001Evening everyone. Good evening. And I'll just say this early. Happy holiday. How about that? All righty. Welcome to the Lancing School District Board of Education December 18th meeting. Um, could I ask us all to rise for the pledge of >> allegiance? To the flag of the United States of America and to the standy and justice for all. >> Thank you. Dr. N Martinez, since this is your last meeting with us, would you be so kind to read our Yes. would you be so kind to read our mission statement and our land acknowledgement? >> Of course. Our mission is to provide a high quality education in a culturally safe and nurturing environment that supports all students to live purposeful and fulfilling lives. Our land acknowledgement. We collectively acknowledge that Lancing School District occupies the ancestral traditional
002and contemporary lands of the Anishinab three fires confederacy of Ojiway Adawa and Badawadami peoples. >> Thank you. Could the clerk please call the role? >> Dr. Canavana >> present. >> Mr. Mr. Lopez, >> Mrs. Moore, >> present. >> Dr. Nars Martinez, >> present, >> Mr. Noiski, >> present. >> Dr. Rodriguez, >> Mrs. Strode, >> case Williams is present. >> Thank you so much. Yes, Dr. Rodriguez. I will ask the board keep the moment of reflection for all the brown students and all the places the people had dying these holidays. >> Yes. >> And I think we respect them and their families and the reflection of how we can do better in the future. >> Thank you. We will take a moment of silence at your request. All righty. Thank you so much board. Um at
003this time, do we have any comments on um public comments on agenda items? Uh seeing none, moving on to our approval of minutes. Are there any corrections from our um minutes from our December 11th special meeting at 4:00 and our uh December 11th um information study session that was held at 6 o'clock? Are there any corrections at this time? Trustee Strode, >> it's noted that I was absent, but I was actually present. I did leave early on the December 11th meeting. You did. And I do have the time that you left in my notes and I'll make sure to give that. It's in there. >> 510. You got it. Okay. Thank you. >> No wor no worries. We just want to make sure that we have everything correct. All righty. Seeing no corrections from our
004minutes, we'll be moving on to our presentations at this time and it we don't have any. So, um, moving right along to our reports from our officers. Can I have our Yes. Yes, ma'am. >> Um, I I think that would be appropriate or Yeah, yeah, that could that could be appropriate. >> Okay. So, what I gave you all um last week I had the opportunity I was invited over to Ever's AP class, Mr. Re's class. When I say these young people put these presentations out and it was very eyeopening to the point that I wanted to the board to see it. One a couple of the topics were how to make college affordable. There were two students that presented that. A young lady presented getting equal pay and opportunities to work. Um a welcoming school
005to those of different religions. Um the school kill creativity. Um making higher education accessible. Better transportation for our Lansancy school district students. And when I say each one of these presentations, um, I'm not going to mention them all, but each one of these presentations, as I said, they're they're doable. I would request that maybe the board look at this as having these students come in and do this as a ISS within the next month or so, especially the transportation one. They had a plan laid out. And when I say congratulations to Mr. Reic and his team, these students were wonderful. I applaud them. I applaud Tia Bell for inviting me. and Mrs. Bo. So, congratulations to them all. This was a great presentation and I hope we can make this an ISS within the next
006month. >> Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Trusty Williams. Um, we have stellar students in our district. So, kudos to the Lancing School District and the educators and our students for all their hard work. I would love to see this. Um, so thank you again for bringing this to our attention. All righty. With that being said, that was a great little snippet presentation that you just gave. Let's move on to our reports at this time. Um, report from our secretary, Dr. Ver Martinez. Would you be so kind? >> Yes, madam president. So, we um, our care closet is open from December 14 to December 21st. Um, if you would like to contact the care closet, you can call for more information. Um, our student development program, uh, winter wellness, uh, is going on.
007Please ask your school for more information. Scholarship opportunities for Lancing School District students. The deadline for contest entries is Saturday, January 31st, 2026. Request a dig a digital copy from Elizabeth Johnson club essay contest chair at elizabeth [email protected] or co-chair anno.shveryahoo.com. atyahoo.com and that is e l i z a v t h w i t e rgmail.com or a n t auvyahoo.com from December 22nd to the 31st and January 1st to the 2nd we are on winter holiday so there will be no school um and our next board meetings will be January 8th 2026 is the uh annual organizational meeting and regular board meeting. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> All righty. Thank you, uh, Secretary Narz Martinez. Moving on to our um committee reports. Equity committee, Dr. Kavanagh and Trusty Strode, do you have a
008report for us tonight? >> Um, we do not have an update at this time. >> All righty. Thank you. Looking forward to hear from you all soon from our uh facilities committee. Um, trust Vice President Lopez. No report. >> All righty. Uh, our finance committee, Dr. Kavanagh, >> uh, the finance committee met on um, this Monday, December 15th. Um, I just want to give the public a heads up that we do not have any future meetings set because that will be done by the finance committee that will be constituted after our organizational meeting um, that was just mentioned. Um, uh, it was a it was a productive meeting. I'll get to the treasur's narrative in a second. I did just want to note that um as many of you might be um aware um two
009grants in the Lancing School District were impacted by the uh house speaker's decision to uh pull funding uh in the state of Michigan. We are grateful to the state senate for um recently um voting to to change that and we hope that the house does the same. We would encourage you to contact your representatives if if you feel the same way. Um otherwise the detailed treasures report for the period of November 1st through November 30th is attached to this evening's agenda. The following are the highlights of the report. The beginning cash and investment balance was 67,579,773. Receipts totaled 17,375,396 while dispersements equaled 19,251,185. Net interfund transfers totaled $195,57 in interest from fund investments to the student and bond funds as well as journal entries to remove the due to due frs in all funds. The
010monthly transfer to the general fund for bond expenses was $0. The ending general fund cash and investment balance on November 30th, 2025 was $65,899,491. The general funds cash and investment balance is $25,342,766 less as compared to the same time last year. We also received um about $2,500 of donations in the month of November. We're always very grateful to um to our in um our generous donors. Um this year or this month we saw some donations to uh to Postto Oak particularly from the Nyang Mayanmar family restaurant and the Mimic Foundation. And we also saw um a number of individuals donating to the Lancing School District student development program. Um so thank you to those individuals as well as well as to Blackbow um who um does monthly donations to the district as a whole. Uh
011Madame President, this concludes the November 2025 treasures report. >> All righty. Thank you so much uh trustee or Dr. Kavanagh. All righty. Questions from our board members. Dr. or trustee Noki. >> Yes. I'm wondering if you could just briefly explain the impact of those grants. I know the public's trying to figure out what's been impacted and if you could just say what that is or how that >> Yeah, gladly. Um so and and you know, um Miss Adams, if you want to jump in and u make any corrections, you're the real expert here. Um so one was uh for LERA um which is a program that we use. Um we had about $90,000 that had not yet been spent but that was prepared to be spent in 2026. Um and then the other was $2.5
012million for the Everett track. Um all of that money has either been you know kind of already encumbered to uh vendors. We've already approved all of the relevant bids. Um the track is really only half built. Um but uh the biders are are ready to go once the snow is gone. Um really the only reason that that project wasn't already done was waiting on the weather. Um so we've got our folks we've got the money encumbered. We've got our folks hired and ready to go, but we're not able to finish that project um unless we have that $2.5 million. Miss Adams is Did I miss anything? >> Perfect. >> Wonderful. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All righty, Madam President. >> Yes. I move that the board of education approve the expenditures as presented for November
0132025. >> Thank you. It's been moved by Dr. NZ Martinez. Second. It was second by uh Dr. Kavanagh. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Any oppose? Motion passes 90. Wonderful. Um now moving on to our personnel committee. Um Vice President Lopez and Trusty Ninsky will be reporting. >> All right. >> Uh yes. Thank you. The personnel committee met uh yesterday, Wednesday, December 17th. Uh I was the only trustee available to attend along with the administration who presented. The personnel reports that you have in the board packet were reviewed. Uh we will have the one page for um proposed for action tonight to approve the new hires. Uh dialogue continued on potential policy change recommendations. We're still awaiting um legal guidance on a few of those questions. And then some initial dialogue
014began on reviewing the employee handbook and aligning it with board policy finding if changes need to happen to board policy or the handbook or or both uh as we're trying to do through the policy at the policy committee's request. So that just began um those efforts. Uh and again u as was said the next meeting will be determined after the committee assignments are made. >> All righty. Thank you for the update. Trusty Ninsky. Any any questions for Trusty Ninsky? I have I have a couple questions. Yes. >> Because I went through the report and it looks like the first page and the second page are duplicates. Um can you explain that to me or because they both seem seem to be identical or did we just forget the sheet on the second page, the little
015breakdown on the second page that we normally have because they are very much identical. >> They're probably identical. The page that does not have the uh gender ethnicity breakdown is the one that we're using for the public action. So that should be the summary list. Um I think they're the same in or similar in this case because there were no um terminations or anything else on here. So all you're just seeing are the new hires and that is the the summarized yeah action page. So in this case the reports really weren't different than what needs to be acted on. >> And then so the my second question is we have resignations. Are those resignations in lie of terminations? We don't we don't get into the detail of each resignation but the individual has chosen to
016resign. >> Thank you. Dr. Rodriguez. >> Thank you, Madam President. Thank you for the report. I sir that we had few res a few resignations but a lot of hiring. Is that due? because we didn't hire before and has so many openings or is because we open new positions. Um um I think it should be more balanced and that we we need to study a little bit. All righty. Any comments about that? It looks like when I'm looking at the report, we have a couple new hires and most of these are replacements. So, I don't know. Uh, superintendent, did you want to tell that? >> I don't I'm I'm happy to add. I mean, I think if you look at the positions, a lot of them are lunch assistants. Um, uh, you know, special assistance,
017instructional assistance. Um, there's very, uh, most of these are in the LEA bargaining. Um, but, you know, I think it's a really good point. But if you look at the positions themselves um you know we do know that uh positions like lunch assistants which are twohour positions or four hour positions th those rotate quite quite frequently. >> Yeah. What I really look for is to when we hire people they are able to keep them as long we can. >> Absolutely. >> And and give them the possibility to grow in our institution. That is my concern. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Superintendent. >> Thank you, Dr. Rodriguez, Trusty Herd. >> I see these sorts of reports in [clears throat] a storytelling way and I always look at it and say, what story are we telling?
018And I I my comment is in the form of a question. Um I because I believe a few meetings ago, I also asked about resignations in lie of termination. Um just because it does tell a story about things that are happening. Is there a policy or legal impediment or a board overreach for us to ask to see those types of things in our report? Is that us getting into the weeds or is there some way where we can see these people are not this group of people are not just leaving they didn't find another job somewhere that there was more to their story for why they departed and figure out if [clears throat] that is a way that we can fortify um our work force and our processes by which we um manage um our
019employees. Um I asked about that before and nothing really came of it and Trusty Williams brings it up tonight and I fear that maybe nothing will come of it again. Is there some impediment as to why we cannot see that as the board of education? >> Thank you for the question. I I see our our unions uh in the in the back here. I think the question really would be the idea of a resignation in lie of termination is not a thing because the way that unions work with uh an employee or with a district is the decision is made by a employee. We can't question that decision. It's a little bit difficult to get into a position where you're saying, "Well, they're taking this, they're not taking that." I would happily happily reach out
020to uh council and the unions in terms of how they think we can do this. I just it's not about getting in the weeds. Not at all. I think that's a legitimate question. I think the question is going to be when somebody makes a decision under advice of union, under advice of council, whatever it is, it's a little bit difficult for us to then say, well, it's because of this. um in addition their HR records and are really not you don't you don't want to to use a parliament put people on blast that this was because of maybe termination but I'd defer to Christina if >> so before you do that I I just so just for clarity for me because you're the superintendent >> sure >> you're telling me that we do not as
021a part of our practice tell people you can resign or you're terminated. >> No, what I'm saying is in the course of a conversation with HR and union representation, there's a conversation that happens. I am never in those meetings. There are offers that might be made. If we made that public in terms of putting a employee on blast that they were possibly being terminated that would be terrible for them in a public setting that that any employer would be able to see. So I think the idea of doing that publicly is it again that's why I would ask council. >> Yes. And so I'm I I wonder if you can help me >> sure >> understand why that is any worse than the people that are terminated that are printed in this report. >> Because
022in the five years I've been here I think we've terminated one person. >> So are you saying that >> I'm just trying to get the you're saying it's bad for that person. So maybe in five years we did it to one person. So one person >> we didn't do right. So should that should those people no longer be in our reports if it's like we don't want to put terminated people on blast but we just told you >> we are going to fire you if you don't resign. >> No no no what I'm saying is in the however many years I've been here I I would have to defer to HR but I don't think we have um terminated many people. The actual terminations maybe a couple those have to be public but if we're
023saying the person resigned then that person resigned. If we then say publicly they resigned in lie of termination, the reason why the unions might support and the district might support that resignation is to in fact protect the employee. So imagine, if you will, somebody is in a meeting and something bad comes up and there's a decision, hey, you know what, maybe it's a little bit better for me to resign than to to have it say resa uh termination. If we now as a board say resignation in lie of termination, now it's public that they were about to be terminated. That's a lot different than the one or two people I don't really remember that got actually terminated that is public. So again, I would defer to the board if that's something you really want. I
024think that's something that the count our legal counsel would really need to talk about and I think the unions would have a real hard time with that because what we would in essence be saying is yeah, we tried to protect you. We tried to let you resign without this going public, but now we have to publicly say you did it in lie of of termination. So that's the >> and I don't have necessarily an opinion one way or another. I just am am interested. >> Sure. >> Um as I I'm a freshman board. >> No. And so trying to figure out where where this is and how how do we handle these things to make sure that the board of education is getting a full picture of what is happening in the district. And but
025you know I I get I get all too well I don't have to tell you >> that I like this is a topic >> right I mean the last thing I would want to do is put a employee on blast because they made a decision to resign gracefully and then we say well you did it because you were about to get fired. What I can say and again I'm not a lawyer that's why you we have lawyers is I think it is allowed that a board could ask to go into close session to discuss something like that if you wanted that information right like what what and but again in public setting the reason why we write resignation is because that's what it is. >> Yeah. Could you can you set up a time to
026talk to me about this? >> Absolutely. >> You can bring Christina if you'd like. >> Sure. Trusty Stro. Uh, thanks for that lovely dialogue of conversation. I hope that there can be some clarity. I just wanted to bring up two points. Um, about a year ago, we did have a presentation from the HR department that had a great graphic of um positions and who moved when, where, and how. And it did include, and I did ask for Clayton to um add in specifics surrounding that uh in resation survey and so I do believe that has been provided to the board. So I just wanted to make it very adamant that the board has received the documents that the board requested. So if there's something outside of that, that's a different story. But what we did
027receive was that graphic that stated exactly who how many um who was returned to the district, who found another job, who were replaced, and etc etc. So I just wanted to add that my colleagues as well as those watching um that we have to be mindful of our conversation. I don't want it to become across that the board did not receive what we intended or asked for. Thank you. >> I sorry, >> Madam President, respectfully, I did not receive what I asked for. What I'm articulating is that in that presentation, this is something that I asked for a followup on and something that I wanted to see with great We can check the record. I asked for this and have not received it or any other conversations surrounding it. I do not negate the fact
028that the board has received kind of its status quo feelings. Um, which is why I would like for the superintendent to have a meeting with me. >> Thank you. And I'm so glad that you all are going to be >> Yeah. And and absolutely. And I think that that's an important piece for us to talk about because there is we need to make sure that there is not a narrative in the district that the district is making decisions in kind of abstensia of being in public or doing the right thing. So I appreciate that. What I will say also is correct me if I'm wrong, but I think one of the ISS's coming up is actually going to be the HR1. We haven't had that one this year yet because it's not on our calendar.
029So, I think in fact, I mean, of course, you know, I'd love to have a meeting any time, but I think that we will craft the HR um presentation to try to answer as many questions as have, but we haven't had that one this year yet. So, >> all righty. All minds clear, hearts clear, let's say that. Okay. Any there's no more questions for um or clarification for Trusty Ninsky or Superend? We can move on to first. Can I have a motion? >> Madam President, >> yes. >> I move that the board of education approve new hires for November 3rd, 2025 to November 24, 2025 as presented. >> Thank you. It's been moved by Dr. Martinez and second by Vice President Lopez. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion
030passes 90. I love it's your last night and you're just starting out with all the motions. All righty then. Trustee herd moving on to the recognition and ad hoc committee. >> Thank you madam president. The our committee member >> oh excuse me policy. I I totally skipped over pardon me. I didn't mean to to skip over for your part of the policy as well. So Dr. Never Martinez could you please give your report for the policy? >> Yes. So we don't have a report. Um there is a lot of stuff on the agenda that the next chair starting in January will uh take on. Um and I just want to say I have really thoroughly enjoyed being on the policy committee. So thank you. >> All right. And thank you for chairing that committee. Um
031thank you for leading. All righty. >> Yes, Dr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. I thought we were going to wait till the end for all that, but that's okay. That's okay. We can do it throughout the meeting. Um, let's give everybody their roses. >> All righty. So, now trusty hurt for you. >> Recognition ad hoc committee. >> Thanks again. Um, uh, Dr. Rodriguez, Trust Williams and I met on December 9th. Um, and this committee is still very much in the fetal stage. What even is this? How are we going to do it? How big are we going to make this recognition for the highest honor that you can receive from the board of education education or besides your diploma of course? And um so we are thrilled to announce that we already have 35 nominations since um
032the application portal opened. What we are working on now is moving back the time line to do our first recognition where we really can have a major event um that honors some of the finest that have come from the Lancing School District or serve the Lancing School District. Um, we are looking at some of our committee members who have not been able to make our me yet, reaching out to them, making sure that those meeting times still work so we can have full participation from the nearly 20 people that are on our committee. Um, wanted to thank the Lancing community and abroad for all of your nominations that are pouring in. Um, we hope that we will have so many that we'll have so much work to do where we'll say, "What did we get
033ourselves into?" We know that there are so many people in this community who have done great things. One thing I wanted to note again is while we will honor 12 people in this major ceremony, everyone who is nominated will be posted um here at the board of education and on our website along with their stories. The point of this is for the community to see all of the greatness that comes as products of Lancing schools. And so even if you don't get the big plaque, >> [clears throat] >> still going to tell your story and that of your impact in this community and abroad, which um I think this committee is poised to make a huge impact on our community and also address part of our uh strategic plan, which is to um promote trust
034and build community um by 20%. But I think we're really going to boom out of here once people start to see their friends and neighbors um coming through this committee to being recognized by the board of education. Um we will not meet again until January after the um organizational meeting. So we're looking forward to uh having more progress. Thank you. >> All righty. Thank you for your report. All righty. um the student achievement committee uh uh vice president Lopez and Miss Williams will be reporting this evening. >> I'll just uh note that our next meeting is on January the 5th at 3 p.m. That'll be your second meeting and we will pick up where we left at the first meeting. >> Okay. I look forward to hearing from We look forward to hearing your report
035then. >> Okay. Superintendent, do you have a report for us this evening? >> I do. Uh good evening everyone. Uh I'm sure people will say this later, but this is my chance to say happy holidays to all. Uh this is our last meeting before the break. Uh welld deserved for everybody. Again, as I've already mentioned, our uh union folks are in the uh the audience. Thank you for being here. And uh community members as well. And in fact, the fact that the unions are here, I want to highlight a wonderful uh event that happened today. Um the state of Michigan put in a budget line that uh our folks in collective bargaining units were going to get a little bit of a holiday bonus, so to speak. And um I really want to thank all
036six of our bargaining units. We came together. We figured out how to distribute it in a really wonderful and equitable way. And all six presidents were here in this room. there were a couple of more tables. Uh we did a nice signature and a nice signing and I think it just is a testament to where we are as a district. um you know in over these last five years you know after COVID we were not in we were not here physically for almost 18 months and the fact that now you know all six of our bargaining units all six of our presidents were able to work together so so closely and easily that a meeting that in some districts are taking days I think ours took 22 minutes and that really is a testament to
037the great labor leaders that we have in this in this community in in Lancing uh and really putting their members first and finding the right way to do things. So, um I think it was called 27L which is part of the state budget and it was uh specific money to go to uh employees under bargaining units. Sadly, I do not get that, but it's okay. Uh they deserve it more than I do. Um, but I really want to thank all of our uh union folks uh for being so supportive to the district and to each other and to our to our employees and their members. Um, as always, uh, you know, the the transportation numbers. Uh, the gas cards are a little bit wonky. Uh, there are 2,00 2,894 uh requests, but only 2,663 have
038been distributed. Um, please make sure that if you need them, you're getting them. Uh, these are updated numbers. I know everybody's getting them, but if there is any sort of uh time delay, please let us know. Um, Kata 584 asked, 529 distributed. Uh, again, if there's any slowdown, I haven't gotten any emails or reaching out, but uh, if there is any concern about not getting your CAD cards quick enough or your gas cards quick enough, uh, please let me know. And then the good news with Dean, we have 4,229 asked and and 4,071 uh routed, which means only 158 uh are not routed. And again, as a reminder, the 158 are still eligible for KATA and gas cards and things like that. And uh thanks to our COO and our relationship with Dean, uh we
039think we've been able to create uh more efficient bus routes uh over the next over the break uh where we're going to be able to uh we hope have more backup drivers. Uh one of the things that's happening is especially in months like today, this month where people get sick and people are absent, there's not enough subbus drivers. So, what we're finding a way is to have more drivers that are just on call for us, uh, which will allow us to hopefully run more of our, uh, bus routes more regularly. So, um, I'm really looking forward to seeing those attendance rates go up because we do know that when a bus doesn't run, especially for an elementary school, a lot of times if that bus doesn't run, the kids are not coming to school and
040that's certainly not not acceptable. Um, other things to to point out, uh, you know, I was, you know, it was really nice to see the Sexton boys basketball team beat Cast Tech. Um, which is kind of cool, but what I want to highlight is just the community coming out in support of all of our teams. Uh, you know, having Don Johnson is a pretty special thing, but to know that we're filling Don Johnson now is pretty amazing. Uh, I really want to thank uh the safety and security team and and Cordelia Black and the Office of School Culture. Um, and really the athletics departments uh at all of the high schools. Um, there is a there's just a kind of a joy uh that you see when you come out there. And I also want
041to thank all of the arts and music programs. We had, I think, three concerts yesterday and two the day before. And I say all of this because I know there's not as many people in the audience, but there are people that watch this at home and there's certainly people that watch it later. Please come to our events. Um, you know, there really are terrific. The the quality is raising uh every year. Uh the music, the drama, the the performances, the sports teams. You know, we've now had uh two football teams make the playoffs three years in a row. Unclear if that's ever really happened before. um you know things are doing well and our students want to see people in the audience. They want to see their families but they also just want to see
042people um and if we can help you help them please let us know. I've been trying to attend as many events as [clears throat] I possibly can and it's just so much fun uh to see people out there and just kudos to the children to the educators uh to all those folks that are there to really support uh our kids. And I really just hope that uh each and every one of you at least has a chance uh to get out there. I know sometimes they're late and it's dark and it might be very icy tomorrow, but if you can uh you know, it really is wonderful and and it shows this this this great community. Um other than that, you know, we are uh we're going into the the break pretty strong. Our attendance
043rates are higher than they've been. Uh you know, the the test scores seem to be holding pretty steady right now, which is good for the winter. We're going to start to do that and you know we're we're increasing a lot of the other programs too, the G&T programs. Uh we have we there's a lot going on and I just know that we've tried to push it out as much as we can. We try to go on social media. We try to, you know, go through through our website, but just anybody listening at home, you know, there's a lot of really great things that are happening lately and if you're interested in any of them, uh that would be great. And the last one, and I wrote about this, but we haven't had a meeting since.
044Um the NAACP and the district did a really wonderful event uh at Sexton over the weekend. Um and that you know again is just the community coming in supporting our students our students supporting the community. And I just look forward that if anybody listening every anybody wants to uh wants to volunteer with us please let us know. And I'll tell you from that event alone uh last weekend I've gotten probably four or five emails of people that want to volunteer and want to help. So please, great things are happening, really positive things are happening, and if you want to be part of this story, please, please, please uh let us know. Um with that, I wish you all again a happy holiday, and I turn back to the president. >> All righty. Thank you so
045much, Superintendent uh Shiner. Um moving on to our new Oh, yes. Uh Trusty Herd, did you have something? >> Yeah. I wonder could I give you, Mr. Superintendent, a platform to talk about with your um voice outside of your letter, your sporting event updates um and the new um policy surrounding it. Can I give you a platform to tell us the truth about um how you are working very hard to keep our students safe and all the things that have come out over the weekend? Um >> Oh, sure. Um yeah, you know, the one of the things that you know, as a superintendent, you always put first and foremost is safety and security. There's no question about that. And I think anybody that's been in this district over the last 5 years has seen how
046many things we've done. Secure vestibules, uh, you know, uh, fences, cameras, metal detectors at our high schools, uh, wonderful public safety, all these folks. Um, and you know, we we really care very deeply about, uh, creating safety and security. And when we have largecale events, uh, we want to make sure that they're super safe. And you know, we did have uh an issue that wasn't even a fight. Uh actually, because we saw the video, it was, as our director of public safety said, heavy posturing. Uh people standing up, you know, saying something was going to happen. Uh you know, it was dealt with very quickly. But what we found was that in a lot of these events and a lot of these incidences, they weren't Lancing School District students. Uh they were in fact students
047from other districts. and we don't have relationships with them. We don't know them. And so, um, through a conversation with our community partners, through a conversation with our own safety and security, with our conversation with a lot of people, um, we felt that the the best thing to do was to make sure that our athletic facilities and our games and our things were for Lancing students. Now, that's all high schools and all Lancing students as well as the opposing teams. But what we were finding was that it was sometimes that folks were trying to come to the games to start problems. People that are not our students, people that are not associated with us. And you know, we have sporting events for our district, for our parents, for our community. And I love students in
048other districts and God bless and we want to support them too. But if my job is to make sure everybody is safe and secure, the idea of making sure that big events at a Don Johnson or or you know a basketball uh court or whatever is we want to make sure that we know the people there and the cool thing is you have the opponent's teams are there but the the staff is there so they know the people and then of course if they're a district person we know them too. So it was a conversation with a lot of folks. Uh you know we're very close with advanced peace. were very close with a lot of other nonprofits and they kind of suggested and we suggested that maybe at least for now the best thing
049to do is to make sure that the people that are in the stands are the Lancing School District community. So, the good news is we had one issue where it wasn't even truly a fight um but people were escorted out of the building and then at another game we had something that lasted we counted on the screen four seconds. Um, but we want to make sure that that doesn't happen, right? And and there it is. Although I will say the last time I was at a Tigers game, there was a much bigger fight. Um, and it does happen. Um, but what is helpful is that you deal with it very quickly and hopefully that you know the folks that are there so that you can work with um with their families. So, thank you. followup
050question because I it I um it's important to me to um that we support you um when you make decisions like this that are for the safety of our students. I just wanted to ask you a couple of questions um because sometimes we don't read what you send out. By we, I mean people in general, they don't read it um or they get the cliff notes from someone else and then a lot of misinformation. So um one question that came up to me, so are you saying my child goes to Sexton that they cannot go to the Eastern and Ever game. No. >> Oh, no. Not at all. If you're a Lancing student, you can come. It is this the schools that are not under the purview of the Lancing school district. >> Thank you.
051Um that's one of the the major ones that kept coming and you know again in my local grocery store. That's where people know they can find me in the store. Um but just to make sure that you know you did send this out. I just want to say that we saw the placard, everything came out, but you know, sometimes we didn't we don't see it or we ignored it or whatever have you. >> And and I want to thank Trusty Herd for uh elevating that conversation. My job as a superintendent is to be as clear about communication as possible. And I appreciate that. Sometimes uh not everybody is always going to be in the know, and I get that. And so the ability to ask these questions uh is really helpful because I do want
052everybody at home to know this is all Lancing students. If you go to Lancing Tech, you know, Everett, Eastern, Sexton, the Cub, the hub, whatever you want, of course you can come. >> My final thing was, do you anticipate any negative implications on boosters and scouts being able to come see people and all the things that's come up? >> Yeah. No. No, I mean when we've talked to the leagues and when we've talked to others, they're actually appreciative. Um, you know, sadly, I think that there might be a long time biasness against Lancing and that the idea that somehow our games would be unsafe or that they wouldn't want to be there, the idea that now our games can be much, you know, more controlled because we'll know everybody there. uh we've actually gotten praise
053uh from from folks because of that. So if anything, it'll actually make the entire events, you know, run smoother and better and better for scouts, better for our kids, and better for the community. >> Thank you. That that was my motive for this um this line of questioning. I think we as the board of education have to elevate um conversations and clarity when especially something as controversial anything messing with sports or people's mascots and things can quickly rise to board level issues and um it's just not the sort of thing that I think a placard and a memo could do. I really wanted to hear from you tonight and give you maybe a piece of my time to talk about it as safety has been something that you and I have collectively worked on. Thank
054you. >> Thank you, Trusty. Trusty Williams, did you have something? >> I did. I did. Superintendent, um, knowing that I guess and I I kind of struggle with it. I support you, but there were a couple of questions that came to my mind because I know that our PTO's and our PTO's use these games to raise funding to provide things that our students who can't afford things. Did we look at possibly amending maybe that if there are students from other districts that they have their student IDs with them because some of the kids do come in to support their families even though they don't are not in our district that they come in with their IDs and family is showing their IDs so that the support the fundraising and all of that is still in
055place without the without the issue of being worried that there's safety issues. >> Yeah. Know it's a great question. So the amount of money that we raise from non students from other district or students from other districts is very very small and the money is not necessarily for the PTO per se. It's for the athletics and so the head of athletics felt that uh you know the amount of money that they would raise would be very very small insignificant to uh the safety and security for the folks. But what we'll do and I'm happy to do is run an analysis to see if they're how that's impacted. But the number of folks that this is really talking about is pretty small and the safety and security of our kids always wins out. >> Thank you.
056Thank you for lifting that, Trusty Williams. Trusty Stro, did you have something for our superintendent? >> While we're on the topic [clears throat] of safety and support, the one thing that I did uh as we're listening and folks are listening and maybe I do appreciate Trusty Herd um for stating sometimes people don't read or they miss the memo. So I do appreciate this uh forum of conversation. The one thing that I wanted clarity on um now it is going to require at the door the ID checks and um are we supported with those staff not being overburdened enough people at those posts that are taking those IDs in. Just want to lift up of course we safety is important but so is our staff. So, I just wanted to on this level bring to the
057attention of are they properly staffed? Um, do we have the proper supports in place, which I'm sure that is yes. I just want to ask for me. >> No, thank you for asking it. Yes. I mean, at what we would call tier one events or large events, we tend to have uh 10 public safety uh for LPD as well as staff from the schools. All of our public safety officers know how to run our machines and our IDs. So we actually always in the abundance of caution we have lots of folks in a kind of not as big an event you know maybe we're expecting a hundred people in the audience we'll have you know five or six something like that but no uh you know we've been using metal detectors for a long time
058at our events that's the person inensive thing so the seeing the ID or checking the ID is just a pretty quick one one more step um so I mean I'm happy to turn it over to to Director Black. But no, I mean the we we overstaff uh which has been great >> and I I think we're good. I just wanted to highlight that and I'm not sure if you already have thought of that, but most of our kids that are lacing [clears throat] district kids, if you use the system when they check in at the bus or check in at the door is easier to tap. So I'm sure that you're utilizing that as an option. But I just wanted to lift that we were thinking about the staff as well. >> Thank you. No,
059and thank you for thinking of the staff. >> Thank you, Trusty. >> President Vice President Yeah, just to note that I was at that meeting >> and and uh as when the incident started, our security went and took care of the business. Um but again, you know, it's good to know the steps that have been followed and out of position security and and our uh security from last season police department. So, I'm glad that uh we're taking the steps and uh for for what you said to have our safe, our family safe, and to have good competition. That was a great basketball game. It was >> I'm glad we're having this conversation this evening and making sure our community members are aware of our process. [clears throat] So, thanks everybody for lifting all of your
060questions for our superintendent. Moving on to our new business. Um, in our board packet this evening, we have the annual resolution to levy taxes for our summer 2026. May I have a motion, please? >> Yes, Dr. Rodriguez. >> Thank you. I move that the board of education approve the annual resolution to levy property taxes for summer 2026 as is presented. >> Thank you. Second. >> It's been move. Oh my goodness, look at us fighting over that. It's been moved. Let's talk about money. It's been moved by uh um No, it was put on the floor by moved by Dr. Rodriguez and it was second by trustee Williams. Did I hear did I hear you? No. Who did I hear over here? >> Trusty Strode. All right. It was It was second by Trusty Trusty Strode
061>> by Various. >> Yes. All in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Any oppose? Perfect. Let's get our money. Motion passes 90. Alrighty. We have a um public comment on a nonaggenda items. Eric Amquest, please forgive me if I didn't pronounce your name correctly. Please join us at the podium. We you have three minutes. The board typically does not respond to comments, but you have three minutes. >> Thank you guys very much for allowing me to hear, superintendent and the board. I appreciate it. I'm losing my voice, so I apologize about this. I came out on the December 4th meeting to talk specifically about the Lancing 360, which is a gun violence group specifically focused on that. I to remind you I liked what they were doing so much I went out to Omaha
062which is based on and sat through their meeting and talked to people there and they said the big difference was um school board members and superintendent showing up um and I was told was assured that hey you're going to go talk to them and nobody's going to show up but I just want to say we actually had some representation at the last meeting and I really appreciate that. No one ever comes to says thanks to you guys, but I want to come and say thank you guys for doing that because it's such an important thing and you'll see the dividends that it does. So, I just want to come here and appreciate that. So, thank you guys very much. >> Yes, because please comment. >> First of all, thank you so much, Eric. That really
063is very very thoughtful. Um, and also please and and because you mentioned it, I want to lift up uh the 360 project. I've been a part of this for a long time. really ever since it was brought to Lancing and it is such a thoughtful and smart way of thinking about uh gun violence but just community support. So in Omaha, as you know because you went there. I I I didn't get to go to Omaha. I met with the people that did it in Omaha. Um and that it is a really thoughtful way of thinking of all the different pieces. This is uh the police department. It's the school district. It's the community. Uh it's the city. It's the mayor. And the idea is that if we all wrap around services, uh we'll do better
064as a community. So, I really appreciate you bringing that up. Um if anybody is interested, you can certainly reach out to me or clearly Eric. uh you know uh the Lancing 360 is really terrific and uh I'm thankful to Cordelia Black and Dale Pson and Sue Wheeler and all the people that represent us at those meetings, but um this community is really pulling together uh and and addressing these things. So, thank you for lifting that and thank you for giving me the space. >> Yes, thank you. Thank you. Um at this time, we have uh do we have comments from board members at this time? >> Okay, I because I have comments also, but I'll go last. Um, so Dr. We'll work our way around. How about that, Dr. Do I see a doctor over
065there? Trusty Ninsky, please. >> Thank you. Uh, I just wanted to uh give some kudos to the Everett dance and choir concerts and to the enrichment department overall for putting together that nice flyer with all the opportunities. Uh, my family and I were able to attend both of those and really enjoyed those. Also, the Dwight Rich music showcase that was yesterday during the school day. All great events. So wonderful to see the arts being lived out in our and our young students and uh what the staff is doing uh in a dedicated way to to move that forward as superintendent said. Um and then just briefly, I was able to attend the Lancing 360 meeting on Wednesday. Just so you know, they are moving to a virtual format for the the winter months. So it's
066easier to join even if you can't get to to Rio. Now I'll send along the the meeting link if any others might be able to join each Wednesday from 12 to 1. The next two meetings are dependent on the holidays and staffing. Um but after that they'll continue there and there were positive comments shared from the group about the efforts the district has made particularly at sporting events and the policies and the collaborations that are happening. So that was great to hear. Thank you. >> Well, thank you for sharing Trusty Ninsky. It's good to hear. Um Secretary N Martinez, what do you have to say? >> Well, um this is my last uh school board meeting and I just wanted to say thank you. Um, I want to say thank you to the voters who
067put me here. Um, thank you to my fellow board members and the administrators and the staff and the teachers and the students um, for allowing me to serve in this position. I've learned a lot. I want to thank all of you for being great mentors and um, for guiding me in lots of different ways. And I've learned very a lot. I've learned very much here and I will take all of it with me to my next position. So, thank you all very much. >> Thank you. >> Um, so what do I Oh, yes. Yes. Oh. All righty. to follow her and said all these students are great because they had great parents too >> and they had great teachers, great administrator. They had the support that we had to give them. If they had the
068support, they will respond to that. Then we had to continue as a board members to create support for these students. where is not the support we had to find out regardless it's academics sport or whatever we had to create the climate for them to be what they want to be then then I also was impressed by these letters from the multicultural department also from Everett letter is a really good one I think that's is going to produce change in what people perceive ception of our schools and the one from um school of culture also was very good letter then I think that that goes inside of the families and go to the different organization and places I think we are in brilliant move for the lining school district for the future >> thank you m
069president >> you're welcome Dr. Rodriguez I agree with you trusty >> there's nothing really to repeat so I'll just do my last After everything you heard, >> I can't do the last part because we got more to do. >> I have something >> but I do want to say merry Christmas. I thought we were done. >> Not yet. >> Maybe maybe that's but thank you. >> Okay, >> did you have something? >> Same thing. Uh happy holidays to our students. Um we are off uh for the break after tomorrow. Um and I say we because I will have a kid at home for the holidays enjoying all that time together. My echo everyone else has already said about um all the amazing opportunities within our district over the past two weeks to three weeks. Um
070and it's just been really really wonderful to see our students shine and have opportunities um to show their talent and express themselves. And so um I honor our students today and I am so grateful um that we have this district doing the things that we're doing. Um so thank you to you all. And I also want to say something to uh our secretary. >> I am so excited for you and your new journey. I thank you for your work that you have done um on our board and we know we will be friends when you move to your next position so we can collaborate uh more and I wish you very much well and I thank you for serving alongside of us. I'm I'm not happy about it. I don't want to see you go
071but I understand um you have a greater gift uh calling you. So, I wanted to publicly say I wish you well and thank you for serving with us. It's wonderful. Now, I think this is a perfect opportunity for us. No, no, stand up with me. How about that? >> I think this is a perfect diva. She's leaving. How about that? I'm talking the board of education. Thank you so much for your service from the board of education. [applause] [cheering] Yeah, this is for you. Can we have a picture of all of us? Can we stand with our beloved secretary and love on her? Everybody. Thank you. >> Because I do think that we are a team. We're our family and all the things. Alrighty. Um, it is 7 o' >> Oh, Dr. Cab. >> No,
072please. >> Well, that's your colleague also at MSU, correct? >> All right. Um, so some people might know I actually met Dr. Nvarz Martinez 10 years ago in California. Um and it is such a small world that we found ourselves uh both in uh East Lancing in Lancing uh Michigan um working at MSU and then as board colleagues. Um and Dr. Dvarz Martinez has been um uh a great friend but an even better colleague. Um she is incredibly intelligent and very hardworking. Uh and I know that she has big things ahead of her. >> So short and sweet. I love it. >> Short and sweet. Yeah. Yes. Short and sweet. and real fashionable. I love it. Um, yes. Oh, I knew you had something to say. Go ahead, Vice President. >> Thank you again. Um,
073you know, um, I just want to thank everybody for sending their kids to our schools. Kids are our greatest possession. And uh we we thank parents for allowing us to teach them. Again, um thanks to all the colleagues, happy new year. Um merry Christmas. Hope you have a great day with your family and friends. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Vice President. Yes. You guys won't be rid of me. I'm still a parent in this school district. So, [laughter] >> I will be coming to board meetings and complaining maybe [laughter] >> and also praising. Um, but I wanted to also give, you know, we focus a lot on our high school sports because they're obviously great, but I've been going to a lot of middle school basketball games for our uh school district. And
074that's been so fun too to see our um just like our younger kids also learning how to play these team sports and all the community that's been coming to watch them. So if you can um you should stop by and watch a few of those middle school games been great. >> I love that. Um I do not want to prolong we're going to be going into close session but I do want to just if you can just give me 30 seconds. I do want to give a shout out to uh a Lancing school district alum. My daughter's in the audience. Yes, she's home from um Oakland University. I'm very proud because she is a product of the Lansing School District and I can't wait to ask her what Trustee Lo or Vice President Lopez said
075because she was in the Spanish immersion program from preschool to sixth grade. So, I will be asking you what he said because I don't know. But, um yes. Um so, Lancing School District. Now, Trusty Herd, I need you to say what you say. >> After hearing all of this and there was great things. I won't repeat any of it. I'll say after you've heard all that. If you are still teeter tottering about whether or not you should come to a school district that cares deeply about your babies and believes that they can achieve, it's high time you come home. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. With that being said, we will now go into close session. Oh, can I have a motion? Madam President, >> yes. >> I move that the board of education
076go into close session under open meetings act section 81H to consider material exempt from disclosure by state or federal statute, specifically an attorney client privilege letter. May I have a second? It's been moved by trust Dr. Secretary Dr. Martinez. It was second by trustee Williams. May the clerk please call the role. >> Dr. Kavana, >> yes. >> Mr. Herd, Mr. Lopez, Mrs. Moore, >> yes. >> Dr. Nvarus Martinez, >> yes. >> Mr. Noiski, >> yes. >> Dr. Rodriguez, Mrs. Strode, Miss Williams. >> Okay. Um, close. We are motion passes 90. We are now entering into close session at 7:45. Good evening everyone. We are returning back from our close session at 8 p.m. Isn't that wonderful? 8:00 pm. Alrighty. And as you can see, we are getting organized. All righty. And that's okay. Now, may
077I have a motion, please, to Does everybody have their motion information? I collected it. >> Madame President. >> Yes. Um, having reviewed the proposed contract for interim superintendent, I move that the board president and board secretary execute the interim superintendent's contract on behalf of the board. >> All righty. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> It's been moved by Secretary NZ Martinez, second by um, Trustee Dr. Kavanagh. Excuse me. May I May the clerk please call the role? Oh, >> yes. Yes. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. 45day notice. Okay. on number five for a term. >> Yes. >> And u we uh talked about the uh 45day notice um to either the candidate or the board. >> All righty. So we're changing a 60 days to a 45day notice. >> Okay. >> That's going
078to be the amendment to the contract. >> Yes, please do we do the motion? No. Is it necessary parliamentarian trustee? >> The way I understood the motion was to execute the contract. However, it was okay. >> Negotiated. That's how I heard the motion. I had heard from the attorney. But >> all righty. So, it's been moved by um Trustee Nav, Dr. NZ Martinez. It was second by Dr. Kavanagh. Could the clerk please call the role? >> Dr. Kavanaaugh. >> Yes. >> Mr. Herd. Mr. Lopez. >> Yes. Mrs. Moore, >> yes. >> Dr. Nvar Martinez, >> yes. >> Mr. Niski, >> yes. >> Mrs. Strode, >> yes. >> Miss Williams. >> Motion passes. one. All righty. Welcome. Congratulations. Do you have anything you'd like to say? I I don't mean to put you on the spot,
079but I think we're all about full right now. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome. All right. With that being said, um if there's no more business before the board and Trusty Strode has business, >> I am so sorry. I know you want to get out of here. Um, Madame President, I'm not sure if you made this announcement or it should be going out soon, but we know that our secretary is leaving and so I don't know if you want to make notice that the application process will be posted soon and we're looking for candidates who's interested in serving the community alongside of us. Thanks. Thank you. I think you've already said it. Yes, applications for our um appointment is actually out to this evening, I believe. Um, so please, if you're interested in serving, um, and
080if your babies don't, uh, attend the Lancing School District, they need to come on home. And if you're interested in serving, you need to come on home as well. We welcome you. Uh, we welcome you. So, thanks again. And there's no more business before the board. Merry I say merry Christmas, happy holidays, happy Quanza. Yes. Yes. Yes. H, happy Hanukkah. Yes. And all the things. and all the