Good evening. Thank you for being here. The time is now 604 PM and we are going to call our board meeting to order. BP Bowman, if you can do the roll pop please. Okay. I am present. Trustee Davis. Trustee Dooley. Present. Trustee Gross. Present. Doctor Hannah. Present. Justin Miller. Present. And Trustee Terry.
Present. Uh madam president, we have a quoum. Alright, thank you. If we can all stand 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. I would like to make a motion to amend our agenda. We need to add to report pending litigation by council in case number 20 twenty-four two one
one six 3 eight. To report on pending litigation by legal council in case number two zero two five two one five nine nine one. And to report on pending litigation by legal council and MDCRK six five seven five four and these these items will be added. Close session item will be added at the end towards the end of the meeting after communications petitions and delegations. Uh madam chair. In addition to that, I, the approval of
the agenda, I want it to be noted that the vote from our last meeting does not reflect what I remember, recall, voting. And that was on, I did vote to abstain From VP Bowman's voting of vice president but I did not as I'm almost positive. I signaled a no vote for the new consulting firm. Lord, whatever that was. I'm sorry, Trustee Dooley. Right now, we're on a motion regarding close session and we'll we'll say that. You were just on
amending the agenda. So, yes. That's what I was going with. No, we're amending the agenda to add an item on the agenda. My client. No, that's okay. Can I get a motion to approve the amendment of the agenda to add those support? Thank you. It's been moved by Trustee Gross and supported by treasurer Terry to amend the agenda to add a close session to discuss the three pending litigation cases as mentioned. Any questions? Roll call please. Move by Trusty Gross and
supported by Treasurer Terry. Trust on this note too. Okay. Trustee Davis Smith. Oh. Yes. We're voting to amend the agenda. Yes. Trustee Dooley? Yes. Trustee Gross? Yes. Doctor Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Trustee Terry? Yes. And I'm voting yes. Thank you. If I can get a If I can get a motion to accept the amended to approve the amended
agenda. So move. Support. It's been moved by Treasurer Terry. Supported by Trustee Gross to approve the amended agenda. Any questions? Roha please. Okay. Trustee Dooley? Yes. Trusty Gross? Yes. Doctor Hanna? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Trustee Terry? Yes. I'm voting yes. And Trustee Davis Smith? Yes. Motion pass. Oh, sorry. Yes. Uh
motion passes. Thank you. Alright. Moved into God. Everyone moved by Treasury Terry and supported by Trusty Gross. Alright, moving on down our agenda. Um good evening again trustees. It's been a few weeks. But it's good to be back in business. Can I get a motion to accept the consent agenda items? Point of order. Yes. Um to go back to as pertains to the percentage and I think that where we revisit the trustee's duties concern because
Thank you. And ask that that matter reflect what it is that she was asking before we approve the actual consent agenda which maintained the notes from that meeting. That's when you make a change there, I'm asking. Yes, that would be what we make. Yes, you would make the change at that time. So, is there any questions regarding the consent agenda items? So, I received in looking at the minutes that were sent out, it showed that my vote was abstention. I don't recall abstaining from anything other than
VP Bowman's nomination for president for vice presidency. The other one was a no and if you go back records will reflect. I'm voting no on multiple things consecutive consecutively as a result of us not having a forensic audit performed as of today. Okay, any other questions regarding the consent agenda, noted. I think miss Wright has looked at the recording and she did have comments as it relates to that but
miss Wright, if you can just note that in the in the minutes. Thank you. Also, miss Wright did send me something. However, she did not send a time stamped anything for me to just jump on and go straight to where she said the vote. So, until then, I want my vote to reflect enough. Any other questions regarding the consenting Jenna? Can I get a motion to accept the consent agenda? I have please. So moved. Support. It's been moved by trusty growth. Supported by Secretary David Smith to approve the
consent agenda items. Any questions? Roll call please. Moved and sucking it. Okay, I'm sorry. That's okay. Move by trustee Gross. Okay. And it was supported by Secretary Davis Smith. Alrighty. Okay. Now, trusty gross? Yes. Doctor Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Trustee Terry? Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee David Smith? Yes. And Trustee Dooley? Yes. Okay. Thank you very much. Alright,
moving on down to information from the superintendent and administration, Doctor Leverette. The meeting is yours. Thank you, President Hannah. Good evening, trustees, community members, and friends. We are really excited to be at this juncture of today where I will give a high-level overview of our 2530 strategic plan. This is for discussion and action. As you know, Pontiac School District entered into a strategic plan with Third Eye. Um in a round of about August of twenty
twenty-three. Um there was various shifts and pauses to this plan but we stayed the course and we have a living document that we've had input from the community, our staff, parents, students, and we are just really proud to share with you this evening. Um some of the high-level elements of the strategic plan that will drive school district forward for the next five years. Again, please be mindful
that this strategic plan also ties into all elements of our district blueprint, our MTSS, multi-tiered system of support, and our overall curriculum and instructional vision for Pontiac School District. So, I'll just read the agenda item. It is the strategic plan, the strategic action plan serves as a beacon as we navigate the educational landscape to provide our students with the road map of educational excellence that supports the needs of the child. We
are committed to our vision, our mission, and vision, and the key pillars for success. So, the key pillars are that are included in this plan. Of course, our student achievement. Social, emotional health, and well being, district innovation, and operational sustainability, and equitable community and economic development. Point of order Trusty Dooley, Doctor Leverette, you're you're proceeding with a strategic action plan. I have been out of town so I could have missed it. Correct me anyone if you will. But I
have yet to see your goals as superintendent. So I cannot align those with the strategic action plan. I've yet to see your goals. And the things that we talked about at your evaluation. The goals I've yet to see them. I don't want to hear them. I want to read it. Doctor guest Secretary David Smith. I thought that we were supposed to make the the goals for the superintendent. Yes. So what did we do? That is correct. So, that was correct. So, how can we move forward with a strategic plan to know that it
lines up with our goals when we don't have any. I'm just asking. No, that's fine. Trustee Julian, just for clarification. When we completed the superintendent evaluation back in June, there were notes during that discussion made as to potential goals that could be set for Doctor Lavarette and we set dates as to when we're going to do now reviews in which we will sit down. We will discuss potential goals for Doctor Leverette with her and that will take place at our September board governance meeting. but for right
now, our discussion is in regards to the strategic plan that is set for the district. When we do discuss goals for Doctor Leverette, we will ensure that the attainable goals that we create are in alignment with the strategic goals of the district. So, we're putting cart before the horse. No. No. No. Please continue Doctor Leverette. Okay, thank you. If you'll reference page 12 there, you have the table of contents, the letter from the president of the Board of Education, the letter from
myself as well as Doctor Devison, who was very instrumental in putting this plan together. You see our mission, our vision, our values, and of course, we have four pillars with actionable strategies and definitions Excuse me. In page 13 and 14 talks about those are the letters contained in this document. You see that our mission, the school district of the city of Pontiac is an essential community partner contributing to thriving communities through student and
family education, learning and development for teaching and administrative staff, safe learning environments, and neighborhood spaces, and generative collaboration, which just means that we are all a team. We are all focused on these goals and outcomes that we have set forth for our district. Excuse me, thank you. There are eight values that we have identified here Those values include safe and orderly full-service schools, student
learning is the central priority, accountability at all levels, respect for diversity, our parents as partners, community ownership of the district, building on community strengths, and assets, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Our four pillars, the first pillar, of course, is student achievement, as I stated at the beginning of our presentation, when we talk about student achievement, we cannot do that without making sure that we have a comprehensive core
instruction place for pre K through 12 education that includes college and career readiness. So, you see that we have three goals that are inclusive of ensuring that we are having systems, processes, and resources in place that support the whole child. Again, we talk a lot about the MTSS multi-tier system of support because that is where you will find educational outcomes and resources that support our students
both academically, socially, and emotionally as well. Go to encouraging college and career exploration from pre-kindergarten through high school. We have a CTE program that we have several opportunities for our students to engage in. As you all know, most recently, we have our preschool program along with our partnership with Oakland University just as one example in our Baby Peace program which is moving closer to and we are very excited about that
program. Cultivating an active spirit of civic, social, and environmental responsibility among our students and making sure that we further continue to create opportunities for all of our students to know, understand, and participate in a civic society and that their voice, student voice is also an integral part of this plan. And there are some critical success factors as identified support our first goal. So, these are factors
that we have talked about, that we have discussed, that will be critical again in enhancing our school day and expanded learning opportunities by integrating students' everyday experiences and issues to increase our relevance and one of those examples is our Project Excel After School Program that we have had in the district for a number of years. We know far too well. It came very close to home that that program was in in in trouble of being taken away from our students. A program that extends our
pre K through 12 learning experience. Um we have that program. It's still viable. We are going to continue to build on it and also we have to keep in mind what contingency plans should we put in place because we know that as a school district and a state of Michigan that we are in some critical times with various funding assum that change from day to day and really no clear direction but again, we're keeping our eyes and ears open.
We are pulling our staff together and we are making sure that we are able to pivot so that we can continue to provide the necessary experiences that our kids need to thrive. Improving in student preparedness for local and state assessments. We know that we are not where we want to be academically. We to change, to meet the needs of our students as it relates to all areas of academics. So, when we talk about that, we cannot have that conversation without ensuring again that we have highly qualified
teachers in our classrooms that we have a viable, reliable, research-based curriculum that make sure that it's meeting the needs and it's culturally relevant to our students' needs. Let's take a look at pillar two, our social emotional health and well being. We have a identified four goals as well as critical success factors just trying to give you a feel for how this document of the flow of it. Um but again, keep in mind that this is a living document. If we get into the
school year and we find out that this particular program isn't meeting the needs of students, then we make sure that we are looking at the data and we are immediately responding. This is the point in time where our performance management system comes into play because that is where we have meetings with Doctor Devison, the curriculum and instruction team, the building level principal, and the teachers, and we talk about student data. We talk about academic data, we talk about attendance data, we talk about behavioral data, and there are a
number of other data points that are critical to ensuring that our students again, academics, and the second pillar that we're discussing this evening, the social emotional health, and well being of our students. So, you see goal one is to foster safe supporting learning environments for students with the multi tier. There's that word again. Multi-tiered system of support that reinforces students' academic success. So again, we talk about the problem-solving protocol but we also have to talk about what
resources we currently have in place in our schools to make sure that we are ensuring that our students have what they need and one of those well, several of those that we have that lives into that multi-tiered system of they are our behavior interventionist, our social worker, and anyone that is employed by Pontiac School District is charged with making sure that our students have the resources, the care, the love, and concern that they need. Oftentime that comes from a classroom teacher which is the first
point of contact with the student. It can come from a bus driver. Um the the the custodian, our food service, everyone in this district is important is accountable and is a part of the team that is charged with making sure that moving forward we are doing just that. Providing the resources that our students need. So, we can't just have a conversation about academics without making sure that we are supporting the social and emotional needs that our students come to school with. Many of them face
several challenges that we continue to talk about throughout the year. But we also have several resources in place that we are proud of. That we are able to pivot. That are able to make sure that we are utilizing the data to be responsive and not reactive. Go to collaborate with families and community partners to provide a continuum of essential family support services, responsive to local community needs. We have several community partners. I will not start naming them because I don't
want to miss anyone but our community partners are viable to the success of a school district And our students. They love our school district. They love our children and it is evident in terms of resources, supports that they have been able to provide to this district and they are true partners that have come along and continue to expand, continue to respond, and continue to do so in respectful manners. And we appreciate the open
dialogue, the two-way communication, and the transparency that it really takes to get down to the root causes some of the academic barriers that we face as a district as well as some of the barriers that many of our students come to school with and face as it relates to social, emotional learning. So, we are going to continue to grow in that area. We are going to continue to reach out out to our families because we would not be here without our families and our students. The goal three is to build
capacity among our teachers, professional staff, and administrators to effectively address the social, emotional, well-being of our students and one of the resources that we use and we use that throughout the state of Michigan. Excuse me. I'm going to let you do a little bit of talking a little bit, Doctor Dennison, but I'm on the road now but it's our castle and there's a social emotional will that all of our teachers, our staff, and we need to do a better job, of course, of rolling that out to the community but
it really is talking about the positive behavior, intervention, is embedded in that Casa will and it's talking about the character education and how we expect our students to show up to school and how we show up as adults in supporting our students to getting where they need to be in terms of the goals and objectives that we've laid out. Goal number four, partner with philanthropy and public sector agencies to advocate for resources capable of increasing resilience
among community-based service providers and the community. At large. At large. Again, I spoke to the wealth of community partners that we have but we also have partners that provide health education and resources to our student at all of our schools and including Pontiac Middle School, Pontiac High School, and ITA. So, we just need to make sure again that the climate that we're in in education. Really this is an
unprecedented times that we're in. And so we need to be able to step up as the smart people that we are And do unprecedented things in unprecedented challenging times. And so we have an opportunity to pivot and and do some things that we have never done before to make sure that regardless of what happens we are still going to be here. We're still going to be able to feed all children. We're going to be able to educate all children. And we're going to be able provide extracurricular in the way of our after-school programming to
our students. So, here are some of the critical success factors, just making sure that we have ongoing learning and development opportunities. Those must be available and all stakeholders must be actively engaged in the process, making sure that we have the ability to employ evidence-based practices, train the trainer opportunities, and credentialing to build school and district capacity. Making sure that as we are having conversations about project-based learning, we have several teachers that have been
trained a number of years ago but again, that trained the trainer model simply means that we have staff in this district. They are certified. They are ready to step up, and they are ready to take what they know and train a group or small group of teachers and learners. It is cost effective and it is something that is well received by teacher colleagues and peers from experience. Stakeholders must recognize that students' academic performance and social emotional health are linked
together. Again, we cannot have that conversation without understanding that they are linked together. These are some of the critical success factors, making sure that there's advocacy for social and emotional health and wellness resources. Again, we have our Pontiac School District Resilience and Restorative Committee. That committee is inclusive of myself, Yvette Williams and I won't start naming a bunch of people but they are inclusive of our social workers, our
behavioral therapists that have had extensive training, and really this is an area that I'm passionate about. Of course, I'm passionate about all the areas but really passionate about this because we need to make sure that as we're talking about the self-care and critical, these critical factors for our students, they're the same critical factors that are important that our teachers, that our staff, that our leadership shows up with the of well being and care that
they can then give to students. So, we need to make sure that that is in place for our staff as well. Making sure as part of a critical success factor that we have a district transformational team that should be established, invested with decision-making authority to advance activities under this pillar. Pillar three, District Innovation and Operational sustainability, goal one, continue electrifying the district's bus fleet and integrate cutting-edge technology into district facilities in addition to
operational curricular and organizational learning activity cultivate a diverse ray of mutual reinforcing activities capable of driving student, family, community, and district success. So again, appealing to the community, our staff, our students, our stakeholders, it takes a village. There's a reason that quote is still around. Probably more than 100 years old because it does take a village. So, with that being said, The vote, the board, that
the it is the desire of the administration that the board approved this strategic plan because we need to start taking this conversation forward out into our community because we need everyone on board, everyone in support, everyone unknowing and understanding. Again, that we cannot do this work alone. We are better together. Diversify District Revenues through collaborative programs, school-based ventures, events, and long-term investments partnering with colleges and universities,
renowned for urban education training to and incentivize the recruitment of teaching support and administrative staff. The most important person that stands in front of that classroom every day, they are our teachers, our support staff, our principals, you are important. The outcomes and the trajectory of our students' lives and their future is in the hands of our teachers and we don't take it lightly. So, we want to continue to
honor and celebrate our teachers but also making sure that they are duly compensated, that their voice are heard and that they have the resources and the tools to to produce outcomes, to build relationships with students, to understand that our kids need rigor, and we need to be met with how our students need to be met with high expectations and we can only do that if our teachers know and understand what it is that we want
them to do, which is why we're communicating this strategic plan today, and we're going to continue to communicate the strategic plan and our outcomes so that our teachers have the power that they need to be empowered and do their jobs. Doctor Devison, goal number four, would you like that? Oh, it's okay. I'll keep it moving. Goal number four, Ecuador Community and Economic Development. Working with families and partners to provide localized community education and support of lifelong learning and
culture enrichment and I hope that we all know and understand. You keep hearing the word family. Family. Family. We cannot do it without our family. So, families, whatever you need, that is our job. We need you. You are a critical partner. We need you Absolutely Go to Nurture Employee Partnerships to expand work-based learning opportunities for students and direct access to in-demand career opportunities for parents and families. There are so
many jobs out there. Just look at AI. There are so many resources out there and jobs of the future that have not yet been identified for our students. And so we want to make sure that those opportunities that our students Pontiac students are at the table. They have a voice and they have a exposure and opportunity. Work with local government and property owners to cooperatively invest in neighborhood development while exposing students to various career
pathways across traditional and emerging professions. Excuse me. Here are some critical success factors. Routinely identifying employer needs for skilled and unskilled workers. What are some of the skills that are needed? We know that technology is a huge one. Ability to effectively engage small businesses and property owners to identify workplace needs and collaboration with partners to provide incentives. Leverage digital facilities as neighborhood
hubs for education, training, and career matchmaking activities. Cooperatively pursue grants with community-based partners consider colocation and joint investment opportunities with city government, You know that quote? One small step. We have a movie night this Thursday. That is a joint venture with the city. So it's going to be wonderful. A district transformation team should be established, invested with decision making authority to advance activities under this pillar. But we in transition and
transformation That is a good thing. Here's some actionable strategies. Community schools transformation. Career pathways for students and employees. From an informed leadership development. Family. And community engagement. Thank you. Senator. Yes, it is the recommendation of administration that the Board of Education support and approve the 2530 strategic plan. Board trustees, do you have any questions or comments for Doctor Liberette? Of dependency. It's hard to see when
we in this shape. I can't look. I'm going to see everybody's faces. Um well, I'm I'm excited that we have this in place because I know we have operated as a district without a strategic plan for probably the past 10 years at minimum and it has been asked of us if we had a strategic plan and this has been a working in progress. I know we started working on this strategic plan in late twenty twenty-three and Third Eye Network was working to get this it
during in 20twenty-four. So, I am excited that it is complete. It's definitely packaged nice but the content that's inside of it. These are things that we had already been having discussions about as a priority for us in the district. So, I'm happy to see that we have a plan for our school district for the next five years at least and like Doctor Lever has said, this is a living document. So, if there's things in here that occurs or we feel that is not re event or is not applicable, then, those are
things that can be changed and reconsiderated. So, thank you Doctor Leverette for going through and reading this. I know once it is approved, should it be approved by the board, then, we will make sure that every staff member receive a copy of this strategic plan and this will be made available to community as well so that they can then see what the plans are for the Pontiac School District for the next 5 years. Hey. No other questions or comments regarding strategic plan. We'll move on down the agenda to item B. 2526
Student Code of Conduct. Doctor Leverette. Thank you. This I'm sorry. I'm still still going to strategic plan this. Uh twenty-five twenty-six Student Code of Conduct is for discussion and action. The following updates, the transportation policy, the market period calendar. Excuse me. More reader friendly formatting, add student acceptable use of technology, the student agreement to appendix, the school board positions, and artificial AI safeguards and rules, and edit the
student superintendent message, and anti-harasment compliance officers information. It is. Attached. It has been updated. I apologize. The air is bothering me. And it is the recommendation of administration that the Board of Education approved the twenty-five, 26th Student Code of Conduct. Thank you, Doctor board trustees. Are there any questions or comments in regards to the student code of conduct? Yes. Okay, Trustee Miller. Thank you. On page 67 or page 89 of our packet. Uh at the bottom
here, I see that the the last update from Neola was from two thousand 12. And my question and concern is that has this been ran through Neola since two thousand and12 to ensure that we are aligned with the state require and obligations as it pertains to our student code of conduct. Because as this as I'm viewing it the last updates that is displayed here is from two thousand 12. It does. Trustee
Miller? The The Neola, they are all vetted through viola. All of our policies are. This follow-up question please. Has this been ran through Neola recently? Cuz again, I I guess my confusion is that it doesn't say Neola 2025 or 20 twenty-four. It has a date of 2012 and I'm just concerned that if it hasn't been ran recently for to be checked by Neola that we may
not be up to date with what's current. We do it every year. Okay. I'm sorry, Trusty Miller but they, can you hear me? Yes, we are. Yes, they they review our policies every year So, does that date maybe reflect the last time changes were made in terms of Neola policies? Yes. Regarding the board. Check it for you, Trusty Miller, but they look at them every year. Yep. Trusty Miller, any other questions? No, thank you. Any other question, Trustees? Trustee Gross? If this is
approved, how quickly is it going to get out to the custody bills? For their preview or review. The students that the schools will have them for the students when they return. Yes. Yes, it will be. Thank you. Yup. Any other questions? Okay. Next agenda item, business, service, consultant recommendation, Doctor Leverette. This is for discussion and action. This is the proposal for financial consulting pronexis and you also have the proposal for financial
consulting Raymond LLC Approval of financial discussion. Background rationale. Due to the non renewal of the previous CFO, our current financial consultants contract ending July 20 July 31st 2025 and the inability to find a suitable applicant for the post deposition of the executive director of Business and Finance. The district is of a stopgap measure in order to ensure that the district continues to keep up with the financial operations of the district as well as prepare for the
annual audit. Currently, there are numerous open CFO positions in Southeastern Michigan. There's a good chance our position could remain on field for the unforeseeable future. Two firms were recommended to the district. We reached out to both of these firms, Rena Robson and Pro Nexus to support proposals to the district. Both proposals were reviewed internally and by district council, both proposals are assuming two to three days per week of work most done remotely. Both proposals include the ability to add staffing support
beyond the executive director of business and finance. The major differences were cost, contract term, and the cancellation penalty. The Remen proposal has a fixed contract term of 27 months with a penalty of 56, 000 for cause. The fees for staffing is also higher at $28, 000 per month for 80 hours or $350 per hour. The Pro Nexus proposal includes an hourly cost of $185 and is open ended. In other words, if the district is able to fill the position
internally or wants to terminate the agreement for any other reason, there is only a 14-day notification required. If Pro Nexus is able to complete all necessary tasks working three days per week, the net cost is actually lower than what is in the budget for the executive director of Business and Finance Positions per the chart below. District budgeted positions, salary, 1 49, 000, 163. Benefits Fica retirement is $1, 090. The total annual cost is two hundred
forty-nine thousand two hundred 53 dollars. The hourly cost is $159 an hour. Pronex is proposal three days a week for a total annual cost of two hundred thirteen thousand one hundred twenty dollars, which is a 85. Hourly cost. While we have recently filled all the other financial positions, finance positions, we would like to use Pro Nexus to provide support in the event one or more of these positions become vacant. As with the above calculation, it is likely that the
cost will be within the current budgets for these positions. Administration is recommending that we approve the pro Max's contract as presented. We would like this contract to start as soon as possible but no later than September 1st 2025 in the funding source is there. It is the recommend of administration that the Board of Education approved the proposal from Pro Nexus for financial consulting for the twenty-five, 26th school year in the event administration is able to fill all open positions during the year and or wishes to terminate the Pro Nexus
contract, the Board of Education will be notified accordingly. Okay, thank you very much. Board of Trustees, any questions? Yes. That's Trustee Dooley. Okay. Trustee Dooley. So, I have a couple of questions In the the inability to find people to work these jobs We've had two that I know of. Employment fares. Did anyone and I guess I have to go through the chair to interim HR. How many people did
anyone apply for these positions? Any of those finance positions. Apply, attend, So how much of this interviewing have you actually done? Or are who's actually doing the interview? For any of the jobs because I'm not hearing what I want to hear. So who's actually been doing these interviews? I'm I'm speaking of any position. And then we have another Do those persons have names? And how much of this have you done as being the interim? How much
interviewing have you done as being the interim? Um for the hourly position. I don't care which positions. I'm not even being nasty. I'm just trying to get to a a point. How much have you done as the interim? Because I'm concerned that I'm getting calls that people are applying for various jobs and then they're being told because they don't meet every single thing. And and because we're in a needed state a person as more apt as far as our
younger persons, the Regina and the Jalen. I don't think they come with enough of life background experiences to know how we can equate somebody's work and experience to have a knowledge. I know you would but I'm just asking. Okay. That's that's fine. That has food shoppers. That's fine. Um Doctor Leverette, in regards to the people working remotely, this is more of a comment. Does that
not limit the ability to work collectively and work in concert in the building. So, if things need to be done, we don't have to necessarily wait for people to come or we get with them. Why? Is that part of the contract that they're allowed to work remotely opposed because with this kind of money, I would love to see them in the building. So, at any time, we could call on them. That's a lot of money. Right and that's exactly what we will be doing, Trustee Dooley. I have asked that they front load at the
beginning to be here hands on in the business office but yes, again, that remote is is an option and that is part of their contract but again, as I stated, they will be here working very closely with the business office initially. Yes, ma'am. Any other questions? Trustee Dooley? I'm trying to think of his name. He did a presentation of the budget. Jim Graham. Jim, is Jim still with us? Jim Graham? No, he is not. He
has finished. Correct. He is willing to work one day transition with with this with this company. So, for the record, Jim Grant no longer receives any compensation from the school district of the city of Pontiac. That is correct. Are you? Trustee Gross? Um thank you. My question is with this new company coming in, how does that affect them providing us with a monthly update at our meetings as discussed in our
retreat that we should have at least a monthly update. That's number one and number 2. Um are they willing to come in at a specific time because we discussed having board study sessions as it pertains to the budget quarterly or whatever dates we choose and if noone is hired to come into that position, are they willing to come in and have this retreat with us to go over budgeting and and and discussions as we did in the past. That was something that was discussed at also at our
retreat at the board. Um So Can we discuss that? Yes. And that is something that they have included in their proposal. Attend all board meetings and provide monthly financial reports. Okay. What about possibly coming in for a retreat to do a board study session on the budget maybe quarterly? Yes. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions, trustees? Yes. Yes. Have exactly what is the realm of their the
scope of of their what they're providing. My concern is that being that we're a school district and we have sinking funds. We have the ten. We have different things that are specific to our district. What has been their experience in facilitating that? And are they going, is it expected that they will do budget projections especially with the changing climates in the in the in the state, in the the country today? Or are they just going to be balancing the books? Um for the
district. Thank you. Some of the things that they're going to be working on is managing the workload, workload, and responsibilities of the department. Providing leadership, management, and supervision for all business services activities including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, procurement, rent accounting, general accounting, and operations, cash management, budget, risk management, and debt services management. Managing all
organizational treasury management functions including the issuance of tax anticipation notes, state aid notes, any emergency loans, and all other financings. Management of the budget development and management processes including annual preparation of the budget and all budget amendments oversee and monitor the annual independent auditing process, ensure all departments, staff, execute all their related functions, provide the financial management of all sinking fund and bond issue projects, manage all bond proceeds,
provide oversight as to actual versus budget project cost, review and approve applicable change orders, updates and monitors the district cash flow position Prepare the L forty twenty9. calculate the millage rollbacks, negotiate an oversee tax collection agreements with eight local municipalities, and monitor all district tax, excuse me, Trustee Miller, all district tax collections, oversee and recommend district investments, and ensure all investments meet local, state, and federal requirements,
continuously provide financial analysis of district expenditures, and provides recommendations to ensure resources are spent in the most efficient and effective manner, provide contract administration for the outsource, facility maintenance, operations and ground, food service, and student transportation, functions, ensures all applicable local state and federal reporting requirements are met, provides for the administration of the organization's risk management insurance program, leads multiple projects and supports and motivates effective teamwork to provide
quality services, lease the development, and directs the implementation of strategic and or operational plans, projects, programs, and systems in the business services areas that align with those of the organization and collaboration with department members, promotes and supports organizational culture by reinforcing the Board of Education goals, policies, and procedures in the organization's vision, mission, and continuous improvement plan, provide support and collaborates with other departments of the Pontiac School District Is a member of the
Superintendent's Cabinet and attends cabinet meetings, attends meetings as requested by the Pontiac School District Superintendent including executive sessions of the Board of education, regular, and special board meetings. Any other questions, Trustee Miller? No, thank you. Okay. Any other questions, Trustees? Well, I know we are very appreciative that Jim Graham was willing to come back and and support us when we need it after the vacancy of our CFO position as well as him bringing on Shelby to
support us while he was on vacation. Unfortunately, we knew they couldn't stay forever. However, we we did ask if they if they could consider. But I appreciate the recommendation from Jim to consider this consulting firm to help us to in a in this space of vacancy as Trustee Dooley was saying we do need to find. We would love to find someone to permanently to employ someone permanently in the position. Um however, if we are not
receiving the applicants and I trust that the HR department is doing their due diligence to find viable candidates for any of our positions but as we know, just as with the Pontiac School District, there's a shortage and a need for qualified educators and professionals in the educational space across the country. So, we will continue to do our due diligence to try to find someone to fill this role. Um but in the meantime, I appreciate the recommendation and it it based on their scope of work, they're doing
everything that we would need if as if we had someone internal to fill this role. So, I thank you Doctor Leverette and I also thank mister Graham for providing this recommendation. Thank you. Next, on the agenda is round two, EV bus purchase, Doctor Leverette. Thank you. This is for discussion in action and Bill is here so I can save a little bit of my voice. This is for the MSBO ten-unit EV buses with lift specs, MSB oh five unit, EV vest, EV, excuse me, bus specs, bill.
Thank you. I'm going to step out here a little bit so I can see you and you can see me and I'm out stuck in the corner over there. Um so, for for those of you who don't know, we were awarded in twenty twenty-two, our first round of EPA funds for buses for 25 buses. This is a follow up to that to that program. The school district of the city of Pontiac was awarded a grant from the EPA Clean School Bus Program for 15 electric buses and and infrastructure in the spring of 20
twenty-four. For 5 million $925, 000. Using the national buying power and negotiated bidding procurement processes through MSBO, we're able to procure the same make and model of buses as we purchased back then to reduce future parts and maintenance costs for the district. Of the 15 buses that we're projecting or that were proposing or getting ten of those will be lift buses to accommodate the district's special
needs population. Utilizing sequential charging, meaning charging cables per dispenser and a porter through our transportation provider will allow us to better utilize the the charging infrastructure by swapping buses as they are charged. So, originally when the plan was designed, we had a one-to-one setup. One charger for 1 bus. Technologies have advanced in that in that arena and we're able to use one charger to
charge up to five buses consecutively. So, you you pull in, plug in the five buses. The system automatically through the software charges bus number one when it's at capacity. It switches over to bus number two and so on. So, our Using our first 25 charging systems, we're able to charge our entire 40 bus fleet using the sequential charging. Some will have two chargers, some will have or excuse me, two whips, some will have three, some will have up to five. So, we're
not having to invest in that multi-million-dollar of of infrastructure. Uh we get a bigger bigger bang for our buck. A full bus charge. So, when it comes in and it'll be close to zero, takes approximately three and a half hours on our largest capacity charger. So, we're able to cycle through these buses using a body through our transportation provider, that will pull the bus off of the the charging infrastructure, back it into an open spot, and then pull in a new bus and
keep that cycle going through the course of the of the day and the evening. This funding is through it's five point 925 million dollars through the EPA funds and the account numbers listed in there. Um there's a a difference of $418, 000 dollars that will come from the initial EPA funds in our investment account. We didn't have that account number. So, it's not because Oakland Schools hasn't loaded our account numbers yet. So, as soon as we get that, we'll make an amendment. It doesn't change
that. Uh for your for your review. Uh this policy is related to the federal purchasing excuse me. The policy related to the federal purchase is a PSD policy six three two five. It is the recommendation of the Board of Education. No, that's not right. It is it is a recommendation of administration that the Board of Education approves the purchase of 15 EV buses through MSBO in the amount of six million three hundred
forty-three 365. Uh 300 utilizing five point nine two five million dollars from the EPA funds and the balance from our investment accounts from the original EPA grant. Alright, thank you for trustees. Any questions or comments? I do. Trustee Dooley. So, initially, if my memory serves me properly, when this was first presented I'm sure I asked the
question several times that this was totally free in the sense of grants or however the money came. I specifically asked, would any money come out of general fund and I was told zero, now you're asking for $418, 000 four hundred eighteen three oh five. In change. So, yeah, the change. So, what happened? Tariffs. Uh so, the cost of the buses have increased since we originally laid this plan out. Due to tariffs to as in taxes
Yes. Okay so. The the the physical cost of the buses has increased from when we've originally looked at purchasing. Over which we have no control. And they'll continue to increase. I would presume. And when you guys did this Bill, noone foresaw that possibly additional moneys would be needed. No one did any allocations to as you always do, if someone goes over budget, you have so much set that type
of thing. Ma'am, I'm not a mind reader for the president of the United States. I have no control over that. I didn't ask you to be a mind reader. I just asked in the sense of planning, did anyone think about additional funding in case something else came up. So, apparently, that's. No. That's a no. They were fixed costs at the time that we looked at the procurement. So, were we able to go back to the EPA program? I guess who gave us the money and asked for additional moneys in in light of the cuts from the president
or whatever he's doing. Yes, ma'am. It's a bad story. So, I met with the EPA two weeks ago. We had a physical meeting at our transportation center at the Fell Center. They are not not making any amendments to any of their grants but trying to close out their program because of the how the administration is currently moving forward with their with their cuts and we asked if okay we originally applied for 15 buses at three hundred and three hundred nine
0 three golly three ninety-five. Three hundred and nine. Three hundred nine thousand 2 00 I don't know. My math is working. Three nine two five. Um If we chose to do 14 buses, which is what the question, so staying within our limit, could we, could we do that? Their answer was no, that the contract was for 15 buses. So, we have to show 15 buses. And we have to pick up
the difference in that cost. Are you? Thank you. Bill, any other questions? Yes, I have a question. When we were first presented with the the grants, the believers in February and it was in the it was a surplus of funding. I know I specifically asked the question. It was like a million and sixty-five. It was a over a million dollar surplus after the buses were were purchased and I asked what was the what was the
plan to that money and I specifically said because if it's a grant, we don't want to give grant money. We don't want to give free money. We want to utilize it all. Um and at the time, correct me if I'm wrong. I believe we were told that it was it will it would go towards the installation of the the charging, the charging for the buses. So, if that is the case, I guess my question is is that million is something dollars that was left over from the grant after the purchase of the buses with can part of that be
utilized instead of pulling out 400 and something thousand from the jail. There is no extra money now. The cost of the buses has gone up approximately $80, 000 per bus from our original buses. Our first round bus cost was approximately 3 thousand dollars a bus and I think now we're at 411000. Okay. And again, that's that's just the cost of the buses now. Did the buses also go up as a having to fit em
for the lifts, the 10 buses? How much did that cost us? That's about 10000 dollars. It's not. It's not a per bus. 10 per bus. Yeah, it's not a. So, that's another 100, 000 and noone foresaw that we possibly needed lifts on the bus when we ordered initially so that possibly would have been a discount. No one thought about our handicap our other person's need. And then those were that those were ordered and when we first laid this out and we began laying this out three and a half years
ago. And noone thought of that. That that would be a necessity. It was it was presumed at the time that the fixed cost of the buses would not increase. So when we look at when we look at adding a lift to a bus there's other things that we take out. So there's other there's other chairs that we take out. It's a different configuration on the bus. So it it kind of makes up for itself. As you add and and delete different things to the to the products. So my question initially, when the buses were
ordered, the lifts were not inclusive of that order. Is that a yes or no? Correct. We ordered 25 buses without lifts initially. Trustee Miller, did you have any additional questions? No, thank you. Thank you. Any other questions or comments for for Bill? Yes, ma'am. Yes, trustee girls. And I'm sure you looked at this too. Um looking at the interest that was possibly raised from the grants that have been sitting there. We utilize those funds as well. Whatever we had. Yes. Okay. That's that's where the
additional 400, 000 would come out of. Of the of the interest. Right. So it actually wouldn't. You know. Physically cost us. Right. We actually you utilizing the the interest. The I'm not the accountant. No I'm just I'm just want to get it cleared. Yes. We're not actually going into the general fund to actually remove. Well no technically it is the job. Yes. But it was from the interest of the grants that were there. So the transfer That is correct. That is correct. Okay.
Thank you. Can you clarify that again for me Trustee Gross? You're saying repeat what you said. I I might have missed a piece. Over the we received the grant moneys within the account. Mm hmm. Some years ago. There was interest that was raised through those grant through that moneys. I don't know the actual amount of the moneys but the interest is also placed into the general fund. So that would have been extra money that we had to do something else. But because
the what's trans transparent that's what's happening over in DC has caused us to take that money that we got from the interest of the buses. To actually use it to to pay for the remaining amount of what the buses cost. Based on the tariffs and the extra taxes. So you're not actually physically going in there to take money. This is money that was placed in there through interest. But not a hundred and 18 thousand though, right? It's over 60 9, 000. Yes, it is. That's interesting. Yeah. When you
put it in general phone, you could've used it for something else. Now, we have to use it for the buses. Think and thank you, Jose Gross. Any other questions? Any other comments? Point of clarity. So, I just want to make sure I'm understanding. The interest is actually the 600000 or whatever is actually the 418 coming. So, we're not necessarily taking any money from the general fund because we're actually utilizing the
interest money to pay for the buses. Am I correct? What it is? Am I correct? Is that a yes or no? That's Okay, thank you. Because the money is part of the general fund. Yes. Yes. So, I think what what Trustee Gross is trying to basically help us to understand is that the the funding that is in the general fund is available to cover the cost of the buses because the money because that money that is there was due to the interest that we received on the
Right. So. So, it wasn't a question of whether we have the money or not. It was just him stating that the funds would have to come from the general funds account. Right. Not a question about whether we had enough or but it was just saying that this is where the funds would come from to cover this cost for the. Yes, ma'am. Okay. Okay. And I and I'm I'm clear with that part, President Hannah. I just want to be sure that my understanding and and often times I need you to facilitate my thinking. The 600, 000 came off of
interest that was derived from the grant. Correct. That money in the in the figures may be wrong. 600 was placed into general fund. With that money being placed in the general fund, the 418 and some change actually comes out of that six hundred. That's basically what I needed a yes or no fraud. Yes. Thank you. So then we're to the good because if you're only using
four eighteen, give or take my math, there's a hundred and eighty plus. Yes, ma'am. Thousand still left. No. Because the money had already been placed into the juro fund. The money has listen, the money has already been placed in general fund. The money could have been utilized for something else that is been there. It's been accumulated over years but the point is the money from the interest was placed into account. Now, if there is still 400, 000 remaining from that interest, we can utilize it but remember now was placed into the general fund which
covers various things within the district for spending. Correct, Chris? Thank you for that clarity. Uh so, but the money is in there if it's still in there based on the interest that was put in there. So, but 200, 000 could have been spent for something else. Right. Out of that money. That's just saying. If I can. But the moment. So, so we can with the with the federal guidelines on it has to be spent on. The bus. On that program. So, it should be there. It should be it could be chargers or anything. Yes,
sir. Yes, could it be moving of charges? New chargers anything we can't use them for like books or salaries or that kind of stuff. Specifically father Evie. I I thank you so much Trustee Gross for. Mhm. Clarifying that for me. Yep. It's it certainly supports why we need a forensic audit. Any other comments from mister Holcomb? Thank you Mister Holcomb. Thank you. Appreciate you. Alright moving on down to action items. Can I get a motion for the approval of strategic
action plan? So move. Support. It's been by VP Bowman and supported by Trustee Gross for the approval of the Strategic Action Plan. Any questions? Roll call. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? No. Treasurer Terry? Yes. VP Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley? No. Trustee Gross? Yes. That passes five to 2. Thank you
very much. Can I get a motion for the approval of the twenty twenty5 twenty twenty-six Student Code of Conduct please? No move. Support. It's been moved by Treasurer Terry and supported by VP Bowman for the approval of the twenty twenty-5 twenty twenty-six Student Code of Conduct. Any questions? Roll call. Trustee Miller? Nope. Treasurer Terry? Yes. Trustee Bowman. Sorry, VP Bowman. Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley? No. Trustee Gross? Yes.
President Hannah? Yes. That passes five to 2. Alright, thank you. If I can get approval of the Business services consultant recommendation. Support. It's been moved by Treasurer Terry supported by Trustee Gross for the approval of Business services consultant, recommendation, any questions, roll call. Terry? Yes. Bp Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes, Trustee Dooley? No. Trustee Gross? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Treasure trustee
Miller? No That passes five to 2. Alright, thank you very much. Uh can I get an approval for the Route 2 EV bus purchase? So move. Support. It's been moved by Trustee Grove supported by Treasurer Terry for the approval of the round two EV bus purchase. Any questions? Roll call. VP Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley? No Trustee Gross? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? No.
Treasurer Terry? Yes. That passes five to 2. Alright, thank you very much. Moving down, the agenda under regular working agenda for discussion items is the election of a board secretary as well as a board treasurer. So, item A, can I get nominations for a board secretary? Uh white lines. Sorry Okay. I would like to recommend Trustee Shaquana Davis Smith for secretary. Secretary David Smith,
do you accept the nomination to remain a secretary? Yes. Are there any other nominations for board secretary? Yes, Trustee Groves. I nominate Trustee Dooley as secretary. Okay. Trustee Dooley, do you accept the nomination for? I accept the nomination for Secretary of the Board of Education City of Pontiac. Okay, thank you. Any other nominations? Okay, if we can Alright, can I get a vote for election of Board Secretary for Secretary Shaquana Davis Smith? You
asking for approval vote? Uh huh. Nope, I'm sorry. We'll do that. Second, let me go to election for board treasurer. Yes. Can I get a nomination for election aboard treasurer? Tracy Gross. I nominate Trustee Miller Thank you, Trustee Miller. Will you accept the nomination for election aboard treasurer? Yes. Thank you. Any other nominations? I would like to nominate Trustee Terry. Okay, thank you. Trustee Terry, do you
accept the nomination to remain for as treasurer for the board of education? Yes. Thank you. Okay. Next on our we'll do our voting under action items. So moving down the agenda to item C, our 2025, 2026, MASB delegate selection. We did receive an Email and in fact, today, I just received a reminder in the mail regarding reminding us to register by August 2ninth. Trustees, I think
the information was sent to us via Email as well. So, hopefully, everyone that is planning to attend, you have notified miss Bright that she can register you and also select your courses for the annual leadership conference. So, just curious how many have because we do need to vote for delegates tonight. So, has everybody notified miss Wright that they will be attending? I just did. We, point, point of information. We
just received the Email today with the request from Miss Wright to notify her of that. So, I mean, unless people did it right before the meeting. Uh it's unrealistic to expect for the as a borrower or individuals that we would have been able to submit that request What a privilege. Thank you. I just want to say that the emails have been out. They're not necessary always. I guess put out there and bold as an individual Email. But they do come through and they regular updates and it also links in there as well as you scroll down through the Emails. You
can see that link specifically where you can go on there and register. I'm using what I do once I see that link available or that option to register. Uh you just forward that whole Email. It won't be a specific Email but they also do send mailings as well. Okay, thank you. No, I know they, I know the these Emails regarding the conferences come directly from MASB and I believe the Email that was sent from Miss Wright today was just a reminder for trustees to do it but the Emails regard is not initiated by miss
Wright. They are from MASB. So, thank you miss Wright for sending us all the reminder because had I not received this or seen that, I would have forgotten to register for the courses as well. So, I'm is curious to know those of you that are planning to attend, I want to make sure that we include you if you have an interest in being a delegate. So, that was my ask. Reason for asking. Even if you haven't yet selected your courses but if you are planning to attend and would like to serve as a delegate, please this is the time that we'll
make that selection to see if you if you're interested. So, point of information Uh President Hannah, for clarity, it as it relates to the one conference as a trustee that I was in attend, I was able to attend which was the NASB conference in Atlanta. There, it was it was a lot of discussion regarding who was able to go, who was eligible to go, and that for future conferences, it it would, it would be safe to assume that the same discussion would happen. Uh, I, we had not had any
discussion about it. So, I was unsure if this was a conference that all board members will be attending. So, of course, I did not initiate or registering for classes because I don't know if who, who, who you guys are going to allow to go. Um based upon me, I mean, you give guys to give me reasons based upon funding, based upon completing courses, and a whole array of information or or reasons. So, how are we supposed to know who's going to be selected, who can attend without any discussion based upon
past practice. I think, well, typically, if there is a conference or something that's coming up, we would usually just ask, who's interested in attending? Or if courses or even with summer session courses that have been offered, trustees will just ask if they could take classes. So, again, I didn't ask miss Wright who had followed up with her, who had reached out to her until I reached out to say that yes, I was because I saw the reminder. Um
but typically would, we would just ask if we got the information and was curious or interested and interested in attending anything, we would just ask the question. So, I'm sorry that you didn't weren't aware of it or maybe it just slipped through your Email because we hadn't had a conversation actually through. I read, I read all the Emails. Well, I'm sorry that you did not know that we could that we were, this was a conference that we were that trustees are able to attend. So, again, tonight, if you are
interested in attending, no problem, just let me as we talk about being delegates. We just identify and select individuals to serve as delegates. Everybody is able if you're able to, it is okay for all trustees to attend this particular conference. Again, we're just asking if you are planning to attend, just let us know and that way, we can include you if you would like to be considered as a delegate. We can have three delegates and one
alternatives. So, that's half of the board. So, if anybody is going and you would like to. I will be interested. Okay. Thank you Trustee Dooley. In order, madam chair. Trustee Gross. Yes. Um if you were to look at your calendar prior to the email coming out from MASB, Miss Wright send us the calendar events to put into our calendar and the MASB leadership conference is one of them along with the Cube Conference in in Los Angeles and then I always look at
my Emails to be on the lookout for Emails that come from NSBA, MASB, as well as Cube because we want to have the opportunity to be able to stay in the Axel Conference Hotel when these events come out. So, once I receive it, the first Email that I received, I forwarded to miss Wright and then I found out that she also receives them. So, we actually actually can be registered to be placed into the host hotel and then I say the calendar of event. This calendar days came out prior to the
actual Email and then when the Email came in, I immediately made contact with miss Wright to so we can actually be part of the the host hotel Um so, just be, I'm just saying futurely, just take a look at they're going to send us Emails as it pertains to the conferences because the next conference from the NSBA is in April in San Antonio. They, it's not time to register yet. They will be forwarding their Email to us. So, just take a look at it and see it and if you want to attend, just make
contact with miss Wright and provide it with your information. As it pertains to the conference is the excellent opportunity for us to take classes that we need to continue to move up in our levels. And then you also receive conference points for your levels when you attend these various conferences. So that's all I'm saying. The information was sent to us via Miss Wright to place in our calendar prior to the email coming out. Thank you Trustee Dooley. I mean trustee Gross. You're welcome. I'm so sorry. Sorry. Uh okay trustees.
Again if you're interested in attending and would like to serve as a a delegate you can just let me know. I do have Trusty Dooley's name written now. VP Bowman says she would like to serve as a delegate. I would as well. Thank you. Alright and Trustee Miller. And I'll be on. Alright. Perfect. Wanna switch Ken? No. Oh. You can sit in that long meeting. Alright. No. Okay. Get enough. Yeah. And then we have an alternate. Okay. Alright, so now, moving down to action items for the approval. Now,
we will do our our election for the approval of the board secretary. Can I do the, can I get the vote for roll call for selecting Secretary Shaquana Davis Smith. So, I'm voting yes, Trusty Dooley. No. Trustee Gross? No. President Hannah, Yes. Trustee Miller? No. Treasurer Terry? Yes. And VP Bowman?
Yes. That passes four to three. Alright and can I get the we still do the votes for? It's no need. No need to. No. She got the votes. Alright. Thank you. Well, congratulations again. Secretary Davis Smith for remaining as the secretary for the Board of Education. Thank you. Next, we will do approval of a board for the position of treasury. Roll call, please. What was it for? What was it for? Alright. For treasurer
treasurer Marcus Terry. Oh. He called Miller before. He called Miller before. Okay. We'll start with Miller. Can we start with roll call please? Secretary David Smith or we'll start with Trustee Miller. Sure. For board treasurer. Um Sorry. One second. Trustee Trustee Dooley? Yes. Trustee Gross? Yes. President Hannah? No. Trustee Miller? Yes. Treasurer Terry? No.
Trusty bummer? No. I mean VP Boma. No. And I'm voting no. That that feels. Okay. So now we'll do approval for treasurer Marcus Terry. Roll call please. One second. We know I was going to call. Right. You already know he going to win. So you still have to do. So we can play some deal with me. We didn't go through that. It has to be placed on the record because she was the first one called. And because it failed for him, then we have to. Yes.
It has to be a pass in order to be accepted. Right. Mm. Trusty growth President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? No. Treasurer Terry? Yes. VP Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley? Yes. He's going to get it anyway. That that passes five to 2. Alright, thank you very much. Moving down for the approval of the twenty twenty-five twenty-6 MASB delegate selection Can I get a motion to accept
Trustee Miller, Trustee Dooley, and VP Bowman as our three delegates? So move. And trustee Gross for our alternate. Support. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Treasurer Terry? Yes. VP Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley? Yes. And Trustee Gross? Yes. That passes 7 on. Alright, thank you very much. Moving down the agenda to finance items for discussion and action. The 20
twenty-five twenty twenty-six procurement card, authorization positions. Doctor Leverette. Yes, thank you, Doctor this is for discussion and action as we have previously brought before the board the the P card list of employees and limits. Um this is for the fiscal year twenty-six procurement card, authorization, positions. Um the allowable and allowable purchasing with district funds is attached. The background rationale, the attached listing shall be the authorized
positions to use the district approved purchasing cards for the 2526 fiscal year. A list of the users is maintained on the district website within the transparency section under the Heading district credit card information per statutory requirements found in MCL 3 eight eight 16 18 subsections two throughout the school year request for a P card limits to be temporarily raised especially at the start of the school year for supply orders as well as staff movements are documented and authorized by the
superintendent or designee it is the recommendation of the administration that the board education approved the FY twenty-five twenty-6 authorized positions for the district purchasing PR program and I have Chris Wald here who can go into greater detail regarding the allowable and unallowable purchasing with district funds as well as the procedures and safeguards that we have in place to ensure that our employees are utilizing these P cards with the
matter of integrity Chris. Excuse me. Or have any questions? Excuse me. Superintendent Leverette. Our last meeting when we discussed these P cards. We were to meet. Did I miss the meeting? Call a meeting. No, we did not have a meeting. So, with that being stated by the president, if we didn't have a meeting, last meeting,
we agreed that we would meet, why are we discussing this right now? When we have had no additional conversation from the last time we talked about this and we did not want to vote on it, because some of those numbers were astronomical. I don't think I don't recall us saying that we were going to have a meeting but we did ask Doctor Laverette. Point of information. Excuse me. We did ask Doctor Leverette to provide us information as it relates to this.
And I think she did. No, I would disagree. Um with all due respect, we were to meet. We were to meet so we could hash it out. Because we also talked about because the numbers were so large. We wanted to see where we could shave to try to get the bus drivers some of their money. Okay. Doctor Yeah, you can call. No. I was the one that made the recommendation that we meet in a special meeting. Okay, did we have it? Here's the thing. We did not make a motion to
approve for a special meeting to have. That decision was not made. I was the one that made the recommendation. If we recall at that meeting, I made the recommendation that we can go into a special meeting to go over the P card information as well as some other information that we had discussed. Um there was not a Second and there was not a vote to have a meeting. That's all I'm saying. That there was a discussion of us having a special meeting. Nothing was voted on it to do so. So. Okay. Then the information came out
from Doctor Leverette about the P card and how things would change. Okay. So of information please. Thank you. Uh Trustee Gross, I was the one that asked for it to be tabled but my specific wording was. Yeah. Uh if if if it could be approved for. You did. The principles and you know and and facilities and things of that sort while we have a discussion regarding the the central card allowances and I specifically said, pending a special meeting is
we are provided a date within a day or two and the special meeting occurs within the next 2 weeks. That was on July 14th. That's correct. No vote was taken. And no vote, okay. So, okay. To have, excuse me, point of, point of order. We did agree to have the meeting. There was no vote made because no date was set as to why a meeting was not held. Right. So, we did table it because we didn't vote. So why is it back on the agenda? We did
not vote. We did not we tabled it as to which is why it's back on the agenda now because we did not have the discussion at that time. And this is 2 weeks later and Doctor Leverette provided us with information. Now Chris is here to further explain and give us more information as it relates to this matter. So Doctor Hannah we did. We talked about we did not want to hold up facilities getting toilet paper, paper towels, soap those types of items, we did not want to hold up principles having
available supplies for the students to kick off the school year. We did have that discussion. No, oh, you're right. I do recall us. So, the rest of it was part of the discussion as well. If you. What we're saying is we did not vote to schedule a meeting. No special meeting was, this discussion took place, I believe at our July 14th meeting and you're absolutely right. We. So, when do we have to handle it? So, today, we're having discussion regarding this peacock and we're going to move forward and have discussion and we can go according if if we don't
want to vote on it or if it's a vote to table this because you want the NAC to take place. But it is on the agenda for discussion today and that's what we're going to have. Now how we proceed with that is up to the board. So I would like to if it's in order, well, right now, to make a motion that question. That we, I would like to make a motion to delay any additional discussion, any further talking about a procurement card, opposed to what suggested on July 14th as to
Marvin having usage of his and the principles. Everyone else would like to hold off until we have that special meeting. There's a motion on the floor. Alright. Madam chair. Yes, trustee Gross. If we finish with discussion, I would like to call for the vote. Call for the vote. Correct. That's not going to change anything. I call for the vote. The vote on using, can you clarify Robert whose voters allow us upon completion of the state. I know that. We can call for the vote. I'm calling
for the vote. Which vote? For the vote. The vote on the P card. To use it? Correct. Just vote. No ask. Without it. I was saying we do not want to hear from Chris. Call for the vote. Alright. Trustee Secretary David Smith call for the vote. Trustee Miller? No. Trustee Terry? Yes. VP Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley. That's a absolute no until we have a
forensic audit for money to be spent. Trustee Gross. That's yes or no. No. Made my statement. VP. Trustee. I'm sorry. President Hannah. Yes. That passes four to three. Thank you. Moving down the agenda to communications, petitions, and delegations. We have two Your request to address the Pontiac Board of Education for three minutes is granted with your commitment that all comments will be delivered with courtesy and civility. Failure to do so will
result in forfeiture of your allotted time. We have miss Chauncey. Chauncey. com. Did she leave? Oh no. She said well careful. Hey Thompson. Hey. Hello. Hi, Chauncey. I'm here representing Kennedy School and the Special Education Department Um We have a I have flyers at the door and the board should have flyers. On August 12th, we're hosting a back-to-school block party for all self-contained
classes across the district. Um it started out to be really small. We were just going to have the ninety-five Kennedy students. We got overwhelming support from our partners in the district. Um and we didn't want to waste this opportunity for partners like Community Living Services. I've got two ASD social groups coming. DHS is coming and several other community resources are coming and we wanted to make sure we had enough students that
would make it worth their time to come. So, we open it up to all the self-centtained special ed classrooms across the district. Um an Email went out to the families today. Um it's going up on the website and I'll be sending out postcards tomorrow but we'd really Like everybody in leadership, on the board, anybody that has the chance to come next week to come join us. Um we got confirmation today that Ashley will be joining us for a a hiring fair, one of the new EV buses
is coming. Um first student will be doing a hiring fair as well. So, this is really going to be an exciting event. We've got volunteers coming from some of our faith partners. Um There'll be hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, chips, juice, Oakland County Parks is bringing out a huge boundhouse and an educate a nature education table and then my wonderful logistics chair has secured a car check
car seat checkup clinic from McLaren. So, we're going to have lots of fun things to do. Um and this is almost entirely funded by the community and through donations. So, the only thing we're missing right now is backpacks. So, anybody got a line on some backpacks for me. Um please let now. If you need a flyer, I've got some and any questions? Can you confirm the date, please? It is Tuesday, August 12th from 11 to 3. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,
Chancellor. Thank you. And the next person is Stephanie Alexander. Stephanie Alexander. Um I'm here for a couple different reasons. Um as a bus driver also as a parent. Um the first one for a bus driver, we're just wondering if there's any updates in regards to our last Ask on July 14th for the ARP funding for the bonuses. Um also, as a bus driver, I'm asking about you guys were talking about the
EV buses. Uh currently, you said that was about three and a half years ago. You guys put into place. We do have EV buses on the lot. There's no charging ports. And from that plan setting place so long ago, there were other plans made in regards to the current buses we have. They're not EV but they are nice. They have central air, tinted windows, the condition is just overall nice. But just last
week, seven of those buses were took from us and sent to Port Huron. I'm not sure if you guys are aware of that. And in regards those seven buses being taken from us, we were replaced with seven buses that are older, seats torn, ripped, no air condition, check engine lights, literally as they're dropping the buses off to our lot and taking our good well-rounded buses. These buses are breaking down in the parking lot. So, my question in regards to the EV is, when are you guys going to put up a charging station?
We see buses sitting there. We haven't been trained on them. They're just sitting there. You guys spent all this money. Where's the charging stations for because in the meantime, school is about to start in September and these kids are going to have to get on these older buses because to my understanding, they're coming to get more of our current buses that we had. So, I don't know if you guys are aware but I just want to put that into your mind. Um also, as bus drivers, it's been brought to the topic of conversation that for special needs, special education. We feel that all special
education buses should have monitors on them. I know in the past they used to. Currently now it's a safety issue. You have to think as a driver, if you're getting a student that's on a wheelchair, you have to pull your bus over to the side, put it in accessory, step off the bus, not knowing if there's other special need children on that bus that could possibly jump off while you're trying to put a wheelchair on with no other assistance. Not only that, you have to put into consideration the weather, the climate, the road
conditions, and oncoming traffic. So, maybe you guys could into consideration to add our monitors. Um now me talking as a parent I, myself, asked for my child to be evaluated in regards to learning disabilities for years, on years, on years, on years, on years. Still haven't got a response. To my understanding, when it comes to the Board of Education, once you put in a request for your child to be evaluated due to learning disabilities, they have to respond
within 30 days. Like I said, it's been years. My daughter and I'm sure there's other parents in the district and you guys all know there's a literacy issue going on in the district and we need something done in regards to that. We need to get these babies and I'm speaking as a parent, as my own child, the proper background and education that she needs to get her where she needs to be at and I'm asking you guys to look into that. What can we do to get these proper therapists in, proper situations going where we can get
these kids the attention that they need because it's it's hurting us and these kids are just being passed along day after day and they're not getting what they need and it makes them feel some type of way and put a complex on them when they're in the classroom. I'm a parent, my dog gets hurt from that. You know, and she needs help. So, I'm speaking for all parents who are asking for their kids for help to help. So, hopefully, you guys could look into those bonuses, the charging ports, the buses that were just swapped out, as well as possible evaluations for IEPs as
well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, miss Albertan. Alright, any other ones? Any more? Gotcha. Okay. Can I get a motion to go into close session, please? Uh huh. Support. It's been moved by Trustee Grow, supported by BP Bowman to go into close session. Any questions? Roll call please. Second. Okay. Where we going? That's my movie. Okay. Kind of order President Hannah, do you think it would be a good thing for us to do our closing while we have people opposed to
having them wait for us to come out of close? No, we're not adjourning our meeting. We're going in a closed session right now. I didn't say we were a joint a journey Secretary David Smith, can you roll call please? Treasurer Terry. Yes. Trust VP Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley? Yes. Uh trustee Gross? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. That passes seven oh. Alright, the
time is now 743 PM. And we are now going into closed session. Good morning. Long 15. Getting a little chilly again. Alright, can I get a motion to come out of close session please? Support by Treasurer Terry and supported by. Trustee Dooley. Trustee Dooley to come out of close session. Any questions? Roll call please. Uh VP Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley? Yes. Trustee Gross? Yes.
President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Treasurer Terry? Yes. At pass the seven oh. Alright. The time is 809 and we are ending close session. As we resume our meeting. We moved down to board comments and announcements. I'll start with Trustee Dooley. Good evening and thank you guys for staying. This is to our TV land. Hey, everybody. Our educational stakeholders that have tuned in. And a special thank you as always to my 7, 617 people that voted
for me to put me in this seat. I want to say much success. For the Kennedy program, your open house that you're having or the event, much success. You mentioned school book packs check with Christian community response team, CCRT two four eight four nine nine six two one. Give us a call. Also, we will be giving certain schools in the district, uniforms. Those uniforms will be delivered to
the schools. As always, I have been on this board since what, January and I am still requesting a forensic audit. Why do we need a forensic audit? Well, it would appear that logic dictates it. We starting a new year. If this was your own business, your family business, and I was joining your business, are you just
going to take what I say? That I tell you the books reflect or how much is in the bank Would you not want to know? We are here for transparency Until we have an audit I'll probably continue to vote no. Because I don't believe that we are doing our self a service. It's more of a disservice until we align our resources to see what's happening. I spoke with
the young lady that represented the bus. The buses. And I don't want to run out of time. Imma look for something while I'm keep talking. Um it relates to recruitment of teachers, I have started to personally call people that have teaching certificates that are available and ready. So, hopefully they can come. Stephanie, I talked to you. I sent you an Email telling you that I was hoping that you could receive some information to report
back. We promised you that. And I don't believe we deliver as a board. I'm not going to put it on anyone. This is what I said to her. Just know you are being heard and your questions need answers and require the formal response to be addressed in a timely manner from the superintendent. As a member of this board, I have one vote that I bowed and took an oath to represent all educational stakeholders with transparency and accountability. I look forward to seeing you at the next board meeting and possibly we will
hear the responses and a remedy that will provide relief and out in a way that supports academic achievement. We have to get the students transported safely to and from school. Your support and intricate service you provide cannot be ignored, denied, or misvalued. With that being said, I'm very hopeful that things will work out for the good of them that love the lord. I said that because we have to do something to support those bus drivers to drive those new buses and to get our kids to and fro. We cannot a
few of them expressed disappoint ointment and that many of them are talking about terminating their own employment. We don't want to find ourself at the opening of school and not have bus drivers there. Uh teacher contracts are not settled. You do not want to go into a a new year and the teachers are not comfortable. I'm speaking from personal experience. Being in the
classroom. You want them to not have to deal with added pressures as they start the year. So, we want to look at that Uh as always, it's it's a pleasure to serve you here and I continue to vow that I will do my very best to continue to operate truth, fullness, accountability, transparency, and alignment. As always, student academic
achievement is our number one goal. All roads point 2. Student academic achievement that must be sustainable. But before we can go any further, we need a forensic audit. Whoever is out there that can help us get a forensic audit going, I need your assistance. Trustee Dooley. With that, I bid you a good night. Thank you so much. Thank you, Trustee Miller. I was duly. That was Trustee Dooley.
Trustee Miller. Thank you President Hannah. Good evening, everyone. Good evening. I would like to use this opportunity to speak directly to the community in the full spirit of transparency. For 7 months, I've made several written requests addressing the consistent lack of transparency, unequal communication, and blatant disregard for board policy. I have expressed how these issues continue to undermine this board's credibility and functionality and the ability to govern effectively.
Yet, time again, communication is siloed, leaving some of us uninformed and deliberately excluded. This board is designed to function as a collective governing body, not as a hierarchy, dictated by personal relationships, or selective access to information. No single board member has the authority to direct or receive privileged communications. Without distributing that to the entire board. Our roles as board members includes the
responsibility to hold each other accountable and operate in alignment with the policies that guide our conduct and governance. We cannot hold the administration response accountable if we as a board are not functioning with clarity, openness, and mutual respect. We cannot preach accountability to administration or anyone. While selective communication, private decision making, and a breakdown of trust is within our board. Every board member was selected to serve
not to spectate. Per policy, no trustee can be denied access to information, updates, and decisions. Not after the fact, not when it's convenient, and not through the back channel. More policy in our code of ethics are not suggestions. They are binding expectations. I am calling for immediate corrective action, equitable communication, and enforcement of board policy around governance and decision making and a recommitment to full board transparency. I said what needed to
be said. I've said it for 7 months. I've reached out to leadership. I've put everything in writing. So this should come at no surprise. It's time that we stop pretending that things are functioning as they should when we know that they are not. This is the last time. The last time I will raise concern. If necessary, I will forward an Email of resolution to address the issue and restore proper board function. It's overdue that we start governing with the integrity
our community deserves. I did not take an oath to rubber stamp silence. We must start holding ourselves to the same standards, if not higher than we expect from our administration, our students. My commitment remains to serve with integrity, to represent the best interest of this district, and to upsure we ensure that we uphold the governance, practices that our community expects, and deserves. Thank you for this opportunity. I'm sorry for my frustration, but it's been mounting for the past 7 months I
am tired of consistently almost begging, begging this board to operate and function as directed by policy. It's nothing personal for me. I'm not making requests for anything that I want personally. But it seems to be that we're dictating and and running our board based upon personal relationship. And I'm not I'm not in the the collective. So, I'm quite often the one that is not privileged to information and I want to thank the community because if it wasn't for
y'all, a lot of the things that go on in this district, even though I sit at this table, I wouldn't even know. So, thank you for that and continue to reach out to me. Have a great night. Okay. Trustee Gross. No comment. No comment. Secretary Davis Smith. Um. Good evening. I just wanted to remind everyone to come out next Tuesday from 11 to three to the back the back to school block party. Um at Kennedy. It's going to be at Kennedy, correct? At Kennedy. This Thursday
also we have the movie night for our kids held at the district office. Um so, bring the kids out to that as well. Also, Saturday, District one is having a free free breakfast for the for the youth at the library from 10 to 12. So it'll be a pancake breakfast for free for the youth from the at the library, from 10 to 12 for district 1.
But anyone is welcome to come. And I just want I just want us to please keep our kids safe, our families. But continue to read to your students and each night. At least 30 minutes. And just be safe everyone. And have a good night. Okay thank you Treasurer Terry. Good evening, everybody. Um
Good information today. I appreciate all the hard work. Our administration and staff is putting together. Um I guess as a whole to bring information to the board for us to make the best decision we can for this school district. With that being said, there has to be some I guess you want to say branch of trust. As an individual myself and I do speak for myself. I can't say we and I can't make promises. I'm just one boardman I'm not a whole seventh.
There's individuals that I feel that are here for whatever reasons. Their own reasons, our own policies, our own procedures, our own things that they want to have done. And that's not the whole purpose of the board. The board is here for the school district. overall. Just in general, just overall. So when I speak for myself, I'm speaking for myself. I'm here for these students. I don't want to hold this district back. I understand that we've come from a I guess you
want to say a challenging error. Things have been happening. Things have been changing. But things just don't happen overnight. So I take my hat off of the ones that are still here. That is still fighting for this district. They still keep this district pushing forward. And not going backwards of becoming I guess you want to say idol district. Things have to happen. This is a living business. If you check your spreadsheets, it's almost like a
budget. Things are always changing. Personnel is always changing. Leadership is always changing. There's nothing constant. Even though we want things to be constant. There's nothing constant. You have to think outside the box. So, me, myself, I'm just be honest. I'm here as a team player. I didn't come in here with trust issues. I didn't come in here with my own dictation. I didn't come in here so hung up on how many people voted for me to be in this position. I really
didn't. I'm not here for that. I'm really not. But to be honest with everyone here and even my board members to go back and look at the meeting that I was not here in attendance with and to hear the conversations that we hear out here in the public. Because of a few personality differences or a few clashes, it's ridiculous and Imma keep it real because that's the only way I know how to do is keep it real. I can't come up here and be buddy buddy and act like I'm your friend and then
turn around and want to hang out with you out in the public because your or your your direction, your your or your overall goal is is doesn't seem like it's team oriented. And I hear all the complaints. I do. I really do. But at the same time, I'mma put it out there. If you have those complaints, bring some solutions. Plain and simple. Help us out as a team to move forward. Bring some solutions. I'm sorry. That's my time. No. I'm
good. I think you had another minute. Oh. Another minute. Okay. But. You don't have to. I just want to say. I'm speaking for myself. I can't speak as the whole board up here as an individual. That's just me. I can't make promises as a board member. I know this not going to happen. But if you have a issue, if you have something, bring it to us. Give us some time to digest it. There's things that's being requested that in reality, it probably is not in the school budget In reality, you don't have no proper real cause of justice to do it. Why we need a forensic audit?
I don't know. I will vote no. That's my opinion. I track record hasn't shown that we need that. And right now I definitely know it's not in the budget. But for whatever reasons, you're on the board I hope things work out for you in in the future but all I ask is that whatever you decide to do, don't take this district backwards. Just don't take us backwards and don't leave us idle to the point where
we can't function. Thank you. Thank you, Treasure Terry. VP Obama. Good evening, everyone. This was a very nice meeting and I want you all to remember, if you haven't already, please vote tomorrow. Absolutely. Very, very important. Uh Pontiac's future is is a new beginning for us. So, please get out and vote. It's exceptionally important. Um as a trustee, a single trustee, I'm
going to again speak for myself as trustee Terry That's all of the trustees have. Um it's a privilege to serve my community. I don't take this lightly in any regard. I was not elected the first or the second time just by happenstance. I was elected because the community spoke up and I'm grateful. I'm grateful to be a voice of the people. Me And just about every truck every trustee except for our Detroit
Trustee which leans in and gives great insight from a different perspective but it is it is a pleasure and a privilege to serve the community. I just want you all to know that every decision that I make, I make it with integrity. I make it with dignity. I make it with diligence, and I make it with the truth, my truth. Interprets things differently but at the end of the day, I sleep well at night. I know that the decisions that
I make are for the best interest of the students of the Pontiac School District and the staff of Pontiac School District. I don't take it lightly in any regard to sit in this seat. We are not where we want to be but we are no in no regards where we work. We are not in a deficit at this point in time. We have come out of a fifty-million-dollar deficit. We have a surplus and we have been good of the dollars. Sorry, my chair's
running away. Um I just want you all to know that service above self is how I lead and I'm for this community. I'm for the bus drivers. I'm for the teachers. I'm for the students. I'm for the parents. I'm for Pontiac School District. So, at any point in time, if you have a question, please feel free to reach out and call me or ask or or whatnot. I'm not going to chase anybody. I'm not about to
browbeat anybody about anything. What I am is going to stand ten toes down and the decisions that I make for the best interest of this district. So, as we continue to move forward and get ready for a new school year, I am positively hopeful and I know that whatever contract that we don't have, we'll get it together. We must in every facet, each one of us who's a part of this Pontiac School District family, we need to put our community first. We need to put our children
first and we need to know that we're not in I'm not in it for self. I'm not in it for self. I'm in it for the community. So, with that being said, again, please all vote and just know that I am Pontiac Proud and I am a product of Pontiac School District and we are the Phoenix and will continue to rise. Thank you and have a good night. Thank you, VP Bowman. Well, today, officially kicks off our twenty-five, 26th school year and I'm excited about the success
that we have that we will have this coming school year. I am anticip painting great things from our students and I'm looking forward to the renewed energy and compassion and enthusiasm from our staff and administration that they'll bring on the first day of school. Uh coupled last week, early last week, Doctor Leverette and I had a conversation with Michigan House of Representative, our state rep Brenda Carter because we were concerned about the the matters at hand as they will impact the
Department of Education and so our question her was, what can we as Pontiac do? Because our role is to support our students and families. So, we want to make sure that we are prepared. So, I did State Representative Brenda Carter did share with the board some information that we are to be aware of and I'm going to share it a little bit with each of you. I'm not going to read the whole thing but State Representative Carter's wrote, having served on the Pontiac School Board of Education for eight years, I
remain deeply committed to keep you informed about the decisions being made or delayed in Lansing that affect our schools. I want to share a comprehensive overview of how the proposed Michigan House Majority K twelve budget, the Federal HR 1 legislation, and current legislative delays could impact the Pontiac School District. As we prepare for a new school year, I will also be providing regular budget updates to help you stay informed and prepared. In short, the outlook is bleak and I want to ensure ready for
the potential challenges ahead. This document reflects both my lifelong commitment to the children of Pontiac and continue advocacy on their behalf. This is why we're here. Is for the kids. And if the changes that come down the pipeline are going to have a adverse effect on our students, we're all going to be in trouble. So the matter of why we're here is for the students. One of the things she mentioned in her report was that the Michigan House Majority Budget as it relates to that
Pontiac could receive approximately 8. 8 million in base funding. But may lose targeted grants unless categ are restored. These are the issues that we need to be concerned about and talking about as it relates to the school district in the city of Pontiac. Impact on out of formula districts like Pontiac, Key Operational Areas such as staffing, student services, transportation, and nutrition, remain in limbo.
Without budget clarity. These are the challenges that we should be staying up at night worried about because whether we are bored, if there's no school district, all of us will be out of work. So, that is what's most important that we stay focused on why we're here. There will be differences of opinions because you got seven different individuals including Doctor Levera, 8 people, adults, here serving in leadership positions. Everybody may get along.
But there should be a level of respect and trust in place because we're all here to do one thing. And that's govern the school district of the city of Pontiac. I heard what my trustee said and again just as I mentioned before when when there's newness or sometime, it it takes time to build your rhythm. But that doesn't mean it has to be broken completely. It just takes time for people to find their rhythm and learn how to work together. And I said it
before, every single one of these trustees up here bring value to this school district. Everybody have different, unique gifts that they bring to this board. But if we cannot learn how to work and respect one another's opinions and listen, and learn, we're never going to be on the same accord. We won't be able to work together. And at the end of the day, that only hurts the students and the families in the Pontiac We all got different leadership styles. And I
just want to speak to my My leadership style speaks to my character and is consistent with who I am as a professional as well as in my personal life. I lead with humility, integrity, compassion, and yes, the spirit of collaboration. Because I don't look at just I. I always look at we. I stand on respect. I value teamwork. There are no big eyes or little you. And in order for this district to be successful, it's
going to take every position, every and employed by the school district from our bus drivers to our facility workers to administration and to superintendents including the board trustees I see all of us as team Pontiac School District PSD so regardless of what position each of us play on team PSD it takes all of us working together to see our students, families, and this community win I say all of this
because despite the challenge that come with leadership because regardless of who's at the top, there's always going to be something coming against them. The criticism, the doubt, the hard decisions that leaders have to make, that we have to make, it does not come easy. Leadership is not about being perfect nor is it about having all the answers. So, for me, leadership is about embracing those challenges, doing my best, and giving myself
grace and continuing to lead with heart and gratitude. So, with that being said, I want to say congratulations to the class of twenty twenty-5, our summer graduates. Your hard work did not go unnoticed. Um I want to continue encouraging our families with little ones to sign them up for preschool. There are still time to register and I want to say thank you to our teachers, to our staff, those that have worked during the summer. We appreciate you. I know this is the
last week of summer school so you get a little couple days, couple weeks left before school actually resumes. And I know there were several different programs for students over the past few weeks. So I'm definitely looking forward to those reports to hear how everything went. Doctor Leverette inside of as she was discussing the strategic plan. She talked about community partners. And I want to thank McLaren Hospital as well as the Brinker Group for reaching out to us. Expressing their interest and wanting to help Pontiac. So it's
somebody that see the value in our students. Despite the chaos and the confusion that it may appear with leadership. There are still community partners that believe in our students. So to those two particular organizations, I say thank you and we look forward to adding you to our list of other community partners. Uh as VP Bowman mentioned, tomorrow is election day. So, I say good luck to all of our candidates that are running and please everybody do your due diligence to get out and practice your civic duty of voting and also, I
want to encourage community to come out on Thursday, August the seventh and us for movie night. Um I think they're playing Sonic three. I think so. Um so that that is all that I want to say. But again I just want everybody to know trustees. Misunderstandings happen. Miscommunication may happen. But at the end of the day we as trustee Miller said we all have to hold ourselves accountable. And how we show up? It matters. How the energy we give off
to other people, it matters. So, I hope we're all taking account to how we interact with whether I don't care if they're board members or whether they're staff members. Everybody deserve respect. As adults, and so, I just hope that we're able to take that in consideration and I do hope and I believe that we will get on one accord and that we will be effective and we will continue to move this district forward for the city of Pontia So, with that being said, I would like to get a motion to adjourn this meeting.
It's been moved by Trustee Dooley and supported by treasurer Terry to adjourn me. That was me. Oh. That was you? It could be Terry. VP bomb. Boom. It was supported by VP Bowman to adjourn our meeting. Any questions? Roll call please. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley. Yes. Trustee Gross? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Treasurer Terry? Yes. VP Bowman? Yes. That passes seven Alright, the time is now 8: 37 PM and this meeting is adjourned. Thank you
very much.