001I call this meeting of the South Bend Board of Education together at 6:30. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Next item on the agenda is roll call. Mr. Secretary, will you Yes. Anthony Johnson. Here. Lori Hanks. >> Present. Amanda Flesher. Present. Sheryl Flesher. >> Present. Lisha Early. Present. Daniel Winston. Present. And Shirley Taliver. Present. Next item on the agenda is the approval of agenda. Are there any corrections to the agenda? There are none. The agenda will be as written. Next item on the agenda is superintendent communications. Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Madam President. Congratulations are in order this evening to Mr. Jason Williams, also
002known as coach from Vandenburg Elementary School, who wears many hats over at Vandenburg, and he is being recognized as being the April staff member of the month over at Vandenburg for his ongoing care, patience, and dedication day in and day out in his listening to the needs of our Vandenburg Elementary School students, particularly in how he supports students in regulating their emotions and navigating conflict resolution skills and helping our students to grow from those experiences that he provides day in and day out for our Vandenberg Elementary School. Also, special thanks are in order to the Career Technical Education students as well as our CTE programs, especially to Beth Harris who hosted members of the RESA Board of Education along with RESA cabinet members and touring our CTE programming over at the Brian Gallop Innovation Center,
003which also included a delicious lunch provided by our Hospitality Tourism students. Thanks to the students of that program as well as Chef Tony and Chef Leo. So it's always nice to showcase our students and program offerings to our fellow colleagues over at Wayne County RESA. And then also congratulations are in order to the number of student performers from the Thurston High School Drama Club as well as elementary school students across the district as they put on incredible performances of Shrek the Musical. Special thanks to the students that were kind enough to share their talents with our community over the past several days and also many thanks are in order to Patty Denton, Tim Shayner, Austin Chaznik, Jennifer Franklin as well as Nathan Morgan. And so truly the talents of our students and staff were on
004full display in the musical performances of Shrek. And so I know a number of board members had an opportunity to check it out and very proud of the incredible performances that our students and staff were kind enough to provide to the community. So hats off to them. And that concludes my remarks this evening, Madam President. Thank you. Next item on the agenda is board communications. Are there any? To the chair. Yes. I had one suggestion that I thought of literally yesterday from our last board meeting. Um we had uh student council president Nick Hobson reporting back to us and he had to wait through the entire meeting last time. So, I was thinking if it was okay with the board and the cabinet and student council if they could regularly come in and do reports.
005They could be part of the agenda like Seropa and SRF. Okay. If it worked with their schedule cuz I really liked hearing from the students and they presented to us before as well, too. And that's a wonderful suggestion and we do provide that offering to the students that are looking to provide reports to the Board of Education. So, wonderful suggestion. I just know that with the scheduling it didn't work out the last go round, but that is something that we regularly provide and will continue to provide that opportunity also moving forward. So, thank you for lifting that component. Thank you for that. Any other communications from the board? Next item on the agenda is the consent agenda. Do I have a board member willing to adopt the comments? I'll adopt. Oh, yes. Okay. Thank you.
006Are there none? Okay. Next item on the agenda is the consent agenda. Do I have a board member willing to adopt the consent agenda? To the chair. Yes. I'd like to move the adoption of the following resolution, please. Do I have a support? Support. It's been adopted by Mrs. Fletcher and supported by Mrs. Hicks. All in favor? I. Any nays? Seven eyes, zero nays. Resolution adopted. Next item on the agenda is the reports from Sullivan. Hello. >> Hello. Hi there. How are you? >> Hi, I'm good. How are you? Okay. There are a lot. And there's one on my phone. I'm not on my phone, but I am. Okay. All right. So, from Fisher, Princess Scott, um the second and third graders created acrostic poems that are displayed in the hallways. Miss Gables and Miss
007McBroom's classes are drafting their crash out poetry, which is modern day slam poetry. These will be presented during the Friday gathering. The LLC is a happy place at Fisher and our students are enjoying dynamic seating options and the projector feature during lessons in that space. Um Alyssa Zurelli at Jefferson said testing has been going well at Jefferson and our cross cat students have been rocking it. And also, poetry month is going well. This week she is teaching the third through fifth graders about blackout poetry and next week will be Poe. Betsy Lee Pack at Vandenberg in the media center said MSTEP testing is in full swing. During checkouts, we've been exploring poetry for National Poetry Month. I'm still working on library tasks like cataloging, genre finding, labeling related to the recovery project. Genre signage similar
008to what Adams has been ordered. Erica Wilson at Vandenberg in the office says, "In addition to the office's normal business this month, we added puddles, allergies, and the Tigers game to the mix. I made approximately 10 calls home this month about changes of clothing because students fell in puddles, ran into puddles, and did not see puddles. Students can't stay away from the puddles. All roads lead me calling home for changes of clothes due to puddles. With the arrival of the beautiful spring weather, the office has seen an increase in allergy cases. I don't believe I've ever made the number of calls home that I've made this month about watery eyes, pink eyes, and sneezing. I made approximately 12 calls home. Grades 2 through 5 went to the Tigers game Thursday. 264 staff, students, and chaperones
009attended the game. The game was a hit. The office fielded numerous calls this month about volunteer registrations, background checks needed for parents to attend the trip, the time the bus was leaving, and the time the bus was returning. Um at Pierce, Sherry Wilson said, "The varsity e-sports team made it to the state championships for Mario Kart that was held at Oakland University on April 25th. The cheer team won first place in the Detroit PAL League varsity stunting division and first place in the J Cheer competition. The dance team won second place in the J Cheer competition and the hip in hip-hop category. Pierce is proud to announce that we've added baseball to our sports team roster. Yay. Um our eighth-grade promotion and honor ceremony will be held on June 4th at Thurston. And a special
010thanks to our test coordinator Barbara Wilson as we wrap up M-STEP and PSAT testing this week. Danielle Dunn in the AP office at Thurston said, "AP exams begin Monday, May 4th and end May 15th. We have a total of 197 students enrolled in AP classes with 289 exams already ordered. That's a lot. Liz Mazon the front office said at Thurston said spring testing took place on April 14th to April 15th and the week of April 20th and went off without a hitch. Special Special thanks to our testing coordinators Erin Ferris, Laura Bala, and Jen Day for helping us execute a smooth a smooth testing season. The spring musical Shrek was this past weekend. Congratulations to the cast and crew on an excellent show. Thank you Patty Denton, Tim Trainer, Jen Day, and Jennifer Franklin for
011your commitment to the Thurston drama program and your selfless leadership and guidance in the production of this show. The first annual Thurston talent show will take place on May 6th at 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Thurston choir has an upcoming concert on May 12th at 7:00 p.m. Thurston band has their spring concert on May 19th at 7:00 p.m. And it is senior season and there are a lot of upcoming events to celebrate the class of 2026. Honors dinner is May 14th at 5:30 at Western golf course and you're all invited. Senior prom is May 22nd also at Western. Senior awards night is May 28th and we would love to invite you to join as we celebrate our award winners in the auditorium. Graduation will be held on June 3rd at USA Hockey Arena. Student services
012Sue Hunter said I've been very happy to have Sandra McLean working with me for several days over the last month. Her training on the transportation piece for McKinney-Vento students which runs out of my office. Sandra will eventually take this over which will be a huge help to her. Uh central office Angie Naylor but on behalf of the enrollment team families are eagerly enrolling into the South Redford School District. Angela is the enrollment coordinator for K-12 and district enrollments and the GSRP program. Effective February 2026 the store team was assigned to coordinators for processing all school of choice enrollments K through 12. This was a great decision to foster a team effort in reviewing and processing enrollments. Our district also has a new administrative assistant, Sandra McLean. I guess I should have read this one first.
013Who will assist with enrollment as well as other departments in the district. The enrollment team appreciates the support of the cabinet and board as we continue to provide the best services for our families and welcome new families into the district. And lastly, from Jefferson, myself. Uh last week, our second through fifth graders also went on field trip to the Tigers game. Thursday's game against the Brewers and the Detroit boys pulled out a 5-4 win. Thank goodness, cuz they almost lost it. Uh the office has been busy as usual and we're gearing up for the end of the year craziness, ordering inventory and all of the end of the year festivities. We have coming up the Dairy Whip Walk, the teachers versus fifth grade kickball game, field day, and the end of the year ceremony. And
014lastly, oh my gosh, I'm going to cry. Lastly, on a personal note, last week was Secretary's Day and my building truly went above and beyond. The gifts, words of kindness, and of course all the cards from all my kids were delivered throughout the day really touched my heart. It It was the most appreciated I've ever felt on this day and I just want to recognize Title I and all of my staff for making that happen and I really appreciate it very much. And that is all I have for you. Next item is South Redford Foundation. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Good It's a pleasure you all tonight. Thank you for having us. Uh and to those of you who don't know know who I am, my name is Kathy president of South West Foundation. Uh
015I am so pleased to report our uh community connections are growing. Uh we have connected with 3042 Foundation and the founder of that foundation is Mr. Terry. We welcome him to our team as he will be our fundraising on our fundraising committee with Rick Bennett. Rick Bennett will chair it. Mr. Terry will assist him in the fundraising event and other things. You don't want to check but anyway. So we welcome we welcome him. Uh then tomorrow we will be hosting our champions appreciation dinner and three well brunch I should say in three sessions. You everyone is more than welcome to attend that that brunch if you like. Um Let me see what's going on right now. I'm trying to Um also our poker tournament begins May 5th through May 8th. We are short of help
016so if anybody is free any of those days, we run from 11:00 to 6:00 p.m. We will also do it in two sessions. We do from 11:30 I'm sorry from 11:00 to 2:30 and then from 2:30 to 6:00. If anyone is interested, if not it'll just be Rick and I, um, for those days all day. Which is okay because it is my great pleasure because it helps us to fund our scholarships, which I'm going to go into next. We will also be We have 24 scholarship applicants this year. And although that is good, I'm a little How can I say? I'm not easy with the amount considering the amount of students that we have. So, that tells me that we need to be a little bit more uh known with the applic- with the foundation
017giving the scholarships cuz I was looking for my numbers for the applications to be a little bit larger, but we'll take 24. That's fine. And we'll be deciding that tomorrow as well. And that will be six out of those 24 $1,000 scholarships that will be there. Uh, we will also combined with alumni association for the scholarships. The alumni president is will not be available that evening, so I will be presenting for the alumni association and also the foundation. Uh, any questions so far for me at this point? Okay, so great. Uh, last but not the least, I had to take notes cuz my my life is real busy right now. Um, as it was already reported, the uh, cheer team has really kept me busy, busy, busy, busy, busy. Uh, but that's not all for
018the foundation report. Anyhow, so that will conclude, um, the foundation report for tonight. Uh And I look forward to seeing you guys tomorrow. Any of you are welcome to the brunch if you would like to come. And with that, I will say thank you. Thank you for having us. Next item on the agenda is discuss district facility matters. The board will discuss I have a question. Yes. We were supposed to get a printout of what our fees are versus our costs. I have not seen that from our last session. Did you get that? So, I know that the board has had a considerable amount of dialogue on this very topic over the past several years for quite some time. Um at the board meeting uh on September 22nd, 2025, the board also discussed the same
019topic and the board had requested uh as Trustee Hicks has lifting, uh that I provide some additional information to the board. That information was provided to the board um back in January about what it would cost to upkeep and maintain the track and field space, um coupled with um some of the analysis from one of the companies that has done some site improvements for the district over the years. And so, the board has had that information for quite some time. We can certainly um provide that to the board again. Um but that information was in there, um you know, for the board to review at its discretion. We can certainly provide that to the board again, uh if that would be Yes, I I don't know if I wasn't at that meeting. >> Sure. Then
020I don't recall seeing it, so. No problem. No problem. And in there it had the the upkeep, um the maintenance, the insurance pieces. Um so yeah, we we can certainly provide that. Thank you. Yeah, of course. And so I know at at that meeting there back in September there seemed to be some general consensus amongst the board to possibly consider um when it comes to the track and field space uh there seemed to be general consensus about at that particular board meeting about potentially um looking at a future resolution to move it back into operations given that right now the track and field are not available uh for outside rentals. Um and so the board had substantive conversation at that point in time as well as a couple of other um meetings along the way
021as well on the particular topic and so um you know, we'd be happy to provide that additional information to the board um for it to continue to review. And and I'm not sure what the consensus may be of the board on this particular topic this evening. Um but it does continue to come back to the board and so if the board is looking to resolve to do something different um then it would be my encouragement to the board for it to continue its dialogue on this topic and if not while it's certainly important it's not one of the critical functions of the board or of the district. Um so I would you know, encourage the board to um either continue to have this dialogue and then resolve to consider a possible change or um to
022not periodically revisit it unless it's on a semi-annual basis. So, there. Yes. So, as far as we know, Rap ready League is the only one that rents after we waived them. Every year. Correct. And they've been the only people to rent. We haven't had any other um inquiries about renting the track again? Correct. But that's what you're saying, like the semi-annual waiver of that specific Or of the topic in general. >> Of the topic in general. >> Yes. And and so, that was the last context that the board had is what uh Vice President Pearly is sharing here is that rather than continuing to do an annual waiver, um there seemed to be a general consensus, at least on that evening, uh to either, you know, have it be all or or nothing. Um or
023continue to to have it the way that it is with the waiver. Um So, that would be an option, too, is to to look at a waiver um you know, on a semi-annual basis, or I'm just saying also on said topic. Um but for the board to continue to dialogue on it off and on um without resolving to do anything differently. Um you know, again, I I think it's it's either something for the board to look to make a modification or to to simply leave it as it is. Well, >> But that would certainly be at the will of the board. Personally, I would like to make a modification. This is still We're still moving into the realm of operations with this every year, um denying or approving a waiver altogether. Um since they've been
024the elder ones renting for I don't know how long, you know what I mean? I think that we had all agreed that they were to be waived. You know, I don't know why we have to do this every year. I don't think that we have to at all, to tell you the truth. And that seemed to be the consensus of the board when we most recently spoke about it, what you just shared. Mr. Chair. Yes. I'm sorry I brought this up 6 years ago. I just wanted I didn't you know when I brought this topic of facilities to the board when I first came on the board, I didn't think it was going to be a 5 and 1/2 year process of talking about facility rentals. Um and we're stuck on this hamster wheel of
025renting space, which is just outside of the realm of what the board should be doing. We're not in operations. Who rents the spaces not our responsibility at any level. And so if nothing else I get that we may have to deal with the fees and things like that, but can we get out of the realm of saying who can and can't rent spaces? Cuz that's not our responsibility. That's all I want. I mean, I get the other part, but you know, come here every year and saying, "Yeah, yeah, nay or nay or if referee league can't use spaces." It's like I feel like that's not my job as a board member. So, can we let the operational stuff stay on that side of the street and we deal with the policies and things that we
026should be doing. That's what I would hope for us to be doing going forward. To the chair. Yes. At the same point, I understand what you're saying, which is why we're trying to get to a place where we can finally make that decision. But, oversight and budget is our responsibility. I agree. So, yeah, it has to do with both. But, I didn't use any of those words. I said who uses space. That's what I said. I just I understand we do budget. >> necessarily think it's about who's using the space. When we say who can get a waiver, maybe it is about who can use the space. That's literally what we were saying. >> Well, that could very well be operational. And that's what I'm saying. I mean, I'm concerned that we're coming here and
027continue to talk about giving waivers to people. That's not our responsibility as a board. No, I agree, but the budget stuff is. Oh, yeah. All day. I agree with that part. So, we still have to figure out if we're going to rent it to anybody, what those fees would be. That's That's the other side of the street, once again. How much it costs is I get that, but who can rent and cannot can and cannot rent is not what we should be doing. And that's the part that I think we've been spinning our wheels on way too long given the authority of who can use the space. That's not our responsibility. Fees and stuff, I agree 100%. Yes. If I recall, um we did do the fees, didn't we? That when it comes to our
028football stadium and stuff. We did everything else for any other thing that we rent. They pay rent, right? Hm? They pay rent for the space, though. They have been grandfathered in per the superintendent's decision. 20-year fees 20-year-old fees. And I know the question from the board was what does it cost now to maintain it to make sure that if the board chooses to rent it, you know, that the cost is covered. And that's our budgetary responsibility. Okay, but I I was under the impression that we did do a whole thing on the rental. Not on the football. The board split it and we chose to close the field. That's why we're in this loop of waivers as Daniel talks about. Okay. We've got fees set and everything was updated for every other, you know, our
029our gyms and everything else, but not the football field because the board voted 3 years ago to close the field down. Okay. And yes, Redford Aldridge is the only one rental, but we haven't promoted it to anybody else or never, you know, offered it really up publicly that it is available to rent. So, it's it's two sides. To the chair. Yes. >> So, I propose that we don't rent to anybody but Redford Aldridge as they're the only people that we've been renting to for over two decades. That will end that part of the situation, correct? Well, if somebody else came and wanted to and we said that that we can only rent to them, then doesn't seem fair either. Right, you're opening up a legal It's either all or none. Yeah. You can't pick and
030choose. It's everybody or nobody. The fees right now are not all or none. So, I'm not understanding >> fees before. >> But not for the football field. No, and then we canceled all that out and Jason decided we grandfather in and it's fees that are 20 years old. The process was not completed to figure out what the fees would be and the board needs to do that and if we do that, then we need to decide we it's all or nothing. We open it up and it's listed as it's available for anybody. Or not. Or not. And then that stops the waiver. Or we continue like Jason suggested, you can semi-annually or annually continue with the waiver until you find some solution. Or we could remove the waiver from our hands and put it into
031the hands of operations. Right. Well, we have a policy that says we're not Or we're going to remove the waiver and put it into the hands >> to change policy and go through that Because that only affects our team. Turning our team. That's what you said. To the children. Yes, it is. I would >> It is South Redford organization. And it's only South Redford students? No, it's open to other students surrounding our community. But the majority 80 plus percent of the kids that play in the organization as well as the cheerleaders are residents or kids that go to our schools. Because the only flyers that went out for registrations is at South Redford schools. No other outside communities. So they might hear this word of mouth. But the majority of the children over the last
03220 years have been South Redford schools. Period. And there's no different than us having open enrollment for elementary schools. But the majority kids here live in Redford. But 48239 also goes into Detroit. And we have buses that go to Detroit and pick up kids that go to Southfield schools. And their address is is Detroit address with the 48239. So, we kind of playing with apples and oranges here based on the name based on the kids. Stop worrying about the name of the organization and worry about the children. That's what I was asking you. >> All these children in this program that and the criteria is probably 60 to 70% maybe. It's way more than that of children that go that play with this this organization that's been in existence because at first it was the
033Redford Rangers. >> I remember. And there was no problem then. They went to the Eagles. They went to the Elite. Same kids, same schools, the same pretty much the same coaches. Same same. Just the name. Okay, my next question would be is the Redford Elite a 5013C? Already in the books. We carry Redford Rangers, Eagles, and Elite under the same demographics. All registered with the state on nonprofit given to the district proof that they are nonprofit. Everybody in this organization no one gets paid. Every dollar that comes into here is accounted for by our treasurer and every dime, nickel, penny goes directly to those kids. Every cent. I hear you. I would I know what cents are. So, the thing is even back then, some 20 odd years ago, there was only one team organization
034that attempted to rent the football field. And they weren't allowed to use all facilities. And they tore it up. They lasted maybe 1 year. That was in the early to mid 2000s. No one else rents the facilities or attempted to rent the facilities when it was open for everyone but that organization. So, like Daniel said, as a board it's about these children. We use We spin our wheels. We're running on a hamster wheel, like you said. It's not our job. Put all this stuff back in operations where it belongs and leave it alone. We We create a a a a the bun sport, how much we going to do this, how much we going to do that. Because if it wasn't cents they were grandfathered in, they're not paying the same thing that they were
035paying 20 years ago, 10 years ago, 5 years ago. No, it's not the same. They're paying more. So, where did the tiers come from if the pay if the that wasn't decided, some shape or form or fashion, how much they should pay? Because there's a price that they pay when they come over here and fill out the paperwork to get it. Mhm. And everything has to pre be presented uh the nonprofit, which is the same they could add it on file and insurance. They have it. And they presented every year. But our question originally was what does it cost us to keep the insurance and everything in file so that we know that we're not So I pulled up what we got Lord so I was looking at it. This company said it would cost
036$7,000 a year for one visit for a maintenance program. So $7,000 if they came out one year and they would do inspection, repair, grooming, uh metal collecting so on and so forth. So it would cost $7,000 for this company that we got to come out. So say $7,000 to do the maintenance but they came out once a year. They came out twice you know 14 whatever that looks like. So $7,000. Okay, to do the maintenance what about the cost of insurance? The Anybody that rents the field has to have their own insurance. Is that correct? Yes. Okay. However, the district does also have an insurance policy that insures the space. Uh and so you know, to to insure our field and stadium is approximately $20,000 a year. That we pay regardless and then yes, each
037individual renting agency also is required to produce accurate proof of insurance. And that was the thing that Mr. was asked of Mr. Bob and that's what he gave. That's what he found out when we did that back in January. Okay. Okay. Now you have to calculate the football team, JV and varsity. They practice every day and they have eight Well, I would say five four to five home games. Track practice there every day. It's supposed to be open to the public because it's public funded. And these little kids from the referee leagues play four games there. Okay. That's it. And there's no way that those little kids do damage to the field because you can talk with athletic director and talk to anybody that comes out to see the program and when it's going on
038there is none of that going on that they would even be moving. And then what they pay for playing four games there almost covers the cost of that $7,000. Which if you want to look at it that way, why would you charge a nonprofit organization that feeds these kids into our program into our athletic program? Which you would almost what it costs to keep the field up totally a year. That's us. We're a board that's about children. What does tear pro the tear part that was being said as outdated was just >> created 2 years ago. No, it wasn't. It was not. Please stop. Please stop. >> It was not. No. I need to call a point of order because he's going to want to talk for 20 minutes. I haven't been talking for 20
039minutes. We've been dialoguing over >> Well, I don't agree with what you're saying. You keep saying things word of mouth. You have no proof, no data, no anything. And you were not here. Then you can say something. I said it was everyone speak before I spoke. You did not let everyone speak before you spoke and I don't even think you should be speaking from the table. Honestly, I think it's a conflict of interest. We've already discussed that and it's not. Really? Do we need to call up the attorney and get her here again? It's not a conflict of interest. Really? Did you read what the attorney said? Cuz I don't think you did. Point of order. You need to stop. Man, let's stop. I mean stop, period. This whole board. I don't know what we're
040supposed to be discussing, honestly. This is a very broad topic. I'm here. There's nothing on here about a certain organization, nothing on here about waivers. It literally just says discussion regarding rentals. Right. >> And every single person has a different topic. They're going off on. To the chair. Yes. I call point of order. We need to now. And we can carry it over and pick this discussion up at a later time. Um I think that what we need to do we're going to it's going to be up to the board. Does the board want to continue or does the board want to continue want to continue to discuss or does the board want to stop? To for tonight? Yes. Stop. Okay. Continue. Continue. I think you need to define what it is we're discussing, honestly.
041What we were discussing >> be a broad free-for-all. >> Okay. I want to continue discussing the facility rentals as written on here, which is broad. Which is what we can talk about. >> every single year. It's the same conversation every single year because you're not focusing on one topic. We are focusing on the discussion of the facilities rental. Every year for the last what? Two or three years we've been having a waiver. So we were just discussing that. We weren't considering anything. There's nothing on here about a waiver, though. It just says facilities rentals. That's a >> Point of order, she is absolutely right. We have to stick to how it was posted. There's nothing here that says facilities rentals, which means it's not pinpointing anything. Exactly. That's the problem. >> facilities rentals, right? So,
042we could sit here and talk about anything all night long, because there's nothing specifically listed. >> We can talk about the rental. But, it doesn't say anything about a waiver. It says facilities rentals. Not a waiver. >> Is that Is a waiver part of the facilities rental? >> It's different. Is that part of the facilities rentals? I would say no, because last I knew, the board voted to close that facility. >> issues. >> So, the waiver was separate. >> Is that part of it? Okay. Point of order, I'll say it for the third time. Point of order. This agenda item does not say we'll be discussing a waiver. >> This is what we're going to do on the next we we are going to on the next facility, we're going to talk about the waiver.
043Can we continue talking about the rentals? Yes, you may. Go ahead. Say what you have to say. So, the facilities rentals, since we're not talking about the waiver, right? We're talking about the facility rentals, and the tier of the rentals. That's what I want I want to say that. Facilities rentals is what the title says. That's what I'm talking about. Just to be clear. Now, AJ posed a great question when it says we have a rule in there saying that 61% 51% however many percent of whatever nonprofit organization is renting has to be Software for kids, correct? Am I still in the realm of facilities rentals? Right. But, our district is open fivefold. Soar, ESP, CTP, Edge, World preschool, right? We're an open district now. So, I now that I know that it when we
044talked about the facilities rental, we weren't then. But, I'm just saying, maybe it's time that we talk about that again. Everybody's so afraid of changing policy around here. Sometimes we need to look at it every now and then. Sometimes more now than then in some of these. My suggestion, maybe we need to revamp and look at all of it. So, Mr. Chair, can I actually speak now, please? Yes. >> Since we're not really taking turns and the same people get to talk over and over again. We are taking Excuse you, Mr. Johnson. Excuse you for laughing because other people have an opinion. Anyway, what I was going to point out to the board if I had been given a chance was that the tier groups were in effect before the committee was even formed. They
045were found on the website. They were carried over when the committee voted. So, it's a blatant lie to sit there and say the committee created the tiers. If there's an We changed the tiers, we did. We didn't do anything. >> We didn't change the tiers. Make sure you were on the committee. If you don't remember it, I can bring up the minutes because we were all in attendance and it's in the minutes. I remember changing We're going to just We may have updated Can I finish? Okay, can I finish? Yes, I'm saying >> Can I finish without interruption? I just said one person at a time. >> Okay. So, if we changed anything in those tiers, it may have been percents. You'd have to go back in the minutes and check. That's what I was
046talking about the percents. But, if you want to go changing that, it has nothing It still has nothing to do with football because when we reviewed stuff, it was only for basketball and the other facilities related to sports. tomato >> If you want it to be for football, you would Can I talk without you talking, Misha, please? Point of order. It's incredibly rude. At this point You're always allowed to talk. Every single person on this board is always allowed to talk. I I said one one person at a time and that's Amanda. You made me lose my train of thought now. You can go back. You were on the tiers, honey. Yeah, the tiers. That was not decided by the committee. And I'm not sure if the percent was updated or not. It may have,
047it may not have been. You'd have to go back 3 years and look at the committee minutes. But it still was not for football. It was for basketball and it was for baseball and whoever else we were renting to. The board voted to not rent the football field and track. We voted to close it down and see how things went for a year. Instead, we kept being brought back a 1-year waiver year after year after year because that decision was not followed. It wasn't. So, if we want to reopen the football for everybody or for a 1-year waiver or to whoever, I don't care what organization it is, but they need to follow the policies. And if there aren't policies because we shut it down, then it's our responsibility to create those policies and those
048set those rental fees. Cuz right now there is nothing. There's nothing. We're just going off of what has always been done. And I don't care what facility organization rents. I really don't. I just want to make sure that we aren't losing money as a district by renting to outside organizations. That's it. Literally it. So, you can sit there and laugh and be a smug little whatever. But Be careful. You know what we don't all agree on? Don't get me started on what else we don't do. Because you both just said it was not a conflict of interest and it is. No, it isn't. Yes, it is. Point of order. Yes. Okay, I'm hearing this one. Maybe speaking under his breath, I'm not sure. And I'm here trying to listen to Amanda who has the floor.
049And saying be careful kind of sounds like a threat. Don't start I'm not threatening anybody here. Okay. All right. If we can't Please both just cuz this is this is a Yes, yes. We're going to close the meeting. I just want to say one thing before we Please it's not because this this just move on because this We're going to move on. >> This is other stuff too, please. This is not going This is madness. We're going to take a 10-minute break. We are not going to do that. Let's take uh 7:17 10 minutes. I'm stopping all this discussion right now. Are we going back in or something? Yes, we are. Okay, I just want to make sure I get the time right. Next item on the agenda is discuss board scholarship. Madam Chair. Yes.
050>> I think you just want to report out for me, right? There's nothing really to discuss. We've gone through the process. I'm reporting out. Even though it says discuss. Yes. Okay. Um six of the seven board members responded. Thank you um very much to the ones that took the time to do so. Um four of of the six that responded voted the same way for number one. So, it was an automatic majority winner with number one. And the person I'm pleased to announce is Nate Hewitt. Hewitt will be receiving the board scholarship. And then as I mentioned at the last board meeting, um Chris and I are going to redo and update the application for next year and I'm going to be bringing a recommendation to the board about raising the amount of the scholarship
051we give. Um does anybody have any questions? May I ask what amount you're looking at? To raise it to? >> to? It's It's to $50 now, which is equivalent to like one board I was thinking $100 would be one month's board salary. But that's open for discussion and, you know, from the board members at the table. But that that's the fee that pops into my mind and I think the committee before the operation and it got tabled was going to request at least raising it to 100. And that would make the scholarship worth how much? $700. It would double the scholarship. It'll make it a little more interesting. Yeah. Well, we got six, but only three were completed. Well, that's true. Yes, that was a little bit more than it was last year. Yeah, we
052did we did have six, but three did not complete the application. Right. So, it dropped down to three. So, we had three, which is still a lot more than last year. So, we are on the up tick. Things are improving. Mr. Chair. Yes. I have a suggestion like maybe um having a counselor or somebody overlook the application before they send it in. They do. They sign off on it. Um like if you see on the back of here, it says signature of counselor or principal. Everyone was signed off and the ones that didn't Okay, we had like an extra sheet of paper. We're going to update it. So, I'll take Send me a Remind me as we go through that updating. But, yeah, I'm more buying from the counselors and just cleaning it up, making
053it a little easier. But, they do counselor It is signed off where they're supposed to make sure everything's there. Three Three made it through and it wasn't. But, >> I want to Can I piggyback on what Misha said at last time we discussed this that I thought was a really good idea? Um I don't know what exact words Misha said, so correct me. But, you brought up how when it asks for an essay, as soon as kids see the essay, they are immediately like, "Uh, I don't want to do the essay." And then, so that part could just become like a long paragraph or something because we have on there like 200 or 300 word essay. That's literally a paragraph anyway and none of us are sitting there counting each word to make sure it
054met that. So, I thought that was a good idea that you had. Turn it into a regular question. Yeah, they'll they'll fill it out. And if they want to write more than that, they can attach an extra page. But, you're 100% right. People don't It's the end of the year. They don't want to write another essay. But, they do sign off. To answer your question, it just slipped through the cracks. And anything else? Okay, I'm I'm good, Shirley, unless you have anything else for me. Next item on the agenda is considered K-5 English language arts curriculum. Good evening, Madam President. At the board meeting on April 13th, 2026, the board heard a proposal for a new K-5 English language arts curriculum. Recent legislation in literacy, specifically reading, and continuing to uncover the ongoing brain science
055of reading. The research has a clear criteria for what meets all parts of the simple view of reading. In order to best meet the needs of teaching and learning in elementary reading, a team of classroom teacher leaders have engaged in a curricular review that included state-approved program tools. The curriculum department is recommending a new English language arts curriculum called Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts, CKLA. Should the program be adopted by the board, it would cost approximately $24,000 in initial and ongoing professional learning for all teachers, coaches, and administrators for the '26-'27 school year. For 3 years, 2026-2027, 2027-2028, 2028-2029, the cost of online tools and print materials will be $275,000. The program tool will be purchased from the 35M Committee for Literacy Achievement, CLA, high-quality literacy materials grant and would replace Success for All, Kinder,
056Roots, and Wings. Districts are required to have a state-approved literacy tool in place for the '27-'28 school year. Madam President and members of the Board of Education, a resolution is attached for your consideration. Do I have the board member willing to adopt? >> Before we do that, can I ask a question? Have the teachers tried this out? This curriculum? To see if it feeds in. They're trying it out right now. Okay. Two teachers. Yes. I was there last week at Fischer. I watched first, fourth, first, second, and fourth grade start the Amplify and then already I had seen much, much improvement. All right. The um Success for All. Thank you. >> Do we have a board member willing to adopt this resolution? I move to adopt. Do we have a second to adopt the following
057resolution? I will support. Support. It's been adopted by Mrs. Early and supported by Mr. Johnson. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any nays? Seven nays, zero nays. Resolution adopted. Next item on the agenda is closed session for the purpose of strategic and negotiation sessions connected with the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement. Um those Is there a member willing to move the motion to enter into closed session? To the chair. Yes. I move. Do I have a support? Support. It's been moved by Mrs. Hicks and supported by Mrs. Fletcher. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposes? Zero. We are entering into closed sessions at Oh, I leave. I'm sorry. 7:36. Item on the agenda is consider SRE contract. Thank you, Madam President. The negotiating committees representing the Board of Education as well as the South Redford
058Education Association, the SREA, have reached a tentative agreement on a new master agreement between the South Redford School District as well as the South Redford Education Association. Which would be effective August 20th, 2026 through August 27th, 2028. The master agreement must be formally presented to the membership for a vote and ratified by both parties. The South Redford Education Association ratified the master agreement um that was tentatively agreed to on April 23rd, 2026. There is a resolution attached, Madam President and members of the Board of Education, for consideration. Do I have a board member willing to adopt a resolution? To the chair. I'd like to move the adoption of the following resolution, please. Do I have a support? Support. It's been adopted by Mrs. Fletcher and supported by Mrs. Hughes. Hicks. Hicks. Hicks. Hicks. All in
059favor. Aye. Any nays? Zero nays. Seven ayes. Resolution adopted. Hicks. The next item on the agenda is a closed session to consider security planning to address existing threats or prevent potential threats to the safety of the student and staff. Is a member willing to make the motion to enter into closed session? Mr. Chair. Yes. I would like to move into closed session. It's been moved by Mr. Wilson I'm listening. You're changing everybody's name. Sorry. I'm trying to get myself together. >> Understood. Mr. Winston and Mr. Johnson. And supported by Mr. Johnson. All in favor. Aye. Any opposes? Zero opposes. Seven ayes. We are entering closed session at It's 13. I think I can do it. I wanted to thank the mayor for funding the So feel Ashton again. Good evening again, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome
060back. Thank you. Thank So first, it was brought to my attention that I did not mention I invited you to the brunch, but I didn't mention where it was going to be. So it's going to be tomorrow at the Nest. Between you can come 1 2 or 3 o'clock. It ends every day. So let me get that out. Next, they mentioned in regards to the the spirit, the Pearman school dance team and the cheerleading team and things of that nature. But that those are my babies, I had to mention this. They were champions 3 years in a row. So I just wanted to get your permission to leave this at Pearman school for the girls. They don't know it yet, but this is what I wanted to go with their uh trophies that they're won
061over the last three years. And this year was a really big year for them because they worked so hard last week tears and me. So I got this for them and I do also have another one for the dance team. This is the cheerleading team and it's the one for the dance have not came in yet but they will have them and this will be left at Pierce Middle School in the hallway and walk and pass all Catholic the school board. Does it say which years? Yes, so let me start and say and say three years. Let me correct y'all. Three years in a row they have won not just first place but state champions. Mean we there. All day. 6:00 a.m. >> Well, I I'm just the reason I was asking is because if
062you're going to leave it at Pierce for long term somebody six years down down the road might want to know what years they were So so maybe above or below could say 2024 2025. I'm sorry. You said they may want to know what year The years they were The years they were champions. Oh so it's missing the 2016. Right. So the trophies has that on there. The trophies do and when they see the trophy you will see that. Okay. That's the trophy on the picture. So when they see that they they will probably get the picture but I also want to say that we brag about the kids winning the championship but let's talk a little bit about the coaches. Let's talk a little bit about coach Sterling and and coach Jay. If it wasn't
063for them you know this wouldn't happen. Those coaches I mean I'm telling you they're phenomenal. I don't know how you know them but how I know them from everyday all day. Um Coach Sterling's an alumni. Yeah, she is. I didn't know that. Excellent. Her skills for this, excellent. I'm just I just had to put that up there. That's awesome. And that's it. So, I won't hold up no more of your time, but I I have to brag on my kids. So, maybe a good idea. So, maybe you put the years right here. Yeah. Okay. I'll have them to do that. Perfect. Oh, and they also won the state belt. See that? See that? Highest the belt. You will find the belt at the here in Memphis. That's awesome. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for
064sharing. I'm happy to Congratulations. That is awesome. You're on the cheer team, too? Yeah. Yeah, she is. Congratulations. Thank you. Roll that. And one last but not least thing, if since I have some principals in the house, I'd like to take advantage of this moment to speak about PTO. Um, if we next year, if we can gear a little bit towards uh, more connection with the PTO and maybe even combining them in some sort of way. I did do a PTO um, meeting for all of the schools because we had low participation. So, um, to you principals, if you could kind of speak to your PTOs and have them to get an email to me and things of that nature. I'm trying to put our PTO back together to where as we will be non-competing
065PTOs as well. It can be done. We just need the participation. It's power in numbers, so we just need that. Thank you so much. Okay, you sure can. And that will conclude. Thank you for your time and allowing me uh, I was trying to keep up with the 2 minutes, but let me um, I thank you for allowing me this little bit of time to share with you. It's actually 3 minutes, but Take pictures, Kathy. We want to see pictures of you surprising them. Kathy. Thank you. No. Thank you. I'm going to have Remember to call me if you need anything, okay? Okay, I shall. Yes. If you need anything let me know for you. Thank you so much. Good night. Back to you Madam President. Okay, is there The next item on the agenda
066is closed session for the purpose of strategic to consider security planning to address existing threats or prevent potential threats to the safety of the city. and staff. So I move we go back into closed session. Second. Okay. by Mr. Winston and Mr. Johnson. >> by Mr. Johnson. All in favor. Aye. Aye. Opposed say no. Yeah, and then we close session at 8:24.