001I'll say that to everybody. Okay. All right. Everybody ready? All right. Good evening, everybody. Welcome. Welcome. Nice to see all your faces here today. Um we're going to start this meeting at 7:00 p.m. Let's all begin with the mission statement, please. Our >> Our mission is to inspire and empower our students to reach their full potential through our opportunities and experiences in a safe, diverse, collaborative environment. Trustee Irock, would you lead us in the pledge, please? I pledge allegiance 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. I second. Roll call, please. Trustee Anderson? Present. Trustee Beltowski? Present. Trustee Irock? Present. >> Trustee Sterlini? Present. >> Trustee Stevanovic? Present. >> Trustee Wall? Present. Trustee Windless? Present.
002We have a quorum. Item five, adoption of agenda. Be it so resolved that the Board of Education accepts the April 8th, 2026 agenda as presented. A board member requests an item be removed from the consent agenda to superintendent's recommendations. May I have a motion? So moved. Support. Moved by Trustee Windless, supported by Trustee Anderson. Any questions, comments? Roll call, please. Trustee Anderson? Yes. Trustee Beltowski? Yes. Trustee Irock? Yes. Trustee Stevanovic? Yes. Trustee Wall? Yes. Trustee Windless? Yes. Trustee Sterlini? Yes. Motion carries. Okay. First up, public comment on agenda items. So, public comment on agenda items is only Please state your name and affiliation, please. Amanda? Can Can I stop you for a second? Is there a mic there or something? Cuz I I'm not picking you up well. Okay. Do you want me to start
003again? Uh yes, please. I just want everybody to be able to hear your questions here. >> Okay. Amanda Murrayan, um O OW Best science teacher and EA president. I would like to talk to you guys to 22201 powers, and then I'd like to talk to you guys about agenda item 9C um regarding the reduction in personnel. While I understand that the reductions may be necessary, I want to emphasize that all bargaining units are committed to working with the district to preserve as many positions as possible. It is our sincere hope that we can collaboratively collaboratively, sorry, um do this in to achieve that goal. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Seeing none. Up next, superintendent's report. Superintendent. Yep, just a short item as you'll see in the board packet. Uh we received a thank you from
004the city of Dearborn Heights. Thank you for your support of the Dearborn Heights transition team. We deeply appreciate the support of D7 schools in the use of the Annapolis High School. So, those folks that were able to attend, it was a a a nice event, and um just a thank you from the city. I want to make sure that we are that we were all aware. So, thank you. Thank you. All right. Up Up next, item number four. Closed session pursuant to review of legal opinion. May I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Trustee Beltowski, supported by Trustee Wall. Questions? Sorry. Be it so resolved that the Board of Education goes into closed session at 7:04 p.m. for review of legal opinion, attorney-client privilege. Roll call, please. Trustee Beltowski? Yes. Trustee Irock? Yes. Trustee
005Stevanovic? Yes. Trustee Wall? Yes. Trustee Windless? Yes. Trustee Anderson? Yes. Trustee Sterlini? Yes. We have a quorum. Or no. Yeah. Yeah. Motion carries. Thank you. Oh my gosh. Woo. All right. Are we going Okay. We'll be back. >> Mhm. >> Uh I don't know. Be it so resolved that the Board of Education returns open session at 8:13 p.m. Uh roll call, please. Oh wait, I'm sorry. We have a motion. So moved. Moved by Trustee Wall, supported by Trustee Baltowsky. Uh be it so resolved that the Board of Education returns to open session at 8:13 p.m. Roll call, please. Trustee Darrah? >> Yes. Trustee Anderson? Yes. Trustee Baltowsky? Yes. Trustee Sterlini? Yes. Trustee Winless? Yes. Trustee Wall? Yes. Trustee Stevanovic? Yes. Motion carries. Okay. Superintendent's recommendations. Certified staff resignation, exhibit one in your packet. Be it
006so resolved that the Board of Education accepts the following certified staff resignations. Rain Maddox, position paraprofessional, Annapolis High School, effective March 27th, 2026. Susan is it Raw? Rauh? R A U H? Interventionalist, middle school, Polk fifth grade teacher, retirement, effective June 30th, 2026. We have a motion. So moved. Moved by Trustee Baltowsky. >> Support. Supported by Trustee Winless. Questions? Comments? Just want to thank thank Ms. Rauh. Congratulations. Happy retirement. Thank you for your years of service here. Um all right. Anyone else? All right, roll call, please. Trustee Stevanovic? Yes. Trustee Wall? Yes. Trustee Winless? Yes. Trustee Anderson? Yes. Trustee Baltowsky? Yes. Trustee Darrah? Yes. Trustee Sterlini? Yes. Motion carries. All right. Item B, first reading of proposed revised and reissued board policies, exhibit number two. Be it so resolved that the Board of Education approves
007the first reading of proposed new, revised, and reissued Neola Board policies as presented. Bylaw 1000, definitions. Policy 1410, staff ethics, new. Policy 2370.01, online blended learning education. Policy 2417, comprehensive school health education. Policy 2418, school education. Policy 31 Oh, I'm sorry, sex education. All right. Policy 3120.09, volunteers, renumbered, resend. Policy 4120.09, volunteers, resend. Policy 4120, staff ethics, new. Policy 5136, wireless communication devices, WCDs, replacement. Policy 5336, diabetes, new. Policy 6320, purchasing. Policy 6325, procurement, federal grants fund / fund. Policy 7540.09, artificial intelligence, replacement. Policy 8120.09, volunteers. Policy 8402, emergency operations plan. Policy 8655, specialized transportation for students with IEPs, new. May I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Trustee Winless. Support. Supported by I'm sorry, who moved it? Me. Baltowsky. Trustee Baltowsky. Comments? Questions regarding this? Uh roll call, please. Trustee Wall? Yes. Trustee
008Winless? Yes. Trustee Anderson? Yes. Trustee Baltowsky? Yes. Trustee Darrah? Yes. Trustee Stevanovic? Yes. Trustee Sterlini? Yes. Motion carries. Item C. Reduction of workforce, exhibit number three. Yep. So, before we jump into C, I'd like to um say a few words, please. >> Sure. Yep. So, um the budget reductions moving forward. So, as you know, we've been working on major uh changes to our budget for the upcoming school year. Currently, we're not anticipating any changes for this present school year. However, by law, school districts have to pass a balanced budget in June for the upcoming school year. Thus, we need to make some changes. The most significant impact on the budget obviously student count. That's how school districts are funded. Uh currently, we're at a reduction of approximately 140 students. Additionally, when the budget was built
009back in July, we anticipated an increase in the number of students. So, the district had a large fund balance due to the SR money that all school districts in the state of Michigan received. The state directed school districts to send spend money on staffing and programming to help students. We've we've done that here at D7. We added a significant number of staff over the last 3 years. Unfortunately, due to the enrollment and the overall decline in state aid, it's placed us in the situation that we are in today. Our goal is to is to align staffing with student needs to right-size the district based on enrollment. So, we've been working to do that. Um we've been taking input from central office administration, building principals, department directors, um and we're presenting a list of reductions for
010the board's approval this evening based on the information that we have this time. Projecting for next year does make it difficult. As you guys know, the governor or may know, the governor put out her budget, but the House and the Senate still have to weigh in, so it makes it difficult to make decisions, but we have to look at the factors that we can control here in the district. We're also work working with the Michigan Department of Education to strategically use all of our title and our at-risk grant money to ensure that we're meeting the the educational needs of all of our students. The plan reductions are difficult to all those involved, but our hope is that by acting early, this will allow those individuals time to make decisions moving forward. And please note, the
011budget process is very fluid as it relies on many factors. We anticipate additional changes to come um based on enrollment and funding from the state as we move forward. So, we'll continue to work with our stakeholders, um our union leaders, um continue to look at all areas of the budget. Um we anticipate more changes coming, but this is uh our recommendation my recommendation to the board for this evening. Okay. All right. Be it still resolved that the Board of Education approves 14 full-time positions, 14.0 FTE, under teachers MEA/NEA contract. May I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Trustee Windless. Support. Supported by Trustee Anderson. Questions, comments? Roll call, please. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead. So, you said the topic of reduction in workforce, but with the motion it says, "Be it resolved that the
012board approves 14 full-time positions." It sounds like we're hiring. Oh, it does. You're right. You're right. Yep. Sorry. Thank you. So, it approves the reduction? Yes. >> Okay. Let me read that again. Uh would you like to Each to rescind? Um Anderson got to go first. Uh will you rescind? Yes, I rescind. I rescind. Okay. All right. Be it still resolved that the Board of Education approves the reduction of 14 full-time positions, 14.0 FTE, under teachers MEA/NEA contract. May I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Trustee Windless. Support. Supported by Trustee Anderson. Any questions or comments? Roll call, please. Trustee Windless. >> No. Trustee Anderson. Yes. Trustee Beltowski. No. Trustee Dyroff. Yes. Trustee Stevanovic. No. Trustee Wall. Yes. Trustee Sterlini. Yes. Motion carries. Be it still resolved that the Board of Education approves the
013reduction of one full-time central office supervisor position, 1.0 FTE, under a non-affiliated employment contract which runs through June 30th, 2026. May I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Trustee Windless. Support. Supported by Trustee Beltowski. Questions, comments? Roll call, please. Trustee Anderson. Yes. Trustee Beltowski. Yes. Trustee Dyroff. Yes. Trustee Stevanovic. Yes. Trustee Wall. Yes. Trustee Windless. >> Yes. Trustee Sterlini. Yes. Motion carries. Be it still resolved that the Board of Education approves approves the reduction of 14 full-time paraprofessionals of 14.0 FTE under the Educational Support Professional Association MEA/NEA contract. May I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Trustee Windless. Support. Supported by Trustee Anderson. Questions, comments? Roll call, please. Trustee Beltowski. Yes. Trustee Dyroff. Yes. Trustee Stevanovic. Yes. Trustee Wall. Yes. Trustee Windless. No. Trustee Anderson. No. Trustee Sterlini. Yes. Motion carries. Be it
014still resolved that the Board of Education approves the reduction of two full-time building and administrative assistant positions, 2.0 FTE, under the Educational Administrative Assistants MEA/NEA contract. May I have a motion? >> So moved. Moved by Trustee Windless. Support. Supported by Trustee Anderson. Uh questions, comments? Roll call, please. Trustee Dyroff. Yes. >> Trustee Stevanovic. Yes. >> Sorry. Yes. Sorry. Trustee Wall. Yes. Trustee Windless. >> No. Trustee Anderson. >> Yes. Trustee Beltowski. Yes. Trustee Sterlini. Yes. Motion carries. Be it still resolved that the Board of Education approves the reduction of one full-time grounds position, 1.0 FTE, under a non-affiliated employment contract which runs through June 30th, 2026. May I have a motion? So moved. Moved by Trustee Windless. Support. Supported by Trustee Beltowski. Questions or comments? Roll call, please. Trustee Stevan- Trustee Stevanovic. Yes. Trustee Wall. Yes.
015Trustee Windless. No. Trustee Anderson. >> Yes. Trustee Beltowski. Yes. Trustee Dyroff. >> Yes. Trustee Sterlini. Yes. Motion carries. Unfinished business. Um the designation of official newspaper of record. This came up um we the newspaper we're using is no longer in business. Um if anybody has any suggestions where we should be posting a newspaper we should be posting. Um any suggestions, I can postpone this to another agenda item, but right now we're not it's not being posted. Anyone? Any comments, questions? I don't know if they have an I don't think they have a newspaper, but they're a news outlet, TCD News. I noticed that for like the snow days and the school closures, they post for Crestwood and Dearborn. >> Yeah. But they don't post for us, so I'm wondering if they have a a contract
016with them to do their news. Um it's a trusted like local source. Right. Yeah, they have a Facebook page, I think you said. And then the Arab American newspaper would be another suggestion as a local a local news outlet. Does anyone else have any suggestions? What about with the News-Free Press? I mean, I know it's not a daily thing, but You say you have to pay for subscriptions like people like from my experience, when you go to look at something on the News-Free you have to pay for it. It's not free like these are free. You can just click on and see it. Um yeah, but good thought. Anyone else? Maybe start from there, I guess. >> put it on the next agenda too, though? I can research just a little bit more. We can
017do that. Okay. All right. New business. Do we have any new business to bring up? Okay. Okay. District points of pride, Mr. Klein hands. Yes, because of the spring break, um the points of pride are very short, more of announcements. So, kindergarten round up is Thursday, April 16th at 6:00 at each elementary. So, um you can know of someone um that's interested in D7, that those are taking place at each building. We're also, thank you a shout out to the Rotary Club, um in the past we've done bookshelves for just Bedford, and discussion at this table and discussion at the Rotary, um they are now providing those bookshelves for all of our third grade. So, it's really cool, and that was part of our discussion to to make um programs and offerings similar across um
018across the district. And so, Saturday, April 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 at Madison Elementary gymnasium is the build. So, if we could get maybe a couple of board members to stop by, they are um getting third grade dads. They're sending out, and I think like one building got 18 dads in one. So, I think there's going to be enough workers, but if you are free and just want to stop by and can help out for a little bit, that would be that would be really cool. So, also our D7 enrollment fair is Tuesday, May 19th from 4:00 to 8:00 AHS gymnasium. I know some of the board members have already volunteered. That should be a great event to promote D7. We're getting the word out. We've done some videos. We'll get that information out.
019We're hoping that we can get a lot of people to the enrollment fair. That is one factor that we can control as I indicated the budget is predicated on student count. So, we anything that we can do to promote D7 and as you know we opened up schools of choice. Anything that we can do to get students to attend D7 is helpful and this is a big part of that. Also, our summer discovery program which runs from June 22nd to July 30th. This is students entering kindergarten through eighth grade. It's all day programming with academics in the morning and enrichment in the afternoon. It includes both breakfast and lunch for the students participating in that program. The locations will be at Polk Elementary and O.W. Best Middle School. Currently, we have 115 people students signed
020up. We need more. Got room in the grant for 400 students. So, we I think an email was sent out. I don't think I know email another email was sent out. We'll continue to do that. We have the links on our webpage for parents to sign up and to hopefully make it easier. But the idea here is that parents it's a one-stop especially for our newer families with GSRP students that maybe are coming into the district. We're going to have vision screening, hearing. It's a one-stop for all of those things to break down the barriers for enrollment in D7. So, we're pretty excited about that. This is funded through the Belmer Group and United Way of Southeast Michigan. So, we are approved for one year. We're we're hoping that we have a successful run at
021it and that we'll be reapproved for years to come. Also, for discussion at this table in talking to Paul, the meet-up eat-up program will be happening all summer. That was a discussion that we had at the table. I don't have the exact dates, but Paul is is working to get this all set up. We'll most likely run the meet-up eat-up at the high school like we did last year. We are also planning on using some title dollars to do some credit recovery programs for our ninth through 12th grade. That we did this last year it corresponds it's a half-day program and it will correspond nicely with the meet-up eat-up for those students that are in the program. But that's also opened up for all K-12 students the meet-up eat-up. So, you don't have to be
022in summer discovery. You don't have to be in the high school program. That's for all families. So, we'll get that information out. So, a lot going on. Busy time of year, but I wanted to get those announcements I have a district point of pride too. Can you hear me now? Okay. So, the district point of pride I believe that on April 30th MASB has their awards dinner and we have three board members that have um exceeded in their classes or reached the you know done the I forget my wording for the Thank you. Certification and that would be Tanya Sterlini, Derek Wall and Elise and Elise. So, I just wanted to say congratulations to you all. I generally try to attend that dinner, but I won't be able to this year. But um good job.
023All right. On to other business. We'll start with the advocacy conference. Elise brought packets for everybody. This is a conference she attended my error when she was out. I didn't forward to you guys, but she graciously brought printouts for you guys. Um If you want to do you want to touch on this? Tell everybody to read their packets and then any questions she'll take them at a later time. >> It's like I think your mic I think it's like 10 pages long if you guys want to read it and I brought things that they handed out at Hill Day and what we touched on and who specifically told talked about what points that they made valid to our their members of Congress and what we wanted passed. So, we it was really about just preparing
024us for what we wanted to advocate for on Hill Day and what we all the asks that we had and it was mainly really about IDEA and where is the funds that were promised that we've yet to be given and what do we have to demand to be given those dollars that were missing and all the things that we are giving up to make sure that we are covering the um the loss of what they are not giving us. So, that was our whole thing about you know just talking to other schools and seeing what they're doing and um trying to touch base on like what we can bring back to our district. A lot of stuff we I felt like we were already on the page of we do for us what's right for
025our students and we are giving them of the needs that we can meet. But it would be great if Congress would do the same. Any questions at the break now? Oh, I'm just saying if you guys have any other questions I'd be happy to ask. Just let me know. Perfect. Thank you. Okay. And other business um It was suggested by Trustee Winless VP Winless here regarding meet-ups. Meet-ups with teachers so people can have a voice and I will let Vice President Winless take it away and explain what you are are Oh, wait. Okay. Um Do we want to have a discussion on that? So, what we'd like to do is some of us board members whomever pick date meet up at a school maybe take a room and say okay, we're here from 1:00 to
0265:00. Meet and any staff that wants to come to us share with us your concerns anonymously share what's what's going right, what's going wrong. So, you guys all have a voice. We want everyone to have a voice. Um and we'll pick different dates, different schools, but we want all staff to have a voice and in this district. Know you your voices matter. We want you all to know that your voices matter. Um so, we'll work on you know dates and get with dates on when we're going to do that and see which ones of us will be there. Might be two of us there. Might be what you know see how it goes and hopefully we'll have a good turnout. People will show up to you know give their thoughts. Um I know sometimes it
027can be hard. People don't want to get in front. Want to stay you know want to remain anonymous. So, this is your opportunity to tell us. Be honest. That's what we want. Honest. Um Would anyone else like to Um can I just add that this is this is a listening session. Um it doesn't guarantee that anything that you say is you know that there's going to be any change or anything. But um I think the consensus for some of us board members is is that we would like to hear what staff members have to say to speak freely so we understand where you're coming from. Um We as individuals cannot make any changes for you, but we can hear you and it gives us an idea of where you all stand. Did I say that
028right Mrs. Winless? Good. Go ahead. And the other part would be that after that's done that whoever is doing the listening would be sending something to the whole board so we all hear it. So, it's not just one hears and the other one does not. So, but once again it could be anonymous, but just what was this you know what did they hear? Okay. Everyone good? Good. Okay. So, I'd like to suggest that we have no more than three board members in attendance. Someone is designated to take notes. No names just what's said and then share it with everyone else and I'm not sure how the staff feels about that too, but we I don't know if you'll be sharing it back with them or how you want to handle that. But for sure with
029administration and with the board. Right? Is that it or is it just us that's going to get have the be privy to this information? I think it should be transparent to everyone. Here's what here's what we heard. Here's you know so that everybody knows. So, there isn't so they can't say wait you didn't hear I was there and you know so everybody knows what was said. Um but no names. No names. Absolutely no names. Yeah, and so we're looking to do that maybe next week in the next week or two. So, it's going to be fast. it's going to be soon. And again, I hope we have a turnout. Good and bad, again, we we want to hear it. We want to hear We need to hear it, right? Um Trustee Law. No, thanks. >>
030Yeah, about sharing. >> about being transparent, so they all know what was Yep. mentioned, so yeah. You good? Okay. Board committee updates. We have no updates as of yet. Policy Trustee Sterling. Oh, sorry. That's okay. So, there was a finance meeting, but I don't I don't have it today. So, that's going to be at the next meeting, but pretty much it was just basically with regards to what was going to be on going on today's agenda. Right. Okay. And policy, we met You already gave You already spoke about that, and you did give Or do you want to speak? Did I already speak about this? Oh, yeah, the last meeting. Okay, thank you. Yeah. Here's the paperwork Yeah. The meeting notes. >> That's right, it was last meeting. Yeah, let's all start together. >> Okay.
031Um upcoming board meetings. We have a policy committee meeting on Wednesday, April 22nd at 5:30 at OW Best. Right. Um and no others have been scheduled as of yet. So, I'm sure another finance committee will be coming up. Um all right. Up next, public comment number two. Anyone like to give comments? Um feel free to come up. Just state your name and affiliation, please. Hello. Hi. Uh Jen Blackford, OW Best Middle School. I'm currently 6th and 8th grade math. Um first thing I wanted to say was I wanted to acknowledge Sue Rao. Um she taught most of her career at the middle school as an interventionist. Last year, she was moved to to Polk as 5th grade. Um I had the pleasure of working with her for 2 years when I moved back to Best
032as an interventionist. Uh wonderful woman. Uh very happy to see her retire and do restful things. So, just wanted to acknowledge her. Um I do have some questions, I'll leave them in the box. Um I want to know, I think lots of people want to know, so hopefully we can share, um the process for deciding on reduction numbers. Um obviously, there's lots of people who are on edge and feeling lots of anxiety, and I think it's important for people to know the process that goes into that. How do you decide how many numbers? They need to know that it's not arbitrary. We don't pick 14 teachers out of, you know, the sky and say that's how many cuts we're making. People want to know how that's come up with. Um and I also think it
033would be important to share how much money do we estimate the district will save with all of reductions. Um Of the reductions that were listed, there's three groups in the district that were not cut. Those groups are building administration, central office administrative assistants, and the maintenance department. Um I think the maintenance department is easy to understand because there's one engineer for each building, and there's not any shared um positions there, so we kind of get that. Um but we would like to know some rationale for the other groups that did not see any cuts. So, why were there no cuts for building admins and central office secretaries? And I had a couple more, but they got answered. So, and I love the coming to the buildings to talk to people. That's all I think. Thank
034you. Anyone else? Oh. Sorry. Yep. Uh you want to grab the mic so we can hear you. Is it I think it's off. I'm sorry, Miss Jen. Barbara Young. Very Yeah, very shocked, very blown away to hear about all of the horrific cuts. Especially the paras. Um what's going to happen um with our kiddos? And mainly yeah, especially mine. Um his his para- his the para that he's had that he has have been very crucial for him this year. His grades have jumped tremendously has has has jumped tremendously. These These are the best grades that that he's had since he's been in school. And it And it's because of her. Like she's she is a big part of why why he has grades that he has. He and the other kiddos who have who has
035paras need their paras. I don't know what the heck y'all did with the budget, but please go and find some some dollars somewhere to keep these people. Not just the paras, but but all of the all of the staff. This district needs everybody. Those people need their jobs. If y'all have to stop going on these unnecessary um conferences, stop that. Because what are y'all doing except for bringing us back information that we don't need to hear? Keep the Have these people keep their jobs. Keep these kids with the people that that that need them. What's happening is unnecessary. And it's not the kids' fault. Because they're going to be the ones to suffer, and the people who who lose lose their job are going to be the ones to suffer. I don't agree with her
036often, but I agree with her with her today. The other areas who didn't get cuts, what happened with that? I don't want anybody to lose their job, but if we going to do do cuts, let's be fair across the board. But let's work on no one losing their jobs in the district. But especially the paras. But if we got to lose paras, I want to know who's going to lose their para. Because I'm going to fight tooth and nail to hell for my son to keep his. And I hope y'all know that. Thank you. It's not working. How do I fix that? Is it working now? Yes, sir. Alyssa Howard, D7 alumni and policy member. It is an understatement when I say I am extremely disappointed in the news that I am hearing tonight. Our
037staff are extremely passionate. They care about our children. They care about the well-being of our students and their success. And many of these staff members, including many of the ones sitting here, have contributed heavily into the person I am today and my success. It hurts me knowing the loss our students may face due to these decisions. Of course, I do not know the finances of our district, but I hope and pray that you can find some alternatives to this. Thank you. Does anyone else would like to go? Go ahead. Can you hear me? Hi, my name is Sarah Brant. Um I'm not here just as an employee tonight, but as a parent. Um I have an 8th grader at the middle school, and I am a little concerned um as he has not had any
038social work for the last going on 8 weeks. And it is in his IEP that he does receive that, and um I just would like to know the status of that whenever possible. Um I really feel communication is key. And uh I did email, and I did get a response stating that there's nothing yet, but I'd like to know um what the plan is. So, um cuz like I said, we're going on 8 weeks with no social work. Thanks. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Anyone else like to come back up? So, I hope you guys see the changed person I've been this year, cuz there's a whole lot that I could could be coming up here and saying coming to the school board meeting this year, cuz there's a whole lot that's been happening to
039my kids that I have not even been saying. Differently. Hope you guys Hope you guys see that. Thank you, Lopa, for um speaking about that. Because I'm telling you, the middle school is hard knocks going through here. Anyhow, but Miss Brown, she does the best that she can. Woo! Anyhow, um So, for our meeting, um as the PAC rep, uh Miss uh we had a guest speaker for at our last meeting. We haven't had meetings um at the last one, though, we had Katie Elliott speak about IEP meetings. Awesome, cuz a lot of parents don't know that. So, at your I- IEP meetings, make sure to start with the teachers. Ask great questions. Get all of the um if you have concerns, that's where you start, parents. Get all of the information that you can.
040Data data data data. That's important. All of that that you can. Give all of the pushback. Doesn't matter. They're not supposed to give you pushback, but if they hear you, give them hell. Okay? Get your data. Go to their counselors. Get your data from them. Social workers, get the data. Okay? Do your research. MTSS versus special education. Look it up, Google it. Um social emotional behavioral school screenings are supposed to be done. Um do do um request evaluations. There's nothing wrong with that. Go to that Please go to the school board office. They're They will welcome you with open arms, at least they're supposed to. If not, raise your voice. They will take you. Okay, love bugs? Um let's see. What a Those are the great um recommendations that they gave. And a photo I
041which I thought was such a good idea that they gave. Putting a photo at the top of like the kids' file for for kids who have IEPs to make it more personal. I thought that was such a great idea. Which it which it is which is which is something that I was like, "Oh, yes. I would recommend that for our district because I'm tired of of the um substitutes coming in and not knowing who the heck the kids are in the classroom with IEPs. And then they're making the kids getting trouble, sending them down to the SRCs for no apparent reason because they just don't know who the kids are and thinking that they're acting out in the classroom. That's not what they're doing. For especially for kids like mine who just sometimes have to
042just walk out because kids are just being too loud. And now the substitute is pulling him out of class and just make No, he's not in trouble though. That's not what he's doing. He's taking his break. So yeah, stuff like that. That would be great. Those kinds of recommendations were so great during that meeting. We have a dinner coming up on the 16th where we get to nominate awesome people in our district. And I have nominated our awesome parapros. Yay! And Miss Joan Harris. She has been such a pillar in our family since our boys have been since our boys went through Bedford. And those are people that I nominated for the dinner. I'm not sure how they're supposed to get that info, but they have it now and they're going to get receive an
043email either this Yeah, this week cuz the dinner is next week. So yeah, Mrs. Scott, you're going to get that info too. So yeah. That's that. Thank you. Anyone else for a second time up? All right. Thank you, everyone. Uh next kudos. We'll start with Miss Styron. Yes. To Dr. Jomaa from Miss Lesinger, um dated April 8th. Dr. Jomaa has been an invaluable support to both students and staff through her work with ESL services. Her ability to communicate in multiple languages has made a significant difference in ensuring that all students feel understood, supported, and empowered in their learning. In my 25 years in this district, I have not encountered an ESL teacher who is fluent in four languages, Arabic, French, Spanish, and English. She also has a strong background in science. She taught high school
044biology for 12 years in Lebanon. This unique combination allows her to connect with students in meaningful ways while also supporting their academic growth at a high level. She has truly been a blessing to our department and the school community. Keep being awesome, Dr. Jomaa. To Emily Cobb from Marcy Is this one Yes. from Marcy Jopek. Kudos to Miss Cobb for a wonderful family reading night. Students played superhero bingo, made their own superhero capes, and received free books to take home. Families had a wonderful evening spending time with their kids and celebrating the love of reading. Thank you, Miss Cobb. To Bedford student council from Emily Cobb. Thank you for working the bake sale and selling Smithsos at Bedford's reading night. We could not have done it without their support. To Breanna To Breanna Bilkovic from
045Marcy Jopek. Kudos to Mrs. Bilkovic and the Bedford student council. You all did a wonderful job helping out with our family fun night reading activities and selling treats at our bake sale. Thank you for helping and giving back to Bedford. To Jenny Kissling from Natina Brown, dated March 19th. Thank you for being helpful to our ECP class. We truly appreciate you. You can go. Oh, you're Dr. Jomaa. Who Who was yours cuz I feel like it might be the next one. No. Okay. Just don't want to read two. Yep. Okay. So for to Dr. Jomaa uh from Mr. Saad, dated 4/8/26. I want to send kudos to Dr. Jomaa for the incredible work she does with our high school ESL students. Her ability to speak English, Spanish, French, and Arabic is a huge help to
046our kids. At the same time, her deep knowledge of science has been a lifesaver in our science classrooms. She's great at helping students bridge the language gap while they also work to master difficult academic material. It is rare to find someone who can balance both of these skills so well. The students do not appreciate uh The students do not just appreciate her help. They truly look up to her as a mentor and a person they can trust. Dr. Jomaa puts her whole heart into her job and always goes the extra mile to make sure every student has a fair chance to succeed. Thank you, Dr. Jomaa, for all you do. And the next one is to Avery Shelton from Natina Brown, dated 3/19/26. Thank you for everything you do each day in our classroom, the
047way you show up for the staff and students, and how you make the working environment safe and positive. This one is to Shawn Harrison from Natina Brown, dated March 19th, 2026 for volunteering your time and supporting our Polk Elementary staff and students to make a difference. The next one is to Aaron Mallett and to the Board of Education from Trista Jacobs, dated 4/8/2026. Thank you so much for supporting and improving our and approving our recent trip to Spain. It was an unforgettable educational experience that truly brought our studies to life. The students gained so much confidence and cultural understanding, making memories they will cherish forever. We truly appreciate your dedication to providing such meaningful real-world learning opportunities outside the classroom. Thank you, Trista. To Sinead Victory, Ziad Saad, and Kayla Jacobs from Trista Jacobs uh
048April 8th, 2026. Our Spain adventure was amazing due to excellent chaperones. What an incredible experience sharing the responsibility and joy of chaperoning a trip to Spain. Memorable moments managing students, navigating cities, and exploring the culture together. It is an honor to create such lasting memories with great students and staff. Thank you, Trista. Thank you, Trista. All right. Now this one feels like I'm like standing in front 200 people cuz there's a lot of names on here and I'm going to try them to get them right. To Karen Crusoe, Andrea Cardonovich, Tess Reynolds, Pam Slezak / Waganka, Chad Kolb, Emily Hunt, Elizabeth Ortwine, Heather Welch, Karen Kanash, Cindy Masal, Kim Scales, Doug Lesnau, Jill Edridge, Marcy Jopek, Jessica Newman, Breanna Bilkovic, Dawn Pertula, and Shelley Hooper from Emily Cobb, March 25th, 2026. Thank you for your
049support during Bedford Bedford's reading night. It was a great success and students enjoyed making superhero capes, meeting Elsa, shooting hoops, and playing games. Thank Uh to Mary McDonald and Mike Cohen from Harry Carrie Hurd, um dated March 27th, 2026. Thank you both for working with our students on writing their pen pal letters to the fifth grade students to prepare them for our transition visit to Best. Your help and support was greatly appreciated and made a positive impact with our students. To Anne Bracken and Shara Cotton from Carrie Hurd, dated March 27th, 2026. Thank you for your help with our fifth grade transition visit. Your kindness and support was greatly appreciated. And to Sinead Victory from Trista Jacobs, dated uh April 8th, 2026 uh for leading an amazing trip to Spain with our staff and students.
050Such a special experience that I was truly honored to be a part of. I will remember this trip forever. Thank you for all the work that you put in to making this trip run smoothly, Trista. Thank you. All right. Thank you. All right. Next up, adjournments. Be it so resolved that the Board of Education adjourns the meeting at 8:57 p.m. May I have a motion? >> So moved. Moved by Trustee Winless, supported by Trustee Beltowski. Is that right? Yes. All right. Roll call, please. Trustee Wall. >> Yes. Trustee Winless. >> Yes. Trustee Anderson. Yes. Trustee Beltowski, yes. Trustee Dyroth. >> Yes. Trustee Stevanovic, yes. Trustee Sterling. Yes, motion carries. Everyone drive safe, have a good night. Yeah. What?