Good evening and good evening and welcome back to school. Um, welcome to the board of education's regular board meeting um, today, August 21st, 2025. Could we please rise for the pledge of allegiance?
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Wonderful. >> Would one of our amazing board members
be interested in reading our mission statement this evening? Thank you, Trusty Strode. Our mission is to provide a high quality education and culturally safe and nurturing environment that supports all students to live purposeful and fulfilling lives. >> Thank you. Could the clerk please call
the role? >> Dr. Kavanaaugh, Mr. Heard Mr. Lopez >> present. >> Mrs. Moore >> present. >> Dr. Nibar Martinez. Mr. Noveske >> present. >> Dr. Rodriguez.
Mrs. Strode >> present. >> Ms. Williams >> present. >> Quir is present. >> Thank you so much. I did hear from Trusty Herd and Dr. Nver Martinez and they should be coming soon. I am aware that Dr. Rodriguez and Trusty Kavanagh
will not be in attendance this evening. Um are there in moving on to our um approval of our minutes. Are there any uh corrections for our Thursday, August 7th meeting at this time?
With no corrections, moving on to our presentations this evening. And we don't have any presentations this meeting. So we will be moving on to our officer's report. Vice President Lopez, could you please read or report for the secretary tonight? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you.
>> We encourage you to download the Here Comes the Bus app, which allows you to track your child's bus in real time for added convenience and peace of mind. August 23rd at 9:00 a.m., join us for
our first ever back to school 5K 5K proceeds. Beyond Event Setup will support vital enrichment programs in athletics, arts, and robotics across our district. The entry fee is $25.
Reminder that August 29th, there's no school. September 1st is Labor Day, no school. At our next board meetings, September 4th, regular meeting. September 18th, regular meeting and information study
session. an October 2nd regular board meeting. That is the report from the secretary. Madam Chair, >> thank you, Vice President Lopez. And um I did miss uh public comment or item three, public comment on agenda items.
Is there any at this time? Seeing none, um moving on to our uh committee reports. And we don't have any committee reports this evening. Superintendent, could you please give your report? My pleasure. Uh good evening everyone. It's uh really great
to see everybody. I know that it's like we're shaking off the summer uh board meetings and bringing on to the school year. Uh yesterday, as everybody knows, was the first day of school. It was really terrific. Um I want to thank the
the board. So many of you were out there uh in force. It was really so great to see everybody. Um, I will say that uh being uh at a TV studio at 5:45 a.m. was
a little early. Uh, but I was honored to be able to talk about all the great things that are happening in the Lancing School District. Um, you know, being at Mount Hope, seeing that brand new building, seeing the smiling faces of the staff and the kids and the
community, you know, that's what all of our kids deserve. It's what all of our staff deserves. Uh there's so many great things that are happening in this district that we got to see. I think I visited maybe eight or nine schools yesterday and a bunch more today. And you know, of course, the big press is,
you know, the start the Mount Hope, but you know, drive by Hill and see Lancing Tech and go by Atwood and see the brand new gymnasium or just go to Wexford and see a beautiful building with smiling children, you know, like it really is
just a a pretty special thing. And you know, the start of school went well. Of course, there were always hiccups. You know, we know that there's going to be a bus route here, a class schedule there, but you know, this is now year five, and I can certainly say from our
perspective. Uh it was the best opening we've had in a long time. Uh you know, and then it's it's other things, too. You know, Sheridan Road last year was brutally hot. They have air conditioning now. It's just completely different. um
you know the idea that we've got the facilities upgrades uh but it's also even more important is the number of teachers we have in classrooms and the number of assistants we have in classrooms and and and leadership you know again you know it's very hard to
expect the school to raise proficiency rates if half the teachers are substitutes right and you know the fact that we now have I think seven vacancies in the entire district for classroom teachers is just an incredible testament
to uh what's going on here in this district. I mean, we are getting people from districts around this area as well as around the country uh coming to us wanting to work with our children, seeing the great things that are happening and I'm just really proud. You know, again, there's always going to be hiccups and certainly we're going to try
to fix them as much as we can. Uh but, you know, for a first day and a second day, I'm really really proud and I again I want to thank this board. It was so great to run into so many of you in the classrooms, in the schools, uh, you know, visiting. Um, and I think the community should really take notice of
that. This is a this is a community that really cares deeply about its schools and its board, its executive team, everybody was at the schools and it is really terrific. Um, you know, it is day two, so I do not have the transportation numbers. Uh, I promise I will get those
to you at our next board meeting. But, you know, we're still getting kids transferring in, transferring out. So, certainly anybody listening. If you have any transportation issues, please, please, please reach out. I think I've probably personally answered 10 emails
from parents today just on busing things. And we know you you move, the address is different, the school is different. Um, so, you know, please have some grace with our own staff. We are dealing with 10,000 students. Um, but please let us know. Um, you know, we'll do our best to to get things done. I
mean, there is a wait list. The deadline was, you know, a couple of weeks ago, but we are here to s to to serve you. And so, please, please, please, uh, if there's a transportation issue, let us know. Um, also, and I want to big give a big thanks to our partners at KATA. Um,
the first two weeks, Kata is very, very understanding about KATA passes for our high school kids. So, if you go to one of our high schools and you didn't get your KATA pass yet, uh KATA is very understanding. They'll let you get on the bus. And, you know, I also want to
thank uh Kata. Again, they've built bus stops literally on our property for each of our four high schools. So, Sexton, Eastern, Everett, and Lancing Tech. Uh those stops are are on school property.
It's very safe. It's very easy to get to. Um and we really appreciate it. And then of course big thanks to our department of public safety who have people at the katah hub uh to make sure that kids are able to get on uh to it. So you know look I don't want to belabor the point. I know we have got some
contract we have to work on. Um but I just want to tell you how proud I am. Uh just it it felt different this year in in a way that was really striking. Not only did it seem kind of more joyful and more happy, but you you walk around and
it felt more full. It felt more full with families. It felt more full with staff and with children. And you know, we'll see what our count numbers are. I'm not really sure, but at least on the outset, it really does feel like, you know, our students are here and they're staying. And that's the last thing I
want to point out, especially about our our K8s and our younger grades. When I got here, there was this kind of large uh sense of students leaving after third grade, after fourth grade. and and yesterday and today I was at almost all
of our K8s and just to see how our kids like those schools so much that they're staying. So the kids start in kindergarten and they're going all the way to 8th grade and and that's really powerful. Um you know and that's a testament to the schools themselves, you know, and I really want to thank really
all the educators, all the families, all the kids, um and the board for being so present. That was really lovely. I really appreciate that. I know the staff and the community does as well. And then of course ET um you know even even if they're non-pedagical they care deeply about children and to see them in
schools supporting everybody was was great. So with that you know I wanted to just keep it keep it a little brief. Uh you know but it's uh it was a great opening day today and I really look forward to tomorrow. You know this is what I love right being in schools being with kids being with educators and I
really want to thank everybody for a great opening. So thank you. >> Thanks superintendent. It was a joy. I was able to go to Sheridan Road yesterday. So to see those babies, it was truly a joy to be able to pass out pencils. Are there any um questions for our superintendent or comments or anything anybody would like to share?
>> Oh, Trusty Ninsky. Yes. >> I just want to ask again as I have been for an update on budget negotiations. I know we keep going further without any seeming progress from the state. If kind of give a highlight of where we're at and what to be thinking about. O >> always happy to. Uh sadly I don't have
much to report. um you know the the governor nor the head of the senate or the house uh call me personally to ask for negotiation. Uh but a lot of people do reach out. Um again I want the community to be very comfortable. Our budget is good until September uh 30th.
Um right now we do know that the house and the senate and the governor are in negotiations. We have been told that you know they are talking. Um but you know the good news is and this is why we're very very careful about our finances is that you know we feel like we're in good
shape but you know look if there is no state budget it's it's not just schools right that's going to be the whole state and that's going to be a really big deal but you know I have been in touch with our local electeds I know that they're uh fighting deeply for our kids and for
our community uh but as of today there's there's no there's nothing to write home about yet. Um, but I will certainly let the board know if and when there's a change. >> Wonderful. All righty. Moving on to our um motion tonight. Our new business,
excuse me. We have a contract that we will need to vote on. Superintendent, could you have one of your um executive leaders expound a little bit about >> I would love to. So, uh first of all, it's great to speak to all of you again. Um, this is one of those contracts that uh we've done often, but it's also
really special and I want to make sure that the board knows what this is about. And of course, if you have any questions about it, please please ask. Uh, Sergio, if you want to talk a little bit about it, thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Good. Good evening. Tonight, I'm asking for your approval to contract three
teachers from Michigan State University's postBA world language teacher certification program. This partnership has been the cornerstone the chi of the Chinese immersion program in the lansing school districts for nearly two decades
because I've been here for a little while. It's been an honor to be part of this. There's a little bit of history behind this and I think it's important that we know it. This partnership began in 2006 when the Lancing School District and MSU launched two Chinese immersion
classrooms in a postto. At that time, the Lancing State Journal ran a story about MSU's search for a district partner to begin a Chinese preschool program. MSU had recently started a preschool
program in Beijing, China called the 3E International Kindergarten, where our current preschool director, Angela Bur, was a teacher for two years. I had the privilege of visiting that school. As a matter of fact, the former
East Lancing superintendent still when I see him tells me how much he regrets that he didn't go after this program, which we're very happy about it. With the support of our then superintendent Dr. Banks, I quickly approached MSU and the program gained
statewide attention and immediately in fact the state superintendent Mike Flanigan personally visited postto. He was not very excited about us changing the curriculum in the
preschools. He felt so impressed he went on to promote the program in across Michigan. I also recall a distinguished professor Dr. Yong Zhao who was then the director of the Confucious Institute.
We agree that while many Lancing students might never have the chance to travel to China, we would bring a little piece of China to Lancing. That vision grew into one of the jewels of our district and later it inspired
the launch of our Spanish immersion program at Forest View which began with one preschool classroom the following year. So since 2006 nearly 50 teachers have come through the
res this resencing program. These teachers are trained specifically in immersion instruction, a skill set that is in very short supply in the United States. This program has position Lancing as a leader in bilingual and immersion
education, not just locally, but statewide. Without this collaboration with MSU, the Chinese immersion program and possibly the Spanish immersion program would have never existed. So tonight we are
requesting approval to contract three new teachers, two for preschool and one for fourth grade. Many of the candidates for this program come from China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In the first year they work along a
mentor teacher with one one of them of these uh teachers for us was a postto doing an internship. two others were at Forest Hill. In the second year, they serve as the teacher of record. At the
same time, they're completing a master's degree in teaching and curriculum at MSU, which leads them to a Michigan teaching certification. The three teachers before you tonight are entering their second year as teachers of record. The cost for each
teacher is $53,500 from the be from the beginning there has been an agreement with the LSEA and these teachers are full union members with union dues covered by the school district
after their residency. Many of these teachers choose to stay with us under a H1B sponsorship visa which can lead them to uh possibly permanent residency. Others return home or teach internationally.
No matter where they take their path, they leave a tremendous and lasting impact on our students and programs. So, closing. Approving this request allows to continue a proven partnership that not only addresses the teacher shortage, but
also sustains one of our district's proudest achievements, our immersion programs. These teachers bring unique expertise and cultural perspective that simply we cannot find elsewhere. I respectfully ask for your approval so
that we can continue building this on success and I thank you the many previous board members and our current superintendent who have supported immersion programs for our school district and our students. Thank you. >> Thank you Sergio. That was really nice.
I didn't know all that history. So that's terrific. So Madame President, that's the district's perspective on the program. >> Thank you so much. Um, are there any questions for um, Sergio or our superintendent at this time regarding the program? >> I have a couple of questions. So,
>> Trusty Williams, >> outside of the Chinese and Spanish immersion, are we seeking other maybe other language linguist teachers from through this program possibly to grow such as some maybe Swahili something like that? Are we working with them to look at those languages as well? >> Oh, no. Thank you for that question,
Sergio. This specific this specific program works with uh Chinese immersion teachers. They're looking at expanding into other languages but so far it's
chess Chinese but if you see the title of their program is called world language teacher certification program. So the hope is that they will move into other languages. >> So and then my final question is you said we were going to do three. So, is it one Chinese and then two two Chinese
and one Spanish or just all three Chinese? >> All three Chinese. Two for preschool classrooms and one for a fourth grade uh Chinese immersion classroom. >> Okay. Thank you for that. >> Right. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you, Trusty Williams. All right.
With no other questions, I may have Oh, Vice President Lopez, >> I want to I want to make the motion. >> Yes, please. I move that the board of education approve the 2526 3TC's contract as presented. >> Second.
>> Oh wow. It's been moved by Vice President uh Lopez and second by Trusty Herd. Um all in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Any oppose? >> Motion passes. Seven. Is it six? Seven
maybe two. Four. Seven. Seven. Okay. Motion passes. Um, super. Right. All right. Moving on to uh any public comments on non-aggenda items at this time? >> No. Alrighty. Any comments from our
board members at this time? Oh, everybody's excited about the first day of school. I can feel it in the air. Uh, let's start with uh start at the end and work our way around. Yes, please. >> Very quick. I am so uh extremely thankful and grateful to be a proud
parent of this district. also be um in the community and live in the district where our children go to school. Um I share the same sentiment um from our superintendent this week. I was able to visit one of my assigned schools on yesterday. Um there was a lot of
happiness. There were some tears of parents at the first day of school. There was smiles. There was a lot of uh camaraderie amongst the parents. And um if you are at Cumberland, you know that area can be a little tricky to navigate.
and um the amazing uh parents and staff and teachers. It was just really great to see. I was able to see uh Miss Benvdz over there. And then even today at my own daughter's school, I seen Superintendent Ben um greeting families
and having conversations and it just really did my heart some good. Um, so I feel like yesterday I was just really proud to belong to such a community. Um, to belong to such a space where our kids and my kids go to school and I was
really proud of Lancing for how we showed up. You know, I'm the social media uh group one out of the group and all the shout outs on Facebook and the pictures and the first day of school and um it it felt really really good. So I was really excited. and I'm wishing all of you and everybody, staff included,
teachers, um, custodians, everybody, a wonderful, amazing school year. Thank you. >> Thank you, Trusty Stro. That was really nice. Trusty Williams, >> I want to start by saying thank you to the ET team, everybody down at central office and the superintendent for celebrating the teachers and everybody
on Tuesday. When I say though it was raining, um, it was a wonderful event. I mean, I literally laughed cuz I saw in the corner of my eye, I saw uh our public safety director doing the um he he rode the bull. Couple of people was
throwing axes, you know, just to see people in the room just actually enjoying themselves, welcoming each other back, talking to each other, getting to know the new co-workers and everything. Um uh director Black was giving away so much stuff. They just
really Who won musical chairs? That's what I want to know. It was two rounds. Who won the first one? Who won the second one? >> She didn't. But she was Yeah. When I say she was going for Gusto, her and Tia Bell, I was kind of concerned that they was going to actually fight cuz they was competitive. But it was really good. I
mean, to see the adults actually have kid time, the bicycle races, we start there. Then we were laughing cuz we started outside, director Black and I, with the shaved ice. You guys have to try this. Can we get that back as much as we can? Oh my god, it was so good.
But just to see everybody working together, having fun, and just um got to visit some of the tables. So most of us know that workforce development was in Saxton last year. So they're now going to be in all of our schools where 11th
and 11th and 12th graders can sign up, you know, go with them, get job skills, everything like that. Um he actually talked to my child. He says, "Well, it don't look like we need to offer you nothing. seems like you got this. But I want this to make sure that I'll give this to the superintendent so we can make sure that we get these to all the
kids in the district because I think that's a really exciting program because they had teams that competed representing the district. So that was a wonderful program. Yesterday was fun. I went to nine schools yesterday. We we crossed each other. You barely missed me
at Kendon. I missed you. But it was really interesting because I always start at my home school with my son and I wait till the buses go because a lot of kids miss the bus. So I take kids over to the to the career center, get them over there. In the process I ran into uh director Ben. We were laughing
taking some Candace. And so just going to see the different schools. The kids were in the hallway. Oh, I'm in this class. What class are you in? It's up there. It's that. So just seeing them work together. Then even the preschoolers at Kendon, they were so sweet and so cute. The tears had me
breaking though. But they instantly stopped the crying. It's like, "Okay, can y'all leave? We got friends in this area." And so just to see even that small of a group developing, interacting non-verbal and verbal. It was great. Mount Hope was my favorite. I really had so much fun over Mount Hope. I saw
Christina over there. It was interesting. But I didn't realize our names were on the building. And one of the little kids said, "Her name, is that her? That's that lady right there." And I was like, "What?" He says, "Right there." So I got a picture of one of the little guys pointing at my name. It was funny, but they were so proud of their building. They were walking around. They
saw tissue. They were picking it up and everything. They just said, you know, it was really good just walking into some of the classrooms. I got on the floor and played art at North with the kids. So it was fun. I had a total good day. I think I was exhausted last night. So with that being said, you all won't get
my board retreat. my um in summer institute reporting till next week so all this can calm down first but I do appreciate also allowing me to go to the summer institute it was great this weekend a lot smaller group um but more people you can relate to grand ledge all
of that I think uh Dan and I were in the class and didn't even know it I think he went one way and I'm like somebody's like didn't you see your colleague I'm like nope so I saw you go to your car that's when I saw you so it has been a really great week interesting week so I'm looking forward to what the next few weeks are going to be um I probably will
be answering phones at some of the schools. So, if y'all see me, I'm volunteering. >> Wonderful. I'm glad you're able to attend the summer institute. Those are always helpful. Um so, thanks for going and I look forward to your report. Um hey, >> are you going to skip me or you
>> didn't say okay VP, you got something for us? >> All right. Okay. Um couple of things. Well, first day of school was great. I was at uh Dwight Rich and Dwight Rich is, you know, prek five, you know, >> eight
>> eight, I'm sorry, prek8. So, uh it was interesting. You you saw that the kids that were really timid, you know, the first first grade, second uh you know, kindergarteners and stuff like that. And then you had all these other kids with a lot of energy running there
to be first in line and whatever, whatever. So, it was it was fun. Um, a couple of kids even came and gave me a hug. I I just >> Okay, >> they needed that. >> Yeah, I I needed it. >> But it was fun. Um, teachers, they were
there helping the the parents. Um, they have a very good team there at at White Ridge. So, I was also able to speak to the principal and the vice principles before the the students came in. So, that was really nice. Um, as far as the
um, welcoming the school year for teachers, I saw you there. >> I did. >> Okay. I >> Oh, and you need to see director Blackbe when you leave. >> Anyway, uh, that that too was was nice to see the teachers, you know, just talk,
>> not not be talking about work really. They were just talking to each other and having fun. >> Those cookies were really great, >> especially the ones with the >> Did you get the peach cobbler? peach cobbler cookies. [Laughter]
And um just to follow up on U Trusty Williams, um the MASB uh conference coming up in October, uh we have um four delegates that we can send and obviously
for alternates or two alternates, whatever. So we have an opportunity to make um to uh participate. So as as we get the notice from MASB and and then we uh sign the the um the
delegates, you know, we we we can do that and and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible over there. Um that's going to be u a nice uh what is winter conference. So, um, and again, I
I guess I'm going to change a little bit. Gas second transport. translu. So, okay. Thank you. >> Chitchaty.
Yeah. I don't um go right ahead. Go. >> Yeah. So, um my kids started school with everyone yesterday at Post Oak. I was kind of, you know, it's always nerve-wracking, I think, as a parent, too, like when your kids have their very first day at a new school. But both of them came home elated. They loved it. I
was a little concerned with my little one who was going into the half immersion in the beginning of the day, but he said that he loved his teacher, that he was really great. Um, and I'm Juan is ready to be a businessman and speak uh Mandarin, he says. So, very
excited about that. I also wanted to say congratulations to our vice president who is being awarded the Cafeito Caliente Legacy Award, right? And so congratulations to RVP. >> Congratulations >> for all of his really great work that
he's done in the community for folks. And so we're very proud of you. >> Thank you very much. I don't know if I deserve it, but I but I'm deserve it. >> I'm glad. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you for sharing that, Dr. D. All right. Anyone else have any comments or
>> I don't think Mr. So, I I uh I I did I had a wonderful wonderful day, too. U director Black and team, you really know how to throw a party. Um and I was glad that I beat Trusty Williams there. She had somewhere important to be
and was trying to make sure that I wasn't going to be late and I ended up beating her there. So, I win. Um everyone's favorite trustee, Trusty Herd. Thank you. Um um I I also was able to go to u my two
schools, Everett um high school and also Lions Elementary and oh the joy uh the joy of first days and um I always remember the first day of school as a
teacher and uh just the organized chaos uh that it could be but it didn't feel that way at all. People were so uh excited. It It was almost weird. I said I I thought I would hear a little bit more um weeping and nashing of teeth, but I didn't. Um our baby babies at Lion
seemed so glad to be there. Um there were even a couple of students that forgot that they don't go to Lions anymore that were there and uh because they wanted to be back. and um all the principles, all the staff, and uh what I really enjoyed was seeing um reading
specialists and math specialists already mobilizing day one. Um getting to know their students and show them how much they love them to say, you know, we've got some work to do this year, but I want you to know I'm here for you. Um, and they were already
pulling students so that they could see their areas and the reading materials and um, showing them all their special pencils and smils. I love a smil uh, and um was thrilled to see um, a cubicle for
my first grade teacher Jill Johnson who is still in the district and working at Lions. Uh, I it says something about a place to work when somebody will work that long. I'm good and grown and have children of my own. And the woman who was teaching me in the first grade at
CLCCA back in the day is still in the district helping our babies learn to read. There's still good boots on the ground, Jessica. And um I was thrilled to see that. And so many all over the district who have served for years and years. And of course my love my all Tia
Bell at Everett who's also been here for eons uh and is still making it happen. So magic, magic, magic, magic. All the principles, all the teachers, everyone. You know, great things are happening here in Lancing. And I know as school has started and you may have started your baby somewhere else and you're
wondering, should you send them over here to become shining stars? I think it's time for you to come home, don't you? >> Trusty Ninsky, would you like to speak? >> Uh, yes. Thank you. I wasn't able to attend the first morning due to some commitments, but I was able to go to an
open house the night before uh at Forest View for my child, which had some bright new paint and lights just as we walk in the gym. We couldn't see the whole school because some last minute construction things, but thankful to the district for making that work so we could still have the first day and like some places around us. Uh so that's
great. And >> I never heard shade from Dan before. just appreciative that we work through those challenges and can have that opportunity whatever it looks like. Um and um that the boss was there exactly on time this morning. So you know some
of the challenges we faced I think are we're turning the corner on those. So again just to be excited about those. Um I was also able to attend the MASB conference this weekend and uh can give a very brief overview of the the courses I took. One was on advanced school law
which looked at um first amendment rights, uh religious freedoms, uh speech rights, a little bit on uh case law in several of those areas. Um um due process rights and some things related to dress code, board members and social
media, uh Michigan's weapon, free school zone. So, um, I'll send a a brief outline to all of you, but nothing there that jumped out to me for our action other than continuing to review legal policies with our council to stay up to date on those things. Um, the next was
leveraging feedback, which looked at how we can practice active listening when we have one-on-one conversations and also through more structured feedback uh, methods. We also looked a little bit at qualitative and quantitative data and how we can utilize that. So, one
takeaway I had was that focus groups can be a powerful tool specifically when we have a group of stakeholders concerned about a specific topic or action item which I think we've kind of gone through that process sometimes but just it was a good reminder that when there is that um
kind of heated group a focus group structure can be very helpful for that um was a recommendation they made. Another was on district strategic planning and goal setting. And this was led by the MASB staff who do this for several districts. I know we went through a plan with Michigan State,
which is probably a little different than their process, but I would imagine similar. Um, again, they went through that process of how to do a strategic plan, uh, set goals, what is the role of the board in that versus administration, how to engage stakeholders. I thought it was a good reminder now that we're
midway through our 23 to 27 strategic plan. Uh it might be a good time to just formally revisit that and bring it to light and make sure we're always communicating it and assessing those goals and tweaking what it might need to be in the midst of that plan. So that's
just something for us to think about as we're we're midway in the plan. And then final uh class I took was on advance community relations. And this was primarily just a sharing between board members, a facilitated discussion about what they're doing, what's worked, what
hasn't worked, uh, and and talking about the difference between communicating in a one-way fashion to the public information, getting public input in a one-way fashion as we do here at the boardroom, uh, versus engagement where we can find opportunities to really have that two-way dialogue. So, a great list
of ideas that other districts are doing. Some, I think, maybe have been tried here before. Uh we could reconsider things like board member office hours, uh town hall meetings if there's a given topic that needs that. Uh a district calendar with events that board members
can uh sign up to attend. So we kind of know we have coverage at various things. Uh they did mention free admission at several districts for seniors to go to athletic events and plays and that and also organizing transportation even from some of those communities. It was a way
to engage um seniors. There's a lot of discussion amongst districts about passing bond proposals and how that engagement needs to work and a lot of conversation about well that relationship needs to be built always so that you're not just asking for money is your only engagement. So how do we have
this dialogue get people into our schools to see the condition of them when they're good and when they're bad and we're maybe going to ask for some money. So finding ways to do that having community groups meet in our schools and get to know that. Um uh and some several talked about printed newsletters uh
being mailed to residents for people who don't engage in other ways. Uh again, particularly that uh demographic maybe of seniors who aren't connected with schools anymore are going to be asked to vote on something and how do we connect with them in a better way. So uh I'll again I'll type that up and email it to
you, but it was a great weekend of training, lots of ideas to consider. I really appreciate the MASB opportunities. And then finally, I just wanted to share the first meeting of the personnel committee will be um next Wednesday, August 27th at 8 a.m. here in
the district administration building. So, if any of the board members have a certain topic or question you think the personnel committee needs to uh look into, please uh send it my way and we'll get it on a a future meeting. >> Thank you so much, Trusty Ninsky. really
appreciate your um your um info what you just shared about the MASB conference that you attended had some great takeaways. I look forward to your um to your write up. Alrighty. This has been so >> may I? >> Yes.
>> Yes, you may. >> Uh well, I I have to say this because I have two grandchildren in the schools. >> So, one goes to Posto Stoke and one to Dri. So, to both of them, have a great year. Uh but the other thing is that um
we talk about MASB there's uh information about the Michigan Court of Appeals uh recently issued a an unpublished report that uh defines a little more what a um committee or delegation is and and how it affects the
open meetings act. I will bring more information, but know that there's some some more leeway and I have you uh have did you guys talk about that at the >> No, not at the meeting. I I read the report. Um >> Okay. >> from MSB.
>> All right. Super. Yeah, everybody got this, but I just want to mention it so we can keep it in mind as as we're looking at our policies as well because that will have some impact on some of them. as far as uh uh public body subject to the requirements of the OMA
open meetings act. So that's a little bit of of news that uh we should be keeping our eye on. >> Thank you, madam. >> No, thank you for sharing um Vice President Lopez. All righty. If there aren't any other comments from the board members, um if
there's no more further business before the board, meeting adjourned at 6:39. >> Yeah.