Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I call the meeting to order at 6:10. This meeting tonight will be held in person at Benton Harbor High School um library. A recording of this meeting will be posted online and on our district website and in the district cloud.
Public comment will be available at the in-person meeting or via question submitted ahead of time as noted. This meeting is a meeting of the board of education for the public purpose of conducting the school district business and is not to be considered a public community meeting.
This meeting is an in-person meeting at 870 Koflex Bitten Harbor High School. In addition to live stream, this meeting will be available at the following link. Questions may be submitted beforehand to Natalie. Bhas.org or or presented in person or
during the public comment section as indicated in the agenda. Board members may be contacted through emails listed below. Requests for special assistance, including for persons with disability, may also be sent to natalie.bhas.org. Can we please stand for the pledge of
>> allegiance? Pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Thank you. In the absence of Secretary Triplet, who is here but not at the table, can you please call the role? Secretary Singer. >> President Robinson. Vice President Bowens, >> present.
>> Secretary Triplet, >> Treasurer Gavin, >> present. >> Trustee Wat Martin, >> present. >> Trustee Bradley, >> present. >> Trusty Doyle, >> present. >> Has been established.
>> Thank you. We are now in the section of the approval of the agenda. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? I make a motion to approve tonight's agenda. >> I second the motion. >> A motion has been made by SEC Trusty
Bradley and second by Trustee Rakette. Is there any questions or comments? >> Yes. Uh >> Trusty Doyle had her hand up before you. >> Okay. My question is with the HR
reports, can we separate those? >> So, you're winning a consent agenda item? >> No, not to consent it, but separate >> I'm sorry, you have a problem with that. >> Is there anyone that objects to that?
>> I'm not quite sure what she's asking to happen. She wants to separate the HR agenda items >> in this in here. I only see one thing um on here. >> So, what is it that you're wanting to separate?
>> I wanted to separate the director of academics that HR report from the other two. >> So, you want to separate the director for HR. Okay. Yes, please. >> So, tonight we're not voting. We just have a discussion,
>> right? >> Is that correct? >> That is correct. This is our work session. >> So, do you still want to separate? >> We don't have to separate since we're just discussing and not taking any votes. >> Thank you. Is there any Secretary Triplet, you had questions? >> No. Good. There. I just I'm just wanted
to make sure that we were just discussing uh tonight only and there's nothing on this agenda that I'm being actively voted upon. So I can >> that's one item. Is that the field trip or the
>> We can't hear you. >> State track meet. >> The state track meet. >> We can't hear down here. Um Miss Singer >> State meet S1 >> S1. >> Oh T2 which is
>> Yeah. Um T2 would be the V Harbor School for Life Leadership Academy trips. Okay. >> And then S1 would be the state track meet approval. >> I see F1. >> Where is that? State those we have to
>> and also S2 the approval of payment for world pool day of impact project. So S1, S2 and T2 are all dated for today. >> Okay. T2 >> these are are are field trips and what
have you that are urgent matters that have to be done that time sensitive. All right. Thank you. >> Is there any I'm sorry Treasure Gavin? >> Yes. Um
I'm well I'm good with the discussion on the day of impact project but not for a vote today and also the curriculum student support services and instruction committee link that's not on here.
Is it possible that that can be linked on the uh agenda, please? Like the other committee files, the supporting documents that go with that. >> Okay. Thank you. They're working on it now. Is there any additional questions
or comments? >> No. Thank you. >> Thank you. There being no questions or comments, is Secretary Triple, can you call the vote? Vice President Bowens, >> yes.
>> Secretary Triplet, yes. Treasure Gavin, >> yes. >> Trusty Rocket Martin, >> yes. >> Trusty Bradley, >> yes. >> Trusty Doyle, >> yes. >> Motion Garrett, >> thank you so much. We are now at the section of our agenda where we will
approve the Bitten Harbor Board of Education norms. The norms that we follow are we will treat each other with respect. We will listen to learn. We will refrain from side conversations. We will use our time wisely starting and ending our meetings on time. We will
challenge ideas not people. We will ask questions when in doubt. There will be no surprises at the board table. We will practice the seven norms of collaboration. And those norms are as follow. pausing, paraphrasing, posing
questions, putting ideas on the table, providing data, paying attention to self and others, and presuming positive intentions. >> Thank you. And we are now I'm going back and forth, so please forgive me.
We are now at the section of public comment on agenda items. Is there anyone that would like to comment on agenda items? >> Thank you. Before we go any further, I will read the public comment statement. >> Thank you. >> The Bitten Harbor Area Schools Board of
Education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on district matters. Today there are two com two areas for comments on the agenda of which you may decide when to speak.
Public comment on agenda items and open public comment. We request that each interested participant complete a public participation form using legible writing to ensure that responses are appropriate and properly focused for Bitten Harbor area school
bylaw 0167.3 which governs board participation at board meetings. We request that you preface your comments with your name, address, and group affiliation when appropriate. Each statement made by the participant shall be limited to a total
of three minutes. Duration, but per our bylaws, no participate may speak more than once on the same topic until any other person has had the opportunity to speak on that topic. Participants may remove all their mask when addressing the board. Participants should direct
all comments to the board and not to the staff or participants. The board will listen and take comments and questions under advisory and not respond at this time. I as vice president will refer your questions to the superintendent for research and response. Please ensure
that your public participation form has includes your contact information as requested. If you have any questions for the board or executive team that follows requires followup, please email those directly to Natalie. Singer at
bhas >> natalie.serbhas.org. >> You may go. >> Thank you. Um, my name is Sharon Brown and I reside at 2550 Orchard Lane
uh in the Benton Harbor and I'm here this evening because I um am disappointed and and I feel bad. I'm sorry. >> I'm sorry >> that things are >> sorry >> happening the way they are right now. Excuse.
>> Sorry. >> Can you all this mic up? >> We can take it out. Again, I I regret and I I I feel bad that the uh community that Benton Harbor area schools that the
students, the staff all concerned um that things are kind of going the way that they are. And I know I'm in for one that um spoke earlier in the year and then to see the flood of what's been
happening in the last couple of weeks. Uh I guess I had hope and thought maybe things were getting, you know, better. And it seems like at this point um that power,
prestige, and money has hit. We cannot afford how many more victims
innocent bystanders. While this is being discussed about somebody's career, I don't understand why they're having to suffer. So, I'm not here for Somaya and to to to to really go over that again, even
though she's somebody you could be concerned about. But I am concerned about what I didn't tell you, what I knew back then, and I just didn't say because I wanted to keep it uh the intimacy and the privacy of
staff whom I talked to personally and what they would been dealing with on their jobs. I ain't happy about that either. Wasn't back then, but I kept quiet. No one should have to be under a heavy uh uh scare factor,
disgruntle. This is against the law. As far as I know in corporate America in California when I was working, if you had a grievance that there was something going on with staff and they couldn't come to work in thiefs in safety, how can you expect them to do their job
when life is not is is not good at work? And so those staff members that are keeping quiet because you afraid of who's signing your check >> that's it's about money about contracts. I want you to know that I've been been
there done that and I feel for you and that's who I stand and who I come with tonight because people need their jobs. They need to work. We need to work in a harmony way. If that can't happen and we've got and tapped into a resource that's causing the biggest issue with that then we have to deal with it.
So can you >> and always I still Mr. Trenton love you and I bless every each and every one of you. I don't say it's easy for no one and that includes Miss Griffin but we have to still continue on what's
the best decision for the children. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else on agenda items? >> Hello. Um, I'm Chenica Davis. Um, I work at I work for Ben Harour Area Schools. Of course, I'm not going to get
up here and hoot and holler, keep on talking about what I've been talking about through emails and everything. All I'm saying, I'm asking the board do what's right. Do what y'all see, what's going on right in front of y'all eyes. Ain't nobody
blind. Everybody see, everybody hear. Everybody know what's going on. Sometimes we need to step step up even the people on the board. I mean, I'm going to step up cuz I'm not scared and I'm going to say what I want to say
because I'm not scared. But I'm I have been getting bullied by the superintendent. And I mean enough is enough. It's more and more, but I'm not going to get up here and do the most.
But all I'm asking is for the board to do what's right by our community and our students. And we're not going to give her credit for everything cuz them scores, we going to get that to Sanders.
We going to start there. Them scores belong to Sanders. He the one on them kids at this high school. So everything she said she was going to do, I don't see nothing. I don't see nothing being done.
Nothing at all. Um, triplet, I love you to death. The community community love you to death. And I know the community, they see you as tiger pride. They do.
I really really would pray to God because I'm a prayer. I pray I talk to God. He talked to me and he told me to tell you personally, I weren't even going to do this. Do what's right for your people.
Your people looking at you. You is the face of our city. You is the face of our schools. Do what's right. Five people. It's enough people that you grew up with. It's enough people out of grew around
that's suffering. Loss of jobs, loss of everything. I just had to move out of my house because of Griffin. But that's neither here nor there. I'm just one person. Just imagine how many
people scared to say something. Please trip it. And I'm talking to you and I'm talking to you personally because I know you and I've been knowing you since I've been a little girl. This is your city. Stop letting her come in and destroy
what we've been building for years. Thank you. >> Is there anyone else for public comment on agenda items? >> Miss, but um My name is Nina Carter. Um, as y'all might know, I come to every meeting. My
daughter been getting buddy um bullied since October of last year. Now, two of her bullies has been expelled. Um, it was just a prom at Fairplane Middle School, which they had it at Concord Marriott. Um from my understanding even
reading the policy that any student that ex um that's expelled should not be participating in co-curricular or extracurricular activities. Why was one of her bullies in in attendance at the
prom? Um the principal was there Trevan. Also she came with no dress. Her hair wasn't done. So my reasoning is why was she there? Um, when my daughter went there, she was excited, but then I get a
text. My Taran is here. Why? I'm asking her why. At this point, I want to go back up to the um the hotel and see why is she there? Why is y'all letting her on school grounds? Because when I was in school a decade ago, if I got expelled
or anything, we wasn't allowed on the property. We wasn't allowed to no activities, not even a basketball game, not even a football game. Why was she allowed in such a close proximity of my daughter into like it's just a slap in the face? And I just feel like it's it's antagonizing
and antagonizing is detrimental on her mental. She been going through this bullying stuff since October of last year. And not Trevan Alexander have did nothing. Not Dr. Simone has did nothing. I came to them plenty of times. I had plenty of meetings. I came to all the board me um members. I asked for
everything. I asked for meetings by myself to address this. And all Dr. Simone can do is tell me it's not a conflict. It's it's not a bullying. It's a conflict. Which I wouldn't expect her to understand nothing about a bullying anyway cuz she's going around bullying everybody around her and manipulating
everybody around her. But what I'm not going to do is play with my child. And the more y'all play with my child, the more y'all playing with me. And I want you to know personally, Simone, when it comes to my child, I don't give up. I'm going to continue. I'm gonna continue to come here and fight for my
daughter and speak up for my daughter. Whether the board members will let her go today or tomorrow, I'm still going to be here fighting for my daughter. And I don't care what limit I has to go to fight for my daughter to be heard or justice to be served. Thank you.
honored that T Swag and I stand before you tonight as the executive director of Jack Aspire Foundation, an organization committed to serving children, families, and communities too often failed by the very systems designed to protect them. Through my work, I have personally
supported individuals connected to this district whose lives have been impacted by educational instability, lack of transparency, and equitable treatment. kind of like now like I feel like I'm not being paid attention to by the leader and leadership failures that
create lasting harm. What is happening in Benton Harbor is not simply administrative dysfunction. It is a community crisis affecting real families, real educators, not computers, and the future of our children. For generations, Benton Harbor has fought
against the dismantling of public education within black communities. Yet once again, this district finds itself facing serious concerns surrounding fear. Thank you. instability, retaliation, dishonesty, and emotional harm impacting
educators, parents, and students alike. When educators operate in fear, students suffer. When parents lose trust, communities fracture. And when leadership ignores in all kinds of ways
warning signs, the damage becomes generational. As someone who works as someone who works directly with vulnerable youth and families, I can tell you the consequences extend far beyond the classroom. These failures follow
children into adulthood, contributing to trauma, instability, poverty, hopelessness. This community, yes, I know I was thinking of Somaya. This community deserves leadership rooted in integrity, transparency,
accountability, paying attention to the people that speak at least, and a genuine commitment to public education, not leadership that deepens the vision, weakening already struggling systems today. And
unfortunately, I heard Secretary Triplet already say they weren't taking any votes. But I urged this board to stop dismissing the community concerns because when I looked at that last survey and it was more than Lana Shelton's and I came in after Lana, it's
over 200 people that are speaking up. Stop enabling these practices and begin listening to the voices of those impacted. I know I've tried to help. This has nothing to do with targeting. This is a five-year-old mission that you see as elected officials. You were
chosen by the people to serve the people. The community is asking for accountability, transparency, and action. Bitten Harbor's children, the community, the adults deserve protection, stability, opportunity, and
leadership that prioritizes their well-being over politics and power. Thank you. Is there any additional comments on public I'm sorry on agenda items? >> Go ahead. >> Could I have two more minutes?
>> I'll get five minutes. >> Giving people grace, you get four minutes. >> Four minutes. >> I've never uh time to speak. >> So I've never uh been at a board meeting that I remember maybe once when I first came here. have never listened to a
board meeting except one and a half board meetings. And uh uh my name is Ray Emerick. I'm the construction teacher up here at Benton Harbor High School. I'm finishing my fourth year here. I pay $50,000 plus a year to work here.
I'm I'm going to repeat that. I'm not being I spend I pay more than 50 grand a year to work here. My paycheck every two weeks is $400 less than my paycheck used to be every every
week in Chicago. I'm a retired local one carpenter running jobs since I was 27 years old. I love this job. I love working with your kids. I was ready for a change. long story, but I on a roof of a
building in Chicago talked to Ra Rocket, Miss Rocket, and and uh somebody long story short, I I I I asked to take this job, walked away from my job, and I can walk back to it in one minute, one phone
call. Nine months ago, we were up in here celebrating this superintendent Nine months ago, we were up in here celebrating this superintendent. Now she's doing her job
and she's running up a finding money not properly spent and now the whole community wants to throw her out. And I'm looking at this, there's three pillars to a stool. Without three legs, you don't have
anything but scrap this board. Your job is to watch over the money and how it's spent in this in this place and the curriculum and to hire a superintendent. And you did a good job hiring this superintendent. And if she doesn't do anything else but hire that
principal, she did more than enough cuz this principal and this superintendent is what this school needs. and and and uh I listened to a board meeting and a half and last one of those
board meetings I found I I heard something I don't hear anyone talking about that we paid more than 700,000 or something I don't know the numbers but dollars a year for snow plowing up in here and she did the normal thing that a
construction superintendent would do or a superintendent of a school would do is make some phone calls. Is that the right number? Now, St. Joe, my kid goes to school there. And in the January, we do shows there. We go to we go to shows
there. That sidewalk and that parking lot is like Arizona in the summertime for 150,000. If my if what I heard was right, I don't know these numbers. I don't know anybody. I don't know who's in I don't
know anybody. I like everybody I have ever met here at Benton Harvard, but those numbers are an issue and all of a sudden the board all of a sudden the superintendent is incompetent and needs to be gotten rid of.
So, you hire a superintendent. You hire a superintendent of a of a job site. He's got the power of the purse in his pocket and he's got I had anything under 30 anything under $30,000. I didn't have to ask the boss. I made decisions and
and that boss sees everything I do. If he if I buy a broom in Niles, Michigan, he would call me up. There's $9 charge in Niles, Michigan. I >> can >> That's me. Can you please wrap up for your comments? >> Time. >> I'm here to say All right. I I I'm here
to say that there's, you know, I don't uh uh integrity if Let's question uh uh integrity and and loyalty. Loyalty is the stuff of thieves and criminals. Integrity is how you gets jobs done. And
integrity is how you fix a school. And and loyalty it it's it's a tough issue. And Bent Harbor's got a tough problem because it's family. It's all family. All grew up together. Everybody knows everybody. It's a complicated business.
And I like I say, I like everyone I know here. But I'm not afraid to to say what I think. I've lost jobs for being right before. >> Thank you so much. >> If I lose this job, I'll have a I'll double my pay. >> Thank you so much. You have a great day.
>> Thank you. Anyone else on agenda comments, please? >> Yes. My name is Monroa May. My husband just spoke. I'm not going to personalize things. Most of you have gotten my my letter from the other day. My letter from the other day.
>> And I'm not going to read that. I'm not going to talk about that because you know what I mean. You know where I stand from a financial perspective since I am in the finance business and I've also
sat on many many boards. We do have a problem and the problem is not your superintendent because every time Benton Harbor has a problem it's the new superintendent. Now I'm white. I know that. But I come
from a black community. I grew up in a black community and I have a lot of black family. >> So, I'm not prejudice and I'm not one of those people that come in and just tell you something about yourself that I don't know anything about. Benton Harbor
has a reputation that constantly hires someone and within a year they get rid of them. Do you know how hard that is to be able to go and get financial help for this organization because of
that? That shows instability. Now, let me ask you something about a three-year contract. Most people have three-year contracts because the first year, you don't expect anyone to do anything but to get to know their surroundings and to
see who's who. Get to know who's who. the second year they start implementing everything that they've learned. By the third year, they better start showing some sort of results. And that's why if they don't show results, you can let
them go without having to pay them off because they are up to their third year. Now, if they don't do a good job by the third year, you let them go. If they do do a good job, you can decide that. Shall we continue with them? If you
don't like their personality, you let them go. But I think you're making a huge mistake. Learn how to work with her because you owe it to your children. You owe it to your community. And you owe it to the communities around you. You owe it to the communities around you. They
will not want to do business with you if you keep showing that you don't have a foundation. So, learn how to work with her. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there any additional comments for board agenda items?
Hello, I am Gwen Johnson Swanigan and I am with the SH Foundation and I'm also a resident community advocate uh parent. Um, and I just want to say I understand that
a lot of people want to keep their jobs. So, a lot of people will say certain things to do that. Um, I was also in the superintendent search committee when this young lady came to present herself and she presented
herself with good priorities but those priorities now I don't see them you know and one thing about it a question I want to ask is how did we get here again? How did we get here again?
Right? How do we get here with this superintendent? First of all, let me say this also. I have been an HR professional for almost 30 years. That's my profession. I know protocol. I
know policy. I know procedure. I written policy. Still write policy. written employee handbooks that and I heard some people talk about Somalia incident that incident that altercation
protocol-wise phone call when that altercation happened you all as a board should have immediately removed her removed her out of the situation
cut off her access and did a thorough transparent evaluation through investigations. I do it all the time if I need to. Okay. She should not be sitting here.
And because that didn't happen, it became a snowball effect. Other things started happening. Stuff swept under the rug, not being dealt with. allowing all this thing all these things
happening wreaking havoc and staff being uh afraid to speak up because of retaliation. What is going on here? Who's allowing this? Nowhere have I've ever been I've never seen anything like this before in my
life in my profession for this to happen. And like she's you did say we have a responsibility to our children. But even though I don't care if we have a get another superintendent until we get it right until we get it right just because
we had superintendent what two two or three within the next last two years or what if they come in doing right let them keep doing right. If they come in real right and they flip the script that's when you pull the plug and say okay what's going on here? Don't sweep
them under the rug. talk about it. Get away, but don't allow the the things to just keep going on and on and on like it hasn't happened because that's why we're here. That's why we're here now. And yes,
please don't ignore and please don't get it twisted. This is not an emotional rant from me, from the community. These are facts. Don't just get the facts from that side. Get the facts from this side as well. because they are facts. They are
receipts. Okay? And little do you probably know there are other things you probably don't even have knowledge of that's coming down the pipes. Just let you all know that it's happening. If you don't do the right thing, it's
happening. The pressure, the pressure is on. and the with the um petition. Please don't ignore those signatures. Is that two minutes or three? >> Four minutes. >> That's fair. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Please don't ignore those signatures because I've done before and this is the fastest going petition I've had. Within a week, we have over 300 signatures and counting.
Change.org/benton org/benton harbor nurse. That's how you sign the petition. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there any additional comments on agenda items? >> I just want to say I just want to say
when we talk about turnover with the superintendent right now, our turnover with the staff, the people that have direct contact with these students is so high, it's miserable. So them having and if you don't think they are, they're
already looking for other jobs. People are resigning. They're saying, you know, that they're leaving for another job, but they're leaving because they're getting pushed out. And I have spoken to people that have said that, and I know people have probably spoken to you guys about that as well. But they have connections with those students, and
when they get up and leave because they're being pushed out or they don't have any other choice, that is detrimental to them. That's a relationship that they have built with them. So I understand you're saying, you know, with the relationship with the superintendent and turnover and stuff like that, that is nothing compared to
when the turnover for the people that are dealing with the students themselves get pushed out. That's all I have to say. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else? Therefore, being no one else, we're now
move to our board business. Um, we are scheduled for a close session. Sorry. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I'm skipping. Sorry. On a different page. We are now at the section of uh review of the meeting
minutes. We will be reviewing session 416 2026, 512 2026, and 522 of 26. Is there any corrections or any questions regarding that?
Madam treasure, sorry. Yes. Um, can you what happened? It says no recording for 41626. Do you can someone share what happened? Why we don't have a recording for that day? >> It is not here to
>> Is Dr. Griffin here? I found out after the meeting that there was no recording from Bud Dash. Uh, so I'm not sure why it didn't record, but I did have that conversation with him, but we didn't record it. It was my understanding we got the last three minutes or something like that. Uh,
that's what took place. I had a conversation with him and that's what he shared. I guess my question is, how do we do minutes if we didn't have a recording? Were there notes being taken during the meeting that gives us
adequate um information to vote on? >> I'll give it to Madame Secretary Singer >> later portion of the minute because I had this a meeting on this is a meeting that was on a Thursday night. So I was
in attendance and I had class. after class I logged in and I was able to take the vote and the motions. Um yeah, so this this meeting that happened on the 16th was on a Thursday. So I wasn't here physically present um because I have
class from 7 to 8. Um after my class ended, I joined the Zoom and I was able to essentially take my minutes at home. But the first part of the the meeting I could I didn't capture because I didn't see the recording. And then there it wasn't recorded by tech.
>> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Treasurer Gavin, >> is there any additional questions or comments that you need to have fixed in the meeting notes? Please make sure you send that to um Natalie Singer. Miss
Singer, sorry. Any more comments before we move to the next item? Okay, we are now at the section of board business. A close session per policy 0167. The board by means of a roll call vote
meeting close session one close to the public for the following purposes. to consider the dismissal, super suspension, sorry, or disciplining of or to hear complaints or charges brought against or to consider a periodic personal evaluation of the public
officer, staff member, or individual agent if the name person requests a close hearing. A majority vote is required. Reference Michigan Compile Law 15.2681 section A. And this is regarding the
superintendent's evaluation. Is there a motion to go into close session? So I I I do want to be honest. Um I don't know if we want to just go into close.
>> Thank you. >> Madame President is not here. We're kind of handicapped. However, we can use this close session to give the superintendent goals and everything that we will um point of order. Please can you please
respect the chamber rules? Thank you. >> Um we can't hear you. I can't hear you right now. >> In the mic, please. We can't hear you. >> I'm speaking in the mic. Um, probably the air conditioner probably needs to be unplugged, but
we can go into close session for discussion regarding the superintendent evaluation, what goals and everything of that nature. >> Mr. Vice President, uh, we have on the
agenda to go into close session. So, at this time, uh, we need to make a mo I would like to make a motion. >> A motion has been made by Secretary Triplet. Is there a second? >> And it's been second by Trustee Bradley.
>> Point of information or clarity. >> I'm trying to understand. I couldn't hear you. Uh, Vice President Bowens. So, is this um going in for the superintendent evaluation? So, we gave a date in June for the
evaluation. As of right now, we need to give her Sorry, I don't want to discuss personnel issues. Right now, it's for us to go into close session regarding the superintendent's evaluation. Questions or concerns or where we go from here?
>> So, this is for the superintendent evaluation. >> That is cor that is it's not an evaluation. I need to make sure we're using the correct wording. We have not given the superintendent anything for an evaluation. >> Um,
so the motion I'm trying to understand what the motion is. Uh, maybe Secretary Tripley can clarify. Is this a motion for the superintendent's evaluations? No, this is a motion to go into close session to discuss um with the superintendent things that
we need to discuss with or in regards to the evaluation of the superintendent. >> All right. So then now let me go into my comment. Is the motion already been made? >> Yes, it's been made. >> Okay. So let me make a comment.
We were informed that the evaluation needed to happen by a certain date and the announcement was made that we would have that evaluation at this next work session. Mhm.
>> And the superintendent should have received the training that she was supposed to get. And all of the board members were supposed to receive a training for a superintendent evaluation that needed to be done before that June
date. That's why this date was established. And so to forego that is concerning, very concerning. However, I want to go in there and have
the conversation. Even though I know we supposed to have this evaluation today, I'm going to support going in there and having the conversation, but I'm also going to put something else on the floor when we come back. And if the board disagrees with that, that will be on the record.
But I will support going in there. However, I do believe when we come out, we should be ready to make a different decision that's even bigger than an evaluation. >> Trusty Rette,
>> uh I don't know if this is where this >> Can you speaking your mic? >> Yeah. But seeing how uh we have the rest of our agenda, is it possible for us to put this at the end of our agenda so we can go ahead and finish the business of
the day and then uh they'll allow us to spend the time that we need to spend without having to come out and still try to carry on business. So, I'm trying to make a motion to put this at the end of our agenda and let's carry on business.
uh the rest of the business that we need to do and then go into close session. >> Point of order. There's a motion on the floor. >> Oh, that's fine. >> There's already a motion on the floor. >> So, we go ahead. There is a motion on
the floor. If we go ahead and take a vote on the motion, the motion does not pass, then uh Trusty Rocket Martin, you can put another motion on the floor. >> Trusty Doyle, I'm sorry. So, we approved this agenda before we started this
meeting and we did not say anything about changing the superintendent evaluation. So, I think that's what we need to be doing in that closed session because this is what is on our agenda. I think is
to be clear and this is to my colleague tonight. We are not evaluating the superintendent. We are having a discussion. You I I don't know if you all have ever participated
in an evaluation of the superintendent. There is representation to lead the work from the Michigan Association of School Board, the attorney, and all of these people must be present in order for you to do
an evaluation. Please do not get that mixed up. We are in a window to evaluate the superintendent, but there are legal guidelines in doing so.
You cannot go and do something of that matter. You don't even have the document. So, this is not a conversation for um the uh for us to even be discussing right now. >> No, you can't sleep.
>> Thank you. It's a motion on the floor. Secretary Triplet, can you call for the vote? >> Vice President Bowen, >> the close session. >> Okay. >> Vice President Bowens, >> excuse me.
>> Can you come back to me, please? >> Secretary Triplet, no. >> Treasure Gavin, >> yes. >> Trusty Rocket Martin, >> no. Trustee Bradley's >> unfortunately no. >> Trusty Doyle.
>> Yes. >> Trustee I mean Vice President Bowen. >> No >> motion failed. >> Okay. We are now Thank you. We are now on the superintendent part of our agenda with the NWA map data.
>> Dr. Griffin >> want to take this opportunity to share our fall to spring data. Our overall MAP district performance from fall 2025 to spring 2026. Students across the district demonstrated measurable growth
on the NWA MAP assessment in reading and math with variation in performance by grade level and by the building. Multiple schools showed increases in both mean both average RIT scores which is the uh ready for instruction today
scores and the percentage of students meeting or exceeding typical growth targets indicating positive momentum in our core instruction areas in our elementary schools deck MLK and FPE at that elementary level all showed overall
growth from fall to spring with the strongest gains generally in the early grades. Special shout out to Principal Patterson. Where foundational literacy and numeracy work has been a focus all year. While achievement levels do remain below district and state aspirations in
some grades, the upward trend in growth suggests that current interventions and tier one instructional strategies are beginning to take hold. Fairplane Middle School. At Fairplane Middle School, map results from fall to spring 2026 show continual growth in reading and math
with particular improvements in grades where content area literacy and math supports have been implemented. However, gaps remain for students performing below grade level, reinforcing the need for sustained MTSS implementation and targeted small group instruction, which
we will focus on in the year to come. high school at the high school level with which is the high school in Cape MAP outcomes reflect incremental growth and this is a summary of what the slides are indicating I'm just giving an overview map outcomes reflect incremental growth
especially when students consistently engage in course core coursework and credit variant classes data also highlight persistent challenges for our offtrack and chronically absent uh students underscoring we've got to get better with focusing on attend on
attendance credit recovery and aligned intervention support, which I've been already having conversations with our uh principles and our leadership teams for uh getting down to that business for planning over the summer. Next steps for improvement. Our district and building teams will be working to use this map
cycle results to refine our instructional focus areas, adjust our MTSS supports, and plan professional learning in reading and math and our other core subject areas. We will also continue to monitor our marginalized
group performance closely to ensure that our historically underserved students, especially our students with disabilities, experience accelerated growth like the other students, closing achievement gaps over time. Thank you so much for listening and I'm super excited at the growth that's been made. Shout
out to Principal Sanders, all our principles for the hard work that they have demonstrated and this growth cannot be minimized without giving kudos to those leaders. Principal Sanders, Miss Patterson, Miss Wright, Mr. Roseberg, and of course, Mr. Alexander and Mr.
Jennings all have worked very diligently to move the work of students toward achievement in our district. >> Thank you. Is there any question? Is there any questions regarding that the map data?
um had an opportunity to look at the data. Um I think it's very I think it's very very important for my colleague to when you look at the graph and you look at the chart you look at the red
and that's where the growth uh if you look at the red that's where the struggle is on all and so when you look at it from um the fall
the winter and the spring time you will see the growth. But the most important piece of is of the blue and the green. And so you'll see if you disagregate
this data, you will be able to see um where it go down, it comes up. And so we have we still have a long way to go. But um I and and I see um where there's
uh some work to do at Fairplane Middle School um in in in in these areas and what have you. But I you know for some time you know to look at uh the
growth after high school astronomical. It is it it is uh those are some good numbers. Uh in the fall where there was 17% growth
and then in the spring 31% growth. So the staff up there is to be commended because when we hear anything uh for some time now anything as it relates to
the high school it's never like that. Um, also as the superintendent said, the that we uh that they've all done a great job in the midst of everything that's happening
and uh we just want them to continue to uh continue the work informed data decision is very very important. Thank you. Thank you, Trustee Bradley. I >> have to say good work, Dr. Griffin, and
to the team. Um, I know when we had our oneonone a few months ago, you just sit there and discuss the numbers and you said, "Be quiet. Look at the numbers." And when I finally sat there and you showed me the numbers, you I said, "Oh, okay. We're moving in the right direction. That means hard work um is
taking place." And I want to commend you and your team. Thank you. >> Is the trustee I'm sorry, Treasure Gavin? Yes. Um I would like to know um what was the how
did Dr. Griffin utilize our director of academics and our uh leadership team to help uh with these scores strategically.
Dr. Foster brings a ton of information competent in curriculum and instruction and she worked with the principles and she worked with the coaches and consultants within the district to provide guidance. The other cabinet members did the very same thing for the specific expertise that they that they
hold as leaders whether it was Latasha Smith or whether it was HR with Miss Dorsy each of them should be commended for the work that they've done that led to the growth with the schools. >> Thank you so much. I'd like to hear um from Dr. Foster if you can speak to your
role, your vision um and how it contributed uh in this way. >> Good afternoon. Um, one thing that coming into this position as the director of academics, um, and speaking
with the principles, the instructional u, facilitators, I quickly learned that our teachers, um, they're definitely eager to learn the job. Um, they just needed coaching. And so what I
strategically did was provide coaching for um, the principles. So building one of my goals if you go back to August was to build principal capacity. Um they are great operational leaders. However, they
needed the instructional piece. So myself, Miss Dorsy, um Miss Nichols, we work with those principles weekly on how to be instructional leaders. What does that look like? How do you do a classroom walkthrough? what does your
feedback look like when you're coaching and developing teachers? Um, also walking with those principles, myself, going into those classrooms. I can literally tell you where every teacher is located in the building. Um, going into those buildings, um, and making
sure that the principles are doing what they were supposed to do. My job is to coach principles. They coach the teachers. the the principles really um took the ownership of being an instructional leader. Like I said, they
are phenomenal when it comes to the operation and handling the behavior. However, I found that they needed the just a little push for the instruction piece. Um we also aligned the curriculum and we made it simple. Um I created a
document from where elementary, middle, and high school, this is the curriculum that we're using. Um we started with the pacing guide that should be pushed out. Um so hopefully that is done. Um because after January,
I was no longer working with the principles. However, I hope that information was given to them so that we could keep the momentum. Um because if you notice from August um into the winter test, that's where we saw our biggest bang for our buck when we start
looking at our data, our academic data. Um there are two schools that I'm still concerned about. Um however, those principles are still working with small group. What does that look like? Um how are we implementing that in elementary? So I am proud of what we have done and
what we have accomplished. Um, I just hope the momentum keeps up with making sure that our principles become instructional leaders and not just managers. I want to thank you so much, Dr. Fa. And what I would like to say is that you
are truly appreciated. Um, I did hear you say that you were kind of stopped in January and I would love to know the tone in which like do you want to be here? point of order.
>> Excuse me. Do you want to be here? Um, and what is preventing you from your vision of seeing this these test scores go even further? I would love to know that.
>> Yeah. I'm sorry, Trusty Gavin. We have a a situation where we cannot engage into this conversation. >> I can ask her if she wants to be here. She submitted her resignation and we voted for that when she did it.
>> You don't want to answer, Dr. Foster. The >> our attorney has said when they submit the resignation, it's a done deal. >> Would you say that your experience in Benton Harbor working with our uh community, our kids, our principles, and
coaching them up in that way is something that was a PO, you know, was a positive experience for you >> working with the principles and working with the teachers uh in Benton Harbor. Um it was not it was not my goal to come
here and resign and that was not the goal. Thank you, >> Trusty Marquette. >> Yeah. Um I I'm pleased to see that we are continuing that trajectory of going
forward. I know prior to uh Dr. Griffin and Dr. Foster coming, we were headed that way anyway because we had just finished our first review with our partnership agreement and that also showed that our kids were up upline. So
I continue glad they were able to continue that and that from this point on we will still keep going forward because that is the goal. Also, I am glad to see that um the principles and the teachers and all of those that work
with our children are inspiring our kids to do better, are inspired, the parents are inspiring them to to take the test, to do their best on their test when they have to do it. And that uh to let them
see that it is important. A lot of times our kids and just being from a principal standpoint a lot of times it's not that our kids don't know or um can't do sometime they just don't want to do you
know so but I'm so glad they have the inspiration and whatever um we are doing to keep them motivated so that they shine whether it be to to give them uh special treats whatever Whatever you
have to do, uh, give them those superstars or whatever. Dr. Griffin, the fact that she gives them the the, uh, student recognition before the board, that is a great thing to do. All of that helps to improve test scores, not just
the academics, because I can know a lot of things, but if you can't get me to sit out and take the test, you won't get no store score for me. Also the fact that we've put in the fact that we've tried to improve the attendance so that the boys and girls are coming to school
more regularly and uh more often so that they are there to receive the instruction to do this kind of work and to keep this kind of of academic momentum going. So hats off to all involved.
>> Yes. I want to say hats off Dr. Griffin and great job to your cabinet. But I also know that you do a tremendous job and some of the principles have reached out and told me about how you are holding them accountable, giving them the tools to succeed. Um, and it's
showing us that we're on the trend, right? So, it's a testament of your leadership. And on that note, we're going to go in. I'm going to call for a 10-minute recess. We'll be back at 7:23. Thank you. Order from recess. It is 7:29.
And we are now on to the next agenda item with the superintendent. Staff report S1. >> This is for our track meet. Shout out to our track players for doing a phenomenal job out at each of the track meets. Uh
so this staff report is NHSAA state track meet trip May 26, 2026. Reason for board approval. The board shall approve field trips and other district sponsored trips that are planned to keep students out of the district overnight or longer or out of
the state. The Ben Harour High School track and field team is requesting permission for seven student athletes and five coaches to travel to Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Michigan for the MHSAA state track meet scheduled for May 29th
and 30th, 2026. This overnight trip will require students and coaches to stay overnight at the country end located in Holland, Michigan. During this event, students will compete against top athletes from across the state and events for which they qualify through the regional
competition. This experience promotes athletic development, leadership, teamwork, personal growth, and school representation at a high level of competition. Transportation for the trip will be provided through Enterprise
Rental in Kalamazoo. The total estimated cost of the trip is $2,226.77, which includes hotel accommodations totaling $1,11.88. Transportation costs of $31,989, meals totaling $720
and $75 for snacks and drinks during the competition. Policy reference 23.40 40 field and other district sponsored trips. Funding source are general fund and the strategic plan reference is the learning environment. Ben Harbor area schools will develop, maintain and implement with fidelity multi-tered
systems of support that enhance the culture and learning environment. recommended action that the Ben Harour Area Schools Board of Education approve the Ben Harbor High School track and field team trip to the MHSAA state track meet in Hamilton, Michigan on May 2,
29th and 30th, 2026 for the total estimated cost of $2,226.77 as presented. >> Is there a motion on the floor to approve staff report S1? >> I make a motion to approve staff report S1. A second motion.
>> A motion has been made by Trustee Bradley and second by Trustee Rocket. Is there any questions or comments? >> Yes. Um, brother, Vice President, um, I'm so glad that this is being taken
care of. Um, our kids are going to the state championship track meet and they need every bit of support that they can have. Um, I was wondering, um, do they have their tent? I've had an opportunity
to go to regionals, track track meets a couple of weeks ago. Um, and these schools have some of the most amazing looking tents. Um, sometimes the
the weather conditions might be cold, it might be rainy, and it it our kids need to have the same protection as other schools have where they have the tents, huge tents where they're
zipped up if it's raining, zipped up on the side. So, I hope that the tents and what have you um are together and that our kid and our school look good when our kids go to the state championship to
the state track meet. Thank you. >> Thank you, Trustee. I'm sorry, Treasure Gavin. >> I want to congratulate the fortitude of our student athletes. Yes,
>> there was a time when we didn't have a track for them to practice on. And that's, you know, people come in this community and have advice for us and have no idea what our children are holding
and want to tell us what to do. It's hilarious. But let me get back to it. I want to congratulate our students um for their perseverance. It should be in a movie, the things that they have overcome.
Um, and I would love for us to look for ways to celebrate them in so many different ways because a lot of our um, student athletes like Diaria Evans for example,
not just a not just a student athlete doing well making it to state, but also National Honor Society, also peaceful life leader, so many other things, right? And so anytime we get an opportunity to celebrate them, I'm fully
in support of this. I want to make sure that we do give them everything they deserve. And we shouldn't even have to explain why because they deserve it. Because they are. And they shouldn't have to go anywhere else and see
everybody else getting more than them. So, you know, hopefully we will hold them in a high regard so that when they do go on these trips, they have everything they need and that there are no bottlenecks that prevent the people in those positions from being able to do
their jobs so that they can provide everything that our students need. Sometimes we get upset at the person in that office, but we don't realize it's the person in this office that's stopping the person in that office from doing what they need to do for our kids. So congratulations and I'll support this
staff report S1. >> If there's no further comment, um, Secretary Triplet, can you call for the vote? >> Vice President Bowens, >> yes. >> Secretary Triplet, yes. Treasure Gavin, >> yes. >> Trusty Rocket Martin,
>> Trusty Bradley, >> yes. >> And Trusty Doyle, >> heck yeah. Motion car. >> Our next uh piece is uh the approval of the payment for Whirlpool Day of Impact Project. I'm super excited about this opportunity because it is another
capital improvement for our district and our students. I'll get right to the point and read the staff report. Approval for payment. Approval for payment for war approved date of impact project at Ben Harbor
High School May 26, 2026. Reason for board consideration, the board of education should approve all textbooks or contracts used as part of the educational program of this district. Purchases over $31,321 need board approval according to the most recent state of Michigan Department
of Education threshold. Benton Harbor Area Schools is partnering with Whirlpool Corporation in the 2026 Whirlpool Day of Impact project, which includes ongoing refurbishments and improvements to the school tennis and basketball courts at Ben Harbor Area
schools. CPM Construction Incorporated is serving as the contractor for this project with working with work consisting of court resurfacing, fencing, basket, backboards and nets, color coding, bleachers, and related
site improvements. The total project uh contract amount is $611,579.50 with Ben Harbor area schools responsible for contributing 160,000 toward the overall cost of the project. Once completed, the project improvements will
enhance student athletes, extracurricular programming, and the overall learning environment for students in the Ben Harbor community. Policy reference 6320 purchasing funding source syncing fund strategic plan reference learning environment. Ben Harbor area schools will develop,
maintain, and implement with fidelity multi-tered system of support that enhances the culture and learning environment. recommended action that the Ben Harour Area Schools Board of Education approve the payment of $160,000 to CPO Construction Incorporated for the Ben Harbor Area
Schools portion of the Whirlpool Day of Impact Project at Ben Harbor High School as presented. >> Thank you. Is there motion to approve? >> I make a motion to approve staff report S2. A motion has been made by Treasure,
sorry, um, Trusty Bradley and second by Secretary Triplet. Any questions or comments? I see Trusty Gavin had her hands up. >> I I'll I'll come back around, please. >> I see Trusty Doyle has her hand up. >> Yes. My question is, um, we doing these
improvements. I've been asking about our pool and I have yet to get any information in regards to getting that rec center up and going. I have received nothing and I've asked several times. I don't understand why we would invest in
basketball courts when we have basketball courts. We need something that our kids can actually use like our pool. Is there any additional questions or comments? >> Yeah, I'd like to take this opportunity to say um I think Miss Robinson, Tracy
Robinson came and presented to us. Um and I think this is absolutely amazing. um over half a million dollars being donated to this district to um as we go
piece by piece um the around the recreational center so the the the facilities that our kids are able to play on um are up to date and beautiful. And so
I myself personally would like to take this opportunity to thank uh Miss Robinson and her team from Whirlpool for um contributing such uh a large amount at this particular time um to improve the
facilities here at Ben Harbor um high school. Um this good use of sinking funds, those things down there, that area is very dangerous. um fences and and and and it's it's uncapped. So, I think it's a good use of
our scing fund money and uh again um I support this wholeheartedly. >> Thank you. Is there any additional comments? >> Trustee Bradley. >> Um I was just going to say this is um I'm excited about this. Um, I do concur
with my fellow trustee though. I would like to see that we do start doing more especially trying to get our facilities master plan off the ground so that we can put some more um improvement to other buildings. But this is a start right here and I am happy that this is something that's being done done.
>> Sure. Gavin, >> thank you. Um, it's very interesting to me because I remember uh Mrs. Robinson coming and speaking and I was very much in favor of
the black top getting um refurbished. Um, I love that idea and I don't recall it costing over $700,000.
I don't recall that. I do not recall. And I feel like I would have remembered that because that feels important. That feels real important. So, I'm super grateful that Whirlpool would take an interest in refurbing our basketball
court at the rate of $611,000. I am concerned though because we had a finance committee meeting and I um may I ask uh Director Carter
um did this figure come to you because you usually are really good about keeping us a breast of expenses that we need to vote on during a work session. Uh, I found out about it when the invoice was received. Um, and I directed
it to uh, Miss Singer and um, Dr. Griffin to be added to the board agenda. >> Okay. Do when did you find out please the billing the billing request just came in on May
20th. >> So that's urgent, right? That's urgent, a basketball court, but we postpone an evaluation. I find that to be very interesting. Um
especially a $160,000 bill on our part. We have we don't have our master facility plan done. We haven't heard from the community and how they want us to spend our money. And when Worldpool puts something on the table, it hits the board table and it's a sense of urgency
to act for them, but then we hear from our community members and we delay what they need. I would like to make a motion to table this support until this makes it to the finance committee meeting and we're able to properly assess these
dollars and see what the people want um and give more details rather than putting a $160,000 bill on the table for us to vote and we just saw it today. >> Trusty Rocket. >> Yes. Uh I am also in favor of
>> made a motion to table. Isn't it when you make a motion to table? >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah. >> Sorry, >> you're right. And I apologize. Trustee I'm sorry. Treasure Gavvern did make a motion to table this. >> Second by treasure I'm sorry, trustee
Doyle. Any questions or Well, no. Call for the vote. >> Yes. To table staff report S2. >> Vice President Bowens. >> No. Secretary Triplet, no. Treasure Gavin,
>> yes. >> Trusty Rocket Martin, >> no. >> Trusty Bradley, >> no. >> Trusty Doyle, >> absolutely. >> Motion fail. >> Okay. Trusty Rocket. >> Okay. I am in favor of this for the simple fact that it is for our kids.
$160,000 is not much when you spend more than that just to clean the sidewalks for snow removal. That you know, no. So I think that uh if they're willing to spend like M triplet Mr. Triplet said a
half a million for us that's not money coming out of our pockets to do this work by all means we should let them do it. uh and and add the our part to it, 160,000,
but when we finish, we will have something that our kids can participate in, that our kids can enjoy. And for tennis courts, by all means, when I pass through uh St. Joe, they're out there playing tennis. We don't have that for
our kids, but now we can have that for our kids. They can have a tennis team. They can go to competition. So, um, if we can go ahead and get this done, I think this is great. And I'd like to thank World Poo and Tracy Robinson also
for for the um for what they want to do for our district. Thank you. What I will say is um I went down there a few weeks ago. It's beautiful down there. The work that they have done. Um, before I moved to Benton Harbor, I heard the black top
and all of that in its heyday, Simbad dedicated it. it was a place where our young um gentlemen would go play basketball um and restoring that. So, I am excited and I want to say thank you to Warpool and Tracy Robinson for being our
community partner. Um Warpool is uh going through like many other companies financial burdens and for them to continue to do this shows their commitment and um I am excited about that. I do also want to state that we
Yes, I understand what trustees are stating about the facility master plan. Um, President Robinson did send an email out a few weeks ago about that. So, hopefully this is going to take cost off
of us because we will already have it done. So, I'm excited. It's a win-win. Our kids deserve a pool and they deserve a outside basketball court. Trusty Bradley, did you have >> I just wanted to um see what was what's the timeline. Did you say you're already
starting construction and how long will it >> Yeah, it's they she sent us a few emails. Um if you go down there tonight or tomorrow, you can see some of the work in the sidewalks and it's amazing what I saw already. And can we call for the vote? I'm sorry,
Trustee. We already >> Secretary Triplet Sorry, we already Sorry. Secretary Triplet. No, we didn't. That was for the tableing, wasn't it? >> Yeah. Okay. So, um that's discussion on the table. >> I thought there was no discussion on the
table. >> Yeah. So, I >> what? >> So, now we going to call for the motion to >> continue. Is it the motion because she tried to table the motion? It failed. The regular motion is still on the floor. >> Okay.
>> We were in discussion when that motion was tabled. So, you can call for the vote if you're done with your comment. Vice President Bowens, >> yes. >> Secretary Triplet, yes. Treasure Gavin, >> no. >> Trusty Rocket Martins, >> yes.
>> Trustee Bradley, >> yes. >> And Trusty Doyle, >> absolutely not. >> Motion carry. >> Griffin, staff report T1. >> T1. Oh, did I skip down?
>> What is T1? >> Treasure Gavin, I'm sorry. >> Okay. So with this being a work session, the uh curriculum committee um had an opportunity to
address uh summer school planning on CTE grants and field trips, driver's education updates, and the graduation status. And so I'm wondering
if if I should direct these updates to Dr. Foster, >> Treasurer Gavin, I can reply. >> Yeah, let's stay. >> I would love to hear that. I just wanted to know what Dr. Foster was trying to say.
Are you able to Dr. F? Are you able to talk? Are you allowed to talk? You're not allowed to talk. >> I haven't been. >> You have not been involved. Okay. Um Dr. Griffin,
if you could please update us on the curriculum committee. >> Certainly. Of course. Uh we spoke at our last meeting and I'll give those uh pieces of information. Just go right to the information. Summer school planning
uh the K5 will be held at Fairplane East 6 through 12 at the middle school. Notifications have already been distributed to each of the positions that have been awarded the opportunity to participate. An administrative meeting was held on May 20th uh with the
uh two principles that will lead that endeavor and Miss Barta is working with us to ensure that it's paid for. We do have uh a a healthy chunk of 20 grand left over from our RAG grant to fund this endeavor. So, we're excited about that. Uh, in terms of the curriculum
planning committee, I had a conversation with our union president, Miss Terrell, and she has agreed that we should begin collaboration over the summer for what that should look like for this endeavor. So, I look forward to working with her and the rest of the union members in
that area. CTE SY26 planning rate implementation. Barry and Rhysa provided us with CT overview and requirements that is available and we're going to be looking through that to ensure that our team adheres to what that looks like for the upcoming year particularly because
of the great job that Miss Wilson did in helping us achieve that grant for over $300,000. Field trips have uh I did have to have a conversation with principles to ensure that we get them uh in and the board is not waiting for any overnight trips. So, we've got the last one. the rest of the
trips that are in the document you requested are in state or nearby. Uh yeah, for funding in a t timely manner, we're making sure that we do a better job with that and a letter was provided to indicate that I approve for the investment for peace for life as well as the committee to fund it going forward.
Driver's ed update. Uh so far there are about 12 students that are passing and then the other remaining students are on plans to help them pass the course as well. get also know that that we have uh about 25 plus students signed up for the
next course. So, we're excited about that graduation. >> I'm sorry, Dr. Griffin, thank you for that. Um, do you have a count of how many students total have completed the driver's education program and if they
have received the half credit um for taking the course? >> I have a couple of emails. Let's just see. >> You want to know this? What was your question again?
>> The number of students who have um completed the course so far. That's all >> total. >> Yeah, let me go back to the spec. Yes, I specific >> last year and this year. >> Um, just this past school year. I don't think it's from the year before, but I
can uh I'm trying to find the email. I just got an email from I don't know if it was Sanford. Sanford. Let me go. Let's see. But I believe the number I remember saying is was uh 10 12, I'm sorry.
And do we have the um infrastructure set up for those students to receive half credit for uh completing the course? >> Uh I'll have to circle back to to uh principal Sanders and Miss Sanford and their team to see but I'm sure we do
because this is not the first time the class has been provided. Can you share kind of who's holding the responsibility of um making sure that those courses translate into a credit? Is it the
counselor? Is it the CTE director? Is it the director of academics? Like who would be the person that would be responsible for holding um that course and making sure that it translates into credit for the kids?
That would be the principal on record, but his team would work with him in doing so. And I would think it would be the graduation advisor. They work with the credits and making sure that all the kids have them. So the grad advisors, the counselors, they all, I'm sure, work in tandem like they do for any other course and get credit. And then that
information is transferred to the principal on record. >> Okay. I see a question for Trusty Rocket Martins. >> Yeah. Go ahead. Did you tell Go ahead.
>> Yes, I did. >> in um the driver's ed. I know it comes in two sessions. Uh the first session they pretty much >> I can't hear you trust. I can't. >> Yeah, the the it comes in two sessions.
The drivers and training. Uh do we just provide the first session or do we do both sessions? >> Well, I think we work in ten with a company. I remember when I first got here, we work in Tana with the company and they help provide the cards to go out and help that portion. And I think
that they work in Tana with a teacher. They provide a teacher that teaches the course. >> Okay? >> And that teacher provides grades and all of that stuff. So I don't think our staff teaches it. We have an external partner that teaches the course and someone else takes them out for driving.
So those two those two pieces that information is reported back to the school. >> Okay. Secretary Triplet. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. You know, it it it is it's very
concerning to me that we have a director of academics who is still employed in this district. and to have a question as to whether or not she can speak.
I don't like that. And I want that on the record. I don't like it. I don't like it at all because she still works for Ben Harour Area School and she should be leading this
work. this is just my feeling. I can't sit here and not address this. And that made me that moment made me very uncomfortable for the district
in particular. And so as the chairman of the curriculum committee and you all are having these discussions, I I I I I need something. I need some feedback
because we are paying people to do a job and we're paying six figures for these people to be able to do their job.
That job does not end until the 30th of June. And I just want to put that on the record. >> What I would encourage Secretary Triple is that we revisit the agenda item for
the superintendent's evaluation so that we can go in close session and address these issues of people in these positions that feel like they cannot speak.
I I >> think we should man the agenda to >> I don't >> to to do to do that other complicit. >> Yeah. But this this keeps coming up and it doesn't matter to me what anybody
else think >> because everybody got their own thoughts and their own ideas. But there is a way, a legal way and we must be always mindful. And you see us sitting here and some of
us don't comment by law. We are not prepared tonight to do any of that. That's the business of we cannot. So I want to put that since it's going out. I'm not going to let it go out just one
side. We are not prepared at this particular time to hold what it is is being requested because there are things that must be in order before this happen legally. One thing for sure and two things for certain. I will never put
this district in financial strain. Thank you. That's my position. I respect my colleague. Nothing against anything or what anybody is doing. to the almost 7,000 people who voted for me and my constituents know that I'm
doing my best to represent you. And just because I I sat in those seats for years, I sat in the seats of employee. And I did not understand it. I didn't understand why people did not say anything until I got on the board and
was trained by the Michigan Association of School Boards. So, please don't take any of my response or lack thereof for you thinking, well, he's not saying anything. But we are bound by law and we have to be mindful
at all times of what it is that we do. I'm almost at the point now where I am I don't even know what can be said. >> Okay. So that's that's that's my position and I respect I I definitely
respect all of my colleagues. >> Okay. Thank you. I know that um >> Dr. Griffin was speaking on graduation status. Um I will circle back to that area where we are excited about graduation and we
are at the end for the logistics. I have gotten a little bit of information from the team. I will share that. But we are on track and not only are we excited about the students that are prepared for graduation, we are still making sure
yes, here we are. We are still making sure that those that are close can still be able to cross that stage. As of today, 78% 98 of our students are currently on track to graduate. An additional 12% 15 students still have credit recovery request work that must
be completed but at this time 7% which are nine students are completely off track which are not eligible. So that's a small percentage u of students but we are really excited about the 78 plus 12% that are going to be able to walk that
stage very soon. Can you speak to the two students are showing empower school um related to CTE? Can you can you speak to that? >> I have to uh investigate it. I got this.
I'll have to circle back to them and get clarity about it because I'm not sure what's taking place with that. So, I'm going to circle back to Principal Sanders regarding what that means. The two students joining in Power School, but they are CT students only. Then I don't know what that is. So, I'm going to have to circle back to get clarity about that.
>> Okay. Thank you. And then the 15 students that have credit recovery coursework, um, do you know what like their deadline is? So, they still have a chance, right? >> Absolutely. >> And what is their deadline to complete?
>> Well, I don't know what that is. That was given by the principal and that's why the note says very clearly these uh percentages are subject to change. They're giving these babies as many days as possible leading to graduation so that they can still walk the stage. I don't know that date, but I'm really
proud of this uh team there and Principal Sanders for giving them as long as possible in order to make sure that they are completing their credit recovery and can still graduate on time. >> Okay, good deal. Are is there a question? Um, in the past,
>> um, even if they didn't have it all done, they would allow to walk and then by the end of the, uh, like August or whatever, by end of summer school, they could do it. >> They cut that off. >> No, my grandson did it. >> I don't know when your grandson
graduated. >> Um, I mean, it was during co >> I don't know when. >> So, uh, they could, uh, No, they could they could still walk and still, uh, get their their credit. I mean finish up. They may not have their diploma, but they could get their diploma uh when
they finish like at the end of summer school or whatever. >> I can certainly check the law. >> They do it in college, so I don't know why they can't do it here. >> Uh just a point of clarity, are you saying walk at a different time or be able to walk even though they didn't finish? >> They could walk the field, but they knew
that at the end of summer school they would have their diploma and they could get their diploma. >> Yeah. I'm hoping that we don't I mean I to each his own. >> Colleges do it all the time. Usually if if it's graduation time and you're supposed to graduate at August, they
don't have a graduation then they let you walk and then you get to you do what you need to do and get your graduation um credit. You get your after you finish that course or whatever they give you uh the credit. treasure Gavin um in in 2016
>> um as principal at Ben Harour High School >> and I don't know this was prior to me becoming the principal at Ben Harour High School they changed that >> and they could not they have they must be completed with all of their coursework before they can
participate in graduation and that has been some years now. So, I know coming up here as uh when I first came to Ben Harbor High School that they there was no way they could walk. And I I remember
that when we were in school because we had 37 students who um had some credits to make up uh for graduation. They were able to participate and many of them did not come back. >> Thank you, Secretary Triplet. as they
should. I believe that graduation should indicate that you've completed your coursework. Um, that's where the excitement is. I did the work. I deserve the cap and gown. I'm going to walk because I did what I was supposed to do. And that sense of urgency goes away if
you get to walk and you didn't finish your work. But that's my opinion. Um, I think it's good to go ahead and move forward um on the staff report T2. Um, Dr. Griffin, would you like to read that?
>> Staff reports. Sure. Subject approval of overnight field trip for Ben Harvard High School Peace for Life Leadership Academy. Date May 26, 2026. The board shall approve field trips and other district sponsored trips that are planned to keep students out of the district overnight or longer and or
out of the state. Fact and analysis. Ben Harbor High School Peace for Life Leadership Academy. Students are requesting approval to participate in the Underground Railroad Tour educational experience scheduled for June 8th through 11th, 2026. The 4-day, three-ight educational trip include
travel to Dearborn, Detroit, Lancing, Big Rapids, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The experience will provide students with opportunities to explore African-American history, leadership development, college and career readiness, and cultural enrichment through visits to Charles H. Wright
Museum of African-American History, the Hedleborg Project, the Detroit History and Underground Railroad Tour, and multiple university campuses, including the University of Michigan Dearborn, Ferris State University, James Madison College, and Grand Valley State University. The trip proposal includes
20 students and 10 chaperons and staff members. Transportation will be provided by Moto Coach and students will stay in hotel accommodations for three nights. The total estimated cost for the trip is $45,483.90 and an estimated cost per per person
cost of $1,516.13. Policy reference 2340 field and other district sponsored trips. Funding source general fund strategic goal reference academics Ben Harbor area schools will increase student achievement as measured on local, state, and national assessments. learning environment. Ben
Harbor Area Schools will develop, maintain, and implement with fidelity a multi-tered system of support that enhances the culture and learning environment. Recommended action that the Ben Harour Area Schools Board of Education approved the Ben Harbor High School Peace for Life Leadership Academy
Underground Railroad Educational Tour scheduled for June 8th through 11th, 2026 as presented. >> Okay. Um, thank you. What questions does the board have? >> Um, Vice President Bowens,
>> this message is Can I ask director of finance or whoever knows what is the ratio for chaperones? Is it two or three >> for every 10 students? We should only have two room.
>> We're talking about high school students. >> Yes. On the 18th, >> I believe it's five or 10. I'm not sure. For chaperones on a trip, 10
>> for every 10 students, there must be one chaperon. >> Yes. So we have 20 students and 10 chaperons. How do we justify 10 chaperons?
Paying for 10 chaperons with 20 student. If there are only 20 student that are going 10 official uh um 10 chaperons in addition to the staff. All these people staff because it's almost half of the
kids almost more than the kids going. Yeah, I will have to follow up with Miss Goodson and Mr. Sanders on the details on if these are staff members or >> parents or volunteers that are chaperoning. I'm not sure.
>> So, say because I'm seeing where it says five staff, five parents. So, I guess >> yeah, I want to speak to that. So, so from my understanding um Dr. Goodson is the family and community engagement
coordinator. Correct. And so her responsibility is to work with parents to get them involved um as well. And so this is that type of project that helps connect the community, the parents um
and the students in this experience in this uh development experience. So it's not just a typical uh field trip staff and students. Yeah, >> thank you for that clarification. Now I do understand you know uh when you talk
about family engagement um which family engagement do include parents and for our parents to be able to see the types of things and have a voice to see the types of things that our kids are doing as well. So now I do understand I was just concerned like
that's a lot of chaperon for 20 kids. But so with this family engagement then that's a completely different thing. Thank you for that clarification. >> Oh okay. You're welcome. >> I was I have a question. >> Um trusty racket m
>> how are the students chosen? It says peace for life leadership academy. How were those students chose? I mean how did they I didn't know we they had a leadership academy. Peaceful life. We do.
>> Yeah, they've been working on that all year. >> I mean, they've been working in that vein all year. >> That's a good question. I believe the students step up into leadership and they take part in the work. >> Can any of the employees
who are here present tonight answer that question? >> We can read I mean, if you want, we can read the whole application together. Would you like to do that? Um what is the primary educational purpose of this field trip is to develop student leadership through experential learning
by exposing peace for life leaders to college pathways, cultural experiences, and real world opportunities that build confidence, responsibility, and a commitment to positive community um impact. Um what does this uh what
standards does this field trip support? This field trip supports Michigan academic standards for grades 9 through 12, social studies, civil rights movement, historical analysis, English language and collaborative discussion, reflective writing, career development,
self-awareness, career exploration and social emotional learning, leadership decision making and relationship skills while aligning with the leadership development goals of the uh leadership academy.
Um, would you like me to go on about college and career readiness? >> No, >> I just wanted to know how the kids were chosen. >> Okay, good deal. I believe that they sign up and they decide that they want to be a part of it. >> Okay. Are we ready for
>> um everybody from 9th grade that >> Yeah, I believe it's n I believe it is 9th through 12th graders. So, are we ready for the vote? >> You have to call that uh Vice President. >> Yeah. Well, yeah, we're voting on this.
We're voting on this and I think that's it. So, Treasure G, is there any additional questions or >> I don't see any. Thank you. >> Okay. So, now we are now at the section for a vote for T1. Is there a motion on
the floor to approve >> T2? Um, >> T2, I'm sorry. Is there a motion on the floor to approve report T2? >> I so move. >> It's been moved by Secretary Triplet. Is there a second? >> Support. And it's been supported by
Steve Bole. >> Call for the vote. Secretary Triplet. >> Vice President Bowens. >> Can you come back to me, please? >> Secretary Triplet, yes. >> Treasure Gavin, >> yes. Trusty Rocket Martin, >> yes.
>> Trusty Bradley, >> yes. >> Trusty Doyle, >> absolutely. >> Vice President Bowen, >> abstain. >> To have a reason to abstain, sir. >> I have a conflict of interest with um the Peace for Life head facility
organization. >> Thank you. Motion carries. I'll turn it back over to you, Vice President Bowens. >> Thank you. We are now at business and finance. I turn it back over to you, Trustee. I'm
sorry, Treasure Gavin. >> Hey, thank you so much. I will turn it over to uh our director of finance, um, Director Brock Carter. >> Thank you, Treasurer Gavin. um our last finance committee meeting we didn't it was just uh trust treasurer Gavin and I
so I don't know um do we want to go into it in detail now do we want to give everyone an opportunity to look things over or I um I guess I think what I'm wondering is um definitely if there is something I
know that we are coming up on a major deadline and so I think it's important for the board to know about um our budget. Um we do have a timeline in which we have to get our budget reviewed and approved. And so if you be willing
to share that and then if there's anything specifically that you really want to make sure that we're paying attention to um I I don't think that we, you know, need to read every single thing, I think it's important for the board to go ahead and read that on their own. But if there's some specifics that
we need to be paying attention to, please highlight those. >> Okay. Um, as far as the budget is concerned, we are ju we are starting to meet and get our u numbers together so that we can have a budget ready u in
time. Um, so that is kind of in the early stages. Uh hopefully we'll have all the information we need to get it done in time, but we are in the early stages of collaborating as a cabinet with all departments together
and input together so that we can have a as true as possible uh budget for next school year. >> And what's the deadline upon which we need to have our hearing and our vote? Our hearing needs to be six days prior
to the vote. Um, it has to be voted in by June 30th. June 30th. Okay. And so our regular So our board meetings
for June are the 9th and the 23rd. The 2nd and the 4th. >> Okay. So, we would definitely have to have our hearing on the 23rd in order to have the vote by the 30th. Um, hopefully we can get it done prior to that. We are
definitely going to work hard to meet that deadline, but right now that is more um logical and uh realistic based on where we are right now. >> Okay. Um, is there any do you have a
date in mind as to when those numbers will um be available to the board to review prior to that meeting? >> Not at this time. >> You you you do not have I wasn't expecting that.
>> I'm sorry. I I want to be as realistic as possible based on the work that's been put into it so far. So um you know we are meeting regularly on it daily um at this point. So um our goal uh we have
some goals for the principles that is u May 29th for some information. Okay. So after that it'll be hopefully faster pace to get it finished up. But as as of right now,
I won't even have all the information to put the budget together until after May 29th. Uh because that's the deadline I gave the principles to get me their information. >> Okay. I see Secretary Tripler's hand u finger up.
>> Yes. So, um, we've been doing about this that this hearing is mandated in June and so it is the expectation and not rushing in the 11th hour that we have our budget prepared to present to
our community. Um, past practices have been where the hearing was an hour before the actual voting on both on the same day. So, please look in look at how that was situated and how that was done
historically. So, >> and that that's definitely an option to if if we have the hearing on the 23rd, we can vote on the 23rd as well. >> We we we come in an hour early. >> Yeah. >> And we come in at 5:00 and we have the
hearing. We close out of that and we go into the vote. And so we're fine. It just it doesn't I mean, you know, the it it it saddens me again that we're at this
point that we don't have the grunt work and the stuff because this we it it it seems to me that all the work throughout the year should have been aligned with
being ready for this budget hearing. >> I agree. I don't know what pieces are missing, but um that's a non-negotiable. >> It definitely is a non-negotiable and has to be done. So the if the 23rd is
the um last meeting of the for the month of June, that's the day we're we will have it ready to go. Uh I did have a calendar. >> Can you share your ideas from your calendar? which wasn't the ideal timeline based on the calendar that you
wanted to implement. According to my budget timeline, um this work would have started in January. Um, and at this point, late May,
uh, it would be just tweaking or making adjustments. Um, but it didn't go as planned. Uh, I shared my budget calendar with all the cabinet, all the staff, the superintendent. Um, so everyone was
aware of the budget process. Um but due to changes in leadership, different things happening within our district, um some of the work was delayed. Okay.
Thank you so much. All right. Um so hopefully we can get the information. It's not ideal. So, I know in the past we have done a hearing on the same day, but I think it's important um for community and board members to get that
information as soon as possible so that we can get feedback um and so that we're not rushing to make a decision about our budget um within an hour of seeing it. And I do appreciate you, Director Brock Carter, looking at your timeline. kind of shows that you
wanted to be proactive and get that started in January. So, uh, we'll move forward. >> It's that been a common practice since we've been on the board. We don't just get it on that day. We already have it prior to. So, I don't know how you guys
will be able to do that, but that's the that's how we handle our budget hearing and our budget meeting approval meeting. So we don't get it that day and have a discussion and what have you that is sent out prior to so hopefully the gaps
from missing everything that's we've um done since January because we haven't stopped spending money I know that since January. >> Thank you so much Secretary Triplet. Um, director by Carter, is there anything in
particular that you want to direct our attention to that's outside of us being able to read it ourselves? Uh, not anything particular. Um, one thing I do want to point out that our um 21H partnership district grant is due June
3rd. We are uh Monroe and I are working with Dr. Griffin to get uh the goals for the partnership agreement so we can make sure that the partnership agreement grant aligns with those goals and that we are using the funds for what we told the state that we're going to use them
for. Um so we have that due on June 3rd. Um, we also submitted today the 31C grant in order to reduce class sizes to um 19 students or less for grades K through three that was submitted today
and that is um was kind of guaranteed approval because of the index that our district falls under. We just had to submit the application in order to receive those funds. So, we submitted that today. So, Director Carter, you're saying that you submitted a grant to help us reduce our class sizes.
>> That's correct. >> That's exciting to hear. Thank you for that. Um and then we have several other grants going on or applications going on right now as well that you can look at the um committee meeting agenda to see. But I just want to make a point of uh
the work that's being done in the business office and the addition of the grant writer and how we are all collaborating together to bring funds into the district. >> Thank you so much. I will turn it over to >> Madam Treasure.
>> Yes. I got a question on the AP check register. Um, April 1st, I see that we spent 29,800 with Meek's construction. Then on
April 24th, we spent $89,400. Yes, that is for uh the de demolition of bar school according to the contract that we have with that company. That is the payment schedule. >> Okay. Is there a payment schedule for Bard?
>> That's I just mentioned Bard. You mean >> right? >> Uh not at this time. I'm not sure when that um we haven't received the documentation from that company on when they're going to start so that we can get a payment schedule in place.
>> Okay. And is this in Skyward? Yes. >> Okay. Can you schedule some time with me to show me? Because I was having difficulties navigating Skyward. I don't know what I was doing. I was talking to a friend in Pontiac and I couldn't access it. So, >> yeah. I'm not sure if you have the
clearance um security access to access such details. >> She was using her system so probably not, but we couldn't find it and I was like I would ask. So, I just would love to get access to it to see it.
>> Yeah, I'm not sure. I'd have to check to see uh who is able to have that kind of access in Skyward. It does have different security levels. So, I'm not sure if we can just allow you to see.
Thank you. I would be glad to do that. Also, I requested a few weeks ago documentation on Kexus. Have you been able to forward that? >> Yes. I thought I forwarded to you at the last meeting, but I will. I do have the email from them. >> Thank you so much. >> Hey, thank you. One last question,
Director Brock Carter. I just want to make sure we're on top of this budget because we have a legal responsibility to make sure that we handle that. Can you with with your understanding that this should have happened in January with your expertise,
what meetings need to happen between now and our deadline in order for us to meet the deadline? What meetings with who need to happen between now and our deadline in
order for us to meet that deadline? Um, cabinet is the number one um because we've had uh Miss Dorsy and I have gone around and spoken to most of the
principles um early on in the year. I attended one of the principal meetings to also kind of get them ready, get them on board with what is coming up. So, I believe we have all that information, but the different departments in the district, um, I just want to make sure
that I have their goals, their plans for next year, and make sure that it's all funded. So, uh, we definitely need to get together as a cabinet and then from there, uh, Dr. Griffin and I kind of take that information, not only to do the budget, but the budget hearing kind
of tells a story about how we came up with those numbers. So, uh, that is something that she and I should do in order to, uh, have our budget hearing packet together and ready to go. >> Thank you. So, you need to meet with your cabinet by what date?
>> Oh, I don't as soon as possible. >> Soon as possible. And with Dr. Griffin by >> Yeah, that that's something Dr. Griffin normally sets up the cabinet meetings. What I'm asking is your understanding of our deadline. When does it need to happen in order for
it to h in order for us to um yesterday? Okay. Thank you. I'll turn it over to you, Vice President Bows. >> Thank you. >> And we are into
Secretary Triplet. Facilities and operation. The only thing um there was a facility and operation meeting. Um the I graduated from this high school in
1978. I have never seen my alma mater look like this >> with this grass like this. I don't have anything else to say for me. Uh
this is up to my ankle and I am very concerned because this is the staple. Ah I know many people don't love it like that but the high school is a staple
of this school district. We only have one high school. It should be immaculate. and it should be well kept. And I don't know, and to be honest with you, I don't care.
>> I'm done. >> Because again, everybody gets a check. I have not seen on the register that anybody turned it back in and said, "No, I can't receive this
because my work is not done. Nobody. In all of my years of working here, I've never heard anybody say, "Okay, here's my check." Because I didn't do my due diligence. I I I don't think that our children
deserve this. I really don't. And so for me as the chairman of the facility committee, the only thing that I had to report, and y'all saw it, some of us waited through it um to get in here.
I live And look at these schools. I hate to keep saying this, where I work, our facilities are immaculate. It is a huge hemp
and it is beautiful and I am so sick of still seeing leaves in June. Every year it's like no matter what the situation is, it's graduation time and everybody go into this major operation
when this should be the norm. >> Absolutely. >> It's unacceptable. I'm just telling you where I am. I've had enough. I don't care about any of that stuff and what's happening. This is
unacceptable. So, um, Director Bullock, um, did have something to, um, present and something to say. Um, and Superintendent Dr. Griffin, um, as far um, the what's the status of
getting our grass cut at our school. >> Good evening. I can report on the things that I've been in control of uh would be the roof. Tuesday, May 19, we had Great Lakes Solution come down and we walked
the roof of DC and MLK so we could see the lifespan left on that roof. Um it's a lot of holes and rips and tears in DC roof. So that roof do need to be looked at and repaired. MLK
have um some masonary issues with that brick work. U some tuckpoint issues and that's what's help causing water to come into MLK school. So we need to get that looked at. We have a few little areas that need to be patched and um to
control the water flow over at MLK for the gym and it's a stairway over there. Um, so that won't cost as much to replace the as far as the uh the majority of the roof is still in good condition. The facility master plan spoke with
Steve at C2 AE and he was saying to replace the water lines, controllers, and the units in the high school. Um, could cost approximately 15 or 17 million. >> Not going to happen. Ain't nobody get no more money.
the world. >> We also discussed about possibility remodeling hood into a K5 building to consolidate all elementary grade into one location. This would be like a state-of-the-art building, providing air
conditioning for our students and better accommodate students with disability by eliminating the need of an elevator. >> Um I I I do have a question. And you you can answer this because I
keep hearing about these roofs and they walk the roof over by the cafeteria and the performing art center
and we were told that the roof was done and behold and performing our sin. See, let me make myself clear, okay? I I I
am going to do my be my best to stay in the lane of governance and oversight as a member of the board of education. And again, it's very uncomfortable for me. the thing that is most uh
I don't even know how to describe um what I'm feeling. I I mean honestly I don't know how to professionally describe how I am truly feeling about the district that I've loved all my
life. the at central administration staff almost $700,000 to get through with everything salaries and benefited maybe even up to a million
dollars that's being paid to people to lead and to do this work and it it puts the board in a very difficult position is Almost like we have to become buffers
and pseudo employee which crosses the line of micromanaging and not knowing how to step, how far to step, how far not to step, what's this,
what's that, what's this. But I think that it's only right because when I go in, if I do not take a day off, when I go in, I give it everything that
I have. I really do. I work through and it's not perfect, but I give it everything that I have. None of us sitting at this
table. None of us get paid. Not one penny. We have left our job. We have left our job. I'm talking about the board of education.
None of us, not one dime. We don't have insurance. We don't have the luxury. We come here and we should be able to look at that table and look at the top of this in the center of this table and say, "Hey, because everybody
that's sitting over there, we all voted for you. We all did. We did. And that's like I'm I'm in I'm almost in tears and I'm so
disappointed. And you guys don't know the conversation that we have like this is so tiresome. It is so wearing and so taxing on us. And we have to no matter who we whatever it is,
it's always something. These facilities we we put millions invested millions of dollars, approved millions and millions of dollars. Look out this door. Look at it. That's not right. I'm not
saying it's you. I'm not saying it's it's somebody and it most definitely is not us for sure. So, um yeah, I'm I'm I'm just I just, you know, to to my constituents,
seriously, you know, this has been this is this is this is a lot of work. It's hard work, but it's hard work. And I don't do all the the the the the
disrespect cuz I don't disrespect y'all. And I do my very best not to match energy. How about that? Hey, there are things that we can't say and we cannot do. I don't I don't believe in that matching energy because I look at it and then I make decisions
in my mind. So don't ever think I'm not thinking. Don't ever think because ain't nobody and I'm gonna say it again whether you like it or not. I don't like what you say all the time and you don't like what I say. Ain't nobody volunteering. So the finance report, I mean the
facilities report, we've been they've been walking on these group the last meet. They've been trying to tear down Bard and and Martenddale the last six months. Our road path, they both standing
and and money is going out. 89,000, 79,000, 100,000 still standing. Projects are being done right now and the plan for the whole summer is ready to move. That's the way good business is.
We've been asking for this report for the longest on the facilities plan for three years. I know to no avail. That's the real conversation if you want to talk about it. But some things, you
know, it's easy to point your finger at everybody else when I I'm not gonna point when you point because three of them coming back because the most difficult work is you can find everybody can look at what everybody else is doing. But the most difficult work is self-examination.
That's some hard work. Not what director Brock Carter did. Not what Dr. Foster did. Not what Dr. M. Dorothy Smith did. what did I do in the midst?
And if you can answer, I don't need a response from any, but if you can answer that and be good with what it is that you did, then that's cool. But if you can't, you owe it to these people.
These people are paying taxes. We're getting money from from from state. And so I I I'm just saying I'm I'm I'm the chairman of the facilities committee. So you you've given your report. Dr.
Griffin, can you give an update? In the facility meeting, you had shared some things. So you can give an update on what it is, what's happening with the grass. >> I'm going to yield to uh Mr. Bolus. Dr. Bol wanted just wanted to say on the
record that hole in the PAC didn't come from a roof. It came from a busted steam water pipe from the boiler. We do have video evidence of it and we did uh show it to the facilities committee before. So that's where that hole came from. >> Yeah, I I'm familiar with that. I saw
that. >> Yeah, I'm just stating >> that's in the back of the stage too, but I I ain't going to have that discussion right now. The part that was fixed and it came through and rained in. But I'm talking about Okay. So she's going to give it back to you. So since the last time we met, maybe there's been an
update, Dr. Griffin as far as the grass is concerned. >> Yes, I have gotten uh counsel from our finance director around uh what has been done in the past regarding RFP to get estimates to ensure that we don't go
over without getting board approval. So we have contracted well we haven't contracted but we've asked multiple companies to go out to the unoccupied and the occupied those companies came out today and they started on our facilities to make sure that they have
been uh mowed. You have my sincere apologies that they haven't been up to par. That is always my endeavor but know that we're working to get this uh addressed as soon as possible. I I would like to um just say I know the
unoccupied must be taken care of but the occupied is the first priority. That's where our customers reside. >> Let me clarify if you don't mind. We did have they started on the occupied today. Another company's wrapping up the uh
unoccupied. They started today on the occupied another company >> for clarity. Thank you for that clarification. >> So that's it for the uh facility. >> My hand is >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Thank you so much. Uh Secretary Triplet,
I am very much interested. We did have a community member who spoke to our finances, who spoke to um our grass. Um, so I'm wondering if we can get a
comparative analysis between what we normally pay for our grass, how that normally would go and then what has realistically what has actually
happened. And like what's the cost cost differential between what we normally pay to have our grass cut and secretary triplet said this is the worst it's been and then what we're paying now for what
we got and why we are paying what we're paying. Did you? >> And that would be between the director of facilities and between our director of finance. you can help us make it make sense um with the facts.
uh based on our schedule of of our previous lawn care provider would provided us with a schedule of fees the price per building per mole and based on that information or the the the only
invoice that we've received for services outside our normal provider were a company that did our six open buildings. >> Okay. that cost compared to what we normally pay for those same six
buildings, there was a 304% increase, three times as much. So, could you break that down if you know by numbers what we were normally paying? >> We would normally pay for the six open buildings around $1,483
per mole. >> Okay. The last company that invoiced us for those same six buildings charged 6,000. >> Thank you for that. And now, can you also speak to because we want to make sure the community understands
that we too care about our money. Can you also speak to the additional fees that we've occurred occurred? >> Yeah. >> That we have Yeah. We had closed buildings in the township that we were
um sent a notice on >> incurred >> the um grass and it needed to be cut by a certain date uh that wasn't done. So the township mowed those lawns and they charged us approximately 12,000.
>> 12,000. Thank you. because I want to make sure when people accuse us of being incompetent that we know what we're talking about and our director of facilities, could you please share what your
recommendation is? Is this what you wanted for us? >> No, I wasn't a part of that. I have no knowledge of any of the companies or who's cutting the grass or anything. So, >> you direct Dr. Griffin took control of that.
>> Thank you. >> I have no further questions. Secretary TR um one thing I would like to say seriously for our audience, we definitely >> not calling response. We I I know but
still we this is not the way we conduct our meetings. Okay. So we don't want we want everybody to feel comfortable when you're in the meeting you have any concern you can write or what have you but we have to keep the order in the form. Okay. Um Trusty Doyle
>> my question is graduation is June 5th. It looks horrible down there. my daughter is graduating. I would like to make sure that that area is clean. So when they walk down through there, they
can walk down through there with pride. So can I get a a deadline, a certainty that that will be done from somebody? Um, trustee uh, Trusty Doyle, we will be having um a meeting on on that with
facilities and and and the superintendent. >> Okay. Can we please make sure we have that on Zoom and not in person? >> Yeah, we Yeah, we can do that. Um, >> I just had a a quick question. I saw that you all were discussing um renovation of hood. Was that just a
discussion or is that something that you all are trying to get onto the timeline or fasttracking? >> That was just all discussions. >> Just trying to find ways we can uh consolidate builders to save cost. We looking at uh electric bills um that's
using different buildings and water bills and just trying to find ways we can do to consolidate with the amount of students we have to save the district money. Thank you. >> Um, Secretary Triplet, are you done? >> I am. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Um, it's now my turn. We had a great HR meeting this past week. Um, and I'm going to give it now to Director Dorsy. >> Thank you. I would like to we have three items that we're going to talk about today. The
first being uh recruitment and retention for teachers. There was a question at the last meeting regarding this. So I want to just talk to you a few minutes about that and this will measure um from August until today.
So in August of 2025, Dr. Griffin requesting the HR audit to take place. The audit reviewed the primary HR functions with recommendations for improvement. The audit has guided the work in the human resources department. This year, the human resources audit
revealed only 51% of our teachers were certified. The extra numbers certified teachers were 43. It was 51.8%. non-certified teachers in the pipeline in CTE 40
teachers 48.2% for 100%. And the current teacher certification is as follows. We have 61 certified teachers at 73.5%. Non-certified pipeline CTE we have 22
26.5% for 100%. So, we've been working getting certified teachers for next school year. These numbers are for next year, not for the current year, but as we stand right now, we'll be bringing more teachers um as we hire more.
>> The last slide was teacher retention for this school year thus far. So, we have 83 teachers, eight have resigned. Teacher turnover is 9.64%. This is just for teachers, not for staff. The request was for teachers.
That's what we have. Any questions about that? >> Trusty, I'm sorry, Secretary Triplet. >> Yes. So, so the I think it's clear that that that the public needs to know that we have hired and identified certified
teachers. >> That is correct. number gone up from since August and gone up well. So that needs to get out that we do have certified teachers and we're almost at the marks.
>> Yes, we are close to having in genet courses 100% certified teachers. >> Trusty Rocket Martin. I think also it should be noted that just because a person resign doesn't mean that it's a negative thing. Sometime they move,
sometime they get married, sometime they they uh take home uh stay out to take care of loved ones. So resignation doesn't mean bad. Thank you for that. >> Yes, ma'am.
My question is um what did you all discuss in committee meeting that it had to be in person and not on Zoom as usual? >> So I will chime into that. So earlier
this month um we received an invitation from our HR committee and the superintendent on wanting to have the meeting in person. some of the items that they were showing us could not be showed on Zoom.
So, we had a Google invite which all of us received to go there. Um, you did state that you would not be able to attend the meeting. >> However, I didn't feel safe. >> However, as chair, pardon me,
>> I faith, >> right? As chairman, I was able to continue the meeting and we met in person. I believe we also had a zoom link if I'm correct. Um then when we went to the meeting it wasn't a quorum
Mr. Triplet and then wanted us to reschedule >> or committee >> well not a quorum sorry wasn't a enough committee members then when I reached Mr. Triplet by that time I caught some backup trustee Doyle you sent trustee Gavin there and u Miss Wette was coming
as a replacement by that time Mr. triplet suggested that we reschedule because he wanted to be at the meeting. So we went ahead and rescheduled and we discussed you know >> but I wanted to finish you on Zoom instead of in person.
>> I'm trying to explain myself. I've given you the grace. Can I have the grace please? >> I don't know what grace you giving >> by letting you talk and not interrupting you. Thank you. So at that time we were able to discuss at the meeting um
some of the principal concerns and we also discussed hiring um ma certified math teachers and science teachers and different things that was able to be trusty triplet. You
were there. Do you want to turn? I I I I guess I'm a little taken aback about somebody any meetings that we're having where people somebody didn't feel safe. I I didn't know what I mean that kind of
threw me off. So I was in a whole different space. I didn't know that you did not feel safe >> meeting in public of us coming together. So that kind of threw me off. So I was not available to be in the meeting and I
because we had been invited almost a month prior to for the HR committee to meet in person with the HR director and the superintendent and I had no problem with it. We don't
just necessarily have to do a Zoom. We still have we have the ability to do a Zoom, but we also have the ability for these committees to meet >> in person. So, I'm I I I didn't know you you didn't feel safe. >> I sent the email. >> Yeah, but I still I didn't know that
until you sent the email. I didn't know, you know, that you didn't feel safe >> being in my presence, you know. So, I just I I didn't I that was after the fact. >> But anyhow, um you feel safe with me. Vice President,
you just said that um you offered a Zoom link at the second meeting. So, why wasn't it a Zoom link at the first meeting? >> I don't get into day-to-day business on sending the Zoom invites and invitation out. You would need to discuss that with this um administrative assistant,
>> Natalie. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Assistant, I do what I am told. Trusty Gavin, Truster Gavin, I'm sorry. >> Thank you. So that's very interesting because my account of that situation was
this meeting, this human resources committee meeting was initially presented with the undisclosed location. And that's what would make a board member feel unsafe because why are you
having a meeting at an undisclosed location and then when that meeting location is disclosed um and Trusty Doyle asked me to come in her place and I came to the meeting in
her place which is what we normally do. Um, and I'm trying to get into the building and when I send a message that I'm trying to get into the building, then the meeting is cancelled. And then, uh, Vice President Bowens, you told me it was because of a lack of
quum, although a committee meeting is not supposed to have a quorum because if it's a quorum, it's supposed to be a public meeting. And then you said Secretary Triple was on the way and Secretary Triplet just said he couldn't make that meeting. I wasn't going to make that meeting.
>> You weren't going to make that meeting, >> right? And so that, you know, kind of begs the question of, you know, what what is going on and I do understand that you feel like you don't need to explain anything. >> Well, I can explain myself, >> but it's just I'm sorry, I'm still
talking. It's just that that type of going on makes us wonder if there's any level of corruption in that meeting. Uh, let me u I'll leave it at that. >> Yeah, I'll leave it at this, too.
>> Ain't nothing corrupt about nothing we're doing. >> Okay. Because ain't nothing corrupt about things you do or anybody do. Any any committee members, any any committee, I'm on that committee. And so ain't nothing I I want you to know and
everybody else. Ain't nothing up in there corrupt. There was a mix up with the meeting. They scheduled a meeting in person. Do we want to order food? Everybody because people don't read their emails. That's not our fault. Okay. So, ain't nothing corrupt. The information that was that was going to
be presented at that meeting was sensitive that they wanted the committee, which is the committee's responsibility pointed by the president of this board of education. I I don't think if if you cancelled a meeting with curriculum, I would never think that what you doing
was corrupt ever. I wouldn't have a mean at an undisclosed location. >> And it didn't. It happened at right over here on Pipstone. So was nothing undisclosed. >> It ain't supposed to be undisclosed in a 8 mile radius.
>> But anyhow, so for for we had the meeting, she could have come. The purpose, the reason the meeting was cancelled because you wanted to have our HR committee there. Cuz it's not no joke. This ain't no game. >> I went at the next meeting. >> Okay. You didn't come
>> and I wasn't going to come cuz I didn't >> Okay, then. So, you didn't want to be there? >> You had to meet safe, >> Mr. Triple. >> Cuz I didn't feel safe. Let's say that. >> Order. Let's get it back on the rails. Come on. >> Go ahead. >> Are you finished, Mr. TR? >> Yes, I am. But I just don't appreciate all that stuff about nobody being
corrupt, nobody trying to hurt nobody. It ain't It's not even that culture. So, that right there can stop. Ain't nobody up in here hurting nobody. >> I can tell you our students is suffering. our staff is something heard. Let's get back on the door. Let's get >> All right, we can go back on. Go ahead.
>> So, is there any other recommendations on our hires? Um, >> yes, we have two more reports, the H1 and H2 report. The H1 report um staff report Ben Harvey area schools subject employment of staff. The date is June
9th, 2026. Submitting for board consideration to approve the employment of staff in accordance with the revised school code and other general laws of Michigan. Facts and analysis is recommended that the board approve the superintendent's
recommendation for the hire of the following personnel. Policy reference 3120 and 4120 employment of professional and support staff. The strategic plan goal reference personnel leadership Ben Harbor area
schools will recruit, hire, develop, and retain the best staff to improve student outcomes. New hires Isaac Assari, certified social studies teacher for Fairplane Middle School. The source is general funds effective uh August 17th
of 2026. Then we have Margarita Dina Sumilig, certified math teacher for Fairplane Middle School, general funds, August 17, 26, start date. And last, Joseph Timbush, director of academics,
central office, general fund, start date um 712026. On the 9th, the recommended action will be that the board Ven Harour Area Schools Board of Education vote to approve the employment of the affformentioned staff. >> Okay. Is there any questions or
comments? >> I have a question. >> Trustee Treasure Gavin. So, um, one, I'm hoping that when we do bring this to the board for a vote or if you intend to bring this to looks like effective date
is July 1st. That's July 1st. Um, so if this is brought to the board that this is separated. Um, and what I would also say is that I don't feel comfortable even discussing
a director of academics until we get clear on our director of academics. And so until we get clear on that, um I find it to be unethical and quite possibly illegal
to even be going into this before we get clear on other things. I won't go into those details, but um this right here is out of order. It's out of order
>> complete. It's out of order and we need to go into close session so that we can deal with it and we need our order members to allow us to go into close session so that we can
deal with it. And so as a board, we can't say we don't know what's going on. And we can't pretend that what's happening is not our responsibility to fix because this board has the power to fix it.
And so for this, I'm really excited about the certified teachers. I'm also excited about our grow your own program and those teachers that are in the trenches, too. So, I'm excited about that. And we also
have a responsibility to do things in decency and in order. And so, this this last piece, nothing against this person, um, but that needs to be separated. We need to have an opportunity to support
the motion for those uh, certified teachers in social studies and math. And then this other issue needs to be put to the side until we do our part and take responsibility. >> Secretary Triplet,
>> you know, for me, these criminal words that are being used is just like so weird to me when we talk to each other um on record and off record. So, um I
think that with the personnel that we have in HR, I'm I I feel very confident that there's nothing criminal, nothing unethical or anything. There's a there's some there's
some other things that's happening, but we do have to fill those position. However, I feel with the as unstable
from my view to go into identifying someone for as the director of academic I don't agree with that. I don't feel comfortable with that. I feel that there are some things
that need to be put in place prior to that at the central administration level because I do have questions um that I asked and I would like to be answered. Uh but I would like my
colleagues to think about that. I don't think that we should do anything with making a recommendation for any of those positions as central administration at this particular moment. uh not because it's unethical, but I
think there's a lot of things, you know, that needs to be taken into consideration when we talk about um and I did ask the superintendent um in the meeting. Who was this team
that identified or interviewed these people? Who ident who how were these people identified? Who were they? Because guess what? The director of academic is one heartbeat from the presidency, one heartbeat from the superintendent
seat. And so this right here, if did did we have teachers? Was the Ben Harvard Education Association was the representatives from the teaching staff from all grade level?
because that's have to work. Was their principal from the elementary division, from the middle school division, and from the high school division because we always come back to the same
spot where once we get people in here, then we start getting complaints from teachers or something. We knew nothing about it. This not who it's time to have. This is very, very serious. when we feel these position. This is not a checklist item, not to uh diminish what
anybody thought. And I think that that and then the who from central administration was on that interviewing team. And so that's the information that I'm
requesting and asking my colleagues to support in this endeavor that we need to put a pause on those three role as central administration until we get some stability before we make any decisions that happen
at the top. Thank you. So, Secretary Triplet, I understand what you're stating and I look forward to having a robust conversation with you >> seriously >> um regarding the direction and what you're implicating because I understand what
you're stating, but I do believe time is of the essence in getting those positions filled. Is there anything else, Director Dorsy? >> There is the H2 report. Staff report Ben Harbor Area Schools
separation of employment dated June 9th, 2026. The 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 vote to accept the separation of employment of the following staff. Policy reference 3140 and 4140 termination and resignation of professional support staff. The strategic goal
personnel leadership Ben Harvard area schools will recruit, hire, develop, and retain the best staff to improve student outcomes. Separation of employment, we have one employee, I'm in Burton, GSRP associate
teacher. designation effective date May 20th 2026 from deck date of hire 1019 2015 her exit interview will be done in person is not completed yet and will be recommended that the Ben
Harour Area Schools Board of Education vote to accept the resignation of employment of the affformentioned staff voted >> no question. >> Yes. Go ahead. Trustee Gav the Treasure
Gavin and then Trustee Wack. >> Thank you. Um, Director Dorsy, um, where it says date exit interview sent, can you share with us what the date is? Because it says it's to be done in person, but it's not sharing the date
that she received the exit interview. >> She hasn't received it. She's coming in to meet with um Miss McFall. She chose to come to meet with her. >> So, I'm wondering if like she did receive a a request to do a exit
interview cuz that that field is so that we are we know that the employee received the invitation to do the exit interview. You see what I'm saying? >> I do. Her response was to be done in person. That was her choice.
>> Right. So, what date did she receive the invitation? >> Gotcha. I can find out for you. >> Thank you. >> Um, and I just want to just a quick comment. I don't know because this exit interview is not done. I don't know
what's surrounding um this separation of employment, but I do want to um just acknowledge u Mrs. Burton. I've sat in her classroom before. Um really enjoy her interaction with her students and
really appreciate the love that she um had for her students and her service >> and that has not changed. >> It's good to hear. >> Trusty Wat. >> Yeah. I also would like to um thank her
for her service to our district. And I know being a GSRP teacher, an associate teacher, you know, I know that um when openings, I don't know this for a fact, but sometimes you can just leave to be the lead teacher in
some place else because all of our daycarees and preschools are GSRP. And so they tend to um as positions come open uh at a higher level, they tend to to make those kind of movements. But I I
do want to thank her for our service to our district. She's been with our district a long time and I do appreciate her and the work she has done with our young little ones. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Is that it, Director Dorsy? >> Yes. Thank you so much.
>> Thank you, Dr. Okay, we're now in the old side. I was about to give it back to you. We're now in the old business for >> old business. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. For old business. Just wanted to um say uh I have a recap
probably printed up for the next meeting. Uh me and Trusty Rec Martin attended the uh Spring Institute um for MASB and Lancing and we had a few classes together. Um, we did an anatomy of an audit report and um, I think I get that material to Dr. Griffin and um,
Angela Brock Crowder on that and so that can better help us as a board look at how we look at that audit and so hopefully some things will come out of that. But um I'll have that. And just wanted to let you all know um um I did 365 collaborative um decision- making
for boards and um they're making you know she was the instructor, but she said that she utilized our board um for that class. So I just wanted to let you know that even though we had a rough night tonight, um some things, you know,
are being looked at over in the state. So, I'll um have that report to y'all in a few weeks. >> Anyone else for old business? >> I do. >> Go ahead. Sorry. >> Thank you. Um
I just want to read this. Pursuant to paragraph 12 of the superintendent's employment agreement, she must be evaluated in writing by June 1st. Based on the upcoming deadline, there was a re recommendation that the board schedule an evaluation
within two weeks of receiving this message from our attorney, not from me, from our attorney. Um, and that we do that in order to meet the June 1st deadline. And it is May 28th,
I'm sorry, May 26th. And our next board meeting um is June 9th, which means that if we neglect this
recommendation from the lawyer, then we are neglecting our duty, our legal duty as a board to conduct an evaluation. And the last, this is old business
because we didn't take care of it today. And so, um, I guess what I'm wondering is, has the board decided to just neglect their duties, um, and not do it at all, or are we looking to have a special
meeting? Um or are we just going to ignore our responsibility? Because e, you know, if the superintendent is doing an amazing job, we still have a responsibility to conduct an evaluation and to set the example
for the staff who also get evaluated as well. Trusty Bradley, >> I just wanted to add on uh yeah, we understand we have a deadline, but the thing that I don't understand is why we didn't have the materials necessary
because I was ready to go forward tonight with that information, but we didn't have the necessary materials. So, that's just my only thing. >> Those materials are online. um special.
>> Yeah. So to in the spirit of transparency to first of all all of this board of education have been to MASB. We have all taken the evaluation class.
That was not that's never been a problem for the board of education. It would have been irresponsible and could have possibly caused some legal issue had we stepped into that
situation tonight. Okay? And so again, I don't get mad at anybody on your stand and I don't care about you getting mad at me
on my stand. Okay? I don't take I I I see it all. Everybody got their right to do what it is. I don't tell anybody in here what to do. And you're not going to tell me what to do. There are legal things that I didn't
know prior to becoming a member of this board of education. You can't. This is not just a fire rehearsal where the president, the usher board, and everybody come in. We going to have a business a business meeting. That's not the way it work.
you when you go in, as Trusty Bradley said, and I think it's been a few of us that have been in the evaluation procedures, you must have the proper documentation. You can't. So, that's a liability move,
not a personal move. Okay. And so again, just like you saying, we can be sued. >> Yes. >> And I have nothing to give because it ain't that serious to me.
Okay. You ain't get nothing. The car that I still owe for. So you going to have to pay it off before you get it. But that's that's it. And I I would hope that some of you all just because people say things are this way, that doesn't
mean that it's true. You see on social media, just somebody say something, they put something out there and everybody just run with it. You have to get your information. That's not saying that what my colleague Treasurer Gavin and her stance and what
she feel because number one, it's it's valid. We have a responsibility as the board of education to evaluate a superintendent. We must that's the not that's that's that's
that's not something that you can just say we're not going to evaluate our superintendent. You can't do it. Okay. So, I just I I just want to put that out there. And from an old business perspective, I
never knew that anybody was afraid of anybody on this board. But I'm not afraid of any of you all. Okay? I did not know that. I promise I didn't. I would have if you would have said, "Come on, let's you need a ride to the store with getting each one of y'all car." But
now I'm nervous because these people that's afraid of people is something that I miss. Not to diminish >> how you were feeling, >> but I'm just saying every if y'all go back and check the
meeting, every spring is the same thing is the same way. Every spring since I've been on this board, it always ends up like this.
So, I I mean, again, I'm I I'm I'm going I'm concerned too, Treasurer Gavin, and I think that we do need to find out and be prepared if we have to have an emergency meeting to to do this,
but I did want to put this on the record. All of us up here, Trusty Doyle, Trusty Bradley, Vice President Bowens, myself, Trustee Rocket Martin and Treasure Gavin are all trained in in the evaluation of the
superintendent and our president as well. >> Thank Thank you. Okay. Um, moving on to new business. Madame President is not here, but I will say me and Trustee Bradley talked over
the weekend about our school board retreat and um focusing on culture and climate um from focusing on culture and climate and um I did send an email out to the board um
and looking forward your feedback on that. the partnership agreement. I'm unsure if the super um madame president has signed that. I was not prepared. I didn't know she was even going to not be here today. So, I apologize.
Is there any other thing with any new business? Therefore, being we are now back to open public comment. And it can you fix that TV? It's dead.
Okay, I got one right here. Is it loud? So, the witness. So, we're going to head to public comment. If you have a public comment, you can come. It's a three minutes. >> Oh, okay.
>> Hold on before you go. I'm going to read it again. Um, the Bitten Harbor Area School Board of Education recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express themselves on district matters. Today, there are two areas for comment on the
agenda of what you may decide when to speak, public comment on agenda items, and open public comment. We request that each interested participant complete a public participation form using legible writing to ensure that response are appropriate and properly focused. Um,
per Benton Harbor Area School bylaw 01673, which governs board participation at board meetings, we request that you preface your comments with your name, address, and group affiliation when appropriate. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to 3
minutes. um duration per our bylaws. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic. Participants may remove their masks when addressing the board. Participants shall direct all comments to the board and not to staff or other participants. The board will listen take
comments and questions under advisement and is not will not respond at this time. I as vice president will refer your questions to the superintendent for research and response. Please ensure that your public participation form includes your contact information as requested. If you have any questions for
the board or executive team that require followup, please email those directly to natalie.serbhas.org. You ready? >> Um, this board meeting was hilarious today. It was pretty funny how I sat up
here and watched y'all get on Angela about the budget, y'all. but actually don't have nobody to work with because they all gone resigning. Uh Dr. Foster couldn't speak and she's still employed with the district, but yet um Bowens
wouldn't allow her to speak or have a voice like she's just nobody, which was very very rude. Um in the grass, I don't understand why Joe is not in charge of the grass when he's still employed at
the district as well. I don't understand why Griffin is in charge of summer school. Real bud Tech emailed me about a summer school job. Um, and why Miss Dr. Erica Foster not over. I didn't get a
summer job, which everybody know why because of this now I'm speaking and I ain't going to stop speaking. But um yeah, it seemed like to me that De is attacking Breeze because Doo is
for the right thing. Gavin is for the right thing. Triplet, I'm so confused on you. I don't even know. I'm just confused on everything because I'm very very confused only because I don't understand what's if the the
lawyer saying that evaluation got to be done. Why the evaluation ain't being done? And who was supposed to send uh Bradley told me that Griffin was in charge of the packets? Why wasn't they sent out? Why ain't nobody blame Griffin for the
grass not being cut and she in charge of that? Why she didn't get blamed for it? But no, y'all went over here and grilled this table over here and half of them ain't even going to be here that Do you think I would really be sitting
up here trying to give y'all this information, that information when she pushed majority of them out. I mean, not Sheila, but the ones that couldn't talk. We all know, we all know why they
couldn't talk. Y'all just dog foster here tonight. Y'all dog foster. She couldn't even say a word without Trent getting on top of her head or she can't say nothing like she just not unimportant no more. That was so wrong.
And did y'all know that Ardell funded the whole middle school prom with his own money? Since we giving our money, can we give Adele some couple hours back? We giving money out. Our deal funded the whole middle school prom.
So, I mean, since we got money to spare, let's try to get some money together to get our deal his some of his money back. >> Oh my. Like, let's just I mean, we really talking numbers. And then I I'm going to keep talking for Dr. Foster
because I think Dr. Foster was amazing fit for her position. Amazing fit. And that just goes to show you how a person use you to your king. Yeah, I know the two men are, but I
would like four because that's ridiculous. This is a sister. We had a teacher sit up here and talk uh on behalf of Dr. West, but that was nothing about money. It was nothing about money. If we eliminate the money, what what would he
say? Nothing. Cuz his kids don't go to our district. My daughter go to district a district. I'm an employee of this district. It's all about money. Let's put the money aside and think about these kids and these employees. It ain't always
about money. Like we should have kept Foster. We leave Foster in her curriculum because if it weren't for her, half these principal wouldn't know nothing. It's sad how y'all doing her. Thank you very much, Mr. Bis,
for not having your undivided attention, sir. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else for public comments? Good evening board members and the community. I guess I need to speak about on my behalf. Tonight I want to speak honestly about
my experience working under the superintendent and the negative work environment I have experienced during my time here in the district. What I experienced was not healthy leadership. Nor was it accountability.
It was an environment marked by poor communication, exclusion, intimidation, and lack of professionalism. I was assigned major responsibility publicly connected to the district initiatives and expected to lead
important work within this district. Then without clear communication, also gradually being removed from meetings, excluded from conversations, and left uninformed about decisions that
directly connected to my role. Instead of collaboration, there was silence. Instead of support, there was isolation. Instead of professional communication, there was confusion and inconsistencies.
As a district administrator, it is extremely difficult to do my job effectively when responsibilities have changed behind closed doors. When communication is withheld and when treated
when you are treated like your voice, your leadership no longer matters. No employee that walk through these doors feel like they're like they're certain, like they matter. We are constantly uh
we are constantly dismissed and targeted. I also believe this behavior created a hostile and emotional draining work environment over time with the lack
of transparency ongoing exclusion began to impact not only my work but the other cabinet members work also my trust in the district leadership. I still remained a
professional. I continue to work. I continued to seek clarification. But the pattern of inconsistencies, lies, closed doors, and silence was still there. This is bigger than just
me. When leadership operates in a way that create fear, division, instability among staff and in the entire district, everybody suffers. The morale suffers, truth suffer, collaboration suffers, and
ultimately our children suffer. I believe Ben Harbor area schools deserve leadership that values honesty, communication, professionalism, respect for people. Just generally respect for people. Employees should not feel pushed
aside, ignored, silenced for asking questions, trying to do their work that they were hired for. I am speaking tonight because I believe these concerns deserve attention, accountability, and
serious reflection about this board and about what the community need. That was my experience in a nutshell at Ben Harbor Area Schools. Thank you. Is there anyone else for public comment? >> Say who I am. I'm Ray Emmerick CT
constructive teacher here at Ben Harbor High School. I live in Gle, Michigan and and um like to be here 20 minutes or so to to work every day. Um board meetings are new to me. I've never uh really
really been privy to this. It it I I have some uh uh like regrettable feelings. I I mean it um this reminds me of the job sites as politics uh you know I left these job sites um kind of fed up
with arguing with uh racist construction workers and and uh the toxicity that that was on the jobs uh was dangerous. I mean, we were at
each other. We were at each other and and you know, I was on a good crew and got along with the guys with different political uh opinions, things like this. But I guess what this is reminding me of tonight is the toxicity on these job sites that that and they were dangerous
places. You could get rid of a guy just with a nudge. So, um I've been running work since I was 27 years old. Um, I'm 60 61 maybe. I can't remember. But, uh, one thing I do know
is I recognize who's focused on work and getting something done and who's focused on conflict and drama. I can spot that. I don't need to know people. I can spot it. I can hear it. I can smell it. So, uh, on a job site, we don't have any
room, uh, um, for drama, even though there is drama, but but it it gets pressed down. We have to put it aside and try to do what's best for, as a superintendent, I was fiduciary for the client and the contractor. I'm
protecting his money, the contractors, and the client's money, and everyone's getting what they want. and and um I sure hope that we can uh um spend less time trying to tear each
other down up in here and and work in a right direction, do what's right, make hard decisions, whatever it takes. I'm not privy. I don't really know about all this drama that I'm I'm hearing here. I I don't know. I'm I'm a construction
teacher and and my you know I barely I'm at the end of the school. I Yeah, most people haven't even been in my classroom. Most my colleagues, they don't even know I'm down there. >> Thank you so much. >> So anyway, I appreciate this. I'm going to get out of here. I respect what I've
seen tonight. I I just uh I hope I hope uh we can all work together and get things done. >> We appreciate your comment. Thank you so much. Next. Sorry. Okay. You all know who I am.
>> First of all, I respect everything people are saying. People feel the way they feel and that's fine because everybody has feelings. But I just want to say this is not a construction job site. This is school district where we
care about our children and it's about taking care of our children, making sure we have their best interests at heart. And I just want to address the concern. I'm so glad that she's gone that she came up and she wasn't silent. She was
able to speak her truth. She spoke her truth and we need to respect that truth what she spoke and take me to it. I want to also address Secretary Triplet when you said every
spring we're here in the same spot. I think the question would be why? I think everybody should ask that question. Why are we always ending up in the same spot every spring? Think about that.
Why are we still here? It's always it's because to me somebody is not holding people accountable for their actions when they're supposed to be held accountable. Okay. The grass $12,000 is insane.
From 1,000 to 12,000. Where in the world does that come from? And the grass still looking a mess. We care about the our our facilities. Like I said, this is Ben High School. We care about our facilities. Maybe
somebody else don't. But we do. So where is this $1,000 coming from? Why are we doing it? Is somebody getting >> or did the battery >> is somebody getting the kick back kick back out of this $12,000? Because why?
That's That's I can't even comprehend that. I hope y'all understand that money. That money can be going some place for us for our kids. And then I just want to address this
story. I I I don't like it when people dis miss miss other people's feelings. Everybody's feelings matter. When she said that she got a message of of an undisclosed location, why was it even undisclosed?
If it wasn't anything happening, why would it be undisclosed? Tell her where you meet and let it be back. So, I can understand. I won't go to an un undisclosed location either. If you tell me you're having a movie, I would want
to know why where. If you can't tell me where, I don't think I will be there. So, understand people why people say what they say and feel the way they feel instead of just jumping to, you know, no, this is not happening. This not happen. Well, God, why why did that
happen? Why did it happen that way? So, I understand why she felt the way she felt. So, I want everybody else to understand. speak, think before you speak, and make sure you're doing the right thing. So again,
that petition still here. It's not going anywhere. And do what you guys got to do supposed to do with this evaluation because it's it's not going away until you do what's right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else for
public comment? Therefore, being we will now go to superintendent announcements and comments. >> No comments. >> Okay. We'll start off with the board announcements and comments. I'll start with >> Trusty Doyle.
>> Come back to me, please. >> Trusty Rocket. >> Uh just want to remind folks that the spring summer institute MASB summer institute class are coming up. the
window is open for you to sign up. And I think it's important that you go to those classes because just like any professional uh job you have or any professional profession that you're in, you're in a continuous learning cycle. You should be
and those classes give you so much insight and so much knowledge on how school boards are to run and and um and what is required of you. So, um, if you have not signed up, our board is all certified. I believe if we could get
everybody certified, uh, we can get an award. Also, I also want to commend Dr. Griffith um, for the focus. If you stay focused on the work, the work is academics
and and the the information we got tonight shows that that focus is that you know she is focusing on that focus because academics will get us either partnership agreement.
Academics will also increase our student population because k people will send their kids to our school. Academics will um and if we get a student a increase in student population then we get an
increase in finance. And so you wouldn't think, but that one thing would help us so much if we all could focus on that, the academics that our kids need to do. Um,
I appreciate uh what I've heard tonight from everybody. I do. I also know that it is very easy to sway one-sided without getting all of the information. There are underlying
there's underlying information that you don't have that we do have. And so my thinking and my thoughts are based on the information that I have which is probably far more complete
getting it from both sides than what you may have. And so if it looks like we're not siding, I'm not siding. I'm listening to what I hear and I'm basing my decisions on what I know to be a fact.
>> Thank you, Trustee. Trusty Bradley. Um, I want to thank everyone for coming out um and being a part of our meeting and I appreciate everyone's first amendment um and speaking up. Um sometimes we're not prepared for things and um you know I
don't want to feel like I'm dismissing people's feeling here. Recently I've been doing some self-reflection reflection focusing on me. Um wise woman told me to think of some of the good qualities of my colleagues and I said to myself how I've become so focused on the bad qualities that all I see are the
shortcomings in my colleagues and it gets into the work of what I do at this table and in this community. Am I burying myself with other obligations to avoid things or problems because I don't want to deal with the challenges or don't want to upset anyone or anybody? I can attend all the professional
development and masb conferences but sometimes I need to take self inventory and ask am I and the team ready to go to that next step. Are my colleagues receiving the information or dismissing their information because of who it is coming from? I am guilty of that mindset
myself. I remember a former board member uh giving the board a book to read and because of who gave the book out, I didn't take it to heart and read it at that time. I placed it on the shelf with my other books until one day a good friend of mine bought the same book and was excited to tell me what he had learned. I said, "Wait, I have that
book. I don't want to continue to throw a baby out with the bath water. I don't want to continue wasting energy being bitter and spiteful when I know the work before us is so great. I must keep the main thing the main thing. Yes, I may get emotional and be quick to pop off, but I have to be more cognizant and show
grace and remember that some of us will retreat to a comfort zone or to what is familiar because we may not view the issue the same or see the problems pop up ahead. Now, let me say this. I'm glad you have a petition going around, but it's to me personally, my opinion is not
cute, nor is it funny. We cannot change horses in the middle of the race. Listen, I was a strong advocate for our previous superintendent, Dr. Buts. The community even came out of their comfort zones and advocated for Dr. Butts. But some of the board want to go in a different direction for reasons known to
them. That's fine. But listen, we're on this train now. We're just going to have to ride this train until the wheels fall off. I did not vote for Dr. Griffin, but please don't think that I don't support her. I may not agree with everything Dr. Griffin does and her method of things sometimes, but once the noise has
settled down, I can see that some things are moving along. There's an old saying to do the same thing and expect a different result is insanity. When was the last time this district did a major building project? And I'm not talking about building additions or
Hback upgrades with brand new buildings. How do we hold parents and train parents to be accountable for their children's behavior so that we can have better teaching and learning environments? How do we help our children become more literate? How can we help our surrounding communities with educational
endeavors and being better supporters of our district? How can we stop the hemorrhaging of students going to surrounding districts? It hurt my heart when I heard of the number of names rated at my church of graduates that were going to countryside, St. Joe High, Burian Springs, etc., and they live
right here in our city. There are many things that we need to be fighting for instead of trying to shake things up. Let's not operate in self-sabotage and grievance politics. We're back in a state partnership agreement. Did you know that the board and superintendent stability helps our academic
achievements and outcomes be better? We can't continue to blame the government or other entities for our problems and issues when we can't even sometimes govern ourselves and hold our own to account. Now, to my fellow board members, let's remember that iron shoppers iron. If I or anyone else is
going off the rail, let's hold each other to account. Let's take personal feelings out of what we do and handle the business at hand. Let's also remember we're a divi diverse board diverse in age, professional experiences, life experiences, educational experiences, etc. What is
leadership if it cannot be challenged or held accountable? Let's stay encouraged and keep on fighting the good fight. I love you all. I love this community and I enjoy doing this work and I look forward to better things ahead. Thank you. >> That was Thank you, Trusty Bradley,
Trusty Doyle. I would just like to thank everybody for coming out um speaking. I would like to thank those who are watched on Zoom. And I would like to lead off with I'm very disappointed.
I'm very disappointed in the state of our district, our leadership. I feel like our children are suffering. It's not the kids. is the grown folk that don't know how to play on the playground.
So, the superintendent evaluation, that was something that was on our radar. We knew about this. We knew we needed to give her goals. We knew we need a mediator, but we put it on this agenda and we were
not I did not put it on the agenda, but it was put on the agenda and we was not prepared to do what we needed to do. And that saddens me because our kids are still suffering. Our staff is suffering. Our whole
district is suffering. And that's a no-go. That's not good for me. I don't like it. It don't work. My daughter is graduating this year. Thank God she'll be out of this. I've been on this board. This is my last
year. And I fought and I fought and I fought. I've asked for things and I have not received none of the things that I've asked for and my emails. I do not have a college degree, but
that's okay. I'm here. My life experience says I'm here. I'm capable to be here and fight for these children. And that's my only goal. I don't care about nobody sitting up at this table. None of these tables. My main concern is these
children. My son got the short end of the stick. My daughter got the short short end of the stick. as awesome as she is, she I have not heard her get any kind of accolades or rec recognized on no level
where she shouldn't have been. And there's many other schools that should be recognized and they have not because we fighting because we ain't getting work done. The work ain't getting done. And I don't like it. And I'm going to continue to fight until I walk up out
this bad boy. Treasure Gavin, >> I want to thank everybody for coming out. I want to share something that I saw. When someone lies to you, it's because they don't respect you enough to be honest
and they think you're too stupid to not know the difference. the people who showed up, have been showing up, that are on Zoom, that are dealing with this, you know
exactly what's going on. And you know that this board knows exactly what's going on. It's not about drama. It is about people demanding
excellence and receiving neglect in return. And if we were a different hue, it wouldn't be happening. And what saddens me is that my own
people can sit at this table and say no to their own people, to their own children, to my child.
It's not about how you feel. It's about coming to this table and doing the work. It means that we have a responsibility to make sure we have a cabinet. We're in an emergency situation.
You have okayed the elimination of almost a whole cabinet that has a responsibility to our kids and pretending that everything is okay. And it's not because every time our
superintendent says, "I don't know." It's because somebody else in those seats would have known if they would have had the power to do their jobs that we're paying them for. This is child neglect.
It's not personal. It's our responsibility to deliver a quality education to every child. And knowing that this superintendent evaluation was supposed to happen, knowing a year ago it was supposed to happen now,
that's neglect. It's not drama. That's neglect. And that superintendent evaluation is online. So to pretend that, oh my gosh, we don't have it. Download it and print it. We could have at least gone in that closed session and done what we were
supposed to do. But it's not over. It's just going to take a little longer, but I promise you it's going to happen. >> Secretary Triplet, >> I love it. All of it. And I'm here for it all.
Um, we we have a lot of work to do. And I, you know, I agree. We have we have a good board of education, a very good board of education. It kind
of, you know, throws me off a little bit, you know, and I might be wrong. Just because you say it don't mean that it's so. Uh just because people make statement that people are not doing their job
doesn't mean that people are not doing their job. Everybody do what it is they do their way. Um our um cabinet members were not terminated. um
only one nonnews. The other three um resigned. So, I mean, just put the information out there. I don't, you know, I I look at y'all
faces and what have you. I see y'all in mine and I be in y'alls and all that stuff. I I just I don't think it's cool. I don't flow like that. I guess I'm I'm I'm I'mma charge you to
I'm from a different era. Uh yeah, I don't come from a place where people get down like that. You know, there there's the right way and there's the wrong way,
but there's always a way. Um, I sat on this board three years when I first got on this board, a five to two. And I was proud of the two fighting,
thinking that I'm fighting. And I, you know, when I look around, I'm I'm going to I'm going to end it cuz I'm telling you, it ain't funny to me. It's not funny.
These people are losing lot, losing their jobs. I'm I'm I'm hearing what everybody say. But there's three sides to every story. They side, the other person's side, but in the middle lies the truth.
I just don't for me I just don't know how you can be blessed and afforded an opportunity and then just like it just explode and everybody just throw it away. Just like no thank you.
You know I I believe that everybody on this board care about our kids. These are our relatives. These are if it's not your child, it's it's your nieces, your great nieces, your nephews, your cousins.
This is where our family live and some of them stayed through it all. So, I just don't, you know, I'm good. I'm learning. I'm watching. I'm just looking at I'm just looking at
people as I get ready to close out. Not saying that I'm not going to be on the board or not going to be, but at some point this work come to an end. And you all are you all are sharper. You are
better than some of the things that are presented. I'm not going to ever try to make you look like you're lawless or you're a criminal or you dirty or you doing the the the undisclosed place was we knew this was going to be a long
meeting. We're going to have some serious discussion and the reason the place was undisclosed because it was being discussed that maybe we should go out and eat. And we made the decision nah cuz that's going to let people out at a restaurant. They'll take that and make that into a horrible thing. Let's do it here. That
was that's all the undisclosed was about. It wasn't about no. Okay. So, Ronaldo, where if we would have said, "Yeah, let's let's go eat." Where you want to go, Ronaldo? Where do you want to go, Angela? Where are you going to go? You know, you look upside my head like I'm lying. Like, you lie, too.
I ain't got no I ain't got to tell you nothing. I'm just telling you what it is. And I ain't never got to lie to you about nothing. But that's what it's about. But you know when you don't trust people and you know everything, you think everybody's slick
and dirty, it comes out. But you know, we we can do the Bonnie song and Ben Har because I know you and you know me. Whenever we get through with the roles in the position, we all know each other.
And on that note, as they say, in meetings I've been privy to, I'll pass. >> Thank you. Democracy cannot survive when truth becomes optional and integrity becomes negotiable. Facts matter. We're living in a time where people will
believe rumors before research, emotions before evidence, and crowds before character. But facts matter, truth matters, integrity matters, ethics matter. And sometimes standing on facts means standing alone. The Bible reminds us in the story of Noah. Imagine being
Noah. God gave him instructions to build an ark. why people laughed at him, mocked him and talked about and questioned his sanity. There was no rain yet, no signs yet, no support system yet. But Noah stayed obedient to the assignment because he trusted what God
told him to do. He trusted God over opinions of others and people around him. Sometimes in life, you have to walk alone because everyone cannot go where your purpose is taking you. Everyone will not understand your convictions. Everybody will not understand why you
choose ethics over shortcuts, integrity over popularity, or honesty over manipulation. And pay attention to the people who turn on you the moment that you disagree with them. Some people only support you as long as you're useful to them, as long as it's beneficial to their narrative
and their goals or they're silent in your truth. The moment you think differently, the moment you hold someone accountable, the moment you challenge something or stand firm on your principles, they really reveal who they really are. That is why discernment is important.
Everybody clapping for you is not truly for you. But stay encouraged. Stay encouraged. The road is never easy. Be careful of paved roads that look smooth but lead to destruction. Sometimes that rough road, that lonely
load road and the unpopular road is the road that keeps your spirit clean and your conscience clear. In leadership and in business, in community work, in everyday life, we must make sure we are doing things ethically and in with integrity. Your name matters, your word
matters, your character matters when nobody's watching you. There we will be moments when doing the right things cost you relationships, opportunities or popularity. But never trade your integrity for temporary acceptance. Never allow pressure to make
you compromise your morals or facts do not change because people dislike them. And remember this, Jesus himself often walked alone. He was doubted, betrayed, criticized, and questioned. Yet he continued to push forward in truth. So if you find
yourself standing alone, keep fighting for what you believe in and keep standing. Good night. I just want to say today I was unprepared for everything. I didn't know I was going to be cheering. If you called Desanna, tell her she owed me one. Um, >> good job.
>> But thank you. We all are different in our opinions, but democracy is a bloody sport. And once we learn how to respect democracy, we'll be able to see a brighter picture. With that being said, is there a motion to adjourn the meeting? >> I move.
>> Support. >> Okay. I'm sorry. >> It was moved by Secretary Triplet, supported by Trustee Doyle. >> Secretary Triplet, can you call for the vote? >> Vice President Bowens. >> Yes. >> Secretary Triplet. Yes. Treasure Gavin. >> Yes.
>> Trusty Rocket Martin. >> Yes. >> Trusty Bradley? >> Yes. >> Trusty D? >> Absolutely. >> Motion carries. The meeting is adjourned at 10:01.