001of the Richmond Board of Education will come to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. See, thank you, but please read our mission and vision statement and take role. Our mission statement is at Richmond Community Schools, we provide a quality education that empowers students to be successful in a global community. And our vision statement is to foster a culture of academic excellence, creativity, and character, ensuring that all students are prepared for success in an everchanging world. And then I will also take role. Uh board member TTO >> here, >> board member Gillis absent with notice, board member Cunningham >> here, >> board member
002Michelle >> here, >> board member Skyers absent with notice, and then uh board member Sutton >> here. >> I'm board member Fortuna. I am here. We do have a quorum. Our um student representative, Elizabeth Schaefer, will not be here tonight, but we do have uh Councelor Mariner here with us. Thank you. Looking for a motion to approve the agenda? Some move. >> Thank you. Any discussion? All those in favor? I oppose. Motion carries. I'm looking for a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Some move. >> Support. Any discussion? All those in favorel report. No, you have a copy of it. So, unless you have any questions. So, only only if we have questions. Correct. >> Yep. Everybody has a copy of it. No, we have to I remember we did talk about that. >>
003Yep. >> Okay. >> I guess I do have a question. So, I'm sorry. Are we hiring them for another bus driver or we just filled a spot? Correct. Had they started yet? >> Yeah, he's currently in training. So, he's not driving our buses yet. He's still finishing up his training. Um so, he'll be eligible to drive assuming everything goes as planned on March 9th. >> Oh, okay. That explains maybe this week this week. Okay. And several sickness is everywhere. So, you know, between him and and several drivers out sick or sick is busy. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Because that's what's been happening is sickness every other discussion. All those in favor? >> I oppose. Motion carries. Next item on our agenda is our student board event board. Kelsey >> for Lee Elementary. We are
004so thrilled to be working on our new literacy coach, Diana. Diana is a wealth of knowledge and has already become a part of the team. At our last DPPD day, teachers created individual learning plans for every student in their class. Over 500 students have individualized learning tracks at Lee Elementary. Student learning is our priority. Middle school, we have a lot of fun stuff. On Monday, February 9th, we have the third presentation in our series for cyber safe schools. On Friday, February 16th, RMS teachers participated in a successful virtual professional development. On Tuesday, February 17th, 47 of our gen 8 graders took a national assessment of educational progress or the NAP test. And we're so proud of how hard they worked and look forward to seeing the results. On Friday, February 20th, our fourth and fifth
005graders have their music mini performance and our band and choir will perform with their parents as they demonstrated our fourth and fifth what they could potentially take as they get a little older. Our eighth grade had their annual annual trip to the Holocaust Museum and fifth graders also had their annual trip to Starbase on Friday, February 20th. Wait, I'm sorry that repeated. Our RMS PTO has a fantastic globe movement event and we're grateful to them for organizing this for our families. We're looking forward to meeting with our families at parent teacher conferences this next week. For the high school, we have more fun events. We completed our annual student led carousel courses last week to promote and showcase the wide variety of academic experiences we have to offer for our students. We're including a canned
006food drive through February 27th in conjunction with the Richmond Education Foundation. It's a battle between classes. Freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors, and staff will compete to see who can collect the most with non-reational food items and toiletries. We hosted our first quiz bowl last week, a big thank you to Miss Dawson for providing this experience for our students. Our students will be convening at our Montreal event on Saturday, March 7th from 8:30 to 4:30 at home county courthouse. Richmond Deo will have four students competing in debt states at the high place March 5th through 7th, 2026. Decar's emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Students will have the opportunity to network with over 6,500 high schoolers in Michigan. For athletics, spring sports are starting up and sign up signups are outside the
007trend's office. Cheer did one win districts, which is so amazing. And girls varsity power second place for team pleasing. That's all. >> Thank you very much. Can I uh real quick I I didn't I probably said it but I didn't get it. Uh so on March 7th 8:30 to 4:30 for the M trial >> that's in Mount Clemens. >> Yes. March through the >> Oh. Yes. >> Anyone else have any questions? >> Yeah. I just the carousel classes. What can you tell us about that? How that went? >> Yeah. So, I personally didn't get get to be in it, but my friends and my sibling did get to. And it was honestly amazing to see. We had it during our lunches and when anyone before or after eating lunch, there was a big crowd of
008teacher cadet, yearbook, EMT, marketing, and I felt the way that they showcased some like snippets of like what you may see was really intriguing. you know, I wish I had more hours so I could take all these classes, but um it was really amazing to see. I definitely was more about the teacher in that area, but I did poke around a lot and there was some fun things happening. So, I hope incoming eighth graders and, you know, emerging high school students would really enjoy all the opportunities we have to get. >> Thanks. And I assume then that'll be for 9th grade orientation. the same same thing will happen >> for tomorrow or Wednesday I should say that one's more presentation style so it's not all of the booth set up if you will so it's
009kind of like the it's the phase two so this part is for the students to kind of really get immersed in that and they see sort of what's available out there for their course selections and then on Wednesday night is more for the parents perspective of you know how do you help your student find the right path if they're if they were really interested in teacher cadet here's how they should pick classes between now and then to get them there and it's sort of that more back end of it and how we get to all that great stuff if that makes sense. >> Yep. And then so then is there a part of that though for them to um I'm assuming for like clubs and different stuff that when when >> that one they do
010at Blue Devil's night. >> Oh, okay. That's done. Okay. Okay. All right. Thanks. Thanks. Any other questions? >> Okay. Next item on our agenda is our update on our superintendent search. So as of two weeks ago, um on February 10th, we held the or Michigan leadership held the interactive meetings uh with our staff, students, public community. Uh the survey actually window closed on February 12th. the online survey. Uh the board reviewed the position announcement for Michigan leadership and it has been approved and it is now live. Uh it is on our website. It is all over. Um anything you want to look up uh the MASSP site, the uh superintendent site, Michigan leadership site has it. Um if you pull up even if you do a search uh you'll see that our listing is out
011there. Um it is it is also on our website along with the survey results. So if you wish to see who what um as far as what people chose on the survey that is also currently up on the website and we sent a letter out to the community informing them that is now posted and um to stay tuned. Basically, uh we won't hear anything now for about a month as that's how long the uh ser or the letters are being brought in and Michigan leadership will go through them and get them organized for our next meeting. >> Any questions? >> Thank you, Dad, for doing all that. You're welcome a lot. >> Initially was I thank Cynthia because she really helped me out. She's my backbone. It shows how much work and attention you guys
012put into it. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, next item on our agenda is our bond update. Margaret, >> um, I don't have anything from the perspective of the bond committee. U, but I did just want to make a couple of points before Billy does her uh, part. Um, just just to address some things that are out there on social media. Uh the board is going for the bond again in May because um we need to and the the date in May is the next available date to have an election. Um there we did the election in November. Now the next date to come up is May. Uh it is not um something that we just decided to do that is anything secretive or anything like that. um that is the next date that was available
013and we took it because we need to get the bond passed and so we took the next available date. Um and the reason that we are going for the same thing that we asked for in November is because our needs are the same as they were in November. We have to get the bond passed. We have the needs. Our classrooms are full. So that is why we are going for the exact same thing. That's it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Margaret. And I think another point that's important to make regarding that May 5th date is that um in order also to keep it as a no increase millage that would have to occur before July 1st. And so again, that's a priority that was again in the plan of the timing of grants to to
014the community at a no increase rate. So again, we wanted to make sure that it was done in time for that which led us to that May date. Um and again in coming back now I mean the feedback that we've heard from many is that um those in our community that are close to the school district have let us know that they were in support of the bond and just really thought it seemed like a no-brainer like I don't need to take my time to go vote because we know it's going to pass. Um which is you know we are glad to hear they were so confident in it. Unfortunately because they did go out to vote we know that wasn't the outcome. And so we've definitely shifted the that attention to making sure that
015those again who are both close to the school community and then the community at large who are in support of it truly understand the need that yes, you do need to go vote when there is something on the ballot that you would like to see passed. Um so to that end um we are in the process of filming uh video tutorials that will be uh out and about in various uh social media locations um within the next few weeks. Um here in the next March and April board meetings we'll have personal testimonials from staff andor students letting us know um what the bond would mean for them if it were to pass. Um and uh we are working on a doortodoor campaign as well. So if families and uh community members have questions, we can
016answer those directly and help everyone feel comfortable and confident in what we are seeking as a school district. And as Margaret said, as far as the committee, um the next meeting for that is March 3rd uh at 3:15 in the middle school cafeteria. Um we are happy to have anyone who's willing to come out and support that from the news. So that is our current date. I have a question. Was it part of it also that in actuality was going for it? Now I thought I remember Brian saying something about us it saves money in interest or we're making Yes. >> we're going to actually save the community interest because get a different rate. >> Yeah. So the silver lining I guess right if you will that it did pass in November and if it
017were to pass in uh in May is that the interest rates have decreased. So, for the same same package, everything the same amount, um you will only have a 20-year loan versus a 22-year loan. So, that 2 years worth of saving on interest, there was something there. Anyone have any questions? >> Okay, next item on our agenda is our blue double rays. Uh Margaret, >> yes. Um going to start um Kelsey did mention um the cheer team. Uh I'd like to recognize them as well. I went Saturday and um they took first place. They were district champs and um I have to say um their first round that they did. Um when they finished uh the words out of my mouth were, "Wow." Uh they were head and shoulders above the competition. Uh they are
018something. So um cheers to Elizabeth. I wish she was here so she could hear the rave, but they are amazing. And um I don't know. I think I think great things may happen to them this season. Um I want to recognize three wrestlers that made it out of regionals and will be competing in the state competition. Uh Matias Shotti took fourth place, Colin Lum second, and Paulina Chapman took third. So they will be uh representing us um on the weekend of March 6th and 7th. I want to uh shout out to all the staff that's been helping with the cause for the bond. And Kelsey did her nice little report about powerlifting. Uh, but what she neglected to tell everyone here is that Kelsey's on the JV team and she did so well on Saturday
019that she is going to states representing us on the JB team for the powerlifting. So, congratulations to her and all her hard work. You forgot to say that. >> You betcha. Good job. That's it. >> Thank you, Margaret. Sandy. So, I'm just going to real quickly kind of echo some of the things Margaret said. I still want to congratulate Kelsey on her big win and then also the cheer team. Obviously, they've, you know, taken districts and I think they always do a great job, but I also think that they are um they're outstanding this year. So, that's it. Thank you, Candace. >> Yes. I just wanted to um give a shout out to our amazing crossing guards. Um one in particular, Peter Psky. I had a encounter on last Thursday where um I noticed that
020he went above and beyond. So thank you Mr. FY for all your um exceptional attention to detail when it comes to the children who you are crossing every day. It's noticed. Thank you. Daniel. Um, I wanted to thank the parents in general at Lee. Um, I'm in charge of the Little Caesars fundraiser for the PTO this year. Um, and compared to last year where we were up 22% in sales. So, um, that was huge. And from the year before it was only we were down. Um, so it was a big difference. And um I think adding in those houses and having a little bit of house competition into that helped a little bit. Um hoping to help it a little bit more next year, but that means money for the PTO, which means money back
021in the kids pockets for, you know, all the things around the school. So, um thank you to all those parents participating. >> Thank you. Um I'm just uh going to reiterate some of what everybody has here. Uh first off, definitely the cheer team. I did I didn't get to see them this weekend, but I had seen them oh I don't know a couple weeks ago and they competed and I agree with Margaret as well. I mean that was my words afterwards. Um I I hope they I hope they go far. Um I want to acknowledge uh our quiz bowl Kelsey who's running that again. >> I would like to shout out for her. I had tried to get that going when I was in the building and I am so proud and happy that we
022had that going and it went really well. I know someone who read here uh that night and uh met up with them afterwards and they said it went really really well. So I know it's it's really cool if you've never seen one. It it's pretty amazing to do so or to run or or to run it. So I just want to thank her for getting it together and getting it going. So that's all that I have. Okay. Next item on the agenda is our interim superintendent legislative update. Bill. >> All right. Well, I will start by continuing the uh student accolades. Uh we found out today from Miss Shannon at the high school, our art teacher that we have 20 students have 33 pieces of art. Um of which five have won awards that will
023be featured on the Anton student art show in Mount Clemens. Uh the reception for that is March 14th from 1 to 3 and that's where they'll announce what actual awards were won. Um, and then following that, the show runs through April 11th, uh, there at the art center, and that's Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 to 5. Um, so just real quick, I will read through those names cuz I think they definitely deserve, um, some some congratulations. So, uh, Frankie Collins, Julia Methin, Marissa D. Rosa, and Jaden Peslowski, who are our seniors who are featured. Then we have Jordan Jones, Keegan Ruez, and Leah Diro uh for 11th graders. Carly Tomlinson, McKenna F, and Riley Baker in 10th grade. And then we had a ton of ninth graders featured this year. Um Erilyn Primo, Ariana Carroll, Aubrey
024P, Jack Shagna, Josie Sudter, Lane Muller, Max Meyer, Miss Luganelli, and Morgan Moore, and Ryan. So, lots of Richmond to feature at that artic on your show. So, I'm excited to see that. Um, can I ask a quick question about that before you move forward? >> So, um, when you said some of them got awards like what what awards did they get? Do you know? >> Uh, I don't know. We won't know until that reception. So, they know we know that five of ours have received awards, but they won't announce it until that day. >> Okay, gotcha. I think Oh, so that one must be something different than like the Scholastic one, right? Yeah. Yeah. So, cuz I did hear the Scholastic ones that there was some kind of glitch in their system or something
025where they pretty much said everybody got a go key, but they didn't have back. So, I don't know if like >> Well, I'm thinking probably not since out of our 30, like I said, it's 20 students, but 33 were so students have even more than one. So, out of that 33, five are awards. I'm thinking that seems >> Yeah. Hopefully. Uh I do have one followup. Last board meeting um board member Gillis asked about the snowmobiles that we had seen that had been on campus. I did confirm with Mr. Trend that um we do have kind of an agreement arrangement with Paul that um you know they need to test run a little bit right there. They've done that in the past and if ever there's any damage that's done, they've been more than willing
026to take care of that and fix it for us in the spring and kind of vice versa. If we have something where they might be able to help us with something groundswise over there um you know they're test driving along or they might mow that section for us. So, a little bit of back and forth to support that um neighborly kind of uh use of the property. Um so, that's what it is right now. If there's any, you know, further concerns or any issues by all means please continue to let me know and we'll follow up with it. Um, also as a followup to I know a question that's been asked a couple of times, we do have the standardsbased grading um update planned for the April meeting. So just uh so that we know
027the staff will be having discussions about that at their April PD which is before our April meeting. Um so that will give them time to kind of shore up some things and and be able to do that followup presentation in our first April meeting. Can I just ask a question about that? >> Tell me again what what's the point of that? What's the >> So, what they're going to be looking at is what it could potentially look like to have some kind of transition. That's kind of the focus that you know that they in looking at everything and kind of taking into account the different feedback that we've gotten and how students are responding to having one style of grading from kindergarten through 8th grade and then it switches over to that transition traditional in
0289th grade. Um, you know, how can we make that transition a little bit more seamless without losing the integrity of standardsbased grading? So, that's kind of what we hope to be able to present or at least it might not be fully established, but at least look at we've made a decision of how this could look moving forward and what we could do um to help with that. Okay? Because we discovered that there's >> I mean problem or >> I wouldn't necessarily say members have asked about, >> right? I wouldn't say problem is the word, but definitely I mean the that's come out from teachers that's has come out from you definitely have that feedback of it seems a little jolting to students when they get to high school. Um, so you know, how do we
029address that? How can we help that from being something they're experiencing? Okay. Again, with the key of not losing the fidelity of the reading programs that we do have in place. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, so we have March upon us. Of course, March is reading month. Um, so a couple of new special events that have not previously um been featured at Lee. We have an MDE ambassador. Um, so again, occasionally MDE will push out, you know, we can send an MDE u recognized ambassador, reading ambassador from the state level out to the schools. I think we've applied a few times in the past, but we did get selected this year. So I don't know this particular person, Israel uh um will be uh reading to our students throughout the day on March 9th. Um
030and then they also have an event, it's um called Pop-Up Indie, which is an evening event for students and families on March 26th. Um and that is where a number of local uh independent authors will be present and kind of sharing their story of becoming authors, sharing their books, signing copies, that kind of thing. So um something else that again the reading team there found kind of stumbled upon and was able to make it happen. So um couple said new exciting events this month. Um, and then I think you all saw today that the signups came out for work to read at full as well. Uh, and then kind of in the same vein, uh, in as reading month, we have the title one family night, um, which is kind of a combo with game
031night and literacy, and that one's on March 18th. Uh, in athletic news, we did have the MCOME Lutheran Northern formally approved for membership in the Bluewater Athletic Conference with participation beginning in the 2627 school year. Uh this addition maintains the conference at eight members after alan's departure at the close of last school year um or excuse me this school year. As VWAC members, MCOME Lutheran as a Vback member, McCome Lutheran Northern will compete in all of our sanctioned athletic programs and conference activities alongside with our current members and um their full membership will take effect July 1st of 2026. >> So will they complete next fall? >> Yes. Yeah. There's a football called Yeah. All those all sports. Yeah, you got it. Was the vote unanimous? >> I know. >> It was It was a
032lengthy meeting, but um and that is it for our local district pieces to move on to some of our state and legal updates. Um they so we know that 30 31A that we rescended that and they did actually remove that from our state aid um allowance this past uh month. So we did see 91 $1,612 in back for the 31A which of course we were planning on. So we hadn't touched it by any means. Um but just so that you do know that they did actually follow through on that one in a timely fashion. Um the Michigan Department of Ed also uh introduced a new department this uh month. I think it was a week or so ago. They now have an office of curriculum instruction um that is led by Dr. John Sailor as
033an interim until they fill the role uh officially. Um they are looking to provide support on various content areas for high school graduation requirements, personal curriculums, alternative education, dual and online enrollment. um and looking at supporting all of our evidence-based instructional practices. Um previously this those all of those pieces were under the oversight of the office of educational supports. Um so they've kind of branched out and they have just that more specific curriculum and instruction uh department now. So we will see what continues to come out of that in the months and weeks to come. Uh, Governor Whitmer did uh introduce her budget recommendations for this fiscal year. I think that was on February 11th those came out. Um, I guess I'd say a quick look. Generally speaking, it's positive. Um, the foundation allowance was
034increased. So, uh, a $250 per pupil increase, bringing the total per pupil allowance to 10,300 per student, which is a 2 and 12% increase from this current year. Um, again, there's always a lot of movement within that. Um, they really moved a lot of the categoricals that were previously separated and you would get separate money for those into what's that state, what's covered in the the traditional foundation allowance now. Um, so we may see that as a challenge. Um, especially at risk and ELLL um allowances are part of that overall foundation, not a separate categorical any longer. Um just kind of looking at the weighted models uh even though at risk and yell are going to be part of the foundation allowance they are raising how much they are giving into the allowance for that
035so there is an increase of 78.8 million for at risk and there's not an increase the total now is 78.8 which is a 6% increase um and then 3.8 8 million for English language learners which is also a small increase. Um so again we'll we'll it'll be a different approach. So we will just have to approach it differently looking at how to utilize that money that again previously was set aside for specific reasons and now it'll all be not all of it but more of it will be one pot of money. Um and so we'll have to be mindful of splitting that up appropriately ourselves. >> Quick question. So does the 250 as you said is what we got for people raise correct does that cover the monies >> that we would get for uh
036the two that you just said so we're not getting a raise then I just want to make that great >> and it's not as clean cut as as that although you know in looking at it sure feels that way um you know and there's definitely a lot that kind of goes back and forth and well we had it this year and then there um but you're It's it that raise is there off the top, but then there are so many other changes that we'll see throughout that is it really a raise in the long run or is it just moving it from one pot to another? And I think that's more likely going to be the reality. Um new initiatives that her recommendations involve are 6 million set aside for literacy essentials program. um specifically
037the letters program uh which we do have a number of our teachers trained in um has been trained in as well and we also uh though we run the NWA science of reading um program so we're right in line with what needs to be done there we are spending those um they've added out as grant funding uh this year was 35N so again I'm not sure what they're calling this one but and you have 6 million set aside for that ongoing literacy um training and instruction. Uh certainly the dyslexia pieces will fall into that and there also some money for before and after school programs which could be really helpful since we know that some of that like summer school funding and those pieces have been reduced. So if there's any way to capture any
038of that money to use for extended programs outside of the school day. Um that's something I'll definitely keep my eye on for us. Um, we know, you know, it's just such a tough one to see on the paper the 31A that they've, you know, it's I think it looks like another 50 million there, but it's going to um fewer schools and so it's just really difficult to see that that's the commitment they're that they're making over an extended period of time um to something that fewer and few of us are are opting into. So I would say that one frustrated me and even within that there was no mention of getting rid of that waiver language. Um so that's all still remaining there as we sit here today. So the lawsuit is still going. >>
039The lawsuit is still going. I haven't heard an update which is I think we were talk thinking it would be the first week of first or second week of March which I'm surprised I haven't heard an update yet. actually got like all this is coming through and so that paused but I would be I would think by next meeting I'll have an update on where we are with the lawsuit for sure and I think that might be everything that is it anyone have any questions okay next item on our agenda is our public comments first We really need to do that. Sorry. Oh, I flipped it. That's why I just added. Okay. Our next item is our items of interest from the board. Uh Candace. >> No, I think I'm done. >> Okay. Uh Sandy.
040>> Yes. I am just going to talk about real quick this uh food and toiletry drive that Kelsey did mention. Um the original education foundation is partnering up with um the individual that runs the uh backpack program here and um we will be here or the education foundation rather will be here on Saturday then um at high school between 10 and 2:00 p.m. if anybody wants to drop items off at the in the lobby. Um, and I just I did meet with I I actually did meet with um the individual that kind of really organizes this honestly and uh there is a lot of of need for well a lot of different things but she's just starting um kind of like with toiletry type items. Um it's kind of newer um you know like a
041newer thing like laundry soaps and things like that. Um, and I did kind of have this flyer that I did leave for everybody, which I don't know if you guys have it, but I'll give it to you. Um, it does kind of have things that kind of were on the top of the list, but like there are other items, whatever. Anybody has any questions about it or um anything like that, feel free to to text me, call me, email me, or meet me. Um, and I'll be happy to share with you what I know. But I'm hoping for a good turnout for that. Thank you. Uh Danielle, um to pop it up, they're really asking for frozen foods. >> So, yeah, they do. I know that is a weird one, but they do have a
042uh they do have a freezer. >> Okay. >> Um and uh they do get some meat, most of the meat, uh from the county. Uh and it is freezing yesterday frozen. And they do have a freezer. >> Okay. The first time I saw that >> I know. So, like if you got tubes of burger or whatever, you can get those things. Yes. Um going to put them on the side. >> Yeah. There's a freezer. There's a freezer in the in the pantry room. Um and I will say just real quick for the cano things, they have plenty of vegetables honestly. Um more so would suggest things like uh you know like meal things almost like raviolis or Yeah. meal. Yeah, chili baby. Meal helpers are huge, like the taco kits or, you know, hamburger helper
043type things. Um, those are big hits. And then, you know, they don't get a whole lot of sweets. So, no, they don't get a whole lot of sweets though, ain't it? So, um, so I I I would say those things. And and as far as like um as far as like hygiene products, like I mean that could be anything. Uh they but I mean expensive stuff probably you know what I'm saying like laundry soap and things like that. Um but also I will say about cereal uh if you are going to do cereal that's great everything is appreciated for sure but we have they have enough frosted flakes. >> That's it. Thank you back up again. just say I had a couple questions when we put out the flyers um that um this does stay
044local within Richmond. There's uh over 40 families that have been identified that directly. So again, when you think of the frozen foods, it's not something there forever, right? There's a there's kind of a system in place of when they come and get their their um items that have been donated. So I go beyond that, but we definitely have that group that is being supported on a regular basis. So um it definitely all stays local and that we know where it's from. Yes, it's great point. I should have said that. It does. It is local. Our families here. >> Yes, it's our families and it's once a week and even they have >> do they have two or three families that they that don't have a vehicle that they take the food. She has she has
045some people that help her and they take the stuff to the families that those those that don't have the ability to get to the school to pick it up. >> So, see who's running this? So, um, her name is Laura. Uh, I'm not sure that she wants me to say, so I'm not going to go ahead with the last. That's okay. She's just doing it. >> Well, it started out with this with the um >> Methodist church, >> correct? People back when backpack, >> right? That's what it is. That's >> that's where it started, however many years ago. Um we did it remember the room in the the old science room there. Um and so it is now involved and now I'm not sure if she was part of of that and now um it
046just she's just someone and she has people help but now it's in that it's that back room back um by the dumpster that doorway there and and it is there is refrigeration and freezers. We were very surprised too. We're like oh my god. >> Yeah. She has a Yeah, she has a local woman who donates eggs cuz she has the chickens, so she gets plenty of that. But yeah, and she does Yeah, she has the refrigerator and they pack up giant back, you know, boxes for um these families and over 40 families like Billy said. And they're all local. It's it's beautiful actually. And um this is this is all Sy's Sandy's doing foundation. This is her idea. um and talking to the woman and because through the holidays they they got wiped out if
047you will, you know, the the the shelves are somewhat bare. So that's why um we picked to do this in February, kind of redo everything. And so S's going to restock. >> Yeah. Restock. And so Sy's idea is that the foundation if we can help maybe we can do it a couple times throughout the year at different times to help her restock. So yes, >> yeah, then my other um items I spoke and I had reached out to Billy earlier today, not much earlier, but around 4:00 this afternoon um about the pipe that burst in the elementary and whether or not that was going to end up being an insurance claim or something along those lines. Um, Jackson came home complaining about the fact that there's not as many toys in there anymore. And I
048think it has to do with the flooding and stuff that got lost. And um, also just out of pure curiosity of how we were going to work that into the budget or what our deductible was and things and if those things would be replaced or if we were just going to, you know, rearrange. >> No, we definitely intended replacing. We've ordered a few books and a few things. Not too many yet. We're kind of in that waiting for invoices to come in to to answer that exact question. Is it going to flip over and be an insurance game if we go that route or is it not quite there? And so we just replace, you know, again, if it's not, it'll be under was it $3,000? Five 5,000. So, um, you know, if we don't
049hit that mark, we'll replace what we need to. I know exactly what we were talking about. Definitely. They have lost a whole kind of side of like their pillows and kind of soft things in that room. So definitely that will be >> my question to that too is because I'm in charge of the Little Caesar pizza and stuff and so that profit from that is that something that the PTO maybe needs to look at into replacing but if it's going to be an insurance plan obviously we don't want to touch anything of that. We want to make sure that that room is replenished and all those lost odds and ends are replaced. >> Yeah. So we should know relatively quickly. So wait for a couple days to come in and we'll know which way we're
050going to go. really appreciate that idea. BL and as an option to possibly replace. >> No, I'm good. Okay. Um the only thing that I have is that Cynthia did send out an email about the superintendent email. It's like a refresher. If anyone's interested, uh please make sure you get back with Cynthia to let her know so that you can take that course. It's going to be done. >> Has there been any changes? >> No, there's no chang. >> Well, initially when I did everybody know >> Well, that's what I was wondering. I didn't I wanted to check with Sarah to see if she had ever gone to one. Obviously, Raymond's not here. I know he's not gone to one, so he would need to do it. >> No, I think I think Oh, did
051we do it? So everybody Yeah. So everybody should be up to date. Even Sarah? >> Yes. >> Okay. Well, then we're good. I don't need to worry about it. I just wanted to make sure everybody knew it's available if you want to go back for a refresher. Okay. Now, next item on our agenda is public comments. Uh since the last board meeting, the board received one email regarding rumors about an incident at the high school. This email was forwarded on to our intern superintendent who addressed the issue and responded back to the community member. There were no public comments that needed addressing from the last board meeting. At this time, any member of the public will have three minutes to address the board. Please sign in and state your name. If you wish a followup,
052please provide contact information on the public comment signin sheet. Are there any public comments? >> Yes, there are. >> All right. Um, so I uh was glad to hear about Backpack Blessings. I've been uh worked with them for quite some time. But I wanted you also to know if you don't already know, we have a Richmond food pantry that is located at St. Augustine's and you call uh the St. Augustine's phone number and they will give you um prompts and you go ahead and uh call that prompt and leave your number and then the woman who runs the food pantry will call you back and take your information and get food for the for whoever needs it. So that is something that it's over 45 years we've been doing that and um it's something that
053people still don't know but uh backpack blessings. Laura is a wonderful person and we go back and forth with food for each other too. If we get a lot of something then we give it to her and she gets a lot of something then we we take it as well. So, it's a good program and I I know that the school part of it has increased as well. So, we're thankful that you're um giving them the space to be able to do that. Thank you. We definitely have the need. Any other public comments? Okay, being no other public comments, we'll move on. Our next item on our agenda is our action items. I am looking for a motion for the approval of two-year calendar agreement between MEA Local 1, Richmond Education Association, REA, and Bridgemond
054Community Schools. I move to accept the recommendation of the interim superintendent and approve a 2-year calendar agreement to expire on August 31st, 2028 between MEA Local 1, Richmond Education Association, and Richmond Community Schools as outlined in the attached documentation. >> Thank you. Any discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. Looking for a motion for the approval of a purchase of a school bus. I move to accept the recommendation of the interim superintendent and approve the purchase of one school bus from Midwest Transit for a total not to exceed $160,426 as outlined in the attached documentation for which funding transferred from the general fund to the non-bond capital projects fund is authorized. Do I have support? support. Thank you. Any discussion? >> Just want to remind the this public I guess that
055this is the bus that we get every year. We do the set aside every year. Every year we get a bus. >> So nothing >> nothing new. >> New just to keep it >> keep our fleet good as it is. >> Correct. >> It's the same company too, right? >> Yes. Yes. >> Any other discussion? This will be a roll call vote. Margaret, >> hi. >> Sandy, >> I Candace, >> hi. Um, Danielle, I >> I vote I. Motion carries. No further business, the board will adjourn at 7:45.