##VIDEO ID:7oApgKnNHFc## I will call us to order this is the regularly scheduled January 27th 2025 meeting of the East Lancing Board of Education Miss hore can we have a roll call please Mr Martin here um Dr Lions is not here Dr edel here miss Ferris Highland here Dr Chambers present Dr Torres here miss taaki here um our student representatives are not here and Miss L here thank you Miss oore uh trusty Ferris Highland can you read our mission statement sure our mission statement is nurturing each child educating all students and building World citizens all right thank you the next item on the agenda is the approval of the agenda can I get a motion so Mo second motion was made by trusty Ed will seconded by trustee Chambers all in favor please say I I any opposition the motion carries unanimously the next item is the approval of minutes we have three separate minutes to approve I'll move to approve the minutes of the following meetings January 13 2025 organizational meeting January 22nd 2025 special meeting and January 22nd 2025 close session second I is moved by trusty edel seconded by trustee taaki all in favor of the motion as presented please say I I I any opposition the motion carries unanimously uh the next item on the agenda is a special guest we have representative cago joining us she's always been a friend to the district and she came with gifts today so uh representative cugo hi everyone I am just here um today because it's School Board appreciation month yay um so I just wanted to thank you all for all your hard work and appreciate you um I left everyone at cookie but it looks like you already have a feast of other treats on your pleas understand are but the cookies there if you feel free to share or trade um and I also left a letter with contact information for my office um a couple of things we're doing in the schools and I know some of you um you know more than others but um would love to know all of you more so um please feel free to reach out um so we can um get to know each other better and if there's anything um I can do to help you in your work um please you know contact my office contact me um and I you know look forward to helping however I can um I also live in East Lancing so um I have a nine-year-old and one day she'll be at this school um and I apologize for rushing off she's actually eagerly awaiting for me to bring her to her piano lesson um but yeah that's all I just wanted to say thank you and please contact me if you need anything or just if you want to talk more um and you know have a great night and thank you I appreciate all of you well you so much before before you leave uh thank you for the cookies but also thank you for everything you do for the district you you've been a great Champion for us uh one thing that I think is really neat and something I really appreciate is how you have the teacher of the month that you recognize in the in the your District but there's been several East Lancing teachers that have been recognized and it's always great to hear about the things that they're doing and to have that extra recognition from you means a lot and we need more um nominations so if there's any special teachers that you want to nominate or just send something out to the parents um we love to do that we love to bring the treats and and the kids usually like it too kind of depends on the age and grade level but some like it more than others um but yeah they they usually seem to at least enjoy that treat um and sometimes um actually a lot of times they have really great great questions um and we get to talk a little bit about government and just um you know what I do um and we get to appreciate the teacher which is the best part so um happy to get nominations and thank you uh chairperson Martin for those um comments but I'll see you guys next time thanks all right thank you thank you always nice when we can double up on treats yes we'll take it it's great politics by represent of serago to to bring in the goodies all right the next item on the agenda is recognition do we have any recognition trust no is there any recognition from other board members uh8 Special Olympics basketball team on both their games on last Friday afternoon nice who did we play uh Haslett and Mason I believe it was a unified sport so we had I believe there were a couple of our football players joining in with our uh Kids U with IEPs and special ed awesome super cool um our student reps aren't here okay so we also had um All State band this weekend I don't know how many high school kids participated but I know that we had three middle school kids who went it was incredible was um had the opportunity to go and these are kids who so I learned that there are this is why why am I the one who has to say all of these details why is Mr ler not here um because he doesn't need to be here he would do a much better job than I would do or Miss Thorton but 2,800 kids across the state of Michigan try out for the five All State bands that there are there's High School band High School orchestra Middle School orchestra Middle School band and high school jazz 2,800 kids try out so it's a huge deal that we have you know so many East Lancing kids who participate um so they receive the music at home and they practice and then they show up for rehearsals and then have a concert and it was incredible like incredible um so that was super cool and then also our eighth grade band because it's a music conference that's happening that weekend um our eighth grade band was able to be a demo band for one of these sessions for music educators who are you know teaching music band Orchestra something in their home districts and so our eighth grade Band came I'm not going to do justice to explaining what's happened what happened because I'm you know I love music but I'm not a music educator um but there was an MSU Professor who was you was um so our eighth grade band and high eighth grade band and high school band were um select band members were present and they were demonstrating various concepts for the um audience members who are all B um music teachers and the MSU Professor who was working with the band was having them play things and then she was demonstrating how to how they how the music educators could um engage their students with various musical Concepts right and there was one moment where they were playing some passage and they finish playing and then the MSP Professor is kind of like she hesitates for a second she's like well typically a band would not play that correctly and then I would demonstr to you what you would do but they played that perfectly and it was like Yay our eighth grade band did so well that they kind of messed up the demonstration because they were perfect so it was very cool to watch um I was really happy to be there to um witness it and hopefully someone will come and actually do um an explanation of all of those things that's much better than what I can do but it was really great to be there and participate and see how awesome our kiddos did and trustee Chambers is being very modest because her son was chosen as one of the as one of the kids that was there out of three you said three or three Middle School kiddos yeah two eighth graders and one seventh grader we had a trombonist uh oh trombone uh oh French horn and percussion linkon plays percussion super cool so was that convening local or was it somewhere else in Grand Rapid oh cool and I mean it's huge I have never I mean so many music music educators in one place they took over the whole Devas Center and that whole complex like the skyways so many I've never seen so many cellos on backpacks it's quite a deal yeah love that opportunity for our students that's really neat it was super cool and the room for the demo session was packed they had one of the biggest rooms cuz they had a band in there but then which was maybe probably intimidating for the students but because the room was so huge but then it was literally standing room only of music educators watching that happen and super cool for them to be able to participate in that cool cool is there any other recognition all right we can move on no student representes report today I'm sure we'll hear about hear from them at our next meeting the next item on the agenda is the superintendent's report turn it over to superintendent Leo thank you well first I'm going to start by doubling down on representative CERN Glow's um comments and January is School Board appreciation month being a school board member is a tough and unpaid position if people don't know and these seven individuals offer their time to serve our student staff and families of East Lancing High public Public Schools we appreciate their commitment to our district and want to thank them for their service on the board of education and I also took that opportunity to list here because this will go out to families tomorrow the officers after uh your last meeting voting so um I just want to thank you um for your service on behalf of all the staff and families and students of our district and um we love an opportunity to bring in treats for all of you too so uh thank you for your commitment uh just a rescheduled new date uh due to one of last week's cold days uh the next meeting of the community advisory committee for the East Lancing high school health clinic will now be held Wednesday February 12th at 6: p.m. the meeting will be held in the hub here at East Lancing high school please enter through door number one the main entrance light dinner will be provided and representatives from U ofm Sparrow health system will be at the meeting the meeting is being scheduled as it was not held last week when school was closed due to cold temperatures I want to give a little update maybe a little Kudos regarding our power school or the power school data breach that you may have heard of um you may have recently heard in the news about a data breach in school districts uh Power School student Information Systems East Lancing Public Schools was not impacted by this data breach due to a cyber security network we have in place that BLS all International traffic to our servers and data basically we built a brick wall around our data to protect it as much as possible just to know our power school server contains student data back to 1996 97 which was imported to power in 2007 when elps converted to power school this data includes information on 16,8 students all of that data was protected during the attempted breach on our system so kudos to our technology team for having the foresight to have this cyber security network in place that was not true of many other um districts and local districts um and um we were one of the very few who have just this extra um cyber security network um in place that blocked it and you could uh we heard from some folks who were evaluating that uh attempted breach that they did attempt to get to ours but we kicked back because of this Network we had in place so we were able to um yes protect a lot of data on a lot of individuals so I just wanted to mention that because I don't I don't think folks really understand um that because our technology team was in front of this and had something in place that uh really protected student data and saved us a a lot of uh cleanup potential cleanup work afterwards so I just wanted to give kudos to that team um a little communication regarding immigration enforcement and schools in addition to our current policy which is linked here policy 5201 and the February 6th 2017 resolution by the East Lancing Board of Education affirming its commitment to a safe and supportive School environment for all students regardless of immigration status that policy is linked at or that resolution is linked um under at the end of policy 5201 uh the board also approved a safe and supportive School environment resolution at its last meeting on January 20th 25 uh the district is also preparing additional communication for fam staff and students that will be sent out in the coming days so I've received um some inquiries about it our director of equity and social justice has been collecting a number of resources from different sources and meeting with different uh with a uh different stakeholders and um uh folks who serve similar roles in other districts uh they have had some meetings um and so we are taking a little bit of time to make sure we do this well but our team is meeting this week and um we'll have communication out to families staff and students about um like their roles and responsibilities should immigration um folks ice folks show up to our district so we should have that out hopefully by the end of the week our meeting isn't until Thursday so at the latest early next week um and then just a few upcoming no school days uh staff professional development on Friday Friday February 14th which then um backs in kind of goes into a long weekend of president day which is off Monday February 17th and then our fourth of five professional development days is Friday March 7th so uh yep those are and then we have one more in April still and that's what I have for you today happy to um answer any questions any questions for our superintendent the community advisory meeting um for the Health Clinic is that open to the public or just the anybody can still join yeah it's I mean it is an advisory committee meeting but it's always open to everyone and because we're kind of rebooting and resetting they're you know welcoming more members too so anybody can come anytime you have to pre-register no to attend no okay no we always have too much food not many people show up so we invite more yeah I had a question and a comment um so the comment first um uh we'll get to policy committee when we get to the end of the agenda um but but because it was never clear whether resolutions policy had more power more effect um I am going to recommend that the most recent resolution also be made part of policy 5201 um you mentioned tools um for uh Miss Burton uh today was brought to my attention that the ACLU has tools for uh institutions that were protected by the the 2011 law that was over been overturned so to look to the ACL use toolbox for schools uh this conversation was around churches um uh I can't remember the third group um and then lastly are we considering signage at the front of buildings you know ice can't come without a warrant or anything along those lines just when you have your conversations I don't know if that's in part of your conversations I I think ACLU also has suggested signage all right that's helpful thank you I have noticed the resolutions are posted at the doors to the buildings I've been in okay so there's that is obviously it's small print but it's some notice to people yeah at the door um any other questions for superintendent Leo uh just sort of I thought this was funny um at the top you said and unpaid when I first joined the board I mistakenly commented to another board member that was a volunteer position and she quickly corrected me she said it's not a volunteer position it's just unpaid so I thought that was funny I wonder if that's if the same person interesting differentiation yeah yeah um I thought that was a funny um Revelation mhm interesting well it's clearly not unpaid maybe not yes monetary right they pay us in calories pay me in treats any day well except for my job well so let's move on to the consent agenda there is no discussion on the consent agenda we have two separate items on the consent agenda I would think we should take them in two separate motions so can I get a motion for part A I move to approve the consent agenda for the following items a designation of depositories the board one the Board of Education approved the following financial institutions in which district funds may be deposited Comer Bank Huntington National Bank Michigan liquid asset fund Mya MF I don't know second moov by truste Chambers seconded by truste Ferris Highland it uh all in favor of the motion as presented please say I I I any opposition a motion carries unanimously the next item is B new hire for Luke Smith I move to approve the new hire one hiring of Luke Smith 1.0 FTE school counselor at East Lansing high school at Ma step six effective February 17 2025 second moveed by trustee Ferris Highland seconded by uh truste Torres all in favor of the motion as presented please say I I any opposition the motion carries unanimously I think we might have Mr Smith with us is that right yeah all right well I will I'll do it the it is our custom to invite new hires to step up to the podium introduce themselves tell us a little bit about where they're coming from what they're excited about with the district but it is optional so uh it's up to you if you want to do it some yeah and uh no uh yeah we won't pepper you with too many questions I pressure we're way easier than High School so I am Luke Smith I am from St John's um that's where I currently work also at the middle school and um I was looking to get kind of a new experience in a high school and so I saw this posting and Miss sanala over there she kind of gave me a good like push to go for it and so I did and I'm super excited and happy that I did awesome we're excited to have you it looks like you have some experience so you'll be you you'll fit right in thank you well good luck to you okay we'll move on to our next item which is public comment and I'll read the disclaimer it says this is the opportunity to address the board speakers are to confine their remarks to five minutes if a speaker requires more than five minutes after all the persons who have requested a speak during this part of the meeting have spoken that speaker will be allowed additional time the superintendent or District staff make comment uh to clear up or avoid significant misunderstandings I don't believe we have any public any anybody asking to make public comment today so is there any public comment all right if there's no public comment I'll close out public comment and we'll just have to hope for more next time um the next item on the agenda is closed session we need to have a motion a roll call vote to go into Clos session is there a motion I move the board ofation Board of Education meets in closed session pursu closed SE words I move the Board of Education meet in closed session pursuant to section 81c of the open meetings act related to collective bargaining second it was moved by trusty Chambers seconded by uh trusty edel um is there any discussion before we move on to a roll call vote any um anybody have any questions this is just because we're going to discuss some collective bargaining priorities we want to have the freedom to do that in close session all right so uh can we have a roll call vote Mr Mar yes Dr Lions yes Dr edel yes Miss FIS Highland yes Dr Chambers yes Dr Torres yes Miss teaki yes right the motion carries unanimously so this time we'll move to close session I'm sorry to to kick everyone out uh we will reopen at sometime in the next few minutes but uh you're welcome to remain outside in the hallway and when the when we reopen we'll open the doors [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] he [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] more sh [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] e [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] down [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] e [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] e [Music] what [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] n [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] he [Music] come [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] he [Music] he [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] ch [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] e [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] he [Music] so [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] he [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] do you want my sugar cook so let me get the agenda that I lost you just make how could you make two dozen and that there are still a dozen at your house my child does not find it next time garbage sometimes we like signature you know every now andab yeah so I will bring us back into Open Session thank you for uh for your patience um that was an informative session yeah all these people um oh they rolled out yay the the the next item on the I got a comment from somebody okay the the next uh item on the agenda is board discussion uh is there any are there any items that board members wish to raise as part of board discussion no I don't think so today all right let's move on to our action items there's one action item I see can I get a motion I go ahead I move that the Board of Education authorize the following positions to be authorized check signers Board of Education Treasurer superintendent Director of Finance and operations Director of Finance mooved by trusty Ferris Highland seconded by trusty Torres is there any discussion on this item no all right all in favor of the motion that's presented please say I I I the opposition the motion carries unanimously all right the next item on the agenda is committee reports it was like they must be cleaning floors or something just the G um the uh academic technology trusty Lions uh yeah we have not met yet but I have an email out um looking at the week of February 10th I believe so once we have a date I don't know when's our next meeting oh on the 10th 10 so we'll see um um have not decided yet I responded to your email but I have not got few I just sent it today Tera oh okay lot of I know I open I my email Who start mine on Friday yes but it was probably after people left the uh the next is uh facilities committee that's trusty Ferris Highland I think as long as Liz can make it work where're our next meeting will be February 7th at 1 p.m. scraping snow off the roof like an old school like that I should be able to okay all right yep I'm sorry and I haven't even gotten back into that email that's okay yeah after I sent mine so finance committee trusty we meet uh February 3rd at 1 p.m. very good intergovernmental relations uh trusty Torres sent out an email we're looking for a date of the February of the week of February 27 very good um Personnel committee uh no meeting we will have to do an evaluation this year so we should probably get out ahead of that at some point uh but we have some time so do we use a tool does she need to be trained on a tool do we not use a tool anymore let me do a little bit of research because now with the new evaluation laws again and um and administrators going Pally oh yeah so the new law let me see what applies superintendent position interesting and do are we still using similar tools or is the still is so at some point Abby will have to get trained because I believe the rest of us are trained are you trained on the tool okay we find out and I will uh report back and I can check in with you and if we need to we can have a committee meeting just to talk about that process before we get too far down that road I think that'd be great uh the policy committee is that trusty we will meet uh February 10th at 10:45 all right and then isoa uh trusty t I don't know if you've been big updates okay how do I tell them that that's what I'm doing now yeah do I have to thank you Kelly okay so we'll we'll make sure that uh trusty takaki's looped in on that um all right uh the next item is announcements I have the next regular SCH regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Education is in 2 weeks on February 10th are there any other announcements all right well wait yes one more yes these muffins were made using the recipe that was published in the last U school newspaper I substituted cherries for cranberries because cranberries are out of season now but I hope you enjoy them and thank you to whatever student published that recipe well I see someone's running for MV of the board you have my vote no hesitation all in favor bring cookies next February cookies we have to figure out who's bringing snacks next week I like that tradition though like to make one of the make the recipes so uh before we adjourn I'll just say that uh in the spirit of Schoolboard appreciation week I appreciate the work of everybody here um you guys do a great job job for the community and we're really lucky to have you representing uh representing us and representing the the folks who we serve in the district so thank you all right back at you all right we'll be adjourned at 8:27 little