001welcome and appreciate your presence at this meeting of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education. We respectfully request that you turn off cellular phones and refrain from clapping, cheering, or making audible comments. We invite you to make formal public comment during the designated times on either agenda items, non-aggenda items, or if you wish on both. To do so, please fill out the comment card and submit it to the board assistant or public safety officer. Comments are limited to three minutes. I will now call this meeting to order. Today is Monday, August 11th, 2025, and Trustee Davis, could you please take the role? >> Yes. Trusty Kilpatrick, >> present. >> Uh, Trusty Marino >> here. >> Trusty Melton >> here. >> Uh, Trusty Roguez excused. Trust BP Wade >> present. Uh, Treasurer Williams >> present.
002>> Trusty Williamson >> present. >> Trusty Davis present. And President Buchek >> here. >> Can I get a motion to approve the agenda? >> So moved. >> Support. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Any oppose? Same sign. Okay. Motion carries. We are going to move into a close session. I need Trustee Davis to read us into that, please. I move that the board meeting 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 sup of the superintendent as permitted by the Open Meetings Act section 81C. >> Support. And we do need to take role for this. >> Trusty Kilpatrick. >> Yes. >> Trusty Marino. >> Yes. >> Uh Trusty Melton. >> Yes. >> BP Wave. >> Yes.
003Sorry. >> Treasurer Williams. >> Yes. >> Trusty Williamson. >> Yes. >> Davis. Yes, President Buch. >> Yes. >> All right. Are we going to move into portion of our agenda? >> Oh, sure. So, good afternoon or good evening everyone. Um, we are going to have Mr. Atkins present about our Ignite summer learning for 2025. Mr. Atkins, I apologize. All right, it'll take it'll take just a second, but um Superintendent Roby, President Davis, members of the board, again, I'm Mel, executive director of community student affairs. Here we go. As this um screen gets going, I'm here to give a just a brief highlight on our um summer school. Summer summer summer night is what we call it um for 2025. Just a second. And so before we start each presentation, we make sure it's connected to
004the strategic plan. As you can see, um there are really four priority school scholar outcomes that is connected to around literacy and math proficiency, reducing academic disparities for black Latino scholars, and increasing scholar empowerment um as well. And so what we had is um a plethora of um options for our scholars this summer. K12, we had a summer ignite. Um that's our really our main part of a summer school. We had loop or end or extended day opportunities for families that needed kind of additional support purposely playing towards kindergarten. We still had our grass program. Our grass program is um it could be online or booklets that families can do at home and then our um English learner programs including eel extension migrant and newcomers. And so the structure with summer school was um June
00516th through July 24th um a total of 22 days of summer with the theme of water this um this summer. And then the sites you can see the we had K8s elementary middle school sites at the Burton campus um Jared Ford academic center Harrison um North Park Monasuri then Wellerwood was the preschool program and then Southwest Middle was the high school program um again and then that was those um those programs lasted um breakfast was 8 to 8:30 and programming went to 12:30 and then extension programs went to 3:00 in high school um and then The curriculum focus was ELA and math with project based learning with social emotion learning social emotional learning um embedded in with in those areas with credit recovery as well at the high school level. And so the enrollment um
006you can see just over 2,000 kids enrolling enrolled K12. You can see the breakdown with um just over 1,700 enrolled at the K8 level, 912 at the three uh at the three just over 300 at the 912 level. We're excited to say um if you were here just a few minutes early before um even the meeting started, you saw the highlight video of of our scholars graduating. Um we had 16 scholars graduate. We know their story makes a difference and we want to just honor honor what their effort and what they did as well. We also had um one of the one of the things that the feedback we got from the previous summer was we wanted to increase um scholars wanted to increase opportunities to explore beyond the four walls. And so you can
007see there were a whopping 74 um off offsite field trips. Um we couldn't have done it. We have community partners such as Diet Trap, um um GR Outside, um the public library, Grand Community College, Van Institute, um Wimcat Kids Food Basket, and Grand Public Museum, just to name a few of our, um community partners as well. And so, um you can see some of our goals. I just talked about more experience to go beyond the classroom, expanding existing partnerships, and incorporating scholar voice. And we were happy to say we were we were we accomplished all of those goals. And just want to give you just a quick um a couple minute um visual of what happened in summer school. [Music] I read at recess and I like doing math. >> We've been learning math, reading.
008We've been doing PBL. It's been fun. >> Good. >> Great program that we have going on. Students are learning hands-on experiences, lots of field trips, project based learning. See, so those are both really good details. >> Diet tribe having us do this kind of poem. >> Heavy math, heavy reading, reinforcing what our scholars need to be successful as they enter into the next school year. >> In our room, we're doing a fiber arts. >> Maybe you can use some of this. >> WCAT is one of those programs where it's very hands-on. >> You like poke stuff into it and you would like make cool flowers and native plants. >> You can read about it. You can hear about it. But when you actually put your hands on it, it teaches you more in depth. It
009stays ingrained a lot longer. >> That was really fun. >> We need to have a place in the space for our scholars to continue to learn and grow over the summer. Making sure that the summer loss is not incurring. >> If people were just not doing math over the summer or reading and just playing video games, then they would forget most of this stuff. >> It's an opportunity for me to come here and learn stuff. >> That's just part of my leadership style. I'm very relational. very interactive. Sometimes you're that nugget that you they need to have in order to keep them motivated about coming to school. >> Short, sound. The teachers here, they're very nice. >> Our scholars are learning. They're having fun. We're building meaningful relationships. They're able to socialize. It's been a
010great time. >> It was a good day. And I did lots of things. [Music] And so that is just a quick preview of um our summer learning um experiences for the 2025 school year. There will be a formal evaluation available um closer to December um that we will formally share to and present. >> Questions. >> Thank you. I wanted to clap at the end of [Applause] >> Okay, we will move into public comment on agenda items only. Um, if you could read us into that. If there are individuals present who wish to address the board, please fill out the public comment card located at either entrance of the board chambers. Please also read the rules on the back of the comment card concerning policy and procedure. We have two public comment sections on the agenda.
011The first public comment on the first public comment on board agenda items. Agendas are located by the comment cards. The second comment card. The second comment opportunity is for commenting on non-aggenda items related to the public related to the business of the district but are not topics on the current agenda. If you wish to comment during both public comment opportunities, you'll need to fill out separate cards. Individuals must completely fill out the front and back of the cards and indicate the specific business on which they wish to comment. Please submit the completed card in the bin on the table on either entryway to the board chambers. Our board assistant will collect the card submitted. We ask that speakers refrain from making abusive statements against board members, employees, volunteers, or contractors. Speakers are encouraged to present
012complaints about specific board members, employees, volunteers, or contractors through the appropriate process established under board policy 9450 before requesting the board's consideration. The board policies can be found online at grps.org. Individuals will be invited one at a time to the podium to address the board. Before beginning your comment, please state your full name. At that time, we will start the timer, allowing each individual three minutes to make their comment. One minute notice will be provided by flagging the one minute notice on the timer. You will need to complete your comment time upon being notified that all three minutes have passed. Board members do not respond to public comments. Concerns will be brought to the attention of the appropriate staff. We value your input and thank you for sharing it with us. >> Great job. >>
013Thank you, Trusty. You did a good job. >> I appreciate the time. >> Okay, Jane Neman, you're you're up first. Followed by Caitlyn Homewood. >> Uh, good evening. Good evening, members of the board. Dr. Roby, President Davis. Um, >> I'm sorry. >> Stand before you again. >> I'm sorry. Before you start, who's working the clock? >> Who's working the clock? Good point. All right, we got three minutes. Yay. It's been a while since I've got three minutes. I don't know what to say. Um uh first of all, it was nice to see governor Whitmer in our buildings today. Um thank you. Uh I know we uh also weren't invited to that. Uh was a little disappointed um not to be included in conversations, but that is okay. I know she's a busy lady and I
014know that she has a lot of schools to visit and she is pushing for a good school budget. So was happy to see her. Um, I would like to address the board today on an action item uh revolving around a policy for board comments. I I think it is important uh I understand the need to uh maybe give a deadline for when comment cards can be turned in. I do like the current policies as they are where we we prioritize students. Um, and I think that bargaining unit leaders who are your partners in the service of the students and families of this district, uh, should be prioritized. And I would hope that as you rewrite these policies that you consider that it would be nice to address the board before voting occurs. Um, because I
015think community input is valuable before voting occurs, not after. Um, and so I just I I did read through the policy. I know it's just a first reading tonight, but I would like to encourage the board to consider when comments are allowed to be made uh especially on agenda action items that they'll stay at the front of the meeting. Um that is my uh uh comment there. And then also there is an agenda item about being part of the West Michigan Principal Health Fund. I don't remember the name of it. Um I have from my experience being involved in our uh educational association. I know that some other districts have gone to that healthcare um program, but I have not heard good things about it. And I do know for a fact that some districts
016who have gone that route have backed away from it. Um it does initially provide some cost savings, but ultimately the service is poorer and the coverage is also poorer. So, um, with respect, I do know I believe there is an obligation with one of the bargaining units to be a member, but I would encourage the board to pursue other avenues in the future once they are available. Um, and then also, I know that you were in close session today for bargaining um, and received an update. Um, we stand unified as an educational association for our members that we are asking for a salary proposal that incorporates yearly raises and we are grateful that the district did counterpropose such a salary schedule. However, the current proposal does not put us at the county average and these
017are based on last year's numbers, not the current year. And we know that some other districts have bargained. So, we respectfully request that the district reconsider our proposal. >> That's time. >> Um, so I I I ask you to please respect our educators and value them. Thank you. Caitlyn Holmwood, followed by Reagan. Is it Roars? >> Rean Roars. All right. Hi, my name is Caitlyn Homewood. Good evening. Um, so I wanted to speak on the agenda item about contract negotiations with the Grand Rapids Education Association. Um, I saw the press release that came out like past midnight that claims that it's a historic 4.5% um, raise and the reality seems more so that even with that increase, we're still going to rank in the bottom 25% of districts around Kent County. Um, I think it
018goes without saying that we have much higher needs in our district. We have a much more diverse population. We're battling things that other districts are not battling necessarily. And so, I'm not really understanding why we are paid so low compared to others. Um, I've seen some really great educators leave the district, people that we should have been working really hard to retain who really cared about our students, but just because of their financial situations, they had to go elsewhere. Um, we've all gotten the emails about principles leaving left and right. And um, I'm personally in a financial position where I had to work two jobs this summer just to so I could stay with GRPS. I want to stay here. I want to be here. I love our students. I love our families. I live
019a block and a half away from the school that I work at. It's a dream situation for me. aside from the fact that our pay does not reflect how difficult our jobs are and the cost of living in Grand Rapids. And so I'm just really asking you guys to consider that. I think I echo a lot of what Jane just said. We want to stand firm because not because we're trying to be selfish, not because we're trying to hoard wealth or think we deserve all this stuff, but we do. We're we're working really hard for our students. We care about them a lot. Um, and it just seems it all seems very upside down right now and it's all very confusing as someone who's been here seven years and desperately wants to stay here. Um,
020I I also know that we are like the district itself is sitting on the most money we've had in I think 30 years or more than 30 years. We have $40 million. Um, why isn't that going to retain educators and to attract more educators? We should have a certified educator in every single position. Our students deserve that. That's not asking too much in my opinion. And at this point, the numbers just aren't adding up. It seems like honestly, and I've heard this from new teachers who haven't even joined the union yet or anything. They're like, "Why do they not like us? It seems like they don't like us or care about us. It seems like there's bad blood and none of us actually want that. Um, we just want to be paid and respected and
021to be able to stay where we are and continue to work really hard for the students and families and communities that we care about. So, yeah, thank you for listening. Rean Roars followed by Wendy Winston. Hi, good evening board. Superintendent Roby. Uh, my name is Rean. I teach high school special education. Um, we are living through a very historic time in general on so many fronts. And I think one thing that everyone in this room can unan unanimously agree on is that the world is chaos. We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. We don't know what's going to happen in the next 10 minutes. But in such a chaotic climate, school is the one safe constant place for so many of our scholars. And so I am curious as to why we are choosing,
022deliberately choosing to add to that chaos of our young scholars lives by not having a calendar a week before school starts by not having a contract the week before school starts. There were almost a hundred certified open positions last year and teachers are dropping like flies to go to neighboring districts where they are treated with the respect and professionalism that they deserve. Um, yes. And we spend less than instruction than 91% of all other Michigan districts. It is not fair to ask these scholars to show up and not know if their teacher is going to be there the next day or not because their teacher had to leave to go to another district because they had to do what was best for them and their family. It is not fair to send out a robocall
023to families a week before school starts with an unfalized calendar. I'm asking my board, you need to do better. You can do better. You are actively choosing to disenfranchise the most vulnerable people in this community. And those are our scholars. And those are the people you are hurting by not supporting the very talented and incredible educators that want to be here. They want to come to GRPS. I love my job. I love what I do, but you need to do better because you ask us to go above and beyond without doing that in turn. So, I ask you to seriously reconsider your proposed budget because the one thing historically speaking, a tale as old as time, those in power doing everything they can to maintain that power and maintain that status at the expense again
024of the most vulnerable of the population. So, what side of history do you want to be remembered on? Thank you, >> Wendy Winston, followed by Lucas Leett. Hello, my name is Wendy Winston and uh thank you all for being here and doing the work that you're doing. I know that it's kind of a thankless job, so thank you. Um, I am also here to speak about the collective bargaining um that I'm assuming you discussed in closed session. Um, nearly every educator that I've worked with in GRPS loves what they do and they are amazing at what they do. So many staff members are losing the district. It's going to make our jobs, the people who are staying harder in the coming year. Um, and the losses are going to continue because we have a lack
025of respectful compensation and working conditions. And I'm not just talking about the EA. I'm talking about the administrators and support staff, everyone. An offer of 4.5% is not enough to make up for years of low compensation. I have a colleague who just left this district last week. They have uh four years of experience and they moved to Northview. They're going to get a 31% increase in their compensation along with $160 less a month for their health insurance. It's lifechanging. And that person stood right here at this podium this past year and talked to you about how hard it was to make ends meet for her family. She had no choice. I also have a colleague with nine years of experience who went to Comtock Park and is going to get a 12.5% increase, not 4.5,
02612.5% increase. I have a friend who has six years in this district and is moving to Fruitport for a 22% increase. These are huge increases. And when you think about not just this year, but your whole lifetime earnings, your retirement, your pension, everything, you can't wonder why people are leaving and why we show up here every other week or once a month to talk about what we need. Um, I have a letter from one of those people who left to the board of education. I'm writing this letter as a former employee of the district and it is with a mix of sadness and joy that I do so. My sadness comes from leaving behind a school filled with wonderful, dedicated teachers, administrators, and students who are truly exceptional. I served this district for six years
027and had hoped to build my entire career here. However, I must prioritize the survival of my family and my ability to contribute to our personal needs. My joy comes from the fact that I'm leaving a salary of $52,900 and will now be earning $64,800 in my new district. This significant increase will have a direct impact on my family. I urge the board to examine the number of employees leaving the district and to honestly consider the reasons why. The truth is that education, while a passion for many, is also a profession. To retain the best employees, you must provide for them and their families. At its most fundamental level, this starts with respectful salary. So, a $4 million investment compared to a $40 million fund balance. Lucas Le followed by Lisa Lee. Uh, good evening, Lucas
028Le. I'm tired, y'all. Uh, I'm angry. I'm actually furious. Uh, I didn't want to be here tonight. I'm too busy for this. Too tired for this. I have too much going on in my own job where I'm actually expected to perform unlike the people that work on Franklin's campus. Didn't want to be here. But I'm not as tired as these underpaid teachers. And you open with secretive closed negotiations. Again, everybody has to wonder what you're hiding. We all watched a day filled with misinformation flying around in the news. Then we get this sheet of union stats. And I'm sorry, but underperforming corrupt administrations are not who I believe when they're arguing with the union. I'm taking the union side. 25% lowest pay, 40 million in the bank, spending less on instruct instruction than 91% of
029the districts in the state, 300 non-instructional positions in the last four years. You got the money for that? over a hundred vacancies. It's abysmal. The rest of us have to show up and worry about our jobs and perform. And we have to do that and deliver every day working hard to rise to the occasion like I have for eight months in my job when you guys were elected the same time I went to work at my job. I had to rise that occasion or I might not be there. But the administrators on this campus get to just spin out, underperform, block people, and be corrupt and lack transparency, and they're rewarded for it. They get to attack parents. They get to call their co-workers fat, and they're rewarded for it. And the rest of us
030go to work every day working hard for a good 30% less than most of the people on this campus. It's infuriating. Most of us would be fired by now for that. These district the district's supposed professionals should at least meet those marks. They should have been in fear when the new boss came to work and they weren't. Not a single one of them. The rest of us would be. New CEO shows up. You start doing it right. You start worrying about your job. The rest of us get laid off. The rest of us have to wonder if we're expendable. Nobody at Franklin campus ever does. Meanwhile, you don't pay teachers. Basically, you're using the district and our taxes as an ATM for these people. It's embarrassing. It's stupid. It's inexcusable. And the time is up.
031I had the fortune Friday of joining the city high band on their field trip to see the drum corps competition in Indianapolis. and the brand new band director, wideeyed, bushy tailed, ready to go to work, but she was already talking about the fact that it's weird to go to work without a contract and being so underpaid. And she's only doing it because she loves what she does. How long will that last? We've already seen what it does. The last one left. Do better. >> Lisa Lee, followed by Alex Lton. short. Um, good evening. My name is Lisa Lee. I teach ECSE at Buchanan Elementary and um, I've come in with a problem-solving mindset that we can do better. And today I am sad, a gut punch, opening up my email this morning with that fact
032that says 4.5% raises. That is not a 4% four and a half percent on every teacher salary. I am at the mast's plus 30 lane and because we were siloed, I will be making less next year on your proposed salary compensation. I go backwards. I don't get an increase. I teach ECSE in Michigan where our governor is doing preschool for all. So, you have to understand that there's not a lot of teachers out there with my certification and traditionally early childhood teachers are paid very poorly. They're they're not coming into the profession and they're not leaving. We are in a district where our kids are so vulnerable. The effects of the pandemic and the delays on our kiddos are profound and scary. Getting rid of somebody like me sets the trajectory of their lives, right?
033That zero to five is so important and I'm the person to do it. I have the experience. I have the care and the only reason why I'm staying right now is because I can't look myself in the mirror and let those kids down. Those kids, it's their lives. They don't have anybody to speak for them. I'm that person. But I'm not respected. It doesn't feel collaborative. It doesn't feel respected. I'm just at a loss here. To get a rooc call to say, "Hello, you work for Grand Rapids Public Schools. Please report to work on August 12th." No information, not hello, not a personal thing. I have new employees calling me going, "Where do we go? I don't know where to go. I don't know where my principal is. Nobody's told me where I'm supposed to
034do. I we don't have any information. When am I supposed to work? How do I get paid? HR is telling them different things on days they have to work. How awful does that feel? It feels so bad. It's so sad. And in spite of it, we're going back to work. I have an inbox full of job offers. There is not people like me out there. I nobody wants this. It's a hard job and it's harder in DRPS just because of the profound delays and and um disabilities that we're looking at. Please don't make me leave. Let's work together and solve these problems. We're on the same team. We're for the same people. It doesn't feel that way. Alex Lton. >> Hello board. Hello superintendent. Uh I just wanted to start off by saying thank you
035to everyone for being here. We're all here because we care about those who need it the most right now and it's our kids. We look at our future in this community and we look at our future as a greater community when we look at this country and we want what's best for everyone. We want everyone to have an education. We want everyone to be treated with respect and dignity. That respect and dignity comes from our actions. Our actions in how we do our jobs. Our actions in how we treat one another. Our actions in how we communicate with one another. There's been a lot of things said during this contract negotiation. There's been a I it was like 5:00 a.m. I think when the press brief was released that there was a 4.5% pay increase
036that isn't an actual 4.5% pay increase that nobody had agreed to. I just feel like the water is very muddied when it comes to these negotiations when we're not really talking like truly about what is the reality of what's going on. I showed up to come to this meeting at 6:00 to find out that you were all in a closed door session. This is my evening. I go back to work tomorrow. You know, I have professional development. I haven't eaten dinner yet either. like you make these changes that make it harder for us in the community to actually be here and be a part of this process. Like we get rooc calls that were reporting back half of us didn't get the rooc call even that it just feels like from the top down at
037this point nobody actually really knows what's going on when it comes to how to run the district. I think about my experience in the school and I think about my extra duties that I've taken on like as a tech taking care of all the computers for kids and I can't think of a time when I had enough computers for every student even when I was reporting it. Even when I'm returning in paper analysis of a broken computer that goes off to security and I never hear about again. I just feel there's so many systems that are not transparent, that aren't built in a way to actually communicate between all of these different needs of people. And at this point, if we're not looking at how our interactions are happening between administration and the classroom, you're
038so disconnected, you'll have no idea what is going on. And I really feel like I'm starting off this school year with that idea of what is going on. But in all truthfulness, I'm very excited to return to the classroom. I'm really eager to see a bunch of my students. I think about a very specific group of freshmen that I'm just excited to hear how their year's been and see how they've grown over the summertime. And I hope you all are excited and you're also feeling very pressed to do what's right for these kids in the coming months because that's what we need to do if we want to build the society that we all want to see where people are all treated with respect and dignity. We have to start here. Thank you. [Applause] Okay,
039that concludes our public comment for board agenda items. So, we will move on to the secretar's report. Trusty Davis, if you could, it's in there for you. Uh for the secretary's report, what was shared with me is that the finance committee is scheduled for July 28th of this year at 4:30 p.m. in the board chambers. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Well, I'm just reading what was here. Um, the city board liaison committee is scheduled for August 20th of this year at 4:30 p.m. in conference room 112. And the ad hoc facilities committee is scheduled for September 8th of this year at 5:00 p.m. in conference room 112 as well. That's all. >> Is the finance comm is there a finance committee meeting scheduled for August? Kim, there is. Let me >> Thank you. So, August 25th
040for finance. >> Okay. Moving forward, um do we have a committee chair report for ad hoc facilities? >> Yes. Um well, today we had our meeting um at 5:00 today. We discussed um and received information on updates for the FMP plan. We learned that many of the bond projects are on schedule and um some are even coming in under budget. So, we are glad to hear about that. So, we'll be able to make some few additional changes like some rooms like we didn't have slated for carpet, but because it's coming in under budget, we'll be able to go back and do that. Little things like that. Not like millions of dollars, just a little bit. Um and then um we discussed some changes to policy 4900 um which is regarding the naming of buildings and
041um we are going to get those to legal to make sure we got them word smith properly and then that will come before the full board. We also talked about JLLL contract being signed and that they did receive the information that the board requested that they receive with regards to um uh assessments and things of that nature. And then um we also learned that of the bond projects pretty much every building but one has now has a secure entrance and there's some logistical reasons why that particular one does not. However, there have been additional security measures added um to um compensate there. And then um lastly, we uh uh are pushing forward some ideas to have a full board discussion around our board priorities. Um what to do with our properties um what um and
042what we would like to see on those um so that we can try to give JLLL as they're coming on board some clear direction with regards to the board. So that will um be asked um to go on uh one of our work sessions as well. And that we also discussed that um we will kind of keep the as there could be lots of proposals and things of that nature. Try to make sure that they know we want our district needs to be our first concern. That is all. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Moving on to the superintendent report. Good evening everybody. Um we're going to first begin our reports with our syncing fund millage feasibility. And so I'm going to ask Mr. um Himhold to come forward to give an overview as we've been
043talking about this this summer. >> All right, Dr. Roby, President Davis, members of the board, it's great to be here with you. Um Julie, I think we have is it my One second. >> Okay. And I can always verbalize it, too. So, >> um, well, uh, Julie's updating, uh, the PowerPoint here. Oh, here we go. Good. Um, just, uh, pleasure to be with you tonight to share a quick overview and update on, um, some of the research that was done around the scing fund. um following um your direction and that of the administration, we wanted to look at what what do the voters think about the syncing fund. Um so the first thing I think it'd be good is just to highlight go one more Jules just a reminder of what the syncing fund this
044is a property tax. Uh we uh last back in 2011 was the last time I actually worked uh to help uh pass uh the warm safe and dry syncing fund millillage. Sinking fund is different than a bond in that it's you're you're not bonding over a period of time and using property tax to pay it back. This is a pay as you go and it's capped at no more than 10 years. And it's predominantly for warm, safe, and dry. Boilers, roofs, uh plumbing, electricity, uh you name it that that that's in that kind of like repair maintenance is inclusive. You can also use it for transportation and you can use it for technology and and as I certainly one of the things that was part of COVID is the district went onetoone devices for all
045scholars as well as for teachers among other staff. And you know, you can imagine the lifetime of that is going to turn over pretty quickly. And so the syncing fund is really an ideal um opportunity for the district to leverage both what you have with your bond dollars that you're predominantly going to use for new larger ma minor to minor major to major renovations, new construction. This syncing fund is very commonly used by other districts to have alongside any bonds is so you can use it to keep up those facilities over periods of time. Um the um we were tasked with doing the research look at what the voters were saying looking at what makes sense between November of 2025 or even August of 2026. Let's go to the next slide. So high level we
046uh worked with Glen Gariff Group, one of the top polling firms in the state. Uh Richard Zuba, 400 respondents. We did focus on likely August primary of 2026 voters. However, that also by focusing on that gives us an opportunity to unpack super voters which typically will vote in in an off year um at a lower percentage rate of likely voters compared to a primary election election during a highly political year where you're going to have the top of the ticket from US Senate, Congress, Governor, Secretary of State, all the above. So, couple highlevel numbers. Uh very encouraging numbers. You have a community that largely supports Grand Rapids public schools, supports public education, recognized one of the strongest numbers that came out of the informed ballot was uh that 74% of the respondents believe GRPS is
047doing the best with the dollars that you have. 66% agree that GRPS needs more money. So, there's that recognition. Certainly throughout the poll, we heard a lot about some of the federal uh issues and the uncertainty around federal funding, even around state funding, and that played certainly into the overall opinion around likely August voters that they see GRPS needing more money. 62% had a favorable viewpoint of GRPS versus 16% unfavorable and 19 that were had no opinion. And that's not uncommon. A lot of individuals may not have uh any experience with GRPS. They may not have students or family that are part of it. So having that 19% no opinion is not uncommon. But 62 to 16 favorability. 55% say that GRPS is in the right direction compared to 20% wrong direction. 25% no opinion
048on the testing of the renewal and the syncing fund. So, the renewal, this is the Kent ISD enhancement mill renewal, which was approved by voters 10 years ago, and that provides you about currently $300 per pupil. If it's restored to the original 0.9 and renewed, it'll be more about $350 per pupil. That will be u on the November ballot of 2025. So, we wanted to test how the two would do separately together. And um while the two still are relatively strong uh together it actually impacts them both um in a in a not as positive fashion as it would be if they're separated. And very um overwhelmingly the the results were uh 75 versus a 1 mil and five years instead of 10 years. substantial difference between them and that without a doubt the the
049pollster Richard Zuba said August of 2026 is going to be the strongest uh best election for you to put this in front of the voters. You will have an electorate that is is engaged. You're going to have a certainly a larger number of individuals who are going to show up. Um and then uh we tested the funding priorities and you know uh while technology technically was the lowest of the bunch um they still had 8.6 six out of 10. Still a sizable number. But what really sells and what the voters were most moved on was if you were talking about warm, safe, and dry projects, looking at boilers, roofs, windows, some of the most fundamental things that uh come along with maintaining a house or maintaining a building. And um I would also note that
050on the initial there's three different ballot tests. the cold ballot test, you typically you want to be over 60 right off the bat, either on the cold or at bare minimum on the informed. And the good news is you are there. You're right in a good spot. But it's also going to be about when's the best time, what's the best ask, how many years you're asking, and the recommendation is August of 2026.75 for five years. And I'll open it up for questions. Yeah. Um, not really questions, but three comments. One, thank goodness for scientific polling. Um, because when we had this previous discussion, I was personally leaning a little more towards doing it this year, but obviously after seeing these numbers um, and the results of the poll, to me personally, it makes sense that
051we do take the recommendation and look to next year in August. The other is it's just really good to hear that uh you know our commu community uh showing from these results does support funding for public education. So that's good for our mission and the work we're going to be doing. Um, and then three, obviously I just I'm generally supportive of of the syncing fund and I, you know, I think a lot of us on the I can't speak for anybody, but you know, speaking to either way, I'm in favor of of the sinking fund just because as we're having this discussion about freeing up dollars for um, you know, increasing teacher pay, other pay for our staff in the district. Uh, this is just obviously a way we can free those dollars up while
052keeping our things. So, thanks for the work that uh, you guys did, John, to do this polling. Uh, and again, thank goodness for scientific polling. >> Any other questions, comments? >> Thank you so much, John. >> Thanks, everyone. >> I'm going to invite Mr. um, Larry Johnson down to talk about some back to school safety that we have planned for the upcoming school year. That's Drew. That's Alex. >> That's Alex. >> Oh, okay. Okay. Got it. Uh good evening, President Davis, Dr. Roby, other distinguished board members. Just uh as we prepare in just six days, actually in six days, we will have uh have scholars entering our buildings. Uh our team's been working all summer long, not only uh with the summer programs, but also preparing for the uh the opening of the school day.
053This week, our teams are in a uh this week, our our security teams are in a 40-hour uh refresher training program with other security staff from various districts around the county. Uh we have uh this summer spent uh spent a lot of our summer uh working to uh get our staff trained on the behavior threat assessment uh model. Uh today we have about 65 staff members trained. Have another training a refresher training this Wednesday where we will bringing on board another 35 members and then another training day on the 26th of August. And there will be various trainings leading up to October 26th to train as many staff members, administrators as we can on behavior threat assessment models. Uh our camera systems, we uh we uh went live on uh I think four or five
054different camera systems this uh this summer. Uh we're looking forward to uh activating uh two systems uh that are installed but just need to be activated uh later this week as well as uh working on a uh the standard response protocol from the I love you guys uh which was a mandate from the state that we switch over to that uh that model. uh been in conversation with uh Deans Transportation in reference to the uh their work with uh with their drivers and their adequately staffed and we're working with the city of Grand Rapids Police Department on the stop armed violations where we will be uh really uh enforcing uh they will be enforcing uh the uh stop armed violations uh particularly uh during the first few weeks of school really focusing on that and
055uh getting the message out to remind parents in our community that our students are moving around once Again, uh one of our challenges uh we have a challenge and u at a couple schools where there is uh road construction which is forcing us to uh work with deans to reroute some buses as well as we got to find some uh adequate pickup locations for pickup and drop off locations uh for our scholars and yellow buses uh so that we don't have kids crossing streets or walking too far to get to the location. So, we're going to work with the city of Grand Rapids and their their road folks to establish uh proper locations for prop drop off and pickup. It will mean some adjustments, temporary adjustments to staff parking. Um so that we can get
056our scholars and buses closer to the building while we go through this. Uh this will last probably till the end of September. Uh hopefully it's sooner, but it does create a few challenges for us around a couple of our buildings. But all in all, we're ready to we're ready to go. Our staff is ready to go. assignments have been made, staffing is in place, and uh we're looking forward to a great school year. U just uh doing what uh what our kids do and uh receiving them and uh and just having uh keeping them safe over throughout the year as well as our our staff and rest of our community. >> Will there be a campaign around because I know that people sometimes forget about the stop arm violation. Is there any sort of communication
057campaign that's going to go forward? We're talking with the police department and they will through their uh news releases will engage the community to just reminding them uh that schools back in uh every year they have ran a campaign and uh in talking to the chief we'll ask that they do that again this year just as a reminder uh to our parents that uh that schools open okay in some of our more heavily traveled streets. >> Any questions? >> Yeah, go. >> Yeah, just a quick one. Forgive me. Um, I'm just, this is just coming to mind in this moment. Um, were you made aware of the email from city commissioner Kilgore about some third ward crossings that need crossing guards? >> Uh, I was not uh made. >> I'll just make sure you get
058that. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And the and the city is the ones that assign crossing guards, not us. >> Okay. >> Regarding the uh stop arms and refresh my memory, I know we've spoken about this. Each bus that will be in service for GRPS, does it have a camera on the stop arms at this point or where we Okay, >> they do not. Not every bus have a camera. >> Where are we? Is the goal to have every bus with that or where are we? >> We are working with uh with deans and u a couple community groups to put uh cameras on all of our buses and that would be activated once that stop arm is is open. >> Okay. But we're able to start the year with the buses that have them having
059the activated cameras. >> Okay. Great to hear. >> Great to hear. Thank you. What is the status right now with the emergency protocol? >> Um the crisis. >> Yeah. So last week was our last review of with our staff. Uh we uh we invited in uh some GREA uh safety team members to review with us. Uh we thought that went very well. Got some great feedback from them. So it's in the final editing stages. The m the manuals that's coming out uh pertinent sections have been updated. uh some some areas that needed to be um the standard response protocols, uh our protocols on suicide prevention. Uh those are those are go are going back into the original manuals, those areas that needed to be updated right now with a full update coming as soon as
060we come back from the editors. But got uh over 75 individuals that uh that went through a review process uh various departments. There are a couple key individuals who are on vacation this summer uh that we think need to have their eyes on the book and so we're going to give them opportunity to do that as well. So it's moving along pretty well. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> We'll move into the bond construction update. Hi, Mr. Smart. >> Good evening, everyone. Um, President Gu, uh, Dr. Roby, distinguished board members. I I I was just telling Dale if he could go back there and see if we can get the temperature a couple degrees warmer. I see that. appreciate. >> Yes. So, my apologies about that and I think
061that we can do that. I think we're all very very cold. Um, so we have had an interesting and very busy summer. We had a lot of projects. I'm going to try to go as quick as I can through them. Uh, of course, like always, feel free to ask me questions as we go. Um, but I want to start by by uplifting uh the facilities team. Uh, I just want to give them a shout out. They have done a tremendous work from our grounds to uh operations with custodians and maintenance. Um sometimes I I wonder how they are so flexible to be able to jump from one thing to another and and and just a phone call. Um so um I I know they are not here but uh I'm thinking about them and uh
062and I want to just give them a a shout for the great work that they've done for us and they continue to do for us. Um so bond projects um uh I'm I'm we're going to talk briefly about Sibi quite uh the southeast career pathway um building uh housemanfield bricksfield uh few parking lots um Chavez Elementary Dickinson Elementary and Richmore um monastery roof um so uh we also have a few few projects that are still on being designed and under programming. Um we we're still trying to work out a few things with the Riverside Monastery uh project and uh Ken Hills uh is being developed. Um Ken O'Shea also we're we're working out through uh uh construction documents. We are developing the construction documents um at our high school. Uh we have a few projects
063there and one of them is a little bit down the list on the auditorium. We are also renovating uh the space to receive the middle school uh students from uh Alger and uh we're also looking at the pool project there. I know that we have a big swimming pool project. Um Alger is going well uh and uh we have a number of auditoriums that we also want to get done. So all these are in the planning and programming stages and we all know that there are more projects coming after this. Uh so um so we do have a couple projects that are on final cost evaluations. I don't have a whole lot of information to share with you on this but I will have that at the next meeting that that I present which will
064be uh the the the new GRPS elementary uh Aberdine and Central Auditorium. So more to come on that. So we'll start with Houseman and I'm super super excited about this. Uh what you're seeing right there is an actual picture of the current Houseman field, how it is. Uh we we don't have the track on that picture, but you can see how awesome that field looks. Um that was uh our communications team. I think Evan used a drone and and we took this picture. Um and then I have a a couple other ones coming up here um that uh you can see a little bit of a closer shot as to how amazing this field is. that is already looking um you can see the detail on the logos of our u Union High School in
065Ottawa. Uh is just looking great. We're we're so looking forward to having uh our first game there. I believe is on the 19th. Um and we will be ready for that. Um uh bricks is also coming along. Uh we we as of today we still didn't have the stripes uh but uh they're taking place this week. Uh the turf is in place and uh I got report that some of our neighbors are already walking on the track. So so the the the neighbors are already taking advantage of that. Uh Sibly um we're completing phase two. This was a two-phase. We started last summer and we're completing everything this summer. Uh everything is on track. We're we're we're ready to go. we're ready to receive and and I should say as a general statement all the
066projects will be ready for the start of school. Uh most of them are uh are already uh there and uh we're just putting putting some finishing touches. There is one this one that really gave me some ulcers. This one was challenging. Uh we had uh some deadline uh challenges and we're still working uh but the building has been turned over for us and our our operations team is uh has been there cleaning and uh getting it ready. There will be a couple things that uh uh that are delayed like the the gymnasium work which is acoustical and uh on this stage um that work is going to happen uh on weekends or holidays. is not going to be happening while we're in school. Um, today I received good news that the dance floor actually was
067getting done uh this week. Uh, possibly even got done today. So, but when I did this, we still had that under delayed um parking lot work that we have the base. Uh, but we are talking with the uh our contractors. We're going to be looking for a um a time um that we don't have school like next Friday. I don't I don't believe there is a there is school to go ahead and come back and finish uh this surface the top coat. We don't want that to interfere with the start of school. So, but parking lot is usable. Uh parking lots we we we did uh redesign innovation central and german totally new layouts uh and they they they're working beautifully. Uh we were able to to regain some uh uh green space at Innovation
068Central. Originally the parking lot went all the way to the sidewalk, but we were able to redesign this the the parking lot and and created some green space that I know our neighbors really uh appreciate um because they talked to us about that. Um Congress is the one I'm the most excited about because we were able to redesign and expand it so that way we have a parent drop off and pickup lane. uh we didn't have that before and that they create some congestion on the street and even on the parking lot. So, uh we're hopeful that this is going to help us diminish that. Uh in the future, we want to explore to do the same thing for the buses. Uh but, uh that's just going to be down the road. By the way,
069I know I'm going fast. Feel free to jump in if you have any questions at at any point. Uh Chavis Elementary uh school. Uh we're in great shape there. we were able to to recarpet most of the school. Uh we identified a couple of uh spaces that we were concerned about the budget. So we thought well those are okay. Uh but we're beginning to to see that uh phase on phase two we'll be able to come back and do those those spaces like the office for example. We didn't do the office this year. Uh but we're hoping to do that uh next next year. Uh also we'll be doing the controls for the HVAC and the playground upgrades. Playgrounds are always fun as you guys know. Um Dickinson um we completed the secured entrance and
070I know that that was a major goal that we had for this summer. Uh secure entrance and uh we recarpeted um the entire school. So we have all new carpet. It looks wonderful. It looks great. Stop by and visit. Uh, and um, next year we're going to we're going to be doing um, uh, the controls for the heating and cooling system and uh, some more lighting upgrades. Okay, Richmore roof, this project came in last minute. Uh, we were not even sure if we were going to be able to get it done this summer, but um, thanks to you that you help us go through the approval process, this project is being totally completed this week. uh the the sloped areas have already been done and uh weather permitting we should be able to finish the
071flat roof this week before our students arrive on Monday. So that's the goal and that's what we're hoping for. Um and the last project that we have here I don't know how some of you were we're at the ribbon cutting. What a great project and these pictures are not doing it service really really is not uh if some of you want to go on pay a visit let me know. I'll give you a tour. Uh, but we are so proud of the of the Southeast Career Pathway project. Uh, and the space that was created for our scholars there. Uh, it is is such a transformation. We went from having 18inch windows to having 4ft windows. Uh, so we more than double the size of of daylight into the classrooms. Uh we uh we were able
072to refresh the entire uh classroom uh finishes, you know, from flooring, walls, ceilings, sliding. Um we have a a student uh lounge now. That that that is something new to the program. Uh refinish the gymnasium floor. Uh and uh the teachers uh work room and and and and break room are are are amazing. They everything looks so so nice. So, we're very very proud of that project. Go by and see it. And uh I believe that those are all the projects that uh uh we have right now. Um if you have any questions, please let me know. >> Thank you for the thorough presentation. >> Yeah, I just have a quick comment. Um it's a gratitude to not only the facilities crew here within district but the work crews who are doing all of this
073for 90 degree weather >> 90 degree plus and you know obviously no HVAC yet no ventilation maybe like just thank you. So if you can express my gratitude and I assume from the board and the district to all the work crews who did all of this for our scholars. >> Absolutely. Yeah, I will share that with them because uh on every single construction project, we we really have a lot of challenges and I'm going to say problems. >> Uh we find things buried in the wall that we didn't know. Uh you know, products don't arrive when we think they're going to arrive and they go above and beyond trying to still keep our deadlines the best that we can and keep it within budget. Oh, by the way, everything has been within budget, just so
074you know. All right, so thank you very much. I have one more question though. Um, back to Houseman. Uh, I when I think of Houseman, I think of >> GRPS football and I'm wondering about football, about soccer. Will there be soccer played at Houseman? >> We have the lines for it. >> So, it was planned for that. >> Okay. I'm excited for that. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> That concludes my presentations for this evening. >> Okay. We will move into our action items for tonight. First up on the agenda is a resolution authorizing public entity membership in the West Michigan Health Insurance pool. Is there any questions, comments, discussion? Do I have a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> I just Sorry, I was going to ask a question. We're continuing it, right?
075So, we're already a part of this >> since 2013. >> Yeah. So, it would be the continuation, just to kind of clarify, one of the >> correct. And we're designating two people um on the resolution. The two that were on it prior are not with the district. So, it's updating that. >> Thank you. >> Support. >> Okay. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to policy 1370. This is our public comment policy. We did have a discussion uh regarding this at our work session. So um I'd just like to open that up again to see if that discussion was um properly interpreted for this agenda or for this policy. Um and this is the first reading. So if there's any changes, we can make them tonight. But any
076comments? >> The one I would have is um sorry I should have found my page before I started speaking. >> Yes. Comments from presidents of employee bargaining units. I think that is worth maintaining and getting back into practice of. So I wouldn't I wouldn't be in favor of striking that out. >> Yeah, I'm not opposed to keeping that in. Um, I think it was stricken because I haven't been doing a good job of sorting through the agenda cards. So, um, I don't mind keeping it in there. We just have to do a better job of adhering to that. >> And then the question I and I wasn't at the work session, so I apologize for if you've already had a long conversation on this, but I know as a person who has come to speak
077at the board, I would practice quite a bit beforehand to make sure you could get it down to that three minutes. So changing it without knowing what it could change to seems a little bit more nerve-wracking to me for our audience. So our participants. So I would be more in favor of saying these are the two it's either two minutes or three minutes or one and a half minutes or three minutes. But just kind of having that outlined ahead of time just to make it easier for those who like me were nervous to come and talk to this group. >> I think the conversation regarding that um I think ideally you would move down in minutes. you I wouldn't just I'm saying president hopefully wouldn't just jump down to now you have 30 seconds right
078>> but a lot of the conversation in regards to that correct me if I'm wrong colleagues but was there was conversation about the length of our meetings and the president needing to do a better job of just managing time and so how could we broadly encompass that to leave it up to the president like what would be best knowing the agenda that night, knowing how many public comment cards are coming in with the goal of making sure we hear all voices. Um, >> but the intention is not to say we're going to cut it down to as little as possible, you know. >> Oh, yeah. I'm not worried that you would do that. Just more specifically that people can practice what they say. Otherwise, when they come and they're ready for three, is there something
079different, Kim? >> No, I was saying technically they wouldn't know anyway. we wouldn't know until real time when we come into the meeting because it's kind of based on how many comment cards we have and all of that other stuff. So, um if you were practicing for three minutes and even now if you were practicing for three minutes and you came in and we had so many cards, it would be cut to two and you wouldn't have a chance to practice that too. >> But then at least you would know it's either two or three. That's my only point. But I do I wonder what you're saying though is if we cut it to say two, but there's still not enough time within that hour. Is that what you're trying to say? So, we're trying
080to fit everybody in. >> We're trying to ideally, that's why we also raised it to an hour because it was written as a half an hour >> and just to not have that vote to extend it until an hour. It gives a little bit of leniency. So, then we know >> um >> yeah, there you know there's 20 people can give comment before we're shortening the time at all. >> Yeah. Um, so and we can still vote to lengthen the time as well. Um, especially if the agenda topics warrant that. >> Yeah. >> Any other thoughts? >> I I do appreciate uh Sarah's comment around specifics because I was like even rereading it, I was like a future president could do something different. So I I I would appreciate specifics. I I just know for
081me speaking it's important what I say and if I if I know it's either two or three minutes I'll practice both ways especially if you know there's gonna be a lot of people here. If I have no clue what the other option is, it would really frazzle me to be able to condense it. You know, if it ends up being a minute and a half, even though that's not much of a difference to us, it doesn't seem like to the speaker that's 30 seconds of less dialogue. >> That's just my opinion. >> Does anyone share that opinion? >> I agree it while we're updating it. I think the reason that we made this change was that we talked about wanting to give it an hour because we were going over to 30 minutes and trying
082to give more room for public comment and the intention was that people would have more time to speak. So, we would only ever decrease the time if we were projected to go over to 60 minutes. But, I do like the idea and this isn't what you suggested, but maybe it is just written into the policy that it'll be three minutes, two minutes, or one minute so that people >> at least three minutes >> they can be prepared. And ideally that won't happen unless we have 60 people that want to get public comment which would be great. >> I support that. >> Yeah. I'm wondering if there's language around no less than a certain number of minutes. >> I don't know that one minute is even enough in public comment. >> Do we know quite frankly?
083>> Dr. You may have is there state I don't know the state law around open meetings with minimum speaking time. Is maybe we don't have the answer to that right now. So maybe that's a later answer. So probably not right now. We don't know. I I don't believe that there is, but I don't know that there is. >> We'd have to look on it. So, >> thank you. >> And I'll just add to um part of the discussion for those who weren't here, it wasn't just a matter of um it was about being able to hear as many voices in that time. >> So, if we needed to cut it, >> it was to accommodate more voices and not just a matter of we're just cutting it because it's this many people. I mean, it's
084just too long. No, it wasn't because of that. We wanted to make sure more voices could be heard at the meeting. >> And side note, we have had people that don't complete their full public comment and send it to us >> via email afterwards, and I always appreciate that just to >> be able to read it over. >> So, that's another way to get through to us. >> There's no uh minimum >> legal minimum. >> Okay, cool. Good to know. Um, yeah. I mean, my priority was like I want to make sure that anybody that wants to speak to us has the opportunity to speak to us. I don't want to like allow 10 people to speak and then sorry, you're the 11th person and we've run out of time. So, as long as everybody
085has the opportunity to speak, um, whether it's, you know, everybody gets 30 seconds or what, I just want to make sure we can hear from everybody. >> Not actually 30 seconds. >> I just I just want to >> Well, this was what I voiced when we were in a work session. Oh, you mean like in a public summit? It's just quite nerve-wracking. So, I I think I would agree with you to say like at least have a minimum. That's all. Even if it's a minute, >> I don't mind having a minimum of a minute. >> Does anybody mind that? >> As someone who has given public comment, I would prefer more than one minute. Um, I was thinking the two to three minute range. I like that, but obviously this is open for all of
086us to to consider. I would say obviously the preference would be three minutes. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Um but I I would agree to a minimum of one minute and >> you know that that gives 60 people a chance to give public comment. Yeah. >> So I don't think we'll have to go down to that much very often. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Anyone else? I want to make sure we're passing on the correct the right information to Thomas to edit this. So, we're adding a >> a minimum of one minute. Do I see? >> Okay. >> Minimum of 90 seconds. >> One minute is just you can't get much said to change the time because part of it was that we were trying to say 60 minutes to stay to the agenda. So, are
087you saying that if there are 100 people, you just want to default to that's an hour and a half of public comment? >> I guess. >> All right. >> Yeah. I don't know how much you get said in one minute is all I'm saying that for the value is that we're hearing it right and if we're rushing them to get something out in one minute >> I think >> to me that doesn't sit well >> the the point too as well is to be able to conduct the business of the district and I think when you we say u one minute and that time frame but we have to accommodate there's transition periods in between that all of that and as we go longer and longer, you just start again cutting the opportunity for that
088voice and uh the diverse number of voices that you could have in that time. Um so >> is there were we um we also talked about one public comment. Are we not doing that? I thought legally they said we had to have two >> two separate. >> I thought there was there was some clarification that said that we had >> we do not have to have two separate public comments. We do have to offer agenda and non-aggenda item >> but we could have it in one comment section. >> Oh, okay. >> We could have all of them >> at the beginning. >> We could Yeah, >> pay for that. >> I like that. >> The intention was to make it easier for people to give comment. Anybody opposed to that? >> No. >> Um, >>
089and then I just want to make sure everybody's on board to um maintain the bargaining um the part that was taken out for >> from the president. Yes. >> Oh, from >> a bargain. >> Yes. Bargaining unit. you you all just help me get better at that. I'll keep trying. Reminding >> um anything else that doesn't look like it reflects our conversation properly. >> I heard a comment about students speaking first, but is that in here? Oh, I saw >> we had talked about um if we did >> if we did separate comments making sure Oh, I know what it was. If we moved public comment to a different portion of the agenda to still allow for students to speak first. Um and really we we move public comment um like example tonight with the
090close session because we're paying a lawyer to be here, >> right? >> It's less time that we have to keep her >> less money spent. >> So um all those decisions are made strategically. We're not trying to shut people out. Um good. Anything else? My only other note, and I don't know if it fully lives in this policy, but um like an intention around continued coffee with the boards. I feel like that's been uh a practice. Um we've seen the last uh last year's board, this year's board. Um and that's not necessarily named anywhere as a way to hear from from the public. >> Um >> would that be a policy though? >> I'm not sure if it should. I think the reason um Trusty Morino is bringing it up is it says opportunities to
091address the board are through and it lists public hearings, comments on agenda items, comment on other matters. Um so it kind of fits with the like they can share at public hearings. >> Yeah. Yeah. But I'm more of like let's say that this is our commitment like policy is our practice. Uh, and so if it's written, if it's written, then we we got to do it. So >> I hear you completely. I would veer away from it because it's such a specific thing that >> our board made a goal to do that there might be better ideas >> sure >> from boards moving forward than coffee with the board or might be a different way to approach having a different session for public feedback >> that they can adapt. based on the needs of the
092district at that time. >> I was think I was in my mind it wasn't coffee with the board but opportunity other opportunities to engage. So like the board will provide opportunities to engage outside of board meetings or something like that. So that you know our practice is that even if we are moving our board meetings to different spaces like that's a part that's kind of what I got from that not specifically naming coffee with the board. >> So adding maybe a bullet point that says something like the board will add other opportunities for public engagement as needed outside of board meetings. >> Like that >> I like that. >> Does that sit well? Trusty Marino. Yeah, that's fine. Yeah, >> I just feel like we're taking something away. So, I just want to ensure that
093we're uh giving other opportunities instead of just fully taking >> whether that's time. >> What are we taking away? >> Uh I mean we're the potential of time. The potential of time. >> Yeah. So, with that though, if we are only having one um public comment, could we do the hour the Oh, we already extended to an hour. >> We extended to an hour. Am I missing language around the um the requirement to have double the time if you're using a translator? >> That should be in here. >> Yeah, it's in there. >> It's just so small. >> Um >> I know I read it >> the middle of the first page or just a little below the middle. >> Yep. The board president may give speakers additional time up to three minutes to account
094for language transl >> that can be changed to will give. >> I don't think it's ever been presented as a option. >> No, we've always given it as a second. >> We want to make it will >> additional time. >> I think so. Like thank you. That's a good question. >> I'm glad I mentioned it. Just caution that you say the language is make sure the language there and the time is consistent because if you say will three then that means you're saying that that person gets three minutes versus everybody. >> So that's why I'm saying make sure it's specific to the language change on the rest of the time. >> I just say up to three minutes. >> Okay. >> Uh before we take a vote on this, are we adding a bullet point
095under public hearings that addresses what Trustee Moreno said. The board will provide additional opportunities for public participation. >> My only concern with that is I just recall in multiple of the work sessions I feel like we talked about if there were better things that we could do instead of just coffee with the board. >> So, we're just leaving it. >> Yeah. give us an Yeah, >> we will we will provide additional opportunities >> and the board that >> um whatever board >> members change can establish what that looks like. >> Does that make sense? >> Okay. Okay. Do I have a second? Do I have a motion to approve the first reading of policy 1370 with the changes of minimum of one minute, one public public comment section. So that would be the merging of
096a couple bullet points I believe. a bullet point under public hearings for additional opportunities for public participation outside of board meetings and taking out the crossing out of where is that >> the second bargaining unit >> the bargaining unit >> so moved >> and adding >> oh excuse me >> and withdrawal >> and the word will instead of may >> so moved >> and also amending those minutes per what is decided by the board in that same bullet point. >> I'm sorry. Can you explain? >> So, it reads, "The board president may give speakers additional time up to three minutes." So, that's going to need to be >> It will never exceed three minutes because if it's three minutes, they get an additional three minutes. If it's two, they would get >> two. >> Four.
097>> Okay. I have a motion. >> Second. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries. >> Okay. Moving on to certify delegates to participate in the Michigan Association of School Boards delegate assembly. Um we do have to formally um name the people who are going to be delegates for this assembly. My proposal is that we have Trustee Williamson and um Trustee Williams as our appointed delegates because they are attending the conference um in October. Uh we can have up to four. So if there's more people that want to attend the delegate assembly, I'm not opposed to that. However, those two board members are attending the conference. Um, we have had only one delegate in the past, so I think two would suffice, but if you really want to go and
098you're not doing a conference, >> I've been to speak at it. So, but I don't know for sure until most likely the end of the week if I'm going to be able to. So, that would be wonderful if it was already paid through my work and was able to join. I don't know if that changes it. >> Um, Julie, do you know if she could be added on after we >> It says by October, though. But we still have time to do >> must be certified or would you like us to push it forward so that you can >> do you well let's >> that's a good point because you have to vote on the >> We don't I don't mind pushing it forward if if there's no um we do have we can do
099the next board meeting to vote on this if you can let us know prior to that. >> Yes. >> Okay. That's okay. We still have the time. >> Yeah. We'll do that. Uh, do I need to get a motion to move that to the next meeting? >> So moved. >> Support. >> Let me clarify. The motion is to move it to a meeting in the future. I'm not positive which one >> for board meeting. >> Postpone. >> That's all we have. >> Right. We could do a work session though. We just need a vote on it. >> Postpone to a later meeting. I I move that we postpone this to a later uh meeting or work session. >> Thank you. >> Support. All in favor say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Okay. Motion
100carries. That will be moved to a future meeting. >> Okay. Moving on to our consent agenda. Do I have a motion to Well, first, is there any discussion regarding the consent agenda? Okay. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? seconded. >> So we have Trusty Moreno and a second is Williamson. >> All in favor say I. >> I. Any opposed? >> A motion carries. Um, board members, I think I need to ask for I'm just seeing a typo, I believe. If you could look down the consent agenda to business items, that is supposed to be a part of the consent agenda. However, next to consent agenda grouping, it says 9.0 to 13.0. >> So, can I get a motion to approve the business items? >> 15.0. So, can I get a motion
101to approve business items and motions and resolutions? There are none. >> So, moved. support. >> All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you. Motion carries. >> Did you get that? >> Okay. Uh, moving on to board president announcements. Forgive me. I have this in a note on my phone. Um, okay. Big ideas to Julie. I realized uh about a week and a half ago that I never sent those. she would like um just the whatever you have if you have it written out take a take a screenshot. If you have it typed out, make sure you send that. I did get um I believe it was Trusty Melton and Trustee Kilpatrick. Yours was sent prior to the meeting, so you don't have to worry about it, but if you never sent them,
102make sure you send them to Julie. Um also for our work session in two weeks, please come up with your individual goals from our self evaluation, our our board evaluation um to share with the rest of the board. So we have board goals that we are not yet finished with. We have a really good jump start on those. We will finish those. but then also be prepared to share your individual goals. And then last on my list is coffee with the board is coming up September 2nd. It it will be at Kids Food Basket. Um I'm hoping to solidify at least three or four board members that can make it that day. So, um if we could decide that tonight, that would be great because it is the date again. >> September 2nd. I am
103able to attend. So there's one. >> I can attend. >> Okay. >> I can as well. >> What is the time? >> It is >> 6:00 to 7:30. >> Thank you. Yep. >> Williamson. >> Mhm. Back. Anyone else that would like to >> do coffee with the board? >> You can be a maybe. We can have three and maybe four. Okay. >> Okay. Wonderful. We can start getting that information out so that people hopefully we get a crowd of people that we might not have heard from before. Um, kids food basket is the location. So, all right, that's all I have. Um, we will move into our second public comment for non-aggenda items. And I do need you to read that again. Trusted. >> During public comment, individuals will be invited one at a time
104to the podium to address the board. Before beginning your comment, please state your full name. At that time, we will start the timer, allowing each individual three minutes to make their comment. A one minute notice will be provided by flagging the one minute notice on the timer. You will need to complete your comment time upon being notified that your three minutes has passed. Board members, do not respond to public comments. Concerns will be brought to the attention of the appropriate staff. We value your input and thank you for sharing them with us. We're going to pause before public comment because we do need to have a motion to move >> Extend the meeting. Thank you. >> Do I have a motion? >> I move to extend the meeting. >> Second. >> All in favor say
105I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion carries. Okay. First up we have Bill Hugh Dystra followed by Lucas Leit. Bill Hugh Dyster, thank you very much for the opportunity to be here. I look at this as a real blessing. Um, I am a student uh from the Grand Rapids public school system and I don't say this to attack. I am cognitively challenged. Um, I'm not going to do anything stupid. I do prison ministry and I know very well about prison as a volunteer. I will do everything and anything I can never to go to prison or even come close to going to prison. But at 66 years old, I'm angry that I'm alive. It's not important that students graduate from school. What's important is they can process and function in society. It's illrelevant. That piece
106of paper did nothing for me. absolutely nothing. It is irrelevant whether people graduate and get a get a diploma. And also what concerns me and that clock isn't moving so I don't know where I'm standing in terms of time. >> Um the the statement of the importance of reading is irrelevant. I've never read better than I do now, but I don't comprehend what I read. No matter how many times I reread and reread and reread and reread, I have no understanding of what I read and its meaning, like on the back of the card, what we're supposed to do and not do. Uh, you might as well shoot me in the head with a 12 gauge because I'm not going to understand that. Please have a video of that so people that are cognitively challenged
107can watch it and listen to it, re-watch it and listen to it. Don't assume. Please don't assume that everyone can comprehend what they read. Attitude. The only time attitude makes a difference if two people have the same intellect and the same skills. One's got a positive attitude and other's got a negative attitude. Then attitude make means everything. You'll never meet anyone that lives to learn how to learn as I do. And it hasn't helped me. Uh earlier we talked about art. Oops. We talked about art in the Grand Rapids public school system. I know it's outside of the Grand Rapids public school system, but I look at festival of arts. So many kids from the first festival that I took part in a kid engage school classrooms take part in that. Kids can get up
108in front of large audiences and we just close festival and we didn't say let's have a goodbye festival. We just it's done. Let's celebrate art and creativity. and not just stop it in terms of pay for teachers. I will never be able to make a livable wage. I can't comprehend making what a public school teacher makes. And I don't say that begrudgingly towards teachers. I think if you really really want to help more people than anyone else, you only have one choice and that's to teach. Period. End of story. I cannot comprehend having intellect and skills to make what a public school teacher makes. I look at what in our Christian schools what they get paid. And I'm not nailing teachers. I I have no complaints against teachers, but our public school teachers make a
109lot more money than our public than than than teachers in in our in our private schools. Uh please, let's all be about learning. Learning how to learn. It's so important. And with that, I'll shut up. Thank you, >> Lucas Le followed by D. Jones. >> Hello again. Today I learned that the u the cowardly agenda this evening that started with a closed session before we could comment uh was actually due to the cost of lawyers. So basically, a district that doesn't know how to arrange a contract with lawyers to not charge them until they're actually working or not get them on site until they're actually needed made a decision to basically keep people from telling you what you what we think about the negotiations before you went into the negotiations. And all of that was
110summarized pretty effectively by the board member that I was speaking to. Why are you contracting in the first place? You already overpay in-house lawyers. So again, death by a thousand stupidities. We elected a new majority to this board over the last two cycles to disrupt and force change, not to tone police and not to be friends with each other, but be shrewd and effective agents of change, to call bluffs. Several of you I at least consider friendly acquaintances. But if the election was held today, I wouldn't vote for any of you due to the stagnation and the gutlessness. You've had eight months and nothing to show for it. No broken eggs, no omelets. I even got you a recipe book. Reform first. Friends and collegialness be damned. This is American politics in 2025 and you're
111an elected body. We didn't elect you to continue to use children as human shields against the politics of necessary harsh dissent against our government. And yeah, that includes you. You're part of the government. Our constitution guarantees this discourse. So on that note, I'm going to challenge you about the comment discussion policy earlier. Instead of reforming the already obstructionist rules and personally invasive information on the comment card, instead of addressing the surveillance state of the offering of the cards directly under cameras being monitored by a corrupt and abusive chief of security, you have a policy in front of you that would disenfranchise those who can't make it to the meeting by whatever obligatory deadline for comment cards the board happens to choose or those with a new idea later in the meeting they'd like to bring
112up. You'd grant the board president nearly unlimited authority to order around the public. Instead of looking for ways to limit comment, accept the responsibility that you volunteered for when you ran and stay as late as it takes. If you're not going to consol if you're going to consolidate to one period, you better be giving people six minutes or two comments. You're just trying to weasel out of the necessary commitment to sit here till midnight if that's what it takes. We already can't trust you to do math because a couple meetings ago you completely screwed that up and already had enough time for the people that were present plus the people that were absent. So, how are we going to trust you to do any of this right? Reform the policy in bigger ways. Don't double
113down on authoritarianism and don't try to sell us a loss of rights with gaslighting about diverse voices. >> D Jones How y'all do? Dang. Hello. All right, cool. There we go. How y'all doing? I'm D. Jones. Lucas says, "I love you. I got to tell you I like Larry Johnson." So, I'm as I tell you in person, I'm going to need you to push back sometimes on Larry Johnson and we can speak about that because Larry Johnson is a good man to me and he's been able to help me uh and get the school district and other people to invest in the esports and we've been able to increase in opportunities and equitable educational opportunities for students. So, as I am D. Jones 100% 24/7, going to have to ask you as somebody that I
114care about in the community, I'm have to ask you stop pushing up on our black leadership like that regardless of his ethnicity or anything like that. I think Larry Johnson is a good person. So, I just wanted to publicly say that. And I think you a good person, too, Lucas. Uh, speaking about the esports things and everything that's been going on, uh, I just want to thank you guys for investing. I'm happy about the syncing fund that you can actually invest in technology let lets me know that you can invest in esports. I don't expect a syncing fund to be used for esports though. But I'm happy that tech can be one of the things it could be used for. Uh as I ask you guys a lot of times I don't really ask you
115guys for a lot but I'm going to ask you guys for two asks for the community. The first ask I'm going to ask you is can the West Grand Neighborhood Organization get the old Stockton school? could we negotiate and sit down with you guys and actually get that school off of your hands so we can actually get to the core root of the social issues that's been affecting society. I've been coming to the school board since 2017. I feel like I served two terms here even though I never sat on the board and I've never had a legislative decision. I've been here seven years consecutively consistently passionately advocating for change. And I've actually seen that change. And I know from effective advocacy and going about it correctly that you can actually advocate for your community
116and see change and also help nine students at Ottawa Hills get scholarships. I also would like you guys to get a little bit better communication cuz I don't like that I'm coming to you as a citizen that's been advocated for esports, but then your athletic director uh from Ottawa Hills High School couldn't tell you guys, but I had to tell you guys and then he didn't even know and he's at the school. That's crazy to me. And so y'all need to work on that communication cuz a lot of times I'm doing these beautiful programs of getting Michigan State and Ohio State and Chief Keith Glow Navy who just spent 400K on a new Ferrari truck today and things like that and I'm bringing these type of celebrities and type of people to our district and
117then sometimes I do these initiatives and kids don't show up. So, I need if I ever partner with you guys again in the city, I would love for you guys to really get these initiatives out there cuz I'm looking bad in front of these division one colleges and I'm trying to provide opportunity for the kids at y'all district. I do not like that. I'm pretty sure y'all wouldn't like that either. Also, uh we have the esports uh comic con esports finals uh at the Rockerfeller Global Family Office. Jeff, his uh the vice president, and he told me that the esports, one of their financial advisors uh son is a esports coach. So, you guys really need to start listening to me because the people that shaped our US government, some of their uh students and
118uh kids are actually adviserss and uh they're esports coaches. So, please listen to D. Jones as I know what I'm doing. Thank you. >> All right, that concludes our public comment for tonight. Uh, moving on to superintendent comments. >> Um, I'll just keep it very brief. We are excited that we are a few days away from the start of the 25 the official start of the 2526 school year. We've had um several of our staff in buildings already getting their classrooms set up and that's exciting. Um, I know we mentioned Mr. Um, Smart mentioned the renovation at um, Southeast Career Pathways, the Sigsby site. That building is absolutely beautiful. If you have not had an opportunity to come see it, I would certainly encourage and invite you to to come. I plan on being there
119on the first day of school to welcome our scholars and um, let them and to see their joy because the it's come a long way. And so we are excited about that. And that concludes my announcements. >> Thank you. >> All right. Board member comments. Borrow this. >> Trustee Kilpatrick. >> No comment. >> Trustee Moreno. >> No comment. >> Trustee Melton. Well, I I mean, there is just a lot going on within our district right now and and I'm really excited that um this new year is starting with all of our schools being able to open, projects being finished um and just realizing that it's going to be really hot. So, the more air conditioning that we've got been able to, you know, accomplish over the last couple of years is just really great for
120for students. So, anyway, thanks for all the work that has gone on um in that way. >> It'll be nice not to have heat days. Yeah, first week of school especially. Yeah, >> trusty weight. >> I was looking forward to heat days. I don't even have kids in schools. But anyway, >> um I really just want to echo uh Sarah's comment and also um just respects to um the teachers that are going into the schools and um just put my hopes in the air that you know the the morale in our schools are lifted when they see those bright learning faces that are coming through the doors. Um, we know everybody is a lot of people are struggling to find that joy as they set up their classrooms on, you know, without contracts, without calendars,
121but our kids deserve 100% of of of the little bit of joy you can muster up. So, I just encourage our teachers and educators um to um just stick in there and and I appreciate all the work you guys do. >> Trusty Williams. Yes. Um I'd like to thank um Mr. Smart for adjusting that temperature. It was quite unbearable. Um cold in here. So, thank you. And I think we would agree that this is a fair temperature even on a very hot day. Um don't freeze us out. It makes it hard to listen. Just simple as that. Um, I want to um invite the public as well as my colleagues to donate um perishable and non-p perishable goods to Ottawa Hills Food Bank. Our students and scholars are coming back and they have athletics and
122things of that nature. So, if we could pour some of those resources over there to that food bank, they can go in and be able to access those things before practices or if they are out of um don't have lunch money or whatever, they can go in there and be able to access those things. Um and they also take clothing and um um like personal items, anything like that. So, please feel free to um drop that off. Please try to be intentional if you can colleagues to um pick up some things to drop off at out of us for their food bank for the scholars. Um I'll also um mention that um I think it is um I I would admonish the public to be careful about making allegations particularly if you don't know that
123they're true. these um people careers and lives and to call people corrupt and um alleging that they are doing things that um would undermine the trust of the district is a bit unfair. And so not whether or not you agree with how they do their job, but to call them corrupt is something different. And I I want to admonish us not to do that. I wouldn't want you I wouldn't come to your job and say that you were doing something corrupt because I don't like the way you doing it. Um, and maybe you are or maybe you aren't, but prove it first before you make the allegation. So, I would ask our public not to do that when they come here to speak to us. And then lastly, I want to wish our staff families
124a wonderful happy new school year. I am excited. Um, and um, I am just proud of the work that we're doing with building up these facilities and making sure that our young people have a building to come to that they are proud of and can be comfortable in the learning space. That is all >> Trusty Williamson. >> Yeah. Um, two thoughts have been on my mind lately I just want to speak about. Um, so one is our bigger disc our discussion around big ideas which I think has been good for us as a board to talk to each other about those and I think hopefully in the long term good for the district and then that in tandem with the visit to Southeast career pathways. Um, and for me that's those are the real reasons
125I wanted to serve on the board, right? the work we're able to do um to think long term about the well-being of the district and also what our students and our staff deserve today and being able to walk around Southeast career pathways and see a beautiful structure um that easily could have been relegated and and really turned into to a purpose that's going to serve um students who are on a career uh on a educational journey that um you know some of us know people on that journey and I think that's really important and keeping that in mind in all the work we're doing whether it's uh you know the really intensive discussions we've had about um you know teachers contract about the facilities master plan about all these things. So I just want to
126express that um because those are all big ideas and those are things that uh when I do have kids that get to go to GRPS it's the work that's being done right now to make that possible. So it's a great district. So thank you and thanks for everybody in the community for being a part of it with us. Trusty Davis, >> no comment. >> And I have no additional comment for tonight. So I will adjourn this meeting. Have a good evening.