001Thank you and thank you for attending virtually and for the people that are here. And at this time, we're going to do the pledge of allegiance. Sarah, can you do the roll call? >> Miss Hamilton, >> present. >> Mrs. Simonetti, Miss Williams, Mr. Doby's, Miss Sharp, >> here. >> Mr. Ready? >> Here. >> Miss Actton >> here. >> Agenda item number four, approval of agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda? >> Madam Chair, I move to approve the agenda with the uh amendment of moving action item 252662, superintendent evaluation process to the last item under discussion items. >> Do I have support? >> Any discussion? Um yes. So this I think superintendent evaluation was a discussion item last month and it follows through that it would be an action item this month.
002So can we can I ask why you want to move it? >> Yes. Thank you. So there are two things. Last month we did have the process and so that was something that was part of the confusion. we could approve the process, but the superintendent goals are different. And so this is the first time you're seeing the goals that are included in that portion. And so I didn't want to approve the process with the goals being in there. I wanted some feedback tonight on the goals, but I think we're good on the process because I don't I think there was minimum uh discussion last month. Thank you. Any other deliberation? All those in favor say I. I. Oppose say no. Motion carries. Agenda number five. Superintendence Report. Sorry. >> Thank you, President Actton and uh
003board of trustees, Jackson Public Schools in the community. Uh we have a couple guests here this evening. So we have Chef Brian with us and also uh Brandt Russell from Taher Foods and this is our group that serves our children and uh some fantastic items on a regular basis and we always whip up something special. So I think we've got a a special presentation. So, thank you for being here with us and visiting Chef Brian and Bri. and we enjoy having you. So, thank you so much for all you do for Jackson Public Schools and serving our students and bringing excitement to and educational experiences to the classroom. Um, thank you, Taher Incorporated. Uh, next I want to recognize uh multiple individuals on our board of education for the recognition from Michigan Association of School
004Boards. We have many awards in different levels and I'll try to explain them. If I miss anybody, please let me know. We have Elena Sharp, level one certified board member. Uh Marilyn Actton, certified board member, level one demonstrates uh all 100 level CBA classes 101 through 109. We have Elena Sharp award merit level two, Marilyn Actton level two, which demonstrates uh completed level one and 45 educational credits. And then we have Marilyn Actton award of distinction level three completion of level one and two total of four advanced CBA classes and a minimum of 28 educational credits. And then level four master board member award Cheryl Simonetti and Shelanda Hunt from 2025. level four completed of one, two and three total of nine advanced CBA classes and a minimum of 360 educational credits. So I think
005this just speaks to um the level of importance that they take their role and learning and growing in this capacity and we thank you for uh these 2025 individual board award uh for Jackson Public Schools. Let's give them a hand please. that's going to tie into one of our discussion items about how we'll have continued opportunities for our board to participate in that coursework. So, uh, finally, I shared my, uh, board update this morning for the month of February and mentioned a couple Black History Month activities. So, I just want to say happy Black History Month for the month of February. I'm inviting the board of education to our ninth annual celebration of academic excellence at middle school at Parkside. And so this has been around for nine years. And uh there's also other opportunities
006at Jackson High School that I shared and throughout the district. So I appreciate our educators and helping to spread uh a lot of great information uh to our young people, especially during Black History Month. And um our goal is to involve families and community in these opportunities as well. So um if you have any further questions about that, I wrote in the board update. Uh you can just reach out and let me know if you're interested and or available. So at this time, unless there's any further questions or discussion, this concludes the superintendent report. >> Thank you, Jeremy. Item number six, consent agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the consent agenda? Any deliberation? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. All oppose say no. Hearing none. Motion carries. Item number
007seven, citizens requesting to address the board. Okay, we don't have any. So, we will move on to um discussion item number eight, which is me. So there is the U. Michigan Association of School Boards Spring Institute and I just want to encourage our board members. It's an in person. It's in Lancing, but it's a really great opportunity to connect with other board members and to network to find out what works for other districts, what's what doesn't work. And so I found it a great opportunity when I have gone to these um these meetings. And so this one's up in May. It's May 1. And so I'm just going to encourage you to go and obviously you've heard, you know, a lot of us have taken the courses. And also I just want to make sure
008that everyone knows that um once a year there's an annual leadership conference and we choose delegates um voting members um delegates because what happens is we vote on resolutions at the Michigan Association of School Boards. So there's lots of opportunities for growth and some of the um there's just a lot of great information with these um workshops. There's parliamentary procedure which is so important because we really adhere to that here you know just basic school finance governing through policy just uh CPA 101 fundamentals of school board office. So I know when I came on board I really wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing and these courses really really helped me navigate through it. So, I just wanted to um really hype these things up for you to um um get involved with.
009So, and that's all. Do do I have any um any questions? Okay. So, um discussion item 252655, bond change order approval. I'm turning this over to Marcus. >> All right. Good evening, everyone. Um in the last bond program um the board had approved administration to make or to authorize approval of change orders higher than the normal uh threshold that we would bring steps to the board and that's mostly to alleviate work stoppages and things like that so we keep projects moving. The limit last time was set at $75,000. Um and then for context I think since I've been here I think we used it once. Um, so it really doesn't come into play all that much, but it does give us the authority to be able to approve those orders and keep the work flowing.
010Um, so again, we're not recommending anything at this meeting. Just bring it up for discussion and we'll ask for approval next month to um set that same limit of $75,000. >> Any questions? Hearing none, we will move on to item 252656, board policy for compensation. So um this is something that I've been tossing around for the last year or so. It um it was the former um president and myself talked about it. A lot of school boards do compensate um the school districts compensate school board members um to attend a meeting and so I just wanted to have this open for discussion. It's uh it's just discussion. It's optional. I know a lot of school districts um it's optional if they want to take it or not. But I just want to a lot of
011school districts do get compens Yeah. board members do get compensated. So, I just wanted everyone to know that, you know, we do have a policy that was adopted July 12th of 2015 to get paid $30 per meeting. So, I just wanted to open it up to see what everyone thinks. Um, so I'll say this is it's been on the record at least since 2015. We've never acted on it. Personally, I think it would be pretty hypocritical of us to deny staff cost of living raises, to deny extra duty pay, and then ask the district to pay board members to attend meetings that we knew were voluntary when we sat in these seats. So, I don't like the idea at all. I I I'm rather embarrassed that we might ask the district to pay us to
012come to a meeting. Um so I I if this comes back for action, I definitely would be a solid no on this. Seeing no further discussion, we will move on to Item number 252657, committee of the whole. So I've thought about this quite a bit too. Um so the definition of committee of the whole in the context of school boards allows all board members to participate in discussions and decision making as a single group rather than in smaller committees. This approach can enhance collaboration and ensure that all perspectives are considered in the decision-making process. And because I've been networking with a lot of other um schoolboard members, they have done this and it they have said it really works and that um it's something that I would really like to consider. And um so I'm
013going to open this up for discussion also. So um I've also advocated for committee of the whole um my concern would be um ensuring that the time that we set it at is the time that all board members can come. Um, so if we're setting it at an evening time around six o'clock or even a weekend, which I could do, um, and as long as it's not during the day, I think it's important if we're going to do a committee the whole that, um, we ensure that, uh, board members that want to be there can be there by, um, accommodating the time. As mentioned, weekends are something that I'm, uh, open to. And then also at least six, no earlier than 6:00 in the evening. And no Fridays. Um, so I know this has been
014on the table for discussion in the past and it never got approved or went any further, but I do think that we need some clarification on what is involved, what are the expectations, is this a meeting where we have to have quorum and then tying it in to the previous discussion item. Um, there's potential then that we're going to ask the district to pay board members for two meetings a month instead of one meeting a month. Those are my concerns. Um, to if I might answer some of those questions. uh if we establish a committee of the whole and its membership is all of us, it would be subject to um the open meetings act. So we would have to properly post it. Um if there were actions being taken then yeah that it would
015be subject to the same quorum stipulations of uh needing to have a certain amount there. That doesn't necessarily mean we can't uh meet in a specific place and and talk without the ability to um to actually vote on recommendations up to the the full body. But if we're taking any sort of action, then it would be quorum. I'll say that uh I had opportunity to talk to uh President Actton earlier and I thought that um there could be some utility in this particularly uh in a more like casual setting uh where we're able to kind of talk about some of the uh policy priorities uh that we may want to pursue. talk about some of the maybe the the building improvements. Uh but I also think that it's an opportunity for us to maybe get
016the board uh out of this room and into the schools and use the committee of the whole to be able to, you know, 12 months a year if we're doing it monthly um whatever the frequency is. Uh having those doesn't necessarily need to be broadcast um anywhere. It just needs to be open to the public. So, we could go and kind of tour around uh the different schools with the district and incorporate some sort of um tour. I know a lot of us already are doing those. Uh but I think it means something and says something to those schools when we show up to their door and they're able to talk to all of us at the same time about some of the cool things that they're doing in those buildings. uh meet some of
017the incredible staff that we have and kind of get out of the more formal uh board meetings here. Um I would find that uh incredibly valuable and I think maybe some of the uh principles and in staff within those buildings would might find that interesting as well. >> Yeah. Um so um after being on the school board for uh this is the sixth year for me ending I'll be ending this year um and talking to uh board members from across the nation California to New Jersey down south and up north. Um I've talked to a lot of school boards who have committee of the whole um and it's treated like a workg group um where there uh the intention of it is to have discussion. Um the idea is that um it is a relaxed
018atmosphere. Um the uh you know Robert's rules are relaxed because again it's more of a workg group than an actual session. Um, no voting is done generally in committee of the whole meetings because the idea is for the board to be able to discuss fully an idea, an item, you know, agenda item or whatever. Um, so that then when they come back to the schoolboard meeting, the actual official one, um, the meeting is quicker um, uh, versus having a longer discussion. So that's what most schoolboard members that I have talked to literally from across the nation for the past almost six years. um that's how they designed their committee of the whole. So a suggestion would be that if we bring this back, which again I'm I'm in support of it as long as it's,
019you know, it accommodates us all, um that we get the proper structure, um and that we know what our latitude is and isn't even if we're required to uh list it as a meeting for people to come to. um understanding that our the space that we're in in that moment it's not it does not require that we vote it does not require that like the the requirements versus whatever as long as we are aware of those I think um then we should pursue it but again um we have not I've talked to numerous board members for the past five years and us being required to uh vote because we meet in other spaces four or more of us at a time and we don't list that as a meeting you know because we can do
020that at different times so just Again, just clarifying for us, you know, what latitude we have so that, um, we can know what that meeting can look like, um, and what we have or, you know, have to or have don't have to do, you know, so that we can actually fulfill the purpose of that meeting. >> Just a clarifying question, you said you that we meet four more at different parts of time. Were you talking about our committees now? >> Sorry, repeat that. You said something about how four or more of us are getting together at different parts of time. Are you talking about the current committees? >> No. No. We're just in spaces together. Some of us four or more at a time. >> Any more discussion? Okay, we will move on to discussion
021item 252658. And I'm turning this over to Derek who will present. >> Uh thank you, Madame President. Uh I did uh put a a cover memo on the resolution. So hope hopefully everyone had a chance to uh read through that so I can um save some words here and save some time for everybody. But uh public act 257 and 258 uh passed in 2024. Those were policies at the state level that were geared towards uh educating the public about gun safety and safe storage laws. And um with some of the recent policies around safe storage that were passed in Lancing, uh they saw fit legislators saw fit to um pass these two acts that uh one directs the uh I believe Department of uh Health and Human Services to uh create a flyer in a
022couple of different language about the recent gun laws and gun safe storage laws. And the second being the requirement for public school districts to uh post those to their website and distribute those either uh electronically or via mail. Um we thanks to superintendent um have complied with both of those and I know we've done a uh with the superintendent's leadership done a number of other things to engage in gun safety and uh group violence intervention working in partnership with the city. Uh I think working with some of the partners uh over the past couple of years, what I've learned and what I think is important and what this resolution calls for is our ability or our interest in taking that form and having that uh form uh distributed uh home with students so that they
023can uh help educate educate their parents. And uh hopefully uh with that education uh more individuals are um you know complying with the law frankly um safely storing their guns and hopefully producing or um preventing a um tragedy uh here in the district. So, um the resolution I think calls that out on uh the second page uh that we are directing those notices to be uh not only posted uh but distributed to the parents and that it also goes on to talk about um some other things that uh we can do uh as a district that wants to keep our students and educators safe around gun safety. um including all the things that we do now. And um there is I think I wrote in the memo the Department of Education uh through the school
024aid budget is uh granting local districts I think they appropriated yeah $10 million in community gun or community violence intervention grants uh for districts were able to sat on a webinar and have already talked to uh the city, but am interested in us potentially pursuing that and seeing what we can do beyond what we've already done, what we can do with this resolution uh to really curtail some of the uh gun violence that we have uh in our community and keep our students and educators safe. Thank you, Derek, for your work on this. I think that anything we can do to help keep kids and families safe. Um, I don't know why it would even be a question of whether or not we want to pursue this. Um, and I can't find it as I'm
025scrolling here, but my only question was the roll out for sending the form home for a signature that then has to be returned. So, what does that process look like and how do we assure that happens? >> I think that that would probably be left up to the superintendent to implement. Um, you know, just with my own daughter, I signed multiple things coming home from tests to different policies. So, I think it would be something that the superintendent could work with the administration to implement. >> Yeah, there are other items that get sent home that we have a kind of checks and balance process to ensure we know who's uh, you know, completed it and who has not. So, uh I I see this as being very similar to um other forms that we are
026in compliance with and I didn't see anything that it's like mandatory. So, if somebody didn't there doesn't appear to be any consequence just being proactive on the part of the district to do as much information as possible but more than just uh set it on the website and hope that it gets into the hand. So being more intentional on knowing um the number of people that we uh have reached. So I did find it and it says um that it's sent home with the student in a hard copy form with a requirement that a parent or legal guardian sign and return written acknowledgement. So, what do we do today with things that don't get returned? >> Give your best effort each and every time out. And I'll use an example. Um, you know, it's required
027that we have birth certificates when people are in school and some people just don't have them. And so, we make every good faith effort to get that because it's required by law. And we do everything that we can to ensure that we have 100%. And so I I I see this as being something similar that this is a safety is all of our responsibility and so we're doing our part on communicating our to our families and we're just asking them to be a part of that process. But again, I don't think this is anything where there would be any further consequences if someone didn't return a piece of paper that said they were informed. Um, so what are we currently doing? Are we just putting is it just the website that we're currently doing? What
028are we currently doing that you know what what are we doing and then we'll >> Yeah, we set it on our website and then we also send an email communication and so um we can be certain some people might go looking for it because one community me uh member reached out they were actually seeking it out and so now it's on our website. And the second thing that we did, which I think Derek captured in that communication, is the time and date in which the district um sent that out via email and said, "If you have any further questions, here's a point of contact in the district." >> So, we're currently we have it on our website and then we're sending it out by by email. And what this is asking us to do is
029to send it out in hard copy and then request a signature back. And if no signatures are received, there are no negative ramifications for our children. I'm correct in that. >> That's what I'm understanding. I could support it for that reason if it's, you know, no negative ramification for our babies. Sorry, one more thing. Um, because this is law, um, you know, again, specifically because it's law, it's, you know, comfortable for me. Thanks. >> Yeah, I would add the only additional thing is like how do we partner with different community resources? I think there was another layer to this. I know we have some young people that are taking a leadership role and I I would suspect that they might want to take some leadership opportunities and partnering with other community initiatives. I know we
030do some educational sessions from time to time, but I I could see uh staff and students wanting to take more of a leadership role. And I think that if the district were to pursue some additional resources, there will be more opportunities to bring education to the classroom or field learning experiences. I think that was another portion of this >> question for you around that um these pursuit of additional resources. That's something at the board and administration level. Is that something that our teachers will be required to do? Do we know anything about that right now? And and if it's a part of this resolution, um I think it might be important to understand what that looks like, the burden of that, who it's on. Um you know, with regard to that. So, do we know
031we have an idea? >> Uh just what I'm reading here. So, you know, it the grant request to the district. Um, so I'm sure my office would be responsible for applying for this grant opportunities. There's no guarantees that we're going to get it. Um, and then that would just uh so I can't tell you what the roll out process of that looks. I don't know how extensive it might be, how much uh resources we might receive, but it would uh I'm imagining this is more of a secondary effort around gun violence than elementary. So that's probably more along the lines of what I do as superintendent/ secondary curriculum director. >> Okay. It's because it's what I what I think I'm hearing you answer to my question. I think the answer that you're saying is that
032this would be something that your office for the most part would handle, not something that our teachers would be burdened with, you know, like another responsibility for them. It'd be central office mostly. My as far as so I'm not asking about the roll out and how much money we getting. like I know you can't know that but the whole process of it you know applying getting the data d that's something that your office more so would handle. >> That's correct. >> Thank you. >> Further I think that uh as we pursue that grant and explore community partnerships that those partnerships can be leveraged to take on some of the responsibility of applying for the grant. Um just naturally like we're going to have to um have some of those partners on the grant. So, and
033some of those entities have like dedicated grant writers and stuff. So, >> can I add something real quickly? Um, one of the our wonderful principles in the audience kind of pointed out that we we have um something that we've already put in place in our enrollment package packets um that is similar. Um the con there's concussion paperwork and it is meant to make people aware make parents aware of what a concussion looks like and how to what to do in a situation where where a student has been hit in the head and then parents sign that that they've read it and um that they've received that information. So it goes in each of the enrollment packets. So we already have something in the form of the enrollment packet. We already have a process that we
034could potentially utilize for that. I thought that was a great comment. Thank you Sarah Le. And what if I don't sign the concussion packet? >> Well, we're assuming that you're seeing it. And I I will say also, we've had situations where um we will pull that piece of paperwork out when a student gets hit in the head for any reason and make sure that that goes home with a parent. So, um just something there's sort of an avenue. there's already a pathway that um is is not a super um it's it's a timeefficient kind of way of of making people aware without adding an extra burden to people. So I add one more comment um to that. So I have you know my sons have played basketball and sports here at uh JH High and
035middle school I think. Um, and when I read that concussion paperwork, I thought he couldn't play if I didn't sign it. So, you know, now I'm rather intelligent, you know, rather teasing me. But anyways, though, just so we know that um and and to the point of this document, if we're sending it out again, I did read it as he cannot play if I don't sign this paperwork. and I he was going to play and I was going to sign, you know, wasn't an issue. But I don't want our parents feeling like, you know, however we put the wording in there that there's some type of negative ramification for your child if you don't sign. Clearly, you know, safety and all the things is not the issue here as far as whatever, but I don't
036want us me the messaging to come across as if something's going to happen to the child if we, you know, so if they don't, they don't get to go to recess, whatever. So just when we send it out, however we do it, you know, if the messaging is messaging is clear that, you know, this is strictly forformational purposes for us to keep each other safe, whatever, whatever, you know, and we would appreciate your signature, something along that line, I think would be beneficial because I did think he had to sign and I signed every one of, you know. >> Thank you, Derek, for spearheading that. I appreciate how well it was written. Thanks so much for doing all the research, too. Appreciate it. Discussion item 252659, elementary technology purchase. I'm turning this over to Marcus.
037>> All right. So, the district is looking to move our elementary technology from a onetoone model back to classroom technology carts, which um is what the district was using prior to the CO 19 pandemic. Um, we've found that there really isn't a big need for devices to be used at home on a daily basis. And we've seen a lot of broken and missing devices, which takes away from district resources such as time and and money um that could be directed elsewhere. So, we're looking to purchase 13 Chromebook carts and seven iPad carts, which would give us a card in every classroom in every elementary building and I believe an extra one for loaners. Um, I didn't put the cost. This is uh the price is $30,425 and they can be purchased through the state REMY
038cooperative and funded with their 2026 bond proceeds. So, again, we're not recommending any action tonight, but we'll be coming back next month to look for an approval. Did you say B it'll go through the bond? Okay. Any questions? >> Yeah. So, you said 13 carts plus seven carts covers every elementary classroom. >> Yep. So, we do have carts in the district right now. Also this we had technology did a survey of how many cards we have, how many classrooms we have at all the buildings and just came up with that math. I believe grades K through two use iPads and three, four, five use Chromebooks. So the different >> types. >> So for me, I'm totally in favor of this and even more so than the cost of devices is the impact on kids. And
039we see so much out there about kids and devices and and having them in their homes and nobody knows what they're doing on them. Um, my own daughter has young kids and she's preparing to send them to school and she's looking for a traditional school. So, I kind of hope we're going back to textbooks and pen and paper in conjunction with this and that we're only using these carts for certain things. So, I like it. I just had one question about so if they have a cart for their classroom, is that still enough for every student to have a device if a teacher is planning on running something with? So it's not fewer. >> Yes, the there's enough space for every student in the classroom. Yep. >> Thanks. >> I got one last question. So
040let's assume there's a kid, you know, who got some work to do. Um, uh, are they, uh, they able to get teachers permission to take it home, uh, or no at all going forward? >> Uh, I suppose that probably could be arranged. Um, >> okay. Just curious about >> our past practice before we were a onetoone district was kind of like the library sign out the um device and so that if we decide that everyone does not take them home then that would be the process. >> Any more discussion? We will move to discuss. >> Can I So, sorry I don't have discussion on that item, but I would like to say as far as this whole um for the board policy for compensation, not hearing any other comments and any support for that, I
041would make a motion that we let this item die and not bring it back next month for action. >> Support. Any discussion hearing? None. All those in favor say I. >> Some discussion. >> We're moving fast tonight. Good. >> So, um I knew it was going to or I thought it was coming back next month, so I figured I would, you know, talk about it then. Um so, um my thoughts on this uh board policy for compensation, I agree with Maryland. Yeah, I know you don't hear me say that very often, but I agree with Marilyn that um you know, if we're compensating um if we're not going out of our way to compensate our teachers, and maybe Marilyn didn't say that, I don't know, it sound like she did. Um but if we're not
042going out of our way to give more to our teachers, um you know, to ensure that they have what they need in the classroom, um and all the things, you know, I think about our teachers all the time and our students that they are training and and teaching. um since we don't go out of our way because we are constantly I'm constantly hearing how they need things um I would not feel comfortable uh compensating the board. Um, I don't devalue the work that the board does. Um, I think if you're a a committed board member, um, and you're putting in the time to understand, uh, the work of this governing body, um, and, uh, you know, all the things that go into it, um, then I think that compensation is uh, appropriate. Um but again
043because we uh in this board in this district I hear uh too often um some of the needs of our teachers that I think are uh inappropriate for a district this size. Um so for that reason I would not uh be in favor of voting for the board to be compensated. Um thank you. >> So I think one of the reasons I even brought it up I just wanted to be transparent. I wanted to let everyone here know that some um boards do get compensated and I just wanted them to know and so I'm not like withholding information or something just because I network with more people. And so that's kind of my my um reasoning also. Any other deliberation? All those in favor say I. I >> oppose. No. No. Motion carries. The next
044um item to discuss is 252662 superintendent evaluation process. And I'll turn this over to Jeremy. >> Thank you, President Actton. So I haven't been there here too long in this uh seat. So it seems like in June we adopted the first uh superintendent evaluation goal. So these are quite similar. Uh my evaluation took place December 2025. So I bring this back um probably about six months later uh revised this month. We're going to do a midyear check-in per our discussion last month that's required by law to have some feedback and writing. So that would be the July board meeting with a final evaluation taking place in December. So similar to last year, uh 15% of the evaluation of the superintendent is uh district-wide goals. Uh 3% is improving student attendance. So I don't have any
045recommendations that that changes at this time. 2% improving. Uh the the board has communicated on a number of times that they want to be in the schools and hearing from our student leadership groups. We have some phenomenal um student voice groups and leadership groups that um with three or less folks. It is during the day uh many of these meetings. So that's part of the challenge, but there are evening opportunities as well. and I'll be sending out those invitations here um shortly on goal number two where it changes a little bit. My last goal was there was a lot of components and passing the bond and now that we've passed the bond this talks about what is the uh successful execution of the bond look like and so I'm looking for your feedback in that
046area because that is a little bit newer. Um, and also goal for the strategic plan. My last goal was successfully exiting the partnership agreement. And since we've done that, we want to continue that vision and that work. And the board had a strong desire for the strategic plan. And the majority of the year will be developing the plan. So, we won't see a full year of implementation, but a lot of this district um strategy plan is the the process to get to the plan and then we'll we'll continue to revisit the effectiveness and the student growth and assessment hasn't changed. I always talk about um this is the principal's goal, so therefore it becomes my goal and it's the teacher's goal. So that's how they're evaluated using data in our schools. And that is the
047superintendent evaluation in in a nutshell. So I wanted this to be a discussion item this month so I could receive any feedback from you, make any changes, and then bring it back for um approval next month or action. I have a question for you. Um, just for clarification, am I hearing you say that these goals um that you have listed right now um these will be the goals that we will evaluate you on in November? Is that correct? >> December. Yes, >> December. Okay. Um and the um strategic plan that we're currently in the midst of um is that something that we anticipate rolling out next year? um or do is there some uh expectation that your goals will work within that some or how is there anything around that? >> So about 50% of
048this goal is just developing the strategic plan and so if you click on the link it'll talk about all those kind of measurables all those important dates. So we did the survey and we had the in-person meetings and so some of those things have already taken place and we won't get to board approval until like May or June. And so you won't really see this implemented for like uh when teachers come back August, September, October, November. So it won't be finalized in December, but you'll have seen the body of work from uh didn't have a strategic plan to having a strategic plan. And then I will be providing artifacts in December about how that process is going. And then my understanding is this is something that can be the strategic plan can be tweaked and
049re-evaluated annually. >> So forgive me and thank you. That's helpful. But um that I think the direction I was going in. I understand that the strategic plan is part of your goals, but I didn't know if what comes out of the strategic plan, like the listening sessions and stuff and the trends that we're hearing if that would change your other goals and if we needed to be aware of that because of November. But I think you're saying basically that whatever kind of comes out of that that could be a one tweaked later on. I'm just trying to see how is that going to impact if at all your evaluation based on kind of like this not the so the strategic plan is part of your goals I get it but what comes out of the
050strategic plan um in my mind it connects to your goals like your goals should connect to the strategic plan at some point >> yes and that's what you would evaluate this 5% of my goal is how did I do connecting to the district goals so my other goals won't change for example Well, student attendance, chronic absenteeism, th those goals won't change, but you're going to be looking at how did I I connect the district goals, academic goals, student retention goals. Those are some of our uh past goals from our partnership and how did I do how did we do I guess this is not the Jeremy Patterson plan but that's part of the process and I will have to explain that to you about how we determine collectively as a community how that became the
051strategic plan of the district and how how am I helping to execute that plan and vision as a result of the community feedback staff feedback student feedback. >> Um thank you. One more question for you. The strategic plan, what's the uh timeline of of when we think that it'll kind of be, you know, wrapped up and and we, you know, so all of our meetings and things that we do, what's the what's the timeline for that? >> We're going to present to the board of education in May. And so I don't know if we're going to bring it for um a discussion and then an action in June. That's how I'm perceiving it to be today. >> And we have some meetings with the board itself planned around the strategic plan before that. Yes, that'll
052be in April. >> Uh the board has been invited to that strategic planning session. >> That makes sense. Since we're the board, we should probably have some conversation. Um so when we have that conversation, then I'll I'll probably have some questions around your your uh your goals to just kind of help my mind. But thank you. >> Thank you. >> Go ahead. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Harrison for for putting this together and uh amending it and bringing it back as a a discussion item. The only other thing that I would maybe offer or lay on the table for consideration and I'm just thinking through like student growth and assessment is related to um or growth and and performance professional practice. We've gone through that as a board before. And then we have the bond,
053the strategic plan, and then chronic absenteeism and student engagement. Uh are there have we ever had goals set around student growth or rather uh enrollment growth? because that that to me seems like a good districtwide goal of you know as we're uh renovating our buildings uh as we're you know like we just did with John R um building new buildings how we're starting to I'm sure it'll come out in the strategic plan and maybe at that time we can kind of um incorporate it but I think in some of the numbers that I've looked at this district of all the districts in Jackson County save. I think Ras Lake has seen uh enrollment grow over the last I think I looked at the last decade. Um while others have have shrank and and some over
054the last decade have like been cut in half. Um, so I think that there's um because we do a great job because this community continues to invest in JPS. Uh, we see that through the bond, through the recreation millage, and through various other things that we do as a district. I think it might make sense for us to take a look at uh enrollment growth as a goal and kind of task you with figuring out how we can um you know recruit more students to JPS in you know strategic ways. >> Uh I agree without a doubt that um student retention just like staff retention was a part of our um district improvement plan. I shared that whole plan of those 14 benchmarks so they can continue to be a part of the strategic plan.
055Matter of fact, earlier today we were working on the district uh improvement team and that was one of the items where we were talking about what are the non-negotiable practices that we're going to do at elementary, middle school, high school, all JPS to ensure you know maximum retention efforts. And so this is what we're going to do collectively. So that's what we were working on today. That was a goal item in our partnership agreement that I um strongly recommend becomes part of our strategic plan. >> I appreciate retention. I'm I'm also interested in retention but also on on growth as well recruitment. >> Understood. Thank you. Any more questions? We will move on to uh agenda item number nine, 25 2660 -ate projects. And I'm turning this back over to Marcus. >> All right. And
056we talked about this a little briefly last month and also at finance. So, as part of as we kick off our bond program, the district is looking to upgrade some network switches and battery backups, we're able to utilize a federal reimbursement program called -ate, which will reimburse the district 85 cents in the dollar for this project. Um, so we put a bid out and I think last month we discussed that we were still vetting the companies and asking clarifying questions. Um, at this time we recommend awarding the bid to all covered in the amount of $357,742. It's a little different than what you see on your bid tally sheet. After speaking with all covered and had questions about their labor rates, um, they went back and and revised those down. Um, this will be a
057project that is paid for from the bond and then next year we'll be reimbursed for a majority of that. So, the total impact to the bond will be about $54,000 when it's all said and done. >> Do I have a motion to approve? >> Do I have support? Any deliberation? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. I. Oppose say no. Motion carries. Agenda item uh 252661 um approval of annual retainer contract. Um Jeremy will present this item. Yes. So this is an item that the board asked me to uh bring more information back. If they were going to make this determination then they actually wanted to see the contract which was uh sent after last month's board meeting. And I also s since I've been here the last six months the work that the
058district has done with uh Brendan Beer and their group. So hopefully that was able to uh provide some um ideas of the work has been done as well as the contract. >> Do I have a motion to approve? >> Madam Chair. >> So moved. >> Support. Any deliberation? >> Yes. Oh, did you have your thing open to um so I'll be a no on um this vote. I voted no on them every year so far. um after the first year um I don't I I feel like their um firm they've been with us for a very very very long time which I find um some uh value in longevity um you know and and kind of understanding the district um and I also find that there can be some complacency and uh uh just some
059complacency there as well. Um, so I don't feel that uh they they're the best individuals to continue to represent the district. I think we should look around and uh consider others. Um, so I'll be a no on them. Uh, I would like to amend the motion. Uh, I know that we had a coming off of some of the things that Trustee Hamilton said and some of the things that Trustee Simonetti said last meeting, uh, we do need a a legal counsel. Um I do believe that um with most of the boards that I've served on uh there is a probably 3 to 5 year uh shelf life on on contracts particularly with legal councils and and auditors uh just so that you can not necessarily change uh the ship but you put out an RFP
060uh so that you uh continue to show uh transparency, good governance and that you are um getting a good return for taxpayer dollars or investor dollars or uh whatever your funding sources. So um I kind of see this uh the the agreement in front of us is from November of 2013. I would say that's probably ripe for uh without, you know, discussing the the current firm that we use. I just think that it's uh probably a good moment in time to put on an RFP for this. And um if uh Abbott, Thompson, Malden, Parker, and Beer is the only response that we get um then we continue on with a with a new contract. Um and it at least allows us to evaluate what else is out there uh and make sure that we're getting
061a good return and and good services for the district. So I would make a motion to uh amend the approval of the retainer agreement through June of 2026. So through this fiscal year and ask the administration superintendent to post an RFP for legal services with the intent of us evaluating those proposals at our July meeting. which then we would be able to start the next calendar year. Let me just uh make sure I understand. I I think I understand. I think I think we had a motion in support and then a an an additional motion. And part of the discussion that I recall from last month and I don't have the answer today. So that's why I want to just share what I'm thinking is is this firm going to be um available for just
062a six-month contract or is this a year contract that they've been deciding up until this point? And my concern is partially because we're entering contract negotiations and that's one of the items that are um on our docket. And so if the board is going to entertain an RFP, I might propose um out to 2027 so we can at least get through all things because right in the middle of 26, it's going to be very difficult to finalize contracts because we have three that are going to expire that we will start. We've already started and that would be my concern. And so my proposal, I hear the go out for RFVP, but I would ask to extend that through 26 so that we could bring back to the board for 27 specifically because of the biggest
063rock out there, I think, is the contract negotiation uh contracts out there. And >> when do those >> the contracts expire? June 30th. And so assuming that, you know, we'll have an agreement in place. Um I don't want to make that assumption today. Yeah, this to my understanding this retention agreement uh is in perpetuity and does not expire. So I mean at least for once we I guess I see your point. Um, I guess there's I'm a little bit confused between the um designation of the uh legal council and that this has been our our agreement that doesn't have a termination clause outside of any party can terminate within 30 days of advanced notice. So, but if it's uh about making sure that we have uh council through the collective bargaining process and we have
064the ability to um end this retention agreement within 30 days, um I guess then we can Um post through approve the um Brennan Beer as our legal counsel through December 2026 and asked to post for an RFP for legal services by the end of this year so that we can review those by the end of this year. >> That sounds good. >> But I don't know if we would need an agenda, an amended motion to do that. I think that was the current motion. If I'm correct, >> I would agree. I think you just go with the original motion to approve them. Since you have 30-day window at any point in time, I don't see why we have to set a date and then as a separate item, we can request an RFP. Gotcha. wasn't
065seconded. >> Any more discussion? >> Yes, that that's my understanding. If uh you want to restate the original motion is to um that Brendan Beer, the law firm of Abbott, Thompson, Malden, Parker, and Beer shall continue as legal counsel for the 26 calendar year is the is the approval is the was motion and supported. I believe >> any more deliberation. >> I'll be voting no on this. Um I know I've raised the fact that we should be uh last year uh putting this through an RFP process and look forward to uh addressing that in the future. Um, and one other thing just as discussion, I think in an effort to improve our own processes, we get our board agenda not a full week before, but we get it the week prior to our meeting. And
066I think that if we see something that we want more information on, it would behoove us to ask for that contract prior to the meeting. I mean, we've already lost a whole month. And had we asked for that contract prior to the January meeting knowing that it was on the agenda, we could be one month further ahead rather than wait till the actual meeting and ask for the contract. I think that we have an opportunity to ask for that information in advance. Any more deliberation? Roll. Okay, we'll do a roll call. Miss Hamilton, >> no. >> Mrs. Simeonetti. Miss Williams. >> No. >> Mr. Doby's Miss Sharp. Mr. Ready. Miss Actton. >> Yes. >> Madam President. >> Motion carries. Madam President, >> I'd like to make another motion to uh separate from that to request
067that the superintendent engage in a RFP process for legal services. Do I have support? Is that a motion? >> Yep. We have we have a uh legal counsel now through this year. And I think it's important that we also uh decide that we're going to go through an RFP process. Uh we've been approving the uh current legal council since I've been here and it appears probably since 2013 and I think it's good for us to indicate that we will again everything that I said before go through a process ensure that we're getting the best value and uh best value for taxpayers and Um that's it. >> Do I have support? >> Any deliberation? >> All those in favor say I. >> Oppose say no. Motion carries. Agenda night, item 10, board comments. Happy Black History
068Month, folks. Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world, which is why education has always been under attack." He didn't say that part. I added that part. Um, and also why the responsibility of the individuals who sit at this table should be taken seriously and solemnly. Again, happy Black History Month. So, I'd like to read um the mission statement. We will bring our community together to create a culture of academic excellence and workforce readiness. and the vision statement, we envision a community where all students become lifelong learners. I just wanted to also thank you. Um I got to um have a tour of Parkside Middle School, which was fabulous, John R. Lewis, which was amazing, and also Montasauri School. So I I thank you to all
069the principles that led me through. So, thank you. >> Uh, I just want to thank uh Terra and those who came out to cook us this uh delicious cuisine tonight and uh look forward to, you know, continuing to end the year strong at GPS and um continue to work on projects together. always do that. Just want to say thank you to everybody in classrooms over the last uh since Christmas break. You made it through Valentine's Day week and I know reading month is coming up and just to all of you out there working with kids every day. say thank you so much for everything you do, for loving on them, for working with them, for not giving up on them in what is a very challenging time of year. So, spring break's coming. Hang in
070there and thank you for everything you do. >> Um, I got couple things. Um, I first I would like to thank uh Mr. uh Patterson. I know nine years ago he started the annual Black History uh month celebration of academic excellence with the middle school. Um it's working amazing. I mean my son goes to middle school. He's in sixth grade and he's been hearing with from his friends how they want to be in that banquet that we do every year for the last nine years. And it's a it's a lot of commitment. I know you do get a lot of help from your staff and it's amazing program. I would like to thank you for that and and I would like to share this uh uh I I my family does go to Ann Arbor
071quite a bit and um mingle with families there and um this is a great feedback. uh they know we talk about a lot about the schools and the education and everything. Uh because we all got you know same age kids and uh one of the best feedback we got um these kids of these families go to pretty you know great schools in Ann Arbor and they said our schools are doing a lot more than their schools. This is coming directly from a lot of physicians kids who are attending Ann Arbor schools. That's a that's a that's a great compliment uh to JPS especially uh the elementary schools uh they were referring to. So I would like to thank all the principles and the teachers uh for putting a lot of work and doing a lot
072of great things including every Sunday call and email we get from the school uh which they don't. So thank you. >> I just want to take the opportunity to thank the trustees. I think I was a little um in first meeting mode uh last month. So, um, thank you all. I appreciate the opportunity to sit on the board with you. I appreciate everyone being very welcoming and giving me pointers and letting me know that there's a a long learning road ahead and I'm ready for it. Um, and also just to highlight the administrators, the staff, the principles, parent leaison at Parkside. They had their parent day last week and that was absolutely amazing. It was great to be in the school. Um, I was in the school as a parent and um, it it was
073just great. It was great for the kids. It was it seemed great for the staff. Um, and it was great being a parent to be able to follow my kid around from class to class and see what's really going on in the hallways as they're changing classes and when they, you know, try and ease their way to the bathroom. So, uh, very appreciative parent and board member for that. So, thank you for all of the hard work. So agenda item 11, the calendar. So February 25th, district improvement meeting, JHS media center at 5. March 11th is our finance facilities meeting at Reynolds Hall at 1. March 17th is our regular board meeting, JHS media center at 6. And March 20th is our JHS ambassador auction at the Jackson High School Fieldhouse at 5. So, do
074I have a motion to adjourn? >> Do I have support? >> Okay. Thank you everyone for coming