001ahead of everything. All right. Meeting public meeting order at 7 o'clock. >> Mr. Wall, will you lead us into open statement? >> Statement first or >> Oh, I'm sorry. The mission statement you guys >> I'm testing you all. >> You're doing a good job. >> You guys failed. Is that up? >> You all failed the test. Okay. >> All right. Please we say our mission statement. Our mission is to inspire and empower our students to reach their full potential opportunities and experiences and collaborative environment. Now I miss you all. stand everyone. All right. Roll call, please. >> Trusty Anderson, >> present. Trusty Baltowski, present. Trusty Dyro, present. Trusty Serini, >> present. >> Trusty Sabotic, >> present. Trusty Wall, >> present. >> Trusty Hood, >> present. I'm sorry, we have a quorum. It's going to be
002a day. I apologize in advance. All right. It's so resolved that the board of education accepts the February 18th, 2026 agenda as presented. A board member may request an item be moved from the consent agenda at superintendent recommendation. May I have a motion? >> So moved. Moved >> by Trusty Balowski. >> Support. Supported by Trusty Wness. Any question or comment? All right. Roll call, please. >> Trusty Anderson. >> Yes. >> Trusty Belowski. Yes. Trusty Dra. Yes. Trusted. Yes. Trusty law. >> Yes. >> Trusty Windland. >> Yes. Trusty Le. >> Yes. Motion carries. Right. Item five, public comment on agenda items only. We have public comments. None. All right. On to superintendent reports. Very good. Thank Sorry about that. Guess this works. Okay. Very good. Thank you. So, I have five items this evening. So, I
003do apologize kind of lengthy items, but they're very important items. So, the first uh thing I'd like to report on is we received a letter from Michigan Association of School Boards, and it goes as such. Four Dearborn Heights School District 7 school board members earned awards from the Michigan Association of School Boards in 2025 for their efforts to improve their leadership skills, demonstrating their commitment to student achievement and their own continuous improvement. Awards are earned for classes completed in the MASB leadership training program as well as for conference attendance, years of service, and leadership activities. So this year, and I will give you certificates, but I'm going to read them first. So I'll read the certificates and the awards. Elise Stanovic received MASB level one, and we'll do a little pause after we go through
004all of these. Level one certified board member award. She also received the MASB level two award of merit. So nice work, Tanya. You received level one certified board member award as well as level two award of merit and a final MASB financial certification specialtity. So you received those three. Wendy, congratulations. You received the level one certified board member award. And last but not least, Derek, you received three awards from MASB. >> Yeah, >> the MASB advocacy skills specialtity, the community relations award, and the MASB leadership certification. And I will go on to say so that everybody understands the work that goes behind these MA MASB training and professional development offerings help board members to keep pace with the fastm moving and complex changes in public education. The hours devoted to this training are above and
005beyond the time members spend their local meetings, events, and reviewing policies. And this board knows about reviewing policies and board packets. Last year, more than 1,800 school board members participated in the training. And Don Wruba, who is the executive director, goes on to say, "I've worked with school boards and public schools for more than 25 years, and I'm always in awe of the commitment of so many members. Schools are under under extreme pressure to be innovative and reinvent the way they deliver education. training equips schoolboard members with the tools necessary to make the best decisions for Michigan school children. The time they spend being servant leaders and honing their skills is second to none. And then I would add, I as superintendent of D7 am very proud of the work and the accomplishments of our
006board of education members. Thank you board of education for your time, effort put forth on behalf of staff, students, and community. And that's not just the ones receiving awards because others have. That's for our entire board. So with that being said, I'm going to pass these out real quick. >> Nice job, guys. >> That's right. Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. The next item I'd like to present is February 2026, Black History Month. And I'd like to read a proclamation from Governor Whitmer. And it goes as such. Whereas African-Americans have made significant cultural, historical, and economic contributions to the development of America and the American way of life. And whereas Carter G. Woodson created Black History Week in 2026 to rectify omissions of African-Americans from history books and to encourage the study of history and
007the lives of all Americans, including African-Americans in the nation's public schools. Whereas, after being expanded to a month in 1976, every US president, beginning with Michigan's own President Gerald R. forward officially designated the month of February as Black History Month every year. And whereas since then, the celebration of Black History Month has been important to appreciating and recognizing the crucial roles African-Americans have played in the creation of America and their ina inalienable rights to be treated equally while increasing the visibility of AfricanAmerican life and history. And whereas the state of Michigan also recognizes the strength, endurance, and faith of African-American ancestors in their struggle for freedom and pays tribute to their continuous pursuit of overcoming injustices. And whereas study studying this important part of our history and reflecting on the burdens of racial prejudice and
008stereotypes can open the door to innovate ideas and provide insight into building an environment in Michigan that supports our continued efforts to combat racism to strive towards racial equity and to place and to be a place of freedom, opportunity, and inclusiveness for everyone. Whereas during this month, we should take time to recognize and celebrate African-American contributions, sacrifice, and bravery on their journey to justice in our nation, and to work together to identify, develop, and implement solutions to further achieve equity in our state, as well as promote unity not only with the black community, but across all individuals and communities throughout our state, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and other expressions of identity. Now, therefore, I, and this is from Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, and Garland Gilcrest II, Lieutenant Governor of
009Michigan, do hereby proclaim February 2026 is Black History Month in Michigan. And I would also add that um at our last board meeting, I listed all of the activities that are that we do in our buildings. And I certainly want to shout out to our staff and administration staff and students for putting on many activities throughout um again all of our buildings and thank everyone. And then I would add just our work in this area I think has been very important. It's still a work in progress as you guys know. We passed an equity policy and I'd just like to make take a minute to reflect on that as well. The board recognizes that as a public school system, the district has a responsibility for future success of each student regardless of background, home situation,
010or family resource. The district must embrace a culture of equity, inclusion, and actively work to strive to serve each student according to his or her needs. That was the purpose of the policy. And in the policy, there's a statement that I just think is fantastic. Equity is a commitment to educate each student in a way that ensures every student has the opportunity to achieve and excel. And again, without reading all of the policy, there are a section of non-negotiables in our policy. uh working to ensure that all students have fair opportunities in access, prevent student failure, support students social emotional growth, achieve equitable uh representation, design educational teams, transform one another's instructional capacity. So I'm looking at that I'm thinking that's our PLC's collaborative to analyze data design for proactive instruction and select strategies for
011all learners. Provide instruction and curricula that are culturally relevant and rigorous. Proactively developing and revising curriculum and programming to meet the overall needs of student of overall student achievement. Accommodating individual learning differences and deliverables in a flexible learning environment. updating, maintaining student performance profiles to engage all learners, serve each student regardless of home situation, ability, and circumstances, and align the policies and procedures and funding with the district equity non-negotiables. And the reason why I read that is, as you recall, back at our November 3rd professional development, um we had the folks from Wayne Rea, Dr. Terren Scott, and Lisa Kaiser that presented to our entire staff. Um, this last PD that we had was focused more on uh PLC's and learning communities. Those folks will be back in our at our March uh in service
012and they'll continue our work on equity. We took all of the equity statements and each we got into groups and we put them up and we um compiled all of what those equity statements mean to D7 and then this team will come back in and we'll further our work in that area. So, I just wanted to take a minute to um recognize all that we're trying to do. Um we're not perfect, but we're working to get better and striving um each and every day. And I thank everyone's uh work in this area. And then my final item that I have, if I can find them, is and I just want to announce that the district received three certificates of appreciation. I thought this would be a great time to present these. Um, I don't have
013the actual certificates because they're already hanging in the board office, but this is a certificate of appreciation proudly presented to Dearborn Heights School District number 7 in appreciation for your support and partnership in Friendsgiving 2025. Your contribution helped create a warm and welcoming space rooted in gratitude, togetherness, and community care. Because of you, families, neighbors, were all able to gather, share a meal, and experience the power of connecting during connection during the holiday season. Thank you for helping us turn gratitude into action with thanks. And this is from the group Thrive by any means and signed by their board president of that group and that would be Leslie. The second recognition we received certification of appreciation presented to Dearborn Heights School District number seven in sincere appreciation for your support of Lillian's prom night giveaway.
014Your generosity helped ensure students were able to attend prom with confidence, dignity, and joy. Through your contributions, barriers were removed. Young people were reminded that they are seen, supported, and celebrated by their community. Thank Thank you for helping create unforgettable moments and lasting impact with gratitude again by the thrive by any means necessary group. And the final one, certificate of appreciation that was also signed by the president by Leslie. Certificate of appreciation to Dearborn Height School District number seven in heartfelt appreciation for your support and partnership in our children's legacy 2025. Your commitment and contribution helped honor, uplift, and invest in the future of our children and community. Because of your support, families were empowered, voices were amplified, and a lasting legacy of care, connection, and hope was strengthened for the next generation. Thank you
015for standing with us in meaningful work and and for helping to build a brighter, more equitable future for our children with sincere gratitude. Again, the group thrived by any means necessary, signed by their board president, Leslie Windless, who sits on our board. So, Leslie, thank you for recognizing D7, and we appreciate it. So, >> thank you. That's all I have. >> Thank you. >> All right. Item A, certified staff resignation. Be it so resolved that the board of education accepts the following certified staff resignations. Michelle Carr, social Oh my gosh. School social worker district. Effective date is February 17th, 2026. May I have a motion? >> So moved. >> Moved by Trusty Wall. Supported by Trusty Windless. Questions, comments? Roll call, please. >> Trusty Beltowski. Yes. Trusty Dyra. >> Yes. >> Trusty Stanovvic. >> Yes.
016>> Trusty Wall. >> Yes. >> Trusty Windless. >> Yes. Trusty Anderson. >> Yes. Trusty Sterling. >> Yes. Motion carries. Item B, first reading of proposed revised and reissued board policies. Exhibit two in your packet. Need so resolved that the board of education accepts the first reading of propo proposed new revised and reissued NEOA board policies as presented. 4,000 updates. 4120 Employment of S support staff 4120.01 01 anti- neepotism 4120.04 04 employment of substitutes 4213 student supervision and welfare that right 4217 weapons other updates 1613 student supervision and welfare 3120 employment of professional staff 3213 student supervision and welfare 3217 weapons May I have a motion >> so moved >> moved by trusty wall support for by trusty Does he win this? Questions? Anyone comments? Yes, sir. >> I would just add the committee is making
017great work. Um, they're already reviewing the 5,000s, which will be the next section, but we also have some updates coming. So, we'll work with Mandy and her committee to get those updates in front of you after we review them and um continue our work. So, >> thank you. I know it's a lot. So, I appreciate the staff and you doing all that, too. Well, I'm telling you, the 5,000 section are inch and a half thick. So, I these guys are the ones that are doing all the work. So, >> all right. Uh, roll call, please. >> Trusty Dyro, >> yes. >> Trusty Stanovic, >> yes. >> Trusty Wall, yes. >> Trusty Windless, yes. >> Trusty Anderson, >> yes. >> Trusty Beltski, yes. Trusty Sterlin, >> yes. Motion carries. Item nine, unfinished business. Do we have
018any unfinish unfinished business? I mean, I do, but I can't bring it up. Just kidding. Okay, new business. I'm sorry. Anyone? New business. District points of pride. Mr. Klein. >> Yeah. So, again, pardon me. I'm going to with Mary Beth kind of battling the end of the cold. She's just rolling through it. So, if I lose my voice, just hang in there. So, the points of pride are a little bit different tonight because um we were out the last two days and typically I seek input from the building principles. So, it's more of kind of a announcements that I'll make this evening if that's okay with everyone. So, okay. So, um a couple of things that are on the docket. The family fun night is uh planning is underway this year for the family fun
019night. Uh that's a new activity. I think we've done we've had two two evenings of this so far. So, this will be I believe the third. It's tenatively scheduled for Saturday, May 9th. And it's um uh Tom is working on Tom Wel does a lot of work on this. He's working on uh the family fund night and getting everything together. So, you'll get more information, but Saturday, May 9th is the tenative date. It's uh that Saturday before Mother's Day. The Wayne County Association of School Boards is hosting its general membership meeting on Thursday, February 26th at 5:45 at Wayne Rhesa. And if you look at the agenda, it looks like a variety of of topics will be covered. and I believe Sue Carnell, the deputy superintendent, is going to be at that at that event.
020So, um, if you're interested, I think you guys get emails, right, on those. So, yep. Perfect. >> Um, and then I'd also want to announce D7 will be hosting, this is our first time doing this. Um, it's D7 enrollment fair and this will be on May 15th from 4 to 8 at the high school. And the goal of this event is to break down barriers to enrollment in D7. So we've had numerous meetings on this and the planning, this is in the planning stage, but basically what's happening is due to mandates from the state enrollment has become a complicated process all the way from mandated um hearing and vision to uh uploading the forms to it's it's really become what I would I would call a barrier. So, we're going to we're going to break
021down that barrier. We want to partner with our families to assist them in the enrolling process. So, this will be for incoming kindergarten families, new families to the district, and school of choice families for enrollment. But we're also trying to combine this with other services that can help our families all the way from uh maybe doing shot clinic, which I we got we we hammered that down today. Um maybe we're going to add a shot clinic in there. We're even thinking about if we can get some physicians here to do our athletic physicals for next year. Um we just got all kinds of things that we're planning on. It's early, but uh the goal is to have in the high school gym have all the buildings have technology there with scanners with our enrollment folks
022to help um parents. They bring we'll tell them what to bring to the um to the event. And the goal would be when they walk out that they're enrolled and they're ready for uh the next school year. We found this particularly with our our GSRP families. Some of them think that because they're in that program, they're automatically enrolled and that's not the case. And so and then they struggle with getting the paperwork and getting everything done that they need done. So it's it's a work in progress. We're going to roll with it, but um we really think that that will help break down the barriers. The other issue that we have is with our school of choice and what happens is with schools of choice if you guys as you know we opened it up
023you guys approved opening it up for this year which I think will be a huge benefit but what happens is uh we do checks if someone school choice student comes in we reach out to the other district it's all the districts do this right to get records and sometimes that becomes a struggle so and that becomes a barrier because what happens is if if we can't get a hold of the their district and the parents are struggling to get the the uh discipline reports or the information from that school, they won't release it, then I think what happens is they just get frustrated and they go to another district that maybe is not checking. So, but it is very important that we do that step. And so, we're e even trying to problem solve on
024ways that we can speed up the school of choice enrollment process. I would like that to be down at a minimum down 2 weeks from the time a person walks in the door. So, and we need to do this and I'm getting to the next issue. So, that's still in the planning phase, but we need to work to grow the district and this is why. As you guys know, it's budget season. U many districts are working on wrapping up or working on this year's budget. Um the audits are just completed all of that stuff and looking forward to next year. So we are experiencing experiencing significant issues with our 202526 budget and these issues are caused by a decrease in enrollment from our projected student count. So I don't think the barriers that I talked
025about just a few minutes ago were the sole reason, but I think they're a contributing reason and they're a thing that we can control. So that's why we're doing that. the ch and this so the projected student count is significantly lower. It changes the funding that districts receive from the state of Michigan. The two main factors in our budget are the student count and state aid reimbursement. I talked about we've seen a de decrease decrease in enrollment across all grade levels in our school district especially at the kindergarten level. And I believe that the enrollment barriers are one factor that we can control. That's why we're doing the fair. We're also seeing, if you look at the data and the information, declined enrollment across the state, not just here, but that's been continual. The state
026aid that we receive is based on the student count, but we're also being impacted by the retirement rate that we send back to the state. So, for every employee that we pay, we send uh money back to the state of Michigan at the it's called the OS, Office of Retirement Services. And in the past they have because that entire retirement rate rate continues to increase they have they give districts they they call them offsets and this year and this is significant dollars. We've gotten them over the years. This year they changed the way that they do the offsets and that's negatively impacted our budget. So another key part is the money that we received from our state grants. we rece we received a reduction in our state aid funding and as a result I've been
027on the phone with MDE some good conversations some not so good conversations u but I think we're getting there um so that we can effectively use our grant dollars to meet the educational needs of our students so we're currently working on a plan for budget adjustments for the upcoming school year with the goal of right sizing the district to match student count while continuing to meet the the needs of our family and that's where I talk about effective ive use of both the Title One dollars and the the um at risk dollars to set up programming for those students. So, I wanted to let everybody know that's why I've been huddled in my office. I've taken the budget, I've tore it apart, I put it into a spreadsheet that I can understand. That spreadsheet um
028will be used as we make decisions moving forward with the district, but it has taken uh some time for me to do that. And I've been working handinand with Dr. get singer and she's been uh very helpful. So uh we're going to get to the bottom of it. We're going to figure it out. So that's an update on what I've been doing with my life for the last three weeks. So um and then finally, this is this is kind of neat. So Dearborn High School District 7 number seven is partnering with the University of Michigan Dearborn campus engineer 360 design innovate process method and practice course with six engineering students to work together on a community project in regards to community and crosswalk safety. The focus of this project is to gain feedback on what
029the community needs in regards to student safety. So, tomorrow morning first thing, I'll be sending out a link. Um, Alise is on that committee. She needs at least eight more by 4:00. So, please go on and do the the survey. So, Alys is on there. Yeah. Not Elise. Alyss. So, um when you get that, please go on and do the the link. I've I've taken the survey. Um we'll be sending it out to staff and we'll be sending it out to um you folks. Um, we're contemplating how to get it out to communities and so I'm still checking on some whether I can just do a a mass email or not. So, um, I just think that that's that that's really cool. Um, I met with them. It reminded me of way back in the
030day when I was in college and working on projects. And so, it's a great group of kids and and if we can support that education process of those folks moving forward, I think it's a worthy cause. So, we're going to continue to do that. And then as we move forward, we are um you know started two major um u religious holidays going through this time of year and we're working to meet the needs of all of our students and just hope that uh we can support everybody in any way that we can. So I wanted to put that out there as well. Okay. >> Any questions? >> Good. All right. Thank you. All right. Next up, other business. Um, any committee updates to report? I think we do, right? Um, we have a finance meeting
031scheduled now, I believe. Oh, no. I'm sorry. I'm looking at you and policy meeting. >> March 6th at March 6th at 1 p.m. Oh my gosh. We don't have a finance meeting yet, but it is going to be scheduled soon. >> Actually, I can update that because now I have confirmation for Tuesday and Tuesday. Okay. Um, so the finance uh meeting will be Tuesday, February 24th at uh 7 PM at the board office. Okay. Thank you. All right. So again, finance February 24th 7 p.m. board office policy committee March 6 1 p.m. board office. All right. Uh next item up, public comment number two. Anybody have anything to say? All right. Do we have kudos? >> Yeah, we have a couple. >> Um, I mean I What do you you guys prefer? Leslie would like
032to state something. You want her to Are you doing it as like a parent sort of thing? >> I just upcoming event one of schools, but I know she wanted >> Oh, I'm good with you sitting there. >> I kind of wanted to do this and bounce off of her. >> You want to bounce off? Go for >> I wanted to bounce off of yours since we're doing something, too. >> Okay. Well, then I'll just go first and then you >> um I just wanted to bring light to Alexia Alexia Frederick's um event that's on February the 28th. We'll be celebrating what would have been her 16th birthday here at Ow Bestie in the cafeteria area. Um all of the gifts that you bring for the event will go to Detroit Children's Hospital in her
033memory. And that is another thrive by any means necessary event and you'll get another certificate. >> Um also the same day February 28th um 9 to1 we are uh party PTO is hosting a mom to mom sale at the Eaton Center. >> Oh >> so we would like to work together with you. >> Perfect. >> Okay. >> All right. Anyone else? Okay. Awesome. Um we don't have kudos. Yes, we do. >> Couple. >> Go ahead. I'll let you go first. >> Okay. Um, I got a kudos for Pat Antonosian, Ray White, and Jeff Porter from Ariel Brown, dated uh 21226 uh setting up for our parent teacher conferences in the gym and cafeteria. You did a fantastic job organizing and arranging all the tables, chairs, and waiting areas. Thank you so much for your attention
034to detail. We appreciate the support on this endeavor. Right. Mine is to Pat Antinosian as well from Amanda Peak dated 29 2026. I would like to recognize and thank Pat for her outstanding work as interim building operations manager. She and her department are consistently responsive, professional, and efficient. And her leadership has made a notice noticeable positive impact on our building. And this is to Emily Anderson, Kelly Knap, Jamie Morris, Katie Canfield, Shan Harmon, Amanda Moran, Don Patula, and the whole Obis team from Ariel Brown dated February 12th, 2026 for creating an awesome PBIS event for students. The students enjoyed themselves and celebrated great behavior. Thank you for making a positive impact in environment for students. >> To Pat Antinosian from Jamie Morris, our schools and the children have truly been enre enriched by your efforts.
035Thank you for always going above and beyond for our teachers and staff. Your dedication, quick responses, and willingness to help no matter how big or small or small the issue do not go unnoticed. All right with that. All right. Huh. Yeah. Yeah. They just said All right. On to adjournment. Be it so resolved that the board of education adjourns the meeting at 7:32 p.m. May I have a motion? >> Some moved. >> Moved by Trusty Beltowski. >> Supported by trustee Windless. >> Questions, comments? No. Okay. Uh, roll call, please. >> Trusty Anderson, >> yes. >> Trusty Beltowski, yes. Trusty Dyra, >> yes. >> Trusty Stanovic, >> yes. >> Trusty Wall, yes. >> Trusty Windless, yes. >> Trusty Sterling, >> yes. Motion carries. Have a good night, everyone. Be safe. >> Thank you everyone. Mark, where
036did these come from?