Good evening. >> Good evening. >> This is a regular meeting of the Ferndale Schools Board of Education held May 18th, 2026. Our meeting is being video recorded and will be posted on the Ferndale Schools YouTube channel. All meetings in the Ferndale schools are held in public in compliance with the
Open Meetings Act. Printed documents discussed in tonight's meeting are available to the public upon request with the exception of any information protected by student or employee privacy rights. Board meeting information is posted on our website at ferndalechools.org. org. If you do not have internet access and need
information, please contact the board offices at 248-5868652 by Thursday of the week prior to the meeting and district staff will do their best to work with you. Before we get in the agenda, we are in a different place. It was not built for acoustics. So,
everybody's got to use their outside voices tonight. Uh so, we can all all hear everything. So, if you can't hear us, please raise your hand and let us know. We will let you know if you're up there. We can't hear you. So appreciate uh flexibility. Uh it is very hot in the other room. Uh so that is why we are
here for everyone's comfort. So thank you. Uh with that item 1.1 roll call. Miss Shepard >> here. >> Here President Del >> here. >> All right. Item 1.2 approval of the
agenda. After looking through the agenda, does anyone have any edits or comments? Seeing none, the agenda is approved. Item two, public comment. This is the time for public
participation in the meeting. The board of education intends for the public to have many opportunities to address the board and administration of their school district. These include email, phone calls, face-to-face meetings, community gatherings, public hearings, and other public meetings. We welcome individual and group input into the important
issues that confront our schools. As noted at the top of the agenda, this is a meeting of the school board open to the public. We want to provide fair and impartial guidelines for participation as required by the open meetings act and to encourage transparency and equal treatment for everyone in attendance. We also recognize that an effective meeting
facilitates better decisions and promotes openness by allowing more people to stay for the full length of the meeting. To meet these goals, please note the following. We ask that you identify yourself and list contact information on a comment sheet to help administrators follow up with you on your comment. If you don't wish to do so
in writing, please identify yourself at the podium. And if you need a response, please provide contact information with an administrator after the meeting. I will call on the people who have completed comment sheets first. Each person will have one opportunity to address the board for up to three minutes. Comments or questions should be
directed to the board president. The secretary or vice president will raise her hand when your time is within a few seconds of expiring. This period of public comments is for non-aggenda items and issues that are on the agenda. Public comments will close at the end of this part of the agenda. In the event
that the number of people wishing to comment requires longer than 30 minutes, public comment will be temporarily postponed after 30 minutes and time will be added to the end of the meeting for those who did not get a chance to speak. Complaints about staff should be made outside of board meetings and should follow the applicable board policy. Please contact the superintendent's
office if you have any questions regarding this item. The board cannot respond to complaints about employees in public. This is meant to promote fairness to the staff person and the complaint. The Ferndale public schools community acts with great civility toward one another. Please help us maintain that tradition during public
comment. So we have three uh folks who submitted public comment on the sheets. Uh after that we'll take additional folks who are interested in speaking. Uh first up we have Lily Shapiro and Jessica is our secretary and will
let us know if we when you hit the three minute mark. Hello. Good evening everybody. My name is Lily Pink Shapiro. I'm glad to be here tonight. I'm honestly very glad to be here that we are here discussing technology. I think thank you all for taking this issue so seriously and
devoting some of your brain and time to this topic. So intentional technology policy from school boards is no longer this theoretical idea. Across the United States there is real momentum around this issue. School district leaders and
board members are paying attention to the research. Also just observing what is happening in classrooms and in hallways and are responding to this very clear reality that unrestricted access to technology throughout the school day is just not in the best interest of
children that we serve. There is a growing body of research. Not last time we were here, we demonstrated, we talked about some of the research about the harms of technology in classrooms. And now I want to share that there is a growing body of research about the positive impacts of limiting the use of
cell phones, tablets, and laptops in classrooms and other school spaces. We've also seen examples of this from around the country. So I sent you guys an email earlier today with this with the policies uh recently adopted by the Baltimore schools, LA schools, and in
Bend, Oregon as three examples. These school districts are finding that once they created board policy around more intentional use of tech, they are reduced distractions and disruptions to learning, increased student engagement. They're seeing improved focus. They're
seeing more efficient use of instructional time, more positive school climates, more opportunities for students to develop and practice their social skills, fewer disciplinary problems and conflicts between students, and reduce social media use during the
school day. Um, again, the LA, maybe you heard it made national headlines, the Los Angeles school board just passed a policy that sets daily and weekly screen time limits based on grade level. They prohibit elementary school students and middle
school students from using devices during passing periods, lunch, recess, and they block YouTube on districts devices. There you can read in many articles that LA is hoping that their model serves as a model for school boards across the country. And I'm here tonight to ask you
to please be this kind of leadership. This is what we want to see. We are seeing this sea change across the country and we want Ferndale public schools to be a part of it and see what's happening. Um, as a parent in this district, my role is very clear. I remain focused on
improving the daily learning experiences of every child who attends Ferno public schools. And I really just urge the board to move forward by making a clear comprehensive policy that takes a clear stand,
gets into the details, and protects instructional time, supports student well-being, and puts students before screens. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Next up, we have Sarah
Pitchford. >> Hi, my name is Sarah Pitchford. I'm also here to talk about technology. I have two daughters in lower elementary for a few more weeks. Um, I also want to thank the board for opening this conversation and inviting parent input. I appreciate
that this is being approached thoughtfully and collaboratively and like and quickly. Um, that's really hopeful to see. I do not think anyone here is anti-technology. I think we are asking the same question. What kind of learning environment best supports children academically, socially,
emotionally, and developmentally? Uh there's been a lot of recent attention on removing phones from school and the evidence is becoming clearer and clear. Phones negatively impact attention, learning, discipline, student mental health, and like Lily said, research has
shown that phone bands unequivocally improve academic outcomes. Obviously, the numbers are still coming out, but I would like us to encourage to continue to broaden that conversation beyond phones and also examine schoolisssued devices on Chromebooks, tablets, and
laptops. Despite years of one-on-one device implementation, national reading, math, and science scores have continued to decline. Research suggests students comprehension and retention information. They retain information more deeply
through paper reading, handwriting and um rather than screens and typing. Handwriting also strengthens memory, literacy and recall. Uh my kids spend a lot of time in OT and I feel sad that they don't get a lot of practice to write. Um, teachers and parents are also
seeing the day-to-day realities in classrooms, distractions, gaming, inappropriate content, AI feels like a big thing to tackle. Fractured attention, reduced engagement, and even strong IT IT systems are really struggling to keep up. Um, I also think it's fair to ask whether the ongoing
cost of devices, software maintenance, monitoring systems, and replacements are producing the outcomes we hope for. Even with things like -ate support, districts are still carrying significant expenses while trying to balance staffing, intervention services, librarians. I
heard something like 20% of schools actually have a librarian that's like a certified librarian services, arts, and other essential supports in the classroom. I'm not suggesting that we eliminate technology. Technology has a place. We just have to get intentional about it. So, I am asking us to consider
developmentally informed, evidence-based, grade level, and schoolwide policies that prioritize intentional use over just use. Um, I just as an additional ask, because I'm here, would love to see the district form a family advisory board or a collaborative committee to help support
this culture shift. Research is evolving very quickly and policy should evolve with it. It's going to take a lot of effort to keep up with it. families, educators, administrators, and students all bring important perspectives, and ongoing collaborate collaboration would help make decisions balanced, informed,
and responsive over time. I believe this district has the opportunity to lead this conversation in a thoughtful way that keeps children's learning and well-being at the center is time. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Next up, Jamie Solomon.
Good evening. My name is Jamie Solomon and I'm the parent of twin third graders at Fuel. Professionally, I've worked in education for nearly 20 years. Tonight, I am once again urging Ferndale public schools to re-evaluate its current
technology practices and move toward a more balanced, thoughtful, and developmentally appropriate approach to technology in education. As parents, we are witnessing firsthand how our district's over reliance on screens is affecting not only our children's
learning experiences, but also their social emotional development, attention spans, creativity, and ability to meaningfully connect with others. We need guard rails. I want to begin by expressing my appreciation to
Superintendent Hibler for taking this issue is issue seriously and to the board for engaging in this conversation. I'm hopeful that that the district will move toward robust policy changes and clear developmentally appropriate guidelines that reflect the needs of
children at each school level. One month ago, a group of parents and I circulated a petition outlining several specific recommendations. These requests were grounded in the work and research of experts including Jonathan hate, Gene Twang, and Jared Cooney Horvath,
respected voices in psychology, neuroscience, and the science of learning. Our recommendations include establishing daily maximum screen time limits by grade level, eliminating device use during indoor recess, brain
breaks, and other free time, prioritizing curriculum and instructional practices that are not screenbased. requiring independent thirdparty research for district approved ed tech
programs along with opt out alternatives for families removing non-educational applications from schoolisssued devices including YouTube requiring explicit family optin for generative AI tools such as chat GBT and
Google Gemini prohibiting smartphone use during the school day. These recommendations are not intended to limit the rights or accommodations of students with IEPs or 504 plans. More than 550
community members signed this petition. So, this is not the concern of a small handful of parents. Rather, it reflects a growing and deeply shared concern across our district community. When students are tethered to individual devices at school, they miss out on
essential face-to-face interactions. Over reliance on devices stifles creative and critical thinking and is taking the place of our teachers teaching foundational skills. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> All right. Uh do others in the audience wish to speak? >> Yes. Uh, just ask you provide your name and uh, address. >> Catelyn Erdman, 414 Wsworth in Ferndale, Michigan. Um, I'm not going to talk
long. They I I just want to be on the record to say I 1,000% support what these women here have spent all this time. I want to be thankful that they spent so many hours. I My kids's in the monastery class right now and he's leaving and he's going to go into the
regular fourth grade. And one of the biggest things that I'm potentially not going to have him in there for is the extensive use of technology. Like he's an incredible child. We don't do technology at our
house very much at all. we limit like I read the research consistently on the regular basis and our home I feel like it's kind of an upstream battle so sending him somewhere where it's just going to be I don't want to call it a battle but that's what it feels like so I
appreciate you guys listening I appreciate everybody's time I appreciate your time and I'm I'm excited about Ferndale particularly because of um Superintendent Hibler and all of your coming together are here to listen to us. But I I just want to be on the
record to say that the the technology used it. I completely agree and I just want to stand up for that. >> Thank you. Thank you for your time. >> Is there anyone else from the audience that would like to speak?
>> Okay. Um I think as we discussed uh at the committee the whole uh superintendent Hiller presented policy at committee the whole uh we wanted to use this meeting to get feedback from the public. We will be talking as a board at the next
committee in the whole meeting. Uh so obviously encourage you to attend and be part of that conversation. So thank you all for for coming out. Uh that I'm going to close public comment. Um item three, superintendent update.
Superintendent Hler. >> Good evening. Um so I'm very excited. Um I I've spent numerous weekly updates to the board. Um Ann mentioned in a number of communications to the community about
our impending um partnership with United Way of Southeast Michigan. Um, so I'm very excited to have representation from the organization to talk through a little bit more about what the partnership um is shaping into looking
like. So I'm going to ask them to come up and share a little bit more about our impending pro uh partnership. >> Thank you for that introduction, Superintendent Hibler. Thank you, Mr. President, members of the board for having us here to talk about the school district alliance. My name is Jeff
Miles. I'm the su superintendent. I'm the vice president of community impact at United Way for southeastern Michigan. Um and in that role, I get to see a lot of the work that we do in community. Um from 211 call centers to our energy assistance programs to the summer
discovery work that we are partnered on uh as well throughout a school time. But when I think about, you know, programs that truly embody what our mission and vision is. And if you want to go to the ne next slide, um the school district alliance really is one of those. It is
working in deep partnership to put people first to really drive results while also advancing equity, doing that in a way that we're continuously improving on how we deliver those results. And really, we really, really, really appreciate the partnership. You
know, what we're going to be doing is endeavoring around what we know works. We've been in this community schools work a long time at this at this point. We've invested millions of dollars, and we have strong partners uh to keep the funding going. But we're going to do what works. We're going to continue to
endeavor around getting integrated supports into the schools, meeting students and families where they're at. We're going to continue our strong focus on family engagement, and we're going to do it all through a shared leadership model that holds us accountable and centers students and families in the
work. So, on behalf of myself, our CEO and president, Dr. Darien Hud Hudson, herself, a lifelong educator, and our entire leadership team, thank you for the opportunity, and I'm going to turn it over to my colleague, Dana Browning, who's going to share a little bit more about what the model is. Thank you.
>> All right. and parents. I'm a former middle school teacher, so I'll make sure to use that that voice for you. If you can hop over to the next slide. So, um, Dana Browning, I'm our community schools director. I want to talk a little bit more about what the school district alliances and what a perfect place with
both our school board and our families and community here in one room together. So, um, our alliance is based on on the work that Jeff was mentioning about community schools and the framework and it's, uh, the evidence base and what
we've seen that's working in this region and we want to expand this support network as a community partner for district level support. So, next slide. So, just a little bit on the evidence
base for this model. Uh we base our work in four pillars. Integrated student supports, family and community engagement, expanded learning time and enrichment opportunities, and collaborative leadership. And if we keep going, I'll tell you a little bit about
each of those slides. So collaborative leadership um we know that evidence is showing that collaborating take sharing ownership and um working together enhances student inch achievement reduces teacher turnover creates that climate and
culture and that place where Ferndale is where we want to be and where we're proud to be. If you can go to the next slide. So what is this going to look like with our alliance? So, we're going going to be providing professional development and support based on what needs we see
in Ferndale, what we're hearing from our community, from our parents, from our students, from our teachers, from our support staff all across the district. Um, we'll be supporting and standing up a district level community council built together with community members, partner
organizations like United Way, and school board members and teachers and staff. Um, we'll be tracking that data and assessment and seeing what works and what our needs are. So, what are the resources that we already have as a district? How can we work together to
identify and build on the needs? Um, and I love that we're hearing that already from families, from teachers. And so, that's kind of the a brief of collaborative leadership. You can go to the next slide. So, integrated student
supports, we've been talking a lot about what that school day looks like and how it expands beyond the walls of the classroom. If you can keep going, we started out this meeting with Superintendent Hibler showing pictures
of the soapbox derby race that her children are participating in at one of our other community schools. And I think that's kind of one of those perfect I'm talking about the wrong slide. We're talking about integrated supports. Save that for enrichment. >> Soap box enrichment. Integrated student
supports. This district is going to have a 211 social navigator connected to our 211 network. They will be a United Way employee, but embedded in this district to help bridge that divide between district and community providers. We'll
be developing that clear referral pathway so that when schools and families need something, the community and partners are better able to meet needs. Keep going. Family and community engagement and keep going to the next
slide. So what it'll look like more of that professional development, building that deeprooted community school council. We'll be providing families in Ferndale with a subscription if they want to to
parent powered a textbased supportive parenting tool. We'll also be running a version of parent university. It's a six week course to help parents gain skills or learning around childhood development and needs in our community. Um, and
again, we'll be tracking all of the data and seeing where the marker is moving and what those outcomes look like for Ferndale and adjusting as we go. And now I'm going to talk about the expanded learning and enrichment. So, as I said, we have we bring opportunities with many
of our community partners. You can go to the next slide. Um, we have STEM possible at the Michigan Science Center where last fall we had over 500 uh, fourth graders there with hands-on immersive experiences. We continue to offer that and expand it to more
students. We have other opportunities like field trips and uh, hands-on events like the soapbox derby in Flint. Um, and so this is really kind of that expansive model of of the four pillars
of what we know helps increase student achievement, decrease behavior incidents, increase attendance, and also bring the community together so that we can be a central responsive hub for meeting needs of Ferndale families and
students. Next slide. And that's it. It if we have time for questions, I'm happy to take any. Um, and if not, we'll be around for a while hopefully. >> Um, if I could, just before questions, if there are any, I just want to say how
this has been the best. Um, we've literally spent the entire school year so far developing this partnership. And I'm not sure if the community or if the board realized, but in those yellow boxes on each slide, you'll notice that the outcomes are already aligned to our
dynamic dynamic plan. So, we talked about increased attendance. We talked about uh oh, I can't see. Um, we talked about increased attendance and we talked about like just student engagement and we talked about parent university. Um, I
I I hope the community sees the importance of like collab collaborative leadership um and and things like that. So they have been great about kind of just teeing up and working with us to make sure that this isn't just like a program that we just they put in place at every school they work with, but it
is extremely personalized to Ferndale and it's still being developed. Um, so just the invitation to for our fourth graders to attend STEM possible even though we're not a community school just yet, but we just appreciate the pre-artnership um before the official
partnership and this has just been just a a great road um going it's been great going down this road and we're really excited. So I just wanted to make sure that that was highlighted and knows it's already aligned to our um dynamic plan goals. This will be another partnership that'll help us to achieve them.
>> Yeah. Thanks for that and reiterating it's a design your own journey based and rooted on these evidence models that we have. So we'll be working together as a community to pave our path forward.
>> Uh questions from the board. >> I appreciate all the work that you put into making this. I'm excited about the partnership and exciting. >> Yeah. No, this is truly exciting. I mean, that slowly saying everyone just uh uh I mean
>> these are the biggest challenges we have, right? Uh and to to be able to have more resources and uh learn from what you all have seen that's been successful is fantastic. I was going to give you flowers for aligning them. Uh did a great job of the the goals. Uh but
yeah, this is really exciting. looking forward to um updates in the once we start launching the program. But thank you all for all the work you did. >> Yeah, thank you so much. We're excited to be in Ferndale. >> One more one more big flag just because I I have a number of community members in the audience.
>> So there's going to be another survey that's coming. Just want to highlight that. >> Um we just, you know, it's just our baseline data that we're gathering. Just want to hear your voice again. So we are trying really hard not to inundate you
but it's another survey that's coming related to this work. So I just you know opportunity I promise >> of course it is >> just wanted to flag that. Thank you so much. >> Um item 3.2 scholarship recognition. Um,
so I am going to hand this over to Deputy Superintendent Wright for this extremely wonderful announcement. >> It is. It's a wonderful announcement. I I need to apologize. It's Mr. Farah had to step out. He has another emergency with a client, but he's coming back in.
Can we move this item or should I just go ahead? Give me a item. Oh, I can do a seal. Listen, I have to stand up if
we're recording. Hello. How are you guys? >> Good. How are you? >> I want to apologize. I was not trying to delay anything. I just ran into a situation and we couldn't fix it. So, no worries. >> Mr. Far, I actually would love to read some of what the students wrote in their
applications to begin. Yes. I'll allow you to to introduce yourself to the audience. >> Very good. >> Go ahead. >> I am uh Alex Farha. I am director of educational services for RNA facilities management. I oversee all the school districts that we have. The young lady that's sitting right there is our account manager for the Ferndale public
school contract. >> Okay. Can you hear me? A little bit like a lap. No, that's not going to >> project. Nope. >> I don't have a teacher voice, everyone. I'm sorry. Okay. So, uh, Miss Allison Shepard,
is she still here? >> Yes, she is. >> Come on up, Miss Shepard. >> So, where we need to begin is RNA Facilities Management is our service provider for custodial and maintenance services. Last year when we made the commitment to renew um their their um
contract, they made a commitment to Ferndale indicating they really wanted to give back to the students that they service. And so this is the first year, right, we've awarded these scholarships. Each student is going to receive $2,000
towards um their education, their trade school, whatever they decide to do after graduation. Okay. So Allison completed the application. and we're so grateful for it. Allison is a Ferndale High School now. I You haven't graduated yet, but senior, right? Not officially. That's
the 31st. Graduation is May 31st at Wayne State University. Allison uh is planning to attend Michigan State University. >> Go green. >> Go black. Okay. She knew it. >> Uh Allison is a member of the National
Music Honor Society, National Honors Society, Marching Band, Student Government. Um she's a c a pool member for the theater. Um volunteers with Friends of Ferndale Library and the Detroit Zoological Society. We're really
proud of you. >> Thank you, Alison. >> Alison, thank you so much. >> Oh, no. Don't get stand right here. We want to give you a take a picture. >> Going to give you the ability to be able to take a picture. >> If you want to come stand right here,
>> Mr. Far, please shake her. We'll do the ceremonial. Let me appreciate myself. >> You want to take resp. Okay. Uh >> Mariah
>> is Mr. Mr. Kari McKenley here. >> Let's get a brief. >> Okay, hers. We'll go next. Um Milin Scott is also a high a Ferndale High School senior. Milin is planning to
attend Michigan State University. Um she could not be here this evening. Um, some of her interests are the National Honor Society, National Technological Honor Society, Ferndale Cheering, uh, Cheerleading Captain, Yearbook Club, Art Club, Class of 26 representative,
Student Leadership, Soundbody and Mind, and Class Ambassador. Okay. And she wasn't able to. Next is Daria McKinley, and she's a student of University High School. She couldn't make it this evening. Um, she's
planning on becoming a social worker and she works at Starbucks, so holding down a job. Can't can't hate her for that, right? Or or um be dismissive of the fact that she couldn't be here tonight. But nonetheless, um she wants a career where she can make a a real difference
in people's lives, especially those who are going through difficult situations. Social work is where uh she'll be allowed to support individuals, families, and communities by providing guidance and resources. She also has an interest in interior
designing. Okay. Mariah Manning. Did Mariah make it tonight? Hi, Mariah. Mariah is also a Ferndale High School student. Mariah is planning to attend
Howard University, HU. She's a part of the Liberty Temple dance team. uh she plans to go to the university and obtain a bachelor's degree in sports medicine and kinesiology depending on the school uh
she decides to attend. Right. That's it for Mariah's get a picture. >> I I also would like to bring up I don't know if you guys can hear me. I also would like to bring up the fact that I come from the medical world. I had a physical therapy center and that's what she's going to be going to school for
and I think the reason behind her going to school for physical therapy. I used to do a visiting position. A lot of the patient care that we saw when we visited these patients homes really really terrible especially in Detroit. So to hear that that's what you're going to be doing. I really want to shake your hand
just for that separate from this. Thank you so much. Make sure you do one. Do one for >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, for dead. Oh, I didn't do it for >> What now? Okay. Okay. All right. Uh,
Katalina Cinfels. So, Catalina, I need to apologize to you because I completely goofed, right? You don't have the big check, but the real check it will you will have. Okay, that's all that matters. Okay. So, Kathleina is planning to attend the
University of Michigan, right? >> Go Blue. >> Yeah. >> Some of her interests include competitive figure skating. Yes. New Edge Figure Skating Club, Junior Board, Varsity Figure Skating Team, National Honor Society Member, College
Ambassador, uh, Minstston Hower, did I pronounce it correctly? Mr. Hower Institute for International Collaboration Program participant, Prague, Czech, uh, Ferndale High School Symphony Orchestra and a a varsity softball team. You're getting a
new field. Um, >> Katiana uh uh aspires to become a physician assistant because she wants to make a meaningful difference in people's lives by providing care that is both skilled and compassionate. Thank you so
much for >> that's it. >> Thank you so much. >> Those are all of our awardies for this evening. >> Is that all five? All right, very good. I want to thank you guys for the opportunity. I promise you next year we'll have all the checks and we'll make sure that everybody's here uh to be able to receive those. I think we didn't give
them enough notice and that's probably my fault. So, I apologize for that. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Item 3.3, teacher appreciation. Good evening. Um, I'm just looking over at my team right here. I believe that it is just supposed to be teacher ten.
>> Okay. >> Oh, then we got item 3.4 teacher tener recognition. >> Mr. Shelton. >> Good evening everybody. Uh, good evening everybody in the audience. Um, Tom Shelton, director of human resources for
the district. uh uh with a couple other hats that I wear as well. Uh here this evening to recognize a group of employees uh who have who are hitting a milestone uh currently or in the in the recent past. Uh as you may or may not
know uh teachers achieve a status called tenure uh when they have satisfied the requirements for their initial probationary period working for the school district. And there's very specific rules around that. Uh if somebody comes to us having had tenure in a previous district, they achieve
that after two years. Uh there's other situations where they achieve it in four. Uh but we're really proud this evening of to recognize a group of teachers uh who have achieved tenure status. Um and um one of the things I like to say in my role as HR director
for the district as I hire people coming into the district is I want to make this the last job interview that you ever go on. And uh so when somebody reaches this milestone and has been with us and is moving beyond their probationary period, it's a pretty exciting time. Uh I have
some certificates prepared and I'm going to ask some people to come up. Unfortunately, looking at the audience and looking at the stack of certificates I have this evening, it's very clear it's a very busy time of year. I believe we may have one or two in the audience who are able to come. Um but I'm going to acknowledge all these uh teachers
nonetheless for their achievement of tenure status this evening. Uh, first teacher I'd like to recognize is Kimberly Tracy from TCE. And since a lot of these people aren't gone, let's hold let's do a big round of applause at the end. Um, uh, but if folks in the audience, if you do hear
your name, please come up and we'll give you a round of applause on the spot. Okay. Um, Ana Beanfeld from FECC. also from FECC, Nina Thomas, uh, orchestra teacher, FMS, FHS, Lynden
Doo, also at Ferndale Upper Elementary, Byron Lewis, Ferndale High School. We'll do a group picture at the end. Uh, also Fdale High School, Jacob Mikula. Uh, Ferndale High School. Lauren
Roberts, Ferndale High School. Melissa Blessing Nelson, uh, Ferndale High School. Kimberly Porter, Vell High School. Adeline Woodstock, Ferndale Lower Elementary. Kevin me,
Lower Elementary. Jenna Schwarz Miller, Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary. Susan Cones, Ferndale Middle School. Tracy Roberts also for Neil Middle School, Caitlyn Castle,
Jordan Stark. And that's it for the middle school. Forell Upper Elementary, we have Emma Allen, Leslie Assel, Julie Saunders,
and Emily Van Slike. It's a busy year at the upper elementary. uh Bridget Yan and Kesha Reid all from the upper elementary. So congratulations to them. University High School we have Nathan Baker,
Steven Boland, and I believe that is all pleasing and congratulating everybody. Well, congratulations to those who are able to join us tonight, those joining us online and in general people who are
um um being celebrated. Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank Thank you. Exciting. Exciting stuff. All right. Item four, consent agenda. We have five items on the consent agenda. Item 4.1, request to approve minutes of the special meeting for the whole
Monday, April 6, 2026. Item 4.2, request to approve minutes of the special meeting, Saturday, April 11th, 2026. Item 4.3, request to approve minutes of the regular meeting, Monday, April 20th, 2026. Item 4.4, request to approve new hires,
resignations, and transfers. Item 4.5, request to approve bills and accounts April. Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda? >> Second. >> We have moved by Trusty Newman, seconded
by Trusty Dookie. Any discussion on the consent agenda? >> All right, Miss Chef, let's do roll call. >> Ry, >> yes. >> Die, yes. >> Yes. Er, >> yes. >> Newman, >> yes. >> President Deliver, >> yes.
>> Okay, let's move to action items. Item 5.1, request to approve subject platform renewal. Mr. Maize. >> Good evening everyone. >> Evening. >> Thank you for allowing me to come and
ask for approval of subject online learning platform. Uh you might recall a couple weeks ago at committee of the whole we did talk briefly about the the platform and how it's used at Ferndale High School and University High School for completing credits.
Did make a minor update based on your feedback and we are asking for approval of the three-year option with annual optouts. If you have any questions that weren't addressed a couple weeks ago, I'd be
happy to address them now. >> Any questions for Mr. Mace? >> Entertain a motion to uh approve the request for subject platform renewal. >> So move. >> Moved by Trusty Kaiser, seconded by
Trusty Kine. Any discussion from the board? >> Miss Shepard, roll call, please. >> Die. Yes. R. >> Yes. >> Kaiser. >> Yes. >> Newman. >> Yes. >> From Ry. >> Yes. >> President Deliver. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Item 5.2. Request to approve FAFSA policy. >> So again, as we discussed a couple weeks ago, asking the board to approve an addition of a FAFSA completion policy starting uh one year from now. So that
the the graduating class of 2027 would all be required to complete the FAFSA. Um there will be opt outs. And if you weren't here for that conversation a couple weeks ago, page two of the proposal does include all of the the reasons and and methods that a student
or family can opt out of completing the FAFSA. >> Any questions for Mr. May about the pass policy? Okay. Entertain a motion to approve past the policy. >> So move.
>> Moved by Trusty Newman. >> Second by Trusty Crime. Any discussion on the motion? >> Shepard. We roll call, please. >> Art, >> yes. >> Kaiser, >> yes. >> Newman, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. President,
>> yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Item 5.3, request to approve Ferndale drone lab program. >> As we didn't talk about two weeks ago, the Ferndale drone lab project at
Ferndale Middle School and Ferndale High School is up for renewal for approval. Um Ferndale uh the drone lab provides students at Ferndale Middle School and Ferndale High School opportunities to learn about and program various types of drones. Sorry, Tom. Can you raise your
voice? I hear them struggling to hear you behind you. >> Sorry. Yep. >> Um, so the Ferndale drone lab provides students with an opportunity to to program and learn about drones that fly and drones that don't fly. You might remember uh January, February, they they
came and the students buzz their little cars around for you. Um, so we're asking that you approve the renewal of that program. Uh the cost of the program uh this year is $39,984.
That'll be funded out of jewel funds as well as some general education. >> The question for Miss May about the drone lab >> question. Thank you. Um how many students do we have participating idea?
>> That is a great qu I think there is about 25 to 30. That's what they >> additional questions. Okay. Okay. A motion to approve Ferndale drone lab program
>> by Trusty Hart. >> Second. >> Seconded by Trusty Crumb. We get a roll call. >> Eiser. >> Yes. >> Newman. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Dookie. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> President Deliver. >> Yes. Thank you, M.
>> Thanks everybody. Have a great day. >> Thanks. >> Great. Item six, board updates. Any updates from our board members? >> Uh, did you already share? I did not. Uh Camille and I were uh we sent a proposal
for Cube um the Cube uh >> conference >> Council of Urban >> Board of Education >> boards of education and we were uh we got selected
>> since October October Chicago >> October in Chicago. >> Fantastic. We'll be wonderfully represented by both of you. It's really exciting. >> We'll be talking about board and superintendent relationships. So,
>> um June fair is May 29th and Friday >> here. >> Here. >> Um so, they're still signing up for the dunk tank. David, if you're interested, >> uh
May May 31st, all we'll be having graduation ceremonies for TCC University High School and Ferndale High School all Wayne State. Really excited uh for this new location. Um to have everybody same experience. Great job putting that
together. Um and we did have kickoff of Foundation. Um really well attended about 25 folks. they've gotten more u input. So really excited to see how that's going to move forward. >> All right. Uhformational item 7.1 budget
to actual report. >> Good evening. >> Evening. >> This is the budget to actual for April 2026 and things are um rolling along here. Um, not too much to report. The
variances are pretty much on track. Instructional staff is um, we're spending a little bit more grants and transportation. We did a PO for the new electric buses, but we haven't paid for them. Do you have any questions?
>> Questions? Uh, no question. Only request is we've got our July meeting. If we could do a quick what the state of the budget is at the state uh to share with community on the
June uh board meeting. It' be great. >> Okay. >> Thanks, John. >> Okay. Item 7.2, athletic field renovation change order soil disposal. Deputy Superintendent Right. >> Sure. Thank you so much. Excited to
share with you um the update. So last fall the board approved um the renovation of the softball and baseball field at Ferndale High School. That work actually got underway um the beginning
of u or the middle part of April and we did some we did some testing we did uh some excavation of the soil and we need to dispose of the soil. Um the initial proposal that was presented to you included the renovation cost of
about 1.9. We also included 10% contingency that that made the total project cost about 2.1 and so the cost for the disposal of the soil was already included in the proposed amount approved for the work. I am happy to report that
the softball field will will likely be done in the next two weeks. So excited. So excited. Um the contractor, which is Shaw Sports, uh Shaw Sports Turf, will return in August and we'll begin renovation of the baseball field. We'll
still need to use the parking lot, the student parking lot for staging some equipment. I know that's just been a a pain, but I appreciate everyone um being flexible and cooperative. It's been a learning exper learning experience. Um but it's coming out beautifully. Uh the
field is absolutely beautiful and I have to put side by side before and afters. Um everyone is so excited like the coach the the uh warfo our PE our physical education teacher you just can't stay off of it. You can't they just want to come around and talk to the gentleman
and see what work is being done. So it's progressed considerably. So the artificial turf uh was installed over the weekend. Uh we have some more materials that won't arrive until this Friday and then they'll wrap it up.
>> Any questions for Deputy Superintendent? Right. >> No questions other than this has been a long time coming and I'm really excited and I know the community is too. So thank you for leading this effort. I would say >> looks amazing and I I told you when we
were walking out there next step is now to go to Ferndale Parks and Recre and start to advocate for girls softball. Yes. uh at younger ages so that we can build a pipeline of kids to win on that field. >> You're absolutely right. I heard you.
>> I'm going to be saying it out loud to a lot of people. So, >> okay. Uh item eight, consideration of any pool consent agenda items. We have no there. Item nine, the next committee of the whole Monday, June 1st, 2026 at 6
PM. Item 10, next regular board meeting is Monday, June 15, 2026 at 7 PM. Uh item 11, Eagle Points of Pride comments. >> I'll go first. >> Uh so I got the chance to attend the
middle school meet. Um middle school is not my uh when you rank children by age bracket. Middle schoolers scared me. But uh these middle schoolers came in with um a lot of opinion and a lot of
information. Um and uh I I enjoyed sitting with a bunch of middle schoolers. Um it was it was an eyeopening event. I haven't had a middle school in a long time. So I have adults and I have like kindergarten granddaughters. So middle school is
still the thing. Um so yeah, it just it I'm very appreciative for them to come out and be open and be honest with us. Um, and they had a lot to share. So much so that Superintendent Hemler has scheduled a follow-up with that group.
Um, so, uh, yeah, I had fun. >> I had fun. >> Excellent. >> Yeah, in spite of myself. >> Uh, I'll go next. Um, so teacher appreciation week recently passed and graduation season is uh upon us and I
just want to express so much gratitude for all of the teachers uh doing what I say is the hardest job in the world. Um I I did it for a long time. I work with teachers every day and I say it
everywhere I go that teaching is the hardest job there is. And so I just want to um all these graduates that we're going to be spending all this time with soon are there because of the good hard and and loving work of our teachers. Uh
so yeah, just thank you to all the teachers everywhere and especially in Ferndale. Um, I would like to say thank you for our community partners, our families, and our parents who
continue to share your voices, to let us know what's important to you. Because as board members, it's our role to serve and to make sure that we help to enact policies that will better serve our
students. So, thank you for pushing, for being very vocal, and um sharing your input and making sure that we stay on task to hear what you're what you have to share. So, thank you. >> You took mine, but >> Oh,
I want to echo that. Um it's been wonderful. um and you know hearing from folks you know here but also just members in the community when I run into them um how much they love the school community but also just getting feedback on what they'd like to see. Um I love that we have such an involved culture.
Um but I also want to say that um I've been uh really loving the um relationships that we've been building. So, flowers to you, President Deliver, for um really um getting us out in these community conversations at Pleasant Ridge, at Royal Oak um Township, um also
in going to the Burndale City Council meetings. I think it's making a huge difference in making the school a really integrated part of the community. >> I would like to uh shout out the got a chance to attend the spring college showcase. It's over here at High School
and um I love things like that. further proves that all these coaches involved in all athletics in our district. It just further proves that a lot of their hard work is is done off not on the court, not on the field. It's doing
things like this to to you know hopefully what it is is that you know it brings college coaches to us so these kids get along and and that is amazing. Truly true sport. Deputy Superintendent Right.
>> Sure. Um, you Mr. Crommont took mine, but okay. I'm literally trying to hold on to it. Um, I'm going to say I attended the orchestra concert and I'm always impressed by the students and their abilities. Um, I sat in on practice just
before the doors open. Sound incredible. They sound even more incredible thereafter. Um, and also just the commitment of the teachers. So, uh, Lynon does a a wonderful job with those students and I'm really excited to hear them perform graduation because I think we're going to get a treat. Um, but
that's it. It was just beautiful to hear them and there's some there's some really really good students and I was also able to pass to run some color schemes by them and carpet materials by them and they all gave me some really good feedback. Okay, it's on me. Um there's so many
things I could talk about. Um but I'm going to talk about the um our first annual Mach reverse job fair. And um just to explain exactly what that is is um this is an opportunity for our students in our adult transition program
to actually meet with um staff members from other industries. So we had Henry Ford Health there, we had Meyer there, um, uh, Ferndale public schools was there, Chartwells was there. So to give our students in the adult transition program an opportunity to practice
interviewing. Um, so um, I was able to go around and meet with every single student and do a mock interview with them and then give them real time feedback, um, by using a color coding system. Um, it was like strong communication skills, great eye contact,
like and it was just I'm going to try really hard not to cry, but it was just such a wonderfully executed opportunity for our students and such a unique opportunity to actually practice interviewing before they go on to uh
pursue these careers and jobs. and the way that they were lighting up just to talk to us and to share their experiences. Um they were so prepared. Um I told most of them that if they're looking for a job, I know someone in Ferndale schools um whom I could help
with that. But it was just such an impressive um program that was put together by the staff and the adult transition program. Um and I'm just I'm just really proud that we were able to have that opportunity for them. Um, I'll be honest, I'm shocked that no
one brought vehicle pickles out. Uh, which is which is kind of like one like it's great that we have so many things going on in this community. Uh, we might be setting the bar for what we expect at Eagle Pickles now where like they're finishing >> fifth place and great job pickles. Um,
mine is uh just on the volunteer community that we have here in Ferndale. Uh, May is just a nutso month. Um, and we are never going to have the resources that we need to pull all the things off. And we're lucky to have this group of
volunteers. And whether it is June Fair, whether it's uh supporting the concerts, whether it's the field trips, whether it's teacher appreciation week, there's just so much stuff uh that this community shows up for uh to to help build what we're trying to build here. So, thank you to all the volunteers that
that give your time to the school district. All right, with that uh I will entertain a request to go into close session to discuss negotiations update by the way. >> I was >> I was trying not to
>> superintendent >> with uh so request to go into close session to discuss negotiations update with superintendent Hibler, deputy superintendent right and Mr. Shelton. >> What what am I moving? making a motion. Yep. To go into close session with to
discuss negotiating update negotiation updates with deputy superintendent right superintendent and director of HR. >> Uh motion by second >> seconded by uh Newman.
>> Any discussion? >> Roll call. >> Newman. Yes. From Ry. >> Yes. >> Duki. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.