001Like to call the regular, um, board meeting of the Taylor School Board for April 22nd, 2026 to order at 6:00 p.m. Uh, Mr. Morris is excused. Ms. Schufeldt? Here. Westfall? Here. Block? Here. Fields? >> Here. Morris here. Mordarski? Here. Okay, please rise 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. Thank you. Uh, revisions and approval of the agenda. Yeah, I do have a concern with the agenda. It's action item number one. It says any cost exceeding the 11 million to be funded from the general fund. I don't think we can appropriate funds without a dollar amount. There cannot be a budget of infinity on a construction project.
002Uh, I do believe that Yeah, it's not even allowed under state rules because it could create a budget deficit. Yeah, Mr. Mordarski, when we got to that in the action items, I was going to recommend that a board member should amend that, uh, item to include $884,000 as the limited amount. So, yes, we were going to address that at the time. Yep, okay. Do we have language for that adjustment? Um, it is recommended the Board of Education approve the Taylor High School athletic improvement final letter of recommendation with any cost exceeding the 11 uh, the originally approved 11 million, um, and then I guess how are we going to word that, put it in there? I would say add a sentence at the end that says the additional amount is not to exceed $884,000. >>
003Perfect. So, we'll keep it the same and then just add the additional amount shall not exceed $884,000. I would that would be my motion. Well, that's what I mean. We have to revise it now or revise it then, but we have to revise it at some point. You can revise it as when you approve the agenda here. So, I'd be making a motion for a to revise. >> Yeah, but I think that's That's what I wanted to get to be. >> So, my motion is to revise the agenda to to add the dollar amount $888,000. $884, I believe is the number. So, yeah, just a sentence after um >> In the future, we should wait till I ask for those revisions though, correct? Yeah, no, no, not if you're approving the agenda. You can't approve
004an agenda with a bad item. You can't do that. Okay. I would say are there any revisions or approvals for the agenda for the motion? And then at that point, you would say, I have a revision. And you would say, you didn't even give me that opportunity to say that. I believe that's what was said, but okay. Okay. So, we have a motion on the table by >> So, we have a motion by Ms. Moore. Support. >> correct? First. >> Support. By Ms. Fields. To revise action item number one. Not to go above what was it? Not to exceed the um the final amount not to exceed $884,000. That sound okay? Okay. >> For the additional amount. >> amount shall not exceed $884,000. And again, I hope we don't hit that, but Okay. Okay. Ms.
005Shufelt, is the yes, Mr. Westfall? Yes. Ms. Block? Yes. Ms. Steels? Yes. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Medarsky? Yes. Mr. Morris is excused. That passes 6-0. Okay, we have discussion items. The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals the pathway to leadership program fees, Ms. Spreemy. Good evening. I believe last time I was here I talked about some of our grant initiatives. So, I'm seeking approval from the Board of Education for this initiative in the amount of $39,125 paid for out of title two. This will allow five of our TFT members to participate in the pathway to leadership program through the MAS MASSP. It's a 240-hour leadership program that will allow us to help grow our own within the district. We had several applicants put in a personal narrative, letters of recommendation, and then we also conducted
006interviews with our TFT panel along with central office and building level leadership. And we landed on five very viable candidates that we would like to move forward. So, we're looking for the board to approve the amount in order to do so. And again, that is a grant-funded initiative. Do you want to speak to that at all? Oh, you sound good. Oh, okay. Ms. Graham was on the panel, so I was just getting her letting her know. >> Any questions from the board, comments? Good program, glad you found a grant for it. Yeah. Well, thank you. I think I'm next, too. Anyone? Okay, thank you. Now, we'll move on to the teach ESL endorsement program. Yes, another one of our grant initiatives that I spoke on the last time I was here was to increase our
007capacity for English language services within our district. I also put in the packet some of the requirements by the state that we have to meet a certain number of minutes. So, this would help our students meet our integrated minutes. So, that means the teacher would help provide instruction in both their core content area as well as English language services for our students that are not newcomers, but a little bit more along on their proficiency journey in the district. So, this program would allow 10 of our teachers to do that. Again, working with TFT, we went through the applicants and made sure they met the program requirements. So, we are looking to fund uh 10 teachers to go through this program in the amount of $46,050. Any questions from the board? I do want to just
008clarify that when we look at our demographics, this is one of our fastest growing populations within our school district. So, it is something that we do need to be working to support and find more staff to be able to support here. It is definitely one of our fastest growing areas. Yep, and expect that to continue as, you know, >> Right. We currently have >> well over 300 students that are ESL um eligible. And if you look at the state gives you a calculator and we should have nine FTE uh staff and right now we're at eight. So, this will help again to increase that capacity. >> Okay. Okay. Make it work. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Now, we have the ceiling bid. Is Jack here? Thanks, Jack. Good evening, everyone. Um we put out
009a bid to replace the ceiling and lighting at West Middle School in the hallways. Uh we received one bid from Professional Contracting and Consulting for $151,900. The project's going to start June 11th and they expect the completion date to be done August 5th. Um so, this is going to replace all the the hallway ceilings and the lighting. We're putting in new LED lighting. Upstairs and Long time coming. Thank you. Hallways this summer. We'll work on classrooms next summer. Hallways this summer. >> That's fabulous. Thank you. It's a long time coming. Thank you, Jeff, for putting that in motion and getting it done. No problem. Thank you. It'll be much nicer. I I say that there's gum on the ceiling from 1952 or whatever whenever the building was built. I bet there are. Yeah, I guess
010my for many years No, my question is cuz I noticed this in the upper field, too. We sometimes only had one qualified bidder bid. But what's in this RFQ that only one person in the whole state of Michigan qualified to bid? I'm sorry. Why is only one person qualified to bid on this? I mean, what was put in Nothing. Yeah, I don't think it was a matter of whether it was qualified. I think it's nobody I was bid on it. It was put out to any to every contractor. How do we advertise these bids? It's in the newspaper for 2 weeks and it goes into Sigma, the district the website that uh District pages. Yeah. Okay. Can I get a copy of the RFQ for that? So I want to know what the qualifications were.
011Absolutely. Thank you. Okay, now we have is John on computer night. What? John Ross is going to join us he did via Zoom to talk about the digital age technologies. He probably wasn't ready for us to move so quickly through the agenda already. I would agree. And we wait for no one. Good afternoon, everybody. I assume that you can hear me right now. Yes. All right, thanks. So, I have in front of you a proposal for a replacement PA over at Moody Elementary School. Uh it's for approximately $72,000 and some change. Uh that proposal is to replace rip and replace the current system that was there. Uh a few, I would say, about a month or two ago, we had the current PA go out. Uh we had a company come out and they were
012actually the company that installed it back in 1998. Uh they came out and said that there was nothing that they could do with the system and were unwilling to work with us on anything. So, we brought in a the company that has been doing the PA replacements around our district over the past couple years now and they lent us a spare system that we could use. Uh right now, that's just an all call, so there's nothing else we can do other than call all rooms in the building. And currently, there's no outdoor speakers or hallway speakers, either. So, it's just a calling a system to call all classrooms, essentially. Uh the proposal that you have in front of you is a full rip and replace that'll replace all speakers, wiring, and the head end and
013will remove anything from the front office so that they have more space up there as well. The uh proposal also includes the same systems that we had put at Canyon and Randall. And as a comparison, Randall, Moody, and Johnson, I believe, were the three that that the last replacements were all back in 1998 with identical systems. Uh Johnson would be the last replacement and we are not proposing to do that this year. Um it just so happens that Moody's system completely died on them uh about a month or two ago. Um that that about covers it. Uh if you have any questions, let me know. Apologize for not being there. I'm coaching baseball right now. Any questions from the board for John? Okay, thank you. All right, thank you, Debbie. Okay, public comment. Is there
014anyone that wishes to address the board with regard to the agenda items only? Okay, just give me 1 minute and I'll begin reading. Welcome to the Taylor School District regularly scheduled board meeting of April 22nd, 2026. Our mission statement is to educate it with purpose, engage with passion, empower the future, and our vision statement is that we will we will create a welcoming and innovative learning environment that nurtures the whole child, empowering every student to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Thank you for being here with this evening. We value your participation and appreciate the opportunity to hear from our community. Public comment will begin with those attending in person, followed by our online participants. In-person speakers should come to the microphone, state their name and address. Online speakers should use the raise hand feature to
015be recognized or the QR code. Please be respectful, avoid personal attacks, and limit comments to 3 minutes so everyone has an opportunity to speak. We will provide and assist with timekeeping so each guest will be able to monitor their own time and know when to conclude so all who wish to speak will have an equal opportunity to do so. If questions arise, Superintendent Wager or his designate will work to provide answers in a timely manner. Please note that comments made by individual board members do not necessarily reflect the position of the Board of Education. The portion of the public comment is limited to agenda items only. There will be another opportunity later for general public comment. This meeting is um in accordance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act and is being video recorded. Thank you.
016I forgot my question. No, just kidding. I just wanted to hear you read all that. >> Yeah. So, and I don't know if John's still online or not, but I heard him say Randall and Johnson and Moody, those are the last that we'll have the systems done. Everybody else has got new um PA systems. That was my question. I was just curious. Does anybody have the answer to that? I'd have to just double-check to make sure. No, I'm just curious. I know he mentioned those three. Sounded like that they were, you know, almost done with that. Does that mean all of them are done? I know I I subbed at Moody and they really have They have the old speakers still in the library, so. Just curious. I was just curious. >> And I I
017believe that those are all fixed, too. But I couldn't answer that question. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Carolyn. Anyone else in person wishing to address the board? Um I'm Courtney Prout, 9846, Catherine. I just had a quick question based on like the whole like thing in the beginning with the extra money for the um athletic facility. Can you guys explain that a little bit more cuz I think I just want to make sure like I was understanding that cuz it was like more money on top of the other money. I was trying to figure out that was I was I mean I was just a little bit concerned, I guess, like like is the same person managing the money that mismanaged it before and now we're going to give them more money to do
018that again. >> was discussed and you did a question and we answered it at our last board meeting. Mike, did you want to um I'd say I probably easier if I talk to you as soon as I get a chance, but I will gladly answer those questions. Yeah. Okay. Yeah, I was just I was just trying to figure it out cuz like kind of like a conversation and it's not on like here to kind of see. And then it goes into the action items for like the next >> That's kind of why I like we we set it up structured it. We had the discussion at the committee the whole cuz that's kind of the idea and then that gives the board the two weeks to consider and come back and make a a judgment
019from there, but I can summarize what was talked about at last meeting. I don't mind doing that. Okay. All right. thank I guess my only concern, Courtney, is we did have the committee of the whole, so we got a bid proposal packet. And I thought we were going to have more discussion on it. I don't think this is ready to be voted on yet because yeah, there's a lot of questions about the bidding that now we have no one to ask because I thought they were coming back for this meeting. So that's why I'm voting no on it because yeah, the process should have been spread out over a couple more meetings cuz remember, the the most just if I may, the most important information dated back to September of last year. Why it held
020from us, I don't know, but we got it about a week ago and that was good. But now we have no one to question about it. So no, there I have serious questions about the money as people showed it. And in prior to the last board meeting, that's the reason we pushed Saxby off for another 2 weeks is so that board members had an opportunity to look through the material and ask those questions. Well, who do I ask the questions to? They're not here. And both of those gentle gentlemen, I I meant to say that they were going to be here last week to answer questions from the board and they were ready to answer any question that you had and now they're not here this week to answer questions, so we're going to bring
021it up again. That should have been taken care of last week when they were here. Ma'am, that's not possible. The questions I have are on documents I got after the meeting. Okay, so We got the documents after the meeting that should have been provided prior to the meeting. So because the documents were given, the questions could not be asked. >> Okay. Your request then at this point, Mr. Modrzejewski, is that you would like to see Saxby here again and and Barton Malow here again to answer quite more questions. Is that what you request? Based on the new data, yes. Yes. Yes, it is. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Wagar. Well, you're the one who listed a $2 million shortfall, so maybe you're not looking at the stuff. I'm the one that what? There was a $2
022million shortfall. You reviewed it. You said you did as treasurer. You said your finance committee reviewed it. How did you miss a $2 million addition error? In a simple column. This was a simple project that went to your committee. Never been Grand Rapids. What are you talking about? >> So just quickly my question was kind of surrounding that whole thing. My question was like And I think my biggest concern was that like yes, I do agree that the money was mismanaged and the board isn't well looking over that money. Like how are we I just struggle with like giving them more money. >> though that I think you're talking about is from a different administration. That mismanaged money is not based Like last week we were speaking They were speaking back and forth and he
023said that he missed a number on his spreadsheet and he didn't like add it all together. >> That's sexy. Yes. So my concern is that we're giving >> us was from them. It wasn't our mis- Right. No, it was Their mistake. They messed up. >> Right. Which is So what do you What do you do I guess at this point? >> That's what I'm saying. My concern is that we're going to now going to open up more of our general fund money to these people who mismanaged the money and we're it's not being checked on the back end. >> That's not how it works. That is how it's working. That's what we just said. >> We don't just open up our general fund. Right. Which is why I asked for clarification on what that whole
024thing was about. >> That's the That's the thing. We have a specific amount of bond money. And if they go over budget for something I wasn't happy about it either and Mike knows that. Nobody However, there was no way in heck I wanted to see any more bond money used for athletics or anything else. That's for that high school. So, my conversation with Mike was the way I would vote for it and and the way I would make motion for it is if they go over budget, then that's coming out of the general fund, not anymore out of that bond money. >> But doesn't it scare you as a Board of Education that we're allowing the same person who mismanaged money in the first place to continue to potentially mismanage our general fund money now?
025That was my bring up. It's like How does that How are we going to ensure that that's not going to happen again? >> doing just this athletic bunch. They're not They're not involved in anything else. >> money was by the company. It wasn't by the It was a It was a clerical error. So, Not by our district. Not by our district, though. Correct. And that's what I'm saying. But But the same people are still running the project. What you're trying to >> able to mismanage the general fund money now. What you're trying to say is what we safeguards What we safeguards are I understand what the chief is saying. >> from going over. I yield the floor. We need an interpreter, Mr. Medeiros. >> But I'm talking. You can listen while I talk. There are
026no new safeguards in place. The exact same fail-safeguards remain. Let's maintain some decorum here. Uh one person at a time and it's good to have these conversations, but it needs to be one person at a time. And respectfully. Fair enough. Let her go. Um Yeah, and and it's important to note, too, that knowing that we have a a satisfaction guarantee um with with Saxy that it it and so at the end of if we're not happy We're hoping that that it doesn't come to fruition and that we need that money. We're hoping that we have contingencies on there and so we're hoping that that money never needs to be spent and it doesn't and we don't need to to do anything else. It is um concerning, you're right, when you have somebody do it. We're
027in the midst of a project though and in so far with the exception of this error, they've been really great to work with and all the other um things that go along with a a decent company that and we're not running into problems like we we have in the past with um uh previous, you know, site, you know, people, I don't know what you call them, people doing it. So, I think it's fair to um they've owned the error. Um again, we're hoping that that we never have to touch that and that the contingency money um and you know, we have to go from there. We can't just shut down an entire project that with the Jesus communities has been waiting for forever. If you know, and and No, I agree and I think that's
028I mean that the community wants to see is our money being used properly, but that's just it makes me really nervous, you know, as as a community member to know that now now my tax money's being used for something and then potentially the school district money is also might be used and it could be mismanaged. >> they made a clerical error. Um apparently it sounded like it was an Excel. Um they've owned it. They, you know, we do have a satisfactory guarantee at the end. Um and again, they've asked to any questions that we've asked, they've answered honestly. Um you know, so I think we were good there, but certainly there we can have them come back and answer any other questions that the board may have, but that's what I, you know, hope to
029accomplish last week. Thank you. Anything else, Courtney? Thank you. Thank you. All right, where are we at? I've forgotten now. We're moving on to the action items. Okay. Is there anybody else online? Okay. Anybody else wishing to address the board in person? Okay, we will move on to action items. Nope. Nope. What do we have? Oh, okay. Come on in. Uh my name's Ashley. I'm um a volunteer for the football program and I was just listening to you guys and I think that I just wanted to say I think it's important that because of that $2 million mistake, if there's something that is going to be cut because of it, um I think it's important that there's like full transparency there and that the public is very well aware of what might have to be
030cut because I mean we've been promised something we you know we know we're supposed to get and I don't like I don't know what kind of turf they're putting down they're supposed to be you know there's different levels of turf and if they're saying you know we're going to get this level of turf but now we're getting plastic turf because you know we need to cut the budget to make up for that two million dollars that's important to know. Um and also to negotiate with them I think is really important because that was a big mistake on their end and to say you know we have to take this um two million dollar error when in reality it was your mistake I think that it's fair to say like you guys have to figure something
031out too. But again let's get the project moving get it done. So knowing what is going to be cut because of that cuz I heard at the last board meeting that you know things might have to be cut cuz there's only a million dollar like the contingency was only I think a million. So what about the other million? Yeah but I I will say because we approved 11 million off the bat. Um That still puts us over point eight right? Anything we're going over is just contingency. So if everything stays to budget then we wouldn't ever even touch with it. So I know And I want to thank you for bringing up the turf cuz that was my concern. I cuz I've been researching this from last week with the grass and I'm surprised we
032didn't get any um anything we didn't hear anything about the grass. No and I'll tell you if we go with artificial field turf which we are it's made from oil it's a petroleum product. And this is we're not the first district but there's other districts nationwide who are saying wait a minute now the price of oil has doubled. Our turf prices are shooting way up and that was my concern. That they were going to say okay oil prices have essentially doubled since the bids were in September. That's a problem and that's what I was concerned about. >> Yeah yeah now if that happens I mean it I think it should grass should be looked into anyways I think it's healthier for the students um my son plays on it and he says 100% more grass
033is better. Grass is better. It's better to plan. You have better, you know, traction. Less injuries. I'm sorry? Less injuries with the grass. Less injuries. Many, many. He says he slides a lot on the turf. Not to I mean, I know a lot of schools are doing it now, but it's definitely something to look into than grass. So, I'm I agree. >> Thank you. Anyone else? No. We'll move on to action items. Action item number one, the THS athletic improvement final letter of recommendation. It is recommended the that the Board of Education approve the THS athletic improvement final letter of recommendation with any cost not to exceed 84,000 Wait. 8 884,000 >> 884,000 dollars. Um the originally of the original approved 11 million, or am I excluding all of that? Well, it's just basically it
034would be read as written and then add as the incentive at the end that says the additional amount is not to exceed 884,000. >> cost exceeding the original approved 11 million to be funded from the general fund as presented at the last Committee of the Whole meeting not to exceed the 884,000. Correct. Um not the additional amount to exceed the 884,000. Correct. Okay. Is there a motion? Motion. Motion by Mr. Westfall. Is there a second? Support. Support by Ms. Moore. Mr. Westfall? Yes. Ms. Block? Yes. Ms. Fields? Yes. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Medarsky? No. Mr. Morris is excused. Ms. Shiflett is a yes. That passes 5-1. Number two is the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals for Pathway to Leadership Program fees. It is recommended that the Board of Education approve the invoice for Michigan
035Association of Secondary Schools Principals in the amount of $39,125 for five candidates to participate in the MASSP Path to Leadership Program as part of the district's ongoing leadership development efforts through Title Two funding. Is there a motion? Motion. Motion by Ms. Moore. Support. Support by Ms. Fields. Ms. Black? Yes. Ms. Fields? >> Yes. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Madarsky? Yes. Mr. Morris is excused. Ms. Shefelbine says yes. Mr. Westfall? Yes. That passes 5-1 or 5-6-0, sorry. Number three is the Teach ESL Endorsement Program. It is recommended that the Board of Education approve 10 candidates to participate in the Teach ESL Endorsement Program in the amount of $46,050 for program participation fees funded through the Section 41 Grant Fund. Is there a motion? Motion. Motion by Mr. Madarsky. Is there a second? I'll second. Second by Ms.
036Moore. Ms. Fields? Yes. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Madarsky? Yes. Mr. Morris is excused. Ms. Shefelbine says yes. Mr. Westfall? Yes. Ms. Black? Yes. That passes 6-0. Number four is the ceiling bid for West Middle School. It is recommended by the Board of Education to approve the award of bid 2667 to Professional Contracting and Consulting in the amount of $151,900 for the removal and replacement of ceiling and lighting at West Middle School as presented. Is there a motion? >> Motion. Motion by Ms. Fields. Is there a second? >> Yes, support. Support by Mr. Westfall. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Madurski? No. Mr. Morris is excused. Ms. Shufeldt is a yes. Mr. Westfall? Yes. Ms. Block? Yes. Ms. Fields? >> Yes. That passes 5-1. Number five is the Digital Age Technology PA system at Moody Elementary. It is
037recommended the Board of Education approve the bid from Digital Age Technologies in the total amount of $72,279 for the purchase and installation of the new public address PA system at Moody Elementary. Is there a motion? Motion. Motion by Ms. Block. Is there a second? >> Second. Second by Mr. Madurski. Mr. Madurski? Mr. Morris is excused. Ms. Shufeldt is a yes. Mr. Westfall? Yes. Ms. Block? Yes. Ms. Fields? Yes. Ms. Moore? Yes. That passes 6-0. Hey. >> Next is the consent agenda. Uh We have the consent agenda policy number 0166.1, policy 6470, policy 8640, and policy 2304. Minutes from the regular board meeting from April 8th, consolidated items, payment of current bills, certified non-certified, and administrative report. Out of state overnight field trips, out of state overnight grant-funded conferences. Is there a motion? Motion. Motion by
038Ms. Moore. Is there a second? Support. Support by Ms. Fields. Mr. Madurski? Yes. Mr. Morris is excused. Ms. Chief of the yes. Mr. Westfall? Yes. Ms. Block? Yes. Ms. Fields? >> Yes. Ms. Moore? Yes. That passes 6-0. Move on to the superintendent's report. All right, good evening everybody. I got a few things I just want to mention briefly. The first I'm really looking forward to Friday night the Taylor Public Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence is having their second annual Wall of Fame get Wall of Fame Gala and we have one of the honorees who will be joining the Wall of Fame here in attendance tonight, Ms. Caroline Patts. But it's going to be a great event where they are going to raise lots of money to help out with our scholarships for our seniors. They
039help with grants for our teachers, they help with field trips for our students. Foundation does a great many excellent things and I'm so glad we'll be honoring Ms. Patts and among others, but since she's in the audience tonight, I decided to throw that out there. So, it'll be a great event Friday night at Lakes of Taylor. The next thing I want to mention is kind of updating as we head into another state budget season. I really want to thank our legislators. I know this sounds very crazy from what I was saying last September when I was saying constantly that oh, get on them, tell them to get this done. This should have been done already. I am amazed that all three budget recommendations have come from the Senate, the House, and the governor's proposal already
040in April, which is very makes me very optimistic that they will meet that July 1st deadline. So, I wanted to say thank all of our legislators for going to making sure that that work gets done and that they keep at it because by law they are supposed to have that state school aid budget set by July 1st and we want to make sure we we have an understanding. It's very difficult for a school district to go ahead and build our budget out for the next year when we don't even know what our inputs are. So, sticking to that what is required by statute is fantastic. Looks like they're on track to do so. Looks like a lot of agreement between the three, which that's not always the case, too. So, I think there's some good
041things and let's let's hope that that keeps moving forward the way it has so far. And the last thing I want to mention is I attended this morning the top 10 breakfast for the Downriver League. It's always one of my favorite things. It's always the signal of oh my god, we're almost at the end of the school year because we're starting all of our senior celebration events and this is the first one that kind of kicks it off. And I think probably every year you hear me say the same thing on this day because it's that time where I go it's a great time of year. It's a time to celebrate. It's time to to enjoy the accomplishments for our seniors, but it's a time to remember you still have a little further to go,
042seniors. Don't let that senioritis take over and make some poor choices when you're in the home stretch here. So, lots of good things for our seniors, lots of great events. One of my favorites coming up will be the parade at Heritage Park. It's always one of my favorites, one of the great things that came out of COVID. But, if we want our all our kids participating and we want them to be there, you're not quite to the finish line yet. Make sure you cross that finish line before you make some poor choice and jeopardize it. So, I always like to put that reminder out when we start into this season, but looking forward to all the celebrations coming and thank you. Okay. Items scheduled for next agenda, good news, student representatives. All right, general public
043comment. Is there anyone wishing to the board to address the board about any topic whatsoever? Anyone in person wishing to address the board, come on up. Okay. Um I'm Lynette Steiner, 3287 Mayfair uh Street. Um I sent out an email today just to uh the board members. Um I've been up here before to be a big big advocate for the pool. I know things that are um going down. Um I have talked to um Mr. Wagner Emma Scope. Um so, I know that there's two things coming out um possible um that I found out today that one might not be like they're going to build a gym over the um pool where the pool's at and one that possibly to keep the pool. And I am just here to say that I think that we
044should keep the pool. I think um swimming education is very important. We are in Michigan. We are surrounded by water. Um and I think that should be taught in schools. Um not to mention that I put in the email as well one of my dad's friends died um from drowning um and he would have been with them. They didn't know how to swim. He learned how to swim in school. That's why I think it's very important. He made it a point to let us know that it's important. I think it's a very important that we keep that. Um I'm just going to say that and then also we have so many gyms. We have so many gyms already. We don't need another gym. Just going to put that out there. And the gyms that we
045have, I know that there's junk all over around like some of them like, you know, maybe the one in here. Like can we clean that out and have that available? Like why are we asking for another gym if we have gyms that we can use and they're not being um ready for students to use. Because if you give those to the students, say, "Hey, this is a wrestling gym. This is your gym." They're going to be proud of that gym. But if you fill it with crap and then say, "Oh, this is your spot." Like that's not You know what I mean? Like there's spots for everybody already. Nothing needs to be taken away. So, that's what I'm here fighting for and I don't think it should. And with the bond, we were supposed to
046get a new school, we would have never lost the pool because that was going to be kept and they were going to use it as like a community, blah blah blah. And so now we don't get the school, we might not we might lose our pool. I mean, there's just why are our students losing, losing, losing. And that's all I have to say. Um I'd like to say I agree with the pool. One of the people I work with at University of Michigan, her son just got a scholarship, full scholarship for swimming and I think they're very important. Um I'm here today because I'd like to address the board about the um the grounds at the high school. I've met with Mr. Wagner and Miss Miss Graham already and I want to thank you for
047that for meeting with me about it. Um but I'd like to ask the board to consider hiring a professional landscaping company this summer or now, now's the time to come out and fix the grounds. It's sad. It's really sad. There are um there's trash everywhere, there's uh broken concrete, broken gates, safety hazards, weeds everywhere. Um it's you know, at the football games you hear other parents parents at our school um I speak on their behalf, parents from other schools whispering under their breath, "This is horrible. This looks disgusting." I understand we were supposed to get a new school, so it might have been put on the back burner. Um I know that the school is supposed to get a lot of upgrades in the next couple years. But you don't say like I'm not going
048to paint my house cuz I'm moving in 5 years. You know what I mean? You don't say I'm not going to plant flowers because in 2 years we're not going to be here. It's really important. This is it show it gives our kids when they pull up to the school standards. What they see, how they feel when they walk into the school, when they're walking in and they see broken concrete and a trash bag hanging on the tree and babes in the parking lot and broken gates and it just looks like junk. It's embarrassing. It's sad. It I I've seen a little bit done over the last week. I drive by a lot, take pictures a lot. You know, there's been a pile of mulch sitting on the side of the school for I don't
049know how long. I'm not saying it's a problem with the mulch. I'm saying it's the problem that it hasn't been laid down yet. It needs weed block. It needs weeds pulled, weed block. We need nice mulch laid. We need it to look good cuz our kids deserve it and it's it's very important. And all the other schools in the district, I understand we're getting in a new athletic field. But to, you know, in September, you know, when we have our first game and you pull up to this great athletic field and the outside of the school looks like junk. It's embarrassing. And please, I am begging the board on behalf of every parent I have talked to at the school to hire a landscaping company company to come out and and fix it. And I
050I do want to say since our meeting, I did have uh, conversations with our operations department. They are already going around and starting to fix the gates. Well, >> the gates are cuz that was a big concern, I know, and that was a concern of mine as well. >> That was quick too. In a few days I saw a few things. I saw that um, exercise equipment was thrown away and I saw a little bit of the mulch laid, but um, on top of that, you know, like we discussed, we need professionals out there. Um, so just yeah, Now, bit at a time is great, but the we need a professional to come out there and really do something to it cuz it's it's it's that bad. It's it's beyond, you know, what we can
051do and what maintenance can do. Um it's a D1 school, you know, like it's it's the only high school in Taylor now. It's it's important. So, yeah, please. >> I I couldn't agree more, but I also but I also believe that our coaches need to have some responsibility in making their teams pick up whatever they've got laying. >> 100% Yeah, if that's the problem, they need to have the >> to be responsible for shutting gates at night and not leaving it for someone else. So, we all should share responsibility in how that that building looks and the grounds. >> 100%, but I don't think it's the sports sports team's fault for how it looks right now. It's neglect. It's 100% it it didn't just happen overnight or like at baseball practice or soccer like But
052everybody needs to get a hand in it. We need to take pride and I know that we're about to start construction and so you don't want to put too much money into something that you might bulldoze or whatever, but with what we do have currently, we can maintain and make it look nice. Yes. I mean, I know the back of the school is under construction, but I'm talking about like when you pull up to the school, you know what? It's sad. It's embarrassing. It's it's it's gloom. It needs it needs help. It needs our attention. >> Yeah, do we have kids that would like to work with, you know, somebody that's very knowledgeable about that and get out there and Yeah, I mean, one of our coaches is has a landscaping company. You know what
053I mean? Like it's they they'd be more than happy to Coach Miles, I believe, is a track coach. Hasn't He is one of the board members. He could volunteer. You're not wrong. That's all I have to say. You're Yes, please. If we could have a company come out and do something with it this summer so that, you know, next year when the kids pull up, you know, they they're like they're proud. It's the school pride, you know, right now they're like Yes, thank you. Yeah, like you can quickly turn around Quickly, you got some things picked up, but we can't pick those things up quickly and then turn around and put more stuff in its place. We have to now maintain it >> Right. >> and keep up on it And that's the trash that
054we're talking about, the things that are thrown on the ground and I believe we do have maintenance people hired that should be out there doing it. They need to be held accountable for what they're doing when they're clocked in. Yeah. And but I'm talking about things that need professional work, like the landscaping, the weeds pulled, the weed block laid, mulch put down, plants planted, things planted, you know, curbs fixed, potholes, I mean, they can be filled, some of them. I I'm not saying to do >> I've been complaining about that for years, that parking lot. I know, like I can't I understand if we can't do the whole parking lot right now, but I mean one of those potholes is like this deep and people it's just it's it's bad. It's really really It looks
055like a prison. Yeah. I I don't disagree. I think we should make the landscaping thing one of our CTE courses, too. Yeah, that would go at some point, yeah, that's a great idea. Yeah. But getting it to the point to where that's a maintained thing. Like we can have them to maintain it. Like having them come out now would be like, you know, community service if you like were on probation, it's that bad. You know what I mean? That's like punishment having them go out and do it now. We need a company to come out and do something about it now. We need professionals, you know, to come out and then get us to that level Yep. to where we can maintain it and have pride in it and have these groups come out and
056maintain it and plant flowers, you know. Yeah. So yes, I speak on behalf of every parent I've ever talked to. And I talked to a lot of parents. Yep, it's a parent, too, yep, I know. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, anyone else wishing to address the board? Hope Gloria had Rich Pratt, 24403 Hayes. Um, two things, one, another support for the pool, um, and I find it interesting how you can find more out of the bar than you can from the school board about what's going on. >> Um, just you know, it's pretty sad actually if I can find more information talking to people than I can on the website. Um, the second, not that the high school needs help, Johnson. This week when it was flooded, it was beautiful because all those
057potholes got filled, so you couldn't see them when you're driving through. Um, the people there don't want to go to work. Yep. They're afraid to risk their cars, and I know I have no idea because it's not on the website if there's still a plan to do something moving Johnson, but it seems like everything is stopped until we make a decision, but we're not making >> So, I can give you an update. We, uh, we have grant money that's been set aside specifically for Moody and Johnson's parking lots that it's been dedicated to that. Uh, we have been meeting with, uh, engineering company and an architecture firm. They're putting together the bid documents right now, so we can put it out to bid and start it this summer. Like, um, it would be as much
058as we can replace, uh, under what the storm water rules are, and the rest would be mill and cap. So, the worst part's fully replaced, and then other parts would be milled and capped, but we're in the process of doing all that design, and we'll be putting on the website once we have a little more information of how that actual plan looks, and what gets >> My wife will be glad to Oh, yeah, but it's it is proceeding. I know, uh, Jack and Patrick were just at meetings about this with the engineers this week to to get that rolling, so. Thank you. And that is posted on our website somewhere. You might have to dig for it under bond stuff. It may not be yet, but it's something that once we have that, that's when
059we start to So Yeah, I've never looked at the website in terms of the bond section, but I thought maybe that might be something. But anyway. Yeah, it's not bond money for it though. That's the Right. Right. Right. And regarding what Mr. Prout said, this has been an objective of mine, transparency. So a lot of what you're asking for comes in our back ups, okay? And most elected bodies, including the Taylor City Council, put the back ups online. I've been fighting to get the back ups online to no avail. So maybe I'll bring a motion next meeting. But yes, there's no reason we can't put the back ups online so the residents know what we're voting on and what it costs. There's no logical reason not to do it. There is none. Okay, what now
060what are you saying we don't have online? The stuff the materials you get as back ups in your packet. >> Got you. Okay. Got you. Thank you. Go ahead, Carolyn. Put Justin in charge. Pardon me? Why don't you take charge of it and be responsible for putting everything online that you think needs to be? Well, you would just simply be taking the PDF files we get and attaching them to the website exactly how the Taylor City Council does it or Troy or Ann Arbor. Like there's probably a thousand examples. So yeah, I will take charge of writing a resolution to do that. And I will base it on any other public institution that does it. So yeah. Thank you for asking me to do it. 6860 Jackson. I think this is my time now. Yes,
061it is your time. Sorry. Um so I agree also with the pool. That is a crazy thing to me to get rid of a pool when we have no other pool. Well, we have Hoover's pool, but that's not you know, what do you what do you call it? Not collegiate, but I mean to have competitions and stuff there. You can't have that. >> A high school regulated competitive pool. Um and I just, you know, if you keep the pool or when you keep the pool, I'm going to go that way. When you keep the pool, can't you do like in the past when Taylor Center had a pool? They opened it up to the community, had, you know, seniors come in at certain times. I know Woodhaven allows opens it up to their residents. Um
062I don't know if it's non-residents, but they open that up in their track and everything to, you know, not to their residents and you know, that would give us extra money coming in possibly. I know you probably have to get lifeguards. You know, there's more to it than just that, but that's just an idea. I I really can't see and I I I agree that we do need more space for our athletics, for the basketballs and things like that because I know and I know you said there is a lot of gyms, but you know, there is a lot of a space that is not being or can't be used. Um even though way back in the '70s, you know, go quote a 1977 graduate saying, "We had wrestling. We had this. We had that."
063And it was just one school at that time. Plus it was a junior high attached to it. So, you know, I'm sure we can >> issue, too, Caroline. Pardon? I believe it's a scheduling issue, as well. Scheduling? Yeah. That's what I Because they have more students, too, so, but anyways, I I still believe that we should keep the pool. That's my opinion. I just wanted to mention that I actually when I taught at Mayers Elementary, the principal over there did purchase like all of every year she bought all of the landscaping stuff and our elementary school students absolutely loved it. Like it was one of their favorite projects every year was to landscape and decorate it. And the amount of parents that actually came up to support us, as well. So, I just We're keeping
064that in mind. I just wanted to bring that up that like if you even reach out to the community and parents, like we go clean up Heritage Park once a year every time. I mean, there there's a community full of people that would probably come help clean up that stuff. I know that it's not professional. I mean, yes, getting it to the point of being able to do that is great, but that is something that I think is huge. And my daughter just as a thought process yesterday, she was out picking the grass at her school and the playground. And then she had asked when we got home if if could take the mower up there and mow it because we we could walk there. It was mowed today, so that's not an issue, but
065yeah, she was like super excited to mow it and she wanted to go do it. So, I think that's something that we miss a lot of is like our kids can get involved. The CTE option is great having that as an option for kids and keeping landscaping as something that they can do. Um but it's something to bring that up. Like that's something that >> Thank you. I know that Rhonda when she was on the board did a had a big space at her of of space in her heart for Canyon and then she did a lot >> has a beautiful butterfly garden and they're still teachers that are keeping that one up all the time. Um and my daughter goes up there in the summer and we pick all the weeds out of it
066when there's nobody up there. So, like Canyon does a phenomenal job with it, but it's not all the schools. >> Yeah, you're right. And I know that that's a huge elementary kids love doing that. >> Yeah. Well, nobody wants me around a plant cuz it won't be around for very long. I don't have a green thumb. Mine are all dead by July 1st usually. Okay, anyone else? Anyone on mine? Then we shall move on to board member comments. Anyone? I have something just um a quick touch on the pool situation. Um just so everybody is clear like this is not been something that's been discussed. It hasn't been brought to us. Um in my opinion, these are rumors that are spreading through the community um that we're not going to have a pool. So, um
067that is not something that has been discussed with us and it will apparently from what I hear be coming to us in May-ish. Um but until then like we, you know, there's no will to get rid of the pool. I'm a fan of the pool. My kid was a swimmer. Um but I also wanted to just touch on yes, there are a lot of other areas in the district to use and utilize gyms. The problem is um security-wise. We've allowed other um athletes and sports teams to go to different buildings. The problem with that is there's been some incidences where we have had people trying to get into those buildings. Students are scared. We don't have staff to secure those areas. So, currently our high school students are struggling scheduling wise to get enough gym.
068Um I am not a fan of getting rid of the pool. I want to keep the pool and find a way to still have another gym. I've expressed that to uh the superintendent multiple times. I'm sick of the athletics. What? I'm sick of the athletics. >> but we have a lot of athletes and I mean, I don't know what to tell you. We keep adding sports to our district and we don't have anywhere to put them. Like we boys want to play volleyball. We can't have a boys volleyball team because we don't have anywhere for them to practice volleyball in the spring time. So, um you know, we're also not giving our kids what they should have. They should have a volleyball team. They should have all of these things. Um I'm not a fan
069for taking away. I want to give them more. We need to give more and more and more. Yeah, we can't do that cuz we don't have that ability. So, um just so our community is aware, like the board of education has not made or been spoken to about removal of a pool. So, Thank you, Stephanie, for being very succinct about that and I just like to I have some pretty strong opinions with re- with regard to, you know, the pool as well. I think kids need to learn how to swim. Otherwise, you're going to drown. Um so, anyway, very well that well said, Stephanie. Thank you. So, I want to speak on the pool as well. I'm a big supporter of the pool. I am what you call a hard vote to save the pool.
070So, yeah, apparently there are some people in the who want to get rid of the pool. They'll bring some numbers to a meeting. As long as the numbers we get, I'm sure it will be inaccurate and misleading, and that's okay. I'll deal with that when it comes. Uh but yes, under no circumstances will I vote to get rid of the pool. So, you only need four votes to save it. You got one. Now you just got to get three more. So, I I'm giving you my word on that. I am voting to keep the pool no matter what. I also agree with her on the grounds it never should have gotten this bad. This is a landscape issue. Um I I just couldn't agree more. And why I voted no on the roof at the
071middle school, of course I want to roof at the middle school, but I'm starting to see some questionable bidding practices uh going back to other things. And then when I see one bid coming up, I'm a little concerned, and I wanted to see what's called the RFQ. That's basically what says who's allowed to bid and who's not. And they said, "Well, you can look at it later." You know, I'm not going to vote on it until I Yeah. So, I do want to vote for the middle school. And that's weird. And yeah, I I I do really want to do a deep dive into the bidding process because when I looked at the bidding process for the athletic field, we got some It was really strange how we got certain line items where there was
072only one bidder. Are we not advertising it right? Are we putting in things in the RFQ that drive away bidders? I was expecting 10 bidders for a line item, and I was getting a sole bidder. And I didn't like that. I didn't like a sole bidder for a ceiling for a middle school. You'll get a sole bidder for specialty things. Like I just know in Oklahoma County they were buying these drones, and there was only one person that made the drone, so that's who they went with. But for a ceiling, I expected five or six bids, so that's why I voted no. Thank you. I need one else on the board. Okay, then uh We're now to adjournment to close the pursuant to the Michigan Open Meetings Act Public Act 267 of 1976 as amended.
073I move the board to Board of Education to convene in closed session to consider materials exempt from public disclosure disclosure under Section 8C 8H of the Act. Is there a motion? Motion by Ms. Fields. Is there a second? >> Second. Second by Mr. Westfall. >> As always, can you read for the public what the act is? Negotiations and materials exempt from disclosure by state and federal statute. Thank you. Mr. Morris is excused. Ms. Shufelt is yes. Mr. Westfall? Yes. Ms. Block? Yes. Ms. Fields? Yes. Ms. Moore? Yes. Mr. Medarsky? Yes. That passes 6-0. Moving to closed session at 6:56. >> Mhm. >> Okay, we are returning from closed session at 8:14. There is no action after closed session, so I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. Motion. Motion by Stephanie Schufeldt. Is there a support? >>
074Second. Motion by Mr. Mordovsky. Schufeldt? Yes. Westfall? Yes. >> Block. Yes. Fields. Yes. Morris is yes, Mordarski. Yes. And Morris is excused. It passes 6-0. We are adjourned at 8:14. Have a great night.