001Okay, good evening. The regular meeting of the Richmond Board of Education will come to order. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible indivisible and justice for all. >> Sandy, if you could please read our mission and vision statement. Roll call. Yep. The mission statement here at Richmond is at Richmond Community Schools, we provide a quality education that empowers students to be successful in a global community. Our vision statement is to foster a culture of academic excellence, creativity, character, ensuring that all students are prepared for a success in an ever changing world. And then I will do roll. Board member Cunningham >> here. >> Board member Gillis >>
002here. >> Board member Michon here. >> Board member Sty >> here. >> Board member Sutton >> here. Board member Telto here. I board member for I here. We do have a quorum and um our student representative Elizabeth Schaefer is going to be late with no and but we do have Kelsey here. Thank you very much. Next item on our agenda is approval of our agenda. I am going to amend the agenda. Um I am going to add an item um under the action items for the correction of our board calendar. So I'm looking for a motion to approve the amended is the item 13D 13D. So move support. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? Whoops. I'm sorry. Uh this is a roll call vote. Uh Candace Uh, Margaret. >> Hi, >> Sandy. >> Hi,
003Raymond. >> Hi, >> Sarah. >> Hi, >> Danielle. >> Hi. >> I vote I motion carries. I really, the next time. >> Okay. Looking for a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So, move. That was a tie. I'm going to give it to Candace. You're right. Candace. Okay. Billy wish to share. >> Um, regarding the personal reports, we did not have any layoffs, new hires, or recalls. Uh, we did have resignation, Brandy Wilson, a preschool, and we had a retirement Tansky from the transportation department. Uh we have two terminations, Nadia Brown from child care and Vivia Navage from and also uh hiring Jacob Pres as a seventh grade boys basketball coach. There were no questions regarding um the personnel report. the board minutes from December 8th or 18th or January 5th and nothing on
004the district head count and both time FTE count and there's also nothing on the December claims account. >> Anyone have any further questions? >> Yeah. So, um the mechanic is that the one that's like forever? >> Um so that's um No, this one was one that we had. It was actually split between ours. was a part. Okay. All right. >> Any other questions? Okay. This will be a roll call vote. Margaret >> I. Candace. >> Hi. >> Sandy. >> Hi. >> Raymond. >> Hi. >> Sarah. >> Hi. >> Daniel. >> Hi. >> I vote I. Motion carries. Next item on our agenda is our elementary school course catalog presentation. And I will invite principal up to help talk about our uh new brand new elementary course description guide. Just give me one second and I'll
005pull it up on the screen so that four members can see it as well. >> Well, I can give you a background that's getting pulled up. So the idea and thought behind this was really just the brain baby of that we really um publicized with the middle school and high school students their opportunities what they're going to be learning through kind of courses and things like that. So this was an opportunity for our parents to um see course descriptions. Although like it's standards based you can't necessarily pick where your kids at but you can at least know what your child's going to be learning throughout their trajectory at the elementary. So, if you're thinking you're a preschool parent, you're thinking about like kindergarten preparedness or readiness, you can go on here and say, "Okay, these
006are the ideas conceptually that my child's going to be learning, you know, cuz we all kind of want to know what can I help with?" Um, you know, you might jump on that you have a second grader and see like your child's going to be learning in science, you know, sand, salt, silk, you know, and that's something that interests them. And it's just a way to get um parents involved, but also for kind of the whole team and everybody across the board to know what our kids are learning at the elementary level. Um, so you'll see that we break it down on different um the different bands. So like for kindergarten, we're going to talk about um phonics, our ELA curriculum, math, science, social studies, um writing, and it kind of goes through all of
007that. What's kind of neat is you can kind of see how there's a progression. So as you look at kindergarten, you can kind of see the difference of where they start and then where we're going to keep heading. So um that is the thought behind that. So we have our curriculums listed. Um the focus concepts obviously it's not everything but it gives you kind of the big picture ideas of what students will be learning um the broad topics >> repeated grade by grade so want to make you seasick scrolling through that. >> We do also um we did add specials on there because um that's just as important as everything else with the arts and the music and um physical education. So that's on there. Also our title one program we highlight um some of
008our character education like we do um our moral focus assemblies where kids get recognized you know for kindness or gratitude respectfulness whatever our focus is. So we talk a little bit about that cuz I've seen feedback too out there that people aren't familiar like with what we do with PBIS. So it was a way to say these are assemblies. This is what we do. We focus on a character every month and kids get um recognized for that. So that's in here and I think that's just a kind of a big picture of what we do. And so again in you know sort of where this came from. So with our it's kind of funny one of those things with our pupil accounting that we have to do every year. And so that pupil account I
009mean there's obviously a plethora of paperwork that goes with that. Um they have always required something of this nature to be turned in with that pupil account. Right. So there, you know, it's just something that's kind of an overview, quick summary of what your elementary offers. Of course, we have the secondary um course guide that goes to stand for that part for secondary. Um but it really just, you know, it was kind of one of those like we have to have this. is we're kind of putting together something just kind of to check the box at all these years and it really just I think we whenever we got inspired this year I thought you know what let's really make this a real a real document something that really truly shows and highlights all the
010great things that are going on at our elementary school and so it was you know again one of those sort of okay we have to do it for compliance but let's go above and beyond that and let's really make this something that we can really showcase and we're so proud of how how it turned out and hopefully we'll add to it throughout the as it goes on. Any questions? Anybody have any questions? >> Okay, thank you very much. >> Okay, next item on our agenda is our discussion for the contract for the superintendent search. Um, I'm going to start off just a little bit here and then I'm going to let everyone have a say or a talk about what they felt as far as that went. Um, so our goal tonight is to have
011a thoughtful, transparent, and respectful discussion. It's important that each board member has an opportunity to share their perspectives or priorities regarding this contract. As we proceed, I ask that we remain focused on what is in the best interest of our students, staff, and community and listen carefully to one another. I will recognize each board member in turn so that everyone has an opportunity to speak. Um, I've also added Kelsey in our popsicle stick uh selection here uh because she also talked with both of the candidates as they were waiting uh to come and speak to us. So that that would give us perspective from a high school student. So going with the popsicle sticks. The first one up is Sarah. >> Sorry Sarah, I missed them. >> Well, luckily I'm so >> Okay. I if
012I were choosing one today, I would choose Michigan Leadership Institute. Um that was our second presentation. I liked his presentation a lot. I like that everybody there is a former superintendent. Um I feel as though the presentation did come across a little bit more um structured and maybe professional and I did appreciate that. I I liked the first gentleman very much. I think he was a very sweet gentleman. I have nothing bad to say about MASB. I just feel like I tend to be more of a polished structured like that vibe kind of sits well with me and I feel like he did that. I love the um the wealth of knowledge and years of experience that his team is bringing and I liked the mentorship program too that I felt like that may be
013didn't um offer or didn't highlight. I don't know but I like that there was that year of mentorship also that was included. Um, I believe they were also a little bit cheaper. Not that that matters. When you're spending that much money, I feel like you get what's right. But, um, that's what I would choose. >> Okay. Next step. >> Sandy, could we have the microphone so we can hear? >> Okay. I'm >> Okay. Please make sure um that you use your microphone. Thank you. Sorry about that. Sorry. So, right now, as with the way everything stands, I went there with Sarah. Um, I there was a couple of things with Michigan leadership that stood out to me. The first one being that this was their only job where at MASB it was there they had
014another full-time job. Um, so this would be like, you know, their obviously this is what they do. Um, the fact that they were, you know, past superintendent. Um, and I also like basically we got a a guarantee if they don't stay after a year, they come back and do it for free. Um, so I like that too. Um, along with some of the other things I share Sarah or Sarah mentioned, but I'm not, you know, those are just the different things I guess. >> Raymond, >> um, during during the last presentation, I had a lot a takeaway from from both um, presentations there regarding the Michigan Leadership Institute. Um some of the things that were mentioned was that they they developed their own candidates and uh let's see and with the information that they provided
015uh on page four paragraph 7 says the Michigan Leadership Institute values and practices diversity, equity and inclusion in our organization our professional development opportunities and search practices. Um, and they also on page three, paragraph 8, uh, they said, you know, quote, "We intentionally support all leaders with a strong focus on lifting and empowering leaders of color, female leaders, and individuals from historically underrepresented groups. And when uh we were talking about the planning and preparing stage and and whatnot on page six, bullet four, it states, you know, quote, consult with the board of education and constituents as determined by the board to gather input regarding organization and leadership needs. This that may include forums with staff, community members, and others. uh when I asked you know what what some of that included um the presenter also
016said that part of the consideration is is asking feedback from the children which I think something a decision of this magnitude or or importance shouldn't be decided on by the children um you know children being children they may not necessarily have the capacity or the maturity to to make these types of decisions. And um it just it just seems like the Michigan Leadership Institute is centered around a lot of DEI, which you know, from the the presidential um executive orders that were issued last year, it was to remove DEI from governmental hiring practices through the federal and state governments. And um when that company seems very deeicentric also you know when it says it develops their own candidates you know this is this is what they're teaching to their candidates and they said that 25%
017of the superintendent that are hired through them received that training. Uh, I thought that the the MASB um I I liked what they had to say uh in their proposed search plan uh week one page six paragraph 3 of the presentation that I quote MASB will work with the board of education to establish a timeline for the search development of a you so let me start all over. NASB will work with the board of education to establish a timeline for the search and develop a plan for stakeholder engagement. Uh I like the fact that stakeholder engagement they include the community into that and on uh the next stage which is the preparation of you know which would be about the 2 to 3 week mark. It says MASB will implement implement the stakeholder agreement plan
018and said this includes conducting focused conversations with stakeholder groups collecting perceptual data via the online survey collector and educating stakeholders about the search process as well as mechanisms for input prior to the selection of the candidates. So, I I I like the fact that they're willing to have the the community show up and provide them and educate the community as well as part of this process. Um, and that they said, you know, qualified prospects will be based in part on the recommendations from the stakeholders. I think that's really important uh to get the community's input in there. whereas the MLI said that they may incorporate that. Um so uh and and so throughout the packet for the MA masb the information refers to finding the most qualified candidate based off of the most qualified um
019that's based off the search criteria provided by the board and the stakeholders. So, I will be the opinion that MASB would be the best way to go. >> Thank you. Um, Danielle, >> uh, I personally really liked, like Sarah said, I'm a big structure person, so I really liked the Michigan Leadership Institute a lot. um and how structured it was in the fact that he comes with a timeline that's already kind of pre-made but flexible for us to make our own decisions with where the MIS or MISB I felt like it was just like all right here you go like yes he's going to guide us but it was more like nonchalant not very structured I don't I obviously they're going to guide us is what we're paying them to do but I don't feel
020like just by his presentation, it would be too laidback for such an important decision. Um, so I liked that he was coming with so much structure um to the program. Um, kind of on the opposite end of I liked the fact that they did include students in that decision making process because I mean if we include them in our board, why wouldn't we include them in our decision to um, you know, have an opinion who we're going to choose? Obviously, they they don't they can't hold on weight, but they still hold some weight. So, I feel like that's important. Um, there was one other thing. go around it in the search bar. Okay. >> Um, Candace. >> Yeah. So I I agree um with everyone regarding the Michigan Leadership Institute coming in and appearing to
021be a little more prepared um and having you know their whole presentation was very spelled out. I do agree with Ray on one thing though and the one thing that when I read my presentations I read the MS before I read um the no actually I read the other book first the leadership and it all seemed very strategic everything just perfect but then when I read the the MAS within the first paragraph it really talked about the community engagement as being a new a huge huge prime focus on you know what the whole and I just I agree with that and they had that part actually much more detailed that was the one area in which they the presentation was very calculated um and with the staff that was huge that they were going to
022um have multiple meetings with the staff with so to me when I think of a community um school district. I think of that and it shaped not just us seven up here but everybody. So I I would lean more towards the MASB for that reason. Um but I did like the presentation of Michigan leadership. I I I do feel that they came in a little bit more prepared, but I would be leaning more towards the MSP just because of the different surveys and the details of how they were going to get community involvement. Thank you. >> I'm sorry. >> Um, no. One thing I wanted to say that I didn't like though about the Michigan Leadership Institute was I felt like what he was talking he kept talking about kind of like Ray was mentioning
023of picking the candidates or growing their own candidates the soups program or using that soups but like or his connections to the community. I get that that's a recruiting technique and obviously we don't have to pick those people, but I feel like what if what he sees as what we need is not what we want for our community and he's choosing these people or inviting these people to apply who may or may not be what we want and then we have all these people who like he's persuaded people who we don't really want there and I guess yeah we are we can go back to the drawing board if we don't like anybody and start all over again. But do we really want to do that, especially with all the announcements that came after our
024presentations of local districts and things and you know, like do we want to redo the whole thing for another 12 weeks if we don't like the candidates? So, I didn't like that. Yes, it might give us a bigger candidate pool, but I don't like that he put kind of what I felt was a lot of emphasis on um being able to to grab more candidates because of his connections. >> Okay, Kelsey, you ready? >> Um, the first company I like didn't get to hear from, so just keep that in mind. But I did really enjoy John with the Michigan Labor Institute. um when I was film out in the lobby, it felt like it was really easy to like have and hold a conversation with him, very easy to communicate with him. And for his
025presentation, I felt like it was very clear what their mission is. Like I felt like anything from the get- go what we were trying to get into. And that one slide right by I felt like it was beautifully executed and he did mention all the moments of he could have and that he has occurred. But I felt like he needed peace of mind when he told us how he dealt with it before and how it kind of overcame that as a school. And I felt like if I was choosing to come and be someone who want like you're honest up front like it's not going to be find the perfect candidate like first day like he was very honest on what was to come and it was very nice. >> Thank you. Thanks for sharing.
026Um, Margaret, you're my last sponsor. >> Um, yeah, I I key on what Sarah said about the professionalism very much. Um, and I have worked with both companies obviously. Um, and with respect to Michigan leadership, I think, and I said it a couple times when the interviews were going on that everyone has to remember that what whatever they do for us in the process is what we are telling them to do. So when when he's talking about the candidate, when Michigan leadership is talking about the candidate and the recruiting and what they know, they're they're going based on we're going to put together the candidate that we want for superintendent. So, they're going to go out and look for us and give us those types of candidates where if you listen to MASB, he said,
027"We're going to get just every applicant that ever is going to apply, good, bad, or otherwise." In my mind, I don't want good, bad, or otherwise. I want candidates that we have put together that we're looking for, right? and that so that's that's what they're doing and and their process and all of that is based on and as far as community involvement and all of that again and whatever is said in the proposal may happen. It may happen because there may be boards that don't want community involvement that they don't want surveys. Why wouldn't we want that? We've always done that when we search for a superintendent. So they will do whatever we want them to to do. This Michigan leadership is a a great company and I agree extremely professional. They took us step
028by step. No one on this sitting this table has done this but me. They they pres he presented he's going to guide us through it the best of the two companies. Thank you. Um, okay. So, my thoughts and I took some time with this. Um, I am leading or I am choosing Michigan leadership and the reason I mean number one for me is when he walked in here, he was dressed professionally. That sent the message. I don't I know we're not supposed to look at it. The dress isn't supposed to be it. But I'm sorry for me that means I he respects what he's doing. He is going to represent us at meetings. I would want and expect that kind of demonstration in a tire. Um he does not have another job. This is his
029job is strictly researching or doing the job for us. whereas Scott actually has another full-time job outside of doing this. So, I I would be concerned about his um uh intent or capabilities or even calendar or time that we could make it work. Um I agree with the comment Margaret made about Scott mentioned that we would be looking at every applicant. I too agree. I do not want to look at every applicant. Why are we hiring a search group to do that? That is their job to and again we are going to put together that profile of what we are looking for and that's how they determine who they're going to pick. I don't want to look at all of them. I want to look at who are the top people that match our profile.
030Um I do agree with the community service piece. However, I don't feel that that's the total case. Um, I want to hear from our staff. I want to hear from and I mean everybody from janitors to our secretarial to our administrators to um counselors, whoever. This is a community and the community is just not the people outside but the ones that are inside of this district. Um and I believe from what I heard that they would do that and I go back to say it is our choice and our decision. Um just so you know because it wasn't mentioned MASB also provide superintendent training. Um, also when I communicated with MASB, I was given Scott's name and he the person told me that Scott would reach out to me and that was on November 24th.
031I did not hear anything until December 15th. Actually, on December 15th, I reached back out to MASB uh to let the person know that I contacted that I had not heard from Scott and I was just getting a little nervous and wanted to make sure everything was set cuz we were going into the Christmas holidays and things. Um he apologized and said that Scott would get back to me. He finally did get back with me on December 19th. So, that was what 4 days later. Um, I have a concern on even if he just had sent me an email to say, "Hey, I got you. We're on. It's on my calendar. We're good. I'll get back with you." Blah, blah, blah. I should I felt like I should not a month later have gotten back
032to my contact. So, I have a concern about that. Um, I also noted that John commented on our district. He did his homework. a good interviewer, and all of you should know if you've interviewed, does his research, they check out the district, and he made a point to talk about our district. He did his homework. Um, that was big for me. Um my bottom statement here is that no matter who we choose, we have to remember that it is our choice, our decisions, who we interview, who we who we do surveys to. Um so whoever we choose, I think that needs to be stressed that it is our choice and our decision. >> Can I just say one more thing? I'll let real quick do it. That's all I do. >> Thank you. And the
033thing about the children choosing I his comment, he didn't say children, he talked about high school students. And I think the reason that John from Michigan leadership said that is because he had had conversation with Kelsey. And I agree with Danielle. We have students that sit at the board table with us and we've done it for years. So we do value their opinion. So why wouldn't we value their opinion and our search process? They can't they can't vote but their opinion and high school students do have an opinion on what's going on in their school system. So I appreciate it that he made that point about high school students. Okay. Thank you. Okay. We will um when we get to our action items, we will um have our vote. If there was any additional discussion,
034we'll do it at that point. Uh, next item on our agenda is our blue double rate. Oh, let me mix up the popsicle sticks again. Okay, here we go. First one. >> No, I'm not going. I'm fixing it. >> I'm ready. >> Are you ready? >> I'm ready. >> Okay, go. >> Okay. Um, so I was, let's see, I was able to go to cheer comps this week, two of them, and it was very fun. Uh, we can't I don't want to ruin the student round report, but we did very good. Um, and great. I think it's just going to be a great season. So, those were fun. And I went to my very first powerlifting meet, saw Kelsey there. Um, and it was very like way cooler. I don't know what I expected. I
035wasn't really sure, but it was very cool. Um, very long day though. We didn't stay the whole time cuz I had somewhere to be. But, um, I didn't know what to expect. I really didn't. And we went and it was very My kids came with me and it was very cool. So, what a neat program. My son was already like instantly cuz he's only in seventh grade hoping or wishing that there was a seventh grade team cuz he would have joined right then and there. He would have jumped on the mat and started lifting weights right there um if he could. But it was very cool. So two great programs. >> Thank you. Yes. >> Um no. >> Okay. Um Sandy, so just real quick want to read that um our student representative Elizabeth Schaefer
036and uh another student Margaret uh Gaswire actually and they are advancing to states in DECA. So congratulations to them and um that's awesome. >> Okay. Um >> um I think it's really good. I was going to just say congratulations to the cheerleaders that watch so much energy just watching the video. I like so congratulations. >> Uh Daniel, >> thank you this time. Thank you. >> I too went to the chair competition. I went to Wednesday nights. All I have to say is their third round was awesome. Um, I appreciate I'm not sure who runs the meet. I believe Kelly, our coach, is part of it. I don't know if Preston has a part, but it ran smooth. There were no problems, no disruptions. It was just a wellrun event. So, I just want to put
037out, you know, cheers to both of them and what they do. It's again a great program. Okay. Uh, next item on our agenda is our student board of rep. Kelsey, you're on. just a little bit for our limited school. We have preschools off and running in 2026. This one we're focusing on the topic of honesty for h assembly. The importance of being honest will be discussed with students um and samples will be rewarded true blue award for being reliable and honest in the classroom. Professional development day for preschool staff will take place on Monday, January 19th. A student from the MISD will be coming in to work with our teachers on how to handle challenging behaviors and learn about the new behavior intervention framework. NWA testing has begun at elementary. Teachers will be dissecting data
038of memory professional development to create specific learning tasks or tracks for every student. Happy learning middle school. Happy new year from RMS. We're looking forward to another great semester. Fourth and fifth grade students will take the ISL benchmark assessment to check for growth and to help in determining our intervention groups. Fourth through eighth grades will take the midyear NWA beginning after Martin Junior. On June 19th, RMS teachers will participate in district provided professional development with a significant amount of time working on standard based grading um learning. Boys basketball begins on Monday, January 19th with their first game at 4:30 at In City. We look forward to hosting our first game against Arita at 4:30 on January 21st. Our high school snow coming is on the on the way and this game is straight like the
039show. >> Um dance tickets are on sale Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. They cost $15 and students must have completed dance contract on file to purchase tickets. We have spirit this week. Spirit week this week with fundings like AIDS day and fun teacher day. Pep assembly this Friday. Basketball games are on Friday night. Dance is Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. with walk-in times from 7:30 to 9:00. Robotics, Quiz Bowl, DECA, and Science Olympia all started after the first of the year. We are excited to be starting both quiz bowl and science Olympia again and are thankful to our teacher adviserss for all of these groups. Athletics. Friday was a great day to be a Duke Blue Devil. Boys and girls varsity basketball went to Alviac and earn wins. Varsity cheer hosted the
040Richmond Invitational and came away with a first place finish topping their score from Wednesday that gave them a win in BWAC Jabori number one. Girls powerlifting got second runner up at their first meet in Yale. Middle school boys basketball and competitive cheer complete triumphs last week and will begin meeting next week. Bowling has two home matches this week. Today radio and Wednesday we will host Armada at strikers 3:15 start time. Friday is snow coming at RHS. The high school boys and girls basketball teams will all be home against North Branch. 4:30, the freshman boys will play at RMS and the JB girls at RHS. 6:00 JD boys at RMS and varsity girls at RHS and 7:30 boys varsity at RHS. Anyone have any questions? I'll see. Thank you very much. Okay, next item on our
041agenda is superintendent update. >> All right, thank you. Um, so I want to start with another update on 31A. Uh, as the group knows, we did uh turn that down. So, the process was completed um over the holiday break there um on uh December 30th. we did um resend our optin and so we are no longer but just an update on kind of what that means where we stand where is everything um so the court of appeals ultimately denied the plaintist request uh to make a decision by December 30th uh which is why we had to resent but they did grant an expedited briefing schedule um so the state is expected to provide a response by January 19th um with briefing potentially completed by January 26th and then if that goes through, we would be
042on our first available case call, which they anticipate would be early February. Um, all of that, it is hard to say if anything will change, if you know, if it goes through this appeal process, will that open the funds back up to us, will they repeal that language as far as um giving up our attorney privilege? It is very hard to say at this point. Um, of course, if nothing does change and we we stay where we are and we've given up that money. Um but of course as things develop I will bring that to the board as as quickly as possible if there is any opportunity for us to review any funds um based on how this location goes. So I will keep everyone posted. Uh let's see did want to mention that um
043I'm not sure everyone is aware Alganac uh was removed from the BWAC they ended up joining the math athletic association uh as of this year. And so with that opening, the only school that really applied um was Lutheran Northern. Um so there's been a number of meetings, visits, site visits. Every um each of the districts in the VWAC have been involved and part of that conversation. Um so ultimately the final decision will be uh made next Tuesday afternoon. Uh summit will be held with all superintendent, high school principles, athletic directors from each of the current BWAC schools. Um, so myself, Miss and u, Mr. Trenton will be there um, to cast. We get one single vote from the district. So, um, I certainly let the court know as soon as that decision has been made.
044Um, so again, so only only one school applied to to join. So if the BWAC doesn't vote them in, then we would get a team from here. just schedule that. Do do you know the answer to the question of why only one team like how that you know there was talk that there were schools timing of when it came down and you know they may have gotten kind of talked into hard to say I don't know exactly why I can ask that question and say Preston has more information kind of coming on the back end the course of of some of the conversations and decisions that were made um but yeah I can't say exactly why but I know this is the only one we're looking Yeah, right now it's all and quick bond update.
045Not too much new. We're still kind of just in a waiting pattern. Um so keeping in mind that we did submit the ballot language to the Treasury office um before the first of the year. They had technically until January 30th to to give us a yes or no. Um we did not change the language at all from the first uh valid language to this one. So, we were hoping it would be a quick turnaround. So, still keeping fingers crossed that they are able to give us that approval um before our next regularly scheduled board meeting on the 26 so that I can bring that for approval from the board. Um I will have to look closely at the timeline. If we don't get it until that last minute, the 30th, um it may potentially have
046to do a special meeting to approve it to stay in line with our timeline. Um but again, I'm I'm very from the get-go, they've been very confident that they were going to get the response very quickly. So, I'm kind of surprised we haven't heard yet. Um, but I'm I'm feeling so good that we'll be here by the 26th and then hopefully I will be able to bring that uh to you. Um, coming up, I just want to mention this, but I will follow up with an email to get their final um who wants to come, but on February 6th, we have the MCT breakfast. So that is the CTE breakfast uh at the MISD where they honor all of the business partners and then also the students that uh have reached certain awards and certain
047categories within their CT programs. Um so each district is allowed to bring a total of 13 guests. Um so of course we have to u make sure that all their business partners and students and their families are included that need to be. Um so it looks like we would have a seat for two board members um at that breakfast on February 6th. So, just wanted to put that bug in your ear and lace and I will follow up with an email list if I would be um interested and available to go. We would um love for you to all of you to be able to. And uh lastly, I just I look forward to our meeting on the 26th to workshop and kind of work out some of these ongoing little logistics and little transitions
048and new things as um as we head into this next chapter and as we go into this year. So, thank you. Anyone have any questions? Okay, next item on our agenda is our items of interest from the board. This time, Raven, you get to start. >> Nothing this morning. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you for reminding us. Uh Candace, no. >> Okay. Uh Danielle, >> I'm good. >> Okay. Sarah just had one question. It's kind of more of a followup. Um I know earlier in the school year we had a presentation on um the standardsbased grading and I know we had talked about some of the limitations and maybe the downfalls of it with our eighth graders especially because it's not adequately preparing them for 9th grade at transition. Um and I know at the
049time during the presentation it's something you said you guys were looking at. So I was just hoping maybe to get an update on that at some point. Um because if we are going to make any sort of modifications, even if it's an overlap for that year, I feel like getting that information to parents and preparing them before it's too late in the year um is going to be a beneficial. >> Yeah, definitely still on the on the proper. >> Okay. Just wanted to let the board know that the um stages that were being made for the teachers for the classrooms from the Ron Clark Academy um they are completed and they were delivered to the teachers classrooms last Wednesday. So they um 10 of them were made um going into um going to nine nine
050teachers. One teacher has two classrooms so they got two. So, they've got them and they're and they're using them. So, maybe you wanted to let me know. Get some pictures. Video. >> Yeah. >> What's that? >> I said if we could get some pictures or video. >> Yeah, that would be good to see. >> I've already gotten a few. >> Yeah. Okay, great. >> Okay, Sandy. >> No, no, no, thank you. Okay. And I do not have anything. Okay. Next item on our agenda is public comments. Uh since the last board meeting, the board did not receive any emails and 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
051name. If you wish a followup, please provide contact information on the public comment signing sheet. Are there any public comments? So, um I did email you then uh last week. Uh I did um asking for information regarding what you guys know. I didn't hear anything back from you. And then also you stated that um the first guy didn't address properly for your meeting for Monday. We have no dress code here. Our student our students don't dress the way that you would think it was professional either. So, I just wanted to know. >> I will check, but I do not recall getting an email. So, I'm going to find out. >> Sure. I will as soon as I find out where Sure. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. and the public comments. Okay. Next item on our
052agenda is our action items. I'm looking for a motion for the approval of a 202627 middle school high school course catalog. I move to accept the recommendation of the interim superintendent and approve the 2026 20227 middle school and high school course catalog as presented and discussed at the December 8th 2025 board of education meeting. Do I have support? >> Support. Thank you. Any discussion? Okay, this will be a roll call vote. Margaret >> I. >> Candace. Hi. >> Sandy. >> Hi. >> Raymond. >> Hi. >> Sarah. >> Hi. >> Danielle, >> hi. I vote I. Motion carries. I'm looking for a motion for the approval of the change to board policy 3118, title 9, sexual harassment. I move to accept the recommendation of the interim superintendent and approve the changes to board policy 3118, title
0539, sexual harassment, as outlined in the attached documentation. >> Do I have support? Any discussion? Okay, this will be a roll call vote. Martha, >> I. Sandy, >> hi. >> Candace, >> hi. >> Raymond, >> I >> Sarah, >> hi. >> Danielle, >> I vote I. Motion carries. I'm looking for a motion for the approval of a superintendent search contract. a motion to approve the superintendent search contract with Michigan Leadership Institute as outlined in the attached documentation support. Um, any discussion? >> I just wanted to say I wrote it down. I appreciated um the student feedback of I of how she mentioned how and you know I didn't even think of it at the moment but how he highlighted where things could go wrong right and what he did to pivot and make things right
054or how to counteract those things because not everything is sunshine and rainbow. Um so I appreciate Kelsey um pointing that out and I thought that was really good. And I just want to say too, just I did appreciate everyone's feedback when we went round. I did note like the concerns about the Soups Academy. I guess it didn't concern me as much. Um because we don't have to pick somebody if if we if they to me it doesn't matter if somebody's gone through it or not. If I like the way they interview, I'm going to choose somebody because of that. If I think they're going to be a good fit and their um goals align with what we say that we want. Um the soups academy for me wasn't really an issue because at the end
055of the day it doesn't determine if we are hiring them or not. So that wasn't a huge hangup for me at all. Um and I think it only benefits him to find somebody that's going to meet our needs because there is that guarantee. So it doesn't benefit him at all to push a candidate on us. Um and I don't think I think the seven of us are very smart. We are intelligent people. We can read people well. And I don't think we're going to just be swindled by him pushing some guy or pushing some agenda on us or female. Um I think we're going to make the best interest because I don't think anybody's going to get the table as a pushover. I'm just going to say that we all have our opinions and I
056don't think anyone's going to come in and just sell us on a candidate because they grew this person into into the role. So I don't have any concerns about that. Um he also comes from Mary'sville. It's a localish district for us. I think that um in some ways it's that rural kind of counterpart. I know it's um a different county, but I feel like that might match up well. I my whole family lives in Mary'sville. I know the school very well, and I feel like there is a lot that will align there. So, I think um yeah, I'm not really worried about SUS Academy. I I feel like he's a good pairing for us to be looking for us. And um I I did appreciate um everything that he brought so far with my And
057I agree with you. And again, he's not he's not going to push a candidate on us. That's not what his job is. His job is to take what we say we want in a candidate and bring us those candidates. It's not pushing a candidate on us. We're picking the candidate based on the qualifications we want. And those are the candidates that he will bring to us. Anyone else have any other comments or site? >> Okay, this will be a roll call vote. Sarah I Margaret I Candace >> Sandy I Raymond I just just to clarify cuz I'm I'm looking at what's on the it's just to do the contract this isn't which specific one right >> yes picking we're picking Michigan leaders that's what the vote is >> so I'm ready to have Michigan leader
058>> you already did the motion Yeah, I'm telling you I motioned for that. >> No, she Yeah, she said I made the motion for Michigan leaders. >> Okay. N >> Okay. Uh Danielle, >> I wrote I motion carries. >> Okay. I'm looking for a motion for the approval of a revised day, place, and time for our regular board meeting. I move to approve the revised board of education meeting calendar to include Monday, March 23rd, 2026 as an established meeting day at 7 p.m. in the media center of Richmond High School or virtually as allowed by law as the regular meeting of the board of education of Richmond Community Schools unless otherwise indicated on the attached documentation. >> Thank you, Candace. Um, any discussion? This will be a roll call vote. Margaret I Candace I >>
059Sandy >> I Raymond >> I >> Sarah >> I >> Danielle >> I vote I motion carries looking for a motion to go into close session pursuant to MCL15.268 section 8C of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. I move that the board of education go into close session for the purposes of negotiations. >> Thank you. Uh, any discussion? Sylvia roll call vote. Margaret. >> Hi. Uh, Danielle. >> Hi. >> Candace. Sandy. >> Hi. Raymond. >> Hi. >> Sarah. >> Hi. >> I wrote nine. Motion carries. Um, just for our audience here, we'll be coming back and I will be doing this. Heat. Heat. N.