Richmond Community Schools Board of Education Meeting on April 27, 2026

001The meeting of the Richmond Board of Education will come to order. Before we start our meeting, I would like to start with a statement. Um, I'd like to begin briefly by addressing recent events that have created division within our Richmond Community Schools community. The board of education is committed to serving this district with professionalism, respect, and a clear focus on what is best for our students. While we act as a collective body in our official decisions, each member brings individual perspectives, opinions, and beliefs for serving our district. This strengthens our work and supports thoughtful decision-making. At our previous meeting and the days since, we have received and reviewed feedback from members of our community. We value this input and recognize the importance of differing viewpoints. While agreement is not always possible and that is perfectly

002okay, respectful dialogue when we disagree remains essential. It is important to note that the board does not regulate individual remarks made by its members. Differences of opinion are inherent in public service. As a board, we engage in discussion, consider multiple perspectives, and move forward in alignment with our responsibilities. Despite recent challenges, we remain united in several key areas. We support one another as board members. maintain open and respectful communication and uphold the professional standards expected in our roles. We also fully support Ray Menstey and his family and all military members and their families whose service and sacrifice are deeply valued. Above all, we are united in our commitment to the students at Richmond Community Schools. Our mission remains clear to provide a quality education that prepares every student for success. With that, we will continue

003our work with a focus on our shared responsibilities with the best interests of our students, staff, and community in mind. We will always strive to move forward. Thank you for listening, and we will start our regular meeting now. Quick, please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance 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. Okay. Our mission statement here at Richmond is at Richmond Community Schools, we provide quality education that empowers students to be successful in a global community. And our vision statement is to foster a culture of academic excellence, creativity, and character, ensuring that all students are

004prepared for success in an everanging world. >> Okay. Board member Cunningham >> here. >> Board member Gillis here. >> Board member Michan >> here. >> Board member Sutton >> here. >> Board member Telto >> here. >> I am board member Fortuna. I am here. board member Styer is absent with notice. We do have a quorum and we also do have both of our student representatives here, Elizabeth Schaefer and Kelsey McNair. Thank you. I'm looking for a motion to approve our agenda. >> So move support. Uh any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. I'm looking for a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So move support. Any discussion? Yes, actually. Um Julie, I just wanted to ask if we are actively looking for bus drivers. We are. Um so we have

005postings out and we actually have um three I almost want to say more than potential candidates. Um two folks that we interviewed um are trained and able to to drive right away. However, both are currently working at other districts and um so they they applied and were interviewed for the positions that we've opened now, but they're not interested in starting until the start of the new school year. they are planning to finish out their school year. So, um I don't want to say we're holding a spot for them, but we know come next school year, we would have those two folks. Um we have another person that applied um that we are very interested in, but she does not currently have the certifications needed. So, she's getting ready to start through that um program of

006training for driving. Um so, it would, you know, end of the December before she'd be done. So, start of next school year, we'll be in very good shape. Um we're just having trouble finding somebody who's ready to hit the ground rolling right now. today. >> Are we thinking about keeping the third party that need >> We will continue to have the posting. So, if if all three of these folks worked out, I think we would be down to needing just one of those drivers as it stood right now. But again, we still have the posting up. So, hopefully between now and next year, we would be able to move to just our home bus drivers again. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Any other discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion

007carries. Next item on our agenda agenda is our volunteer recognition. You going to >> Yeah, I'll uh step over to the for that one. Okay. this evening. Um, in honor of April being volunteer recognition month, um, we have asked each of our buildings to identify for us who they've had in their in the building throughout the school year, volunteering, um, and those kind of things that go above and beyond, not just coming in for something that might be for your own child. Um, but really coming in and becoming part of, uh, integral part of the school district. Um, you know, really, um, putting forth something that makes a big difference in the school. because we know we would not be able to do this if it wasn't for our volunteers. It really does take a

008village to to raise all of our children up and into success. And so tonight, we just wanted to take a little time to thank those volunteers again from each of our buildings. Um so we have the list broken down. Um and again, you can see it's quite a large stack, so quite a few names to read. Um hopefully several of them are able to join us tonight. Um and it is broken down by each building and um as far as the volunteers that they have. So, we will go ahead and honor our volunteers. You guys want to come up? And if you are here as a volunteer, um, please come forward when we call your name. Elias Alaro. Barbara Bmente, Jennifer Basil, >> Kaitlyn Brand, Alyssa Brown, Melody Callahan, Heather Compton, Olivia Deland, Ashley Ashley

009Garlic, Ashley Gibson, Terry Costin, Claire Hulich, Kiara La Pico Lo Picolo, Amber Lauria, Rebecca Murphy, Laura Atenbacher, Steven Pedri, Rachel Robinson, Samantha Rome, Keegan Ruez, Kylie Shmel Fenning, Kennedy Sheridan, Danielle Sutton. Thank you for your time. Samantha Thorn, Jessica Thurman, and those are the Lee Elementary. For the middle school, we have Lewis Faragon, Chelsea Baskki, Rebecca Betcher, Heather Bickl, Jacob Doss, Colobby Green, Jessica Bedale, Colleen Ivan, Amanda Litil, Courtney Manic, We also have Alicia Mandel, >> Keith McDonald, >> Stephanie Moy, >> Erica Feifer, Sophia Phillips, Molly Prior, Jamie Patch, Chad Robbins, Thomas Rosac, Sher Centoro, Kelly Shalom, Kaylee Smith, Lisa Sonnenberg, Susan Vetta, Jennifer Winkl, Miranda Zeki, Amy Edard, Ashley Kastowski, Marcus Gardner, Courtney Sarowi, Aaron Trombbleley, Kimberly Kohley, Jennifer Hill, Don Lion, Christy Shamansky, Matthew Williams, Tiffany Wooly, Alicia Gardner, Angela Haskins, Carrie Mayor,

010Pamela Ston, Colleen Lenu, Maria Stackpool, Lisa Taylor, Roger Cunningham, Candace Cunningham. We're also recognizing Andrew Tucker and Lynn Tucker from the middle school. And from Richard High School, we have Denise Collins, Megan Condan, Michael Condan, Kim Dang, Noah Dang, Joel Davalier, Sarah Davalier, Chase Downey, Cynthia Fields, and Tracy Gestuire. Patrick Holidayiday, Jill Manchuk, Trisha Milbrand, Aaron Murray, Kelly Olddonni, Lynn Pierce, Sean Peterson, Lisa Popio, Ashley Regowski, Jacob Bryan, Drew Wixstand, and that those are our high school announcers. In athletics, we recognize Steve Aken, Craig Aldrich, Emily Allen, Jodie Baron, Ken Baron, Jason Benetti, Kevin Capertton, Kyle Christensen, Nick Clark, Stephanie Del, Ed Delore, Justine Doss, Bob Eselink, Patty Eselink, Bill Fischer, Lacy Fischer, Alan Fletcher, John Foster, Stephanie Germaine, Sarah Gillis and Trevor Got, >> Michelle Got, Jade Green, Barb Gross, James Hevil, Lindsay Bulam,

011Julie Jagota, Angela Jones, Ben Jones, Joe Jodie, Jessica Kleinhounds, Heather Leamman, Lisa Leette, Jasine Mansa, Nick Matthiss, and Sarah Mikassic, Jamie Moore, Ralda Morai, John Nater, Stephanie Nickel, Craigbacher, Jessica Papas, Jiren, sorry, Probably didn't say that very well. Sarah Puchin, Casey Paxton, Ray Pedri, Travis Pendry, Samantha Petraowski, Todd Petraowski, Marty Rancilio, Devin Realt, Lauren Riggs, Kristen Roser, Thank you. Nicole Rose, Adam Rush, Jeff Ryan, Renee Ryan, Chuck Schuer, Steve Schlayer, Buzz Schmidt, Larry Schroeder, Kyle Simmons, Tim Smith, Kristen Starns, Darla Ste, Donna Sudter, Robert Taylor, Michelle Thompson, Jesse Winkle and those are athletic volunteers. And from the district office, we recognize Pat Bartsawitz and Karen Johnson and Sue Tucker. I want to take these ones. Oh, okay. Pat, on behalf of these folks, Sue Tucker and Terry Spanos, all of our volunteers could come over

012to our yard for a picture. Okay, next item on our agenda is our academic and athletic summer programs. Right. Um, so tonight I'm going to share the summer learning programs that we have planned for this summer. Um, do I have over here? No, I do not. Do you want me to take it? >> I don't see it over here. I'll just put >> Okay. Um, okay. The summer scholar program is a school-based instructional program designed to support students entering grades 2 through 5 who have identified needs in literacy and mathematics running from July 13th through August 13th. So the program will run for five weeks and it will the program provides students with meaningful targeted learning experiences each day that combine evidence-based literacy and math instruction with opportunities for collaboration and engagement. All academic courses

013in the summer scholar program are provided at no cost to families and are funded through section 31A and 23G grants. The program runs daily Monday through Thursday from 7:45 to 11:45. Transportation, breakfast, and lunch are included to help ensure accessibility for families and to provide personalized support and meaningful instruction. The target class sizes will be 15 students. And then it's really small. I didn't realize it was that little, but that's the layout of the day that comes from the MASD. Um, the goal of the summer scholars program is to strengthen literacy and math achievement while preparing students for future success. The academic course was developed by the MCOME ISD with all curriculum materials and staff training provided at no cost to the district. Credit recovery is also available for high school students who need to

014make up a failed credit required for graduation. They will utilize Egenuity Imagine Learning Credit Attainment Program just like in the past. It'll be hybrid and in person. Um the one thing I did not add to that last slide is we are a part of the teacher cadet program that we will take advantage of that also through the ISD. Um at this time we will um we plan to have two teacher cadetses because we will have three classes running. So we have funding for two. So the process to interview and all that will roll out in the next couple weeks. Administrators, teachers, and support staff will work collaborative collaboratively to identify and invite approximately 25 students per grade level in grades 2 through 5 to participate in the summer scholars program upon their academic needs. Following

015the review and approval process, families will be notified regarding whether their student has been placed in the program or added to the weight list. And also, if the class does not fill to 15, then we will open it up um for registration. And then I think just a I'll say a couple things about that and then switch to so again previously we did have um shorter time frame. So the again as a reminder this year the ISD um was not able to kind of be as flexible as they have been in the past because of their grant funds that they have that they then kind of passed down to us to be able to do the summer programs at that low rate. So it did need to be extended. That was what we talked about

016how we had a plan coming in at our last board meeting that it would be the same kind of couple weeks in June like we saw last year, but that ended up not being approved by the ISD. So, we did have to extend it and so we went with their recommended timeline, which is where that July 13th through August 13th time frame uh came into the picture. So, we were able to make that work. >> Can I the teacher cadet? So, you're saying that like our our students that are in the program will be able to interview for those jobs? They will. >> Okay. Thank you. Very cool. >> And all of those uh postings for this um should be rolled out tomorrow, open up tomorrow through HR. So, the um teacher cadet ones will

017be posted as well. And Michley Huber and I are going in to see the teacher cadetses on Friday this week. So, we'll make sure they have all that information. And then we'll switch over to athletics. >> Yep. Um, so a lot of these camps are camps we've had in the past. Um, so that kind of lays out our entire summer. Um, starts with tennis at BB Park. Um, the next week volleyball's got their Hillsdale camp. Same time. It actually works out really well cuz um, while volleyball's got their camp, baseball will also do their big um, camp at Little League. Um, their Diamonds and Dreams camp. That one I think last year drew a couple hundred kids. Um it's pretty wild. I went over there and like all four five diamonds were full. Um and

018then we go from that to boys basketball. Um so they'll have camp split um between the elementary and the middle school groups. We'll take a week off for our district mandated um athletic dead week. Let everybody go celebrate the holiday. Um and then girls basketball will have their camp followed by football and then in August um cheer is having peak is the tumbling group where the tumbling coaches um that they have come in during the season. They're going to have a summer day camp um for our high schoolers and middle schoolers there. So, um, a lot of the information for this, if you look on the next slide, um, you'll also see a rare picture of me wearing a tie. Um, but if parents go to the athletic website, we just made the button active

019again. Um, so it'll say summer camp opportunities. This is the information from last year. Um, so as we finalize times, age groups, costs, um, we'll get all the flyers posted on there so parents can download that easily. And as those are um finalized, we'll share that out on the athletic Facebook page. So um we we move last year we we started the the website portion of it and it was great cuz as coaches said, "Hey, I'd like to do a day here, a couple days here, a clinic here." We could add those those dates to it as we went and then communicated out and it kind of serves as a hub for all that information. >> Crystal, is there a charge for any of those? >> Yeah, they will. And um as soon as we

020Yep. As soon as we finalize that with the coaches, if they want to do shirts, if they don't, um that'll all get shared on there. And then as camps are finaliz, all of their details are finalized, we'll communicate those out individually. Okay. >> Thank you. Is the the boys basketball camp that's new, right? >> No, we've we've done it in the past. Yeah. >> In that age group, >> uh we haven't gone as low with the age group. Okay. So, Yep. Anyone have any questions? >> I'm happy for the tennis camp. >> I know it was a big hit last year, I heard. >> So, there you go. >> Thank you very much, both of you. >> Thank you. >> Okay, next item on our agenda is our 2627 budget discussion. You >> Okay. So,

021I'm going to start our budget discussion where we'll hone in on our own budget by sharing a couple of details that I figured I'd pull out from my legislative report since they're relevant now uh with this conversation. So, we did get the proposed budgets from the House and Senate last week. So, we're able to uh take those into account. The biggest thing I would want to highlight is um both House and Senate have also included that $250 per approval increase that we saw the governor have in her proposed budget. Um so I mean when you do see something that's consistent across all three, I would like to hope that that means it's fairly um you know I don't I don't want to use the word guarantee, but fairly certain that we will see that. So

022we'll talk about a little bit about that when we look at our our plans for budgeting for our district. Um, a couple of points as far as the house budget. Um, they do include a $100 million onetime funding for competitive math grants. Um, it does increase that literacy support which that funding comes through 35M to 85 million up by 85 million. So now there is 150 million. So we'll see additional funds through that uh grant funding that we have been able to tap into in the past. Um there are uh an addition of $150 million in infrastructure grants for some health and safety needs. Um we do still see that money for section 31A $321 million there. Again, still a bit uncertain with what that language will be or if that's something we would be

023able to re um invite ourselves into. They are looking at the house is looking at have not having to have individuals ra wave their rights as we were asked to do this year but there still may be some waiver conditions. So it feels like they're not being very clear that it sounds like they're saying both things. Um and it does have uh provisions that could limit future funding eligibility for districts that accept funds while allowing those that decline to be made whole in subsequent years. So again, they're they're kind of discussing, as we know, all of this is still out there in litigation. So they're still, I don't think, able to make a final decision until they see how that turns out. Um, the House does also maintain the free breakfast and lunch for all

024students. Again, Senate, a lot of similarities there, which again, we don't always see. Um, but our top line and our bottom line here, so like I said, that $250 per pupil and then also maintaining free and universal breakfast that's consistent. Um they they do have a a little also an increase for section 31A. They've been a little bit more straightforward in saying that they are looking to eliminate the future waiver privileges and they have provided a a bit more of a clear definition of mass casualty which this year was very very big. it could have included so many different things and they are saying that that definition would have to be including at least one fatality from a firearm. So that was a little bit closer to what we were seeking from the school district

025standpoint. Um they do have a 25 increase on 31A especially around the English language learner funding and then 60 million would be going for the enrollment reimbursement. you do utilize that. Um that does kind of a large increase. Uh and then transportation funding 25 million and that $50 million for letters training which we talked a little bit about last time as well. Uh when we look at concerns, I'll start with that one. Letters is number six here. Letters would actually end up costing over a billion dollars um potentially in the next 5 to seven years. So setting aside 50 million or whatever that number, what did I say? Yeah, 50 million is is really not going to cover it. So that would be still a lot of money on the line for the school districts

026if we had to go in that direction. Again, keeping in mind we are already offering science and reading training just through a different company besides the letters. Um, so number one, going back to the top of the list, this is something new that the Senate and the governor also were proposing the $80 million for scholarships. So that's a a big shift when you might look at what are they providing for post-secary programs, colleges, universities. This is a way of still potentially doing that without having to say that's what they're doing. that money could be for scholarships which we know they would be using then to go to college or university. So it's it's kind of a back to I would say way of still making sure that that money is protected for post-secondary programs. So

027that's definitely a concern. Um the $250 per pupil increase doesn't really adequately address the inflationary pressures um that we're experiencing in our school districts. Um, and again, you'll see that when we look at our own budget uh, choices that we need to make. Special education funding is definitely still lower than it needs to be when we look at that increase in cost for student needs. The sustainability of universal meals, which again we saw across all three proposals, uh, not only sustaining it, but expanding it to include private schools, would increase that cost by hundreds of millions of dollars annually. So, uh, that would be a big big strain on the school aid fund. and that boiler plate, those boiler plate provisions are still problematic around 31A benchmark assessments, a few of those pieces where we

028know we have concerns about how data is being um provided and open and available to everyone. So, that's kind of the bigger broader picture. Any questions on that piece before we look at our own budget? This looks better than last year as far as what we saw last year at this point. I agree. I agree with that. >> At least there's some consistency. Last year at this time, we had numbers >> they had numbers here. They had numbers and they were the Yeah, exactly. >> So, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. >> Hopefully, though, right? Okay. So, this will look similar. Let me roll it up a little bit. Okay. So, this will look similar to what we saw the past couple of meetings, but again, we now have

029a little bit more information in that House and Senate budget column. So, we did add uh their $250 per pupil increase. So, like I said, that's straight across the board in all three proposals. We did maintain that 28 student loss. That would be uh what our number would be if we had, you know, absolutely no increase in in enrollment at that kindergarten level. we would be at a 28 uh student loss which again in looking at our enrollment speed right now as far as kindergarten I would be surprised if we are not well going to be well above that so we'll know soon um as enrollments continue to pour in if we're able to kind of have a more realistic number but I think to like we said to be conservative we can stay consistent

030and keep that 28 so with if I kind of bounce us back to our current reality in the yellow column with where we are in our um budget this year, we're at $275,210 um in the red. So, kind of keeping that in mind as we look forward to planning for next year. We have our um we talked about this I think a couple meetings ago. It was on in the March meeting when we looked at those increases for our contracts um employees. So those are all increases. We will be having the early learning childhood negotiation starting in May. So we'll know if that would need to increase. Then we kind of come down here to these um miscellaneous budget items and also the non-UN groups. Um we did reduce we talked about this but this

031is a little bit more clarity around it reducing some of the building security monitors. So, we have not, even though it's been posted and we've had the budget and um option out there to have those elementary hall monitors, those positions have not been filled uh this school year. So, if we eliminate those in the elementary through our our conversations with them um felt that they could easily sustain without them as they've been doing, that would be a savings of 24,422. We mentioned these additional increases for the other non-UN groups previously. A slight decrease in lunch aid um expenses. We'll talk a little bit more about that down below. 27L, we know that we're coming upon the need to pay that money out. So, it came in to us as revenue, but now is the time

032that we would see it go out. The intent, as long as all goes well with the uh negotiations, that should be wrapped up in the next week or so. And uh the goal will be to pay that out to staff the first pay in June. >> Billy, can you go back to the the monitors? >> Yeah, we're just >> those are the positions that we offered the bus drivers. >> Those are the positions we offered the bus drivers. >> Okay. But if they would they go down to not getting the benefits for is that part of this cost savings that you're talking >> it could be but so we've there have not been two additional bus drivers that have have taken us up on that offer for the elementary. So we're just not going to

033budget for it anymore. >> So the ones that still do it would still give the benefit. >> Okay. Uh we know that we have a high school teacher and a middle school teacher uh retiring this year. Um we've kind of run the numbers and crunch the numbers and working with the building teams as if this 28 number were to stay, we would be able to move forward without replacing those two teachers. Um so if that was the case, you see the savings there for each of those two individuals. Um, if again if that 28 increases because we get a a lot more kindergarteners, we would look at replacing because that middle school person is actually an elementary certified teacher. Um, we would look at at bringing that back in. So, um, but it would essentially

034then pay for itself because it would be we would bring them in because we had more kids that needed another teacher. So, um, ultimately that's something we'll just watch the numbers, but it shouldn't cause a huge impact on our bottom line. And realistically, we would probably hire a teacher who's has less experience than those that are retiring, and we would still probably see a savings there. Um, just maybe not quite as large. Um, we had one CTE course after all the student requests were tallied that there was previously, I believe it was two sections that were running, only requests came in to fill one section of it. So there would be a slight reduction in that teacher's schedule. It is a teacher who already works a partial schedule. So um that would be something we

035would work through. Um we have seen the non-building level secretarial staff increase quite a bit over the last couple of years. So we're looking at you know now that we've seen how that works. Is the workload uh kind of divvied out equally? Is that something where we could cut back on? So we are considering a potential savings there. Um, we've talked about these others in past meetings, but the on-site training, um, onetime expenditures that we saw this year. Um, this one we talked about, you know, library books and how they're able to get those through the school Scholastic program and the buildings are looking at how they can kind of tighten down on student supply budgets. The instructional coach, so now we're into those grant changes. So, we know that um with um decreases in

036grants, we previously had the two coaches, we we earned that um educator on loan grant this year from MSD. And so, we have that kind of ability to see if it makes sense to keep three full folks on staff as coaches or to move down to two. Um however with that there is funding available through the CTE Perkins partly Perkins partly 61A grant um where.3 of a CTE point three of an instructional coach could be designated specifically for CTE support um which again makes sense because many of those teachers are not certified teachers and so having this person there to help that is actually a role that we see our instructional coaches hold as it is um realistic they're they're probably spending that much time already. So, there is a way to move that funding

037over so that they're paid, you know, from where they actually are spending their time. So, that could recoup or maintain a part of a coach there. Um, it's just cut off in a weird spot compared to where it was on the screen. Something weird. >> Okay. Something weird. >> Is it just right? It's right down here though, right, Tammy? Doesn't it just pick up here? >> Um, actually, it would pick up the line you just mentioned. >> Yeah. So, somehow Charles isn't duplicating. So, you saw this up top already. I somehow it it inserted itself again. I'm not sure what was going on. It was definitely a weird tech day today. I will say that. Um so just come back down here underneath the those bottom line kind of numbers. So CT workbased learning again

038this is an opportunity um where we have to take a current teacher who has a full-time um well she's a full-time teacher um but she does teach part of her day in CTE programs. Looking again at numbers next year we have the opportunity her general nonCTE classes that she teaches uh those had fewer requests fewer need to offer as many sections of that. So what we can do is give her an hour per day where she handles some of those higher level pieces of the CT programming that um Miss Ael takes care of right now. Also, some of that is work that we have the CTE partial secretary or those funds that pay for a part of the secretary could also be moved to this person. So, kind of shifting some things, shift shifting some

039duties around, but also allows us to shift funding around. Um, so one hour of that teacher's day could be paid through additionally through CTE helping out our general fund bottom line. Um, I'm going to skip those two that are in green right now. I'll come back to those. Um it again in conversation with the um building teams we did originally the budget for the lays on officer was 20,000. We discussed cutting that to 10,000 um with that reduction of hall monitors. They didn't want to completely negate having that um police officer available, having them still having that connection between the police department and the school district um but limiting it to a much more specific task and you know tighter schedule. um when they would be here. Um lunch aids, we saw that um kind

040of indicated up above, but this breaks it out a little bit more. Um so again, just being realistic and thinking about what they, you know, are able to do, what staff is available in the lunchroom. Um the middle or the elementary school would would like to retain six lunch aids. The middle school is able to work a schedule that goes down to four. The high schools really only had one person on and off throughout the year. um they really don't require it. They don't those students don't go outside for recess. They don't need somebody outside. There is staff that's always there in the lunchroom. So, it's really not necessary for them. So, we could remove that which is again you'll see the savings there. The two items in green um that are fully in green.

041If you come across, you kind of see the savings there. So, like I mentioned, there is the opportunity potentially to fully reduce one instructional coach because we did add the uh educator on loan, which gives us $125,000 of grant funds to to cover the majority of that person. Um, additionally, I know we've had it on there before, but just kind of keeping it there. So, this has been, I would say, the the most challenging conversation. So, we've talked about it a couple times with the leadership groups. Um, I still have it there so that we can still see this is what a savings would be if we did remove those from the schedule, but we are not yet at a point where we're in agreement across the board with the whole team. So, they are

042still showing there as a potential conversation point on those groups. >> So, Billy, real quick, so under our instructional coaches, we have how many right now? >> So, we have two right now. once through the >> right and then Jessica if she had not moved up to the curriculum assistant would have been also in you know so in theory we would be back at 3 come September >> okay we didn't do something different >> okay we had two up until >> I believe it was February when our educator loans started so we're only paying for one then right now >> so we're paying for one >> oh two still paying for too. >> And that one through the educator program. >> So, she's given an additional >> for the extra duties for >> Oh, that's

043right. That's right. Okay. Okay. >> So, it's kind of not a normal not quite a normal streamline, but Yeah. >> Right. Okay. >> And all moved around, but yeah. Still there. >> I just was looking at the funding where that's going. >> Yeah. So, one thing that we want to make a decision on is if we, you know, seeing this $250 increase up to that um funding being at $10,300 in all three proposals, is the board comfortable with us using that number to continue to budget now that we've seen it across the board? Um, if we if we look down here in the yellow, you kind of see a difference. So, if we had our decrease of 28 students, then the loss of that would be without any increase in the state aid fund as

044we sit, it would be a deficit of over $650,000 in next year's budget as it's planned on paper right now. Um, >> the increase, >> whereas if we include the increase, you see that number is quite different at 277. still work to be done, but it is a starting point that is probably a little easier to work with. But it just depends on where that comfort level is. If we if we feel confident in it when we see it across all three columns or if we want to be conservative and not consider it yet, um we can do it either way. >> So I I'm personally not comfortable with cutting the liazison officer. >> Okay. I didn't decision about I'm just expressing you as expressing I >> Yeah, I have concerns about that. >> Yeah.

045Um but I didn't know if this is the right time. I'm not sure about the what number to use yet. So hold up on that. I do have a couple questions. Sure. >> So what is the non-building level secretary? So we talk. >> Yep. So that would be our non-building level secretaries include our um student support/curriculum secretary, our HR secretary, our athletics and operations and currently CTE secretary. Um I think this field could be in that category. Okay. And then I guess I'm a little concerned about not replacing the teachers that are retiring only because we are projecting an increase in enrollment. Um, and then we're talking about not replacing two teachers. I would before I would want to agree to that. I would want to see, like you guys said, you you ran the

046numbers. I would kind of want that explained a little bit more on where people are going. I really I have a hard time believing that even if we get an increase in kindergarteners, that would fully offset the cost of an instructional teacher. Given the numbers that I've seen, I think that's still going to be a huge offset. Um, so that I would want more detail on because if we already know it's probably not going to work, then I don't want to bank on it and bank on us saving uh 71 or $164,000. Then we already know it's really not feasible. So then we'd have to just go back to the drawing board and think of something more reasonable. Um, cuz I'm concerned about that one. And then I still before I would vote on this,

047I would like to see exactly what the liaison officer does and what it would look like going time with them. >> So we're cutting what we're cutting or the hours like what when they'd be at what school kind of just like a projected what their day would look like so that I know what we're getting now and what we would be reducing >> cuz you said they've discussed it at the administrative level what they would cut or what schedule they would have. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yep. So I can have them prepare that in detail. And then for the two teachers, so the the high school teacher, um that was really a matter of kind of shifting some of the electives that were offered and kind of moving some pieces around in that. Um

048and again, some of those classes were run with very very small numbers. So we were able to say, okay, the student might have their second choice class rather than a first choice class to make a class of 18 or other class of 10 that was running, you know, in a different um in a social studies versus a different elective. So, um, and again, just kind of moving moving staff, really digging in and looking at what their certifications were, cuz some staff have those multiple certifications where they might not have been teaching that, um, previously. So, the the high school one is is again, I can kind of bring what that schedule would potentially look like if you'd like to see that. It's that one's pretty that >> I think I'd be more interested in knowing

049are we cutting an elective and which if so, what are we cutting? Because I'd like to know more. I don't want to agree to this with the assumption that things are figured out and then come to find out in the fall, oh, we had to cut two two electives and I had no idea. So, I want to make sure I know exactly. >> And keep in mind, too, in the um course catalog, we always have, you know, have courses and on the selection sheet that don't run each year. um so I mean it wouldn't be a matter of you know not having them in the course selection guide but this year we were looking at okay which ones had those fewer um students that selected that one and does it make sense to to combine

050some of those so we can definitely look at that um like I said it wasn't something we took lightly that one that one was was doable I definitely would say what I think we should look at for the elementary piece so our incoming kindergarten class going into first grade so That would really realistically be where that reduction would be if we really did replace this teacher because that is a group of 95 students. So that is about 23 or 24 students would be in each first grade class. Um again we're using that sort of static number of we had 95 kindergarters. So we're pretending we're going to have 95 kindergarteners again. That would be fine for the numbers that we have. But if we end up with more than that that's where we need that

051other one. So I think what would make sense for us to do is take that 28 that loss of 28 students and kind of look at again maybe we pick a teacher with fiveear seniority just as a middle of the road guess and kind of say like okay how many students does it take to cover that teacher right but then we kind of know what increase from our loss of 28 would put us whole again know if we were comfortable to to fulfill that position I think that would help us >> Billy on the high school one do we have a I just know from my Do we have a number set as far as how many kids and we run the class? >> There's a few that are lower and some of the AP

052ones we do let go. >> No, I understand. I'm just talking our general elective classes. >> I don't have a set exact number, but it's >> Do we have a ballpark they're working with? So when Andrea is scheduling, I can tell you that when we would schedule, I would have a number that if we were below that, then we wouldn't run that class and then we would put those kids into their second choices. >> Um, so I was just curious if we have really not I think I would say we really try not to go less than 15 as kind of a general blanket one, but again, you also have to look at if we do that is are there 15 spots during that hour, right, to move them to, right? So there's a lot

053of pieces that go to it. Um so it's possible that one could run lower and one could run higher depending on you know again the hour that it is what it's up against those kind of things. >> Got it. I know. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm just wondering if you know there's a level. I think you I our board needs to know that there's typically a level where we won't run an elective >> because numbers aren't there. >> Well and I'm fully anticipating we're going to have to make some sacrifices. So I'm not saying all these are off the table for me. I just want to know before I vote. Anyone have any questions? And you're not done yet, right? Or >> no. Let's see. >> On at least what we've covered now. Anyone have

054any questions? Any things you want to ask? >> We just want to go back to that if we are comfortable with um the 250. >> What do we think? >> I know. I kind of worry about it because >> it's just nervous because we never get could be 250 now and then we don't know. where we're at right now. Flat mainly, >> Sandy, Dana, what do you guys think? >> Yeah, I'm nervous about that as well. >> We can stick we can stay with where we're at right now and work with there and >> it's it's April, right? >> Okay. It is April. That's true, right? That's true. Seven weeks and so see what happens. >> We can see what happens. >> Okay. So, stick with what we're doing then, Billy. Okay. Okay. We'll show

055it the kind of the same way probably have anything else. >> Well, Tammy, did you have anything else? >> Anything else you want to add or any other questions from the board? >> Okay, cool. Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay, next item on our agenda is our student board of reps. So, Kelsey and Elizabeth, what do we have tonight? Okay, at Willow Lee, there is too much fun coming to count. Some exciting events include the annual color run field day and a large prize giveaway for positive behavior assembly. Those gift include karaoke machines, scooters, basketball hoops, and they do it big. Students have been working hard to know all the all that they know through NWBA testing and they are going to have fun celebrating their growth. At the middle school, they would like to

056congratulate the RMS Green Club. Miss Mayor and her students achieved the highest honor of Evergreen School, acknowledging all of our efforts to be environmentally responsible. Thank you to the RMS student council. Miss Gardener and her group students cleaned up our grounds in honor of Earth Day and planted flowers around their main RMS sign. They even planted flowers in the shape of an arc. Mr. Mr. Steve Pacino and Miss Anne Gallagher hosted a successful Lego robotics competition. It was well attended and all the students had a fantastic time. Thank you to several high school students, Riley Dang, Josh Dang, and Lane Muller for helping with the competition. Also, also thank you to Mrs. Dang, and Miss St. Lens for being judges. RMS had their first track meet last week. All the athletes put forth tremendous effort

057and demonstrate great sportsmanship. All RMS students are continuing to complete state and standardized testing. Our students are demonstrating great responsibility and great effort as they work through these assessments. This Tuesday is our RMS film festival. Our production students have worked hard to make their movies and are looking forward to this week's red carpet premiere. This Wednesday, RMS will welcome the newest member of the National Junior Honor Society at 6:30 in the high school auditorium. We are looking forward to honoring all the new members. For the high school, we are excited to report that we we had 100% attendance for the SATs this year. We were rewarded with a pizza party and dedication. So, good job, juniors. Richmond High School Theater will be performing Love in All Forms this Friday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. and

058Saturday, May 2nd at 1:00 p.m. and 7 p.m. Please come out and support our students. Richmond High School was awarded an emerald rating for the Green School initiatives. Thank you to Mr. Ling Master and our students. And now for athletics, um we these athletics can be also found on Blue Devil's athletic Facebook because there is a lot. So today, girls soccer versus Yale wins with a 70 and0 score. Tuesday, away varsity boys golf at Castle Creek 1:30. Home JV and varsity baseball versus Emily at 4:00. Away varsity and JV softball at Emily at 4. Away varsity track at Cross Light at 4:00. Away varsity girls tennis versus Elma at 4:00 and home JC girls tennis versus. For Wednesday, we have away freshman baseball at 400 Northern at 4:30 and away varsity girls soccer at North

059Bridge at 5. For Thursday, it's home JV girls tennis versus Mary'sville at 4, away varsity and JV softball at South Lion East 400 p.m. and away middle school track at Arma at 4 p.m. For Friday, we have away freshman baseball at Arma 4:30 p.m. Home girls soccer opponent is to be determined. And then for Saturday, away JB softball at Anchor Bay tournament 8:00 a.m. Home varsity softball versus Millington 10:00 a.m. And then there's also an alumni celebration after in the RMS cafeteria. And lastly, home varsity baseball versus dad X at 12:00 p.m. Thank you so much. >> You good, ladies? Okay. If you can't find anything to do in the district this week, we have a problem. Okay. Next item is our superintendent search update. Um, nothing new has been added. I just wish to

060remind our public that interviews start tomorrow. That's Tuesday, April 28th, and they will be through Thursday, April 30th. All interviews will be starting at 6:30. Uh, additional information on who is being interviewed at what time can be found on our district website under the superintendent search tab. The public is welcome at all the interviews. There will be a public comments session and we are also providing Miss Cindy. The QR code will be out published tomorrow. Tomorrow the QR code if you want to provide input via technology the QR code will be out on the site. You can also fill that out and send in your comments on who we are interviewing. That's it for our update on that. We now have our bond update. I'll start you want to add. So again, nothing new. I

061think we've presented everything that we could possibly present. However, there still is sometimes misinformation out there. I know. I saw something the other day saying a previous bond failed 13 times. Um, you know, that's that's nothing like that has ever happened. We've had this one in November, this past November didn't pass that first time, which is the first time that that's happened um in recent history, ever, I think. Um, so again, just we just really urge you if you're out there and you're still debating on if this is right and it makes sense for you, um, please please just go to our website. The QR code is here. you can get to it from our regular district website and click that bond tab and just see that information that we have available um that is

062accurate and that is true uh to get that out. And just again, thank you to our our students, our student reps are making sure just to get the word out and let our our students know who are voting age what what this bond is all about as far and what voting for bond is all about. Our staff have been really instrumental in making sure that people have the right information and spending a lot of time um just again getting that word out and making sure folks understand how dire our needs are. So we do appreciate all of the support that we've had and just hope to see everybody come out on May 5th. >> Thank you. Next item is our blue devil. Excuse me. >> Okay. Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry. We're going to finish an

063update. Okay. Um, just to go off of what Billy said, information that was out there, uh, that our last millillage was brought back 13 times. That last bond in 2019 passed on one try. And the 13 times conversation that was had was 30 years ago when we couldn't pass the bond. It was 13 times. And one time the bond had um was a tie. So you lose when it's tough. So that's where 13 times came from. Not that our last millage it was done one time and we passed it and that was um an increase for our taxpayers. Um bond bond money um is used for bond purposes and money is put into an account. uh to be used legally, it has to go into a bond account and that money is goes out just

064about as fast as we get it. As we as things are done, the money goes out of that account. It's used for bonding purposes only. Uh we have as a board set aside money out of our operating general fund for items uh such as buses, technology, upkeep of turf, the turf field and that was purposely done by the board back so that um in particular the turf field that was done so that we wouldn't have to come back. I think it's a 10 or 14year life period. I I don't can't remember the exact by putting setting that money aside we'll be able to upkeep that and we kept that promise have kept that promise every year to do that. Um also a statement on social media was made about our overcrowding in our district and

065the comment was that is it partly self-created and my response to that is sure it's self-created. the programs that we have put out the the good things that are happening in our district that is where we have overpop populated. So every person who works in this district no matter what their job is whether you are custodian, teacher, secretary, superintendent, all of that everybody has helped for that over overcrowding. Um, let's see. What direct benefit does Richmond get from bringing in outside students? There's questions about school choice. Uh, the direct benefit is the $10,050 we get per student and that helps for our operating of our school and our programs. And these outside students are our students. They come to Richmond because uh for many reasons, but much much is because of what we offer and

066what what we give and so that is why those students come and when they come they become our students. Um the question was should there be a cap on student enrollment so there is enough room for local children to learn. Um the reality to that is that districts do put caps like you only have you only take students in uh you don't take them a certain grade like maybe senior year something like that. But the reality of school of choice is here. Districts participate in it and you really have to participate it if you want to keep keep up and keep going. So um that's been Thank you. Any questions? Any other comments from the bottom? Okay. Next item on our agenda is our Blue Devil raves. Uh we'll start with Sarah. >> Nothing today.

067Thank you, >> Sandy. I just quickly want to read on our student representatives, Kelsey and Elizabeth. We're doing such a great job at the um uh education foundation night at the races. They sell sold 50/50s and stuff 50/50 board. So, thank you girls so much for doing that. Was really appreciated. Awesome. Okay, Candace. >> No one else today. Danielle, >> um, just to kind of piggy back off the bond information, I just wanted to thank those staff that jump on those social media pages and kind of put their two cents in or correct misinformation or add information and add good stuff. Um, I know every time I am scrolling, I see something that and I recognize a staff name that's jumped in to, you know, put their two cents in and we appreciate that as

068well. So, try to stay off their >> Yes, I have a few here. I just want to rave about the teacher of the year banquet Sandy and I attended last week. that is a really fun event and it's fun to be there where our teachers are being recognized in the county. Um I also want to recognize uh tomorrow is the all county all academic banquet and our student is Grace Mowski and no board members are able to attend because we're doing our interviews and uh Dev and I have been attending that together for 20 plus years. But that that is an amazing event too and I'm sorry that we no one no board member is going to be able to be there with Burice Monowski but it's a great honor for her and um so

069I just wanted to recognize her. And then uh yes Saturday night our Richmond Education Foundation had a fundraiser. We raised $20,300 which is just absolutely amazing. And I wanted to just rave uh these staff members whether they uh came to the event, bought a horse, sponsored a race. Um we appreciate them. And so that is Eric Ramont, Cheryl Jar, Tammy Shad, Andrea Zbo, Angela Blake, Brett Bird, Becky Borwick, Trisha Hold, Preston Trend, Cynthia Fields, Sarah Octton, Tracy Thornberg, Jessica Schllayberg, Jed Mela, and Chris Malinowski. And our Elizabeth and Kelsey did do an amazing job. So, thank you. the foundation. Thanks you Billy uh for coming in. She has joined with the foundation. She helped put the event together whether during the program all of that and very much appreciated to Marge and Trish in the

070administration office who came up and were able to put the program together as opposed to me having to take them home and fold them all. So that was wonderful from them. Um to Preston Trend, Darlinger, and Glenn Heightsman. Um the work that they did, they brought all our prizes over. They brought all the stuff that we had at different people's houses for the school to get there. So we thank them for getting that done. And Deb and Candace, board members, thank you for your uh support as well. So, it was a great event and a lot of money raised and it's going to go right back into school. So, thank you. >> Thank you for running it. >> All that you guys do for education. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Good stuff. Yeah. >> Okay.

071The only um announcement I had and Margaret stole my thunder is I do want to acknowledge our our student that will be honored at the all academic banquet and this is will be the first one in probably for me or beyond as long that 30 years that we are I won't be there. So um it is a very unique night. It's a it's a way to honor our top students in the county and it's really amazing to hear what they're doing. I always like to see what our kids are doing, you know, and what other kids are doing. So, um I hope someone's hoping I think Andrea. Okay, good. Some of them will be there from the district. We just won't have a board member there. So, anyway, okay, next item is our interimm superintendent

072legislative update. Bill, thank you. Um so, again, I'll kind of echo that. I I am glad that I'll be able to be there for the banquet tomorrow and and like that we we had a time where we were both kind of committee members for that and working it together before our time here. So, it is a it's a good event for sure. And again, um echoing the teacher of the year banquet, always a great time. Uh and looking forward to this Friday having our uh staff appreciation night before putting on. So, that should be fun. The comedian and also um like the girl said, we have our musical this weekend. So hopefully folks can can try to fit both of those things in. I know that I am looking forward to doing that. Um as

073far as um additional updates, again like I said, we did most of those legislative pieces were budget related, so we talked about those already. One more budget piece though, uh last was it Thursday? Last Thursday, Candace and I attended the county budget meeting and um we had heard that B budget presentation and the resolution for that will be brought forward next uh meeting for our board here. I do have copies of their full board of their full budget proposal in front of us. So, that does have to go to every board in the county. um couple of it really they spent a good deal of time just going over all the different services and um um help that they offer at the ISD the things that we can participate in there which we do take

074advantage of of quite a bit of those. We were surprised to hear it looks like they may also be seeking an extension on their enhancement village. So Candace and I had some some lengthy conversation about that and kind of talked to some folks afterwards too um about you know kind of differences of bonds at the county level versus on the local level and how the that impact could could affect us. Um and did you want to add anything on that? >> Well, it sounds like it's almost the same amount that we would be going for. So how Danielle broke it down >> think about that for household amount was pretty similar. Yep. So that would mean as a household >> I don't know how that you know cuz it's all of Mcome County but the

075total was pretty mirroring what we're >> that was early. I mean they didn't have anything set in stone but they're not actually mentioned. Yeah. >> Yes. recruiting for yet. But yeah. Yeah. >> I think the biggest thing my takeaway on that one was that the power school uh fees were going to stay the same because we are lucky being home to have that. Most most um districts are paying up to $8 and we're only paying $4.75 per student. So they're going to keep that the same. That was one of my big takeaways. >> I think that's a benefit definitely of having a very active ISD. they're able to bring us all together and get those discounted pricing because we'll do things kind of unanimously across the the county and so that really does help us

076as a whole. There's there's no doubt about that. Uh so the budget was unanimously supported at that district board representative meeting but again we will share with everyone here and it does have to be voted on by each board um separately. So that will be coming to you. >> Is that the one we gave input to? No, separate. Yeah, that's the >> Okay, that's right. Okay. That's not even the budget though. That's on the >> That's right. It was They're looking what they want us their letter. >> But do we get like is uh do we have a packet or something? >> Yeah. >> And the other thing is that that new building is almost done. >> So, they were talking maybe within the next month and a half we could do a field trip,

077>> go look at it. >> I want to see it. I'm excited. opening. >> That's what I'm thinking. I wonder if they will. >> But I The plan was that that was going to open for 26 27 school year, right? Wasn't that >> like in the fall? >> What the It was. >> Yeah. >> Well, good. >> They had some pieces of equipment and things they were showcasing. The other big piece is so Mcome County did um win a grant to put in a mirror lab. So that's the uh STEM engineering that concept all of those CTE pieces. And so the only other one currently in the state is on the west side I think in the Moskegan area. So home and then a district in the upper peninsula go one grants to put in

078these countywide mirror labs. Uh with that there are going to be there's no doubt there will be additional CT grants out there. there was availability this year uh that Missbo did apply for and and wrote a really really nice grant for and it really extends the opportunities into the middle school more so and so having that county in order to get that particular funding you have to have a mirror lab within a certain mile radius. So again that will naturally open up some potential funding pathways for us and I'm sure that we will apply again. We didn't get it this time but the the lab's not even built yet. So, I think they have to kind of get things in place before they can get too many schools on board with it. Um, but again,

079I know that's something for us to keep our eye on as we do have such a large CTE program and CT base that that's something we'll continue to keep our eye on with that in the county as well. But that was exciting news. >> What is that, Billy? >> So, the lab itself is again it does it has engineering. It has and I'm going to forget everything. Miss was taught me about it. Tammy, you might remember from her going over it with us, too. I know who you're trying to remember. Um I I know the welding one really stands out to me just because the way they do it is like this virtual welding now. That's how they teach welding. And so that just really stood out to me. Um but just different engineering pathways

080essentially is is through this program that that central hub is for teacher training. So that way you can train up your teachers that would go back and teach those programs at the level. Um and so then the funding that potentially in turn would be available for schools would to be put in a mini version of those labs within somewhere within the school district. Um so I again I think but I think this will be the beginning of of something more to hear on that. >> I thought you said mirror and I'm like didn't actually did not the county um community college who went with me down there. >> Yeah. Didn't they they have one different little different version but uh the community college has it? >> Yeah. >> At down at South Campus and that

081just opened within the last couple years and so that's where that's branching from >> and this new lab will be its own freestanding. So it's not part of the college right now. It will be its own new separate facility campus. It's like a mile away. >> Yeah. It's near the area. >> Okay. Nice. The only other thing too was um they did talk about in the Senate increasing the funding for transportation because >> primarily the it's I guess the diesel fuel is up 78%. >> Yeah. From last year this time to now it is up. So we did see that in the Senate proposal was that I think 25 million in there. >> So that was kind of a big thing they talked about. That's it. >> That's it. Any questions? Okay. Uh, next item

082on our agenda is our items of interest on the board. Uh, Candace. Sure. Um, so this is a tough one for me. I don't normally speak. Um, but I it's been a rough past couple weeks being out in the community and um I feel it necessary to speak on a particular topic. Um, so I'm I'm just going to read off what I have here. Um, as much as I support President Man Michan's response letter to the public regarding April 13's meeting, um, I would like to respectfully um, express my personal own opinion on the matter. Um, I believe as board members it is necessary that we understand when it's time to take accountability for the fallout of our actions. I feel that in any situation recognizing the impact by explaining ourselves or apologizing and then

083committing to doing better would have been the more effective, clear, and concise way I would have gone about it in order to restore and rebuild the trust within the community. With that being said, I personally want to let those who spoke up know that I do appreciate their bravery and acknowledge how the situation has affected them. And the big key takeaway is I want to thank all of our many guests that were here on April 13th for respectfully expressing themselves that night. um being that there were so many emotions in this room and that's my end takeaway of that evening. So, and that's all I have. >> Okay. Thank you, Margaret. >> Good. >> Okay. Sandy. >> Yeah. I was hoping to ask about um if we have I guess an end result in regards

084to Brian's retirement life insurance and OC's stuff information. It's all settled. Um if you'd like to have a private conversation, give me about >> Okay, perfect. I just want to make sure. Okay. Yes. Um so we haven't I haven't heard anything about it since we spoke. >> I do have a um just a statement for the board. I just don't have all the details on it yet. I thought I would have it tonight and I was going to pass it out but I'm waiting on one thing. >> Okay. >> So, within >> but yes on the insurance it's all handled and we'll take it. >> And then I also um was hoping to be able to like do a committee make a committee in regards to the when the new superintendent contract comes up. Um

085cuz I know like that's up to the board to do that. Um, so I don't know. I don't know. My opinion is that we should have a committee of three board members that are working on that particular contract. I don't know how everybody else feels about that though. >> Historically, >> just because normally the way that I understand it, Bev is that it's normally just I think the >> president. Yeah. Usually the president um our attorney and then our candidate. >> So >> I mean are you are you opposed to that? Like I mean I feel like if we had a committee to kind of help you cuz that you've never >> I am not opposed to it and I will tell you why. >> Okay. >> I have never done one before. >> Right.

086>> So for me um it'd be nice just to I don't know have that that back support or people might know. So I I would like I would not it would not bother me cuz I have never done one before. It would be something new for me to do. So it would not bother me. I don't know how everybody feels. Um I think um we're going to meet what? Saturday. Maybe after we get through these this week, maybe we come back and take a look at that. Okay. Fair enough. Yeah. And then I just wanted to remind everybody about the staff appreciation event that is Friday. Um dinner or I think the doors open at 6:00, dinner's at 6:30 and the um entertainment is 7:15. >> Yes. >> And then there's there's two comedians. So

087she'll be a good time. I think we're going to have a good turnout. Good. That's it. Thank you. Uh Sarah, >> yes. I would like to um Okay. So, I also wanted to kind of piggyback off what Candace said and although I don't disagree with um Deb's statement, I have a couple feelings about it. So I am the biggest supporter of everybody has their own beliefs and opinions and perspectives and I if it doesn't affect my life I I have no issue with people speaking their mind as long as they do it in a respectful way. Um unfortunately when we sit on this board we have taxpayers money in our hands and we have to be financially responsible with it. I distinctly remember a couple meetings a couple months ago there was an issue that

088came up with Title 9. It came back to us. Um, there was an attorney recommendation. We were voting on it again and I had specifically requested, I think myself, Ray, and maybe Candace had requested that Brian um, reach out to the attorney because we had some questions. We wanted some clarification. And I remember sitting here and there was at least one board member that questioned why we would reach out to the attorney and use taxpayer dollars for that. And then I guess I have an issue because here we are because one board member wanted to express their opinion and their perspective which they're entitled to. And we've had to reach out to the attorney on multiple occasions in the last couple weeks to help us formulate a statement, find out if we're supposed to make

089comments. And I don't think that's being financially responsible. if I'm going to be questioned on me requesting attorney um input on an actual board thing that's coming to the table for me to vote on, then I would appreciate if other board members would respect that as well and not needlessly make the district go to the attorney and pay fees for something that is their opinion. So before we we even respectfully state our perspectives or opinions at the board table, I would respectfully ask for you to ask yourself in your head first, is this a productive, helpful comment? And what is the purpose of this comment? If nothing's going to come of it, and it could potentially cost the district money trying to dig our way out of something, maybe we keep it to oursel. I

090just feel like we need to think about what we're saying before we say it. Um, I also wanted to thank everybody for speaking at the last meeting. Um, respectfully, like Candace said, I think that people hear what you're saying a lot more when the delivery is something that you can hear. And I think the delivery we heard last week was good. There was one gentleman who spoke some inaccuracies and I didn't appreciate that, but I didn't really hear him because this delivery wasn't good. Um, so I think when people can deliver a message respectfully, it goes a long way. Um, I respect obviously all of the veterans. Um, my husband was a Marine, my father was in the army, my grandfather uh was in the Navy. I'm a huge military family and I respect everybody's

091uh time and service and just want to thank everyone from the outlets or two weeks ago. >> Thank you. Um Danielle, >> um no, I just had the one question that Ry had presented um regarding the staff member that I think Billy you responded to it today, right? Right. >> Yeah. So, you're good. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um the only thing I have is just you've already said a reminder that May 5th we are voting for a bond. So please uh step out and vote. Okay. Okay. Next item on our agenda is public comments. Since the last board meeting, the board received an email from a community member regarding our public comments. Um, we responded to that email acknowledging a receipt of it and their concerns were addressed tonight at our meeting at the opening

092comments. Uh, there was no public comments that needed addressing from the last board meeting or no one asked uh to hear from a board from the board. At this time, any member of the public will have three minutes to address the board. Please sign in and state your name. If you wish a followup, please provide contact information on our sheet that's at the podium. Are there any public comments? Shall I sign first? >> Sure. Okay. Great. I'm Matthew Stewart. I used to be a regular at these board meetings. I taught here in Richmond for 39 years. And about the last 10 years, I would come to all the board meetings. The first thing I would like to say to you is thank you. Thank you for all you do. This is a job. people don't

093understand the depth of what you do and the impact you have and um I do. So, thank you first. Um the reason I'm here though is to share an event that's happening this Saturday out of the ball fields. The Richmond softball team is hosting a softball alumni reunion and it's taking place during and after the double header with Millington. So, this year's softball team is playing Millington. We're inviting all the alumni that can possibly come from 1979 to 2025 back to celebrate this year's team to honor the program and also to share memories. I have an invitation. I just you guys can pick one and hand it off. Um just as a reminder, it's um it's been exciting to plan. Last fall, a group of alumni thought we should do something and this is what

094they came up with and it's been fun to plan. There have been ideas about banners and keychains and hot dogs and and it's just fun to have that positive energy. The program's been in existence for 49 years and my husband Howard Stewart has been the only coach. Hey, so that's amazing. >> All 49 or 48 what? Whatever. 48 years. No, this is the 49th. Okay. >> Um, so that's amazing in and of itself, but the program has has such reputation, such um, and on the back here are the various conference titles, district titles, and whatever through all those people that played for those years. Um, the what I wanted to say is there's lots to be proud of in Richmond and there's so much going on as the girl said this week, but if anyone

095can stop by for a game or a free hot dog or a short program after where alumni can share memories and the um Richmond varsity softball team is going to lead everyone in the fight song and also share their memories too. So, I just wanted to come and let you know that yes, we have lots of positive things going on and Richmond softball is one of them. >> Thank you. >> Do we have any other public comments, please? >> Just in case. >> Good evening, ladies. My name is Ken Bleskkey. I was at the last meeting and I spoke and I spoke to the president now and I told you the buck stops with you. I served 53 years ago. I seen the video and the comments made I felt disrespected. I've loved doing volunteer

096work for 18 years with the veterans. I appreciate all the volunteer work you do. But hey, the little speech you made at the beginning of the meeting, I call Now, there is respect and there's disrespect and you need to address that. You have one member on this board address. It's wrong. Brings down here to defend himself. So, you take that forward. You got the vision in the community, you can end it. just give the family the apology that they deserve. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh mine's very simple. We have got to do something about the microphones. We cannot hear a thing. I don't know if you need to take some money and buy a whole new system, but month after month, >> I can hear you. >> Okay. >> But most of them, you

097know, I I'm watching and I can't even see, you know, that it's >> push a button. >> Yeah, we do. >> So, you know, can you do something different to um you know, restraining and we're just right there. >> Okay. So other than that, um, >> thank you. >> It's all good. >> Okay. Thank you. We'll work on that. >> Any other public comments? >> I wasn't going to talk today, but I want to take time out to thank the both of you, Candace, and Sarah. Much appreciated on your words. Um, I look forward to hearing more of those. I really do appreciate them. Thank you. My name is Ethan Styer. I wasn't planning on speaking today, but I felt I should. I want to say something regarding the comment made at the beginning of

098the meeting. I just want to say I am very disappointed that that's how you think respect is given. I can't even imagine what you think disrespect is. Also, thank you, Miss Cunningham and Miss Gillies, for what you said today. We really appreciate it. >> Thank you. Good evening. >> I'm Richmond senior Pauline Chapmanstead and we come tonight to the board meeting to discuss a current academic issue that we are currently facing. Over the past My name is Jason Spangler. Over the past school year, my family and I have had the pleasure of hosting exchange student uh Mia for short. Um visiting us from Poland, currently enrolled as a senior in Richmond High School along with my daughter Paul. Over the past months this academic school year is seniors are getting ready to graduate. We have

099been following the school's guidelines and on class enrollment. As the end of the year draws closer, we have received mixed messages regarding uh the school's graduation policies, including the purchase of a gap cap and gown, which we've already done. But the classes that we've been advised for her to take now do not allow her to walk across graduation stage. We have met with the superintendent and would like to invite the board tonight to rule on a decision that allows me to walk across the graduation stage, even if it's with a certificate showing she's accomplished a year at Richmond High School as a show of good faith and not with a full diploma since she has to return to Poland and uh at the end of the exchange program and repeat her senior year at her

100high school back home. Additionally, Maria has on her own gathered a petition and had it signed by her seniors and the school advocating for such a decision and we would like to present that to the president for for your decision at a future time. Thank you for your time and consideration. Did you mark on there for me to get back with you? Is there a phone number? your phone number or something please so that I can get back to you. Thank you. Thank you. Do we have any other public comments? Okay. And no other public comments. We're going to move on to our action items. Okay. I am looking for a motion for the approval of an overnight extended student trip to Hillsdale, Michigan. I move to accept the recommendation of the interim superintendent and

101approve the overnight/extended student trip to Hillsdale, Michigan as presented on April 13, 2026 and outlined in the attached documentation. Support Any discussion? All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries. That was our entertainment. Looking for a motion for the approval of an overnight extended trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee. My motion to accept the recommendation of the interim superintendent to approve the overnight extended student trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee as presented on April 13th, 2026 and outlined in the attached documentation support. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. I'm looking for a motion for the approval of an overnight extended student trip to Urbana, Ohio. I move to accept the recommendation of the interim superintendent and approve the overnight/extended student trip to Urbana, Ohio as presented on April 13, 2026 and outlined in the

102attached documentation. >> Sarah, that was you. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. I'm looking for a motion for the approval of an overnight extended student trip to Hudson, Michigan. I move to accept the recommendation of the interim superintendent and approve the overnight/extended student trip to Hudson, Michigan as presented on April 13, 2026 and outlined in the attached documentation support. Thank you. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. I'm looking for a motion for the approval of food service equipment purchased from Stanford Smith Incorporated. Anybody have it? I motion to accept the recommendations of the interim superintendent and approve the purchase of food service equipment from Stafford Smith Incorporated for a total not to exceed $177,000.78 or yes 20% for unknown site

103installation conditions as outlined in the attached documentation for which funding from the food service fund is authorized. Do I have a second? >> No one. >> Well, I don't have it. >> Yeah, I just confused cuz I have nothing. >> It was all in your packet. >> And so that's that's the only reason I'm It is in our meeting notes though. I I have it here. >> Is this >> I have it in the packet online but I don't know >> what's online cuz that's where I got it from. >> There's not even >> Okay. Can we um table this? >> I'll support the motion. Okay. >> We can have some discussion. >> Okay. Okay. So, I have a I have a motion and I have a second. Any discussion? What are we and sorry

104Tammy but I missed but can you tell us what we're purchasing and that would help at least that would help me as as part of our um spend down plan for our excess fund balance in our food service fund. We went around and looked at all of our equipment in the in all the lunch lines and in the kitchens and came up with a list of lunch line primarily equipment. So when where the students go through the lunch line to get new equipment at um middle school, ele middle school, high school, and elementary school. Um there's a list of for the elementary school if there are five items. There's a register stand for where they um run students through at the end of the line. There's a serving counter for cold food. There is a

105let me a hot serving counter for hot foods and a table that goes with it and then a serving counter like for utility where they would um pass stuff across to the students as they go through the line. So they come through I believe it's um it's hot and then the and then the utility table and then the cold and then the register. I'm not sure where the hot and cold are which one's first but that's the idea in all three buildings especially middle elementary school. It's been a long time. The equipment is just looks its age and so it's it's a good time to replace. Um at the middle school we were getting three pieces of equipment. One in the kitchen is a mixer, a large commercial mixer for them to do food prep.

106um as well as a four well cold unit for the service lines and then two stainless steel counters again to pass food across for the students to come to pick up as they go through the lines. So that's the middle school. At the high school we have a heavy duty stainless steel table that is for inside the kitchen where they do their preparation um whatever they're preparing for the the lunch lines. And then in the lunch line, there's a hot food serving counter. Also has a table with it. Um the third item is a serving counter. It's a utility table again to put stuff on as they go through the line. Um a second utility table for the next station. Looks like and another cold food counter for the students to pick up as they

107go through the line at the high school. Um a utility serving counter. Um we have a couple of um display things for that we can take off the current tables and put them on the new tables just to give it a nice refresher look um to something we haven't replaced in a very long time. So all that equipment looks quite aged. Um it will certainly brighten things up and allow us to make our our lunch lines look more attractive for the kids. Um there's also at the high school an open display merchandiser. It's a refrigerated item and it's again it's a pass through where you can put stuff in and the kids can go through and grab it as they go through the lines. So all of those items come up with we had um

108open bids. We put bids out um posted on the state website. We have to do that um did a walkthrough for any interested companies. We had one company come through and it was very helpful just to for them to ask questions of us. So then we had some questions. So, we sent all the biders that had sent in an attentive bid form and responded with those questions to them. And then one had some follow-up questions. We responded again to all the biders. Um, we opened bids on Thursday of last week. Um, and had five, we had five companies submit intent to bids and four bids came in. Um, one bid came from Stafford and Smith, which is out of Madison Heights. That's our lowest qualified bid. We had a bid from Great Lakes Ventures, Great

109Lakes Hotel Supply out of Southfield, Michigan. A bid from Trark USA Marlin out of Munger, Michigan. And a bid from Douglas Equipment out of Bluefield, West Virginia. Um the Bluefield West Virginia bid, they failed to bid a couple of the items. So we considered that to be a non um compliant bid and so we did not give that any further consideration. So we narrow it down to the three. The lowest bid from Stafford and Smith was 177,78. The next lowest bid was from the Great Lakes Hotel supply 183,423 and the next bid was from Trrimark at 198,790. So going to the lowest responsible bid that is the bid from Sapp. Okay. So all that >> is in your pack. >> You just said is how much did I support for that? >> 177. >> That's

110a lot of stuff for that deal, I think. >> Okay. And I'm sorry. I know I supported it, but did did the motion say Stanford and whatever? Okay. >> Okay. >> And then this is just this is because it has to be spent on the right food service, right? >> Our food service We get commodities from the US government. Um we get refund reimbursements from them for free and reduced lunches. We get meal money from the state. So we're required to not have too much money in that fund. So in addition on that plan, that spend out plan in addition to this, there are a number of items. Um Kathy and the crew in the kitchens and some of you come to the taste testing trying to introduce some new items into the um lunches

111and breakfast in the morning. um just doing a great job um buying some local chicken, buying some local ribs and burnt ends. So, they're introducing some new things for the kids. >> My son loves them. >> And I think they've done a really nice job and we'll continue to work on not just buying stuff, but improving the program overall and what we offer to the kids. >> By the way, this is in our packet and all the bids were in our packet, at least electronically. It wasn't there on Friday cuz I think it came late late on Friday or something. That's why. But it is in your packet. So, any other discussion? Okay. This will be a roll call vote. Um Candace, >> yes. >> Uh Margaret, >> I. >> Uh Sandy, >> I uh

112Sarah, >> hi. >> Uh Danielle, >> hi. >> I vote I. Motion carries. Being no further business, the board will adjourn at 8:41.