Algonac School Board Meeting - 7-28-2025

001like to call to order the board of education meeting for Monday, July 28th at 7 p.m. Please rise for the allegiance moment of silence to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Amber Bracket, Andy Blick here. Jennifer Baker here. Heather Ariel Robert here. Emory here. John Street here. Mr. President, we have our >> Melissa. >> Wow. I thought I'd just be giving the boards a heads up, but I'm glad we got lots of members here to hear this, too. So, um, I wanted to come to you tonight, not only to talk about what we did last year, but to talk about upcoming, um, things. We didn't bring any big curriculum purchases at the end of

002last year and I wanted to explain why and where we're moving next for that. So, um, taking a look at this, this is just from when we did our survey of the community for profile of a graduate, what they would like to see in graduates. And so, the top four things from our community, our students, and our staff. Um, the biggest one being self-management, responsibility. Are kids leaving us with that idea that they can manage um on their own, making good decisions? Strategic thinking or critical thinking, they have the ability to reason um for themselves. That perseverance, they're going to keep with it when something's hard. They're not going to give up. And that idea of innovation or problem solving, um they're going to think outside the box and be able to take that with

003them. So, just a little visual of what that might um look like. So, this is a real brief overview of a presentation on just things coming up. A high school chemistry, physics, um, English language arts 6th through 8th, and we're going to pilot in 10th grade as well. Um, some math interventions where we see some problems and talking about that profile of a graduate and how we're going to bring that to the next step moving forward. All right. So, first thing we're going to do is we surveyed, we piloted chemistry and physics last year as well. And we surveyed the students and the staff that took it and we realized that really wasn't the best fit for Albanac. They were on topic for too long. Um, they didn't go down into what we thought was

004the core of the chemistry that we wanted them to see. So, at this point, we decided, all right, that pilot isn't where we want to be. We don't want to invest in a curriculum that isn't right for our students in our community. So, we're looking at right now um uh experience chemistry and experience physics doing a pilot. Um there is a cost of the pilot. It includes all the digital licenses, the materials and um the training. So, just for us to get a feel, it will be for the first semester. So, we're gonna really get in there and then we'll survey all over again and see how that goes. But this is through Sabis Learning. Um, it's really nice because it has a nice both the physics and the chemistry have a really great deal

005because they have hands-on science, they have bookwork, and then they have a lot of the interactive through the um models online. So, you have a good mix of things there. So, I'm really excited to see how that goes. Um that's this is the chemistry. Um we will be getting trained on August 7th the staff and on August 7th we'll also be getting trained in the physics. It's the same companies the same platform. So really taking a look at what that might do. Same thing here with our physics. It's that you know they really focus in these chemistry and physics on the math as well. So what does that look like? What does that mean for our kids? Um, so they bring that big math component, not just that real world experience, but how does this

006translate? Especially if we have kids looking into going into a heavy STEM field, engineering, any of those things once they leave leave us, they need a really solid foundation to go into that. So, um, those, so again, we are piloting. The cost isn't a huge amount, but it's something that we really want to make sure we have the right fit before we invest in a full-on curriculum. Well, are those a semester or is that full year? >> These are semester pilots. So, we'll I'll be coming back to you in December time frame to say even in November just to give you like here's what we're seeing, here's what the test, you know, how the kids are progressing, here's what the kids are saying, here's what staff are saying. So, we'll be able to give more

007feedback at that time to see is this where we want to go. Um, you know, curriculum purchases are expensive when we decide to do a full on adoption. So, I want to make sure we have the right one before we do that. >> Questions about chemistry and physics. >> How many teachers do we have teaching those? >> We have one certified physical science teacher. Okay. Um we are going to do training with a couple of the science teachers just so the platform is um we see and of course I'll be getting trained as well just to be able to have that idea of if he needs to go to somebody else. We do have him in contact with the other neighboring districts physical science teachers. Um but we have one certified physical high school physical

008science teacher. All right. So, in sixth through 8th and in 10th grade, we're starting to look at um think circle. We have not had a new ELA curriculum secondary level in quite a while. The elementary just implemented their K through five ELA curriculum this past year. That roll out went very well. Um, so we're going to of course continue on with that, but as we increase the rigor at those lower levels, we want to make sure when they get up here that they're also able to um, keep that going. So think circa is something we're going to look at in sixth through 8th all kids and then 10th grade honors English. The other high school teachers are also looking at it, but they're not going to pilot right away. Um, so this curriculum is designed

009for secondary students. it's very heavy in their writing aspect of it um across all subject areas. So that was very nice. It also has a lot of additional reading practices and it includes ACT and SAT prep work as well. Um teachers have a choice of the novels or the the short stories or the historical fiction excerpts that they want to read. So there is some room that they can make it their own depending on the the interest. So, um, that was a really nice feature we don't often see in curriculum. Usually, it's a pretty a box set. So, this offers some choice for the staff and the kids. So, again, this is going to be a pilot. The training date has not been set up yet. We are working through that with the teachers. They'll

010be trained before school starts. We're just trying to get a date that all of those teachers that are teaching that will be able to in the future. So, All right. In looking at our data that we've gotten that we've received from the state and across the last four or five years, we've noticed that our elementary math scores go up and then they start to um level out in fifth sixth grade before we start to see a bit of a decline. So, we're really focusing on that fifth through 8th grade target group for some math interventions. Why are we leveling out? where are kids starting to miss out on things? So, that's going to be a huge focus of building that tier 2 intervention and trying to catch kids early because if they're missing things at

011this level, it they're really struggling to do higher math once they get up to the high school level. The high school math team is also meeting all next year talking about the curriculum and if we need to move forward from there as well with high school math. But what we're really focusing on right now is we have a strong math program in place. K8, we need to make sure that it's being fully used and that we're monitoring if there are holes or if kids are not understanding that we're catching them at those middle a those middle grades to try to figure out before they fall off and completely hate math. There's nothing worse than hearing somebody say that I can't do that. So, um that's what we're focusing on next year and how we're going

012to make that happen. But I just wanted to let you know that that is a focus. And finally, we're looking at Wayfinder. That's implementing K12. They can even go prek, but it's that idea of kids building that self-awareness and those leadership skills all the way. So, in kindergarten, they're working on things like friendships, communicating needs, um solving problems, you know, anything. But it changes year to year. And there is there's a focus. It's the same common language all the way through too. So we can track what kids have had. So that way we're not constantly just filling holes, you know, and we miss things. So it's it's a progression. At the secondary level, they'll all have their own student accounts where they can start to make their own pathways. They can discover their own interest,

013make a plan for after high school, whether that's trades, working somewhere local, going to college, but have that step by step like what am I interested in? how do I get to that point? Who can I contact? So, helping them have a plan before they leave here, whatever that plan is. Um, and it it will allow that. But really taking into account those four tiers that we've talked about as a community that we want to see our kids leave with and alac. So, when they leave us here, we want them to be able to self-manage, time manage, we want them to be responsible, we want them to have communication skills, we want them to be critical and strategic thinkers. So some of those things we want them to persevere through tough things. So um this

014program is used for that and it's it's about 20 minutes every week. Um and it'll be taught with all the general ed teachers. So there's a core lesson, there's discussions and then they track and they mod they they do they apply it and how it's going to work for them. What leaderships are they going to um take on from there. So, this is how we're going to monitor our profile of a graduate and see if that works. Um, the whole staff will be getting trained on September 2nd. It's the first day of school. We have a half day. The second half of the day will be training um for staff at this time. >> Has anybody else in our county use this? >> No, not in our county. There are other people in the state

015that have used it and it is huge nationally. So, um, there's things and we are tailoring it to our goals. So, you know, this is something I'll be bringing to you throughout the the year. So, they're they're how are we going to help our kids find their pathway with the help of their parents, their teachers, their community members, depending on what their path is. So, um, and being able to advocate for themselves and how do I get to that next step? I want to do this. I don't know how to do this or how to get there. So that idea of advocating and being able to figure out how to communicate what they need respectfully to get to the to get to a secondary plan once they leave us. >> And is this something you

016said each student will eventually have a portal? So this is something that will then be reinforced like with the guidance counselors. >> It doesn't have to be. So right it's their plan. So it can be >> Yeah, it's their plan. they can show it to their families, to their teachers, but it'll be able for us to say, "Okay, here's how we're saying we've taught like self-management skills or time management skills, like here's some things to reflect on that way." So, it's meant to be their plan that they share with those closest to them and how what they've learned up into that part. So, um, but it's not going to that's not an elementary that's just that secondary piece when they're actually making their own plan for >> and tracking their milestones. you know, they can

017track, you know, hey, I'm in a sport, you know, I'm exhibiting leadership this way or I got my first job or, you know, just things to say all those things that we don't necessarily tie to um say in school we we celebrate the high academics or that, you know, the awards and sports, but not those little milestones that really get us there. You know, it's all that time put in. So I think when they see that that tracking of all the things that they've done it's it's valuable. So all right so ongoing professional development for new curriculums and materials um curriculum rollouts will be across department for smooth transition. So we're piloting at different increments to bring you guys the information to the board for an actual curriculum purchase if it goes to that. So

018that'll be throughout the year. It won't just be in May. Like I said, if things go really well, we might be bringing it in December and saying, "We want to continue. This looks really promising for us." Um, but throughout the year, um, we want to make sure that they have everything they need, teachers and students, uh, materials, technology, collaborative planning time. Uh, we want to communicate this with the community and allow for feedback and adjustments. I think that's the key there is everybody needs to be on board and support um of what we're doing and where we're going and the kids need to know that they have that 360° support too. So um that'll be being rolled out here in the fall. Any questions from the board? >> I know some of that stuff that

019you had ordered is that is everything in yet? I mean are we going to have it to tip off school year? >> Oh okay. Yeah, it will be coming in. It's already coming in. A lot of it has to be set up online and things like that. So, we are working on that. It should be set to go for. We're also doing um a teacher mentor training. So, we are doing some training with our veteran teachers to mentor our incoming teachers as um so that that'll be nice to hear from our veteran staff and remind them of all those things that we take for granted when we've worked in a school a long time. So, our new teachers feel supported and we're going to keep going with the other things we're doing too. But that's

020the new I wanted to bring that to you so you were well aware before we rolled it all out here in the fall. >> The ELA is just 10th grade honors fourth semester just like the >> Yes. So it's sixth through 8th grade. So all the sixth through 8th grade teachers are being trained. Kelly Mo I believe is teaching 10th grade honors as well. So it'll give us that insight into that high school piece. So, she's already teaching the middle school. So, we'll be able to see the insight to that 10th grade piece and um the high school teachers are working closely with them too to kind of monitor and see um we'll have demo accounts for them so they can take a look and see what's how does that work with the IB? Is

021that going to be will they be learning stuff so that when they get to the I if they take IB classes it will go transition right? >> Yeah. So, IB is its own curriculum but So the ninth and tth grade honors for sure will bleed into helping them for IB >> but yeah IB is different than you know it's its own >> it's own world curriculum but it it it is it will help with that okay >> any even that college level writing those college level things close reading so >> and it has SAT and ACT like they have all the study guide material in there they work with college board as well Any other questions? >> Thank you. Thank you for your time. >> All right, we'll move on to agenda items. Anybody want

022to make a motion? >> I'll make a motion that the board of education approve approves all consent agenda items, including agenda, minutes, personal personnel items, treasures reports and bills listed items. >> Any comments? just uh you notice on there we uh two two teacher hires um one of them Spanish teacher uh replacing a bond era and then our first grade teacher which is where we had one after some shuffling we had our one vacancy um and then we had one more special ed teacher looking for a place that was right at the end of you remember back and then right before the June meeting right at the end of the school year we had somebody So, um, providing we get that one taken care of, then we we're in a good spot to do so.

023We'll be back fully staffed going until I guess all in favor say I. >> I. All favor. >> Okay. >> Any opposed? items letter of understanding. This is a letter um required by SAS 101 that gives the scope of the audit for September 4th and 5th >> and before so they'll be in two days Dorothy and we'll do our interview here for two days. >> Yeah, they used to be those used to be week long things. They do a lot of it. um electronically. I I don't record these sets a lot prior to just so they can come in here and get in and out. So, >> a lot of work and our staff to get ready for those soon. >> I know that >> it's the most wonderful time of the year. >> Policy

024update. >> Yep. Um, basically the Trune update I said through the uh through the update meeting this time, if you noticed in there, there's none that really required us to make any kind of changes. They were all legal changes. So all the citations pretty much everything that they did there was based on any of the laws that change. Um, a lot were just couple words here or there, but there was nothing that as we had to discuss and decide if we're doing this or that. So, um, pretty easy update on that one. So, those will go into place. >> That never happened. >> No, that's very rare. Very rare. So, I'll take the one one before that was so much. >> I did have a question. Um, not even about one of the policy changes,

025but >> who is our title N coordinator? >> Title. We have two of them. So we have uh Brooke is one, Brian is the other. >> Okay. >> And we have people Amber too like I'm trained because there's different roles to fill in that. Um a decision maker investigator. So I'm trained, Melissa's trained, Brooks trained, Ryan's trained, and we always like to get a couple more in case we put that into action. And with that too, we get support from our county like um our attorney J Serge up there, Teresa. She'll fill a role for us if we need to as well because they've all been trained through works. >> Yep. I just got a couple uh just followups to uh the update I gave you last week. Uh Michigan State has reinstated their college

026advisor position. It was something that made us very nervous and we didn't think we were going to have. So um they are in fact I got an email today from Brenda Tenniswood from the RHISA saying that Rhysa once again will pay the additional part of it. So we'll have uh I think they're going to start interview they won't have them at the beginning this school year but their goal is to have a fill by October 1st. So we'll have one for pretty much the rest of the year. That's a big win for us because we were really struggling with what we were going to do with that position. So, >> no, that same where you had the same person for two years. >> Yeah. Now, it'll be interesting to see if we go two years

027now because I don't know if they're going to go out that far just because of, you know, it's pretty unstable still with the funding source. So, uh but if they want to go year to year, I'll take that too. Just wrap it in there. is a great resource for us. >> Yeah, for sure. If you get a good person in there or two, it really goes a long way. Um, still no budget at this point from the state and um, you know, all the promises that we were going to have one as July first and so here we sit going into August and we still have no idea what that budget's going to look like. I amum have no hope at all that it's going to be any sooner than October. I think that's when

028it's coming. It's just they're they're really talks have shut down at that level at this point. So, um we're going on best estimates that we have um based on the original budgets from the Senate and the House and from the governor. Um and just that we're pretty close on those. >> What kind of an impact does it have? >> Oh, it's starts. It's really it's just the uneasiness of >> you know I I mean we're playing a full staff and if all of a sudden our money didn't come through we I don't know how that >> we might be scrambled and doing cuts at semester and all these things we don't even want to talk about doing and I don't think we're going to be there. I think it's going to be the budget's going

029to end up being something that I think both sides can live with. But just at this point it's the unknown very It's difficult. So, you just got to be real careful with spending the first few months, I guess. Um, the good news on that and kind of my last thing is, uh, Title One funds are going to be made available this week to the memo we got from the state department of education. So, that's good because that amounts to usually for it's about $300,000 worth of money that we use for all our interventions at the elementary levels. So that's a good pot of money for us to have. And so nothing on the other title pots, title two, title four, which are also two pods that we get. Those are not available. So we'll see.

030They're they're considerably smaller, but at the same point, um it pays for a teacher. So >> is the state going to um continue the lunch situation or isn't that figured out yet? >> That is not figured out yet. >> It's in it's in one budget. It is not in in other budget. The House took it out. It's in the Senate budget. >> Senate budget is right. >> So I don't know I don't know how that's going. So again, I'll keep you guys I'm probably going to be in Lancing at least one day next week. We're going to make a group down there with some of the K12 alliance folks and hopefully see if we can but right now they're not like they left. So right now it's there's no one even talk to I mean

031we've been peppering our our representatives and you know emails, phones, text, but you know everybody's playing the point game and it's the other side of the aisle's fault depending on who you're talking to and it's just gotten to a point where they're kind of in gridlock right now and I don't anticipate that changing anytime soon. So that's it. >> That's it. >> Yep. and move back to our visits and requests. Um, just real fast, we do have a lot of requests today. Um, just a little bit of a background, we are here. We're going to listen to everything you guys have to say. Um, we may not um we may not um respond or make any comments, but just know that we're listening to everything you have to say. Um, there is a time limit.

032There's a five minute time limit. So, if somebody's going over, I might interrupt you if you don't ask me to wrap up. Um, other than that, we can get started. >> Hi, my name is Shannon Garton. I'm a resident of Clay. My two eldest children graduated with honors here from Alganac this year. And I have a sophomore here as well. I'm also Coach Joe's wife who is on the wrestling team. Four boys. Coach Joe was called into Alanak High School late June by Mr. Meldrum and Coach Ranger. And due to local political issues, they were told by Mr. Mr. Lto and Mr. Melrose that they would no longer renew Joe's coaching contract. Joe is not able to give his side of the story. There are three people who have been harassing our family since last

033August. Joe and I made a social post around election time in August to tell the voters to look into the local candidates before voting because Mr. Jerry Gala, our current township treasurer, had previously been under FBI investigation for alleged embezzlement in Alen Park. Ever since, Mr. Gala and his crew have been harassing Joe and I. Mr. Gala has said publicly online that Joe and I have mental problems. He's called me a man and he's put down very many many members of this community that you can talk to. He has talked about my financial struggles. He has called out in the middle of the public that I'd filed bankruptcy as a as a young adult. Things like that. Talk about how we're not good enough because we don't live on the water. I own a media

034company. They have sent messages to businesses that I work for. I do a lot of marketing and these people have sent messages to these people telling them that they should no longer work with Joe and I because we're not good people and that we're mean. Well, seeing as nothing happened that way from the companies we worked there, they finally came to the school board. They sent in emails. They made anonymous posts online degrading my husband's character. And of course, Joe didn't sit silent. And he stood up for me. He stood up for his family. And he stood up for everyone in this town. This is our home. These people have done this to four other members in our community in which some are here, some have emailed you, and you've heard from some of them

035about it in the past. So, these same people are doing this to us. I'm not going to spend my whole time talking about them. However, I'm going to tell you about who Coach Joe is. There are not many people willing to dedicate their lives to help the future generations. I have witnessed my husband pay for kids' meals, attend their family's funerals, buy kids soap, shampoo, and deodorant when I didn't even have $50 in my own bank account because those kids needed it. I've had teenagers come to my house in the middle of the night for Joe's guidance because they did they had a bad argument with their parents and instead of Joe turning them away in the middle of the night, Joe stayed up all night with them to talk about their problems that they

036had. And then after hours in the middle of the night of talking, Joe took that child back to their house and was a mediator between them and their family in order to get things going. I watched Joe help the wrestling program at Van Dyke public schools because we moved here six years ago. Prior to living here about 10 years ago, you can look up Van Dyke public schools and Lincoln's wrestling program. You'll see Joe as an assistant coach alongside two other men. While Joe was there, he was also a security guard at Lincoln and he helped bring a lot of children into that program. A lot of troubled youth that needed help. Joe was there every single day at those middle school meets, the high school meets, and at every practice at Lincoln, as he

037is here at Algamat to make sure that he is here to support and guide these children. When we moved six years ago, a lot of kids at Lincoln quit the wrestling program due to Coach Joe leaving. Right now, as of this past season, Lincoln High School didn't even have a full team to take to wrestling. They have two kids that made it to district, and I'm pretty sure that was their team. This season already after this has been told to us, there have been parents that have reached out to coach Doe to tell them that they will no longer wrestle for Alanak High School, in which our wrestling program is one of the best in the state and is one of the greatest things this town has going for it. Joe of course has told

038those children no that is not the way this needs to be or told their parents that is not how this needs to go that they need to be here and they need to wrestle. I could go on and on but I only have a short time to speak. Coaching is Joe's passion. It's not about winning. It's not about taking a good wrestler and making them great. It's about helping the kids grow into good adults. I've never seen my husband so upset as he's been these last few weeks. Two weeks ago, I went upstairs and I saw my husband crying in the shower. Now, I've been this man's hide for 23 years. And I saw him cry one time when his grandfather died. One time. That is how much this program and these children mean to

039him. It has nothing to do with winning. It has everything to do about helping and mentoring the youth. I stand here before you all today asking you to please reconsider your decision. The old saying goes as you stand up for what's right even if you're standing alone. And I'm very happy today that we are not standing here alone. Thank you. [Applause] Next we have Rachel Brown. Good evening. Thank you for having me. I could ditto much what Shannon had just said. Uh we first met the family of the Gardens back when my boys were three and four years old. We drove all the way from Oxford to Warren Lincoln so that my boys could wrestle with some of the greatest in the sport. Ken, Coach Ken, who's an Olympian. Robert Embry who sent two to

040U of M and won with a full ride U of M just on academics alone. Very outstanding people of the community from Oxford to Warren. And we met Chel. Okay. and we stayed there with the Garden family. So, we have ties to this neighborhood. We have ties to this school district. Now, we just recently moved July 16th. I'm here to tell you that if he has passion for the sport, then why can't this board have compassion for Joe? Compassion is something that we do for others and then we learn to do it for ourselves. Compassion is about helping somebody complet a task, complete a process, or implement some kindness so that they can go about their day a little bit easier and less stressful. When we're talking about politics, politics tends to invoke stress. And

041what happens to the body when it's under a stressful situation or implicit stress is that we tend to lose a portion of our intelligence. Sometimes I go to text on social media and exactly what I'm thinking will not exactly translate to what I'm trying to type out. I've gone back and read my posts in political situations and I've noticed that my post isn't exactly what I typed. AI sometimes changes it. So if we have a level of error, if we have AI interventions, if we have a lack of compassion, if we don't have black and white, then what do we have? Sometimes we have error. So we have to invoke compassion. So that's what I ask of you today is to do that because if he's passionate about the sport yet is receiving punitive damage

042for the passion of other subject matters that are now crossing lines. The punitive damage is mass. It doesn't just affect Joe. Doesn't affect his process of grieving his position for this community. He may be in a state of acceptance, denial, acceptance, moving through that whole entire grieving process for the loss of this position, but he's also grieving for this entire community because this community needs him. I have never seen this man once use profanity. I have never seen him express himself in an angry way that scared me or intimidated me. I've only seen greatness from him. I've seen love, compassion, loyalty, okay? Wrestling IQ that can be unmatched. Okay? And I've also seen the value of his person, his character. He may not be a robust speaker. He may not be a wordssmith, right? He

043may not be a corporate words slayer, but I do know that Mr. Garden is a fantastic person. Otherwise, I wouldn't have taken my life across the state in Jennese County to move here where the roots began. Okay? I'm bringing three boys to this program. And it's not just because you're all muskrats. Okay? Thank you, [Applause] Andrew Brown. Hi, my name is Andrew Brown and uh I've known Joe now for close to 14 years. And Joe has done nothing but uh help my kids through some of the moments of wrestling that have nothing to do with winning or losing and help them become better young men. He is uh starting with beat the streets. I've seen him through that community um help kids with less get a lot more. I've seen them pick kids up, take

044them to practice, take them home from practice. I've seen them getting food. I've seen him go around local communities collecting food and clothing for these children. Um I've seen him uh take kids that have lost a match or two and crying to teach them about knowing that other places go under the bleachers through helping them with their emotions. I've been around the country with Joe. Uh, I've witnessed him coach my son in the quarterfinals or the beginning of the tournament while his kid was on mat wrestling. Chose to help me because that his his time was there for all the kids, not just his. I've seen him sacrifice immense amount of time with his family to help the other families. I've seen them uh you know with my child and I've gotten either like most

045wrestling dads a little upset and take over the situation and make my son realize why they're really doing the sport. Um, I've seen him uh really help families out that, you know, a lot of these kids were following this where he would help them with becoming a young man and and doing the next things to try to keep them involved and doing the right things. Um, I'm more short on what I wanted to say. I just wanted to let you know for years, I've seen them affect a lot of children and a lot of families that have a lot less. And uh I've seen them make a big difference in some of these kids' lives that were struggling to eat or just wear clothes or had shoes to going on to college and making a

046better person of themselves and getting themselves an education. I know a lot about this community yet, but I'm really excited to be here and I'm really excited to be a part of the programs and he's he's a big reason why that I was part of that excitement. I appreciate you taking the time to listen to me and um that's about all I had to say. Thank you. [Applause] Uh, my name is Jessica Jr., son of Jessica, Senior, and I'm I'm just going to get straight to the point. I'm kind of tired of the names and like accusations that my dad's had within the past month or so. Um, the few that kind of stick out to me is him being a bad coach or even just a bad father. I just want to get to

047the point that's not true. I've seen my dad coach so many kids in need and so many things like I don't just he's just always been there for everybody whether they're the greatest kid or not like always been a great coach and and I've never seen anything bad from him. Um, and I just find it weird that the people have made all those accusations and those weird claims, I've never once seen him do any like I've never once seen them in my life and they've kind of just harassed our family overall. And it's very odd that I've never once seen them put in the hard work in the wrestling room. Like I've never seen them watch us. I've never seen any of those people at any of the wrestling tournaments. and they've never It's hard

048to accuse somebody of something when you've never even seen what you're talking about. Uh he's been like I he's been a great dad my entire life. I've never He's been with the wrestling community since he was very little and all the way up through high school he wrestled and I've been wrestling for going my 11th year now and he's only helped and the community would lose so much like he would community would lose a lot if my dad wasn't a part of it anymore. Like my mom said earlier today, uh there's so many kids out there who either weren't here able to make it here today or are here that wouldn't wrestle whether he's on the if he's on the coaching staff. Um that's really all I have to say. I mean, he's just a

049great father and a great dad and wouldn't be here without him and he's a great coach. So that's all I said. [Applause] >> Sarah C. >> Good evening leaders. I'm reaching out to address a major concern that I have for the Elgenet Community School family. I recently heard of the firing of my friend and a very beloved wrestling coach, Joe Gartner. My heart is shattered not only for him and his family, but our entire wrestling community. My son is a youth wrestler and I look forward to the I look forward to the day that he joins the high school team. It's because of wrestling that I've gotten to know Joe, his wife Shannon, and their family. Watching Joe coach and watching Shannon cheer him on from the stands and their sons and their teammates was

050a highlight of every meet. Joe is a fiercely dedicated father and he treats every wrestler as if they are his own child, his own children. I bet you won't find one coach or one wrestler, past or present, to say something negative about him. It just won't happen. You're talking about the man who would meet the wrestlers, anyone who wanted at 6:00 a.m. in the wrestling room on their off season just so they could improve for the next year. That's that is dedication and something he didn't have to do. He did it because he loves those kids. He loves the sport and he loves this community. But let me say this, Joe is passionate. Joe protects those that he loves from slander, from attacks and misinformation. When your wife is attacked because you simply disagree with

051a political candidate in a local political race or your team is attacked by said candidates's friend who is also known for attacking several of the residents with differing opinions from hers including me and my family repeatedly and so many other things. It's hard to stay quiet. Why would you want them to stay quiet? When you see the community you love so much getting torn apart, we shouldn't stay quiet. It's our leaders who are called to be bold and to protect and to speak truth. That's why they are leaders. It's about doing the right thing all of the time. I implore all of you, do the right thing. Give Joe's coaching job back because that's what this community wants. That's what this community needs. Don't listen to those two people that walked in here who just

052want to silence those who don't agree with them. This is the time to support an amazing leader in our community and do the right thing. Thank you. [Applause] All night, folks. >> I guess so. Just five minutes for me. Um, Joe, how you doing, man? I tell you what, I've been coaching 25 25 years in this sport. I've seen some trouble kids. We need people like that. You need people like that. Currently, I'm the head coach for Stevenson wrestling in Sterling Heights. I've worked with Joe across the map. We work for the same thing. The most important part of a coach is showing up. I was going to be more pissed off and not as sad as I I've been silenced the same way he's trying to be silenced and my board didn't have my

053back. I can tell you you're hurting that community. If you don't know who you have for your kids, I listen to the start of the meeting. Some cool ideas for curriculum improvement. Some new ideas for curriculum improvement. It doesn't matter what you put on the board in the classroom. It doesn't matter what you put in the books. It doesn't matter what you put on school interior in front of those kids. But the people to deliver it are crap. That man is not. These kids need strong men and women. They need people. And you need people that build your kids. I once when I worked in South Georgia, I had a lady compared the kids that I worked with to broken bridges. And broken bridges, excuse me, you have to reestablish foundations. That's what we do.

054That's what you do. If their home life sucks, what does a teacher? What is a coach? What are we there for? And if you put a man that you had no idea what he was capable of in action and then someone randomly comes along and says, "He's mean." Kidding me? Are you kidding me? No investigation, no witnesses called, no due process, which I hear a lot nowadays. That's my other job as I'm a law enforcement officer. We build these kids to be pillars of your community, no matter how crappy their life might be at home or just in their neighborhood. That's our job. And that man does it just like I do it just like other people in this room do it. That's why your galley is filled today. No offense, but we didn't really

055want to hear about curriculum. I know you're excited, but we're here because we love that guy and that lady and these kids. >> That's right. We are people that care about what's important. And I hope I hope you do, too. Because if you want your community to be strong and to be afforded the things that matter, put them back in place. I don't want to coach against keeping us. I'm sorry. I don't coach against his buddy keep beating us man a lot by a lot but I want these kids to be strong and as his son pointed out in our sport is called a community. I know kids from California, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida that have all benefited from my coaching and they build young men and they build young women and hopefully one day those

056kids will build people too. And that's what he does for people as well. you should you should be hiring that guy as a as a full-timer or doing whatever you can to keep that up because that community you're going to have because of the kids he coaches is going to be phenomenal and that's what you should want. I'm pretty sure you do. I'm sure it's close to my time, but I came here to speak for a friend, for a person that I've known two years. I know he's not any of these things. I work with some of the biggest scumbags on earth. And this man, this man is not mean. I'm mean, hell. Don't ask my kids. But he is a good he is a good man and I hope you do the right thing

057and uh put him back in place so we can keep beating Stevenson. [Applause] >> Michael Thomas. uh not super good with public speaking, so bear with me. Um my name is Michael Thomas. I am a coach in this community. I have five kids that have gone through or are going through this school. Um every one of them athletes. I spend a lot of time in here. I always see that man right there in the school with me. He dedicates a lot of his time and passion to the kids, your kids, my kids that need him, right? Um, I have not spent a lot of time with Joe outside of school or his athletic program. I don't have any stories about Joe as a friend or a parent, someone he's coached. I spent a ton of

058time with him in the school. Like I said, I've witnessed this firsthand the type of young men needs to help guide and travel baseball coach. Because of that, I get to meet a lot of people outside of our community and uh every time they ask where I'm from, I tell them Elgen and automatically wrestling comes up, right? and they always have high praise for our coaches and Joe's name specifically always comes up and they always talk about the great things that he does and how he runs a perfect practice and he's always there for his boys. Um earlier in this meeting we talked about perseverance. We were talking about with the curriculum, right? Perseverance is not something that's learned in books, okay? It's uh it's an important thing for these students to learn and that's

059the reason why these coaches like Coach Joe here are so important. Um it's learned through mentors. It's learned through coaches pushing them when they feel like they can't push themselves. Coaches like Joe are the reason that many will not give up when they can't figure out a math problem or are frustrated with their reading or lessons and they want to quit because he has taught them that they're worth so much more than the obstacle in front of them. In wrestling when they can't move, their muscles are exhausted. They're struggling to catch their breath. They feel like their opponents are too strong. He gives them the confidence to know that if they can stay with it just for a little bit longer, they'll realize that they're capable of winning, that their obstacle is something they can

060conquer. They learn what that feels like through him, and then they take that with him into our classrooms. His two amazing young men. I've had the privilege of coaching both of them. There's no better judge of someone's character than by looking at their children and seeing how they treat people, how they handle adversity, and how they carry themselves. Seeing young men are leaders, they're respectful. They're respected, and they're loved by their peers. Joe not being a part of this program would be a huge loss to the program, to the school, and to this community. This is a time where it is already hard and we're excuse me we're pressed for uh we're we're pressed for good coaches, umpires, officials, leaders, etc. And we have programs failing all over the place because of it, which in

061turn is the kids who need direction being lost and will always find their way to something or some place we hope they never get to. He's someone that pours his entire heart into the kids he coaches at any level and I'm proud to be here speaking on his behalf. I'm also disappointed that we have to be here to defend such a great coach and devoted member of our community. Thank you. [Applause] >> Lucky. >> Hello. I'm Lucky Garden, son of Joe Gart. And my dad is he eats, sleeps and breathes alan alanak wrestling. And before that it was Lincoln wrestling where he would spend 8 to 10 hours a day in the wrestling room helping the youth better themselves like daily for years. He'd sacrifice time away from me and his wife to help the

062kids there every day. Put food on their food in their bellies. drive them home, fill 10 person van with kids every day to drive home without a thought. And then we came to Alban about 6 years ago and he continued to do that with the kids here. He's sacrificed time away from my matches when I've been wrestling to go help kids who couldn't even stand on the mat without being there. And just a great guy. That's about all I have to say. >> Kenny Thomas. >> Hello, I'm Kenny Thomas. I just recently graduated from Port Northern High School this year. And I've been coming down to Elan in the summertime to wrestle three times a week for the past five years. Joe is one of the main main reasons for that. The another main reason

063of my head coaching staff, the wrestlers that they have, quality, it made me like light years better of a wrestler because of coach Joe, because of Lucky and all the other public wrestlers. Never once have I seen Coach Joe get angry, upset. He's always brought the room up when wrestling's hard. It's hard for it. He's always brought the room up, never never drug us down, always praised us, helped us, coached us like great person that he is. And I've got to know him a little more personally this last year with being around his family more. And they're all great people. I like his whole family, especially Joe's a great person. His kids are both great people, great leaders. And I've had the privilege of wrestling with Lucky a lot. He's been one of my training

064partners and it really shows what the character of him from his father. That's all I have. Thank you, [Applause] >> Robert Cisco. My name is Robert Cisco. I live at 5000 Taft right down the block. What a great place to be close to the high school. Uh I'm a Vietnam veteran. I'm a member of the BFW in Algen. I'm a a chaplain there. I'm not an ordained minister like he is, but I do like to speak the word of God for the veterans that passed. I'm the father of Christy Hilton. You probably all know her. Chris Hilton. I think everybody knows him, but they think I'm his dad. I'm Christiey's dad. Nothing against Mr. Hilton. I'm Christiey's dad. A lot of bad things went on in this town. We we we've lived here. We moved

065here in about seven years ago. I was born and raised in Richmond, home of the Blue Devils. We moved out of Richmond in 1973 when I married my wife Joanne. We moved to Lennox Township. My daughter graduated from New Haven High School. She was a basketball player there. And uh I have three great grandsons, Drake, Evan, and Reed. You all know Reed? Everybody know Reed? What a great bunch of kids. I couldn't be more proud of him. A lot of bad things were said about my daughter and it hurt. But my daughter took it. She cried by herself, not in front of anybody else for the things that were said about her. She has a good crew. Joe Gart, what a what a great man. I got very emotional. Never heard a bad word. A

066good Christian man died. Never. The first time my wife and I saw him, my wife said, "Who is that?" I said, "He's one of the new coaches." She said, "Man, he looks mean." She didn't say that for very long. Not mean at all. Big teddy bear. That's what I told her. I need some teddy bear. But what a great manner for these kids. And not just Joe, Jake, Coach Thomas, Coach Ranger, all of them. They are This is Richmond. They call themselves family. This is family right here. This is family. And because somebody got a B in her bonnet, I'm not going to mention any names because you probably all know who she is. She's the algodac troublemaker. That's all I'm going to say about her. I have never heard anything good about her. But

067this guy, this guy is good and he needs to be given his job back. Amen. >> Because he deserved it. He earned it. >> Man, the stuff these these coaches and this this family does. Have you ever been to a wrestling tournament on the weekends? The food they bring. Everybody brings food. Tables overflowing. There's food enough to feed another team there. They do that all out of their own pocket. Nobody pays him because we're family. We help those in need. We take care of those who need help. So with that, and I'm not much of a speaker. Heck, not many people know me. I know he knows me and he knows me, but you people probably don't know me. Not many of you. I got the blue Dodge Charger for you obviously. Anyways, that's that's

068what I got to say about Joe. Great Christian man, a good family man. Got good kids and made my grandkids better men for taking them under their wing and making them better men. Thank you. [Applause] Ed Thomas. >> I might get emotional, too. Okay. Um, Ed Thomas, um, a wrestling coach at Forey Northern. I've known Joe for a few years now. in what his son in what he's done >> for my son. You can't you can't repay that. I know he's a good man. He's getting railroaded. I don't like that. Politics should not be in sports. Those people do what they do. Let sports be sports. This is school. You know, you guys have your job. You know, I know as a coach we put a lot of time in to build kids into being

069better humans, being great adults. You know, I pride myself on being complimented on my own children all the time. And Joe's kids are phenomenal. Like I've never met kids that are so polite and so and they just they'll they'll talk to you just like they've known you forever, you know, and and to get to know them on a personal level. And Shannon's business, we we use that to do some uh some very cool photos of Kenny with his sports with the planes and stuff, which is awesome. And you know, they invited us to their house and treated us like family. You know, they're just awesome people. And the graduation, the food >> so good and the treats. But, uh, I I I just hope you guys reconsider anything that's going on and and give him

070the due process, you know, give him that opportunity to speak and and and all these other people that are speaking up for him. How do you deny this? You know, I know there's some people that should be here and I don't know the reasons why they're not and not everybody could make it. I know a lot of people even reached out to me because it went socially and they're like, "What's going on?" And I'm like, "I know there's a meeting and we're going to be there and that's it. We're gonna we're going to speak up for Joe because he's a great guy. He's helped me." Like I've I've gone for questions, you know, I've been in this sport for a long time, but this dude, he has so much knowledge and he's just like I've

071been in a lot of rooms and been around him at tournaments and whoever says he's mean. They have no clue what mean is then >> crazy >> cuz he is so good. He's an awesome father. I mean, like they said, Lucky and and and Joe, they're leaders in the room, you know, and I know my son was a leader, and it's like, you know, and you have to be a certain kind of person to to to bring that out of your child, you know, and I I've never seen the man raise his voice. He's always in such a good mood. I just don't understand. Like the other coach, Thomas here, he said, you know, it's it's a shame we're even here for this. >> That's right. >> It's a damn shame. >> That's right. >>

072Thank you for your time. [Applause] Hello. Thank you for the opportunity to speak this evening. Um, as a lifelong resident of Algenac and I know handful of my fellow graduates are in the room with me today. Um, the thing that kept me in this town and the word family has been used in the past by a couple people, but that's what my experience with Joe, which has been over the course of the last month and has nothing to do with wrestling whatsoever, um, is. I've gotten to know him over the last month. He's taken an interest in my kids who don't wrestle, haven't set a foot on a mat a single day in their lives. But that's not what we're talking about today. The the bigger picture of what we're looking at today is what

073everybody in this room, the parents, the the uh staff, the board should have their mind set on is what's best for the students here. And that's what we're talking about today. Is it best to release a coach? That's clearly had a very positive impact on a number of students coming through these doors because one side of any story has been told. I would like to think if anything was said about any board member in this room, any staff member, any other coach that they would have the opportunity to sit down and talk through what happened and have maybe some sort of a process if there was something justifiable found. But unfortunately, Joe wasn't given that opportunity. All of us know one side of the story. You want whoever the decision makers were know one side

074of the story. We know Joe's side of the story. That's why we're all here today. At this point, there's been nobody coming together to talk through this. The knee-jerk reaction was made probably to make sure that from a reputation standpoint, there were no issues brought up about the school. But when you take a look at the positive impact that he's had on the community, that's what we should be talking about. I've had the opportunity to serve on the Algonac Little League board. I've been a coach for I don't know 11 or 12 teams. I've been part of the Boy Scouts for the last 10 years. I've been the Cubmaster. I know I see people who have mentored and invested in my own kids in this room, whether it was from robotics, baseball, youth, football. I

075know we've had previous coaches in the room. We have, you know, chaplain members in the room that are investing in the kids in this community. To me, the shame in this entire process is when you take a look at what took place, you have somebody in the community who filed a complaint without any regard on the trickle down effect. It was an attack to hurt Joe. That's all it was is attack to hurt Joe. And that was their ultimate goal. But you look at the trickle down effect that came from that is there's a lot of people in this room that are hurting because of that. So there's no bigger picture thought of how does this affect the community that they're supposed to be living. The thought of the process was how can I hurt

076this person without any care at all from anybody else involved in the program in the school and from a larger scope. I'm not going to sit there and tell you guys to hand him his position back. What I would ask you is to consider having a conversation. take in the leadership who made the decision to terminate him. Take yourselves as the board members leading the school and have a conversation about what took place and try to talk through this to find a fair balance without having the knee-jerk reaction of terminating what's clearly been conveyed as a very good coach, a good person, and a good mentor in our community. Thank you. [Applause] Randy McDonald. >> Hi. I have two students, 9th and 11th grade, that are both current wrestlers and Joe has played a huge

077part in both of their wrestling journey. These wrestlers when they come off the mat sometimes they are just so down on themselves and they are a mess. Parents can't pull them out of that because we're just parents. We don't know anything. But Joe has personally pulled my kids, several other kids aside and talked them back up, talked them out of that funk and has been able to do so much positive in their lives that a lot of us couldn't. You know, the way he can reach out to these kids and really get to them and to make them understand things is a relationship that is built on so many different factors. trust, caring at everything to pinpoint Joe as a mean person, but you have all of these kids that rely on him and would

078run to him over so many others in this room, too, is kind of crazy. He is such an amazing coach. He's on that mat in these kids' corners putting his heart and soul into not just the sport, but these kids individually. He is there for us parents. He's there for anyone that needs him. Not just have I gotten to watch him be a coach to my kids, but I've also gotten to sit in the stands with him as our kids were on the soccer field together. His heart is in everything. If it's these kids, he's there. He's all in 100% and just wants what's best for them. So many of these kids wouldn't have somebody. And we all know there's many, many kids out there that they don't get that at home. So when they're

079losing one of their big pillars in their life, that is going to be so detrimental. And the amount of kids that have said they're done re wrestling if he's not a coach is a lot bigger than I think any of you sitting at this table really know unless you have a wrestler as a child because he's done so much for all of these kids and to lose out on him being a part of this wrestling community as it's been really stressed it is a community would be a the big damage for all of us. Sorry, I don't have the right words. I didn't write anything down, so I'm just going off the top of my head, but it really is going to hurt us a lot if Joe is not getting that fair opportunity. So,

080hopefully we can make something happen here. Daniel Christie Um, hi, my name is Daniel Christie. I have a junior who's in wrestling on the varsity wrestling team for the past two years. Um, didn't write anything down, so I'm just going to keep it brief, but all of our coaches play a very, I think, integral role on the mat and off the mat with our kids. Um, Brandon just said that Coach Joe, I feel like he's the heart of our team. When our kids are losing or they're struggling on the mat, Coach Joe is the one coach that you will always see on that mat, getting eye level with them, connecting with them, giving them the confidence that they need to keep pushing through the m through the match. Sometimes it doesn't work out. Sometimes those

081kids lose that match. And when you're in a high adrenaline situation, especially with boys, like those emotions can kind of be explosive. And Coach Joe's the first one to, you know, follow them into the wrestling room or follow them just to check on them, make sure that they're okay. He's definitely, I think, the heart of our team. And I know that my son included, all of the team would greatly miss him. I think I don't think our team will be what it is and what it's been without him as a part of it. That's it. [Applause] >> Hi guys. I know most of you and if I don't know you, I know your kids. Um, uh, Coach Doe is not only my dad, but also a former coach of mine. Um whether it had to

082do with life, school, or even my very tragic wrestling career of eight matches, which were all losses by the way, he was in my corner cheering me on. It's amazing to see all of you guys here cheering him on in his corner today. Um 6 years ago, my family moved to Alanak in search of a better environment from where we were located in War. Um though attending Vandike public schools didn't teach me nearly as much as it should have, one thing it did teach me was to stand up for myself and protect those that I love. um sorry that that being said I don't know why my father is losing his job um his position as a coach. Um for doing what is right with something that has nothing to do with the school at

083all. Um though it's not illegal to end my dad's contract as a coach due to Michigan being a right to work state. What is illegal is the harassment my family's received from elected officials in the last year. I'd like you to ask you this. If you're firing my father because he stood up to bullies, what does that make you and your school district? Not only are you proven in many allegations online that Elgen does not do anything about bullying, you're also showing your true character as someone who's supposed to be a leader and a role model for your students. Thank you all for showing up and I hope that we can come to an agreement on what should be done. [Applause] I only know Joe from the township meetings. I met him there and I've

084talked to him several times and from this room and those things that people have said, he's makes me want to cry. He's a great guy and the people that you are standing up for firing him are not good guys. And I just left the township meeting and the one person that came before this board to discredit him has not balanced the books in 10 months. He should be fired, not Joe. He stood up at the meetings. They don't want him at the meetings because he stood up and spoke the right thing and stood up for good things, not bad things. So I look, please, please, you're standing up for bullies if you fire him. Thank you. [Applause] Same lumbar. Hello, my name is Sam Lombard. Have two sons here that wrestle in this program. They

085play sports for this program. It's an amazing wrestling program we have here. Besides wrestling, there's not a lot the school has to offer a lot of these local kids. Now, my kids have come up from the bottom three, four years ago. Coach Joe has always been there. Coach Joe and his family are an amazing pillar of this community. There's nobody you can ask that said they haven't been there and been willing to help them and their children. Um, Coach Joe actually on our team, I've noticed the last season, he's actually one of the only coaches that can coach a kid that we have with severe anxiety. Coach Joe is the only one that deals with him, he handles him very specifically and they have a wonderful communication. That kid when he wrestles and when Coach

086Joe can handle him is one of the best we have on our team. Coach Joe is an amazing person. But I don't need to tell you that. Every single person here has told you that what we have here is a problem. The problem is politics. Somebody doesn't like Coach Joe. We got five minutes. I spent maybe one. I love to absolutely Anybody who's got something to bad to say about Coach Joe, go ahead, stand up and take my time cuz I don't think you'll find one. Everybody here recognizes what him and his family do for this community. And if you don't, it's a shame. Shame on you for not understanding what these people bring to this small community that you have. He could be part of a lot of bigger communities. There's a lot of

087wrestling communities that would love to have him by their side. I'd love to see him here coaching my kids. I'd love to see my two kids finish their careers here in Elgen under coach Joe. I am definitely disappointed that I don't have a head coach or an athletic director here to stand up and speak for us, but I will. I understand the politics of it. That's how strong this is. His people that love him, that stick up for him and would do anything for him couldn't show up today for some reason. Now, these are men are of honor. I know these men. My son wrestles for these men. He respects those men. So for them not to be here speaks just volumes of what's happening here and all I can do is hope that you

088understand that the people that are here are people other people. We are the wrestling program and I would love my kids to wrestle here but they don't have to. I want the best coaches and the best team but we should treat all of our coaches and our personnel with respect. And coach Joe and his family have been everywhere every time they've ever been asked and places they haven't to his own son's detriment in wrestling. So please, I beg you, listen to what the people are saying. Coach Joe is a great man. Please reconsider what you got going on. You need people like him in your program. You will do nothing but benefit. I promise you. Thank you for your time. Jack Modina. I'm Jack Modina and I'm the son of Brandon McDonald. And I'm first

089going to reflect on what she said about Coach Joe being a great person. He helped me through middle school till now. I had joined wrestling in seventh grade and when I first joined I had met his son Joey Garton right there in which he has always been a great kid. I have known him as one of my better friends from middle school till now and I'm going into my junior year and I would just like to say that the only reason that he is such a good kid is because of coach Joe. Without him and his life, I feel that Joey would not have grown up to be the guy he is today. Same thing with Lucky. I've known Lucky solidly for two years now, and not one bad thing I've heard about him. Not

090a single bad thing. He's always been there for me when times are tough. Like this year was my first year wrestling varsity. I had wrestled almost 40 matches and only won two. And every single match I was going out there, he had always inspired me to do my best and to try as hard as I can. Never put me down. I have never heard him say one bad thing to anybody that I know. That is all I really have to say. I didn't even plan on speaking. I have just got enough. [Music] [Applause] Brown. >> Hey. Uh, probably most of you don't know me. Uh, I'm from Davidson, Michigan. We just moved here from from there. And I've known Coach Joe for how long? Like 13 years is it about? I've been wrestling, you know,

091Lucky since we were like little little kids in the hot warning room. Coach Georgio yelling at us, sweating. Oh, smells rough. But, uh, I have I've had a new coach every year now. Every single year from my freshman year to now, it's always had a new coach. And a lot of the times I would need a ride cuz we were out of district. And a lot of the times the coaches couldn't do it. And it was very hard for me to get to co to get to practices and stuff like that. And the first time we come here, we're going to the Hancock camp and my dad tells me, "Coach is driving us." And my eyes, I was shocked. I come from this big D1 school. I've never had a coach ever, ever come out

092of its way to come pick me up and my and my little brother to go drive to a camp. Ever. Back in Davidson, you would always have to bring your own food. And hearing that you guys bring up your food, that's going to be amazing. I've never ever had a coach like Coach Joe that would take their time out of their day to come help me. They would always have something to do or find something else to do. I've never met a coach like Coach Joe. And that's all I have to say. Christian Brown. >> Uh, hey guys. Just heard my parents speak like first session, then my brother speak. Uh, I'm Christian Brown. I've been wrestling like most my life and most my life I've also known coach Joe Barton. And I know you

093guys heard a lot of things about him, a lot of very positive things like like I would have to say. But on a more relatable note for so you guys who don't know Coach Joe and that could get to know more how I'm going to tell a story of I think who coach Joe really is. Freshman year after states my goal is always to be a four-time state champion. I wrestled at a D1 school most of my high school career. Most of my high school career meaning starting my high school career. Uh, I was absolutely shattered when I couldn't go to states. Just like that, my goals were out the window and for the first time and since sixth grade after I got rejected by my crush, I cried in my bedroom. Um, but Coach

094Joe was the one who and my dad picked me back up after falling flat on my face cuz summer states around March of 2025, I went to My Way States and I just remember walking in that room with my new buddy uh the Fins who are also going to Almanac and also Mr. Gart. First thing he says to me, "Hey buddy, ready to have some fun?" Not, "Hey buddy, you ready to win the state title?" Or, "Hey buddy, you ready to kick kick some butt?" No. First thing Coach Joe Garton says to me is, "Hey buddy, you ready to have some fun?" I honestly I've never really heard that in my wrestling. I've always heard, "Son, you got to win. Son, you got to you got to start working harder. You got to cut 10

095pounds by next week." I hate hearing that. But coach Joe Garton, >> first thing he says to me, "Son, you ready to have some fun?" And that's really the reason why I fell in love with the sport and probably why I'm going to keep doing it until I stop breathing. But yeah, that's the type of person I think Coach Joe Garton is. A lot of people can be a a wrestling coach. A lot of people can stick up for a kid and and make him make him do something he doesn't want to do, but coach Joe Garton, he's always been above and beyond. And he's made me fall in love with something that I don't want to do. Not just bare minimum, not just like it, but coach Joe Gart's been there my whole life.

096And Coach Joe Gart's the reason why I fell in love with the sport for us. And that's all I have to say. [Applause] River Roma. >> Hi everybody. I'm River. It's nice to meet you all. Um, while I personally have not been coached by Joe or parented by Joe, I have been comforted by him. I have been housed by him. My best friend is Aubrey Garden. She's been my best friend since the first day of freshman year here at the school that I've attended my whole life. And this is the first family that has really made me feel comfortable with them. It's the first family that's made me feel seen. It's the first family that's treated me as another child. And to see them be almost outcasted feels wrong. It feels disrespectful. It feels just

097frankly inappropriate. Um, quite frankly, this family has given me a safe space when I did not have another one. And this family is the reason I am here today. I just hope that you guys realize that it's I'm not the only one that's here today because of them. They have helped countless of other kids that you will never meet. They don't go here. They will never see you. But they have been affected by coach Joe. It's really just that simple. If like do you see everybody here? That's like not even a sliver of everybody they've positively affected. This is my family. These are the people that have made me who I am. And I just all I can say is that I hope that you see that and that you understand that and that you

098can respect it and give them the opportunity to help more people. Thank you. >> David Reynolds Jr. Hi, my name is David Reynolds. Uh, good evening. Thanks for being here. Thanks for everything you do, board. And thanks to the community for everything you do. Um, and I think the young lady said it best. This is a sliver of the uh people that could come out and speak positively or even negatively to Joe and his family. Um, I wasn't planning on speaking tonight. I was hoping I could just kind of get in and out, but I was inspired and felt compelled to um as a out at risk teen when I was younger, I got into wrestling and I think that really helped me um straighten out a bit and got me uh got me graduated

099through high school and got me uh to where I am today, which is a cool place. Uh wrestling is a great sport because you you uh you learn a lot about yourself. I think more than anything you learn about adversity and um I think regardless of what happens here today, Joe, I just want to come up here and let you know just uh dig down and remember why you do what you do. Um how you overcome adversity and if it's not wearing um a coaching badge, then work on what that is next. But don't ever give up what you do and what you mean to everybody. Um, just want to let you know that we love you and appreciate you. There's anything I can do. More than happy to. And, uh, that goes to you

100the board as well. If there's something I could do to help convey that message, I would love to do so very much. Um, I've coached with Joe. We've done baseball. Um, if you want to talk about somebody that's hotad or mean, I probably could get there rather quick. Not that I'm proud of that, but I'm just passionate. Uh, and I I coach other things as well I'm very passionate about. and Joe's passion as well, but Joe is uh has always found a positive way to uh to relay that. Um he took some bad beats in baseball. Um so and uh and um he's uh like somebody said, you let's have some fun. First words out of his mouth every time. So Joe, I want I want to let you know I appreciate that as well.

101I know the moms and dads and community does. Um we wrestled one year with my youngest son. Uh, never once did I see anybody or anything that was uh would make me would would have turned on my my my parent radar that felt like it was an unsafe situation or somebody was rude or mean or anything like that. Just not seeing that from Joe one bit. Uh, so Joe Garvin, thank you so much for everything you do. We love you. Um, and we're here for you and board. Thank you so much. [Applause] Hi, I'm Stephanie Lumbard. I have two teenagers here, strong, badass boys, and I can't make them care about anything. But this wrestling program has and they do and they do it for coach Joe and coach Ranger, Coach Thomas. They keep it

102together and they try and it's because of this wrestling program. That's the only thing that I've seen make them care. I can't do it. I've tried. I've tried and I continue to try. I show up every day and I offer them consistency and I hope that you can do the same because this program works. It works the way it is and it's motivating not just my boys but many many boys. I stood outside the doors today for the football team that was coming in and I got all these signatures and I was standing on the wrong side of the building and they were coming in the wrong side of the building and I'm just one person. So, there's a whole another side of the building that they're coming in that I know that they would

103sign. He makes a difference. And I don't know how to persuade you to uh extend his contract, renew his contract. Um I know how to make a business person make a decision and show him that it's profitable. So, I hope that you being a school board, your care is for the children, and I hope that we're making it clear that this is something that they not only want, but they need. They don't even know they need it, but and it's working and I hope that you'll keep it the way that it is. Thank you. [Applause] >> Hi. I've been living in this community about 17 years now and always watched politics pretty closely, but never in my life have I seen anything so ugly as this past um November. And unfortunately there I think that

104I truly believe there are people that um ran for Clay Township offices for the wrong reasons. Um and these same people unfortunately uh they're trying to make other people look bad. anybody beg to differ with them politically um going after their jobs. I don't think Mr. Garton is the only one. Um and I I always care about what's best for the kids and I'm sure all of you do too. And I really hope you reconsider this. Um I just really think that these people don't tell the truth about stuff that have been thrown accusations. So I hope you reconsider it. Jacob Casner. >> It's called coach. >> Hi, I'm Jacob Caser. I'm a Elcon uh class of 2022 graduate. Um I wrestled here and played baseball and now I coach both those sports um alongside

105with Coach Joe. Uh when I woke up today and seen Shannon's post um that we had this meeting, I was kind of shocked um of why uh this was happening. But uh then I was told I had 3 minutes to uh say something. So it was really hard to put in uh everything Joe's done for me um in a few minutes. So uh I'm not the best public speaker. So, like I said, I'm going to read this um just so you guys know um what he's done for me. Hello everyone. It was recently brought to my attention that Coach Joe is being let go due to a political conflict. While I'm uncertain about what was said about him, I am certain he has played an immense role in many student athletes lives, including mine. Everything

106I've accomplished, whether it was going through the recruiting process, wrestling at multiple collegiate levels, or now coaching at every level, from youth to high school, and all the way up to the top national tournament in the country this year, Coach Joe has been alongside me, pushing me to be a better athlete, coach, and person. I've had many opportunities recently to go back and wrestle, coach at many places, and there's a reason I stay here. First is always the kids, but second is our outstanding coaching staff that Coach Joe is a huge part of. We had seven state placers, four state finalists, and a state champion, something this program has never seen. Coach Joe has had a huge impact on each of those kids achieving that success. But while these accomplishments may be what everyone sees,

107and though they're significant, what he's done for me when I was struggling is what's truly life-changing and now needs to be heard. There are a lot of struggles in wrestling. It's hard. And it even got harder in my senior year. We had a CO outbreak at a family Christmas party. Six family members were hospitalized. Three passed away while my parents and grandpa were still in there. Coach Joe and his family along with other community members. Out of the kindness of their heart, cooked and brought food to my house and made sure my brother, myself, and family were taken care of. Without this act of kindness, my family might not have seen any of those accomplishments. When my wrestling career ended with over 40 shoulder dislocations in college leading to a shoulder surgery, Coach Joe again

108was there constantly checking on me, seeing if I needed anything. While doing that, he also helped support the start of my coaching career, allowing me the opportunity to stay in the sport I love. He doesn't just impact student athletes on the mat or in the classroom. He impacts lives. When times are the worst you can imagine, Coach Joe steps up in kids' lives in ways you couldn't imagine. Politics should play no role in sports, especially high school sports. Politics should not impact the future of our student athletes. Coach Joe has had a major impact on getting myself and all our athletes to the next level. Coach Joe, your impact on me is beyond what words can express. You've done your part. Now I've done mine. To those of you who make this final decision, I

109know a lot of you were positively impacted by this sports community, whether it was yourself or your child. Coach Joe has had that same positive impact that lasts a lifetime. I wouldn't stand up here for anyone, but I have so much trust in Coach Joe to continue to be a major part of these student athletes success. For the couple people who talk bad about him, who by the way have no impact on our student athletes, I can find a couple hundred who would say the exact opposite. I wish I could talk more and tell you even more great things he's done for the community. But now it's time I trust you to make uh I trust you all to make the right decision as there's no one I'd rather coach alongside. But most importantly, there's

110nobody that's going to impact our student athletes futures in a more positive manner than him going forward. God bless you all and thank you for listening. [Applause] This is a podium I haven't been. Most of all of you were here during the craziness of the sinking th and how incredibly nasty that was. Which is why for the life of me I cannot believe that I'm standing here right now. I remember and Al remember it had been said on social media that a teacher in this school special education teacher who played a major part in my daughter's life was having his students call people to tell them to vote yes on the sinking which was a lie, of course. How on God's gra would you even consider removing a man who I only like Wendy, I've

111only met Joe at a Clay Township board meeting. I see kids and I'm sure there's a few of these kids who if their teacher told them that they had to stand at a podium and speak to a class wouldn't do it. These kids stood here to ask the adults to act like adults. This shouldn't I, like I said, I cannot believe for the life of me that I'm standing here over this. That's all I got to say. Which there's some of you who go, "Dang, she's doing all right. I'm here tonight to request that the school board investigate and provide answers to the community as to why the school has decided not to renew Joe Gartner's coaching contract. I emailed Mrs. Ltos, Melrose, Landram, and Ranger almost exactly a week ago looking for answers. I've

112only received one reply and it was from Mr. Ranger and he did not address my my concerns. Uh he just told me about his busy schedule. I would love I would like to know the grounds on which it was decided that Joe no longer meets the expectations of an assistant wrestling coach. Knowing Joe and his family personally and as a parent of a child who has been on the receiving end of his abilities as a baseball coach and as hard as he tried a wrestling coach but Ted just didn't take but he almost did for you. Um I can attest to the fact that the school has made a colossal mistake in letting him go. Here's what I know about Joe Gartner. Joe has a knack for coaching kids that are that is rare nowadays.

113He has a gift of truly understanding the personalities and needs of all athletes, the natural athletes, the ones lacking confidence, the ones lacking basic fundamentals of a particular sport and the ones who need a little extra care as they may not have the best life at home. For whatever reason these kids are on his team in any sport, Joe molds them into competent, well-rounded, knowledgeable, skilled athletes. More importantly, they leave his field, his weight room, his mat with their heads held high and a hunger to be better, to do better, to strive for excellence within themselves. Why does he do it? Why does he take the time with these kids? Because this man lives and breathes baseball and wrestling. He knows what both programs when done right and with integrity can produce in young men

114and women. He knows their knowledge and growth, self-discipline both mentally and physically will guide them through their lives. Why on earth would we want to lose that energy, that tenacity, that drive in our community? I'm completely perplexed and utterly stunned that this school would let this man go. His me mentorship is beyond measure. His passion to grow kids into their best selves is something to be emulated by us all. What could he possibly have done to not be signed on continually? It has been spoken to me that Joe has apparently taken that same drive, grit, and tenacity to the Klay Township Hall and expressed his displeasure, which he has every right to do during meetings. Further, it has escalated and as the board is aware, there's been an effort to remove him from the school

115ever since. Jerry Gala and Eileen Tesh specifically have spoken about Joe in front of you at a previous board meeting which wasn't recorded unfortunately. Um it wasn't recorded that day. So what exactly has Eileen Tash and Jerry Gula done for the kids in this district >> except put a big old blemish on it. From my understanding, all they've done is effectively remove a huge asset that we as a ski school community need direly. This district shouts from the rooftops that they're all about the kids. This administration has failed the kids by dismissing Joe Garden. I would like to know why. I would like to know I would like the school to reinstate Joe as well. Shame on those of you who have not stood up for Joe as he would have done for you without

116hesitation. because that is the man he is, that is the coach he is, the husband he is, the father he is, the friend he is, and the community member he is. Thank you. [Applause] >> Oh, yeah. Right. Hello, my name is Ari Bryson. Live in Clay Township. We're all muskrats, aren't we? >> Right on. I'm a graduate of 1977, year behind when John graduated. We play football together. Um, I had the honor the past year, half a year of being a substitute teacher in Elgon High. And I got to tell you, I commend you guys and everybody else. We got some good kids here. Really do. Impressed me a lot. Um, and athletics is a big part of growing up and getting confidence in yourself and the high school experience. And I mean, when I

117was in teaching in the school and walking around here, I see a lot of kids have respect towards each other, for elders, um, and everything else. And you could tell they had some great mentors. And one of them is probably M. Joe here. Um, when I heard people talking about how they he he would bring kids in or having problems at home and take them in the middle of the night to their house and then try to do a mediator between him, the parents, and them or helping just kids that need help. I mean, that's the Christian thing to do. and uh and that's what he did. Um now I don't know the particulars why his contract wasn't renewed. I really don't care. Um I I think this uh this issue needs a lot more

118communication. There's a a division in I'm so sad to say there is a big division in our community. It probably came here about a year and a half ago. I'm not going to get involved in that. Um although I am um and uh and that's what's what's I don't know we have to overcome that. And how do you how do you do that is with communication. I don't know the particulars why he wasn't renewed, but I believe it it it should have a bigger investigation on it. Maybe appoint three of the the board members as a subcommittee to look into it and see if if it was justified or if there's any alternatives. You know, Joe, he's been here what, six years. In my eyes, he's been doing a phenomenal job as a coach. Like

119to see someone say he hasn't been. I don't know what happened. He might have had a bad day or two. And and you know, things happen. Is that worth not renewing a contract? I don't know. That's what I I know it wasn't a board decision to not renew it, but I think the board deserve or this community deserves this board to look into it a little more because Joe is one hell of an asset to our community flat out and it it it needs to be looked at a little deeper and maybe the decision was right. I don't know, maybe it's not not right. You, the board, would have the the power to correct it if it if there's a problem. Um, I think that the community deserves that at least that and to have

120it looked in a little bit deeper, a little better. Communicate with everybody, see if there's a resolution. These kids are watching us as role models and and how we act and what we do and you know they learn from us but I tell you what being in the school this spring I learned a lot from them too. Uh you the kids here are great. Um and that's all I I have to say. You know just look into it and uh I don't know might might need some more attention. Thank you. [Applause] >> For those of you who do not know me, I'm Daniel Lad, the son of Sherry Lad and James Lad senior. Coach Joe and his family have been a very big help to our family. Unfortunately, on February 14th of 2022, my mother

121passed in the hospital. I didn't even get a chance to say goodbye. nothing to it. One of the first few people to reach out to me was coach Jill. He offered his consolants everything, help, guidance, whatever I needed, he was there for me and I'm trying to repay him back as much as I can. He helped me throughout my junior and senior year of wrestling and he is a valuable asset to this team. Without him, I I would have quit junior year. My mother was a huge part of the algnac wrestling program and her leaving it shocked my whole family. Coach Joe helped me. He talked to me. He made sure I was doing okay. And even when I was about to break down crying in the wrestling room, he took me aside, talked to

122me, comforted me. This is a man who deserves to stay within this program. Without him, I would have been on a very lost and impossibly dark path to tell the truth. I would like to give thanks to Mr. Joe Gard Shannon and his whole family. Without them, I would not be the person I am today. I would like I would like everyone here to please consider keeping him on this team. He did that much for me when he had his own family struggles, his own family to tend to. He took time out of each day, every week, shoot me a text, shoot me a call, pull me aside in the dressing room to check on me, make sure I was okay, my father was okay, make sure our family was doing well. He was one

123of the first people to show up to my mother's funeral. And I'm going to be forever grateful to the Garden family for what they have shown my family. That's all. [Applause] for all you guys. Jesus, thank you guys. It's a lot means a lot lot >> to you guys. First off, I want to thank you guys for allowing me to speak and say my story finally. I let you hear the opportunity to hear the truth about me and who I am. Especially after hearing from so many parents, former athletes, fellow coaches who stood up here tonight and spoken on my behalf. Their words speak volumes not just about me, but about what the impact of coaching has when it's done the right way with heart, purpose, and integrity. Six years ago, my family moved out

124here to build a better life. Flash forward, my daughter just walked across the stage with honors on her way to Oakland University. My oldest son dedicated himself to this program, earned every bit of his success, and became a four-time state qualifier, three-time state placer, one-time state runnerup, also graduating with honors, receiving an offer to wrestle at the University of Alvette. >> Go lucky. >> Now, sorry. Now, my youngest son, Joey Jr., is a sophomore ready to follow the same path, chasing the dream with the same passion and discipline. Coaching isn't something I do, it's who I am. I've devoted myself to lifting students up, not just on the mat, but in life. I've taught them what it means to push through pain, to respect themselves and others, and to carry themselves with pride. I was

125removed from this position not because I wasn't doing my job. It's clear I could go any of these schools that that spoke here today and I could go coach there anytime I wanted to, but because of politic pressure. And I'll be honest, I wasn't always kind to Jerry Galin. No, not at all. I don't hide from that. He chose to be in office. He also chose to do the dirty stuff he did in the past. I did. I didn't. All I did was make people aware. But then when someone harasses your wife, bullies your friends, and abuses their power to intimidate people in this community, someone has to stand up. >> I did. >> Absolutely. >> I stood up to a bully. And if it cost me my coaching position, so be it. because I

126would rather lose a title than lose my character. I would rather speak the truth than stay silent and complacent. Let me ask you, each and every single one of you, from one human being to another, if your significant other were being attacked, wouldn't you speak up? If your f if your friends were being bullied, wouldn't you defend them? If your children were watching, wouldn't you want them to see someone who stands for what's right? And when you think about the kind of people we trust to lead our children, don't we want leaders who are willing to take a stand even when it's hard? Or do we want leaders who who stand by and let wrong win? Tonight, you've heard the truth from the people who know me best, students, parents, coaches, people who saw firsthand

127that I've always been student first coach. I didn't just build athletes. I helped build characters. I help build character, confidence, and community. You can take the check away. You most certainly can do that. This is true. But one thing I do know is you can never take the title Coach Joe. So tonight, I leave you with this. Do what's right, not not politically, not what's politically convenient. Let your decisions reflect the values we want our kids to grow up believing in. Courage, fairness, and the strength to stand when it counts the most. Thank you. [Applause] Thank you all for your time and your comments. We really appreciate it. We're going to move on now to our action items. Um or would somebody make a motion for annual board policy updates? I move that the board

128of education approve the through policy June 2025 annual policy updates as presented. Any discussion? >> All in favor say I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. Motion to adjourn. >> All in favor? I opposed.