WLCSD Board of Education Meeting - January 8, 2026

001say we're going to call the meeting to order. >> If everyone can please rise for the pledge of >> allegiance. Aliance 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 all. We're here for a very exciting beginning. We're gonna start with our teacher of the year, Dr. LS. >> Thank you very much. I'm happy to turn over to Dr. Hamka. >> Now, there's going to do a little >> Good evening everyone. My name is Ali Ham. I'm the assistant superintendent of human resource and it is a pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 Walt Lake Consolidated Schools Teacher of the Year celebration. Tonight, yeah, tonight we'll have an opportunity to celebrate the unique talents

002and contributions our teachers bring to the classroom every single day. This prestigious award is truly a wonderful way to honor our exemplary educators across the district. Here is an overview of the rigorous process that we use to determine our teacher of the years. A teacher is initially nominated by a colleague, student, parent, or administrator. Each school pairs with another school in the district, which selects the school which selects a teacher of the year for its partner school through an anonymous review. The 19 finalists, one from each school, then advances to the second round. In the second round, a committee of past teachers of the year, a board member and administrators select six of the 19 as finalists for um for with their applications and recommendation letters. Then then six finalists advance to the final round,

003submit an essay titled Why I Teach, and participate in an interview with the selection committee. Based on these, the committee selects three finalists, one from each level, elementary, middle, and high school. Our our three district finalists will then go on as applicants for the Oakland County Teacher of the Year award. All honores this evening are extraordinary teachers who support every child every day. It is now my honor to recognize the Wald Lake School's teachers of the year. For each teacher, I will share quotes from their letters of support. We will start with Wald Lake Early Childhood Center and the elementary level. So, when I call your name, just before you guys come up, when I call your name, um please uh come forward, stand next to the podium. Oh, right here. Right here. >> I

004didn't see you guys coming. Uh podium, you'll have an opportunity to accept to accept a certificate from Dr. LS and the board of education. You can take a photo and proceed to accept a token of appreciation from Mrs. Gerwin uh from the foundation for excellence. You can then return to your seat. So, um if I can have early childhood uh teacher over here and then elementary in alphabetical order all the way down this wall, that would be great. I'm sorry, guys. You're going to have to move. >> So, E. Yeah. ECC first, then everybody else in alphabetical order. >> By building to be clear, alphabetical order by building, please. Alphabetical order by building, please. >> All right, ladies and gentlemen, we're about to begin. If you can please get get an order. Thank you. All

005right. Early Childhood Center, Mrs. Heather Travis, if you can come right this way, please. Heather Travis is celebrated as an outstanding educator who leads with compassion and creates a welcoming classroom where every student feels valued. She is deeply committed to supporting individual student goals, helping learners build confidence and pursue their passions. Beyond her teaching duties, Heather collaborates across programs and schools, strengthening the broader community, and fostering inclusive opportunities for students. Heather was instrumental in establishing a blended preschool program in Wald Lake, ensuring equity and excellence in education in early education. Her dedication extends to building strong relationships with students, families, colleagues, and inspiring others through her warmth and vision. Heather's advocacy and innovation, I'm sorry, Heather's advocacy and innovative spirit makes her a deserving candidate for this award, embodying the true essence of teaching and

006integrity and passion. Mrs. Heather Travis, congratulations. >> Commerce Elementary, Mona Passard. Yes. Mona Brousard is the kind of teacher students will never forget. Creating a classroom where every child feels seen, valued, and cared for every day. Her joy and enthusiasm are felt the moment you walk into her classroom. And her ability to meet each child's academic, socially, social, and emotional needs help students reach their fullest potential. The deep relationships she builds with students truly knowing their strengths, challenges, and interests create an environment where they feel safe to take risks. Mona's partnership with families further strengthens these connections, ensuring students feel supported both at home and at school. What truly sets her apart is her commitment to to doing whatever it's best for kids. Her she embodies the very best of what we hope for in

007education. It is an honor to recognize her as a nominee for teacher of the year. Mrs. Mona Brousard. Congratulations. >> Dublin Elementary. Laura Brooks. Laura Brooks's classroom is a place of excitement and discovery. Each week, her students learn new songs, explore nature, and engage in hands-on learning that spark curiosity. Whether students are identifying letters, practicing phenemic awareness, or exploring number sense, her her teaching makes her teaching makes learning fun and memorable. One former student, now in high school, finally recalls, "She always had a smile, and I can I can still remember the songs we sang." Laura's bubbly personality radiates throughout the school, bringing joy and positivity to students and staff alike. She collaborates closely with her colleagues, sharing ideas and resources, and is an inspiration that enrich the entire school community. Mrs. Laura Brooks, congratulations.

008Glengary Elementary. Elizabeth Calgo. Elizabeth consistently goes above and beyond to create classroom environments where each student feels valued, supported, and challenged. She incorporates innovative teaching methods, integrates technology effectively, and adapts lessons to meet the diverse needs of learners. Through her passion for teaching and commitment to excellence, Elizabeth inspires a love of of learning that extends far beyond the classroom. She truly embodies what it means to be an educator who changes lives. Mrs. Elizabeth Kgo, congratulations. Guest Elementary Melanie McFed. >> All right. Well, all right. Melanie Melanie McBadden is an exceptional educator who dedic whose dedication extends well beyond the classroom. She consistently ensures that her students are supported academic, socially, and emotionally, fostering an environment rooted in family, kindness, and strong character. Miss McFaten demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the success of every child, going

009above and beyond to meet individual needs. Parents hold her in high regard, confident that their child are receiving their children are receiving outstanding care and instruction from a veteran teacher who exemplifies who exemplifies excellence in her craft. Mrs. MELANIE MCFADEN Hickory Woods Elementary. Denise Zeiss. Denise Zeiss spends time preparing engaging projects and lessons that reflect her belief that every child is an artist. Her passion for art is contagious. Students often share that they want to become artists when they grow up. a testament to her ability to spark creativity and confidence in each child. She understands that all children, whether in special education or general education classes, deserve access to rich, meaningful art experiences. Because of her intentional professional growth, she has created an art room where every child feels valued, seen, and capable of success.

010Creativity and kindness are at the heart of all that Mrs. Zeiss does. Her kindness extends to both students and staff. She is always ready to lend a hand, offer encouragement, and model empathy in every interaction. Congratulations to Mrs. Denise Zeiss. Keith Elementary School, Melissa Hill. >> Melissa Hill is an extraordinary special education teacher whose dedication, creativity, and unwavering belief in her students make her truly deserving of teacher of the year. Melissa consistently goes above and beyond. Whether sharing her lunch with a student who refuses to eat, implementing thoughtful regulation strategies, or finding innovative solutions to help ease transitions, her relentlessness in seeking what works combined with her optimism and optimism and refusal to give up allow her allows her to allows all of her students to build confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging. Families

011and colleagues admire her strong communication, collaboration, and natural leadership, which help create a cohesive student centered learning environment. Every day, her warmth and professionalism transform lives and strengthens our school community. Melissa embodies the very best of our profession and shines as a remarkable educator. Miss Melissa Hill Lon Lake Elementary, Kelly Gor. I say right. Mrs. Rose, principal at Lon Lake Elementary, writes, "It is with great pride and admiration that I nominate Mrs. Kelly Goulay for the teacher of the year. Over the past two years, I have had the privilege of working closely with Kelly and witnessing her that that we hold dear at Lon Lake. Her dedication to her students, her leadership among staff, and her continuous pursuit of excellence make her an ideal candidate for teacher of the year." Mrs. is Kelly Goulay. Congratulations,

012>> Metobrook Elementary. Carrie Estabbrook. Few educators have few educators leave a mark as profound and lasting as Carrie Estbrook. As a master teacher and leader in literacy instruction, she exemplifies the very best of what it means to teach, inspire, and lead. Watching Kerry teach is nothing short of magical with lessons that are blend with with lessons that blend precision, passion, and artistry. Every transition, question, and teachable moment unfolds with purpose, grace, and her signature warmth. For her first graders, learning is an unforgettable experience. She is considered a leader among her peers and continually pursues training both inside and outside the district to bring the most current research-based instructional strategies to her students. Her deep care for students and families result in her lasting relationships, often drawing former students back just to visit her. She creates

013a healthy, whimsical, and instructionally rich environment for her learners. This year marks the second time Carrie has earned this honor, first in 2016, and Metobrook Elementary is proud to recognize Mrs. Carrie Estherbrook once again as the 2026 teacher of the year. Congratulations. Oakley Park Elementary, Sherry Hullbrook. Sherry has consistently demonstrated a deep dedication to meeting the diverse social, emotional, and academic needs of her students. She takes great care in noticing and responding to the emotional and social needs of her students, ensuring they feel supported in every aspect of their learning. Sherry cultivates students love by learning by by learning by creating an environment and a friendly classroom environment where students feel comfortable exploring, asking questions, and taking academic risks. Jerry is also deeply committed to academic excellence and collaboration. She has shown great willingness to

014try different forms of smallroup instruction and to engage in crossgrade level planning. Sherry prioritizes creating a safe and supportive learning environment where students feel both valued and respected. A parent nomination shared, "My daughter felt noticed, appreciated, and encouraged. Sherry is truly deserving of this honor. Congratulations to Mrs. Sherry Halbrook. Pleasant Lake Elementary. Angela Smith. >> Angie embodies a true spirit of an educa of educational excellence and brings a sunshine presence to Pleasant Lake Elementary each and every day. Her warmth, positivity, and unwavering dedication to her students and colleagues make her an exceptional educator who consistently goes above and beyond year after year. Angie demonstrates a deep and genuine passion for students, families, and best instructional practices. Her classroom is a place where all students are valued, challenged, and supported to achieve at high levels. She

015believes each child can learn and grow, and her instruction reflects both expertise and compassion. Year after year, former students return to visit Angie, sharing fond memories of of their time in her classroom and expressing the lasting impact she has on their lives. Congratulations to Mrs. Angela Smith. He follows directions. That's great. >> Wald Lake Elementary, Mr. Matthew Reed. >> If you walk by Matt's classroom on any given day, you'll notice something special. There's a quiet hum of engagement with students leaning in, sharing ideas, and asking thoughtful questions. Matt has a unique gift for blending humor and warmth with high expectations. He is especially gifted at inspiring a love of reading. Even the most reluctant readers leave his classroom excited about reading and proud of their growth. From the mouths of the students, Mr. Reid is

016funny. He makes learning fun. He pushes us to do our best. And he makes it so you can ask questions without being scared. Matt Reed exemplifies the very best of what it means to be an educator. Who who one who leads with both heart and skill. Congratulations, Mr. Matthew Reed. Wixom Elementary School. Jennifer Sataway. Mrs. Sataway is a highly respected and dedicated educator who brings passion and professionalism and a heart to her workday every day. She builds strong relationships with her students and creates a calm, nurturing classroom environment where all learners feel valued. Mrs. Sideway continues continually seeks to grow in her practice and implements best instructional practices to support student success. Her impact extends far beyond academics, positively influencing our entire school community. We are proud to recognize her exceptional contributions to Wixom Elementary.

017Congratulations to Mrs. Jennifer Satway. >> Thank you to all of our elementary teachers. We will now recognize our middle school teachers of the year. Middle school teachers, please line up over here in alphabetical order by school. Banks, then Creek, then Smart. >> Ready? >> All right, ladies and gentlemen. Banks Elementary School, Mr. Alexander Rickens. I'm sorry. Middle school. I'm sorry. It's all right. I'll say it again. Okay. I'm sorry. All right. All right. I said elementary. Banks Middle School. Alexander Rick. He doesn't do elementary apparently. So, student students consistently describe Mr. Rickens as humorous, empathetic, and compassionate. He takes the time to truly know his students, build strong relationships founded on mutual respect and understanding. One student shared, "He is persistent in developing and building relationships, maintains calm and keeps us focused. I always got

018to sit next to his desk and he would always help me." What a lucky What a lucky kid. These heartfelt words capture the spirit of his connection with students, one built on trust, care, and engagement. In addition to his teaching and coaching roles, Mr. Rickens plays a critical role in in implementing the web program, which is where everyone belongs, which supports sixth grade students as they transition into middle school. His leadership reflects his deep belief in fostering and building a strong sense of community with all students. Congratulations to Mr. Alexander Rickens. Creek Middle School. Jennifer Max Bower. Mrs. Max Bower is an incredibly compassionate teacher who not only helps her students learn but also fosters a wider understanding and awareness throughout our school. Her dedication to her students is truly inspiring. Mrs. Maxbower commit Mrs.

019Maxbower's commitment to all students is remarkable. Her work extends beyond her classroom as she actively helps everyone by spreading awareness and fostering a more inclusive environment for our for our entire school community. Her passion for teaching and her genuine kindness are evident in every interaction she has on a daily basis. Congratulations to Mrs. Jennifer Maxower Smart Middle School. Nathan Bruce From the moment Nathan walks into the class into the school, he radiates positivity. He is always smiling, greeting students and staff with genuine warmth and creating a sense of belonging for all his students. Students consistently share that Mr. Bruce is different in the in the best possible way. They are It told me to pause. So >> they often comment on how he doesn't talk with student to to students, he talks with them. He

020meets them at their level, showing them showing showing every person the same respect he would want for himself. Many students have shared that while he cares about their understanding of the content he is covering in the classroom, even more importantly, he cares about helping them become better people, not just better students. Nathan Bruce exemplifies everything we hope for in an educator. Passion, compassion, professionalism, and a deep commitment to student success. Congratulations to Mr. Nathan Bruce. At this time, thank you so much to our wonderful middle school teachers. We will now acknowledge our high school teachers of the year. High school teachers, please line up over here in alphabetical order. Wald Lake Central, Wald Lake Northern, and then Wald Lake Western. Wald Lake Central, Stephanie Myers. Mr. Medier writes, "Mrs. Meyers exemplifies the highest qualities of

021an exceptional educator through her professionalism, deep care for each and every student, and unwavering commitment to student success. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that all students are prepared, supported, and able to thrive. Without hesitation, I believe Miss Myers is not only the best teacher at Wald Lake Central this year, but one of the finest educators in the school's distinguished history. Her mastery of career and technical education and instructional practices is exceptional. But what truly sets her apart is her dedication to ensuring every student, regardless of background or ability, can access meaningful learning. Mrs. Myers embraces leadership because she loves teaching and is driven to make the greatest possible impact. Her passion is evident in her consistent pre and her I'm sorry, her consistent presence and support both in and beyond the classroom.

022Congratulations to Mrs. Stephanie Meyers. Northern Wald Lake Northern High School, Mr. Kristoff Ingler. Many parents and students submitted nomination forms for Mr. Ingler because of the wonderful connections he makes with students. The parents use words like role model, amazing teacher, and the best example of what a teacher of the year should be when describing Mr. Angler. The parents respect him as an educator and as an adult who truly cares for their child. The students describe Mr. Angler as being their favorite teacher and someone who truly cares for them as a student and person. They state that while the subject he teaches is a little difficult, he makes it fun and engages engaging. He makes it fun and engaging and that is the reason why they enjoy their they enjoy his class and look forward to

023it most. Congratulations to Mr. Kristoff Ingler. Wald Lake Western High School. Amy Clark. Mrs. Amy Clark is a is Wald Lake Western's teacher of the year. She is a 27-year veteran math teacher who has proudly served the Wald community for her entire career. Amy not only delivers exceptional instruction but also helps students believe in themselves creating classrooms where every learner feels valued, supported and capable of success. Students describe her as welcoming, patient, and someone who makes learning enjoyable even for those who struggle in math. She excels in teaching co-algebra kota algebra and teaching advanced math classes. She collaborates seemingly with her colleagues and provides steady leadership as the math department chair at Western. Amy has served as a class sponsor, robotics coach, and continues to be joyful supporter of student activities and school spirit. She

024truly embodies the warrior spirit, and we are thrilled to celebrate her as Western's teacher of the year. Congratulations to Mrs. Amy Fox. Thank you to our magnificent high school teachers of the year. Before I officially announce this year's finalists for each level, I would like to take the opportunity to show everyone the surprise presentation. So, whenever you're ready, you get that start. Thank you. This is one of my favorite days in the year. We had the chance to surprise our three teachers of the year at the elementary, middle school, and high school level. Your teacher, Mrs. Sataway, is the best elementary teacher in the entire district. Congratulations. >> Oh my gosh, it's so overwhelming. Um, I never thought that I would be in this position. Um, I just first and foremost want to thank my

025second graders, the families in my classroom, and all of my colleagues. um along along the way. Um I could not have done it without all of you. >> Her kids just they light up every day. I've been in there for several different reasons. Um just popping in and her kids just you know laugh and joy and the you know the energy that they have. Um she just brings that out in a lot of them. >> We try to have so much fun on a daily basis. Um and it's obviously so rewarding. Um, it's a career that, you know, is always giving back to me and I love that I can give back at the same time. >> I'm very excited to say your teacher, Miss Maxower, is the middle school teacher of the year for

026the entire district. Congratulations. >> We're so proud of you. >> I was sort of shocked and really excited and um I it's great to be able to highlight, you know, the great work that my students are doing in my classroom. I love working with the individuals that I work with and seeing, you know, the growth that they make even when it's small and knowing that um their lives and their famil family's lives are a little bit better because of what we do in the classroom each day. >> Just to see the smile on her face, it's just so rewarding to see somebody who's so deserving get recognized in that way. Jennifer is amazing. She's just a constant advocate for her kids. She does such a wonderful job of pulling our entire school into her classroom

027and pushing her entire classroom into our school. Doesn't matter if you're in her class, not in her class. Everyone knows Miss Max Bower. Everybody loves Miss Max Power. Everybody respects her and it's just about the energy she brings to the building every single day. >> It's a great honor for me. But in the world of ASD, it really is a team team effort, right? I I couldn't do what I do without my paras, without the other ASD teachers and the social worker and everybody to sort of support one another. >> The entire district for all high school teachers, >> she is teacher of the year. >> It's really sweet. It I love my job. I have the best job ever and so it's a very nice surprise. I love coming into school every day. I

028just love it. I love the students. I have a supportive admin and um but the students is what year year after year I just come back because I just love them so much. >> She makes me want to go to school. Like she's definitely like one of my favorite teachers. Her kindness and like her smile like she like really lights up the whole room for like all of us. >> Every time I have free time in class, I'll just try to go like go on a pass to see her. I just feel a welcome there and she's always smiling and just making people have a good day. Miss Meyers has the perfect balance of student relationships, great instruction, and being a part of a community that supports all students schoolwide, whether or not they are

029her students, quote unquote. She has that perfect balance of all the characteristics we look for in great teachers. >> It's fun to teach them skills that I know they will take the rest of their lives. Like they there's a lot of things in school that you is really important at the time, but then depending on your job path, you might not use it. But financial literacy is one that no matter what you do, you're going to use it. And so I really love teaching that. >> Well, I hope you enjoyed that video. It was incredible. Thank you to the community relations the community relations department for putting it together. Well done. It was really fun to be there. At this time the At this time, can the finalists the three finalists please come forward to

030accept your certificate from Dr. Lans and the presidents of the board. Please remain standing as I as I read their essays that they submitted as finalists. Just part of their essays just just a snippet of their essays. Um why I teach okay from elementary from our elementary teacher of the year Mrs. Sadway from Wixom Elementary. She wrote, "I have become a safe place for so many children. For some of them, I am the constant in a world that feels unpredictable and chaotic. I am their anchor, someone who shows them what stability and calm look like. I am the voice that encourages and the eyes that notice their effort. I am the hug in the morning that they have been silently hoping for, the reassurance that that they wish they had at home. In a time

031when so many families are overwhelmed, distracted, and disconnected, children come to school craving attention, love, and structure in ways that feel bigger than ever before. Congratulations to our elementary teacher of the year, Mrs. Jennifer Sadway. Thank you. And please remain standing. Thank you. If you were wondering, our middle school teacher of the year, Mrs. Jennifer Maxower from Walnut Walnut Creek states, "The simplest answer to why I teach is because I love my students, and for the most part, I love what I do. People often tell me I am patient, kind, or that I must be a special person to teach students with autism." I appreciate the sentiment, but there is nothing extraordinary about me. I just find something I am passionate about and I I've worked hard to be the best I can be at

032it. Teaching students with autism isn't always easy, yet very challenging, yet every challenge is outweighed by the profound growth I see in my students over time. Ladies and gentlemen, Mrs. Jennifer Max Bower. Thank you. Our high school teacher of the year, Mrs. Stephanie Meyers from Wald Lake Central shares, "Students are my why. They are the reason I love coming to school every day. Being a teacher is in is challenging, emotionally taxing, and stressful. But I would not change it for the world." I tell my students every day, I have the best job on earth. And I really mean that. I can say what almost none of my friends and family can. I absolutely love my job. There is no better feeling than having a good teacher moment with a student. I leave my job happy

033almost every day because of them. It is my honor to present this award to Mrs. Stephanie Myers. Congratulations. Please help me to congratulate these outstanding teachers on their prestigious honor as the 202526 Wald Consolidated Schools teacher of the year and best wishes as they can as they are considered for the Oakland County Teacher of the Year. I need you to stay up here, please. At this time, I would like to introduce Mrs. Jackie Gerwin, the executive director of the Foundation for Excellence, to share a few words. When I was trying to figure out what to say tonight, I came across a quote from Bill Gates. Students deserve great teachers, and teachers deserve the support they need to become great. I've had two children graduate from Wald Lake schools and too many great teachers to count.

034Each teacher they had made an impact in who they grew up to be. When I joined the FFE four years ago, it was to make a difference, to make an impact on you and to show you that you are appreciated. Every member of the FFE board is involved because we they want to support you. We've watched you spend your lunch hours tutoring students. We've watched you grade papers at your kids' ball games. We've come to school for evening meetings and see you just leaving at the end of the day. We've watched you walk into classrooms with your arms filled with items that you've provided yourself. And while we can't help with the paper grading and the tutoring, we can do our best to equip our classrooms with the tools that you need to make to

035be great. And you are all sitting here because you are great. You are sitting here tonight because you are the best of the best and we are grateful for the energy you put into making our children the best versions of themselves they can be. Just saying thank you doesn't tend to be enough. So we hope you all have a nice lunch on the foundation. We also have an additional gift for each of our elementary, middle school, and high school teachers of the year. So I will hand those out in a second. And now I'm going to give a quick shameless plug because I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't. Uh we recently gave out $60,000 to classrooms across the district. And and it's time to replenish our bank account for next year. We're

036running a 50-50 raffle fundraiser right now through March 23rd with a prize of 50% of the pot for scholarship funds. or you can choose a 40% cash payout. Last year's winner won over $11,000 in scholarship funds, which we can hold for 20 years. So, if your kids are little, it's still a good option. Um, and this year, you could be the winner, but only if you buy a ticket. So, we've lowered the price this year to make them more affordable. They're only $20 each. I'll be out in the lobby for a little while if you want to get one. Um, but congratulations to all our fabulous teachers of the year this evening. We're beyond thrilled that you are part of the Wald Lake community and we promise to work hard raising funds until the day

037that the schools are overflowing with money and you have every wish of yours granted. Until then, thank you for everything you do to be great. Thank you, Jackie. And thank you to the foundation for excellence for all the wonderful work you do to support our students and our staff. Wald Lake Wald Lakes Wald Lake Schools Federal Credit Union uh are also big supporters of our amazing teachers. Please welcome Brian Felp. Hello. Um my name is Brian Felp. I'm with Wald Schools Federal Credit Union. And uh for those of you who don't know about us, uh we've been around for 75 years, over 75 years. And we were formed by teachers and our first office was actually out of the superintendent's office. Um we've since grown to have our own office about a block uh away

038from Central High School. And uh um we do all of the same things bigger banks and credit unions do. We have savings accounts, checking accounts, loans for anything that you would need. And we have some of the best rates in all of Metro Detroit. So, if you guys ever need us, we feel uh we would love to encourage you to check us out. Um, and part of what makes us unique, uh, we're not open to the general public. We only service faculty members, students of the school district, as well as city employees for Wald Lake, Wixom, Commerce Township, and Wolverine Lake. So, our membership is all teachers, police officers, firefighters, and it allows us to operate in a unique way where we can give our resources back to the community and specifically to the schools.

039Um, so today we're here to give a $500 gift card to each of the finalists. And if there's ever anything that we can do to help you with what you're doing, uh whether it's personal banking, uh whether you want someone to come in and talk to your class, um you're doing something with the PTA, uh you have a theater group you want to sponsor, a sports club, always reach out to us at the credit union because like I said, we try to give as much of our resources back to the school system as we can. So, with that, I'd like to congratulate everybody, but the like I said, a $500 gift card for the the finalist. Thank you, Brian, for being here this evening and for always continuously uh supporting our staff and our community.

040Please remain standing as we have a special announcement. One more announcement. One more special one. Our top three teachers are ranked based on nomination forms and essays. Please know that this decision is extremely difficult. As you know, it's very hard to separate the best from the best. These three will each be receiving an additional award for their outstanding, countless contributions to our students, staff, and community. That being said, I would like to announce that our third place winner is Mrs. Jennifer Sataway. Our second place winner is Mrs. Jennifer Maxower, which means our our first place winner is uh and Wald Lake School District's teacher of the year is Mrs. Stephanie Myers. Congratulations. At this time, please give a warm welcome to our special guest this evening, Steve Smith and Steve Hartwick from Laafontaine's Chrysler Jeep

041Ram dealership. Well, what an honor to be here. You know, I actually graduated through Wald Lake Northern in 2005. And, you know, sitting here listening to some of these stories of the teachers and think about the teachers that poured into me and impacted me really shaped my life. You know, there's times there that uh many had doubts, but they kept pushing you and they found the good in you, you know, and I gota say that it is a very elite team with the Wall Lake District, you know, for somebody to pour into you that much. And even though many times you might have screwed up in class and caused a lot of disruption, they still poured into you and loved you. You know, I think a little bit too about our mission statement about building

042lifelong relationships, connecting families and strengthening communities, you know, and seeing some of those teachers that eventually come down the road there and buying cars for me and beyond, you know, thank them personally as I grew up and kind of understood exactly where they were guiding me and why they were guiding me. So, with great honor, I'd like to say, you know what, thank you and thank you to all the teachers that continue to shape our youth and our future. So, thank you. What Steve didn't tell you is they asked him never to come back to Wald nor be there. >> Thank you. What an honor to be here and what a amazing group of people, the the teachers, the staff. It's just fun to hear all the all the stories. I think I told you

043last year my my wife uh graduated through Wald Lake and my two kids went through Wald Lake and graduated from Northern. Two of them are teachers. My wife is a kindergarten teacher, my daughter's a second grade teacher. So, I hear all the the daily stories of what you all go through and uh yeah, it's not an easy job, but what a what a heartwarming and rewarding job. So, uh congratulations to everyone and thank you for allowing us to be a part of it. Uh we really appreciate uh being here and uh part of this community and of course if we can ever help you with any automotive needs, please let us know. We appreciate it. Thank you. >> We've got three checks here. Three giant checks. >> Okay. Do you want you want to say

044their names and give it to each one? >> Oh, sure. >> Yeah. Why don't you do that? Why don't you start off with this one here? >> Okay. >> So, Jennifer Satway, >> $500 check. First hour. Last but not least, Stephanie Myers. >> So, first third place got 500. Second place got a,000. First place got 5,000. >> Congratulations Yeah, sure. Sure. You want me to get a picture? >> Thank you to all our teachers. Um, as soon as this picture is done, you guys can remain seating. Um, that was exciting. I I would like to take a moment to thank Steve and Steve from La Fontaine family for their generosity and the continued support. This concludes our teacher of the year recognition. Thank you to everyone for attending tonight's celebration. Thank you to Dr. Loun

045and the board of education. Thank you to the Foundation for Excellence and to the Wald Lake Schools Federal Credit Union as well as La Fontaine, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram of Walt Lake. And again, congratulations to all our amazing teachers. Before I turn it over, I'd like to give us a a thank you to Mrs. Anna Mansour for organizing and putting this event together. Let's give a round of applause. At this time, I will turn the meeting back over to Dr. Lans and the president of the board, Mrs. Stephanie Kaplan. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Hamka. Congratulations to all of our teachers of the year. Awesome job. Uh we are going to take a 10-minute recess and we will resume at 8:00 PM. back to order. >> Thank you all. Okay, we're moving

046on to proclamation board member recognition of the month. Dr. Lans. >> Thank you, Madam President. Each year in January, we like to take the time to recognize the selfless members of the Walt Lake Assad School District's Board of Education. They work tirelessly throughout their six-year term to see that every child within the vast boundaries of Wald Lake receives the very best possible education. So with that, whereas the education of our youth is the foundation upon which economic, social, and intellectual capital of our state is built. And whereas locally elected school boards play an important and vital role in the representative democracy and the decisions made by local school boards of education directly influence the institutions in the Michigan's public schools. And whereas local school board members contribute hundreds of hours each year leading their districts,

047whether it's by deliberating important decisions about curriculum, adopting policies, hiring personnel administrators, or recognizing outstanding programs, board members always keep their focus on the goal of student achievement. And whereas these decisions affect the present and future lives of children and also set direction to prepare all students to be competitive in a state, local and national along with global 21st century knowledge and and our economy. Whereas in local school board members are exceptional people who tackle enormous jobs of governing school districts and demonstrate service at the highest level of character and civic duty and responsibility. And whereas local school board recognition month provides an opportunity to build stronger relationships between the thousands of individuals who champion the cause of public education as board members, their schools, and the communities that they serve. Now therefore be it

048resolved that the state of Michigan Board of Education, Oakland Schools Board of Education along with the Wald Lake Consolidated School Districts administration, staff and community recognize the Wald Lake Schools Board of Education for their focus on the well-being and achievement of our Wald Lake Consolidated School District students and declare January 2026 as school board recognition month. Thank you for your service. Thank you. >> Part of that. >> Oh, sorry, Gia. I thought you were done. >> But wait, there's more. >> As a part of honoring the the amount of time and energy and dedication you put forth to the Wall Lake Consolidated School District, 120 trees will be planted in the Arbor Day Foundation on behalf of you with the Arbor Day Foundation, Michigan State's Forest. All of you received a plaque that has this

049on it and there's a card that comes with it. And this was provided from our generous donors of A Construction and TMP Architecture. So, thank you for your service. >> And thank you. >> I have more. >> Okay, >> Madame President. Thank you for your outgoing service and thank you for your incoming service for one more year. We appreciate that. >> Well, thank you. It's not for me to open now, right? >> You can open it whenever you want to. >> I'll open it later since I have one arm. But thank you. Thank you. >> That's all I got. >> Oh, okay. Thank you. Okay. Well, we're going to move on to public commentary. Want to thank everyone for coming. What a wonderful evening to come to come to our teacher of the year. That's

050a great thing. And thank you for your interest in wanting to address the board. This is your opportunity to address us. The board will listen to your statements, questions, or concerns. We're not going to have a conversation. If follow-up is necessary, a member of the superintendent, staff, or board member will get back with you. You have three minutes to address the board. Please keep an eye on the timer on the wall. Um, if you come close to your time, Mr. Lipid, new secretary of the board, we'll let you know you're coming close and to begin to wrap up your comments. We ask that all speakers remain professional and refrain from personal attacks. Thank you very much. Our first speaker is Lauren Jaffy. Hi, good evening. This is my second time speaking on this issue and

051I'm here again because unfortunately not much has changed. And after attending last month's meeting, I actually left feeling concerned and disappointed. At that meeting, parents, community members, and teachers spoke from the heart about our educators, their dedication, their impact on our kids, and how important strong schools are to our community. During the closing remarks, it was mentioned that families don't really choose where to live based on the school districts anymore. I am honestly I I don't really understand where that idea comes from and would be curious to see the research on that because from the information I've gathered and I've seen and even just from personal experience and experience of all my friends, uh it suggests the opposite. Families do care about schools. Strong districts bring families in, help support home values, and make people

052want to stay and invest in their community. I'm sharing this though not to argue or to question the intentions, but because schools and teachers are such a big part of what makes a community strong. I believe our board works best when that's a shared belief. At that same meeting, it was also clear there are financial challenges. I understand that these decisions aren't easy. Still, many of us parents are confused why nearby districts are able to offer competitive pay while ours is not. Maybe we need more openness about the budget or possibly bringing in a third party to help with discussions that might help move things forward. Our teachers are still working without a contract. We're seeing teachers leave the district, retire earlier than planned, and after school programs and events are struggling. These realities are

053concerning and they leave many of us looking to our leaders to show through action that supporting our teachers is a priority. Our teachers deserve to feel valued and supported and our kids deserve stability and excellence in their schools. I sincerely hope our district leaders can work together toward that shared goal. Thank you for listening. Thank you. Our next speaker, Aaron Johnson. Uh happy new year everybody and thank you for the opportunity to speak today. Um I want to congratulate all of the award-winning teachers. I know a lot of them left, but hopefully they hear this. Um, your impact to our children is incredible. Uh, in fact, one landmark study found that having just one high-erforming teacher in an elementary school can increase a student's lifetime earnings by $25,000. So, thank you. Uh, last month, we

054heard from person after person on the importance of our teachers and how a lack of a contract is impacting their ability to do their jobs. It's stressful. It's frustrating and demeaning. The general public can't see what the retention rate of our teachers is, and we don't always know why someone will leave. We only hear whispers of retirements midyear due to a lack of salary and overall stress or long-term subs being in place as we struggle to backfill a teacher who went to Novi midyear for an over $15,000 increase. Remember, starting salaries for Novi teachers is $56,000. I come from a world of recruiting and I know that everyone is replaceable. The work just carries on. That being said, there is a cost. A recent report from the Southern Regional Education Board said it costs on

055average $12,750 more over five years to replace one teacher than paying their salary with training and development. There's also studies on test scores uh and teachers uh test scores and I brought the wrong sheet. All right, so now we're going to wing it here. Uh so there's also studies on test scores and uh teacher retention. Uh oh, thank you. Oh, you're the best. Uh the longer a teacher stays, the higher the test scores and test scores drive property values. If the administration truly wants to be fiscally responsible, what is holding them back? It makes me wonder if teachers have become the scapegoat for fiscal irresponsibility elsewhere. Thank you, Jennifer Russell. Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is Jennifer Russell and I'm a parent in the Wald Lake district. My

056youngest has not attended since May of 19 of 2025 because he's not safe in his current placement. There's a lot of talk about income inequality in today's economy. It's a barrier to economic growth. It creates instability in social structure and causes anxiety about personal finances. Wald Lake Consolidated Schools is income inequality in a microcosm. Our teachers rank 48th in pay with an average salary of approximately $75,000. Yet, the superintendent is one of the highest paid administrators in the state. When you add up a $279,000 salary with insurance, pension, and annuity, his package of 2022 is over $44,000, most than more most airline pilots make. Why is it we can put together a leading contract for administrators but not for teachers? Is this where our tax dollars are going? Novi schools rank 41st in the state

057for teacher pay. Yet, they have half of the enrollment of this district. Right now, our teachers are paid approximately $6.30 per pupil, while Novi teachers are nearly double that at 11.43 per pupil. If we were to meet wage parody with Novi, our teachers in Wald Lake would average $137,000 a year. No wonder we have a teacher shortage. Every day, these teachers are asked and tasked not only with educating our students in a broken system. They're asked to be mentors, disciplinarians, and special educators. The system is already woefully inadequate for our students in special education. And our district is certainly not prepared for the influx of special education students coming down the pike. This district does not take special education seriously. If it did, we would have much better support system for our children who have

058504 plans and IEPs. But I digress. There is not enough special education support for our teachers to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. In an email exchange last year, the superintendent wrote to me these words. Quote, "I and the board do not provide direction related to special education processes." Our teachers, students, and parents deserve better. Educators are trained professionals who deserve top dollar for their work. Wald Lake should commit to an industry-leading contract that other school districts should aspire to so that we can attract top talent instead of losing our best teachers who resign for better pay, better work environments. Some are choosing to leave teaching altogether. I own my own business. I was in management for most of my career prior to becoming a mom. Leadership takes courage, communication, >> based

059in relationship. I'm not seeing that at the top. I attended the board meeting in which Ron Lipid appoint was appointed to the board last year. His words ring clearly in my ears. The most important job of a school board member is the hiring and firing of a superintendent. It's time we look at whether our current superintendent is the right person for the job. >> Thank you. Next is Kimberly Alpert. Hello, I'm Kimberly Albert and I have a child in the school district. I'm standing here today, well, standing here today is well outside my comfort zone, but this isn't about me. This is about our incredible teachers in the Wald Consolidated School District. Most of us in this room have held multiple jobs over the course of our careers. And at some point, many of us

060have felt underpaid or undervalued. What when that happened, what did we do? We moved on to an employer who recognized our worth and compensated us fairly. So why are we still here facing the same reality for our teachers? We've heard the data um at the previous board meetings and today in fact um the facts are clear and frankly it's embarrassing that our wonderful dedicated teachers are still not being paid fairly and without a contract. Yes, our teachers love what they do. They are passionate about shaping young minds and building the future. But passion does not pay the bills. It does not cover mortgages or the rising cost of living. Our teachers have experiences. They have options and they can take their talents to other districts where they are respected and compensated appropriately and with a

061contract. I know I'm not the only one worried about the next school year. If this continues, we will lose great teachers and I seriously question whether we will have enough qualified educators to properly serve our students in the 2026 27 school year. So tonight I am asking this board to act not to delay but to prioritize our teachers now. Show them through concrete action that they are valued. commit to fair, competitive compensation and make the choices necessary to retain the educators our students depend on. Please don't let the message we send be that dedication is enough and fair pay is optional. Our teachers deserve better and our students cannot afford us to wait. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next is Kevin Botos. Did I say that correct? >> Okay, thank you. >> I came to

062spread good news on the great things that our students are doing. So, um, good evening members of the board, superintendent in the Wald Lake community. My name is Kevin Bodus and I serve as the K8 counselor at Pilaski Elementary Middle School in East Detroit. We are a title one school serving 350 incredible students. I'm standing here today because I witnessed something truly life-changing this past holiday season. Something I can only describe as pure magic. a partic or part a partnership of purpose. The week before Thanksgiving, I received a call that WL Lake Central High School was interested in sponsoring our school. By the following Thursday, every single one of our 350 students had filled out a wish list. I want to specifically recognize student present Dia and Miss Tattoo. Their leadership was extraordinary. From our

063very first meeting, it was clear that this wasn't just a charity project for them. It was a mission of the heart. D and her team maintained constant professional communication with me, meticulously sorting through individual needs and interests to ensure every child felt seen. Beyond the gifts, when the day finally arrived for the Wildlife community to visit us, the outpouring of support was overwhelming. But what mo moved me most wasn't the volume of gifts. It was the compassion, empathy, and genuine love your students showed to ours. They didn't just deliver packages. They they delivered hope. They instantly connected with our kids, shared in the the holiday spirit, and treated our community with a level of respect and kindness that left us all humbled. a legacy of leadership to the educators and the parents in this room.

064The leaders Wild Lake Central is developing are a credit to your district. Their character is a testament to the values you are instilling in them. Because of your students, our kids at Pilaski saw that they are cared for by people they had never even met. It reminded us all there is a profound hope for humanity when we lead with love. On behalf of the Detroit Community Schools in Palaski Elementary Middle School, thank you. You didn't just sponsor a school, you touched the lives of 350 lives and you will never forget it and we will never forget it. It is now my great honor to present the Wald Lake Central Student Council with this symbol of appreciation. Thank you. Great job you guys. Great job. Amanda Lavine. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Amanda Lavine.

065I have two kids in elementary school in Wald Lake. About a week ago, my son, a fifth grader, said to me, "Mom, I only have two teachers that I can come back and visit after I graduate. Not to mention my principal is gone, too. Out of five teachers, only two are still working there. And his beloved principal is gone, too. If you can't see the problem yet, your eyes are not open. I just turned 40 last month. I still have five more teachers that I can go visit today at my elementary school. That's five more than my 10-year-old son in Wald Lake schools. The downward spiral has not only begun, it is gaining momentum. We are watching talented and qualified teachers retire, retire midyear, and move to other districts where they are valued. We are

066no longer at a place where we can fix this. Those we've let walk away are already gone. We're losing and continuing to lose. At the very least, please cut off the momentum and provide the teachers with a competitive contract. We are almost a month away from hitting the one-year mark. Our wonderful teachers, those who are left, who have chosen to weather the storm, have been working without a contract for almost a year. The cat is out of the bag. Everybody knows and everyone is watching us and more specifically our board. You are at the helm of our ship and we are all watching it sink. When will enough be enough? Thank you. >> Thank you, Tim Smiller. >> Okay, Zachary Clayban. Thank you for letting me speak tonight. My name is Zachary Clayban and I

067am an eighth grader at Sarah Banks Middle School. I'm here to support our teachers in their fight for a fair contract. We have a lot of amazing teachers in our district, but we also have one of the highest numbers of open staff positions in our state. They should bore that should worry all of us. We are losing great teachers to other districts because they aren't being paid enough and are being asked to do too much. Even with these challenges, our teachers keep doing incredible work every de every day. Teachers like Mr. U and Mr. Rickens go above and beyond for students like me, but they aren't getting paid fairly for their time. So, it makes me wonder, why don't we have the money to pay our teachers what they deserve? One big reason might be

068how the district spends money. Teachers have said that over a million dollars is spent on the I Ready program, but it doesn't seem like it's helping as much as it should. Other districts show I Ready can improve learning by 15 to 23%, but here it seems closer to 8 to 12%. That's a lot of money for results that aren't as strong. That also makes me question why our superintendent is paid so much. One of the highest in Michigan. second in the county and sixth in the state, even though the district's uh results aren't showing that kind of success. Success. Public information says the superintendent's salary is over $400,000. That's a lot of money, and some of it could go to help our teachers get fair pay, keep experienced teachers, and improve our classrooms. I asked

069the board to think about what really matters. Our teachers at the heart of this district, and supporting them helps all of us students succeed. Thank you for listening. Thank you, Rachel Settle. >> Good evening. My name is Rachel Settle. I'm a graduate of Wald Lake Western and I currently have two boys at Lon Lake. Like many of the parents and students, great job. Here today, I am asking the district to complete a fair contract for our teachers. At a basic level, teacher pay must be competitive with surrounding districts. That's how we retain experienced educators and attract new ones. But honestly, competitive pay is such a low bar. It's necessary, but it's only a starting point. Once compensation is resolved quickly, I hope I urge the district and the board to commit to something deeper. Continually

070asking, how are we supporting teachers in the realities of today's classroom? As PTA president, I am in our school frequently and see some of these realities firsthand. Teachers are being asked to do more, often without the structural support to match those expectations. Let me give you some examples. Last year, my younger son was in the JK program. His class only had 15 students. Four of them were very high needs. The teacher worked tirelessly to collect data and advocate for resources for these students, but it came at the expense of time and attention for the rest of the class and mental health. The principal supported her fully, yet the systems and constraints they were operating under simply did not match the reality of her classroom. That teacher was incredible. I am grateful my son had her,

071but as a parent, I questioned whether I should have kept him in private preschool instead. We need stronger support at the lower elementary level for these before these services are put in place. Another example of misalignment, our elementary schools beg parents to read 20 minutes a day with their students because it directly impacts achievement. Yet, our elementary buildings have media specialists splitting time between two schools. That disconnect sends the wrong message about how much we truly value literacy. Not to mention puts an incredible strain on a specialist knowing a thousand kids and maintaining two libraries. State testing requires significant typing, I'm told, but students take a handful of typing lessons. Common sense tells us that more confident typists will perform better. Yet again, limited media access. Class size is another issue. Our fourth grade classrooms

072are hovering around 3031, higher than the district average, which is already higher than the surrounding districts. I understand enrollment is declining overall, but Lon Lake remains near capacity with over 500 students con consistently. Additionally, when data indicates a new section is required, don't wait till the absolute last moment to add it. One-sizefits-all and last minute decisions don't work when enrollment needs and capacity vary. So, my message is this. First, take care of our teachers with fair competitive pay. Then every single day with every initiative continue asking what can the board and administrators do to better support teachers in real classrooms with real students right now? Because when we support teachers well, we keep great teachers and they are the foundation of strong schools. Thank you. >> Thank you, Bill. I'm not going to say your

073last name again. Hi, good evening everyone. Um, just want to say brought my son today. Miss B was his his first grade teacher last year. Just absolutely exceptional. I'm really glad she won this year. So, it's good to see that being recognized. So, starting on the other side on a little more serious note, um, let me say this plainly because it needs to be said plainly. Wald Lake teacher, having gone through the collective bargaining agreements over the past seven years, has only added $2,400 over the entirety of the seven years. It's absolutely atrocious. It's an insult. Seven years, seven budgets, seven rounds of applause, praise, and empty promises. And when the dust settles, teachers are told to be more grateful getting $30 a month increases. That doesn't cover groceries. That doesn't cover gas. It doesn't

074even cover the supplies that the teachers are already buying out of their own pocket to do their jobs. And yet somehow the buildings got paid, the services got paid, the vendors got paid, the consultants got paid, everyone got paid except for the people in the classroom. This is the travesty of all of it. Absolute joke. Teachers are the ones doing the paying. paying with their time, their money, their mental health, paying with their weekends, evenings, and even sometimes with their dignity. Don't call it progress, don't call it fair. Call it what it is, a decision to balance budgets on the backs of our educators. That's simple. That's there is no other line that I can find other than that. They're being told to be per to be patient, be professional, do it for the kids.

075As if caring about students means accepting financial punishment. Teachers are not volunteers. They are not an unlimited resource to be squeezed year after year. If education truly matters, then the people who deliver it must matter, too. In dollars, not in slogans, not in handshakes, speeches, or photo ops like tonight. This is not just unacceptable. This is disgrace. As a homeowner, a father, a taxpayer, and a voter, I urge the board and members involved in this negotiation to make it right. Got a little time left on the board, so I'm going to speak out for my PCA as well. We were discussing last night to reiterate some other terms here. concept being fourth, fifth grades, uh sometimes even third grades for a lot of the elementary schools >> are being absorbed obviously with the intent with

076the closure of the middle schools and such. There are not enough resources allocated for those grades. 31 kids, I don't care if they're fourth or fifth graders, is an insurmountable sum and it's just going faster and faster. We don't see those demographic changes coming up for our kindergarters, our first grades, our f second graders. We don't see the numbers projecting out the way same way that they are here. Perhaps it's a localized school problem, but we can't do a blanket solution for all elementaryaries because it does not appear to be working. >> Please wrap up your comments. >> Appreciate it. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, >> Denise and Corey. You wanted to go together, correct? I'll go first. Good evening, Dr. Lon's cabinet, members of the school board, and commu community partners.

077My name is Corey Hensley, and I'm honored to speak on behalf of the Wald Special Needs Parent Advisory Committee, also known as PAC. The Wald Lake Pack is dedicated to empowering and supporting parents of students with special needs. Our mission is to foster collaboration between families, educators, and the community to ensure every child receives an inclusive, equitable, and highquality education. We strive to provide resources, advocacy, and a unified voice that promote promotes understanding, respect, and opportunities for all students to reach their fullest potential. As a pack, we envision a thriving, inclusive Wald Lake community where every student with special needs is supported to reach their fullest potential and every family is a respected, informed, and empowered partner in education from early childhood through transition to adulthood. The PAC serves as a bridge between families and

078the school district. We champion welcoming, accessible learning environments where differences are embraced and all students belong. Our work is student- centered. We focus on each learner's strengths, needs, and aspirations, ensuring individualized support and meaningful outcomes. We recognize families as equal partners. We collaborate with local agencies to support parents, connecting them with vital resources and information. We also work closely with teachers, helping them access resources that benefit students both in and out of the classroom. By providing these connections, we help ensure that every student and family can access the support they need consistently and without delay. We communicate clearly, share timely information, and uphold integrity in all interactions to build lasting trust. When families, educators, and the community work together, every student benefits. The pack is here to ensure that every child, regardless of ability, has

079the opportunity to thrive and every family feels respected, informed, and empowered. Thank you for your support and partnership as we continue to build a more inclusive, equitable, and successful future for all students in Wald Lake schools. Now, Denise Dunn will speak more about the PAC sponsored inclusion event. Good evening, everyone. Corey and I are honored to invite you to a truly special event, our PAC sponsored unified sports celebration taking place on March 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wald Lake Central. This evening is dedicated to fostering community appreciation and awareness through the power of unified sports. Unified sports brings together students of all abilities, creating teams where everyone belongs and everyone contributes. The highlight of our event will be a unified basketball game where school administrators will partner with students who have special needs.

080This friendly match is more than just a game. It's a demonstration of teamwork, encouragement, and the spirit of inclusion that defines our school community. But the celebration doesn't stop there. Throughout the evening, we will have interactive appreciation stations where students and families can express their gratitude to our staff, those who champion inclusive education every day. Whether it's writing a heartfelt note, creating a small gift, or snapping a photo together, these moments will help us recognize the vital role our educators play in shaping and welcoming shaping a welcoming environment for all. We'll also offer educational sessions about unified sports, sharing personal stories from our athletes and providing information on how anyone can get involved. These workshops are designed to inspire, inform, and encourage future participation in inclusive programs. Our goal is simple, to showcase the benefits

081of unified sports and clubs and promote acceptance and respect and celebrate the diversity that makes our school district so vibrant. We want every student, teacher, and family to feel valued and included. We invite you, our cabinet, our schoolboard members, staff, families, and communities to join us for this heartwarming event. Your presence will not only support our athletes and educators, but also send a powerful message about the importance of inclusion in our schools. Let's come together to celebrate, learn, and build a stronger, more unified community. Mark your calendars for March 26 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Wild Lake Central and help us make this event a memorable milestone in our journey toward acceptance and partnership. Keep an eye out in our district and school newsletters for information about the event as well as ways you

082can donate and volunteer to help. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there. >> Thank you. So, we're going to move on to administrative commentary. Dr. Lans. >> Thank you, Madam President. Other than thanking all of our teachers and wishing them the and congratulating them for teacher of the year, we have no other comment. >> Okay. Thank you. We're going to move on to board commentary. Going to start with you, Mr. Smith. >> Uh, welcome back everyone. I hope that uh everyone's rested for this second half of the school year. Uh, I know that I was many of the population during the holidays where I was stricken with the flu. So, back to feeling better. hopefully everyone it's a better health and positivity in the in 2026. Want to congratulate the teachers this

083evening. Uh this is definitely truly amazing and how many amazing educators we have. Uh two of them uh definitely uh Mr. Bruce I've known since uh middle school and now here he is a teacher. So it's amazing that maybe uh the next couple years my son will have him. We'll see. And then Dublin Elementary, Mrs. Brooks uh my daughter had her and really set the the path for my daughter. Um and I congratulate them as they touched uh my kids' lives there. Uh thank you all to those who spoke. Uh it's it's clearly a lot um to come up here. Uh even on our side, it's a lot sometimes to these are very uh tenuous times, stressful, frustrating times. We understand that. Uh we're doing our best. Uh and there are certain things clearly that

084we know that um going on behind the scenes. So uh it's frustrating. That's all I want to say. Uh, I also want to acknowledge um the MLK celebration later this month. I look forward to attending that. And um I want to say congrats to my daughter Natalie and her new teammates for making the eighth grade girls basketball team at CHS. So uh I look forward to being in the basketball world. Now it's been football and other stuff, so now it's a basketball. So uh I'm looking forward to attending my son's games as well through the community education. And uh I want to say good luck to the Dublin PTA for their bingo night tomorrow. I will be attending the Wald Lake Northern girls basketball game, but I'll be there in spirit. I know that they

085do amazing work as do all the PTAs. So hopefully this is a great event for them. Want to say good luck on the midterms coming up and uh good luck. I believe the Wald Lake Northern Legally Blonde musical is at the end of the month. Look forward to going to that. And uh as I've become I guess the person who likes to say what is this January is radon awareness month. So, uh, I'm a former government employee, so I like to always espouse anything that is going on. So, uh, it's Oakland County encourages home radon testing during National Radon Action Month. Uh, it's a naturally occurring visible odorless gas that sometimes gets into homes through cracks and floors or walls. On a personal note, we did find radon in our basement uh, before we moved

086into our house. Had to have it remediated. It is one of those silent things that you don't think about and then you realize, oh my gosh, this is a very important thing to do And there are free kits available through uh to Oakland County residents. Um this is just my plug, my shameless thing to just be cautious, think about it. In my community in White Lake, there are tons of people who have radon. It seems to be you'll see the little pipes on the houses. So I'm just saying there's free kits available. And uh lastly, I just want to say be kind to one another. Uh we know we're in a difficult time in in life, in our society. There's a lot of things that are going on out in the world, uh not only

087home, but around. And I just want to say, you know, let's start off the new year with a new mindset, a new approach, and uh maybe we can be the change we want to see in the world. So, thank you, >> Dr. Zelner. Thank you, Mrs. Kaplan. I'm also very excited about Legally Blonde. I don't know if you can tell, but it's kind of my vibe. Um, so I'm very much looking forward to that. Also, next week is uh finals for all of our middle schoolers and for our high schoolers. So, I hope everybody studied so hard over break and definitely didn't um not crack a book open for two weeks or anything like that. I know that that didn't happen. I have to say the teacher of the year just brings me so much

088joy as a fellow educator and being an educator my entire career. The thing that I know about the teacher of the year is that for every student who walks through the doors of Wildlife Schools, there is a teacher in that building that is their teacher of the year. That is the person that they feel safest with and that supports them and all of their dreams and endeavors, is the one that they go knock on the door to see. And uh it's just it's so much about our community and how we give back to one another. and I just love the teacher of the year. So, I want to thank uh Mrs. Kaplan for tapping me to join Dr. Hamka and interview them all because that was really fun. Um, so he wouldn't tell me who

089it was who was going to win even though I begged. Um, so I was just as surprised as all of you and I do want to thank all the teachers for all of their hard work and good luck as report cards are due and all the parents might be panicking. Um, but don't worry, it'll be fine. and we'll get through it and we're just going to sharpen our pencils and do our very best and good luck to all the students next week. >> Mr. Lipet. >> Awesome. Thank you, Madam President. Uh, welcome back everybody. I um I hope everyone's healthy. I can I can tell you this because uh shameless plug for my my wife who's a a pediatrician. Uh the whole county seems to be sick right now. So, so as a recommendation, health

090recommendation for you on behalf of my wife, uh, wash your hand, wash your hands. Um, right, uh, make sure to be conscious of that. You may have seen some of us go up and get alcohol swabs. It's nothing personal. We, uh, you know, we love you guys, but um, but this is flu is rampant right now in Oakland County, so just just be careful. Okay. Um, congratulations again to to all the teachers. It is it is amazing. And I don't want to re respeak everything that M Mr. Smith, Miss Dr. Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Z Ziggler said. Uh but see, oh my gosh, Zelner, excuse me. Uh that was a combination of Seagler and Zeler. Did you catch that? Did

091you catch that? Um but um you know, I I too, my kids have had two of those teachers and we've seen the impact. So we all understand the the incredible impact these teachers have whether you're a teacher of the year or not. Each each teacher has impact. So we do understand that. Um lastly, I do want to um well, one other thing I do want to echo Mr. Smith's comments. It's not easy getting up at that podium. I know that firsthand. Uh so, um just know this. We we hear every word you say up at that podium. I'll echo also Mr. Smith's words. It is frustrating right now. We hear that as well. Um I don't want you to think the words just somehow sift through us and disappear. We hear everything you say. Um

092so just just know that. Uh lastly, uh with recent news, federal news, uh some of you may be confused about some of the recent guidelines from the Health and Human Services, uh Department, and uh vaccines. Uh and I just want to make sure that we're reminded of the fact that when it comes to public school, um and state of Michigan requirements for public school students, uh not including exemptions, which we understand are are part of what we do here, um the schedule has not changed. So, I would just continue to recommend that you um if you don't understand what the schedule is, obviously talk to uh folks with um with the state or with your school system, but also I highly highly recommend uh that you talk with your pediatrician. Uh the pediatrician can guide

093you very personally about what's right and appropriate for you and I highly encourage that. Again, as a shameless plug for the pediatric world that my wife is in. So, anyway, be safe and welcome back. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mrs. West. Um, I'd say it's kind of ironic right now, I guess, you know, to have teacher appreciation night and um, still deal with the burdens of what's going on with the district and I so I just want everybody to know that we do sense that irony right now. Um, excuse me. Um, but we are hearing you. We are trying to work with what we can. Um, and we want to make sure we have no unfair labor practices going on either. So, we are very limited in what we can say. So, please understand that

094we are trying to do our very best, but we want to make sure that we are eventually able to produce a fair contract for our teachers because they are the spine of our of our school district. Um, without them, you know, we don't have anybody to teach our students, which is why we're here. Um, and our students are very important. We all know that. Um, as many of us who have had children go through this district, we all know when our children come home with that fabulous teacher that they've all been rooting for to get and the difference they make in their lives. And it's not just the ones that have been here in this room tonight, but so many throughout this um school. And I know my kids, they go back and they knock

095on those doors. Can't wait to see them. Um, so please just know that we do care about our teachers um and we want to do the best for them. Thank you. Mr. >> Thank you, Mrs. Kaplan. Uh, as you notice, the table setting has changed a little bit this evening, and I thought I would just let the audience know that we did have our election of officers prior to the uh start of the meeting this evening. Congratulations, Mrs. Kaplan, and thank you again for sitting at the helm. Uh, Mrs. Crafton as vice president, Mr. Lipid as secretary, and Dr. Zelner as treasurer. So, thank you all for stepping forward and taking on these roles as we move forward. You know, we've had an very rough start to the school year within the state with the

096situation in Romulus and it really shows the value of school security, planning, prevention, intuition, and everything else that goes with it. And you know, we do everything that we can within our district. And I'm sure this will probably lead to more fail safes and more tests going on throughout the state, but there was one dynamic individual in Romulus in a school building that's probably saved a lot of issues. Um, teacher of the year, it struck me very interesting this evening because, uh, during my tenure here, I've gotten to know several of the teachers in the district. And years ago, we used to have a start of the year breakfast where all the new teachers would come in and the board would be here as well as the PTA chairs and and the presidents and we

097would just, you know, welcome congratulations and sit at a table with the starting teacher who had as much energy as I could ever imagine in the world and was just raring to go. And I used to used to laugh. I said, "Hold that energy till January when you really truly need it." and then seeing several of them up this evening getting awards, it really warmed the cockals of my heart. Uh it's amazing how you develop relationships with a lot of these individuals over the year, whether they're your children's teachers or just somebody in the building that you that you know the two of you take a fancy to each other. And it made me think about one individual that had an impact on our life of blessed memory. And that was Sandy Andrews who was

098a principal or was a a uh counselor at Western when my son was there. And my son was a little bit rambunctious. Let's just say he took his father to the edge more than once in in his life. And I remember talking to Sandy one night and she and she looked at him. She goes, "Mark, leave him alone. let him mature. He'll find his way. He'll be a success in his life. And to this day, I still remember that just sitting there and listening to her. And now I look at my son who is very successful and he was home this year for the holidays and we were just talking about different things and I said, "Other than your parents, who is the most important person in your life?" And he for the first time,

099you know, he's 48 years old. He said, "Mrs. Andrews." He said, "She let me be free. She let me find myself and she offered you direction on how to help me find myself. And that's what it's all about when it comes to teachers, the classroom, what we do as a board, what we do as administration, what you do in the classroom. So, thank you for all of that. Um, I will be going to Washington in a few weeks as part of the Michigan Association of School Board for to advocate and meet our representatives in Washington and sit down for some meetings so we can start addressing priorities for the upcoming year from a federal standpoint. Uh, wish me luck. I've been to told to take tranquilizers with me and be as calm as I can.

100So, I will be. and uh and hopefully I'll have good news when I come back. So, thank you very much, >> Mrs. Grafton. >> Hi. Congratulations again to all of the teachers um of the year. I um like to look for patterns in everything that I do and it's just the way my brain works. So the patterns I heard tonight in all of the remarks from the teachers were things like they make their classroom a safe spa safe place. They provide stability and calm. They show love and compassion and empathy. And that's what we're going to remember um as parents. It's what the students are going to remember. And I hope there is a day down the road when we can say this school board has all of those qualities as well and that the

101community believes us. I believe we can get there. That's it. >> Thank you. I just want to first off shout out to Mrs. Dunn and Mrs. Hensley. Um December 19th, I had the um great privilege to come watch the unified basketball team get their award. Um it was absolutely fantastic. Um I brought my husband along and he doesn't usually come to things and he didn't want to leave. Um he was having such a great time. So thank you and I'm very much looking forward to March 26th and participating um in that activity as well. So thank you both for that. Um, I do want to, you know, say happy new year to everybody. I don't think that's been said yet. So, happy new year. I hope as I follow suit, it's a very healthy new

102year for everyone. It's been a very rough end of 2025 for probably every single one of us in this room. And I can tell you, every single one of us at the table have had a very rough year. So, we're hoping for a much better 2026. And, um, we just need to keep moving forward. And as everyone said before, positivity and compassion for your fellow person is a big thing that I'm hoping that as we move into 2026 that we have. Um I congratulate all my fellow board members on our organizational meeting and thank you for the confidence um to represent you as your president once again. So, I appreciate that and I'm very looking forward to our next year together and congratulations again overall to all of our wonderful teachers in the district including,

103you know, everyone and special congratulations to all those teachers of the year. The teachers in this district are truly amazing and are truly compassionate and wonderful. um my three children that have gone through this district. If I ask any one of them um at this point in time and they're older also um they can name from each level or grade, you know, who was their favorite and why they were so influenced by them and it's it's such a heartwarming, you know, feeling um to know that they feel that connected to the district as well. So, thank you and thank you to all the teachers that are out there. Um we're going to move on to the consent agenda. That's the approval of the proposed December 18th regular meeting. Um, personnel recommendations of new hires, retirements,

104and resignations. Our financial reports from November 2025, dispersements in the amount of 17,927 $467 from the balance sheet and statement of revenues and expenditures on audited and investment schedule and the head start director's report. Madame President, >> Mr. Seagler, >> I move that the board of education approve the consent agenda as presented. >> All those in favor? I >> I >> opposed. Motion carries. 70. We are moving on to bit of words over 50,000. Dr. Loun. >> Thank you, Madam President. The project team recommends to enter into a standard forms of agreements between owner and contractor by the summary of awards presented for phase three of Western High School and the remodeling of the outdoor education center caretaker's house. The total award recommendation for the project is 27,181,91625. Recommendations include base bids for each trade

105category, including recommended mandatory and voluntary alternatives, construction, contingency, CM fees, and costs. >> Madame President, >> Mr. Seagler. >> I move that the board of education approve entering into standard forms of agreement between owner and contractor by the summary of awards presented for phase three of Western High School and the remodeling of the outdoor education center caretakers house totaling 27,181,91625. Support >> discussion. >> Okay. All those in favor? I >> I opposed. >> Motion carries 70. Dr. Lans. >> Thank you, Madam President. I'll turn over Mrs. Quinsky. >> Thank you, Dr. Lans. Uh the next section is on graduation requirements uh in alignment with the district's commitment, and that probably should say obligation. Uh to comply with the state's new personal finance requirement, which starts with the 11th grade students in the 2627 school year,

106the administration recommends an increase of 0.5 credit to the district's total graduation requirements. This increases the graduation requirement by 0.5 credits and it aligns the district expectation expectations with the current Michigan Department of Education requirements. And it also enhances opportunities for students to engage in coursework that supports college, career, and life readiness. And I know that I have provided the board information about how that.5 credit will be worked into existing courses and existing course work. So it's not adding another course for a student to take, but they're awarded that 0.5 credit with the inclusion of those personal finance standards into some of our existing courses. Madame President. >> Yes, Mr. Lipet. >> I move that the board of education approve the recommended addition to the Wald Consolidated School District high school graduation requirements. >> Support.

107>> Discussion. >> Miss Rest. >> I want to say that I thought it was very interesting that our district teacher of the year, Mrs. Meyer, actually is a financial literacy teacher. I noticed that in the video. So, I just thought that was kind of interesting as I as we approach this and adding it into our curriculum for graduation requirements. Any other discussion? All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries 70. >> Dr. Lans. >> Back to Miss Kansky. >> All right. Thank you, Dr. Lans. Back to me again. Um, very exciting presentation from uh last month's board meeting. So, I would like to share with you the NOR new course proposal adoption for Outdoor Pursuits. The new course offering, Outdoor Pursuits, was presented at the December 18th, 2025 board meeting. And this new

108course offering would be added for the program of studies. It's been endorsed by administration and is being presented tonight to the board for their approval of its adoption. >> Dr. Zelner, >> Mrs. Kaplan, I move that the board of education approve the adoption of the new course entitled Outdoor Pursuits. Support >> discussion. >> I just want to say I think it's a cool course and I'm so excited for it to be continue. Yes, I would like to I would like to go I want to go whitewater rafting. >> I was going to say can we go white water rafting with them? But that is a very exciting class. So I'm very excited for that. Any other discussion? Okay. All those in favor? I opposed. Motion carries 70. And right before we adjourn, I just want

109to say thank you to Mr. Smith. It wasn't acknowledged he will also be going to Mr. Smith goes to Washington. Um so he will be going to Washington. Thank you. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Seagler. So Mr. Smith will also be um representing us in Washington with Mr. Seagler. So thank you for that. >> Yes, you do. We'll give we'll give you a list. >> The elder will change. And with that being said, we are adjourned at 8:55. Everyone be safe and have a great night.