5:30. We're going to call this uh Oak Park Board of Education special meeting to order. Um we have the agenda before us this evening. Any issues with the agenda for this meeting?
Seeing hearing none. Um without um I I would move for approval. Without objection, we can do so. Um without any objection by Okay. Hearing we're here by approvation
this evening that is from uh Dr. Sher Foster relative to the public hearing on 202526 budget. Dr. Foster floor is yours. Greetings. Greetings members of the board superintendent cabinet and district community and staff. Again, my
name is Sharice Foster. I am the executive director of business and finance. I before you as requirement by law to um adhere to a public hearing on our 2526 projected budget for the upcoming school year. Um on June 9th, I
came before you with a detailed presentation as it pertains to both our revenue expenditures for the general fund and all our other ancillary accounts. I would like to provide yet another review of starting with the revenue on page three of your previous
board docs where we're projecting to the school year with approximately 59,141,63 in expenditures to match. Our goal is to u have a equally spent fund balance with the exceptions of any of the surprises that
may come through from like the state um allowances. So just to give you more context in terms of what's going on and why it's a big question mark in some regard as it relates to the budget currently we have three proposals on the table. One executive proposal that comes
from the governor Senate proposal and house proposal as it pertains to our particular budget. We left the current foundation allowance of 9 um,68 per student to provide a provide a very healthy cushion throughout the school
year. What the three proposals are proposing is anywhere from $392 more to up to $417 more per pupil. As a superintendent and I referenced during the last meeting, we won't know exactly until normally
November of the school year. So by that time, we're already three three and a half months into the school year. So, I thought it was very important to lift this just to kind of let you know that although we projected at the 9608, it's highly likely that anywhere from close
to I'm thinking at least 400,000 more per pupil we will receive, which translates to approximately this more than what's rep represented in the current revenue that I'm projecting. So, if we go if they go with what the governor has proposed, we'll get about
$392 more per student, which will increase our revenue by 1 1 million almost 1.2 million. The Senate gets approved their proposal at 10,08 for foundation allowance at $400 more at approximately 3,000 students. And again,
that's a low because we have some aggressive um marketing campaigns going on, but just keeping everything as is. These three amounts project what our revenue could increase by. Does that include the offset from some of the other things that they're supposed to
remove? It does not equal the does not. So it's so this is in addition to So I guess make sure I So I get that that's the increase per people but then there there are things in that budget
that they're removing. Correct. Like some some items that we rely on. We're not sure. So what we did was those items so let's go back to your revenue. So those items that we know for sure that have been reduced or removed, we remove them now. Okay. So we already we
already took those out. Those that we know for sure. Yes. So in in any of these buckets as relates to local, state, or federal, they could increase or decrease, but some we know for sure. And I would say based off these figures, I would say at least 70% of this is a
for sure as far as the amount. Trusty Cor. Um so based on um what President Al had just said, so I know that it has been weekly updates, hourly updates on whether or
not, if and what the government will propose to remove. Did you take any of those projected comments like you know like for instance um they may say bill number
hypothetically 0000 is you know has been proposed right to have a vote but they're waiting but did you just take that into consideration or I was not that granular at all. Okay no I was not just with these these were moreid you
know pretty close to that 10,000. So we know something. It's a lot to keep up with. It's just constantly changing. Any more questions regarding our general fund as as it pertains to the um revenue
or the expenses, projected expenses? Okay, moving on. I I got a question. Sure. How many districts did a zero assumption? None. As old park did. None that I met with. How many? I
hate I hate define zero assumption is deleting the witness. Okay. So in Oakland County there's a certain assumptions made of how much you project of getting in addition to the 968.
So with assumptions could lead to disappointment right because you are projecting to get a budget or revenue that you're not promised. So that's like saying I anticipate
winning the lottery. Therefore, I should budget my household spending. But what Oak Park did, which is the only district in Oakland County, I know because I surveyed them and I asked You surveyed every district in
Oakland County. Yes, sir. One by one. Yes, I did. Yes, I did. Wow. You know, that's that sounds like a misallocation of resources. No, I did that on the weekend. He was getting misallocation of resources. I will say
that he did support me after a bunch of back and forth. I'm like, Angel, let's just just stand. Let's just stay where we are. He's like, just a little bit more. I'm like, no, no. Let's just wait it out. So, this is this is real smart budgeting because
you have nowhere but but up. So, sorry, I have a question. Who Whose idea was it? It was your idea, President. No, it was not my idea. It was not my idea. It was your idea. It was not my idea. I wouldn't even have said that if it was my idea. Whose idea was that? Where' that come from? It was Dr. Foster's
idea. There we go. There we go. Dr. Foster. All right. Good job. Yes. And I'm sure President Alvin has something to do with this. What do you want to Budget is not my belly. But but here here's the thing. It
there's she don't take a lot of credit for practices because she has to balance everything and and so you know we we do go back and forth because you know um it's a collaboration right she has to
collaborate with everybody and sometimes people don't like hearing no right because she she's the person that holds the purse and says that so I applaud her effort And um at the same time we get rewarded and
recognized and we're I I believe we're blessed with grants galore. Um the same day that we went back and forth we got awarded 3.2 million for what purpose was it? for um
allocation 12A which is for HVAC um remediation infrastructure they only had 25 million allocated for the entire state park got $3.2 million of that I know this completely off topic but seeing as I don't see any public
here to ask any questions I'm gonna ask it sure of um I assume we're putting it to good use then um for our classrooms because I've heard some things about our classroom
the temperature of the classroom okay we're still working through testing and balancing with the current I'll try to make that All right continue I keep want to call you it's okay it's
okay I do it Um, so for the cafeteria fund, we're expecting a fund balance of about 187,918. Cafeteria fund, also known as food service. Sometimes you'll hear districts say food service, so it's kind of one and the same. Student activity account,
we're keeping at about 150,000 with zero uh fund balance. Uh, typically those funds get spent out on a yearly basis. Um sometimes the ones that carry over are generally like those uh student years that are upcoming like 20 2026 2027. Ultimately those funds get spent
out our debt our 2021 bond debt repayment. This came up um during the last meeting. This is where we're paying the debt back from the bond that was sold the series that was sold in 2021. We're still pulling in um we still have a fund
balance of a little over a million. We still pulling in a little bit more revenue than what the actual debt has been for the last couple years for our debt 2023 that was sold last year, bond series 2023. Again, we're pulling a bit more revenue from the taxes
collected per the um interest that we have to pay on the debt the debt. And as you recall a few months ago, we sold third series um for bond 2025. That one's pretty new. We expect to spend that out by this December coming
up, but we um we you know, just keep an eye on that. But with the uh what is it? The the gym the flooring. No, the the big to-do. Oh, athletics. That's expected to pretty much spin the rest of that out by December, January of next year. Excuse
me. What page are you on? Oh, so this would be page 11. Sorry about that. 256. Our syncing fund is generally kind of a set amount. It comes in about 1.5 high to 1.4s every year. We typically spend
most of that every year, but to date based off our expenses and what we projected next year, we should have about 190,000 worth of a fund balance. Then our bond 2025 completely spent.
And then those last pages as I referenced before, these are the function codes that I thought would be key to have as you peruse through the more granular spending that has taken place that will that we're proposing to take place in 256
speaks to all these function codes and categories. I had a couple of questions. How was it? How many of the FTEEs um for 2025 20 I mean yeah 2526
what are they based on? So they're based on their current salary plus a 3.5 projected increase across the board going into 2526. Does that make sense? Hold on. FY. Are you talking about staff or students?
I'm sorry. I should ask you that. It was staff. Yeah, that's what I thought you How many staff members per pupil? Is that what you're asking? Yes, because I know you stated that our pupil amount has gone up
and I was basing it on, you know, because we have the um the personnel action report. So, I was basing it off of that total, you know, because they're raises and what have you. So, I was trying to just
figure out how many Let me tell you what I thought I heard you say or what what I thought I heard you ask was how much based off the FTE staff, how did I determine how much the their amounts are or how how I projected the
salaries for this year coming up. Correct. So, I took what their current salary is, any increases etc. And then where applicable we added the 3.5% rate for increase staff but I know what you're right but
staff are are actually fixed amounts based on the collective bargain agreement. So why would you have to add 3.5%. Well for some of the staff that you asked for then we have the longevity we have the step increases. We have a number of things depending on the staff that had increases different from where
they ended or started last year. Because you'll see a slight increase from last year to this year and that's why you have the longevity of steps and all that. Was it a projected amount on those? Maybe you asked this question already,
but what is the amount the dollar amount um that's that we are projecting for federal funds? Sure. Uh let's see. You want to go back to page three? and line 54
for federal funds. The projection is 6 million7,48. I heard you say earlier, you know, it's complicated. Any more questions? Any questions from members of the board? page.
Can I find the fund balance again? Sure. for and the percentage for projected for 256 page three all the way to the bottom
blue column column G 12 the 12 12 million 525 I see that so that will put us in the high 19s almost 20% fun balance But we're we be starting the year down
year over year about 2.1 million. No. So based off the audit report um our fun balance last year was 14 million649. based off where we ended this year, we're at about the 125, which is a decrease of 2,124. We're not sure, you
know, for that's what I was looking at. So, I have it where we remain status quo for now, but we projected in this year 2.1 million less less. Yes. 2526. current year current year
last year this year but that's when you addressed the Roman stabilization the stabilization money that was pulled out We had anything. I don't quite have this question
together, but I'll try to put it together. Um, Angel, you stated that we just received 3.2 million grant specific even though I know like people they want to yeah certain things are specific remediation
HVAC um there's some things but we have to look at the parameters we could operate but was 32 that was Tiffany that spearheaded that so anything else that's
go ahead if you got it I know that we've had H issues where they have replaced. But with this 3.2 million, it is really actually going to be allocated to something that is need to be repaired or replaced, anything
related or remediation. Because I know we go way back, there's these air conditioners that put in rooms and they don't really work. So under the current bond at OPA, that's what we're doing right now. What about
that's what they're putting? That was this part you anything anything that they installed is still warranty. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But I was just wondering just something else.
You got more? I do not. Anything else for members of the board? All right. Um, thank you, Secretary. I mean, Foster. Um, um, we're at item number four, audience participation. Want me to do it? Okay.
Welcome to a public meeting of the Oak Park Education. All meetings are held in public except those specifically. No, that's not it. There you go. Like you added new language because the Oak Park Board of Education
values public meetings, not just meetings in public. We welcome public comments on school issues. Speakers are asked to express themselves in a civil manner with due process for the dignity and privacy of others who may be
affected by public comments. The public comment portion of the meeting cannot be used to make personal attacks against the school board member or school district employee that disrupts the order of the meeting and are totally unrelated to the manner in which the
member or employee performs his or her duties. Speakers should be aware that if state statements violate the rights of others under the law of defamation or invasion of privacy such as comments may result in legal liability. Most comments
can be concisely stated in three minutes and the board respectfully ask that the comments remain focused on the topic or issue and not directed at specific personnel or board member. Thank you. Don't put it away. We want to use it again. I know. Are there any members of the public who want to
address the board? Okay, we have no members of the public in the room. So, I'll say that so that we're very clear to address the board. So, we will go to item five, which is it. Um, we have a meeting right after this one in 9
minutes. Um, so without objection, we'll pass a motion to adjourn this meeting by unanous consent unless there's doing so. Is there anyone? We're here by at 5:52 p.m. meeting to order. Miss Rear, please call
a roll. Clark here. Corkran here. Elvin here. Madison here. Scott here. Herman Tank here. And Tyler here. Okay, we do have a quarum. We will go to uh approval of the agenda. The agenda was circulated um
prior to today's meeting. Without objection, we'll pass a motion to uh to approve the agenda by unanimous consent. Is there uh any issues with the are there any issues with the agenda? Okay. Uh hearing none, then the agenda is hereby approved. We go to item number three.
You want to do that now or later you were talking about after you do everything. So when I get to the later one? No, I want to make sure after after you want to do this like now, huh? If this if this next item is approved, you want to go then? No. Later. Yeah, after.
Okay. All right. So, uh, approve the consent agenda. The ag the consent day. I just want to make sure I I I stay in order. The consent agenda, as you can see, has two items on there. The minutes from our last meeting and the personnel actions. Uh there are plenty of them on
there. Are any questions relative to the consent agenda? Um you want to move something off? Okay. Trusty Corpin, what would you like to move off the consent? There are two contracts that I wanted to remove because I wanted to remove all. So you
got move the whole item move item, but we can talk about it. Okay. All right. So, we're going to move the uh personnel actions then to item let's go to item 7 C and I'm going to
make 7 C 7 D. Okay. Fair. I'm Well, I didn't want to combine them. I was asking why they weren't. But I I'mma move that one first. So we'll take care of personal actions at 7C and then we'll do approval of school
administrator cabinet de after that. Okay when you say okay cool any question on that. Okay so what we have now is on the consent agenda we have the minutes from June 9th 2025. Without objection we'll pass a motion to approve the
consent agenda as amended with only the minutes from June 9th 2025 on there. Is there an objection to doing so? Miss Gre, you got an objection. I'm already in hot water. I might as well get it boiling hot. All right.
All right. That that motion is hereby approved. And we will go to item four. Um presentations. We have none. Yes, we have a report. So, we go to the
next item. No, no presentation. I go to item five, reports and we have superintendent remarks and then you can just do go right into the celebration of the retirement. Unless unless I want to welcome everyone. Thank you for uh
joining us uh in this hot weather. Um we had a a great close out to a school year. Uh we today we started out with our um our summer
um camp slash academic um discovery discovery program. Um we have some kinks but we're ironing them out. Um we have a high level of interest and participation going on. Um
we are also exploring um summer hours for our central office. And so we'll we'll um um share those out, you know, typically
during the summer we'll move to summer hours, but getting a lot of pressure from cabinet to explore those summer hours. Um See, I can I can feel that. Can I give you some pressure to come talk to my
employer about I have the pleasure of and this is something that that I I I wish to continue uh for years to come. So, u to to
celebrate um the closing of one chapter and opening of another chapter of um employees that have dedicated their entire life to work at Old Park
School District. And um it's a bittersweet celebration when when I got the email um from a particular person um that I'm going to mention shortly
um who works at Key Elementary School and has dedicated 26 years of service.
Um, and so she she is here with us. So, if I could have Monica T, please. And [Applause]
we we invited Monica to join us because 26 years nowadays we can't get people to commit five and 10 years let alone 26 years and hopefully she doesn't go far from us.
So, um I am going to pass on um things to Miss Murphy so she could say a few words as she was your principal at one time. But I I am I am proud of the work that you've done and soon I'll be joining you.
Soon I'll be joining you. Just not yet, but coming. Um so, Miss Murphy, the floor is yours. All right. have a few notes here. On behalf of uh Principal Prince of the of the Key Falcons along with um I see
more colleagues in the back, Mr. Adam Carter. Um I'm representing the Key Schoolhouse tonight. Uh so it's a true honor to stand here today and celebrate someone who's made an unforgettable impact on our school, our students, our and our district. And all of us are lucky to have worked with Miss Tianda
for 26 years. She has been a cornerstone of Key Elementary. She's a master of math, a lover of logic, and somehow, even while teaching fractions and long division, she managed to keep a classroom full of students smiling and engaged. Her creativity knows no bounds. Whether it was a new way to explain a
tricky concept or a theme lesson that turned learning into an adventure, she always found a way to make math feel like magic. Beyond her brilliance in the classroom, she's been the kind of teammate every school dreams of. collaborative, thoughtful, supportive, and always willing to lend a helping
hand or joke just when we need it the most. Her sense of humor brought out light to even the busiest, most stressful days, and her positive energy will dearly be missed. Miss Tanda, thank you for your years of service, your dedication to our students, and the joy you brought to all of us. You leave
behind a legacy of learning, laughter, and love. and we wish you nothing but the best rest, joy, and new adventures in this well-earned retirement. Congratulations
[Applause] Monica. Oh, rarely do I go with prolonging the meeting, but if you have some words you
want to say, I just wanted to um say thank you to everyone um to the students, staff, um administrators that I've uh been fortunate to serve with over the years. Um
99 is when I started. Wow. Yeah. Um I I was very young and um had no idea what life would would hold in store for me and had no idea that I would be here for the next 26 years. And um I've had
people ask me over over time, you know, why did you stay? Why didn't you stay? Why didn't you go somewhere else? Um but the kids here need us just as much as anyone. So, and honestly, it was the people the staff at Key was and has
continues to be um an amazing group of educators. So, um I just want to Thank you. And it is bittersweet. I am going to u miss going um to the back to school sales and stocking up on the 25 cent box of crayons. But
but yeah, it it's [Applause] Adam, you want to join? Oh, my friends. Thanks. Ready. [Applause]
Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you. I wasn't but uh I'm not 26 years old. So I don't you know I I I was born when you started your career but thank you for all your all your beautiful years of service and that was
my dedication. I went to keep so you a long time see I could have I could have actually went there and under your tutelage but thank you for for all your dedication and years of service. Much appreciated and welldeserved.
And take me with you in retirement like Okay. All right. [Music] Young man. Young man. That's right. Born in 99. Not born in 99. That's right. All right. We have uh several action items this
evening as we go. Oh, sorry. No, I'm getting ahead of myself. We are at item six, public participation. Come to the part of the meeting where the public has an opportunity to address the board if it so desires. Public participation is one way communication in which uh members of the public are asked to address the full board with the understanding that board members
themselves will not be able to respond. Trusty Perman, please provide the public comment guidelines. Thank you. Because the Oak Park Board of Education values public meetings, not just meetings in public, we welcome public comments on school issues. Speakers are
asked to express themselves in a civil manner with due process for the dignity and privacy of others who may be affected by public comments. The com the public comment portion of the meeting cannot be used to make personal attacks against a school board member or school
district employee. that disrupts disrupt the order of the meeting and are totally unrelated to the manner in which the member or employee performs his or her duties. Speakers should be aware that if statements violate the rights of others under the law of defamation or invasion
of privacy such as comment such comments may result in legal liability. Most comments can be concisely stated in three minutes and the board respectfully asks that comments remain focused on a topic or issue and not be directed at a
specific personnel or board members. And first up I have Matthew Barker. Matthew, how are you? Good, sir. The floor is all yours. All right. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. How are
you guys doing today? Great. Okay. My name is Matthew Barker. I'm an Oak Park resident who will be entering eighth grade in the fall. I was happy to hear that my mom got an email saying, "Congratulations. Your child has been enrolled in Oak Park School's K through summer discovery program." Can I ask you
to slow down because I can hardly hear Cong. We're not rushing you. So you you guys you got the floor. It's all yours. Yeah. Start over. Go ahead. My name is Matthew Ber. I am an Oak Park resident who will be entering the eighth grade in the fall. I was happy to hear that my mom
got an email saying, "Congratulations, your child has been enrolled into the Oak Park School's summer discovery program." I got super excited and went to pick up my clothes for the first day. A few days later, my mom got an email saying that I could not participate
because I don't go to Oak Park School District. I would rather go to Oaka, but because of my IEP, Oak Park buses me to a school outside of the district. It is not my fault and I this is not my fault and I should not be
penalized for my disability. I've I've been playing trombone in the Oak Park marching band and I play so and I'm also on a soccer team. My favorite subject maths are math, science, and social studies. I'm a very creative person who has a lot of talent. I also like
drawing, putting things Lego sets and also I like fixing things. I never thought that I'd be facing discrimination from people who look like me in 2025. I'm very I'm a very smart kid who likes making new friends. So, please accept me in this program. I promise I will listen and follow
directions. So, thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you. Good job. Okay. Okay. Uh anymore? Yes, I have Miss Desiree Fuller. Yep.
Miss Fuller, the floor is yours. Okay, cool. All right. Good evening. Good evening. I am bringing greetings from the Oak Park Education Association and I am their new president. [Applause] So, I will be spending the summer doing
a lot of restructuring, organizing, um, providing opportunities for shared leadership, and I'm looking forward to the year. That's it. [Applause] Thank you, Miss Fuller. And congratulations.
Are there any other Do we have any more? Is there anyone else who wishes to address the board? Okay. All right. We're good on that. Got a lot of staff in the room. There's something going on today. I have not figured that
part out. Um, all right. Uh, action items then. Approval of the 2024-25 final budget amendment. Uh, we have uh talked about this budget now a couple times. Had tal discussed it last meeting
as well. Um, are there any questions on the budget amendment? Okay. Um, Trusty Clark, you want to read this one? Resolve that the Oak Park Board of Education approve the recommended 2024 2025 final budget
budget amendment as presented for the general funds, debt funds, God bless you, capital projects. Thank you guys. Food service and student activity fund as as discussion at the June 9th, 2025 board
meeting for the attached resolutions. Okay. Uh motion made by Trusty Clark. Is there a second by trustee corporate? All right. Again, any questions on this motion? Hearing
Miss Greer, please. Clark, yes. Coin, yes. Alvin, yes. Madison, yes. Scott, yes. Tank, yes. And Tyler, yes. Okay, that motion passes. We will go to item um 7B,
adoption of the 202526 proposed budget. Uh go for it. Resolved that the Oak Park Board of Education adopt the 2025 26 budget for the general funds, debt funds, capital projects, and service
fund, and student activity fund as itemized in the presented by administration as presented at the June 9th4 meeting 25. Can we amend that to say 256?
No, it says you got 24. Yeah. So say 25 or comfortable with that change. So we'll change that to 25. Okay. Motion made by trusty um Scott. Is there a second? Seconded by uh Trust Clark. Uh
any questions on this motion? Comments? Okay, Miss G. Herman KS here. Tyler, I'm sorry. Yes.
Madison, yes. Scott, yes. Yes. Yes. Okay, that motion passes. Uh just want to thank um Dr. Foster for her hard work. on these two items. I know it's not easy. I know you're in the middle of an audit. So, thank you for all your
work on these. Much appreciated. Thank you. And the team. Okay. All right. So, yeah. Sorry about that. Yes, please let the team know the board says thank you for the
uh Okay. Item 7 C. If you recall, we moved 7 C down to D. We added 7 C as the uh personnel actions. Trusty Corpin has questions on 7C. So, Trusty Corpin uh
Okay. First, the um personnel action report only states that the the date it has a beginning date, but it doesn't have an ending date for how long the
contract is for. It's all the way to the left. You look to the right, it says effective date and it has the effective date July 1st, 2025, but there is no ending date.
So, we have not put an end date on these in the past, but is that something that you would like us to do moving forward? I would say yes only to show the length of time of that amount.
I didn't notice that it wasn't done before because I guess because I read the contract and the contract specifies that you know it's a beginning and end date but the personnel action report doesn't. So so I would jump in here um
back a little bit. So the we I think that's correct. We've always had the effective date. In some situations, an end date probably is not even um ascertained, if you will. I would
imagine um unless unless there's, you know, I can't unless they fall in a some sort of collective bargaining agreement, which might take, you know, the two or three years. Do you do we this something that we want to add as a board? The end
date to every one of these Yes, they do have an end date on the contract. On the contract, they do. Yes. But I mean, do we want do we want a column with the end date here? Uh the contracts were
provided to us directly, which is not a past practice other than last year, and they all have the end dates in them. Do do we need it in one location? That's a question. If it was past practice, for it to be on there.
It was It's not It wasn't on there. Okay. So, you wanted to make it easier to read because what happens is you'll have to go right back to the contract. You'll have to look to see when it starts, when it ended. So, if it is a column there,
it has a begin and end date. I mean, if we're using Excel, creating another cell shouldn't shouldn't be a hard thing to do. I would want to see when it begins and when it ends, but but the source of truth really is the
contract. Yeah, that's the source that right. So what if somebody puts it wrong on here? So So but then why do we have a beginning date and no ending date? Because it's effective change of change the salary. But so for example, we just
hired someone that's their effective start salary. It doesn't change, but it doesn't go down at the end of the year. It stays the same unless it's renewed by new contract. If the new contract reflects the change, then the effective
date would roll back. We I don't think there's a problem with doing it, but I was just trying to explain. Is this something that the board wants? Do we want to have a motion? Not really motion. I I don't think any motion unless unless you feel
you want to. I'm just trying to gauge because the way you ask no one saying anything. So that's what I was asking. I don't I mean I don't I'm just asking to see how it would feel like you know I mean if this will that's how that goes. That's what I said.
I'm sorry. What was the question? She had asked me what did I what did I say and I was answering. Oh okay. All right. So is this something that the board wants to have? But why wasn't it in the past. I just think that couple was superfluous that they not needed
but it is on the contract. It's under contract. But if you but if you want it all here, we can ask for it. If not, we can leave it as is. I don't know. This is not
I think this is for me. If it's on that contract, then the contract could be um if it's on the contract, I think that it will be it suffice for me because even on here with it being on here, it don't
see a signature of everyone's signature including yours. So, um if it's on the contract, I think Scott, any thoughts? That's fine. Find the way it is. All right. All right. So, the reservoir seems to think it's finally. Anything else on
this one? Corin, I know you want to Oh, uh, nope. That was it for for that. I actually had um Oh, I noticed there were some contracts that weren't signed. Have they been signed already?
Yes. There was also another um another question that I had. It was in pertaining to uh one of the contracts. Uh the title
the title was um executive director of culture and climate and public relations at department of communications and I just wanted to know what is the role of a
culture and climate executive director. So it's in the job description but culture and climate I mean is it the job description somewhere I can read it. I mean, I could I could explain it since you publicly asked. Culture and climate
talks about the expectation of what an Oak Park like the profile of an O park student, you know, um understanding if you have a toxic culture, then you produce toxic results. So
controlling culture and the climate, how how students, how staff feel. We just heard a retiree saying that the reason why she felt like she needed to stay here was because the culture and climate
made her feel valued. So focusing on that districtwide would help everyone like a sense of belonging and feeling like this is a destination. It's not a a step up to go
somewhere else and it's just a starting point, but instead is this is where I want to be. Do we? So, this is a new I was trying to Did you get your question answered? Uh, yes or no. So, I was trying to help see if we can ask it a different way.
So, I think what Trusty Corbin is getting at, you can tell me I'm wrong. That's fine. But what is a person who in that world they do? What is it like a dayto day thing? So So for culture and climate, if you want to survey, hold on.
Do I have that right? Oh, I'm listening. This is for this is for you. So if I if I'm if I'm if I'm getting it wrong, tell me I'm getting it wrong. Yeah, you're asking what I Okay. Okay. I just want to make sure we clarify. So go ahead. So So would be, for example,
uh sending out a survey If you're staying, what is making you stay? If you're leaving, what happened? Right? If you're if you're enrolling somewhere else, then we need to understand why. What
went wrong? What do we need to fix? And those things are currently not happening. We're not surveying families that are leaving. We're not talking to the families that we're attracting here and understand why we're attracting them
and then surveying staff that are leaving. Um, understanding why they're they're leaving or why our other people are coming in. So, that could be a a part of a bigger role. It wouldn't be
every day you're doing surveys. I had to combine two because I have a picture in my head of what I want someone from outside to Look at when when defining Oak Park to someone,
what is it about Oak Park that attracts students? What is it about Oak Park that attract staff? You know, can we define that, right? What what kind of student does Oak Park produce at the end of 12
year academic career? So it right now it is kind of lump up lumped up with other things and I it's not exactly where I want it to be. So in order for me to get it to where I want it to be, I have to focus on it.
And I believe that the way I have it now is we're going to focus on that. Okay, that is actually great. Um so you're basically building like a data a database um on
on what is happening in regards to either why students are leaving why students how students are you know here like what their intakes are and it's the parents also right yes so okay so then um
okay so we're bu we're going to build that and then we're going to come and then say okay these are the reasons why Yeah. So, and the survey is coming from what? So, survey is one piece, right?
So, um you asked a question. Um I'm sorry, cut you off. No, no, no. Go ahead. So, um understanding parents, parent perception, um understanding their role in the academic learning
progress, right? So, what's your role as a parent here at O Park? what do you have to do? What do you need from us? And so having someone dedicated to understand and to communicate work with
parents instead of having it be um a hit or miss based on if you got connected to the right person or the wrong person, but actually creating a system where we could foster that. I think that could
grow. to keep up with you know the comingings and going or issues or what have you. Um and that database will be reported to you right you know. Yeah and we'll include that. Yeah I'll probably include that because
I know it's a fairly new thing. So that's why I was just asking so that way we can understand what that is going to be entail you know. Then you're going to the roles or the I mean
the job description. I think we have that already in there but but I'll get that. And then you said the word and public relations that is uh
adjacent to that is going to be just is combining you know. So again so someone said it where we have a heavy um marketing campaign right now, right? So that requires a lot of work right now.
I'm putting in a lot of my time in in that. Not only me. You mean for road? I mean Yeah. Not just for enrollment like so I I I put a heavy hand on on um the district newsletter articles,
uh Facebook marketing and all that stuff. Really need someone else to help. I got you. That's I was just wanted to get a better understanding to this position because it was a a high amount uh from one place
to another. It was like a $14,000 increase. So, I was just wondering, you know, what that would entail. So, it's a year round. You got to understand now it's uh it's a yearround position. So, now they're working 260 days.
All right. And the other thing that I want to say is there anyone underneath that position because it says executive. So is there going to be a person helping in that department or is that just a single position? So right now me and my
assistant that wears 8 million hats. We we help with all the marketing and um It's a team. It's a team effort. Yeah. I'm working her to death, by the way. Can we edit that?
And uh I think the other one was um was it ever considered to uh post uh the assistant superintendent position like uh for public or absolutely not. thing
I'm sure about is the person that I'm putting before you 100% I've been in education nearly have 100% one I would put up that person against anybody in the United States and I would
so I I rather not have someone than not have the person that I'm putting before We good? Oh, yes. I was make sure you got the trust.
All right. Um, since you were already talking about it, I I'll say this as opposed to peacemailing us with information on it. Although I'm sure there'll be some things necessary to update. Most organizations tend to have an
annual sort of like report from that position of you know things that have gone on in that space. might be once a year someone else some of the statistics and things that
we've done and how our strategy has changed. I'll start that first first day in July of 202 first thing that I'll start on. There's six other members of the board. Maybe they don't want to hear that, but I'm
just saying, you know. Um, all right. Uh, so we have 7 C, which is personnel action. Are there any other questions on personnel action? Okay. Hearing no other questions on personnel action. Uh, Miss Greer, please
call the RO. Chairman KS, I'm sorry. We all at once, not individual. I thought you said we had to move everything to vote individually. But no, what I said when you said you had budget on two positions, right? Right. And I
said we have to take all of it off the consent. We can't just like it was one item. One item was personnel with a whole bunch of pieces to it. If we can't pass the rest of the pieces of it and leave two. We have to take it all off
and pass them all together or vote them down. Okay. I thought In the past, we were able to take what we had a question or if we didn't want to vote on that, we would we would set that aside. For instance,
well, we set aside the the agenda item. If there's a position that you're against, you would have to vote against all of it, not one at a time. Okay? Does that make Does that make sense or
you think that I had that wrong? Uh yeah, but it's okay. You think I had that wrong? Okay. So, we going we going to continue. We're going to continue. Does everybody understand the point I'm making? The distinction we're making here. Okay. We we had where there was
two positions and Tyler had put a motion that we separate the two. It was when uh the math teacher came, the principal, excuse me, the principal uh and then she wanted that to be separated to vote
separate with the person that we had approved uh for HR. So, I don't remember the situation, but I would have to assume if we did it that way that they were listed individually. I don't think they were ever listed individually. So
then we pulled that item off, allowed her to ask her questions, and then we passed them all together. So wouldn't it be the same thing? Is it just because it's just 70 and not two? If it was two or 70, it doesn't matter. If you want to pull it off, we pull it off will allow
you to answer ask any questions you want, but at the end of the day, when we we can't we're going to pass we pass them all together. It's one item, and that one item is listed as personnel actions. If there was trepidation around
one in one role, then what we could have done before we got here is say if put the one role by itself and we would pass that alone. But that's not what we did here. We have personnel actions all of
them. So we either vote them all up or we vote them all down, which is fine either way, but that's that's how it works. You can't pull off one of them to say I want to pull this one out and vote for this one alone unless we had it that
way or you can actually you know what you you can make a motion to pull off anyone you want to vote by itself and we can well you explained that in the beginning um President you when I had said that I would like to take the two and then you said we have to remove the
off of them. So, I thought at that point that was the opportunity, but um I don't want to be out of order. So, you can continue with the uh the motion that's on the floor. You're not out of order. You have the right to ask right now to pull one or two off that you want to
pull off and the board will vote on that before we vote on the personnel action. Is that what you would like to do? I would like to take one of them off. Yes. Okay. Go ahead. So, um Um the number I'll consider this a
secondary motion for the primary motion. Go ahead. Let's let's let's What is it that you want to pull off? One second. I'll get the number. 43. Okay. So, you want to pull off item number 43. That page 43.
It's number 43 of the um personnel action. So, you can see who number 43 is. Okay. Here, I'll show it to you. I'm on the page. I'm on here, but I'm seeing you see 43. No, I see a picture. 43. Oh,
you got a different 43. Okay. I got it. Okay. Okay. You got it. Okay. Y'all got it, please. Yes. Okay. 43. Okay. All right. Um, so Trusty Corp, is that Can I consider Is that a motion to pull up item 43? Yes,
please. Okay. Is there a second on that motion? Is there a second on that motion? If you want to. You don't have to, but if you want to. Is there a second on that motion? This the third time I'm asking. It's the last time I'm asking. Okay. There's no second that motion.
That motion dies. So, now we're back to the original motion of passing the personnel actions uh item 7C. Um so, we have that motion. Uh so we uh I move for the passage of
personnel actions item 7 C. Is there a second? Second. Okay. I made the motion second by trust Tyler. Question on the motion hearing. None. Miss Griff is called Herman James. Yes. Scott, yes. Elvin,
yes. Madison, yes. Clark, yes. Tyler, yes. And Corpin, yes. Okay, the motion passes. Now we'll go to item 7D. Approval of the school approval of school administrators cabinet dean of culture and at will contract for 2025 and 26. I assume that's why we have so
many people in the room. Smile a little bit. Tension in the room. Okay. Um so we're at 7D. Uh you want to read is there there is a
motion right it was 7C the 07C okay result that the park board of education approves the contracts for administrators cabinet members and staff for the 2025 2026
school year okay motion made by trusty Scott second by trusty Tyler questions on that motion other than somebody sign for me because it's a lot of contract. Okay, out of order. Thank you. Um, Miss
Miss Greer, please call the RO. Elvin, yes. Clark, yes. Tyler, yes. Scott, yes. Coin, yes. Herman, yes. Madison, yes. Okay, the motion passes. Motion passes.
[Applause] All right. Uh, thank you for your patience. Um, and, uh, we appreciate your, um, enduring this hot weather. So, uh,
distinguished board, first of all, I I thank you for your support and and, um, passage of these contracts. Um, I wish I could take credit for their
uh value, but really that's who they are. That that they've always been these people. I just happen to meet them. So, um, if I could address Adam Carter first,
[Applause] So [Music] I come up here. I I met um Adam three three years ago and I
ran into him again at a football game. I don't know if you remember that. And I I had been watching him and and watching him work with students at Key and he was down the hallway marching and here it comes. It's like a duck with the
ducklings. They were all marching behind him and I seen him and his wife at a football game. I don't know if you remember this, Adam. And I said to him, Adam, are you ready to be a leader? And you know, and he's like, you got to talk
to the boss. So I said, "Where do you remember that?" So I said, "Where's the boss?" And he's like, "She's over there." So I said, "Do you mind if we borrow um Adam?" And she said, "No." And so we we've been working with Adam. He's um in
school learning and and leading and serving uh for years. He comes from an amazing bloodline. Um, his dad's not paying attention right now because probably looking at sports, but
comes from an amazing bloodline. And Adam, I truly believe that you're going to be a cornerstone of Oak Park for years to come. And I've just been lucky to be in your presence to work with you. So, I appreciate your
willingness to accept this and to endure me and Miss Murphy and Miss Prince and everyone. And um I thank you for your service. So, I want to present you our assistant principal, Adam.
[Applause] All right. You want to say a few words? Thank Thank you all for for having me this evening. family and all of my co-workers who are now friends and family as well. I think
that's the thing that draw drove drew me near to the very beginning was just an extended family. And so I look forward to continuing to serve our children and our staff as best I can and continuing
to to just create a culture of love and and uh ownership and responsibility to uh how to pass down those leadership skills to everyone else. So, thank you. Yeah. You want to give your first hug?
[Applause] All right. Somebody got to hug him. All right. Um, next I'd like to present to you Miss Far. If you could come on up, Andrea
Far. [Applause] So, Andrea Far is our newest director of finance at Oak Park School.
So, um you know, having met her three years ago, we didn't we didn't start off on the best foot, right? Uh but watching her grow and flourish
and take on classes and learning and going to all these developments and helping in the midst of all this turnover that they were having from business leader to business leader.
She's been one constant in the finance department amongst all this turn over. and I've been working with her and you know I've been I I take it this way. If you could endure Angel you could endure a whole
lot. So, um, having, you know, her grow and learn and work with our auditors and produce remarkable work um, while still being a mom, a a a wife, a
student, uh, and everything else. It really gives me a pleasure to present you our newest finance director, Andrea Far. [Applause] Oh, I'm definitely not as eloquent as
Mr. Carter. Um, but first and foremost, my thanks go to Dr. Foster. She is my shining star, my my golden girl for support and also for superintendent Abdullah for um giving me the support to grow and expand
and learn um and all of the finance department including Miss Greer who's here tonight and all of my co-workers Tiffany Aaliyah um thank you all for supporting me on this on this journey and it's been a very welcome one. Um, I left corporate finance. Um, I was in
turnaround management to try and do more. Um, rather than the corporate world, I wanted to help um, children. So, as Mr. Carter said, let's let's let's look forward to helping children for for longer.
[Applause] All right. So, I Dr. Miles here. So I I still have to say something about
Dr. Miles. Uh so Dr. Miles has been a dean of culture by title but so much more off title, right? So a lot of us we have this title of work that we do and then
there's the plus plus plus. So I've been working with um um uh administration at at Nova and watching them just grow and transform
from a place where you just send troubled youth, right? Just go there out of sight, out of mind to a place where it has become uh an alternative learning center for success and that that is what NOVA has
become. It is not a you have issues or you do this or you therefore you go there because you don't. No, this is a destination for students seeking an alternative learning style and Dr. Miles
has played a huge role in that. Um and so although he could not be here, we um encourage growth from within. I'm a big believer in in growing from within. And so I want
to present everyone to our newest assistant principal. Not ready to disclose location just yet, but the newest assistant principal, Dr. Miles. [Applause]
All right, I'm almost done. Uh, next. The same couldn't be more true with this next person, my brother from another mother. All right. So, um, what I want
to share with you is this young man is remarkable. He has grown in so many ways and he already had talent and he already had skill. But just to see what
he has done for Oak Park athletics, for Oak Park students, um changing the the culture of Oak Park, uh all behind the scenes and all while winning backto backto back
state championships. So, I want to present to you our newest assistant athletic director and I'm sure future athletic director of Old Park Schools sometime, Brandon Giles.
So, so Brandon, he never takes credit. He doesn't want to come up here. He doesn't want to post things about himself. I have to post it. uh for him because he won't post it for himself. Um he never gives himself uh
kudos. Anytime I I praise his team or anything, he always deflects that to his assistants and stuff. And I all while being a dad of young children and balancing that with a crazy
superintendent with all his quirks. Uh and he does it so well. So Brandon, I I honestly appreciate you. I appreciate everything that you do for Oak Park, and I know everyone values what you you
bring to Oak Park School. Um, thanks for having me. Um, I appreciate the opportunity. Um, Coach Carter hired me, so to work under him, that's going to be an honor. Um, you know, Old Park is like home for me. I've been here for 13 years. Dr. Cobbert brought me in and
You know, I love the kids. I love the community. And it's not about me. It's about, you know, the school and trying to help kids get to, you know, where they can go. I'm a little emotional cuz coach Carter, like me and him, we work real good together and like he's like a
father figure, too. And like I appreciate him because sometime he doesn't get the credit he deserves. Um, Angel, I thank you for the opportunities. Um, I enjoy working in this district. I love this school system. I love um board of education,
our admin team. I know it's not always perfect around here, but um I just want to see us grow, continue to uh thrive, and make it a destination for kids. So, thank you everybody. [Applause]
All right. Next, we got our newest executive director. I'm drawing a blank cuz he's not looking at me. Student safety and security
executive director Derek F looking sharp with his Listen, start. So, this guy never sleeps. Never sleeps. And if you were to ask anyone, I know I
wouldn't do it. If they would say, "Mr. Abdul, would you like the task of ensuring that all our students and staff are safe?" No. No. I mean I because I don't think I could do
it. It's so much. It is it it's so much to do and to put it all on the way to one person. It's a lot. Um and and and he takes he takes everything in stride.
Doesn't sleep. Sunday I get a text message. Hey boss. I'm like Derek Sunday. Just wanted to give you a heads up. You know I'm like appreciate it. So, um he's there from sun up to sun down. He's
written the bus to stops when we had that issue with with that person u in in Detroit where they were looking for him. He was on that bus with the kids. I don't know at my age if I could run ride a school bus,
but I couldn't do it. He was on that. So um along with understanding the staff, understanding the students, understanding all the nuances of security and safety
and all the things that we've added, he's been instrumental in uh overseeing. And so again, it was it was hard pulling him out of NOVA. It was hard. Um, but
when you know that you are called to serve a greater purpose than than uh you you have to answer that call. And I believe he has a greater purpose and he is answering that. And Derek, I know I
give you I think everyone here could attest to I give him a hard time. Uh, everyone. but it's in love and I appreciate you honestly and I value what you bring to Old Park and I know you've
dedicated many years and I and I know you'll dedicate many more so I want to be the first person to congratulate you on your new role [Applause] I'm not going to be longwinded I I you know usually I'm up here talk about Nova
Academy so I just want to first thank all of you for allowing me to work here this long. I've been here for a very long time. Um, and I've had many roles, but I love Oak Park. I think you all have one of the best communities that
you can ask for. And I want to work hard to make sure that your community stays beautiful. It's a wonderful place to see people walking and students going to school. And I can definitely say that we're going to continue that. We're
going to continue work hard to make sure that the community can really really really enjoy not only our school district but everybody everything around us. Okay. So, thank you so much and Miss Z and all of the staff and my teammates
over here. Thank you so much for supporting me Carter. You know, we on the football field late at night. So, and and Brandon Jobs, great great guy. and to you. Thank you very much again.
[Applause] I'm almost done. You keep saying it. I I got I got three more. All right. Next. Two more. Actually, two more. But
I I have to say something about this next person because it if I would say very close to how I am, you know, got to be a Leo. I don't know if she's a Leo,
but if she's not, she should be a Leo, but she's a fiery spirit. But what what I want you to to know of this next person is that she bleeds Oak Park.
She loves Oak Park. It is obvious if you go to any program at Lesser what she has done at Lesser in this small amount of time.
And I'm telling you the highest performing academics are being produced out of lesser. That that is not a coincidence.
Morale, not a coincidence. Parent participation, not a coincidence. I'm Spending is also not a coincidence, but I'll save that one. Um, but what I'm
what I want to present you right now is Brandy North is our newest executive director of [Music] [Applause] if if anyone understands what I mean by
changing climate and cultural part, I I believe we've done it from from 22 to where we are, but I believe there's more, right? So, there's more. Um
that Oak Park pride, we we have that, but I want I walked into a Costco and the guy seen I had um Oak Park hat and he said, "Oh, part." Um
but that's what I want. I want people to feel like Oak Park's a destination that we're not just, oh, you can't get in anywhere else to go. No, we are selective and and she gets me. She gets
where I want us to be. She gets when I want that marketing and that PR. She gets it. She gets it. And I wholeheartedly believe in you, Brandy, 100%.
And I I believe that Oak Park is better with you in this role than with anyone else. So I I believe that you will take it to the next level and I want to present the board and everyone here
Brandy North. [Applause] Okay. So I'm usually a talker, but now I'm feel like I'm on the spot. So um I first want to start by thanking
everybody before me um Superintendent Abdullah who came to OPAR and um laid the foundation for me to make Lesser what Lesser is and supported me in all my decisions no matter how difficult they were cuz sometimes it's a storm
before the sun comes out and we went through that and he went through that with me and to cabinet who has each supported me in your own unique ways from sweet messages to checking on making sure things are running smoothly. So, thank you all. And then board members from um Miss Corkran uh who came
to our opening to uh Miss Clark, you know, we already have our relationship. Miss Mass M who came to see me is bringing her baby. Miss Scout, we getting to know each other. But welcome and I'm so excited to know you. Um Miss Tyler who is at everything and always there to support. So I just and Miss
Tanks whose mother was my high school teacher. So it goes back and had a a impact on my life. So, thank all of you before me for all your support. And our board president, I would be remiss not to mention him who when we had that transition from the last administration to the previous administration, he's he
came and saw me and was like, "You better not leave." Cuz I didn't know what we were getting into or what we weren't getting into. And he came and he said, "The way you love these kids, I will support you as long as you keep loving these kids like that." So, I want to thank him as well. And I just I just appreciate all you. Uh, Miss Gre, you do
keep me together. Miss Muller, making sure you do keep us all together actually. Um, so thank you very much. And then I have my family here. My family in the front row. All of them. Thank you. My sister, my dad is over there. Yeah. Okay. Okay. So, my aunt who raised me, I thank you so much. I got
Coach Watts who keeps me sane on a regular basis. I thank you so much. Hey, Miss Miss Watson, too. Miss Watson, too. So, I thank you all for being here. Um, and then we already know Shaya Renee Holden Murphy is my soulmate. Y'all know that's my soulmate. So, I want to thank
her for always always Oh, Jax, I'm sorry, Jax. Yes, I see you. And then I just have a phenomenal team from Miss Williams to Miss Prince who came out to support. I just I'm blessed. I'm blessed. And what I say about Park is small but mighty. And I think that is
amazing. And I plan for us to grow. I plan for us to have our mark on this world. I plan for us to be known and for great things. um the the the ground is already fertile. It's already there. It's just how we cultivate it. And I'm very excited to have the opportunity to
do that. Um and always reach out to me. This is collaborative. And I'm always very much working together because I cannot do it by myself. I don't want to do it by myself. And I believe that the more we have communication, the more we work together, the more transparent we are, the better we can work through
issues. That's it. And that's part of my work is communications. the better we are. We don't have to agree, but we have to always put kids first, and that's always been my thing. So, I thank you all so much. And [Applause]
this is the last one. Now, I saved I'm not going to say the best for last, but the best. I don't want to get myself in trouble though. I work with a lot of people. So, it
gives me great honor. Um I I like to view myself as being able to to help people grow. But sometimes you just see people that are already growing
and all you do is get out of their way. And this is what I've done with this next person. So gives me great honor. I have never promoted someone. This is my first time and last time
that I'll be promoting. So I've never promoted someone to such high level position. But I would be remiss if I wouldn't introduce you to my new assistant superintendent of teaching
and learning. [Applause] You got to bring the song to come to the mic. So, it took me three months, three
months of being employed here and I don't know if I shared this story with you, but I was looking at the cameras and I see this person in the middle of the hallway. It looks like they're talking to themselves, but It looks like
they got it all put together and I'm and I'm like wow. I mean and they were directing traffic and conducting conversation and I'm like wow. So that person that I seen on
camera was Miss Murphy at Keyway. She was a principal. I called her. I said, "What are you doing in the hallway?" She said, "I'm just trying to navigate making sure I have." I said, "Wow." And she, you know how from above water the
ducks look and the swans look all grace from underneath everything. But like what I said, I will put her up against anybody in the United States. And other people
have actually seen her and said, "Hey, tell me about I said and I would reply, you wish. you want to go to war with me, try it. Uh, and they said, "No, we're just curious." Because, you know, I said, "No, don't be curious. Not about certain
people." Nope. Um, and so it doesn't take much for other people to discover their leadership capabilities. Um, again, three months it took me. She's
grown faster than I even ever anticipated. She's She never hears anything negative u and and allows me to stay in that realm. She always finds a way to say okay so but here's what we
could do. Always looking for ways to discover um adaptations. Um she has decided to work at Oak Park. Oak Park didn't decide to take her. She
picked Oak Park. Uh, and again like to take credit, but was not my discovery. Who discovered you? Dr. Dita. All right. So, I'm sure she'll remind me. She was like, you know, you promoted my person.
Uh, but she has a way of discovering people and I had been blessed by that and um I do admire you, Miss Murphy. I admire your your willingness and your
focus on teaching and learning. You always challenge the status quo. She never settles with well this is where we are. No, that's not that's never good enough. Um she's everywhere in all all
the events and I truly believe under her leadership park will continue to grow. So I want to present you our assistant superintendent of teaching and learning.
Okay, help me say the full name like you said. Santa Martha, [Applause] I tell her only her and Dr. Cobra calls me my whole entire government name. Uh
but good evening. I'll be really really quick. Uh I know it's been a long day. It's hot. Y'all still got business to take care of, but I am forever grateful for being able to serve here in the Oak Park School District. Uh, first I want to thank God for all of the opportunities that he has given to me. He just keeps opening doors and doing
things and blowing my mind. I want to thank my family, my mother and my hoe, my paw paw, my granny back there. Where they at? My parents were teen parents. They had me at 14 years old. Okay. 14 years old and and by all intents and purposes, I'm
a statistic, right, for teen parents. I got a scholarship to go to the University of Michigan in the eighth grade. Where did you say? The University of Michigan go in the eighth grade. And I got there and decided to do it first child psychology. Then I changed it to uh education because I always knew I wanted to work with kids. I got into my
first edite class. And a gentleman who didn't look like me uh I got up and I talked about how I wanted to come back to Metro Detroit. I said Detroit at first to serve the children there. And he looked at me, he said, "You want to waste your Michigan difference education? I'm going back there." Oh, that lit a fire under me, baby. Okay.
And so all of this time, I've dedicated my my ministry, my service to serving children that look like me. I want to thank my husband and my family. They are all they get out of my way. Just like my superintendent said, they just get they just support and get out of my way. I want to thank my superintendent. Uh he
just he gets me together all the time, too. He say, "Sha, no nope, nope. Shane, nope, nope." but he also gets out of the way and lets me do what I do. And I love the support that he gives me to my cabinet. We huddle, we talk, we work it out, we I was going to say a word I shouldn't say. We work it out and we keep it moving for the betterment of our
district and to our board. The care that you take for our community, our children, showing up all the time, being in places, um making sure you have we have great people here in the Oak Park School District. It means so much. I'm thankful for the service that I'm able to provide, the service that you allow
me to give, and for my superintendent for always believing in me. And of course, um, my son here, my daughter is at basketball practice. That's what she's at. She's going to be my WNBA check. And then my son is going to be my NBA check. They're going to retire me. Okay. Amen. Um, but I want to thank you
all for your support. I love my superintendent, my family, and thank you to the board of education for all that you do for the El Park School District. We got work to do. Amen. Where you want to go? [Applause]
I'm proud of you, Mommy. Mommy. [Applause] Okay. Thank you, President and and Brandy North. She just flipped all the tables over for me and let me know when I
uh All right, we are at information items. Uh, I will say this. I don't know how the board feels about. We do have, it was brought to my attention, we had somebody sitting in the back of the room who could not hear me, uh, and did not have the opportunity to speak during public comment. Um, we have passed
public comment, but I I want to check with the board to see how they feel. She was in the room. She just did not hear my voice. Is there concern with allowing her to speak? If there is, we won't do it. Okay. She was in the room. I promise. Okay.
Uh, Miss Carter, floor is yours. Want to say good evening. What a wonderful celebration it's been. I'm Reverend Dr. Iette Griffin, Pastor Pilgrim Baptist Church, and I'm Greg Carter's sister. I just needed to know
one thing and I, you know, I want to know about that security policy. I want to know, do I have to come through the metal detectors and then get a background check? That's what I wanted to know. We can't answer that, but you can talk to the superintendent offline.
So, okay. But Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. All right. Uh and B uh board, thank you for your indulgence on that. I know we passed the item, but she was in the room and she informed me that she was in the room and she had a card and she didn't um she didn't hear me. So I guess lesson
learned for me that I need to project a little bit more uh as there are and not there are not any microphones here. So I'll do try to do a better job of that as best I can and keep that uh top of mind. We are at information items 8A Oak
Park Board of Education designation of meeting dates 202526. Uh board members the proposed dates are before you. I do have a question, but I didn't know if anybody had a question or a reason for change. Uh it's not we're
not passing it today. So, there is time uh for us to uh work through it uh as we'll pass that at the next meeting. But I did see that there's an August date at the beginning and there's an August date at the end. Should should that the end
should it stop at the end of June? I don't like is it June lie one to June 30th? Is that what we're what we passing July and then we come back in August? So So I guess what I'm seeing is the
dates were on August like August August meeting for 2025 on there and there's also August meeting for 2026. Does it go that far or does he should go to June and then we start over in July? I guess that's my question. So, I I I can't
recall and I don't have the current one in front of me to say, but um you I'll let you look at that and make a determination. Is there anything else from other members of the board on the on the calendar? And did y'all see usually Dawn is the
one that passes? Actually, that's how it it always it overlaps. That's what you're trying to say, right? Yeah. Yeah. So, I I thought the year was because we don't start it like in January. So it kind of overlaps because we do it later. All right. You did you see anything
else? Because you're the one that normally catches stuff that I mean, no, I I didn't see anything. I I usually always just try to look at, you know, make sure that we're not bumping heads with other things. So get our holidays off. That's why I'm
calling on you for that. Uh anything anything from other members of the board? Okay. Nothing. So If you see anything, please uh reach out to Miss Greer and um let her know. If you want to copy me, you can. Uh I
didn't see anything glaring, but I didn't bump it up against um a calendar of of holidays and things of that nature. So, uh if you see something, just just let me know. um trans 8 transportation services
contract extension with first student um you you have any comments on that? Uh no, I'm just asking for a new renewal on their first student and it is it is an increase um but we are still the lowest um daily rate for transportation in
Oakland County or actually in the state of Michigan. Say that again. So, our contract is up with first student. So, I'm asking for a three to five year renewal on that contract. Uh, the daily rate for buses is going to go up, but we are still the lowest uh daily rate in
the state of Michigan for buses. So, we're still in bargaining with them, but this information questions on that. Okay. Nothing. All right. Accepted the food service contract chartwells one
year renewal bill. Okay. So this is um our annual rate with uh Chartwells. This is required of us by Michigan Department of Education. We did go out for bid last year and enter a 5-year agreement with Chartwells, but by um MDE requirements,
we have to bring to you each year the 3% renewal. And this rate is uh designated by MD. Questions? It seems pretty straightforward. Go ahead. Um the question that I had was um is any of
that going to impact with the funding like is that like the the amount is it going to increase decrease? It will increase food service budget. Yeah. Okay. Because I know we just have budget here.
Yeah. But there's no even if we're going to feed our I I understand. Oh, I totally get it cuz we got, you know, fund balances and, you know, Superintendent Abdullah, he's going to find different ways. Yes, we're going to feed our kids. I wasn't I wasn't Yes,
ma'am. Yeah. I just wonder, you know, on paper, see on paper it says differently. So, anything else on that? Okay. Item 8, OPA, bleacher replacement project. Okay. Okay. So in your packet you will have
the uh bid tabulation for the bleacher replacement along with the electrical component of the bleacher um project. Uh we did come under budget. We had 250,000 uh budgeted for this project. So we came in about 75,000 under budget. Uh we are
going to go with intercall uh for the actual bleacher installment and great lakes power for the electrical question from the board. Okay. And now we're going to go to item 8, Cisco phone service licensing.
I know it is. Looking at you. Okay. So, this is for the district's um phone service. Uh we're going to be making some upgrades to hardware as well as migrating over um the phones and voicemail to a new software system.
Does that uh What does that do financially for the change? Uh, this is a slight increase. That number is not in here. I can get you that number in your weekly update. Fallart. Um, probably 20,000.
No need to go. So, is that is that going to have like the voices on it? We're not available like you're going to have your voice to say and it'll all be uh stored in the cloud. And then this also gives us um
enhancements to our E911. I was you took right out of my mouth because I was going to say, you know, this system is probably going to recognize those prank people. Absolutely. So when anyone calls 911, it'll say the exact location from the building.
Okay. Ques from the board. Other than that, very hearing none. Thank you. Go to communication. Communications from members of the administration. So, just want to uh remind you that in July we
have our plant-based dinner that uh we're going to have uh at Correct. In July, the plant-based dinner that we're going to be we're just asking you to be open-minded, right? We're asking you to
be open. Why are you looking at me? Cuz you're wagoo. I want to say it on TV. You act like all I eat is one steak every day. I only had one of my life with you and it turned into a steak. Come on. I'm just saying
be open-minded. It's plant-based. Some stuff is a home run. Kids love it. We love it. Some stuff trial and error. Be open to that. We are also having our uh those new board
members. We have once a year plant Moran Crest that comes in to give us where we are with the BR uh bond work. That's also in July. They're going to come in and talk about where we are in phases, what we're doing, uh when are we going
to go online with athletics, with open all that. That's also in July. And we also asking them if we could do if we could utilize them to take us out on a retreat on their on their diamond
additional uh items from the administration. Mr. Oh, I'm sorry because I heard him speak so I thought it was already I didn't know if anyone else had anything. Okay. From members of the board. Go ahead. Trust Trusty Corp.
Trusty Corlin. Trusty Corlin. Uh no, you just answered my uh but I did want to say congratulations to the um the school year 2025. Um I was really um
happy to see all the the awards, the the scholarships and different things. And I just want to wish all of those uh 2025 graduates um blessings and their forever endeavors. Okay. Anything else for
members of the board? Yes ma'am. Um firstly I would like to thank everyone who reached out to me which is on my mind. Um, secondly, I had the pleasure of speaking at the fifth grade graduation at Key and
He was really proud of me. They cried. They told me they cried. The parents. So, um, it was very nice and um, I got a lot of um, compliments from the parents. Um, it was real personal cuz my son had been going there since preschool. So, I
called out a few kids names and they was like, "Oh my god." So, and And I wanted to acknowledge the chords, the chords um for being there since kindergarten and honor AB honor all A. Um and then I went
and chaperon at the zoo. That was so my kids fought over me. So I had to do second and fifth at the same time. I've never done I mean never doing second again ever. Um it was fun though. Very organized. Um the bus situation
that was good. Everything was you know seamless. Um and then the fifth grade dance that was also very good. It was fun. The kids had fun and great job. Thank you. Very
good. Okay. Anything else? I did have one more thing. I wanted to say that um Miss North actually I wanted to say that I was very impressed when we first opened up Leer Lesser and we had the whole design thing going. You never
missed a meeting. Um it was it was difficult at sometimes where you had to intervene and say excuse me but I'm the one in charge. So I just want to not be remiss to to let you know that. And uh for Miss Sh
um I can remember that you actually impressed me when I first met you. I said, "Wow." Like you you you were speaking and you were sitting up here and I was new and and and I was like, "I'mma be like her when I grow up." Like
literally because um you've always, you know, been very polite. You have has been with this great big smile that if you're angry, you're not going to be angry later. So, I don't
want to be remissed to let you know that I do appreciate you both um for all that you have done in my eyes and thank you very much and welcome to the to the team.
Okay. Um anything else? A few things. Uh, one just want to um say congratulations to uh those who um contracts were done tonight and and looking forward to great work and partnership with the uh administration
and the leadership um as we continue to to do our best to educate our children and to give them the best educational experience that we possibly can here in Oak Park. Uh, also I want to um I heard
Trusty Corpin already mentioned class of 2025. I won't I I'll echo that. I won't go into to specifics um in general on the graduation, but not that it was bad. I just don't want to I mean repeat, but um also wanted to shout out uh Alexis
Edwards um who is starting who started her college career yesterday. I know this because I dropped off my son at the same place. Um, what school was that again? State University of Michigan. The University of Michigan. So, shout out to
Alexis Edwards who is starting her college career. Uh, and I know, like I said, I know that by uh she I know where she's going. I know where she's participating in. I don't know her personally, but I was there to witness her receive a scholarship. Uh, and so,
um, from the devastating divas of Delta Sigma Theta. Um, how do I know that? Cuz my son got that same SC. So, congratulations. Congratulations to her and and all the class of 2025, but I know she's they start in Summerbridge, they start school
early. Um, and I know we have a lot of others starting school as well, most likely in August. These youngsters have to be in school from now till August 15th and then turn around and start again on August 25th. So, um no break for for those who are going to
Summerbridge, but she is going to a wonderful university in the University of Michigan and I wish her all the best. Um I heard some talk tonight about culture and climate um and as it as it
referenced number 43. Was it 43 or 42? as your reference number 43. Um I the culture and the climate starts at this table. I've said this before.
That's where the culture and the climate begins. That's right. We haven't done the best job of setting the example. We have to do a better job here at this table. Um, so I know I mentioned before we had somebody come in
last meeting, I think it was, to talk about opportunity for board development. Uh, that's in the budget. That's in the budget. Yes. So, we're going to take them up on that offer. Uh, and I'll work with Miss Greer
to make that happen. And, and I'll next meeting is when's our next meeting? July 14th. So, we will we will on the agenda for that so that we can start to plan out those dates or at least start with the first date that we can get some board development because we need it. We
need to to to we don't always have to agree. I don't expect us to always agree and thank you that we don't always agree, but we've got to learn to disagree without being disagreeable and disrespectful to each other and to
others. We've got to do that in a more sophisticated, acceptable way. The way we expect our students to act, the way we expect our parents to comport themselves when they're dropping off and picking up and things of that nature. But that attitude has to start here at
this table. So, just know that we're we'll be putting that into motion. It's in the budget. We're going to move forward with it instead of, you know, some some of the same development we always have. We need to figure out how to work together as a board. That's important. And
I It's not that at this point. I'm just giving my comments. So, do you have you have something? Well, you said you I was just going based on what you said. I just thought you said information. I do that. What's Oh, I just thought it would be a motion to because I know we have Dr. Green. Dr. Green does a great job with, you know, and he also does
workshops. He does. And I Go ahead. I'm sorry. I thought you're done. Okay. And I just know that Dr. Green, you know, he was a superintendent once and, you know, he has a great uh tenure with uh MASB. I've been in his classes and he is very,
very, very good. We're not replacing Dr. Green with the things that we already have Dr. Green doing. I'm I'm a firm believer in not putting all your eggs always in the same basket to always have the same person. it I mean it's it you know sometimes it's okay for some change
and we have unique issues here at this table and um it's we need to address those issues in a way that's comprehensive and so I
that's why that I I I think we're going to take them up on that offer. So uh you know we don't have to vote on it. It's in the budget. There's no I don't we didn't voted on having anyone else when we had Dr. Green. We just did it. It was in the budget. But we have a membership
with MASB. So that why we wouldn't have to we would still have to pay for the session. So it wouldn't be free. True. You said it was expensive. So I was just you know saying you Yeah. I don't think it's it's we not talking about 10 grand difference here. We
talking about a tailored approach to what our issues are. I think we should give them a try. I ain't saying it's going to work. I don't know that Dr. Green would work. I don't know that anything would be perfect, but I think we need to figure out the best method to to get somebody in here. And I think we
heard I heard something that was a little different. There's nothing wrong with Dr. Green. There's nothing wrong with MASB. Yes, we have a membership. And yes, even though we have a membership, we pay for every time they walk in this door. So, it's there may be a little bit of a difference there. I'm
not discounting that. But if their approach is more tailored, that's what I would like to see for us. Um, so we need to just come up with some dates that a date that we're available to start that. You know, hopefully we can get that started by by August at some point. We
only have one meeting in August. So then hopefully we can start in August. All right. I mean, you know, yeah, we had Dr. Green. We still got major issues. So, but he never did a workshop for us. Look, y'all asked me
for a workshop and I'm giving you what you asked for. Uh, you didn't tell me how. You just said you wanted it. So, I'm doing exactly what you want. That was a joke. Like, smile a little bit. So, uh, yeah, let's let's, you know,
y'all got to learn to smile sometimes. Uh, anyway, so that's where we stand on that. and I will work with Miss Greer to see, you know, what we need to do there. And then we'll we'll come back at the next meeting. We'll get that on the agenda. We'll come up with some dates to get us started. Okay. All right. Um,
y'all been asking for this for for the longest. Like, feel happy. Let's go. Let's get it. You know what I'm saying? Like, okay. I don't want you to dance, but you know, just I'm excited. Yeah. There you go. Yeah. There you go. All right. Um,
anything else from members of the board? Yeah. Um, it it just popped in my head. Uh, congratulations to everyone, but specifically Miss Nor. I started on this
board the same day my son started at Leer. And you remember he didn't have a class. And I came to you and I'm like, what do we do? And she said, hey, it's all right, mom. Come on in here. You have You've been consistent. You've
always been caring. You have always been loving. You have always put any and everything that I've ever needed from you. You've always been there. And I'm just one person. I'm just one parent. He is just one child. But you never made
anybody feel as if they were less than. You make everyone feel as important as they are. And I appreciate you. And I thank you for everything. Thank you. Don't see you start.
See you. I knew you I knew what you was supposed to do. There's no there's no crying in Oak Park school. I learned my lesson. See, now you got her. It's from a parent perspective. We love our babies. I love all the
babies. I get it. Okay. All right. Um, anything else from members of the board? get some air. I thought we had it. That's why I'm had my mom on. You don't know what you going to get. So, uh, so, so you you might want to
come like that, but bring your sweater just in case. [Applause] We get that back going in here. Anyway, uh, all right. U, we are at a German. The next meeting I got you. The next Okay, go ahead. The next meeting is The
next meeting of the board of education will be held Monday, July 14th, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the boardroom at the hot administrator. I second just just for Clay, I
I'mma check. You might have to run that meeting. Um I won't be here either. Okay. Well, we'll have Okay. All right. Um All right. Nonetheless, um, all right. So, we are at time. Time is 7:41. Without objection, we'll pass a motion to
adjurnn by unanimous consent. Is there an objection to doing so? Hearing? No, we adjourn at 7:41. Thank you.