Can you get a roll call, please? >> Here. >> Oh, here. >> She's distracting me. >> Oh, it's my fault. Martin >> here. >> Chambers. >> Um, she may be on her way.
here. Student representative >> here represents >> here. >> Thank you. Um Trusty, can you read our mission statement for us? >> I can. Our mission statement is nurturing each child, educating all
students, and building world citizens. Um, can I get a motion for approval of a agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion?
Not hearing any. All in favor? >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Um, can I get a motion for approval of minutes from the April 13, 2026 regular meeting? So moved.
>> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Not hearing any. All in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Motion approved. Um, Trustee Martin, do we have any recognition tonight? >> We do. Um, a couple items of
recognition. Red Cedar held their annual Steam night on April 23rd. Over 20 different community organizations volunteered to make the event fun and engaging for Red Seedar families. Special thanks to the following community groups for their support. East
Lancing High School Robotics, Michigan State University Robotics, T-shirt Goods, East Lancing Fire Department, East Lancing Police Department, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lancing Maker Network, East Lancing
Public Library, and Puce Pets. The high school, East Lancing High School Science Olympiad team placed 10th in yesterday's state finals. Last year was a little bit of a down year for us. So, this year's team set the goal of getting back into the top 10 and then
more importantly beating Okamus uh to recmp to reclaim our top spot in the region. They achieved both goals taking 10th place but more importantly finishing one spot ahead of Okamus. Uh it was very much team effort, solid performances across the board and uh
there's already planning going on for next season. That's all I got. >> Thank you. Any other recognition from board members? >> Um all right, we'll have our student representatives representatives uh
give their report. Okay. Hello everyone. It's been a hot second since I've seen everyone like the past few meetings, but a lot has been going on these past few weeks. Okay. So, I want to talk a little bit
about um the girls tennis team. So, we've won all past we've had three tournaments like every weekend. That's what I mean. And we've won all three of them. and also currently confiting.
>> Nice. Okay. And then we also want to talk a little bit about girls varsity softball. So they won their game against Williamson which is like huge deal for them because they thought they would get Mercy which means like they love but yeah and then they're set to play
all today too. So we're just wanted to talk a little bit about girls. They competed at the Chelsea tournament I think this past weekend and then the girls have their senior against tomorrow. And we also want to
talk about like student elections. Um my sister Aie actually will be the leazison for next year someone else. We're not sure who but so yeah we want to talk about how there's also going to be for other positions to be filled because there are always like a couple
vacancies. But um yeah, so we just have a student body president and all that stuff and they're actually starting their roles Friday at the pep assembly. So they have some people to pick out for different things and stuff like that which is really exciting. And then we wanted to talk a little
about exams which are approaching almost everyone in school you know they're very stressed out about this. So study sessions this past weekend sessions like Saturday and Sunday which is nice and then state testing was also
past and then kind of moving on to the music aspect we had both Jasmine one and Michigan last Thursday, I think. And um they played for like an adjudicator. So it wasn't necessarily for like a score, but for a lot of feedback and that was
really valuable for them and they both both bands did really well. Um and then on top of that, the orchestra has their 75th anniversary concert tomorrow at 7:30 if anyone wants to show up and it's really exciting. They have like a combined piece from like parts of the
Caribbean and then also from like the F1 movie. So we have like all those students from all the different grades getting some music and also um the like band's last concert is this Thursday. So, lots of music and then we wanted to talk a little bit
about seniors who are ending the well we're really close to ending our school year for us senior assassin and then this Friday is decision day so we all get you know our gear and stuff
which is exciting and yeah pretty The only other huge thing we're looking forward to is like senior's last day on the 22nd of May and then prom postp prom on the 16th. So, we're all super excited for that. And that wraps up our update.
>> Thank you so much. >> Love hearing all the wonderful things that are happening and I love all the excitement. You're sitting up there standing up there so excited. I was getting excited over here like I want to go to some of those events. >> So, I didn't mean to. What day is prom?
>> May 16. Okay. Well, have fun. >> Thank you. >> And is that your selection? >> Oh, for college? Yeah, it is. >> Go green. >> That's not yours. >> Excited, too. She's going to Michigan. >> All right. >> That's okay, too. That's okay, too.
>> Congratulations >> if you have to. >> Congratulations. >> All right. Uh, we will move to our superintendent report, Mr. D. >> All right. Uh so thank you for having me today. The third annual mental health
and wellness summit is going to be tomorrow. So mark your calendar and circle that and star it. Uh 5 to 7. >> That is uh I'm sorry. You're correct. Wednesday is not tomorrow. It feels like Tuesday right now. Uh yes, it is on Wednesdays, but still circle and start
because it'll be here before you know it. Uh that's from 5 to 7 at East Lancing High School. The event's free, open to the community. The summit includes presentations, local resources, wellness activities, refreshments, canines for change, and raffles. The event is sponsored by our mental health
advisory committee. Uh we also want to hear from our families. We are in the window soliciting some perception voice. East Lancing Public Schools is one of over a hundred schools in Michigan participating in the My Student Voice Perception Survey in grades six and up.
We use this tool to solicit, disegregate and uh evaluate evaluate and make action plans around student staff and family feedback. This is the fourth year of the survey administration with the LPS and the second year that we are offering the family survey. The survey will open will
be open it is open and will be open until May 8th. It should take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and that link will come out with the superintendence report tomorrow. uh athletic physicals. You're not in the window where you can get those. If it's after April 15th,
you're good for the next year. The and they are offered at the East Lancing Health Center. Uh the East Lancing Public Schools Health Center will be offering sports physicals on the following dates. Tuesday, May 5th, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30. Wednesday, May 13th from
8:00 a.m. to 6:30. Schedule an appointment. The number uh is will be in the update. Uh and also the URL uh will be in the update email tomorrow. Um the sexed advisory board is sponsoring a uh
talk that's this coming Thursday. The talk is titled How to Talk to Your Kids About Pornography. Join us this Thursday, April 30th at 6 PM for anformational presentation. The event will be held in McDonald in the McDonald Middle School auditorium. Details about
this event will be uh can be found in Friday's local events and opportunities email. Uh the ELF, Educa East Lancing Educational Foundation Awards Ceremony uh will be held on Thursday, May 14th at
5:30 at Eagle-Ele. Uh details and registration information again can be found in Friday's local events and opportunities email. Glen Karen clothing clothing closet is available for all that clothing closet. That's a That's a good one. Uh Glen Karen Elementary
School's clothing closet is full. They have an abundance of gently used and new clothing items for elementary age students. ELPS students and their siblings are invited to schedule a time to shop the closet. If you would like to schedule a time to visit Glen Karen's closet, please reach out to principal
Justine Richardson. Uh and her email will be in this update upcoming. Uh although we heard the full rundown from our students there, but uh no school for Memorial Day on May 25th. Uh commencement will be June 4th at 7:30 at the Breland Center. And the last day for
all students is a half day on June the 5th. >> Thank you for that update. Any questions for Mr. Dobson? >> Uh yes, I did have one question. Um, so
for the athletic physicals offered, can kids get out of class to go to get a physical? >> Uh, I mean, I think they'd have to check in through the like communicate with the office, but I mean, yeah, I I mean, just like they would for a doctor's appointment.
>> Sure. >> Yeah. >> And then it would be an excused absence, >> they're able to write. I mean, from my experience, high schoolers that have used it, so it's a nice opportunity. >> Perfect. Well, I think we've said it before, but it's it's really nice to
have that onsite and available for for students. So, >> and the staff is excellent. >> Yeah. >> How many times can each student get a physical in order to get out of class? >> All right. Well, thank you for that update. Um, we will move to our uh
consent agenda. Can I get a motion um for the consent agenda? I move that the board of education approve the consent agenda to include the following item. A new hire one, the hiring of Hannah Vanine 1.0 FTEE guidance counselor at McDonald Middle
School at BA step three effective May 11th, 2026. She will be placed on the appropriate M's step and compensated retroactively upon receipt of official transcripts verifying her degree following graduation in May 2026.
>> Second. All right. Um moved by Trusty Ferris Highland, seconded by Trustee Edo. There are there's no discussion on our consent agenda. Um so all in favor. >> Any opposed?
Motion approved. And um Hannah, are you here? >> Yes. Welcome. >> We are uh we would love to have you come up to the podium if you like and introduce yourself. Um Um, hi everybody. As you guys already
know about, my name is Van. Um, I grew up in the area and I graduated from state in 20121 and since then I worked as a pair professional in Opamus. Um, I've worked there for about five years all while getting my master's degree um for school counseling and here I am. I'm
super excited and very grateful to have accepted the position at McDonald. >> Welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome to East. All right. Uh we will now move to our public comment. Um if anyone would like to give public public comment, there are
uh blue sheets um at the front that you can grab and fill out. Um and I will read the statement. So this is the opportunity to address the board. Speakers are to confine the remarks to five minutes. If a speaker requires more than five minutes after all other
persons who have requested to speak during this part of the meeting have spoken, that speaker will be allowed additional time. The superintendent or other different uh excuse me, district staff may comment to clear up or avoid significant misunderstandings.
All right. Um so with that we will um start with uh Sarah Wilson um would like to speak to us about special education. >> Hello. Um keep it relatively short tonight but uh as you may recall my
husband and I came here pretty upset at the last meeting uh feeling like nobody cared. And I did want to this opportunity to uh publicly state to the board uh that we appreciate your response after last meeting um and we're feeling cautiously optimistic about what
can be accomplished going forward. Um, I don't see the issue issues with special education as being just a White Hills issue, but I do know there's a selection process for the new principal at White Hills, and I hope a big part of that process will be considering how the
person in that position will approach special education. Uh, I know in my son's time there, Liz Hulk was a great teacher, Liliana Zambo was a great teacher, and the long-term sub, Josh Autton, has done a great job and is clearly invested in trying to do right
by our kids. And if we're lucky enough to get another great teacher, I just wonder what are what's going to be done differently to keep them. Uh I also wanted to encourage other parents if they're having issues to reach out to the board, which can be done via email
uh so that they can best understand the problems facing special education. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. uh Kathleen Brady and special education. >> Good evening. My name is Katherine Brady. I'm a parent of a seven-year-old child with autism who is nonverbal. He
is in the first grade and in the special education program at White Hills Elementary. I'm here because of the ongoing concerns regarding how my child's IEP has been is being implemented. From my own experience, I have unanswered multiple unanswered emails.
Difficult getting clear and consistent information about how his behavior is being tracked and inconsistent communication of occupation. A month ago, I emailed the board. Two weeks ago, I spoke to the board. I'm here tonight because I still have unvoid concerns. What I have heard from administration is
we are responding. We are monitoring monitoring. We are looking into it. And I efforts happening that I'm not aware of. However, I have concerns regarding no consistent service logs, no consistent accommodation logs, and no
verified data. Specifically, the general education log stopped on February 5th around the same time the teacher left and did not resume until March 25th when the new long-term substitute began. This is a significant gap in data. During the same
period, I was told my General education may be a handful of times without documentation to support those instances. When data is incomplete, inconsistent and cannot be verified, how are decisions being made? This is not just paperwork. This is about whether students are receiving support they are
legally entitled to. There has been inconsistency in how the classroom has been described at one point as a resource room and now as an ASB self-contained program. Those are not the same and this matters because how a classroom is defined determines
staffing support and access to general education. The question is not what are we calling it. The question is what is actually happening in the classroom every single day because if the structure is unclear then the support will be inconsistent
and that is what we are seeing under federal law. Students with disabilities are entitled to be educated in the least restrictive environment. That means they must be provided access to general education with support and services necessary to make the placement
successful. Placement decisions are not optional. They are required to be based on individual student needs, supported by data, and implemented as written in the IEP. The question is whether access to general education is being provided
consistently with the required supports as required by federal law. And if it is not, then the program is not being implemented in the way it meets those requirements. And when this happens, students are not receiving the level of support they are entitled to and their process progress
is directly affected. This is not new. These concerns have existed for years. There needs to be a review of who is accountable for implementation, why consistent support has not been maintained, how parent and staff
concerns have been addressed. There is also a need for understanding why these issues have not been resolved. If staff is asking for support that should be a starting point, not the end of a conversation. I have CC administration on emails regarding these
concerns. But the question is what what is being done in response? Communication alone is not enough. Being included on emails is not the same as taking action. This is not just a communication issue. This is an implementation issue. And when in implementation is inconsistent,
the IEP itself is not meaningful. Students with the highest needs should receive the highest level of support, not the minimum. Without consistent staffing, data, and support, students suffer. They lose access,
consistency, and opportunities to grow. I want to be clear, the teachers have not been a problem. The pair professionals are not a problem. They have I have seen dedicated staff in this program. Miss Valana was truly exceptional. She communicated
consistently, shared both challenges and progress, and cared deeply about these children. And Aiden's general education teacher, Mrs. Herro, has consistently shared positive experience about him being in his classroom. The staff care and support them the best they can. The
problem is deeper. I sat in this room two weeks ago listening to a presentation about the new Beakman building. That is important. But kids do not just need a school building that supports them. Buildings do not educate children. People do. So
what matters is support inside the classroom. Next year we will have a new principal and potentially new staff. But changes in personnel alone do not fix the system. Without changes to how IEPs are implemented, how support is provided, and how consistency is
ensured, there is no reason to expect different outcomes. What I'm asking for is clarity, consistency, and real change. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, we have um Heather Finley and the third annual mental health and
wellness summit. And if there's anyone else that would like to give public comment, I'm taking the yellow or blue papers right now. >> Blue yellow. >> Yeah. >> And we're trying to represent for you. >> Costume change. >> Costume changes.
>> Hi everyone. >> I'm going to try to see you as best I can. Couldn't find my glasses this morning, so apologies. Um, hi everyone. My name is Heather Finley. I go by Finn affectionately in the district. Proud employee, proud alumni of East Lancing
Public Schools. Um, I'm here to mention the third annual mental health and wellness summit that we are proud to host this coming Wednesday in two days. I cannot forget. Um, from 5:00 pm to 7 p.m. will be in the lower level of East
Lancing High School. Um we are very excited to host this event again. We're very appreciative to principal Schwarzbeck and the rest of her team. Um the athletics and activities department with Nikki Norris. I also want to extended thank you to Dr. Armstrong, my
supervisor. Also to Jen Smith, her wonderful administrative assistant Diana Quantero, um who've been instrumental in helping put the nuts and bolts of this event together this year. Couple things I did just want to quickly mention is that uh we are excited to host about a
30% increase of participants in the event this year. Um we are hosting 36 different vendors um who will have tables um for the event. We're also hosting six different six additional uh organizations in the student union that
will have different interactive activities for children, staff, family members of all ages um to uh to enjoy um including I think one of our most popular which is making slime courtesy
of Rooted Counseling. Um that's been a big hit so far and we expect that to continue. I also wanted to note that uh this year we are excited to host six different presentations um four by local community um providers and then two from
staff members at East Lancing High School um who are offering part of their lived experience with mental health challenges which I think is a unique opportunity for our students to see the realness and u be able to connect a
little bit differently with some of the staff that they see on a daily basis. is um I also want to extend my sincere thank yous to Aaron Parcell, the co-chair of this event this year. Uh Erin has been a wonderful member of the mental health advisory committee since
its inception about nine years ago. Um and she brings unbridled enthusiasm and optimism which is really exciting as well. I just also wanted to extend uh thank you to the board of education um
and superintendent Leo and the rest of the cabinet team for continuing to support this event. Um I think knowing that it is growing amongst our community providers. I think the reputation for it is growing as well. Um I've had several
people reach out um asking to participate after you know we had to shut it down so to speak. Um, so that's very exciting to know that this is continuing to grow and be a part of our culture and our climate of East Lancing public schools where we know that mental
health and wellness are some of the cornerstones of what we see for our children. We know that the whole child matters. They are not here just for academics. They are here and we are here to welcome and support them in all ways. And I think that this event really highlights that opportunity for folks.
Um, and I just would love to extend an invitation to the entire public, staff, students, families, and all of East Lancing to come and join us on Wednesday from 5:00 pm till 7 p.m. Um, in the lower level of East Lancing High School. >> Can I just ask a quick question? I know
that's I'm going to take a point of privilege. >> Um, yes. >> Were invitations extended to uh Michigan State University students, faculty, staff? Um, in particular, maybe the meal um services part of the
>> um actually uh MSU CAPS will be joining us um and the uh university health and wellness services is the person I leazed with and so I do know that there has been some communication and some extension to MSU um and um we have
another provider at MSU who will also be part of the summit this year. a grand invitation to MSU students was not uh done this year but I'm certain that that's something we can explore further you know >> because it doesn't stop when they graduate high school
>> that is that is 100% um uh I do know that there was an article in e sensing info this weekend um trying to uh share that this opportunity is for everybody in the community not just students staff and you know family members of Lancing.
>> Awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Do we have any other public comments? >> All right. We will close public comment and uh move to our uh board discussion.
Do we have any board discussion? Yes, I have a a comment um because we've received it didn't come up in public comment tonight, but um there has been a lot of discussion lately about use of academic technology within the middle
school in particular. Um and so I just wanted to take a moment to shout out one of of one of the teachers at McDonald Middle School who is Maria Leyon. She's my child's sixth grade science teacher. and um this week has assigned a debate
on whether technology is beneficial or harmful to the brain. Um in preparing that she engaged the students in discussion on uh and scientific studies on the cognitive effects of lowquality content and she built in um this is separate. She also built in a brief and
sep structured minute of silence for each class period. And my child says they use that time to reset and reflect. And what stands out to me and the reason I wanted to shout that out is it's not just the content of what Miss Leon is doing but the approach which is helping
students think critically weigh scientific evidence and build healthy habits. And it mirrors the very conversation that we've been having about the use of technology in the school um uh but at a level that empowers students to engage with it
themselves. And um so I share that not to single out one classroom as an exception, but because I believe it's representative of the thoughtful work that's happening across our district. Um so my hope is that families, teachers, and administrators and this board
continue to support the students in using those tools responsibly, thoughtfully, and in ways that truly enhance their learning. >> That's cool that they're that they're doing that. Thank you for bringing that to our >> Can we take bre questions? the public at this point.
>> Well, how would we do that? >> I would um just echo what Trusty Taiki said. I you know I'm a middle school parent, a sixth grade parent just like Trusty Taaki and I think we've both gotten a lot of communication about this
top this particular topic. And um but one thing that happened this morning was multiple people forwarded me an email that Miss Leyon had shared with her students because or share with her the families of her students because um they
appreciated the communication uh about how Miss Leon intended to use tech for the you know the whatever the last five or six weeks of the school year. And um I think a lot of people were grateful for that. And um it was kind of a
reminder to me that as we go through this process of evaluating the ways we're using technology in our buildings, um we can't think of it as like a student students misusing technology because
we're the people who set the structure. were the people, the adults who put the guard rails in place. And um I know a lot of parents are concerned about platforms like like YouTube and Google. And I'm concerned about those platforms,
too, because YouTube and Google are not education companies. They're money-making companies. And they want to they want to grab our kids and they want to it's the same big tech story that uh that we know from a lot of other different places. And in fact, I know
that we're part of a lawsuit against a big tech platform for the same kinds of predatory behaviors. So, um, we need to make sure that we are practicing that in our policies. And, um, I know we're going to have continued discussions
about this in the coming weeks, but I have heard the commentary. I've thought a lot about it and I am very very much on board to be a part of the solution and to put those structures in place and to help support our teachers and our
students as they you know try to find the best uses for educational technology. >> Um thank you for that discussion. Any other um discussion? And hearing any, we will move to action items.
Can I get a a motion on designation of depositories? >> I move the board of education approve the following financial institution in which district funds may be deposited. Fifth Third Bank, Argent Institutional Trust Company, Michigan Liquid Asset
Fund. >> Second. >> Motion moved by Trusty Edo, seconded by Trustee Taiki. Any um discussion? >> Not hearing any. We like uh move to uh vote. All in favor?
>> Any opposed? All right, motion passes. Uh, can I get a motion on the policy 5407, instructional program and curriculum development? >> I move that the board of education approve the updates to policy 5407
instructional program and curriculum development as presented. >> Second. >> Motion moved by Trustee Ferris Highland, seconded by Trustee Edel. Any um discussion on this? Um I'll just give a
little bit of background. So this has been in policy committee at what at least six months, maybe eight, maybe 10. >> Um uh in it came about by a request from a community member to remove a book um
from the media center for concerns that they had. And we uh we just used um like similar uh processes for curriculum at that point in time uh to evaluate the book, but decided we needed to have something in
policy that was more centered on media center materials and not just curricular materials. And so a lot of people were brought into this discussion. Um then assistant superintendent Glenn Mitchum um Kathy Kowalsski
um the policy committee um uh Claudia uh Burton the DEI director and this is what we came up with. We finally got uh TR to take a look at it and bringing it forward now. So just wanted to give some background and all the people whose eyes have been on this before it came before
us. >> Thank you for that explanation. I know lots of work went into that. Um so and appreciate all the work that went into it. Um any other discussion? Not hearing any. Um we'll move to vote.
All in favor? >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Um can I get a motion for schools of choice lots recommendation for 2627? I move the board of education approve the following number of schools of
choice openings for 2026 27 school year. Kindergarten 33, first grade 26, 2nd grade 11, 3r grade 40, fourth grade 20, fifth grade 21, 6th grade 10, 7th grade 1, 8th grade 8, 9th grade 12, 10th grade 1, 11th grade 1, and 12th grade 1 for a
total of 185 slots. Second >> motion moved by Trustee Edo, seconded by Trusty Taiki. Any discussion? Hearing any. Move to vote. All in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? Motion passes. We'll move to our committee reports. Um, Trustee Chambers, academic and technology. Yeah, I think I'm trying to remember if this meeting happened before our last board meeting.
I think we have not met since our last board meeting. Yeah, but we have a meeting coming up um May 5th at 2 o'clock. Typically that meet the the um academic tech is the only committee that still well we typically met meet at the high school because there are students
on that committee but um we've decided to move that meeting to the admin building where we have a little bit more space. So just that notice has gone out but so May 5th 2 o'clock here in this room or in the board in that conference
room one of the two but it'll be in here. Thanks Kelly. Uh and that's yeah >> thank you. Um Trustee Ferris Highland facilities >> no report. We'll meet this summer.
>> Um trustee on finance >> no report. We meet May 11th at 1:30. at 1:30. >> 1:30. >> Okay. >> One o'clock. >> One o'clock. >> One o'clock. >> Okay. >> Do I hear 1:30?
>> Sold. >> How about two? No, just kidding. >> All right. Um, Trusty Torres, inter uh intergovernmental relations. >> Nothing to report. >> Trusty Martin, personnel committee. >> Nothing to report.
Uh, trustee policy committee. >> No new report. We just passed the motion uh from our most recent meeting and we meet again May 18th at 1:00 >> at 1:00
>> and trust me IA. >> Well, we have not met. Our next meeting is Wednesday, May 6, 8 a.m. at the Thorberg Education Center in Mason. Oh, the day after the election. >> I know. >> We got donuts.
>> And confetti. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Confetti, donuts, and champagne. >> Yum. >> Uh, we'll move to announcements. Um, the next regular scheduled meeting of the board of education is May 11th, 2026. Do we have any other announcements?
>> Trusty Edel said it vote on May 5th or before. >> Don't forget to vote on May 5th or before. Exactly. >> Vote. Well, I can't say which way. I think you should vote but >> right just vote. >> No the right way. >> And with that we will adjourn at 7:40. Thank you everyone.
>> Thank you. And just