We're a minute late. Um, I'll call us to order. This is the regularly scheduled April 28, 2025 meeting of the East Lancing Board of Education. Uh, M. So, can we get a roll call vote? A roll call, not a vote yet. We're not voting. It's like to be here to move
forward. We're not voting. I vote no to be here. Mr. Martin here. Dr. Lions here. Dr. Edel here. Miss Ferris Highland here. Dr. Chambers present. Dr. Torres here. Miss Picaki
here. Um, our student representatives are not here. And Miss Leo here. All right. Thank you. Trusty Ferris Highland, can you read our mission statement? Sure. Our mission statement is nurturing each child, educating all students, and
building world citizens. Thank you. Uh, the next item on the agenda is approval of the agenda. Can I get a motion? I move that the board of education approve the agenda of of the April 28, 2025 regular meeting as presented. Second move by Trusty Torres, seconded by
Trusty Taiki. All in favor of the motion as presented, please say I. I. Any opposition. Motion carries unanimously. The next item is approval of minutes. Can I get a motion? I move that the board of education approve the April 14th, 2025 regular meeting minutes as
presented. Second. Uh moved by Trusty Ferris Highland, seconded by Trusty Lions. Uh all in favor of the motion as presented, please say I. I. Any opposition? Motion carries unanimously. Uh next on the agenda is our student representative report. I don't believe our student
representatives are present. So let's move on to the superintendent's report. Great. Thank you. Uh first, I'm going to share an announcement. Um families, we want to hear from you. Uh, East Lancing Public Schools is one of over 100 school
districts in Michigan participating in the My Student Voice Perception Survey. In grades five and up, we use this tool to solicit, disagregate, evaluate, and make action plans around our student feedback. This is the third year of survey administration in ELPS and we
have added on the family survey this year. So, we are gathering feedback from our students and our staff and we also want to hear how we are doing from you. So, this will go out to our families tomorrow. The survey will be open until May 9th and should take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and then I will include the link to the survey. So,
we've been doing the student one. This is our third year at the high school, second year at the middle school and in grade five. And then staff um started it last year and this is the second year for the staff survey. And so this year we're adding on the family component of it. And then it'll have those are the
three components of this. that comes out of Ken ISD. And um just u full disclosure, I sit on the uh steering committee for this um program in the um state and just looking to the more
districts we get on board with it, the more like district data, we can disagregate and compare from and have historical um data year to year too as we set goals. Uh I think it'll be a really good tool uh as our team and the board come together in June to set both
our goals and um utilizing some of that data to set our smart goals. Um our last professional learning Friday was this past Friday, April 25th. And just uh want to highlight some of the sessions that were offered uh under
the mental health, social emotional learning and safety kind of bucket. We had one save lives with QPR plus breath, move, rest with the move mindfully app. So you might have remember move mindfully was a recommendation we received um from one of our community
members a couple years ago. So we've implemented the training on that. Many of our staff are using it and now we're bringing in some supplementary training for those who are using it to how to use the app um in their classrooms. Um May is mental health month. May is mental
health month. So, those who selected that um session got to come together to brainstorm and come up with ideas of some activities and events they might do at their schools during May for mental health month. Uh safe kids, safe schools, an introduction to child sexual
abuse prevention, the interconnectedness of intentional relationships and school safety. uh secondary MIFI data overview and analysis and AED CPR training under our teaching and learning category. AVMR implementation sessions which is math
instruction um meaningful interactivity in the elementary classroom with existing smart technology. So that's with our interactive whiteboards um and programming around that school AI training for teachers which is part of a district pilot uh AI pilot we are
participating in final forms academic and gatekeeper training that's specific to our administrative assistance um and util gathering um enrollment and other data um IEP development empowering independence professional strategies for
inclusive support and AI 2.0 0 tools for secondary teachers. And then finally, um our director of equity and social justice, Claudia Burton, completed her rounds of getting to know the EJAT. So, every school um staff received a morning
session on that after our last session, uh women of color and restorative mindset. So we are finished with our um PD sessions for this year and our next step will be able to will be to get some feedback from our staff as we plan start
planning for next year's. Um last I want to share again that East Lancing Educational Foundation will be hosting its annual awards dinner and fundraiser on Thursday May 15th from 5:30 to 8. The event will be at the Eagle-Eye Banquet Center. And this year's honores, you can
purchase a ticket or make a donation to the ELF at the link that's included here. And just a couple dates left to know. Um, one, we have no school on Memorial Day, May 26th, and the last day of school is June 6, which is a half day for all buildings.
Thank you. Thank you. Are there any questions or comments for the superintendent? I have one. Um the secondary MFI data overview and analysis. I know for years we didn't administer the MiFi then. I believe it was every other year. Are we still doing
it every other year? Correct. Okay. And it in what grades in the high school? 7 911. Thank you Glenn. That was sorry. 7 9 and 11. Okay. Excellent answer.
Um, and so this would be just you were going over the data that from testing from last year or is it this year's data? Uh, that I don't know. Last year's. Thank you. Okay. Um, ask question.
So, I had a question and I didn't know this was going to be on the list, but uh, so if you don't have the answer, that's fine. But um, this The Michigan Family Survey, is that something that is uniform to all the
districts that participate or is it something you can personalize for your particular district? It's mostly the same, but we have the opportunity to personalize pieces of it if we want, but because we use it to compare yeartoear
and with other like districts, we don't want to change it up a lot because then we lose that ability. Excellent. Any other questions? I noticed Miss Albertson joined us. Do you want to do the student representative report? Yeah, I'm sorry.
We didn't amend the agenda. I hope that that we will I looked at my watch and I was like, you're fine. You're fine. You're fine. So, I sprinted. Um on the track and then just No, I have tennis so I just kind of booked it. Um
hi. Uh, I didn't really have anything prepared because I Yeah, but um, prom sales end this Friday. I know that it's senior night for a bunch of sports. Uh, tracks is today. Tennis is this Thursday. I'm pretty sure soccer is sometime next week. So, we're getting to
the end of senior season, which is exciting, but kind of sad, especially for us juniors, but I'm sure Hotland all them are pretty excited. Um, yeah. So, prom's coming up. I think people are getting pretty excited about it. I think there's a good feeling in
the air with um just the sun and the warmth. And Mrs. Moore was saying something about the crab apple tree blossoming means the seniors are almost gone. I think it's like her little version of Groundhog Day or something. But it was cute. Um but I think that's kind of it. Not much going on, but I
think everyone's in good spirits. So yeah, thanks for making it. All right. Thank you, Miss Alfredson. Thank you for being here. You obviously, you know, went the extra mile for us. So, thank you. Literally. The next item on the agenda is
recognition and we have a few items for recognition. So, I'll turn it over to Trusty Ferris. I do have one item and I think one of the people that we're recognizing is in the audience today. Um, the East Lancing SOC competed well a student. Oh, competed at the state science Olympia tournament on Saturday,
the 426 at MSU. Our team placed 12th out of 54 of the top teams in the state. We had medalists in five events. So, first place ecology was Ya Howard and Addie Schnecker Schnecker, excuse me. Second place helicopter was Gang Young and
Newman Laauo. Fourth place micro mission was Alex Paddock and Jolana Fawn. Fourth place botany was Ryan Rosenthal and Sappa Joe Marie. Eighth place anatomy and physiology was Alex Paddock and Sappa Joe Marie. Thanks to Coach Miller
Turnball and Coach Paddock for all their guidance and help and all the science teachers who inspired the students to pursue a science to pursue science beyond the classroom. So congratulations. I'll add a quick thing because there was a quick follow-up email that was sent to me after that
that just said they left off thanking Mr. Barger. So, I just want to publicly acknowledge uh Mr. Barger as well because yeah, they just left him off the first uh emails list. And so that's all and I know that we also have recognition on the agenda for
the folks from safe routes to school and they're here and um a lot of familiar faces that we've seen at a number of meetings over the years and in committee meetings and uh a group that did really effective work for the district. Um I
was would you like to say a few words Miss Leica? Yeah absolutely. Um I I know that this group has been around probably longer than me, but I remember doing the work as uh beginning some of this work as a principal uh at Marble um which uh I don't remember when that was 12 years
ago I think. And um what I would say is one thing that's been even though it feels like it's like taken you know a long time with a lot of grants and a lot of cycles I think what's really cool is that we see the outcomes of their work. you know, I you know, driving down
Burchham and seeing the traffic, you know, uh things even when they get hit um and replaced, uh just seeing the outcomes of their work and really practical uh ways that help keep our kids safe coming to and from school. And
then also the education piece, you know, all of the events around um I'm going to call it walk and roll. I really want to say it like the um uh Chinese food store up there. It's a little different, but yes, the event um and then all like bike
safety and the assemblies they put on. I mean, really the list is endless. And these folks, you know, did it all on, you know, volunteer basis. But this core group stayed really steady throughout the entire decade plus. And so even
though uh some of the active work is coming to an end, I think the legacy of it stays and will remain for a long time. So uh I really want to thank each of them for the work they've done. Um it's been I know they've just tirelessly
advocated for um uh these programs and these grants and um have really communicated with a lot of other stakeholders to help make this happen. So, um, thank you very much to Thomas and Ginger and Karen and Stephanie.
Thank you. I'll follow up with just saying I think I attended one or two meetings and the level of you know working with the university and working with the grant people and the documents that needed to be created and um it was it was a lot.
you guys did a lot and and it shows and um you know coming to the district when people couldn't even ride bikes to school to getting to the point where we now have all of the work that you guys have done and you know kids getting helmets and and learning how to do it safely and safe places to cross the
street is just a really and phenomenal that what you guys did and I really appreciate it. I forgot when I came to the district there was no bike riding to school. That's right. That was a big policy change that was really spearheaded by um folks with this group. Yes. And I think
you said it. I mean this meaningful work, this is your legacy. So so grateful for you because I do I think of them every time, you know. So deep appreciation to everybody on your team. Thank you. I had the opportunity to engage with safe routes to school uh when I was on the board of
my neighborhood association and the amount of input you like information you gave us and input you asked the neighborhood for and then to see those changes actually take effect in our neighborhood even though we couldn't always get to where you were hoping we could get to um was really amazing and
just thank you so much for everything that you did. It's really cool and who would have thought there were that many people who hate sidewalks, right? What? That is a standout piece for me too.
Um, so much has already been said, but I think actually um Abby, what you just said highlights what so many have offered to you, which is that this program to me, in addition to all of the wonderful things that people have already pointed out is such a great example of um how work gets done through
community partnerships. Nothing ever gets done just by the board, by teachers, by any one individual. Um, this project really highlights the involvement of the community organizations and that's about the name and the what is it? Neighborhood
association. There we go. That's it. Um, and folks in the school district and people in the community. It's such a great example of like we can really do amazing things when we work together and work against AC across stakeholder groups and um yeah, I think that's maybe the the thing that will stick with me is
just what a good example of that this was. and you uh you introduced me to the concept of the sidewalk audit. So, if I'm ever like walking with my kids in the neighborhood or jogging and I know Kath said a bit about this, but I was like, "Oh, there's uh there's a missing link here." And it's just kind of funny
that it's something that I would never have been aware of. Um, but when you put it in the class through the lens of the students and the families who are, you know, trying to get to school safely or trying to get through a neighborhood with like, you know, residents that are college students and, you know, people
who might not be as aware of them. It it really does, you know, put it into focus. So, I loved your idea about a photograph. Well, that way we can also feature it on our social media to be really awesome. And they wore matching shirts mostly. Yeah. So,
um the memo. Okay. And we have gifts. Um we have gifts. So, come on up and we'll take a photograph. up close. You guys get to Let's give a
[Music] [Applause] nice tea. Thank you. Thank you all. Especially if you had a lot of coffee. And obviously you are welcome to stick around for the whole meeting, but we know that you have busy lives. Um if you
need to go, we won't be offended. Perfect. I would get that. All right. So the next item on the agenda, could I add some recognition? Oh, we have another piece of recognition. Of course, yes. And it was my fault because I was
kick I was going to kick this off and I told Abby I would and I forgot. So I'll start it. Um we want to recognize the mental health advisory committee and um Heather Finley, our district mental health coordinator for all of their efforts and work in hosting putting
together and hosting the mental health summit last Wednesday. So um we had another commitment in the building um but were available for the end of it. So we got to go around and the number of um different organizations and resources
and support folks that were brought in um was outstanding and I had a chance to talk to a couple attendees who said we've been looking for resources and trying through the you know over the phone for months and we came here and just going to these tables. we've been
able to get access to resources that we haven't been able to get. So, it um you know, hearing that from some families really hit home. I mean, one person said to me, "This is the best event the district hosts." And so, I think it was fabulous. We just need to um garner more
attendance at it because it really it's kind of a missed opportunity for a lot of folks. Um there's really a lot going on there that it's just hard a Wednesday and a spring in May, you know, April. all these spring nights get more challenging because there's so many events. So, um we just have to keep
working um to publicize and find a night um or a time that uh is more available for folks um because it really is a great opportunity. So, I have that piece and then Abby was there and uh was part of this too. So, she has more details. I've got good stats. So, this was the
the second annual summit and it included presentations, resources, activities, prizes, and light refreshments. And Mark Foster, a longtime um ELHS math teacher and football coach, shared his personal testimony of living with mental illness for over 20 years. It was an incredible
presentation that Kristen was like, "Get in there and see it." And it was so was so worth it. Thank you. Um incredible story, incredible message. Um there were over 120 attendees this year, which is an increase in participation by about 25% over last year. Um there were 24
mental health and wellness vendors in the hallways. Eight additional vendors in the student union, all with activities like journal decorating, slime, kindness, rock painting. Um 24 organizations, businesses, and individuals donated raffle prizes. The Jackson County Intermediate School
District made t-shirts for um everyone helping with the event. um made by their program Campus Outfitters, which is a school-based apparel shop staffed by students with special needs. The summit was supported with funding by the school district, by the East Lancing Basketball Club, and community councils from the
high school, Green Elementary, and Marble Elementary. Um several National Honor Society student or National Honor Society students donated their time to help set up and tear down. We got media coverage from the East Lancing Info um newspaper. WLNS came and did an
interview. WILX came and did an interview. Um there a huge group of M hack members, all of whom helped put this together. But I personally witnessed some staff members who were working their rear ends off on this and that includes um Kristen Fentner and
Kristen Cestie, Claudia Burton, um and Heather Finley. And it was just a really cool event to be a part of. Thank you so much. I'm just going to direct it all to you because you're here for all the work that you and everyone else did to put together an amazing event and I agree
with Dory. It's a missed opportunity. Um so hopefully attendance continues to grow annually. We'll get the word out word of mouth. It'll be our best advertising. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. It's so neat to have it here and to be like the focus of like the
region, you know, doing this kind of work. Uh because I think every district and every organization knows that it's a need and um it's it's great to see, you know, Heather and her team like taking the lead on that. Agree. Agree. At a conference, so I couldn't go, but I
went last year. It was amazing. So I was bummed when I saw I would visit. I'll be back next year. And there's things for all ages. Like for the adults, there's, you know, great resources and access and, you know, information. And then for kids, there's activities and things that
keep them engaged. So, it really is like a family thing um and intended for for families to come. Oh, and the boardroom was full of dogs. That's right. Can you believe I didn't mention that? Come on. That was mine um to mention. Yes. I might have been down
here for part of it. Yes. So at the end, yeah, we had a bunch of our canines for change folks, not our own district dogs, but many of uh other ones from the program they brought in and from the other ones from other schools who are in training.
Cool. All right. Is there any other recognition before we move on? All right. We'll go on to the next item on our agenda, which is public comment. I'll read the statement uh that accompanies this part of the meeting. This is the opportunity to address the
board. Speakers are to confine their remarks to five minutes. If a speaker requires more than 5 minutes after all the persons who have asked uh to speak during this part of the meeting have spoken, that speaker will be allowed additional time. The superintendent or other district staff may comment to
clear up or avoid significant misunderstandings. So, uh I have one blue sheet. If anybody else would like to make public comment, please just uh get that to Miss Okore and she'll get it to me. Um this is from Mr. Orange. Um I know that
you're you know you recently had some mobility things. Can you make it up? I can hop. All right. Mr. Orange from ELA is here to talk about um some ELA matters. So come on
up. And before I put on the hat of an ELA member, I just wanted to echo the um mental health summit recognition. And I was so happy that that got the uh recognition tonight that it deserved. And um especially I'm grateful that
everybody who took a part in that was named because I think something we're doing continually at least in the PD at the middle and the high school is um when we say we're family, we recognize those people by their names, by their contributions, regardless if they're a teacher, if they're in food services and
transportation and things like that. So, it's always a nice reminder as a teacher um why working for East Lancing Public Schools um is such a joy. With that, I'd like to say good evening. I've been here um several times both for the ELA and
for um the German language program as well as our world language uh programming um as a whole. But I will since there are some new board members reintroduce myself. I'm Adam Orange, middle and high school German teacher, and I currently serve um as membership
chair for the East Lancing Education Association. And it's a pleasure as always, if I can reiterate that, to be here tonight on behalf of the union, in behalf of our strong uh dues paying members and those who are on the um
fence and their younger years of teaching, if it's something that they're going to do to join us in our um attempts to reach across the aisle to find consensus and to work handinand with you. Um, you have an awesome opportunity tonight to vote for 21 school openings for third grade school
of choice positions that are being recommended. And what an extraordinary and exciting opportunity for those students and families to be given the chance at an East Lancing education by some of Mid Michigan's finest teachers and staff members. recently ranked from
Mark Foster, another name dropped here tonight, as the 47th best high school according to usnews.com in Michigan. And with a 91% graduation rate, we can certainly say that we're not resting on our laurels and are excited to welcome
those school of choice students into the East Lancing family and community. And by the time they walk across that graduation stage, I certainly hope on behalf of the union and our teachers and our hard workers and staff members and those that care and love on our kids that we are much closer to that 100%
success rate. However, the union would like to highlight the devastating news of a third grade position at Red Seedar being eliminated next year, essentially guaranteeing the remaining third grade teacher at that building a student load of more than 30 students come this fall.
and tough choices have to be made and we can acknowledge that. However, the vote tonight for additional school of choice slots in light of this decision deserves attention. And while recognizing that the district has a financial ship to write, removing a third grade position
while bringing in a class load worth an additional third grade uh is concerning and it's a concerning cut that affects those aforementioned successes and achievements of those who are committed to East Lancing Public Schools. And not to mention the unnecessary burden placed on the remaining third grade teacher in
that building, but more importantly the students. 33 and upwards elementary students is a very large number for a section in a small room. And I think we all recognize that here this evening. And so the ELA would like to see a more balanced and equitable approach to class loads and in turn the entire classroom
environment across our elementary sections. We remain as always committed to being creative and supportive in terms of the tough financial decisions that have to be made and certainly there have been opportunities to reduce expenses in
non-eing positions. And this board will recall the first meeting of the school year attended by us where we raised a concern about increases to administrative salary and more specifically bonuses that were tied to overseeing the recently successful bond initiative.
While these sums may have seemed appropriate at that time, it should be asked if they would have better served the community to have an additional teacher in smaller class sizes for our learners. And we recognize the difficulty of that question and thank you for sitting on that tonight. We thank you again for your continued
stewardship and willingness to continue to work with us and provide the best educational environment for our community and most importantly for working with us in good faith. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Orange. Is there any other public
comment? All right, we'll close public comment for tonight. The um next item on our agenda is board discussion. Is there any uh topics that the board would like to discuss? I hadn't heard from anybody, so I didn't
know if there was going to be anything on the agenda. So, we can move on if there's nothing. All right. Um, we'll move on to our action items. Um, the first action item is policy
4113, Michigan Earned Sick Time Act. Can I get a motion? I move that the board of education approve policy 4113, Michigan Earned Sick Time Act, as presented. Second. All right. It's moved by Trusty Eds will seconded by Trusty Ferris Highland. Um, Trusty Eds, I know you're
the chair of the policy committee. Is there anything you want to say about this? No. Okay. Are there any questions? Sorry. Lisa, you want to say No, I'm just kidding. It's a requirement. Yeah. All right. Uh, so there's no discussion, we can move to a vote. All in favor of the
motion as presented, please say I. I. I. Any opposition? The motion carries unanimously. The next item on the agenda is renewal of the food service management contract with Chartwells for 2526. Can I get a motion? I move that the board of education authorize the
superintendent or designate assign the attached food services management company contract renewal rate agreement form to renew a Chartwell school dining for the 2025 2026 year July 1st 2025 through June 30th 2026 as presented.
Second move by trustee Ferris Highland, seconded by Trustee Edel. Uh, any discussion on this topic? All right, we'll move to a vote. All in favor of the motion as presented, please say I. I. Any opposition. The motion
carries unanimously. The next item is security camera and door access upgrades. I move the board of education approve the contract with Moss for the district security updates in the amount of $463,926.96 cents and not a penny more. Second. Moved by trustee Edel, seconded
by Trustee Taiki. Any questions about this topic? Would this work conceivably begin this summer? It would. Okay. Getting a nod from Mr. Blasty back there. That's great. Okay. Well, that's terrific and
um well, that's my opinion. I'm not trying to influence your votes. Um all in favor of the motion as presented, please say I. I. Any opposition? The motion carries unanimously. Uh the next motion is for
schools of choice recommended slots for the year 2526. Can I get a motion? I move the board of education approve the recommended schools of choice openings for 2025 26 YK kindergarten 20 first grade 21 second grade 11 third grade
21th grade 20 fifth grade 19 6th grade 8 7th grade 2 8th grade 4 9th grade 1 10th grade 2 11th grade 4 and 12th grade three for a total of 136 second motion was made by trustee Edel seconded by trustee Ferris Highland is
there any discussion on this topic Yeah, I have a couple of questions. Yeah. Um, so, uh, not solely based on the comments, but, um, it has been my experience that the majority of, uh, applications that we
get are in kindergarten and first grade and maybe at the sixth grade level and the ninth grade level uh, in the past. Would that be um, and maybe some of the other ones? I don't I don't know if we've uh have we in the recent past 10
years filled 21 third grade. We were close. We get we get close to that. And and just a little background for everybody um up here. I guess there's nobody left out there, but for anybody else listening still just to address that um address the public comment and
to I guess maybe fill in some blanks. So, we historically we use our schools of choice um program to fill empty seats that we have in classrooms. So, we don't add um we don't add classes through or haven't added classes through um schools
of choice. But when you go from second grade to third grade, our contract has class size limits. And from second grade to third grade, that increase goes from 24 to 28. And so that opens up essentially four seats in every classroom across the district. Right now
we have 12 second grades moving into third, which um as you can figure the math, that's 12 or 13. Uh 12. Oh, okay. Well, um so you could do the math and say that that would open up 48 seats. Okay. We don't advertise 48 slots. One,
because we'll never get that many applications in third grade. We ideally would absolutely rather have kids coming in at kindergarten and first grade, but because of our class size limits, we don't have very many open seats in those, especially once we put a little
bit of an extra buffer in for kindergarten, knowing that we don't have all of our kindergarten enrollments this time of year yet when we have to make those decisions. So when we've looked at um you know we have a couple bubble classes at Red Seedar and I say bubble classes right now we have one section at
each grade with the exception of two grades one of them being the second grade. There are 35 kids in the two classes right now. Um with one pending move per um principal pew and one um per permeable boundary request to another
building that will be approved because there's space because of this move from 24 to 28 um uh class size limit. So that got us to 33. Now again, another option which would to me not make much sense is
open those other slots um with 16 kids in one room and 17 kids in another room, you could open up additional schools of choice slots to fill those seats. But when that when that change is already going from 24 to 28, we just won't get that many applications anyway or
anywhere close to it. So we a year ago um we had a few more kids in that the other bubble class. We had a there's a few more and we um set out and communicated with all the families in that class just to ask anybody who maybe
came in as a schools of choice family um and was placed at Red Seedar but had a different request that we weren't able to meet at the time. We opened it up to see if anyone wanted to move to another building for their third through fifth grade years. um sometimes maybe because
there's another building on their way to work, you know, or just a lot of different reasons that families make the make different requests. We didn't get any takers last year. Okay, we're trying it again. U Mr. Principal Pew has crafted a little Google survey or Google form to send out with a little bit of
communication around this and to see if we get any takers. Um you know, if we get again the class size limit is 28. Um there are some opportunities to um if we go above that in addition to pay to help support that classroom like I mean I
think it's an opport an option to discuss if we got close to 28 um uh possibly depending on the numbers um looking at you know having some par support in that pl in that classroom or some available support placed in there when it's available. you know, we've
been in a position before when it was more out of our control when we've had kindergarten classes that were four or five, you know, above the class size limit. Um, and they they eventually kind of worked themselves through and worked themselves out, at least they have, um, in the past, but um, that's where where
we are right now. We didn't want to uh didn't feel like I mean adding that many more schools of choice slots at third grade didn't really make any sense, but running a classroom of 16 and 17 um it's that balance again between serving kids and trying to be as financially
responsible as we can as well. So that's what we're trying. We're going to send this communication out um to the families and see if we, you know, even if we get two or three who may want to, you know, go to a different building for their third, fourth, and fifth grade years. That would um get us really close
to a spot where we've been in um at elementary um before. And I know um Mr. Pew is really good at identifying um uh when he has like his building sub is available like where to place them to provide more support for classes and
kids as well. So um that's what we're looking at right now and that's the rationale for um why right now we don't have another open we don't have another place available for that um teacher right now. It's a little early and some things could shift and we still could
see some resignations or retirements possibly along with some shift with other elementary positions that we've posted in the last week. So, um there could be a spot that becomes available for that teacher or the other class that I wrote you an email about today as
well. Um, but right now it's unusual this time of year, but we do not have any elementary gen ed openings or vacancies due to retirements or resignations at this point in time. Um, so let me follow up with because Red
Cedar is that school that fall enrollment is always unpredictable um because of the uh MSU students um you know that come into an international housing. Do you and you don't have to say this out loud, but is there a point
where say, you know, three more third graders come in that we rethink this, you know, our schools of choice are shifted, there's a second third grade class at Red Cedar or whatever. Yeah, I think we can definitely I I think we have to look at something creative, you know,
um whether I mean I know it's it's not a popular option, but when you've got just over, you know, a little bit over the cap in third grade and a little bit over the cap in fourth grade, you know, running three classes over two grades,
you know, as opposed to looking at four classes, you know, like I think if we get if we don't maybe get any takers with this and We're still looking at something. Again, we know it's not perfect. Nothing's perfect, but it might be better than, you know, running it as is with two large two large grades. We
might be able to look at three over two and with some um, you know, it would it would kind of result in a little bit of looping for someone who's already had them, which is a good thing because then they know, you know, those kids and know their um know a lot about them already.
And so I think that would be what we could potentially look at if we get if we don't get um to the numbers we're looking at getting to. If we don't I think that's that's kind of where I would go, you know, with it as an opportunity like that and see if we could um I think it would be I think
we'd be able to find someone who'd be willing to jump in and uh you know, teach that if it meant remaining in the district and remaining here. Yeah. Um and one more followup. Sure. um refresh my memory. So we made a recommendation of this recommendation
includes 20 openings at the kindergarten level. Yes. And is that the most we can accept period? Is that So my question is we usually get far more applications, right? Or at least in
the past we would get 45 applications. 80. So this what's that? 80 to 90. Is that 80 to 90? Yes. I thought it was more like 45. Like that's that's the average 80 to 90 kindergarten kids. Yeah. Kelly saying yes to Yeah. Um yeah.
So of course the situation been raised that whether this is there's any truth to it. There's currently looking at 23 kindergarters at Red Seedar. I don't know if that's true. That's just what somebody shared with me. And then same scenario. We have five
people from MSU show up with 5y olds. You're up to 28. Can you then accept more schools of choice than this 20 to make two kindergartens? And I'm talking Red Cedar, but well, that's really the only place you'd add a second kindergarten because all the other buildings only in August we can hit our
weight list. At what point in August, Kelly? Third Monday in August. Third Monday. Wow. In August, we can hit our weight list. Okay. So, it makes it hard because people may have committed, but they Yeah. And it it's kind of when we do because we have before, you know, when we started calling because we can
also um there are time, you know, we get we get those who have um applied at multiple different districts. They may win our lottery, but then they turn it down. So, you know, we can also we can go to our weight list, but you know,
some families, uh, you know, are already pretty committed to where they, you know, are thinking they're going for the summer and some hold out and we can I don't think we've ever not filled our spots through that, but it is a it is kind of a last minute change, but we do let families know that. So, if they're
really holding out for East Lancing, um, you know, they'll they'll make tenative other plans, but we've had many um, accept our offer even at that point in the time. So yeah, you know, and I um yeah, I think, you know, we always have to be
flexible at Red Seedar. And I would say I don't think we have any concrete numbers for kindergarten yet because we haven't placed our young fives or our preschool kids from those groups yet either. So uh we've placed a handful of them, but we have not um filled our
preschool or young fives classes yet. So once we have roundup, we get more information on those kids, too. So that number even if it is what it is now may not end up being there because of that. Thank you. Sure.
Can you just remind me when the school of choice lottery happens? I know it happens in the summer, but what are the parameters for that? Um the application period is first two weeks of June and then um we usually do the lottery about a week later after we kind of get all
the documentation, pull things together and um get our team together. So about the third uh by the end of June but about the third week of June and then so the maximum we can take at that time is these numbers but then we could change our maximum we could
raise it up at the at the August date. Yeah. We can't take any fewer than this but as long as we have a slot advertised at a grade we can increase later. If we advertise zero, we can't. Well, we can take fewer if we don't get application. Correct. Okay.
Yes. We have to make people. You got to go round them up. Yeah. You look like a third grader. Come usually. And that's, you know, we have historical data on um the number of applications at each grade level. So that's two where it's like, okay, we could advertise 50 fourth grade
slots, you know, or it's really that it's really um that second to third grade jump because that's the only jump in our contract language um with the ELA that goes from goes up four students in a grade. Um, so that's where, you know,
it's it's certainly not ideal. You know, we'd rather have the kids with us since kindergarten, you know, but uh with the way that our class size limits right now work, that just doesn't allow isn't allowed to happen that way.
So, before we go to a vote, are there any other questions or comments about the school of choice recommended slots? All right. So, I'll move us to a vote. All in favor of the motion as presented, please say I. I. Any opposition? The
motion carries unanimously. Uh, the next item on the agenda is furniture, fixtures, and equipment, the FFE package for the new admin building. I move that the board of education approve the award recommendations in the amount of
$237,93911 for furniture, fixtures, and equipment in the new central administration building as presented. Second. Moved by Trustee Edel, seconded by Trustee Taiaki. Is there any discussion on this topic? Right. We're ready to move to a vote.
I'll move us to a vote. All in favor of the motion as presented, please say I. I. Any opposition? The motion carries unanimously. The next item on the agenda is close session. Can I get a motion? I move that the board of education move
into close session according to section 81c of the open meetings act related to collective bargaining. Second by trustee chambers, seconded by trusty Torres. This motion requires a roll call vote. So Miss Hokor, can we get a roll call?
Mr. Martin, yes. Dr. Lions, yes. Dr. Edel, yes. Miss Ferris Highland, yes. Dr. Chambers, yes. Dr. Torres, yes. Miss yes. All right, we'll be in close session. Mr. Plasty, if you can make
arrangements. Also, uh, we put it at a time in the agenda where you don't feel like you have to stay anymore. You did it after your [Music] [Music]
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sun for you email if they have the the time. Oh, you said he already. Yeah. Although they're just We all good? All right, we're back in open session. Uh, thanks to everybody for sticking with us. Um, the next item on the agenda is
committee reports. Uh, the first committee is academic and technology. Uh, Trusty Law, we have not met since our last meeting. Our next meeting is in May. I don't know that date. Look it up for you. I need to make a
note of that date, too. While we're looking that up, we'll move to our facilities committee. We have not met. All right. Finance trustee. We meet May 5th. May 14th. May 14th. Yep. At 2 p.m. May 14th at 2. That's them. We're May 5th. Yes. Sorry.
May 14th. That's the same day as our uh training for uh the board training. The evaluation intergovernmental relations trustee Torres. Still waiting on reply for my invitation. So no meeting
yet. I did mention it today. I was gonna say it sounds like it's would be a timely opportunity to connect. Yeah, I just sent another waiting to a singular person or more than one person. I sent it to the first time was one person. Now it's everybody.
Okay. the personnel committee. Um we have our we talked a bit about the upcoming superintendent evaluation. I believe we have some materials that going to be distributed. Um and we'll get into that in the coming uh weeks and that's going to be a thorough process,
but I'm looking forward to, you know, having it through and um and moving on to some other things. I would say this is like phase one of the information I'm going to give you. There's a little bit there's still some more to come as we as Glenn and I meet with our administrators to evaluate the progress on our district
goals and we do that throughout this next month. So there will be another um document coming to you specifically around progress on those goals. But this has my um self evaluation in there comments on each section within that
self evaluation. It's not on their document. I put it on a separate Google doc but it's in here. And then it also has a copy of all of our district goals and action steps by level. So you can see all that, but it's the progress on those district goals and action steps that will still be coming after we do
our meetings with principles. And you'll get um student growth data that we don't have this early yet either. That comes later that you have to plug in as 20% of my evaluation. We do have a facilitator to come to the
June uh 23rd meeting um to facilitate um um minutes. It is uh Patricia Murphy Patricia Murphy Alderman that name right? Say that rightly. She's a retired superintendent
in the area um and works for MAS facilitating. Great. Cool. Very good. Policy committee trusty. We meet May. Thank you. Isa trusty Taki. We meet
May 7th. All right. A lot of meetings to look forward to the routine of Yeah. Everybody meets in between once that and then the next one we have none. Yeah. Dates the cycle of them. Yeah. All right. Uh the only announcement I have is that our next regularly scheduled
meeting is May 19th, 2025. Are there uh any other announcements? All right, we'll be adjourned at 8:31. Thank you all for being here. Thank you. All right, you're busy.