. >> How far in advance do they >> They typically decide that um at the beginning of the school year. >> Beginning of the school year. >> Am I I'm looking over here at my team. set. Okay. >> All right. Next up, excuse me, we've got the vacant building feature use RFP and matrix. And so this was something that was sent to us um to our board emails um via email January 7th 8th. Um, and I hope you got a chance to look at it and I will refer to uh Trustee Williams as the chair of the ad hoc facilities for any other
049additional comments before we put this up for approval. >> Nothing. No. Okay. >> Just thank the colleagues for going in and and pulling this out so that JLL could have what they needed at the beginning of this month before we get into the engagement meetings. >> Absolutely. Yes. Thank you to that committee because I know you all met uh very close to the uh to our winter break for many and I just appreciate the commitment that you all had to get that out. Um I know that this is something that is uh very timesensitive. So um we'll put this up to a vote then. Um so all those in favor of uh approving the vacant building, >> we need a motion first. It might be a little >> No, it's it's all >> okay. >>
050Yep. All those in favor of a vacant building future use RFP and matrix. >> We a motion first. >> Oh, yep. A motion. >> So moved. >> Support. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? All right, that passes. And next we've got our consent agenda grouping items 13.1 to 17.0. Um any questions or comments discussion on those items? >> All right. Do I have a motion to support the uh consent agenda? >> So moved. >> Support. >> All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed? That passes. Okay. So, we are now at the board president announcements. Um, and I just want to say absolutely. Thank you. So, we've got um the GRPS school expo and information fair on January 28th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at JRPS University. Um it's a really
051exciting time to meet uh building leaders from different schools, meet some scholars that are, you know, involved in their school buildings, um and just really like get into community um with all of our our GRPS staff and family members. And so I would encourage you all to attend. Um I think uh VP Wayade put that out there for us and we all said, "Yeah, that's that's an exciting way to to get informed and get involved." Um and then also we've got coming up on Wednesday, this Wednesday, January 14th, we've got the Alexander uh elementary community meetings. So those are going to take place at Franklin campus, 1331 MLK, Junior Street Southeast. Um, one engagement is going to take place at noon and one is going to take place at 6 PM so we can uh,
052you know, get as much uh, participation as possible for those. And then the following day, Thursday, January 15th, we've got the stocking elementary community meetings and those are taking place at stocking. Um, also at noon and 6 p.m. Um, and so that address is 863 7th Street Northwest. And so these community meetings are just a an opportunity to share your voice on what you would like to see um in those properties as we as we move forward with uh repurposing these properties with JLL. And so we hope to see you there. Um and I just uh oh so I just also want to say um you know thank you everyone who who supported me in this in this position um as president. Um I'm really excited to get this work started in 2026. Um just
053one I just wanted to say a few words too. Um and is this a moment to say it right? We have >> this is your time. >> All right. Okay. Perfect. So, thank you to everyone u my board colleagues for nominating me and voting me in as president. Um I accept and take on this role with humility and care as I fully recognize not just the importance but the impact that this work has on our community from having leaders to not just reflect community but our in community because the work of educating our children takes all of us. So, as we usher in a new year, I want to extend an invitation to our community partners that may be watching online or may see this later. Um, and leaders across greater Grand Rapids to join
054us on the journey of uplifting our scholars in every way possible. Um, and with such lofty aspirations, I just ask this of my board. Let's work to hold ourselves and each other accountable. And so, here and now, I'm just committing to a few things um as we move forward in 2026. Uh, one is just being a president for all of our board. I'm committed to listening, uplifting, and supporting all of my board colleagues regardless of our differences. I recognize that through though um that though our opinions differ, at the end of the day, we all want the best for our scholars. Secondly, I want to lean into tough conversations, this work is complex and often thankless. At times, we will disagree with one another and with community, but we must not stray from the difficult.
055If we keep our scholars and our families first, the rest will be easier to navigate. And then finally, I want to lead with humility and curiosity. Um, I believe we have some of the most brilliant minds in Grand Rapids on this board, and I'm committed to uplifting your expertise and your leadership in this work. None of us can do this alone. So, these are just some of a few of my commitments to you all. Um, I will be sending out an email soon to meet with you all one-on-one to discuss commitments of your own. Keep an eye out for that. Um, and I hope to have a good 2026. And so now we're moving on to um superintendent's comments. >> All right. Good evening again. And so um I just wanted to make sure that
056people knew um with the budget cycle and this goes to one of the public comments that um with our budget cycle this year, we are doing things a little differently and there will be a um information like budget 101 um for our broader community. It's important that people also understand how school budgets work. There is a conference that's taking place Friday for the state. And so until the state releases kind of its um preliminary budget, you cannot start really budgeting. And so I understand that we certainly want to make sure that people get information in a timely manner. And one of the things related to school budgets is that it really is iterative. And so once you do a budget, you also have you have to cycle back and look to see where those changes
057are. There's and what we did here and what we want to make sure that we're committed to in this upcoming cycle is making sure that people do understand how the budget works. It is um as President Rodriguez said, this is very complicated and layered work and school budgets are probably more challenging than anything else because you have federal and state dollars with lots of different strings that allow make you do certain things. And so that's coming up. Um a reminder as um Mr. Rodriguez lifted up related to our expo. That is a perfect time as students and families may be transitioning from elementary to middle or middle to high to find out additional information about our schools, meet their staff, set up times to tour schools. Um, I would invite our community to bring their
058scholar with because it's important as parents and families are making a very important decision that that young person sees what that school is about because it's about their academic experience. And so those are my announcements for the evening. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Roby. Now we will be moving into board member comments and Secretary Kilpatrick. So, we go by name down. >> Okay. >> So, first is uh Trusty Buch. >> Did you say my name? >> It's harder to hear down here. >> It >> trusty BK. Is that better now? Sorry. >> No comment for tonight. >> Okay. >> Trusty Davis. >> No comment. >> Trusty or uh Secretary Kilpatrick? >> I'm just grateful to be here. Thank you. Trusty Melton, >> I'm just really excited to be able to even vote today about
059leadership. It was um a different way of us doing it as a board. There isn't always the transparency in how this process works. And I just want to call out that I think every one of us up here has leadership traits and leadership abilities. And I'm really excited about working with all of you. And so by no means is my vote cast for or against anybody, but rather for just like what is the um what is the future that you hold and what is the future that you see and just wanting to make sure that we uh respond to the community in the way that um feels aligned. So anyway, I'm just excited about leadership. I'm excited about voting and for the chance for people to kind of see our process at work. uh treasurer
060trustee Moreno. Uh >> just want to uplift again uh some of the things we saw uh before the holidays. Uh a lot of gratitude for our families and our uh district staff for the Ottawa and Union basketball game at the Vanandle. It really was just an amazing time to be out with our families and it really did feel like we took over the Vanandle. Um it was great. So, thank you to the district staff who were there and who coordinated all that magicalness. It was a really great evening. Uh, just really want to uplift our speech and debate students. They are out here winning all day every day and I really wish and aspire to be them one day uh and have that ability and skill. Um, yeah, to our to our scholars. Um, and
061then again, gratitude to our staff uh for making our meetings live. I I know it's been a hump and a battle to to get us here, but I'm so glad to see that into 2026. This is going to be a really magical year, and I'm so excited to do that alongside each and every one of you. Um I can't wait. >> Thank you, uh VP Wade. >> Um yeah, the the basketball game at the Vano was amazing. I'm so happy that we our teams both of them had that opportunity. And I looked in my Facebook memories and they played there last year against another team and I it was in my memories I was there. I I totally told somebody that [clears throat] was the first time that happened. So I Yep. I'm doing a
062lot. >> Um I thank you Kim for um championing me. That that really um made me feel really good and seen. I appreciate you so much. Um, and thank you to everyone um that came out always. And hey y'all live. >> That's it. >> Is it? Thank you. Uh, Trusty Williams. >> Yes. Um, I want to thank everyone for coming out um and being a part of the meeting. Um, and I want to say um, congratulations to everyone that was elected to a leadership role and um, state that I look uh, forward to the intentional communication. >> Trusty Williamson, close us out. >> Thank you. Um, I just want to thank district staff, my colleagues on the board, everybody for the work to get uh, live stream meetings. Um, as you guys know, this is
063something that I've been uh asking about and trying to work on, you know, what could we do and how could we do it. And I just want to commend everybody in the district on the staff who's made this happen and also our leadership with uh the board this last year to actually effectuate that and make it happen. I think it's a great thing for accessibility um for everybody in our community, students, staff, families to be able to see the work that we're doing. Um, and to that note, um, I'm excited for this year, continuing a lot of the work that we've been doing over years before some of us were even on the board. Um, work that happened last year and work we're going to be doing this year. Um, especially as a lot of
064other, um, in some ways exciting changes happen in our community and other ways some challenges we're going to have to overcome. So, thank you all and I'm uh, yeah, just appreciative that we can be accessible in a whole new way. >> All right. Thank you. And so next we will be moving into close session um for those of you in the audience. So this is the end the this is the last item on our agenda for our regular board meeting. Um so there will be no other items discussed or voted on after this. Uh and we will now be uh Secretary Kilpatrick will read us into close session. I move that the board go into close session to consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of or hearing to hear complaints or charges brought against an
065employee at the request of that employee as permitted by the Open Meetings Act section 81A. And this will be a Well, I'll take your motion first. >> Um, I'll second that. Yeah, >> that's the motion. I do want to just clarify that if we do make a decision in our closed session, we will have to vote on it. Yes, in public open. >> Thank you for that correction. >> Um, and this will be a roll call vote. >> Okay. Uh, Trustee Buchek, >> yes. >> Trusty Davis, >> yes. >> Kilpatrick, yes. Trustee Melton, >> yes. >> Treasurer Mareno, >> yes. >> President Rodriguez, >> yes. VP Wade. >> Yes. >> Trustee Williams. >> Yes. >> And Trustee Williamson. >> Yes. >> All right. Move into close session. >> Thank you. >> But I'll get the
066I love it. >> Yeah, you have dogs. >> You're going upstairs. Okay, great. >> Speak into the microphone. >> I know. >> I thought we were just there. our cupcakes, too. Don't forget the cupcakes. >> Because it's whatever. >> Oh, we want to do this again. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you.