001Uh, good evening. This is a regular meeting of the Ferndale School Board of Education being held on Monday, December 15th. Our meeting is being video recorded and will be posted on the Ferndale Schools YouTube channel. All meetings in the Ferndale schools are held in public in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Printed documents discussed at tonight's meeting are held at are available to the public upon request with the exception of any information protected by a student or employee privacy rights. Board meeting information is posted on our website at www.fernendschools.org. If you do not have internet access and need information, please contact the board offices at 248-5868652 by Thursday of the week prior to the meeting and district staff will do their best to work with you. Uh roll call. Shepard >> Here [laughter] >> I'm
002certain. I'm certain. Uh after review of the agenda, would anyone like to make any changes to the agenda? >> We move items five and six to after item 14. If we put them at the end to come out, but if we if we move them then every all the other things are up. I mean, I'm open >> there just because they're in and out. >> So, you want to make five and six. >> Oh, I got you. >> All right. This the new 15 and 16. >> Yes. >> We also need to make one other revision. This is the is it agenda change? Okay. So we need to also add an action item after number 15. We need to add. All right. So five and six will be 15 and 16 which will make number
00315. Number [clears throat] we need to add um number 18 to reconvene an open session. And then number 19 is an action item approval of the superintendent evaluation. Actually vote on you. >> Um so 19 will be an action item. Then 19.1 would be approved rating of superintendent. It's just going to be one at number 19 action item approval of the superintendent evaluation which will make adjournment at number 20. Outside of these changes, are there any other revisions that need to be made to the agenda? All right, then the agenda is approved as amended. [clears throat] And it bring us to item two, superintendent update. Item 2.1 uh student presentations and acknowledgements. [clears throat] >> Good evening. >> So I would like to explain how this is about to go because we have a packed
004house. So I am acknowledging uh about three different groups. After each group I know that there are a number of um orchestra um there's an orchestra concert. So after our first I'll pause you can depart then come back. So it'll be a lot of moving. Okay. So everybody pack your patience. All right. So uh good evening again. I would like to first call up our girls swim relay team which is Chantel Foreman, Josie Kroo, Amelia Pollock and Alexis Morzi. This is our girls 400 meter relay team who had an outstanding season. This team demonstrated incredible discipline, teamwork, and resilience throughout the season. and we're so incredibly proud of you. Mr. Rickman, our director of culture, climate, and athletics, has an item of acknowledgement for you. Mr. Ritman, you like to share what that is? >>
005So, we have our MHSA girls swim 2025 state qualifier 400 freestyle relay. We got them for every kid. Okay. Also, I just want to take this time to say I appreciate you guys helping build the program back up. co hit our program pretty hard finally was over 20 girls this year and we have acknowledgement from superintendent Hibler in recognition of your outstanding achievement dedication and leadership your commitment to excellence brings pride to our school and superintendent >> thank you athletes of the month oh sincerest appreciation and congratulations for your accomplishment. We won't be upset if you have to dash out to the orchestra concert. But thank you for being here. We wanted to make sure we publicly acknowledged you. If you want to turn around and just wave to the camera real quick. There [laughter]
006you go. Now it's official. Thank you so much. Next, I'd like to call up any member of the girls volleyball team. Girls volleyball. I just want to acknowledge they actually have the ball. Hold that ball up. Let everybody see it. This is very So you are uh we are recognizing the Ferndale High School girls volleyball team for an incredible season as district champions. In addition to bringing home the district title, several of our athletes earned all OAA honors, which speaks to both individual excellence and the strength of a team as a whole. So, a special congratulations to Lucy Clark. Serenity. Go ahead. Give her Lucy Clark. Serenity Keith. No, say it right for me. >> K. K get your let me get it right. Kaylee Union Mora Craft. Congratulations on an excellent season. We're so
007proud of your accomplishment. Mr. Rickman, you have any um additional comments for >> also won the regional championships. >> Get me together. Get me together league title. Uh made it to a final for the first time in years. And uh in her second year as a head coach, she's been phenomenal. And these girls have been phenomenal. >> Hold up them trophies. Hold them up. Hold up. >> Any seniors? >> Seniors. Let me hear your names. >> Ry King, >> Abby Dutra, >> Lucy Clark is the senior. Okay. All right. One, Sloan. Okay. Okay. Thank you ladies so much. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Small pause. >> I got the first one. >> Yeah, you guys can take a receipt or whatever. All right. All right. I have a funny story about my next group. So, uh,
008yesterday, um, in a group text to the board of education, I sent a link to the live stream of the robotics competition yesterday, and I said, "Wouldn't it be cool if tomorrow," which was already planned to give an acknowledgement? Wouldn't it be cool if we acknowledged state champions tomorrow? And guess what happened? We got state champions in the building. Could I please have Giggle Pickles? Could you start us off please? Giggle pickles. Come on up. All the giggle pickles. Giggle pickle parents, if you need to stand up, too. Giggle pickle parents, come up too. Giggle pickle parents too, please. Yes. Let us see. Let us see. Yes. There it is. There it is. Look at it. >> [laughter] >> Look at it, guys. Close up in person. >> Okay, so I'd like to take a
009moment to recognize our Ferndale Middle School robotics teams for an exceptional showing at the FTC Michigan Southeast State Championship. All three Ferndale teams competed and I'm proud to share that Giggle Pickles, team 24253, are repeat state champs. In Detroit, we call that backto back. Your age group might not understand that reference, but your parents do. Okay. They went undefeated. It's I mean I it is unbel undefeated in qualifying rounds. finished first overall in their division and showed incredible resist resilience battling back after an early playoff setback to win four straight matches matches and secure the state championship in a thrilling final. Giggle pickles, you impress me. I am in awe of you. Sounds like you guys are going to worlds again. Congrat Is worlds in Texas every year? >> Houston every >> It does, but
010in Texas you got Where is this? Where is it? World in Houston. >> It's in Houston again. Okay. All right. G giggle pickles. Congratulations. Thank you so much. Can I have screaming eagles? Where are screaming eagles? [laughter] >> Oh, yeah. There it is. Yes. All right. Screaming Eagles team 13002 also had a strong performance opening the event 5 and0 and earning a third place innovate award for their creative and highly innovative robot design. Clear evidence of their growth in engineering skill. Congratulations. Do you want to tell us anything specific about your about your build? >> Go ahead. Don't be shy. It's just a board meeting. [laughter] >> You got it. >> Um, our robot lifts up around se 17 in so another robot can fit under >> which uh led us to getting multiple spots
011for innovative award. We won the innovative award at Gross Point. I think got third place in the Michigan finals and placed 11th in our division for for Michigan State for Michigan finals. >> Impressive. >> Thank you and congratulations. It's a awesome achievement. I hope you feel proud. And last, but certainly not least, certainly not least, electric baking. Come on up. Those are some snazzy snazzy hoodies. The color. All right. Electric Bacon team 13733 competed in a tough field and had several close matches, including a standout victory that highlighted the competitiveness and depth of the program. Electric Bacon, what do you want to tell us about the pro about the program in the build? You already got the mic. [laughter] >> There we go. >> So, um, our robot was like mainly 3D printed, so it
012had like a lot of pink. >> Yeah. And and it glows in the dark. >> Um, and it was very fun. It was also very fun going against the Screamy Eagles cuz that was very nice. >> Not like not like that. I It was a very nice match and like competitive wise and it was very tight and looking at like the score over and over again while focusing on the robot. And we have a really good drive team including Augustus and um Henry in training, Jude as human player >> and me as um the second driver. Well, mainly everybody's on the drive team cuz everybody committed and everything and um yeah, two quick questions. Number one, was your hair color inspir [laughter] >> that is where the name came from. >> Pigs are kind of
013pink. >> It's electric and it's also bacon. So, it's like >> there's a picture right here. >> There you go. >> Inspiration. >> Excellent job, guys. So so proud of you. So so proud. Any any board member any questions, comments from the board before we close out this amazing presentation? >> I'm just in awe. >> I know. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> And the name the names are incredible, right? [laughter] >> I like the big pickle. So I thought cool pickle hat. >> What bacon hat? >> It's the it's the pickle. The pickles recognize the hat. >> Yes. you help me [laughter] like that. >> Oh, you >> I just want to say that all of these accomplishments are so worthy for this type of public and formal recognition. I hope that you feel proud. I
014just want to take a moment if you uh all students if you have not yet turn and make strong eye contact with your parent or caregiver right now and give them either a heart sign uh like blow a kiss, do some sort of affection for their support of you and the program. Parents, caregivers, thank you. Thank you for your love and support for this program, all of these programs. Thank you so much. All right, we're going to take a long pause. In case you're welcome to stay, but you're also welcome to go. in a middle school level Michigan outside of Michigan is high school. So these middle schoolers are already performing at our high school level world and it just shows how the team all come together but what they've achieved and their talents they're
015just going to keep going. >> They're already at a high school level worldwide and they are all All right. I'm just going to echo what Mrs. Hibler said. You're more than welcome to stick around for the audit update [laughter] or you are free to leave. [laughter] Mass exit. That was super cool. I wish I could have saw electric. >> Thank you. Thank you. Let's go. >> Right. We need a flag. >> All right. >> Also, thank you for that snow day last week. >> That brings us to item three. Uh the plant man audit presentation. >> Should have really had this as all the kids. >> Yeah. >> I think that'll be filed under full and usual punishment. >> Ready? >> Go. >> Oh, awesome. Well, I'm certainly not going to be as interesting as
016all that and we certainly cleared a room, but um my name is Lisa Vargo. I'm a partner at Plantaran in our K12 group and with me is Phil Norris. I he was the manager on the engagement today. So, we're just going to take a few moments and go through some high-level information about the audit and the audit results today. But before I kind of jump into the presentation, I just want to kind of take a step back and talk for a few moments about what the audit is um and thank Dawn and the finance department because there's a lot of work that really goes into to be able to have us be able to stand up here. Um I could quantify it into hours, but but that won't even justify the amount of hard work
017that goes into it. Um, when we come out here, we're doing a lot of assessment of controls. We're working with a lot of people. We're interviewing a lot of staff. We're doing more than just looking at numbers. We're looking at a lot of compliance work like um are things right and wrong from um a technical standpoint. We're looking at and then also obviously the numbers and the finance numbers and budgets and all that type of fun stuff there. Um we're interviewing a lot of different staff. So, um I just want to say thank you. We have a lot of courtesy has been um bestowed upon us as we're here. And so, thank you very much because I I will put in some numbers. We are probably here probably in total about three weeks um full-time
018with a staff of about four people um bugging everybody. So, thank you very much. So, with that, I'll go to the first slide here. So, um the summary of the audit results um essentially we do two types of audits. One audit is the financial statement audit which are the numbers um as we're going to go through and that's what Phil's going to go through some of the highle numbers. Um the result of what we're hired to do is put an opinion on that. So our responsibility is to look at those numbers and say you know are they materially correct? um we are able to put an unmodified opinion on that which is the highest level of assurance that we can provide that your financial statements are free of material misstatement. So congratulations. So that's the
019the best you can do. So so as we always say that's the A+ it's fantastic but even better than that as we're going through and doing our work we as auditors are required to say like are things being done properly? are they are as we're kind of going through could they be done better? Um we have an obligation to say um would you as a board need to know if something's wrong? Um although we're not putting an opinion on internal controls, we do have an obligation to say if we find an error, we need to report it or if something should be done better or there should be stronger controls, we have an obligation in to report it. And that's called findings or significant deficiency material weaknesses. So we did not find anything. So that
020would say that your finance department is as we find set up appropriately, you know, correctly. Um you know we look at things like um internal controls, segregation of duties, um are things getting reviewed properly. So as we're looking at that, we did not find any findings through that. So that's fantastic. The other report that we look at would be the federal award audit. That would be um also referred to the single audit, the A133 audit. This year we tested the idea program. It's important to understand that this audit is a compliance audit. So we are testing things not necessarily numbers, but we are testing things um the way that the federal government would say like we want you to test this program. Are these funds being used exactly how we the federal government are requiring
021you to use them? Um there is no materiality in these audits. So it's very common to have findings in these type of audits but we did not have any findings in this. So congratulations on that. So then because of that we also are able to give an unmodified opinion on that as well. So again highest level of assurance on that program for idea. Um, and finally, as we are going through and doing our testing of the of the audit, we do test on the bond compliance. So, as you're going through your bonds, we kind of make sure that the testing of the bonds are being spent in accordance with as as the bonds are are to be spent. So, with that, I'll turn it over to Phil and he's going to go over some highlevel
022numbers. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Lisa. Um, so like Lisa said, I'm going to present to you guys the high level financial statement numbers. So the items that you'll see in the financial statements, focusing in on the general fund in particular given that that's the main operating fund of the district. Um, so really looking more at the the quantitative side as opposed to the the qualitative side. So starting out, this is presenting general fund revenue and other financing sources in comparative format between 2025 and and 2024. And this is presenting the the largest sources of this this revenue. You'll notice that 46% this year or 48% last year was state membership aid. So this is directly tied to your pupil count, your enrollment. Um, this takes the states per pupil foundation allowance and multiplies that
023by your pupil count in order to get to to that revenue. The next largest portion is the 38% this year or 34% last year and that represents other state, local and interd district sources. This is categorical grants and special education village. And then just quick note on the categorical grants. It is a little bit different than a lot of the other revenue that you have in that there's usually some strings attached. So there's requirements on what you you can and cannot spend it on. And then next you'll see property taxes comes in at 11 and a half% this year. Really consistent with what we had last year. And then lastly, federal revenue at 2.3 million this year or 4.4% of the pie. Um, and as Lisa noted, we tested IDEIDA as a part of our
024compliance audit of the single audit. Um, and that represented about $790,000 the expenditures there. And then the other big grant that was included in federal revenue is the the child nutrition cluster. So in total, revenue increased by $1.3 million roughly year-over-year. Um, and then that was primarily driven by an increase in state categorical revenue. So now looking at the sources of the district's uh funding, just kind of want to take a a spin through the the other side, the expenditures and the the other financing uses of the district. Um, so this breaks out expenditures and other financing uses by MDE expenditure function. Um, so this is each activity or department where the money is spent. So, as you'll notice, uh, given that the district is a people-based organization, the vast majority of operating expenditures are
025are all related to instruction, instructional support services. This is like teacher salaries and benefits, uh, as well as librarians, counselors, instructional aids, all those things, all the items where you're really keeping your resources in the classroom. Next largest portion is operations, maintenance, central and transportation at 15 and a.5%. So this includes custodial services, building maintenance, utilities, things like that. And then next is school and general administrative and business services at about 8.4% covering principles, assistant principles, other leadership roles, things of that nature. and then just smaller last few categories representing each less than 3% um capital outlay and community services round out the the rest of the pie. Um so again the split is is really fairly consistent year-over-year. And then just overall expenditures and same thing on this slide as well. Um similar with
026the increase in in revenue expenditures were up $1.7 million from last year. So now this other slide is just presenting expenditures in a little bit of a different light. So this is looking at general fund expenditures by object code. Um so this is really um what the the items are being spent on um the service or item that's purchased with with each expenditure. So consistent with what we saw on the previous slide, if you look at salaries and wages plus benefits, the two largest portions on that on that pie, that represents 79% of total spending and that's um all on personnel, people related costs. The next largest category is purchase services is about 14% of expenditures. So things like substitute teachers, contracted instructional support, um other specialized services that might not be provided in house
027and then supplies and materials and capital outlay and other round out the the chart both representing less than like 5% or less of expenditures each and again fairly consistent with what we saw year-over-year. So the next slide, now that we've looked at the activity during fiscal year 2025, this is looking at the district's financial position as of the point in time at June 30, 2025, otherwise known as the balance sheet. So uh total assets came in at at $20.3 million. Largest portion of that is 11.8 related to investments and cash. Next, receivables at $7.96 million. Um, which is primarily related to the state aid receivable of $6.5 million and federal grant reimbursements. And then inventory and prepaids makes up a small portion about $594,000 um to to round out that portion of the the balance
028sheet, the assets. So then on the other side, the liabilities of the district come in at about $7.4 million. about half of liabilities um are all related to acred payroll liabilities. And then unearned revenue comes in at $2.8 million or 38% of liabilities. This is funds that have been received but not yet spent or or earned. Um and then lastly, accounts payable represents $846,000. Those are just like vendor related expenditures. So then the last portion that that I'll present on is looking at u the fund balance. So we saw your assets and we saw your your liabilities and then the difference between those two is is what your your fund balance is. So this slide is really presenting the walk across a fund balance start of the year to to fund balance at the end
029of the year and kind of puts together the pieces that I previously presented on. So um starting at June 30, 2024, fund balance was at $11.7 million and then the revenue and other sources of $52 million. Then expenditures and other uses of um about $50.9 million indicates that we have a current year increase of about $1.1 million, bringing your fund balance to $12.9 million at the end of the year. And then we look at fund balance in a couple of different components. So there's the the non-spendable fund balance. This inventory and prepaid assets. These are items that have already been spent by the district. Therefore, it's it's non-spendable fund balance. Um and then the next portion is assigned fund balance, which is the subsequent year's budgeted use of fund balance. So the excess of expenditures
030of a revenue is is assigned fund balance. And then lastly, just the remaining portion is is your unassigned fund balance at that $9.8 million. Um so just providing a little bit more context on this fund balance. Uh the MSBO guideline of a fund balance is usually between 15 to 20% and the 2024 state average was at 24.7%. So the districts sorry context on those numbers. Um one metric that the district that is commonly used to evaluate fund balances fund balance as a percentage of general fund expenditures. Um so fund balance that 12.9 divided by expenditures of 50.9 um gets you to a percentage of 25.4%. Um those metrics that I was saying earlier the MSBO guideline of fund balance um as a percentage of expenditures is between 15 to 20% and the 2024 state average
031is um 24.7%. So it all indicates that the district has a healthy fund balance at the end of the year. Um, so I'll kick it over to Lisa to kind of outline fund balance history of the district the last 10 years. >> Just a couple more slides to wrap it up. Um, so um, as Phil said, um, the ending fund balance at the end of the fiscal year 2025 is about $13 million. This slide shows the history of the fund balance over the last 10 years. Um as in recent years the district has had the increase the focus of sustainability and you can see from 2016 and onward the increase in the fund balance over the years. Having the fund balance provides the district with the operational flexibility. Um as you can you know historically
032over just even the past year um with the state budgeting slowdown federal shutdown it's important to have that fund balance there to allow the flexibility you it's important to have that fund balance to always allow the flexibility and weather the storms. So it's a great job to kind of see that growth of the fund balance over the last 10 years. And in the final um chart here, so we always kind of like to look at the student enrollment. This gives the last um 10 years of the student enrollment. Um so as you can see with the with the exception of the little blip during the COVID years, the enrollment has really been kind of evening out or is it has appears to stabilize recently. Um, as Phil said, you know, the student enrollment is really
033what's driving from the foundational allowance. In 2024, the per pupil stu um foundation allowance was 9,608 per pupil and it will increase in 2025 to the 10,50 per pupil. So, um you know, it it's just interesting to kind of watch the the um the history of the population from 2016 and onward. So with that, um, that ends up our presentation and I will pause to see if anybody has any questions. >> Um, first off, thank you for all this work. I know it's it's a lot. Uh, also people are seeing fantastic work. I mean, just seeing consistent numbers is just so fantastic. Um, few questions. Um on slide five on the general fund expenditure by project. >> Yes. >> Is there like a a target number for the percent on salaries and wages or does
034that like depend on size? >> It really depends on size of school district. And I do also think it varies to school districts based on how much they're contracting out and how much is in you know. So, I see some of my school districts, the percents might be higher or lower depending on how much they're using from third parties. >> That's not easy to say that this is >> um and then on slide seven, the assigned uh fund balance, that's basically just what we budgeted this year, but we're assuming we're going to have to use >> Yes. And you know, and that's that number is always difficult because you're you're doing that budget before the end of the year. >> Yeah. Um, and then when was that time we had a almost 3,200 students? >>
035We were just talking about that. We have to figure out why that's reporting in that way. That that's not accurate. >> Yeah, it it has something we believe it has something to do with um >> St. Marks and something with our adult and it it we can't figure it out just yet, but that is not at all an accurate number. But it is that is what's being reported in myar and >> and some of the other my school datas of the world. So we have to rectify it. >> Um definitely should do I mean this is not the most exciting social news but you know showing that we've got a you know really great support leadership here. So >> okay whether it's in the newsletter or we'll do the social just to say everything is
036tight here. for sure. >> I just did on the great work and I know how much it takes to do one of these audits. So, just thank you guys. Thank you, Don. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Have a great night. You too. Great. This brings us to item four, public comment. Anyone here for public comment? >> Yes. >> Okay. Uh this is a time for public participation in the meeting. The board of education intends for the public to have many opportunities to address the board and administration of their school district. This includes emails, phone calls, face-to-face meetings, community gatherings, public hearings, and other public meetings. We welcome individual and group input into the important issues that confront our schools. Um, we want to provide fair and impartial guidelines for participation as required
037by the open meetings act to encourage transparency and equal treatment for everyone in attendance. We also recognize that an effective meeting facilitates better decisions and promotes openness by allowing more people to stay for the full length of the meeting. The Fendo public schools community acts with great civility toward one another. Please help us maintain that tradition during public comments. >> Cool. Is that [laughter] >> my name is Ian Ciple and I'm a mentor on the high school and middle school robotics team. >> I'm Doug Lake here in 20 years and judge. >> So what we want to bring up is that during the months of January through April, high school and middle school robotics overlaps now just because the middle school teams have constant consistently gone to worlds for the past two years and now
038um they have registration for what's called league tournaments and that's in like Chicago and stuff which happens in April and May. Um, and so because of this overlap, middle school and high school robotics are not able to share the same space. High school needs the space until about 8 900 p.m. every night just to be able to compete for high school and then middle school. Now, um, we don't meet till later just because, well, we have 9 toive jobs. So, we have to be able to work that and then meet afterwards. And obviously, middle school kids can't meet at 900 PM at night. Um, so the big thing is just from January through April, we can't share the same space just because both teams are in need of one. And at the same time, high
039school robotics, um, we use power tools and middle schoolers are not able to use those. Uh, it's a safety liability and we don't want both kids in the room at the same time just because, um, just because of that. Yeah, that's where they all had. [laughter] >> Okay. >> As we've been growing and now we're doing things like summer courses, uh postseason, you know, right now we're already talking about January, February, which is great. Kids love it. Really helps to build this, but like said, it's really difficult when and the high school team is a full year for their actual season and we're trying to continue our work makes things difficult. So >> ladies, do you have their contact info? >> Can you leave your contact info? >> Yeah, I got on this sheet here.
040>> Just Okay, just leave it with the separate and one of these two will definitely follow up with you. >> Thank you guys. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. Have a good night. Great job. >> Congratulations. Okay, that brings us to item five, the consent agenda. Um, item 5.1, request to approve minutes of the special meeting committee of the whole, Monday, November 3rd, 2025. Item 5.2, request to approve minutes of the regular meeting, Monday, November 17, 2025. Item 5.3, request to approve minutes of the special meeting board retreat Saturday, November 22nd, 2025. Item 5.4, request to approve new hires, resignations, and transfers. Item 5.5, request to approve bills and accounts for November. Uh, does anyone wish to remove an item from the consent agenda for questions or discussion later? Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion
041to approve the consent agenda as presented. Moved by Lisa. >> Seconded by David. Roll call. Shepard >> from Ryan. >> Yes. Thank you. With six yes votes. The motion passes. The consent agenda is approved. Item six, action items. Item 6.1, the request to approve bid packet 11, summer construction award recommendation referring to a high school. >> So, good evening board. >> This item was presented to you at the committee of the whole earlier this month. Um, this summer we're embarking on renovation to Bernardell High School auditorium. Um, as well as to uh classrooms, the art classrooms and laboratories, select laboratories in the high school. The bid packet was uh let in October. Um we had over 70 responses for a number of the general trades. This recommendation is to award um to those various trades
042and various categories um in the amount um not to exceed 6 6.2 2 million $222,20. Um, this is under the work will be performed under the 2020 bond. Tonight, we're asking for uh your approval to approve the bid packet 11. I'll entertain a motion to approve item 6.1, request to approve bid packet 11, summer construction award recommendation for Berno High School. I'll move >> moved by Jonathan. >> Second by Jessica. Any discussion on the motion? >> Excited for the new auditorium. >> Everybody roller. >> Yes. Turner. >> Yes. Thank you. With success votes, the motion passes in item 6.1. Request to approve bid pack 11, summer construction award recommendation for Ferndale High School is approved. Item 6.2, the request to approve the OCSBA proposed resolution for January 2026. Uh, did you all have a chance
043to look at that? It was in the board packet. It's just a yes or no if we approve it. Okay. I'll entertain a motion to approve the request to approve the OCSBA proposed resolution for January 2026 as presented. >> Make a motion. >> Moved by Jonathan. >> Second. Second by Mark. Any discussion on the motion? >> Ro Shepard. >> Newman. Yes. Turner. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. Thank you. With six yes votes, the motion passes. And item 6.2, the request to approve the OCSBA proposed resolution for January 2026 as presented is approved. Item 6.3, the request to approve calendar adjustments. Good evening everybody. >> Good evening. >> How are we doing tonight? >> Good. >> So, you might remember back in August talked about a calendar and bringing up the possibility of using virtual days
044to uh to ensure that we we didn't lose any funding for half days. Well, the state when they passed the budget, they slipped in a lastm minute change that immediately repealed the ability for districts to use virtual days and count them as days of instruction. So, Tom and I are here to just give you an update on some reworking of the reworking of the the calendar so that we can make you aware that we can get it out to to the public. In general, >> we've been in Thank you, Tom. Um, [clears throat] we've been in discussion with FDA over this calendar issue involving the remote days. Uh, we have discussed a um concept that I'd call it more than a concept, probably a tenative plan that they are discussing um with their FBA council
045to um >> tomorrow, right? Yeah. Um and uh uh that we think is going to work well and uh we would look forward to once they have ratified that agreement. We'll share details with the board. It essentially involves tweaking a couple days taking a day um that was currently planned as a remote day and changing that to a full day and making some other shifts on other days in the spring. So, we we we think it's going to work well for the district, for kids, for staff. We're waiting to hear back from the FDA council on that proposal and then uh um we've also had some discussion about communications broader communications with the community about that. So we'll be looking forward to sharing that. >> So you do not need our approval today. >> What's
046that? >> You don't you do not need our approval today. >> Okay. >> I I'm asking you I don't believe we do. >> Okay. So we need to table uh item 6.3 to request to approve the calendar adjustment. Nope. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> It's just information. >> Yeah, it's just is it? Yeah. >> Okay. Item nine,formational items 9.1, the budget to actual report. That's where we are. >> Seven. >> Is that seven? Sorry. Let me change the rest of these numbers. Item seven,formational items. >> Okay. >> Hi, Don. >> Hello. Good evening. >> Good evening, Don. >> Um, this is the budget to actual for November. And if you remember last month, it looked a little out of whack, but we had three payrolls in October instead of two. And so now everything's
047back in line. The only thing to point out really is the federal revenue. We haven't received any because up until late last week, we didn't have any grant funds available. Um, and you know that's a federal government bank. But so, um, now we have they approved a couple and I think section 41 bilingual or I don't know. Anyhow, so we'll start getting some reference Those are the two grants. >> Yeah. >> Any questions? >> Thank you, Don. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> That was seven, eight, consideration of any pool consent agenda items. We had none. Nine. Our ne our annual organization meeting is Monday, January 5th, 2026 at 6 PM. Item 10, our next committee of the whole is also Monday, January 5th at 6:30 p.m. Number 11, our next regular board meeting
048is Monday, January 26th at 7 p.m. Uh, item 12, Eagles, points of prize or comments. >> Who'd like to go first? >> I'll take this one. Um, I had the opportunity to go to the what was the word? >> Meet meet. >> Meet greet. Meet and greet. >> Meet and greet. Been doing a lot of those. Um, to meet with the high school students over at Ferndale High School. We had about 15 to 20 children in there. It was very diverse between grades. Um, freshman to seniors. It was great to be a just to restart the meet and greets and really hear how the students feel about their school and about the district. Um they're very bright kids and they have uh this they they were very bright kids. Um they are very dedicated to
049Ferndale schools. Um, one student just support him stated, um, let's not try to be like blank other district. Let's try to be like Fernandell schools. We shouldn't try to be like everyone else. Um, which made me just feel pride in wanting to be different and have that unique Ferndale experience. Um, yeah, it was just a really good time to see the students and see their sense of belonging within our district and actually wanting to make a change. for the better, not just for themselves, but for the grades below them as well. You'll hear more notes soon. >> I'll take the easy one next. Today was amazing. >> The breadth and depth of the programs that we provide and how excited all the parents and engaged all the kids were. Giggle pickles is going to make
050me laugh. [laughter] Um, but this room was amazing. So, spell with was uh I was Jonathan Jonathan stole my thunder. I was I [laughter] love those meet and greets but I will I was also able to go with Mark to township's meeting and relevant of what we had to say. I spoke and but they you could tell them but they were seemed really really happy to see us. Um, and I think that's important and I I I got that feeling at the meet and greet that they wanted to see us. >> Um, a particular sibling, you know, [laughter] they really did and they and you know, I think township they find once they figured out who we were, I don't think they realized who we were until we got up and talked. The smiles on
051their face were indicative to me that they really were happy to see us happy. That's pretty cool. That was >> David did a great fantastic job. [laughter] >> I I will uh now that winter's here, uh just the folks whether our staff or contractors that are out there uh plowing snow, throwing salt down, just making sure that you know kids get to school, parents don't cause too much chaos going through the parks. Uh you know, non-stop job, uh, 247, you know, you're directing all of it. So, just appreciate all those folks that are out there, uh, when it's dark out making sure. Um, over the weekend, President Doogie shared a article with uh the board uh one of our teachers at UHS who started a horror class uh English class um that really sparked my
052interest in a couple of different ways. So, I was an English teacher for for 10 years and uh English teachers really have to be sales people uh to get kids excited about literature and writing. And I'm also a horror nerd and so [laughter] um I just I got really excited when I was reading the article because it just was such a brilliant idea and I would have loved to teach a horror class. Uh so I just felt really proud of her work. I think it's going on its fourth year of running right now. >> Um and what an exciting and unique experience that is for our students um to dig into um a unique genre that is not available to to a lot of high school kids. really get whatever gets you reading books and
053writing about books. >> Uh power to you. So good for her for that hard work. >> Next stole some of mine. I love seeing out joy. So I attended the dance the dance performance and it was just back to back to back My son went with me to drag a 13y old boy and he was sitting there. He was like, I think that was the best one. Did you hear that? >> Um, it was just it was phenomenal. It was really, really phenomenal. I was planning to stay longer. And then the next thing it was over. I was like, I want more. I thought we do a little bit more. But I was chosen to be first year dance. I was gonna say first year teacher. >> So that's a great segue for me because
054my Eagle Excellence is the um All City Band concert that was also on Saturday. Um and is um absolutely one of my favorite events. Um and I just enjoy in one space you have your fifth grade, you have your middle school, you have your high school and just to um I was standing right next to principal Jeffrey and she was pointing out the like high schoolers that were used to be fuel students and just so excited that they stuck with the program and like seeing the growth and you can just it's just wonderful to see it in that way. You can truly see the growth of the program and the excitement of the students. Um, so, um, shout out to all of um, Mr. Jameson, um, Miss Schroeder, um, uh, Mr. Burke, um, every staff
055member and adult that had anything to do, um, with any of our fine arts, our band programs. Um, it was a wonderful performance. >> We should talk about what that they used to look like, but we gonna do that now. >> Um, I am not going to do a shout out. I am going to remind people that we're coming up on a break here at the end of the week. Um, and I'm going to encourage everyone to do just that. Take a break. So, that's not just staff, parents, kids, like take a break, use that time to rest, recharge, and be ready to come back for 2026. That brings us to item 13, a request to go into close session to discuss UAW negotiation updates. Who's going to be? >> All right. Uh, I'll entertain
056a motion to go into close session with uh, Superintendent Hibler, Deputy Superintendent Wright, uh, Director of HR Tom Shelton, and the board. >> I'll move. >> All right. Moved by Jonathan. >> Seconded by Lisa. Roll call. Shepherd. >> Sorry. >> Newman. >> Yes. >> Turner. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Going to close session at 8:00 p.m. and at 8. >> Okay. >> All right. So, we're back from close session at 8:15. Um, and now we're at number four. Item 14, request to go into close session uh to discuss an employee issue with Superintendent Hibler, Deputy Superintendent Wright, Director of HR, Tom Shelton, and the board. Need a motion moved by Jessica, second by David. Roll call. Miss Shepard. >> Yes. All right. end the close session at 8:17 and I'm going to entertain a motion
057to approve. >> Did it say the request? Yeah, we have to approve the request. >> No, we have to approve the request for the employee termination. >> Yes. >> Oh, great. I need a motion. Some moved by Lisa, by David. Roll call. Miss Shepard. >> Yes. So we this where it says request to go into close session to discuss an employee issue. It should say request to go in a close session is not it's to discuss employee termination. Okay. >> Termination. So 15 is still 15. >> Yes, it is. All right, we're going to take a quick break and then uh we're going to take a three minute break. All right, we're going to take a threem minute break and then we'll come back with uh we'll be an open meeting uh before we'll be
058an open meeting >> start the Yeah, >> we'll go to the request. >> Taking a three-minute break and then >> we're taking a three-minut break. We're going to open up with Sean. Then we're going to go move into close session. But we're going to take the three-minut break first so that we don't have to stop again. >> Item 15, superintendent evaluation. Welcome. >> Thank you. Good to be with you. Let me just say I appreciate all the work that has been done up to this point. Uh I've had it come in >> for the tip of the iceberg because there's a lot of work you've done with your superintendent in terms of reviewing your self-evaluation and you've done work reflecting on that self evaluation and preparing and preparing uh the notes you brought to this
059meeting for the discussion. For those who might be watching because we are live and an open session, we are using the evaluation instrument that can be found at masb.org. If you go to the right hand column on that web page, there's button that says superintendent evaluation and you click on that button and you can see the rubric that's being used for the superintendent evaluation. Now those introductory comments being said um at the request of the person whose performance is being discussed, it is permissible to have the conversation about performance in close session. And my understanding is that your superintendence requested that the discussion be in close session. So I will quit talking and let your president moved you into close session. >> Great. So, there's a request to go into close session to discuss the
060superintendent evaluation >> uh with the board superintendent. >> Sure. [laughter] >> Uh superintendent Hip or Deputy Superintendent, right? and uh Sean Lewis Lincoln, right? Lin uh Lincoln from MASB. >> All right. Moved by Jessica. >> Seconded by Lisa. >> Roll call. Jonathan. >> Grim. >> Taylor. >> Yes. >> Duke Kaiser. >> Yes. >> Newman. >> Yes. >> Turner. Yes. And President Duki. >> Yes. >> All right. With Yes. With six votes. We move into close session at 8:30 p.m. We are out of close session and back in open session at 9:16 p.m. And then we need to now item 17 16 uh action item approval of the superintendent evaluation uh with a rating of effective. I'll entertain a motion. Move >> moved by Jonathan, >> seconded by Jessica. >> Roll call. >> Taylor Burn, >>
061yes. >> Kaiser, >> yes. >> Newman, >> yes. >> Corrine, >> Turner, yes. And President Duki, >> yes. Uh with six yes votes the approval of the superintendent evaluation with a rating of effective is approved. We are adjoured at 9:17. >> Thank you. Okay.