All good. >> I will call us to order. This is the regularly scheduled November 10th, 2025 meeting of the East Lancing Board of Education. >> Okay. Thank you for my not call.
>> Grab that. >> Should I get the G? >> Oh, we have to share this. >> We are out of order. >> Trusty Martin >> here. Trusty Lion >> here. >> Trusty Edel >> here. >> Trusty Ferris Highland >> here.
>> Trusty Chambers >> present. >> Trusty Torres. >> Trustee Taikaki >> here. >> Uh student representative Djaga >> here >> and student representative Mega >> here >> and superintendent Lego
>> here. Trusty Torres is excused. She was in touch with me um yesterday uh anticipating that she wouldn't be able to make it today. So um let's move on to the next item on the agenda. Trustee Zel, can you read our mission statement?
>> Where did I put that? I should not need notes, but our mission statement is uh nurturing each child, educating all students, and building world citizens. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion for the approval of tonight's agenda? and distract the
>> I move that the board of education approve the agenda of the November 10, 2025 regular meeting as presented. >> Second. >> Motion was made by Trusty Ferris Highland, seconded by Trusty Chambers. All in favor of the motion as presented, please say I. I. Any opposition. The
motion carries unanimously. Can I get um a motion for the approval of minutes? >> I move that the board of education approve the minutes of the following meeting as presented. one October 27th, 2025 regular meeting. >> Second.
>> The motion was made by Trustee Lion, seconded by Trustee Chambers. 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 recognition. Trustee Ferris Highland.
>> I don't have any tonight, but I know our students will, so that's great. So, let's move along to the student. Oh, is do any other board members wish to recognize anyone? >> Are you going to at all discuss your trip up north for Nikki and Right? >> I thought I did. >> Did you think beforehand that you were
going to talk about >> maybe I think I did at a meeting, but I will just say, yeah, I can uh speak to that a little bit. Last year, the Michigan High School Coaches Association recognized um our athletic director Nikki Norris as athletic director of the year and recognized our boys basketball
coach Ray Mitchell as boys basketball coach of the year up at a lunchon awards ceremony in Midland. Um, so yes, uh, Nikki was there and able to attend and got a nice award and it was actually a really, uh, it was a really cool event
because it was one, um, one coach recognized for each sport in the state of Michigan. And so there were some, um, a few that were some really cool, touching stories about why they were selected. So, um, principal Ashley Schwarzback, assistant principal Jeff
Lampy and I made the trip up yesterday to, um, see Nikki get her award. >> All right, we'll move on to the student representative report. >> Uh, good evening everyone. Um, so this is our report and um, I guess we just
wanted to acknowledge that right now it's kind of like a in between period like fall sports are over and it's kind of winter sports haven't really started yet. Like we haven't even had tryyouts for most sports. So I think it's really just a little bit of an awkward time I think. But Tanya, do you want to start
it off? >> Yeah. So, um, our fall play, Almost Maine, is, um, opening this week with showings from Thursday through Sunday. And it's basically just like a collection of short stories about like love and life and like some small town. And the we all know that the cast and
crew has been working very hard for it. Um, the Buckthornne event, which was a I think uh NHS main event, right? Yeah. Um, took place this past Saturday and was was a big success. Um it provided like a lot of like opportunities for students at the high school to you know
get in their main events for NHS and to volunteer. We wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped out and participated. And then we're also this is kind of big way big news but um we're continuing our annual turkey drive. So like first hour classes are going to be accepting
donations through the 21st and students can basically just drop off like whatever food or money to their first hour. And there's also a little more incentive because whoever like donates the most gets a donut party on the last day. So all the donations are going to go towards helping local families in
need this holiday season. And I think it's something that's like pretty serious and I think it's going to be very successful too. >> Yeah. Um on that I think it also um should be mentioned that it like there's a lot of opportunities for students to through NHS to volunteer with this
event. Like people are bringing in you know boxes to contribute. people are like helping put together the boxes, like putting up flyers. So, there's a lot um going on with that. Um right now, like I said, we're in like this transitional period for winter sports. So, there's a lot of preseason
conditioning and some triyouts are underway. Um and fall sports are like wrapping up with um banquetss and celebration. Like I think marching band had their banquet last week. So, you know, it's just kind of wrapping up. >> And we also have some very exciting news
to look forward to. A group of seven students, including me, will be attending the MSAN conference in Arlington, Virginia, and Washington DC. So, we're gone this week from the 12th through the 15th. And I'm sure we're going to come back with lots of news about all the amazing things that happens over there. And finally, we're
just about two weeks away from Thanksgiving break. So, we get a week um this year, which is really nice. And I know everyone is really looking forward to it. So, um students and staff are working hard to finish strong before the holiday. Thank you. >> That's all we have. One sec. Um,
>> in regards to making donations, who would checks be made out to and and or is there a Venmo or a cash application? >> So, I believe it's only cash and then there's so each of us like in each of our mistake has a Venmo. >> Oh, >> I'll send it to you. I got email.
>> But then, yeah, so um students can like drop off specific items too off to their first hour classes, but then they also take cash and then now Miss Venmo. >> Like there's a Venmo I think too. I wouldn't really know how >> to get it, but I think I'm going to share it. I just if we can get that out
to the community as well. >> I think that would be Yeah, that was a really great idea. >> Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> Every first hour you said, right? >> Every first hour, including like even like the online classes. >> Online classes, too. Yeah. So, it's very accessible. >> Yeah. >> Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you both. The next item on the agenda is the superintendent report. I'll turn it over to our superintendent. >> Thank you. Uh I want to talk a little bit about the opening of the East Lancing Public Schools Health Center. It is near. Uh the health center team is
very excited to meet everyone. There are just a few finishing touches left to complete before they're ready to open. Um we are actually expecting the inspector to um be here this Friday. So, we should have some news hopefully next week. In the meantime, please check out
the health cent's webpage, which I'll have linked here, uh, to learn more and about how they'll be able to support your child and family. And if you haven't already, feel free to complete the consent form, which is also linked here in these notes, and return it to your child's teacher or deliver it to
the health center directly. If you have any questions about future care, you can reach the health center um, and the phone number is listed here. and keep your eyes on our page um for future updates including an opening date that will also be on our web page and we'll get it out on our social media. Um a
little bit more some local resources for families. Uh we recognize that some of our families may be experiencing hardship or additional need during this time of the government shutdown. So there's a couple things um that will be in the superintendent's report going out tomorrow. Um one is a link of lo local
resources for families. It's a very comprehensive link that helps uh families who may um have not just food needs but shelter care um mental health services a whole variety of different
types of needs that um and this is local lancing resources. And then to supplement what what we've kind of found out last week was that many of the schools are doing um food drives or Thanksgiving
um collections for like Thanksgiving meals. But what we're recognizing is that because our kids have no school all of Thanksgiving week um many of our students and their families rely on the free breakfast and lunches provided at our buildings. So, we are kind of taking
a little spin on the weekend survival kits that kids take home um to supplement their meals at home. And we're going to do Thanksgiving week survival kits to distribute to families during this extended time away from school. There's two ways people can um
help collect items for our Thanksgiving week survival kits. Uh we have an Amazon wish list and this link will go out tomorrow. Or if folks don't utilize or don't um use Amazon, we can also do Venmo. And we're really focusing these
items to be um kidfriendly that kids can make um prepare themselves uh like in the microwave like cereal cups uh with milk, oatmeal cups, granola bars, um yes, some pop tarts, and then some lunch items and snacks. So, we're focusing
this drive not on like the big Thanksgiving or holiday meals. We're trying to supplement um meals that families may uh just need some support with while the kids are at home. So, we'll collect the items and funds through next Monday and then based on
what we have, we'll communicate uh ways for families to request or pick up these Thanksgiving week survival kits um early next week once we know what we have to contribute, distribute, sorry. Um, any questions on that?
>> Great. >> This sounds like a big project. >> It does, but it'll be it'll be great for our community. And, you know, we have had people asking, you know, what they can do. And I know our buildings are doing a lot for the holiday meals, but I think this will be a great way to provide kids who may be home um while
parents are still working and being able to get their um prepare something for breakfast and lunch. Um, I thought this was a little early to bring out, but based on the weather this weekend, it's not. I looked last year, I didn't even uh share this till December. But school closing procedures for winter
weather events, it's time. As we enter snow day season, I'd like to share some information about how the decision of whether or not to close school is made and how a school closing will be communicated. Uh, number one, many weather factors are considered when determining whether or not to close school. The amount of snow and or ice,
both current and predicted, timing of snow and/or ice, temperature and windchill, sustained windchills of -20 degrees or lower, will result in school closing or delay, road and sidewalk conditions specifically for our walkers and our young drivers. Uh whether or not
wind may be causing may cause blowing and drifting and other factors such as visibility and power outages. So, I complete a road check throughout the district beginning around 4:15 a.m. and communicate with other local superintendents and sometimes the city of East Lancing and or ELPD. When
possible, we will make the decision the night before in order to give families as much time as possible to prepare for a school closing. If a decision to close schools is made the night before, it will be communicated no later than 10 p.m. If the decision to close school is made in the morning, we will do our best
to communicate by 5:30 a.m. and no later than 6 pending any new information that would require a later close. Uh if a decision is made to close school, the closing is communicated to staff and families via the following methods. Uh families and staff will get a ROOC call
and a text if you have that feature turned on. Uh just as a reminder to make sure your phone number is current in power school because those are the numbers that get pulled for these robocalls and texts. Uh the ELPS Facebook page and other official ELPS social media. Uh our ELPS website, the
main page, and then local TV stations, WILX, WLNS, and Fox 47. And then information about other events that are later in the day like practices, games, concerts, etc. will be made by 100 pm and communicated through coaches and
adviserss andor the district website. And then I've linked our social media on here again and added some important dates coming up again. Uh no school Thanksgiving week the 24th through the 28th. Uh Friday, December 12th is a staff professional learning day. So
there is no school for students on Friday, December 12th. And winter break is December 22nd through January 2nd. And that is all I have today. >> Um, I wanted to share one other resource. Um,
it's justindhelp.org and you type in your zip code and you can get uh connected to they may be duplicates of what you shared, but it's just a pretty easy one to remember. Findhelp.org and then type in your zip code for food and housing resources.
>> Thank you. >> I have not used it, but it had been shared with me. So, >> okay. >> Thought I'd pass it on. >> Yeah, I'll be happy to add that in. Thank you. >> And I um I think that the weekend survival kits, even though it's a nine
day survival kit, is um is a terrific idea. And um I noticed that you put the the wish list and uh just a Vinmo link. Do you have like do you have any preference as to how people contribute or is either one of those ways. If they
go on the wish list, it'll get automatically delivered here. So, we've got it set up so that Amazon the any of the items will be delivered right here. Um, it's probably I mean that would be easiest. The Venmo we're going to turn around and go purchase items for it anyway. So, I mean that would be the
preference, but I know some folks don't utilize that. So, I wanted to just give a couple options. So, cut out the middle man, go to the Amazon wish list, >> and that'll be distribute it all come here and then it'll go to the different buildings, >> right? >> Okay. >> Yep. And we'll find uh we'll we're going
to see what we have and then we'll determine the best way and communicate with our principles about how best to get it in the hands of the families who need it because we can also imagine sending these bags of really cool treats home with kids on the bus and that they might not make them home. So, um, we got
to, yeah, might get a little creative with how we make sure these get >> My children aren't the only ones that would eat an entire box of Pop-Tarts in a bus ride. >> Those kids could be very popular on the bus. >> Well, there's that, too. >> We may all even kind of brainstorming,
thinking about running a little, you know, drive-thru pickup even like, >> uh, back in the don't speak about CO times, right? But, uh, a little drive-thru pickup for these two. we could. >> Is there any volunteerism needed to like put the kits together before they get >> Probably early next week. I'll uh share
it with all of you in case you're available. >> Y >> that'd be great. Thank you. >> All right. Yeah, it's an exciting time, but also it's a good reminder that this is a way we can help out. So, any other questions for the superintendent before we move on?
All right. Uh the next item on the agenda is uh a public hearing regarding our our sex education curriculum. We have Miss Scott here. Um so I'll I'll go ahead and open the
public hearing. This is um a public hearing for the recommendation of rights, respect, and responsibility, which is a Michigan aligned high school lessons dated 2023 to replace the Michigan model for health entitled
healthy and responsible relationships, HIV, Other STI, and Pregnancy Prevention for High School Health Classrooms Grade 9 to 12. So, I'll bring up Miss Scott and uh I'll let her take it away. >> Great. Well, thank you and good evening
everybody. Um I did prepare a presentation which I'll go through for your benefit and anyone who's following along at home. So, um again, my name is Ann Scott. I'm serve as the sex education supervisor for the district. So, um I'll just walk through the
presentation real briefly. Um just to start just a little level setting about how HIV STI education and sex education works for Michigan school districts. Um every Michigan school district is required to provide HIV education at least once at every building level. So
elementary, middle, and high school. Um and it is optional to provide sexual health education in addition to that HIV education. Um and East Lancing is a district that has opted to provide that education. Um, but we must follow the law pertaining to content and process.
Um, and that includes having our sex education advisory board, and we have a fabulous board of parents and and other local health professionals that serve on that. Um, as well as having someone who sits in my seat as a sex education supervisor, um, that make sure the materials and methods are all happening
in accordance with state law and is in accordance with our district policies. Um, also important to know that for all sex education and HIV education instruction, parents or guardians and caregivers have the right to review the information, the content prior to
instruction, review those materials in advance. Um, they have the right to observe instruction and they also have the right to excuse their child without penalty. So, um, parents of the district might get emails from me when it's time for fourth, fifth, 6th, 7th, 8th, or high school, um, education time, and we
go through that process. Um, just real quickly about the sex education advisory board. Um, so again, according to state law, every district that chooses to implement sex education needs to have a sex ed advisory board. Um, and that is comprised of parents, students, um,
educators, local clergy, and community health professionals. And at least half of that board must be parents of students in the district. And we're really fortunate in East Lancing that um everyone on our sex education board aside from our students are also parents in the district. So they wear both hats,
which is a great thing to have. Um and the sex ed advisory board, again, their charge is really to establish the goals and objectives for knowledge and learning that we want to have in our programs, review and recommend materials, which is what we're doing tonight. Um, and of course evaluating
and measuring how we're doing towards our goals with the instruction that we're providing. And I also put our mission for our East Lancing Sexed Advisory Board um on that slide as well. Um, lifting up that we're looking for effective age appropriate sexuality
education that teaches respect for self, others, safety, health, um, healthy life skills, and that we do that in partnership with families and the community. on the next slide there because you'll hear me reference this frequently, the Michigan A throughK standards. So, um,
as I mentioned, state law says that districts that are providing education need to, um, align with, uh, state standards in terms of content. So, these are those standards. They're called A through K because that's just how they're listed, um, in our health standards. Um, and so, as I refer to
those, that's what I'm talking about is those are the standards that we're looking for. So um on the next page um I listed what we're currently doing for HIV STI um education in terms of the core curriculums that we're using. So fourth through sixth we're using puberty of the
one puberty the wonder years 7th through 8th and 9th um and 9th through 12th so high school we use the Michigan model curriculum and so I've been in this role now I think this is my third year um and when I first came on immediately I started to get some feedback from both
students and and teachers um that with the Michigan model curriculum that they were currently using there were some challenges one being it wasn't up todate so the Michigan model um did just undergo some updates this summer, but prior to that had not had any updates for some time. Um, I think it was almost
a decade. Um, and a lot has changed in a decade in terms of the kind of digital environment our students are in. Um, as well as a lot has changed, frankly, in HIV prevention and treatment um, that wasn't there. So, we've done a lot of supplemental approvals. Um, but that
also becomes challenging for educators because they have their core curriculum and then they have a lot of like add-ons that they need to incorporate and still keep that flow um to their instruction. Um, and also they were working out of paper binders and so they were really interested in having an online
curriculum that would keep all the presentations, the handouts, everything in a more uh manageable space. So that was sort of our charge. So last year 20242 25 school year uh we pulled together a committee um the committee included members of the SEB as well as
some educators and other district staff uh to guide that process. We went through uh searching quite a few curriculums. We used some criteria of we were looking for things that were more recently updated within the last two to three years. Um that it was inclusive,
comprehensive, abstinence-based. Uh the Eaton Resa gives a great curriculum guide that helped us sort of narrow down uh of course aligned with our Michigan A through standards and state law. Um looking for digitally accessible and was educator friendly in terms of how lesson
plans were laid out etc. and the resources associated and materials with the lessons were uh available to educators. Um and then cost and affordability was another factor. Um and so we narrowed it down to three curriculums. We did a deep curriculum
review of three curriculums. Um and out of those that review process, we elevated the rights, respect and responsibility curriculum, uh which is published by Advocates for Youth. Um it's a national curriculum. On the next slide, it kind of gives you an overview
of kind of the um principles of the the curriculum and the materials they developed. again very focused on the right to honest sexual health information for youth. Um that youth deserve respect and deserve um you know to be able to treat others with respect
um in terms of things that affect their health and well-being and that society has a responsibility to make sure young people have the tools they need to safeguard their health um and that young people have a responsibility to protect themselves. And so we piloted a sampling
of lessons. I should back up and say we initially were trying to see if this would be a fit for 7th 8th as well as 9th through 12th. Uh we selected a set of lessons that we piloted at the end of last year. And out of that pilot we determined that really this was a great
fit. We thought for 9th through 12th, not so much for 7th and 8th. So we have another process. We're back on the hunt looking for a 7th and 8th replacement. Um but what we're recommending tonight is for 9th through 12th through our high school.
Um just a couple of the characteristics. Um the content um covers things like consent boundaries, anatomy, healthy relationships, um all the STI, HIV, pregnancy prevention um core concepts we
would expect. It also includes material on safe online interactions which is an important update given the environment many of our young people are operating in. Um as well as growth and development. Um and the other thing that we really liked or the SEB and the review committee really liked about this
was um it's very interactive and focused on skill development. And so that's critically important because we want young people to have the opportunity to practice skills like communication, refusal skills, decision- making, um analyzing choices or information they
might be receiving because when they're in the moment in their life where they need to implement those skills, we want them to be comfortable and be practiced. All right. And then the next slide gives you an overview of the content for the Michigan aligned high school version of
rights, respect, and responsibility. Uh there's 13 lessons which covers um you can kind of see those themes kind of reflected in those 13 lessons. There's also four supplemental lessons. So what we're recommending tonight is all 13 plus those four supplemental lessons.
And then just I mentioned Michigan align. So this was another feature we very much appreciated about this curriculum which is um it is a national curriculum but they have actually produced um tailored versions of it specific to state uh regulations and standards. So there is a Michigan
specific version. So that's what we're recommending here. Um what's really nice about that is that sometimes you get a curriculum and then we as a district have to like cruise through it and make sure that we think it aligns with A through standards and meet state law. It's nice to have a curriculum where that work has kind of already been done
by the professionals that produce it. Um and then we're just really reviewing for fit and content um for our district. So um so that's sort of the nuts and bolts there. So the version that we're recommending is the Michigan adapted version which meets all of our state
laws, aligns with our A through standards. Um and it also features in its teacher guide some specific contours. So, the teacher guide is also um matched up for our state. Um and this last one I forgot to update since we did our community meeting, but
I guess I'll say that um the process for how we approve curriculum. Um as I mentioned, we got our committee together. Uh we reviewed curriculum. Um from that, we identified at least one curriculum we wanted to pilot. That was the rights respect responsibility. We
ran the pilot. We made an assessment at the sex ed education advisory board. Uh based on the feedback from that pilot, we did just conduct a community meeting last Tuesday, gosh, last week, November 5th. Was that Wednesday? It was Wednesday. So, we had a community
presentation. So, we had uh a handful of parents come out to check out the curriculum, review it, ask questions. Um and so that was a great feedback and largely kind of confirm that parents were largely supportive of what we were
putting forward as a recommendation. Um, so now we're at the process uh point in the process here where uh we're holding our first uh hearing and so look forward to collecting more feedback um and and questions and anything else I can do to
help with the process of uh this last leg of the review process. So I think that concludes the presentation and any questions you have I'm happy to take. >> Are there any questions for Miss Scott? Um I do have one question not related to
this curriculum but >> um in looking at the middle school curriculum >> how hard do you think it will be given that our teachers don't have certification >> it actually um so I mentioned that Michigan model did do some updates this
summer and actually the middle school the seventh eth curriculum they did do some pretty significant updates for that set um and that is HIV STI focused which is by because they don't have a health certification. They can teach the HIV STI portion just not the broader sexual
health education. Um so um we're just starting on the sex ed advisory board. We just put together a committee to look at those updates um and see if that'll be a good replacement and that will account for the fact that we don't have health certified teachers at seventh and eth.
>> Okay. >> Thank you. I have a random kind of selfish question, but um in talking to my son tonight at dinner about what was on the agenda for tonight and I mentioned this. He said, "Why do we have to learn sex ed in school? Why can't you teach it to
me?" Are there uh resources available for parents to amplify what's being taught at school? >> Absolutely. Yeah. So, um so a couple of things. So, the curriculum itself also kind of provides some um you know, worksheets. I know our our fourth through six curriculum is pretty heavy
with that. It always has like take-home work that is intended to engage students in conversation with their parents. Um we also the sexed advisory board has also put together a great list of resources. Um one of our board members worked with the East Lancing Public
Library to get like an entire book and reading list together that we can share out with parents. So um we try to make sure we make resources available for parents so they're ready for that. Um, and when we do our parent information nights, that's another thing we talk about is that your kids will be coming
home with questions and so you want to make sure you're prepared too so that you are ready for those conversations. >> Thank you. >> Along that line, I know last year you put together some separate workshops at night on gender and then Dr. Megan Moss did the awesome one on online
pornography and all that. Super beneficial. >> Are you planning more of those in 2026? Yeah, we're planning to do another community education event in the spring. So, um, and I I no spoiler alert, but I suspect it might be Dr. Megan Boss again because that was very wellreceived and
really good information. >> Great. >> Great. >> Any other questions for Miss Scott? >> Well, thank you for all that you do. I know this is it's a it's a big commitment and uh you're doing great work. So, thank you so much.
>> Well, thank you. So, I appreciate that. >> Thank you. >> Um, as uh as Miss Scott alluded to, uh, state law requires us to have two separate public comment sections uh, when we change anything about the the
sexite curriculum. So, now is the time for public comment. Miss Hor, have we had have any requests for public comment on this? >> Okay. >> All right. I don't see any requests for public comment. So, with that, I'm going to close this public hearing. So, we'll close this portion of the meeting. There
will be another opportunity for folks who want to weigh in on this if that's something that anyone's interested in doing. That'll be at our next meeting, the second phase of public comment. >> Yes. Yes. December >> December 8th. >> 8th. Thank you.
>> All right. And now is uh another opportunity for public comment. Is there any public comment more broadly beyond the topics we were just discussing? I don't believe there is. There's no public comment. Okay. So, we'll move on to uh board discussion. Um I placed an
item on the agenda for board discussion which I think may be a bit premature at this time. Uh we will be moving our regular meetings to our new administration building sometime after the first of the year. And so, um, I
wanted to have some conversations about what that's going to look like, but also how we might engage with the work happening in our buildings as well when we're kind of separate. One of the neat things about being at the high school and the middle school is that we're in the community. I think that's a conversation that we should have. Um,
but I am willing to postpone that conversation for a few weeks if we think that's wise. I I don't know what other what other board members want to if any other board members have thoughts about that. >> I think this just came up in facilities, right? So, we thought it came up a good
future board discussion, but um >> I'm open to tableabling it >> until you know >> I'd recommend also that maybe it be a topic at um academic and tech where Christian is present so he can explain
the technology. Um because there was a reason we are here for all of these meetings because when we knew we weren't going to be able to use the high school uh at the end of August uh that boardroom, we talked about rotating those meetings around to buildings, but
we talked to Christian about that and there's some um I mean we're recording and placing these meetings online, but we're not able to stream as the setup we have right here right now. So we're not streaming it. that would also likely be the case if we kept kind of boopping around and not having that set up. So, I
think getting Christian's input u maybe at academic and tech and bringing it back for consideration as part of the larger discussion would be worthwhile >> because I probably can't quite do it justice. >> Do we have an updated date on the new building?
>> Um we have uh right now furniture is slated to come the second week of December. So, it's unlikely we'll have our December 8th meeting in there, but we should be in there uh for January. >> Excellent. >> Mhm. >> And we often have an organizational
meeting in January where we talk about meetings. And so, when we have the meeting where we talk about meetings, that might be a good good time to do it. So, >> meeting about meetings. >> Yeah. >> So, uh but I that's something we can also discuss at academic and tech. I
think that's a fabulous idea. All right. Any other topics for board discussion before we move on? All right. Let's uh move on to the next item. The next item on the agenda, uh there's a recommendation for closed session. So, can I get a motion on that?
I move that the board of education go into close session pursuant to section 8H of the open meetings act to consult with the legal counsel regarding privileged attorney client communications and legal advice concerning school state aid section 31A.
>> Second. >> The motion was made by trustee Edel, seconded by trustee Taiki. Uh uh motion for close session requires a roll call vote. So, um, Miss O'or >> Trusty Martin,
>> yes. >> Trusty Lions, >> yes. >> Trusty Zel, >> yes. >> Trusty Ferris Highland, >> yes. >> Trusty Chambers, >> yes. >> And Trusty Taki, >> yes. >> All right. So, I don't know if this is
going to be a terribly long close session, but we are going to speak uh about some legal matters. So, uh, if you are in the audience, we ask that you go to the hallway, uh, for a few moments, and we will open the doors and let everybody back in once the close session
period is over. So, uh, thank you. All right, we're back, uh, in open session. Uh, thank you to everyone for being patient during the, uh, >> the closed session discussion. It went
longer than we expected. Um, so then we're back on the official record. We can move on to action items. And um, the first item on that list is this school aid act section
31A funding. Can I get a motion? I move that the board of education adopt the resolution to amend state school aid section 31A MCL 388.1631A to allocate funding for fiscal year 202526 to support school safety and
student mental health initiatives as presented. >> Second >> motion was made by trustee Edsil, seconded by trustee Ferris Highland. Does anybody want to make any public remarks about this?
>> I can interject. I can say a few things. Um, I think that um I think it's probably unconstitutional for the state
legislature to ask the board of education and the school district to do this. Um, I am an attorney, but I'm not that kind of an attorney. So, um, I don't deal with these constitutional issues every day. But um
what they're asking us to do implicates the state constitution of 1963. It implicates the fifth and 14th amendments of the US constitution. Um, effectively what they're asking is
that if we want to accept money to pay for safety, security, mental health supports in our buildings, then we have to wave our rights as a district to
attorney client privilege, which is um kind of a novel approach to these kinds of things. Um, and in my opinion, uh, not legal or constitutional, but I guess it's legal if they say it is until a
judge says it's not. Um, they put us in a hard position where they're, this could for our district mean half a million dollars or more. And so we're in this kind this position where we have to decide, do we take the money?
Um, and if we take the money, we put we could in theory put people in the district at risk in the future. So, it's um it is that was largely what we were discussing and I can't get into the particulars of the close session, but
that's the the tenor of the discussions. Um, and I, you know, I cannot in good conscience say that we're not going to accept money to support mental health in our buildings. And I cannot in good conscience tell our
superintendent to lay people off they've already hired to do this work. And so this is the position that we're in as a board right now. >> I agree, Chris. I think it's lose lose.
We're putting people at risk either way. >> And the number of times just since I've joined this board in January that I have had the opportunity to say to myself, thank goodness we have those mental health and safety teams in place. I don't know what we would have done if
they weren't there. Uh, makes it even harder. >> There was a lot to hate about this and the situation and position that were put in. Not the least of which is the process that this comes through and the lack of transparency that this legislator has legislation has
undertaken to have this happen. And I just I resent being put in this position. Are we prepared to move to a vote on this? >> Yeah, I am. >> All right. Um, all in favor of the motion as presented,
please say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposition? >> No. >> So, uh, the record reflect uh, five eyes, one no. Uh the next item is action item B, power
school litigation resolution. >> I move that the board of education approve the resolution related to the power school litigation as presented. >> Second. >> The motion was made by trustee Taiaki, seconded by Trustee Chambers. Uh is there any discussion on this action
item? All right. All in favor of the motion as presented, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposition? The motion carries unanimously. The next item is action item C, sex education guest speaker from the Lancing
Women's Center Empowering Youth Workshop, Understanding Consent for Dating and Life. I move that the board of education approve the Lancing Women's C Center's Empowering Youth Workshop Series, Understanding Consent for Dating and Life, facilitated by Dr. Samantha
Bave as the guest sex education speaker for students in grades 6 through 12. >> Second. >> The motion was made by Trustee Edel and seconded by Trusty Taiki. Is there any discussion on this action item? >> Yes, I would like to say something. Um,
I would like to say how excited I was to read this um and uh really in support of educating our students on consent. I don't know if everyone on this board knows, but I for the past two years have been volunteering as a crisis advocate
for the MSU Center for Survivors, which means I get dispatched to residence halls and to the sexual assault healthcare program um to serve as an advocate for survivors and help them uh begin the process of processing what has happened to them. And I actually just
came out of a a meeting of all the crisis advocates right before arriving here. It is a monthly opportunity for us to share out the experiences and lessons learned as we've met with survivors. And every single time I'm dispatched and every single story I hear from other
advocates is how much we have to do myth busting, how much the victims, the survivors blame themselves, um, and how much they don't understand that their consent has been violated. >> In every single one of these situations, it's critical that we start educating
students on this as early as possible. And I strongly support this. >> Well said. Well said. Yeah. Is there any other discussion on this action item? All right. All in favor of the motion as
presented, please say I. I. >> Any opposition? >> The motion carries unanimously. The next action items is action item D, sex education guest speaker, Lancing Area AIDS network presentation on gender and sexuality. I move that the board of education
approve the addition of gender and sexuality presented by Katie Tricky as a sex education guest speaker for students in grades 9 through 12. >> Second. >> Motion is made by Trusty Edsil, seconded by Trustee Chambers. Is there any
discussion on this action item? Hearing none. Uh all in favor of the motion as presented, please say I. I. >> Any opposition? The motion carries unanimously. The next uh item on the agenda is
committee reports. We have uh first up academic and technology. Trusty Lions. >> Um no report other than we have a meeting um December 1st at noon in the hub. >> December 1st at noon.
Facilities committee trusty ferris. We met last week, got updates um from Nikki on fall sports and Billy on fall maintenance. Um we they had a great fall sports season and all fall maintenance has been
completed. Hot water heaters are going to be um go in over Thanksgiving break. We're going to have um um an upcoming proposal for a boiler too at the high school coming our way. Um, and bids for an athletic activity
sprinter van is going to come our way soon. Um, to help with transportation for smaller activity and sports groups. So, that was that's exciting. Um, and as far as athletics, the M MMS
sports um, being in house now versus the city has been going really great. Um, Nikki has still been transitioning um, Mr. White and he's done an excellent job. So, um, that transition has went well as expected and we don't have another meeting set, but we're going to
meet after the new year. >> Thank you, Trusty Ferris Highland. Uh, finance committee Trusty Edel. >> I left my notes on the counter, so I'm reading off of a picture. >> Um, the biggest discussion was the section uh 31A that we just uh passed a
resolution on. Um the tuition weights have been set for non-resident pupils. That was in everyone's items of information uh for tonight and will get voted on at our next meeting. Um some brief discussion about the board of water and light settlement which um in
total will be about $300,000. Uh most of that has already come in so far. and um Comica has been our uh long-term banking
partner and uh it looks like there is in the works Fifth Thirds to acquire Comica. It has not been approved yet. Um but that's just something we need to keep an eye on down the line. you know, just require um you know, redoing all
the signatures and and um etc. So, that was pretty much it on it was a very short finance meeting. >> I've always saw that fifth, third is a confusing name for a bank. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Not the fourth. >> An improper fraction. It just doesn't
>> Oh my gosh. This is not a sentence I have ever uttered in my life. that you intergovernmental relations trustee Torres is not here tonight. Uh does anybody is there any updates from Intergovernmental?
>> Um we did meet um and oh gosh when did we meet? >> The 29th. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um and we had some uh who was that? Mark Meadows came um from the city um had some good discussion. uh agreed
that um we'll meet again uh in the new year to come together and have a bigger meeting with um our our two boards and have more discussion. Was there something else that we talked about? >> Library. >> Is there anything on the library topic?
>> Library. >> Yes. But I don't >> the city manager is going to follow up with the library on existing program and we're in convers we'll be in conversation with the library board prior to the school year
>> is what's in our minutes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I don't have all the notes there. She sent them but I don't have that on my phone. >> That's that's a very that's that's more than more than enough uh policy uh personnel. There's uh no updates. Policy
committee trusty soul. >> Yeah, we actually had a very busy policy meeting. Um what do what is the title of policy 55 5405 that went to the principles? It it has to do with
>> parent engagement um plan >> for the title one. >> Title one. Okay. So it it's a policy regarding the >> parent engagement plan for title one. So it um the the actual title one schools
uh Red Seedar Donley and um Green uh had to kind of work together to add items into that policy. Dory's in the review process of their additions and uh I believe it was in items of information tonight. It's coming.
>> Um yes. >> No. Didn't quite get there. Okay. >> Yep. It'll be there in the next couple days, but we'll still in time for action at the uh December meeting. >> Okay. >> Awesome. Um there were a couple other new trun updates. Um the biggest one
with policy 3118 was the ch was the addition of the change in the definition of criminal sexual conduct. Um that went to items of information and uh there was a very slight change to policy 4113 that just added a number on
that page. So, those two need to be voted on. Then there's a form that won't come to us. That'll just go right to administration. Um, a long time coming working on a policy regarding uh media center materials. Um, it this policy has gone
through uh Kathy Kowalsski, Claudia and Glenn worked on it with academic tech. Um, we did a lot of edits at policy meeting and now I have sent it on to Trun uh to try to turn it into an official policy and uh we'll bring it back to policy
after that. Um we discussed the the um school the high school social justice club has made a request to uh have the land grant acknowledgement uh at at uh meetings such as this and uh athletic
events as well as plaques in the schools. Um there's been discussion going on for over a year uh about that without any substantive additional work. It just feels very performative. And so the club is going
to meet with um an individual from the Nokamus Learning Center after the MSAN conference and policy committee will wait to see what what comes of that. Um, we've also continued to work on the renaming policy
for items smaller than buildings like trees and plants and benches and plaques. Um, and Dory's going to take the suggestions we got from Trune to the principles and see what adjustments should be made. And then our last item was again the 31A grant funding. And
then that was it. >> Thank you, Trusty Zel. Um is OOA trusty Daki? >> Yes. Uh so if you'll remember, we were invited to have an in-person meeting uh to tour the Beakman Center. Kath joined us. Um and I'm going to give you a
pretty big update on it because it was a very impactful meeting for me. Um the Beakman Center built in 1968 was the first of its kind at it was a worldclass standard setting school to educate children and young adults with special needs. But with the exception of one roof replacement, it has not been
renovated since it was built. Um when the ISD took it over a couple years ago, um there was black mold in every classroom. The tiling of the floor is still asbestous tiling. Um the pool is empty because when they tried to fill it, the water left and then the sewers
backed up into the pool, so it's not safe. Um the classroom sizes are insufficient for the needs of our students that are there. Um and the way that um Superintendent Melma put it was you would not send this kid to you would not send your kid to this school. And he
was absolutely right. Um but the good stuff that we saw, we witnessed student drop off, all the buses arrive and all the students get dropped off simultaneously. The staff and educators that were there to greet all the students by name um and and and in
according to each students particular needs was um amazing to see. Um it reminded me of of you know the vibes that I got watching drop off and pick up at our schools here in East Lancing. Um the school inside has like a Main Street
USA setup and a um and an apartment so that these students can practice skills for independent living like how to cross the street, how to mail a letter to the, you know, post office. There was an amazing sensory classroom which as we were just walking by there was a student
who uh was going in to use the sensory classroom. She walked right up to me, grabbed my hand, and took me into that classroom with her and and gave me like an immersive experience in this sensory classroom. It was so amazing. She had her educator play her favorite song. We
we slapped the mats in the beat to the song. Uh we laid down and took a little rest, you know, and like centered ourselves. It was just um incredible. And it made me uh really sad to watch the amazing like expertise and
compassion um and the conditions under which the uh administrative staff and teachers in this school are working under. Um in the coming months the ISD is putting forth a bond proposal to build a brand new facility on the same property and to also renovate Hartwood
School in Lancing that serves similar special need population. and I will be enthusiastically and emphatically advocating for East Lancing to approve that bond. Um, and the reason behind it for me is simple, which is that our mission statement is nurturing each
child and educating all students. And we have students that attend these schools that are East Lancing students and they deserve the same, you know, level of care and resources that we gave all the other students in East Lancing when we built new elementary schools for them.
>> Yeah. Um, our next meeting is on December 3rd. >> Thank you. >> If I could attack attach out to that one of the, you know, it was like deja vu all over again that as walking through that building, I felt like I was walking
through Pinerest of Old or Donley of old. >> You know, they're built in the same time period. probably probably more money went into Beakman than the others, but they they they're beyond their useful life. >> And it's like there is no fix that's
just going to make this building do all of the things. And um Hartwood um is probably a little newer, and a little better shape, but it still is really problematic. Neither school has a safer,
secure entry. Um and uh and the for those parents that do bring their children, it's not really a great drop off and pickup. So, a lot of the same things that we've seen with our schools um are problems in those schools. And um
and so um yeah, I would absolutely support the bond. There's some there's some problems getting moving forward on the bond right at this point because of the shutdown. There are some steps in getting getting going on fundraising for a yes committee that you can't do until
you get approval. And that approval has to you can't take any money until that approval has happened. And so um there are some things uh being held up right now, but I've uh mentioned to the superintendent that I would greatly help with that bond. And I agree with Abby in that it's like these are these are our
kids. I mean my daughter goes to Hartwood. She is an East Lancing student. She just gets served in Hartwood. And same thing with the kids at Beakman. They have little um outside of the classrooms, they have little like cards that just say which schools the
kid which school districts the kids in that room are from. And so you go around the building and you see that these kids are from every school district in our county. Uh and so it's important that you know we do this for every kid in in our county >> and every educator and staff member that
deserves >> a nice building. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> A safe building, an educationally functional building. Yeah. >> And a pool that's not disgusting. >> Right. >> You're here. >> It's a good one.
>> Um All right. Uh the next item on the agenda is announcements. Our next meeting is um December 8, 2025. There's no meeting Thanksgiving week. So, uh see you guys in December. And I think that
should be our last meeting of the year unless we have some uh cause to have an unscheduled meeting. So uh I guess prepare accordingly for that. Are there any any other announcements?
All right. Stand adjourned at 9:01. Thank you all for being here. Enjoy the rest of your night.