WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=EhIVsiBi4fM

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: EhIVsiBi4fM):
- 00:00:04: Meeting Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
- 00:01:13: Roll Call, Agenda Approval, Board Norms Review
- 00:03:09: Public Comment: Shenika Davis on Bullying, Retaliation
- 00:07:10: Public Comment: Elizabeth Kohls, Mental Health Support
- 00:08:54: Public Comment: Cindy Goodson, Family Engagement Specialist
- 00:11:23: Public Comment: Rayante Bell, Mental Health Awareness
- 00:13:53: Public Comment: Somaya Krenshaw, Need for Investment
- 00:16:32: Approval of Meeting Minutes and Public Comment Re-Opened
- 00:17:28: Public Comment: Brianna Alexander, Mental Wealth Support
- 00:20:10: Addressing Nerves and Additional Public Comment
- 00:20:46: Public Comment: Commissioner Field, Vacant Positions Clarity
- 00:22:59: Approval of Meeting Minutes, BAG Awards Introduction
- 00:24:20: BAG Awards: Recognizing Student Behavior, Attendance, Grades
- 00:28:56: Quarterly Board Bites: Taher Food Service Update
- 00:31:20: Yes, Fresh Start Resolution Presentation and Discussion
- 00:43:03: Board Questions, Comments, and Vote on Fresh Start
- 00:55:49: Partnership Agreement Update With Michigan Department of Education
- 00:58:16: Union Collaboration Highlights and Teacher Concerns
- 01:00:55: Field Trip Update Discussion and Funding Discrepancy
- 01:10:58: Brief Recess to Amend Agenda for Field Trip Vote
- 01:12:26: Field Trip Information Clarified, Zello Update and Engagement
- 01:15:36: Instructional Update Highlighting Classroom Walkthroughs
- 01:19:40: Discussion and Clarification of Agenda Items
- 01:23:02: Consent Vote Approving Field Trips
- 01:25:33: March Monthly Financial Reports and Kexus Enrollment
- 01:32:04: Student Support Services: Restorative Practices, Vento Services
- 01:37:11: Facilities Update: Roofs, Demolition, Master Plan
- 01:41:02: HR Staff Report and Hiring of New Teachers
- 01:47:30: District Openings, Requirements and Statistics Clarification
- 01:49:07: Old Business and New Business Updates
- 01:51:37: Open Public Comments and Superintendent Announcements
- 01:56:07: Trustee Doyle's Comments and Gratitude
- 01:56:44: Trustee Rocket Martin's Comments and Suggestions
- 01:58:26: Treasurer Gavin's Comments and High School Decision Day
- 02:01:22: Vice President Bowens Comments and Adjournment


Part: 1

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This meeting is a meeting of the board of education and public for the purpose of conducting the school district's business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. This meeting is an in-person meeting held at 870 Kfax here in Benton Harbor. In addition, a live stream of this meeting is available at the following link. Questions may be

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submitted beforehand to Natalie. Bhas.org or or presented in person during the public comments section as indicated in the agenda. Board members may be contacted through the emails listed below. Requests for special assistance, including for persons with disabilities may be sent to

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Natalie. Bhas.org. I call this meeting to order officially at 6:04 p.m. We'll begin by reciting 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

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under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> In the absence of Secretary Triplet, Miss Sig, can you please call the role? >> President Robinson, >> present. >> Vice President Bowens, >> present. >> Secretary Triplets.

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>> Treasurer Gavin, >> present. Trustee Bat Mart, Trustee Bradley, Trustee Doyle >> present. Forum is present. >> All right. Up next, we have approval of the agenda. If I'm not mistaken, it is

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the regular session 416 2026 minutes. Uh due to no recording, we don't have all of the details. Miss Singer, I did check for my binder with those notes, but I haven't been able to find it just yet. My recommendation would be that we um take vote on amendments noted outside of

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those. Um those are the that's the only noted amendment that I see. So at this particular time, I would ask is there a motion to move to approve the agenda um with the removal of the regular section 416 2026.

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>> So move. >> Is there a second or support? >> Support. The motion has been made by Trusty Doyle and supported by Treasurer Gavin. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none, Miss Singer. >> President Robinson, >> yes.

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>> Vice President Bowen, >> yes. >> Treasurer Gavin, >> yes. >> Trusty Doyle, >> yes. >> Motion carried. >> All right. Up next, we have the review of our board norms. The board of education norms for Bitten Harbor area schools. We will treat each other with respect. We will listen to learn. We

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will refrain from side conversations. We will use our time wisely, starting and ending our meetings on time. We will challenge ideas people. We will ask questions when in doubt. There will be no surprises at the board table. We will practice the sub norms of collaboration. Those are pausing, paraphrasing, posing

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questions, putting ideas on the table, providing data, paying attention to self and others, and pursuing positive intentions. Let the record show the trustee Rocket has made as of 6:07 p.m. Um, next we have public comment on agenda items. Is there anyone present

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that would like to make a comment on an agenda item? You have the floor. Thank you. Good evening everyone. >> Good evening. >> Hello. Um I'm here for the fresh start

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2026 mental health CTE e budget resolution. Um before I start, let me introduce myself. I am Shenika Davis. I am a employee here at Ben Harour High School, a former

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employee of Ed Staff custodian. I just would like to read my my story. and some of the contributions and to the community. Um, standing up for students,

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advocating for a safer schools, supporting mental health awareness, and using my voice to bring attention to bullying, retaliation, and the need for accountability in our district. I continue showing up for my family, my education, and my community during

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difficult times. The challenges that I have tried to overcome and that I'm still overcoming is being silenced for speaking up for my child being bullied. Dealing with retaliation within the district and advocating for my child all

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while balancing work parenting and personal stress while still pushing forward in strength through strength with purpose. Also, I would like to see that happen a resolution that happen. We need better leaders. Leaders who will not retaliate

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against staff or families for speaking up about bullying. Leaders who will not try to get employees fired for using their voice. And leaders who will follow all school policies fairly fairly and consistently. We also need

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stronger mental health resources, anti-bullying programs, safe spaces for our students and for our staff and real support systems for the family and staff. I know the time up, but I just would like to add this.

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I would like to say I have been writing the board trying to everybody know that I write the board about anything. I would really like for you guys to bring a bright light to my what's going on with me. It's happening in front of everybody in the district.

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Everybody know what's going on. We need better leadership and I'm getting retaliated against right in front of y'all face and have ain't nothing been done done about it. Every time I speak up for my child, something

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happens. Every time. The first time I got removed from my building against policy. The second time I got fired from my job, my second job. It's just happening and happening.

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Please, please, can y'all do something about it. Not just I'mma I'mma uh text you back or email you back. I made a report the beginning of March and haven't heard nothing back at all on none of my complaints.

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It's happening and we need people to stand up more teachers because it's happening. Our district is losing people every day. >> Can you please wrap up your comment? >> Yes, I will. >> Thank you so much. >> But do you hear me?

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>> I'm here. I hear you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else for public comment on agenda items? you have the floor. My name is Elizabeth Kohl's. Um, I have three children in the district, Olivia,

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Ava, and Adrian. Uh, and that's usually how most people know me, but uh, there are some things that some people don't. I have, uh, worked in Benton Harbor Schools as a sub and a tutor for more than 10 years. Um, I joined Yes Fresh Start as a Yes Fresh Start champion and

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I am the lead organizer for the empowered parent coalition at the high school. I show up by being a positive role model and supporter, even taking a trip to Lancing last year to fight against budget cuts while my daughter spoke on the Capitol steps. I have also overcome many challenges. I

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am a single mother when I had no one to show me how to be a mom. A few years ago, I was homeless after leaving a tumultuous marriage that left me riddled with anxiety, depression, and trust issues, and I am finally on the other side of survival mode and living. I have taken steps to work on my

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anger and deal with my emotions in a healthy way. And I have also decided to take part of the solution within things in my community. Imagine a world where we fund us >> and not war and other frivolous things. What if we invested in mental health

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solutions and resources in the community that found real solutions? When we are mentally well, life becomes much easier and I am living proof of that. That is why I am standing behind the 2026 yes start priorities.

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Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else for public comment on agenda items? Great evening. My name is Cindy Goodson. I'm the family engagement specialist here at the high school. Um, been here four years. Thank

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you, Elizabeth, for your comments and Davis for your comments. I've got a super long story. I won't read the whole thing, but I will just say um I've, you know, I've been I'm taking responsibility for my wellness. This is

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a we have to my point is for tonight is that we have to start with ourselves and I'm taking responsibility for my wellness by participating in the 90-day peace for life challenge and helping launch the global mental health mental wealth intervention on May 19th during our CTE and mental health uh mental

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wealth expo next Tuesday at Benton Harour High School here and then we continued that movement into peace day reunion. So, for the past four years, I've poured my heart into Benton Harbor as an educator, mentor, advocate, organizer, mother, caregiver, and healer. Um, I currently serve, as I told

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y'all, um, and where I work to bridge families, schools, students, and community healing together. I help build um and support initiatives like peace for life leadership academy, the empowered parent coalition, restorative practices work, student leadership opportunities, mental health awareness efforts, college and career exposure

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programs like the Underground Railroad that somehow disappeared off of the agenda, which I just got big questions about what happened to our trip that was approved by everyone that needed to approve it. But then when it came to the packing of our bags, we had no funds for

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our trip. um that was scheduled to leave on May 20th through the 23rd in Detroit. Um so I've helped organize peace initiatives, education forums as I mentioned um and I've advocated for culturally relevant education, literacy advancement, mental health support. We

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know that there's no secret that we have some big seal and mental health conditions in our district. Um I'll I'll fast forward. I've overcome a lot of challenges, a lot of trauma, PTSD.

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My time is up, but uh we deserve to be fully funded mental uh health and mental health programs in Benton Harbor now. So, I definitely support the 2026 Yes. Fresh start priorities and the movement for mental health in Benton Harbor. Thank you.

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>> Thank you. Is there anyone else for public comment on agenda items? Welcome, Commissioner. >> Good evening. Um, my name is Rayante Bell. Um, I'm a member of the community first and foremost. Um, I'm a product of

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Ben Aar schools. Um, went to Ben Aar schools for the first nine years of my education. Um, and I'm also, um, an organizer with Me the People Michigan. I've worked alongside all of these

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wonderful people here. Um, all of our amazing students, um, the wonderful Elnora Gavin and the wonderful Angela Doyle. Um, and what, um, what better time was speaking about mental health than um, mental health awareness month.

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Um, I'm I'm a member of the um of our mental health authority, otherwise known as uh Riverwood. And just all of this talk about how mental health uh really impacts our our young people's success, but overall um the success of the

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families um here in Ben Harbor. We know there's a lot of things that um our community members experience and we know that to unlock um avenues um and pathways toward success, we need to make sure that we're okay as we navigate

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trauma and and hardships and and difficult situations. It's easy for those situations to impact us and kind of limit our ability to prosper and to to be uh successful in our own right as well as a collective community. And so,

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um, you know, working with, uh, we the people Michigan and working with our community members has been, uh, an amazing opportunity, and I'm here to advocate, um, that the school board supports the Yes Fresh Start 2026 priorities. We've been speaking with

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legislators, speaking with community members. We got the priorities passed at the uh, city level. We've been talking to um, our rep, Joey Andrews, as well as other reps in the House. um some who are members of the black caucus um and they

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are excited about what we're doing. And so I'm asking that uh you all the school board um come along the journey and and um help us fight for the resources that we need to make our young people more successful. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else for

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public comment on agenda items? You have the floor. Hi, I'm Somaya Krenshaw. I'm a 17-year-old senior here at Ben Harbor High School and I'm with Yes Brush Start as well. I've been told to say my mental well story because we do need investments. So, I'm going to say that

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briefly here. Okay. >> Hi, my name is Siah Krenshaw. I am a 17-year-old senior at Ben Harbor High School and I am leaving this fall for another state to college. But it does not mean my passions and care are leading as well. I have put a lot into this community and I would love to see

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some things put back. I have contributed many things like joining guest Fresh Start to help get things we need to flourish within our lives in and out of school. I helped fight and win $114 million in debt forgiveness for 17 districts around Michigan. I brought family with me to we the people power

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camp to learn how to strategize and get essential and beneficial things around us. I babysit. I help cater. I gain my service certification to help bring communities together. I volunteered with my local church for a face party for kids. I have been a contestant for the

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Min Harbor community pageant. But also I would just like to say with all those positive aspects, there's also been negatives. Some challenges I have faced personally and some that I've witnessed peers have are being met with racial passive

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aggressiveness responses, holding the weight of being an over sibling in a one parent household, getting caught in a mentally or verbally abusive relationship, and lack of positive representation. The list can go wrong, but there are many human problems that a lot of people face. They all have solutions that deserve investments. Both

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solutions will consist of self-reliance courses that talk about self-love, confidence, learning how to stand your ground, and also healthy relationships with food and hygiene. This can help resolve getting into mental abusive relationships and sense of pressure within the family. Another solution would be suggestion forms that are

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studentled where students can fill out suggestions with small to mediumsiz changes they'd like to see in the school and the school picks a student suggestion form every month. Am I out of time? >> You can wrap up. Okay. I would just like to say that there's many many struggles that we face and to

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see an investment actually put into there to show that you guys care and that there's consideration being a part of. I came today to tell you guys my story and to show that I care. There's people with me. I brought my sister with me as well to show that I'm here no matter what. Thank you. Thank you.

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Anyone else have a public comment on an agenda item? All right. Hearing none, we'll proceed. Next up on the agenda, we have approval of the meeting minutes. As noted earlier, today we'll be doing work session 324 2026, special session for

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2020 20226, and work session 428 2026. At this time, I'll ask is there a motion to approve the agenda, the meeting minutes as noted? >> President Robinson, >> you have the floor. >> You moving a little fast. Okay. There's

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a Oh, there's one more. Okay, come on. You can speak up and tell me. Thank you, Treasure Gavin. >> Some things I'm I will mess up the words that I think I know, but I'm going to try my best.

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>> Go ahead. >> Um, good evening. My name is Brianna Alexander and I would like to tell my story. I would like to tell my story. So, my name is B Alexander. My My family

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and friends call me Bri. That's just my nickname. I am ending my junior year at Ben Harbor High School and looking forward to Sarisses. I'm a student athlete. I play softball, basketball, and track. However, I would

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comment that my mental wealth is cru and often there are times when I need extra support. Just dealing with all the dramatics of school and home life. What has helped me to be more or receptive

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with my self-care is my membership and the peace for life leadership academy and the wisdom found in the community um please pledge

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of I also I am also serving one the teen advisory community with in a care at Ben Harbor High School. We recently visit

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the stage capital to perform um promote the teen advisory effort efforts efforts and grant more support for students as ever as the peace pledge may be along with

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the positive peer support I receive. I recommend that there are areas of support that we are needed which are uh off limits due to budget cost and education and mental health support.

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With that mind, I use my voice to avoid for like phone it for CT course and mental wealth support.

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This is why I proud stay behind the >> need to be nervous for the mental wealth in Ben Harper High School. I want things to just get better and have like the stuff we we used to have, but it's just like the budget

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and I just want to get this things better and better better school, you know, and thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, one thing I want to clarify is that I know that we sit here

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at this strong board. I mean, at this table, and it's a serious occasion, but we're people like everybody else. We've been students, so you have no reason to ever be nervous speaking or saying anything in front of us. We're regular people with regular lives that have just been charged to do this work. So, great

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job. Okay. Anyone else for public comment? You have the floor. >> Thank you. Uh, Commissioner Dedra Field, I just in regards to the agenda, um, and wanted clarity and just any kind of

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update in regards to how many vacant positions, um, the city has and, you know, the plan of action in regards to >> the city or the district? >> The district. Okay. >> The the district. I'm sorry. See, I'm

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thinking I'm at a city meeting. The district. So, um, because I'm I'm not sure. So, I'm not coming as if I already had um prior information. I'm just more of asking for like clarity purposes. And I didn't see like new hires or vacant

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seats on this particular um agenda. So, I just know about maybe two. So, um if there's something or you somewhere you can direct me to see that and I didn't know if the conversation tonight via the agenda, we'll discuss that in full.

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Um, >> I think it's on the agenda, but she will. >> Okay, >> okay. So, yeah, we can let Miss Miss Dorsio uh get there once she gets the new hires. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thanks.

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>> Um, also, I forgot we moved so quickly with public comment with the individuals stepping up. I normally read the statement. Everyone's done a great job regardless of um me not reading it, but I just want to make sure that everyone that made a statement today, if you

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could please fill out the public participation form that's at the front desk. It includes your contact information. So, if you have specific uh questions for the border executive team that require followup, um we'll have that form. They'll be able to follow up

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that way. Um or you can send it to Natalie Singer as well. So, I want to make sure you guys don't miss that step. Is there anyone else for public comment on agenda items? All right, we'll proceed um moving forward as noted with the minutes. Work session 32 2426

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special session 420 20226 and work session 428 20226. Is there a motion to approve as noted? >> Madame President, I make a motion to approve the agendas that you just quoted. The minutes >> the minutes that you just quoted.

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>> Okay. Is there a second or support? Supported. The motion has been made by Trustee Rocket Martin and supported by Treasure Gavin. Any questions, comments, or concerns? >> Hearing none, Miss Singer, can you please call the role? >> President Robinson. >> Yes.

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>> Vice President Bowens, >> abstain. >> Treasurer Gavin, >> yes. >> Trusty Rocket Martin, >> yes. Trusty Doyle. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. And then VP Bones, you're you are abstaining due to an absence. I

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would anticipate. Correct. Okay. All right. So, reminder protocol as of 9:13 2022. All comments will be limited to two minutes per trustee per topic for. And our first item under board business is our bag awards for outstanding student

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recognition. So, we will pass the floor to Dr. Griffin for those. And we would ask that those that um come up, you can start down here. We'd like to shake your hands and get your award from uh Dr. Griffin. Shake her hand and then move

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forward and then but we actually want you to stand so we can get everyone in one picture once you come up. All right, you have the floor, Dr. Griffin. >> Good evening, everyone. I want to remind everyone what the bag stands for. It's behavior, attendance, and grades. And so this is one of the high pleas uh

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pleasures that I have as superintendent to celebrate the great things that our students are doing every single day. So when I call your name, please come up as Madame President has indicated. The first student's name is Jalicia. And please forgive me ahead of time. I know. Look, if I say the name wrong, but

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certainly correct me and I will be glad to say it accurately. Jalicia Jones. >> Oh, she did? Oh, >> that's okay. Well, when she comes back, I'll read it again. >> Uh, there should go. >> Aiden Ferguson.

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>> Oh, there she is. Is that her? >> Okay, there she is. The first >> Aiden's last name. Aiden Ferguson. You want to stand up here? >> A stand right here. >> Next name.

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>> Dissabel Sanchez Ordness. She's not here. Okay. Well, we celebrate her nevertheless. Adrien Peterson. >> Congratulations. Congratulations. >> You miss somebody like get out of here. Uh, the next day

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is Whitney London. >> Congratulations. >> And our last last but not least is Janiah Williams. Congratulations. Congratulations. >> Congratulations. If we give them another hand of a

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>> Yeah. Ricardo, come take a picture. Do you guys want to come around front or stand behind? >> You can't come. Okay, that's fine. Can you get a picture, please? Dr. Get a picture. >> Thank you. >> Which way you want us? Left or right?

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>> Okay. Open five. All right. So, I just want to note that we are extremely proud of our scholars, but we also honor our parents because we know that it takes quite a bit of effort um to have an outstanding student and support them in their endeavors. So,

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thank you all for bringing them here this evening and and being there for them daily as they achieve their greatest potential. Um, so we're going to move forward with the tear uh quarterly board bites. Dr. Griffin,

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I can certainly speak. Tahara is our uh nutrition food nutrition service uh and we have been in communication with them uh multiple times in the last few months about the food that they serve, about the quality and the receipt of how our kids are receiving the information. And

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in our most recent meeting, I'm uh really excited to say uh more food is being eaten this year than in recent years. Now, I don't know if it's tasting better than this year versus the previous years, but in that meeting, I'm looking forward to him coming back to us

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with that specific quantitative data, letting us know from year to year how much our kids are eating as well as what are the specific things that have an uptick. We know that, you know, pizza is always the staple, but we're finding from the conversations with him that more meals are being eaten during the

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day, and we're excited about that as we endeavor to have a partnership with them in the next year. But we've also been talking about some changes in leadership uh with Taher and our food nutrition services. And I want to make sure that at this juncture I acknowledge all of our food nutrition service employees. I

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know that in recent months we celebrated uh the cooks, but I want to uh make sure that I note all the hard work that they do every single day across the buildings, making sure that the food is ordered the right way, it's prepared the right day way, and they even feed me. Uh

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so it's very, very good. I eat it, but again, I was military, so I pretty much eat anything. But I'm really grateful for the flavor that they've done. When I was in high school, we didn't have food that tastes like this. So I'm very proud of our partnership with them. But I am having some very intentional conversations with them about the work

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that they provide uh through the leadership. So know that many of the employees with Tyer are members of this district, members of this community. And so I wanted to make sure that with some of the concerns that were mentioned that they were addressed and so some of the leaders flew out uh from their national

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office and we had those meetings and I'm very pleased around the result. >> Thank you so much. Is there anything additional that goes with that or we can proceed? All right, awesome. Up next, we have the Yes, Fresh Start 2026 mental

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health and CTE budget resolution. I will pass it over to Treasurer Gavin. I would ask that you I know the uh hyperlink is the actual letter that we will be signing on to. So, if you can ensure you read that letter and then you can present your resolution as desired.

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>> Thank you so much. Uh >> would you like me to read the letter first and then the other step? Okay, good deal. Okay. Uh, formal support for the yes fresh start 2026 budget priorities to the state of Michigan lawmakers, Bering

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County Commissioners, and Benton Harvard area school board of education. Um, the date is April 3rd, 2026, but it can be uh adjusted for this board meeting. Dear local, county and state decision makers and community stakeholders, we the

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undersigned organizations, elected leaders, educators, parents, students, and community members right to formally express our unwavering support for the Yes Fresh Start 2026 budget priorities. As we look towards the 2026 fiscal year, it is imperative that our state and

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local budgets reflect a commitment to equity, mental health, and a holistic success of our students, particularly those in Benton Harbor and Michigan's majority black school districts. The historical impact of emergency management and systemic underfunding has

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left a gap that only intentional restorative investment can bridge. We call on you to fund and implement the following pillars of the yes fresh start platform. Restorative education and equity studies. We urge the state to allocate $15 million to conduct fresh

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start feasibility studies and to enact solutions that will help revitalize communities impacted by harmful impacts of the emergency manager laws. Understanding that the state of Michigan dispersed $4 million of the requested amount to the Michigan Education Justice

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Coalition. We support the immediate dispersement of $600,000 to Benton Harbor area schools so that the district may implement individual wellness alignment plans. Launch healing service learning projects for families and students. Incentivize proactive

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datadriven solutions to rebuild healthy school communities. Two, career technical education and drivers education. Access to transportation is a fundamental barrier to economic mobility. We advocate for fully funding driver's education as a CTE class for

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all Michigan public schools. A specific $100,000 annual investment for Ben Harbor area schools to maintain this free driver's education program, ensuring students have the credentials needed for the modern workforce. Uh comprehensive mental health support. Our

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schools are on the front lines of a mental health crisis. We demand 3.6 6 million in mental health funding for Ben Hiberia schools to act to achieve a ratio of one case worker per 25 students. The establishment of a mental health court in Berian County for juveniles and adults equipped with

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racial equity officers and family mediation infrastructure to provide alternatives to incarceration or protecting public funds. We assist that college expenses paid from the school aid fund be earmarked strictly for traditional public school dual

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enrollment programs. This ensures that local tax dollars stay within our local public schools ecosystem and that students can access college resources at an early age. Our commitment by signing this letter we affirm that these priorities are not just budgetary

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requests. They are essential steps towards racial equity and community healing. We stand ready to partner with you to ensure these investments are realized for the benefit of every student and resident in Benton Harbor and across Michigan. Uh, sincerely, we the undersigned right to formally

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express our unwavering support for the yes fresh start 2026 budget priorities. And this is an opportunity for us to add our name alongside the city of Benton Harbor, alongside um uh uh uh state

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senator uh Amos O'Neal. Um alongside um our congressman Joey Andrews. Um, and you said you wanted us to read me to read the resolution. >> Okay. >> And Joyy's our house rep. >> Our house rep.

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>> But you might be speaking that. You said congressman. You might be speaking that into existence. >> Oh, okay. That's how I look at it. Okay. Um, thank you for that correction. Um, Benton Harvard area schools mental health and CTE budget resolution. A

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resolution in support of the Yes Fresh Start 2026 budget priorities. Whereas Benton Harbor Area Schools is committed to the equity, mental health, and holistic success of its students and families. And whereas the historical impact of emergency manager and system systemic underfunding has created

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investment gaps in the Benton Harbor community that require intentional restorative action. And whereas the yes fresh start 2026 budget priorities platform seeks to address these gaps through four critical peer pillars, restorative education and equity studies, career technical education and

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drivers education, comprehensive mental health support, and the protection of public funds. And whereas the Benhabaria School District recognizes that the criminalization of mental illness disproportionately affects marginalized communities and that traditional

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punitive measures often fail to address the root causes of behavioral health crisis. And whereas the establishment of a mental health court will provide a specialized judicial process to divert individuals with mental health disorders away from incarceration and into

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community-based treatment and support services. And whereas the proposed priorities include an immediate dispersement of $600,000 to Benton Harberry schools for wellness plans and healing projects as well as $3.6 $6 million for mental health funding to

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ensure a ratio of one case worker per 25 students. Creating a pipeline of care that extends from the school system to the broader community. Uh creating a pipeline of care that extends from the school system to the broader community. And whereas providing

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free driver's education as a CTE class for public education throughout the state of Michigan and securing a $100,000 annual investment for the Ben Harbor Area Schools drivers education program is essential for the economic mobility and workforce readiness of our

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youth. And now therefore, be it resolved that the Ben Harbor Area Schools Board of Education formally expresses its unwavering support of the Yes Fresh Start 2026 budget priorities. Those are the resolution. And um for the

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visual learners, I just show a quick visual if um Mrs. singer. Do you see that Canva in your email? Does it allow you to open not while you're broadcasting?

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Is there a way to screen. >> I know that uh some people are some people work better when they're able to see like a kind of a visual. That's not the >> She's want her to click something

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different. >> Were you trying to Are you get trying to access it now, Miss Singer? >> It's this one. not able to. >> She's She's working on it. >> Okay. Real quick, while she's working on

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that, um I do just want to add a caveat to the request for the fully funded mental health court in Bering County. Um there is, a lot of people don't know this, but there is a mental health court

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in Bering County currently, but it doesn't serve juveniles. It doesn't serve our youth. And so, of course, this is so related to uh the partnership that uh we could have um and what, you know, better way that we could serve our youth

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if we advocate for them to have that intervention on that level. My apologies. I didn't know it would be that. There we go. Okay, we can go to the next slide. It's only two slides.

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So, um, we've already voted in support of the $15 million My Black Student Project, and a lot of people thought that that was an impossible feat. We were able to win 4 million of that that has gone to the Michigan Education

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Justice Coalition. And um since Benton Harbor was in the forefront of that fight, um we are advocating um when we initially submitted um this request and we were initially advocating and meeting with our um meeting with our Congress

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folks, our our House and Senate representatives. We were meeting um under the conversation of a pilot program and Benton Harour Area Schools checks all the boxes. And so what we're saying is um uh certain monies have been

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dispersed. 600,000 of that should go to Benton Harbor area schools. And I want to be very clear that this is not $600,000 going to Elnor Gavin. This is $600,000 that will go to uh Ben Harbor Area schools. Um none of this I none of

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this monies would be coming to me personally. It would be going um to the school district to be able to um to fund projects that are student centered um that also u consider the solutions of

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the staff who have been impacted by um you know this high turnover rate. They would be able to help um do service learning projects and it would help budget their ideas. Right. So, I just wanted to make that clear and answer any questions related to that uh that issue

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there. And then, of course, $3.6 million um towards u mental wellness. We want to we have a lot of school counselors. Their focus is academics. We want to have a plethora of uh counseling and support services that help deal with the mental wellness well-being seal for the

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students. And I've already spoken about the uh Berian County Courthouse. And then um college dollars earmarked for the public school CTE dual enrollment program. We want to be able to offer programs to our kids as early as middle

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school if they want to start going to college, right? Um and have as many options as anybody else. And then I know that Benton Harbor has funded driver's education um and we were using some extra dollars, but we want that to be

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fully funded. Um and when it's connected to a CTE program, there are some additional funds that go with that as well. We can be uh leaders in that in that project. Okay. And that's that's it. Um uh what questions might you have?

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>> Any questions from the board at this time? Okay. So let's let's actually proceed with the a motion on the resolution and then we can open up the standard. So at this time I'll ask is there a motion to approve the yes fresh start 2026 mental health and CTE budget

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resolution support. I mean >> so moved. >> So moved. >> All right. Is there a second or second? >> All right. The motion has been made by Trusty Doyle and supported by Trusty Rockat Martin. And then I will go to Rocket Martin for your question, comment

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or concern. >> My only comment and concern is that I would like to see a more multicultural uh type presentation. Ben Harvard does not just represent uh the black population, but we have Hispanic students. We have students of all

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cultures and nationalities. So, I would like to see them also included in this and maybe uh take out the word even black and put a um multicultural type word in there so that all of our community is included and

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will feel like they are going to get these services and not just a specific uh group of people. >> I'm um that's my that's my and and the slides that we show should reflect a multicultural

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community. Um, thank you so much, uh, Trusty Rocket Martin. It is a multicultural slide on slide one, slide two, and slide three. Actually,

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um, also I want to make a distinction. Um the reason why we were able to get those funds is because um majority black um cities and schools were targeted by the emergency manager

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laws. Um and there was uh specific disinvestments. And so even though we serve a um diverse population, it's for this community which means that the diverse population being in this

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community will be served. Does that make sense? So we're work we are targeting majority. Okay, let me go back a little bit. Historically, the reason why Benton Harbor, Detroit, a lot of your black

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cities are black is because of red lining is because of a lot of racial laws and policies that made us predominantly black. There was strategic disinvestments in our community. And what we're saying is in order to heal these communities, we need to target

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funding to support the whole community. So regardless of your race, if you work in this predominantly black community, you will benefit from these funds from this grant and you will be able to contribute. Your solutions will be um

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your solutions will be considered uh in this project. We allow all races to do the stories to contribute to the solutions. Um, but what we don't do is leave out um, black students, which has

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happened um, strategically over the years, if that makes sense. I know that under the administration, >> Move your mic up a little bit. Go ahead. >> Move your mic up for me. >> Under the administration, this Trump administration on the black college tour, we had to

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take out the word black and put uh uh something else in there because of the type of funding the way that they are now thinking even in Washington. And so the other thing is our communities are no longer I live in Bitten Harbor

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and our communities are no longer um solely black. They are largely becoming uh Hispanic and others. So um I understand that. But if you want to get this funded, you better look and see how

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they are sending the money down, what channels they're sending that money down through. So you can say all of this and not get a pity or you can look at how they are actually wanting it written and get the money. That's what I'm saying.

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And then you can once you have the money, you can send it where you want it to go. >> Okay. Uh Vice President Bowens. >> Yes. I got a question on Fresh Start. Is the organization a 501c3 a 501c4?

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uh you talking about Fresh Start? >> Well, the organization that's implementing this resolution. >> So, I'm glad you asked. So, Yes, Fresh Start is a is basically a campaign

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um that applies itself on listening to 501c3s, 501c4s, students, teachers, parents, community, surveying everyone and from those ideas and solutions uh we

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put together priorities and so we are um working with different 501c3s, 501c C4s work with the uh school district, work with business owners. Um it is a collaboration.

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The money itself will go to Ben Harbor Area schools. >> Okay. So I I get what you're saying. So does this entity have its own 501c4 or its own 501c3? And the reason I'm asking because I

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heard what you said and you said you guys partner with different entities. Oh, do you mean MEJC? The one that the entity that received the funds from? >> We the people. I think Fresh Start when I look on the website, it's part of We the People, correct? >> Yes. >> Is that a 501c3 or is that a 501c4?

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>> Um, we the people Michigan is a 501c3, the We the People Action Fund is a 501c4. >> Okay. And so, which one is pushing this? >> Which one is pushing it? Can you be more specific? what your organization is pushing it. Is

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it the 501c4, the 501c3? >> So 501c3s and 501c4s have different roles. When it's um in education mode, when it's just giving education, it's a 501c3.

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When um they are um pushing for a a vote from the state house, that's 501c4. So the 501c4 would be the entity that's pushing this. >> It when you say pu, what is your definition of pushing?

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>> That's lobbying this before the state house. >> When it goes before the state house. >> Yes. Cuz you just said >> Yes. When it goes before the state house, right? Like let's say it's a bill on the floor or something like that. 501c4. >> Okay. Thank you.

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>> Yep. when you're educating 501c3. Any other questions? Okay. And the the only question that I have, Trusty Gavin, is you are you are requesting that the state earmarked these funds, correct? >> Earmark the Yes. in your budget. >> Yes.

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>> Okay. And so your entity is not requesting the funds be driven to them. >> No, >> they're asking that the funds be available. So school districts for example ours in this case have access to pursue the funds absolutely for Ben

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Harbor area schools to come to this school district. Uh well there is one where we're asking for um driver's education to be fully funded for all public schools in Michigan. And so that one is more broad. We are asking for

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like for the mental health court in Birmingham County. We're not asking for that to come to Benharberry schools. We're asking for that to go uh to Baron County. >> Okay. And can you also for me rename the elected officials that have already signed on as support? So, so far um

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let's see we uh so far we are in we have spoken with representative Amos O'Neal. He is his leadership includes appropriations agriculture and rural development natural resources

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subcommittee minority vice chair appropriations of corrections minority vice chair of judiciary subcommittee minority vice chair of appropriations committee appropriations public health subcommittee. He uh reviewed the uh

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priorities and he has uh agreed to be a fresh start champion not just in support but to help champion this um champion um these budget priorities. And we also had an opportunity to meet with um Rep. Joey

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Andrews who has also agreed to be a champion of these priorities as well. We are in talks with um Senator Santana, met with her alleged folks. Um our folks have met with her alleged folks and um they are in

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alignment with some of these things, but we um just have to follow up and we will continue to u be in communication with more. It's just things are moving very fast. the uh House and Senate are moving through their budget much faster than

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they've I've ever known them to and so we're a little behind the eightball. Okay, any other questions or statements from the board? All right, hearing none. Uh Miss Singer, can you please call the vote for the Yes, Fresh Start 2026 mental health and

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CTE budget resolution? >> President Robinson. >> Yes. Vice President Bowen >> Epstein. >> Trust Treasurer Gavin. >> Yes. >> Trustee Rocket Martin. >> Yes. With the the mo the language. I

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think you should change the language, but yes, if you want that fun. >> Trusty Doyle. >> Yes. >> All right. Motion pass. Um, so I would like to say that I am a lot of times I sit here in the

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professional mode, but I'm I'm an advocate at heart and so I have no objection. We often communicate from through social media, through our v votes. Um, some of us have direct communication with elected officials to

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be able to express concerns, but I don't see uh the trouble or the difficulty in highlighting for the state where we think funds need to be directed. It at least puts it on their radar and the only thing that they can do is say no.

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Um, I know that Rep. O'Neal um works with the um black the legislative black caucus as well and so there would potentially be an army there of individuals that would support this endeavor. Um so I did tell trustee Gavin

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Prior that I was in support of it. I think h having it designated that she's not this organization is not attempting to act as a fidiciary or asking for money on behalf of V are Ven Harvard area schools to come to itself but more so just asking the state to budget to

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earmark this money so that our district and in any other districts that would potentially be impacted by the driver's education for example would be able to apply for those funds and so uh I want to make sure that it's clear even though I did a simple yes that I am in support

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of the resolution. Um, I've told her offline and I've stated publicly when there were attempts to get the debt waved. People thought that that was a a unreasonable ask and task. I was also told that my focus should be

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elsewhere by elsewhere by certain entities. um and I ignored that and and voiced my support of the initiative and it was passed before we could even get the letter written um for Bitten Harbor area schools demanding that they do so. So, thank you for bringing this to the

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forefront and I wish you guys the best with this initiative. All right, so we're going to proceed. Um we should have a fairly quick meeting. It's 6:59, but I don't anticipate everything else to take as much time um as standard. So, we're going to pass it

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over to Dr. Griffin who has a partnership agreement update. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam President. I wanted to just read this brief statement that uh I prepared to sum up the partnership agreement information at our recent meeting with the Michigan

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Department of Education. We reconciled and version the uh version with the control issues related to Vin Harour Area Schools partnership agreement and confirmed that the April 24 word draft will serve as the final version to be cur converted into an ADA compliant PDF

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and routed through one span for signatures. Onespan for the record is just a platform that uh MDE provides for us to give those signatures for superintendent as well as uh the board president. MDE clarified that the 1% and

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3% benchmark step increases reflect state academic benchmark constructs and that reconstitution language is statutory context, not an intent to close schools. We also agreed to establish a quarterly board level reporting cadence supported by a standardized template that will

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summarize progress toward partnership benchmarks, the use of our grants and other funding and key community engagement activities while internal monitoring will occur occur more frequently at the cabinet and principal level. >> Thank you, Dr. Griffin. So the um just

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to point out the clarification regarding the quarterly board level reporting cadence they did clarify for us that although it says regular board meeting it doesn't say every regular board meeting it just has to be done the updates have to be done at regular board meetings but we were able to determine

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we can determine the frequency which um Dr. Griffin indicated quarterly would probably uh be a good um cadence to do so. Um, also apparently there I didn't read the article from the press, but I guess that the the article gave the

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impression that the state had either um had negative intent with the with the draft that was used or that there was a snafu on their end. And so I don't think anything that I said at that particular uh meeting indicated that the state had

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done something uh nefarious. um there was a I guess a technical glitch you could say as far as the transitioning over of the version that was submitted versus the draft that they had from the 21st. So um as she's read so eloquently, we're all set for the

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24th. I'm just waiting on them to send it through so I can sign accordingly. So we're all set on that. All right, you can proceed. Dr. Griffin, >> just wanted to give a quick update. uh we have been meeting we uh HR Miss Dorsey myself and the union the teacher

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union have been meeting probably for the last five or six months and I thought it would be necessary uh to really highlight and elevate the collaboration that has taken place place with those meetings. So you'll see here in my report uh we meet with them monthly I think it's usually the first Tuesday of

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every month or so. Uh but what's really important to note is that when the concerns are brought to us, we're able to troubleshoot them together in a collaborative environment in many cases do a factf finding uh mission to uh look at the root causes of what the concerns

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can be and then come back to the table so that we're able to avoid any unnecessary arbitrator costs and ensure that there's clear documentation on both sides. So, I'm really happy to report that this type of uh venue has been very effective for our district in building

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relationships with our teacher union. I want to highlight and celebrate uh our union president, Miss uh Brenda Terrell, and the vice president, Sylvia Wilson, and Mr. Mark Hoffman, who comes from the uh I think he comes from the uh quarter.

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What's it? Uh what would it be? The county. That's what I was looking for. from the county. But in meeting with the three of them with Miss Dorsey, I'm able to uh hear the concerns, vet those concerns, and then we work and in a collaborative environment, resolve most

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of those concerns, and there have been a a myriad of types of concerns that have come before us, but we've been able to provide proof uh to dispute or confirm and then move forward in a collaborative resolution centered demeanor with them. And so I do want to thank them for the

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work that we've done and that we will continue to do in the environment together. Uh there I know there are some things that are on the docket that many of our teachers are concerned about. They want to hear about the calendar so they can plan their vacations and we are working on that. Uh so know that that information will be coming out very very

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soon uh so that we can ensure that they have the ability to plan not just for the summer but for next year in terms of the dates. Uh also, uh we want to make sure that we are communicating that we're doing everything we can, Miss Dorsy and myself to work with them to

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ensure that any major complaints that come up, they're being uh addressed in a manner that ensures the safety of the staff as well as the students. That concludes my summary. >> All right. Thank you. And then up next, you had field trip noted. You want to

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give us an update? >> Yeah, just really quick. I did get a few uh today, so I didn't add them yet, but I will. Uh the actual deadline was the 8th, but I want to make certain that just these two, all of the other ones that I've seen have been for conferences

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for our staff. But in terms of the field trips, this is just a document that I uh tailored from uh trustee treasurer Gavin uh that she provided for us and I tailored uh the information to the format that she provided from the

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sample template. So, I wanted to make sure that this was shared for uh for board review and awareness. Uh and as I go back and look at the ones from today, I will add those in as approved as well. >> I got a question. >> You have a floor.

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>> Um Cindy Good. U Miss Goodson questioned about a trip. She said that was approved >> and funding was removed. >> Um is this the trip that we're looking at? Yeah, I think I need five folks.

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>> She referenced it as underground railroad trip that she thought had gotten approved on all levels, but then it was >> it was actually approved >> denied. >> Should I that was the first I heard of it. So, of

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course, I'll go back and research where because I wasn't aware of this. I don't remember not funding any field trips. So, once it's approved, it's out of my hands. this goes to finance and they approve it and I'm I'm not aware that they have not been approved to move

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forward. So I will go back and work with uh our finance director and our finance team to uh research what has taken place because I wasn't aware of it >> because I guess did we vote on that trip as a board? >> I don't recall.

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The um director are you familiar with what she's referencing? No, I haven't received any information regarding and um and if I'm misspoken, I'm sorry, underground railroad trip um for the high school.

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So, I'm not sure when she says the trip was approved and funded, I'm not sure where that source funding source is. >> Okay. All right. So, we could just >> Oh, go ahead. Okay. So, so for clarity,

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um, nobody received a request about the Underground Railroad trip for the high school. That trip is is next week. So, all the field trips that I've gotten

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have been approved except for the ones that came through today, unless it was one that came through today. there. I saw a bunch of them come in via Miss Wilson, our CT director, but I didn't uh get a chance to review them because I've been moving around today. But they just came in today. All the other field trips

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that have come through me through Inform K12, the platform for that have been approved. >> There's no emails or anything, no trail, but the Underground Railroad trip. I do see something in inform K12 from Miss

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Goodson for request, but it's not approved. It's still unopened. Do you see what the trip is? Does that show? It does say Detroit Underground Railroad. And what's the date on that,

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please? The initiated date is March 26. >> Um, but I I it never I I don't it never reached uh the business office. Um, but I do see this request in in form K12.

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And like I said, I it doesn't state a funding source, so I'm not sure what was the funding source that she said it was approved through. Um, and this is I guess in Detroit because it says Detroit, Dearbornne,

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Grand Rapids. So, I'm not sure which where it is. um on the address >> would that have been approved by the principal? >> Uh yes. >> So who was approved by the principal and the next phase is >> the superintendent.

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>> Okay. So would that would there be something >> my signature on? I just opened it up >> and you signed it. >> Okay. And so then what would be the next step if you if if Dr. Griffin had signed it? Then it would go to the business office and then I would ask the

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principal what is the funding source before we then then send it to first student for transportation request. >> Okay. So sounds like Dr. Griffin approved it and then so is it waiting for for your approval director Barardo?

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>> No it is pending um the trans it's at first it goes to Donna Cook at the transportation office. So it's sitting there. It's unopened by transportation. >> Oh, so the gap is transportation, >> I believe. So normally that's also

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coordinated with Miss Wilson. She does all the transportation coordination for field trips, especially when it involves a school bus and not a charter bus. So uh that portion is handled by Miss Wilson. So it's approved by central

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and >> Dr. Griffin. Yes. >> And the finance department. Uh well, normally I would send an email to the principal asking what's the funding source before, you know, our field trip request form was redid um

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before it would come to the business office before it goes to the superintendent. So the superintendent is aware of the funding source. It the form was revamped by Miss Wilson and Dr. Griffin at the beginning of the school year and the business office was kind of

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taken out of the loop. We don't get the field trip request until after it goes through the superintendent. So, we have to ask questions before we can send it on to transportation. >> Okay. So, it sounds like this is

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something that is is in play. If we could just of course have some followup, >> right? and it's in within it. It's in Michigan, so it wouldn't require a grand approval. I am more than happy to circle back around to Miss Wilson to find out

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if the transportation is in place and if there's no funding source, we can look into general funds to fund this trip. >> We'll go back to Bowens because it was his original question. So, I have a >> we kind of just took over. So, I have a I'm hearing more and more they're going

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to take a school bus to Detroit. >> I again it just says number of buses one. So, it doesn't say whether or not they are doing a charter bus or a school bus. Normally, Miss Wilson handles that. And normally there will be a charter bus

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reservation attached to the field trip request form if it's going to be a charter bus cuz of course you have to reserve those in advance. I don't see a charter bus attachment on this um field trip request. So I can assume it would

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be first student but I'm not sure. I would again we'll have to circle back around to Miss Wilson and see what the building requested from her. >> Yes. Are you done with your questions? Uh, Vice President Bowen, >> thank you.

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>> And I apologize. I think >> because we kind of took over your question section. >> Sorry. >> So, I I apologize for that. We'll go to Gavin and then we'll go to Rocket Martin. >> Um, my Thank you, President Robinson. My question is, is it an overnight trip? Because if it is overnight, do we hold

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it? >> Yes, it is. It says May 20th through May 23rd. Um, so again that I would have to read the entire thing to know what is the plans here, but it does say the 20th through

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the 23rd. So that would require a board vote. Is there any is there any way that we can would it be premature for us to? >> Uh, I would well not really. It would be

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pending um the secure of transportation. So it could be uh you all can vote on the overnight trip, but the cost would have to be pending the transportation cost.

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>> If possible, I would like to add this to our teaching and learning for approval. >> Okay. Um, >> okay. That's I have no objection if we have enough information to do that. Um, Rocket Martin.

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>> Yeah. What's usually the turnaround time uh for notifying the people when they've uh put in for a field trip that has been approved? >> Great question. >> Great. >> The system automatically informs whoever submitted the request once it's

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approved. It automatically sends them an email letting them know that the form has been completed and approved. >> Okay. And and everybody's aware, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, with that being said, you know, uh it might help us to do our due

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diligence when you put it in in May, in March, and you didn't hear anything. Do a followup to see where is it? You know, why haven't I heard anything? And that's just helpful information.

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Okay. So, what I'm going to do is um if the board has no objections because I'm I I I want us to do this in decency and in order, I would suggest we take maybe a brief 15minute recess to give uh Dr. Mr. Griffin and Miss Singer an

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opportunity to um get the agenda updated with the actual field trip and in the the information noted so we can take a vote. Would that be enough time, Miss Singer?

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Okay. So, I will um ask right now, is there a motion to amend the agenda to add the noted field trip for vote? >> So, move. >> Is there a second or support? support. >> The motion has been made by uh Trusty Doyle and supported by Treasurer Gavin.

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Is there any questions, comments, or concerns? >> All right. Hearing none, Miss Singer, can you call the vote? >> President Robinson, >> yes. >> Vice President Bowens, >> yes. >> Treasurer Gavin, >> yes. >> Trustee Wat Martin, >> yes. >> Trustee Doyle, >> yes.

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>> Motion carries. >> All right. So, we're going to take a brief recess. I do see as uh Dr. Griffin showed us, she approved it, it looked like April 20th. So it appears that this is something that she supports. So we just want to give administration an opportunity to get it added to the agenda so we can review it as needed. So

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we are taking recess as of 7:16. We'll come back at about 7:31. >> Okay. And so we are returning from recess as of 7:36 p.m. I did get a clarification from um well I'll allow uh Director Barard if you could provide

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that clarification to the board regarding the field trip. Yes, the pricing information wasn't attached to the original request. So, we were unable to um come do the staff report and I reached out to Miss Goodson

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to ask her if she could send the information to me and she said it was too late that they weren't going. But I am going to circle around with her to let to see if they could still do the trip by the end of the school year on in June and maybe at the March I mean May

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27th. we can if they do choose to steal her ear on the trip. So, I know that we amended uh to include that, but with oh um with us not having that

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information, Miss Goodson saying at this time is too late. Um as Bararda said, we'll see if they want to reschedule for a future date and we'll come back to that and and and the principal, principal Sanders, and see what status is on that

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if that's something that's feasible. Okay. So, we're going to keep it moving. I'm asking everybody put on your imaginary seat belts. We're going to try to get uh through our meeting timely today. Uh first, we have a uh Zello update from Dr. Griffin.

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>> Yes. Very briefly, I wanted to just kind of highlight some of the report that we get every month. Uh and shout out to Missy Jones supervisor for us. You can see for K5, they're starting to show some real growth in engaging with the

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hospitalalth portion park helping. I won't read it out of consideration for our readers, but this is an opportunity to just kind of see K5 what the overview is. Our fourth through fifth grade students are showing much higher engagement with our key interest/skills

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task almost 40 to 50%. Our middle school kids, they are doing much more engagement with the foundational career exploration task, matchmaker, personality style in those areas. Eighth graders thankfully are demonstrating the most, especially strong completion in

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the createupdate talent profile, showing readiness for transition planning into high school. Great transition portion. And then for high school to 9th through 12th grades, they're looking at those core uh career exploration activities, too. But the report itself goes into those areas. Then the key strengths. Our

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middle school clearly shows the most consistent implementation with high completion across multiple tasks in a strong upward trajectory in quote unquote all tasks completed through eighth grade. And students across grade levels are regularly completing interest, personality, and skill-based

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activities, indicating that Zello is supporting career awareness and self-exloration. We've got some areas of growth that we need to work on to kind of up the Annie for the engagement with the platform, but we're showing some real strong uh engagement in relation to what we had been doing earlier in the

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school year. So, I wanted to make sure I share that information. >> All right. Thank you. >> You can proceed. >> Okay. I wanted to do a quick brief update regarding instruction. uh had the

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pleasure of attending a walkthrough with principal Sanders just recently. We went through six classrooms reflected strong teaching, positive student engagement, and a calm, orderly learning environment. I was able to see Miss Austin's social studies classroom. She

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has the higher order thinking questions on her wall and in many of the activities that the kids were engaged in, which I thought was very impressive. uh they were engaged in meaningful discourse when they were in their groups and students were given the opportunity to work independence independently. So I

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saw student choice as well and with the higher order thinking piece the comparative text analysis in the classroom was really impressive because that's the uh grade level work we need to have our students engaged in. So I wanted to make sure I shouted her out and yes I was being greedy. I went to

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Miss Gunter's culinary class. Unfortunately, this particular day, they were doing some really deep house cleaning, but uh I have always been able to go there and see our kids doing great work and making amazing meals. And while there, I did hear about them uh engage

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in a partnership with Present Pillars. So, they're going to be providing food for our customers at the beach this summer. So, super excited about being able to use my family to be able to support our kids because they deserve that opportunity. It's great to see them getting out in the community and sharing

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their talents. So, I'm excited about that. Last but not least, went into Miss Mason's robotics class. Kids were working on G I had to say gadgets because they tried to explain what they were working on. Totally over my head, but it was very impressive what they were doing, building some kind of

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robotic something of and demonstrating hands-on learning and practical application of the skills for the standards. And they had their drones and other type of robots in the classroom. So it was really really great to see that the technology and the innovation that was happening in their classroom and of course across the building uh

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very quiet students were respectful and it was evident that there's a high level of respect for Mr. Sanderson because when we came out in the hallway during one transition period and they really weren't that loud. I was a high school principal years ago, so I do remember that the high school hallways can be a

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bit loud, but literally they weren't that loud. And one kid goes, "Superintendent's in the building." Like, I mean, it was so quiet, even though she whispered, I heard her. And so, it overall it was a very uh very impactful trip uh and walk through with the principal. And I'm very excited about what our staff is doing. And I

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want to make sure I shout out the substitute teachers that come and work for uh Mr. Sanders and work in tandem with our teachers full-time. it was clear that they still had a continuity uh for ensuring that their classroom was focused on learning. So, I want to make

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sure that I highlight our substitute teachers that come and do the work in the absence of our full-time teachers. For whatever reason, they they still made sure that the building was orderly and those classrooms were focused on learning. So, I wanted to make sure I shouted them out as well as our support

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staff, safety staff, the consistency and presence uh for uh and even Mr. McFall, I had to mention them because they were holding the building down in the days that Mr. Sanders was able to step away freely to celebrate his daughter's graduation. Um, so really looking at the

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instructional strengths that I still see even though it's the end of the school year. Uh, what I also wanted to add to the report was there is a new law around early literacy and dyslexia screening. So, we will be working with our team to look at those tools, making sure we're getting trained and monitoring over time

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as the upcoming year comes up. We'll be probably doing some professional development since this is a new expectation across the state. And then of course focusing on strengthening the implementation of SDI, which is specially designed instruction that works specifically ensuring that our IEP

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uh documents are completed much more effectively and that instructional support is provided with evidence for our students to ensure that they're getting what they what their needs are for uh our students with disabilities. So I'll close with that. Those are the three major things I wanted to highlight. Alrighty, President, you have the floor.

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>> Thank you. I have a question about our agenda. Um, teaching and learning. Is that no longer my area? >> Um, so we normally do that when it's committee when it's a work sessions and you're going through your committee report. So, regular board meeting we I

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run it through. >> Okay. Because it says business and finance, my name is there. HR Trenton's Bowen's Vice President Bowen's name and said, "Am I looking at it wrong?" >> Okay, so that's a glitch on Dr. uh not Dr. Singer. Maybe that's some of your

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future on Miss Singer's parts. >> Um, so our work sessions, you guys will lead your sections, but regular board meetings, we just run through standard because the work session has a committee meetings inside, which is I mean, yeah, the committee meeting technically, which is why you guys run it. So, it should

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have it's okay to if it has the trustee or it can have the director that's going to present it. It's really up to um administration how you all would prefer to do it. >> Okay. Okay. Great. So, I do have a couple questions. One is about the uh

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driver's education. Um, is it possible to get an update on those students who pass driver's education um if they did get the partial credit that's uh supposed to come with that

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class? And then I did see a bit of a update on the upcoming class, but just is there kind of a update with the driver's education program, their grade, and then also the status of

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the class? >> I would have to circle back to the principal and provide that information for you. >> Okay, good deal. And then I guess my other question is about um and this may come after other board questions if it's possible to um these field trips to do

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like a consent um vote on those. So uh Vice President Bas actually suggested the same thing at recess. As far as the field trips, I have no objections if it's the board's pleasure. Any

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objections to that, Vice President Bowen? >> No. >> Okay. So, um >> I just >> Go ahead. >> I had a question. >> Go ahead with your question. >> Okay. I thought you were doing a motion. Sorry. um on the in Miss Gunter's

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culinary arts class where students are deep cleaning in the partnership with present pillars. Is there agreement with the school district on that or are they just going to be an employee of present pillars? >> I would have to circle back and talk with them. This was something I learned

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when I was in her classroom. So, I'm assuming it's I'm going to work with the principal to find out what the uh partnership looks like. >> Okay. Like do we need a vote or is it insurance? You know, it's different things. Is that going to be if they're doing this course next year, is it a credit?

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>> I would like to see that before we >> I understand. I'll circle back to the principal uh to get that information. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> All right. And my apologies. Um, I did not had not checked my messages at the start of the meeting because I was

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rushing to get here, but um, Secretary Triplet asked that I put it on the record that he did support the resolution, which I would anticipate he's discussing the yes fresh start 2026 mental health and CTE budget resolution. So, he wanted that on the record.

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All right. So we at this particular time if uh being that no members of the board posed any objections I would ask if there is a motion to approve staff report and we're going to do them as a consent. A motion to approve staff

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report T1 regarding the deck pod deck padawatami zoo trip. Staff report T2 concerning the deck shed aquarium trip. And uh staff report T3 concerning the Fairplane Middle School sixth grade trip

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to Navy Pier. Is there a motion to approve as noted? >> Yes, I make a motion to approve as noted. >> I second the motion. The motion has been made by Vice President Bowens and supported by uh Trustee Rocket Martin.

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Any questions concerning either field trip? I know that the board has the resolutions handy. I would just like to put it on the record that the cost of the um field trip to Padawatami Zoo for deck

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is $4,32 and the funding source is title one. the field trip for the shed aquarium. I'm sorry. The that one was shed aquarium is what you were clarifying.

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But what were you saying to me? Trusty rock and mine. Okay. So, I'll go back. Pawatami Museum is 4,32. Uh the shed aquarium. Oh, you were saying that's the next one. The shed aquarium field trip for deck is for $4,300.

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And then staff report T3 concerning Fairplane Middle School 6th grade is $5,122.96. Does the board have any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none, Miss Singer, in the absence of Secretary Triplet, can you

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call the votes for staff report T1 through T3? >> President Robinson, >> yes. Vice President Bowen, >> yes. >> Treasurer Gavin, >> yes. >> Trustee Rocket Martin, >> yes. >> Trustee Doyle, >> yes.

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>> Motion carries. >> All right. Up next, we have the March monthly financial reports. Uh, Director Bar Carter. >> Thank you, President Robinson. Um, does anyone have any questions on the monthly financial reports? If not, I'll go straight to the staff report. You can

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proceed. Monthly financial reports dated May 12th, 2026. Reason for board consideration. A set of financial reports is provided to the board of education each month. Facts and analysis. This evening, it is

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recommended that the March 2026 payments be approved for all district funds. Policy reference 6470 payment of claims strategic plan goal reference facility/operations

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Benton Harbor area schools will develop implement and evaluate a physically responsible plan that will ensure physical and psychological safety. Recommended action that the board of education approve for March 1st through

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March 31st, 2026 payments for the following funds. General Fund1,152 I'm sorry one 1,152,34321 Food Service Fund $146,23946 Thinking Fund $477,113.118 for a total of 1,775,69

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95.85. Is there a motion to approve staff report F1? >> I'll make a motion to approve staff report F1. >> Is there a second or support? >> Support. >> The motion has been made by Trusty

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Rocket Martin and supported by Vice President Bowens. Any questions, comments, concerns? I >> You have a floor. >> I do have a question and it goes back to Kexist. Were you able to find that? >> Sure.

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>> I do have the data from uh Mandy D. Summers, our representative at Kexus. Um I can share that document with you. I thought I forwarded to Dr. Griffin, but maybe I didn't. Uh, I wasn't going to have the highest

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graduation class that we've had in quite some time this year from our um, adult ed program at Kexus. So, I was very excited about that. Um, I do have information on our current students enrolled, which is 265.

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And at this point, we have There's a lot of data here. I'm sorry. Um, a total of I believe 45 graduates um for coming up on this

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graduation that's coming up. um a total of 94 with total measurable skills gains and a total of 102 with total measurable gains from our grant and also um they also service students through title 2

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under a different consortium not Ben Harbor area schools. So I will I have a spreadsheet from Mandy that I'm welcome to share with you all with all the information on our um adult ed students. >> Okay. Thank you. You said something that was interesting. You said 200 and

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something um students, right? >> Total >> total enrolled. So I guess my question is and you this madam president is it okay if >> what is the age bracket for I know you can go up to I don't I don't have the age

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information. I have it break broken down by um zip code, but I don't have it broken down by age and I'm not sure what the age group is that they are servicing. >> Okay. So, I'm glad you said zip code. What is the is that 242 the zip code for Bitten Harbor?

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>> 265 is the total. 131 are Bitten Harbor. >> It's just interesting with the number. Just imagine if we could get some of those >> back in the district >> back in the district that are eligible. That's what I'm wondering. What's the >> Yeah, I will have to circle back around

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to with those specific details. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> President Robinson, >> you have the floor. >> Um, director Carter, you you called those our students. >> Yes, the program is Ben Harbor Area

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Schools of adult education program at Kexus. >> Okay. Uh, thank you for that. So, I'm wondering, are we doing any marketing around that? I don't know if we're doing anything specifically from the district. I know

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um Kexus does some marketing um within their organization, but I can't say for sure that we have any marketing from the district on this uh program. And we haven't had a lot of participation in the program in the past. So, I've been

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trying to actively attend meetings. Um, I got an invitation to the graduation so that the students there know that this program is serviced by Benton Harbor area schools. So, I'm trying to get more involved so that we can have more of a

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face um in the program so they know where the funds come from. Yeah, I think that if the funds are coming from us, it's a great opportunity for um us to take part in the branding of that as well. I'm sure Kexus is not

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going to hold anybody up. Neither should we. >> I agree. I'm trying my best to get more involved in the program. >> Great question. Uh VP Bowens. Okay. So, if there's no other questions, uh, the motion was made by Rockat Martin

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and supported by Vice President Bowens for staff report F1 regarding the March monthly financial reports. Miss Singer, can you please call the vote? >> President Robinson, >> yes. >> Vice President Bowens, >> yes. >> Treasurer Gavin, >> yes.

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>> Trustee Rockat Martin, >> yes. >> Trustee Doyle, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right, up next, Student Support Services. uh quick updates on restorative discipline practices and the McKini V uh Vento services. >> Thank you, Madam President. I just

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wanted to briefly speak to some of the things that are is happening in our buildings across our district. Uh the restorative discipline practices. Some of those key restorative practices are community building circles, which are regular proactive meetings to build trust and relationships among our staff

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and students. restorative conversations and and conferences where staffled dialogues with our where the students discuss the impact of their actions, express their emotions, and take responsibility. We're really trying to move forward with much more peer mediation uh and re-entry circles with

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our administrators. Many of them are having those conversations, supporting students returning to the school community after a suspension or other absences. And then of course harm repair actions requiring students to perform acts that repair the damage caused rather than just receiving a punitive

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penalty. We're looking really at the summer for uh district-wide professional development each of these components so that everybody knows when they engage with our students how we can use more of the restorative discipline practices rather than just punitive practices

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through our code of conduct. regarding McKenna Vento uh services. I wanted to just highlight a couple of things regarding that. One thing in particular is share make sure I remind uh our families uh of our students that this these services are

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available. So I will be sharing the link with our principles so they can share it out. But the student support team, I've met with them and they're prioritizing strengthening MTSS implementation as the core focus for our new coordinator role that we're working on, including clarifying reporting structures for

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youth advocates, ensuring regular layered professional development and equipping existing staff to better support students within those current staffing ratios. The team highlighted the need to build staff awareness that funding allows for students when they

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leave the district and continuing accurate residency verification and McKenna Vento identification. One of the things I noticed when I met with um Sarah Dy who is the person over Mckenn Vento at the Barry and Resa level she

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indicated that a lot of the data that we have is for families they don't know that these services are available. So, we're going to be moving very strategically to ensure that our families know what's available to them because there are different categories that determine whether or not you're homeless. You could be underhoused. There are some terms that I learned

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about that I want to make sure that our families are aware of so they're not suffering alone. Uh in addition, the team is tightening uh the expulsion packet procedures to reduce expulsions, addressing increased cape enrollments, linking to insufficient documents, documented intervention. I want to make

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sure that going forward, we're doing a much better job with what supports have been provided to our students before they get to the table and I meet uh parents and families at such a disturbing time. You we don't want to just expel our kids, but we want to make sure before they get to that table,

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we've done what we need to do regarding restorative practices and regarding support and wraparound services so that that's not something that is uh on the table for them as an option. That's not like I don't like meeting our families at the expulsion hearing table. So, we're going to be much more proactive regarding our discipline and restorative

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justice practices to ensure that we can prevent and mitigate those kinds of meetings going forward. Action steps is refining the job description to close those gaps, centering the posi the position on MTSS, and developing a comprehensive professional development plan for everybody, including myself to

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support the mental wellness and social emotional uh well-being of our students and families within the district. >> Okay. Are there questions about either of the updates provided under student support services? Treasure Gavin, >> thank you. My question is around the

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restorative um discipline practices. I know that I know that the board had a retreat uh was talking about a retreat and since this is something that's going to be laid out to the staff um more

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broadly um and we want to implement a um a culture of restorative practices. But I'm wondering if that's something that the board can also be trained on so that we are familiar with the language, the practices, the expected culture.

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>> Sure. >> Okay, good deal. Is that something that and I guess maybe Vice President Bowen, you have any objections to that being added to the board retreat? >> No. >> Okay, good deal. Sounds good. >> All righty. Uh we'll move forward

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facilities update. There was no facilities related uh vote for this meeting, but I think that um we have directors that are accountable for work um in the district and I think it's important that the public and the board

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is able to see uh the work that they do uh in between our meetings. I know some of often we have an update in our committee meetings, but sometimes there's further updates that can be provided at the regular session. So, I did want to give um Director Bullocks an opportunity to let us know what he's

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working on. So, you have the floor. Thank you and good evening. District roof we are working on. Fair plane east roof has been completed. We do have before and after pictures. They also sent me the warranty certificate

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for our records. Um, Tuesday, May 19th, Great Lakes Solution will be born into our roofs at MLK and DEEC so we can find out our lifespan of those roofs and see uh we could prioritize which ones need to be replaced.

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Facility master plan. We talked to uh Steve at C2 AE and he will be emailing us next steps and helping us create that facility master plan and pricing out controllers and units for each classroom

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at the high school >> and the demolition of Bard all of the all meetats contracting necessary permits has been pulled at this time. They do have the fence in place and they have started um cleaning out the building and we'll keep pictures for

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updates. Martindale demo all the mech necessary permits has been sent in. I received a demo permit today from the state of Michigan and they will be giving me a start date this week. Um St. Joe

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Township having concerns with the old G&T building on Learning Lane. I did let the inspector know that we are working on a facility master plan that include all our open and closed buildings. >> What were their concerns about that building?

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>> Uh that it need to be demoed. >> They just want us to tear down everything we got. >> It's a little bad. >> I haven't been over there in years though, so I I I have not seen that school in quite some time. So,

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>> okay. keep us posted on that one. >> Yep. >> Okay. Vice President Bowen, >> um, have you been able to communicate a letter to the township? I was at an event. The township supervisor pulled me to the side, asked me the status. I said, "We're working on it, but you'll

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be hearing from the district." Um, just letting them know we pulled the permits. We're working on it. Has a letter been done? >> Letter have not been done, but I've been in constant communication with the inspectors. So, we have been communicating back and forth and I have been keeping them

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updated. >> The township inspectors? >> Yes. >> So, they just haven't gotten that information up to her, it appears. >> I'm assuming so. >> Okay. All righty. Thank you. You have the floor.

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You were saying some dials in the classrooms. Is that for the heat? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yep. So, we going to have to change like the vent behind you. That's in most of the classrooms. So, we gonna have to change those out and they have controllers on them so you can kind of

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control the heat in each classroom. >> Was that in our contract or is this something new that we got to pay for? >> That's something different. It wasn't included in the boiler package. >> Okay. Thank you. All right, moving along. HR

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uh with the new hire staff H1. Thank you. Staff report employment of staff date May 17 or May 12th, 2026 submitting for board consideration to

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approve the employment of staff in accordance with the revised school code and other general laws of Michigan. Facts and analysis is recommended that the board approve the superintendent's recommendation for the hire of the following personnel.

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Policy reference 3120 and 4120. Employment of professional or support staff. Strategic plan goal reference personnel leadership. Benton Harbor area schools will recruit, hire, develop, and retain the best staff to improve student outcomes.

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New hires Michael Johnson. He's a certified science teacher. He'll be at B Harbor High School. The funding source is general funds. His effective date is August 17, 2026. And then we have Maryanne Timble, a certified math teacher at the high

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school as well. General funds effective date 817 2026. Recommended action that the board Vincent Harvard Area School Board of Education vote to approve the employment of the affformentioned staff. Is there a motion to approve staff report H1?

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>> I make a motion to approve staff report H1. >> Is there a second or support? >> The motion has been made by Vice President Bowens. We'll take a Trusty Doyle for the support. Any questions, comments, or concerns? >> Just want to say it's exciting to have a

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certified science teacher um and a certified math teacher at a new new certified science and math teacher at Ben Harvard High School. also with the >> you have the floor trusty rockar and also with the um the credentials that

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they have. I appreciate it. I see that Mr. Michael Johnson he coached chess and so that is a wonderful skill um especially uh strategies and you know that you can teach our kids a strategic

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way of thinking. So, I'm hoping he'll go ahead and organize a school chess club for Benton Harour High School. That would be great. My kids uh played in at my school in elementary school. The Rotary did it for them. So, that's another avenue that you could they

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brought in the supplies, everything. They did it for them. And after school, they would teach them how to play chess, the little ones. So, that is a a great thinking skill for kids to learn. >> Vice President Balls. Um I I need to

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applaud um Miss Director Dorsy and the staff, but not only her. Um Mr. Sanders is traveling around to different colleges um recruiting

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um students and you know the goal that she talked about in getting certified teachers um and getting the best of the best. I I just need to commend you um in your leadership and Dr. Griffin giving Mr. Sanders um the professional freedom

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to do that. So, I'm excited um to see the uprise. I think last month we just approved a few others. So, um I'm looking at June to see the amount of people that we've hired certified versus uncertified and I think we are start to

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see the trend. Um so, I'm excited. So, thank you. >> All right. Uh, Trusty Doyle, >> I just want to say that I'm very pleased to see that we are putting certified teachers in those places. And I'm very happy to see that every time we come in

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here, we got some certified teachers. Good job. >> All right. If there's no other questions or comments from the board, Miss Singer, can you please call the vote? >> President Robinson, >> yes. >> Vice President Bowen, >> yes. >> Treasurer Gavin,

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>> yes. Trustee Rox Martin. >> Yes. >> Trusty Doyle. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Director Dorsy, can you provide clarification? Just a quick clarification about the um openings in the district and where a person can see those openings. I know we have a certain

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website as well. >> Yes, the openings are on our district website. There's a a link there for hiring. And then some of our positions are for are listed for certified teachers, but I know isn't there a process where TNT is

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placed into a certified teacher role, but how do they have do they get that placement by applying for that particular position? Can you provide that clarification? >> So we have people who are not certified in positions and by law we have to post their positions on our website. So even though it looks like we have all these

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vacancies, we have grow your own staff there. We have TNTs. We have teachers and residents in those positions currently. So, they're working toward the certification. Now, by law, if someone that's certified applies, we should hire that certified person. Um,

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and we have people applying now that are that are certified, which is a good thing. So, we do have people already in those positions and we're trying to hire certified staff going forward. >> And are TNTs hired by applying for those C? How do they come into the district? So TNTS that's an older classification

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and there were people who were placed in position I'm not sure how they were hired back then um several of those people didn't have the requisite credits to gain a permit this year so the TNT program as we knew it before a teacher and training program should be grow your

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own where we have pair professionals in the classroom training to become teachers that's a typical grow your own program that we'd like to bring back here I'm sure it was here before going to bring it back here. >> My question is, how does one become

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So, if I'm a person that has the the the credits and the and the job experience and I'm interested in working in that program, how do I >> You just apply >> put one of the spots. >> Yes, ma'am. >> That's okay. I just wanted to make sure that

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>> you g you went all the way down. You gave me some very good information. So, you probably thought I was grilling you, but I just wanted to you have the floor. Um I do need to um as the chairman, so Dr. Griffin just

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sent us something. In August of 2025, we had 43 C, sorry, we had um 43 certified teachers. Um non-certified was 40. As of right now, current in May, we have certified teachers of 57 of them. Um

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non-certified is 26. So the trend is moving and then um we've seen our turnover rate and go up in previous years or go down. Um as of right now we're only at 9% and we've

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seen it higher than that. So that shows that the HR team is doing a lot of work and everything for that. >> All right. So thank you so much for your >> Oh, go ahead. you have the floor.

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>> Just two quick things. Jessica McFall, Jessica Ray McFall is the person who leads the hiring of certified teachers, and she's doing an awesome job with that. But let me tell you, Dr. Griffin told me, "You better hire me some certified teachers."

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>> She was nice about it, but she said, "We need certified teachers in this district, and we need them." So, she's holding us accountable. So, know that she is pushing this, and she's telling us we need this for for our babies. So, thank you, Dr. Griffin.

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>> Thank you all. Um, so we'll proceed. Um, old business and new business. I had nothing necessarily designated. Um, our next meeting is May 27th. We had uh was which was standard be a work session. We had that earmarked for uh the

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superintendent evaluation. I just wanted to follow up. Dr. Griffin, did you get a chance to attend? >> It's tomorrow. >> It's tomorrow night. Okay. Okay. So then um we'll connect um I think we already have something for Friday. Okay. But I

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might need to connect with you sooner than that um just to kind of process. Okay. Um and I know that there was a training I think it was cube training um or a conference that um Trustee Bradley had mentioned prior. I

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just want to remind the board to um Miss Singer, if you could resend that out. The board has interest, we want to take um advantage of that prior to the special rate deadline and try to get registered as soon as possible so we can

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try to be a parked or enrolled or get a room in the host hotel. It's a little bit more convenient when you're able to be directly where the conference is versus having to travel. Um I have no other old business or new business. Um

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anyone here for open public comments? >> President Robertson. Yes. >> I just had a question about the evaluation itself. Um >> have you we already confirmed the facilitator? >> I don't have a confirmation yet, but I can call them. >> Okay. And when we get the facilitator,

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I'm wondering if it's possible if they can send us the whatever the rules are. whatever the yeah the rubric but also their consensus um I had some concerns about how they

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handle consensus last time and so if there's any written um uh what's the word like written guidelines for best practices for uh um calculating consensus in that group I'd like to make sure that we are using best

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practices while we're while we're back there if possible All righty. Um, anyone for open public comment? Uh, superintendent announcements and comments and we will be out of here before 8. Oh, you go ahead. You all have

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to I'm told you put your seat belt on. You got to make sure you >> No, it is great. So, everybody can hear me again. Commissioner Fields, I need to say it more often. People tell me that because I'm not I'm just really just similar to you when you talk about it's just the work. is the heart of it and I

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just happen to be serving a role. I want to say though even though you allow the time for my question to be answered, I had time to actually speak for director Dorson Smith, which I am too. I'm impressed and I appreciate the direction

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that um Dr. Griffin had given her in regards to the criteria expected for our district in regards to certify. And so she explained in great detail, which I appreciated the tangent cuz I'm tangentish sometimes myself, right? But

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it's all good content. But she gave a lot of um a vital information in regards to the goal for the city, for the future, um the district, sorry, for the district. And I I don't know, just from

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that brief time, I was inspired, right, for the lack of a better word. and I don't know why I'm so emotional like at random times, but such a heart for our community, right? And so I appreciate her being brought in. Um, and with that

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in mind, I'm hoping that on the next meeting, um, it's a extension for her beyond June because that's when she stated that she is done. Um, and I just feel like there's more work to do, right? >> I'm I've already been trying to put some pressure behind the scenes

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>> on that. we have and and like I explained I I'm usually busy. I wasn't I came from work and um so it wasn't necessarily a motive. I came and one of the concerns like I was explaining to different

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individuals. People think when you're a commissioner you're supposed to know everything about everything and I've been asked like well how many jobs you know have been extinguished or um left vacant in the city or at the school in

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the district. And so I didn't know so I just came to ask that question in general. And again director um Dorsey Smith explained in great detail in regards to how that works. And a lot of times positions are posted but it it's a requirement because until it's a certified staff and that position is

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listed. So great clarity and again um the passion is wonderful. >> Thank you. Superintendent announcements and comments. >> Very briefly I wanted to highlight some additional staff in our district that are are working uh tirelessly every day.

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Kindergarten roundup Miss Brenda Matthews. She is really doing a phenomenal job. They had actual animals at the kindergarten roundup which was interesting. Uh Petty Zoo, uh Miss Patterson, Principal Patterson, shout out to Miss uh Solad Martinez for the

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hard work that they put in in trying to ensure that any families within our community or surrounding communities that uh want to uh partake in our district regarding their kindergarters. Uh they did a great job with the setup, beautiful uh area, the how the uh tables

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looked and the area looked. So I want to make sure I highlight them. Uh, high school decision day. I had the opportunity to step in and see the high school decision day here today at the high school. Shout out to Principal Sanders and his team, Miss Kyle's, Miss Sanford, and Miss Wright. They did an

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amazing job. The stage looked great. There was a lot of excitement, and they highlighted every different stakeholder group, which I thought was amazing. even our gap year explaining what why that's important to it's not like the student is lazy but going on and making sure

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that they highlight our entrepreneurs those in trade schools those going to two-year and four-year colleges so it was really quite the treat to see our uh high school students and seniors being um excited about decision day blossom time parade shout out to Mr. Wolf for

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the amazing pictures of our students and staff the band looked really amazing I saw Mr. Sanders out there. So, I'm really excited about the Blossom Time Parade in our community. And then, of course, the remaining events as we finish the year strong, pre-prom. Didn't know that the middle school had

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pre-prom. Excited about that. Regular prom for our juniors and seniors and of course field days. And I'm really looking forward to my first graduation as superintendent. That concludes my report. Thank you. >> Thank you, Trusty Doyle. I'd like to thank everybody that came

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out um tonight, especially for the brag bags. Um and I am super super grateful that we all we pass a yes yes fresh start priorities. They are amazing and they are in work

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right now and we are doing great things in our community with these kids and parents. Um, yeah. And I'm a Yes. Fresh start champion. Thank you. And you guys have a good night on purpose.

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>> Thank you, Trusty Ra. >> Glad to be here. Glad to um that we were able to accomplish some things in this meeting. Uh, one thing I would like to say and I'm just throwing it in the ring like to see is um for conflict

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resolution if we could actually have if we could actually have people uh maybe our our MSST is it MSS >> MSS trainers actually go in and do little mini lessons to train teach our

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little children how to um solve problems. s, you know, how to what language to use. You know, I can I can remember we did that in our building where we actually they had actually a class schedule and like every hour or

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every half hour they literally went into the classroom and did training with the students and gave them tools to use to help solve conflict. I believe if we would start that in preschool even and

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let it work up by the time they get to us in even in the middle grades or even in primary, fourth and fifth and second and third, a lot of that um would be in place and they wouldn't have such a

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difficult time. you definitely would see less suspensions and all of those kinds of things um if kids are trained and know what to do, >> you know. So, if that's something we possibly could look at maybe in our curriculum committee, we could look at

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that and see how we can uh put that in, plug that into our regular curriculum. maybe once a week or twice a week, you know, they would meet and get the skills they need because that's important.

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>> Uh behavior has an impact on learning. >> It's all right. Uh Treasure Gavin, >> thank you, President. Uh thank you, President Robinson. I too went to the high school decision day today and I

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thought it was super exciting. It it was very exciting and I love the diversity and the enthusiasm and the acknowledgement of where all of the seniors are um as they're thinking about what they're going to be doing. And I heard some of the students saying, "Ah,

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I want to be up there. I want to be able to do that." And so I think it was inspiring. I was reading something online and it said, "The butterfly is only beautiful because the caterpillar is brave.

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The butterfly is only beautiful because the caterpillar is brave. And I want to acknowledge um everybody who came out tonight and spoke. Um I saw voices shaking. I saw stumbling, but I saw

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courage. I saw fear, but I saw courage. And everybody's voice made a difference. Everybody's voice makes a difference. Whether we're in agreement, whether we're not, that tension is important.

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That tension is what makes us grow. When I was a teacher, my toughest students, the ones that challenged me the most, the ones that kept are the ones that kept me up at night trying to figure out how to be a better teacher, and I was never perfect, but it was the ones that

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were, you know, kind of in my face, right? those were the ones that helped me to think of new ways of approaching them, new ways of of showing up. And so I would love for us to continue to create that culture in our building um

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in our in our buildings and in our district to allow space for people to stand up and to ask for um us to show up as our as our greatest selves. So, I'm excited about that. I'm I'm thankful also to Trusty Allen uh I mean Trustee

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Bradley who said he supports the um budget priorities as well. Quick thank you to Dr. Goodson, Chenica Davis, Briana Alexander, Diaria Evans, Amaya Krenshaw, Riante Bell, and Elizabeth BS. And congratulations to all the parents and the students who are recipients of

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the bag awards. And a special thank you to Commissioner Fields for fighting so hard for our 2026 budget priorities. Thank you for being here as well. and all of the commissioners and everybody who passed it and the board. Thank y'all. >> That's it. We don't even get a thanks. No, I'm just playing.

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>> Vice President B. >> You know, I'm going to um you know, three things. I went to the teen center um and seeing what Whirlpool is doing on the black top, the turf field. It looks beautiful out there. If you haven't, I don't know if we're supposed to, but go down there

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and check it. It's nice. Um, it was interesting to watch the Blossom Time Parade. Um, you get to see different stuff. You know, Bittton Harbor has a unique sound and I heard Bearing Springs trying to mimic that sound. Um, Lakeshore trying

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to mimic that sound. We can be duplicated, but we can never be the originator original can never be copied. I do want to end with this. Facts matter because people will often choose a story that comforts them over a truth that

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challenges them. A single narrative can shape an entire community's perception even when the full facts say otherwise. Good night and have a great day. >> Oh, short and sweet today. >> Now, I did have an essay, but I choose not to.

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>> Okay, so I would just like to as always thank everybody for their time and attendance and due diligence. Um, I think that we had a very swift meeting. Questions asked that were were necessary and needed for the vote. So, I thank you all for doing your homework and ensuring

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we can get through swiftly. Pretty sure our directors, thank you as well. Um, I've noticed that we have directors at the table that don't necessarily have to contribute to the board meeting. So, I'm not micromanaging what you all do

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internally, but I would like you to know that I am not requiring that you be here if it's something that your superintendent is comfortable with. Um, because I know our meetings can be very lengthy. So, my ask would either be if

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we are asking that you be here, you have an update that you're giving us to contribute. You're more than welcome, of course. Um, but I don't want you all to um have to be here for the duration of the meeting if it's not something that you're granting. However, I'm not your

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boss. I'm her boss. I just want to make sure she knows that we honor your time and and your presence is welcome, but I I can understand how it feels to sit there um and have to listen to everything and not necessarily be a part

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of the agenda. So, it's up to you administration which direction you all go with that. Um, the other thing I want to notate, we have a roar bus and I was very proud a few years back to see our bus in our parades. Um, I know

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that part of the reason we were able to do that is because Dr. Bus had the certification, his license in himself to um, be able to drive the bus, but I know that we have staff in the district that may have those credentials as well. So, if we could get our our bus I know, I

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know, I know. I just didn't want to call you out. If we can get our bus back on the road, um it would be beautiful to be able to see um the district represented in that manner. I'm not sure if it's too late for Junth. I know that they have deadlines for participation in uh the

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parade, but I did get a chance to ride the bus um prior. So, it would be amazing if we could have that representation visible. Um a few of our directors were there and were in the parade as well on that bus. So, um if we could figure out how to make that

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happen, I think it would be amazing representation. and then also returning to um community stops uh for enrollment for things of that nature. Um yeah, just put putting a bug out there about the robust. Um and that's really

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all I have at this particular time. I have no other comments. Uh Doyle, >> I just have one more thing. I wanted to congratulate the track team last weekend. They did place. I'm so proud of them. They have placed every year for the last four years.

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All right. So, I have no other comments or announcements at this particular time. So, I'll ask is there a motion to adjurnn? >> Make a motion to adjurnn. >> Is there a second or support? >> The motion The motion has been made by Bowens and supported by Trustee Doyle.

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Any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none, Miss Singer, can you please call the vote? >> President Robinson. Yes. >> Vice President Bowen. >> Yes. >> Treasurer Gavin. >> Yes. >> Trustee Rocket Martin. >> Yes. >> Trustee Doyle.

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>> Yes. >> All right. Meeting is adjourned as of 8:30 p.m. Have a great evening.