001meeting to order. If we could 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. Okay, >> we're gonna move on to our Golden Apple Awards. Dr. Lans. >> Thank you very much, Madam President. I'm happy to turn over to Mrs. Kohensky. >> Thank you, Dr. Lans. Our first Golden Apple recipient this evening is Danielle Hager, first grade teacher at Lon Lake Elementary School. Yay. [Applause] Yep. Very uncom most uncomfortable spot. There we are. >> Danielle was nominated by Lon Lake teacher Natasha Gee. Thank you. Just making sure. For being a selfless person who is always there for not only her students, but all of the
002students at Lon Lake. She brings a smile to everyone. Danielle's always seeing the best in people. She only spreads positivity and light to her colleagues, community, and students. Danielle also goes out of her way to help other teachers and ensure they have the resources, support, and knowledge they need to be successful. Danielle greets each of her students every day with a hug or a high five and makes sure not just to tell them how happy she is to see them, but shows them. She brings encouragement to students who are not in her class as well by giving them opportunities to volunteer in her classroom, read to her students, and always ask them how they are doing. Danielle's continuously seeking professional development and growth and trains others in what she learns. Thank you, Danielle, for making
003your students feel seen and safe, and it's an honor for us to recognize you this evening. Congratulations, [Laughter] Good. And we'll wait till Danielle makes her way back uh before we start our next. And there we go. Our next Golden Apple recipient this evening is Ashley Ramirez, kindergarten teacher at Dublin Elementary School. Ashley was nominated by teacher consultant Sarah Sharp for being an extraordinary teacher who genuinely loves her students. Ashley knows and cares about every single one of her students. She advocates tirelessly for their needs and she works to help every single student reach their potential. As a new teach newer teacher, Ashley's risen to every challenge with grace, positivity, and compassion. She's not afraid to reach out and ask questions or seek support from her school team. She loves her job and she loves
004her students and shows them in every single thing that she does. Her students and families are so lucky to have one of the very best kindergarten teachers there is. Thank you, Ashley, for your caring and kindness that you bring to your students. And it's an honor to recognize you this evening with the Golden Apple Award. Thank you. >> Just thank you. This is an honor. Um they had Kinder is my jam. It's my password. Nobody can hear my password. Um, but Kinder is my jam. So, I do appreciate it. So, thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. See, we are going to move on to public commentary. So, thank you all for coming tonight and for your interest in addressing the board. This is your opportunity to address the board. The board will listen to your
005statements, questions, or concerns. We'll not 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 over there. Um, if you come close to your time, Mrs. West will let you know that you're coming close and begin to wrap up your conments. We ask that all speakers remain professional and refrain from personal attacks. Thank you. And we're gonna start with what? State Rep. Noah Arbit. >> Good evening, Dr. Lans, President Kaplan, and esteemed members of the board and community. Um, thank you for the opportunity to speak before you tonight. Um, first I want to extend my best wishes for a wonderful new school year to all of
006our students, teachers, and staff here in Wald Lake. And I hope the year is filled filled with joy, excitement, and discovery. Um, but it is no secret that what should be an exciting back- to-chool school year period is taking place under the cloud of anxiety, uncertainty, and chaos caused by partisan gridlock in Lancing and the failure to pass an education budget for the new school year by July 1st as required by state law. I share your bewilderment, frustration, and anger that for the first time in living memory, students, teachers, and students here in Wald Lake and across Michigan are beginning a new school year without a state budget, leaving you as a board to budget in the dark. I've never come before you or any board to engage in partisan politics, and I won't do
007so today. But I will say this, divided government does not have to be divisive government. But that's unfortunately exactly the kind of toxic environment that this speaker of the house has created in Lancing. It is long past time for Speaker Hall to get serious and come to the ne the negotiating table to fund our schools. For me, as your state representative for commerce in the Lakes area, there could be no higher priority than funding our kids' public education to the highest level possible and ensuring that amazing teachers like the ones that were honored here tonight have a salary that is exactly what they deserve and dignifies their hard work. Um, ensuring that vital programs like school meals and mental health and school safety programs are not gutted. That is also incredibly important and that's exactly
008the kind of budget that I am fighting for. But I will never vote for a budget that strips our community of those vital programs or decreasing funding decreases funding for our schools in Wald Lake or for any school district in our community. I just won't do it. That's why in March I voted against the House Republicans irresponsible education budget proposal which would have slashed over half a million dollars, $681,561 to be exact, in state funding for the Wald Lake Consolidated School District. If they come before me with a substantially similar budget proposal, I will vote no again. This irresponsible partisan impass that threatens a government shutdown in less than a month in Michigan must end now so that you can get back to the most important business at hand, which is ensuring that our kids
009here in Wald Lake have the best education that this state has to offer. I promise to continue keeping you and our community closely updated as these critical budget negotiations continue or get off the ground in the state capital. So, thank you for your leadership and partnership on behalf of our community. >> Thank you. Next, we have Lisa Young. Hello. Good evening. My name is Lisa Young. I'm here with my husband, Matt. Uh we have two beautiful daughters in the school district. Um, but before I tell you about why I'm here, I want to preface what I'm saying with when we moved into this district 20 years ago, so long before our daughters were born, everyone in our community, everyone in our neighborhood, everyone said, "Oh my gosh, Wald Lake is the best district to raise
010your kids in and for them to go to school in." So, we started our family knowing that when our kids reached a school age, they would be going to the best district. And I come here to tell you that we believe that. We still believe that, but we have some work to do. So, we have a daughter, Abby, who's in fourth grade at Wixom Elementary. She requires a lot of these special services. So when we found out her special needs, we were still confident that we were in a district that would support that. But we are going into her fourth year, fourth grade year, and we feel really disappointed. We are going into fourth grade with yet another inconsistency in the resource room that offers her the support she needs in math and reading. And
011I feel that the reputation of the district is falling very short. We talk a lot about our math numbers, our reading numbers. They're plummeting. Our students are not scoring what they should be scoring. Our expectation for them is very high and they're falling very short. And I feel that that pressure is put on our teachers. Our teachers have to do more. They have to stay longer. They have to they have to build a better curriculum to teach our kids. But that pressure needs to go on our schoolboard. We don't have a resource room teacher to offer the support that our kids need, but our teachers need to. Our teachers aren't special education teachers. So, our special education daughter needs a special education teacher. So, her deficits are growing when they should be getting smaller. Our
012teachers are going into this year already feeling defeated, but we have a fourth grade teacher who stepped up to the plate and said, "This is what I can do. I know it's not everything by law that Abby should be receiving, but this is what I can offer." >> 30 seconds. >> Already feeling defeated. So, you have to know that when we see a brand new school going in across from where we live on Maple Road, it's hard to know that we have all this wonderful equipment. We have beautiful new flooring and windows and all this great stuff, but I feel it's being built on a crumbling foundation because we're only as strong as our weakest link and our special education kids are being shorted and we need we need to do better. >> Time. Please
013wrap it up. >> Thank you, Karen Mitchell. Good evening. I was not going to speak tonight, but my name is Karen Mitchell and I am a proud parent of an eighth grader at Clifford Smart Middle School and I have an alumni who graduated in 2024 from Northern. Um, I'm actually going to piggyback off of Lisa. You know, I agree with everything she just said. I have spoke um within the last couple weeks to many teachers, many many many teachers in this district and they are ready. Unfortunately, we are a nonwalk state. But I'll tell you right now, they're going into this year with no contract. And I think it's extremely embarrassing. I know we're not the only district. I know there's many districts these teachers have zero contract. I think it's embarrassing. They deserve better.
014And if you need extra time to do a contract, then I feel like it should be a pretty fair contract. They deserve better pay. They're being overworked. 35 to 45 kids in a classroom. How in the God's name is that safe? Somebody explain it to me. Because if you're in an eighth grade, middle school, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, and you got 45 kids in a classroom, what do you do if a fight breaks out? What do you do if the boys get into a scuffle in the room? Let's go back to the last meeting from the pre the LA just last year, very last schoolboard meeting. Keith Elementary, Commerce Elementary are in shambles. Classrooms being evacuated. Did have we ever fixed that? What is What are you guys doing about it going into it
015this year? How are you making those buildings safe? We have a new principal now at Keith. We're losing teachers, losing staff, losing social workers. last two years we've lost three phenomenal that I know of and the three phenomenal ones that I know of that we lost took a huge impact on this district one of them gave Dr. lawns a three-page exit letter as to why she was leaving. She's in she was in your special educ education. It's sad. I also want to know how in the world do you start this school year off short-handed with not enough staff. You're two pairs short over at Clifford Smartton ASD. How is that safe? What's that teacher doing over there in ASD? How's she managing that class on her own? Have you ever been in one of those
016classes? Do you know what it's like to evacuate a class? I don't know. You guys got to do something. Wald Lake's got to do better. That's all I got to say. >> Thank you, Christine Titus. >> Good evening. Christine Titus, proud instructional specialist at Hickory Woods Elementary. Um my brief topic tonight because I kind of talked a bit at the last meeting is visibility and um totally different tack but I want to give a quick thank you to cabinet for being visible in the buildings. In the last week I've seen Dr. Lans, Mr. Durkin, Dr. Ham and Missker today. Um and Mrs. Cohensky was at our instructional specialist meeting today and Miss Oer has also visit our our building many times. And I just want to let you know that and the public to know
017that you guys don't spend all your time over here in your offices that you're out and you're with students and you're and you're checking in on them, not just the the annual visits that that you often make. Um so I' I'd like to thank you for that, for being visible to us as as teachers and and to the the kids as well. Um also, I'd like to send out well wishes and hugs to Mrs. Craftton on a speedy recovery. Um, keep fighting the good fight, Susie. Thank you. >> Thank you, Tim Siller. >> Good evening. Tim Smiller, Commerce Township, using pronouns he, him, and his. What is the invest in my kids ballot proposal? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions. Is this a tax on small business? No, the 5% fair share search
018charge is levered levied only on individuals whose annual taxable personal income exceeds $500,000 for a single filer or a million dollars for joint filers. The revenue raised is dedicated to schools over and above current spending levels. 100% of the money raised must be expended to support classrooms in local school districts, including funding for career and technical education, attracting and retaining highquality educators, and reducing class sizes. The money may not be expended for other purposes and is subject to an annual audit. What about the lottery money? The lottery is an important contributor to public schools in Michigan, but makes up less of that total than you think. In fiscal year 23, the lottery only made up 6.2 2% of the school aid fund. For every lottery dollar, 61 cents goes to prizes, 27 cents to the
019school a fund, 9 cents to retail commissions, and three cents to fund lottery operations. Does money really matter for student outcomes? Yes. Recent research has consistently found that expenditure increases improve student achievement, high school graduation rates, adult income and earnings, and reduce poverty for disadvantaged students. While more money isn't doesn't solve all problems, it helps a lot. How does this compare to other states? Michigan currently ranks 14th lowest in the country for average overall effective tax rate and is lower than all neighboring Great Lakes states. Massachusetts passed a similar fair share tax in 22 with great success. If we pass this, won't millionaires move to other states to hide their income? New research shows that the number of wealthy individuals has actually grown in states after increasing taxes on high earners. While it's certainly possible
020that some high-income individuals will pursue lower taxes in other states, they can do that now. Unfortunately, when it comes to hiding their income, American millionaires and billionaires are already evading about $150 billion in taxes a year, according to the IRS. The best way to handle that is not to lower their tax rates, but to fund the IRS to audit wealthy individuals. I realize that this school board will not probably not take a position one way or the other on this proposal, but I'm sure it would welcome the increased funding it would provide. >> 30 seconds. >> For those of you in favor of seeing this proposal on the ballot in 26, please see me after this meeting to sign the petition. Thank you and good evening. >> Thank you. Next, Hillary Glazier and Brian Felash.
021Hi everybody. Uh my name is Brian Felp. I'm here with Wald Lake Schools Federal Credit Union and uh we have been in business for 76 years and we open uh we provide banking services for faculty and students of the school district as well as their families. And uh this year we had uh uh some extra money in our community budget. And when we have something like that occur, we like to spread it throughout the community. And so this year we had $50,000 and we decided our board of directors uh decided to donate that back to the PTSA for the Wald Lake School District. So every unit of the Wald Lake School District will be getting a $2,500 check from Wald Lake Schools Federal Credit Union. So, um, we're here tonight to present, uh, the check,
022to make that donation, and to hopefully spread as much community goodwill as we can throughout the community. So, um, yeah, I'm Hillilary Glazer. I'm the PTSA Council President. I'm also on I'm the VP over at uh Walnut Creek PTSA and the legislative rep over at um Wald Lake Central PTSA. I also work in the district. I cannot begin to tell you how amazing every single one of our 19 units are, including our ECC units, all of our high school units, middle school, elementary. They're all unique. And this $2,500, while it may not seem like a lot to some people, to each of our units, it's that much more time they don't have to spend begging for money from their fellow parents and caregivers and families and that much more time they can actually spend doing
023something. At the beginning of this year, I asked them all, "What's your purpose? Why are you here?" And for a lot of them, it's to do better, to do more in the community. And this check, all of these checks that we'll be getting, um, boy, do they help us really nail down our purpose and do better for the greater good as a parent in this district. Um, and frequent volunteer. Uh, when Brian told me about this, I was like I did not know how to answer the email and just started crying. uh which you don't know, but I I started crying because I was so grateful knowing that coming from uh when my kids were in elementary school, an elementary school that struggled to title one school >> to uh to raise funds, $2,500 can
024do a whole lot of good for every one of our units. So, I want to thank our I want to thank your board of directors and the credit union as a whole. um and encourage everybody to open an account or look at auto loans or anything you need to. Um for someone who has a heavy background in marketing, I'm not plugging you guys very well, but thank you. >> Yeah. No, it's uh it's our pleasure to do something like that. And uh if there's anything that we can ever do for anybody here in the room, we're hap all of our money goes back into the community. We don't use our money to do a lot of traditional things that other credit unions would. So, if there's anything you guys need help with or looking for
025help with, um there's if there's a way the credit union can get involved and help you out, always reach out to us because everything we do goes back into the community. So, um we appreciate everything the school's done for us. Every everybody here um has helped us reach out to the district, reach out to the community. Um so, anything we can do for you, always reach out. And I'll I'll just end with um if you're ever lucky enough to receive a big fancy check like this, my 13-year-old asked, "Can you actually deposit that?" The answer is the answer is no. Um but if you know my 13-year-old, that question is uh a fair one. >> Thank you. And thank you to the credit union. >> We're going to move on to administrative commentary. Dr. L.
026>> Thank you, Madam President. Mr. Scaling, we'll start with you tonight. >> Thank you, Dr. Lans. Uh, as was previously mentioned, uh, enjoyed being out in the buildings the last couple weeks, seeing all the hard work that the staff and administration have done to get ready for school, seeing the lovely faces of all the students as they come in and out. So, great start to the school year. It was great to be out in the buildings and see such fun and excitement. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Mrs. Kwansky. >> Thank you, Dr. Lans. I echo Mr. Scaling sentiment. It was great to be out and and seeing everybody and welcoming them back. Um getting introduced to classrooms full of kids who have no idea who I am. As a former elementary principal, that hurts
027a little bit, not going to lie. Um I miss students uh and those relationships and the relationships with their families, but it's wonderful and energizing to get out and see the connections that our staff and our admin uh have with those families and observe that in uh right up close. So, it was wonderful to be able to get out and do that. Uh, for those of you who've been watching, we know that the MSTEP scores are in. Yay. Yay. No, sorry. It's my little that's my little plug for for our spring state assessment. But, uh, yes, for for those of you who who watch that closely, please know that the learning services team and I will be unpacking all of that. And I say unpacking because yes, there are a lot with the numbers and
028a lot to digest and a lot for us to be able to turn back around and and share with the board and share with the community as well. But we're looking forward to doing that. And great first days back. Uh I I'm really thrilled with new staff and and their um uh energy around uh being in front of kids and also for our veteran staff that are out there supporting uh those new teachers. It's it's really wonderful to see and and I'm excited for a great year ahead. >> Thanks. >> Thank you, Miss Crany. Miss Mayor, >> and I guess I'm echoing likewise um time out in buildings, but I just wanted to highlight for our earliest learners um some of the startup of the school year things that our early on zero to3 staff
029are working on um to improve their instruction as they go out into the community and homes working with our earliest learners and then also for our early childhood special education programs. It was just wonderful to see both at the ECC today um just the smiling faces and all of our early childhood special education students and teachers um getting acclimated to back to school and all of those new routines. So great point. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Durkin. >> Thank you, Dr. Lans. I just wanted to continue the uh love and appreciation for our PTAs and thank you, Brian, again for um you know, supporting us. Anytime we need anything, you're absolutely the right person to call. Um, I it occurred to me, you know, searching through our district social media feeds the past few
030days, just the wave of all the PTA events and all the amazing things our PTA leaders do. So, I wanted to take an opportunity just to give them a shout out. Typically, they go unnoticed and they're certainly appreciated, but they certainly aren't doing it for any notoriety or any fame. U, but whether it's the fundraisers, the community building, just the whole litany of things they do in, you know, throughout the year is just so much appreciated by our staff and families and, uh, and our certainly our students. So, I just want to make sure I gave them a extra kudos this evening uh given everything we're celebrating tonight. >> Thank you, sir. Mrs. OM, >> it's just the anticipation, Dr. Hamco. Don't worry about it. >> Um again, I'd like to echo the comments regarding
031being out in the buildings. It's always fun to come to center remind us all that what what we're here for obviously is kids. I especially love the middle schoolers because you can always tell that they're just such a fun age and it was interesting to see them struggle a little bit with their lockers and it brought back memories of thinking about that trying to get into your classroom and there was a number of them after the bell rang that would be out there trying to get those lockers open. So my heart bled for them but it was fun to see them and and they seemed to just said slow down you which is a reminder to all of us in that regard. Um I'd like to thank Oakland schools will be benefiting from their residency
032program. Um, Autumn, I'm not sure if I'm pronouncing her last name. Rousey will be joining us on October 6 in the business services. We signed up for the third leg of her journey. So, she'll be starting with October and staying with us through May. We're hoping to provide her with some excellent experiences as well as gaining from some of her knowledge that she's had her experiences with other districts. We're looking forward to that. The audited financial statements, they will be wrapping that up. We're expecting a draft financial statement in se end of September, which is a little bit later than usual. They had a little bit of a newer staff that worked through things diligently, but again, our staff, particularly Vicki Amore, worked very well with that and and they had very complimentary um getting
033through a lot of the details as well as some new pronouncements from Gatsby. So, you'll be getting that soon as we have it. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Summer. Dr. Sha, >> that was exciting. I can't wait. Thank you, Dr. Lance. Well, it's been, as everyone stated, it's been in a really fun exciting time with students entering the buildings. Um, today I had an opportunity to visit several elementary schools, and that's it's always fun with student birthdays and the way they walk in line so perfectly >> and those who don't, which remind me of me a little bit, but that's a long story. Um, I've also want to really thank human resource department, everybody that's part of it. I mean since last year with the repurposing of Gistler and all the staff changes
034and movements around I want to thank them for their commitment and their work to ensure onboarding was smooth and that um you know badges were ready and computers were ready. I mean it does take a village right and so I I really want to thank all the departments that were involved in that process. Thank you. >> Thank you sir. I also have enjoyed being out in buildings. I'm only one for two when it comes to middle school lockers. So you might have had been a little bit more successful than I was, but I gave it a good shot. In part of my job is also working with bond construction and in order for our staff to be able to get into the buildings so that our rooms are ready, our hallways are ready, the buildings
035are ready, there's a lot of work that goes behind the scenes. And so I want to thank all of our staff and all of the contractors that we work with and all the companies that we work with to make sure that we are ready to go on day one. Especially a shout out to our northern staff and Central and Western because it was a little bit later for them to be able to get into their buildings due to construction. They knew that and they were very flexible and they were ready to get in those rooms and get it ready. So, I I appreciate all of that work and going into the buildings over the summer to check on construction. They're just structures, right? That's all they are. They're they're brick and mortar. They're tile floors.
036They're fluorescent lights. But when you go in there and the students are there and the staff are there, that's when those those structures become alive. Now, now they're a home for for our students and staff. And that's why we call them school communities because it does take the entire community to really bond together and to make that structure something that we're proud of and that people can call their home in their community. So, thank you again for everyone making that happen. Madam President, >> thank you. We're going to move on to board commentary. I'm going to start with you, Mr. Smith. Thank you, Mrs. Kaplan. Uh, welcome back. I want to say uh to the new school year. Uh, to all the students out there experiencing new friends, new faces, new routines. I know we
037have a new routine with both of my kids now at middle school, which is wonderful that they're all at the same school. I just want to encourage all those students that are that are out there, try something new this year. Uh, step out of the comfort zone, help one another, and really be the change. Uh, of course I would be remiss. Thank you to the teachers and the amazing staff at every every school uh that we have for all that they do. Uh, like you said, takes a village, but just just seeing all of the the logistics, just everything coming back into um it's just amazing for everything that they do for for our students. Just want to say my thoughts are with the families of course in the community in Minneapolis and uh also
038to the good thoughts for uh Mrs. Craftton on her recovery. Uh, I know that we're all here for uh I do want to just state I'm sure Mr. Seagler will talk about a little bit more and uh Representative Arbett stated, but uh just write your legislator, please get on them, pass a budget. Uh so we know what we have in our school aid fund. Uh it would be I just the fact that they passed that deadline is is beyond me. So, uh, write your legislators, urge them to do what's what's right and make sure that we have the proper funding for our educators across the state of Michigan. Thank you, >> Mr. Lipet. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh, last night was curriculum night, and that was my 19th and final curriculum night of Lipitz
039and Wald schools, which is a sad but wonderful thing. And last night was at WVC Northern for our youngest. um going through curriculum night, you know, seeing I want to pay particular attention to the teachers because I seeing the the passion and um preparation and frankly the just their own expectations of what success is going to look like in these classrooms is so um it's emotional to see, but it's also really important as a parent to know, wow, these these teachers are doing everything that's possible to to have your kids back and to do what's necessary to make them achieve leave uh in in Wald Lake schools. And it just means to me when I walked out of there, I wasn't thinking that my kids um were in interesting classes, although they were in very
040interesting class. I wish I could take some of these classes myself, but what I came away thinking was we got to have a contract for these folks that represent the the expertise and the caliber and the dedication that these folks are showing to my to my kids and to your kids and to our community. So I want to make sure that we all are on the same page about what is in front of us right now in representing our teachers and staff properly. So that was the first thing I want to say. Uh moving on, I just want to give a shout out to our PTSA organization. Um one of the things I learned myself is that when people parents that don't know much about PTA, they might think, h it's such a heavy lift
041and I have so much to do. I don't have time. You do have time. Um, you it doesn't have to be such a heavy lift to be involved. I for me I was the guy with the bullhorn at color day, you know, like I I got involved by being the the silly parent. Um, you there are lots of ways you can contribute uh through the PTSA organization. So, uh I I'm sorry to add more work to you, Miss Glazer, but uh please see Miss Glazer to to talk about ways that you can you can be involved and be an impact uh in this year and beyond. And then lastly, I just want to echo uh comments regarding Trusty uh Craftton. We are all thinking about you, Susie, and uh wishing for the best wishes and
042quick recovery. Thank you, >> Dr. Zelner. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um uh I want to start by echoing what everyone said around being in classrooms. I did better than Dr. ones with the middle school uh lockers. They had no idea who I was. I was lucky enough to start at Central and say hello in my very cheerful early morning vibe that I had that when I was a high school teacher, my fellow teachers would say no to me. I brought that energy to Central. Um not sure how it went over, but I did do the lockers at SMRT. Um I think my favorite part is what Mr. Durkin does. I took a lot of pictures of parents and kids on their first day at Keith and that was really lovely and all the hugs
043from community members and the teachers. Uh we do need to support and continue to support our teachers in terms of making sure that they get a fair contract and also just echoing that it is pretty frustrating to do the work that we are meant to do for our most precious assets in our community when there is no uh budget from Lancing. And so, uh, while our representative was here, there are other ones you can call them, too, uh, or write a letter. Doesn't hurt, um, to get them going. Um, our I also want to say thank you to the credit union. That is an incredible gift and what a beautiful way to support the hard work of all of our volunteers in the PTA. And finally, um, my thoughts are with the victims in Minneapolis
044and all victims of violence and what violence like that does for people who are recovering as well in terms of um, the heartache that it brings up for some of our communities here in Michigan and thoughts with Mrs. Craftton and hopefully she'll be back with us soon because it's not the same without her. Um, that is all I have. >> Mrs. West. >> Um, thank you. Um, so I hope that everybody had a positive experience in their first couple of weeks of school in the new school year. I know that there were some challenges. Um, especially in the middle school level as we condense middle schools. Um, they're a lot more crowded. Um, hopefully people will adjust soon. Um, I know that that's not easy and um, it wasn't an easy decision for the board
045to make either to close a school. Um, but it's also about being fiscally responsible to you as taxpayers. Um, so please understand that I know that there are some hiccups still. Um, but I'm hoping that that will eventually work its way out. Um, regarding vacancies, I would really love to see vacancies filled. Um, especially in our special ed department. I worry about those with IEPs and 504s. um especially those who need a independent pair educator um that a one-on-one that we need those filled. We really need people to step up. If you are looking for a job, please we have so many vacancies within our district. Come come work for us. Um I really would love to see those filled. Our kids need you. Our families need you. Um it's really important. Um, and then
046lastly, um, I'm speaking on my own, not on behalf of the board, but I just want to say that I do not fully agree with the public statement that President Kaplan's about to make. Um, as I do not support all that comes with in today's culture. Um, I believe it discriminates against my faith and that of many of across our district who elected me to represent them. I also do not believe that providing materials provides a safe space when in reality is being confused with wanting affirmation of who they are. I believe that providing materials to minors can create confusion and evolate the truth of who they are. Thank you, >> Mr. Seagler. >> I wish I had good news tonight. Uh so we'll start off with opening day. I thought I had the pleasure
047of being at Metobrook and watching the students, watching the faculty first of all, just getting everything set up and watching the parents and standing outside with the parents and students before they went in. I went in. I was standing with a group of parapros that were in the building wel welcoming the students. And about 9:00, two second graders go walking by us. And I had to chuckle because I the comment out of their mouth was, "This is going to be the longest day." And I'm sitting there thinking to myself, nine o'clock first day of school. This is going to be a rough year. But, you know, and I also wish we could have bottled the energy and given given everybody an injection come January when we truly need it. But it it was a wonderful
048thing. Uh I want to thank the board for adopting schools this year. I really look forward to that. And I know that I jumped the gun, Dr. Lans. I apologize, but uh I know I've got some beautiful responses from the administrators that I am going to be have the pleasure of working with a little bit better this year about waiting for me to come in. Uh the Wildlife Marching Band. Uh I had the pleasure of going to Mr. Dazinsk's going away uh for that they had and I look forward to the dress rehearsal Saturday night. >> Yes. Uh so uh great thing hoping for great things for them for the year. Sports teams have already started and schools in session. Uh as we look at the budget, you know, we at as a board had
049to approve our budget in June. Well, we are now at September 4th. We have no budget. I was at a meeting. I was sitting in a meeting last week with some people in Lancing and this is totally nonpartisan this the group that I was sitting with and we're sitting there having something to eat and all of a sudden somebody comes running in and says they just dumped 400 pages of voting in an hour. I won't tell you the look on our face because I think we were all ash and white and in shock that how do you do this and how do you vote in an hour? It was done. It doesn't really affirm anything because you've got the house budget, you've got the Senate budget, and you've got the governor's budget. But part of
050the issue as I see it as a board member and community member is you look at a budget possible slashing of $1.1 billion from education funding as we know it seems like a large number. Put it into the thought process of take the seven largest districts in the state of Michigan and void them. They don't exist. That's your $1.1 billion. So, you know, if you really want to think think about a number and look at a number that that is really unbelievable. Other things that we have to look at free and reduced lunch. When I was in Washington years ago and we were pushing for that, we wanted to put into law. They wouldn't give it to us in law. They gave it to us as a categorical. As we all know, categoricals can be
051eliminated whenever somebody wants. Do our students in this district need it? Yes. Do the students in Pontiac, Detroit, and throughout the state need it? Yes. But it's on the ch it's one of those things that's on the chopping block. So, we're going to have to wait and see what happens over the next 13 days that our representatives are in session between now and September 30th because that's all it is is 13 days this month and hope that something gets accomplished and hope that it's not as devastating as it is because the key words that I heard out of people's mouths last week were shutdown, impass, and roads. nothing about children, nothing about education, nothing about supporting education, but we'll take the money from education. And also the other thing that is part of what they're
052doing is funding the universities. We cannot have endowments in our district. We cannot have benefactors giving us money in any of the districts in the state. But yet they can take the money out of the school aid fund and use those for University of Michigan, Michigan State and other universities in the state. I don't have an issue with community colleges. I do have an issue when I look at the big universities that have these endowments and we are still taking money from our children to subsidize their balances. So, I'll get off my soap box on that. Uh, you know, the tragedy that happened last week, our hearts go out and I know as a parent, as a community member here, we all feel it. Mrs. Crafton, uh, brighter days ahead, speedy recovery. Although I sent
053her a message today. I said, "Sorry, you know, you had asked me a few weeks ago if I would pick you up for this meeting, and I said, "No." So, I I lived up to my word on that. And I I look forward to the school year. I mean, we have things that we have to overcome. We know that. And we have things that we have to improve upon. We know that. We're cognitive of them. But give us a chance to get started. Give us the assets to work with. pray that we do not have a shutdown at state level and start hit the trail running. >> Thank you. I'm not going to repeat what everybody said, but you know, welcome back to school. I'm glad that we're off to a running start. My heart
054does go out to the families in Minneapolis and hoping Mrs. Crafton gets well soon. Um, I do want to shout out to Kyle Medier. I thought your cross your your your crossing guard um was fantastic and I like seeing that on social media. That was awesome. So, keep it up everybody. That was a great shout out. Um, I'm going to echo, you know, come to the show on Saturday at Wild Lake Central. You have numerous bands that will be there presenting their shows and it'll be a fantastic experience and everyone should come and see it at least once in their lifetime, if not more. It's a great thing to see. Um, I'm going to change my hat quickly and talk about Lakes Area Youth Assistance. October 7th is our Taste of the Lakes. We would
055love for you all to attend and come see us. Um, if you're interested in tickets, I have tickets. They're $25 here or $30 at the door. You can see myself and Mrs. Vanlu may have some in her pocket. I'm not sure. She does not, which is unusual, but sold them all. >> Oh, there you go. Good for you. If you would like tickets, you can see me or you can go on Lakes Youth Assistance website to purchase tickets. It's October 7th, like I said, at um Edward Country Club and it's a fantastic evening and I'd love to see everyone there. And moving on, I do have a statement that I'm going to read. Wald Lake Consolidated Schools and member and all members of the school board administration fully support all of our students and staff
056regardless of your race, color, national origin, disability, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. Furthermore, Wildly Consolidate Schools and all members of the school board administration support the free expression of ideas and believe that is important to expose students to a wide variety of educational topics which includes ensuring that the curriculum in the libraries include ma materials that make students feel safe and included. Now, we're going to move on to the consent agenda. On the consent agenda, we have the approval of the minutes. um proposed. August 18th, our special board workshop. August 21st, our regular meeting, personnel recommendation, new hires, resignations, retirements, leaving absences. Financial reports for June of 2025, dispersements in the amount of 20,972,928. >> That's it. I thought there was more. Can I have a motion, please? >> Madam President, Mr.
057Living, >> I move that the board of education approve the consent agenda as presented. >> All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. 6. Moving on to administrative appointment. Dr. Lans. >> Dr. Ham. >> Thank you, Dr. Lans. I am pleased to announce to recommend Mr. Jacob has as the next assistant principal at Clifford Smart Middle School effective September 8th, 2025. With over a decade of experience in education, including eight years as a middle school social studies teacher and dean of students at Fowlerville High School, Jacob brings a strong background in student support and leadership. Passionate about middle school and the about the middle school environment, Jacob is excited to return and and to supporting and developing learners as they transition into young adulthood. These experiences reflect a deep commitment to building healthy relationships with
058students, staff, families to foster both academic success and socio emotional social socio emotional growth. Uh Jacob uh looks forward to becoming part of the Clifford Smart Middle School community and working collaboratively to ensure every learner thrives. Thank you. >> I move that the board of education approve the appointment of Mr. Jacob Hess as the assistant principal at Clifford Smart Middle School effective September 8th, 2025 and that this appointment be made consistent with the provisions of the Wald Lake School Administrators association master agreement >> discussion. All those in favor I opposed. Motion carries 6 purchases over 50,000. Dr. L. >> Thank you, Madam President. Just to back up for a second, Mr. wanted to be here tonight. Unfortunately, he had a family emergency that took him away. So, hopefully we'll have an opportunity for you to
059meet him in the future. Mrs. Kohansky. Thank you, Dr. Lans. Uh, one of the purchases I have for you today is the classroom library collections, preK through 5, uh, which is a collection of um, elementary texts through a vendor called Book Source in the amount of $461,858.39. Uh, as we know, the 35J state grant, which focuses on literacy materials, is set to expire at the end of September of 2025. And the books source classroom library collection purchase will fill some critical gaps in our pre-K through five classrooms, providing some relevant engaging highinterest texts, promoting literacy achievement and motivation. This purchase directly supports 35J's literacy strategic plan and the Michigan's essential literacy practices ensuring that every student and teacher has access to abundant, relevant, and developmentally targeted reading materials. We have a number of new staff
060across the district. And if you walk into a veteran teachers room in a second grade classroom, hypothetically, and a brand new teachers classroom, second grade, uh there will be a wide variety of of uh abundant reading materials. Um we want to be able to bolster that to be able to make sure that even our youngest, newest teachers in their classrooms also have a lot of materials available for students so that we can work on those skills. These are a variety of texts that are of high interest to kids as well as decodable texts to help students practice their phonics skills, too. >> Mr. Seagler, >> I move that the board of education approve the purchase of books source classroom literacy collections preK5 totaling $461,858.39 from the 35J literacy grant. >> Discussion. Mrs. West. >> Um,
061so I had sent Dr. Lans a few questions regarding this. Um, specifically about pronouns, if those are included in these books. Um, do we have an answer regarding that? I was very vague in the email that I had a you sent me right before I I was able to come here, so I didn't really have time to really look closely at any of it. >> Yeah, we are in contact with the vendor and if there's anything that jumps out to you when you have a chance to look at it, we can make those books available to you. So, we have not heard specifics back at this point. >> Okay. So, I will be voting no against this just because I have not had if we don't have an answer to this question. Um, I wish
062I could vote yes, but um unless I have that answer, I really firmly believe that this is not appropriate until I can have a clear response on that. >> Other discussion? >> Oh, Mr. Smith, >> it just popped in my head, Dr. Lans, and you can get back to me later. Um, I see that the the grant is expiring at the end of September. Have we exhausted? Did we utilize the grant for all of its usefulness? >> I guess is Mrs. Guansky can ballpark it for us. >> Yeah, thank you. Um, we are are getting as close to spending all of it as possible. My understanding is there was roughly around a $500,000 balance sitting there. Um, we're getting as close to that, leaving a little bit of cushion for some things that we were
063catching up on, paying for some literacy work and things like that. uh and some materials and things that were used in summer school and such. So I think we're we are really focused and targeted. We don't want to leave any money on the table. So you know that was our that was our hope. >> So we prices right it >> prices writing it. Yeah. Close to but not over. That's right. Any other discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Motion carries 51. Moving on to designation of depositories for school funds. Dr. Lans, >> Mrs. OM. >> Thank you, Dr. Lans. Every year we look at our depositories for our school funds. I will tell you that in reviewing those for this particular year, we don't have any changes from the prior year.
064So, this is more of a formality, but certainly an opportunity for any of the board members to ask any question regarding the list of banks and financial institutions that we engage with during the the school year. So it is brought to your attention each year annually for your approval and review. >> Mr. Ziggler, >> thank you. I move that the board of education approve of the bank's financial institutions and brokerage firms as listed and presented as depositories for school funds for the fiscal year and authorize the assistant superintendent of business services andor designate to conduct all banking transactions. Discussion. All those in favor? I opposed. >> Motion carries. 6. >> School investments. Dr. Lans. >> One more time. Mrs. O. >> Thank you, Dr. Lans. Again, each year we take a look at our um
065our banking institution and financial institutions that we use for investments. These investments are available funds as prescribed by the Michigan Revised School Code and are invested as such. Available funds are those not required in the immediate future to cover district financial obligations. Examples include bond funds while projects are underway, syncing funds that have not been obligated yet, and property tax revenue received in the summer that would be spent throughout the school year and hopefully will be uh assist us if god forbid that there is a government shutdown. >> Mr. Seagler, >> I had saw you moving. I move that the board of education authorize the business office under the direction of the assistant superintendent of business services to invest school district bunnies as prescribed by the Michigan revised school code as presented. >> Discussion. >>
066All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries 6. Moving on to a proclamation about cancer awareness month. You want me to hand it over? >> I think you should. >> Dr. Zelner, >> thank you. Uh, this proclamation is for cancer awareness month in October. Whereas over the past several decades, our nation has made significant advances in the fight against cancer. Improvements in early detection and treatment of this disease have led to decreases in the rates of new cases and deaths, and many people who are diagnosed with cancer are living longer with a better quality of life. Despite the breadth of our progress, an estimated 1.8 million people were diagnosed with cancer last year and more than half a million Americans lost their lives to the disease. During Cancer Awareness Month, October 2025, we renew
067our commitment to increasing awareness about cancer and reducing the burden of this devastating illness. And whereas staff, students, and parents of Wald Lake Consolidated School District have planned several cancer awareness activities throughout the months of September and October 2025. And whereas Wald Lake Western High School is holding its 14th annual Warriors for Warriors Pinkout football game, including cheer and marching band on September 26th, 2025, with proceeds going to two charities, St. Baldrick's Foundation for Pediatric Cancer and Angels of Hope Foundation Michigan. Additionally, Western is hosting a Pinkout soccer game on September 6th, as well as Pinkout Week September 22nd through 26, 2025. Wald Lake Northern High School is having Pinkout Week October 6th through 10th, 2025 with it culminating with the Pinkout Varsity football game the evening of October 10th. Wald Lake Central High School's
068volleyball program will be hosting its first annual pinkout night on September 18th, 2025. And Central's soccer program is hosting a special cancer awareness charity soccer game to support local charities in honor of coach and teacher Joel Sharp, who is now cancer free from his battled last school year. All three high schools will have additional activities to raise funds in support of cancer related charities such as t-shirt and ribbon sales. Whereas there will be educational opportunities throughout September and October 2025 to talk to students about healthy habits to prevent cancer such as avoiding excessive sun exposure, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and making physical activity part of each day. And now therefore be it resolved that the Wald Lake Schools Board of Education, administration, staff, students, and parents together declare 2025 cancer awareness
069month in Wald Lake schools. >> Thank you. Now we are moving on to resolution K12 state budget. Mr. Seagler. >> Thank you again, Mrs. Kaplan. a resolution in support of protecting the school aid fund and passing a timely K12 budget. Whereas Michigan law requires the legislation to adopt a K12 school funding budget by July 1st each year and the 2025 2026 budget has not yet been enacted. Whereas, if legislation fails to act, school districts will miss the October 20th state aid payment funding that is essential to compensate teachers and staff, maintain student programs and supports, provide transportation, and sustain daily operations. Whereas proposals to disvert school aid dollars to non-educational purchases purposes such as roads, road repairs undermine the promise made to voters when the fund was created in 1994 to provide stable, equitable K12
070funding. Now therefore, be it resolved that the Wald Consolidated School District Board of Education, one urges the Michigan legislature to pass a full and fair K12 school aid budget immediately. two calls on renewing calls on lawmakers to protect the school aid fund for its original and intended purpose educating Michigan's children. Three directs the superintendent to communicate this resolution to the governor, legislative leaders, and the Oakland County delegation adopted this fourth day of September, 2025 by the Wald Consolidated School District Board of Education. Thank you. And with that, at 7:59 and 45 seconds, we are adjourned. >> 45 seconds.