Hazel Park School District - Board of Education Regular Meeting - March 16, 2026

001Mhm. >> Mhm. >> If you're wishing and wanting to speak, you need to fill out a form and put it in the basket. And I welcome everybody here tonight to the Hazel Park Board of Education meeting at 6:00 p.m. on March 16th. And I call the meeting to order with roll call, please. >> Here. >> Present. >> Here. >> Uh 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. >> Can I have a motion to approve the agenda, please? >> I make a motion to approve the agenda with moving the closed session closed sessions after uh public comment. >> Support. >> Okay, motion by Heidi,

002support by Debbie, to move the closed session after public comments. Uh any discussion? Okay, roll call, please. >> Yes. >> No. >> Yes. >> Curtis? >> No. >> Davis? >> Uh yes, motion carries 4 to 3. Uh Special order business. Wow, I would have just said what? Student of the month is the most fantastic part of our meeting. So, get started with student of the month. >> [clears throat] >> Ready? Hi, my name is Nora Race from United Oaks and I'm here with Terrell Borden. Um it is such a privilege to celebrate Terrell as student of the month this month. Um Terrell is the picture of hard work and dedication at our school. Um I'm so proud of all the growth that we've all seen him make since I've at least known him in second

003grade. It is always such a joy working with Terrell and seeing how hard he tries every single day. He's resilient, a resilient student who keeps going even when things are tough or challenging. Um he does an amazing job learning from and listening to other people's feedback. He's a kind, helpful, and wonderful leader to his classmates and he sets such a role model example every day. Terrell always has a smile on his face and he does such a nice job making other students feel welcome and even the adults feel happy at our school. So, congratulations, Terrell. You truly deserve it. >> [applause] >> All right, come on, bud. >> Congratulations. >> So proud of you. >> Good evening. My name is Julie Kaminski. I'm the principal at Hazel Park Junior High, and I have the distinct

004honor of introducing you to Bryson Jefferson, an amazing young man who we have the pleasure to have in our building every single day. Bryson is a wonderful young person. He comes to class on time, he's on tasks, and he never misses an opportunity to ask good questions so that he's sure to understand the lesson. He cares about his peers and his surroundings, and he builds strong and respectful relationships with his classmates. At lunchtime, he volunteers to help teachers in their classrooms and enjoys a good book in the cafeteria. In band, he's earned a spot in the prestigious All Green Club by having the highest scores on all of his assignments. He was voted by his peers as their band representative, which speaks to his leadership skills that we're so proud of. He often stays after

005school to ensure the band room is clean and ready for the next day. It goes without saying that we are incredibly proud of Bryson and all that he does each day at school. We are quite confident he will continue to do great things in this world. Congratulations, Bryson. >> [applause] [cheering] [applause] >> Hello. My name is Monique McMurtry, and I am the Dean of Students at Advantage School. The Student of the Month at Advantage School is Zachariah Rowland. Zachariah exhibits exceptional behavior throughout the school day. That's within the classroom setting as well as the common areas of our school. He is always polite and a true gentleman. Zachariah's teachers state that he is a pleasure to have in class. Zachariah demonstrates respect for his teachers, support staff, and his peers. He has also shown academic

006and personal growth. Zachariah takes pride in his education and takes the initiative to stay current with his assignments and tackles any obstacle that is thrown his way. We have seen amazing growth with Zachariah, and we are very, very proud of him. Zachariah, keep up the good work. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Hi, my name is Rachel Kutcher. I'm a fifth grade teacher at Hoover Elementary. Our student of the month is Riley Zachary. Riley was voted for Student of the Month by her peers in her classroom. Some of her peers gave reasons such as she is kind to others, respectful to her peers and adults, a good person, doesn't need reminders, follows not only classroom rules and procedures, but also school-wide rules and procedures. And honestly, I couldn't agree more. Riley always puts forth an

007effort in everything she does and is just all around very well deserving of this award. Keep up the great work. We are all so proud of you. >> [applause] [applause] [clears throat] >> Hello, Webb Elementary has chosen Charlotte Dawson Clark as our student of the month. Mrs. Sherhart says Charlotte is a wonderful example of what it means to be a student of the month. She comes to school each day with a bright smile and a warm positive attitude that lifts up everyone around her. Charlotte is incredibly smart and conscientious, always putting thoughtful effort into her work and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. She's kind to everyone and truly a friend to all. Charlotte is a shining star in our classroom and an outstanding citizen. I'm so proud of her and

008I know she will continue to great to do great things. Great job, Charlotte. >> [applause] [clears throat] >> Jardine Vocational School has chosen Hayoung Shin to be student of the month. Hayoung continues to thrive at school this year and has had a wonderful year of growth. He especially enjoys cooking and has loved participating in the Chartwells Wednesday cooking class. Hayoung has worked hard to develop his work skills and continues to make great progress. He does an excellent job with his custodial tasks. He loves taking part in all of the Jardine activities and brings great enthusiasm to everything he does. He's also a great friend, mentor, and does a great job at helping out all of his friends at school. Great job, Haykay Young. We've had so much fun. >> [applause] [applause] >> Thank you. Hi,

009good evening. I'm here for Webster Early Childhood Center, and I don't know if our student is here. I can't really see, but Sona Sao is our student from Webster. Are Is she here today? No, I wasn't sure if she was in the back or outside, but that's okay. Um Miss Katie was really excited to um nominate Sona. When Sona first arrived in our classroom, she was very shy and kept to herself. Now she arrives in the morning full of smiles and has become a real leader in our classroom. She is always the first one to start cleaning up and the last one to stop. She is very patient and kind with her classmates and is a great all-around student in our classroom. >> [applause] [clears throat] >> Uh good evening. I'm George Demas uh from

010Hazel Park High School, and we are honored to um recognize Frankie Aquino as our student of the month. Um Miss Sekely says Frankie is a true leader in Hazel Park High School. He is kind, smart, adventurous, and he's always willing to help. Mr. Shirley says that Frankie is very kind, considerate, and an intelligent young man. He is a role model student and an absolute pleasure to have in class. Miss Brotzky states that Frankie is always such a positive impact in every class and in the building. He is a silent leader who does what he needs to do. Frank excels in everything he does and his goal is to do well. His future is shining bright and he will continue to thrive. And I just must add that Frankie and I have been together since second

011grade and then we continued again on into sixth grade and he still can't get rid of me at the high school. But on a serious note, he's a great student and even an out and even better outstanding young man. We're so proud of him. I expect great things from him even though he did pick the wrong university here in the state to attend. But we're very proud of him and way to go Frankie. >> [applause] >> Aw. Sorry. Well, he is at volleyball practice, so I knew that he wasn't going to make it. I did talk to mom, so. >> Oh my goodness. >> We don't have anything We don't have a write-up for Invest. So, Invest student is Miriam Kushi and there's no write-up, so just congratulations to her for doing a great job.

012>> [applause] [cough and clears throat] >> Okay, next we have uh our audit service presentation. We need a 5-minute break if anybody wants to leave with their children. You're welcome to stay. Um Monica? >> Could you do something like on the back of that? >> Oh, certainly. Um we're welcoming uh Tyler Baker from Maner Coster. Thank you. Mr. Baker, go ahead. >> Good evening. Thanks for having me. Um like you said, my name's Tyler Baker. Uh I'm a partner at Maner Costerison, and I was invited um here this evening to present kind of a one-sheeter about um the firm of Maner Costerison, as well as answer any potential questions you may have uh in regards to the audit um service uh proposal. Um so with that, um I'll get started. A little bit about me.

013Um like I said, my name's Tyler. I'm a partner. Um I started with Maner in 2014. Um I've been there uh for the for the entirety um of my career. Um along with myself on the engagement team would be Jeff Staley. Um he has been with the firm for over 25 years. Um he would be the concurring partner. Uh he's also our department head um and former quality control director of the firm, as well. And then Tom Jury, um who is a manager with uh Maner. Um that would be the team lead responsible for the the operations of the of the audit uh as a whole. Um Maner is located mainly in Lansing. Um we're right downtown. We also have an office in Grand Rapids. We got approximately 250 people um at this point. Uh

014about 180 um or 200 or at the Lansing office with another 50 in Grand Rapids. Um and the for those that have the one-sheeter that I printed in front, I guess you can see it on the screen, as well. Um that middle section, um so we've been regional leaders, best firms to work for for accounting today. That's voted on by employees um for um for the last three or four years as well as Crain's Detroit does include Lansing in that in that survey. And so for the last four years we've been a best places to work as well from Crain's Detroit. So pretty proud of those accolades. And then a little bit about our industry as a whole for school districts. Um we do over 130 school district audits in the state of Michigan between

015locals, charters, and ISDs. We also do a total of over 350 other governmental audits. So including school districts, townships, counties, and cities. So we're well versed in the governmental arena. Approximately 60 of our employees within our audit department are strictly related to school districts throughout the summer. That's approximately 75% of our audit department. So overall school districts and governmental audits are a significant part of our firm's kind of identity. And that bottom number I'm extremely proud of. So that number 95 is our net promoter score. So if anybody's not familiar with what a net promoter score is that's a survey that gets sent out to all employees. Excuse me, not employees, all clients. And so they send us quotes back and give us a range from zero to 10 on would they promote us to

016family, friends, colleagues. That's a scale of negative 100 to 100. So not just zero to 100 and our school district niche receives in this past year a score of 95. So extremely proud of that number. Kind of shows that relationship that we have with our clients and specifically in that school district realm. That's enough talking by me. Um any questions? Um for the board? For me at this point? >> But I I would um ask that we let uh Monica, cuz I did not realize you didn't have it in front of you, the uh difference of the bids and what their bid is, and then take questions for him that you might have. >> Okay. Um Mainer came in at the lowest bid with the first year being at 48,900 compared to Clark, Shaefer &

017Hackett for Park, Shaefer & Hackett. And 63,500 for Yeo & Yeo. The 5-year cost for Mainer is 275,900. The 5-year cost for Clark, Shaefer, Hackett was 284,211. And the 5-year cost for Yeo & Yeo was 321,750. So, Mainer came in um 45,850 less than the higher bid of Yeo & Yeo. >> So, we're looking to sign a 5-year contract with them? >> Yes. >> [clears throat] >> And what's your hourly rate if you go over the 48,900? What exactly does that entail? >> So, um ideally we don't um so, uh that quote is based on that uh an expected level of service and as long as the financial records are in a reasonable spot when we come out for fieldwork, if we poorly managed or poorly um quoted the job, then that would be on

018us. Um if there is a decrease in the uh financial readiness of audit records when we come out to agreed-upon week, then we would have that discussion well in advance, but um theoretically it's just that uh quote. And then if there's multiple single audit programs, they would be added on, but that's built out in the in the proposal and is a known number. The hourly rates are included in that proposal and it's based on level for those hourly rates. But if it's poorly if if the financial information is available and ready and it's just poorly quoted on our side, we don't bill more just because it took us longer. >> When do you normally anticipate getting the information to start the audit? >> I think in the proposal we said at the latest September, but

019again, if ready earlier, more than willing to come earlier. >> I wanted them to share a little bit about your philosophy of year-round support because that was one thing that really we we loved hearing about and about the professional development you provide throughout the year. >> So we provide a number of trainings throughout the year, especially over the past number of years, a lot of new GASBs that have come up and different training opportunities. So we provide templates and and free CPE and trainings and and things like that. We take the approach that we would rather have questions throughout the year, so we generally don't bill for questions or someone has a question about a refunding or a bond issuance or how something should be recorded or or a new grant that comes out and

020they're wondering if we have any information on it. We don't bill for those throughout the year. We would much rather have that information correct for the board for decision-making as well as finance throughout the year rather than just that final when we come out. So we'd be we'd take that general approach. >> Thank you. Can you give us a list of a couple or just a couple names of school districts that you currently work with? >> Yes, I can give a couple of myself personally and then can give a couple for that for that as well. So personally um Ingham I think in the proposal Ingham ISD would be in there. The Brighton is also included in that. We do a lot of work on the west side as well. So, you got Allegan, East

021Jackson Public, Mason. Let's see. Oak Park last year, I think there's four charters that we also do within your guys' county as well. >> Did you say Oak Park? I'm sorry. In Oakland County? Is that the only one in Oakland County? >> Local. The only local district, correct. Yep. And then four of the charters that we do as well. >> Okay. >> Within the county. Yep. And then a number of cities along the corridor, too. Huntington Woods, Ferndale. We do a lot on the government side as well. We do Kalamazoo Public, Lansing Public. So. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Anybody else? Okay. Well, thank you for the presentation. >> It's your time. I appreciate you having me. >> Thank you. >> And so, we're asking for a motion. >> I I'd like to

022table it because we didn't see the bids. I'd like to see the bids and kind of look them over before making a decision. >> Chuck, do you need a support? I'll support that. >> Can can Yeah, make that into a motion? >> I'm making a motion to table this until our next meeting. So, we can see the bid bids. >> Support. >> All right. Motion by I need a support by Debbie to table this and until further information. >> My problem with that um is this has always been an issue. It's like we're pushing audit off and pushing it off, but we have a company that is a great price, in my opinion. Why are we going to wait? >> Because I'd like to see the bid. I don't want to make a decision without

023seeing the information. We've got one sheet in front of us that has very little information. Um although it is good information, it's very little. And the audit doesn't start until September, and it is currently March, so we do have some time to push it off just a month. >> Any other discussion? Okay, roll call, please. >> Borders? >> Yes. >> For public works? >> Yes. >> Eaton? >> I see no reason to push it off. It's been an ongoing issue that audits are delayed. There's no sense in delaying any process. No. >> Becker? >> Yes. >> Fox? >> Yes. >> Pinchon? >> Yes. >> For team? >> No. >> And the motion carries 4 to 3. >> It was 5 to >> Um >> Wait a minute. >> I think it's 5 to 2. >>

024It was 4 to 3. It was >> It was 5 to 2. >> Yes, it was. Sorry. >> Um next is um our high school representative. >> For >> report. Here he is. >> [applause] >> Hello, my name is Preston Blaze, and I am the high school representative. Um I'm just going to share a few things that have been going on at Hazel Park High School for the past month. So, starting off, the winter sports season has concluded with the following achievements. The girls bowling team won their division. >> [applause] >> The boys basketball team handed Lamphere their only loss during the season. The girls basketball team remained undefeated all season. >> [applause] >> And lastly, some individuals from powerlifting qualified for state finals. >> [applause] >> Next up, we got the 2026 rummage sale

025took place on February 28th and March 1st. This is one of many fundraisers that have been held for the class of 2026. On March 3rd, we began the usage of the phone pouches. Despite all of the complaints from the students, I have personally noticed an increase in socializing during lunchtime. >> [applause] >> Um next up we got drama performed Beetlejuice on March 5th through 8th for a total of four sold-out public performances. >> [applause] >> This is a massive milestone for the organization and I've heard fantastic reviews from the patrons. And I'm quite happy because I played Beetlejuice, so. Uh the spring sports season is now in motion with tryouts for girls tennis and soccer, boys volleyball, baseball, softball, and track all having uh took place last week. Both band classes attended band festival on

026March 11th and showed off their musical talents. Concert band scored an overall score of two and Symphonic Winds scored a one. Both are very high scores that showcase consistent music capability. >> [applause] >> The senior banquet is right around the corner occurring this Wednesday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This is the first of many special events for the senior class this year. And lastly, the last Red Cross blood drive takes place on April 16th. Please encourage your friends and family to sign up and we have already saved many lives this year. That's it. Thank you. >> [applause] >> And I also thank you Preston for being one of our MCs at the dinner because you guys were amazing. >> [applause] >> Okay, next we have Advantage representative report. Now, anyone here from Advantage? No. How

027about United Oaks? >> [applause] [clears throat] >> Hi, Lisa Burness, United Oaks Elementary. Not that tall. Um I'd like to share with you something that actually not just United Oaks does, but um our elementaries do. Streamlining family support, our RFA process. RFA stands for request for assistance. This is a process by which school staff and parents can discuss student concerns that might be academic, behavioral, or both and determine action steps so that the student will be successful. We can now flag additional concerns such as a student having attendance issues, food insecurity, or even other general wellness concerns. Our RFA meetings are held regularly. At the end of these meetings, the team decides what the next steps are and how to follow up as needed. The starting point of this process is the request for assistance

028form. Whether a student needs help with academics, behavior, or even basic needs, all assistance begins with the RFA form. This is a quick Google form that teachers can quickly fill out to alert that there is a need. Once submitted, it comes to the principal and we kind of triage the request, if you will, to determine the best route for support. I've cited just a couple examples here and I'll walk you through. Example number one, Miss Smith, teacher Miss Smith, notices that Brooke is really struggling in math and it could be affecting her behaviorally as well. Example two, Miss Smith might learn that Brooke's mom just lost her job and Brooke says that there isn't any food at home. They're in between. Example three, Miss Smith might learn that Brooke was in a house fire over

029the weekend and their home was severely damaged. If we take a peek at example one, I'm going to take you back. Miss Smith notices that Brooke is really struggling in math. She's filled out the request for assistance form. It comes to me. When I take a peek at that, ooh, this is going to be an issue. I'm going to route this to our school-based support team so that we can all get together and discuss academics, behaviors, and schedule a meeting. Now, you might ask, who is part of that internal school meeting? Could be the principal, could be classroom teacher, could be MTSS teacher, resource, speech and language, OT, PT, social worker, psychologist, special ed supervisor, paraprofessionals, family members, might even be the Promise Navigator. Could be a combination of any of them. And we would

030go through and figure out next steps. Example two, in this case, parent might have lost a job. That comes through to me. Hey Miss Burness, you know, we see that this might be an issue here. I would fast track that to our Promise Navigator because I know we have a system in place where we can fill that gap. Our Promise Navigator reaches out to the family. Hey Mom, what's up? How can we help? What can we do? And we would handle in that way. Example three, God forbid, a house fire. Miss Smith learned that there was a house fire over the weekend. She shoots me a quick Google um form. Hey Miss Burness, in this case, I would seek out our Promise Navigator, but then we would take it to that next step. We also

031have um our community health workers that can help with housing. Maybe they need housing, a place to stay for the next 2 days to kind of or next few days to bridge that gap. So, we have lots and lots and lots of resources to help. So, again to recap, many avenues to support our students and our families here in Hazel Park. Could be the school team. Could be the Promise Navigators and the um community health workers. Lots of resources. Our Promise Navigators serve as the essential bridge between the school and our community health workers. They will personally call the family to ensure that they are connected to the right resources and that the handoff to those community health workers is seamless. By including both the Promise Navigator and when necessary the community health worker, we

032ensure a whole family support system. Their expertise allows us to bridge the gap between the classroom and the home, ensuring that students have the foundation that they need to succeed. Finally, I'd like to share a quick clip with you um one of our families at United Oaks. >> [music] [music] >> My son Jackson is kind, hardworking, loving, generous, hopeful, thoughtful, [music] and positive in every aspect. He has struggled with [music] ADHD along with OCD. His reading was a bit of a difficulty and he has [music] been since the beginning. >> I met Talia about 3 years ago when I came on as the community school [music] coordinator. Talia is a mom who is all about her son. She just exudes [music] warmth. So, I knew that we were going to have a close working relationship.

033And once we sat down and we got to know each other, I got [music] to know everything that was going on. >> Over the last few years, my difficulties I've had, I did deal with having cancer. And it was prolonged [music] through a 2-year span. If it weren't for this school, it makes me a little emotional. It was almost immediate that there [music] was like an open arms feeling. And it wasn't even that I had to ask, it was already given. >> Seeing him now as a student just [music] in the couple years that I've been here, he has grown so much. His test scores, they're going up. Watching him become an involved [music] reader and his skills growing every month, it's just this overflowing like warmth that you feel inside. He's going to go

034on and [music] use these skills and have amazing life, and it's all done here where the foundation is at school. >> [music] [music] >> One of my biggest things is when my son finally acclimated doing baseball, >> [music] >> financial struggle is real. And the gear was expensive. Brooke took it upon herself to ask the school for that help, and she met me at Dunham's to purchase all the items that he needed [music] in the end zone. When my son was able to do baseball, it really improved his social skills. In an entirety, [music] the positivity, love, and support that my son gets from everyone that surrounds him in his life and at school, I feel like [music] he extends that to everyone around him. The way this community has come together for me and

035my family and [music] my son specifically with his struggles in his learning, The foundation at this school and through United Way, I think [music] it's going to allow him to adapt into a really strong, beautiful young man. >> [music] >> Thank you for your time. >> [applause] >> I just have a comment that is a part of it's always been very supportive of our our parents um and our children reaching out and and helping families in that way. So, that is a a great report. Thank you. >> Okay, so now we're on to public comment. If you're wishing to speak, please fill out a form around the table back there. Um and I just have this little statement before we begin. Our first person should be Clint Adkins. Um this meeting is a meeting of

036the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting school district business, not to be considered a public meeting. There's a time for public participation during the meeting as indicated on the agenda. Please state your name and address. Please be considerate and refrain from using names and you have 5 minutes. >> Proud to be here tonight and school board members, I know what you your jobs are. I did this for 28 years and had a lot of fun doing it. >> It's on. Hold it closer to your mouth. >> [clears throat] >> That close Any closer it'd be >> [laughter] >> Anyway, uh I was on the school board for 28 years and enjoyed every minute of it. Had some good days and some bad days. And uh I know what you guys are

037going through and uh I got some problems with how some of the money is being spent. We're spending money like we're never going to run out of money. Back in January of 2025, we spent four to five mill four to five thousand dollars on trying to get rid of a superintendent who in my opinion, [clears throat] with all the good things I've heard tonight from kids, from everybody else, you ought to be thanking her, not trying to get rid of her. I went through so many superintendents and she I I did not know her. I did had no idea what she was going to be like, but the longer I've been longer I've known her, the more I see what she does not only for the schools in this community, but for the kids and

038the parents and these people in the community, she's always at sports things, anything in the world. And she you go you go on Facebook and you'll see her with football, basketball, anything in the world, she's there and she's doing a good job. And uh we spent a lot of money in 2025, somewhere between four and five thousand dollars. Enough one five hundred thousand dollars trying to get rid of her, trying [laughter] to get rid of her, and it came back you had no case to get rid of her. So, that's that's that's money you wasted on stupid things. We hired a person to do to do uh budgeting the paying him 30 30 to 40 thousand dollars a year, maybe 50. Where you could have got it from from Oakland schools probably as good or

039better for zero dollars. That don't make any sense to me. I mean, maybe to some people it does, but not to me. Now we're doing something I don't know what we're doing. I got a phone call from 90 miles up north today asking me what's going on tonight in this meeting. I said, "I don't know." I got a good at I got a I think I'm going to know what might be going on, but I'm not sure what's going on. And I will really Another thing is what I saw tonight, you ought to be thinking there. Everything in this went on tonight was good. Every kid got up. It was good. Reports are good. I don't know what the budget is. I don't When I watch these meetings it's on YouTube and you guys all

040look good on YouTube. You really do. >> [laughter] >> Uh I I I just wish you would think. Go back and and but you could know what you're up there for. Okay? You're supposed to be up there for the kids and the betterment of the school district. I was on management for >> [applause] >> I was on management in automotive and building battle tanks for 30 years. I learned one thing. You're at the top, you get the credit if things are going good and you're get the blame if they're going bad. And from what I've seen tonight, there's not too much going bad. And I I've been around a long time. 83 years, I think. But uh you guys need to think about what's going on. You Let her do her job. If she's doing

041something wrong, go to [applause] her. The day I run one first term of school board meeting, my brother was a superintendent school in in Missouri. I called him and says, "Willie, I want to fix it tonight." He said, "Let me tell you what your job is." I said, "Dude, I want the election." That's you. >> [snorts] >> But, he told me, "Your job is you get a superintendent or you hire one, and you support that superintendent in everything he or she does, unless it's wrong. And if it's wrong, you go see her first, then you go see the public." And I've seen some meetings here that would wasn't it wasn't done that way. Okay? What what You be proud of her. Let her do her job, for God's sakes. And it turns me it it's

042that she's doing a hell of a job. It's it's You see it when people come in here and and tell you what's going on in schools. And and that's about all I got to say. What? >> [applause] >> Okay, next we have Jen Hall. Hi. >> you real quick. >> Absolutely. >> and back. I have to leave. >> Hi, Jen Hall, uh staff member and parent in the district, 1510 East Pearl Avenue. Um, good evening members of the board, administrators, staff, and community members. I'm here tonight because I care deeply about our students, our educators, and the long-term health of this district. I believe we are standing at a crossroad. A moment where our decisions will reveal whether we truly put students and staff first or whether we allow financial mismanagement to take priority over

043common sense. Our district is struggling. We all know it. We feel it every day in our classrooms, in our buildings, and in our budgets. We're cutting programs, stretching staff thin, and asking teachers to do more with less. Families see it, students feel it, and we as staff live it. And in the middle of all this, we are being asked to consider spending over 1 million dollars, money we don't have, to buy out the contract of our current superintendent. And then, after spending that enormous sum, we would still need to hire a new superintendent and pay another full salary on top of that. Where is that money coming from? This is not responsible stewardship of public funds. This is not putting students first. This is not putting your staff first. This is not putting our district

044first. When a district is struggling financially, the answer cannot be to spend more money we don't have on decisions that do not directly benefit students or classrooms. Every dollar we spend on unnecessary buyouts is a dollar we cannot spend on reading support, mental health services, classroom supplies, building repairs, or competitive salaries that help us retain the wonderful people who actually make a difference in these children's lives. Our teachers are exhausted. Our staff support is stretched thin. Every building is short-staffed, whether it's teachers or paras. Our students deserve stability, resources, and leadership that reflects fiscal responsibility. That's your job. They deserve a board that models the same accountability we expect from every classroom and every department. If we expect our students to act a certain way, the adults that lead them should act that way as

045well. We cannot continue to ask our community to trust us with their tax dollars while making decisions that contradict the realities of our budget. We cannot continue to tell staff there's no money while simultaneously considering spending over a million dollars to solve a problem in the most expensive way possible. Leadership is not about choosing the easiest path. Leadership is about choosing the right path. Tonight, I'm asking you on behalf of students, staff, families, and taxpayers to reject any proposal that waste money we do not have. I am asking you to prioritize classrooms over contracts, people over politics, and fiscal responsibility over convenience. Our district cannot afford this buyout. Our students cannot afford it, and our staff cannot afford it. Our community will not forget it. So, let's choose a path that reflects our values, and

046a path that protects our classrooms. Let's choose a path that puts students and staff first where they belong. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Cindy Thomas. >> Good evening. Cindy Thomas, 1120 East Troy Street. Um My name is Cindy Thomas, and I have served this district for 4 years as a paraprofessional. I work with our adult students with special needs at Jardin, teaching them job skills in our greenhouse, school store, greeting card late making. And lately I've had the privilege of working alongside our Chartwells team at the junior high. I'm also the proud parent of an elementary student in this district. I am here because a budget is more than a spreadsheet. It is a statement of values. And right now the values being signaled to the staff are deeply concerning. My family's journey here

047started with a major leap of faith. We moved here from out of state just before the pandemic hit. A time of total isolation and uncertainty when things finally began to open back up, it was this district and this community that made us feel like we had found our home. We chose to put down roots here because of the promise of what this district could be. My daughter started her journey in early fives during the height of that pandemic. Like many children her age, she was deeply afraid. She had no social interaction with peers and faced a world that felt uncertain. But because of the dedicated staff at Webb Elementary, she didn't just survive, she thrived. These educators have helped her become the student of the month every single year. She's reading two grade levels ahead,

048and that success came from the tireless daily work of the teachers, the paras, the speech pathologist, the secretaries, the principals, and the staff in our buildings. >> [snorts] >> Every day I walk into a building in constant need of repair to serve some of our most vulnerable learners. We are told the funds for our infrastructure and staff retention are limited, yet we are currently discussing spending over a million dollars to buy out a contract. It's impossible to reconcile a million-dollar exit with the reality of leaking ceilings, broken locks, broken fixtures, lack of heat and air conditioning, and intercoms and walkie-talkies that quit in the middle of crises. Often the walkie-talkies will stop just an hour into the day, and that's a walkie-talkie that's shared amongst seven staff members. We often have situations where we have

049to go on hold. We have to stay in our rooms. If I don't have a walkie, I don't know that. I don't know what I'm walking into. >> [snorts] >> The lack of investment in people is even clearer on our pay scales. In my four years here, I have reached a point where I earn only $1 less than a co-worker who has spent 30 years in this district. That's not a sign of a healthy competitive growth model. It's a sign that long-time long-term loyalty is being ignored. I have another colleague who has also spent three decades as a paraprofessional. Despite fighting cancer for several years, she is rarely absent. She works nonstop because she knows our students need her. She and all of our paras are the backbone of special education. Last week I heard

050another colleague who works with our young students in wheelchairs, literal backbreaking work, talk about how she may need to set up a GoFundMe just to pay her bills. How is it that we cannot find the room to give people of this caliber a meaningful raise, yet we can find a million dollars to settle a contract? Why is it administrative buyout a priority while people fighting for their livelihoods and their students are told to wait? A million dollars can buy out a contract or it could show the people who bring the dedication, the sweat, the heart that keep this district going that you truly value them. >> [clears throat] >> I am asking the board to prioritize not just the names on the contracts, but the people in the buildings and start investing in the ones

051who are actually doing the work. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Okay, Nancy Anderson. No. Maybe she's >> Nancy's helping Glenn. >> She went, yes. >> Okay. >> Joan Rybinski. >> She's here. >> Oh, no, there's Nancy. >> Good evening. My name is Nancy Anderson. I live at 306 Sedgwick Meadows Park. Sorry, I'm short. I'm here tonight as a lifelong community member, alumni, parent of three alumni, and an employee for the past 18 years. I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking about how I feel about Dr. Wilcox. Those of you who know me, and most of you really do, you already know how I feel about her. I will take a quick second to publicly thank her for years of support, not only for myself, but for my family, my children, my husband,

052my parents. >> [snorts] >> She has supported all of us through some of the hardest moments of our life and some of the best moments of our lives. Even long before I worked in central office. More importantly tonight I want to address the closed session and the rumor that's floating around about the plan to buy out Dr. Wilcox's remaining contract. To do this would be incredibly irresponsible. It would be a horrible decision by each board member who votes in favor of it. Buying her out alone could cost close to $1 million before a new superintendent search and a salary of a new superintendent. We've already spent half a million on an investigation that didn't really result in anything. And she came back to work and on day one she hit the ground running and she's

053been working ever since. >> [applause] >> It is insulting to hear staff It is insulting to staff to hear board members suggest maybe we don't give raises right now and then turn around and suggest spending a million plus dollars to buy out a contract for no understandable reason. It is insulting to our students that you would ever consider spending this kind of money on a buyout rather than putting the money into classrooms, into our dedicated staff, into supplies and technology, experiences and tools that would provide an even better educational experience for our students. Honestly, it's insulting that it's taking something this drastic for me to finally have the courage to get up here and speak. In the past, there's been a small select group of people that have been trying to run our superintendent out

054of the district, and I've always backed away from speaking up fearing a target on my back. And how insulting that after 18 years in this district dedicated to this school district that I should even fear speaking up because I'm afraid of becoming a target. No employee deserves to feel that way. Moving forward with a buyout would put the district in financial hardship once again. Potentially leading to another deficit, potentially more freezes, staff reductions, pay cuts. 11 years ago, almost to this date, we took a 15% pay cut in this district. For a family like mine, that was a 30% family income cut. I will tell you it was devastating, painful, and created situations for my family that was embarrassing. We struggled to stay above water. I've gotten to know so many of our employees in

055this district, hardworking, dedicated employees, and even a small cut will cause the same kind of devastating situation for them. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Our staff will pay for this decision, and in turn, our students will pay for it as well. This is not about whether you like our superintendent or not. This is about what is fiscally responsible for this school district. For our staff and our students, you were elected to do what is right for our students. Tonight, make responsible decisions in the best interest of the student and staff of Hazel Park. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Here she [clears throat] is, Joan. >> Joan Rabinsky, 53 West George. Okay, so I'm here tonight because this conversation held in secrecy around buying out the superintendent's contract has left many of us who

056work directly with students feeling frustrated and unheard. You have often berated administrators and the rest of the board not for not seeking out public opinion, but this time you developed a plan behind closed doors, which is not only unethical and a slap in the face to our staff, to our community, it is illegal. So, let me be clear. Whether someone personally supports Dr. Wilcox has never been the point. The point is the cost of this decision and what the cost represents for our students, our staff, and our community. We are hearing that this board may vote to spend over $1 million to buy out one contract. At the same time, many of us are sitting in this room who have been told again and again that there's simply not enough for things like supplies, building

057maintenance, students performing, staff raises. And yes, one member said during a meeting that maybe we needed to look at salary freezes for staff. She said that knowing that this plan was in motion? As paraprofessionals, we are some of the people who work most closely with students every single day. We are the ones helping manage the big behaviors. We are the ones supporting students who need extra help learning to regulate, communicate, and succeed in the classrooms. We step in during crisis. We help keep classrooms functioning. We build relationships with these kids who often struggle the most. Paraprofessionals are not an extra in the school system. We are an integral part of it. >> [applause] >> So, when we hear that the district may be preparing to spend over $1 million to settle your disagreements with the

058people working directly with students are told that there's no money to support them. It sends a very clear message about priorities and who you truly care about. The money belongs to the staff who serve students every day and most importantly belong to the children in this district. Not to you, not to the people who have left, to the people who are here now. These people. All of these people. >> [applause] >> We are entering into negotiations. We will not forget that you had money available and chose to waste it while telling us that we don't matter. I urge you to think carefully about the message you planned vote sends to your employees, staff, students, stakeholders. I also want to point out that as you make this decision, understand that there are a lot of paraprofessionals

059in this district who have to work a second job outside of this district to pay their bills, especially in this economy. So, they're already working two jobs. Sometimes some three. They have children. They have families. This is the message that you're sending them, that they don't matter. And that's unacceptable. >> [applause] [applause] >> My name is Daley Lynette? Lynette Daley >> [clears throat] >> Lynette Daley, I live on Goodridge in Ferndale. Been a paraprofessional for 16 years here. Sorry. I'm not a speaker, so bear with me. Um I've been a paraprofessional here in Hazel Park for 16 years. I'm Thank you. >> [laughter] >> I'm proud to serve as a paraprofessional in Hazel Park schools. Every day when I walk into work, my focus is to help the kids in front of me succeed. That

060means supporting students who may struggle academically, behaviorally, and making sure classrooms remain safe and productive learning environments. Paras are often the first people called when a student is in crisis. We are the ones helping de-escalate situations, helping students get back on track, and helping teachers maintain a learning environment. School cannot happen without us. >> [applause] >> Yet, our wages are so low that many of us work 12 hours a day, and many of us work more than one job. So, when we hear that some of you created a plan to spend more than a million dollars buying out a superintendent's contract, it's incredibly hard to understand. For months, staffs across the district have been told the same thing. There is not enough money for the meaningful raises, for additional safety improvements in buildings, to upgrade

061facilities, or programs that directly benefit students. Yet, suddenly, there may be over a million dollars available for you to settle a score. That is hard to hear because when resources are short, every dollar should be focused on the people in the systems that directly support their our students. >> [applause] >> That means classrooms, buildings, teachers, peer professionals, and other staff who are working with children every day. Paras help manage some of the biggest behavioral challenges in schools. We support students with special needs. We help ensure that the classrooms can function so teachers can teach and students can learn. We are proud to do that work, but we also want you to see the district prioritize the people who are making that work possible, and we didn't ask you to do this. This money should not

062be used to resolve adult conflicts or personal disagreements. It should be used to strengthen our schools and support the staff who serve our students every day. Please remember that the decisions made here affect not just you personally or the administrators, but every student and every employee in this district. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Shoshana Wolf >> I couldn't hear you. I'm sure they couldn't. >> Shoshana Wolf Good evening. My name is Shoshana Wolf and I'm the parent of a fourth grader at United Oaks. I live at 17 28 East Myers. I want to talk about priorities because right now the priorities of this board are extremely difficult for many parents in the community to understand. Over the past year, this district has spent more than half a million dollars on an investigation into Superintendent Dr.

063Wilcox. And after all that time and all that money, there were no findings of misconduct and no findings of wrongdoing. None whatsoever. And now, after spending over $500,000 investigating her and finding nothing, this board is preparing to spend over another million dollars to buy out her contract while also paying the salary of whoever replaced her. By the time this is over, Hazel Park taxpayers may have spent well over a million and a half dollars on an investigation and buyout that produced no evidence of wrongdoing. So, that raises a very simple question. If there was no wrongdoing, what exactly are we paying all this money for? Because I'll tell you from the outside, it looks a lot less like accountability and a whole lot more like a very expensive personal vendetta. >> [applause] >> Whether some

064members of this board personally like Dr. Wilcox or not is completely irrelevant. I tell my daughter something very simple all the time. You don't have to like someone, but you do have to treat them fairly. That's a lot That's a lesson we expect children to learn in elementary school. It should not be a lesson that the leadership of a school district still needs to learn. While this >> [applause] >> While this district has been spending enormous sums of money on investigations and administrative battles, I asked a few of my daughter's teachers how much of their own money they've spent on classroom supplies this year. One teacher told me she she spent over $500 out of her own pocket just this year alone on supplies and stuff to keep her classroom engaging for her young students.

065Another told me over $200 and that's not even counting basic things like tissues that she now has to keep buying herself because the district doesn't provide them once the boxes the parents send in at the beginning of the year run out. So you think about that. Teachers are buying tissues and classroom supplies out of their own pockets to support their students. But this board has no problem spending over a million dollars over leadership drama that produced absolutely nothing. So that's not fiscal responsibility. That's not leadership and it's certainly not putting the students first. When teachers are buying tissues for their classrooms out of their own pockets, spending over a million dollars on an investigation and a buyout that produced no wrongdoing is not leadership. It's a complete failure of priorities. And quite And quite frankly,

066anyone that votes for it should all be ashamed of yourselves. Our children deserve better. Our teachers deserve better and the taxpayers of this community deserve better. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Jenkinson >> One. Hello again. Um I am here tonight because I would like to show some some support for Dr. Wilcox. Um she is our superintendent. I want to show support for our teaching staff and administrative staff and all of the people who come here every single day to help educate our children. Last week during the committee of the whole meeting, the topic of this board buying out Dr. Wilcox's contract was brought up during public comment. Um it was brought up again by two board members who were concerned because the discussions are happening without the board as a whole. One board member said

067there may have been a discussion outside this building where a member of the community, not a board member, uh was promised that Dr. Wilcox would be fired? I mean that was in last week's meeting. It was brought up here. Why are people outside of this room having any conversations when I've sent you emails and you don't even have the courtesy to respond to me? Who out here has the ability to have your attention and have those types of conversations? That's concerning. Those are some strings. From here, I just see this as you guys finally found that you had an 8% fund balance and you could not wait to spend that money. Whatever your personal vendettas are, you know that meme where the guy's standing behind the tree and he's rubbing his hands together waiting for

068it something to happen? It's like That's like what we're watching. It's so embarrassing. So today when you go into your closed session and you have your conversations about whether or not you're going to vote to um you know, pay out Dr. Wilcox's contract, understand this. Every single one of you are eligible for recall. We did not get it done last year. We will get it done this year. It's going to be real embarrassing for you. >> [applause] >> Uh Christy Kales. >> Christy Kales, 1812 East Harry Avenue, Hazel Park. Good evening, members of the board. I'm here tonight as a parent, a long-time member of this community, and someone who cares deeply about Hazel Park schools. I'm also here representing the employees of the Hazel Park Central Office Administrators, Specialists, and Assistants Union. Like many

069people in this room and across our city, we want our district to succeed. We want all of our students to have every opportunity possible, and we want the adults who work every day to make that happen to feel supported and valued. Most importantly, we want the decisions made by this board to reflect the best interests of our students and our community. That's why the discussion about potentially buying out the superintendent's contract is so concerning to us. From what has been shared publicly, that kind of decision could cost this district close to a million dollars for the buyout, plus the cost of additional superintendent, as many have said tonight before me. As a taxpayer and community member, it's difficult to understand how spending that kind of money to end a contract early could be the best

070use of our district's resources. As an employee, it also concerns me because of the impact decisions like this can have on the people who work here and their families. At a time when the cost of living continues to rise for everyone, this is simply not the kind of financial decision our district needs. When Hazel Park did this last time, salaries were slashed and employees suffered through pay cuts, furlough days, and programs ending. We hear often that budgets are tight. That information is largely accurate. Hazel Park schools budget is tight. Financial pressures are reality for all districts across the country. >> [clears throat] >> Several board members have repeatedly suggested that raises for staff should not be awarded in order to ensure the district ends with a positive fund balance and voted down raises for staff

071in several instances. One particular board member specifically stated at the December 8th Committee of the Whole meeting that we do a raise freeze this year. However, last week when the favorable movement on the budget was presented, it seemed like an opportunity to recognize the work of the business office and the superintendent. Unfortunately, that moment was met with very little acknowledgement from the board. This positive movement should be invested in the staff, programs, and other supports for our students. >> [snorts] >> The idea that such a significant amount of money could be spent on a contract buyout raises serious concerns for many of us in this community. Also, this isn't new for Hazel Park schools. This would be the third contract buyout in the last few decades. At some point, we have to ask ourselves, why

072does this keep happening? Why does it seem so difficult for Hazel Park to move forward without creating the appearance of conflict and instability? >> [applause] >> We know that serving on a board of education means making difficult decisions. But before even considering something as costly and disruptive as a contract buyout, we [snorts] hope you pause and think about the message it sends to the people who live here, work here, and send their children to these schools. While a few voices may be urging this forward, many more members of this community have serious concerns about it. Finally, as a community member, I'm asking you to focus on what matters most, supporting students, supporting the people who work with them every day, and protecting the limited resources our district has. Please, don't move forward with a decision

073that could cost this district so much. Thank you for your time. >> [applause] >> Dawn Mitchell. >> Good evening. My name is Dawn Mitchell, 1216 East Harry, Hazel Park, Michigan. Want to start out by saying, I am an alumni community member. I've been a long-time volunteer of this city and community, as some of you board members have. But the difference is I actually care about the children, unlike you. With that being said, why have our students taken the back burner? You guys are so concerned in doing the me, me, me, me. It's about me. What about these kids? You guys want raises, but yet let's get rid of somebody. As everybody else has said, you guys are wasting so much money. Who's coming up to replace this? Is it coming out of your pocket? No,

074it's coming out of taxpayers. Aren't we taught as young child you are going to have to work with people you may not like as an adult. You have to >> [applause] >> You have to figure it out. Be adults, not children. What are we teaching these kids? From elementary to let alone the high schoolers that's getting ready to graduate, that's going out into the world. What example is that setting for them? If we throw enough of a fit, we get what we want. Who cares what anybody else wants? There is so this room is full of people. When is the last time this room's been full like this? Why? Because everybody has a concern. Who's to say if you get rid of her that the grass is always greener on the other side? What's going

075to happen then? So you've got her buyout, the legal fees, plus the cost of a new superintendent. Who's making that decision? Whose fault Who are you blaming then if it don't work out? There could be a The next one could truly embezzle money or misuse funds. Where is your guys's answer to the your investigation that the community still has not had over a year later? It's all about Dr. Wilcox >> [applause] >> and her wrongdoing. Where's your guys's wrongdoing? Where are When are you willing to accept what you guys have done, too? We are as the community are supposed to accept what she's done wrong. Yeah, maybe there's people that may not like her. But again, like I said, tough crap, deal with it. >> [laughter] >> That's what we teach the students. >> Right.

076>> Here, let's let them go get in a fist fight, but they're going right back together, whether they like it or not. But it's okay for that, but not you guys? Get over it. Grow up. >> Yes. >> [applause] >> Good luck to Alice. >> This past year, a lot of the parents got together to raise money for the senior class because last year they just didn't get to do enough. It's actually appalling to think that we would get together to raise money for a class because our school does not have money for you guys to turn around and spend quadruple that, more than that, amount to get rid of somebody. I'd also like to thank the people who actually showed up to help, like Christie, Monica, even Jimmy came and helped us. Monica, April,

077Dr. Wilcox, you guys showed up in such a way for these students. Right now, I mean, Bev, do you know who my daughter is? No. I know that some of the other people could name her by name. I know that there's several parents in this audience that could stand up and they could tell what their kids' names are. That's how much interest that they actually have in the children that they work for. So, we raised over $14,000 to make their their last year so successful and get to do everything that they want. That's countless hours of volunteering, organizing events, bringing the community together, which you are tearing apart. All because the resources are already stretched thin. And now we're watching you consider spending a million dollars of our taxpayer money cuz I do pay taxes

078in the city to buy out our superintendent's contract. Only then to pay pay a replacement along with full salary, fringe benefits, and meanwhile, last week, while I was helping at the clock of a game, our roof was leaking in the middle of the gym floor. And the opposing team looked at me and said, "Is there a camera somewhere? Am I getting punked?" How embarrassing. We have many people who are not getting run are not getting their raises, things aren't properly funded, so help us understand. Help us make this make sense that there is no money for these things, no money for the people who take care of our children on a day-to-day basis. No money for the things that directly impact our children and our community, but suddenly there's money for you to buy out

079a contract. If any of you vote yes to this, we the people ask that anybody who votes yes seriously consider resigning. >> [applause] >> And yes, Jennifer, the paperwork did get filled out today. >> [applause] >> And not everybody is up there, but there is enough of you to get rid of so that we could get back on the majority of the people who love our children. >> [applause] >> I'm Deborah Demus. Hello, Deborah Demus, principal of Hoover Elementary. Good evening. Tonight I address you as a representative of our administrative team. We would like to express our grave concerns regarding the reported plan to buy out Dr. Wilcox's contract at a cost of nearly $1 million. Before I begin, I would like to say that personally I was shocked to learn about this proposal last

080week and assumed it to be a rumor. As far as our administrative team is aware, none of the negotiating units has ever been surveyed by by the board for input. For some time, the board and district leadership have told the community and its negotiating units that our district is facing serious financial challenges as we head into the 2026-27 school year. In fact, the board hired an outside consultant to support administrators to ensure we are budgeting in a manner that is fiscally responsible. The board has taken these steps because when resources are limited, every dollar matters. Just last year, the district spent nearly a half a million dollars on an investigation of Dr. Wilcox due to financial concerns. After 107 days on leave, the investigation concluded concluded she had done nothing unlawful, and the board unanimously

081reinstated her. Given those findings, it is difficult for our team to understand why the district would now spend nearly a million more dollars to remove her. That money represents critical resources that could directly support our students, classroom instruction, academic programs, mental health services, staff support, and opportunities that help children succeed. School board members are elected to make decisions in the best interest of students. In a time of financial strain, spending nearly a million dollars on a contract buyout instead of investing those funds into classroom raises serious concerns. Right now, across the greater Detroit area, there are several superintendent vacancies providing strong, qualified candidates with ample opportunities. Does this board sincerely believe Hazel Park schools would be able to attract a highly qualified candidate with all of the infighting and negativity? Stability and positive community culture

082matter to potential candidates. Stability and a positive community culture matter to staff, families, and especially to students. We urge the board to reconsider this path, put aside personal differences, and focus on what matters most, ensuring that our limited resources are directed where they belong, supporting the students of our district. Thank you very much. >> [applause] >> Cathy Ryan Cathy Ryan, PO Box 71381 Madison Heights PO Box 71381 Madison Heights, 48071. Once again, I'm coming in front of the board. You have made a public announcement we will not be getting a raise. Yet, here we are again with this personal vendetta against Dr. Wilcox. You need to take your vendettas against her and deal with it outside of our district. Do not bring this rage you have into our community, students, or employees. This affects our

083students, employees, and the community. Need you not only embarrass the Hazel Park School District, you're embarrassing yourselves as board members. The board um is to talk things through the and protect the the safety of the students, the employees, and the community. You're not. If you're that miserable in Hazel Park and on our board, resign from the school board, please. You just [applause] You We just spent all this money on an attorney and you guys have already heard this. We At the time her name was Dr. Kroupy. Okay? And the evidence came back nothing. Okay? Who need We Hold on. My gosh. There was no evident No, cuz I'm agitated. >> [laughter] >> No finding things of her doing wrong at all. Who you really need to go after, which you did not go after, but

084that person left our district that did this to this district, not Dr. Wilcox, who her name is now. You are going to pay out $1 million of her contract. Us no raises, make That makes no sense. You can't. Your actions have spoke volume. You do not care about the students, the employees the employees or the community of Hazel Park. You have no clue how many hours a lot of us put in off the clock and don't get paid for it. See, all of us stand before you. We are the village right here. This is your village that stand behind Dr. Wilcox and make sure we are there for our students day in, day out, no matter what the situation is. They may just make may need a hug, just to hear I care, just to

085hear have a smile, just to know that you're there. That's not what they're seeing with our board. You are hurting our students. You are hurting the employees. We have lost a lot of good employees because of this. And you all should be ashamed of yourselves for for us losing the employees we have. You are probably going to lose more as well. Okay, we without our students we will not have a district. Without this village, you would not have a district. Okay, we are with you. The the board has told us employees, we are with you. You will get our pay, etc. That's what you've all told us. We're going to get our pay. But we've all been lied to. We haven't got anything. We keep getting excuses. The board does not see the big picture.

086You are destroying our district. You have asked you along with parents to stay off social media, stop making comments. You are representing Hazel Park. The social media stuff you shouldn't be on. You're not listening to us. Stop hurting our district. Focus on the positive. Many students depend on us employees. Maybe like I said a morning hug. Parents don't want to volunteer. They are ashamed of the way the board is representing the district right now. Barely any kind words about any employee come from any of the the board members up here. And there's many of us that should be recognized. Many in this room. We come here day in day out for our students. Um We are worth a raise. You do not see what we see with our students. That's why we are losing students

087in our district. Once again, we stand behind you Dr. Wilcox. And we are here, your village that stands before you tonight. >> [applause] >> Joshua Joshua is it Colpa? >> Yes. >> Hello, my name is Joshua Colpa, 128 West Robert Avenue here in Hazel Park. First, thank you to the board and everyone here for caring and working so hard in our district. I love Hazel Park and I am especially grateful for our school district. I can affirm what was in that heartfelt video we just saw. My son has been enrolled in the Hazel Park school district since he joined the fourth grade class at Hoover midway through the 2022-2023 school year. His experiences in both Hoover and the junior high have been incredibly positive compared to the school districts he was in downriver, all of

088which scored better on paper than our district. Hazel Park has provided to my son and through him to our family a level of care and support I don't know I could have found in any other district in Oakland County. >> [applause] >> The people who do the hard work in this district saved him from horrible punitive educational methods, yet this board seems intent on destroying our school district and along with it the incredibly hard-working staff and our children. I [snorts] don't know Dr. Wilcox, nor do I know any but one of the board personally. I bear no personal ill will to anyone here. I say this because I don't know any other way to get the message across. You need to get your heads out of wherever they are and focus on the needs of

089students instead of this petty nonsense we've endured at the ineffective and or incompetent hands of this board. It is an absolute disgrace that this board and allegedly four members of this board in particular have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a fruitless witch hunt to oust Dr. Wilcox. When our citizens demanded the results of this investigation, you stonewalled us. You refused to explain yourselves to us, the taxpayers who funded this district, and now you want to waste another million dollars to buy her out? In our overstrained and cash-strapped district, why? If there are allegations to bring, bring them. You owe us answers. The following, and I won't even look at to anyone at the board, the following is directed only towards the ones, whoever you are, who seem determined to put personal feelings over

090student support. Your pointless power struggle is a public stain on Hazel Park. You are scaring away talent and robbing our children. This isn't just a mistake, it is a moral failure. But don't take my word for it. Take the words of Jesus in Mark 9:42 which says, "Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones, it is better for them that a one-ton millstone be hanged around their neck and they be cast into the deepest sea." If If you do not repent immediately and change course, that scripture is talking about you. To be clear, I don't want that for you, and frankly, I don't think anyone here does. But let's face it. If you do not change, you have lost the right to call this your city. If you continue on this course, everyone should be

091made aware that you have chosen a personal vendetta over the lives of our children. If you cannot do your jobs, you should resign and move out tomorrow. Otherwise, >> [applause] >> otherwise, do not be surprised when the citizens of this city picket your every move and call out your names on every corner of this city and the internet. If you are not swayed, you deserve to be made viral and excoriated on the national stage for the harm you have caused our children. >> [snorts] >> As the elected board, you need to share the findings from last year. >> [snorts] >> But regardless of whether you do that or simply move on and give up this expensive grudge, your imperative is to do your job, to do the very thing on those banners behind you. Collaborate

092with everyone, regardless of whether you like them or not, to effectively support this district, its staff, and ultimately our students. Do better, please, because our kids deserve it. I will say again, do your jobs for the children in our district, if for nobody else. Jesus said so. >> [applause] >> Thank you for your time. >> [laughter] >> Rick Nagy Rick Nagy >> [clears throat] >> Rick Nagy, Annabelle Hayes is a park. Um pretty much everybody has said what they're going to say up Talk louder? Okay. Sorry, I have hearing aids in, so I kind of talk softer. Um I just want to let everybody know that, you know, I was on the board for 20 years, and I worked with all men. And nobody Some people might know what I had to go through as,

093you know, other board members had to go through with those men. But at the end of the one contract we were $6.2 million in the hole. I stepped in as president, come to find out in right before Thanksgiving that we were $6.2 million in the hole. At the end of his contract, we released him. That's when we hired Dr. Wilcox. Not everybody was in favor of bringing [clears throat] Dr. Wilcox in. We went through a spiel with all the board members, myself and one other board member were not ready to vote for her to bring her in. Everybody else, including our president, was there. She voted for her. And then we decided that we were going to hire her. It took 3 years for her to get us out of that $6.2 million deficit. And

094that $6.2 million cost all the employees in this district jobs and wages. Two things, big time. We lost our cafeteria people. All the other employees took cuts. They didn't get them back for many years after that. They I don't even know if they've ever got them really back. So, besides that, I was just at the state wrestling tournament last week talking to many high-up officials in the state. They made it very clear. We are the laughing stock of the state right now. People don't want to come here and work here. If you want to try to even find a superintendent if you get rid of Dr. Wilcox, good luck. They said it's across the country they're having trouble trying to find a superintendent. And when you hire that superintendent, you don't know what you're going

095to get. So, just remember that. Um last but not least, um we do have elections coming up in November. People have brought that up. That's when they can make a decision. And absolutely, they can do the recall on two of them if they have to. So, it's all I can say. I think I hope you make a good decision because it's going to cost you guys. That's all I can say. And there's a lot of residents out in this district that are very, very upset, unhappy. I hear it every day. So, I'm tired of even hearing it. But, we just have to get the right people to run for that position for the school board. And it's going to take some good people there. That's all I can say. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Joe

096Hall >> Good evening. Joe Hall, 1510 East Pearl. I wasn't going to speak because I usually don't do this. When I'm mad and frustrated and it doesn't end well. But I feel responsible having kids in the district. And so, a lot of this is going to be redundant, but I think it needs to be heard cuz apparently some of the board just don't get it. One year ago, someone on this board thought it was in the best interest of this district to investigate the superintendent. At the end of the investigation, there was no wrongdoing found. Three of the board members voted immediately to reinstate Ms. Wilcox right away due to no wrongdoing and also improper handling during meetings. The president, however, wanted to wait longer because she didn't get her way. This investigation wasted $500,000

097of the school district's money. Which could have Which could have been put to use for the kids. Now Now a year later, you are still out to get her. Wanting to waste more money. Last week, I was here and Monica brought a question up on March 9th. Why is there rumors around when the board isn't even been addressed by it? To which the president quickly shut her up with no response. Why do you continue to hide behind a curtain with no response for what you are doing? Why is one side made aware of what is going on and the other not? The board should not be handled like the house, the Senate, or Congress. You should have You should have the district in mind instead of your own vendettas. I know you don't because 90

098to 95% of this district is not for what you are doing. If they were, they would be the ones up here talking. And I don't see any of them. Those people, like you, comment on Facebook posts unanimously or anonymously and hide behind the same curtains you do. Instead of trying to run out a person who cares about the kids in this district, why don't we have a vote of confidence just right now on those positions? You don't want that. But I will say this. Some have said, "I know elections are coming up." I know of three that have to be reelected. I've been made aware of this. And so for that, this isn't what I do, but I would gladly run for the board so the likes of those people never sit in those very

099chairs ever again. >> [applause] [applause] >> And we have uh Ian Lloyd. >> He just stepped out. >> Okay. So, he missed his turn, right? Okay. I want to thank everybody for your comments and for your um uh presentations. We're all um very um calm. Um appreciate your words. Um the next thing is the motion for closed session. >> I'll make a motion to go into closed session. >> All right. Let's do it. We have to I mean, you have to tell us. >> There's two closed sessions, so which one are we doing first? >> We're not doing the closed session for negotiations this evening. But we did remove that off the agenda. >> Okay. >> Then I make a motion to remove the closed session 8C for strategy and negotiation sessions connected with the

100negotiation of collective bargaining agreement. >> We already approved the approved the already approved the agenda. >> You can make motions at any time you guys do. >> All right, then we can go in for 8C and then we can mark right that out if that's what we want to do. >> We're going in to closed session for 8H. >> Okay. >> So >> a motion to recess into closed session for 8H to consider the material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute. >> Second. >> Motion by Debbie and second by Heidi to enter into closed session for 8H. >> So you're aware, this is what you guys have all been talking about that they want to go to closed session for. >> Okay. Good. >> The reason we have closed session is

101attorney-client privilege. Um, and so >> Could I have roll call, please? >> Yes. Yes. >> Eaton? >> I am unaware of any pending litigation before the board, nor any reason that we would have to have an attorney-client privilege session. I can explain why I'm voting the way I'm going to be voting. >> If there's no litigation, then we don't need any legal any legal opinions. So no. >> Packer? >> Uh, I know because you told me what I what this closed session is about. No. >> Fox? >> Yes. >> Brittany? >> No. >> Enter? >> Um, yes. >> Uh, motion fails because we did not have five >> [applause] >> Can I add a motion then? I'd like to motion that the Hazel Park School Board of Education authorize Thrun Law Firm PC to prepare

102and negotiate an agreement with Superintendent Dr. Amy Wilcox and her legal representatives. Thrun Law Firm PC must receive a response to the agreement from Dr. Wilcox or her representatives by March 25th, 2026. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion by Debbie, second by Heidi to enter into a settlement agreement with Dr. Wilcox. >> Wilcox? >> No, we can have a discussion. >> Discussion. >> There's no discussion. You just passed up closed session. >> This has nothing to do with discussion. >> This is attorney-client privilege, and you just passed up closed session. >> That has nothing to do with discussion. We can have discussion on a motion. >> Okay, have discussion. >> This is extremely sad. This is extremely pathetic that after all of these people came up here and spoke from their hearts,

103who work here and are here every day, that you guys are still willing to do this, and still willing to ruin our district because you don't like her. >> Lawsuits! I We just said >> You You said you told him. >> I had to seek it out. I had to >> And that's sad. >> It was offered to Ms. Red T and Ms. Beaton to meet with myself and Debbie to hear what the closed session was about, and they chose not to meet. >> We didn't choose that. You said you told him. >> It's It's my turn. You should have met her. did reach out and and took the time to meet. >> So So I'd like to speak on this also. We just sat here and had 16 public comments. all 16 were all

104against this buyout. >> Let him talk. Let him talk. Let him talk. >> You got somebody back here starting crap. >> Please let Mr. Becker talk. Do we need a 5-minute recess to call >> I'll second the 5-minute recess. >> Who called you? >> No, can we please vote on the 5-minute recess? Rick, go ahead and call. Just call. Oh, because he's here. >> There's a motion on the floor in a second to go into 5-minute recess. >> There's also a motion on the floor to and to we're in recess. There's two motions on the We There's two motions on the floor. One for a recess and one for Debbie's motion. Are we going to vote? >> I'm I'm fine to continue talking without a recess. Hopefully cooler heads can prevail out here and we

105can have a recess. >> the second on the recess. >> Thank you. >> But my point being, we just sat here and listened to public comment and 16 people were against the buyout. Zero were in favor. And when I say 16 people against the buyout, I mean much more than that because there were bargaining units up here from our employees. So, they're representing a lot of people. And to think after what we've gone through this last year and all the money that we've spent that we're going to go and tell these people, tell the community, tell our students, tell our staff that we're going to just spend money and then have to spend more money on legal fees and then spend more money on getting another superintendent when what superintendent in their right mind would

106want to come and work for this board? So, I adamantly [applause] oppose this for these reasons that I'm stating. And those are my two sons. >> [applause] >> Um I want to make a statement that it is illegal to meet with two people and a board member. We have a uh discussion from that from Brad Vansnek. It violates the open meetings act. It's called round robin. And so this we just admitted to calling board members and asking them to meet two on one, which is a violation. >> [applause] >> Oh. >> What about me with the with the mayor of the city, too? >> I it's a point of discussion then. I can speak for myself because it was mentioned that I refused to meet. Um and I will say that I was offered the

107opportunity to meet with two board members. The response that I gave was that I had deep concerns regarding the violation of the open meetings act and any pending litigation. Um there are several cases that had been presented. I did ask for advice. Uh what I was told was to protect any personal liability regarding the open meetings act because it was obvious that a decision had been made prior to being contacted. Um for every reason that we've had here before us, I it is obvious that the community is adamantly opposed to this. The community does not want to spend this money. Uh we have for a year now said that we do not have this money to spend, yet we are moving forward in a manner that is both financially reckless. Um our staff sees it,

108our labor union see it, our parents see it, our children see it, and I am also deeply opposed both financially and legally to moving forward. >> I also want to want to make one last statement. It was shared to me that we had four votes to do this ahead of time, which is additionally a violation of the open meetings act. >> Dr. Gruppy, you call the board all the time and you census to get things approved from the board. Some board members don't even get a call because you already have the four votes. So >> Um >> that has happened before. >> I will happily say in open session again to protect my own personal liability that I have never been coerced into voting, nor have I ever been told I need you as a

109fourth vote by any person up here. >> I don't I was not called, nor converse, nor discussed with anything that happened is going on. >> We were supposed to do this last week, but you were sick. >> Can I have a point of >> Um no, I wasn't sick, but thank you for your concern in my well-being. >> I want a point of order, please. >> Mr. Gardner, can you confirm if there's any violation of the open meetings act, please? >> He's going to say no. He says whatever you're telling him to. >> I'm not aware of anybody voting before we came to the meeting. I think you have a motion on the floor at this juncture from my understanding. So I >> But you got calls right away to do this behind half of

110our backs. Can I have a >> Well, I have a legal opinion in my hand. I have a legal opinion in my hand. The the closed session motion failed. So I will not be presenting that legal opinion because you need five votes. So at this juncture, you have a motion on the floor. You have to make a decision. It's the board's call and I just urge you to move forward and whatever whatever decision you make, you make it. >> Thank you. >> It's on the floor. >> President Hank, can we please vote? >> So, we're voting >> You're voting with the entire school district. >> You're in public >> My vote goes to down. >> Yes, roll call. >> The problem was? >> Yes. >> Cortez? >> Yes. >> Faden? >> No. >> Becker? >>

111No. >> Box? >> Yes. >> No. >> Really? Yes, motion carries four to three. >> I'd like to motion to adjourn the meeting. >> I think that you got what you wanted. >> I second. >> Motion to adjourn the meeting second by Heidi. >> I guess so. >> Roll call? >> You want to make an explanation? >> Roll call to adjourn. Can you roll call? >> Madam President, I have to um go back to the vote and my vote will change to no because I was just told by that uh Amy uh Wilcox that I am in violation because I told her on the phone that there was four votes and that I will be personally liable. >> Yes. >> So, at this point you should say no. >> [applause] >> If I could ask

112Mr. Gardner if he's still here. >> Oh, he ran. Mr. Gardner, are you still here? >> Oh, he's still here? >> Yes. >> That doesn't keep that the board to bring this back up as a motion later. Is that correct? >> Okay. >> Hold on. >> Double jeopardy. Uh when last left off the emotion did pass. And now my >> I was then I was told by Dr. Wilcox that I will now be personally liable because I told her that she when she asked me on the phone and I was being kind she said, "Do you have four votes?" And I've always been truthful with her and I said, "Yes, most likely we do have four votes." Now, I have not I have not talked to anybody besides President Hiten regarding any of this. But

113that's okay. I did will admit that I did tell Dr. Wilcox that yes, there was four votes possible. >> You said >> I I actually believe what I said to you cuz that is a violation of the open meetings act. Also, here we go again leading the information. >> do business like this. >> And and that we will file an open meetings act violation based upon that. You cannot meet two on one and you also cannot take a private vote ahead of time and tell an employee that I have four votes. That is a violation of the open meetings act. >> Even though you said, "Do I have four votes?" You coerced me. So the motion passed, right? >> The motion has passed. >> Right, the motion has passed. >> No, the motion did not

114pass. >> Well, after after I brought that out then I said I want to change my vote to no. Can I do that? >> Yes. >> I From my understanding that the the motion had already been approved. It was they said her past when you left. When I left. And so now are we taking another vote? Is that what's happening? Cuz my understanding is the motion motion is passed and we're moving to the next agenda item. >> I guess maybe we need to go into closed session, maybe. And discuss whether he's in violation. Is he in violation of open meetings act? >> There's no You have to have a closed session reason to go into closed session, and there is no closed session reason at this juncture to address this specific matter at this time.

115Right now, you have a motion that passed. You move to the next agenda item. If you need a legal opinion at a later time to address this specific concern, I can come back. But right now, we're we're on to the next agenda item cuz that motion just passed. That's >> And I motioned I made another motion to adjourn the meeting. And I second that, and that's how we do it. >> So, you have to go with the motion that's on the floor, which right now we have a second on the motion to adjourn, and now you have to vote to close. You would almost have to Wait a minute. Okay. To address the crowd quickly, we have a motion on the floor, you have a second, which is the motion to adjourn. That's my understanding.

116Then you have to take roll call, and if that motion to adjourn is approved, you move the meeting ends. The only way that you would be able to address this is by actually doing a motion to amend the agenda. That has not occurred. Right now, we have a motion currently on the floor that's been seconded. So, you have to go through with the roll call vote because that's the way that the procedure works. So, I can't I At this point, once the board has moved forward in this direction, you can't like just You have to take roll call. You have to move for roll call. >> Okay, roll call to adjourn. >> No. >> Fortress? >> Yes. >> But I didn't make it should be the final voice should be >> Yes. >> Fortress? >>

117Yes. >> Beeman? >> No. >> Becker? >> No. >> Fox? >> Madison? Madison? >> Yes, because I already looked it up and I know that we can adjourn and continue the next meeting if we need to. >> [snorts] >> No. >> Yes. Motion carries 4 to 3. We are adjourned. Thank you. >> Got it. Thank you. >> I think you're very handsome. >> I don't know what to