We actually are We can't >> Good. How are you? What? >> Yeah. I have a wallet. How are you? >> Good. How are you? I'm not sure.
You were sick. Oh, thank you. We made our when you want your kids to I have said this to you in the past inappropriate. Congratulations. I mean Good evening everyone
>> and welcome to our school board of education meeting of April 16th, 2026. Will you please stand for the pledge of allegiance? I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Trustee Dr. Herd, can you please read our mission statement? The mission statement of the Lancing School District is to provide a
highquality education in a culturally safe and nurturing environment that supports all students to live purposeful and fulfilling lives. >> Thank you, Justin. Can you please read our letterman? We collectively acknowledge that Lancing
School District occupies the ancestral traditional and contemporary lands of the Inishabek three fires confederacy of Ojiway Ottawa and Badawatami peoples. >> Thank you very much. U roll call please.
>> Dr. Kavanaaugh, Dr. Herd, >> present. >> Miss Leia McKisk, >> present. >> Mr. Lopez, >> present. >> Mrs. Moore. >> Mr. Niski >> present. >> Dr. Rodriguez
>> present. >> Mrs. Strode >> present. >> M Williams. >> Quar is present. >> Thank you very much. Just for the record, um, Vice President Kavanaaugh has a conflict of the work meeting. She couldn't be here. And, uh, Trusty Moore
will be late, so she's on her way. Um, do we have any public comment on agenda? Okay. All right. We move to approval of minutes. May I have a motion to approve them as
presented? >> Sir, chair, I make a motion that we approve the minutes as presented. >> Given the second there any discussion on them hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All same sign. Thank you.
Uh, presentations. Superintendent Benzes. >> No presentations. >> No presentations. >> Oh my goodness. >> That's >> Well, I don't know what to say about
this. No presentation. >> No presentation. All right, officers report for secretary. >> Thank you. Good evening. >> Currently, our announcements and
communications are as follows. April 29th from 4 to 6:00 p.m. we have our FASA support event. Free food and refreshments, raffle prizes, and giveaways. That location is going to be at the welcome center, which is 2400
Patel A. April 30th, 4:30 to 6:30, join us for a special evening as we share how Lancing is building strong readers through a researchbased literacy instruction and supporting families with tools to help students succeed. The
location for that is going to be at the Dr. Richard Ahop Professional Development Center, which is 4,200 Wayright Avenue. The registration is required, so you do have to register to attend, but you can ask your school for
the link. April 30th at 6 PM, we're going to be having, and I'm so excited about the interim superintendent vision discussion with our community. That's going to be at our new Mount Hope School, 1810 Harding Avenue. On April
24th, we have no school. On May 8th, it's a professional development day, no school. Our next board meeting is as follows. April 23rd, next Thursday, is our regular board meeting and information study session. May 7th is
our regular board meeting. May 14th, again, is a regular board meeting held only as needed. This concludes the secretary's report. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, can I explain to the public about
the April 29th 4 to6? What is the celebration about and how how to why this location was selected or just to let the public since we don't
have information maybe the superintendent can tell us. >> Are you speaking of the April 29th event for FASA? >> Right. >> Gotcha. I'm going to have uh Mr. K chime in if you need to if if I'm missing details. >> Okay. Uh we have lots of FASA events
that we have across the school district. So this is just one of the many events that you'll find here in the spring for FASA. So the welcome center was chosen because it is just a it's our welcome center. So it's where any of our families across the district can go. Uh it's just another opportunity for students to fill out FASA. As all of you
know, we have the Lancing Promise which is an amazing opportunity for our kids to take part in. And one of the first steps to accessing the Lancing Promise is making sure that you're filling out your FAFSA. We will have many um employees of the Lancing School District. I'm sure we'll have even people from the Lancing Promise there to
help us guide us through the process for FAFSA and answer questions that our parents might have. So, please come out to the welcome center. If you can't make it to the welcome center, please reach out to your high school. There are many FAFSA events that you can count on this spring. >> Can you explain to us also what FAFSA
means and to everybody knows? Wow, you're just uh I'm hoping to pass my class tonight. >> Um >> do you want to take that? >> Oh, okay. Great. >> Actually, it would be great to hear it from a parent because they can explain it in language.
>> That is so it's so important event, so important activity that is using time is the best thing to do then. Thank you very much. >> Team work. >> That's right. So for those of you who have graduating seniors,
Eastern Everett, Sexton, K12 online, that includes all of you. These events are held to help families and their children fill out the financial aid aspect of
college that they need to make sure that all of their needs are met. Yes, we do have the Lancing Promise, which offers you up to $20,000. However, for students like mine who's going out of state, this FASA helps because it also opens up opportunities where there are
scholarships, other information that other financial resources and developments that are available to your children so that you don't have to take out any loans if you don't need to cuz some of us don't want them. We're praying for scholarships. They also have resources at these events for
scholarships if your children have not already received some that these scholarships will carry you through. So please, this is not just for me and my son, but this is for all of us. We need everyone who is a student from the Lansancy School District who will be
graduating to do your FASA. Whether you're doing trade, whether you're doing college, we want you there at these events. These are for you and they're free. >> Uh Trusty Stro and U Dr. Herd. >> Thank you. So, thank you Trusty uh
Williams for uh giving us that detail. I really appreciate it. I wanted to just add that this is a free application. It does not cost to complete. It is our free application for federal student aid. It is completed where it helps you talk about those grants like the federal
PEL grant, student loans, work study jobs, state of Michigan aid, um any college scholarships and grants. So, we want to be mindful that you do have to complete that by a certain time. So, make sure that you are able to get
that information. Uh, usually many of those are starting from March 1st through May 1st. May is up the street and around the corner. So, let's get on that really quickly for all of our seniors. And I just wanted to add what that part was and that we do have a deadline for that. Thank you.
Uh, uh, Trustee Hurt and then you sure go ahead. >> I thank you. Um, I was going to say the same thing. It is the federal application for student aid. Um, >> yeah. And, um, just one thing as a person that was in college for 16 years
um, and filled out many a FASA um, these events are great because there are lots of components to FASA. I think the one that is often most off-putting to parents is their tax information, their income, um these kinds of questions. So, coming to an event where people that
know what to do and how to do it so that they can walk you through all the supplemental information that you also will have. It is not a quick app. >> Um I would just tell you that now. It is not a quick app, but it is something that is necessary for our students. So, thank you for that.
>> Trust the M. >> Yes. I would also add that that is exactly why it's important to go to events like this and get support. Um the deadline even though it is important to get it in as soon as possible um because the deadline for different pools of
funding prioritizes early applications. Um, however, the deadline for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, which would be for seniors enrolling in the upcoming fall, um, isn't until June 30th, 2027. So, nobody should feel like super
pressure, but it is a priority to get it in as early as possible. And I would encourage before the end of this school year if possible while there's still events like this happening to support you. And just an FYI for those of you who are going, make
sure that you have the school codes for all the universities, local schools, and everything that you want because they do provide them in your pre-acceptance letters. So, please, yes, this is a team tonight cuz can y'all tell we working together to make sure that y'all know everything
again and this is free to you all. If you can't make it again, talk to your schools. If you can't get to the schools, call one of us. We will help you get to the right people. We want our children to be 100% successful. Lancing
can do it. We can do it because we all are one. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I students and the parents will be happy to hear all these good things. Uh can also send a note to the principles as
you did, Mr. Mr. Superintendent. Then um then send a note to the parents continue supporting. I think last year we had a great number of the students that did it but um as many we can not
only because um they had many many more benefits that they can they can receive for that. Thank you. Oh what? >> Hello Yes. Um, one of the reasons that we also hosting it at the Welcome Center
is because we're going to have a cultural brokers and people translating in different languages. So, um, many first time generation students, uh, like many of us, our parents need a little bit of help. So,
Gracias. Uh yes, I think it's very important that um everybody gets notified of this in their language. But this is for parents by the way. The parents are the ones that are filling the application, not the student. the parents.
>> Well, true, but it's the parents thing, too. So, um, welcome center. Welcome center. Bentail Avenue. Okay. All right. Um, if anybody knows another
language, please go ahead. >> No. Okay. >> All right. All right. >> Uh, moving along the line on the uh committee reports. Uh, equity committee. Uh, Trusty Stro.
>> No update at this time. No report. Facilities committee. Mr. Lopez, I have no report. >> We're meeting. Yeah, but we have no report today. Um, finance committee, Mr. Noiski,
Trusty Noisinski. >> Thank you. The finance committee met on March 23rd. Um the detailed treasures report for the period of February 1st, 2026 through February 28, 2026 is attached to this evening's agenda. The following are the highlights of the report. The beginning cash and
investment balance was 58 million758,266. Receipts totaled 19,588,91 while dispersements equaled $18,939,614. Net interfund transfers totaled $297,717 in interest from fund investments to the student and bond funds as well as
journal entries to remove the due to/d2 from due from and all funds. The monthly transfer to the general fund for bond expenses was 10,94,198. The ending general fund cash and investment balance on February 28th,
2026 was 69,24,034. Donations received during the month of February totaled $6,131. two to um share our gratitude for came from Snap Mobile Incorporated, a
donation over $4,000 to the Everett 26 Disney field trip and Alpha Delta Kappa Gamma. Uh Patricia St. George, a $600 donation to Lancing Tech High School. The finance committee will meet again on
April 27th at 12:00 here in the boardroom. And also just wanted to note related to finances that you all should have received information from the ISD about their budget proposal. Uh and that'll be on an upcoming agenda. The board has to act to either support or
disapprove of that proposal by June 1st. So be sure to review that and ask your questions to the uh Ingam ISD staff. >> That this concludes the treasures report. >> Dr. Thank you. Thank you very much um Mr.
Noiski for the information. This format in the report the treasury report has been with us for many many years. I do not know that is the best way I understand exactly what is going on math to math and maybe
we have to be thinking in how we create the new system to report to the board and to the community. I am concerned about this decrease in grants $7 million
and decrease total decrease $2.5 million and can somebody explain to me what is the 7 million decrease in grants mean? So you're looking at the cover page and I I
do think we have to think about the context of this because this is in looking at monthtomonth. So it doesn't really give us a whole lot of information. It means we received 7.4 million less in grant income this month than we did last month which just means grants came through last month more than
they did this month. And that's just a timeline of of when those are awarded. Um and we can look at any one of those line items. We do look at this in the finance committee. Um and the the staff goes through each one of these to say well not exactly each one every month
but why is it so different from month to month. Uh for example payroll some months is higher because we have three pay periods in certain months but typically two in others. So that's one example of why we see a variation from monthtomonth. So this cover page of the
monthly comparison isn't always necessarily that helpful just because things come in in different months. Um, and if if there are suggestions on how to report that better, I we'd certainly be happy to consider those in the finance committee on what that could
look like. >> I I would like to be some ambitious, but I am not. But it's anyway why don't we need to do it today or tomorrow but we we we need to be thinking and how we have a better understanding
and the move of the money in the district that I I am dreaming for has a better understanding in the what money coming money go out and where are
we now and who we are going to be. I understand that we had the MOM coming every year to give us a a review of what we do 20 minutes presentation. It's our job as a board member to know
the budget and it's painful for me telling you talking about that today but I think we can work together doing better. I the first time in the last few years I trust the administration today and I
think we can do it and and and I'm sure that you're willing to see what other districts are doing what other play companies are doing what will be the best thing to do for us and moving out from the what we were
doing for so many years we we we are different area we have different kind of money we have different kind of then then let's go to see how we can modify or change some create something better >> yeah I'll just add to that that we do
have a I believe a finance ISS is coming up in May did that end up is the decision I think so that will be a more in-depth presentation and that would be a good opportunity to bring those ideas and questions and we can talk about that in the finance committee meeting in April about you know how we explain the
current statements the balance sheet and uh the budget um versus actual and look at if there's anything else that would be helpful in reporting. I know the committee did actually take one report out of this which was a year-to-year comparison because we didn't feel similar to the monthtomonth that
comparing February of this year to February of last year really had any particular merit. It didn't necessarily tell us anything that was something a previous board had requested and we didn't feel any longer it was relevant. Staff didn't see that helping. So, that's one thing we're not looking at um
because it didn't tell us that much. Um I think, you know, we could consider if if cash flow details would be helpful to the board or or what other representation of this might make sense, you know, but otherwise I think we'd need to get some input from folks who've gone to other presentations on what
would would help that. And then we can build into that information study session maybe an overview of how to read these statements for the public and what they mean and to know what they're looking at monthtomonth. I was even going to say maybe I don't I think that all of these reports are very
helpful and maybe it's not like finding another specific report but maybe it would be helpful for a cover page that has some simpler language explanation of maybe like some of the and I wouldn't charge you to to do this Dan um but
something that would give an overview of like something like the 7 million decreasing like that's not if you're looking at this report that's not um something to be concerned about or maybe gives like a snapshot of some of the different reports that are throughout this like the expenditures or different
things like is that kind of what you're thinking more explanation >> I thank you um I think that everybody knows about computing more than I do there are so many different programs now
that that we can use to present a much This one done 50 years ago was no computers at that time. Today we had better systems. We can present to the public. We can understand what is
going out, what is coming in, how much money we have really and other pages explaining everything. But numbers coming here and coming here for the last few years, we never asked any question. I think we should question ourselves.
Can we do better? That is my question. That we understand and the public understand where the district budget is. I can see the board member going. Yes. Yes. Yes. But >> and I'll just add another point. I appreciate I really appreciate your
knowledge and your explanation that really impress me and impress everybody for your commitment to understand what is going on. If we can dream something better that is my point >> and one other piece in the the the sequence will be we'll have that
information study session in May to learn more about the and and ask questions about the finances. In June, we're required to have our budget hearing. Uh, and so we'll have that and adopt the budget by June 30th. And the superintendent's asked us, you know, invited us individually to be in part of that process right now of that whole
planning process. So, do check your emails and sign up for that time to meet with her on because that's where we're at in the in the process right now is planning the next fiscal year. And this is a perfect time to ask those questions in the small group and then in the large group uh study session and then in the
public budget hearing. Um I do think you know I've talked to some other colleagues and school districts tend to not necessarily be as uh it's not transparent because the information is all very public and available but as opposed to some other public bodies that have a lot of attention to their budget.
school districts tend to just adopt it every year and the public doesn't seem to get engaged in that process unlike cities and counties where they have you know budget input meetings and that sort of thing. So it is so I think a growing edge for us to work on the strategic plan part of the trust and involvement
in the finances overall. >> Uh thank you Mr. Ninsky. think you touched on a couple of things that that we need to um to to think of as we work on our next strategic plan. Um how to
how to deal with uh finances in terms of a board and um report to the community in a in a simple not so complicated way, you know, just maybe incomes and expenses and blah blah blah. But um
this this material is also available to people. It's in it's it's published, right? So it's uh free to for uh review by anyone who wants to see it. Um, but we can always do better or at least uh
change a um a process to one that is I don't know. I'm not going to say better, but maybe that uh it's easier to to digest and comprehend. Um, okay, moving on. Okay, we need a
motion, >> Mr. President. >> Yes, sir. I move that the board of education approve the expenditures as presented for February 22nd. 26, sorry. >> Second. >> It's been moved and second that we
accept um finance as as presented. Uh any other discussion hearing? None. All those in favor say I. >> I. I. >> Oppose. Same sign. >> Okay. Next report is uh the personnel comedian Dr. Kevin is not here. Who's
on? Okay. Do you have anything to report? >> Uh yes, I can report. The personnel committee uh met on Monday, April 13th, and we discussed the personnel reports that you have um that you've been getting monthly from that committee. So,
you see the the uh staffing changes and the new hires. There was a request to approve the two new hires documents um tonight um for the two different time periods. In the committee, we did discuss some of the reporting. So, right now you're seeing that list of names
with some demographic information at the bottom. Uh, and Dr. Kavanagh has asked for that to be changed a little bit. So, in the future, possibly the next board meeting or the meeting after that, you'll probably be seeing it in a different format uh than what you we've been getting. Um, we've
been having discussion about that. We also been looking at some of our um policies per the charge of the the policy committee to look at the staff handbook and board policies. that work is still underway. We did meet with an attorney last month and this month didn't have an update on some of those
questions we had about uh particular policies regarding employment. So that is the current work of the committee. The personnel committee will meet next on May 11th here in the boardroom at 12
o'clock. Okay. >> Any questions for Mr. Ninsky? All right. Uh, can I hear a motion to um approve new hires? >> Yes, sir.
>> I move that the board approve their report from the personnel committee as it was presented. >> Second that the board of education approved new hires from February 2nd through March 23rd, 26 as presented. Any other
discussion hearing? None. And all those in favor say I. >> I. >> All same sign. Thank you. Now we go to policy committee. Trusty Strode. >> Thank you. I don't have anything new to
update from our previous uh meeting. We have not met since spring break um and etc. We are waiting to meet and we might have a date from Sergio if he wants to give us an update. I know there is some new um information coming in at the
federal and state level that we will be having to make changes for policies and so we were waiting for our um I I would say our support or legal guidance to come in and share those updates with us for spring and I believe we are just waiting to get his schedule.
I'll give it to Sergio. >> Correct. Thank you board member Strode. Uh we are in the process coordinating the from Mr. Pat Kriger from Niola and uh our board members and our committee and we should be able to have this in
the next two weeks. Uh and yes, correct. We have to go over our um spring legislative updates and then any other items that deem necessary by the board members. Thank you. >> Thank you.
You're so funny. >> Thank you so much. I'm I'm glad to drop the trustee and put on the DR. I'm very glad um for to be here. I'd like to pass the baton to Trustee Williams. We do have a report from our March 24th meeting. Good evening and thank you Dr. Her for
the privilege to stand in your shoes today. So we did meet I just don't talk loud enough. Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Can you hear? We we met on um March 24th, some of us virtual, some of us in person. So I have to do I do have to take a minute and say thank you to Dr.
Nino and uh Trustee Aurora for standing in for me because I did the meeting from the hospital um because we had a family emergency, but we made it work. Um we will be meeting again on April 28th at Eastern at 5:00. What's currently going on is we are scoring and doing um doing
the final tally. So each member that's part of the committee is going through now doing a final and then we will have our discussion. The anticipated date for the celebration is in September. Um so look forward to all those details. Thank
you to Ryan and his team for helping us maneuver through all this and thank you for the super interm superintendent for just work watching us go through this. So, thank you all. Thank you team. We're we're looking good. I'm looking forward to seeing you all on April 28th at Eastern. If you have any other questions, please reach out to us. But
we're excited. >> Okay. Well, thank you for that report. And um the next one is item C, superintendent report. Mrs. Benvitz, >> did did I did I did I skip you, Trusty
Rodriguez? >> Well, you know what? I need new glasses and I need new herinades, so I don't know what I'm going to do next. Okay, Dr. Rodriguez, uh, Student Achievement Committee report. Thank you, Mr. President. You are doing
a fantastic job. Don't worry about I I'm going to pass to give you a copy of what we are going to be talking. And here you have two. And I have at least two you can share. Um,
we met the achievement committee met last Monday, April 13 was a short meeting. I had to thank the superintendent and Dr. Taltered for their support and their
cooperation and transparency and and telling us, you know, our our board, our achievement committee is very interesting and um and and and really how the students are learning. And then in the meeting before, we asked the
superintendent to let us know what the school is going to be doing to prepare our students for the testing. And the testing is going on from April 6, I think, until May 4, something like that. It's it's a long one. The what I gave
you is what these five schools ever, Cumberland, Garner, Ger Park, Luton, Lions, and Pattinger, more than five were doing what they were doing. And in the back you had the
testing going from April 6 to May 4 and more. Then you have over there how many and the other building probably were doing the same but we are asking this building to provide to the board to the superintendent to the board what they
were doing. Um we discussed that and I I am really very much impressed and we should be impressed for all the motivational uh process that the every school was doing and naturally I I we board members
who don't need to wait until a month before the testing to prepare our students. Our student need to be prepared the first day that they come to the school from kindergarten to 12th grade. But um that I will talk about that later on. Also the superintendent
gives us data about um what every school and maybe she can tell us more about that. But um we emphasize more and more that data is the way we are going to go in the future.
data that we can trust, the data that we can analyze, data that can make us to make resolutions to provide better achievement for the students. Um, we talk about the strategic plan and I'm
going to say right here the committee is no governing body. The committees are not governing bodies. The board education is a governing body. Then I asking the board to prepare in
this a strategic plan for student achievement and doing that maybe three years, four years and we can ask the best people around us. Then they know how to have creating
a strategic plan to do one for us. We will present it to the public and we don't need to spend hours and hour for something that already have been done by others. We can get the best present to the community be approved give it to the
administration that is the strategic plan for student achievement. We want an action plan from the administration. Two, three years and I ensure that we will see that different. No question that maybe we need a year of preparation
for everybody, parents, students, board members, teachers. But we cannot continue our student failing. If our student don't see successes, they
are not going to be have successes. They will they will do what they see. If they see failures, they will be failing. Then it's time to do an strategic plan and an action plan. Then I the superintendent we we talked
for a long period of time about that. I think we are ready and maybe in the in the retreat we can talk more. has ideas for the board members how to do it and how long and and see the fruits.
Um I think that took most of the time uh because we had to we had as the board to sit down talk about the student achievement because that is the main reason we had the schools or maybe the only reason but um that is the report
for the student achievement. Mr. president. Thank you very much. Trusty Strode. >> Thank you uh Dr. Rodriguez for that uh report. I did have a question because I feel like I'm hearing you charge us the
board to imply or communicate an ask. And so I just want to make sure that that is not uh dismissed at all. And it seems like you're requesting an action plan. And so I just want to say that explicitly
um with us as the body to not dismiss that. And so I'm charging our president to um please uh however we have to expedite that ask um that it is imperative that we do receive an action plan um surrounding our strategic plan
and the link to our student achievement. Um I know that in the past we've gotten data surrounding um how those metrics were met. um how the students were doing and so maybe that's just a deeper dive to pair that data with an action plan.
Um I know that I don't want to charge anybody with additional work, but it seems to me that this is something that we are very passionate about and I see a lot of nods and so I don't want to jump over uh Dr. Rodriguez request um and so I just wanted to lift that a little bit
higher and maybe a little bit louder. Um that that is the ask. Thank you. So, um, thank you because Dr. Rodriguez, I did I am part of the student achievement committee and I think everybody knows we were traveling so some of us didn't make it to the meeting. However, he and I did have a conversation immediately the next
day. And yes, it's an action plan, but it is our strategic plan. One of the things we need to really look at when we're developing this as part of that action plan is making sure that we're not putting out major goals, major goals. At most it should be five over
like he said two to three years. Each month we should be visiting those goals and looking at how we're measuring them. Every goal that we choose should be measurable and we should be talking about it monthly, how we're moving, how
we're progressing, how we're doing this. And that's what some of the things he and I have been talking about. and we're talking about who can give us the best template outline or even come in and help us build this because it's a noun.
It's a now especially with how they're doing our educational system, how they're doing our funding. We have brilliant I'm not going to say mediocre. We have brilliant students in our district from GSRP to graduating and
beyond. We need to make sure that our strategic plans are lining up with the visions of these children. They should be in our discussions because they are the next board. How I mean, we have student board members, but everybody, but we need to make sure that they're
measurable, they're obtainable, and we're we're talking about it every month. I love our vision boards. We need more into that v. What are what does this vision board represent? How is that student moving using that vision board?
So everything that we do going forward amongst our goals in this action plan should be measurable. We should always be talking about it. There should never be and this is one of the things that we're all dialoguing about. We may be saying it differently, but at the end of the day, this is what it is. And so we
do need to we're charging for that action plan. It's a must. We have to do it. Oh, first of all, I'll I'll get to trustees, but I just want to say that I'm so glad that we finally got this committee going
>> and and then huh. >> I I'll I take the blame gladly. And um I just want to say that our superintendent is is fully in agreement and and in support of the things that we're talking about. And I think that we there's more
to talk about. So, I'll go to our trustees. Trusty Strode, >> I don't have much to add. I I just am making sure I'm hearing you say we are committed to making that an action item and Trustee Williams just expressed um
holding us accountable to that standard. And so for me, we're talking but can we make it a point that maybe monthly on our agenda there's a review of our strategic plan and action actionable plan or goals. And I'm saying that
publicly to hold ourselves to the standard that we are having those conversations. And so I think a way for us to make sure that it's occurring and it's not just lips of service here. The actionable item would be once a month we will uh make a standing item on the
agenda to be update on the action plan. Thank you. >> Trusty Dr. Rodriguez. I I appreciate the conversation but we will have a dialogue everybody in the in the retreat and I'm planning the strategic plan is our
strategic plan the board responsibility is to create this or had somebody to create the strategic plan five years ago we created a strategic plan I don't know what the strategic plan is this time is different
this time is different it's going to The award strategic plan we are going to approve the action plan is the superintendent and the administration responsibility. They are going to want to tell me the
data who is responsible by when how much money is going to cost and evaluation and when that is then to present to us and to approve or to change. But we are
now in the right path to have a meeting and and talk together and see how will be the best way and as soon as possible to have a strategic plan. We cannot have more students failing anymore and that require
everybody change. I am not saying that our school are no good. We are good schools but we can do better. We can do better. Thank you >> trustee. I just wanted to clarify because we're saying like strategic plan, we're saying
action plan. We have a strategic plan for the Lancing School District. Are we also asking for a separate student achievement action plan >> goal? >> That that is correct. We have an action plan that is going to be until
>> we we have a strategic plan that is going to be until >> 20 you had a strategic plan until 2027. Mhm. >> This one is only about student >> one goal in the strategic plan that we are focusing on and that we would like updates on.
>> Correct. Okay. Thank you. >> On student achievement specifically tenant and coming back with some more um uh information and steps to follow. So, >> thank you. >> And doing that right now. >> She does have uh some input on this conversation.
>> Well, good evening everyone. Uh, I would like to just say a couple of things based on the student achievement committee. One, I just want to thank the board members that are on that committee. I think the work that we're doing is exceptional and there's a huge amount of commitment from the people that are coming. They come and they review the data. They look at the
things. We have wonderful conversations, but it's not just conversations, it's action. And so, I really want to to give a shout out to the board members that are have started that committee. And I'm really honored to be able to serve on that committee myself. That's how important it is. I think that having the interim superintendent on that committee
specifically, like you all said, this is the reason that we're here in the school district. We are an educational system. So, we really need to be clear about that. The strategic plan goals are our district goals. Those are the things as a board that you have said to all of us, those are the things that are the most
important. So, in my first 90 days as interim superintendent, you know that I've aligned my 90-day plan with the strategic goals to see how are we doing in those specific areas and then what actions do we need to take in the next several years to make sure that we're meeting those. And so, bringing you that data, whether it's monthly, quarterly,
whatever the decision is, we would be happy to do that because that's what the public needs to see is we've committed to these goals that we have. How are we doing on those goals? And then if we're not doing well or we're lacking in some indicator, then we need to figure out what is it that we're going to do next.
So a whole year doesn't go by without something not being addressed. So I I want to say that we have talked uh at our board retreat um a couple of months ago that the district goals need to be the strategic plan goals. That's those should be in complete alignment. Um, we
are saying a lot about the action plan which I think is is necessary and that's the part that I'm really excited about with this 90 days uh review that I'm doing because I'm getting much a lot of input from our teachers. I've had over 400 teachers and staff members come to the listening tour so far. That's an
incredible amount when we think about having 800 teachers in the district. So, we've had a huge turnout. We're not done yet. I have CTE, special education, and gardener um left. Gardner is one of our biggest staff. So, they're going to take me through over 450, I think, which would be awesome. Um, but the listening
tours have been tremendous. I've also been a meeting with our high school students, community members. I have a meeting with pastors coming up in the next couple of weeks. All of that input is going to be really identifying where we head with the district in alignment with the strategic plan. And like all of
you have said, the one thing that's missing from that strategic plan is a student achievement goal. And so, that's something that we are going to be very ambitious about. and the student achievement committee has been really fundamental in developing that um with the district and I look forward to
continuing that work with all of you. >> Just at that point uh Mr. Superintendent um we can amend the current strategic plan and we could add the student achievement uh um plan or add it
to our current plan so that we can can know that it is there. uh even if it's for new for one year but then it'll continue but it's there. So at any point in time at any point in time I think we
we need to come come to the board and and and move that we amend the current strategic plan and add this section to that plan. >> You want to do it now? I mean it's >> okay. Okay. Well, let's let the the Hold
on. Trusty >> Trustee Williams, then Trustee Rodriguez, then Trusty Moore. >> So, I guess my question because our strategic plan is up next year. Why don't we look at
the new plan and build all of this in the prior plan, it was nothing. I saw discipline and all the things that for me the goal would be our students
are going to be moving from this percent by this to me is an actual goal that we can measure those to me have never been measurable so my is that we just go
ahead and start our new strategic plan with this new regime because everything we are doing right now to change the energy everything is new. I say what we have when we make this motion we start building those goals and everything. So,
can I make a motion that we just start working on our 26 through 29 strategic plan versus saying what we are because next year we're going to have to start. >> Well, I think let's let's hold up for a
second. Okay, Dr. Rodriguez >> my ideas are very similar because this strategic plan is going to end in two 207 then I don't think we have enough time and not we I like to have the strategic
plan in front of me reading what is going on what we can take what is not take our time and maybe we don't need to change a lot because we didn't do a lot then maybe modify update and go from there But we need to do that in in a in
a time consuming not in a meeting like this one. We need the the strategic plan in front of us go line by ejected by objectives and the board say yes we want this one we don't want this one we want to add something new and then when we approve that we give it to the
administration for the action plan for the 26 to the 29 at the same time we can do a student achievement I don't have any problem that we have two at the same time but we need to sit down together I I know nine
of hospital the superintendent to see what can see the vision and the mission of our district for the 26 to the 29. >> Thank you, Mr. President. say that I was in support of um adding
the student achievement piece currently now to our strategic plan. And then like Trustee Rodriguez said, I think it would be wise for us to look line from line at our current strategic plan and plan what we want to keep and what we don't. I
think that would be a wise decision. >> It was you or Trusty Stro? Trusty Stro, >> I'm really quick tonight. I don't have long. Uh the the one thing I just wanted to put in our hearing is that there's two things. I love where this is going.
I love all of that. I'm excited about it. But I want to remind us that the makeup of this board is going to look a lot different in November. There's five seats coming up. And so I just want to implore us that we're not moving too quickly because some of the people that
may be here today to help design and implement what's going to look like and what's going to happen are not necessarily going to be the people that are here carrying out the work to ensure it's happening. And so I just want to be mindful that we don't move too hastily
with that because a lot of uh changes are going to come and I want to be very careful at giving people the opportunity that is going to serve in the time that that's going to be here to carry out that mission and vision and goal and
knowing that it's not due until 27. We can definitely have a workg group talk about it, marry it a little bit, but making sure that we are thinking strategically about the folks who's going to be sitting here to carry out that mission and hold us accountable to it next year. Thank you,
>> Trusty Lemieux. >> Yeah, I agree with Trusty Strode and also Trusty Moore's um sentiments. I would kind of marry those two things and say that yes, I think that it would be positive to add this in addition to the current strategic plan. Um, and that
maybe we should have further discussion about the strategic plan as a whole at our retreat that's coming up in June. Um, but I do think that it is it is a good idea to see what the makeup of the board looks like after the election and look at the further strategic plan. I mean, I don't know that we necessarily
have to wait until that specific date, but I think that it would be positive to um treat it as a long game thing. That's how strategic plans are is for a nice vision for the future. So, I think that there is no rush on the next one. But I would also um lean on the superintendent
to see how that traditionally works and what kind of time frame. 2027 is right around the corner. And if we wait until November of 2026, it's essentially 2027. So I don't know when we usually put out a strategic plan ahead of when the current one would expire and I would ask
about that first. >> Uh okay I guess the question was for you. >> So uh it is fall 27 that we would need a new strategic plan. So we should be spending next year to really meet with the community talk about the strategic plan that we have to develop a new one.
I would like the community, larger community to know though just because we don't have a a student achievement goal in the strategic plan, we have a strategic goal for achievement in the school district. So this is something that I ran the instructional division.
Well, I still am. And um and we've had ambitious goals uh based on that for the last three years. We're about actually two years in. And so um it might not be as ambitious as the board wants. It might be too ambitious, right? So that's something that we have to talk about.
But our schools have been setting academic goals for the last several years. So I want people to be rest assured that we are not ignoring student achievement in the Lancing School District. It is exceptionally important to us, but it is a missing component to the strategic plan. And so I think this is an opportunity for us to build that
in a document that we say is kind of our guiding light, if you will, um, for the the school district. So I just don't want anyone to be nervous that if we take an entire year to put it in strategic man um plans are meant to be amended and and looked at because over
time what we might have five years ago may not be applicable today. So if we wanted to add in just that one goal while we look at the rest of the strategic plan, we can absolutely do that too. So I just want to be clear though that those are listening. I don't want anyone to say, "Wait a minute, the
district doesn't have a a goal for achievement." No, we do. It's just not part of the strategic plan currently. So I just want to be clear about that. >> Trustee Dr. Herk. >> U Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion that for at least the purpose of
laying the groundwork for this in the next goound that we amend the current strategic plan to add a student achievement goal tonight. >> They moved and second that we add a uh student achievement goal to our current strategic plan.
Uh any other discussion? >> I'm just seeking clarification. So the motion is to state that we want to do. We don't have the goal that we're putting in. We're just saying that we want to do that. >> Well, we would we're empowering the superintendent in us to now what
whatever that wording needs to be, but this is what we're we're saying that we're going to add that tonight. And so the answer to your question for clarity is yes. This is what we want. We're saying that this my motion is that the board wants to add this goal. I don't have the language to say I would like to
put in this language tonight. Um but to say that we are going to add a um the language in our amend the strategic plan to add a specific student achievement goal. Um and that we are empowering the superintendent team to help us get that
language as of tonight. >> I may add to that. I think we're also empowering the uh student achieving committee to work with the superintendent to to put some language together for this purpose. >> Thank you. That's what I meant by laying
the groundwork for a more robust um thing in the coming year. Uh, well, I'm just processing and I'm feeling like because this wasn't on the agenda and I wasn't prepared for this and the community didn't know about this, I'm a little bit concerned about taking action and we don't have notice
of that or know what will be in the motion. I do support it. I've asked previously because our our first part of the strategic plan has currently the graduation goal which has been met and I you know so I support the whole conversation and echo the sentiments. I'm just concerned about taking action
uh on something that's not on our agenda the public didn't know about. So from the other part of our strategic plan, the trust factor, I'm hesitant also for our board norms to to take action when we're not prepared on it. But I do recognize we're not necessarily as long
as we would have the ability to see that specific language and and act on it as well. Um, I'd be comfortable, but I'm not comfortable voting to empower any particular group to change the strategic plan in any way tonight without seeing that.
>> We're I don't think the the point is to uh change change the strategic plan. We're we're going with it until we do a new one. What we're doing or at least what I understand from the motion is putting in place a goal of student
achievement on this plan that will then be included in the next plan more robustly. So what's happening Dan is the student achievement team is being the student achievement committee is being empowered to work with the superintendent to come
up with the goal so that we can bring it back to the board and then recommend the amending of the strategic plan based on that goal that we're creating from through the strateg uh student achievement committee. That's what that's what the motion is. Like he said he didn't have the wording. I knew what
he was asking because I sit on the student achievement committee. So that's what it is. >> That's that's closer to what what I meant. And frankly, this is something we've been talking about in this body for several months. And so it's not a breach of community trust for us to
finally move on what families and our neighbors have been crying for us to finally do. What I'm asking us is to empower the parties that we've we've made this new committee, newish committee to do this work. What I'm
asking this body to do is now to empower them to actually take action to get this done. And that action would be give us the language. Um, let's make this amendment, but what does the amendment actually say? Um, that gets us putting our feet on the ground. Let's get to
work on what this actually looks like so that we can ratify it before the election. Um otherwise, we've now taken more months to do what we all seem to agree know needs to be done yesterday. >> Thank you. Trustee
McKisik, did you have your hand? I would agree that I would like to see it and like to take action on it and it doesn't shouldn't take a long time but I I think that the public should see the wording of what we're updating and I think there is some still unclearness
about we are amending the current strategic plan which would mean changing it in a way but it's expected to go forward into the next strategic plan. It's not changing it. It's not removing something from it, but it's adding something to it. >> Right.
>> So, >> hold on. Hold on. >> Trust the stroke. >> Mhm. >> Um, two thoughts. I want to be very clear, and this is where it's getting messier than it intends to be. We're not
changing the strategic plan at all. No. >> Okay. We're not amending any change of current language or reflection of goal. What you're saying is we're adding a goal centered on student achievement. So
when I look at the three boxes of our district goals right now, we have 11,500 enrollment by 2025. Met. 85% graduation rate by 2025. Met. 90% rate of attendance by 2025. I don't know if it's
a check on that. I don't want to say met, but maybe. We're just saying we're going to add another box that says to student achievement, but what I'm hearing is we don't have that exact language yet that will be implemented later after the superintendent and the
committee meet to come up with the language. So then we're just voting to add the goal because now I'm confused. We're voting to empower the student achievement committee to meet with the superintendent and her team who works
together. But that that's not a motion. That's just a conversation. So I would recommend that until there's an actual something I can read, something the community can have on the agenda to say we're talking about this new amended of just adding an addition of
this goal that we all want to see. I I think that's just a conversation and not a motion to take action. Come back with the action and then we adopt it. That would be my recommendation, but I think I'm hearing it wrong. >> Sure.
>> Uh co just one second. I think that I wanted to make a correction, but also the superintendent. So, superintendent, can you >> I just want to be clear that we all have the same we're all talking the same thing. The three goals on the back wall
are not our strategic plan, right? >> Those were the goals from the previous superintendent. >> Okay. >> Some of those some of those are administrative goals, right? >> We have six strategic plan goals that we have in our um strategic plan. Things
like increased participation in student like in student clubs and and athletics, things like that. we have maintaining a a clean and safe environment in our schools by uh survey metrics. So there's several items in the strategic plan. So the goals on the back um I'm I have
already spoken to the board about this at our last retreat. Those goals need to be the six strategic plan goals that that needs to be alignment. It's confusing to have district administrative goals and a strategic plan goal. Those have to be in complete
alignment, which is why my 90-day plan is built upon the tenants of the strategic plan. So, just for clarity sake, I I this is what I'm hearing. I'm hearing that we are happy with the strategic plan that we currently have. It was very thoughtfully created by the community and all of you.
>> We have one more year left with that strategic plan. What I'm hearing is we would like to add one more goal to our strategic plan based on student achievement. So, I just want to make sure for the public's sake, I know you can't see the back wall, but we have our three strategic or district goals in the back,
which is based on enrollment. Graduation does match our strategic plan. So, I want to be clear about that. And then we have attendance, but we are missing uh strategic plan items here in the boardroom. And so, that's one of the things that the board very thoughtfully when I was speaking with them in the
previous retreat. We want to make sure that the goals of the district are the goals of the district. there are not two different sets of goals. So whatever is in the strategic plan is what we are using as a roadmap um as staff moving forward. The key thing very thoughtfully
that the board said which I'm in 100% agreement with is well where is student achievement in the strategic plan? It is missing. And so what I'm hearing tonight is that we would like to add that one aspect into our current strategic plan. not amending other items, changing anything, but adding that one piece to
give us a guiding light for the next school year while we adopt something else thoughtfully at the following year. >> I I'm going to um make a suggestion unless Dr. Rodriguez has a uh very important >> Yeah, it's important everything.
>> Go ahead. I move that we table the motion until the next meeting because I think we need to reflect exactly what the responsibility that is no easy responsibility to an achievement group is a board
responsibility and how we are going to proceed in doing that then I talk with my neighbor doctor then if we can table and think about How will be the best process and that way the community also
will know and we will be in conversation thinking about during the next few days and how we can do it in more effective way than just to go jumping today giving responsibility to somebody has not the has not all the
tools to create the best strategic plan for student achievement then if I can make the motion to to mo to table then um >> no well the motion was to approve
>> in discussion now we have a motion to table do we need to act on the first motion or we just leave it alone >> and act on on the motion to table >> to the next meeting >> okay >> to postpone
>> I'm going doctor will be postponed to the awareness meeting. >> Second. >> Okay. It's been moved and second to postpone the uh motion the previous motion till next meeting. In the meantime, the student achievement
committee might want to meet and with the superintendent to put some some language together that that would be just specific to that one goal, not the rest of the of the strategic plan and then we can then amend the strategic
plan by adding a strate a a goal of student achievement. All right. So, we're all on the same same boat, same page. Any other discussion hearing? None. All those in favor of um postponing this motion to the next
meeting say I. >> I. >> All oppose. >> No, not on this one. No. >> No roll call. Okay. >> Well, well, thank you. But but you know what? I you know this is a a great
discussion because I think people that are watching uh understand that that we're very very uh concerned not concerned really that that we really want to to deal with the core mission of this board is student achievement. Um
even though technically our only two things is to hire a superintendent and approve a budget but I think student achievement is ranks up there and so we should be very um uh you know knowledgeable of that. Yes doctor those are >> I mean we should be very happy that we
are doing our job. >> Well true that's what I'm saying. >> No we are here to do the job not to come and go home and do nothing. uh then I am very pleased to to see their dialogue to improve the Lancing school district. Thank you very much.
>> That's what was said. Okay. So, thank you much for that discussion. >> They can meet. Okay. Uh, following our agenda, we now have the superintendence report. >> Okay. >> Okay. Officially,
good night every or good night everyone. And now we'll turn it over now. Uh, good evening everyone. Uh, good night. Uh, I'm pleased to share an update on the seal of biiteracy. Uh for those of you that don't know the it's an important recognition awarded to graduating
students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language. Supported by the Michigan Department of Education, the seal signifies that students are prepared to communicate and thrive in a global global society while honoring their cultural and linguistic
assets. Here in Lancing, we're proud to report that we've already awarded more than 30 seals of biiteracy this school year. I just want to pause because I'm going to give my own little round of applause for that. I do have some pictures of this behind
us. Um, this accomplishment reflects the sustained efforts of our bilingual department whose dedication over the years has ensured that students have access to this meaningful opportunity and the support that is needed to achieve that. I also want to especially highlight how truly special it was for
our district to have two of our own students present at the board of education meeting and we're talking about the state level Michigan Department of Education board meeting. Uh we had Jahalia Javeed from Eastern High School and we had Peter Jeffa uh
Boropang Lee and please forgive me if I mispronounced any of your names from Sexton High School representing the Lancing School District with excellence sharing powerful personal reflections on the value of multilingualism. Having students speak at this level is a
proud moment for our district. I just can't say enough amazing things about our kids. And when they went to speak to the MDE, we had many accolades of how wonderfully they represented our community and represented students that are going to be earning the seal of biiteracy. Um, this not only elevates
student voice, but it showcases the real impact of our programs and their presence and stories are a testament to the importance of this work and the bright future of our multilanguage learners. So again, that was an incredible experience. I'd also like to highlight that we had the groundbreaking at Luton
last week. Uh we had community members, board of education, the principal, the mayor. We had all of our our bond rep, construction, architects, and more um along with community partners and folks just from the neighborhood that knew something awesome was going on to join us. And the groundbreaking was is
incredibly special because in the um in 2022, the community said that they believe in the Lancing School District by voting for our bond. So, it's really wonderful. Again, we have some pictures behind me here on the screen of the groundbreaking ceremony. Phenomenal,
exciting. It is not every day that a school district has one school that they've opened, Mount Hope, but we have another in construction, Willow, which will open this fall. Yay, Willow. And then, of course, we are building Luton and building Sheran Road. So, we're looking forward to another groundbreaking coming up for Sheran
Road. It was a special day for Luton and a special day to just thank our community members for believing in our students and standing behind them as we want them to do in the capital city. So, thank you all. Um, thirdly, I'd like to give a shout out to Post Oak students
who uh joined the Lancing Empowerment Network last night for their cradle to career. It was a really pleasure to be there. I was there with Trusty Niski and some amazing parents. And of course, the best part of it for me was we had students from Post Oak there and they really talked to us about what enrichment activities they would like to
see that they'd like to see different lunch choices. They had phenomenal ideas and it was just a joy always to spend time with our students and just to know that their voice matters and so it was really important for me tonight to have that as part of my superintendent report because our students are at the center of all we do and they need to be
recognized for being able to come out in the evening and spend time with all of us and share their ideas. So all of you if you want to join um I'm not affiliated with Lancing Empowerment Network although it was an an amazing event last night they do meet the third of every um Wednesday of every month and
it is centered around students like it's called cradle to career and I think all of us in an organization that celebrates youth this would be another way if you want to be involved to be to be able to do that. Um I'm imploring all of you uh this is our first annual
African-American recognition ceremony. It is coming up on May 12th. The RSVPs are out right now. Do not lose an opportunity to say you are coming. It will be happening on May 12th from 6:30 to 8. We have a location to be announced because if we need a huge venue, we've
got one. And if we need a smaller one, we've got you, too. So, we're just waiting to see how many people RSVP, but those are due April 24th. So, we want to make sure that your voice is heard and you can get those spots. I'm really excited. Um, and I have to thank the the board members for initiating that.
Trusty Herd and um Trusty Williams especially in being there um almost every week we meet um to make sure that that is is going to be coming to fruition. So really happy that that's going to be coming. And then lastly um I would welcome all of you to join me at
Mount Hope on April 30th. I will be sharing a vision for the school district from 6:00 to 7:00. Like we've talked about with our bond efforts. It would be really great if you haven't seen Mount Hope in person. Please come out. your taxpayer dollars and your vote of confidence in Langston School District is shining brightly at Mount Hope and we
would be really happy to have you there just to hear the vision of the school district um from me, your interim superintendent. So again, just want to thank all of you. Um I think this is a wonderful district where we do put students first and I think we are all stronger together, our parents and our
community and I'm always proud to be LSD. >> Madam Superintendent, I have I have a question if possible. We're going to laugh about it. >> Trusty Williams, >> we're going to laugh about it. I am a graduating parent. So, the RSVP says that the parents only get four
reservations, but I'm also on the committee. So, does that mean I get one extra one? >> No preferential treatment. Trusty Williams, if we do have parents that need more than that, they certainly can reach out. We're not trying to limit anyone. It's just we want to make sure we have room for any everyone in the venue we have.
So, if you have five, you have an extra special friend that wants to come, please just let us know. We're not trying to limit anyone. So, I am actually glad that you lifted that. Thanks. >> And and I did I did tell Trusty Herd, I said, I'm gonna ask for clarification because I am on the committee. So, I know I won't necessarily be sitting with
my family, but if that means that I'm using a ticket, I'm okay with that as well. So, I want people to know that we are having this dialogue and I'm not getting any special treatment. When we think about our our recognition ceremony, one thing to really celebrate as a district, we have over 300
African-American graduates. That's why we had to live it to four tickets because we don't really have a venue for all the everyone. So, please uh come with your seats, but we we will celebrate all of you and happily accommodate when we can. >> All right.
>> Do we have any any new business? Any new business? Okay. Do we have public comment? No public comment. Okay. But I'm sure we have comments from the board. >> Uh Trusty Williams. So, um, thank you,
Madam Superintendent, for, uh, bringing up the African-American recognition because that was on my list. >> Um, but we also know that this month is child abuse prevention month. So, please, you all, if you see the blue pin wheels, that's what they represent. If you would like some of the blue pin
wheels, let us know. We can provide those for you because we want to support our children, our baby, our state organizations, everything. And we do not believe in child abuse. Also, as we know, May is coming up. Prom season.
Prom season. If you know children who are going to prom but can't afford it, please, we are here. I'm I I don't want to spend all my little checkbook, but I will help people because we want to make sure that everybody has this opportunity. It's also Mother's Day
weekend. It's also the month that we celebrate our teachers and our educators. So, May is a busy month. Please open your hearts. You may have to open your wallets, but if nothing else, be kind, be respectful, be honorable. Let's celebrate everybody because we are
all a village that grows and becomes stronger together. So, those are all my comments. >> Thank you. Uh, Trusty Stro, >> I'm quick and short. I'm trying to be. Thank you, uh, Trusty Williams for that. I just wanted to make notion that we do
have a dress closet with the Lancing School District. get in contact. All of our high schools do have that. So, we uh certainly uh can support if there's anybody in need um with prom season or um clothing, etc. And then a great shout
out while I'm here, our care closet is still a thing. Um you can still um request those things and they'd be put secretly into your child's backpack or even melt to your home address. I believe we're still doing that. Drop offs. Yep. So, I just wanted to plug
that in and that's all I got. >> Anybody else? >> Um, yes. Thank you. I'll just add to and thank the superintendent for attending the LEN meeting last night. Also, the weekly meetings continue Wednesdays at 12:00. Everyone is invited and community
included. Um, we hear some positive updates from law enforcement that numbers of incidents of gun violence are down from compared to last year uh at this time. So that is good news and the tireless effort of all the many community partners who are working on that in our in our region. Um but not
all the areas that should be at the table are there. And so I thank the superintendent for being there on behalf of the district, all of the staff because there are multiple staff members who attend those uh weekly meetings to be part of those conversations. Uh and law enforcement, you know, and dialogue is saying that as the weather heats up,
traditionally that's when incidents of gun violence do increase. So we all want to proactively be working together. So attending those Wednesday 12:00 meetings if you can. Also there's now a monthly third Saturday which is this Saturday for April uh starting at 10:00 at Rio
Elementary for the broader LEN um effort and this will include time for breakouts with the various um subgroups that are part of that collective beyond the weekly updates with law enforcement. So, lots of great things happening uh with Lancing Empowerment Network and I
encourage the community to get involved uh and be part of the ongoing conversation with that work and encourage your your neighbors and elected officials and and especially beyond just Lancing. One thing that was highlighted last night in Cradle to Career was the the great model that we
have with um handle with care for students in the Lancing School District who are impacted by incidents in the community and the Lancing Police Department relationship with the district. Um we know there are some things that to improve even on that, but the conversation was about how do we get all of the law enforcement departments,
Lancing Township and other municipalities, sheriff, state, all of that to to participate in that. uh and how do we get all of the schools because often Lancing is the one who gets the referral even if it's not a Lancing school district student. So that greater regional effort I think is important as
we try to grow grow the network. That's all I have. Thank you. >> Anybody else? >> All right. I do have a um I passed out a a program. This was uh on Thursday March 26 at Everett High School. It was Drums
for Hands presented by Forever Everett. forever. And this was a program that that was celebrating the the arts obviously and and music and drumming was was exciting. I got to do a little bit of it. So it was it was fun. So just the
the one of the points here, Lensing is one of 10 cities nationwide selected to screen, run, hide, fight, growing up under the gun. And this probably something that that would be um well actually Lynn was there. Okay. And so,
um, so the award-winning documentary from, uh, the creative minds of student reporting labs, SRL, a grassroots initiative of PBS, teaching and training teams to produce powerful professional
quality stories that feature people in places from communities across America. So, it was a celebration and a program and um, some awards were presented, recognitions And um I was there not only as as a
board member here but also as part of Michigan Association of School Boards who through SCT um presented a check to the group. So it was a really really nice uh gathering.
Uh the other thing I want to to do is just to on behalf of the board uh send our condolences to the family of Mr. Hime Torres who recently passed a couple of days ago or
a day ago. Uh he was a friend of many very wellthoughtout person. Um many of his co-workers were at a gathering last night remembering uh Mr. Torres. Um, so I just want to send the family our
condolences and um, know they know that we're here to assist in whatever we can. Uh, the whole family, the kids graduated from, uh, Lensing Schools Eastern. He graduated from Eastern High School. So, um, so again, our condolences to the
family and, um, I just want to make note of that. Any other com doctors heard? I I just wanted to um say what a wonderful opportunity. Um I'm sad that I've been so tied up the last
couple of months that I've not been able to go to lots of our arts events. Um I I really wanted to just lift I I would love to see Mr. President the board of education invite um some of our arts ensembles to come and perform for us. Uh maybe it's the end of the year now, but
maybe next year. Um being very intentional. Maybe I'm not saying every time, but maybe once a month um to showcase the great art that is happening. I love to see our student artwork um on the walls at sometimes switching them out. Our our visual artists, I would love to see our
performing artists come and perform for the board. I know when I was in Lancing schools, if the band or the choir had an opportunity to come perform at the board meeting, we were all trembling. It was just such a uh exciting thing and also a nerve-wracking thing when I became a teacher and had to bring the choir to
come perform for the board. Um but it's so invigorating and we want to show that we do have wonderful things happening in Lancing schools um in our arts areas. Absolutely love that. Um and the other thing I wanted to to just um Trusty
Ninsky uh really hit a spot for me. I I know I've been talking on the safety thing um for the last several months and um I was just talking to director Black about know before you go um and some of the things that we um have put in place here in Lancing schools and I just
wanted to lift again um for all of my neighbors, my fellow parents, check those backpacks before our babies leave home and not just checking for weapons and things like that. I'm not implying that even though you should check for that, too. check to see if there's any homework laying in the bottom that they
said the dog ate or fell in the fish tank or um if they need extra pencils, giving a little hug before you go to work. If they go on the bus early, um saying, "Hey, make today a good day. And if not, this is who you can come talk to." Shoot a call to the school. If your
child woke up with an attitude, they just didn't get enough rest last night. Call the secretary and say, "They're a trip this morning. I got to drop them off anyway. I got to go to work." But just so you know, give them an hour to get their yourself together. If they haven't done it in an hour, call me back. Let's work together because as you
said, Trusty Nisky, um we know once the sun comes out, sometimes folks start to act a fool. And um that's just the way it is because we know this. Let's all work together to keep all of our students safe. Um I love this is one of
my favorite meetings since I've been on the board of education. I love um the the um exciting conversation about movement forward. I love the um spirited review of making
sure that our students are the center of our uh motives for being here. And I love a student centered thing like just just coming and we've been talking about kids all this time. Usually I'm looking at the clock like Lord Von don't ask
anything else because you're prolonging the meeting. But like I could talk it all night about kids you know because tonight has been about kids. And you know with that I want to say you know this is really not a good time to not be in Lancing schools when you've got a
board of education willing to work with its superintendent to keep kids at the center. If you've been teeter tottering about whether to send your kids to Lancing schools. I've got one headed here in the fall to GSRP. And so I believe in this mission. I
believe in what we're doing. You It's high time for you to come home. Great things are happening in Lancing schools and you need to be a part of it. Get down to that PACE office and get your application in. Okay. >> Thank you, Dr. Herd. Appreciate that. Uh
and and just um a comment uh from from what you said. I think Mr. superintendent, we should have student um recognition on a monthly basis. Not necessarily the just the arts, but students, you know, we have
sports, we have uh arts, we have, you know, we have uh other kinds of things that are going on in schools. And just to bring him here and recognize them is is is a really really good thing. Um, so I I leave that with you and maybe you
and your team can set up um a schedule >> and and if we if we have any any one particular student, please let her know so that arrangement can be made. Trusty. >> Yes. Um, thank you uh Dr. Herd and congratulations to you. I wasn't going
to bring this up, but I'm going to since we're talking about t our our students, we also want to support our peer professionals. And I want to share with you all the Michigan ESP Bill of Rights. One job should be of enough. And this is for our our peer professionals. I'm going to pass around a flyer and I'm
going to ask you all to read the flyer and consider endorsing the um following reforms that our pair professionals are asking for. Okay? So if they're not well, they can't support our students, our babies. And also because we support our pair professionals, we're looking
for people to come and work in the Lansing School District. So come on home. Can I say that? Hello, somebody. So come on home. I'm going to pass this around. All righty. That's all I have for you all. >> Anybody else? >> One more time. >> Okay. Oh, Trusty Williams.
>> So we you've all been hearing us all night say congrat congratulations, Dr. Her. Let me officially say yes, this man has been in meetings, in committee meetings. He did, you know, I had to hold him accountable, but I gave him a little slack. But we are going to officially say congratulations, Dr.
Hurt. Yay. And just so you all know, his thesis was about our arts program. And when I say to be a part of that thing, he really, really, really, really loves the arts.
He loves our babies so to the point that if he asked me one more time what school got what being, how choirs, what we need to do, we y'all might see him hanging outside to refresh for a little bit, but he'll be back at the diet. But we are so proud of our own because we are all, as
you can see, we are all educating ourselves on a consistent basis. Some of us just came back from a educational conference that we will probably talk about soon. We're still recovering, but we are always looking and growing and seeking ways to educate ourselves. So,
you are not we when we say we are living what we're teaching to our students, this is who we are. So, we are all educating ourselves. Even the E team back there who seems so tired right now, but we love them anyway. So, thank you all. >> Thank you. There be no other business,
this meeting is adjourned.