Richmond Community Schools Board of Education Meeting on March 23, 2026

001[music] >> 7:00 Hey, the regular meeting of the Richmond Board of Education will come to order. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of 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. Can you please read our mission and vision statement and roll call? Our mission statement is "Every child in the Richmond Community Schools will be provided quality education that empowers students to be successful in the global community." Our vision statement is "To foster effective excellence, creativity, character, and ensuring that all students are prepared for success in the 21st century world." And I'll go ahead and do the roll call. Board member Cunningham? Here. Board member Gallops? Here. Board member Rashad? Here. Board member

002Sutton? Here. Board member Telfer? Here. Board member Styers absent. Ms. Jonas, I am Board member Fortune and I have a quorum. We also do have our student representative here with us, Elizabeth Schaefer, and Kelsey McNerney is actually absent with notice. She's uh is at her meeting. Thank you very much. I'm looking for a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Support. Thank you. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Oppose? Motion carries. I'm looking for a motion to approve approve the consent agenda. So moved. Support. Uh any discussion? I do have uh just a question on the consultant report. I noticed that we were approving um substitutes and I'm not like is that something we normally have to do? Like are they usually I just I got a question. So when they're when they're

003uh retiring coming back to sub for us, we have to do it that way. So um those retired educators are not able to work through a third party. Vendor like vendor work? Okay. Uh hourly staff, I should say. Um and so you have to hire them directly through the district. Following once that happens, they operate just like any other substitute would. They just pick up jobs, you know, on a daily basis as needed. Okay, so they're not like always in the they're not like necessarily in the building. Not like in the building. They they As needed, but just have to be newly employed as through us rather than Yeah, for the IRS regulations. You got it. Okay, thank you. Any other discussion? Yep. Um my question is just for the two subs, the retirees that

004are subs. Their letters were dated 2/23 and 3/9 and I guess I just wonder why is why did we not approve these people before March 23rd? I think one was right on the date of that meeting. It could have been and I think that's a typo. I I don't think that that's accurate. I'm sorry, February 19th and February 27th. I'm sorry. The 23rd and the 9th were our board meetings. February 19th was the one in February 27th was the other. February 19th was before the meeting last meeting in February and then February 27th we hit the March 9th meeting. So just what what just the reason that it took so long? And have these people worked? For us? Yes. Can we just check Yeah, we will. check on their final status for us, please. Absolutely.

005Okay, thank you. Okay, wait. So we don't >> So we So I mean so the answer is we don't we don't know, is that what >> [clears throat] >> Sarah, I have a question. I'm questioning the dates cuz I was out sick and somebody's assistant did the report, so I do want to go and check. >> Okay. Okay. And then uh Billy, just my question again that I said I was going to ask about the schedule B, the middle school district newsletter person that is still open and is there a problem? >> Knight indicated he was still looking for someone. We haven't had another newsletter meeting, so keep in mind those are just those three times a year, so it it wasn't as pressing maybe if you will just because we don't have another one

006coming up for a little while. So Mr. Knight did indicate with me that he was still looking for somebody there. So then the next one is the end of the year one, that is what you're saying? >> Okay, correct. Okay. Any other discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Oppose? Motion carries. Next item on our agenda is our high school powerlifting state champions. Mr. Knight, I believe is going to assist and if our board members could gather out front, we'll do some handshaking. And I would like to invite Coach Babb up here with me, too. I invite you Coach Babb up here. He loves to be in front of the camera. I do. Um so I'm going to turn around Okay. Um so I'm really excited. Um it's it's always great when I get to

007come up here and talk about all the great things our kids are doing athletically. Um and you know, this has become kind of a yearly thing, so Coach Babb has got that on his plate that I'm going to keep this a yearly thing where we get to recognize our powerlifting state champions. So um I've got three here that um all three had stellar seasons and phenomenal um meets at the end of the year. Um and I also want to let you know we got our powerlifting record board up in the um weight room. So Coach Babb and I are going to work on putting all the numbers in there and I think a couple of those we actually have might have to change and update after these last couple of meets. So which is a

008good thing. So um without further ado, um winning her second state title in a row, I'd like to welcome up MISS LEAH DEMAMBRO. >> [applause] >> NEXT, UM A junior winning her first state title is MISS SOPHIA JACKSON. >> [applause] >> AND WINNING HIS SECOND STATE TITLE, um and actually Brody signed with Northwood University um last week to continue his powerlifting uh career over there. And in the process winning this state title, Brody set three STATE RECORDS. >> [applause] [applause] >> YEP. OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO WE COULD HAVE EVERYBODY JUST real quick. We're going to go over there and take a picture. Next item on our agenda is our budget discussion. Hey, what's that, Sam? Mom, look. What's this? So sitting here, we have a couple of things to look at regarding the budget. Of

009course, we're still pretty early on. We do have the governor's recommendations, but nothing from the Senate or House yet. Um we just We're doing budget. Oh, I'm sorry. Let me say what I missed. Turn my page. I'm sorry. Sorry, sorry. Um so we will be able to talk about how we want to approach how we want to approach enrollment, which option we'd like to go with with that. Again, take a look at the governor's recommendation um in isolation at this point since we have nothing from the House and Senate, so we'll go from there. And then we can look at some potential options for how to handle the differences that we will see with the anticipated budget. So um options that we have for how we want to look at our enrollment as a starting

010point for planning for next year's budget. Um we have uh three potential ideas that we could go with um that should be familiar and not ones that we normally would see. Um so this particular uh chart shows um the last I kind of zoomed in on just the last three years prior to now. Um and so you see the actual uh numbers for 25 26. I have them put in. We just uh did finalize our count for February for the spring count. So these are the actual numbers that did go up to the state um in that 25 26 chart. Um so we could take the option of really just staying the course and moving the kindergarten numbers up to first grade, the first grade numbers up to second grade, and so on. Um just

011moving everybody right in line across um and then taking, you know, just kind of that close estimate for the uh early childhood and the kindergarten since that's not a guarantee. We don't know how many we have there quite yet. Um so if we take that approach, um the estimate would be about 1,518. It is a reduction um and one of the things that we'll see is the graduating class this year at 119 students. That group of juniors coming in before it is only 102 students, so that that group right there is is a little bit of a loss. I will say I just carried over the kindergarten number, but based on for instance this year's kindergarten roundup compared to last year's, huge. I mean, so many more families there. Um we've heard, you know, it

012sounds like all of our families are currently in the preschool, um even Head Start, all of those programs are very, you know, very optimistic in coming to Richmond as kindergarteners. So, I would anticipate that kindergarten number will probably be higher and will balance out that loss that we're going to see in seniors that are graduating this year. Um but I wanted to make sure that you were kind of seeing an almost a worst-case scenario, a very conservative approach as we look at what could be the potential because we are losing a relatively larger senior class um compared to um the junior class that will be seniors next year. Are you Are you looking as you're talking, you're just talking, do you want us to say anything as you go along, or wait till What's the

013What's your I have Why don't we go over the three options? Maybe that will help and that will And then I can go back to any slide if you'd like me to. Okay. Uh so, this second option takes our enrollment and we look at a 5-year average of the last school year, so that going back to 2020 2020 to 2021 school year. Um and then kind of again, so looking at that average across each of those school years, what kind of growth or difference we saw year to year um as we go on, and then again, taking that sort of conservative approach. So, if we expected even 60% of that average, what would our number be? And so, um if I go down to the bottom, is where you'll see the district totals. Of course,

014each building is broken out above that, but if we look at our district totals for this school year um using that 1558, um and so if we take the average there um across the years, and then take 60% of that, 1,575 would be what we'd be looking at with this model of taking that average growth year over year for the last 5 years. And again, going at a conservative edge with 60%. The third option, um which again is probably the I guess the furthest removed from us and what we see. Um this is a snapshot of one of the um models that we get from Michigan Alliance. So, this is that uh model five, if you recall, there's the four different models that they run through, and the model five averages those four. Um so,

015if you look at model five for what they were projecting for the 2026-2027 school year, that projection is quite a bit higher than what we saw in the last two slides. Um keeping in mind though, their number would include GSRP and Head Start students. I have the GSRP number As of right now, we have 86 GSRP students, so right off the top, um you would take 86 out of that 1609. Um again, because they do count that. I do not have the Head Start number in front of me, but uh it's not going to be near as high as 86. But reducing that does get it a lot closer to what we were looking at um with those previous two numbers. So, those are our choices, or I guess our options to kind of think

016about how we might use a starting number for enrollment as we go into this budget um planning. So, this would be a good time for questions or comments on that subject. I'd say we stick to the first number. Yeah, that's what we always do. I think yeah, that's what we've pretty much done over the last I don't know, four or five years. It feels the most realistic, I would say. Yeah. I like it conservative I like to be conservative too about it and not not want to have to worry about us not meeting the number. It's nicer when we know that we've gone over. I For me personally, I would be I would go with option one. Yeah, I think option one is conservative about this fall. Okay. So, we'll we'll So, will you be

017proceeding So, we'll proceed with that one. I'm going to move forward then. Um one more piece that I do want to share before we look at our again, kind of how this will impact us and what that would look like. Um and you do have this in front of you, so it can be a little bit larger. So, the governor's recommendation is to increase the allowance uh increase the allowance by $250, um which brings it to a total of $10,300 for next school year. Um again, if you kind of move down and you see those red or those places where the reduction is, it does eliminate the separate funding for section 31A and section 41, which is our bilingual. Um so again, those are going to get moved into other places. We still anticipate there

018will be funding for those, um but they're not going to be those stand-alone categoricals. Um and so Tammy will probably talk a little bit about more about that as well. Um but just so you see, there is the anticipated increase in the actual overall allowance for next So, are we So, are we touching the two red categories right now? Do we know maybe at all where they're going or what they're doing or are we even It's in the governor's proposal. Um so, I'm going to say it's likely to happen, but You know, I mean, so it's just You know, they call it section 22, is that what we've heard a little bit about? >> section 22 is the weighted pupil membership. So, that's supposed to kind of to sort of compensate for that loss there,

019but again, it's a little difficult to say and see right now. Overall though, I mean, even with that change, you do see the total change there in the chart at the bottom of the page, 462. Well, yeah, but that's only if we get $250. >> And we don't. We don't know. Yeah, but that's that's the everything else is the same. Right. But is that that 41, the bilingual, you're saying um eliminate or we do something different? Is it going to be like what they're going to do what they did with the 31A, where you there's things hoops, if you don't go through the hoops, you're not getting it? I mean, it's hard to say right now. I mean, that's certainly not something I've heard specifically. Um but again, we we we've experienced what we've experienced,

020right? And I have some other pieces I'll share later that I think even and make it feel more like that, you know, are we going in that direction? Is it um you know, is that where we're going to feel or does that just go away and they just say, "Okay, well, we we moved a little extra money into the into the foundational allowance, so that's all you need." And that just goes away. I mean, that could be another option, and if that's the case, then we're not going to see that increase. And then bilingual education, that's not that that isn't what the ISD That's separate what we get from the ISD or what is bi- bilingual? We have bilingual students, how we educate them? >> Yeah, so we So, we recently So, we've had to

021have posted because we do have um about 60 bilingual students um in the district. And so, there's a calculation that the ISD would X amount of population students, you need this many FTE of bilingual certified teachers. And so, that money is there really with the intention of being able to compensate for part of those teach- that teaching salary um is the ideal way that it is meant to be spent. Um so, we were lucky enough to find um a really a great addition to the staff. She started just a a couple of months ago. Um so, we do have that bilingual teacher now, so moving forward for the rest of the school year at least, um that section 41A money is being utilized to to um cover part of her salary. In the years past,

022before we were able to hire a teacher, we had to have a plan in place to submit each year of how we were feeling. In the meantime, before we had a teacher, we used a different software that we used. We did some of our summer school um provided for students who paid out of that. So, we've always been utilizing it the best we could for those students, but now we are using it the way it was meant to be, which is to pay for a teacher. So, now that we have a teacher now, they want to take it away. Okay, so then the idea would be if it does go away, then the bilingual teacher that we hired will be a conversation, or is that still a requirement, right? So, is that a requirement without

023the funding backing it? I'm going to uh pull up a different little bit uh larger spreadsheet that's a little easier to navigate than a a slide, so I'm going to switch to that quick, and then turn it over I will be talking about the big spreadsheet that's in your um I think it's in the little packet. Yeah, pull that out. That could be what Billy's working on for that spreadsheet. Maybe it will show a little bit better on the paper. So, we start with the top line, which is um student enrollment projections. So, for fiscal year 2026, our blended count is 1,546.57. And anticipating you might go the conservative route for enrollment, I put a projection for fiscal year 27 at that 1,518.51, which reduces our blended count by about 28 students. Next section talks

024about revenue based on that student foundation, and how much what the impact is based on losing enrollment. So, that would take $282,000 out of our budget. Not good news. Um we kept the per pupil foundation the same because we just you know, governor's proposal, but we don't know what the House and Senate are thinking and we really don't know what direction they want to go. So, we left it like you said at 250 the governor is promising is in the column in the red the red highlights has 10,300 for the governor's proposal and we don't know anything about House and Senate. Um so, that gives you that section then below that it gives us a total what our current amended budget looks like. So, we have projected revenue at 23,495 and projected expenditures at 23,770.

025So, we're planning to use 275,210 as of our first amendment. We will be that number will change because we will do a year end amendment. Um so, that will change. Not for the better I'm afraid because of a few factors. One being that um possibly 31A lost funding. We just got that in the budget um and then we had not allocated the expenditures for the 27L educator expense. So, that expenditure needs to come off as well. So, that number's going to grow. And keep in mind we still have half a million or just under half a million that we're putting uh set aside for um turf and turf replacement last year set aside. So, that's still in the budget. And so, if we factor that in we might be close to breaking even. Um I

026have a show a section on lines 21 and 22 starting fund balance. Right now we're at 3,581. Um projecting our current budget at loss of 275 we would end the year at 3,305. And so, that's the current status of this budget. So, down below um we have some things that are going to affect the fiscal year 27 budget that we know on the expenditure side because we settled contracts. Um the early learning center contract is the only one that's up at the end of this year. So, that is being negotiated. They can start negotiations soon. We are literally in negotiations right now. We hope. So, I have a zero or a a zero in that line um for that early childhood contract. We we don't know where to go with that. Um the educational paraprofessional

027contract we're seeing an increase. The service does not affect the general fund but somehow it ended up with a number in there. Fix that for the next time. Um but our APA the administrators association there's an increase there. Um this includes pay by the end of retirement. So, it's not just the payroll it's also by the end of retirement not the payroll. Um and then the secretaries and the RAA are in there. Um the next section so, those are all increases that's why they're in black. The next section is non-union groups. Um right now because of 31A possibly going away you can probably maybe not eliminate but reduce the security monitors in the buildings. Um central office employees have contracts in place that were approved in December fiscal year ends. Breakfast lunches are on that

028group. So, they're decreased at 270 that $278 is basically change in retirement rates. Um technology employees are on there and transportation employees. That's basically all the non-union groups that are listed and the increases that have already been approved. Miscellaneous budget items we will need to either take out the revenue next year or make an revenue expense for this year. So, we got the revenue this year but we don't have the expense. So, that's the 225,000. And then the adjustment for replacing retiring teachers. We have a couple of teachers who've let us know they're leaving. We know that they're where they are on the scale and how we would hire teachers at the same point. So, we have some savings and that's what that is projected savings for those um replacing two new teachers. Um then

029grant changes um continuing down because we're getting the educator on loan which is a reimbursement. We will still have the cost but we'll also have a revenue. So, that will reduce our um actually improve our budget by reducing one instructional coach that we're planning paying for. We'll still pay part of it but we'll be reimbursed but most of it won't. So, that's what that $138,000 savings is. And then anticipating the loss of 31A next year um anticipating probably losing one social worker that is funded by 31A. And that's 79,000. And then some reduction on site training class about 45,000. So, projected change for 26-27 in just those expenditures is about $141,000. When you factor that in with the loss of revenue from the decrease in student enrollment we would have an impact of about 1.1

030million wrong way to our budget. The good news is hopefully we'll do better than that enrollment wise. We'll still spend all our money doing good things for kids. And if we do get 57 more students from this projected low of 1,518 to the higher projection of 1,575 that would impact us about $576,000 to the positive for our budget. So, hopefully column AA projected fiscal year 2027 is our very worst case scenario that we will never see. And when we get the House and Senate we will fill in those columns and and then we add things that come forward um clarify some things as as the picture gets clearer. But it is early it's March um I'm hoping they can get us a budget in early June because if they wait till the end of June

031it really doesn't help us a lot. We have to bring it to you well before the end of June. So, we'll see what happens. Any questions on all of that? Um I don't know that I have to ask a question I guess. This isn't like this is just the first beginning right? I don't like the idea of getting rid of a social worker but that's what this is saying right? Yes. Go ahead. So, you know, we were really looking at as Jamie and I went through and okay you know, we know places where the reduction at the 31A um those pieces. So, I really took a look at okay what is what are we paying for currently out of that money that could be a realistic you know, reduction. So, one thing with the social

032work piece is we do have four. Removing one you have one at each building still. You know, as I tried to think of of places where we maybe wouldn't feel the impact as much. Um there are again so, we looked at um up in the section above when Jamie talked about the um security hall monitors. Um that the other part of the reason for that being you know, 24,000 in our favor is there really hasn't been much of a point this year when all of the anticipated roles for security monitors were monitored in the building whether it was somebody just because the bus drivers had that option to take that during the day session not all of them opt to do that. Um so, we have kind of already looked at how it does look

033with fewer than the maximum in those positions and still the ability to make sure somebody is monitoring throughout the day um with fewer people I guess if you will. Um so, that's another piece that is in 31A. The we have paid for part of the instructional coaches not out of 31A but 31A which we also know. Um we're seeing reductions in both the payroll that we have before and again that benefit of having the educator on loan so, it sort of replaces itself naturally if you will in that regard. Um and then the on site training as we move forward um with the new English and math curriculum that we've implemented we're moving up we had those initial quite large expenses for training on those those first couple of years. So, those will be things

034that will start to fall away and then again some of those benefits some of those perks and Jamie and I kind of talked about how do we put this in here the right way? You know, maybe it's not lunch every time when you have a PD or maybe it's you know, some of those things that you could kind of trim the fat a little bit but still get the heart of what you need. Um so, absolutely though Jamie to answer your question yes this is very much a first look at hey these are the where these people and or things are paid out of. What's an idea that we can come up with and if it's not something the board's comfortable with then we'll look at other options. So, you said we have four social

035workers now right? Um so, this will give us three one per building. Do you know around about uh how many students are in each building? Um they have they're on the social workers case. >> how many students are in each building? Oh, sure. I mean in the middle school we have the average I think. We can go back to our enrollment page right? So, um between that 5 and 600 number. Okay. And then the elementary school has more than the high school and the high school seniors have less. Um a little bit but they're all about that about that range yeah. And then the middle school and high school have their counselors as well. So, that was another piece if I I believe um as a former but I think that there was a thought

036to have a counselor and a social worker in each building. Um but that could be I guess challenging to find elementary counselors and maybe more challenging. Um so, we don't have that but we do have that additional social worker. So, that kind of fills that void a little bit. But a school counselor and a social worker are two completely different animals. They are but No, it doesn't give that support. No, it doesn't. It's not even the same it's not the same. Maybe I missed what you said. I'm sorry you don't see any concern. Yeah, I just want to expre- I just want to express my concern of getting rid of a social worker. I guess. I I mean I don't know what else we could do. I know we have I understand that others I

037understand that we have to make some tough decisions I can get that. Um I'm just not sure if that's one that would make I guess it would have to and then once we get into it more I guess you know see what Yeah what the choices may So the building security manager I think I I think I miss as you were talking. So you're you're talking here about eliminating them that's going to save $24,000. >> No so that 24 occurred this year beyond what we had budgeted for so whether so we if they maxed out and filled every position and full time for the whole year that we had budgeted for then that 24 would be break even but see that difference but they they not filled we haven't had that filled all year. Because

038we budgeted for two in each building. Correct? Right. And how many have we had? Up to four the elementary has never had any. Okay. Not there this year. So our so the 24 so we went 24,000 over is what No so you we didn't we were we still have that available that we won't People didn't want Like they were stuff that we didn't like. Right. It wasn't in the budget. So we budgeted for it but didn't use it. Correct. Right we budgeted a certain number of So the red means that's going to go away because we're not going to ask for six next year. Am I what what am I not following? If we so if we budgeted for the same then we would have the $24,000. If we budgeted for what we actually spent

039this year then it would be that much less than last year. For the last current year. Okay so we would be cutting So knowing that we didn't have them at the elementary school and we could remove that piece. They they have has not been something that they indicated so again keeping in mind they really you don't have students going through an elementary school without staff really ever right and they're always with their teacher or the restroom is in their classroom or they're doing great so there wasn't really they have not expressed a concern with not having them they are always at the middle school and high school. Okay so so are you saying you want to continue with four for next year? Is that what you're saying? equivalent of having someone yes so even though

040there's four there's [clears throat] often morning person afternoon person at each building so it's essentially four people but at each time there's one person on duty if you will. Okay I'm sorry this is really deep thinking but I just because we created those positions so that our bus drivers had the ability to be full time have benefits and to try to keep them so they weren't going down the road so again I guess I'm I'm sorry if I'm being but so we still this this right here is still budgeting to have four Yeah like we're doing that. But the 24,000 would would go away would be 24,000 to the good if we kept just the four so this negative 24 doesn't mean Four is to the good it's a positive. Yeah okay. But keep in

041mind the dollars that we're using to pay for them right now are going away so it's less it's Um and then the adjustment for replacement of retiring teachers we said we had two that we know are going. So that's that's a savings but is it are you looking at it because you're going to this is how much they're costing us where would we hire somebody in are we looking at do we need to even replace two retiring teachers do how does that work my note here was numbers to move grades around at the meaning okay this year kindergarten was so many classes next year you might not need that in first grade so where is all that at? So if that's doable absolutely that would be a great way to save money so we've just

042started we've had one initial conversation the buildings are still working through that process of getting all of the student requests and and student full class schedules in right now. So absolutely that is something we would look at anytime but certainly this year. Okay so we are looking that the two retirements we have we will need to replace that's that's >> that we assume everything's flat and stays the same and we replace them we used the the step five as just a guestimate placeholder for that so them leaving at the top pay scale if we were to bring someone at step five that would be the savings. Okay. Um and then down here the grant changes where's the school liaison officer why isn't that in It could be anything Because I'm going to talk about a

043social worker that that should be a line item as well. Yeah there's a number of safety materials I just kind of I went with the highest paying out of that one which is the social worker but yeah yeah I'd rather see it all because whatever's covered under this grant because that's what we talked about back in the fall when we said we knew we were going to what is the word be able to deal with for this school year going so that liaison officer's got to be in there if we're actually going to have a legitimate conversation about grant stuff. That's about $20,000. And the instructional coach you feel that's a no brainer right because we've got So we still have two coaches. Correct. Yeah. We would need three. Right because we've got the one

044we got for free. Yeah. Okay. I I um I did say something to you Billy and you said as you go along but like my athletic questions from last time my question was about um tournaments you know when we had talked about um when we did everything and we got the on the yearly scale of uniforms and stuff and we put that what the my tournament question is um what's a legitimate tournament that each sport likes to attend and some of our sports bring money into the school when they have a tournament how's that layout so just so everyone knows my question to her after the board meeting was that looking for that kind of conversation as we go along too. Yeah. Lots of these I would say keep in mind that this is for

045spring Yeah oh yeah yeah. I that's why I asked my question these conversations we're going to be having down the road. Absolutely two things Billy I would like to see if we do have to make some discussions about cuts would just be what does that look like with the social worker I'm obviously not for cutting any position but I would like to see kind of the four we have what their roles are what they fill and then how we could restructure to make it work with three because we might be able to make it work with three I think we just need to be able to see what do those because I do agree counselor is very different than a social worker the functions typically in a school setting are very different um and if

046we're adding a counselor I don't know that we're saving anything then so I guess I was confused we'd be adding a counselor. No no that was just I think how we ended up with a fourth social worker rather than a fourth So if we could see what those four are doing and how we could restructure I might be okay with cutting a social worker and then also I don't know if we presented on this or not since I've been back on but I'm curious what exactly the liaison does all day like what their what their function is I just don't even know what they really do so in order to know if I want to cut it or not I like I need to know what they do for the children. Yeah. Like And I

047think we got extra social worker because we couldn't get a counselor at the I don't remember that I thought it was we needed and I'm looking at who was on the board at that time wasn't it social work because we had a need for a social worker right not that we couldn't get an elementary counselor am I I wasn't here when you guys said I don't know I'm trying to I don't remember I don't know that's just what I thought. When I was on the board last we did have an elementary counselor I remember something medical came up and she went off and she went I don't know something happened she was gone. And then we never replaced her. That's the we had it was a counselor. We had a counselor something happened in her

048family I don't know what it was I really don't remember. She ended up leaving I'm sure Mr. Robson remembers actually I she ended up leaving and we never replaced her. That is as far as my memory goes. Okay. Um but I do I I would love to see what what the liaison officer does for the school. Yeah just to know what I mean I'm I am pro having a liaison officer I will say that but I would like to actually put some roles and responsibilities to it because then I think it would make more sense. With respect to safety. Correct yeah well I think their presence alone just kind of lends itself to safety hopefully so again I am pro liaison officer I'll go out or whatever saying that but I still think to be

049responsible we need to see it. They're only here for four hours a day right? Yeah so it's not a full day. I you any other for Kim? This will be This will be a conversation we're going to have through the end of the year so we get our budget assumptions all in place and we know more from the house and senate than what we hear happening in Lansing. So, stay tuned. Have you heard of any new grants? I just sent anything out. Any exciting things that Um, that's something different. I just wish Wish you Wish you well. Yeah. Yeah, no. Other than this 22B which is supposed to be more than a 31A and 41A That's that one-time one Well, no, that's restructuring the 31A and the 41A into a new number which which is

050supposed to be increased from the other two numbers. It's early. The house has signed it there. Are we doing all that you've been working on this? Well, >> [clears throat] >> pretty much. Like a month ago they're like, well, they hope to get their budgets out before they go on break, but they're going on break pretty soon and we got so little time to do this. Okay. So, one's after two weeks with the committee. So, that building, do you want us as we think of things, you want us to email you or Thank you for bringing this Okay, next I know. Our next item now is our student report. So, Elizabeth, you're on. All right, there's a lot today, so get ready. Um, starting with the high school, congratulations to our robotics team who competed

051in Marysville a couple of weeks ago. Our team competed well and was selected to be part of an alliance which earned a second place finish. We were also awarded the Rising Star Award. Um, they put that the key details of the Rising All Star Award is to recognize new teams or teams with new beginnings that are growing rapidly in capability. Focus, it recognizes resilience, team culture, and impact rather than just on-field performance according to Instagram posts. We conducted a school-wide activity on St. Patrick's Day to promote student collaboration among students. A big thank you to Miss Parmenter and our teacher cadet students and Miss Hanson for their efforts in making it a fun day for students. Students and staff are looking forward to our upcoming spring break. It is a much deserved break and we

052hope everyone finds time to relax and enjoy their time off. Safe travels to everyone who's traveling. At the middle school, they had their final Cyber Safe Schools presentation on Monday, March 16th. Our parent meeting with the Cyber Safe Schools team will be the same night as our Parent Empowerment Night, which is April 7th. Cyber Safe Schools will be at 6:30 in the middle school cafeteria. We had a field trip last week along with our fifth graders attending Starbase, our seventh grade students attending Cranbrook. Cranbrook, our eighth grade honors design students went to the DaVinci exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum. And our choir students went to the Detroit Opera House to see The Lion King. So, a lot of field trips going on. As always, our students represented Richmond with pride and had all the

053amazing experiences. On March 11th, our sixth grade choir our sixth grade choir and on March 12th and our seventh and eighth grade choir participated in MSVMA District Choral Festival. Both choirs earned a first division rating and both received a 30 out of 30 perfect score in sight reading. We are so proud of Miss Stacy Floor and all of our choir students for their exceptional showing. Both choirs have been invited to perform at the State Choral Festival in April. On Friday, March 20th, our MS students experienced the annual Pi Day and St. Patrick's Day assembly. Our students and staff had a great time recognizing our winter athletes, playing fun games, and just building community in a very positive manner. Thank you to Miss Ridley and the NJHS students for running an exceptional assembly. Further in the

054school, the elementary held their talent show on Thursday evening. The event showcased over 15 acts from karate, dancing, singing, tumbling. Miss Mangold had a blast MCing the event and celebrating so much more than academics. Huge shout-out to Miss Hayes and Miss Gibson for chairing the event. Kindergarten and preschool open enrollment was held on Friday after school. The enrollment team along with elementary secretaries were able to enroll over 65 students. Great job and we welcome our future Wood Ducks. For athletics, varsity baseball opened the season with a win over Lamphere Groves. The win was Coach Evans' 500th of his career. They traveled to Marysville on Wednesday and hosted Lake Shore on Thursday. Girls soccer faced talented Port Huron Northern team on Wednesday, losing 4 to 0. They are in action tonight against Mooney and come in

055home against Austin Catholic on Wednesday. This spring's athletic high school sports schedule so far, but parents, players, and fans are encouraged to check the athletic website for up-to-date schedules and cancellation notifications. Middle school track will begin Wednesday, April 8th after school on the track. And that's it. Anyone have any questions for Elizabeth? Thank you. Okay, next item on our agenda is our superintendent search update. [clears throat] Uh, Michigan Leadership Leadership Institute is continuing to accept applications for the superintendent position. Uh, the final date for accepting applications will be April Wednesday, April 1st at 4:00 p.m. So, that's next week and then uh, we will from there we will be looking at all of the candidates to decide who we will be interviewing. That's it for that. Um, Mark, do you have a bond update? Uh,

056no, it's Billy. Billy's going to do it? Okay, thanks. So, a couple pieces will be a little repeat, but I think worth um, revisiting. So, again, we are talking about um, a repeat of the um, our original proposal. So, we are seeing this again um, because the reality is we still need that space. Our students are still uh, especially at the middle school, maxed out completely and and very near so at both elementary and high school as well. So, because our our reality hasn't changed, that's why our proposal has not changed. So, in looking at Again, this is probably the most common question I would say that we get um, as that bond committee as those of us that are out talking to different folks in the community is, what How does this work? How

057is it possible that it's a no increase PDF where we're going to be able to perpetually um, cover 15 dollars? And so, keeping in mind if we look at this graph that we've seen since before November, um, that currently the millage is um, at that's at around a seven, but it has been steadily decreasing as you can see from 22 and in July of this year it would be um, decreased again. Yeah. What we are asking is >> [clears throat] >> rather than having that decrease by 1.7 mills this July to keep the mills the same or to keep that millage the same. Um, and so we will see for July instead of coming down, we would see a flat line and just stay consistent. So, again, folks will have seen that decrease over the

058last few years which it will see example of on the next slide um, exactly what that's looked like the last few years with them. Um, but again, we're asking to kind of pause it there and keep paying the same rather than that decrease. So, that is how we're able to say it is not an increase, it is just a freeze at the current rate essentially. So, this is an example of um, a the district a local district um, person's tax uh, statement. And so, looking specifically at the school millage which is that bottom piece of this um, Casco Township uh, tax bill. Um, so you can see in 2023 it was at 6.95 and then down to 6.7, down to 6.5. So, that decrease has been happening. It would have Again, it would have been

059higher, it was over seven before this. Um, and so like I said, we're just asking to kind of take that pause here, take that freeze and keep with that current uh, millage rate so that way we'd be able to see that increase in the um, revenue that we can see from this bond. So, last time we kind of talked about enrollment and how those numbers are looking to increase. Again, we saw that a bit and some of those projections earlier today. Um, and so let's take a look at a couple of the buildings. So, this is what the elementary school is kind of looking like right at the moment and these are three classrooms, those three yellow highlighted um, buildings are student rooms, are um, rooms that one could say are not in use right

060now, but the reality is they are certainly not sitting there empty. Um, this particular room, the one that's at the top end of the screen is actually the uh, a room that we use as an office for our instructional coaches. Um, so that they do have a home base to work out of. Um, and then we do use one as um, kind of a library book library um, place where all of the teachers' curriculum and those items are stored. Also, um, leveled books for the students. So, again, we have a large amount of these and so those are able to be stored in one of those spaces so that the teachers have easy access to them throughout the school year. Um, and then again, the others we use again, I know we had um, board

061members visit and we have the calming room and um, a resource room as well that are considered a not in use space, but we are absolutely using it currently. Um, but if we had to put a classroom in any of those three, we could, but that would not be ideal because then we'd have those other items or other rooms that would have no space for them. Um, at the middle school, you'll see there aren't any of those yellow spaces because there are no free rooms available at the middle school at all. Keeping in mind that the gym also, you know, so we have our gymnasium over here always always split in half. You know, so at any given point in the day you'll have multiple classes going on in there. Here, which would normally just

062be a community space of the stage, that is actually, you know, the wall is closed and it is used as the music classroom for our students to have their music program. Several of the classrooms are used as for double teachers, so you know, one teacher's in there most of the day and then on that prep period another teacher will come in and use it. Especially in some of like our art room and things like that are used for multiple staff members. Um if we look at Well, that makes sense. That's why I just said that. The current of the high school is again kind of similar to what we saw at the elementary. Three spaces that we could call available, but again, they really aren't. I will say that this kind of the one to

063the my left, that room is was office space, but they're actually now using that for the podcast room for the broadcasting class. They expanded some of the content that they're doing with that class and so they've opened that up in that room. So, I don't even know that we can say it's available now. That's what's in there now. Um another one is used for whether it's student meetings, small group meetings, IEP meetings, teacher PD type meetings. So, there is one kind of flex room that's used for that. And then another one is again has a number of our CTE program equipment in there that we're able to kind of move in and kind of make use of a little bit larger space to move some things around when needed in those CTE classrooms. So, really

064nowhere do we see space that's truly not being used for something. When we look ahead, you know, a lot has has gone on. A lot has been done to prepare for the bond because keeping in mind this wasn't something that we only did just between November and now. This started well before that. And because we didn't change the scope of what we were asking for, much of the work that was done prior to to November really sustained because again, we're asking and looking for the same project. So, there's been meetings with O'Brien French Associates to identify those areas that were not previously addressed in bond the 2013 and 19. Restrooms is a huge one. We see that across all three buildings. Some roof roofing that needs to be done. And then again, the biggest piece

065of this is just that additional space. Um There were the meetings with every stakeholder that you can imagine. So, that is building staff, department administrative teams, um you know, teachers, parents, and students. Everyone had an opportunity to really kind of share what they were in need of for from this bond. Um obviously to get into sharing with the board what that might look like, we cost out projects with O'Brien French Associates and again, in by using that feedback that was gathered. So, through all of that input and and putting all those pieces together, this is what it could like could look like moving into the future starting with the high school. Um Several of these areas would be the restrooms that we talked about. So, any of those um areas that, you know, again, current

066all of the restrooms are really just out of date. I mean, we often have plumbing issues. We're having to close bathrooms. Whether it's the lighting, whether it's the fans, whether it's the plumbing, it seems like it's always something with one of the restrooms that is causing it to be closed. They really really need to be updated. Um this purple area in the middle would allow for an increase in the size of the cafeteria as well as some additional office and and things space that we can use again staff and social workers that do things. Um and then hugely would be this new addition of several classrooms. Again, this is not necessarily specific to scale, but it would house up to you know, 10 12 classrooms if you know, designed out this way. So, that would

067be off of that science wing. And another important piece here also in blue is the current high school clinic does not have a restroom within it. Um it's it's kind of it has a door for privacy, but I was just talking to Ms. Zabel the other day, there's a concern. Unlike the other buildings where it's kind of more like that at a doctor's office, almost like a open but curtain, you know, you can create privacy. Whereas the high school, a student could go in there, lock the door, there's no window. So, you could have a student with a medical emergency that could lock themselves in. Um so, we were talking about just how really risky that current setup is of that clinic. And and again, and that having the restroom piece too, which we know

068often can be necessary you're having a lot of those situations. So, um so again, I think that's a really important addition that we would be able to accomplish. And all of our years Those are the bathrooms in yellow. And then outside of the high school, we have the additional parking. So, this is the parking lot behind the auditorium that you see that's kind of in gray there. And then we would be able to add large additional sections all the way out to the rural way essentially. At the middle school, a little reworking of what's kind of currently the fourth and fifth grade wing to make sure that we could really kind of make that an authentic wing if you will. Or again, if we want to move them down here to this new addition where

069it's completely all new in that blue section at the bottom of the screen, then those rooms might need to be reworked for other purposes as well. Both of the current wings have this kind of a larger room off the side. Those can be multi-purpose. So again, we're talking about that choir class that's currently on the stage, these would be larger type rooms that you could use for a classroom like a music class. Um that type of again, different kind of requirement potentially. And then again, the large wing with key feature there would be that additional multi-purpose space which could be utilized as a second gymnasium. Uh it could be used as another cafeteria space or space for eating. Um yeah, at this point we weren't necessarily budgeting out a whole new kitchen down there, but

070still that space could afford us that opportunity. Um and then a kind of a neat feature I guess if you will, this this little red square at the bottom is actually an exterior facing restroom potentially. Um when we look at where our athletic fields are, that would give that opportunity to have a nice actual true functioning outside accessible restroom rather than um part of the high school building. So, that would be might be helpful. And then also the bathroom renovations that you see popping up in yellow across the middle school as well. For the elementary, our biggest need there is really the kitchen. So, for such a a large volume of students that come through with breakfast and lunch every day, you can see that the scope is really doubling uh if not a little

071more than doubling the current size of the kitchen there. So, that's the huge need there at the elementary school as well as a few more classrooms that we'd be able to fit in off of this wing here. And updating, there aren't as many bathrooms and their renovations probably would not be as strenuous. Again, keeping in mind many elementary classrooms have the bathroom within, um which would not require the same level of renovation that those public or community bathrooms need. And again, this has been a fan favorite as I've talked to different groups is additional parking at Lee as well across from that the large main parking lot and adding the additional parking there. Um I think I don't know how all the kindergarten parents knew, maybe they have older siblings, but we were talking at

072the kindergarten roundup and every I I can't say how many parents said, "You had me at parking lot. Oh, parking lot. Okay, we're good. Parking lot." So, we know that's what people are thinking will be a good good help if we do that. I really have one thing just because you said that and said that the road gets How that would look to get across that road. I think I think I know there's a stop sign, but I mean, I've seen it day in and day out. Like people just blow that all the time and I thought my word at the middle school. I'm not sure that it would be used as much. I mean, it could be. You know, I don't think it we certainly wouldn't use it as a drop-off location or anything

073like that, right? That would still stay over in the the part closer to the building. You know, and if we had to add, you know, we have the crossing guards down by the the roundabout. So, if this was something where we found that families really were parking there to come in and out beginning and end of day, then we might have to add that that crossing guard at the stop sign area there or maybe adjust where that crosswalk is so it's a more convenient spot for families that's a little bit safer, but I think that we'd have to do something like that. >> that I mean it's looking for it. It's definitely something to talk about because I know there's days where I get stopped before that stop sign and have to wait all because

074it's a one way now, you know, at the stop sign all the way getting in and then we ended up getting in at like 48. And we are in the parking lot by 37. So, I could see parents cuz they're already starting to go into the fields or parking that little side lot Yeah. And uh So, that would be I could see them jumping right into that lot and it would just be so much Yeah, you're not bumping into a car, but then the traffic. Yeah. So, no, that is a really good idea in the traffic area. They play frogger now with that little side walk to get across. Could that be used for our staff parking? That's a good potential. Yep, that could be an idea, too. What is it again? To move that,

075right? Yeah, that is good suggestion. Definitely something we would would be able to look closely at. Changing the Billy, can I ask just a just a couple questions about that? Just because I think people might want to know. We indicate that there's going to be a no increase, right? But do we know like when would that be happening? Like until when? Uh 20 It's a 20-year Okay. Okay. But the increase wouldn't last 20 years. No, right. Right. Reading that graph, I was just surprised at how many were misinformed of how the graph was to be read. It doesn't stay steady like that for the next 20 years. It stays like that until like 32, 33, and then starts to go Starts to go down. It's not flat. It's being paid off. So, just like If

076you're paying off a car, right? Your car and the interest, right? I mean, your your your outstanding loan isn't the same year after year. So, that you would see where that would start to get. That's the red line, right? Yeah. That is the gap. Okay. And then, I don't know. I just You know, I you mentioned the since we're in calling room at elementary school, I don't know if I'm a big fan, but I just, you know, I hate when we say that >> [laughter] >> everything's available. But I know that we have to say that, but I just I just wanted to let I wanted I wanted to let everyone know that I did visit that room. When I visited that room, which may not be the same now, but they pretty much did

077use it every day for students. I mean, daily for students, so Okay. I just wanted to I agree with you. Same information. I know. I don't want to have to say something like that. Like I said, none of those spaces are available. That's the reality of it. None of them are being Yes, I know. Not to dismiss every other space. That one is being utilized by students daily. Anyone else have any questions on our bond bill? And the last slide there, I think I've done that a couple times, but just we will go more in-depth with the details of the bond and also a nice virtual tour of what the bond projects could look like. I like it. I'm sorry. Um I went too far. Um on Wednesday, we have these state of the district

078events, and so we will have a virtual tour that includes not only kind of video footage of where different pieces and additions could potentially be, but also testimonials from different staff and students that are impacted by kind of that squeezing space or past experiences that they've had in the district and then would not like to see us get back to that point and want to keep seeing us move forward. So, I'm looking forward to being able to share that. And that's our bond bill update for today. We will share that on our district page, also. Yep. Once so after Wednesday, it will be shared widely. Yeah, we have a number of folks that are interested in posting it for us, and so we will get that shared out. Okay. Next Thank you very much. Um

079next item on the agenda is our Blue Devil Braves. Uh let's start off with Candace. I'm sorry. Um short and sweet, but yes, I was able to attend the Blue Devil soft opening for the first day. Um it's It was two Thursdays ago. They had the Italian lunch, and um it was amazing. So, looking forward to that being open more often. Good job. Thank you. Uh Margaret? I just had one. I read today in Lindsey McCoy's classroom, and it's just a really cool classroom. It's really fun, and I told the kids when I was in third grade, classrooms didn't look like this. Really, really cool, welcoming, fun classroom. So, just a shout-out to her. Thanks for having me read cool stuff. Um Danielle? Um I have two things. I read in Mrs. Lemon's room, and

080you were right. It was awesome in there. It was so fun, and she had the house stuff on the board projecting when I walked in. And this is somebody had her at point with Sally, and I wore my Bendy shirt, so they were They were all chanting their Bendy chants, and she had some really awesome ways to catch their attention and classroom management, so that was really cool to see. And then, I was in Miss Garris' room, and she missed me and said, "Hi." Um reading. Um so, that was a lot of fun. Also, I as we're sitting here talking about the bond and things, I just wanted to thank those staff members that were kind of chiming in on the community pages, and you know, they may not have that opportunity to attend the

081bond meetings or contribute, you know, attending a meeting and speaking at a public comment, but being there and, you know, talking about their current classroom situations and trying to explain to the community and doing their part in doing that was really cool to see as I was scrolling through the um Facebook pages. So, that was cool. Uh Sandy? Yeah, just two real quick. I was able to attend the Lee School talent show, and it was fabulous. Um so, I just wanted to say, you know, thank you to I know it was uh Miss Hayes and Miss Gibson. And then, I'm not sure if the PTO They usually PTO it or not. I'm not sure if they were or not this year. Okay. So, Miss Hayes and Miss Gibson, thank you so much. I appreciate it.

082And Miss Mangrum, as well. It was fantastic. Um it was a really, really cool night. The kids were excited. They were all very well-behaved and everything. They kind of sat and watched each other, too. So, I thought they did a great job. Um So, and then also, I was able to attend the the NHS induction for the high school. Got to see Kelsey be inducted. And again, thanks to Miss Shagena. She did a fabulous job with that, so kudos to all those kids that were inducted and to Miss Shagena. Thank you. Thank you. Sarah? Um just to echo what Sandy said a little bit. I was also at the NHS induction, and I was very impressed with the amount of kids that are in NHS. Like, because they had all the grades there that were

083in the seniors and juniors and the upcoming, you know, sophomores going into it. So many kids. That is impressive to see. Um and they all looked like they were, you know, genuinely happy to be there and excited, and I know my daughter was excited about it. So, yeah, it was a good a good presentation. Miss Shagena did great. The kids did great. Thank you. Um I don't have anything this I have a talent show. Next meeting. Okay. Next item on the agenda is our interim superintendent and legislative update. Billy? Um so, I also kind of a It's especially legislative and and district. Um I had the opportunity to participate in two of civic activities with our students from youngest to some of our oldest. Last Monday, Candace and I attended the Morley and Macomb Regional

084Chamber of Commerce breakfast and legislative breakfast. They had that at Little Meals on the Green this year. Um so, quite a few of our local legislators were there, and um I think each one of them that spoke really talked about the growth and development that we're seeing in the area of, you know, not just Richmond, but all of northern Macomb County. Um and especially as they were looking at those 5, 10, 15-year projections, um and I appreciate that Candace really, you know, took that opportunity to ask them if they saw this growth as a reason to support the bond efforts that we, you know, were engaging in the district, and there was definitely a lot of positive response, and they saw that as as a close alignment with the needs of this area. Um so,

085that was was nice to see and nice to hear that level of support. And uh we had executive uh uh county executive Mark Hackel was there at the breakfast, and then he was also uh here in the district uh last Thursday. He was reading into the Great Start um Head Start um readiness program classroom. Um so, it was very cute. He came with a backpack full of characters and little costumes that he had some of the kids in as they were reading along with them. So, I was thinking he made me think I need to up my game the next time I go into the classroom. I was apparently not very well prepared. So, so that was really cute. Really, really fun morning. Um also at Lee this uh week, we had a couple of

086uh good events. Again, the talent show, so I Sandy already spoke to that. And then, they also had their Title I night, which again, it combines with our bilingual, so that's an event that we do some of those funds for to make sure that those families are able to come in, get games, play you know, have dinner, do the games with their family, and they get to go home with a game and a book. Um so, that's a a special event for both our Title I and bilingual families. Um to share with the board a couple of I think three Well, two more pressing events coming up here in April. So, we have the Teacher of the Year banquet. That's on April 21st, and we have one, possibly two seats. Um they are to confirm

087exactly how many guests are our teachers of the year bringing with them to see for sure, but definitely one seat is reserved, possibly two, um, for teacher of the year banquet on the 21st. And then we also have two seats available for the All Academic banquet, which will be at Zuccaro's on April 28th. So, um, I'll send a an email reminder out as well, um, but just wanted to get that on everybody's radar to see who wanted to to go to which of those. And then we have I was thinking April 28th. Yeah. I'm just a word of clarification. We have the whole fourth round, okay. Um, and then a little bit farther out, but just again so that you have it kind of on the far radar, the MESPA annual leadership conference is on

088the is October 15th through 18th in Lansing this year. So, start thinking about who you want to attend that. October? October 15th through 18th. And then changing gears, Um, so it is time for us to even though we, of course, still don't know if the bond, um, will pass or not in May, although certainly hopeful, um, is it is time to determine, um, the method of sale because we do need to have that, um, prepared ahead of time because especially now given our timing of this election, all of the bonds would need to be sold by June 30th. So, if we don't know a definitive yes or no until May 5th, we need to have a plan in place going into that so that we would be able to hit the ground running immediately, um,

089after the election, uh, if that passes. Um, so keeping in mind, um, there are the two options for bond sales, so the competitive versus the negotiated bond sales. So, kind of the simply way to put it, so with competitive, um, you know, we're going to be told, you know, this is the date that it's going to be done, and, uh, it's kind of out on that open market. There's not, you know, there's I guess the advantage would be it's not impartial to one firm, um, the competition makes it it is sent to all underwriters for lowering rates, but again it's that kind of locked in date as far as as far as that goes, that no matter what else is going on with the market, that's the date that we would be given. Um, whereas

090the negotiated sale, we would work with, um, an underwriter, and so this was the direction we went last time, which the benefit of that is, um, twofold, I think. The I I would say two things that stood out to me. Um, local, uh, community members then have the opportunity to buy bonds. So, uh, over $750,000 in bonds were sold to residents of the district the last time. Again, and that can be accomplished through negotiated sale, whereas you wouldn't necessarily see that with a competitive. Um, and the other piece is there's the opportunity to to kind of play the market a little bit with when we do the sale. So, if something we know, you know, things are are a little, um, can be unexpected right now, especially in the political climate, and so if we

091were thinking, "Hey, we're going to do it next Tuesday." and something crazy happens Monday night and the market takes a tank, we can then work with our lender and say, um, you know, "Hey, we want to hold off another week and see if things settle down." and we would have that opportunity. So, um, there's just that flexibility in timing, I guess, if you will. Again, we're we're not we don't have a ton of time to play with, um, but within the time we have that flexibility and again that opportunity for local, uh, community members to purchase bonds, which seems like that was important to our community if we sold over $750,000 the last time. Um, so we did, um, work with Raymond James the last time, um, in 2019. Uh, Tammy had an opportunity to,

092um, talk with the previous representative, which was Paul Soma. Um, so he is still with the company, still very familiar with, you know, everything that we, uh, did in the previous bond, very familiar with, uh, Richmond, very familiar with the uh, Metro Detroit and Michigan area. Um, so that is one, uh, option. Um, we can certainly explore other options, but that is something we'll need to make a decision on, uh, again, probably between now and I would say the next meeting, have a conversation and make a decision on which way we want to go, um, if you want to hear other presentations or other information from other, um, potential, um, bond sales, we can do that, um, but we just really need to have that plan there kind of basically in place before the election

093so that we're able to go quickly You want us to put our input? Sure. So, at the next meeting? Yeah, let me know what you think about negotiated or, um, competitive, and then if you, you know, if we're comfortable with continuing with, uh, Raymond James as we have in the past or if we want to hear about other hear from other underwriters as well, I can bring their information as well. So, so the idea we would get this all prepared, ready to go, but we don't vote on anything until the bond passes. So, would it be something when the bond passes on Tuesday night, we maybe have a meeting the next day? That would be ideal. That would be the ideal. Certainly that week, I would say, yeah. Well, I I don't need to email

094you anything. We've had great success. Raymond James and the negotiated was very successful. Say that we would want to do the same. That's just my >> [snorts] >> crazy idea. I'm just thinking if anybody on the board has any thoughts or suggestions that are different. Please let Billy know so that we can have a discussion if we need to have it. If we're all in agreement with what we're currently doing, are we good? Yep. And then my last piece, again, all of my hats straddle between district and legislative. So, um, my legislative piece this week is is kind of a personal to us. So, um, I think we know that we have to do the benchmark assessment every year, right? We have to do that. So, we use NWEA. Um, historically the state has reimbursed

095us the cost to test our, uh, kindergarten through eighth graders as though that's required, and then we go a little above and beyond and do the rest of our, um, district and and test our high schoolers as well. Um, so we pay a little bit, you know, for that, but they're reimbursing essentially almost the full cost for kindergarten through eighth grade. Uh, in the past, maybe up until 3 years ago, maybe two, three years ago, um, we what our district did and all of the Macomb County districts is we would, um, you know, and our scores would be through the NWEA, um, program. We would pull our scores down and send that over to the ISD, um, and where their IT team would put together, uh, disaggregated, um, test assessment scores that gave them all

096the information that they needed for other comparisons that they do across the state. Um, and so the ISD would send that for all of our Macomb County schools, and that had always been the way that it was done. Um, like two or three years ago, um, they started using the data hub for that data collection. Um, again, in Macomb County we were allowed to continue submitting our data the way that we had been doing before, um, which was it would go up to the ISD, they would disaggregate the data, and then, um, they would send it to the data hub in that disaggregated fashion. Um, but for those couple of years, no problem, they were able to get what they needed. Um, this year MDE pushed back a little bit more and really said that

097we had to do it, um, that we had to, um, go directly from NWEA to the data hub and in line to kind of skip that ISD step and therefore skipping the option to disaggregate the data. Um, so basically wanting full access to the full data that is in NWEA for all of our students. Um, they have said that, you know, that's they they aren't pulling anything besides what we've ever given them, and so they it's difficult for us to sit and and, you know, believe, well, if we're giving you what you are asking for through this disaggregated, um, method, why do we have to change, right? Why what is what's different? We're we're giving you exactly what you need. Um, and so at this point the only school districts across the state of Michigan

098that are still, um, fighting to be able to submit our data the way that we have in the past and not give MDE that open access to, um, to pull data from NWEA themselves is, um, our us, uh, Van Dyke, East Point, Utica, uh, Warren Consolidated as far as Macomb County, and then Grand Rapids Public Schools is the only additional school outside of Macomb County. Um, so again, this year we, um, we did submit our data, um, in the fashion that we always have. Um, they took our data and they didn't ding us, I guess you would say, on on that. Our data was submitted, um, but then they kind of said, "Well, this is the last time that we're going to do it this way. You won't be allowed to do this in the

099future, and because you didn't submit it the way we wanted you to this year, um, they're reducing our reimbursement by 25%." Um, so the five districts, um, that I mentioned, we've been we've had regular meetings not only with each other, um, but also Gary Collins is the one that is the attorney that's, um, working for us to, um, try to remedy this situation, but I looked and they I went into the grant system into Nexus where we, you know, [snorts] house all of our grant things. I wanted to double-check on what that reduction was, what the 25% reduction was for us, and they had already moved that money from Nexus. I don't know that so Tammy has seen it yet on on her state aid reports that she's getting, but in Nexus, which is where

100that's going to come from, they had already taken that 0.5% out of our above our reimbursement. Um So, I I I just want you to be aware of that that that's going on. Um for us, that reduction we were awarded $12,860 at the beginning of this year as our full reimbursement. And so, currently that reimbursement was reduced down to $11,770, so a reduction of $1,090. If things do not go well and and they are insistent and they they absolutely will not accept our scores in any other way, then essentially we're talking 31A again and they would take away that $12,860 or whatever the reimbursement amount is from this point forward if we don't submit our scores the way that they're asking us to, which is to give them the full access of NWEA. >> [clears

101throat] >> And, you know, one of the things that really has concerned those of us that have been part of this conversation is it's not even for that current group of students. Once they have that access, they can go back as far as they want. Um there's no indication of when this would end. You know, they are essentially acting on behalf of the school. We have to sign that over to them, but they are essentially an entity of the school at that we're allowing to to pull that data from NWEA. And I'm sure sitting here that's a concern for the those of us at this table. Um it's a concern for the five districts as we are on our calls and our conversations together. It's surprising to us that there are other districts that are

102pushing back. And again, much like we had the conversation on 31A, it's hard to understand, you know, where others aren't seeing what we're seeing and aren't pushing and and fighting for what we're fighting for. Um So, we are still fighting. Like I said, we are still back and forth um with with MDE on this and about, you know, really just trying to help them help have them understand what it is that we aren't giving them what they're asking for. I mean, that's really the bottom line to me is we're providing what you're asking for, but that's somehow still not good enough. The bottom line is they don't care about all of that stuff. They're just saying they're going to cost us. And I think we said the last time we talked about it, we weren't

103interested in doing anything. So, I guess you can throw the $12,000 into the budget top, right? Because you can still you can you still have to submit all the information, right? You're just now paying for it yourself cuz you don't want to play that game with the state. What does that cost look like to 12,000 >> And we pay a little losing 12,000. Right. We pay a little more than that annually. Like I said, we test beyond the minimum amount, so we do test up to 12 up through 12th grade. They're only in reimbursing kindergarten through 8th grade. They currently, I think it's just under $12 per student that they're reimbursing. The cost is, yeah, I think a little over $12 actually, so I mean, there's there's less. Our bill at the end of the

104year for NWEA would be over the $12,868, probably right around $15,000. [clears throat] So, we're already we're already paying extra, but now we wouldn't be getting any reimbursement at all. Um And what's the what's the point of going all the way through 12th grade? What's our advantage? And the whole thing >> we we do utilize it for some of our some of our intervention classes will use that data to, you know, move kids in and out of those courses. It is a good indicator, especially when you take that spring one in like 10th and 11th grade, you're getting that indication of what the state assessments would look like. They have that crosswalk that kind of shows you from spring to fall NWEA to state assessments. We do also utilize ours for teacher evaluation purposes as

105well. So, we want to test all our students in all our grades. Um but again, those are conversations that can be on the table. Is there a cheaper way of doing the extra grading? I mean >> When I say cheaper, I mean Something different that we could do, sure. I mean, we could definitely look at different options and then see where their previous thinking is. Phil, can I ask a question? What are So, if we submit the data the way MDE wants, what information are we worried about the next? So, they would have access to everything that goes up into NWEA for our students. So, it ties back to the teacher, it ties back to I mean, you have that full scope it it ties back to the individual student student name, student number. All

106I mean, those pieces are part of NWEA because that's how, you know, we are able to get our reports down to the student level, which we rely on from something like NWEA. We don't want that to be what the state is seeing, you know. We want we want them to just see that overall cohort data, that overall data because at the state level, they're they're not making decisions at a singular student level. You know what I mean? Like they do not need to look that granularly to make the decisions at the state level. And so, why are they asking us for that level of student data down to that true the student and their teacher and their score, you know? And again, once they the way that we give them the access if we were

107to do that, it it's it's not even just that year. They could go back in time. They could, you know, I don't know what the end is. And so, Can a parent opt out of this testing? Well, yes and no. So, I mean, if a parent could opt out of testing, I mean, there's not really an official way that the state gives you because it's mandatory. And again, so what if you just, you know, you have your child go to school that day and, you know, you insist that they weren't going to test. That could happen. Um if we don't test enough of the 95% of our students, then we would get lower marks at the overall state scoring if we don't test enough. So, you know, that's probably not the ideal way to go.

108Um If too many parents decided, "Oh, you know, as as a group, we shouldn't plan. We don't like the direction that this test is taking us." Um that would be an important stand for them to take, but I would like to try to find a different alternative because I don't want us to go that I'd rather just pay the 12,000. Like that's the easiest thing I know. It's just it's just that frustration of turning how many times are they sitting at the table and say, "Okay, there's we can do that way." And then they take it and of course we have to stand our ground. It's just it's not agreeing. But it's a financial, that's where they they pay Yeah, well, it's so precarious. And when we're talking 12,000, think of Grand Rapids public schools,

109right? I mean, just I can't even I think I'm on the calls every week. I mean, they're talking a couple hundred thousand dollars. When we're talking 12, you know, for them that's huge. Yes. Okay. Next item on our agenda is our items of interest from the board. Margaret. Okay. I have two things. My first is I just want to um I don't know if it's defend myself or address our social media friends. Um in particular, Amy Steyer, who the things that I talked about the band last time. Um and I quote, she said that I was very smug and almost mocking stakeholders by referring to social media friends. I didn't know what else to call those uh those people. I thought it was a fair thing. Um and she didn't like my uh statement when

110I didn't like the failing school comment by somebody um out there in social media when I said that it's not true. And um she said that tax paying parents could feel that way, um why wouldn't I listen to stakeholders? Um and she claimed she's a parent in the district, which we all know she's not cuz her child doesn't attend Richmond schools, but just I want to point out to everyone when I was talking about the social media friends and the failing school comments, the failing school comments were made by two people who do not live in Richmond. And uh the one said, "I doubt it will help educate the kids in our failing schools, especially with so many leaving the system." The other one says, "You can't vote enough money You can't vote enough money

111into a school system to fix the root causes of their poor education. Why is it always more money will fix it?" And so, um I believe that I have a right as well as everyone at this table that wants to get out correct information. That's what I'm looking to do. The people on social media, and everyone knows I don't do social media, but stuff is sent to me. I cannot stand it when people out on social media are negatively saying things, whether it's about the band, whether it's about how we run our district, whether it's about board members, how they talk at meetings, when they're not factual. So, if that is smug, then it's smug it is. But I believe everyone at this table feels the same way that we want positive stuff, and we

112don't want people who don't live in our community. There's another person that's out there, and the name escapes me right now, that is going to town with negativity, and they homeschool their kids. They don't even know anything about our school. I have a problem with that. And I'm here and not listening to stakeholders. I believe that my stakeholders are the kids that we come to school here every day that we educate and every staff person who works here, whatever job they have in that district. Those are my most important stakeholders. And after that, taxpayers are my stakeholders. And that's why everything I do as a board member is to be fiscally responsible. And the things we have to do with this bond are fiscally responsible and we need this because our system is so broke.

113Um and people that choose to not send their children to our schools, that is your own choice and every parent has to do their thing. But do not sit and call yourself a parent of students in our district cuz you are not. And do not on social media make statements about who I am, whether I'm smug or I think I'm superior or whatever else. I think none of those things. I think that I work hard along with every single person at this table. And I believe that our kids need the best school system and our staff needed to and that's what we're all sitting here. So if I want to call out friends on social media, I will continue to do it when they are saying things that are negative and absolutely false. We are

114not a failing school system and I will stand on top of a mountain top and say it. We are not. And people up there want to say we are, you better get in our buildings and see what's happening. So that's my defense. That's all I have. You didn't have a second one? I forgot it now. I got myself going. But no. Okay. No, I think one is good for tonight. Okay. Sandy. I do have several things. Um [clears throat] first I first couple things I also do it when I when I talk about the bond a little bit or defend I guess a bit. There's a lot of misinformation out there and two of the things that I keep hearing and on social media and otherwise is that there's been like a mismanagement of funds

115from the last bond. And I just think that's that's that's absolutely not true of information as obviously we all know here. I mean there are we in the past we have we set aside money for the field, for buses, for computers to be responsible, fiscally responsible to our stakeholders so we don't have to go back to them and ask for that money again. Um we haven't done it's not like we're like, "Hey, okay, wait, now we need this, now we need that." No, we need what we have it's the proof is there. I mean we we have we're running out of space here. Uh so I don't in the in the in the past we have not been irresponsible or mishandling the funds. That's just not how it's done. You can go on and see

116where everything went. Um also last thing or another thing I've been hearing a lot of is well like you know the stakeholders have already spoken you know, why are we doing it again? Why do we have to vote again? And I just you know, I want to say actually we really didn't because the voter turnout was so low. Um I don't feel like we gave a very fair assessment. I mean if we had a resounding no, then of course I mean I'm not sure what we would do or how that would look, but but yeah, I mean okay, then I mean I would take that. I would okay, that's not what the public wants. That's not what we got. We got to move forward somehow some way. But that's just not what we got. We

117didn't have a lot of voter turnout. So I mean like I said that that's what I'm looking for. Whichever way the vote is I I would prefer to have a lot of feedback, a lot of voter turnout. So that's what I have to say about the bond. Um the second one I'll talk about is I did get an email which I think you guys were all copied on in regards to a the budget meeting at the ISD. And I I know Danielle or she said she's not able to attend cuz she's out of town. So looking for somebody to attend that meeting. Um cuz I also am not able to attend. I I can I checked my calendar. I can go. I would try to go as well so we have two people there, but

118I mean I don't I don't know that I'll be able to. But I will put that down for you and then that's April 23rd at 6:30. Okay, and then [clears throat] I also wanted to talk about I've been attending the legislative meetings and for Ray while he's out and I did [clears throat] go to the one on the 10th of April and they talked about the governor's budget. Proposals or whatever but they talked about the 250 per person which I know we already talked about so yeah, so all of that, but there are a couple things that we did mention as well that I thought were interesting that they're taking apparently they're taking away I don't know if it's like 75 million or something like that out of the school aid fund budget for like

119boys and girls clubs and things like that. So they don't tell us all this money that they're taking away from us and they're going to give us $250. So just everybody should you know, educate themselves on that. But they are talking about doing a letter to the legislators and I did give you guys all a copy of that sample letter. Not asking for you to read it right now tonight or anything. But there also is some key points that they want to make in that letter that I gave you guys. And they're looking for us to I think sign this letter is the way I understood it. Um so I of course obviously would not be doing that without you know, input from the board. But there are a few things on here I think

120that you guys should look at especially on the key points part that they are going to make in regards to some programs and things. There are some things on here I don't necessarily agree with so I wouldn't feel comfortable necessarily signing myself. So I suggest you guys look at them and for example, you know, they're they're suggesting doing away with the free lunches cuz that would save so much money. A lot of people a lot of people indicated so it was kind of a bit of a waste. That's not the same opinion I share so just if you want to look at everything and just you know, give me your feedback by the next board meeting because the next meeting with them is the day after our next meeting is is the 13th and the

121legislative meeting is the 14th. So if you can you know, hopefully I can give them feedback in regards to they're asking for feedback asking you know, for us to look at these things and see if we agree with them or not. So I'm just looking to bring feedback to them about what we would be I guess you know, basically what we are with the against on this letter. Like what would stop us from signing this letter. So this is the legislative group people. >> Yep. Are asking school boards and districts to sign >> That's the way I understood it that they would be asking an animal to sign probably not next month, but in the near future. Yes, and so they are looking for our feedback. So yes, that's the way I understood it. So

122something to be able to bring to them. It's not anything that we as a board want to do a letter. No, this would be for all districts. Yep, all the districts in Macomb County that would be asked to sign is the way I understood it anyways. So we're to give you feedback by the next meeting. Please. Do we want to make it an agenda item or just us You want you want feedback. Um I mean because I I would wait I mean honestly I think maybe we do make it an agenda item. There's I don't I don't know. Um I don't know what you guys think. I think yeah, we probably should there's a lot of items that we need to talk about. I do. Okay. They're expecting you to come back then with something

123you know, written you know, things whatever. They didn't necessarily ask me to give it to the board. They asked like us individually to look at it and stuff. But I just don't necessarily feel comfortable with that. So I feel like things we should talk about it as a board. Agreed. Yeah, that's so that's why I brought it here. So yeah, we can make it an agenda item just so that we can everybody give everybody a copy and give some feedback to to send over to Ray as well. And then okay, one more. Okay. And I also do want to say this and I know this probably isn't going to be a very popular thing to say, but I I feel like it has to be said. Um I I although I do appreciate the job

124that Ray is doing here, I truly do. And I respect what he has to do. I do feel like he's doing quite a disservice to our district by not resigning before he had to leave because of the position we're currently in. Cuz now we are board of six with an interim superintendent and we're also a board of six that has to go through this process of hiring a superintendent and then also the budget stuff starting. I just feel like that has to be said. I just I really think that unfortunately although he's doing great service to the country, he's doing a disservice to this district. That's all I have. Thank you. And then just remember the five minute please. Cole Martin. I wanted to acknowledge and thank the people that are asking bond questions on

125our just ask page. I think that's huge and that is a positive way to do it and to get a direct answer on the stuff and I really appreciate those people that have been doing those questions. Thank you. Sorry. Okay. Sarah. Just one thing. I'm going to ask one more time. I'm going to keep bringing it up. I know back in the fall we talked about standard based grading and I know you guys said that you had things already in the works for next year for at least the eighth grade to kind of help make the transition to ninth grade easier. And I know I've asked at a meeting. I know Ray's asked at a meeting and I know it's coming next time. I'm going to say it's getting pretty late in the year. So,

126is it on the next agenda? Yeah. Yeah, okay. Thank you. Okay, Danielle. I also Candace. Um yes. So, at our last meeting we had the Richmond Masons come in and do a grant to Miss Smith and their presentation and they left us supplies for books for sure. And I actually had the opportunity to attend the fundraiser on Saturday and it was a ton of fun and I just want to thank them for the invite because it was a great um great fundraiser to be a part of. There were a lot of the middle school seventh and eighth graders there and tons of raffle baskets and they just really made it fun. It was entertaining to see the kids. So, I just wanted to thank the Richmond Masons for that invite and to once again thank

127them for everything they do for our children. And then also the Cyber Safe Schools presentation. I can't say enough. I'm just going to try to sell it. I know Elizabeth already mentioned this, but for the middle school parents this is a great I attended one similar to this there a couple years ago and this I know they presented this to the kids at the middle school already and my son came home talking about it and it makes me now want to go and see what all they learned because it was so informative and now that the kids are talking so now the parents need to go and talk. It's it's good good stuff. And I believe that's all I have for today. Thank you. Okay. I just have two items on mine. First of all,

128I want to thank Candace for running our our meeting last last our last meeting I was unable to attend. That's where I was last month. I took a vacation. I also want to add to Margaret's her comments about the Facebook page. I strongly encourage our public, please, instead of going on there to call our our superintendent our interim superintendent, call our administrators and get valid and correct information because a lot of what is out there and I know exactly what Sandy's talking about. I know exactly what Margaret's talking about. I follow them. A lot of it's inaccurate and I just wish people would take the time to call and get some accurate information instead of just spewing stuff out there that isn't true. So, I just want to reinforce what Margaret said. Okay. Can I

129I'm sorry. Can I just I don't want to leave Sandy hanging out to dry on her comment. I just want to say that I support your stuff that you say. I I I want Ray to come home safely to his family while he was in It It has been a disservice not having him here and it is unfortunate that he didn't resign before he left, but so I don't want you hanging out there with the comment because I I know that some of us have talked about it, maybe not at the table, but I um I just support what you said. Ultimately we can do about it. He was elected to the spot, but yeah, it is unfortunate. I would like to say I'm just going to maybe I'm the only one that feels this

130way, but I felt like his commitment to the role even being far away was impressive. I mean, he is up at like 2:00 in the morning or something ridiculous joining the meetings all of our meetings, long meetings, hours long and then he's working after. I was kind of thinking the opposite. I was thinking man, if that was me I probably would have resigned and I really kind of held his commitment to a high regard. I know as of recently and I don't think anybody could have foreseen the things that were in right now. And obviously he hasn't been here the last, you know, two meetings or whatever. Yeah, but I feel like the opposite. I guess I feel like he's been doing a really great job. It would have been so easy for someone to

131go away and just kind of checked out. You're busy, you're doing other things, but he seems prepared. He reads the material. He's joining. He's giving feedback. It's not like he's, you know, going off camera or sleeping or anything like that. He's I I I guess I just feel the opposite um because I I feel like he's done the things. I mean, recently yes, he hasn't been here, but I think there are some things maybe beyond his control right now, but up until now I haven't had any problems with his level of commitment. Sarah, I'm not saying that he obviously did their office job for sure. I didn't Like Margaret said, of course the number one thing is I want him to get home safely to his family and I do have problems with our staff

132and I do believe you. I I I'm with you as far as he did it did start that way, but I think right now we're starting to get into some important things and he hasn't been here I don't think in four meetings. Um and yeah, he's able to and so and I can see if he was like I I I understand he might be in a situation where he can't contact us, but we we see him texting, so we know that he can correspond with someone sometimes and we haven't heard anything about it or or anything in regards to even, you know, when he may be back to if he's even be back. We have interviews coming up. We have budget stuff coming up and I state that it's If you're >> [clears throat] >>

133If you're going to miss all that important stuff, it's just a disservice, but I already said my piece. All right, Candace, if I could just say my husband works for the government and they say job you say you don't have a short like if they tell him he's not allowed to be on a camera or be on the internet, he can't. Like that's beyond his control. So, if he There is that I could have easily I would have easily just been like, I'm not going to be here for 9 months. Like and sign off, right? But when the government says no, like he can't question his employer. Absolutely. I agree. I agree with Danielle and Sarah. I'm just putting that out there because I he did tell me even the closed sessions he was part

134of and it wasn't until this twist thing that recently happened that again was unfortunate to see. So, I just I mean, we may be singing a different tune in a month or two when we go in through all that we're going through. I I see the fears. It has been a lot on all of us with the bond and I was just telling Doug that, too. The past couple months has been a lot more going on here. It is. Our next item on our agenda is public comments. Since the last board meeting the board had received one email in the form of a FOIA request. This email was forwarded to the board office and the request was granted and sent out. There were no public comments that needed addressing from the last board meeting. At

135this time any member of the public will have 3 minutes to address the board. Please sign in and state your name. If you wish a follow up, please provide contact information on the public comment sign-in sheet. Are there any public comments? Hey, good evening. How are you? Um before I speak to what I came in for, Monday morning quarterbacking back there Sandy, so just a couple things. Um One is I was surprised with the budget discussion that one time expenses we discussed in December were not listed. That's several at least $200,000 if you're not getting it next year, but On the bond, you still have the November 25 chart listed there. Should be May 26 because the bond rating loses 2 years off the the 20 year projection of the bond. Um on that chart

136also showed the addition of the middle school um classroom at the end of the fifth grade and sixth grade wing, but on the flyer that was sent out it's not that was not part of the scope when I left here. So, unless things have changed, you might want to correct that. Um four. All [clears throat] right, now for why I'm here. I'm going to try to keep I'm going to have 2 minutes here. Something about 30 seconds. Um I originally came here to talk about a item that the board discussed and fully discussed, so based on my hyper analytic means of superintendent, and approved back in January. And I had a prepared a but I'd like to go a different route. And if possible, I'd like to request a meeting of three board members. And

137if we can have a meeting of three board members, I'd like to have a sit down. I don't believe you were given the full story when you made that recommendation and approved the settlement agreement with the former employee. So, that would be my request. I know that you don't have to honor it, but I did mark down here at least that I was here. I'm present. That's fine. In regards to my I was the one that FOIA'd the request. The public wants to know. I was the one that did it. In the agreement that you approved back in January, there are two statements that I don't know as a board and organization if you truly understand the impact. And I'm hoping that our district attorney explained that to you. And if he wasn't there, shame

138on the current administration. Section eight agrees um in the time of the uh title of confidentiality non um it's we're not going to talk bad about each other. And in there there's a statement that the parties agree further that they will not disparage or denigrate or encourage others to disparage or denigrate the other party relating to the plaintiff's claim, which is the former director of community resources. So, my question is to you is do you understand who the defendant is in this letter of agreement? Because that's defined in the very first part. Which on the original document that I saw I'll finish it up. I'll just probably take two. How much more time do you have? I have two items. Up to the board's discretion what you want to do. I have one here. Okay.

139On the original document under defendant, it defines the word defendant and it said Utica Community Schools on the original document Brian Wamsley was written in there. The document that you approved says Utica Community Schools and its employees past and present, agents past and present, board members past and present, attorneys past and present, and the insurer. So, my question is do you have time to read this this um mediation settlement which gives the former director of St. Charles $61,000? $12,000 to his attorney bill. Have you notified the employees that you have entered into an agreement on their behalf? As a former employee, that's what you've done. I think I'm a current employee that's served twice in the district. Um and I'll know Wednesday if I get a check or not whether I'm an employee. [clears throat]

140If I don't get a check, then I'll be back here next time. Um That's how they switched it up. They took Brian's name out of it and you put former current employees. That's what I'd like to talk to you further with the meeting of three board members. Um I could do it publicly if you like. That's up to the board. Um that was my intent tonight, but we'll see how that goes. Second is regarding my post-employment benefits. I have no interest in changing my life insurance policy which this board is obligated to. If the job was done back in 2018-19 when it was agreed upon by the board at that time and my life insurance policy was issued, it would not cost this board now $30,000 a year for the next 12 years. That's all

141I'll say. I am not changing that policy. Don't bother looking for the policies. What was agreed upon was the life insurance policy that I had as the superintendent of this district. And I'll leave with this. Although I still have not finalized my retirement in the last two weeks, we are still waiting for the business office's communication regarding my contract. So, I hope my FOIA's and information is not being held up by anybody in this organization. Thank you for allowing me to be at this one time. May I have a quick question? Does it matter what three members? You can I I don't Okay. It doesn't matter. Can you do it? Are there any other public comments? Yes. Next item on our agenda is I'm looking for a motion to go into closed session. So I'm

142sorry. Is that Sarah? Do I have a supporter? Uh I'm sorry. I didn't hear what you said. So Um So the board I I really think that the motion should just be a so >> moved? You need to say specifically what you're going into closed session for. Closed session for the purposes of strategy and negotiation sessions pursuant to MCL 15.268 section 8C of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. So Okay. Uh any discussion? All those in favor? I I Opposed? Motion carries.