##VIDEO ID:lgorRmXjgrw## 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 cfax here in Benton Harbor in addition a live stream of this meeting is available at the following link questions may be submitted beforehand to natalie. singer bhas.org or presented in person during the public comment section as indicated in the agenda board members may be contacted through the emails listed below request for special assistance including for persons with disabilities may be sent to natalie. singer bhas.org I call this meeting to order officially at 603m we will Begin by reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for it stands one nation under God indivisible with liy and justice for all all right Miss singer can you please call the rooll presid vice president Bowen pres secretary triplet Treasurer Katon trustee rocket Martin pres truste gav Pres truste all right a quorum has been established next we have approval of the agenda is there a motion to approve the agenda um the only clarification that I would like to provide is that at the uh cell phone policy we have offered our administratives our administrators that are present an opportunity to provide comment for for their thoughts on the cell phone policy that would be at second reading staff report S1 so I just wanted to ensure that everyone um was aware of that so we are going to give them an opportunity to give us their thoughts prior to us taking a vote um is there a motion to approve the agenda so moved is there a second or support support the motion has been made by truste rocket Martin and supported by truste Gavin any questions comments concerns here Miss Nichols Miss singer Miss Nichols probably like what you want me to do miss singer yes yeset Martin yes yes all right motion passes next is review of our board Norms the Board of Education norms for Ben Harbor area schools 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 and we will practice the seven Norms of collaboration those are pausing paraphrasing posing questions putting ideas on the table providing data paying attention to self and others and presuming positive intentions I would like to um remind the board that we did not have an opportunity to have a work session so I'm going to try to get us through the meeting as quick as possible but I understand there may be additional discussion however with there only being four of us currently at the table we can probably still get out of here by 8:30 or 9 UM at the latest next on the agenda is public comment on agenda items is there anyone present for public comment on agenda items all right hearing none we'll proceed next on the agenda is approval of the meeting minutes the meeting minutes up for approval this evening are regular session 9911 2024 and work session 924 2024 close session for 911 2024 is pending receipt so we will not be taking a vote on those this evening is there a motion to approve oh I'm sorry as well as special session 102 2024 um that is a meeting where we did not have an actual quum present is there a motion to approve so move them is there there a second or support support the motion has been made by trusty rocket Martin and supported by vice president bows questions comments concerns um Madam president you have the floor 924 never mind all right if there's no other questions or comments uh Miss singer can you please call the vote yes yes Martin yes G yes all right please note for the record that secretary triplet has arrived as of 6:08 PM I would ask that Miss singer still help us until he's able to get logged in appropriately um next we have board business as a reminder our protocol as of 9913 2022 all comments will be limited to two minutes for truste per topic our first item of business for today is a Clos session the Board of Education will hold a very brief close session to consider Personnel matters under policy 01 67.2 they are pertaining to resolution hr1 is there a motion so at this time I'll ask is there a motion oh and for the public before we take the vote we're going to go into our close session room uh this is a type of close session that does not take much time at all so I do anticipate will return within 10 15 minute window Max you are welcome to stay here we'll come back out and return to open session is there a motion to end Open Session and enter close session per policy 01672 G Madame President you have the floor I make a motion that we go into close session to discuss staff report H1 hr1 hr1 sorry is there a second or support support the motion has been made by vice president bow and support by truste rocket Martin any questions comments or concerns hearing N Miss singer Robson yes vice president Bowen yes truste rocket Martin yes truste G yes motion passes so the Board of Education will be ending Open Session and entering closed session as of 610 p.m. we'll return shortly I me motion that you guys en close session and return to the main session you guys all right is there a second or support the motion has been made by vice president bow and supported by trusty rocket Martin any questions comments and concerns hearing none secretary tripy can you please call the vote president Robinson yes vice president bow Epstein secretary triplet yes truste rocket Martin yes truste Gavin yes motion carries all right awesome all right so Dr bus I have a quick clarification I just realized in staff report S1 are we also taking we're taking one vote to include the cell phone policy make and we can leave it as it is right now but I just want to you know based on conversations it may be necessary to separate that report from the rest of the Pol that that policy from the rest but we can keep it it as it stands and see how conversation goes I I I agree with that okay so at this particular time um we are going to proceed to resolution hr1 Dr buts thank you madam president a regular meeting of the Board of Education of the district was held in Benton haror area high school in the district on the 8th day of October 2024 at 6 p.m. the following Preamble and resolution was offered and supported whereas Corey Wright is interested and being considered for employment as a par professional through bent har area schools pursuing to revise School Code Section 12309 and 12310 and after careful review superintendent Dr Kelvin Buzz is recommending the continuation of employment with application process for corer right through educ staff pursuant to section 8A of the open me meetings Act and the request of cor right the board met and close session to consider the background check information M MCL 5.26 now therefore it be resolved pursuant to Revis School code sections 123 1230 9 1230 A1 and 1230 G and after care for review the bo the board does or does or does not approve Corey right to proceed with employment appli ation process through Ed staff MCL 38.1 12309 MCL 38123 A10 MCL 3801 1230 G all resolution and parts of resolution that conflict with the provision of this resolution are exended all right so at this time I'll ask if there's a motion to approve staff report H1 with the notation that we're selecting the board does approve Corey Wright Madam you have the floor I'm looking here at this resolution and I think that it needs to be corrected I'm not sure the first statement where it said the regular meeting of the Board of Education of the district it was held in the Ben Harbor High School in the district on 8th day of October the 24 okay in in the Ben har High School kind of threw me off okay is there a motion to approve staff report hr1 Madam president I make a motion to approve staff report H1 hr1 hr1 all right is there a second or support support the motion has been made by trusty rocket Martin and supported by trusty Gavin any questions comments or concerns hearing L secretary triplet president Robinson yes vice president Bowen abin secretary triplet yes trustee rocket Martin yes trusty Gavin yes motion carried all right awesome congratulations um we look forward to great work to be done in the district next up we have our policy and discipline committee update I am going to f pass the floor to tr uh chair Gavin and she's going to present on behalf of the policy committee Trust Gavin thank you president Robinson I just have a quick question Dr bus the policies for the student Tech use um I've um we're requesting access for we're not able to access those I'm thinking that these are files that these are policies that may have been added after our committee meeting is that correct for the first read right so they didn't come out of committee they did these did not come out of committee that's correct and they should have access okay so would you like to remove those I would like to remove them they're on the agenda now so I don't know if we need to vote to table them so I guess what we could do um trusty Gavin you could just go through and just notate what they're about being that they're there and then we don't necessarily have to keep uh consider this a first reading okay have you had an opportunity to see anything that you'd like to point out I have I've have not been able to access the that okay so what we'll do is we'll just take note that policy 754 .03 student Tech use and policy 75 4.04 staff technology use will be policies that we will be doing first readings on at a later date um we will not actively engage in the first readings if it does um fit the board best I am completely open to us tabling it so that we can do it officially being that it does State first reading on the agenda so at this particular time I I'd ask as there a motion to table the first readings of policy 75 4.03 and 75 4.04 I move to table 75403 and policy 7540 point4 is there a second or support a support the motion has been made by trusty Gavin and supported by trusty rocket Martin any questions comments or concerns just a quick comment my apologies for not catching that sooner no worries completely understandable I know that there's a lot of policies that we've been working with there was a similar um concern in one of our last meetings um that was noted as the second reading and it was actually the first so I do appreciate you catching it because I would be unaware that this has not um gone through committee had you not noticed it so at this particular time and and I would ask that um we do give the policy committee an opportunity to review the policies because we uh trust trusty Gavin's leadership and walking us through the policy and notating anything that she thinks is important for us to review as well as the the rest of the committee and so I would not feel comfortable with um having a first reading if the committee has not had an opportunity to thoroughly dissect it so I would ask that you all pause on adding them unless they're absolutely urgent and in that instance it would need to be highlighted to the board that we're doing so and Madam president please accept my apology for that too I overlooked that as well all right so secretary trip ask that you please call the vote for tabling of the first readings and it's not going to be reflected on your roll call sheet but an adjustment may be needed yes uh Miss singer will make the necessary adjustment and updates on the roll call sheet at this particular time for the remainder of this meeting so what I'm doing the roll call roll call for tabling policy Z 754 0.03 and 754 0.04 Madam pres I mean president Robinson yes vice president Bowen yes secretary triplet yes truste rocket Martin yes truste Gavin yes motion carried all right awesome um are there any policy updates that you would like to provide trusty Gavin just for the you mean outside of the second reading or just these second readings just your standard update did you have anything that you'd like to share on behalf of your committee yes thank you so our policy committee link agenda is here um and we have quite a few policy readings and which we would like to catch us catch ourselves up on um we had an opportunity for our representative from niola to come and explain each of those policies to us many of the policies here most of them um are required based on the law and so we approve those policies as are as they are um for the for the board to approve them as well the only one that probably will require some conversation and some more input would be the um superintendent's recommendation on the cell phone and so I would love it if Dr Buzz could explain um the policy you know his policy recommendation give some insight into the administrative guidelines in terms of how that might be rolled out and then if possible we would love to also hear we have two don't mean to put you all on the spot but you all are the ones who this will be directly uh you know impacting um would be great if the principles of uh the elementary and the high school building could kind of tell us you know give us some guidance in terms of their thoughts um on the policy as well if possible we I would say we're struggling I won't say struggling but we do have a bit of a a difference in opinion on whether or not to allow cell phone use in the um Cafe IIA so we're okay I think we're in agreement um we're pretty much in our policy committee can't speak for the rest of the board members but the policy committee is pretty much in agreement with the cell phone ban during the school day um where we're wanting some clarity is where you stand in terms of during that cafeteria hour if you think it's best to have the complete and total ban or to allow the students um to use the phone during that time and I'll turn it over to you Dr Buzz thank you uh trusty Gavin and or chairman Gavin on this policy committee my recommendation would be for the students to have to keep the cell phones uh stored away during the entire school day and have them after school ready for any updates that they need from their families uh reason being that during the school day the cell phones can become disruptive even if in the cafeteria at those times um my concern is that uh students will will use the phones in in manners that may be become disrupted during the school day so that's where we were we were in in our discussion in the policy Committee in reference to the cell phone so my recommendation still stands that they they are able to bring them but they keep them out of sight until the end of the school day so that they can get any updates from their families or uh or or their friends if if needed at that time also Dr bus could you let the audience let let everyone know when you would be looking to roll if this policy is approved when you would be looking to roll it out so when this policy is approved um I want to make sure we look at the administrative guidelines to make sure that they have uh they not only that they are in the parameters of the cell phone policy use but they give more teeth more structure to it as well and uh have the board to make sure they look over it and update our student code of conduct So within the next few weeks I would uh even after our our uh committee meeting or we can have a new committee meeting and let the board know what we've decided in the committee meeting so that we won't have to have any more special meetings because after the policy is approved whichever way it's approved the administrative guidelines are just those that are said to uh make sure that the the policy is followed and what what discipline items should follow so I would like to make sure that our policy committee is unboard with updating the student code of conduct once this is discussed out at the at the table here tonight okay and I know that we also discussed the possibility of allowing some cell phone use if the teacher in advance um could show could demonstrate that this particular lesson was directly related to uh learning how to use the cell phone for you know business purposes or something like that educational purposes and they had to get that um approval in advance and demonstrating their lesson plan that it was related for that time period as well as um showing you know visibly in their classroom that it was approved and and related is your does your policy uh will your policy allow for that it should allow for that that's what we that's one of the things ID like to tell the audience that we did discuss as long as it was approved and and in the teachers lesson plan that that portion would be approved okay thank you for clarity and I'll U turn it over to you to turn it over to any anyone have questions from the board looks like um secretary triplet so when when excuse me so when the policy committee meets and you guys have discussed this you guys will come up with the fin piece to bring to present to the board um as it relates to the final um recommendation for the cell phone public I I I too agree with when you look at the um the uh what what's being recommended and I think it's something that's being recommended across the state um that there should not be any cell phone youed dur in school um it it is a distraction um and it have to be strictly enforced and um from my understanding I know that and I haven't been able to get to the bottom of this yet but been able to get an answer for anything that they need to use for instruction it was my understanding and it has been presented to this this community and to this board several times that all of our students have laptops that all of our students have uh technology and thousands and thousands of dollars were spent for those students to have that uh for their their schoolwork if we're going to make a decision because see one thing is is important and it's imperative because we're not playing games and we're not gonna sit at this table and present something and say something is one way and it isn't actually that way all of their work for me because once you start doing it then you're going to get people that don't handle it properly we got our kids we got to set the message either they can have their phones at school or they cannot have their phones at school and it's imperative that we press um that we push the narrative to the parents that if they have anything that's an emergency that they call the school that they that they call the school and the school should be able to reach out to that student and it also take into consideration not just this is not to be punitive but I think our our children we and all of us as well we use ourselves phon all of our cell phones are sitting up here now and we have to teach our students how to responsibly use their cell phones as well one second I would ask that we if if it if the board does not disagree this is a extremely important discussion so I'm going to give secretary triplet more time if we could uh just pause the timer and give him another minut reset for a minute to allow him to wrap up his statement well yeah just just and and just working in in the capacity of um the last few years as an assistant principal it it it is um it's tough to M to manage it's very tough to manage so if you say there are no cell phones um the the district that I'm working in now the cell phones can't even be visible they can't have their cell phones out they are not visible they turned off they are not visible in some places they're putting their lockers um and and and we have to stress the fact that no staff should ever try to take their phones from them because that puts us in liability phones being taken away from students are very dangerous um phones being taken away from students if the phones are lost we have to be careful about that because we'll be liable to pay for those phones some of them have very expensive phones so if it's understood that they don't have phones they are not visible while they are here on this campus that we um I think we have a solid uh policy set and it won't be any confusion with it okay so I'm gonna pause for a second I do wanna I am G to come back to the board for comment but I do want to give us an opportunity to hear from our administrators um before we give our comments because what they have to say may potentially impact our current views so um we do have principal Morin and uh principal Rockette present if you like you all are welcome to come forward and share your thoughts on the policies as it stands if you would would like please there's no pressure please and more so what I'm what I'm wondering is whether this is a a current policy that you um support if you think it's going to improve the environment of your building and what would be your ask of the board well according to the policy that is set it is I follow the same recommendation that no cell phone should be out um during the school day that is included during the cafeteria time um it's been my experience that especially at the level that I have they're learning and they haven't quite um become proficient when it comes to ethical practices with cell phone usage and um it maybe one of the first things that I think about is when we have confidentially confidential matters dealing with our students especially if a student cannot have their photo um or pictures or videos taking of them without parent permission especially at that age level um for a student who may not be um mindful of that practice that would become a distraction if they're being recorded without their fam's permission to say hey they can be recorded um again that would cause additional um issues and concerns and so it is my recommendation that I followed that as well that no cell phones are on campus um out and um you in usage um during that time of the school day after school is fine I have actually seen students pull out their phone and tell their parents as they're getting on the bus I'm I'm leaving school now so so there is a usage for that to um provide um Assurance to the parents but while we're on school grounds there was a reason why so many years ago we put phones in every room of every building so that if a child needs to connect with their families they're able to do so so it's my recommend that they don't have them out as well all right thank you principal Mor good afternoon everyone good evening I should say good evening um for me personally right now the high school we're using a policy that's taking place now where there's actually no cell phones in the classroom can I hear you very well miss not very well right now at the high school um we're using a policy that I believe that's formatted already that was voted in in which we have no cell phones in the classroom the students are allowed to use it in the cafeteria now with that being said I'm finding out even that's a problem because when the students are in the cafeteria they'll start texting when they're about to get ready to fight or whatever else then you got kids coming out of the classroom so I believe it short and sweet and simple yeah no cell phones after school yes but then while it's in the building at the high school it's just a safety issue as well thank you so much I appreciate you all being willing to speak um it was put on trusty Gavin's heart and and ironically I said I was thinking the exact same thing but I didn't know if it would be out of place to ask you all to speak so I do appreciate you um sharing your Insight we do honor your voices as you are the ones that are directly within the building with the students at this time I'll reopen the floor if there's the other trustees vice president Bowen um I have concerns I support the elimination of cell phones my concern is school has started and doing the policy in the middle well in the beginning I think will create um it will create a Avalanche of problems so how do we do that and what is the fallback I think we need to be preparing looking at that it will be a fallback on it however I got a chance to a couple of weeks ago um Bud was showing me some of the Landscaping stuff Director D D sorry and a teacher came up to well a teacher stopped and we got to see it and he reached out within the there were students just on their phone listening to music they were you know he was like like it's a problem he can't control it so by us trying to eliminate it in the middle of the year when we have not accept this process I think it's gonna be naive for us however I also remember last year Mr M was giving me a tour of the building and one of the parents called their kids and informed them that somebody passed away the kid was distraught and those are what some of our administrators and teachers are dealing with so I it will be fallback how do we do this we Implement a policy but how do we do it and make sure that it's not causing more distractions with the teachers the security and everything because it's going the way it is all right so Dr Buzz can you briefly tell us how you're planning to if policy passes how are you planning to operationalize and what is that roll out going to look like that roll out will look like a it it will have to be a mass communication project so we make we have to make sure that we not only just do robo calls but send letters uh do H do our do our website social media post whatever we can to get it out to parents and students about the the update we also have to make sure that we get our student handbooks our code of conducts printed as quickly as possible and disseminated throughout the district so that parents will know and it'll be in written format that they can reference have something to physically reference uh in this process so although I know it it will be something that would be new but um I will call this our our trial phase so that if we come into if we find anything that we missed or anything that we need to revisit I think now will be the best time to look at it and and maybe if we need to shift gears or or make some necessary changes uh January this will be our trial period from now until then so that we can perfect the policy all right and then I have a quick followup for you to that um the policy does note that violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action and or confiscation of the personal cell phone device or communication device I know that you mentioned earlier updating the student code but would you at this time have any clarification as to what type of consequences would be the result of having a cell phone um and the reason that I'm asking is because I know there's going to be a transition period in the students getting accustomed to using or not being able to use the device and so I just kind of want to know what types of um consequences potentially will be issued during that transition period but moving forward as well first and foremost we have to put in a timeline for so to give students some time to adjust secondly we have to we U make sure that we continue to use the pr aggressive discipline so it would not be just an automatic you're you're out of school type deal so again it takes even for adults it takes six six weeks for things to become a habit so there will be a transition period as far as what discipline would look like it would be turned in the phone after that transition period it would be up be turned into Administration parents would have to come and pick the phone up um again and I'm also looking at what uh secretary triplet has ALS has stated earlier we don't want to be responsible for uh paying for students phones so again um it it would be a transition period and for us to make sure that we get it right so that's why I was saying it would be a trial a trial period from now to January because again I I don't want to fall into the district being responsible for these very expensive cell phones all right um trusty rocket Martin did you have any input yes I um has some experience with having to come and pick up a cell phone and uh the administration did not take the cell phone from the child but the child you had to come and get it from the child so the parent directly it was from my hand his hand to my hand and that works best um that way the school district would not be responsible for um any have any liabilities concerning their cell phones um one second Dr bus I just have a quick clarification for you so in our package there is and it may be more so of a trusty Gavin there's two 5136 policies one's dated 821 and one is dated 9913 I'm under the impression at the 913 2024 is the one that we would be voting on correct hey so that's not showing up on my it's in my book digal which may off uh okay so I have the correct one all right um secretary triplet had something to notate in response really quickly so the one just for clarity the one that you're talking about is the same one that's on the digital copy yes okay thank you yeah I guess one one thing too I I just I really want you all from experience I want you all to understand that it's very dangerous to take their phone yes it is it is very dangerous you you just that they live on their phone and you do not want to get into taking their cell phone you're GNA have to roll it out if you roll it out right now you roll it out in the fall you roll it it's going to be rolled out because this is a national issue it's not just an issue here it's a very and it's a very serious issue and it also because if instruction is going going on quality instruction is going on in these classrooms you won't have as many distractions as you have a lot of the problems that you have also is that students go into a 60-minute class period and they're done with instruction and everything in 15 minutes and so they have a whole bunch of time to be on their phone so those are things when we talk about it if we roll it out there need to be a conversation with the student you know know assemblies and let them know give them the date that this will actually start if it's going to start at the end of the trimester mean or at the end of the marking period whenever it is going to start they need to know and there need to be communication with the students because they are going to be the ones that's going to affect the rooc calls and and uh those things parents are sick of of those they get Robo calls on a regular basis some don't even pay attention to them after after a while but the thing and and and you're GNA have to have documentation something written up that when they go through this policy and what it is is going to have to have their signature on it to state that they receive this policy because we do we do we already have our student handbook we have the handbook we just have not printed because we were waiting on the update for this policy we have a draft we have a draft copy of it thank you all right so there's a few things in the policy 5136 that we're considering that I think is important to note um of course it does prohibit the personal communication devices but it does indicate unless approved by a supervising teacher an administrator or an IEP team students are prohibited from using personal um communication devices so I think that's more so as to what trusty gabin was acquiring inquiring about earlier um there's also some exceptions where it can be used during the school day examples of those exceptions are a the student has a special Health medical condition um his or her own special Health medical condition which requires the use of a device to monitor for example blood sugar um B the student is using a personal cell phone device for an educational or instructional purpose I.E taking notes Etc and then see the student is involved in an extracurricular activity after school hours and needs to communicate with his or her parent a guardian when the activity is ending so the student can be picked up so there is some flexibility in the policy for those moments where it is necessary for the students and so I think that's important for the general public to note um I am personally in favor of the policy I can say from personal experience um knowing of a special youth to myself that was engaged in a conflict that originated based off social media uh started the night before and then continued into the the school building requiring that I myself come in and actually participate in um a round table with students so I I have firsthand knowledge of uh the difficulties that cellphones create within the school system and so even though it is uh easiest for me to communicate with my daughter via text I definitely support us going to this system and as a parent would not have a problem with going through the proper channels of cont the school to relate information to her as well so if there is no other discussion from the board you have the floor thank you okay so what I would like to say is that we did do a cell phone town hall and we had an opportunity to hear from parents from students from other um administrators and other schools who have laid out this policy and to our surprise there actually were a number of students who were in favor of the cell phone ban and those who did have a issue um when presented with an alternative option in terms of the parent can contact the school in case there's emergency and the parent can pick them up you know if if there is a death in the family and they need to respond emotionally too that it's in a safe space once they were given those types of options the students were were okay um with that option so I'm grateful to the board it sounds like you all are open I just want to make sure I'm clear open to this policy with the caveat that if there is a building principal approval of a special condition the cell phone can be used just want to make sure like um and that's in a special condition that's not a a daily um blanket okay and then personally was okay with the cafeteria use but I highly respect the principal's decisions on that issue and in conjunction with the superintendent and so I can support um I can support the um the ban for the full day um I'm not boots on the ground in the cafeteria and so you all have to have to deal with that and the student safety is number one so I'm in support um I'm in support of that what I would recommend just listening to the trustees what I would recommend is that we put an effective date um maybe I don't know like January or a time frame so that the superintendent can actually do a roll out um I don't know what date works for the board but I guess I defer to president Robinson for a suggestion or or Dr buz for a suggestion but I don't think it should be effective immediately if we don't have the proper communication roll out and that time frame to develop those administrative guidelines to uh scaffold the the roll out does that make sense I have no objections Dr buz your thoughts thank you madam president and you're right uh president excuse me chairman uh Gavin in reference to the the roll out they they official start date so as I look at the calendar when we come back from the the winter break I think the start the the the um the start dat the roll out will will start prior to that but the actual uh call it U date to start the policy will be January to 6 effective effective date will be January 6 thank you thank you so much so I would just move that we support rep this um policy 5136 with the amendment that the effective rollout date is January 6 2025 all right and so at this as it stands this policy is within a consent agenda um being that there does not appear to be um much difference between the way that the board feels at this time I'm okay with us continuing to finalize the second readings for the rest of the policies and then we can um take a vote as long as the board is clear that the date effective um to impact the actual schools will be that January 6 2025 days so on this one the one the actual one is where they're talking about I would just like the committee to look at that where we talking about taking cell phones and making sure that that is not something that our staff would would would do or be able to do um uh just for the safety of the staff and um because I they took no you don't I don't think anybody disagrees with you that um secretary trip I thank you for picking up on that piece um can we further make the amendment that the cell phone that staff does not take cell phones and that the parent it would be the parents responsibility to retrieve the cell phone from the student and I've also I've also seen well what I'm what I what I had to operate under and within phones phone calls are made to the parent you know like you said when you talk about the step the steps and what he have ask the student to to give you the cell I mean to turn the cell phone off the cell phone is not supposed to be V visible they don't I mean they that's a warning and then a phone call is made to the parent to let them know that this is happening because like you said it's Progressive but it also put the responsibility on the student and so again like I said from my experience and uh the experience I had here is because at one point we had a principal here who at they were taking the student cell phone charging them like 20 $5 to get the phone back the first time and then they took the cell phone and they charged them $30 the second time and um I I the and a student I was the assistant principal here and the student asked me how can you all charge me to get a cell phone back from you that you did not spend a dime on and so that that that really created a problem and it ended up with y'all gonna give me my so and so so and so phone so you know I I I sat there and I I experienced it and so again because they that's their lifeline and so we don't want to set anybody up for failure as well we don't want to set our kids up too so we have to gradually teach them how to to use their phone in the right manner in a responsible manner Okay so if I as I see it it say it does notate confiscation of the personal um communication device in the policy as it stands currently am I looking at did you remove that I'm looking at it now it could be it's a PDF format but I can't we can't update it we can you can the board has the divide the authority to notate the adoption with the with the updated language in there and I make sure that I've notated it where the no where the language needs to be updated my Madam president okay so we're going to I'm just going to ask that we pause because I know that um this is a very important discussion but I do want to make sure that we um don't go down a rabbit hole in trying to get the device the uh personal communication device policy in the manner that we feel comfortable so we're going to continue um but I just don't want us to go down a rabbit hole trusty uh vice president Bowens my question is can speaking your mic my question on us not confiscating confiscating the cell phones when it becomes a legal issue or you have to use that phone for evidence what are you left to do that's when when I'm like if you're giving it back I can destroy my go ahead and provide that clarification to him thank you madam president so uh vice president it states in the policy the violation involves potentially illegal activity confiscated p uh PCD personal device may be turned over over to law enforcement so it'll be up to law enforcement to confiscate the the device in that in those instances okay so the last notation that I just want to you know make sure that the board is aware of there is and not saying I disagree with us not confiscating devices but there will be that one student that will not take the phone turn the phone off you may try to call a parent and they may say I'm not coming up there for that and so I want to make sure that the district is thinking realistically about how do we then interact with the student who's there for the school day refuses to turn the phone off and the parent refuses to come pick them up or come confiscate the device one second president Robinson those circumstances will take place so I want to make sure we are being realistic in how the district is going to respond to that so then I'll go to uh truste Gavin and and I'm not sure if that was rockat Martin or secretary triplet okay trusty Gavin what I would say is I think we're kind of getting into administrative guidelines we have a broad policy that allows us to confiscate the phone if we have to and the policy also allows for the parent to come pick it up up right and what I would say is in those administrative guidelines that's where we get that's where we have more time to get more specific I'm definitely in favor of not um trying to take a phone from the from the child unless there is a a incident in which truste Bowens um mentioned but I think that we have you know just in reading this we have all of that here we have that broad ability to do that and then when we go back in terms of administrative guidelines we can get more specific so I'm actually thinking that the only amendment would be that it's effective um January 6 that gives Dr buz an opportunity to connect with his executive team with principles uh with impacted folks and then come up with administrative guidelines with the policy committee that will actually lay out those those specific needs and so yeah I believe that we're ready to to move forward with the motion with the um amendment to just include a a start date okay so you're saying you would prefer to leave using the personal communication device and uh the notation of confiscation you would prefer it to remain in there in case it's absolutely necessary yes and what I would say is we would we would catch it on our end and the policy committee to make sure that those administrative guidelines really do not call for confiscation unless it's an incident like uh what vice president Bor mentioned you know you're trying to retrieve some evidence in a in a major situation okay secretary triple one final brief statement and then we'll proceed then and and and in that situation where a student refuses to um give the phone up or what have you that becomes that's a part of defiance of of authority that becomes a part of of defiance of school Personnel so that falls into that category where that's automatic expension those things you student can't defy School Personnel depends on what the policy says about that so when the principal or someone request the phone they refuse to give it that that that's that's a non-negotiable and that student is suspended from school because all of that should fall into place that should be specific if they refuse to give the if they where where I am if they refuse to give the cell phone up that automatic suspension is defance of school Personnel all right so we're going to proceed uh trusty Gavin if you want to lead us through the remainder of our second readings so the other and I would also say that wasn't mentioned is that there are mental health um benefits to reducing screen time so I think we're I think we're making a good decision here um we also have policy 1240 the evaluation of the superintendent um policy 6320 um purchasing updates policy 6325 procurement of federal funds policy 6350 prevailing wages I think that I think there was some discussion in terms of prevailing wages and what we decided was that the superintendent shall designate no was not that the superintendent would designate a prevailing w coordinator it was that the superintendent um or his design would serve as the prevailing wage coordinator for the district that's correct um is that that that's correct okay okay perfect and policy 1540 uh new admin staff reduction recalls many of these policies were just some minor uh changes based on the law or or just um legal language and so it was our recommendation to move forward uh with these policies just knowing that the cell phone one was the only one that really would have required much conversation and so my recommendation is that we uh move to um pass these policy updates um and I move that we I make a motion that we support staff report S1 a motion has been made by truste Gavin that we support staff report S1 um and these are regarding bylaw policy reference policy 5136 superintendent recommendations cell phone policy 1240 evaluation of the superintendant policy 1540 New administrative staff reductions SL recall policy 6320 purchasing annual updates policy 6325 procurement fed funds policy 6350 prevailing wage recommended action that the bent Harbor Area Schools Board of Education votes to approve the bent Harbor area schools revised reissued Neola bylaws and policies 5136 1240 1540 6320 6325 and 6350 as presented as stated the motion has been made by trustee Gavin is there a second or support I support the motion has been made by trusty Gavin and supported by trusty rocket Martin we've had extensive convers ation over this discussion in our polic reads um however the table is open if there's any other questions comments or concerns I'm hoping none all right secretary triplet can you please call the vote slay that in there smooth didn't yeah I did have a question but I'm good I just you know I just struggle with the fact that go ahead with your question no I just struggle with the fact that information is sent and we just don't have access to it and that is that's a you know for some Unown I don't know what that is about um you have things on the agenda or or you have things that you need to look at and you need to study and then you come here then it has to be shared with us in the 11th hour and then we have to make a decision so whoever is responsible for that because I do I I I just had the discussion uh with the cell phone with the other policies and I know the situ with the superintendent evaluation all are State mandated things that we needed to to rush through but um I'm good all right I'll also remind the board that we have had uh two work sessions where no one was in attendance and so these policies were on those agendas and we've had an opportunity to review them pres yes ma'am I wouldn't say no one was in attendance well we didn't have a quorum in attendance thank you for that clarification quum but that's another talk show yeah but the quum had I hav please allow me to the only clarification I was trying to provide is a reminder to the board that we have had our agenda with these particular policies for at least a minimum of two weeks because we we've done first readings yeah I understand that but the but your your point is valid too yeah the quum has nothing to do with not being able to open the document because if we had a for we still wouldn't have been able to open and so this is not something I'm not just saying this um cons concerning this but this happens repeatedly and we've discusted and people have the trustees have called and said I cannot open this I can't get I don't know why everything why these things are locked when it's for us to make decisions so something needs to be done it's not it it it needs to be dealt with and it needs to be address and it it needs to be handled so that regardless to what that when these things are sent out this going to be on the agenda because this last minute stuff is is is making me very very very uncomfortable because we are making some very serious decision and this is going to become policy for this District I I am not technically illiterate I want that clear and I know when I can't open and I don't have access to certain specific things so I that's why I said it so noted secretary tripley can you please call the vote for staff report S1 president Robinson absolutely yes Miss singer you make sure because I couldn't open up that piece where we would be able to keep the attendance going can you make sure that we have that documented that the president said absolutely yes thank you uh vice president Bowen yes trustee rocket Martin yes truste Gavin yes secretary triplet yes motion carries all right staff report S1 has passed including the superintendent's recommendations for the cell phone just want to make sure that we reiterate that the effective date meaning the date that it will be operationalized in the district is January 6th of 2025 yes all right so thank you everyone for that discussion um we will go back to the protocol of limiting uh to two minutes per truste per topic I just wanted to give us an opportunity to have a thorough conversation regarding the cell phone policy next we have reinstatement of student staff report sss1 thank you president Robinson this is a staff report regarding a um request to reinstate a student the request was for that that file to be public and I noticed here that it says uh the reason for board consideration per policy requires the school board to review any student request for reinstatement policy reference 5610 following an incident in October of 2023 said student SD was expelled from Benton harbur schools after 150 days the policy allows the student and family to petition the school board for reinstatement a petition of reinstatement was received from the student and family on August 27 2024 to be reinstated at Ben harbard area schools following the board policy there was a Review Committee whose recommendation is as follow follows learning environment Ben Harbor area schools will development um Review Committee whose recommendation as follows learning environment Ben harbury schools will develop maintain and Implement with Fidelity a multi-tier system of support that enhances the culture and learning environment recommended action that the Ben harbard Area Schools Board of Education votes to approve the reinstatement of the said student to the Ben Harbor area schools effective October 9th 2024 I would say that there needs to be added that it was a reinstatement with with restrictions okay so I would just notate that that the recommendation of our discipline and policy committee there were some restrictions in terms of assigning some mentorship um some attendance requirements um opportunities to um make it right if you will with those um who were wronged and um just some some opportunities to to check in uh with appointed staff um and I I um yeah thank you so that's being added here okay trusty Gavin would you like to make the motion for SSS one yes so that's added on the on the policy now which um I feel much better about so I make a motion that um this board approves um policy I'm sorry report S2 SSS one and then I would ask you said SSS one yeah yeah the reinstatement it's the same one you're referencing but it's trip S1 on my or is my agenda hold on one second now it says S2 online it says S2 onine S2 okay so I would ask um so a so after we take this vote I'm gonna we're gonna take a quick pause um a very brief recess I'm gonna um direct Dr buts to ensure that I have an accurate printed copy of the agenda there's no way that I can accurately chair um I don't use my cell phone and I don't look at the computer I use the printed copy so I need a I need an accurate copy of the agenda in order to appropriately chair okay so this is S1 S2 S2 okay uh trusty Gavin would you please do me a favor for S2 and reread the recommended action with the uh noted Amendment sure recommended action that the Ben harber Schools Board of Education votes to approve the reinstatement of the said student to the Ben hararia schools effective October 9th 2024 with conditions of mentorship restorative justice and checking in with appointed staff um yeah I move that we support staff report S2 is there a second or support second the motion has been made by trusty Gavin and supported by vice president B any questions comments or concerns Madam president you have the floor I do have a question I understand that the parent signed the fur release my question is will this documentation be put on the line and if it is can this individual I know they signed to release but can we retract some information I'm not understanding the question okay never mind it could just be me you can read I wasn't I mean okay you have the floor so can you pull up to your mic please who was on the discipline um when I'm I'm looking at the timeline for if this student was suspended for 180 days and there's a a window that they had to request to return and uh so who was on the committee from the Board of Education uh great question um I was present I would also add I know this is not your question but I would also add that the director student Support Services was there there was a teacher there present um principal assistant principal there was other staff um from the I believe I believe it's from the county maybe uh like there was there was a number of staff there um app parent um is it called apparent representative that was there as well so it was a it was I must say it was a very organized um meeting and and Dr bus was there as well on uh virtually It Was a Very Organized meeting and there was an ample opportunity for everyone to ask questions and connect uh with the student and the parent and there was full agreement um with the terms of the of the stipulations and that all of these added things are to help that student and provide support to make sure that that she's successful yeah and and and that wasn't to that wasn't to um either way if if it's brought to us we're going to respect the fact that it was brought to us but uh the previous administration at one point for bent for forever benh haror area schools had a policy in place where there were three board members who had to be present and they would present to those three board members to make the recommendation of students that were going to be expelled from Benton Harvard area school the principal was to present the packet to the the superintendent and the superintendent brings the packet to the board those three members and they make the decision as to whether or not they will come back to uh come and bring it to the board of education so and and for some unknown reason uh with the last administration because when it came before the board and their present their presentation for students was not accurate was not correct and we sent them back so it was just switched immediately that the superintendent would have the power to expel students and I don't think that I think that we need to reconsider and we need to go back to that policy where we have three board members present that the and so when the when the case is presented because we found in several situations where the school had not done its due diligence as it related to the student and so I would like for us to re I've said this this is the last I've said it uh since I've been on the board of education and since that policy I don't think that policy was ever officially changed but because we have to come and vote on something that we have not gotten gr I'm grateful that truste Gavin was available to be there and so we have to vote on something but we don't really but we did not have the representation in there from the Board of Education in my in my thought to be able to say that we trust our our colleagues our colleague was there all procedures and policies were followed because we cannot just give that power and it's not about power we just cannot give that power to the superintendent of the district when it's our responsibility we should be the ones that make that decision whether or not a student is officially expelled because we have to they have to come to the board to get reinstated so that they have to come to the board to get reinstated they need to come to the board before they expel so thank thank you for that comment um um secretary triplet what I would say is we did revisit that policy and what we found is that the board does have the right um to be present um what we didn't want to do was hold up the progress if three board members were not present and so the board members were all given um an opportunity to attend and you can't and just what I would say is in the interest of the time because the parent has a legal right to have a response within a certain period of time and so with that they were able to move forward with one board member present um what I would say is if you're interested in adjusting that policy and requiring that three board members are present we definitely need to look at our I say this respectfully we need to look at our attendance and we have to make sure that we actually are going to be there um because those meetings usually take place during the school day and it's not so easy to get a board member there so we wouldn't want to hold up the process um that's that's my recommendation is that we are extended the opportunity we show up if we don't then the superintendent has and his staff have a right to move forward that's that's a policy you know that's a policy change that would have to happen yeah the legal the legal when something is done like that there's a 10day window that they have to have there are things that have to specifically happen within a 10day window and so when you like you said there's a uh uh uh the president identifi those people that would represent the board if say for instance you can't make it you're a part of that three you can't make somebody step in and replace so we would know that but the there we we we we might be in violation of of students rights and what have you that this stuff is not done within a 10day window right before it comes before us okay and what have you so than we can so to my to my colleague so I um in in listening to the conversation and and secretary triplet I am um grateful to you asking who was present because you all know I'm big on and and and so I'm very familiar with that the policy specifically states that you have to have two board members present on that committee and So based on trusty Gavin's um statement she was the only trustee that was present so the hearing um although this is a recommendation that was provided and I do trust truste Gavin um her input I am afraid that if we take an active vote on this policy to reinstate the the student at this time we will be doing so in violation of the bylaw as it stands 5610 because it does specifically state to board members president Robinson may we pull up that policy just yeah I've just asked the superintendent to do it so what we're going to do is we're gonna um take a brief recess um I'm going to give us about a 10-minute window at 7:26 we we'll I guess we can do about 14 minutes we'll come back to the table at 7:40 um I'm asking that the board take an opportunity to review the policy um and then we'll proceed from there so we're going to go to recess as of 720 it's now 727 returning at 7:40 is is he gonna is Dr bus Dr bu is gonna yep so this is just to give us an opportunity so that the public is not just sitting here waiting as we look through so we're going to take a brief recess returning at 740 uh recess as of 727 all right so we are returning from Recess effective 74 6: p.m. everyone has had an opportunity to review the policy Dr buts I'd ask that you uh give a brief update as to what um I know you've had an opportunity to consult with two of your committee members as well as secretary triplet you have the floor to speak thank you yes ma'am according to policy 5610 under weapons arson criminal sexual conduct uh e section e a student expelled under this policy for dangerous weapons arson criminal sexual conduct or assault upon an employee volunteer or contractor May apply for reinstatement in accordance with the following guidelines section e States within 10 with within 10 excuse me within 10 school days after receiving the petition the board shall appoint a subcommittee consisting of two board members a school administrator a teacher and a parent representative during this time period the superintendent shall prepare and submit for for consideration by the committee information concerning circumstances of the exposion and any factors mitigating for or against reinstatement that's the portion that was in question so trusty Gavin has a question trust this situation wasn't um this situation was not weapons arson or criminal sexual conduct assault on an employee at the end at the end it says or an assault on an employee volunteer contractor okay so then Dr busz my question okay so so I you anyone that has come to the meetings is very knowledgeable on the fact that I am very calm and cool with pretty much everything and um our trustees will make comments and have concerns and they may be at a level of 90 on a heat factor and I might be presenting on a level of a 20 and I try to bring people down uh but when it comes to policy and the operationalizing of policy I think everyone is is very much aware that it is something that is extremely serious to me and and I will go to Z to 100 very quickly as it relates to the operationalization of policy and so I am completely uncomfortable um with the fact that we proceeded with one board member when the policy states that it has to be two um my concern is that when things are brought before the board table and and other trustees have said this before and when they say it I I step in I try to uh sugarcoat and bring the heat down a little bit but when we are brought things to the board table we are trusting that the Administration has operationalized and vetted what is being brought to us thoroughly because we are the individuals who have been voted in and trusted to take a vote that reflects what the policies of this District the administrative guidelines as well as the bylaws of the Board of Education indicate and so we are in a position now where we have to make a decision as to whether we're going to take a vote that directly conflicts with our policy because we uh did not do our due diligence um as it relates to getting our committee together in the manner that the policy states I will acknowledge that it appears that uh two out of the three committee members were unavailable however my heightened level of concern is that this is not something that was caught by Administration that two board members were required and so had secretary triplet not asked the question as to who was present we would have been taken a vote in violation of policy unknowingly um I would anticipate and hope that every administrator and uh executive team member is fully aware of what the policy states and so I have extreme concern with the manner in which we have been operating as it relates to student discipline because of some such a major oversight um so I don't feel comfortable taking this vote and quite honestly I'm in a position as a board president where I don't know what to do um there are board members that are saying we missed the deadline so we have to proceed but we will be proceeding in direct disregard of what our policy states so I'm asking you are we within window of the time frame required that if we have to we could redo the hearing being aware of what the committee is currently um recommending now if we were to go back and do that in the manner that we should are we are within our deadline to do that we are within we we are within a time frame that we can do the committee the student um the the ask was to get the student back into school as soon as possible we have until October 30th to redo the hearing secretary trip well Madam president I'm not I'm I'm I'm one of the board members that um I'm not at 20 I am not the president of the board of education but I am a trustee of the Board of Education we pay millions of dollars in fees um for employees and then in particular at the central Administration level it is the responsibility of the superintendent of Ben Harvard area school to make sure that all policy are being followed it is not the responsibility of the board of educations and so when we hear things about the board is micromanaging and and those types of things and there are things that we just do not discuss publicly before this uh before our our body and and before our constituent however we have a discipline Committee of three people before this meeting was scheduled and this hearing was scheduled trusty Gavin trusty Doyle and trustee rocket Martin are the discipline are members on the discipline committee it is a responsibility of the superintendent to make sure that every thing that's presented from the policy anything that's presented to us that it is in alignment with the policy so it is not the board's responsibility and I want to take this opportunity to thank trusty Gavin for being in attendance I don't know if all three of the board members were contacted and were talked to to find out a time where all of them could be there to take care of this business this is a serious matter and so I am very disturbed once again so there's no micromanaging but because of things that we see is almost forcing us to become de facto employees because of all of the mistakes or all of the things because I'm sitting up here I'm struggling tonight in this meeting I'm struggling with reports not being grammatically semantically correct or or or or the right date and the right policy the what the report name is and all of these different things and everybody is so busy so I just I'm starting to ask what are you busy with because when we come to this table we are fuming we are struggling not because of us and I want to make that clear and I want that on the record and so I I I appreciate your leadership but the deal is this anything that come before this board of education that's presented by the superintendent to this board of education for review and for vote must be in alignment with policy and it must be clear because I will not sit at this table not another time and and this and and and the reports that we see before us that we're sitting here we're looking at policies we're thinking when this stuff should have been done before it came to this table if it was not prepared it should not be presented to us and I definitely want that on the record and moving forward that will be the expectation because in the in the end our students our parents they suffer and they are the only reason that we are here and anybody that think is anything else you got it wrong they are number one priority and it is unacceptable for us to be sitting before our citizens and it has absolutely nothing to do with election nothing it's the right thing to do and our community our students our parents our St they deserve the very best because the standards that our employees are being being held to on the lower level should be the same standard that Central Administration the superintendent of the school district and Central Administration should and will be held to thank you president Robin you have the floor um what I'm wondering is just in the interest of time you know do we have the and I'll just say like this is why I think it's so important to have attorneys present especially in exposion hearings and at at Schoolboard meetings but what I'm wondering is you know do we have the authority to um set aside the policy or amend the policy for this um instance so that we can reinstate the student and then moving forward um make those necessary adjustments because trusty rocket Martin is present she's in support of reinstating the student so I'm just wondering like do we have have seen boards set aside policy to make a decision and then you know move forward as needed is that an option okay so my um have two concerns with that I understand that trusty rocket Martin um is in support of reinstatement however if trusty Martin was not present within the reinstatement hearing then I'm unsure how she would be able to make a a determination to be in support of if she wasn't present um I am not I am aware that you can disregard particular rules my concern is more so the equity every other student that has had to um come before the board for reinstatement I would hope has been required to do it with two board members present um as indicated by the policy and so to me we would be making an exception as it relates to one particular student and so I don't know from a legal standpoint whether or not that's a can of worms that we want to open and so I don't know if you all think I'm being too technical about it if if if the majority of the board is at a place where you want to proceed with the vote then then by all means I'm only one person at the table but what I am communicating that I I am extremely uncomfortable with doing a vote to reinstate a student knowing that there was not two board members present and so if the will of the majority of the board is to proceed and take the vote I am telling you now that my vote will be no and I want it fully documented that the Board of Education president voted no and strongly advised the board against however I am only one vote I I that President Robinson what I would say is that I mean it appears that prior to our committee assembl that the superintendent was making bilateral decisions on explosions and and reinstatements prior to so I so I can clarify that am you know so in terms of equity this has been the most Equitable um process that's been in Play Over the you know last few years years so I'm definitely I don't want to I Won't Go Back and Forth whatever the board decides I'm in I'll be in support of that okay so the clarification that I will I will provide just for your reference is that when you came along and became the chair of the policy committee and had interest in discipline I merged the two prior to that there was individuals that were placed on a discipline committee but we were also operating in a manner where we were asking other individuals if they were available so to ensure that we always had a set of designes that were available we just created a merge policy and discipline committee so we've always to my knowledge and I'm nervous even sitting and thinking about it we've always had the two board members present it was just extremely different difficult to identify who would be present because there was no one that was particularly required to be present if that makes sense and so in creating the discipline and policy committees a discipline committee and then merging the two we had three individuals that we knew were defin as being accountable to doing this work trusty rocket Martin you had a statement um Madam president since we have time he said we have until October 30th is it reasonable to think that we could convene again as a as a discipline committee um that would satisfy the terms of this um of this situation and uh then make further recommendations I also would like to make some recommendations for a policy I have no I have no objection I mean you're recommending that we not proceed um treasure uh please notate that treasur Katon is present as of 801 PM treasur Katon yes thank you um good evening just wondering um so my first question is um who violated the policy that's in question so it it would be those that were present in the hearing and those that could that allowed the hearing to proceed uh without there being two two board members present so I would take that to be Administration okay and specifically who are you referring to when you say Administration the superintendent okay perfect so according to this policy it says that the board shall appoint I think the committee was appointed I think the viol is clear that it was because the superintendent violated the policy so I just wanted to be clear that the board did his due diligence and for the record I was asked by the president to be an alternate and I was not contacted so at this time I would like to make the recommendation that um some board action is taken in regards to this because the board did not violate the policy the superintended violated the policy so the committee was appointed and the policy was violated because because the superintendent moved forward with that policy and with that meeting without making sure that the policy was being followed um so um I think some action need to be taken if the vote is no then it can be no but to say that the board violated the policy I think is an incorrect statement thank you treasur Katon did I say we violated it or you just wanted to make sure it was clear on the record well well I think um I'm not sure who's taking the minutes if they can recall back what you said but I think it was noted from my memory that you didn't feel comfortable with us taking a vote because we would be violating our own Poli understood thank you um so at this particular time I would ask that there's secretary tripley you had one final uh comment we've already gotten one but this is quite a serious topic it is very serious and you know for me again we we we have to make sure that we are in compliant and I think again that all of the things that were put in place I'm I'm I'm concerned even uh with the fact that there was so many other entities involved in this F the parent did not request an open meeting because the question in um a the question in an expulsion hearing is simply this do you want the meeting open or do you want the meeting closed point of clarity I mean I'm just asking I don't know it it was an open meeting and yes so the way that it was presented information should have been provided to the board as well yes and and so when we look here I just want us to stay close um that we stay close on the board with our responsibility and not you know because a lot of it it appears from what trust we Gavin presented to us tonight that there was a lot of work done there and so how does it Li and I understand as the president of this board of education and and and and really the the uh overseer of our policies and what we do here at this table um not feeling comfortable moving forward and and and even having a conversation with the attorney as to how we can move quickly and not make it as tough for the parent and the student to have to go through this all again because it look it makes us look like we did not do what we were supposed to do and we didn't we did okay so um at this time I'm asking if there's a motion let me get my agenda so I can make sure I know what what it's actually labeled as um I'm asking if it's a motion to table staff report S2 regarding the reinstatement of student hearing none I'm I I'm taking it that someone wants to put the motion on the floor to to continue if there's no one wanting to table it what is the will of the board I make a a motion I just call for a motion and no one said anything is there a motion to table staff report [Music] S2 ISO move is there a second or support support the motion has been made by secretary triplet and supported by trusty rockat Martin that we table staff report S2 any additional questions comments or concerns just real quick I would like to reiterate my request that we start having an attorney at these exposion hearings and reinstatement hearings for our own protection I think it would be really important for us to have an attorney present I agree 100% trusty Gavin secretary triplet and and that was a common practice and if if nothing else not here if we can't afford to have an attorney at all of our our board meetings an attorney was always present at the expulsion hearing there was no way you you it's very dangerous even going into an expulsion hearing without an attorney because if we had an attorney there the attorney probably would have advised that we are not prepared to move forward so that's something that and and again the policy for 100 plus years with the Board of Education was that there were three board members who made up the discipline committee and an alternate that was on there and the it was the responsibility of the the the principal to bring the information to the superintendent the superintendent make the decision whether or not is to go forward for the actual expulsion and then the superintendent is the one that brings the recommendation to the board of education and so and and and then he supports with his team and what have you to justify how and why we came to this resolve it was just that it was changed because the Board of Education the superintendent the previous superintendent brought some information to the Board of Education they had not done their due diligence and the board rejected the the expulsion and the next time we met that power was given to the superintendent to expel our children and we cannot do that that is not the way that we operate there is a due process and there are protocol and that is to protect not only our district but it's also to protect our citizens because if some if if this has happened now I'm thinking what everything follow to the te as related to even coming before the board for expulsion that's why we are trustees and we are put here by the citizens of Benton Harbor and benh hary Area School District which is made up of seven or eight different municipalities so again I support that uh Madame President and I appreciate um you there and and and trusty Gavin I appreciate those comments as well Madame President trusty Ro I also would like it be noted that it's also to protect the victim uh you know we talk a lot about the person that's being expelled but what about the victim of the person that whatever happened with perpetrated on so it's I think it'll cover both everything I don't want us to forget that the person that had that fell victim to whatever uh happened um they have rights also and they're just as important as the person that's being expelled if not more so because the the incident was against them so um I want us to keep that in mind too the victim is an important part of this also and to my knowledge the victim was there so the recommendation um the recommendation that we received was very comprehensive and and you know when I just think of the folks that were there they were all the people there that could support that student and give them what they needed so that they could uh you know uh go forward yeah I would I that's the thing I really like and and want to take a look at the fact that they had a a support group up under them to help them move forward for both groups yeah I would just like to add that the victim was present and that the victim was advocating in support of student reinstating the student so those amends were made um and there was a continued um plan for you know continued amends so it was it was pretty comprehensive uh the Dr bus mam president if I may just say I um e does say within 10 school days after receiving the petition the board shall appoint a subcommittee consisting of two board members a school administrator a teacher and a School parent representative the subcommittee was was uh appointed during the meeting however there was only one board member at the meeting so it was pres it was uh put together it was uh appointed at the meeting and it was says during this time period prepare submit for consideration by the committee concerning the circumstances of the exposure so Dr buz I'm not sure um I'm not sure if you're intending to indicate that you don't think the policy was violated because they were appointed because they were not present and so I would think that it would be expected that the committee appointed should be present so I guess I'm not really understanding the point you're attempting to make I may be missing it basically the point is the point I'm trying to make is that uh everything was prepared um unfortunately all the the the board members were not uh able to make it but we haven't taken a vote as of yet so nothing has has been violated as of yes at this table we have time to make sure that we reconvene and so what I want to notate and I and I did hear you indicate that you were on vacation at the time and or I think that's what you whisper to me but what I wanted what I want to note is that the moment that it was realized that there was only one board member present that hearing should not have taken place and so I do not know who was the person that was in charge at that particular time because I you know I don't want to go into any further discussions that may sound as uh reflection or a judgment of a person's employment but the moment that it was determined that there was not a committee that was consistent as the policy determined that hearing should not have took forward but should not have gone forward and so my advice to Administration would be to ensure I would ask that you send out a memo and and and I know that this is getting in the weed but I feel like I need to be here I would ask that you send out a memo to every person that is involved in the disciplining of a student and ensure that they have thoroughly read all of the required policies that govern how we discipline our students I would also ask that when a person is recommending either the disciplining or the returning from an expulsion to you that there is a question embedded in that paperwork that asks them whether or not they have reviewed whichever policies are in alignment with that reinstatement or expulsion Etc I would also ask and I know you're trying to write it down but you can go back and get the minute so it's okay I would also ask that moving forward these staff reports include who was present at the hearing so that this board can be assured that the the individuals that were required to be present were present because I'm going to automatically assume that the hearing has taken place per the policy and has sec triplet not asked who was present I would have been completely unaware that there were not two board members present okay I have a question treasure k um what was the date that this was petitioned Miss Nichols do you have that information I don't have it in front of me I'm I have the policy ofing for a second um president Robinson yes ma'am if the facts and Analysis are correct is this correct where it says the petition of reinstatement was received from the student August 27 on August 27th okay okay so then the followup according to the policy we have 10 school days so we've already missed the deadline so where did the October 31st deadline come from you have 10 after 150 days the Poli allows the family to petition the school board for reinstatement they apply early for the reinstatement so are you saying that that's another violation that you guys accepted it early I mean I just think it's all bad so that's that's one comment that I was going to make the other comment was just as a point of clarity um there was a table discussion and then a support so I from my understanding I didn't think we get to have a discussion right secretary tripet call and and please everyone please forgive me I am I am not well in this moment so if please to the board please uh forgive me when a table comes before the floor we should not have had the discussion but I am having a hard time so secretary triplet I would ask that you please call the vote president Robinson yes I mean to table we're tabling yes to table we're voting to table president Robinson yes truste I mean treasur kraton no secretary triplet yes trusty rocket Martin yes trusty Gavin yes motion carried all right next on the agenda we are at superintendent updates Dr bus can you please present the partnership agreement thank you madam president at our last meeting the department of teaching and learning um reiterated to the to the uh partnership agreement meeting that we had just completed three days of Staff training we adjusted a format to a conference style so the staff could attend various trainings um the new curriculum for ELA and maap was covered uh um and 911 reveal math of return for additional training for students in six in grades 6 through 12 the new Behavior support system was covered by Miss Nichols uh Miss cups will review and and be sure to inform staff regarding the evaluation process which is to inform rather than to be punitive uh we established how the SLO should work correct the reading training took place or took place on 911 while placement testing read and Mastery transformation uh uh excuse me read transformation will take place second week of school will took place second week of school uh we also spoke about our Benchmark presentation that we will be having coming up on in November we are working on updating and making sure that our myip is is uh updated we are working on the needs and wants to collaborate and utilize resources available to us through baring research Bing Rea in a bigger way and uh get assistance developing the ey ribs as they currently have uh they have more of a cutting Pace rather than individualized format um extended day will begin on October 7th which we just begun and we're looking for dividing U the resources evenly across all schools um Dr bus you're on the partnership correct yes ma'am I think I misspoke and said uh strategic plan but the first item is the partnership so there was some confusion you can continue I'm sorry yes ma'am as I just said extended day began on October 7th um we're looking at dividing the resources equitably across all schools addition the clubs were discussed to keep uh kids engaged um kudos to uh CBS reg uh Miss CBS for reaching out to find out find and utilize the resources and support that we needed from Risa in regarding um getting classes audited at the high school we are in need of e of an elll teacher and want to ensure that we're getting those students um that um need those Services we're we're making sure to reach out and and hire someone that those students can be serviced um the principles are working on finalizing the Consolidated app and hope to uh have it submitted and it was submitted on 826 uh title three and gsrp transportation were sent and to be submitted cafeteria furniture will be finalized and submitted um to be order so that it can be installed over the the winter break um we went back over some stuff like the back the school bash was successful we we reiterated some things that had already happened uh pure mediation we begin at the high school in middle school as they the they have um are trained the trainers have been trained coordinators have already been chosen um our MTS specialist and the new TR specialist are working together together on the new campaign of everyday matters to ensure that our students are in school we make sure that the uh we making sure that the treny officers visiting all schools on a daily basis to make sure that attendance is being taken and that for those students that are out um they're being reached out to uh letters went were sent to Community Partners solic soliciting their support and helping sharing everyday matters um addition we're looking to get other incentives in place for our student attendance um we're working with um different uh Partners in our in our monies from 21h to ensure that we get student incentives some of the things that we recognized during this time were uh the ex the new Xbox PlayStations um I actually reached out to a one of the car dealerships see if they have a gently used card they' be willing to donate so that we to the high school for students for for an attendance incentive at the end of the school year um we also discussed some HR vacancies that we have for for the district uh tracking sheet has been completed for the TNTs that we're hiring and the TNTs that we have um in place for the fiscal year 25 the regional Grant is be uh beginning to ramp up allocations and looking to be similar to last year so we're working on the um um the regional uh the rag Grant um and we we went back and discussed the munetrix training that took place uh back in August and moving forward principal will use they records safety drills extended a ascendance assistance IRS mrics uh to pull in data to engage um the community all right thank you Dr buts um I would ask um if we could ensure that when we're presenting something on the agenda if there's a link um that Dr bus is reviewing if we could try to open it on the screen so that the the public can follow along because um I really appreciate those that are present and I know that it probably um is a bit much to just sit here and hear someone reading at you so if we could at least have something available so they can follow along at the on the screen that would be very helpful um at this time I'd asked is there any questions from the board concerning the partnership agreement update um Madam president thank you Dr bus for these uh for this presentation the partnership agreement all oh one second I want to make sure the record reflected that uh truste Bowens found the strength to return to the board meeting care okay so he did leave at recess and when I noticed he was present it was about 8:19 I just want to make sure that the record accurately reflects that I'm sorry to cut you off uh secretary triplet so when I look at the partnership agreement and I see all of the things that uh the team had reported out that they're doing that has been done but when I think of the partnership agreement and I've been requesting I know it's coming up in November it's October now um with the data um as far as the growth um because in this partnership agreement are we within the parameters I'm just a little bit disappointed that we have not gotten a report on where we stand as it relates to the timeline for the 18 months that was granted to us to make growth in our school did we make the growth have you guys received the State Testing um um data and information from uh the state examinations from elementary to high school are we going to be in violation um I don't see any of that here and this is a critical it's a critical piece um do you have anything that you can share in November when the the state comes in with this this partnership agreement are they going to are we going to know that we have met the criteria that we were forced to sign on in this partnership agreement do anybody have any information any data available for us on that yes sir Miss CBS can can present that during her um teaching and learning update she has we do have a data story file that she can share that we can share out no I I want as far as the partnership agreement is concerned what the the the things that required from the state because we went into this partnership agreement we went through pulled everything once we signed and said this is what our kids will make 1% growth or 3% growth and what have you I don't want it piece meal like that to me yes sir so this is the partnership agreement information that should be in this document because in November we do I do not want to find out that we did not meet the mark this is a partnership agreement in alignment with the state of Michigan so can somebody give us some information because I'm quite sure you've been working on all of these meetings but for different than gift cards and all of these all all of these things these things are nice but we need to meet yes sir and D so you did say director cups can uh provide that are you saying saying that she has that information she's going to give it in her report that's prepare okay director CBS can you do that at this point can you can you bring up bring up your updates that you were going to provide and give us uh the responses as it relates to the partnership agreement at this time you have the floor in regards to the data for the partnership agreement we were asked uh last month to submit a survey basically um answering whether or not we felt each building based on our data from mstep and PSAT um met the 1% increase and when we completed the survey we responded by grade level uh so our data and our interpretation of the data U made it appear that not all buildings would meet that 1% growth but after after the September meeting with um our partnership agreement liaison Kim Davis uh it was clarified that it is an average of the grades in each building which means that more than likely all of our buildings will meet that 1% growth uh for third grade uh for ELA it's a 1.4% increase which means all of MLK would qualify in that um increase and for math it was a 4.5% increase and that's over three years from the 2122 school year to the um most recent testing that happened in the spring so according to that MLK does meet that 1% increase for fairplane East it's a a average of a 1.7% increase for ELA and a 1.4% increase for maass so they do meet that criteria for the middle school it's a combination of mstep and PSAT uh for sixth and seventh grade ELA is a 2% increase and for e8th grade ELA it's a 6.3% increase for math it's a 1.8% increase uh but they did not increase for math with 8th grade PSAT but overall that average together they will likely um be considered meeting that 1% uh and then for our High School uh Ela is a 1.4% increase but we did not increase uh in math we actually lost some ground for our n9th 10th and 11th graders with PSAT and sat uh but the final determination comes after the presentation after the ISD evaluates the data and after the state evaluates the data and our uh presentation and there are three determination I don't know what to call it uh ratings uh that they can give uh did not meet did not meet but progressing or progressing but we weren't able to give ourselves that indicator of did not meet but progressing in the our self assessment but that is something that the state can give is it did not meet but progress so all of the information that's contained in those notes from the partnership agreement meetings is evidence of what we're doing for progressing so I have a quick follow-up question for you um the presentation that you're referencing what date is that presentation or is it just submitted information like is this an actual meeting what you'll be presenting it is yes the date for that is November 4th okay so I would ask um I would ask that that that we have board membership present and I don't know what day of the week November 4th is but it's a Monday okay so if you could send just send out an email with that date um just so we can have more information on that um and and try to get at least one or two of us present to sit in on that treasure Kon thank you um just wonder um this report is um I I was trying to look and see who was in attendance it looks like the it's a lot of errors in that so I would just recommend that these are official documents that we um corrected because it's saying that Robin was the recorder but that she was absent this person that person it's just um it needs to be recorded and and fixed um so I'm not sure if it was the board member president or not but um in that same report um under I don't know if that's that's a question or a comment um I I would hate to know the answer so I'm going to make it a comment um if we look at student support update um in that section um it looks like Miss Chapman had um some concerns about um something and that um at the bottom it was noted that Dr bus is working to transition some positions to address this issue but receiving some push back I'm looking for some clarity on that I don't know what what that is um or what that pushback might be referring to but again if these are legal documents that being that's being exchanged with the state I think it's really important that um they are accurate and and very specific um and then it's another section um I think if you turn the page it at the bottom it say the majority of new hires this year are certified um when we say a majority like how do we say that we're collecting data and using data to support but then we use subjective terms like majority so again um just a few concerns about this agreement um obviously you know I've been absent and I um remember reading a letter from the state with some things being highlighted and so there's definitely some communication with the state that's including and not including the board but definitely pointing fingers at the board and so um I wanted to be noted that these are some of my concerns on the record so that when blanket statements are made people will know that you know there are things being put in report that that are not that is not necessarily accurate or that is so vague that um we skip over them to give people the benefit of the doubt but I think it's some very strong statements in this and I can't ignore them so I just wanted that noted on the record thank you welcome back Pippen secretary last one I'm sorry president Robinson was a question oh the majority of new hires this year are certified all right can we get a data or checkpoint or fact fact check what part of the notes are you under human resource update Services it sounds like that someone at the table had a question or comment that they want us to add I'm sorry at the admin table oh did someone have feedback okay um while Dr bus is pulling pulling up that clarification for for uh Treasurer kraton about the C the certified individuals out ask that secretary triplet just jumping really quickly so we can keep the meeting going and we'll go back yeah because I I really wasn't finished but since treasur Kon has brought this up I uh specifically who because this document like you said is an official document who and where is the push back coming from because that needs to be clear that needs to be clearly stated so Dr bus this is in you all evidently these were notes that were taken can you tell me exactly who or where the push back is coming from I'm trying to go back and recall when it says I see right here it says Miss G CH Chapman asked if we have received feedback regarding the reason for absences and I'm trying to figure out which absences we were discussing in in that particular section of the meeting we're we're only asking about uh this is some staff allow person ISS to bed into the profession Dr bus is working to transition some positions to address this issue but is receiving some push back push back from whom that's what I did take the notes on that I'm trying to figure out uh check the notes do we have an accurate attendance of who was at that meeting yep because this sheet is not correct Rob Mar Lisa Gloria push back from who are we probably August meeting notes yeah we just only thing I want to know is who the push back is coming from because this is in a state document and we might want to do um some professional development and some support on on facial expression to help us be able to use our poker faces so it won't be so obvious how people are actually feeling you talking to me because I know my face tore up my apologies for yeah so we we can find somebody that can show faith help the staff and even some of the board members on how to control their faith muscles so I would like to know who um the push back is from I have to get back with you at while that SEC very serious piece yes sir because information is being sent to the state and so is it pushed back from your staff is it pushed back from your teacher is is it is it who who is the push back from because it couldn't be pushed back from us and then I just want to make sure that we don't defer from the clarification that was asked about the certified I I have information on that if all right you have the floor right so thank you for clarifying that meet those meeting notes are from the meeting in Octo sorry August and at that time for the new school year of the 13 new hires nine of them were certified positions and those were nine hires that were listed as I think what uh treasure creting was mentioning most of so that would say at that time 69% of our new hires presented to this board were certified staff at the time of that August meeting okay are there any other questions about the Strategic plan um sorry uh the partnership agreement update uh trusty Gavin um thank you president Robinson I'll be brief um I think it is very helpful to receive these notes so I wouldn't stop doing this and also I've kind of mentioned before just in terms of reporting formats it would be very helpful if we have some deliverables that um we have to provide to in the partnership agreement whether it is percentage of growth or like whatever those measurable deliverables are if it's possible for us to receive the information in a format that shows what the deliverable is when is due and then how close are we towards achieving that result um just wondering if it's possible to receive the report in that in that type of a format is that I guess what would be the next steps is it would it would it require board boat is it something that Dr bus is amable to like because as for me I would like to know how close are we towards the goal that we promised in this partnership agreement Dr Buzz is he present I am I was looking up I was looking up some as part as far as the uh the notes being given could you repeat the last part of your question please okay so my question is with it being a partnership agreement we've made some as a district we made some promises that we will get certain things accomplished within a certain period of time right that correct and those things are measurables right so my question is if is it possible to when we receive the report can we receive it in a format that lets us know what the specific measurable is when is the deadline and what you know like what our achievement level is towards that stated deliver so for example if we're like what um director Kush was saying if we're supposed to achieve a 1% growth right right by a certain date how close are we to that right and whatever that measurable is there's a column there's a row for that whatever the deadline is that's next to it somewhere and then we can how close or far we are from the goal does that make sense yes ma'am is it possible to receive information in that format so we can at a glance know where we stand on the partnership agreement yes ma'am and I'll let Miss Miss CB seems like she has something to say as well so we have a a template that was shared with us by our partnership agreement liaison Kim Davis um think it might meet the needs that you're looking for um it was attached to the partnership meeting notes uh from September uh but it's not documented on those October not or August sorry notes that you have um Dr buts has that file that he can share uh with you and I I hope that that is is what you're looking for from what you're saying I think it is okay perfect thank you so much so Madam president yes as a followup to the question that I asked um so my question was similar to what um try Gavin is saying instead of saying the majority if we can get data because the state and its partnership agreement we wrote it it was speaking to data and so um that's what I was asking um if we can get those concrete numbers um in fact in there so that when we go back I know that everyone is busy so to have to go back and then look up and figure out what the majority is put the calculations in and then you know it just becomes too cumbersome I think for um record keeping purposes um it would just be better to I understand that this is like notes but at the same time it's it becomes very gray um for us um because I think the overall goal is to make sure that we're hiring and retaining um certified staff and so as a followup to that and I don't know if this information has been presented um I was asking to like where are we with our certified staff like what is the percentage what's the ratio you know where is that and if that's not available now um possibly it can be presented in HR pry rocket Martin Madam president I also would like to add a little uh tag footnote to this as if we would meet in our committees on a regular basis a lot of uh these things we can iron out there and then when we get to the board table we'll have it in the the format that you would like to have um some of this would definitely be in the curriculum Department some of them would be in the HR department some of it would be in the financial department or wherever so my suggestion is that we start meeting uh religiously and with Fidelity meeting our committees so that we can iron out some of these things so we don't have to take as much time at the board table to do so uh it is important and I think if we can take a a microscop look at it in our committee meetings we would catch a lot the things and and um you know find out the things we need to have Dr bus's president every one of those meetings and there we could iron out catch fix put together you know uh what we need to so that we have everything that we need when we come to our regular board meeting thank you trust uh rocket Martin I know that um I believe my curriculum committee is yourself triplet and trusty Gavin so you you are yeah okay so so then you are taking on ownership of you all asking for the updates uh and getting this information prior to us getting it is that what your recommendation would be is that what you're recommending that it come before okay so that's that's up that's between you guys and your committee that's between you all and your committee I have no objection to to the work that you all do within that committee president trusty Gavin it is a committee question how many members have to be present in order for that committee to move forward does the does the chair have to be present in order to move forward is it two is it one you know how many I think standard we've let two be the minimum so versus one person that is the committee okay so we can go forward so we can move forward okay thank you and I think if you have situations where for some reason the committee is not available but the chair is or another member is and that can be counted as a one1 with Dr buds if there's something um pressing that he would like to review with members of that committee but the committee is not available but I think for it to be considered a committee it would at least have to be two out of the three of the committee members anything less than that would be a one-on-one thank you m president um sorry okay we're gonna take one final comment from vice president bondes and we're gonna move forward so I'm looking at this partnership agreement and it says Department of special education updates there's not is that just for this month or is that like we did not purchase a vehicle or or anything then it's another question that I have where it talks about um the everyday matter campaign um our mtss Specialists and new try Specialists are working together on the new special um campaign everyday matters to ensure that our students are in school we have created postcard nudge letters the Department of Human Services the Department of Human Services um will assist as well as working and solve our chronic absenteeism letters will be sent to Community Partners soliciting their support and helping share that every day um matters have we heard from back from our Community Partners or anything on that you'll be it the floor is open for the person who has the answer to vice president Bowen's question so miss uh Nicholls has chaired that committee so miss Nichols do you have uh an update for that yes good evening um so with that the letters come from Dr buts because we cannot um send out any Communications from my office that's from the superintendent office when it comes to commun commun Partners so whenever I get information I have I I have not I have not received information to sent out as of yet so when I get information to sent out I do have natal to send the information out so we did send letters out though have we sent the Letters Out Miss have we receiving the letters Excuse Me Miss singer have we receiv receiving the letters to be sent out no ma'am for the uh for the everyday matters for the uh attendance campaign so okay all right so no I have the floor the question was you have the floor when I give it to you not done okay thank you so I wasn't finish with my question okay the question is now are we sending Letters Out okay it says letters were sent to Community Partners soliciting their support so that's what I'm asking have we gotten any feedback from our Community Partners not from our Community Partners not that I'm aware of and we sent letters to them yes sir all right thank you who and when that's what she you just well I'm what I'm thinking she he was asking have we sent it out to our parents meaning those Community Partners our parents but if he's talking about say for commun in school or Boys and Girls Club they should have received those letters so it's not like a monthly meeting with them or is that something the board would have to do that's that's a monthly meeting with the mtss and and with uh the treny officer that that Miss Nichols is over okay we're going to continue with the meeting um Dr bus thank you for providing a partnership agreement update next we have strategic Plan update with the Strategic plan I noticed um when I went back to the original one from last year I have been given kpis and and updates on those but when I look back on the one that was redid for the 2223 uh looking at the annual goals and objectives we uh I would I will hope to ask the board so that we revisit these and look at the look at um coming up with some annual goals and objectives for for the school year because with those kpis we've kind of gone through those and most of those we' we've either implemented or sorted but we need to revisit uh the annual goals for the year so when we first started this uh the academic programs increase student achievement as measured on local State national assessments for like the goals for 23 was Implement districtwide high dosage tutoring strategies um this and which was a community Le um initiative so we haven't come up with those ones for 24 25 school year we still have the same kpis that we were and I know at the last meeting you were stating that instead of just giving kpis where we are so we when I looked at that we have not come up with um annual objectives for the district so I would ask for some clarity and some some guidance on how we go by to make sure we set some annual goals for the district as a team so I would ask that you take that to your curriculum committee kind of start there with that conversation yes ma'am all right all right if there's no questions for Dr bus currently Madam Secretary triplet okay so when we talk about the Strategic plan as I stated at the last meeting I'll be stating it every time the um strategic plan was established with 4 five Community people with a powerful powerful day and every time we come to this meeting I don't see anything I don't hear anything and these were people from all walk of this community and this is on the agenda month after month the template and the foundation was laid for the first time I felt that the community was actively considered had a voice and remember I think you did the fight song that day mad president and you remembered every motion for benon Harbor on to Victory I still got it yeah and I this is this is uh concerning and I think because the district Improvement plan leads should be it's a live document and it should leave the work the Strategic plan was put together in partnership with the district Improvement plan all of the school school Improvement plans should be aligned with the district Improvement plan which was taken into consideration when the Strategic plan was put in place and so for us not to see any movement as it relate because the Strategic plan was not just a checklist it was some hard work and these people gave up they could not come to this and participate in it unless they were willing to give up that entire day uh I I I'm I'm concerned I see the the Strategic plan I don't see the pieces added in there each category where it's added in there what has been done within the last two years and so I I I just would I don't know as far as us coming here and saying we want the board to come in and be a part and to assist and then in the same bre say you know you get a a letter stating which we have not officially addressed from the state that the board is micromanaging and here it is once again that because of a lack that in our question our questioning our our way in which we question things is almost that we're forced or we appear to be a de facto part of the staff again up top we pay good money taxpayers money and the same way in which our staff in our individual buildings are being treated talked to and expected to rise should be the same manner in which we can expect from Central Administration and I just want that on the record because I know people are listening from all over because the Playbook is still open the old Playbook is still effective and it is very very active for the dismantling of our school district and our high school so I would like to say to the superintendent that the Strategic plan has to guide the work here it is a living document but it has to be at the Forefront of the work that's done done in Benton Harvard area school and I just want that on the record Madam president so I would ask Miss singer if we could um go back to our timer I just noticed that it hasn't been on it's now 9 o'clock yes ma'am when I when I look at the a strategic plan that put in place oh when I look at the Strategic plan that we have put in place I see it as an ongoing document and so I I I just looked at one where it says the Master's facility plan okay we have that in place so that is ongoing uh so a lot of the things that I'm looking at what is starred and I'm thinking those are the objectives that we said we would really concentrate on and then you look at the communication and the evidence uh in progress that means it's it is continuing and it's ongoing and I think if we look at the movement of our district the things that we are now getting done especially the facilities and um it is a document that is moving that we are working that plan the [Music] um you know so um I'm looking at as um as a as a document that's not standing still and you may not see big big whatever but I'm looking at it as a document that's ongoing that's that will be continually and at the end of the five years or what I think it's a fiveyear plan we will see the evidence all of the evidence that we need to see and I would just use the facilities as an example at the end of this Five-Year Plan I expect to see the things that we said that we would do um in that strategic plan that the community said we would that we told the community that we would do a work with them on that would be in place and that we would see it and the same thing is for a cultural and learning environment I see where it says the letters training all of the training that the teachers are doing now that's part of the Strategic plan and it's ongoing it's not going to stop it's going to keep continuing on you know so I see it as a document that we're actually living and do okay thank you so I'm gonna ask that if we could move on in conversation um president Robin uh trusty Gavin thank you um okay so um thank you Dr Buzz I um I was looking at the kpi can you tell us what the what kpi stands fory performance indicators okay thank you key performance indicator and I was reading like this key performance indicator and it says increased student achievement as measured on local state and National assessments right increased student achievement and then the metric is a percentage of staff is enrolled in a training and then the evidence is that 100% as of October 2023 so it's kind of like the evidence is that day and rolled in this training but the key performance indicator is that we've increased student achievement right so for me when I see increased student achievement it's not so much that staff is enrolled in a thing that indicates evidence to me that we've increased student achievement does that make sense what is evidence to me that we've increased student achievement is evidence that we've increased student achievement something that shows growth x amount of students have increased their reading levels you know or math proficiency things of that nature like that is the evidence to me for those key performance indicators so you know I'm just wondering if there's a way to you know look you know make sure that the evidence is matching those key performance indicators that's one and then the other is I'm very much concerned about the culture and the culture and climate um this is our first board meeting after you know some very serious incidents and I don't see anywhere in the agenda in which we are addressing the public on that issue um you know I was told that we would that there would be some type of U written um information to go out to the public people don't like us to say what we want to say and so it helps if we can get that language from you and share it in terms of the culture and climate issues the you know I don't even want to say what it is but there there was some issues and so there needs to be something on the agenda from the superintendent that addresses these uh Facebook posts about the you know weapons and you know violence and things of that nature so yeah when I look at culture and learning environment I'm looking for something to address that and I can we we put some EV evidence I'm looking at the document we put some um communication out on the website but I can't add it to this document on the website so like whenever we have an incident but I make sure we do a blast on the website okay I thought you g to put it on social media as well so I was looking there and I didn't see it you said it's on the website put it out it's on our on thrill share so it should go on social media as well I don't see it and I can make sure that it's updated because the the directive typically when we have anything to happen is not to just put on our website but it also put on social media have a question um this would be the last question well trusty gav was were you finish sry I was yeah I guess my question it was twofold it was one addressing the weapons incident to the key performing indicators and the actual evidence of that is there a way to make sure that the evidence matches that kpi yes I can make sure that matches okay thank you thank you and then this will be the last question and then we'll proceed to superintendent goals um go ahead can you start the timer when he start speaking well I I I I guess to when you again to respond to the what I the statement that I made as it relate to the Strategic plan I am not saying that things are not happening but this must guide the work in all areas that it must guide the work and some of us are not pry to work within the district and so this information may go to some of us who are volunteering and working on the inside but those of us who do not work in the district we need the same information for who are working and have access from this board of education because it's evident that there are people who are on the board of education have a more inside access inside view and makes be able to witness and identify some things that we as the board of education do not have that that type of access so I just wanted to make that clear in response to uh m rocket Martin's statement about the Strategic plan and it's moving because the Strategic plan is real it is one of the it's it's some one of it's the one thing that I hold dearly to in my heart where I felt in that moment that Ben Harbor was completely involved in the education and what's happening in our school all right I believe that we're wrapping up the conversation on the Strategic Plan update the next update is uh superintendent goals the last time that we were at the table um there was discussion um from the board specifically regarding whose responsibilities it was to develop the goals uh I had a little push back uh and uh had a committee that had not met um I will I will share with the board that we still have not had an opportunity to meet um so it is in the best interest of the work that the superintendent finalizes the goals based on the information that the board has provided previously um there is going to be a um board retreat that's coming up um he is required to be there and so Dr bus I would ask that you be prepared to share your your goals you provided goals we wanted more more me and more um contexts as to what the data would be um and I think that's the only thing that you are missing I will apologize to the board um for my inability um to be present um as well as my um lack of ability to hear you all and you telling me that that was not working because it's not and so this is me acknowledging that I was wrong and that the board was right um and so Dr bus if you could um plan to have that available for us at the upcoming board retreat we are going to discuss that under old business if you have clarification that you need um I would suggest that you reach out to either of the board members I know trusty rocket Martin was willing to be on that committee secretary triplet took itself off I'm still willing to support you but at this time I barely have the availability and in functioning um to do normal dayto day things so we're going to make sure that that is not held up any longer um and so we'll have the date of the board retreat under old bus and I would ask that you come prepared with that information yes ma'am okay secretary triplet the when when when we talk about the superintendent's goals those are his goals and I again I I'm just I'm I'm just tired of the fact that this stuff is being deferred back we have been talking about this for three months for the longest first of all a super superintendent should not even be able to go forth without having goals already established for this District it is not the Board of Education responsibility we are not the employee we identified a superintendent that has a PHD that should be able to write and present the his goal and his vision for this District the question was what was presented to us was would be very difficult to evaluate because there were no checkpoint there you you what was presented to us or presented to me and for me I'm going to look at the documents so how will I be able to identify that you met this goal so the goals were very broad they were not specific but our employees should know how to write goal and so I am not going to take on that role you should not take on that role truste rocket Martin should not take on that role if Dr bu called and ask me or ask any of us I I'm definitely not going to say no but that's his responsibility to present these goals to us because guess what this right here is our responsibility of the Board of Education to evaluate the superintendent and we must have those goals ready in order for us to be able to do our jobs effectively and efficiently so that's what I want it to be understood and I don't want you to I don't feel like you should take the ownership of doing that because you have your own job you write your own goals and your expectation of what it is that you all of us that are employed we do that work and that's a part of the superintendent's work to present to this board of education his goal for our district so I want to clarify my apology was that you and trusty Gavin told me the same thing three weeks ago and I and and I gave push back um so is what I am apologizing for trusty Gavin um so I feel like this what's what's linked here is a little different than what we started out with I don't recall it's been such a long time but what I'm seeing here from Dr buts is a goal to increase student attendance by what 3% is that correct increase student attendance by 3% increase academic performance by 1% um and increase professional development that will allow teachers to relay information to our students to increase academic a achievement and graduation rates certify teachers and training and all of the grow our own staff beginning In Summer 2425 this is a goal to better prepare teachers to better prepare students so it sounds just to be clear what you wanted to submit or what you're wanting to submit what I'm looking here now at now increase student achievement by 1% attendance by 3% professional development for teachers um increased professional development by teachers is that correct Dr bus yes ma'am okay so I'm prepared to at this point because it's just been delayed so long I'm prepared to accept those as his goals and then to give feedback to to Dr bus on those goals um yes we wanted them to be you know connected to the Strategic plan and you know that would have been ideal but if this is you know rather than delay it months at a time to get that you know connection if this is what Dr bus wants to submit as his goals you know I'm prepared to give feedback on that was that a motion because I was supported y okay so um trusty Gavin are you asking to amend the agenda to allow for the vote to accept the goals yes okay so a motion has been made we still have give give me a second a motion has been made by trusty Gavin to amend the agenda to allow for a vote to accept the superintendent goals as submitted the motion has been made is are you supporting the amendment treasur Craig okay um secretary tripley did you have a comment question comments concerns yeah I I I just want to make it clear that I have no problem with the goals that were submitted however where I had the problem with is there was no nothing written on how how are you going to do these things what are you doing this is the things that we need those give us the measurable those give us an opportunity to say this is how I am going to increase student achievement by 1% these are the things that will be happening so when we go through and we look because it it it would be irresponsible for us to say okay you just submitted some goals but how are we going to evaluate it he needs to tell us specifically how is he going to increase student attendance he's doing some things they're doing some things that they're that they put in place then that needs to be in the goal and so we get ready to evaluate and measure the goal he if he says that my student services director along in partnership with the principles will do so and so so on there will be so many he we have something that we can measure right now now just to have a blanket that's going to be the goal to increase student achievement how are we going to evaluate that that's what I was saying absolutely nothing to do with the goal but the the thing that's missing on the goals is the how so that we can honestly without opinion but with fact say this was done this was done this was done how they going to improve student achievement this was done this was done this was done and that's what we would have so I that's what I was talking about absolutely it's his goal but we have to know the house secretary TR please call the vote for the amendment of the agenda to to amend the agenda so we can take the vote there's no actual vote on the agenda I have a second from treasur crayon president Robinson yes vice president bour no secretary triplet no treasure kraton yes trusty rocket Martin this is the amendment to allow for the acceptance so if you're so whether we can acceptance go as they you have so we have right now there is no go there is no um resolution on the floor there was no vote on the agenda right now this is to amend the agenda to allow for the vote so where it stands is myself and uh kraton have said yes um so far uh Bowens and triplet have said no so you're you're determining whether you want to amend the agenda to allow for the vote on acceptance of the goals uh to accept the goals this is to amend the agenda so we can take a vote so if you want to accept the goals as they stand then you would want to vote Yes to amend the agenda if if that's not something that you want to do then you would not then you wouldn't be amended okay I think you have to call trusty Gavin trusty Gavin I'm sorry yes motion Carri all right is there a motion on the floor for acceptance of uh the superintendent goals presented I move to accept um the superintendent's goals as presented is there a second or support a second the motion has been made by trusty Gavin and supported by trusty rocket Martin I know we've had a bit of conversation um however the the floor is open if there's no comments we can proceed with the vote Madame President yes secretary triplet States a great fact the who what when how and if we're accepting the goals and we just a few minutes ago were expecting him to come to our board retreat to vote on to present something and now we're approving this but trusty triplet just stated a great fact you know increasing student attendance and everything of that nature and hear me out we are not supposed to be guiding the super on his goals or what he's wanting to do but I do think the superintendent needs a little bit more as secretary triplet stated to add some more meat to the skeleton and I just don't think we would be that's a Dr bus are you comfortable with the goals presented yes ma'am all right okay if there's no other comments secretary tripet can you please call I'm sorry I do have my hand yes um just wanted to make a comment thank you um definitely um you know as I read through the minutes and I've been reading all of the minutes um since June and my absence um the board conducts business and takes action through boore vote and right now if you read the minutes it's going to look like um we're giv resilience versus is coaching and guidance and governance and so I am in support of if Dr bus feels that his goals are ready then we have to move forward because we're not giving him resilience I'm sorry we're not giving him resistance because of us not supporting his goals um but were was trying to provide some guidance so if he is comfortable and it made it um to the agenda and it's been on the agenda and month after month he is I definitely think we need to move forward and um it be up to him I'mma give you some Grace because I just started but um we're going to leave it up to him to um determine if he's comfortable then then I'm comfortable all right secretary Robson trusty Gavin yeah I just want to indicate that do I agree with you know do I agree with the goals no you know I would love for them to be more assertive goal but these are his goals I think it's time to accept them so that we can measure him on these goals give him feedback on these goals tell him how we feel about these goals right he has indicated that you know he's going to increase nwaa scores K2 2425 school year increased student performance at this part of our vision and Mission state to meet the tenants of our partnership agreement he has you know how he's going to measure that um yes I would love for it to be one you know higher than 1% at the superintendent level yes it could be 1% at the partnership agreement level with the state but I I would think that we would have higher goals for ourselves right um to surpass what the state is requiring but that's his choice right I think it's time to go ahead and give some feedback so we can move forward um on that those are my thoughts all right um secretary trip can you please call the vote president Robinson yes vice president Bowen no secretary triplet no treasur kraton yes truste rocket Martin yes trustee Gavin yes motion carries Madam president there all right so we're going to um proceed I know that we would like I I am very familiar with Dr bus and I can identify that he's kind of set goals that he's already in position to um meet just based on some of the data that he provided from the what that director cups provided from the um partnership agreement update um so I look forward to you giving us um Insight on where you kind of stand with the goals um so I know that we have some Retreat dates that are coming up um I know that this is information that you've been working on even though we had not accepted or actually voted them in um so when we have our Retreat which I'm hoping we can confirm the date you can just kind of let us know where you are with with those things um most of which of course you've given us in the partnership agreement update but I also know that um director Nichols has been done doing some amazing work with attendance I've seen on social media um some of the uh different strategies um and marketing we're using to increase attendance and things of that nature so um if you could plan to give us kind of where you stand and the things that you've been working on um that would be awesome but we can kind of discuss that moving forward I am concerned with um the time it is now 9:22 I just want to make sure that the board is is still um able to proceed with the remainder of the agenda it is getting kind of late we could choose to cut everything other than what requires a vote um I would ask that we maintain board retreat and of course open public comment but if you all would like to just proceed with the full agenda as it stands we can get through it it's now 9:23 so what is the will of the board do we want to amend for the sake of time or do we want to push through Madame President okay so secretary tripler has said push through what is your what is yours amend I mean everything that doesn't require I mean just keep what requires a vote or vice president I would say let's do if the a consent on HR facilities you're trying to do one one vote yes absolutely I don't know that you would have support for that possibly raat might ride with you so so my recommendation and this is just a recommendation of course I'm only one V vote would be that we amend to to maintain staff report T1 uh wait hold on let me get my actual agenda you didn't call on me I know I'm far away but okay go ahead um I was going to ask is there anything that's time sensitive yeah so that's what I was getting ready to go through so the field trip request I believe that's time sensitive okay um there are some hires and of course the staff separation so those are those HRS and I believe they were wanting to we always have to do the financials they were wanting to you were wanting to pursue the ver the verata vote tonight Dr buds yes ma'am that's the vote about the doors the security systems and things of that nature so he was trying to get that did a committee that anybody review that already the the facilities committee did I did not fin CU it's under Finance I did not I was not contacted let me clarify for you so you were sent it secretary tripler let's pause you were sent an email with us the day before and then I also text you it was a it was a longer email thre and then I text you that day to make sure that you were getting on so I so I I do not object that you were not present but you were informed and I reminded you but you were unable to make it due to work is it time sensitive though it's not time it's not something that's absolutely required right now but Dr bus was really trying to work to secure the building so I have no objection if that's not included in the recommendation um so if we could because we kind of going all over the place and we'll be like to make a motion if that's okay with you go ahead all right so let's make a motion to amend the agenda to keep staff report T1 right H1 through three um I think a student services update with all of the things going on is will be um definitely needed um The Retreat and then public comments and adjournment that's the field trip request oh I'm sorry in the field trip request I don't see she did say T1 oh yeah that was T1 okay so treasure C C1 H1 h 2 H3 um the student service update for the student code of conduct I know that was mentioned um the board o business um public comment and then a German the superintendent's announcements yeah to thank the that's my motion to thank the people that gave okay so her motion that she's trying to clarify for you I don't think you hear that she's not including the announcements in her motion um So currently the motion that's on the floor is to amend the agenda to include only staff report T1 H1 H2 H3 and the student support update board retreat and super board member announcements and comments that's and adjournment correct that's not what she said that's not what treasure kraton said okay treasure Katon can you if if I would could probably hear a little bit better if everyone could not keep trying to add to what um so spot for comment under adjournment so we don't need two comments we get a comment under ajour okay so can you repeat what your motion is so I can start it as well say it again for me so which reports are we keeping T1 H1 H2 H3 student service update student code of conduct old business public comment and a German a German automatically includes a board comment so vice president B I was correct okay is there a second or support oh second all right the motion has been made by treasure Katon supported by vice president Bowen questions comments concerns hearing none secretary you gota look up trusty rocket Mar I'll be um yeah I can I can get with this I'm just driv education that RP update is important I would like to know what's going on with that and how we can help expedite that process if if treasure Kon is willing to add that I can support this motion trusty rocket Martin yes and where the grants I would um like to add that just to thank the people that Supply the grants to the school uh to acknowledge their giving to to the three schools that received them so there's a motion on the floor treasure Craton do you want to amend your motion according I like to amend it to the driver's ed RFP update I think any other um announcements can be made um during the Jour comments or anywhere else in student service updates I don't feel like we need to nitpick and keep just oh let's add this one little thing it's an announcement it's not a staff report and I think we agreed that we're going to do that so all right vice president bow do you support the amendment to her motion yeah what was amended she's just including the driver's a update yes all right secretary tripet caning you please call the vote president Robinson yes vice president bow yes secretary triplet yes truste rocker Martin yes gav yes yes motion car all right okay so we are at staff report T1 president Robinson is back to a 20 um I'm gonna ask that uh director CBS if you could please present to us staff report T1 subject out of state field trip approval date October 8th 2024 reason for board approval the board shall approve field trips and other District sponsored trips which are planned to keep students out of the district overnight or longer or out of the state facts and Analysis Benton Harbor High School is requesting permission to take construction trade students to visit active construction sites at University of Notre Dame in Southbend Indiana this is a career exploration related trip that will be led by Tony palado senior director of construction and quality assurance from the University of Notre Dame the trip is scheduled for November 6 2024 this trip will accommodate and estimate 60 students it is estimated that there will be two chaperon this trip will be funded by 61a funding policy reference policy 2340 field and other District sponsored trips strategic plan reference learning environment Benton Harbor area schools will develop maintain and Implement with Fidelity a multi-tiered system of support that enhances the culture and learning environment recommended action that the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education vote to approve the field trip to the University of Notre Dame as presented all right is there a motion to approve staff report T1 I Madam president I make a motion to approve staff report T1 the motion has been made by vice president bins and supported by trusty rockart any questions comments or concerns from the board I have a question you have the1a 61a is the added cost funding that is uh distributed to CTE programs throughout the state based on the number of enrollments and their performance the previous year any other questions from the board uh 61a so how much is in that I've just never heard of 61a is that something new or is it is it the 51a or there's a separate there's a different it's different in 31a and 61a okay thank you oh it's 31a okay I was making sure it was an error because I don't remember us ever reporting on that is that in the finance report so I don't have to ask another question oh I going on now I'm sorry about that treasur Craton but no it's not in the finance report it is a CTE um it's a CTE grant that we have in conjunction with Barry and Risa um so it's not in the finance report is kind of something that we get just based on expenditures only um and then it's reimbursed at the end of the school year so it's not in the budget at this time so is this something we'll need to accept or are we good did you guys check on it because I just have it um we Auto it's automatic we don't have we have to accept it once we submit our budget but it's something that's automatically given to us and we don't have to technically like apply for thank you all right if there's no other questions secretary trip can you please call the vote for staff report T1 president Robinson yes vice president Bowen yes secretary triplet yes treasure kraton yes trusty rocket Martin trusty Gavin yes motion carry all right next on the agenda we have human resources uh Mr mcder if you director mcder if you could please uh proceed with stff for H1 good night everyone good night isn't that a shame it's night time you accurate it's night even watch onl go with us still um staff report H1 uh reason for board consideration a list of employees whose employment relationship with the district is or will be separated is submitted to the board each month facts and Analysis it is recommended that the Board of Education votes to accept the separation of employment of the following staff policy reference 3140 and 4140 resignation of professional and support staff strategic plan goal reference Personnel leadership Benson Harbor area schools will recruit hire develop and retain the best staff to improve student outcomes um so separation of employment we have U Paul steinich from the position of library media specialist um from central office followed by Emily feain paraprofessional academic um from MLK Jr Cameron Washington paraprofessional academic uh from FP Mel Robinson paraprofessional academic from FP recommended action that the Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education votes to accept the separation of employment of the forementioned staff is there a motion to approve staff report H1 Madam president you have the floor I make a motion to approve staff report H1 with the correction that we did receive some of these exit surveys that form has been updated electronically probably not reflecting the board packet uh I think that was that hasn't been reprinted to reflect the updates okay thank you all right um you're making the motion to approve okay should I make a motion to approve we staff report H1 is there a second or support second the motion has been made by trusty bow and supported by trusty rocket Martin any questions comments or concerns I do have a question it says Paul Steinman Library specialist from Central Administration y'all got a library out there with a librarian on Central administra no that position is a central office position because it's districtwide so uh that position is not housed or I should say does not report to one specific building that position specific reports to the director of academics okay I thought you all had a library up there now with a librarian thank you so very much for the clarification no problem sir I have a question you have the floor so I notice on the next staff report that we're replacing or or I shouldn't say replacing but we're hiring um some pair Professionals for special education are these at the same building so are there other vacancies are these like are they interchangeable or will we then have to now post and fill these positions yes they these are not interchangeable um we're privileged to hire some special education par professionals however we also will need to um hire for um at least one or two of these academic par professionals okay so if there's no other questions from oh okay trusty Gavin just an observation you know three pair professionals rolling out around the same time I'm left wondering what type of news were they given is it a coincidence um you know did anything change in um in the role offerings um or is it just a coincidence that all three pair professionals are leaving I would personally say it's a sad coincidence because uh we have not communicated any negative information that would trigger that um two of the four names mentioned here did complete the survey um and I believe I sent that up prior to our last scheduled um work session so I can reshare that with the committee but two of them have shared their reasons for separation okay all right secretary Tri can you please call the vote for staff report H1 president Robinson yes vice president Bowen yes secretary triplet no treasure kraton no trusty rocket Martin yes trusty Gavin no but is that three and three yeah oh yes motion car all right next on the agenda we have staff report H2 staff report H2 submitting for board consideration uh to approve the employment of Staff in accordance with the revised school code and other general laws of Michigan facts and Analysis it is recommended that the board approves the superintendent's recommendation for the hire of the following Personnel policy reference 3120 and 4120 employment of professional and support staff strategic plan goal reference personal leadership Venton Harbor area schools will recruit hire develop and retain the best staff to improve student outcomes um new hires first we have Jessica Ray McFall for the position of HR coordinator and recruiter for central office then we have Mindy Nicks par par professional special education for Benton Harbor High School uh followed by Anton sh Hines teacher and training special education at Discovery Enrichment Center Corey Wright par professional special education at MLK Jr Destiny Willis par professional special education at FP recommended action that Bon Harbor Area Schools Board of Education votes to approve the employment of the forementioned staff is there a motion to approve staff report H2 Madame President you have the floor I make a motion that we approve staff report H2 however um one of the ones we just voted on already in the beginning of the meeting so I I caught that but I wasn't sure if if the if it was required to take this vote because it includes the building that the individual is being placed into and I don't think the previous report noted that so Mr mcder yeah if I understand correctly the vote that was taken earlier um because of the close session required a vote um so I don't think this is a duplicate I think if my understanding certainly correct it's because of the natures around the close session why there was a vote taken now we need to vote um acceptance of approval of the hire for that candidate okay point of information can we pull up the staff report which one that was voted on earlier so um the now there for it be resolved is pursuant is indicating that we approve this person to proceed with the employment application process through Ed Ed staff it didn't not necessarily approve the hire perfect so Madam president I would like to make a motion that we approve staff report H2 as is all right the motion has been made by vice president bows is there a second or support support those motion has been made by vice president bow and supported by truste Gavin questions comments concerns quick question president have the floor thank you just a question in regards to the teacher and training position does this teacher and training position um I don't want to say guarantee but does this person have a c allotment of time to keep their position without losing it because they are a teacher in training you understand what I'm saying do they have anything in writing that indicates they have X amount of years to get certified yes thank you um so for our teacher and training program we've uh provided a updated website that kind of clarifies the two Pathways we have so we have a pathway for those who are coming in that want to pursue their masters um with our partnership at Western or those who want to pursue just their endorsement with hasht te both of those uh institutions or I should say Partners have a contract that they provide the candidate once the candidate agrees to join each of them have designations on the a lot allotted time or expect expected time for them to successfully uh matriculate through each program um our contract standard contract is stating that once they are upholding that agreement their employment will continue with the district um continue with the district yeah until until for some strange reason if they do not meet their agreed contract or agreed uh yeah contract with those Partners so the there's a teach hash te program outside of the district correct so okay then I guess one more quick question is that program I'm wondering like how we started requiring that they have a certain degree did the program allow for them to have Associates degrees and then we made it more difficult for people to be able to be involved in the program no the program actually required a uh bachelor's so that they can um go through the process to take their mttc exam um so C can we can we take a brief what's going on yeah I'm gonna just take a a five minute recess what happened recess um so I think at this point we were there was a question on the floor yes um trusty Gavin can you remind us of the qu was it my apologies yeah what was the was someone answering it or were you still asking yeah I was just getting a quick answer I was just wondering I know that at one time we were accepting people with an associates degree who were working on a bachelor's and then we stopped that so I was wondering did we stop that on our level or was that the program wherever this program is originating from did they stop that sure does that question make sense yes it does thank you for that um after evaluating um after uh interviewing our candidates and understanding where they stood and some U maybe delays or hindrances in helping them navigate the process it was um found that in order for them to either start both Pathways um of Bachelors was required so we were able to hire individuals because they met the minimum qualifications of 60 college credits P per mde um to proceed with the process however they were pursuing their bachelor's degree on their own um which we found for some was a was a a roadblock so to ensure that we are not putting people in a disadvantage or prolonging their time between joining a program and just employed with the district we saw it fit that we are in line with both our partnership with Western and our partnership with hasht te where a bat is required so they can enter the program once they are hired okay real quick I remember when the maybe it was the state of Michigan was recognizing that we had this huge teacher shortage and so they were reducing the requirements um did was there do you know if there was a any type of reduction inquire and requirement that allow us to bring in people with an associates degree working on a bachelor's um to teach at any level whether it be a you know temporary certification or anything like that um so that that still stands the state allows once you have 60 college credits um you are able to be permitted that's what they call a daily self permit to work in the school system um however once again we did not want to continue that down that path of hiring teachers in training um where someone is on an associates degree or 60 college credits and kind of put them in a potential disadvantage of not being able to enter a program um which was their goal to receive endorsement or a master's degree along with the endorsement which is why we are moving away from that however um 60 college credits is still the standard but in regards to hiring individuals in the teacher and training program uh we found it best that we do not continue down that path to have people kind in this limbo that we've had where people have been with the district for three plus years not able to secure their Bachelors to move on to the next step I hope that answers thank you okay SE if there's no other questions for the board from the board I have a question treasure Craig yes um I think I asked earlier about the number of teachers that we have because I don't see certified teachers being hired so I just wanted if we can get that Clarity and then um another point of clarity I noticed that H3 there's a HR assistant um that is moving or potentially moving so will that job be included in a job that's listed under H2 or now will this be another vacancy and then we'll have to it just seems like a lot of M musical chairs so are these jobs that are like when you see a transfer like that and then you see a hir I'm just wondering like it looks like a pattern but I know we're saying it's not a pattern but from the PA Pros to the PA pros and now the HR this to the HR that I'm just wonder is there a pattern or these just always coincidences because I know that last month it was another HR position that was moved or eliminated or something so I'm just wondering director mcder yes uh unfortunately last I believe last month um the previous hire resigned um so that was what you I believe everyone saw last month regarding the human resources department no Human Resources position has been eliminated now we have a candidate replacing um or filling that position that was vacated last month um yeah so which position the recruiter or the assistant or the payrolls person because it has been something somebody has been moved because I see vacancies posted so the pay thank you for that so the position that we're looking at today was vacated last month the HR coordinator and recruiter in H2 um yes the payroll benefit specialist is posted um that has been vacant since 2023 we've had somebody providing um service through edist staff um since then they're no longer providing that service and we're looking to fill that position position listen I'm speaking English I'm I'm not I'm not I'm not I didn't come here for this so again I'm just wanted it to be noted that there's a trend whether you hire through Edy staff or you hire through hunts across the street that's been closed either way there's a trend in these positions in HR the assistant the coordinator I have no problem with anyone me hire I'm just wondering there's an assistant on here that's now being transferred and the payroll person was eliminated if that position has been posted and hard to feel for a year and a half like there has to be a trend or something going on that now all of these people are playing musical chairs and and I'm prepared to move forward but you know let's speak English people let's not play with words all right um secretary Tri can you call vote for H2 please sorry president Robinson yes vice president bow yes secretary triplet yes treasure kraton abstain truste rocket Martin yes truste Gavin yes motion Carri staff report H3 Mr mcder yes president Robinson uh staff report H3 submitting for board consideration to approve staff employment sorry in accordance with the revised school code and other general laws of Michigan fa in analysis it is recommended that the board approves the superintendent recommendation for the transfer of the following Personnel policy reference 3130 4130 assignment and transfer of personnel and support staff strategic plan goal reference personal leadership Bon Harbor area schools will recruit hire develop and retain the best staff to improve student outcomes transfer first we have Don Frederickson from the position of math teacher at the high school to the position of instructional facilitator at Fair playay Middle School second we have Miss Kenisha Nichols HR assistant transferring from central office transfering to the position of administrative assistance at fairplane Middle School recommended action that the Benton Harvard Area Schools Board of Education votes to approve the employment of the forementioned staff is there a motion to approve staff report H3 Madame President you have the floor I make a motion to approve staff report H3 second or support support the motion has been made by vice president Bowes and supported by trustee rocket Martin questions comments and concerns regarding staff report H3 I cannot see um the transfer um from Miss Frederickson so she's being transferred from a math teacher at Ben harbard High School to what position instructional facilitator okay so now I for me when the report was just read that um our high school had math and math as a matter of fact they went down we do not have Math teachers and you take you all are asking us to take a teacher from this high school a skilled math teacher and put her back into a role of instructional facilitator I I I don't understand it I don't understand that we don't have Master at that High School and she is a certified math teacher I don't understand that I cannot support it it is almost like setting up the high school they will go down when they don't have any Math teachers she's a math teacher so what do you need to facilitate what ain't nobody to facilitate a certified math teacher this High School does not have certified math teacher I just I just I just need some understanding I this need to make sense to me and I'm very concerned with what Miss cups just read about the data at the high school for math as it relates to the partnership agreement so I know that this lady has been a math teacher before and has worked in our Renaissance program as one of our top Math teachers in this District I just don't understand what this is about can somebody yeah uh explain vice president so I'm glad you brought that up trustee um treas secretary triplet because in our HR committee we had those complaint um same concerns and she applied for that position and they said that she was the top interviewing for it so that's where we were you know we asked that question about that it with the shortage of teachers and she applied for it so that's where we were I understand your sentiments and again we have certified teachers in these instructional quote unquote whatever it is that they're doing the growth is only 1% everything that was presented to us tonight that's a growth is only 1% how do you expect our students to grow and they don't have qualified certified teachers in there and how many people actually appli for that position I mean I you don't need that information but I'm just saying to me it doesn't make any sense we do not have Math teachers that is not right it's not all right any other questions regarding H3 if there're U I have a comment oh so we'll go Katon and then Gavin yeah um and again I I love you know is no is nothing I'm just I'm not understanding the last meeting that I was at people were fighting to move this person and now it it's just like musical chairs is dysfunction is unprofessional it's mismanagement I'm just throwing some words out there like that comes to mind because I don't understand I I just don't understand how are we just constantly in limbo and shuffling and like where's the balance where's the consistency how can we evaluate people if we're constantly playing musical chairs and whoever don't get the seat we just don't put them out the game we just put them somewhere else like something has to give something has to change I don't know how we're in alignment with our strategic plan and our partnership agreement when we're doing a lot of these things I will'll go I just wanted to add president Robinson you have the floor thank you um I as vice president bow mentioned um he spoke very strong and questioned this same topic um of the top of my head I can't remember how many candidates actually applied but I can say we've had for this position specifically four internal candidates so I must say it's this name today but it could have been another internal candidate um so I know we're I know I hear the sentiments but I just want every Everybody let everybody know we had a few internal candidates this candidate presented today was the lead candidate the second and third were also internal candidates so HR is not trying to create vacancies or holes in our um progress for our students however Human Resources also not trying to restrict employees from advancing if there is opportunity to advance so you're saying that this secretary triplet I would ask that you not um right now I believe it was trusty Gavin did you already have opportunity for your question thank you so much my voice just shut down um is this is this is this the person that was the data what was it what was the position data something um I believe it was Data coach so data coach that's the person who helps with standardized testing is that correct hm I think that role did a lot and I don't want to focus on one specific but I think that position did a lot I can't remember all the details around that position can is there something that director CCH can help with is is the data coach the person who address who helps with prepares for standardized testing uh in the time that I've been in this role our um sis specialist has also uh worked in the role of the data coach and the district testing coordinator prior to my role uh this current role when I was CTE director I don't know not sure okay so yeah so I'm thinking we had this position that was called Data coach and I assumed that we wanted to make data driven decisions and that that position was important and then they were moved to a teaching position and now instructional facilitator within less than 365 days I'm guessing um I'm not against anybody getting a promotion I I guess I'm just confused as to why they were moved from the position that they were in in the first place if the teaching position was Expendable right like if we okay with leaving that Ro vacant why did we move her in the first place if that's what she was doing I'm gonna defer to the superintendent because going back to the original move I not 100% sure on what the factors were around the original move on the original move it was we was we were right sizing we was starting the right sizing conversation so that's when the sis person took over those roles which was uh entering sketches uh pulling together data data from all the the district test that were uh that were being uh administered uh it was it was data from different coaches data from different tests uh and also helping to set up those tests so that the sis director was doing some of those duties so we transfer all those duties to her so and there was a math opening at the high school where I saw best fit that's when uh I assigned Miss Frederickson to the math position at the high school to help cover that Gap so do we have a math teacher to cover that Gap or we gonna move a music teacher into the math class well that math that math Position will be posted uh again she applied for that position and became the top candidate so that position will be posted so I'm not going to stop anybody from getting a promotion I understand that if they if they were in a position outside of the class and they don't want to be in the classro they don't want to be there and if we don't allow them the upward Mobility that they've you know that they had and you demoting people you going to lose them anyway so that you know I would support this although I don't know why in the heck we moved her in the first place that's my problem is the move in the first place but I will support you know if somebody applies for a position I'm not going to block that so okay at this time Secretary triplet please call the vote for staff report H3 can we get any answers to our questions though like for real which is what is the question that has not been answered at this point I mean it's it's not been an answer because again when are we going to put students first like now we're going to take a student away from their math teacher and leave a vacancy to allow a an an adult who's had a great career in this District like where is the compromise like we're going to create an immediate vacancy or can we wait until we get a a person to feel it I mean that's not fair to the students to the principal to any one like how is that fair like I don't understand that to I mean I understand that teachers at the school might need the support but let's let's be let's be clear like the same Playbook different players we have to think about this so then we're going to get to the point at the end of the year and then we're going to say well teachers students didn't have adequate teaching staff and so we're going to let them test out we're going to make this class virtual come on people let let's be let's be real seriously and again I love this person but we had to and on the the vacancies that was presented to the board the move has already been made on the official document that person is already showing up as a fairplane Middle School employee so is that person a High School employee as of today or is that person at the middle school and see sometimes we don't respect the information that we're being presented because we don't think people are real it but I read vice president bow would we be putting oursel at a liability legally if we were not to move at this because it's now been public um she applied for it um would she be would it put the district at a liability or for suit with the rest I don't know are you saying if we reject a hire being recommended by the superintendent that the staff applied for like like she applied for the job she got approved for it she was told um she was the top pick well the the the complication of it is I I do re I do respect Treasurer kraton's recommendation that we um that we wait until we found a person to fill the position the difficulty would be that we cannot technically post a math position for this particular role until the person has been moved out of it I don't believe that we could we could post a position that's open that hasn't been voted to be open it's already vacancies I mean that's what I'm saying I don't know if it's a vacancy or is or if it's not because the person has already been moved and it's already showing a vacant a vacant mask spot like I don't understand or was it just clear because all the math positions now right now in real time are showing up vacant so we don't have any certified or any Math teachers in position your fa I mean really got we don't Board of Education I'm gonna ask respectfully it's 10 o'clock I'm the only person that can give people the opportunity to speak at the table so if there anyone in the room whether at the table or not that cannot prevent thems from talking at this time because I'm the only one that has the floor I would ask that you exit the room respectfully because it's 10:00 we have we have business to do and so most of us are unaware of what the side conversations are even pertaining to but they are now distraction to the meeting so if there's anyone that is currently in the meeting that does not have the ability to be silent unless they have been given the floor I would ask that you respectfully exit because we need to get finished um so there was a question as to whether this is posted as a vacancy on the current vacancy report I would ask is that report reflective of what you were bringing before the board or what is the clarification on that because the next thing I'm going to do is call for the vote so there is a live document that we have I think I shared with the board for our updates on vacancies this is not posted to the public with a believing that the board will vote we were making moves on the spreadsheet those individuals names that were presented tonight are all highlighted in yellow that's just what is being shared it's not communicated to anybody else this is us trying to keep track of movement of staff so nothing has been posted publicly for a vacancy as of this time Secretary triplet can you please call the vote for for staff report H3 president Robinson yes vice president B yes secretary triplet no treasur kraton no trusty rocket Martin yes trusty Gavin yes motion Carri all right next on the agenda we have the student support services update director Nicholls and then after that um you can kind of merge in the student quote of conduct into that same um presentation I don't have to give you the floor to proceed okay thank you good evening excuse me um I just want to share I know um just following up from the September um 12th um incident at the high school um just some supports that was provided on that Monday September 16th um we did have our crisis um Team um at the high school um on the 16th we had two two of our social workers in the district one Baran Risa um social worker and a volunteer um social worker from Baran Rea um we did provide that to support our students and staff um and um no one attended that um session so just give you all that update the next thing is the upcoming family community engagement events um fairplane East they just had today their U pastries with parents I heard that was a awesome turnout um can we share yeah I was trying to see it we could thank you keep the I believe in your packet you probably have the old one but I want it to update there we are thank you um Fair playe Middle October 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 all things add up that is their parent family engagement event at deck October 16th um from 5:30 to 7 there's the finger painting with principal Patterson um and at the high school October 16th from 11:30 to 1:30 the University of Michigan will um visit um and that's the college conversations with students and parents and then um MLK October 23rd from 5: to 6:30 p.m the family math night um so that's just update there and then if we can go into our um attendance I want to bring to you all some updates around the attendance that is happening um so I'll start with deck so just to explain this this uh what you're seeing as far as the chart that's the transfers of students that have transferred out of the district so I wanted to give you all a huge picture of what's happening in our district right now so if you look at deck 21 students is unknown that have um transfer out of the district and the unknowns a lot of times we are finding um when we do the home visits a lot of times the parents do not want to share where they're going but if we do find out we will be able to get that information back to our regist Mrs Matthews um as you can see so a total of 28 students transferred out of um deck um one was re relocated out of the state um six enrolled in another Michigan public schools um I did want to share our building count as of today at that school is 85 students and then just sharing um students number that was present on count day now mind you that this these these numbers going to look a little different later on because we um we have what is called FTE which happens um our register would do a 10 30day count um so at the 10 days she'll do a 30-day count so just so you know that that number that would change um the next school MLK we had a total of 70 students that transferred out of our district um I just want you to be aware that 50 of these students enrolled in another Public School in Michigan um six relocated out of the state and two um registered in a non-public school and 12 unknown again um with unknowns we do not like unknowns however um I do know with our attendance campaign we are doing the home visits and we're trying to get that that information but is what coming back to us is that parents are not sharing that information with us um at fairplane East we have we had a total of 32 students um that transferred out of the district 19 enrolled in another public schools in Michigan four relocated out of state um one attended a nonpublic school and then eight unknown um that building total as of today is 151 um and the number that was present on count day was 142 students um I want to add you know as we look at our numbers that we have actually enrolled in our district we had a high number of students present on our count day and I will say that our buildings did an awesome job in um promoting um count day and getting their students in school and also we do have our new treny prevention um specialist who has been working um with the mtss specialist and building attendance teams so I would like to say um good job well done um next building uh Fair playing middle we've had 48 students transfer out of District um 27 students enrolled in a public school in Michigan 10 relocated out of state um 11 unknown um building count is 243 students um number of students that was present on count day is 227 and then moving on to Cape um we've had eight students transfer out four enrolled in another um school district in Michigan and for known um but on today building total is 60 and present on Count Day 55 and then our high school numbers um 35 students enrolled in another school district in Michigan 10 relocated out of state two enrolled in a non-public school in Michigan and one in Job Corp um two are listed as dropped out um that information would have came from when we tried to do when we did home visits and the parent um stated to us that they was no longer attending school so that's how we received that information um we do try to promote the students to come to school but we you know we can do um all we can but it's up to them to um want to attend um and at that building 14 unknown um the building total as of today um is 480 and present on count day was 420 um our total numbers that we have for all of our buildings um when we look at our numbers of transferred out of course that is it's a lot of students transferring out of our district um we have we had 250 students transfer out of our district total um 41 students enrolled in another Public School in Michigan five um enrolled in a nonpublic school in Michigan again there's that one job core 31 relocated out of state um and 70 unknown um the total building numbers as of today is 1,253 students and the number of students present on count day was 1,1 34 okay I can move on to the student code I mean student handbook so in your packet um Dr Butz wanted us to um bring this for you so you can be able to Le um to look over some of the changes um have already been made there are some the the copy that you have right there is not um the most current um copy um of course um we will be adding the new attendance policy in the packet sorry so I I I don't know who we you who are you talking to you thought Dr bus said something to you I said cell phone policies oh I'm sorry thank you what did I say attend oh I'm sorry so my brain it's l thank you okay so I do see that it's noted in here um cell phones and electronic devices on page 13 and then there's a general uh notation of it but you're saying the policy itself has not been um inserted into the student conduct just yet or what what exactly were we saying I know Dr bus you mentioned that earlier you were waiting for the vote so the highlighted text is this all that will be in there like is this a reflection of what the student conduct or there will be the more it will be more so that was the old version got okay okay thank you that was what I missed okay can we get something in notes what year it is or so we can know is she saying that other changes have been made so are we like what's our role in this what I really want to do is present it this let you see that we did have something that we were coming that we were putting out uh last year we did not have anything that we we put out so uh what Miss Nichols created during the summer was this a revised um student code of conduct so I I she if she has the year of the older one we could provide that I'll go back and look at the last time it was updated and so I guess I was just asking because she saying that this is the old version and there's a new version but then when you look at it this is updated so I'm just wondering like are we look looking at this is there going to be an electronic copy like which one should we look at or are you not asking for feedback this is just for information it was for information tonight but we'll be sending out electronic copy okay so I want to try to get us through um the next item of business is old business I sent out an email ask questions on we can I just was trying to get us through um but go ahead trusty Gavin you have the floor I try to be quick um this is I love this graph thank you for that um I'm wondering if it's possible to include student teacher ratios on on here is that is that something that's possible for me uh oh I'm sorry you're asking if if I can as far as yeah so like how we see and it can be average it doesn't have to be like every class but is it possible to have so like we know that there's 234 students at MLK and just wondering what's the student teacher ratio how many kids are in a class on average for those teachers is that something is that some data that or should I just kind of look for something else look for it somewhere else I would defer to Dr buts for on that because I'm I I do I have the student numbers I'm not for sure of the staff um data director cups um can you and um director mcder are you able to collaborate on providing a response I'm not sure if you guys were in tune with trusty Gavin's question and I don't need the answer right now what the student teacher ratio is but I'm wondering is it possible to have to have the student teacher ratio on like added to this um to this data the average student teacher ratio we we could add it and I know I sent when President Robinson sent out for for me to respond by October 4th that that student teacher ratio was on there as well but we can do the average as as well as I know I I get what you're saying okay I don't believe the student teacher ratio was on there what I asked about specifically was the support staff security guards and things of that nature so I don't if you did put the student teacher ratio on there I overlooked it because I was looking at the numbers for the support support staff so I'll go back and reference it I have a followup if possible you have trusty Gavin still oh I apologize yeah thanks so just because I know that if we lost students that might change you know that might change that student teacher ratio just wondering what that is um and then you said that there were some supports to the students after the students and staff after the kind of the traumatic situation you said nobody nobody use the services that is correct so I'm just wondering like how was it extended to them um my understanding um it was sent to email and over the intercom and then um yes I believe that's how that um was they were informed okay so they could just go to a room and get some support just for like counseling is correct so the support it was here in the library that day yes okay I guess what I'm wondering is because we have a um this is super important because we have these for lack of a better word beefs between students right that I that has to be kind of boiling up over time you know I'm wondering like do we have a support so for example I remember there there was a guy back in the day who you know he would work with uh people in prisons rival gangs and you know give them an opportunity to come out having hashed out whatever was really going on with them and they were able to amend those deep-seated disagreements right and so we have these fights and different things that's going on do we have any supports in place to help um address the conflict that keep arising like if this is if these were big fights do we have something in place not the staff because they're trying to do deliver academics right do we have anything in place to really get to the root of what's going on with our kids yes at each of our buildings and be referring to the high school they do have mtss Specialists youth Advocates and they do provide restorative practice and circles with um students is that going is there a is there a case load for all of those incidents that happen um at the buildings they will track that information are you you're not sure no I said at the buildings they track that information I'm asking like is it happening well they track it in they would track it in Pirate school um so when you ask is it happening I do know that it has happened from the incident that happened a couple weeks ago is what I'm asking is there ongoing case load in which those students who were into it with rival students in a major way is there a case load in which there are there is adequate staff adequate support to mend those um disagreements between those conflicts between those groups of students so I understand what I'm saying I do understand so I will have to defer to Dr buz I'm sorry could you be I was looking at Okay so I I'm going to ask based on the Crickets in the room can we just notate the question that trusty Gavin has asked and send a follow-up email with the answer um and trusty Gavin I know you're very very good at framing your question so can you send that via email to Dr bu think Dr bu got it um okay yeah okay I was I was looking at this thing and I saw Miss morand and then her husband so I'm I'm not asleep I'm sitting here but I just looking at my so um and I'm I am going to notate an observation from the public uh we have an administrator that said yes okay yes want to make sure they have adequate support to squash that like at the root of it that's what I'm saying okay thank you a treasure Craton did you still have a you had a followup to something I do and I don't want to be looking I want to be listening this time all right so my question is so I noticed that um you know I was the one that asked I had a lot of questions but just for a sake of time um the major question is the student enrollment because I I do follow the money and so I'm just wondering when I look at this you know it's looking like we lost 250 students but then maybe we possibly gain some back um like what is the estimated cost that our budget um so I guess I'm wondering like what what will we anticipate pting versus what we have so that we can look at how many students did we actually lose and um and that should be something that someone is prepared to answer tonight I also noticed that our count is at 420 at the high school and um I Heard uh miss Gavin ask about the student teacher ratio that was provided only for the high school and and we said that we have 70 students and so it does bother me from a finance to HR administrative from every Department everyone should be well versed in knowing the enrollment and the student count and this the teacher need and count and that needs to be a conversation I no that you guys have meetings and so I'm just wonder like how do we sustain a building um with 70 employees and 420 students like we have to we we have to really think about like what this is my work you know the other stuff that we talk about you know that's ad me work but my work is this and I think often times at this table we get caught up and you know people saying oh don't micromanage us but if the stuff is presented to us then we don't have to micromanage we can micromanage but right now from a just a governance oversight and accountability standpoint how do we feel comfortable sitting and talking about anything besides student learning and student count because if students are learning then obviously something is pushing people out um whether it's safety which is what we're talking about now it's something and so I I'm just wondering is anyone else alarmed because with my rough math I know it's like over two million but obviously looking at it and understanding it's more that goes into it it might be like one million but I think a mill aent is too much so like do we have a plan are we looking at it are we going to just keep feeling positions because we say that they're vacant you know right sizing should have never come off the table understand that whether it's voted or not you have to keep moving no one said that you can't make the adjustments it is part of your responsibility part of finances responsibility to make sure that you have a balanced budget I know that we were in the ne4 million um anticipated so I'm just wondering are we like where are we now and I did ask that question in the email so I'm just wondering like what's up and this is my work and I would like this answer tonight okay and I thought I was answering it for you today when I was emailing back so at first we had lost the amount of 160 student which would which would have equated somewhere in the in the range of about 1.5 million dollar we've gained um 100 back from my rough math today which is about was it from so you saying of these 250 you gain 150 of them back or you so how hold on let let me so you down only 40 60s 40 how many hold on let me go back it was about it say pres on count day that's all you get money for yeah so let me I'm sorry I'm gonna jump back in we we're becoming a little bit too conversational so I'm gonna ask that we allow Dr buz to provide a response to treasure kraton's question and everyone else at the table cease talking so when we on on count day we had 1134 that was on here on count day uh as of today we had 1253 total in enrolled in the district so with the count day that's the beginning of we have it to October 30th to have a true Count so when I look when I'm looking at was the last count sir I'm asking so like from count day to count Day from the last Count Day how many did we count did we count 1294 so 1294 so from the last count day was 1294 and from this count day it's 1134 right so that's 160 right it's 160 1.5 million all right right 16 1.5 million uhuh okay all right so 160 1.5 million so we're looking at being a negative six million almost right okay but Dr bus your clarification that you're saying that we're at 12:53 30th so that does that mean that it's not going to be that amount of red reduction or am I not understanding what G 119 back so for you to say that you verified that 20 250 transferred out like you got to still make the data make sense I understand that we're being optimistic and I'm optimistic too but I'm saying like it's still got to make sense so do we look at hypotheticals do we look at count data Count Day and in the past we've looked at I think count day to count day is that correct yes so we have to go from count day to count day right we can't look at what we haven't done we heard that we we're working on the plan to clean up try we know that but again we speak English here and we go from K day to C Day correct correct thank you okay I don't think okay so but I guess maybe I'm not understanding because he was saying something about the 30th you have until the 30th of October and isn't that total up until that day included in the count that will be included in the count up to October 30th yes ma'am okay when you say secretary tripley I'm sorry when you're doing the count on the count day is the actual they take the count day of the students who actually reported the school on that day it may have been an additional from what I'm gathering I thought of my understanding that they had, 3 students or they had uh that they have 10 days a c a certain amount of days some of the kids have attended school already but they weren't there on cond day the school each individual school has a window right to go and find out where those students are so with with with with the report that was given that that excluded the ones that transferred in the state going to private school being uh called at the house and all that stuff all them already out but there's a certain amount of numers like in my classroom I had 30 students but 24 came on count yeah I don't need I'm not asking that wasn't my I would ask that you allow him to finish yeah I'm sorry he was looking at me so I was like saying so when we get the final count and I'm just happy to have a count this quick I'm just happy to have this information at the board at the board table that you were able to even pull that information together because it was almost like it was a mystery in the past you know to get the official count of students that we actually have and so I do understand because for me and I'm I'm I'm going to just I'm G to stop right there and let you go ahead and finish what it is because my concern is last year a loss of 200 200 in stomach students this year a lost a 200 and something student um so that's 500 student we losing too many students and these students are going to schools around here we got I I I been I I've been looking at the data we have students that are are going to bridge bridge has almost 100 and something OD student and majority of them are and so we you know we we cohort we we we you know we kick it with our competition we said up in here green with our competition like they cool Ain nobody up there I know I can only speak myself I'm not stupid ain't nobody in here got me fooled about how they feel about what it is that's going on cuz it's not just happening like that it really is Not Just Happening like that from the inside out so I'm clear on it we we will have our final count of I'm glad that we have at least 180 students that have shown up at Ben haror high school now we got to make sure that they get in that building and become counted for and we got to also make sure that when students when they get through with they count day and they pick and choose who they want and send those students back that that money comes back with them these are the things that we slip up on people get offended we sit at this table and ask question and take everything personal make your personal because it's not yours it's not yours this all this belong to our community that's what I stand with okay so I'm going to try to move the um agenda forward um we're at board board Retreats so as you all are aware I sent out an email with some noted dates um for our Retreat reason that this is extremely important is because we were referencing the partnership agreement checkpoint and and what the expectations are and so I want to remind the board that one of those expectations were trainings um that required the full board two were required um by um you know within our partnership agreement expectation guidelines and so I would like for us to there's two that are required prior to the Benchmark I would not I would prefer that it not be noted that the board of education did not meet that we did not that that that is one of the checkpoints that we did not meet um out of the information that I received I believe trusty Gavin indicated that Saturdays are not her preference um trusty Doyle say she was not available on the 12th which is of course why I did not notate that day because there was a clear notation that she was not available um I am wanting to do The Saturdays because I think it would be kind of difficult to do evening days um not knowing how long the training may go into the night things of that nature so I am asking um if it is feasible if you all could try to make the adjustments in your schedule to allow for us to do our two trainings on October 19th and was Saturday October 19th um and Saturday November the 2nd if if you all can at all please um make that work because if they have to do their conference on the 4th my goal is that they would be able to report on the 4th that we have completed those trainings as well I don't have any Saturdays available okay so I'm going to have to come back um yeah I I each me each time I I try to come up with the solution and then I don't so I'm kind of concerned that we're not going to meet that Mark um I'll just reach out to Gloria Chapman and kind of see what options are as far as the board um is so what would stop us from doing it during the week we could if there's a certain date that you guys can say that you're available but I have to make sure that the trainer is available to travel down on the evening day as well so I mean I can look at some Tuesdays or Wednesdays or something like that and try to get creative I just thought that The Saturdays Saturdays have always worked for us mostly I'm sorry it's football season Robinson trusty Gavin you said there's something that needs to be turned in on November 4th so they were saying they our deadline is I believe November 15th that's the 18 checkpoint or it's somewhere around there but they had they mentioned earlier they have a conference on November 4th where they're going to be presenting the information as to the checkpoints and things of the district so what I was hoping is that prior to November 4th one of the updates that could be provided is that the board has satisfied those two trainings I would like to notate that we did take a very amazing training it just wasn't countable so um I will go back and get um missm schedule for evenings in the month of October no um okay just what I was um I can do after the fourth I can do after the fourth so yeah so I will go back was Saturday after the fourth my Saturdays I feel through the through that point making the only person she is she's just the one that initiated the training with us and then we had we had some followup out of that first training that we did not touch on so I just wanted to do the second piece of that training um it's okay go ahead if the deadline is not until what did you say November I think it's the 15th isn't it it is so what I'll do is I'll Circle back to Chapman um and and make sure I have a full understanding on that just really um but we're going to lock down a date what I am asking the board is once the date is locked down if you do not communicate if you know that you're unable to make it please tell me so I do not schedule it and once we set in stone that that's the date I'm asking that everybody ensure that they're present and available so that we can can do the training that we want to do but that the training that we do can count towards the partnership agreement and that's the only reason that all of us have to be present none of us are afraid of trainings we love trainings but it does not count towards a partnership agreement unless we're all present all right next on the agenda is open public comment is there anyone here who would like to make a comment hearing none next we have the superintendent announcements and comments uh Dr bus the driver ed RFP update yes ma'am I put the r drivers at RP out we did not get a response but I did call a couple of companies they did not have uh enough time to put the information together so I'll be reissuing that so that we can ensure that we get a response on the RP uh for driver ed are you w to comment I'm sorry no I speak here okay I look you are the only person here and you normally get right up when you're ready so I'm just making sure I didn't overlook your desire to comment okay okay continue Dr bu so I will be resubmitting the RFP so that we can get um give the companies some some time to get put put the information together that they need so I'm sorry he was saying that he put the RFP out and did not get responses is that correct that's correct put the RFP out did not get a response called a couple of companies they did uh they did not have enough time they they needed more time to put the information together so I re uh submit the RFP to give them more time so that we can get a response president Robinson you have the floor so may I ask how much time did they have to respond to the RFP two weeks two weeks um is that the standard time to respond to an RFP that's typically the standard time he uh one I know one of the companies said they were they were extremely busy this time of year and that they needed more time so are all our rfps two weeks I guess that's what she's asking like yes that's standard that's that's I yes ma'am that's I stated before that was it's typically two weeks two weeks and um couple questions if you're getting ready to put that RFP out um I guess I'm kind of confused in terms of the cost because you said we have to because because trustee rocket Martin wants the parents to pay for driver we then have to vote on that on whether it's free to the students or not isn't it going to be a class in in initially it would have to start off as and it was start off as after school because the what I'm trying to do is get the company to train our staff so that we can eventually take it over so it will start as an after school thing right now as we have it budgeted we can actually uh we can actually just put it as an after school and pay for and the district pay for uh sustainability wise I we we've got to look at the studies we got to look at the numbers we got to look at um student enr M but for for this first go around it was included in S3s so I had the RP out before the 30th we do have an extension so I can put the RFP out and in S3s uh the students were it is fund the students are funded through S3s so I guess what my question is since you have this additional money this is something that could actually attract our students back and could be an investment in them their families and and and increase our enrollment um can we add this onto our next agenda for us to vote on or are you already prepared to make it free or do we have to vote on this being a um not being a c to the parents since this one was already in S3 I'm prepared to make it free so we can get it pushed through I can get not not not send so much saying push through but the goal is to get it started by Spring and in order for me to do that I got to get the RFP out so they can have chance to get get us back get it approved start recruiting staff the the whole process awesome thank you so much and just if there's any I don't know if we're using all of the communication tools to make sure that the word is out to these companies that offer it um you know maybe we can catch a wi cast a wider net um but thank you so much for getting on top of that and for making it free to our parents who already are at a hardship so appreciate that so Dr buts I would just ask if you um get a a clarification on that because most of your curriculum and things of that nature has had to come before the board for approval and so I am not I'm not certain that you can choose to actually initiate drivers's ad ad free of cost without a board vote because that would technically be an amendment to your current curriculum right so no no no what what I'm saying as far as the RFP you have to approve once once the RFP is put out you have to approve it and if there's an amendments or whatever you would have to approve it as board so we would be taking the vote to accept the proposal which would include the cost right okay all right I just wanted to make sure I just wanted to make sure that you weren't just saying you getting ready to pull $2 million out of the funds without no ma'am okay all right thank you for that clarification I say just a little I wanted to be on record that my um my thinking of being of having parents or or even the students because they do work a lot L of them work uh pay something towards the driver's ed I'm not talking about a large sum of money driver's ed is expensive it's almost like 400 and something dollars for one class and then they have a they have a second session to take so if a child had to pay like maybe even a $100 you know that would help uh make the funds available for other children who may later want to take Driver's at it would keep the it would keep it going it would be an ongoing thing it would help sustain the program not that I don't want you know that I'm trying to get parents to pay this huge fee but just something to keep the the program going I so I I I have no I cannot object to the will of the board to make comments in this discussion but I would just hope and remind the board that this item is not an item for vote we were just getting RFP update and that update is that no one has responded so right now we really don't have a a discussion topic that's requiring additional input we're not taking a vote today however the table is open for anyone that would like to speak I don't have anything to say okay at this time I appreciate you at this time there uh the next item on the agenda is is adjournment is there a motion to adjourn nobody want to go home is there a second or support the motion has been made by truste raet Martin and supported by secretary triplet questions comments or concerns secretary triplet I I just want to say tonight has been exactly what I thought it would be you know it it for the last about three weeks I I I haven't uh really been able to sleep um like waking up in the middle of the night with um pressing is just something that's pressing it amazes me how people feel so comfortable like really really feel so comfortable of being disrespectful rude ill maners yet so professional you know and I I'm I'm not offended but I one thing that I want to say you know efficacy is is is a critical piece and my wife and I had an opportunity to present at um a whole child conference in Indiana and one of the topic that we presented on together was ethicacy what do you really really think about the people that you serve I mean like honestly you don't have to answer what do you think about them you know you you know um I was in a in a in a in a in a in a conference in a meeting as an administrator master degree and everything and I the conversation they was talking about disadvantage they was talking about underprivileged and they were using the term Urban and all those things and as they started to conversate I it came to me that they were talking about me that's what they thought about me as a child and many people the Lord has blessed you but the same thing that they're saying about these kids they said the same thing about your parents from here they said your parents didn't care they said that you all were were from this place and that place and that place your effort do you so I think it's important that people look what is it that you really believe do you think that you that that the people in this community is disadvantage so they don't deserve do you think they're underprivileged do you think that they're do you think that they're g off and you got to come out of your mouth and you feel comfortable and saying it what do you really really think about these kids do you think that all of the smart kids all of the kids that their parents care that that only kid the kids that go to other schools their parents really really care about them and the kids that are here in B Harvard their parents don't care what what do you think what do what do you really think you're doing some of the same thing that you because I I said and I told one of my one of our colleagues today until I my dying breath and I want it to be understood until I die I will fight for these kids like I fought for many of you all who are sitting at this table I'm going to fight with them I ain't gonna never let you think that it is okay for you to walk up in here with your privilege and it's not just in color it's in a mindset and then you're going to treat them any kind of way that you're going to come up in here and your kids have everything off the back of them I didn't want to use my insurance at one point because I felt bad when I worked in this District to take my car and my kids were going to in care my student had to go to the emergency room and so I I I wanted I want to make it perfectly you can't offend me you will never there's nothing in you that would give you the power to disrespect me but it it it amazes me I'mma close with this before you were blessed to be where you are today and you weren't there the thing the things that you had to say about your Superior and only took you 10 minutes to turn into them and I just I I am disheartened because guess what I'm not one of those people that say I got mine you got to get yours I got mine and I'm gon do everything that's in my power to make sure that these kids these thugs these underprivileged children get everything that they deserve so don't look confused I am not fooled I see it I understand it I know it because I live it I breathe it and all I'm asking is for you to give them what they deserve all of our conversation and arguments secretary Tri please M president and I don't mean any people have talked up in here 10 minutes and everybody act like it's a big joke when it come to it's a big thing it's like a big thing you know I don't know what this is about it's okay to check Renardo or check Mr triplet or put him in his play because I've shut my mouth a long time so I'm I'm G close it out to our teachers we I I support you I hear you I know what you I know because when I sit up in here all this time I don't get it dime for here I don't get a dime but I sit up in here it breaks my heart 1% and people cool with it what do you think about our kids and you wrong you wrong you wrong the way that you do this stuff up in here for there because you wouldn't let it happen to yours you wouldn't never let that happened to your but I'm cool and I saw you I saw you I heard you I felt you and I voted for all of them I gave every last one of y'all sitting at that table my yes thank you all right is there are there any other questions comments or concerns trusty Gavin thank you president Robinson I want to thank everybody um who tuned in on Zoom who will listen on YouTube I want to thank uh Clyde pollins for sitting with us and joining us pretty much every every board meeting um and if not every board meeting almost every board meeting since the day that you spoke um about the boilers I was reading um an article about S7 billion dollar worth of War equipment that was left when we pulled out of Afghanistan and I think about like how much money we invest in war and then when it comes to our children it's like oh we don't have enough money oh we can't do this oh we can't do that and I really just want to inspire us to just think outside of the box um we absolutely can invest in them we absolutely can get you know a 15 to1 student teacher ratio I've been having conversations um with you know US Congress person who's working to get who was working to get money here I've had multiple conversations with State congressmen and women who um desire to invest who have you know made a fresh start a priority for them which which speaks to investing in a smaller um student teacher ratio and investing in our infrastructure and so what I just want to say is like it's possible we can give our kids everything they deserve and their parents and their ancestors have already paid the cost like it's a mindset it's it's understanding that they are worth it and when they come back the money will come but we have to show them that they're worth it and that we'll invest in them and last but not least if there is an altercation we just need to take it very very seriously and get to the root of the matter so that it doesn't happen again they just want to be treated like human beings if they're into it with each other they need us to be asking what happened right what happened and how can we work together to correct it and create a a safe environment for them thank you all for your time anyone else for a closing comment at ajour yes um I just want to say that you know sometimes we sit and and we we try to figure out you know what's going on and and some of us you know we've been in this thing a long time and one thing that I was taught is when you can learn you know how to learn you can learn anything and one thing I know is if you watch sports or if you've ever gone to this school and participated in any activity one thing that tigers are known for and if you're a tiger you're known for playing offense so I was having this conversation with someone and as Tigers we play offense right offense is what wins the game offense because we're taught that we're our own competition we don't focus on on what the other people are doing we focus on winning and when you focus on winning you're focusing on working together for the common goal so a lot of times when people say you know they don't understand they don't understand what do you guys mean we keep saying the plays are being run it's the same Playbook and we get it because we're tigers and we're taught to play offense so we keep working and moving forward as if nothing is happening or that the coaches and the people that's calling the plays aren't call in the same place but one thing that we know is that when you're a tiger you're the predator and never to pray so in closing just remember that if you're playing offense you will always win but if you playing defense you're always looking back to see what you can do to sabotage the next person's game try Ro Martin did you want to say something or are you okay keep a positive outlook we are somebody Benton Harbor is rising to the top look at the glass half full instead of half empty keep working Dr Buzz I applaud your staff and I applaud the work that you do I heard the numbers I heard the numbers and for that 1% It Wasn't us that pulled that for us it was the state of Michigan that did that we didn't do that they we had a higher percentage they did that and and I understand why but of course we are gonna work and strive to get a 100% we're going to work and stri because we want our kids to continue to go forward and to be the best at they could do so we are going to support them in every way possible we are going to support them in every way and and you know and I think that should be said you know like I said I applaud your staff I applaud the work you do and the fact that you are are working to make sure that our children get those kinds of gains and go forward and so with that being said and I also support our superintendent um whether you believe it or not the new uh contract coming out from the state of Michigan for for um superintendent evaluation it says the board will make the goals with the superintendent in conjunction we heard it in a policy meeting from Chris and that the the goals for the superintendent should be based upon the school Improvement it should be based on the Strategic plan that was told to us but of course we can do as we please but what I will say is this I support you I support the work that you do because I see it I see it with my natural eyes I don't have to guess I don't have to go to anybody to ask I actually see Improvement in the buildings I see the work that's being done on the field the uh the back the football field I see the work that's done in the buildings when I go in the buildings the lights are brighter the uh the children are happier I see that I see it I see teachers talking and saying hey we support Dr buts I'm G tell you they say we support Dr B why is the board always on his case we support him we like what he's doing why don't they leave him alone and let him go ahead and get the work done and not keep pulling him back pulling him back so with that being said and they said why do our children leave why are our parents unhappy because they say they get tired the board and the and how we present ourselves in the district they said we act like a children when we need to act like adults and so that's what I'm hearing I'm not telling you a fairy tale I'm telling you exactly what I'm hearing and what I've heard them say and what they've said to me so all I can do is tell you what I've seen and what I've heard and it is the truth so um with that being said I'm done Madam president thank you trusty Rock and Martin I will just make mine super quick before we lose our qu I I don't want there to be any confusion as to whether I support Dr buts or either of the directors at the table I feel like I have built a good enough rapport with everyone that you know that I do support you I support B Harbor area schools to the te and will be here to provide support and guidance as needed um to our team and so I do commend the efforts um and the improvements that are being made however if there is a point of concern that I have I will not hesitate in making that be known in the full meeting and so I am um looking forward to uh future meetings where I do not have to do that um but we are still excited for all of the work and progress that's been made so at this time um we're going to adjourn effective I'm going to ask for the vote to be called Miss singer can you call the vote for adjournment yes Bowen secretary triplet treasur trusty G yes trusty Ro Martin yes trusty all right our meeting is ajour as of 11:06 p.m.