001[Music] Um, I would like to welcome everybody to the Grand Rapids Board of Education meeting. Today is Monday, September 8th, and I would like to call this meeting to order. Can I please get Trustee Rodriguez to do the roll call? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Trustee Moreno, >> present. >> Trustee Rodriguez here. Trusty Williams, >> present. >> Trusty Williamson, >> present. >> Trusty Kilpatrick, >> present. Trusty Melton >> present. >> Trusty Davis is on his way. >> He'll be tardy. Yes. >> Okay. Uh VP Wade >> present. >> And President Buchek >> here. >> We have a quorum. >> Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? >> So moved. Support. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Okay. Motion carries. First up on our agenda tonight is uh close
002session for negotiations team update. Can I get a motion to move into close session motion? >> We'll have Trusty Rodriguez read it in. >> It's my job. Yeah. >> No, I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Um so I move that the board go into close session for the purpose of a strategy and negotiation session connected with the negotiations of various collective bargaining groups at the request of the superintendent as permitted by Open Meetings Act section 81C. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Trusty Moreno. >> Yes. >> Trusty Rodriguez. Yes. Trusty Williams. >> Yes. I'm sorry. >> Trusty Williamson. >> Yes. >> Trusty Kilpatrick. >> Yes. >> Trusty Melton? >> Yes. >> VP Wade? >> Yes. >> President Buchek? >> Yes. >> That motion passes. >> Okay. We will head into library room 112 with the
003goal of being back up here by 6:30 >> and refrain from talking. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um before we move into our celebrations, I would just like to share with you, we did approve a second reading of a policy change and it affects public comment for tonight. So I would like to just share with you some of that. >> The purpose of re revising the policy was to clarify a few things and also we were not matching our practice with the policy that was written. So in our old policy it said up to 30 minutes and we were oftent times going over so we revised that to an hour. Um, however, that will not prevent anyone from public comment. We can go over the hour if we choose to do so or we can
004reduce the time to two minutes. So, if there are third or uh 20 people that sign up for public comment, that would put it over an hour. So, I can choose to reduce it to two minutes at that time. This allows for some flexibility um as needed based on what we have on our agenda as well. and it ensures that all voices are heard that want to be heard. Um, it also states in our new policy that the board can designate a time for both agenda items and a time for non-aggenda items. We are designating that to be all-in-one public comment. So, you will see that reflected on the agenda tonight. Um, it also states, and our old policy stated this as well, but that we will name a time for all public comment cards
005to be turned in. So, some public entities will say that that has to be done prior to the meeting starting. Um, for tonight, we're just asking that you would have your public comment turned in by the time that Dr. Brandy Love Lady Mitchell starts her celebration which is the third celebration in and that way we know how many public comment cards there are so I can make an appropriate adjustment to time if needed or if not. So if you could have those public comment cards turned in by the time that Dr. Brandy Love Lady Mitchell starts her introduction of new school leadership. Um Julie will collect them at that time. Okay, moving on to welcoming the our scholar representatives to the board. [Applause] Good evening to Dr. Roby, uh, President Kim Buchek, and esteemed elected
006officials, uh, that sit on our board of education. Welcome. Uh, today I'm bringing forth, uh, three students who will be serving for, uh, the class of 2026. They are seniors. Uh, this is their graduating senior year, and these students just come with just um, a wealth of, uh, advocacy and civic engagement, and very proud of them today and the schools that they represent. So, please give me a few minutes and I'll go through some uh brief bios. Aaliyah Fitzpatrick representing Union High School. Aaliyah is a senior at Union High School and is currently top five in her class with a 4.1 GPA. She is the National Honor Society president, student council, Union High School uh student leadership team. She is a member of TRIO. She is also in her second year, as all three of
007these students are, on the Superintendent Scholar Advisory Council. She is a member of the Michigan Youth um and Government. Please help me welcome Union High School's Aaliyah Fitzpatrick. Next up, Stephanie Martinez Ion representing uh Museum High School. Stephanie is a senior at Grand Rapids Museum High School. She is very involved in her school and her community by doing such things as giving speeches. Uh she most recently spoke at Kids Speak on the current status of immigrants in America, holding leadership positions in uh the diversity union, event planning, and youth and government. She is also a part of the National Honors Society and the Li Literary Arts magazine. When it comes to outside of school, she volunteers every Sunday as an usher at her church, babysitter, and tutors, uh, people, young young people and adults who
008are looking to learn Spanish. Uh, she looks for opportunities to branch out and to engage in her community. Stephanie Martinez Aion from Museum High School. [Applause] Next, very proud of this one. We have not had a student a scholar from this building representing Grand Rapids Learning Center. Uh Randon Beasley Jr., affectionately known as R.J. R.J. is a senior at Grand Rapids Learning Center with a 4.2 weighted GPA. He is highly motivated and academically driven. R.J. has taken a non-traditional path through high school, spending the last two years primarily enrolled in college level courses through Grand Rapids Community College while completing just one high school class. Essentially, he knocked out all of his high school credit early on beginning in the eighth grade. and he's at a point where he can take advantage of dual enroll
009college classes now [Applause] at school. RJ has been an active student leader, change maker. He uh he is currently in his second year of the superintendent scholar advisory council. Um as a school scholar representative, um he is a student ambassador. He's been that for four years helping to lead events. Uh R.J. has been a student leader with the African-American Male Achievement Conference last year and a speaker. He's worked with NAACP civil rights um along with CEOs and elected officials. R.J. uh spends a lot of time outside the classroom. He is a CEO of several of his own businesses. Uh each created to solve real world problems in health, business, education, and technology. He mentors students at uh the middle school Grand Rapids Up Prep on a daily basis, teaching them about entrepreneurship and personal development.
010In his free time, R.J. enjoys exploring new ideas in tech, business, and wellness. After graduation, he plans on continuing and expanding his companies while pursuing advanced degrees in uh as a JD, DBA, and a doctor of psychology. His long-term goal is to build tools that empower uh young entrepreneurs, advocate for equitable education, and create generational wealth in his underserved community. RJ Beasley. So, I'll ask if you guys have any questions or want to hear from them after we take our seats. R.J. is going to join you all tonight and Stephanie as well. >> Well, we're very excited to have all of you three join. Um, you're the best board members that we have. So, I love hearing from all of you and feel free to participate as much as possible during our meetings. Um, welcome.
011>> Welcome, Eric. >> Thank you. [Applause] Next up is the peace education resolution. Good evening uh board president, board chairs, members of the board, and Dr. Roby. Uh today I would like to bring forward a resolution to accept our continued support of international day of peace which is on Sunday September 21st this year and will be celebrated uh in our schools the week after. To present more information I would like to introduce Kathy and Gerard who are here today to speak to the board and introduce the peace day resolution. >> Okay. Okay. And this is u greetings to all the board and the whole audience here, which was a surprise to us when we first set this up, but it's great opportunity. It's it's a great opportunity to um to do what we're talking about.
012The the theme this year for the United Nations um day of peace is act now for a peaceful world. And um so uh the United Nations is in its the 20 this is the uh works to address poverty, inequality, discrimination and injustice. And so we are resolving through this that it is the role of schools to help young people understand the philosophies, goals, values of other peoples as well as the need to build workable structures for the peaceful resolution of disputes between nations and among people and communities. And I wanted to add a point of which one of you of of the points of the group here is that which can only be done if we prioritize student learning and classroom instruction. And so we will be having an event to celebrate this not on
013September 21st because we can't do it then, but on September 27th, Saturday from 11:30 to 12:30 at CCOM South End Community Outreach Ministries at 15:45 Buchanan Southwest and everybody is invited to come. There'll be food, music, and words and poetry short. So, thank you all and thanks for doing this every year and thank you. [Applause] >> Thank you. Any questions? Okay, thank you so much. All right. Yes. That's fine. We have been notified that some people aren't being let into the building and we it's because of fire code. We do have an amount that we cannot exceed. >> So, good evening everybody. I have the honor in place of Dr. Dr. Love Lady Mitchell of introducing and welcoming new administrators to our schools and to our board. And so I know several of them are
014here in the audience. And I will just very quickly state their names as well as the buildings where they are serving leadership. And if you can just because I know we do have a full room, either stand up or if you are already standing to wave your hands so we know who you are. Um Dr. Dr. Denise Flavven, principal at CA Frost Middle High School as well as Zoo School. Aaron Shadowins, principal of CA Frost Elementary and Blamford. [Applause] DeLeon, assistant principal at Sibi Elementary. [Applause] Dr. Aaron Gotra, principal, Sibi Elementary. Clarita Hokima, assistant principal at Cesar E. Chavez. [Applause] Michelle Miller, principal, Aberdine Elementary. [Applause] Erica Dams, assistant principal at City High Middle. [Applause] Lordes Bimento, assistant principal at Grand Rapids Monasuri Academy. Erica Patton, principal of Riverside Middle. [Applause] [Music] and Tamika Henry,
015principal of Grand Rapids Museum High School. So, to our our new leaders um who are here in the the space as well as those who may not be um present, we want to say welcome to your new role and we are wishing you the best in your leadership journey. And so thank you for to our audience for welcoming those new leaders as well. >> Okay, we have now reached our public comment portion of the agenda. Um we do have a significant amount of public comment. So we are reducing the time to two minutes tonight. I will read the name for the person to come forward and also the person following that name so you can be prepped. >> Point of order. Madam President, please disclose the number of comment cards so we know if we
016believe you. >> I I don't believe point of order can come from the audience. >> It can come from anywhere. >> But I don't mind counting it, but point of order cannot come from the audience in our meeting. >> Read up on that. Please comment. All right. Can I get everyone's attention real quick before we start public comment? Um, I'm going to read us into public comment. So, folks that have not been here before know how we do things. And if you've been here before, you you know the spiel. All right. So, there uh tonight there is one public comment section on the meeting agenda which accommodates both agenda and non-aggenda items. Each comment period is limited to a maximum of 3 minutes unless otherwise directed by the board president, which she has stated is
0172 minutes tonight. Uh we ask speakers refrain from making abusive or disrespectful statements about board members, employees, volunteers, or contractors. Should you have a complaint regarding a specific board member, employee, volunteer, or contractor, please utilize the appropriate process outlined in board policy 9450. Speakers will be invited to the address the board one at a time. Before beginning your comment, please clearly state your full name name for the official minutes. Um, I will monitor the time as a board secretary, ensuring each speaker adheres to the allotted time limit um that can be noted on the timer uh behind VP Wade. You'll be asked to conclude your comments promptly when your time is expired. Board members do not respond during public comment. However, all concerns will be forwarded to the appropriate staff for consideration. We value your
018input and thank you for sharing with us today. Sorry, we allow students to speak first and MEA president Well, we just had some added, so Okay, it's over 50, but um Trusty Rodriguez is going to count them again for me. First up, we will have Kaden me. followed by Danny Feratti. Ferat >> the podium >> right behind the podium. >> Is there room for overflow since people aren't allowed in anymore >> per the law >> before we start live streaming another room? We have I have asked that question and so I think it's being investigated but >> the law requires an overflow. >> Could you state your name, please? >> My name is >> Reset the You can go ahead and start and I'll start the timer. >> My name is Kaden me. I just
019graduated from the Grand Rapids Pil Museum High School. And truthfully, when I say this, the teachers there changed my life. They changed the way that I see everything. and specifically one of the teachers that is here today, Alex Lton. [Applause] He helped me out so much with multiple of the projects that I've done. My biggest one, my bike shop. I started and founded the Grand Rapids Pullet Museum High School bike shop. We made community partners, met people, and fixed bikes, and did community bike rides. That bike shop, after I just graduated, is now still going. One of the biggest problems we ran into was funding. All of the funding from that bike shop was made by me. I made posts. I made Instagram. I talked to people. I got funding brought to that. Other than
020that, we didn't get any funding from the school, nothing like that. But we fixed tires. We brought people together. I mean, we had multiple times where we got to go out to lunch, things like that. like we got to we went places, met people, and it was amazing. But also seeing that the teachers that have helped me so much don't get paid enough, that just truthfully makes me sad that they're struggling and they're having a hard time getting by that it's now coming to this where they have to basically come down here and lobby and do all of this just to basically like get the money they deserve. It's just sad, but thank you [Applause] 54 total. Kaden me. >> No, that was that was >> Oh, sorry. >> Danny Farat followed by Jack Rex.
021>> My name is Danny Ferret. Um, I like Kaden am well was a Museum High School student. I graduated last year. And some of those teachers have had some of the biggest impacts on me as a person in my entire life. And we've got several of them here today. Thank you all. Um, and I just want to say how much they have helped me throughout my high school life, how supportive they have been of me and helping me grow as a person, and how frankly disgusting it is to watch them be so undervalued and mistreated. They are the lowest paid teachers in the county, I believe. and they deserve so much better. And on top of that, they are so underprotected. Our school for the entire time that I attended there and pretty sure for
022the 3 years before that that our school was open, we had security for about 2 weeks, and that was only after threats of violence were made against the school. We had metal detectors up. We had no backpack rules. And they just gave up on it. And we had no more security. And that has been an issue several times in our school where we don't have people to protect our teachers and students. And that is unacceptable because these teachers are helping to raise our future as a people. and we need to keep them and the students safer and we need them to be treated like the people they are. Thank you, >> Jack Rex, followed by Colette Crowley. [Applause] My name is Jack Rex and I'm a third grader at C plus. I think we'll lose
023good teachers if they are not paid fairly. We are the future. [Applause] >> Colette Crowley followed by Harper Vanderen. Hello GRPS board members. I'm Colette Crowley, a 10th grade student at City High School, and I'm a student leader for the GRPS speech and debate team. My team members and I requested $14,000 in funding from the board at the July meeting. You might remember me as I was the one in the pink suit. That request was unfortunately denied by GRPS administration. Even funding for our teammates who qualify for free and reduced lunch is stuck in bureaucracy. We urge you, please listen to students about what we want. Right now, sports teams that students are not interested in are being funded by DRPS. Meanwhile, speech and debate, a team that is incredibly popular with students, is not
024being funded at all. Our team has 80 students signed up for speech, debate, and model UN this year. That number could grow with GRPS funding, but will shrink without it. It's impossible to give students full access to this opportunity as many cannot afford to pay the full cost of participation. Without funding, our team will fail to reach the students who need it most. Please listen to students and fund the teams that we want. Please provide $14,000 in funding for the GRPS speech and debate team this year. Thank you, [Applause] Harper Vanderen, followed by Roina Marshall. Hello, my name is Harper. I'm a ninth grader at CA Frost Middle High. I'm here tonight because one of my favorite teachers left just before school started. She got an opportunity at another school with better pay. She is
025more than just a teacher. She's someone I can trust. She's a friend and she impacted me greatly. Now, there is a substitute in that class, and I'm sad that my younger sister won't be able to have that same amazing relationship with that teacher like I did because teachers pay isn't enough. And hi, I am also a student at a ninth grade student at CA Frost Middle School. We have lost so many amazing amazing educators in the past year. And that English teacher that Harper was talking about, I only got to have her for one year, but she made impact and I was sad to see her leave, but I understand why. We need to raise teachers pay. >> Ramona Marshall, followed by Alex Len Xandstrom. >> Hello, my name is Ramona and I'm a seventh
026grader in the GRPS school system. My teachers deserve a competitive wage. My teachers deserve more for their work. Some of my favorite teachers have left the system. Maybe if they were paid more, they could have stayed. Thank you, >> Alex Lton Zamstrom. Forgive me for that last part. and Rebecc Rebecca Beltran. >> Did you say Lton Zancra? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure. >> All right. Hi everybody. You've uh heard me before. My name is Alex Lton Xandstra. I'm a teacher at the Grand Rapids Public Museum High School. I'm a proud GREA member and I am here just to talk to you all personto person think about the future of this district to think about our future for our students. I am seeing alum of my school showing up and speaking
027out about their experiences. I'm seeing current students here getting involved in this process and I'm feeling very very excited and very very anxious about where we're moving as a district. When we look at how we're spending our money, we have a very very uh motivated group of kids trying to start a debate club. They need $14,000. I know of a lot of paychecks that were raised around that same amount that could pay for this. [Applause] It's really telling uh with leadership with how they treat the people below them versus how they treat themselves and it's very easily reflected if you look at the math. Now I've been in this district for about 7 years and in my first year I was not exactly treated in a very nice way. I'm not going to name any
028people, but right off the bat, I understood that some of the folks here at Franklin campus did not have the wherewithal to think about us all as a whole. They thought of it more as themselves and what they would have from this experience. And it's made me more aware. It's made me show up to these meetings. It's made me learn how this process goes and to meet some of our board members here and just talk to them face to face. I'm looking forward to getting to know more of you. I was kind of upset to only see like two or three of y'all were at Coffee with the board. I don't know how you guys do it, but I would love to meet every single one of you individually and just talk about the future
029of our schools and talk about the future for our children. Because if you all haven't noticed, we all need to think globally and act locally at this very moment. We are in a very scary future if we do not. So, we all need to work together to take care of our communities and our children. Thank you. >> Rebecca Beltrin, followed by Julie George. >> Hello, my name is Rebecca Tran and I am the daughter of an immigrant and I'm going to be doing what my father and mother showed me to do, standing up for my rights. I have questions. I know you can't answer them, but I'd like you to reflect on them. The first one I have, I'm going to be getting my masters at the end of May. I will be making less
030than $50,000 a year. >> How does one degree separate me from a $250,000 pay raise? >> My second question, I'm someone's baby. You're somebody's babies. You have babies. Would you let your baby work in GRPS knowing what they get paid? [Applause] My third thing, >> my third thing, what do you guys do that calls for a 9% and 16% raise while we get 1.5 to 3.5? My next question, how can you justify teacher turnover? Do students not deserve to have good teachers who stay? My next question, how can you stand in front of graduating seniors and say that you are proud of the their accomplishments and you pay the people who teach them? I get rich. Sorry. On average $16,000 less than surrounding districts. My next question, how can you promise my students who come
031to me every day asking me what the key to success is and say, "How can I say it's education? I did everything right. I'm the daughter of an immigrant. I pulled myself up by my bootstraps. I got scholarships. I came I wanted to be a teacher to represent Latino students who don't have anyone. How can you tell me $45,000 a year is enough to justify that? How is education the key to success if the people educating students aren't getting paid enough? My last question, what meaningful impacts do you have on students lives? Cuz I can tell you right now, I have students in the crowd and they can tell you how I walk into school every day, no matter what school I worked at, and was there with a smile on my face, ready to
032teach. [Applause] followed by Abby Beck. [Applause] >> Can you read those two names again? I'm sorry. >> Julie George. >> Yep. >> Abby Beckkins. >> So, my name is Julie George and I've been working for Grand Rapids Public Schools for at least 32 years now. I've been around a long time and yes, I've got enough years to retire. And unfortunately, the current situation with our board and the district is making it all too easy for me to walk away. Now, I'm not going to be all dramatic and throw down my papers and retire right here, but I want you to know that I'm angry. I'm angry at the way I'm being treated and with the toxic environment created by our administration. I'm angry because I would be fired for creating this kind of environment in
033my classroom. Everything in the district, positive and negative, starts at the top and works its way down. This means everything starts with you. I want to know if disrespect and toxicity were the goals the board set for itself a month ago. I realize negotiations can be contentious, but don't you know that happy employees work longer and harder? Right now, I feel disrespected and used as a pawn after everything I've given to the district, only to notice right before school started when I should be worrying about my classroom that my paycheck wasn't pending. And then to receive an email apologizing for some ambiguous inconvenience with my check, which no one could answer. You took my focus off preparing for my classroom to make me worry about whether or not I'm going to get paid, whether or
034not I can afford to pay my bills that week. And then you did it again. How dare you? How dare you interfere with my life, my family, my classroom. Do better cuz you would never accept this behavior in my classroom. Pay teachers what they're worth. >> Abby Beckkins followed by Heather Po. >> Hi, I'm Abby Lyn Beekens. Unlike her, I only am going into my third year ever teaching. Recent U of M graduate, I know I could go a lot of places with that, but I wanted to give back to GRPS. I did not grow up in this district, but I knew how much it did for our city. And I know I also have other opportunities. However, I am very proud of being in this district. But at my school, Oddwells High School, onethird
035of our staff has three years or less of teaching experience. That school before it for at least 16 years did not have a full qualified staff. Our students deserve that safety. You know, by pushing into our classrooms that safe environments create better students both behavior and academic wise. So why are we not providing the support that us teachers need by giving us better pay where we're not looking for other districts? And additionally, my friend Rebecca, she has worked so incredibly hard for everything. You were all cheering for her. I was started rewriting my speech in my mind listening to her. But I look at all of you now. Please look into your hearts. Ask yourselves what is keeping you. Yes, there's some logistics. There are things out of your control. But there are so many
036people here. There are going to be so many more speakers after me. There are fantastic speakers before me. Give us reasons to stay. Give us reasons to show up every day with our students and give us the best that we can give so we can give them the best life they deserve. Thank you. And please consider everything. [Applause] Heather Taylor, followed by Jeff Petroski. Um, hi. Good evening. As a retired first grade teacher, I want to tell you a little story. The story is about two houses, both in Grand Rapids. In the first house, there lives a kindergarten teacher. Let's call her Sarah. She gets up at 5:00 a.m. every morning, not because she has to, but because she spends an hour before school, preparing lessons and materials that she bought with her own money.
037Sarah's mortgage payment went up this year, but her salary barely budged. She's been teaching for eight years, pouring her heart into our children, and she can't afford to sign her own daughter up for the soccer league that all her friends are joining. The second house, well, that house has granite countertops, threecar garage, and belongs to somebody who makes over $300,000 in total compensation, while Sarah makes around $50,000. Someone who got a 9% raise last year, while Sarah got 1.5. someone who doesn't have to put off car repairs or soccer sign up due to the budget. You see, when we talk about budgets, we're not talking about numbers on a spreadsheet. We are talking about values. We're talking about who you decide matters in this community. You tell us there's no money, but you're sitting on
03840.6 million like a dragon hoarding gold. $40 million. It's not fiscal responsibility. It's fiscal hoarding while children's futures hang in the balance. And here's what the hoarding costs us. Picture a garden that's been neglected. You've got beautiful seeds. Those are your students rich with potential ready to grow. You've got soil, your curriculum ready to be poured in those students like sun and water. But instead of hiring and retaining master gardeners to tend that garden, you've let the experienced ones walk away to 10 gardens in neighboring districts that pay them what they're worth. Let's take a closer look at that garden. 28% of your teachers are new in their first few years. bright, passionate, full of fresh energy and innovative ideas. But here's the problem. Instead of having experienced master gardeners there to mentor them, to
039help them flourish, you've created a revolving door where the veterans leave for districts that value their expertise. I know I'm running out of time. That's a bummer. I can send you the the rest of my speech. Here's the bottom line. This isn't about teachers wanting more. It's about children deserving better. This is Jeff Petroski followed by Sarah Karai. [Applause] Hello and thank you very much for the time to address the board. My name is Jeff Petrrowski. Um I'm a resident of Grand Rapids and I teach in the suburban area of Kent County. try to make my comments quick for the time, but just so you know, you have a lot of people out there that would like to be in here and hear and they can't hear what's going on. So, I think there needs
040to be better organization with regards to facilitating to your people. Grand Rapids Public Schools has outstanding educators and they are being lost from this crucial school district to a lot of the suburban districts because they're not getting paid. Their benefits are not what they should be. You hear this time and time again. I also think that negotiations need to be in goodwill. what's been going on has just been a travesty. And so I know that school boards are intended to have an oversight role, but I think it's time for the school board to get more involved with what this administration isn't doing for Grand Rapids public schools. Thank you. [Applause] >> Sarah Karai or Kernney and Monica Rainey. >> Hi, I'm Sarah Karai. I'm here as a mom to a GRPS student. I'm also a
041voter and a constituent and I want to say two brief things in support of our teachers. I'm a Catholic school graduate. When it came to enroll my daughter in school in Grand Rapids, I made a deliberate choice to send her to GRPS because I value Catholic education and everything it stands for and I value the excellent and creative options that GRPS has. I'm grateful my daughter has had excellent teachers at three different GRPS schools. We need to retain talent in GRPS. A teacher who was outside on those steps told me before I came in here that her peer with her same level of education, her same amount of experience in Kentwood is making $20,000 more than her in GRPS. That's not okay. GRPS needs to be competitive in the market. The second point that I
042haven't heard anyone else make um as compared to the teach teacher pay being competitive which I think everyone agrees in this room. As a parent, as a mom, I worry about school shootings. We live in a country that values easy access to guns over the lives and safety of children and educators. I think if we expect our teachers to take a bullet protecting our children, we need to at least provide them a decent wage. [Applause] >> Monica Rainey followed by Jesse M. Denhill. >> Get out your >> Hi, I'm Monica Rainey, a GRPS parent to two scholars in the district at CA Frost. Most days my children's teachers spend more waking hours with them than I do. I think that's probably true across the district. School starts, they're there for seven hours a day, add
043in lunch. And so if someone is spending all that time educating, caring for, mentoring, supporting them, I want them to know they are incredibly valued. I want them to know what their school calendar looks like. I want to know what the school calendar looks like. It is hard to put an exact price tag on this, but I do know it is well above what they are being paid right now. Let's pay our teachers what they are worth and get the calendar done. Thank you, Jesse Mden Hill. Followed by Selen Turan. Hi, my name is Jesse. I have two children in the district. Um, and I've been to several of these before and I sometimes I hear about how you want to hear good stories. Um, so I'll tell you some good stories. Um, they're your
044teachers. Um, um, I'll briefly tell you two brief ones. Um, the school year has started. I have my youngest is in first grade. She has the same teacher that my older daughter had in first grade. And I feel and it was such a blessing because how I knew how great she's going to be that it's going to be an excellent year. she's going to handle that my daughter and her attitude and it's going to be great. My older daughter um has already twice come home and given me exciting stories and teaching and tried to teach me about um what she's learned in school. She's learned she had um they had a poet come by that was invited by her teacher and then my daughter came home and read me poetry and then also talked to
045me about how much she likes Alice Walker. That then um she's also come and talked to me about her eye. These are your great stories. They're coming from your teachers. If you want good more good stories, pay the people that are giving you your good stories. >> Now though, for a little bit of um what troubles me about this district um besides the pay um and the we also don't have a calendar and I feel like the we are more and more we are losing you don't have the trust of your staff, I don't think, and you don't have the trust of a lot of parents. I um recent we got a mailer this week about propo a proposal and I don't think that what I a big supporter of public education I will probably
046vote for it but it's alarming how many people don't want to but for a good reason is that they don't think you're good stewards with this money you need to start earning trust and you can start by paying our teachers and by listening to us more thank you [Applause] turn followed by Gerard Aerheis. Um, okay. Saleant Tron. Um, I formally object to the public being locked out of this meeting. This is a violation of Michigan Open Meetings Act, which requires this body to provide a space that can accommodate reasonably anticipated attendance. I demand this meeting be paused. We have a clear solution. move to the nearest high school auditorium within the hour so all members can of the public can attend. Let's reconvene this meeting in a space that respects our right to public access.
047Thank you. [Applause] >> Gerard Aerheis >> followed by Wendy Winston. It's really hard to get up here and talk about anything after that, but I am here just uh standing in support of the teachers union and um and also to also to thank you for supporting the IND and international day of peace. I'm the board chair of the Institute for Global Education and um we've been around for 45 years and peace education has been one of our main programs throughout that time period and um I think right now more than ever we need more peace education in our schools and around the world and in our country. Thank you, >> Wendy Winston, followed by Kevin Mahar. >> Hello, my name is Wendy Winston. Thank you so much for allowing everyone to speak tonight. Um, I'm
048going to be talking about educator recruitment and retention. Um, GRPS claims that they're committed to having qualified educators in every classroom. The truth is, we ended last school year with 116 vacant positions, 87 empty teaching spots while sitting on record fund balances. How does having millions in the bank help students when they don't have certified educators in the classroom? And you've already heard the story about uh my colleagues who left uh my building this past year. it really puts a hole in our family and um our students shouldn't have to have a substitute teacher in their classroom um at the beginning of the school year. Um and then I want to put in perspective when we talk about compensation and compare it to other school districts. You might not be aware that GRPS um teachers
049and educators work 188 days in a school year compared to the ISD KISSD which works 177 days. North View, which works 176 days, Grandville, which works 180 days, Forest Hills, which works 177 days, Sparta, which works 180 days, and Byron Center, which works 179 days. So, we're being paid thousands, tens of thousands of dollars less. And we're working more than anyone else. Well, a lot of people. Thank you, >> Kevin Mahar. Followed by Davia Monet. >> You're still in violation. >> Kevin Mahar here. I just have a question. Why do we have to fight so hard to give our students what they deserve? How many hours have we spent negotiating on a contract? And how much money have th has this district paid its lawyers to waste the time and come nowhere near us? The
050district is wasting money that could better serve our students. Teachers burn out and leave for higher pay. Give students what they deserve. Pay teachers what they deserve. >> Navia Monet followed by Renee Taylor. Good evening. My name is Davia Mo. I have one student in the district. Um, and I'm an employee. I guess you know which student. Um, I think unlike most people today, I didn't come out to advocate for teachers. I've been doing a bit of a listening session myself uh to gauge what's going on with other moms. I've learned that sometimes my best guidance comes from other women who've had to navigate public school with a black or brown male student. And their wisdom has helped shape how I feel like I should advocate today. They told me with a black or brown
051uh young man, you don't choose based on the school, you choose based on the teacher, that certain teachers care enough to reach a black or brown male student. And it reinforces their relationship with knowledge and with learning. When I brought my son to GRPS in kindergarten, he had a phenomenal teacher. He loved going to school. He would be so mad when he was sick. He would be like, "Please, Mom, I got to go to school." Sneezing all over everything. And when he changed classrooms, at one point, it was a completely different experience. He did not want to go to school. He told me every single day he didn't want to go. Well, I asked other parents about why they left GRPS, and it was because they were following the good teachers. And I realized as
052a mom who believes in public education, I want my son to have a wonderful time in his classroom. And that is not possible if we can't attract the best teachers. I came out today because I think my son has an opportunity to have a quality education at GRPS and primarily because I have relationships with a lot of you on the board that have led to me having a lot of faith in your competence as individuals. I believe you want what's best for Braden. I don't know what you do cuz I don't come to a lot of these meetings, but I genuinely believe that a lot of you care about my baby. And so, I came today to advocate for him and for other kids like him who need good teachers. I'm asking that we negotiate
053in good faith so that we can attract the best teachers and so that children like my son can have the best opportunity to learn. Thank you, Renee Taylor. [Applause] Renee Taylor, >> Matt Marlo, [Applause] [Music] >> wait to see this lawsuit unfold. [Music] [Applause] Matt, I want to apologize because we did keep um in our policy that you would be first and somehow you got lost in the shuffle. So, I just want to apologize. >> Oh, no problem. Two minutes or one? >> Two. Okay. >> Two. >> Thank you, Dr. Roby, president of the board and distinguished members of the board. Um um today you've just seen a great assembly of, you know, people, you know, being Americans. Um we definitely, you know, we're gathering today peacefully. um just to say please listen and please
054consider what we're you know what we need what we want. Uh essentially we're we're here for the kids. We know the kids don't have um you know certified teachers in classrooms. There are a lot of certified teachers but just not enough. So how do we circumvent that? How do we fix that that situation? I've heard a lot of things where there's a you know there's a national teacher shortage. uh there's nothing we can do or we've tried all these things and um you can't stop trying and I think what people are here today if you listen to them you'll hear what they have to say um there's been too many things this is my my second decade working in the district and I've heard some things over and over again a lot of the things
055were we don't have any money and then so we were on pay freezes And then you hear again the next round, we don't have any money. Okay, so teachers, you know, we go to silo structures for salary. You know, we hear that, oh, there's 212 vacancies. And then we say, well, isn't that saving any money? And then you hear, oh, we're not budgeting for vacancies. Um, you keep hearing things over and over again. You've just been through three years of ESSER funding. And my question is, what's going on? I think the public wants to know what's going on. I know when we're at the table, there's a specific group, the negotiating team, that that's the only people that can strictly hear and talk about it. And well, we need to hear more. We need either
056someone on the board or more people from the public to see what's going on for that. So, thank you for your time tonight. [Music] [Applause] just >> Elizabeth Howard followed by Caleb Moles. >> Hi, my name is Bitsy Howard. Thank you. Um, I am here and I'm a teacher at Ottawa Hills High School. There is so much I want to say to you all. Trust me there, but I will try to keep it short. Um this year we started a new phone policy in our building and that meant that students phones bless you were not allowed to be in the classroom. We did not want to see them. The expectation they have it away so they can give their class and their teachers the respect that they deserve. My question and this is perfect timing.
057Dr. Roby while walking into this meeting in front of this crowd you kept your head down and you stared at your phone. Why do you not give me the respect we demand out of our students? Why don't you treat me like an individual that has value? That is my question. I know you can't answer, but please board members that were also on their phone, consider that question as that is our expectation for our scholars. Thank you, [Applause] Caleb Moles, followed by Teresa McFerson. Wait, wait. >> Where's she going? >> What's she running from? >> Why is she running? [Applause] >> We need order so we can move on with our meeting. [Applause] >> We'll take a break. >> Thanks for being here. Please, um, we do have to follow decorum. Um, you know, no clapping,
058loud noises and gestures like that. I understand that you're here and you're passionate about what you do and what you support. Um, but we do have to act civil. Um, thanks for everyone being peaceful um, this whole night. Um, just if you could just remain civil throughout. I know it's hard. Um, write it down. If it it's something that it's bothering you, then we can always make public comment later. So, thank you everyone. appreciate it. >> Okay. Um, Dr. Ro Doc Dr. Roby went to check on the legalities because I wanted to confirm if we were doing something illegal. So, she has something to share with all of us. >> Please turn your voices off so we can all hear. Thank you. >> Good evening, everyone. And, um, thank you, Mr. Marlo um for just
059those statements again understanding that this is um very heated and and people have passion and and certainly that I'm not debating that we are trying to certainly conduct a meeting that we have decorum and making sure that even in the the place of listening to voices that we're following a process and so as I left the room it wasn't one because I was scared. That was not it. I was trying to get information to make sure that we are following processes. And so again, as we are listening to our community, and I think it really is very important to listen to our community, there also has to be an expectation of allowing us to to doublech checkck things. And so, um, I just wanted to confirm and and what I'm going to just share just
060very quickly with everyone of what the Open Meetings Act is and and then also what we're going to do to make sure that we accommodate so that we are listening to voices. And so, um, the size of the meeting room, school boards must make an effort to accommodate all the people who wish to attend the open meeting. When a larger group than anticipated wishes to attend a a meeting, OMA does not require that a public body adjourn the meeting for a larger meeting room, but the public body should exercise reasonable efforts to accommodate interested part um interested members of the public, including reconvening the meeting to a larger room that's um where practical. The public body has a duty to exercise sincere efforts to accommodate all people who attend the meeting. The same requirement applies
061when large groups organize um knows in advance that they will attend a public meeting and a regular meeting place is insufficient to contain the number of persons wishing to attend the meeting. In this situation, the group is required to give advanced notice to the board. The school board in turn must make sincere efforts to accommodate the number of people who may be reasonably expected to attend. And so what my suggestion to um President Buchek has been is that I know that we and again we have a space capacity. People can see we're standing room only. And so it's also about safety of people who are here. So I I want to make sure that people understand it is not to quell voice. It is not to make sure that people can't speak. It is to
062make sure that we are also considering the safety of the audience as well as the people who are here on the deis. And so my suggestion because I know that some people can were not able to get in is that we those um cards that were collected after that they are brought forward so that people are able to also share their comments. I cannot do anything about the space because again we have a fire um capacity and I don't know what the exact room number is but I know that based on what we're looking at we are over that space and so again my ask in your whatever the feelings that you are having is that we do model um a a sense of grace and again people are listening as hard as it may
063be we it really is not that we are against others we want to listen and to hear the frustration, the anger, whatever that is. But also the the expectation is the same respect that we you're expecting to give we're expected to give to you to listen is not to attack people who are sitting here because again it was to make sure that we're following a process not any other reason and that was my reason for leaving the room. The second thing that I will say um related to when people are on their phones, you have no idea what they're doing. Sometimes it is just to verify do we have information or is this accurate? So it's not no one no one is on the phone playing or being distracted. It's just to clarify do we
064have the correct information so that we can make sure that we are giving people um data that is accurate. And so I apologize if I offended people by being on my phone, but I was trying to get from our general counsel what what what the law was so that I can give appropriate information. [Applause] >> Oh, thank you. >> Where's the overflow room? >> That's required. Where is the overflow room? >> He does run it. Where's the >> Where's the over? >> Okay, >> don't lie about the law and then don't do it. >> I'm so sorry. Caleb is you didn't get to speak. Why don't you come up first? And >> it's going to >> parall following Caleb. You all knew this was coming. >> Good. >> Please be quiet so Caleb can speak.
065Thank you. >> All right. Uh, good evening, uh, board. Dr. Roi. Uh my name is Caleb Moles. Uh you've heard a lot of uh people in the building talk about uh educators leaving the district uh for better paying districts. I was one of those individuals. Um I worked at Union High School for uh the past two years. I have nothing but excellent things to say about Union High School. Uh Aaron Russie um the whole staff are doing amazing things. Um I mean it honestly makes me sad even think about leaving. It was such a great experience for me. loved all the students, loved all the staff. However, um thinking about myself, my family, uh I have a baby on the way in January. Um comparing the the horrendous pay that we have here in Grand
066Rapids compared to the rest of West Michigan really is the reason why I decided to begin to look for uh other jobs. Now, last year, I I thought for a second, maybe I won't have to. uh because you we all talked about uh the district talked about giving us a raise for the final year of our contract, but when I found out it was a measly 1.5% raise, which would have been like 680 bucks for me, I was like, you know what? There's no way. And then despite all of the uh pleas from us, there was no change at all. I decided to begin looking around. Uh I ended up getting a job at West Ottawa High School. Um they with moving me back to step one. So I'm back at step one. I still
067received about a $10,000 raise. Um it it would have about about been about $12,000 if I was at at year three. So just kind of with that being said, I just kind of wanted to put a face to kind of a name that we've kind of heard around. Um I did not want to leave, but it felt like I have to. And if something does not change, I know I was not the first person to leave, and I definitely will not be the last. So thank you for your time. Grant Pal. This is a student Grant. >> Followed by another student, Josie. >> Grant. >> Yeah. Grant. >> Grant Rolls, I think. >> What's your last name? >> Stress. >> Did you have your I'm sorry, Grant. >> Hello. I've been up to the stand
068before and I want to say the some similar things, but they're still important. My mother is a GPS teacher. She's been teaching for 3 years. It is disappointable if we did not have my father who is doing the different job. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have a house. All my mom is able to do is groceries and that is it. Okay. in this economy with the amount of inflation with the way that the laws are changing and things like health insurance aren't covering as much and the way that money is just worth less now due to things like tariffs. Not Jud. You guys were already extremely low paying for the state in the area. And when you don't give them raises, it's not just you're keeping the pay the same due to the
069way that the rest of the world shifts and moves. What was already bad becomes worse. Okay. My mother could not provide for my family without my wait. She could not provide for me and my brother. Okay? She could not let us live. Okay? Think about that. Think about the fact that if my father wasn't there, if he had left for some reason, I I would be on the streets because there's just no way that in this economy teachers can live. Thank you, Van. [Applause] Um, so I'm sorry before you come up, I just I do want to make a point of order just to understand a little bit about So I I just asked um and I and I apologize. It is really hard to try to figure out the open meetings act while there
070are hundreds of you. So please understand that as well. Um but so I just want to understand what the process is if we are over capacity and and and also I also don't appreciate the the outburst this the disrespect. So I need y'all to calm that down please. But um what is the overflow? Is there overflow necessary or required? Um or what other accommodations are we doing for the folks that are outside? I know that we do have a link to the broadcasters YouTube um stream. It is not publicly available, but is that something we could provide or what what are our options? >> I'm I'm trying to have a conversation with my my board folks. >> The way that I've understood um Mr. Rodriguez is that's why I went and got the the book.
071Yeah, I could >> and I'm I'm trying to make sense of it, too. And it's a lot when we're listening to and I want to I want to give you all the time and the respect and the attention but I also want to understand this. So okay >> it is certainly an attempt to ensure that um we are able to accommodate but then it also requires that we would have to be forewarned or to notice officially of what that accommodation might be. And again, if we knew in advance, and so the way that I've understood this, and I'll probably ask our um general counsel to come up to make sure I'm saying this correctly, is that if we knew in advance, we also have to follow the law of when we have public notice. And
072so we couldn't just at 6:00 say, "Oh, we're switching to a different site." Right? And because then anybody who would show up at this site would not have had appropriate notice. And so it would be the ask and I know that there are um groups that have come together that if we knew in advance that they were planning on coming together then we could have possibly have switched to a different site with the appropriate notice. Um Mr. Codle is he am I saying this correctly? I don't know if he's He >> is he still here? >> He's right there. >> Oh, there you go. Okay. Thank you, >> Dr. Roby. Also, did you clarify? Did that say it we had to make a reasonable effort? >> It says reasonable effort. >> Okay. Reasonable effort. So,
073again, size has been more than enough to accommodate um all of our meetings thus far. We did not like you said anticipate that there would be this many people in advance. So I think based on a reasonable effort to accommodate I think we've met that >> a reasonable effort and then that's why I think that the point of allowing those who had comment cards that were not able to get in to me that is an appropriate um opportunity again to it's not to quell voice it is also to make sure that we do hear voice from community. I want to say this room holds about a hundred and I'm talking about just chairs about 160 people and then just by looking around we have probably another 50 folks and so I imagine that we are
074out of compliance just with that and so again it's not to quell voice it is to make sure that we are also able to be safe. Mr. Kado will you just um talk a little bit about what the OMA is and what the reasonable effort is because again People may not like the answer, which is okay, but it there's not I I think that that there's a perception that there's trying to be something that's un towards and that's not accurate. >> Right. So, I did send what I thought we should do in a message. That said, yeah, we've done everything we can to make reasonable efforts to accommodate, but at this point it's just a safety concern as well as not permitting everybody to speak, which I think in my personal opinion, we should reschedule
075for another time. >> Res the entire board meeting. >> Yes, >> to have everyone's voice be heard. Listen to >> um so >> I'm curious how if there are this number of individuals who would like to speak in the board meeting how are they to communicate with this body to say we're coming and we need more space. >> If it's a group the group the head of the group should inform the board of how many people they anticipate coming. >> I think that was shared. I didn't get that information. I I didn't hear about >> there was not an official board. So I think it's important that people understand that again this is a a business meeting and so understanding that people may have communicated to individuals or or whatever or even communicated through social
076media. It has to be through an official meeting and so or an official mechanism so that we can appropriately plan. >> Okay. I guess that's my question. What is that? plan and we've done >> um we've held other meetings in other places in some of our high schools in past years to allow for that space. But I also want to make sure that people do understand if we do adjourn this meeting that is a decision of the governing body to say this is when we're going to adjourn and this is when we will um reconvene at another time which is certainly um fine but it has to still fit in the parameters of >> 48 hours. what is what is the time frame or >> yeah where there has to be notice so people understand
077that they have um notice and so what I don't know and you can help our board and provide guidance on is it for the remaining comments because we have listened to at this point about 25ish comments >> and yeah what I recommend is keeping the comment cards we have accepting any others that we may have missed rescheduling and then just pick it up where we left off rescheduling public comments or every the entire meeting. >> Um so um however I I I know we've got some action items that need to take place and I have an issue with tableabling those action items because that is essential to some of the work that our staff needs to do. Um and given that we have to reschedule for a total of 10 people at a minimum, >>
078we don't know how quickly that can be rescheduled. And so I I do believe that it's important for us to hear voice and I also believe it's important for us to take action on those action items as well. >> Well, we got superintendent too. So all of our schedules has to be re we got to find a time for all of our schedules. We just need >> board members. Do I have any other colleagues that would like >> I was just going to add quickly that people are already here and we do have other board business to do after public comment. So I would rather than cancelling the meeting that we're actively in and doing another one later this week, I would be for just adding an additional meeting or having a special meeting to
079address this topic so that the people who are here and have their cards in can still have this opportunity here today. >> I don't I'm not clear. What do you suggest? >> Yeah. So how do >> Yeah. What do you >> I mean we have that additional comment cards for people that were added. So I recommend that we do the common cards that all the ones that we have and then we finish our business for the day and if there is desire and a request to do a additional meeting then we schedule an additional meeting >> at a bigger venue >> if that is the request that's made >> I think just to be clear >> hear each other >> just to be clear to my understanding of what was read someone who was the
080organizer of the group so maybe like the president of the G or the GRA to say, "Hey, I'm expecting 500 people at this meeting so that we can have a venue that has that many people." So, I would expect that communication to still happen based on what was read. >> So, point of clarification to your what you're saying, uh, Mr. Davis, are you saying to go forward with the meeting through the comment cards that we have currently as well as what our agenda items are and then pick up and have another meeting later? >> Yes. >> Well, well, what would the other meeting later be about if we got the cards, the comment cards? >> It it would allow >> Hold on. We just let us have a conversation, please. Thank you. Um I don't
081mean that in a disrespectful way, but um No, he doesn't. No, he does. >> I'm not about to go into a back and forth. Y'all know me. But, um, I think it would accommodate the folks that are outside that are have not had a chance to come in. I don't know what the number is, but I assume that also, I mean, we did get one or two cards that say, >> "I wasn't let in, but here's a comment card anyway." So, I don't know if they're going to be able to speak. I think >> I think that's appropriate. I agree with with Trusty Davis on on that. I would be in support of that. >> We also have um people here that have that are on our um agenda to present like Dean um that
082to me it makes sense for us to continue with the meeting if possible. Um, and I would be okay with talking that through of having a meeting that's just designated to even public comment >> and whatever is remaining on our agenda. >> So is it so >> there's only six outside. >> Oh, >> because they gave up and left. And so, um, wanting to make sure that people understand that there were people who were not allowed the, um, public comment cards because they were out initially, but everybody was allowed into the building. So, I want to make sure that people understand that. >> Okay. >> Oh, nobody was locked out of the building. >> Everybody I don't know initially. So I I'm saying because I'm up here with everybody else that they were eventually let
083into the building, but everybody was not necessarily led into the gallery. And I think that's the distinction that everybody may not have been able to get into the gallery just because again for safety of everyone, but so I just I want to make that distinction. >> Okay. So I guess I want having a public uh comment session specifically for this with those remaining comment cards that have not been addressed that would allow us to do the business and still actually make times exclusively for voice. So it's not a matter of we got to handle no business or anything like that. It is just a convening of us providing the opportunity for the remaining comments cars and anyone else that wants to come in that and make comments that day if they felt like it weren't
084heard here today. I guess my my gut is telling me that we should continue with the comments for tonight because these people have been sitting here all night >> and and if we need to add additional >> uh at an additional meeting, I know we do have a tentative work session next week that's in addition anyway. So, it should be on your calendar as like a save this in case. So, I mean, that's a possibility of adding just an extended public comment section in a bigger venue, then proceeding with our work session, maybe just a smaller agenda. That's kind of where I'm thinking. I >> I just want to point out that whatever we're doing right now is just a stop gap. But I would really like to add on to our work session even
085next week that we discuss again the live streaming and the concept of like just increasing accessibility. So those are two different conversations and just so the public knows that that I I think the whole I can't speak for the whole board. I speak for many of us I know when I say let's revisit that in addition to figuring out what to do today so that it's a long-term solution as well as a what do we do for today >> and dig into maybe just making sure it's very clear to entities like the GRE what to do. I mean yes did I see on social media that this was going to be a big meeting? Yes. But in no way have we ever had a meeting with this many people in the seven years that I've
086been on the board. So good job. We did not have a specific number ever sent to us or even a like estimated number. Um so I'd be open to discussing that as well. Um, I just had a a colleague um, send me a message and so I'm just wondering about the Open Meeting Act specifically around MCL 152.263. If you have that book, if you could if we could read it to see um, again if there is indeed um, anything that we should be doing specifically different. Um, >> I read it already. >> Well, no. So I don't know what our general counsel I think would be the most appropriate >> based on what he said is consist what what our legal counsel suggested is consistent with what was sent to me. And so based on
087that um having heard what Thomas said and seen that again I think um rescheduling is the most um appropriate. I saw I I read that >> I think you go ahead, Richard. After um >> really quick, President uh Blue Cheek, so I favor what Trustee Davis suggested, which is we just continue this meeting as planned with the intention of scheduling another meeting um where we can hear public comment. And we do have next week a hearing on sex ed. So, we're already anticipating meeting and perhaps we could add another, you know, that's what is that 5:30 to 6:00 and we could have a meeting afterwards where we could continue like you suggested even um hearing public comment. So then proceed with this meeting as planned and then also next week have opportunity to further >>
088I'm having a really hard time hearing my colleague and he's very close with a microphone. >> Speak louder. >> Thank you. Um, so yes, so we can continue as as planned with this meeting, continuing to hear the public comment that we've already received, continue on with our business, and then next week schedule another meeting after our sex ed presentation where we could continue to hear any public comment that that's needed. >> All the questions. >> I I wanted to put uh in respect to the business of our meeting if we could move that up and finish out public comment as long as that takes. >> Yeah. So get our presentation from Dean. We have a few um action items and I think that will take a short time, but getting all of the public comment
089in and not feel rushed. >> I think the only um thing that would be missing with that, Ari, and I don't know if I'm understanding you correctly, is that some people left because >> No, not not having the second meeting though. I'm I agree with that part. >> So in addition >> Yeah. In addition getting our our business out the way and then continuing with the public comment. Uh we will be back here next Monday. >> I think public public >> Dr. Roby. >> Okay. President Davis I just spoke with Thomas. You guys saw me go over there. And so again um I think if we would allow Thomas to speak um onto the matter. He did state that he gave us a recommendation. I think there's a little bit more to unpack for that
090and so we should kind of listen to his legal counsel with regards to that. If you could share why recommendation is what it is. >> There are two big main concerns. The first being a potential violation of the OMA >> and a second being safety violation for fire code >> violation of the what? >> Open meetings act. >> How are we violating how do continuing as such? How is that in violation of open meetings? because we're not be able to broadcast out into the lobby. They're not able to participate. They need to be able to participate in the meeting. >> So, your interpretation is that we're currently in violation. >> Correct. >> Oh, that is not what you brought forward a minute ago. >> That is not what the open meetings act. >> I'm not
091I'm not disagreeing with that interpretation of it, but I'm not a lawyer and I >> You've already had people leave. >> Yeah. So, they couldn't because >> I'm just listening to his recommendation. Sorry for talking over you. I motion that we proceed with our meeting >> any number >> as planned according to the agenda >> support. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Mr. Codle take the book. >> Any opposed? I >> Okay, let's take a vote. Wait, this process. Hold on. Yeah, sorry. >> Um, we if someone is interpreting this as illegal, we need to comply with that. If it is not illegal, then we need to address that. We need I can't vote unless I understand because what I'm understanding, I'm looking at the open meetings act. It says you do
092not have to provide for any number of citizens. You do have to make good faith effort to provide adequate space. So, I'm just saying I want to clarify whether we're interpreting that what we're doing as illegal or not before voting. So, well, let let me just say this and this will be the final thing because I don't want us to like just go on forever, but um so a potential open meetings act violation, aside from what I had was a a personal concern too that uh a community member brought up about the potential violation of having just one public comment versus two is also a potential open meet exact violation that I brought up and again I don't know if it is however just those two things And the fact that folks, what was the
093third thing that Thomas Codle brought up? >> Safety. >> The safety thing as well. That would give me pause and make me want to reconvene at a later date. >> So with a bigger venue, a quick question because I hear that there's support to continue this meeting right now today. Mhm. >> Then are we willing to move to another venue to accommodate all of the people and continue this meeting today so that we are not in violation. We have tried to accommodate everyone and then you as board members who are willing to stay and continue have that opportunity to do that as well. >> My understanding was that we've already violated and because of people already left. So if we moved it would not change that fact. it would show our efforts to try to
094get it right and that's important. >> I'm willing to >> whatever. >> I think one of the the caveats that was shared is that um an effort and and so >> that's and how people are defining effort is subjective. So I want to make sure that you know an effort is not lost but what does that mean and how how are we quantifying that >> and our effort I'm sorry >> and and so and I imagine at this point at 8:30 if we move to a different venue we will still lose >> some people um and so and we've already lost some people understanding that and So we have a couple of different options. I think again if we continue as is um knowing that we have lost the people there's some empty seats where
095people can take seats at this point um and continue on with public comment so that we can get through our business and then possibly open up another opportunity just specifically for um public comment around this particular topic because what I'm hearing and and I know that there's always um IND individual topics, but the gist of this is around um negotiations and pay and and things of that nature. And so just to have that as an opportunity >> and I believe our reasonable accommodation was to go out and get comment cards from people that couldn't get in. >> Um and then also possibly adding an extra time just for this topic. There weren't enough. >> All right. >> Um, so we we did have a >> we had a vote >> split vote, so we'd have
096to do Yeah. All right. Can I can I continue? >> Can we repeat? >> Yeah. >> What is it? >> I'm also hearing that there weren't enough comment cards, so there may be more that we should have. >> Okay. Can we Who made the motion initially? Go ahead. >> My motion was to continue the uh meeting per the agenda, >> but if we're out of compliance with the space, >> that is something to consider. Yep. Yes. >> So, okay. Do I have a second? >> Then >> support. >> Do we know what fire code is for this room? >> Yeah. Where's >> where's safety? Where's Larry? And where's Thomas? We should table. >> There's obviously discussion. I withdraw my motion. >> We're in the middle of discussion. >> We can discuss after a motion. I
097I would maybe we can make the motion to have a second opportunity for people to come back and that might help um some people who don't want to stay during >> I make a motion to adjourn early and reconvene at a later date that accommodates more people. >> Second. >> Yeah. Can we let >> Can I make a Can I make a motion though first? >> There's already made a motion already. >> There's already a motion on the floor though. Trusty I withdrew. >> He withdrew it. >> No, then you made a >> Richard withdrew and then >> Jose I made a motion because >> Trusty Williamson withdrew his motion. >> Okay. >> And my motion is to adjourn early, reconvene at a later date in a bigger venue to accommodate folks. >> By early,
098do you mean now? Trustee, >> by early I mean as soon as we are done with this vote and we can figure out our folks and all that after this. >> Yes. And after the students, >> yes, we after the after the last student speaker speaks. Yes. >> So, if I'm clear, your motion is to continue with the rest of the students public comment. >> My my motion is to continue to let that one student >> speak and adjourn the meeting after that last speaker and then reconvene at a later date that we decide. >> Do I have support? already supported it. >> All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Nay. >> Doesn't matter. >> Okay. So, that that passes. >> All right, Josie. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] I think that teachers need
099more money because a lot of people from my school have quitted because they haven't get been getting a lot of money and they need more money because I don't I don't really like that they're quitting and I want my teachers back to my school that I know because they were super nice to me and they were super kind and I wish they would come back and I I really I have my mom is a teacher so and I get to visit her class Okay, >> board members, should we try to figure out a meeting now? >> Monday? >> No. Yes. >> Not only maybe afterwards. Okay. >> All right. Meeting adjourned.