Okay. Can we please call for the vote? Missing. >> Vice President. >> Yes. >> Secretary Triplet. >> Yes. >> Treasurer Gavin. >> Yes. >> Trusty Rocket Martin. >> Yes.
>> Trusty Doyle. >> Yes. >> Thank you so much. We now come to our board of education norms. They are as follow. We will treat each other with respect. We will listen to learn. We will refrain
from side conversations. We will use our time wisely, starting and ending our meetings on time. We will challenge ideas not people. We will ask questions when in doubt. There will be no surprises at the board table. We will practice the seven norms of collaboration which are pausing,
paraphrasing, posing questions, putting ideas on the table, providing data, paying attention to self and others, and presuming positive intentions. We now come to the process of Oh, they got me on this. Let me public comment on agenda
items. Is there any comments on agenda items? Okay, you can go. Um, we normally have a statement um that I read, but I will go ahead. It's a three minute. When the timer stops, we ask that you please stop
for the grace of time. She doesn't have >> Can you speak into the mic? And if there's some talking, can you stop, please? Thank you. >> My name is Nikina Carter. Um, my daughter is Zoe Carter. You might know me from the board meeting from um March
10th. I come to you today because my daughter has not only been harassed, but she's been picked on by the principal due to her speaking out against him at the board meeting March 10th. He will see her in the hallway. He would yell at her. Even if she just walking by herself, he would yell at her. He would
pick with her. And also, I'm not sure what is going on with them or what is going on far as the suspension or whatever, but one of my daughter bullies is in the room today. Um, Miss Well, Dr. Griffin and Trevor Gri um
Trevan Alexander does not well does not fit the criteria to run a school building, let alone a school system. How can you send your kids to Ben Harour Area School and have someone like Dr. Griffin represent the school system that
your child will be attending when she not only didn't ensure my my child's safety, but she also made another child that she squared up within the high school feel unprotected. She should have been cut off from the gate that same day. Mr. Alexander, not
only is he playing with retaliation, but you guys can get a lawsuit behind him due to retaliation of a student. Not only that, but an employee. I have um contacted all of them. Just a little background, my daughter has been bullied
since October 2025 up until March 10th. They did something. Um I was aware today that one of her bullies, which is sitting over there, was only suspended. I'm sorry, only suspended. That's not enough for me. And as a board member, if
you guys have kids and if you guys have kids and you can look at me as a parent and how I advocate for my daughter, you will understand the fight that I would put up against my child and her well-being. And s send sit on a board member and you have a superintendent
that no longer was not taking the policy of the school seriously far as bullying. That should tell you something about your school system. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else for board comments? >> Hello everyone. I'm sorry.
>> My name is >> my daughter is >> Taran. >> Can you speak into the mic? >> Sorry. My daughter is Taran. She attends Fairplane Middle School. Um I passed out a note to everybody. I just want to address a few things. Um, I did email
the superintendent in February about its intimidation as far as not from the student, but more so from an employee. My daughter has came to me numerous times telling me how adults are memugging her, rolling her eyes. Parents are allowed to come through the school
cuffing, pooping, and holling. It's all kid stuff. So, I never really said nothing. But when it comes to the point that it's affecting my child's education, my child is honoral student, never been suspended. Now she's suspended for 5 days over a no contact
order that supposedly every parent did not sign. So from here on out, um, she feel like she's not being heard. They feel like it's always a one-sided story. A mean was never had between parent,
student, no one. So, and I keep being told she's not telling everybody, but she's telling me she's telling certain adults. I don't know if it's not getting communicated to Trevor or whatever's going on, but the issue has been pushed too far along that I'm getting messages that want to meet in the field or
whatever's going on all over kids stuff. I'm being inboxed. I never said nothing. I don't bash nobody. I I'm not saying that because it's all kids stuff. But from here on out, I will be fighting my daughter's appeal. Um, I will be going to the Michigan Department of Education because right now it didn't went too
far. Like I said, it's affecting her education. My daughter feels a hurt. And if this what you want to call a delinquent or a bully, that's not her name. Her name is Taran Lewis. Thank you. Is there anyone else here that would
like to speak on public comment? Hey, my name >> Hey, my name is Zoe Carter. I am attending Fairplane Middle School and and only thing they had did was give out a 5day suspension and a um they gave
police reports and stuff and and I had to and I had to file two police reports for all of this that's going on. They only gave out five days of suspension in Fair Point Middle School. And
and my and my bully my bully is in the building. They got her on camera for doing all the stuff that she had done to me and the stuff that she' been doing in the classroom, ripping pages and all my um stuff, rolling her eyes, messing with me in the
cafeteria. And and >> so I don't mean to stop her talking, but if she needs your support, you can stand up there and tell us what you're trying to say because it might be a little bit easier than you reminding her what to say. No, she can speak. she no person can speak until other persons have had
an opportunity to speak on that topic. So you want to get up and help her, you can. That might be easier than you telling her what to say, but this will be the last time um for comment. >> And I had to file two police reports
against Mila Carla and Taran Lewis because they have been bullying me since October 25. and the superintendent and the principal hasn't done nothing. And I'm a and I'm and I'm an honor
student as well. And a fiveday suspension is a slap in my face. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else for open public public comment on agenda items? All right, hearing none. Um, a next
reminder protocol as of 913 2022, all comments will be limited to two minutes per trustee per topic. I didn't expect um we have closed session spanning for today. I didn't expect any of the directors to come. You guys weren't
required to come. So, Miss Foster, you can actually exit. I did want you to at least stay through um public comment. in the event that there was something that you needed to hear according to your um your department. But up next for board business, we have two different closed
sessions. Um how many? >> Yeah. The first uh close session, the board of education may hold a closed session to consider materials such as written opinions of council which are exempt from discussion by state or federal statute reference policy 0167.2F.
And then the second closed session, the board of education may hold a close session to consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of order to hear your hear complaints or charges brought against or to consider a periodic personnel evaluation of a public officer, staff member, or individual agent if the name person
requests a closed hearing, which is policy 016722A. So, at this time, I'll ask is there a motion to end open? And just so the public knows closed session is when we go in that room. That is really the majority of our meeting today. I'm not
exactly sure how we how long we will be in there, but those conversations are not privy to the public. You're more than welcome to wait if you choose not to. We are streaming live. Um, so at this time, I'll ask is there a motion to end open session and enter close session per policy 0167.2
and then policy 0167.2A. So move. Is there a second or support? >> Support. The motion was moved by Trusty D and supported by Trustee Gavin. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none, Secretary Triplet.
>> Miss Singer, can you do it for us? >> Yes. >> Vice President B. >> Yes. >> Secretary Triplet, >> yes. >> Treasurer Gavin, >> yes. >> Trusty Rocket, >> yes. >> Trusty Doyle, >> yes. >> Motion carries.
>> All right. So, we are ending open session and entering close session as of check. >> 6:19 p.m. >> 6:19 p.m. >> All right. So, I am going to actually I
just realized that we're absent a trustee. Um, so I'm going to pause for a second. All right. Can I have a motion to end close session and return to open session? I certainly >> Is there a second or support?
The motion has been made by Secretary Triplet and supported by Trustee Rocket Martin. Questions, comments, and concerns hearing. None. Secretary Triplet. >> President Robinson. >> Oh, sorry, Miss Singer. Thank you. Uh, yes.
>> Vice President Bowen. Yes. >> Secretary Triplet. >> Yes. >> Treasurer Gavin. >> Yes. >> Trustee Rocket Martin. >> Yes. >> Trusty Doyle. >> Yes. >> Motion carried. >> All right. So, we're returning to open session as of 8:15 p.m.
At this time, I'll ask is there a motion to amend the agenda to allow for the addition of motion B1? >> So move. >> Is there a second or support? >> Support. The motion has been moved by
Trusty Gavin and supported by Trusty Doyle. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Hearing none, Miss Sing, can you please call the vote? >> Robertson, >> yes. >> Vice President Bowen, >> no. >> Secretary Triplet,
>> yes. >> Treasurer Gavin, >> yes. >> Trusty Rocket Martin, >> yes. >> Trusty Doyle, >> yes. Motion carried. >> All right. At this time, I'll ask is there a motion that the board of
education direct the board president to work with legal counsel to issue a written warning to Superintendent Griffin regarding communications with different district staff members. >> You need me to repeat it? >> Yeah, buddy. At this time, I'll ask, is
there a motion that the board of education direct the board president to work with legal counsel to issue a written warning to Superintendent Griffin regarding communications with district staff? >> So move support. >> Okay. So the motion was moved by Doy. Is
there a second or support? >> Support. >> The motion was made by Trustee Doyle and supported by Trustee Gavin. questions, comments, concerns. Trusty Garner, I have a
concern that um a written warning is less than um what's needed. And
I'm going to withhold some of my thoughts because they're my raw thoughts and I'm going to need to meditate um before I actually say more because I don't want to say the wrong thing. What I will say is this. We have a
responsibility to show the community and the nation what's expected. And we have to set certain standards for
ourselves. And we show people how to treat us by the standards that we set for ourselves. And I do believe in grace. I also believe in fairness.
And I also believe that if we don't do what's right when it's time to do what's right, we find ourselves in a deeper hole dug by soap. And so this is one of those things in
which I have to tame my concern and turn it over to God because I'm one of seven and I respect that. But
I just had to put on record that I feel like we are not doing what we can be doing in this situation. Any other comments from the board? Um, I would like to say that I stand in
support of the motion um that was made as far as the level that has been suggested. Um, I do not think that it being more harsh is needed. Um, I
stand in support of the superintendent and I think that there's always opportunities from a leadership standpoint to support growth and to give reminders of expectations and I see this as being a
a credible way to do so. Um, so if there's no other comments from the board, uh, Trusty Rocket Martin >> like to also say I stand in support of our superintendent. Uh, I agree with President Robinson. There's room for
growth. And in in growing, you make mistakes. In growing, um, you have some ouches along the way. When a child grows, he falls a lot. As they grow, but eventually they stand on their own two
feet and they become better at whatever it is they're trying to accomplish. And so I am strongly and I want to say strongly in favor of our superintendent and uh hope
to see the continued growth that we are seeing. >> All right. So if there's no other further comments um trustee uh Vice President Bowen >> I have clarification. This is written warning.
>> Okay. I'll save mine for my comment. >> Your closing comment. >> Okay. All right. If there's no other comments, Miss Singer, can you please call the vote? >> Yes. >> Vice President Bowen.
>> Yes. >> Secretary Triplet. >> Yes. >> Treasurer Gavin. >> Yes. >> Trusty Rocket Martin. >> Yes. >> Trusty Doyle. Yes. >> Motion carried.
>> All right. Up next, we have open public comment. Are there any members present of the public? It does not look like there are any. Um, up next, Dr. Griffin, any superintendent announcements and comments? >> None at this time, Madam President. >> All right. Up next, board member
announcements and comments. We'll begin with Trusty Doyle. I just want to say that it is very important >> that I would like to say that it's very important that we remember the reason
that we're here at this table is to take care of our children and they are the most important um customers that we have. And as far as the culture and climate, we just got to do better. We just have to do better.
Thank you. >> All right. Trusty Rocket Martin had a chance to go to the reading um night at MLK yesterday. Very well done. Uh they had quite a few parents and kids
come out. Uh it was really exciting to see the kids as they went from the different stations learning about the different things in reading. and that was at MLK yesterday. Other than that, um just continue to uh send prayers up
for our board and uh you know and and we're striving for unity and peace in our district. And then remember our student I don't know if Amber went to Bend Harbor or not. Is she >> a little while?
>> But um yeah, her her homegoing service is tomorrow. think about. But other than that, I'm I'm done. >> All right. Uh, Treasure Gavin, >> I just want to be clear that
I support I support the superintendent of Ben Harbor Area Schools. I want the superintendent of Ben Harour Area Schools to be successful. I support the office. I support Dr. Griffin.
I can make a decision and still support a person. Um, as educators, we had to do that as well. It doesn't matter what level you're on. you can support a person and still um you know
make a serious decision that's in the best interest of your community and in the best interest of your school and I just want to make sure that there is no manipulation.
I don't want to accuse anybody of anything, but sometimes there's this air of like I support this person. We all support the superintendent. We want Ben Harberry schools to do well
and we can see that there are certain things that need to happen in different ways and different perspectives. And so I just want to, you know, ground us in the fact that we're here for our kids. We're going to
make tough decisions whether you're on the board, whether you're a teacher, whether you're a superintendent, whether you're in the military. And so I just want to ground us in that. And um we'll grow from this. We'll go
forward from this. I'm one of those people who uh I believe I have a strong faith that um no matter where we are, everything is going to work out for us. And I just want to make sure that as we're having these communications and making these statements that there is
not this division of, oh, this person is against you or this person is for you. I'm for the district. Thank you. Secretary Trooper. >> Thank you, Madame President. Um,
the last couple of days been a little bit under the weather, but I too would like to say I um that I support our superintendent, Dr. Griffin. I am um proud of the growth that's being
made. Um, I also support our board of education. Um, and I know like everybody else, we want the best for our district. In order for us to have the best for our district, we
must make sure that we have the best u sitting at the helm. And so again, um I'm proud of our team um that we were able to remain in the norming
state of our work at this particular time. Thank you. >> Thank you, Vice President Burns. >> Thank you, Madam President. Madame President and my colleagues, I unequivocally support Dr. Simone Griffin as our superintendent for Bitten
Harbor area schools. Leadership is never easy. Anyone who's anyone who has ever led knows that leadership comes with pressure, scrutiny, and sometimes mistakes. What defines leadership is not perfection, but accountability and willingness to
correct and move forward. But I also want to speak to something that we can't ignore. Black women leaders in this country are often judged at a higher standard than anyone else. They are scrutinized more harshly, questioned more aggressively, and far too often
given little to no grace when mistakes happen. While others are allowed to be human, black women leaders are expected to be flawless. And when they're not perfect, there are people waiting, sometimes eagerly, to tear them down, undermine their authority, and create drama around their
leadership. We have to be honest that sexism exists. We have to be honest and enough to say black women carry the double burden of sexism and bias at the same time. The that reality cannot be ignored. Maline Albbright says it best.
There is a special place in hell for women who don't support women. That quote reminds us that leadership should not be about tearing each other down. It should be about fairness, respect, and understanding that challenges come with leadership. We have to understand that we're still
forming as a district. Leading through that requires courage and resilience, but that will not move the district forward if there is drama. We have to move the district forward and understand there are attempts to undermine
leadership and what will not move the district forward is per pretending that personal attack somehow helps our children. The people of Bitten Harour did not elect our board to create drama. They elected us to lead. And leadership requires fairness, accountability, and
sometimes something that we don't offer enough in public. Right? That's grace. So tonight, I stand firmly in support of Dr. Simone Griffin and in support of moving our district forward for the students of Bitten Harbor. You cannot call yourself an advocate
and you created drama everywhere you go. And when you get on Facebook, you're tearing down people. You cannot say you're here for the children or you want to inspire children and every time there's drama or something on the news, you're sending news clips and everything.
We know your record and we know where you stand. We also experienced you. So wherever we're in Kalamazoo, South Bend, Mission Walk, wherever, we see you and we understand you. But I also want us to take and acknowledge the elephant in the
room. In this climate, in this reality, being a black woman in leadership is tough. When you have people that have bias and sexism and create drama, we see you. So, good night and God bless you. And
once again, I support Dr. Griffin 200%. >> All right. So, I will close us off uh this evening. I just want to thank everyone for uh giving their time to be here yet again uh this Thursday evening. Uh I said it in my response to uh motion
be and I'll say it again. As others have indicated, I do uh support Dr. Griffin and I think that um me or anyone else making a statement of support should not be reflected as an attempt to disunify
the board. Um, I'm entitled to my individual comment and things that I would like to say just like anyone else is entitled to comments that they would like to say that I may disagree with. Um, it's never a slight or disregard to anyone. It's a statement of truth that I felt was necessary to make in my
comment. I want that to be clear um to everyone at the table and those that are listening. And so in my support, I am going to do what I have to do um to support as a superintendent. And I wanted to make it clear that a decision or vote made was not an indication of
lack of support um for Dr. Griffin as a superintendent of Ben Harour Area Schools. And so again, I appreciate every mean. I thought we would be here a little uh we would get out a little earlier, but I do appreciate you all for the due diligence given. And so at this time, it's 8:31. I'm going to ask if
there's a motion to adjurnn. I have >> moved. Second. The motion has been made by Secretary Trib and supported by Treasurer Gavin. Um, if there's no questions or concerns, Miss Singer, can you do us one last honor and call the vote?
>> Yes. >> Vice President Bowen. >> Secretary Triplet. >> Yes. >> Trusty Gavin. >> Yes. >> Trusty. >> Yes. >> Trusty Doyle. >> Yes.
>> All right. meeting as of 8:32