001Okay. Good evening. I wish to call the special meeting of the Richmond Board of Education to order at 6:30. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Sandy, if you could please read our mission and vision statement and take role. The mission statement is at Richmond Community Schools, we provide a quality education and empower students to be successful in the global community. The vision statement is to foster a culture of academic excellence, creativity, character, ensuring that all students are prepared for success in an everchanging world. And I will do roll. Board member Cunningham >> here. >> Board member Michan >> here. >> Board member
002Sutton >> here. >> Board member Tel >> here. BOARD MEMBER STYER >> HERE. BOARD MEMBER Gillis here and board member for here. We do have a quorum. Uh Kelsey M, student representative Kelsey Miner is not here tonight with notice. And then but we do have Elizabeth Shaker with us. >> Thank you. Looking for a motion to approve the agenda. >> So moved. >> Was that Candy? Yes. >> Thank you. Uh any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. Okay, John, do you start the superintendent discussion or is that me? >> It's really you unless you have a question. Uh, but we've discussed the routine. I think you already know >> what's up. Come see a question for me. It's It's >> okay. >> It's up to you. >> Okay. Usually I'm the last
003person to go when we do these things, but I'm going to be the first one this time. And then if you want a board, I can do the popsicle sticks or you can volunteer. We'll see when we get finished. Um, I recommend Mr. Kasmano for the next superintendent for the following reasons. His presentation took our data and he proceeded to analyze our data and made recommendations. He talked about looking for patterns. He pointed out the inconsistencies in our fifth through 8th grade data. He stated we would not start over, but would evaluate what we were working and what we could change. The key word here is we. He stressed the team's effort. He talked about our bond. He stated we would not quit. He wants to ask members of our community why 60% did not
004vote yes. Look at our critical needs. What can we do better to sell the bond? He indicated that our students and staff deserve better and seek possible opportunities. He stressed learning for all students. Throughout the process, we heard about CTE, AP courses, special education, MTSS. Um, he stressed that we need to have a culture where special education students feel they are a part of the building. He stressed getting feedback from parents of special ed students. He described his plan to develop a strategic plan. First, everybody's involved, staff and community. He discussed reaching out to outside sources, talks on what do we value, a just needs to make it flexible, constant communication, and the plan needs to be visible. He discussed his number one priority when starting is to listen, learn, build, and develop trust of
005the staff. He stressed that he does not engage in social media, but wants face-to-face discussions. I believe he possesses the following characteristics which I feel will be beneficial to our superintendent. Positiveness, energetic, humble, appreciative, organized, and leads by example. I like that he did his homework on the district. He knew about our bond. He talked about our vision and mission statement. Quoted guaranteed learning for all. Called staff and board member by their names. and he ended with a blue double rave moment. He also sent a thank you letter after each interview and our district visit. When I talked with him, he listened before he responded. He did not interrupt me. He understands wait time when asking questions. He received 54 comments out of 116 from our paper and QR code surveys. All comments from the
006staff, parents, community were positive for Mr. Kasmano. Here are a few of their comments. Commitment to building relationships, professional, wonderful asset. Love that he mentioned teacher appreciation week and happy mother's day. Very knowledgeable, considered students part of the district. Meaningful conversations. He talked about continuing the path of growth for the district, not changing it. At the softball field, he shook both my husband's hand and mine and asked us questions. The staff spoke highly of Mr. Kuzmano on the district tour. He interacted not only with the staff, but our students. I believe with the above qualities and many more, he would make an excellent superintendent for Richmond Community Schools, which is why I'm supporting him. Anybody want to go next or you want me to do popsicle sticks? >> What? >> I didn't know we needed
007that. >> Yeah, I didn't know that either. >> Nothing. >> You can do whatever you want. >> I'll jump in and and say that that covered a lot of the the key points that I had and that that I watching the uh the interviews. Uh clearly I wasn't here for them in person, but watching all the the interviews of of both applicants and uh and just seeing the the public comment and feedback from the QR codes and and from everything that was submitted um kind of gave me a different perspective of where I saw the candidates initially from the first interview and versus the process as it as it continued along and uh you know as as the feedback from the community came in um kind of gave me some different thoughts and and some
008different things to think about and okay and and many of those like I said the points that you just brought up for me and um and that's ultimately where I'm at is is where the community seemed from from what I've seen to be in that direction as well for the same candidate. >> Okay. >> Do you want I can definitely get around I guess whatever you guys want to do. Um I I also would support uh Pasqual Kismano um along with I mean Doug said a lot of things but I did like the way it was we and my team a lot with him. Um I like the way that this was he mentioned a couple of times that this wasn't a stopping point for him but more of a resting place I guess uh
009so for longevity. Um I also all of the feedback from the staff in particular and I felt that he was very knowledgeable on on budget and our budget needs. Um, so I'll add that to what Doug said and um give my re my recommendation for basketball as well. Um, after all of the interviews and then after attending um the district or our district tours of Rochester and also East China last week, um I would definitely support Mr. Kmano as well. um a lot of the things that he talked about with us in the interviews uh along with the feedback from the staff when we went on Thursday last week and tour his buildings and things. Those things came out as well from his stakeholders that he brought in. So, it showed me that he wasn't
010just talking the talk just to sound good. Um that we were getting the same feedback from staff and students that he's worked at with over the years as well. Um, so I would definitely support him. >> Thank you. >> You want to Elizabeth wants to Okay. >> Um, I just wanted to say that, um, from my perspective, I'm not looking so much as what you guys are looking at, but almost like the interactions he had with everybody. And Mr. Kuzmano had amazing interactions with staff and students and even me. And I really appreciated the mutual respect between us and the conversation we could make. Um me and Tren took them around on a golf cart ride and he just had so much positive information to give as well as um was just a great communicator
011and was able to really get his points across. Um I don't know. I feel like I couldn't find much to critique about him which I feel like can be hard but I didn't find much that I was like dissatisfied with. So that was just my take on it. um from the minute he walked in the door and his first interview, Pasquali um hit me. And um as each interview went on, I knew that I was right in what I was thinking. And um I agree with Danielle. when we went on the site visit in particular, um you you see a lot and you see a lot when when people are supporting someone, how they're doing it, how they're supporting and and the things that he brought to uh Rochester Adams and now Rochester Community Schools
012itself. um the CTE program change the the the presentation he did for us, he nailed it on he the exact question we wanted answered, he researched it and he answered it and um the things that he's done with math, the 612 math in Rochester, I think are really important and they're things that we need to look for uh in a candidate. I believe I believe him when he says this is where he wants to be. Uh when you when you talk to people what they say about you. Um I asked the question uh both visits if you had one word used to describe this person that person what would it be? And when the words keep coming of integrity, ethical, genuine, um, passionate, respectful, all of that says a lot. And especially when students students
013right now, uh, at Adams and graduated students, when students can say that about you, it means something to me. And I'm just going to end with, you know, I I said right in the beginning of all of this, it's it's the biggest decision we're going to make. And it's what your gut is telling you, right? You know, you're looking, you you don't know these people from Adam. And I still believe that. But not only does my gut feel it, but my head's telling me that Pasquali is the one we need to lead us further into the future. So, first I want to start by saying I think we had really great candidates for this position and I think we were in a very fortunate situation where we ended up with two really strong candidates. Um,
014I think the excellence in education award that just went to Mike is very impressive and I think he is going to be a good superintendent someday. Um, I don't know that he's he's not my pick for Richmond superintendent, but I do think he's going to be an excellent superintendent someday in a different district. my vote would go for Pasquali. Um much of like what everybody said. Um I don't want to repeat it too much, but I I did get a lot of feedback from the QR codes and the things that were submitted, but also talking with community members, union members, staff. So many people reached out um or completed the forms and it does seem like overwhelmingly the support from the community from who I heard from is going toward Pesquali. um and he is
015my pick as well. I like that he was all about collaboration and very much we um talk he engaged with our students during the tour from what I hear. And um a lot of people said they felt like they he was talking with them um versus talking maybe at them or to them. He was really genuinely engaging and having a conversation with them. Um, and I could sense that as I, you know, heard from the meet and greet over hearing what conversations were. So my I recommend Pasquali as well. I also recommend Pasquali. Um I after going through the board site visits um or the site visits over at their districts, it really was I'm so Margaret, I'm so glad that you really pushed for that because that up until that moment I really think
016that I was kind of from an administrative role looking at just being an administrative and then going to their districts and seeing in the flesh the changes that they've actually made. they can say one thing here, but it was very overwhelming um going to Adams, all the real changes that he made um from the students telling us these weren't just it was visual things, things that you could really see and I could just see some of those coming here. So, I um I'm excited about that. And one of the things that all the 40 people we interviewed there, the thing that kept coming up the most was servant leader. They kept um you know describing him as a servant leader and that just really felt um felt hit home with me. So um Pasquali is
017my my pick. >> Okay. Okay. So then I need a motion. I move that the board of education appoint Pascali Kusmano as superintendent of Richmond Community Schools effective July 1st, 2026 pending successful contract negotiations and completion of all required employment documentation and background checks. >> Okay, guys, I'm going to do Ray because he hasn't been here in a while. So, we're going to do Ray. Uh, any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. We have a new superintendent. Okay. The next part of this whole process. Um, >> are we going to call them? >> I am later. I'm going to call them as soon as we're done. Good. >> As soon as we're out of the meeting. I also have um Cynthia already has a uh a statement. Um I did one for
018each. So, it it'll be up already. We'll have it up on our website tomorrow. Um, it can we get a picture? Do you have a picture of him, Mr. Kazano? >> I'll I'm sure I can manage. I don't have one, but I'll >> We'd like to put a picture with it up on the website. >> Sure. >> Um, so that will go out. That will all go out tomorrow via uh our Facebook, our staff, um all the communication that we have been doing all along. All those channels will go out. Uh obviously the next step is our uh contract negotiation with him. Um everybody was asked to go through uh Mr. Wsley's contract. If you make sure you please I get that tonight before you leave um your input or any suggestions or things you
019want in out taken out. Um we did talk about a committee. So, I guess at this point, um, are is there anybody willing to be on the committee to do the contract negotiation? >> Can I can I make a a suggestion about Sure. >> I mean, I know that the president of the board um shouldn't have to be on the committee, but I also I mean, my idea of the committee would would be nice if Margaret was on the board only because she's been through this once. Um, it would be helpful. But I also would probably I would hope that Danielle would want to be just cuz she's such such a good numbers person. Um but I mean I don't want I'm just saying that's what that's what I think the great committee looks like
020for this. But that's just my opinion. >> I was hoping to be on as well. >> Well, we can only have three, >> right? So total >> and I I will be on it, >> right? >> I will definitely. So, um, you want me to put the popsicle sticks in and draw two more? >> I just think it's helpful to you we've got like Ray and myself, our terms are the longest that we have on the board. I think having board members be a part of it that are going to be on the board for that long. Um, obviously Margaret brings a wealth of knowledge, so I do think that makes sense as well. Not that Danielle doesn't. Um, but I she's been through it before, so I, you know, it's not like I'm not
021in support of anybody, but I do think with us having the longest terms left, it would make sense for one of us to be a part of it. Um, I also want to make sure we're not picking the same people to do all the things like the site tour and then like the student board rep, you know, interviews. Um, I want to make sure that we're, you know, switching things up sometimes. >> Yeah. Well, the site tour was volunteer, remember? Sure. >> Yes, that was volunteer. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um, but also remember that whatever whatever the committee is doing, it all comes back as a board, you got all decide and that's why >> give Dub ideas put together and the attorney is going to come with a contract because the reality is if
022you look at Brian's contract was 12 years ago, there could be things that are different now. superintendent contracts that are happening, you know, things that go in now. So, just just know that no matter what, we're all going to have >> Oh, for sure. We all have to >> Okay. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yeah. I I personally if if you know, Deb, if you're going to be on that and and much to your point, you know, to get someone new in there and then I I have no issue with if Margaret wants to be a part of that because she does have the experience on that. I mean, I'm okay with that. has to be an official vote or anything, but >> Oh, it doesn't have to be an official vote. It's just it it's
023just >> it's a committee put together. So, >> you we've kind of pushed you out. You >> No, that's okay. >> I know when I did talk with Danielle possibly, you didn't know for sure. >> Yeah, I know. I met you had asked me about it before. Um I would love to be a part of it, but I also know that my schedule is a hot mess. So if I don't want to be restricting dates and times of getting together and doing things if that ends up, you know, causing a problem. >> So we are we good with myself, Margaret, and Sarah? >> Yeah, >> I'm okay with that. >> Yeah. >> Okay. That'll be our committee. I'll get a hold of the attorney uh this week and find out what that next step is.
024I'll take your input from whatever you had from Brian's contract that we either want to see out or not or in or whatever and we will share that with him >> or her >> and him or her. >> Well, it could be a female attorney. I Oh. Oh, it won't be. It'll be Timur who we use. So, he >> It's a he. >> Yeah. Um just just so that everybody just think um we've had some conversations about um salary you know different stuff so I don't know what everybody has given but really think creatively there's a lot of creative things that you can do in a contract not just salary things that um >> could balance out just you know what I'm saying just >> benefits packages yeah just There there's different like well no
025no no even even lo there it is what >> incentives incentive incentives you know we did things in Brian's contract incentives if you if you retired this happened you know that kind of stuff so just just think creatively about that if you haven't done so already >> and share if you and and this doesn't mean we have a committee if there's something that comes up and you guys just send it to me so that I can make sure we're putting it in to those discussions I'll keep you in the loop Again, I'll let you know when we're meeting, dates, times, so you know, and then we'll send you uh whatever back, whatever we discuss. >> We have to discuss it. >> Well, that's right. We have to do it publicly. >> So, we'll be we'll
026have a meeting when it gets to >> to that point. >> Okay. Any other input for tonight? I just want to thank um John here. He's uh did a great job. I I feel I want to thank you for everything you've done for us and through this process. It was pretty lengthy. >> Yeah. So, I do I do appreciate everything and all the help that we received from you. So, >> I appreciate Thank you very much. >> Work with me. You approached this very seriously, very conscientiously, and it led to a great result. Congratulations. >> Thank you. And you know, you know, Deb, anybody that's concerned about the legacy of this board, I think we just I think we just did it. Yeah. >> I think I think great exciting things are about to happen.
027Um, we do have public comments. So, at this time, if anybody would like to address the board, you have three minutes. We can put the podium up there if anybody would like to address the public or address the board. Good think that thing's on wheels. Yes. And while that's being set up regarding public comment, I I just want to say that even though I wasn't physically present here from the meetings that I saw and and and the public comment regarding the QR codes and the questionnaires and just the volume that we got and and the community that showed up and expressed interest in being part of this process was huge. I I mean it's been quite some time since I've seen that kind of attendance at board meetings and I thought that was awesome and
028that's what really helped me make a decision as a board member was the community coming together and let me know what you guys know. So I just or what that's >> no I agree with you >> to the community >> Pat. >> Well I am so proud of all of you. I've been almost I think I missed one meeting been all of them and the process I talked to him the other night was just superb. um the indepthness of watching you write notes um seriousness about it, coming up with extremely intelligent questions that I would never have to even ask and um it was just a privilege to be here and to take part of that and he was my man. So, so I am thankful and I'm even more blessed by the fact that
029it's unanimous. I just think that says so much and will just bring so much strength to him as he comes in as well. >> So, thank you for all your hard work, all your time and energy. I know it's been a long long time for you to went back and looked what we started in January when we were >> Yeah. >> beginning to >> had our first meeting is going to be. So anyway, it's a privilege to be here to take part. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. I promise. I just want to thank you for um being unanimous. This is really awesome. I I feel that um we're going to have a very very strong candidate. I'm super excited about it. I'm a wee bit disappointed because I was kind of hoping you
030would call right now so I could hear him say yes. So um thank you very much. >> I'll yell out the office doorway if you want to hear it. Good evening. First of all, congratulations on your superintendent. It's wonderful news. Now you can get down to business and hope the district can can prosper. Um, I would like to welcome back Raymond Styer from his deployment overseas. I am particularly thankful for Rey and for all our servicemen and women who answer the call to serve. They see and endure things most of us could never truly comprehend. They sacrifice precious time with their families, miss milestones, birthdays, holidays, and sometimes even the birth of their own children. They know the risks, the demands, and the burdens that come with serving, yet they still step forward because they
031believe in something greater than themselves. Service and sacrifice are words that are often used casually, but very few truly understand what they mean until they witness them firsthand. Those who serve our country and communities carry responsibilities and pressures most people will never experience. And while fulfilling these roles, their decisions and actions are sometimes questioned or criticized by people who have never walked in their shoes. Tonight, I simply want to express gratitude. Gratitude for Raymond Sire's service, dedication, courage, and commitment to this country and our communities. I also want to recognize his family because service is never carried by one person alone. Families sacrifice too. They stand beside their loved ones through every deployment, every absence, and every uncertainty. We could all learn something from that kind of commitment, strength, and selflessness. I am proud to
032call the Styer family my friends. God bless Raymond Sty and his family. God bless the state of Michigan. And God bless the United States of America. By the way, my name is Lewis Miles and I'm from hometownship. I didn't know if I I forgot to mention that. >> Okay. Thank you. Good evening. Congrats on your new superintendent selection. I wish you all luck in your contract negotiations with Mr. Kismano. I spoke at this mic last month when the community showed up in support of Master Sergeant Raymond Styer. A little birdie told me he was back in the country yesterday and would be here tonight. So I came here again to lend my support to Trusty Styer, his wife and daughter as a fellow military spouse myself. While Ray was deployed, my husband was also deployed
033September through March. And he was often a conversation lifeline for me late at night when I couldn't sleep. worried about my own husband's safety. So, I can only hope I was the same for her. Trusty Styer, the district is blessed to have you back country and now state side. I watched the video of you surprising your daughter today at her martial arts lesson, and I have cried tears of joy. It reminded me of the one too many reunification moments my own husband has had with my daughters over the last 22 years and counting. Thank you for your service to your district while deployed in a war zone to faith, family, and most of all your country. Our freedoms here are secured because of your bravery and continued sacrifice. God bless you and welcome home, sir.
034I look forward to networking with you once again at future MCOMC functions. Okay, being no other public comments, the board will be adjourning at 6:59. Thank you everyone for being here this evening. Everybody