001My best friendly >> 30 when they had their first kid. >> I'm the oldest at the the McDonald's >> and I said, you know, I saw that actually But we're still >> barely. Although we did actually, >> you know what I mean? Of course, English is actually a second language. college. >> I'd like to call to order the Laura School Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 13th at 7 p.m. If you could please all stand and recite the pledge of allegiance. I aliance 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. >> Thank you. Additions or changes to the agenda? >> None tonight. >> Comments on agenda items? >> None tonight. >> Thank you. Our
002first Order of business is our student council report and this is Gates Dup. >> Good evening everyone. Today students and staff had their first day back after spring break. Although we all enjoyed our break and wish it could have been a little bit longer, we've had a lot going on at our high school and have a lot to get done before the end of our school year. With warm weather rolling in, we also have spring sports getting back on the schedule. Students are back to practices and getting involved with their sports. On the other hand, for our seniors, the countdown is on. We have only 23 days of school left, 22 after today. >> This is both exciting and a stressful time for our seniors as we all get our final things done before we
003prepare for graduation. Prom is also coming up this year. It'll be a little bit early and we'll have a student versus staff basketball game on Friday the 21st during our prom assembly which our student council has been organizing. And the dance will take place the next day on April 25th. At the same time, many students are preparing for their PSAT and SAT testing. This will take place this Thursday, and students and staff are all hard at work at the high school, preparing for the end of the year. Overall, this is a bit of a busy season at the high school, but also a very exciting one. I'd like to thank you all for your time. This has been your student council report for April 13, 2026. Your student representative, Giana Supreme. >> Thank you. >>
004Next order of business is our grouping. This is board approval of the minutes for March 9th work session on March 23rd uh March 31st uh expulsion hearing and March 31st close session. Uh the recommendation is that board of education approve the minutes as presented. Could I get motion? >> Could I get support? >> Possible. >> Supported by Jessica. Yeah. So, I just the um consent grouping includes the approval of the minutes from last month as well as the payment of bills. Um you've got the paper copy of those bills in a separate packet as well as the the digital copy that was signed. So, that's for the tonight's consent grouping. >> Any questions? >> Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I >> oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Next order of
005business, we get into our action items. And our first action item is our bus driver contract. The recommendation is that the board of education approve the bus driver contract as recommended. Can I get a motion to bring the driver's contract to order? >> So move and supported by Yeah. So, with discussion on that, just want to highlight the great discussions that we had with the drivers uh representatives. It was a good collaborative process. Um hopeful that we've got a contract agreement that um is going to retain our current drivers and uh thank them for the work that they do every day on our roads and hopefully attract some new drivers as well. So, um I don't know if Mr. Chaki has anything else to add about the driver negotiations? >> Uh just in the contracted
006highlights I put in there the things we've talked about in close session um throughout the process, but to get a three-year deal with the driver association was great. Um Mr. Fowler hit the competitive wages to keep us in the middle of the county and above. Um and then also just the hard work of their cabinet to um you know follow some of our other um contracts, specifically the support staff. Um if you look through there you probably recall from our longevity um to severance, vacations, school closings and delays. Um you know those follow suit to support staff. So we have a lot of like language across the district um which is very good with the retention and the recruitment aspects um for our drivers. the two at the very end, if you look through the
007highlights, um the attendance incentive that we've been running for two years now will remain as a letter of agreement and we'll meet in August to discuss that each year just to see where we're at from a driver fleet standpoint as well as you know how it's working and the numbers and so far it's worked incredibly well. So, we'll continue to have those meetings and um change and adapt as needed. And then the other one maybe you're wondering a little bit more about um is the bus maintenance piece. We do have to take a look at you know some of the language. So next year we'll build a committee of equal representation and begin to um discuss the bus maintenance um discuss some of our past history um with gas fill up and whatever direction we
008head in the future. So, um, but yeah, it was a, you know, was a great set of meetings across a three-month period, and I'm glad we're able to get to a three-year deal with the board's approval and, um, continue to put us as a kind of a standard and, you know, stay on track with our fellow 10 county school districts. >> Any questions about any of the highlights? >> 60,000 foot view. What's the bus maintenance? Um, bus maintenance can be anything from cleaning to the gas like I talked about. Um, to all the preparation at the beginning of the day, all the um closing tasks that you have at the end of the day and everything in between. At some point, we have to discuss the washing of the buses um and how we operate
009in that fashion as well. So there's I mean if you look at the language it's it's quite large and we really just need to review because we haven't touched bus maintenance in a while other than we know that there's a lot of maintenance that goes along with it and now there's a lot of different pieces. So we need to hopefully um either add an addendum at some point during this three-year contract or by the time we get to the next one we have that you know fine-tuned and and ready to go with the language that should be there. >> So just to fine-tune what gets done when, how, and by whom. >> Yep. Exactly. Um because that like the bus wash for instance so new. We're still learning um teaching and kind of have the
010roles in different areas, but at some point it might be, you know, all drivers driving in there. >> The gas is a very unknown thing at this point. So, we're trying to figure that out and then as well as the pre-trip task and the post-trip task. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I can speak to a little bit more to the gas being an unknown thing, too. So, there are some underground tanks that we use to fill our our fleet. And just as those tanks approach replacement age, making some decisions about what's next for those tanks. Is it replacing underground? What does an above ground look like? What does an off site look like? Um, no decisions being made, but just getting input from all parties about what is the best option for the district, what
011are the costs, what are the environmental impacts, what are the insurance coverage impacts, safety, all of those considerations to move forward with fueling the buses as well. >> Makes sense. >> Thank you. Any other questions hearing? None. All those in favor of approving the bus driver as noted, please signify by saying I. >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Next order of business is the Murray Lake Elementary roof. The recommendation is that the board of education authorize Owens and Kimble to issue notice of pending awards and the amount amounts indicated to contractors and suppliers listed below pending confirmation that all requirements of the contract documents have been met. Furthermore, that upon receipt by Owens Ames Kimbo Company of the appropriate documentation, contracts be awarded to these contractors and suppliers by Low Area Schools. Asphalt shingles
012summit point roofing $153,644 ther thermoplastic polyolifin roofing versatile roofing systems $252,175. Can I get a motion to bring this item to order? So moved >> by Jennifer. Could I get support? >> Supported by Lori. >> So this is a project that will be uh like to use our sinking fund uh to complete the Murray Lake roof. Really pleased with the interest that we had um in this project. We had nine biders for the asphalt singles. We had 10 for the flat tpo uh surface, the rubberized surface. And so, uh, because of that interest, we were really able to get some favorable pricing on that. So, just want to thank all of the the local contractors who who bid on this project. Um, the total cost of the project that includes um contingency funds as well
013is $766,000. Um, and so all of that will be covered by our syncing fund. the asphalt shingles. Um there's a substantial difference between the low bidder and the second bidder. We're all cool that the low bidder is good. >> We are so >> wonderful. It's a great savings. Just a big difference. >> As we came through that, it was a question that we had, but going through um you know, the bid with a fine tooth comb and just through that post bid interview process, um the company felt like they could meet all of the requirements and felt like the price that they offered was appropriate. Yeah. >> Any other questions? >> Hearing none. All those in favor of the Murray Lake Elementary roofing uh contracts, please signify by saying I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign.
014Motion carries. Next order of business is our food service management contract. The recommendation is that the board of education approve the food service management contract as recommended. Can I get a motion to bring this item to order? >> It's all moved. >> Moved by Pat. Can I get support? >> Support by Jess. >> I'll start off by saying just that appreciated the partnership with Chartwells. Um, and I will let Miss Hodgej speak a little bit more about the details of this renewal. >> So, this is a renewal of our current contract. Uh the contract is a five-year uh agreement that we have with annual renewals uh for each of those years. So this is one of those renewals. Uh the original year was in 2024. Uh our contract states that we will increase our admin
015fees by 4% or CPI whichever is less. Uh CPI turned out to be exactly 4% this year. So it's a 4% increase. Um, so following all of MDEs and the federal government's rules on how these contracts are negotiated and agreements are made, uh, we followed all of those steps and MD has approved this agreement renewal. Uh, and now all we need is for the board to put their stamp of approval as well. Any questions? Hearing none. All those in favor of the food service management contract as presented, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Next order of business is gift to the district. The following gift is presented for formal board acceptance. The recommendation is that the board of education accept the following gift as presented. Sony camera case,
016multiple lenses, and batteries with charger donated by Lori Kuna totaling $370. questions a motion. >> Oh, sorry. Helpful. >> Uh motion to bring this item to order. >> So moved by Annie. Thank you. Could I get support? >> I'll support >> Support by De. >> Uh so just uh appreciate this this donation. We have a great digital photography program at the high school which uh it's a real popular class and provides great opportunities to to learn how to make some beautiful photos uh with digital cameras and so appreciate the the donation. >> Are these digital or >> Yes, they are. >> All that is old is new again. There's so much >> Well, yeah, I know. I got rid of all my all my uh film cameras. Any other questions? Hearing none. All those in
017favor of accepting the gift to the district, please signify by saying I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. >> Motion carries. Next order of business is our ballot resolution. It's a recommendation that the board of education approve the ballot resolution as recommended. Could I get a motion to bring this item to order? >> So moved. >> Moved by Lori. Can I get support, friends? >> Support by. >> All right. So, we're going to spend a little bit of time on this one. Um talk about both proposals. The resolution covers two proposals that we'd like to bring to voters um in the August election. Uh proposal one is to uh for the operating millage for the tax years 2027 through 2036. This would be a 10-year uh levy for that. Uh we generate $5.2 million for our
018general fund from the 18 mil levy on non-homestead properties. With that operating millage, the state expects local districts to collect that operating millage from non-homestead properties as part of our P per pupil allocation. So all districts in the state of Michigan, um this is part of their their regular business. We've also seen over the years impacts from Headley rollbacks. So we're unable to collect the full 18 mills um which over time leaves a hole in our general fund and so looking to to fill that um with this we're asking that uh the board authorize a 20 21 mills for this. By law we're only able to collect 18. So what that means is we're authorizing the 21 mills and so the headley rollbacks start uh from the 21 mills. were only a able to levy
019the 18 mills. And what that allows us to do is to go out for the 10-year period and not ask voters um again and again and again, will you please um continue to authorize this? Um so it gives us that cushion to protect um the full per pupil allocation is determined by the state. Um our current one I think that's worth pointing out expires in 2028. We are going out a year early because of the headley roll backs we have seen like that mentioned that pool. So each year that that grows and so we're um asking to do that. So if you bear with me I want to just read the language that uh that will be on the ballot as is approved. So this proposal will replace expiring millillage and allow the school district
020to continue to level the statutory rate. not to exceed 18 mills on all property except principal residents and other property exempted by law required for school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. The remaining three mills are only available to be leveled to restore millage loss as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will only be leveled to the extent necessary to restore that reduction. So the opening section of that uh question just talks about that 21 mills and how that those three mills protect that. The other thing that I think it's important to note is that um the state expects this to be paid on non-homestead properties. So on someone's first home, if you look at your tax bill, it will say exempt in that category
021on your primary residence. It's for business properties, for second homes, for rental properties where you would see that 18 mills that would be levied on that. So the question is shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property except by principal residents and other property exempted by law in Lowel area schools Kent to Ionia counties Michigan be increased by 21 mills which is $21 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation for a period of 10 years 2027 to 2036 to provide funds for operating purposes. The estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millillage is approved and 18 mills are levied in 2027 is approximately 5 million216,248. This millillage replaces the millillage that will expire with a 2028 tax levy. So that's the question. If we if
022it does not pass moving forward after that the current levy is gone that $5.2 million is not in our budget, not in our general fund budget. So, Miss Hajj, is there anything you'd like to add to proposal one or >> um Yeah, I will add that u because we are going early on the operating millage, we would have more time to come back to voters to ask again. Um but we would continue to see the amount that we're losing because we're not able to levy that full 18 mills continue to increase. So, for this year, um the reduction in our uh per pupil revenue is about $66,000 and I'm expecting that next year Without the reauthorization, it would be it would jump to about $112,000 that we would not be collecting on our foundation allowance.
023Um, I'll also add that the um foundation allowance is the per pupil amount is set by the state, but like Mr. Fowler said, they do expect us to collect the full 18 mills. Uh and as part of that foundation allowance, which is $10,50 this year, the operating millage that 18 mills accounts for almost 14% of that $10,50 per student. Uh so without that, obviously it would be incredibly difficult um to continue our operations the way we do. So uh it's very important piece uh again expected from proposal A that we do levy this but still very important that we are engaging with our community and getting reauthorization uh periodically. So, the second proposal, uh, >> before we go, um, >> I was just listening. I wasn't reading the the, um, the thing. It sounded like
024what you read was we're going to increase this by 21 mills. Is that That's what I heard. Now, maybe I heard it wrong. I don't know. I'm getting old. So, >> Well, I No, I think that's a great question. And it's >> say buy right here. Okay. >> So, it makes it sound like, you know, even though we're going out for 18, we're going to increase it by 21, which my awful math skills means, you know, 39%. >> Right. So, so by law, like we're saying that the authorization is increased by 21 mills. So, the the old one expires, this one replaces. >> Oh, got it. Okay. >> So, it's increased by 21 ms. >> Authorized for 21. However, We can only >> read some more. We're only going to levy. >> I understood that.
025I guess I didn't understand why the, you know, increased by 21 mills. >> Gets collected over a 10-year period, right? So we don't have to >> continue to to back. Right now we're what every three to four years we're coming back to another. >> Yeah. It's been about four four or five. It's kind of been that pace. >> So this should fix should skip at least one just by >> one election. >> Yeah. And and I think you know we've heard from voters that they do get tired of uh continuing to ask and so by extending that it kind of limits that and it's also kind of the rationale by going out for two proposals at the same time as well. So working to explain both for one ballot for one election. Um the the
026syncing fund, it creates a a new syncing fund as the current fund expires for tax years 27 through 2032. Um this is money that pro primarily how we've used it is it allowed us to make repairs on facilities so the general fund dollars can support teaching and learning. Um, it also allows for acquisition and upgrading technologies technology both for devices but also for our network infrastructure. Primarily our focus has been on safety and security. It's been on roofs. The Murray Lake roof is an example of that and keeping our parking lots in good condition. um this summer, the plumbing at Bushnell, the seating at the ELPAC, the elevators at the high school, all of those are projects that we're able to do through syncing fund dollars and not having to do those at um our
027general fund or use our general fund for that. Um now with this authorization, state law al also authorizes school districts to use syncing fund dollars to purchase school buses and other district vehicles uh for maintenance. So that option is included in this ballot language as well. So once again, if you'll bear with me, I'm going to share the ballot language uh for that. So this one asks, "Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in low area schools, can Ionia counties, Michigan, be increased by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed one mill, which would be $1 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation for a period of six years, 2027 to 2032, inclusive to create a syncing fund." And then it lists all
028of the areas that we could levy it for. So purchase of real estate for sites for and the construction of and repair of school buildings for school security improvements for the acquisition or upgrading of technology for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles. For the acquisition parts, supplies and equipment used for the maintenance of student transportation vehicles. For the acquisition of eligible trucks and vans used to carry parts, equipment and personnel for and in the maintenance of school buildings, for the acquisition of parts, supplies, and equipment used to maintain such trucks and vans, and all other purposes authorized by laws. The estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if this millillage is approved and levied in 2027 is approximately 1,516,742. So, um, you know, the amount of money that that 1 mil levy has
029increased over the years, but as we heard from the roof, uh, proposal tonight, so have their costs uh, for maintaining our building buildings, which are not getting younger. >> So, and that's the same amount of millage that we have now. We have a 1 mil syncing fund now that's going to expire. This would be a 1 mil syncing fund. This would be a 1m syncing fund to replace the current 1 mil syncing fund. The 18 mil levy is what the state expects us. So both of these would be the same of what taxpayers and LOL are paying now. Um the elections August 4th and so >> uh absentee ballots will be they're scheduled to arrive in people's mailboxes around June 25th which means that there is a short amount of time to get information out
030to the community um you know between now and June 25th when those absentee ballots arrive. But we've got a plan to work to share information uh through different channels and through local media um and get the word out about what these funds are for and how we're uh planning to to use them and hoping that you know that it'll be a popular election in August with um an open governor seat an open senator seat in Michigan and so some pretty important primary elections in our state as well. Just to reiterate, it's no new taxes. It's a continuation of current >> no new dollars out of 18 million levy amount that would be continuous throughout the sixyear period. >> I like that better with more words. And I like to speak simply. >> I I don't
031think we could say it's no new taxes. It's no increases. >> No increases new taxes. As current levies expire, we're replacing them with these levies. So, that was me practicing trying to be accurate with how that gets, >> which are exactly the same millage amounts that they passed the last time. >> They're exactly the same amounts. >> You can't call them a renewal because we're changing the language, for example, of the syncing fund. So it's it's you can't officially call it a renewal, but it's the same dollar, same millage amounts as we've passed the last x number of times. Two or three sinking funds now we've passed at a mill. >> Exactly. >> And uh home non- homesteads forever 18. >> And so every time that's the same thing that we've always passed. So we're
032just asking the voters to pass the same thing they passed the last time. Yep. >> Notwise. Thank you. Any other >> do you have anything to add on the seeking fund or any other pieces of that discussion? >> No. No. I think I mean it's uh the only thing I will clarify is in the past we have only asked for 18 mills and then it's always gone below that. So this is the first time we're asking for the 21 and that would allow us to move down from 21 instead of moving down from 18. um you know immediately having a hole in our revenue. Um so this will help us to weather that uh for much longer before needing to come back. >> Appreciate that. Any other comments or questions? Hearing none. All in support
033of the ballot resolution as presented, please signify by saying I. >> I post same sign. Motion carries. Next order of business is the KASB board of directors. There are currently six open seats with four candidates running for three-year terms expiring June 30th, 2029. Each active school board as a whole will get one vote. The recommendation is that the board choose the four candidates to fill the open seats for the KISB board of directors. Can I get a motion to bring this item to order? >> So moved. moved by Pat, supported by Lori. There you go. >> All right. So, this is um you know, as as you stated, the Kent Intermediate Associate School Boards, each board has one vote. Um so, the boards are asked to come up with a consensus on which candidates they
034support. In this case, we have four candidates for six seats. So, um I think we've achieved consensus. And those four candidates are Aaron Leaves, Ann Hamming, Bill Saxton, Kelly Promote. Any questions? >> Suppose we could abstain, right? Technically, as a board, I'm not saying I want to, but that is an option, right? If we really were like we had a problem with any of these candidates. And I think just to say that, you know, the KIASB is a local organization that needs to help support uh professional development boards. Um information about legislative happenings of what's going on in Lancing and Washington. Um information about career initiatives in the county. Um so, you know, they play in a dinner. We've been able to enjoy some great meals paired by the culinary students at KCTC. Um, but
035it uh really provides some good professional development and good information about what's happening in Kent County with public schools. >> Maybe to help uh the candidates that uh terms expire, one is from Grand Rapids, one is from Northview, one is from Kenow Hills, and one is from Kent ISD. the candidates that we are voting on from Kenow Hills, Kent ISD, East Grand Rapids, and Forest Hills. Any questions? >> Hearing none. All those in favor of the four candidates as proposed, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. Motion carries. Next order of business is a discussion item for the first reading of the revised new bylaws and policies. >> Yeah. So the plan will be to bring these policies back um in May for formal adoption. And so um they were introduced
036at the March workshop and so tonight is the first reading. Um, was looking for notes from that March meeting and maybe some spring break fog because I if there was a question I was going to clarify, I may not be clarifying it tonight because I'm not sure what it is, but we'll continue to work that. the the policies um pretty >> straightforward. >> Yeah, they are the the policy 1410 and 2410 are for staff ethics which just mirror the uh ethics policy of professional staff for administrators and support staff. Um there's a policy that talks about specialized transportation for students with IEPs. So um that would be a new policy as well. We talked about the volunteer policies moving to the 8000s and so it to and moves their volunteer policy replaces in the 8000s
037which is operations. Um we've got the policy in the early section of definitions for wireless communication devices which relates to public act 2 uh which is commonly known as the cell phone ban. Um just how we can count online and blended learning programs for pupil accounting. Um Mr. Goff in his report is going to uh update the board on just the recent meetings of the sex education uh meetings. Um not taking any policy specific to the sex education policy but the comprehensive school health education policy. Uh reaffirms parents rights to opt out. Um, it also just uh helps clarify some definitions about having our students becoming health literate and making healthy choices, avoiding damaging choices and and things along that nature. Uh, 5636 or I'm sorry 5136 is the wireless communication device policy itself related
038to public act 2. come and so be dealing with a lot of that information through our student handbooks uh in in expectation for students with that. Uh 6320 and 6325 are both updates for purchasing uh and procurement related to federal grant funds. So make sure that typo gets fixed. Um uh deals with artificial intelligence. A couple years ago with our first policy, we talked about this probably being a regular update just as artificial intelligence it impacts on schools changes. So it does um just set up some broad uh guard rails supporting responsible and innovative use of artificial intelligence to support um student learning. And then 8402 talks about the impact of the wireless communication device policy on our emergency operations plan. So that those are the policies that we'll be looking to adopt at the
039main year. Thank you. Any questions or other discussion? >> I actually do have a question. Um I know that parents can opt their student out of sexed. Can they opt their student out of health completely? >> You want to take that? >> Um, no they cannot. The health curriculum is a requirement of the Michigan American curriculum for graduation in the state of Michigan. >> But if I if I don't want my student to take the sex part, then they are excused from that part. >> Correct. The current procedure is that um we notify parents several weeks ahead of the unit and so parents then have the opportunity to opt out of that portion of the course if they choose to. >> Do they have any other thing that they have to do that that kind
040of fills in the blank if you will or do they just get >> there's a comparable uh uh project that the students do? Okay. Because that instruction is going on in class and they're outside of the instruction at that time. >> Right. Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions? Hearing none, our next order of business is information. Uh the first information report is our human resource update. Mr. Ch. >> Yeah, just an update. You know, last time we board workshop, we talked about the 27 L2 monies that need to be distributed across the district. Um prior to break we were able to um come together with the different um collective bargaining groups and their leaders and put together a letter of agreement that would offer um a definition of who would be paid out um
041under this staff covered under these collective bargaining agreements would be paid out or eligible members um non-union administrators and a defining um statement of staff holding a regular position with regular hours um to find the individuals who would receive these monies. Additionally, um through payroll, um Sonia and her team were able to put together um some different options of how this could be paid out. So, option one would be a straight cash payout. Option two would be um health savings account if they chose that. Actually, I'm sorry, option two would be a 403b annu annuity. And then option three would be an HSA. So there's different avenues that um our staff will be able to to choose of course with different date deadlines um to be able to meet the things we need to do
042uh distribute to distribute that money accordingly um by the date that was set. So within that negotiation and within those um bargaining groups which would be the drivers, LEPA and LEA, we were able to um you know find that ground to to meet the the needs of what 27 L2 was set out to do and then also um you know have bonuses for welldeserved staff and spread that across many different areas of our district. And I know a question might be um you know obviously there are people that wouldn't be considered holding a regular position with regular hours or meet some of that criteria. Um some of those examples might be like third party contractors um substitutes some of our appendix a table two or three um positions within the contract. Many times those positions
043are held by teachers so they would meet the criteria to um receive those funds. Um but there are some positions within the district that don't fall under um regular position with regular hours. So, I will um send to you this Friday with the board news um the correspondence that went out to staff and what steps they had to take to have some of those different options as well as the outline of who qualified. So, you can see that then if you have any questions, we can revisit this at the next workshop um you know prior to um the May payout. So, and then also the only other thing I had I wanted to give you that update, but just um you know postings they're out um I believe principles are already um even today started
044interviewing um for teacher positions. We have a library media services specialist position that is up. So, we'll begin um putting the candidates together who will come in and interview for that. We have a Cherry Creek principal position. I believe it expires the posting expires Friday if I recall correctly. We'll run that interview process similar to how we've done other principal processes here. So when that time comes, we will have um hopefully um two different panels. Obviously, I'll reach out to the board and let you know. It's always nice when you can come even in that open forum um listen, ask questions and all that. So that is coming. But the principles are working really hard. They were already interviewing today. So yeah, we knew it'd be coming fast right after break. So here we go.
045Any questions for me on 27L2 or postings and processes. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next uh information sharing is our budget update. So, we've uh pretty much wrapped up our budget meetings. Had our last big big one today. So, we're getting that base budget put together uh so that we can start really looking at some of the requests and changes uh to figure out uh you know where we stand and what we can what we can improve uh and what we can't uh move forward with that. Uh we also have our preliminary audit in early May. So, our auditors will be in for a day or two to do what they can before the end of the school year. It makes the final audit in July go a lot smoother um because we've already wrapped
046up some of the testing that they can do early. So, that'll be coming up. We've started to prepare for that and gathering documentation so that we're ready for them. Um and then next week, uh myself and our district accountant will be attending the MSBO conference, which is the Michigan school business officials. Their annual conference is in Grand Rapids here. So, no hotels necessary. We can just drive in uh each day and it's a really good conference with a lot of learning. Uh it's really important for folks in our position uh because what we do is so different uh in our district. So, really grateful to be able to go there. Uh and I'm also presenting at a session on the first day. So, looking forward to that. >> Any questions? Thought you were raising your
047hand for a second. Uh, next information item is our curriculum update. Mr. G and Mr. Fer mentioned the sex education advisory board that group met during the month of March for the required by annual review of the district's reproductive health curriculum. Um they received a presentation on each level of the curriculum on March 12th and also had an opportunity to go over their uh operating guideline uh guidelines and procedures. Uh they then had two weeks to thoroughly review the materials because there's a lot. So it's hard to go over uh that curriculum in you know an hour and hour and a half meeting. So um they had two weeks to kind of go through and review the materials carefully before reconvening on March 24th. Um based on the input from the involved staff and the
048review of the advisory board, they are not recommending any changes at this time uh to our reproductive health curriculum, that curriculum was updated two years ago and staff report that is working well um and serving our students well. Um the board did uh recommend some uh program goals and objectives. Uh they recommended that we standardize the parent notices from each building so that they are similar in format. They'll be different based on the grade level uh information, but they thought it would help parents uh if we just chose a a consistent format across the buildings. They recommended that we develop a written uh training program for new fifth grade uh teachers. Um the elementary teachers are not specifically trained in the health standards. Our middle school and high school teachers have that certification. And so
049they wanted to make sure that um when we had uh new teachers that come into the fifth grade that we have a written plan to make sure that they receive the appropriate training for support of that curriculum. Um they recommended that we explore an electronic format to allow for parent confirmation of the optout notices. Uh right now we rely on those uh coming back uh to the classroom teacher. They thought it would be helpful uh for the teachers to have a electronic format for the parents to confirm receipt of those notices. And then they recommended that the involved staff take the 26 27 school year uh to review the current curriculum against the updated uh Michigan health education standards guidelines and then report back uh to that advisory board next year uh should they feel
050that any adjustments are necessary. Um so at this time there are no uh changes uh recommended and the advisory board will close on its work uh for the year. Um I've mentioned the uh Michigan student voice uh survey a couple of times now. That's a series of perception surveys that we give to staff, students, and parents. Um staff completed uh their portion of the survey um several weeks ago. Students completed uh the survey um just prior to spring break and those results are already back in the district and we're beginning uh to review those. We had outstanding uh student participation this year with 97% of our eligible students completing the survey across the district. Um and we saw a 2.9% increase in the belonging domain. Uh moving from 64.3% positive to 67.2% uh positive response
051from our students. We still have a lot of work to do in reviewing uh those results and digging into the um to the data, but the preliminary review is is fairly positive. Our M uh Kip school improvement goal is that we would increase that belonging um response by 2% each year. So, we surpassed that uh goal uh in this year. And then uh leadership teams across the district are already starting to use that data plan uh for next year. And I'm sure you'll hear more about that in upcoming uh reports. Uh finally, state testing uh begins this week. That's a big part of uh of the school year. You heard a little bit from uh GG and the high school or the uh student report at the beginning. Um that is a a significantly large
052process here in the district with uh our students in grades three through seven completing the MSTEP and four content areas. Our eighth graders will take the PSAT 8 and the MSTEP in science and social studies. Uh students in grades nine and 10 take the PSAT and then our students in grade uh 11 take the SAT, the win work readiness test which replaces the work keys, the ACT work keys. uh that is no more and will be replaced by the wind work readiness test this year and then they also take the MSTEP in science and social studies. Um these tests are used for state accountability but we also use them here in the district to measure our progress on the myip goals in both reading and math. Um and in addition to those tests, uh we
053are required to give the WEDA access um language assessment to all English language learners. That wrapped up uh just prior to spring break. And then we give the NWEA MAP spring assessments in grades 1 through eight. And the College Board advanced placement test to all participating high school students. Uh we have a significantly large portion of our high school population that participate in that test. So all of that is to say that um that's a lot of testing that occurs primarily between now and May 22nd. Um and so I've seen this process from high school principal's office, but this is my first time seeing it K12. And I want to take this opportunity to thank uh our principles who are here tonight. Um our teachers, our teacher leaders, our counselors, um our tech department. All
054of those assessments are now digital. Um and so there's quite a workload that's placed on our tech department. um they do a phenomenal job organizing and administering those assessments to minimize the impact on uh student instruction because uh we have uh precious time in the spring for student instruction. We want to make sure that we're protecting that, but we do need to get that um progress data from our students so that we can improve our program. So um all of those staff members contribute uh to really what is um an excellent planning process to make sure that we're able to do this and serve our students well. I also want to thank um Julia Washik who is here tonight who does an awful lot uh to make sure that all of that digital testing is
055organized and we have schedules and students are where they need to go and we're minimizing the degree of stress for our staff. So um I will learn a great deal I'm sure as we move through uh now and May 22nd about how all of that works but we're off to a good start. >> Got one question for you. um belonging survey. Do we have any baseline information from any surrounding school districts on participation? 97% engagement is phenomenal. I mean just that number in itself to me is is impressive. I just wondered how that might compare to >> So I haven't found any yet. There is a um the my student voice survey is given across the state of Michigan and there's a website where they post various bits of data from across the state. Um,
056but they kind of choose. They don't uh just post a general report. Um, so I'll go back and take a look at that and see if there is kind of an average participation, but I don't know that you really get better than 97%. I think that's uh um that's a pretty good number uh for participation. >> Business organizations would >> just get the belonging feeling up to 90%. That'd be great. And I should have mentioned as well that those results, there's a onepage summary that's posted to my page of the district website along with the district results. So those are already out there for review. Thank you. Uh next order of business, public comments. >> None tonight. >> Thank you. Uh the next item then is our superintendent report. >> All right. Thank you. Um
057yeah, couple common themes. Like to welcome everybody back from spring break. If you've heard tonight, we've got a lot going on to ensure a successful finish to the school year as well as a lot of planning that's taking place for the upcoming year and and even beyond that. Um like Mr. Goff, want to wish everybody well as they go through the testing season. Um just an important snapshot of how we're making progress towards those goals. So appreciate all the work that that everybody puts into that. Um, another thing that I think will be worth highlighting is just uh over spring break, our band, orchestra, and choir programs uh had a memorable spring break where they learned, performed, and had a lot of fun at Disney. Um, so some great pictures came out of that. I'm
058looking forward to hearing some of the stories uh from that spring break trip. And now those groups are working to put the final touches on their preparations for state festival which is coming up in a couple weeks as well. So good luck to all of our music programs uh as they get ready for state festival. Um the other thing I wanted to do tonight is just highlight some community partnerships that provide some opportunities for students and ways that we've been able to return that support to our community when we're able. Um, want to recognize Murray Lake Elementary who was recognized with the literacy leadership award by Talent First. Uh, Talent First is a regional organization that works as a bridge between the education and the business communities. Um and there was a ceremony on March
05924th uh at Murray Lake with all of their students um to to celebrate them being a leader in literacy instruction um who regularly outperforms uh expectations with the idea that there is there something that's happening when a school outperforms expectations that other schools can learn from. And so um you know it's it the award is nice but we're hopeful that that will extend like in in our district but also beyond our district to see what is be best practice and what works in schools uh when we talk about instruction. Um an exciting partnership and collaboration with Lal Arts is coming up in May. Um, it's been a while since we've had a district-wide art exhibition. And so May 7, May 5 through 7 and May 11 through 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. there's
060going to be a K12 art installation at city hall. So um details will be coming um about that and really looking forward and really excited about the partnership about the collaboration and just the opportunities for students to have a venue to um showcase some of the work they've they've done this year um in ways that we've been able to give back as well. Um been working with Lasso soccer this week. uh their fields are currently under the Grand River um that floods its banks and so working with uh Lasso to provide opportunities for practice and have games um at the high school next week that that don't conflict um with them, but just um being able to preserve those opportunities for kids. Um and we'll see what when the weather holds when the the river
061starts to recede. Um and then LOL Township as well is there's been a lot of interest in the the meetings with their planning commission, their board. Uh their planning commission meeting tonight is at the ELPAC uh just because they don't have the capacity in their facility. So just happy that we can provide um a space for them is you know they'll cover expenses but um being able to have important community conversations at our facilities. also another successful collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce at the community expo last month at the high school. So, just want to express my gratitude for all the support that we have, all the opportunities that we have that our community provides for our students and for our school system. Um, and we're glad that there's times where we can repay
062that thanks to some of the partners that support us as well. Um, we talked about uh phase two of Cherry Creek construction and so phase two started today. Um, so the hallway to access the gym and the old music classroom was closed today. So there was some new traffic patterns to get used to. Uh, for people at Cherry Creek, um, music classes started in their new classroom today. Uh tomorrow after school, Cherry Creek staff is meeting to review student and staff survey data from the furniture pilot. And so uh got some decisions to make in the coming months about what we're going to purchase to support student learning. Also, we're going to have some decisions about when we make these purchases as how it lines up with the construction process. Um so just you know
063stay tuned for some of those conversations and some of those uh recommendations that we have as well as some of the op options that we've been considering um at Cherry Creek through this pilot process. It's been a really good pilot been a really good process and I'm excited to share some of the results of that with the board. Um the next milestone will be in December um which will be when we move open the fifth and sixth grade classroom wings. Um, and so I'm not done talking about Cherry Creek Construction in before December, but that's the next next big mile student. So, um, that's what I have for tonight. Good luck to all of our students is get ready for AP tests and all of the other end of year tests. So, thank you. >>
064Thank you. Uh, next order of business is our comments. Annie, can I start with you? I don't have any. Thanks, >> Lord. >> Pat, >> none. >> Nope. >> I was just gonna say I can't believe that the uh that the year is already flying by. >> One more uh Giana report, which is >> unreal. That's right. >> Uh it's crazy. You know, I I kind of flash back to before my dad passed, he he said, "Enjoy and celebrate the day because the years fly by." And he wasn't kidding. So, I hope all of you I enjoy and celebrate the day. Uh with that, a motion to adjurnn is in order. >> So moved. >> Moved by Lori. Could I get support? >> I'll support. >> Support by Jessica. All those in favor, please signify
065by saying I. >> I. Oppose. Same sign. >> Motion carries. We are adjourned at 7:55. >> Yes.