Now I'm out of breath. Yes. Good evening again. Welcome to our our regular schedule board meeting tonight. Happy New Year to all of you. The time is now 6: 01 PM and we are going to call our meeting to order. Madam secretary, roll call please. VP Bowman. Present. I'm President Trustee Dooley. Present. Trustee Gross. Present. President Hannah.
Present. Trustee Miller. Mhm. Present. And Treasure Terry. Present. We have a poem. 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. Can I get a motion to amend the agenda to add under rewards and recognition? Item A, school board
recognition month presentations? Some will support. It's been moved by trustee growth, supported by. Trustee. Trustee Terry to amend the agenda and add under awards and recognition, school board recognition month presentation. Any questions? Roll call. I'm voting yes, Trustee Dooley. Trustee Gross? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Treasurer Terry? Yes. VP Bowman? Yes. That passes seven and. Thank you. If I can get approval for the
amended agenda, please. So move. Support. It's been moved by trustee growth, supported by treasurer Terry to us approve the amended agenda. Any questions? Roll call. Trusty dooley. Yes. Trustee Gross? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Treasurer Terry? Yes. VP Bowman? Yes. And I I'm voting yes. That passes seven oh. Alright. Thank you very much. Alright. Now on the agenda is awards and recognition. I'll pass it over to Doctor
Leverette. Thank you Doctor Hannah. Good evening everyone. At this time we are very excited to honor our illustrious board of education. They do a great job of representing students and everything that we need to do in order to make sure that our policies and procedures are followed and making sure that we are leading our students are learning and they are excited about education. This proclamation certificate of proclamation from
the state of Michigan on behalf of the people of Michigan. I, Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim January 2026 as school board recognition month. Whereas Michigan is home to nearly 600 locally elected local school board members that work to enrich the lives of Michigan students through education and directly influencing instruction in Michigan's public schools and whereas local school board members are exceptional public servants who have dedicated and committed themselves to this
duty by governing school districts, listening to parent voice, and advancing student achievement and well being and the communities they serve and whereas during this month, we join with the Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Department of Education, Local School districts, and community organizations to recognize and raise awareness of the countless efforts and contribution of local school boards and school board members throughout Michigan and now, therefore, Gretchen
Whitmer, governor of Michigan, does hereby proclaim January 2026 as school board recog month in Michigan's signature Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Continuing. Oh oh I'm sorry. Continuing on with certificate of appreciation for your dedication to our children and public education in Michigan. Board President Doctor Hannah. We congratulate and thank you for your service. Certificate of appreciation for your dedication to our children and public education in
Michigan. Vice President, Trustee Kenyatta Bowman, we thank you for your dedication and service to Michigan's children. Certificate of Appreciation for your dedication to our children in public education in Michigan. Trustee Shaquana David Smith, board secretary. We thank you for your dedication and commitment to Michigan's children. Certificate of appreciation for your dedication to our children and public education, Board treasurer trustee Marcus Terry. Thank you for your commitment to the children in Michigan schools. For your
dedication to our children in public education in Michigan, G, Kevin Groves, board trustee. We thank you for your dedication and service to Michigan children. For your dedication to our children in public education in Michigan, board trustee Tanisha Miller, we thank you for your dedication and service to Michigan children. For your dedication to our children and public education in Michigan, Trustee Jennifer Dooley, we thank you for your dedication and commitment to Michigan children. Please help me in honoring our board trustees at this time. Thank you. Thank you, Doctor Leverette.
Better, Frank. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Doctor Leverette and all the administration and staff. Okay, continuing on the agenda. Good evening. Again, trustees. Good to see you all. Can I get a motion for the to accept the consent agenda items? Support. Support. It's been moved by Trustee Rose supported by Treasurer Terry to accept the consent agenda items. Any questions? Roll call please. Trusty Gross? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee
Miller? Yes. Treasurer Terry? Yes. VP Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes and Trustee Dooley? Yes. That pass is seven oh. Thank you very much. Information from the superintendent and administration, Doctor Leverette. Thank you, Doctor Hannah. At this time, we will have a presentation. Doctor Wakapai, Doctor Wakabayashi, Doctor Mulder, and Principal Harris and there may be other staff that come before us from Oakland University. We have been entered into this funds
from the Spencer Foundation and we have been entered into this partnership. I believe this is the year of three of five but the goals and outcomes are directly related to students and our littlest learners even to infants. So, we have been talking planning and proceeding with purpose these last couple of years and so, I ask that they come and provide a update to the board on where we are with this
initiative Um into directly into our early childhood program and I'm sure that you will be pleased at the outcomes and progress that we have made collectively as a team so far. So, Doctor Wakaba, she I normally call her Doctor Tomoco but officially Doctor Wakabashi, thank you and your staff for even approaching Pontiac School District and we've been partners for a long time in various capacities, Doctor Coco but this one, it's, it's
really, near and dear, I think, to all of us that have, worked so hard in, in the planning and preparation for what we hope is a favorable outcome in the near future for our community and families that we serve. Doctor Tomoco. Thank you so much. I need to do something. Just test it. Okay. Okay. Good evening. Thank you so much for having us and for us to do this update and thank you so much for for your introduction of this
project. So to today with me, I have a few people. So, I have Coco Molder and then I have my colleague Shauna Boomard and then, I have my colleague Julie Brickstonian also from Oakland University and then Doctor Devison will also be joining us as well. Um we do have Matthew's here too who is also part of a project. So thank you so much. Um so this is we call it baby peace. Um peace of course comes
from Peace Academy. Um and this is our community partnership project to create, co-create, and infant toddler childcare and resource hub at Pontiac High School. So the next yeah. So the the is funded by the Spencer Foundation Research Practice Partnership Grant. So, it is really a partnership between research and practice. That is the whole goal of the grant. Um and
it's a community university collaboration to promote high quality infant toddler care right inside Pontiac High School and we really wanted to make sure that the high quality is defined not just by research but also by our community members. Uh what they feel they want to see in this infant toddler. Um so it is a design, co-creating project. So, the next. Um there are two goals, okay? Baby P's main goals and the first is that it will be a
childcare center. Um so, Pontiac students, teen parents, district staff, and Pontiac residents will have access to this community designed culturally sustained in childcare program for infants through age three. Um and you'll hear more about this from my League. Um Doctor Julie Ricksonin. Um the other one is the Resource Hub. Um so the so we do have the CT, the Carrier Tech Carrier and Technical Education in Early Childhood. Uh now
at Pontiac High School. It's the students actually can get some credits in early childhood from from OU as well in that program. So we're hoping that that the the baby piece will be high quality student practicum site for the students in the high school as well as for OU students. We're hoping that we could collaborate on that. We're also hoping that that place will be a diverse, enriching, and networking opportunities for everyone, including the community members, and again, you'll hear more about the
Resource Hub from Doctor Shauna Bloomgard. Okay, so I am going to have Coco Motor So, talking about community-led research. So, the goal of this project when we first brought it to the board was to merge the relationship that Oakland University has within the community. So, that is not just the university making the decisions on what happens in this resource hub but having the community to have a say so and so what we did is we use community-led participatory
research to approach how we design the hub. So, if you have a CTE program with high school students, who have a pathway CTE is your pathway to early childhood, then, they have an opportunity in-house instead of walking out of the building to actually engage with the community at large and so, a hub is the opportunity for us as researchers to collect data through our community interviewer. So, somebody like Deera Matthews who is actually housed at Oakland Oak Oakland Community College is one of our
researchers. So, she's one of our interviewers. We also have some of your preschool teachers, one of the largest pre programs in the county through Peace Academy who are also participants by engaging with the community and interviewing the people who live here so that it's not just our say so but the community say so. So, our data is collected through interviews. We analyze that data during our meetings. We talk about it. We collaborate. So, it's not just a one-sided conversation. Cynthia. So, as I said, we have Pontiac
community members you have Miss Terry who's a preschool teacher over at Peace. You have Miss Ortiz. Uh you have Taylor Folks. Uh you have Miss Lopez. All of these are are community focused group led individuals across the city. So they know the community better than the researchers at the institution of the community. So why not have even though I'm born and bred here, live here too? It's always easier to have the community members lead the research because they trust the
people connected to the people And so as teachers at Peace Academy, what better way than to engage with families who have take are taken active engagement with their current preschool. So, these were zero to three. They're above three. Um and so our goal is to reach 200 individual members of the community to have their data and we are halfway there. So, if you talk about the great work of your staff, those ladies over there who have been a part this interview and team are stellar. They
have done a phenomenal job of reaching out to the community. Um and it's it's multicultural. So it's not just you know, American but there's Hispanic, there's Arabic. So, our goal is to not just be one one faced but community faced. Am I another page? Alright. Miss Judy. Sorry. I'm Julie. I am involved in the Spencer Grant and the Baby Peace Project partly because of my past experience. Can you put the microphone closer,
please? Thank you. In short too. Um I'm involved in the baby piece and the the particularly the child care component of this project because of my past experiences with running programs, designing programs that are kind of innovative and and really look for that community input. Um on a personal note, both of my sons live in Pontiac. So, if I ever get to be a grandma, I I am so excited that they will have a
place to go with their babies. So, that's just a little side note but it's exciting for me to think about that as as a person who owns property and has children in Pontiac that are of the age. Um so, as you can see here, it's a demonstration infant toddler childcare as as has already been talked about at B-14 parents, childcare support, district staff, childcare support, and community. Um and would involve as has already been said, the career in technical
education students from the high school, OU students who are in the early childhood, birth decay, pre K3 program. Um just lots of really good opportunities to interact. But also importantly as Tamoco mentioned, it's and Coco mentioned it's birth to three, feeding right into our baby or our Peace Academy program. So, it really is a nice continuity there. If we can, if we can get all this started
and I'll I would say about the resource sub too but I think Shawn is going to talk about that and then the next few things. So, again, the diverse stakeholders co-designing baby piece. We have area childcare providers who have tuition based or child supported families. Many of the families that might be at Baby Peace will qualify for those for those childcare scholarships through the state. Um we're going to really work hard to
make sure that we have a high quality rating through our state program so that they can get them highest level of reimbursement for their children to be there. Um we're not sure exactly yet. This is where we're still really working on but you know given what space we have and what interest we have but I'll just say that the the ratio for birth to three is one to four. So, you know, we're looking at potentially
twelve, 15 students depending on space to start with. Um and the priority is to ensure that baby peace adds value to the neighborhood doesn't take away from our existing care centers serves a different population with a different for a different purpose. Um so, a lot of that community collaboration that miss Mulder talked about is really, really important. So, we can hear what people are thinking about. This is me. Alright. So, we have based on the community-led
research. Oh, sorry. Based on the community-led research, what we are trying to do is we are going to be focusing on the importance of teen parent childcare support as well as district, staff, childcare support, as well as that community childcare support. Kind of coming all together. In addition to obtaining that high school career, technical education piece. So, for those students that are already enrolled at PHS, they can obtain those those those early childhood
credits through OU and through OCC. So, it's kind of a nice, a nice collaboration. Pardon? Oh, next slide, sorry. Next slide. There they are. Oh, oh. Wait, go back one. Thank you. Alright. Um which ultimately will lead to those teen parenting supports, those district staff parenting supports the community parenting supports. As well as some of the resources and the referral information that we are going to be providing as well. Um so, for example, we're trying you know, have some just some parenting
information to provide. So, like, you know, how do how to work with, you know, challenging behaviors or how to you know, help parents when, you know, they're struggling. Maybe you're a single mom and you're trying to work three jobs and take care of three little people, right? It's not easy. So, having some of these early childhood workshops and some of those networking opportunities for folks, I think is really going to help and again, it's all based. Um so next slide Thank you. So, this
resource hub is really going to be connecting families and so, it's it's really important because we have a lot of folks and when we did, we do a lot with the with the Pontiac Optimist Club. So, we do a lot with the Junior Optimists and one of the things that was addressed was the teen parents and we want to make sure that we're that we are supporting them. We want them to come to school. Those community members, those early childhood providers, they need some resources. Such as professional learning and other networking opportunities will be
available And that will all be based by that community-led research that we're doing. And then we're going to be utilizing the program for the high school students to learn and include student teaching practicum. So internships, work-based learning for teacher cadets. What a great program, right? Alright. Next slide please. Alright and I think I'm talking a little bit about this but I'm going to let Doctor Deviz in. Is this you or me? Okay, it's me. Alright. So, our advisory board and
the highlighted the darker you can see, you know, obviously, Doctor Leverette and some of the other PSD members are located in Bold but our community-led research is with Doctor Leverette, Pastor Derek McDonald from Prospect Missionary. You can see, you know, Doctor Coco, Doctor Tomoco, our childcare program is, you know, miss Franklin from the high school. We have Isetta Davenport who Works with Kids Corner. We have Nicole Harris who is also the principal at Peace Academy. Um again, Doctor Coco, Doctor Julie,
Betsy Spiker. She's teaching over at PSD. She's over at the high school. Um the resource hub is myself. Um also Luz Acosta from La Casa Amiga. Uh Doctor Devison, Doctor Noel Kelty, and Brian Sherman from Pontiac as well as Janice Smith who's with the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency and we've also a consultant which is Doctor Katie Sloan who also works at OU. So, thank you. Good evening to everyone. Just wanted to start by saying this
project has been very collaborative and they've been given us an opportunity to give our input and our knowledge. So, thank you to Oakland University and the collaboration. Um as it relates to Pontiac, oh Yes. Okay. As it relates to what the district's role is is number one, being able to provide space. The second thing is to have a co-lead and go co-design of the childcare program that we are the resource hub. Um thoroughly that we recommend
staff, families, and students to participate in the co-design. And we were able to kind of facilitate and assist with those interviews that Doctor Coco was speaking of. Also We are overseeing and managing the sub-award grant, I mean, budget. We also are going to co-manage and oversee the transition of the Baby Peace to full implementation at the Pontiac School District and this will include confirming budget for Baby Peace utilizing state childcare scholarships. So one thing that the
so one thing is that the grant does not fund a few things. So they don't it will not fund the renovation of the current space. Um addition of outdoor play space and some operational costs including baby peace teacher and staff salaries, daily needs and materials and facility use and maintenance. And we are in the process of trying to get additional funding for some of those. Um in terms of the renovation of current space we feel like it's it will be very minimal. It won't really
need to happen much but we are working to to secure additional funds for some of the things that the grant does not fund. But these are the OU's role. Um so we will co-leading co-design the childcare program and resource hub. Um and then the community led research. Um ensure compliance with the research ethics. So Coco has been instrumental in making sure all of our interviewers, all of our advisory board members have gone through the subjects,
compliance like ethics, training to make sure that we are on in compliance with that. Again, as I said, seek additional funding for program implementation, cost not covered by the Spencer Grant. Um oversee the main grant budget for honorariums, employment of community interviewers, student assistance, interns, and initial employment of baby, peace, infant, toddler teachers. So, the initial employment will be through Oakland with the grant until we do the transition with the hopefully with
the state funded childcare scholarship. We will, again, co-manage and oversee the transition of baby peace to full implementation with two Pontiac School District and yeah, we'll, yeah, pretty much that's it and so, any questions, comments, so this, this QR code leads to a a survey, and we like all of the community's input on the design of the baby piece so it leads to a survey that asks for.
What do you think we want to see in Baby Peace? So there are handouts out there as well. Um but if you are able to do that for us I really we would really appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. Board, are there any questions? Trust me. Growth, then, treasurer Terry. Good evening. Good evening. Wonderful, wonderful program. But I do have a couple questions as it pertains to cosmetic changes as because we need changing stations
for the babies and we looked at financial reconfiguration for that. As well as food, diapers, and things like that for the children. Where are we getting that funding from? Yeah. If you want to do part of it or. I'll do part of it. I'll do the where we get in the stuff. Uh that's essentially what you're asking. Um so, we have already begun to do community led resource attainment. So, we have community members. Um we have nice boxes. So, we had a
relationship with the Junior Optimist and Optimist Club. So, they took that on as one of their projects in the fall, into well, in the winter, up until this point where they built the boxes, designed the boxes, and put the boxes all around the high school. We put one at the public library. We put one at OU Cares and so those boxes were the first feeder into collecting diapers, wipes, any of the incidentals that families would need for that purpose. Um so we
are we are not above, you know, our start is donations work. Well, you make a ask. The community, this is community led and so the community has stepped up to say, you know, yeah, come put a box here. We'll collect for you. We'll start doing that instead of physically, financially, putting out money when you have enough resources. Pontiac is resource rich. Let's just be honest. Um you put an ask out in many of the community partners are willing to help assist with the first upkeep of those donations. And and the reason I ask that doc is because I don't want a
parent to say hey I can't participate in this because I don't have diapers for my child that'll prevent me and when you guys if we have something supplied for them, they can utilize your services. And I don't want any anything to to get in interference to that a parent can't get involved and then to the workout, make sure that we, our facilities conducive for changing because I know this specific bathroom you know, it's a beautiful facility. Oh, baby. 300 years. Yeah. So, I know that they're changing. Is it still have changing tables? Yeah. Yeah. Help. Help a
brother out. I'm trying to. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Okay. Help me. So, there's specific things that has to be done within the school to make sure. Sure. That we can ensure that be able to change babies and things like that. You want to respond to that? Um yeah, we are in the in the in the process getting some funding for furniture and structures. So, like for example, babies changing stations, cribs, things like that. Um and I think our community interviewed did identify the those basics needs so
what was it called? Did they still use rocking chairs or rock the baby? Yeah. Okay. So those are when we say the surveys are available, what she's doing is she's violent telling everybody in the space to go ahead and scan it with your smartphones so that if you have a suggestion I like that. We're taking a suggestion that's a part of the research-led community effort and so, if there's something that the community doesn't feel we need to have there, then, we take that into consideration too. Thank you so much. I was just going to quickly add to that I'm a scavenger. So, and I work
with lots of schools out in Oakland County. So, whenever I run across a center that's maybe closing down and able and and is looking towards getting rid of some things and if you walked in my office you'd see there's a lot of consumables all up already. I I just can't hardly get in there right now but that's just me being a you know and and just being open to saying oh you guys are closing. Can we have that? And that and that and if it's if it's in good shape, I'm not. You know, I'm not taking junk but it's but it's
and I think we're we all have that mindset somewhat because we've been in programs that don't have a lot of funding and we know how to do that. That so. Appreciate it. Yeah. Thank Thank you. Treasure Terry, VP Bowman, and then Trusty Miller. Alright, good evening. Once again, thank you for the presentation. Great information. Um the one question I did have, I know you mentioned that this will be grant funded. Is there a timeline on how long this grant will last? Yeah. So,
the grant is for three years and it started September 942000, 20, twenty-four, ninetyfour. Yeah, 20 twenty-four. So we have this is our second year. We have one more year. But the grant is really for this co-designing part. To get it up and running. Okay. And it sounds like you're still in the beginning phases and getting all the pieces of the puzzle together. You have a timeline on when you're thinking about maybe incorporating this one. Yeah. We do
have a timeline. For or we're hoping to start. Well we actually did a kick off in terms of our Resource Hub. So, the Resource Hub is up and running in terms of like, you know, we we did a parent we went to one of the parent nights at Peace Academy the other day and yeah. So, there's more coming. There's more coming in terms of like workshops, series, and things like that. Yes. Six? Yeah. And then the the childcare center, we're working to to get some licensing and all that
like yeah in place right now. So, Julie and Missus Harris, Nicole Harris are working on the licensing part. Yes. Okay. Okay. Three years. Okay. Just gotta use the funds up with before the three years is gone. Right. So I really trust each other. We'd like to see some fruits of our labor before the end of the school year to answer. Okay. and then. Of course, the licensing and everything are. Is this also a grant that you see in the future that will
help continue the I guess fund this program long term or is this temporarily? So, the fund, the grant we have is three years grant for the planning and the co-designing but we are continuing to seek funds. So, yeah Okay. Alright. Thank you. Thank you, PP Palmer. Is there I know that we're still in the process of planning and things like that but do we have a minimum and maximum number where we would like to
be as far as infants and toddlers. Do we have a number in mind? She said twelve. Yeah. Oh, okay. So, the twelve, that was, that wasn't the, the students, but that, that's the, okay. Okay. Alrighty, thank you. And one last question, In the hours, is it doing school day only or does it extend till the evening? What will be the potential hours of childcare time? So, so you got two parts. So, the
co-design is the school, right? The community, the community, community park, the CTE park is to secure the relationship with the students while in school. And then the hub part is the community part which would not be during school time. So, you have learning, you have colo and then you have community efforts after school. So, that's a relationship that has to be built with the building principle and all that to let us know working hours and you'll have staff stuff and all of that. Like, we have to be in
compliance with you all to make sure that we are not overstepping boundaries because when you talk community, it might not be that in the evening, we need to be at the school. We might be at another facility doing another project but the hub part is the community part. The learning part is set during school so that the young people in the CTE kids are getting their learning time at the same time. One last thing, what the certificate and things like that when our students through the
pathway program, are they getting like a CPR certification working with infants and things like that? That is required. So, that's a that's that's a requirement. So, they have to they have to do that but also remember, you all, the CTE pathway is the pathway to the promise pathway. I'm going to always talk about the Pontiac Promise Pathway. Uh and so the goal, that's why you see the the college, you know, pathway is that the goal is for students to decide whether or not they see themselves
after they complete the CDA or all of that or their courses that are being taught. Uh would they see themselves possibly coming back to work in the school district which our hope is, right? If we talk workforce development, is that this is a full opportunity not just for Pontiac but you know, for the teachers also to pour into that process as well. So, you know, that learning piece is very important. That CTE early childhood process is to be treated just as if
they were going to college, not like they're playing at it. So, that they do end up choosing Pontiac Promosome Dollars to continue to a bachelor's degree or whatever that might be for them. They may want to run their own, you know, preschool. We don't No. But our goal is to give them an avenue so that they can see different pathways as a result but in-house. So, Pontiac is setting an example for what that can look like, right? We want to be the example at everything that we do. So, we try and be as compliant as we can
be. We try and make sure that we're crossing our Ts and dotting our Is so that when this goes back to the district, it's a full on project that you all are holistically taking ownership of. Thank you. Trustee Miller. Alright, thank you very much for the presentation. So, what I'm hearing is that this is still in in the developmental stage as far as you still need to secure licenses and things of that sort. Is there a
outline and dedicated project manner or project coordinator that will be facilitating this this move and facilitating the that we are in compliance with everything that's required? So, so the advisory board, it actually meets bi-weekly to discuss different things. So, we do have lease within the advisory board who are in kind of like overseeing all of that. So, Doctor Shauna
Boombogard and Doctor Noel County. Um they are overseeing the resources. Resource. Resource Hub. If something goes back on the slide, it will show you them. Yeah. Okay. Okay. You don't have to go back. I can, I can, I have it right here. I'll look it up. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No problem. And the community led research part is Doctor Leverette me. Um and then Pastor McDonald is on it too. Um but we are and then Coco actually Coco is our lead graduate assistant. And so she actually does a
lot in terms of like communicating with the community interviewers and making sure that everyone's on in compliance with the ethics for research. Um and then that We are on track in terms of, you know, getting up to 200 or even more if you can, community, you know, talking to community members, and then, the, the licensing would be Julie and Nicole, Nicole, as you know, is the principal at Peace Academy, so she's
very, you know, knowledgeable about that, she does that all the time, and Julie used to be the, direct, director of our Lowry Center at OU. So, they both have expertise in that, and on top of that, Izetta, Davin who is the owner of Kids Corner LLC. So, she's also part of and she's very very helpful in terms of understanding the, you know, what we need to do in, you know, with the more of the, you know, getting the childcare scholarship
from the state and things like that. So, we do have very very knowledgeable individuals in the advisory board that oversees all of that. Well, thank thank you for the explanation Do you just two very short questions? Do you have an anticipated like the program will start on this date? Because my concern is that I I what I'm hearing is that the grant was awarded in September of 20 twenty-four. Uh huh. And after that it's it's not
conclusive as to how the program will be funded. So when is the anticipated actual start date? Doctor Leverette will do. Is that okay or? We would anticipate it starting before the end of the school year. We are still in the process Trustee Miller of those discussions. As we said, we know it's an early start but we also want to finish strong but we know that there are some other pieces that need to come together for for this to be viable. So, I don't have an exact
start date as of yet. Okay. Will there be summer hours as well? Yeah. Yeah. Go ahead. And if so, who will incur, would that be in accordance with the grant funding as well, because it will encourage staffing and facility usage. I don't think I have very specific answers for you, and part of this is coming from our community interviews. And our input from, so, when Coco was describing the, you know, we would, the CTE program would be during school hours. Our OU student
involvement would be during school hours. But we are listening when people say but I also want to work. We we won't start with that as our main program, programmatic because we want to start it within the school. With the CTE students, with the OU students. But we can't ignore if people bring that up and consider it down the road. I understand. Uh but there's no that's not how we're
thinking about starting. Okay. Thanks. Thank you. Yeah. Sorry. No that's okay. I and I the only other thing I was going to say is with at you part of my role is for all clinical placements. So, somebody asked about CPR. CPR, yes. Michigan Registry Health and Safety Modules one, two, three, yes. Bloodboard pathogen training, yes, and those CTE students. So, that's just part of the requirements. Okay. And so, we make sure that they get through safe sleep, infant, safe sleep, infant,
shake, and baby syndrome. Everything that's required for licensing. We will incorporate either in the CTE classes or the OU classes we already do. So, I just wanted to, you know, put that assurance out there that the students that are involved. There's no there's no wiggle room there. Okay. They have to have all those things. Awesome. And my actually that was trusty moments. BB moments question. I do have one more question. Is there any data that support the success of a program of
this magnitude? Any data from another district or or a similar program that shows a success rate as far as what the goals of the program are for the district. Is there any data that supports how successful this program has been or should be from other districts or districts that have adopted this type of program? So, we did we did survey the CTE programs to see if they have any similar programs within. Um
in Michigan we did hear a fact from about six and we are in the process of interviewing them to see, you know, what what are some of the things that we should, you know, keep in mind in terms of lessons learned, because, you know, if they already had that, but so far, there are at least six programs that have childcare programs within the high school building is what I, what we got response from. There, so they are, I think Birmingham has one, yeah. Clarkston has one. Yeah, so there are
a few. Alright, thank you for answering my questions. Christine Dooley. And thank you again for the presentation. I was just point of clarity. You said there would be only 12 What what was that? 12, Doctor Mulder? Just 12 though. 12 to start. Yes. So, now, I think I heard someone talk about The funding will be in question because the initial grant
was provided for 2000 twenty-four, twenty-5, and we're now in twenty-six and the program has yet to be implemented. Am I correct? You have not actually started attending the program, facilitating in its. The physical body. The physical bodies and everything. Also, if memory serves me right, I'm getting a little older. Oh. You stated that the building will have to be
transitioned, not the building but the classroom being used would have to be transitioned because this is a high school building and we're talking about infants, am I correct? So, we did not say we had an issue with transition. We never said that. No, I'm not saying you said it. So, we we have to change that over. Would I be correct? In order for, no, we need to move the current space back into an infant and toddler space. The two, the, the, space that we currently have is an infant and toddler space.
So, where you're planning to move, if I'm correct, that's currently being utilized by our challenged students, if I will, am I correct? That would be enough. Oh, doctor. Uh leverette. Yeah. Yes. And then, there has been. Oh, let me hit. Talk regarding displacing those students for a program that is not definitive because if I'm hearing
right, this program may not they they have tentative plans to seek additional funding to implement this to fruition but right now, it's as if they are not quite sure that they they don't know where the funding is coming from definitively. So, we're going to displace our current students who are challenged from their area and they've been there almost all year?
Is that the plan? I'm talking to Doctor Leverette and I would like to defer to Doctor Devison. Let me just preface this entire conversation by saying that I felt that it was important for me to invite our partners from Oakland University this evening to give an update and so while all of the pieces aren't in place, we are providing a progress report to you on what has been established up to date. So, I can tell you that until this point, myself personally, along with Doctor
Devison, along with partners from Oakland University, including Marvin Beasley from facilities. We have visited with along with Ashley. Um we have visited the space at Pontiac High School. We have had conversations with Mrs. Clark Franklin, the principal at Pontiac High School about where this will be. So, again, let me be clear. This was not a direct that was that happened haphazardly without planning or
without forethought. So, with that, I think it's important that I asked Doctor Devison to provide some more clarity because I directed her to work closely with Doctor Tamoco and her staff as part of this project. Doctor Jefferson, please. So, I heard a couple of things that one, I feel are definitely directly to the Pontiac School District and then, I also heard another question that was directly to Oakland University. So, as it relates to the planning and are we sure that was a Oakland University
and they are 100% sure. Correct. Okay, so. Sure about what? The funding. Yeah. And yeah. That's not, I don't think that. So, you ask, I want to make sure that I you ask two questions. Can you restate those questions? One of the questions was, where will the funding come? How if if you had to give me a percentage, are you like ninety-nine. 8% that you're going to receive additional funding once the current grant is
So, I'm speaking for them but they are saying yes. So, that was one question and then the second question, if I'm not mistaken, is that you asked about the space. So, the one thing that I want to be clear Trustee Dooley is that last year in 20 twenty5 at the end of the school year, we did a walk through with the special education teachers at the high school and we talked about alternative locations and they were aware that this day was
coming. So, we gave notice. We asked questions. We asked, is there any objections? And so We had this dialogue and conversation around this. So, as we are here today, they were well aware of, the well aware of is the special education population, the two classrooms, were notified and given notice and also given the supplies and please note, I had a open door policy. I spoke specifically to both teachers and we were in agreement that there was
going to be a move. We showed the rooms and locations. I yield. Thank you. Trustee Miller. Thank you. I have a follow-up question after Trustee Dooley's question. I am a bit concerned about compliance as it relates to our our our students with special needs that have been acclimated to this particular part of the building. I'm I'm unaware of what the the actual. Mm hmm. I I don't know what actually took place. Are we are we maintaining
compliance with the needs of the students that are being potentially displaced as a result of the program and not challenging your efforts and your work? The high it was there. My biggest concern is that I feel that I I was unaware of the displacement. Displacing our our special needs students could set them back, could set them back. I'm not a special need teacher but as is there not another area in the high school that could
accommodate this program. So one question, are we in compliance with the students that will be that we will be displacing potentially. And Two, is there an to in order to prevent the displacement of our students, our special needs students? Um is there an area that could potentially be used throughout the start of the program so our students won't be their education, their development won't be interrupted in the middle of the school year? So, no, yes, we are in compliance. That was the first question that you asked and then the
second space is, as it relates to baby peace, those two rooms are the rooms that would be the most for the Baby Peace Program. Doctor Davidson, is there a reason why we didn't continue on since we moved the students from the original piece of over at Frost, that's what I call it. And we moved them over to WHRC here in this building somewhere. Why would we not facilitate a continuance? Are you going to build a play space for them outside? I think
it's a couple of things that they would have to have for us to be in Regulations to. Are you talking about baby peace or are you talking about the special education? Baby peace too because if wouldn't we have to give them some kind of area? I guess I'm just concerned about two things. That we're going to bring the smaller children over to the high school with the bigger children and then the other real concern is displacing our special needs. Because those those students tend to get locked into a
routine. And when their routine is disrupted it takes a minute to get them back into a schedule if I will. So, I was just wondering, a lot of times, I've seen since I've been on the board, we have wonderful ideals and we're doing good in some areas and good in other areas and I'm really like that but I don't think we take enough of time to truly investigate. So, I'm just
saying to you, if you and your committee, I didn't really know anything about Baby Peace until I read this bear. So, I just would like us to look at things a little more involve all stakeholders What I really would like that to be what can I say? Just a little more diligently that we we we do our homework. You know what I'm saying? Because it, I'm getting, I guess my problem is Doctor
Jefferson, I'm getting too many calls that's asking me about these things and then, when I kind of look into em, they don't necessarily correlate to what we're saying here. So, that's all I'm saying. We we need to give a little more and that's not even technically to you. That goes to our superintendent in all honesty, seriously. So, I would say duly noted and I do want to say that we have been presenting Baby Peace at the board meeting. So, this is not new information Um so, duly noted.
And no pun intended. Alright. Alright. Thank you. Um any more comments? Did you have something? Secretary David Smith? I just had one question. So for the Baby Peace, will the parents be able to come through a a separate door where it's going straight to them that was. Okay. That's all I want. Yes. I just want to make sure the community hears the response. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. And I did. I don't have a question for the presentation but I did want to just give a comment and I I'm
sorry at Trusty Dooley. Um this project has been ongoing and I think that we may have begun conversations last year before our trustees were on the board but I'm excited at the progress that you all have made because I remember when this was just a conversation and how we could equip or add more programming to our CTE department. So, once those conversations started and now, here we are today. I'm happy with the progress that has been made and I know we still have ago but I think
this is a great addition to our CTE program to allow our students to be exposed to this and it also is a resource for our students that have young children or maybe expecting and we have an other opportunity to provide a resource for them too. So, I just wanted to say, I commend you on the progress that you've made. Okay. Sorry. I don't know why I'm getting all the static. Alright, there we go. Alright, moving down if there's no more questions for our OU
Baby Peace Project. Thank you guys again for being here and thank you for your partnership with the school district. Alright. Next on our agenda will be general counseling, human resources, Doctor Leverette. Leading is yours. Yes, thank you Doctor Hannah. At this time, I will turn it over to our interim executive director of human resources. This is for discussion in action. This is a new contract, Ashley. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Happy Thursday. I mean, well, happy
Monday. Oh my gosh, y'all. We trying to make it to the weekend already. I apologize. Happy Monday. I'm trying to get there. I'm trying. I'm trying to get to the weekend again. So today, I am here to present a candidate recommendation for hire for our assistant principal position over at Pontiac High School. Um a candidate by the name of mister Anthony Jackson. It is a recommendation of administration that mister Anthony Jackson be appointed the assistant principal at Pontiac High School. The proposed
twenty twenty-five, 2026 contract will secure mister Jackson's services at the rate of one hundred three thousand three hundred thirty dollars and fifty-three cent. Assistant principal step five of the passive salary table. This position is covered under the passive collective bargaining unit Um it is the recommendation of administration that the Board of Education discussed and moved to action the contract of mister Anthony Jackson as assistant principal, effective January 12th,
2026th through June 30th, 2026. Again, at the rate of one hundred three thousand 330 dollars and fifty-three cents. We also have mister Jackson here and principal Clark Franklin from Pontiac High School. Thank you very much, Ashley. Board, are there any questions? Absolutely. Okay, Trustee Dooley. Ashley, what is the prorated amount that you that he would get? Because he certainly would not receive the hundred and three. Absolutely.
Thousand at this point. Absolutely. So, that is determined based on his actual start date. I can get that information to you. You have it. It says. Well, that's just the effective date of the contract. His start date will be determined. No, no, so that would be, if, if you have a contract date, then we have a price. The proration of the 10three because we certainly wouldn't pay him the entire 103 coming in. You had, you're correct. It is a prorated amount based on the remaining work days through June 30th of the school year. I'll be happy to get you that
information on what the prorated contract will look like. Any other questions, trustees? I have, I, I gotta go back. Excuse me. I have. Just, this is still discussion. I'm sorry. Uh, just for the record, our teachers remain without a contract, and I will be voting no, because why I'm in support of our teachers, I don't see where we should move in to bring additional administration at this level, and our teachers have not, their contract not been sex satisfy.
Okay, trustee Miller Hi. I have can you explain the the rationale and how I can justify having two assistant principals and one principal in the high school with approximately seven 00 students you would say ish 700 students at Pontiac High? So that position is not new. It's we had a resignation and we are filling a vacancy. So if it was felt that it was no need for that assistant
principal role then that would have been communicated but that was not. There was a definite need to fill it based on a current administration at the Pontiac school and our curriculum and instruction department. Well, I'm sorry for asking you directed that question. Can anybody in an administration justify why with approximately, I'm assuming 700 students at the high. Why we need two assistant principals and one principal and I'm asking that that question and I've addressed this. That my concern is when you
include benefits and salary, at a high school that's what less than forty occupied that continue to makes us top heavy administratively. Not not directed towards you. That's why I ask if anyone in administration I understand we did have a a vacancy Um I have advocated in the past for us to realign our resources to better meet the needs of our students. And I just want to know what is the justification and the reason behind having two assistant principals.
And one to a Imma Imma wait. Imma wait for the rest of the chatter. Imma wait. Two assistant principals, and one principal in the high school with approximately 700 students. Is there a requirement as far as administrators per pupil? I I just would like to understand how I can justify making a decision that will be upwards in the what? Five, $700, 000 with benefits, salary for three administrators in one building. Or
or somebody give me a number if I'm wrong. Okay, let's just say, I don't know, 400thousand, $500000. I'm just putting a number out there to make sure that we're youth, I would. To make sure that we are using our resources effectively. I have a question and if I don't have an answer tonight, it's okay but if one, if someone can follow up with me, I would appreciate it. Thank you. Mm hmm. Trust me. Trustee Dooley's Doctor Leverett and her administration will follow up with you regarding that. Any other questions? Okay. Action item.
Can I get a motion for the approval of the assistant principal position at Pontiac High School for Anthony Jackson? Support. It's been moved by trustee growth supported by Treasurer Terry for the approval of the assistant principal at Pontiac High School, Mister Anthony Jackson. Any questions? I have, I have a comment. Um I appreciate our applicant and I'm sure that he will continue to do great things here for the School District of Pontiac. I just have some uncertainty as it
relates to the necessity of having two assistant principals and one principle making us even more top heavy administratively than we are currently. So, for that reason, I would like for us to redistribute and reallocate our funds to better meet the needs of our student and improve culture and climate. Thank you. Trustee did you have a comment? I do. I have a question actually. How many in-house teachers or applicants apply for this position that were qualified. Did we
have any in-house people already employed in the district? So, because we have to tend to, we have, we don't tend to promote within. So, that's my question. How many qualified applicants apply for this position and there's certainly no offense to you. Uh within the district, Ashley. One. We only have one and that that did that person even get a second interview? Yes. So, my my last question, was that person male or female? Um I'm not
sure. I'll be able to get that information. I'm not sure if that's something that we will discuss here. Um the candidate that we are bringing forth is the candidate has been selected. Um for recommendations. Yes. Thank you, Ashley. No, if there questions? Can I get a vote? Um madam secretary please. President Hannah. Yes. Uh Trustee Miller? No. Treasure Terry? Yes. VP Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley.
Unequivocally no. Until these teachers get a contract. Trustee Gross. Yes. That passes five to 2. Thank you very much. Mister Anthony Jack. Jackson. Welcome to the Pontiac School District. The mic, if you want to have a few words. I still hear it. Good evening board. Good evening, everyone. Good evening sir. Uh first of all, I like to thank everyone. I especially like to thank you all for your fervor and for your belief in the school district. Hopefully, I can come in and be something that you'll
be proud of eventually. I believe in children. I believe in student achievement and I am very very excited to be here. So, I just want to thank you. Um I heard some people just say welcome to the district as I walked up. Um I love teachers. I'm a teacher myself, A teacher at heart. And so I'm just I'm glad to be here. And I'm excited. Thank you. Thank you. Did you have any questions for me? Yeah, I just said, I just had one issue, man. You pledged this
fraternity, man. Kappa Alpha Psi. I'm trying, I looked at your resume like, throughout knowledge. Yo, yo. Ignore him. Ignore him. Thank you. Good job. I had one as well. Yes, you did. Mister Jackson. I just want to, beyond my my my comments. I want to firmly congratulate you and welcome to the Pontiac Expedition. I did look over your information and I appreciate your diligence and wanting to come to and serve our students and to be a part of this
community. And I look forward to seeing your ideas that you will bring forth. I see that you work at some charter schools. So I just would like I would look I look forward to ideas and things that you will implement for our students here in Pontiac School District. And I want to thank you too because understand and I I respect your fervent and I respect your where you coming from, both of them. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate that. That means a lot. I appreciate you. Thank you. And I also would like to welcome you because you look as if you are going to be an excellent role model for our male. I'm not going to just limit it to
black males. But the males. Because if you look around the district it's predominantly female. And I also want you to know that my voting against you is not anything towards you. It is dealing with our financial situation that you're coming in but you're certainly welcome. You have my support but right now, until we get a forensic audit, just go back and watch our meetings. I'm not voting for anything until we get to see what's going on number wise. And I'm
still representing you. I still got your back. Alright. Welcome. Thank you. Thank you. Next on the agenda is curriculum and instruction, Doctor Leverette. Thank you, Doctor Hanna. We are very excited. We have a presentation, curriculum, and instruction updates with Owen Elementary and Alcott Elementary. Doctor Devison, thank you. Good evening again. Um always excited to stand before you to talk about schools and the positive things that are going on in the schools. So, on tonight, we have On
Elementary and Alcott Elementary and so I'll have the two principals come report and that's miss Berdina Johnson and also Doctor Suzanne Kavanaugh. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening, trustees. Mister Jackson, welcome. The PASA welcomes you. Good evening. Miss Johnson and I are here to discuss what is exciting going on at Elcot and Owen Elementary. I believe my slides are first. We will start with our enrollment currently enrollment at Owen Elementary is 3fortytwo
students. Um you can see the numbers, 169 male, 173 female, Our largest number of students does fall in the third and fourth grades. It is deceiving. It looks as though kindergarten is one of our highest. However, that includes our special needs Owen Elementary has 18 classrooms. 12 of those are K five general education And six of those are self-contained special needs
classrooms. Five of them being autistic classrooms and one of them being cognitive impaired. So those kindergarten and first grade numbers are higher because we have a significant number of students in those self-contained classrooms that don't fall in the genet classrooms. Thank you. Our attendance has been much better this year than last year we averaged about 83%. We've had multiple days in near in and above the 90% range this year. I I think part of that is due to the fact
that we have had a lot of students return back to their home school in district. Owen did have a large number of students that were coming to us from other schools whether it be Elcot or Rogers. When we had a lot of the construction going on. A lot of families did choose to come to Owen during that construction time and they were Driving students to school as opposed to them riding buses and so now that a lot of our students are able to ride buses, we do have more of them coming to school. Um For attendance, yeah, we do a lot of incentives too. One of the things our
lead teachers came up with this year specifically in the K two. We were charged with coming up with some incentives and one of the things they are doing is following the everyday counts motto that we have for our school district and so they put a letter up on the board every day that they get perfect attendance in their classroom and when it says everyday counts, the kids can choose a pizza party, ice cream party, or some other kind of treat for the classroom and so that's really incentivize the students that to want be there. Um and I'll show pictures later of some of our other attendance incentives that we do. But that was one that the
teachers came up with that I'm really proud of because it came from the staff and it came from the students. And so they're really pushing the charge with that. And we celebrate every day each class that has perfect attendance over the PA announcements. Thank you. Okay for our My Kip goals we are maintaining the same goals we had last year with just one change in mathematics. So we're continuing on with looking at our phonics data and doing differentiated phonics instruction. We saw significant improvement in fourth and fifth grade especially last year with our
reading scores because generally fourth and fifth grade does not get phonics. It goes K through three but at Owen Elementary, we do phonics in K5. We had all of the teachers trained and so we do differentiated phonics groups on top of their normal in-class phonics instruction. We found that with COVID, a lot of students missed our third and fourth graders last year this year's fourth and fifth graders missed critical phonics instruction first and second grade, kindergarten and so, they struggling in reading and so that's why we decided to do phonics K
five to try to really get them those skills before they moved on to middle school and we have seen last year we saw our fourth grade had two years growth in reading and iReady and that was we truly believe due to the phonics instructions so we're continuing that this year so they receive additional small group center-based instruction specifically around vocabulary high frequency words writing skills our students are really struggling with writing because again in kindergarten and first grade missed that handover hand instruction because they were virtual and so when you don't have an adult or a helper, an
aid in the classroom teaching you how to write your letters. Now, in third, fourth, and fifth grade, they're really struggling with that still. So, we're continuing that instruction through our phonics groups. And again, really continuing to focus with our fourth and fifth graders. With the math goals, again, looking at that iReady data, we need that and it, that says phonics, but it should be math, really looking at that skill-based instruction on basic math, facts, and functions. Going back old school, like we used to with a
flashcards and with the games and with the multiplication tables because those are the things the kids are lacking and when they get to middle school and they have to do pre algebra, if they can't do fractions and if they can't do multiplication and division, they're really going to struggle with the algebra and so that's what we're focusing on. Um this year, we decided since the phonics groups work so good. We're pushing that out in mathematics as well. So, beginning in November, we took our iReady data from September, October and we separated the students into math groups as well and so now, not just in the morning for do kids change classrooms and go to
their their apple or their banana or their strawberry group but now in the afternoon, they also have a group for mathematics where they change around and students are instructed at their level. So, all the kids in the room for that 30 minutes have the same need based on what they're already said, their skill level is, and the teachers are using the IReady Teacher Lessons that are already prepared in there. They don't have to do extra planning. They just have to print the lessons that are already prepared and I ready for them and work with group of students that all have the same skill need. Um we are
continuing to focus on math essential five and six, intentionally selecting, implementing cognitively demanding mathematical tasks, specifically we're doing that through our curriculum that's already embedded in our everyday math curriculum that we're using and then skill six, engaging children regularly in interactive number sense routines, focus on developing their mental strategies for seeing quantities and working flexibly with numbers. Those are the two things that were focusing on in our core curriculum. So, again, I I talked about the celebrations and so we do two things
every month that I'm really proud of, the Phoenix Fundays and the Character Champions. Character Champions is four characteristics that our teachers select from the classroom whether it's an academic scholar, a kind, caring, and responsible, someone who has been most improved for the month and the teachers select four students, one for each characteristic. We call them up. It's a Friday morning. We call them up in the cafeteria during breakfast time. We award them their medals and their certificate in front of all of their peers and then at lunch time, they come and they eat for 15 minutes and then they get to go up on
the stage. We have a little carnival set up and they get to play at the carnival then for about fifteen, 20 minutes on the stage as well to celebrate being a strong character and it's something that is really important to celebrate specific character traits that we want our children to exhibit and so we do that every month with our students and then we do our Phoenix fun days and that's students who have met their behavior, academic, and attendance goals for the month. So, they've got the number of lessons they had to complete on Iready. They have to stay
two or less absences for the month or they have to have not been basically in office and received a discipline referral, then, they can go to Phoenix Fundays. Usually about between 50 and 75% of each class meets that goal and so we we do it in two sessions. We do a K-2 session for 40 minutes and then we do a three, five session for 40 minutes and the kids get to do things like play soccer. They love playing with the Giant Cups. You can see their playing with the shoot down there. Um you can see
the character champion certificates that we give out as well. So, we try to do different things throughout the month but these are the two that the kids love the most. Um and then also, of course, they love celebrating like the big kids do. One of the benefits of having been a high school principal is I bring Spirit Week to the elementary and they absolutely love doing the same things the big kids do. Their very favorite game to play. We have a student council and the student council selected the spirit week. So, there's one person from each classroom represents a student council and the kids came together and they decided what games they wanted to play. They decided one of
them was hide and seek. They picked hide and seek. It took me a minute to figure out how to play hide with the whole school. But what we did was hide and seek the principal. So, I went and I gave clues and there was a team and so there were five teams and then, I went and hidden places throughout the school and they had to figure out the clue to figure out where I was and the the teams would come and find me and so, the winning team won Slushies. So, we do things like that but we let them pick the games and so one day, they wanted to dress like a teacher for Spirit Week so that middle picture is what our children think we look like when we come to work. That's
how they dress. Dress like a teacher. And that of course they love the wrap, the mommy game. That's one of their favorites and so the teachers for each grade level pair off and then they have four kids that wrap them up like a mommy and the winning students, they get slushies as well because we have the slushy machine for our PBIS and so that's one of our big that's a big draw for the kids. We also this year started for reward. We're having a lot of bus issues. Behavior on the bus, behavior lining up for the bus and so, the the teachers and the behavior interventionist came to me and said, we have to do
something gotta have a reward and since the slushies were working so well with cafeteria behavior, we decided to apply that to bus and so every day, they have the opportunity to earn a patch if they've been good in line, if they don't get any bus referrals from the bus driver, then, they can earn a patch on the wall and on the 15th of every month, whichever bus or the pickup line can also earn patches. Whichever group has the most patches they win the slushies for the month and so they, it's definitely a competition and it's posted right on the hallway so they can all see how many patches they have at any given day.
We also, of course, celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. We had an a Venezuelan author. You can see in the middle, he came and actually read to the students from his books and of course, miss Carmen always comes and participates in our celebration. Miss Guzman, you can see her there reading and then our students this year put on a celebration. We had a a five-piece mariachi band that came from a church and played for us but also our students presented characters in history, Hispanic, heritage, characters, and history and each student was dress their character, presented their
character, and they were very proud of their work. Okay, thank you very much. Great job. Good evening. Good evening. Good evening. Welcome to PASA, mister Jackson. We're glad to have you. Before I begin, I just have to do this. May I please have all of the Alcott family members please stand. I'm sorry. My people show up. And I say to you, and away. What a great school day. And that's how we start our days at Alcot. So, our mantra
defines who we are and what we're doing every day. So, that is a part of our theme for this school year and how we decided that we are going to characterize our day. So, it's a picture of our staff as we prepared for a great school year. As you can see, our enrollment has taken a shift really over the last couple of years. Um there, I have a significant more large amount of male students this school year and last school year that I've had previously. If you can see the
breakdown by also demographics. We are currently at forty 44 percent African-American 44. 4 exactly and forty-three point three percent Latino Hispanic students. That number actually beginning of the year was a bit higher but we've had some transitions as you know we don't have to talk about that but quite a bit of transitions and then also there's been some transition in the district where some communities are shifting their location. So we're seeing that to affect our population to a
significant amount. But still comforting our families, still letting our families know they are welcome at our school and that is their place and space and we are there for them. So, this is our attendance data for first and second semester up until December and first semester, let me say this too. As a part of our goal, as a part of our goals for the school year, our staff, we all come together and they'll tell you and we make decisions on what our goals look like. So, first semester, we were moving in a really good direction trying to get that 85%, which is our
goal. With a few ups and downs and then, second semester, we're kind of still having that little bit of issue with students leaving and coming but we're still a to maintain 84 percent attendance for second semester. Now, our attendance, we do a lot just like Doctor Kavanaugh. We shout out the class with the best attendance every day and teachers, they they let me know who has perfect attendance. Then, also, by week, the class with the best attendance is recognized is posted. We have a board for it and we
post it. Our students encourage one another and you'll hear them say, you gotta come to school. You have to come to school. So, it it's really really important and I say it every day, every morning every afternoon that our students. We need you here. We want you here to make sure that you're coming to school. Additionally, we have a very strong Phoenix Intervention Center that houses our behavior interventionist and our school social worker who are very active in contacting parents. When kids are not there, one, two, days, and beyond. So, we're very committed
to having the kids come to school. In terms of our My Kip goals, we we kept a lot of our goals but we needed to shift a little bit in terms of some things that we identified as a result of our testing data and and as a result of our the work that we were doing from inside the building that affected our local assessment then affected the state assessment. So, again, we we're keeping our reading focus with comprehension, literature, and informational text and vocabulary. that significant is impacted during
intervention and instruction and and whole group instructional time. Numbers and operations in Algebra and algebraic thinking in our math. Making sure that we're utilizing opportunities for students have tangent, excuse me, tangible hands-on opportunities to express themselves with math games. And also when they are being assigned specific lessons just like an I Ready to address their specific needs in those areas where they have deficits. One thing that we hold fast to is making sure that we are having
goal-setting conversations with our students. So, where it says, after the beginning year, diagnostic and then, now, we're right now starting our mid-year diagnostic. We're having those goal conversations but not just then, the teachers are having those conversations every month. I put out a weekly update and then, I'll say in the weekly update, we need to have, we need to have goals posted by and I'll give them a date and so, when you come to Alcot and you walk down the classroom, you might see on miss she has a big chart and might have the kids
goal or mister Wilson's door. Um miss Bobby has little different color stickies with the kids goals on there. And those are goals that they're having the conversation with the teachers about because they know what they attained and now where they're going to go. Um I haven't talked. I've talked to my kindergarten teachers and I think my third grade teachers about moving that up and giving kids a physical tangible chart where they can chart how they're progressing. Weak with their monthly goal and making a just a bar graph so that they can be in touch with what they want, what they want to
accomplish. What's really important too when we've probably about three years now, we work with Kristen for two but three years now, it's been important that we are aligning the work that we do every day so that I can statement that's going to tell the child what they're be able to do is going to align and be beneficial to the actual lesson task and activity and to actual standard for the lesson. All those things have to align so that we
can continue to increase the rigor. If we don't increase the rigor, we can't help them to meet high high-level expectations and that's our goal. So, that's a significant focus for us this school year. As I said, we come together as a staff and sometimes we hobble through it. It may take us one or two meetings to determine what our actual goals are going to be. So, we bumped our goal just a little bit this year so that our students are increasing by 70% or better for their typical growth and those students who have already met that are increasing by 25% or greater. Even though we struggled
with our attendance goal last year's second semester, we struggled. There was a lot of change happening in the country. We decided we weren't going to move off of it and we were going to continue to keep that 90% goal for our school. Our culture and climate goals, we usually meet those so it's super important. Every day the students do a check in. Just so we can find out where they are. You know, additionally, our staff, my behavior interventionist, and miss Taylor, our social worker, they greet the students every morning when they come into the door. So, somebody's having a a crying spell or
something's happening. They're going to address it right then but also, it'll show up get into the classroom and they do the check-in and they're yellow or they're red and so we're able to address that and we document it so that we can continue to we can really see the type of work that we need to do with them in terms of groups or if they just need to have a check-in and I want to say this, at Alcot, we have put a lot of time and energy into our PBIS program. Our matrix is solid. We have received
over an 80 percent rating in our TFI from Oakland Schools now for two years in a row. With that being said, Oakland Schools has invited my team to come on January 21st to present to all the schools that are there taking their course in PBIS. Great job. So, lots of work. It's it's hard but it's it's a lot of work. So, just like we present the goals for our staff and our school, we also gave our parents a goal and we remind them of those goals when we have our monthly parent meetings or when our parents come to the building so they know that
they have to check backpacks. You need to be in touch with the teachers, see your kids, be here, come and find out what's happening. Before I talk about those pictures, though that work that we've done with PBIS, we've been able to really transform it in our learning from the PBI's piece of Oakland Schools and the work that we've done and study, we decided to incorporate what's called soar cards because that's our acronym for the Positive positive behavior and intervention and support. So, our children earn store cards for iReady Homework,
attendance, behavior, all those things and so monthly, they have a sore, they actually have a sore celebration every month and they really look forward to it. Now, in order to receive a golden ticket which is not a soar card, Principal Johnson has to give you a golden ticket. That's because you've taken that matrix and you took it to another level that you did something to really affect the school building. So, they all look forward to that and we're able to celebrate them with that. Additionally, we have what is called our character, our character
board and so we each month and the students have to demonstrate something that they're going to that that would they've demonstrate something that matches what that theme is. And so they are rewarded by weekly on what's considered our sore cart that comes around the building. What you see here is an opportunity through CTE. Our students were able to go and visit the Stemi truck. They had a great time. They talked about that for quite a while. And then additional our students were able to
go and visit Cranbrook and do some investigative science work which they truly truly enjoyed. I would like they can get out of the building and have those external opportunities because sometimes they don't even they don't have any idea what they're going to learn and they always come back excited. Excellent. And then here are just some building celebrations, our holiday extravaganza. It was awesome this year. Uh and then also we had us harvest trip. The students were able to and of course, we always
celebrate his Hispanic Heritage Month. We try to celebrate all of our cultures in the building by some some way or some form of recognizing them because everybody has to know that that is their home, that is their space, and that's their place, and they belong. This year, Miss Bobby, who's in the audience, well, it was last year, who's in the audience, she received the Mima grant. So, we were able to celebrate that also Um our students were able to participate in the Pontiac High School homecoming parade. Look at Doctor Levert during trunk or treat. She we were cold and
she was out there. We were getting it in. Um that was a fun time and then of course our students always dressed up and celebrate the holidays. Thank you. Thank you, doctor. Thank you. Trustees, did you have any trustee Mueller? Miss Johnson, thank you and miss Kavanaugh, thank you both for what you do for our students for this community, especially our little our small little phoenixes. Uh miss Johnson, I was especially excited to see the pairing goals because I truly believe that
education and the the formation of a student starts at home. I was just curious. How you said you had parent twice a for parent meetings? No, I did not. I'm sorry. I sit once a month. I'm trying to have you ever actually. I'm sorry about that. Once a month, how has your attendance been at the parent meetings? Have they been coming out and participating? So, it's kind of taken a little dip in the valley. At the beginning of the year, it was awesome and outstanding. Miss
Dooley came to our open house. She can tell you it was so many parents there. It was really a really really good turnout and then in October, we had a decent turnout but coming we've had a bit of a dip. And we've had some conversation even in our performance management with Doctor Alicea just getting the word out to our parents to assure them they can come. Um it's a safe space and place for them. I always try to make them meetings about them. I give them information but small information about what's happening in school. I try to make it something that's interesting and important to them and rearing their children and the
benefit of having them there at school. That's all I have. I thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you. I think one of the important things about parent meeting because we all we all do them every month. All the principals do and what I found with turnout for parent meeting is like principal Johnson said, what we offer them but making it something that matters to them. Cold weather is hard. A lot of our parents in her community and mine are walkers and a lot of them don't have vehicles and so when the weather turns bad, if we have a great event and then all of a sudden, we have a thunderstorm, we'll have
five people show up but you know, when the weather is good, we're we're getting 5% of our parents showing up and it, you know, miss Perez has been great with grant money, helping us with the parent, you know, funding for our parent nights and so, we are able to offer them a meal or a snack or even we're having next month, actually, next Tuesday at Owen, we're having a community event and so, the behavior people and the social worker have reached out to community organizations that are going to have tables at our building
next Tuesday night from 530 to 630 at On elementary and you don't have to be an Owen parent to be there. Community organizations will be available for you and just having those community organizations, that's something the parents come for because especially this time of year when it's cold and they're hungry and the power is not working, they need that help and so it's really about what we're offering. Our parents that gets them in the door. Uh understandably, there will be some challenges but thank you for your diligence in continuing the the parent meetings with even if you get
one or two parents, just don't quit on them and just will do with the meeting. So, thank you very much. Trustee Dooley? Yes, that parental compact piece is very important to involve the parents and the students learning but to Principal Johnson. Yes, I did enjoy coming over to your school and you did have a good open house. However, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge. Doctor Powell had also a good one and if anyone knows anything about Doctor Powell, she likes to feed those people. Not those people. You know what I mean. The the parents and and students. So, they
had a great time interacting. She a full house. Truly, she had a full house. So, I command and I and I'm sure the rest. I went to a couple of more but those two stick out that were really done well. So, I commend you and then I I'm going to call her Bernita because we were colleagues. We worked together. Principal Johnson, I know her ability and I'm confident. She had to transition from high school to elementary. So, I know that's had to be because it would
be one for me. Uh so, I commend you. Stay with it. Retirement is great. See you on the other side. I just I have to do this. I'm sorry. Because we don't give very many opportunities. Um I just I'm very compelled to say this. I lost my stepson November 30th. Um sorry to hear that. Uh due to suicide. And so my December was real tough. I mean it was tough. But when I tell you Alkai didn't miss a beat Those teachers, my
secretary, my behavior interventionist. I have to publicly acknowledge that they ran that building and they kept me together and they lifted us up and our parents knew nothing different was happening. So thank you. Thank you. I just want to deto those sentiments as it relates to miss Johnson and at Alcott School in addition to just lifting up the leadership academy that we had guest principals that could serve in at in and at Alcott during that time and also wanted to just end with all of the schools have family engagement,
nights, monthly, and we do you were shared the family engagement calendar so you could always, always join a family engagement and thank you so much for allowing us to serve. Thank you. Did Vifi Bowman, did you have a comment and then I do have a comment question? No, you go ahead. Um you know I can save it until my public comment. No, I will. Um principals and staff, you know, thank you for all that you do for our families and students. You know,
seeing these reports, seeing how our students and families get to celebrate being a part of the Pontiac School District and making it fun and and meaningful to come to school and knowing that you make the extra effort to to point out family and the importance of working together. So, I just wanted to say, you know, thank you for the work that you all do because I know often times, it seems
as if we aren't attentive to what's going on but thank you and and it was a great presentation from both of you. Thank you so much. Thank you, VP Bowman. Um I did want to share Doctor Kavanaugh and miss Johnson. Um great presentations. In fact, I love what you're doing with having your students involved in the goal settings for their for their class. The incentives and activities that you're doing to engage the students in learning and just to promote attendance to get them there. Um and
of course apparent goals. I love it and I was wondering, do kids still have homework? And do they have their backpacks? So, to see, yes, absolutely. Kids still have homework but something that you said that really stuck with me and made me think is that you reminded us that these students that are in fifth grade now, these are the students that were in that missed their kindergarten or part of their first grade learning and that is huge because when we start talking about data and when we start Talking about
our students transitioning to middle school. There's a big skill gap that was lost. And so I heard you say that you are going back to old school. Doing some of those things that you work. And one of those things that I can remember is writing. Mm. And you mentioned that. That that is where there is a big gap. Or there's they're insufficient in that area. And that is so important because when our these kids go to sixth grade they have to write And if they can't write
at that age, then what is the expectation when they get to middle school, completing middle school and high school? So, I didn't want to bypass that because I heard you and that is so important which is again, why our K2 and Kfive Foundation is so important for our students. So, we gotta be mindful of that. That is and when we see the data as to where we are, we have to remember and give grace and I'm hoping and I heard you say, you're going back and doing some extra
because those students, particularly that are in fifth grade and that are in sixth grade. They really need that because their kindergarten and first grade years were missed. So, I I just wanted to again, thank you all, let you know that I heard that and understand that we are really going to have to work harder in those spaces because we have to help these kids to make sure that they are on track as they continue to progress through their school years. So, thank you both again. Alright. Now, moving on down to communications, petitions, and
delegations. 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. First, we have miss April Shearner. And mister Paul Sandy is next. Good evening. My name is April Shearer and I am a kindergarten teacher at Whitman Elementary and I've been working for the district for three years. Uh just because I
don't know any of you and I know you don't know me, just some of my background is this is year 20 in education for me and I've taught everything from kindergarten, really to eighth grade and prior to that, I tried across four different states and prior that I was a military instructor in the United States Air Force and I moved here three back home three years ago to be a teacher in Pontiac Schools and I chose that. I went to Owen Elementary at the original site before it was torn down. And I wanted to give back to the school district. So, I would ask that you would consider that before I read
my statement. Um you just kind of keep that in mind. Um in preparation for tonight, I talked to different teachers and staff at my school and we work for a wonderful administrator and we have a wonderful staff but we as a district at our school, employees, we are frustrated. We are tired. Um we are, you know, currently working without this contract that has been brought up. I think at every meeting that you have conducted. And we're going into the second year with, you
know, halfway through our school year without a contract and the working conditions have crossed the line in some regards, in some classrooms, I was personally affected this year. This has been resolved but I was a teacher of 33 kindergarteners. Thirty-three. These are our youngest and most vulnerable. We're trying to establish these reading abilities, these phonics, these basic skills, and with 33 children, some of which are rezoned to go to different Pontiac schools where being allowed
to come over to the and enter our classroom. We were maxed out. Now, that situation has now been resolved and we are very appreciative of that and true and meaningful learning is taking place in our rooms. But a lot of this is not misunderstanding. It's a failure of communication. And a lot of the employees are feeling like this is a failure of leadership. Or stretched thin. We're beyond our capacity Physicians in the school district remain unfilled. Um
we're asking for a conversation. We are asking to be treated as the professionals that you expect us to be. The toll on our mental and our physical health is real. Last year, I believe the district paid $84, 000 for listening circles. Did you listen? We deserve that conversation. We deserve a fair contract. The kids deserve to have
stability and a high-staff turnover is not providing these children that very thing. We would just ask that we stop delaying this, stop deflecting, and start fixing the situation at hand. Thank you. Awesome. He's coming. After Paul Sandy, there's Candice Ridley and Amanda Ziegler. Yeah Okay. Good evening. Uh my name is Paul Sandy and I am a teacher here at ITA teaching social studies as well as
the vice president of the Teachers Union. Um we have this is day 196 with no contract for teachers, para pros, and secretaries. It's actually the seventh of the last eight years that we have begun a school year with no contract. Today, I want to tell you a story of why the Pontiac Teachers PayScale is so unfair and needs badly to be fixed. A brand-new teacher is hired into PSD with a bachelor's degree. They're excited to start their journey with the district
serving the Pontiac community. They're paid 47, 000 dollars a little bit more which isn't bad. In fact, it's eighth out of twenty-eight districts in Oakland County. The teacher has good times. They have bad times. They take work home with them. They use their own money for materials. They get a master's degree. They're burnt out day for the kids. Just like me and so many of my colleagues, their life is made whole by the incredible students in Pontiac. By year 5, they make $55, 000. This is already far behind most
districts in Oakland County. In Avondale, they'd be making sixty-one. In Bloomfield, 65 in Oak Park, sixty-three, and in Ferndale, 62. By year ten, this teacher has started a family. They have more bills to pay. In order to feed their family, this teacher gets a second job. This teacher gives their all to the children but the teacher is tired dead, tired, seizures starting to get health problems from all distress. They love teaching the youth of Pontiac but they wish they were feeling supported. They're making $65, 000 in PSD. If they worked
in Avondale, 81, if they worked in Bloomfield, eighty-four, if they worked in Oak Park, eighty-four, if they worked in Ferndale, seventy-eight. By year 15, this teacher is fully feeling the effects of the stress. They feel stuck. They love serving the community of Pontiac. They pour every ounce of life they can into this job to help students but they can't afford to be a teacher in Pontiac. Their salary is 74000. If they're working in Avondale, they make eighty-five. Bloomfield a hundred for Oak Park 99 and Ferndale ninetyfive. Enough is
enough. This teacher decides. As most do here in Pontiac, that they can't make a career teaching here and they leave. Not because of the students because they can't afford to be a teacher here in Pontiac. And the crushing thing is that our district gets more money per pupil than all of these other districts that I've listed. We need a fair contract to keep teachers here in Pontiac to value those on the front lines helping the students. We need smaller class sizes. There is tons of research that says that these things help student achievement, student
well-being, as well as create a healthy ecosystem for everyone. So, please listen to the you know, the stories that teachers are saying and continue to give us a fair contract. Thank you. Happy New Year. Happy New Year First of all, I'm asking for a financial review of the budget to prove the necessity of the dreadfully low offer presented to the unions. Because what was offered is woefully inadequate compared to the budget that was prevented presented on 1215 25. But I'm here
tonight to talk about priorities. Your priorities. You've budgeted 8$855, 200 for yourselves this year. And you get paid $200 a meeting. You budget nearly a million dollars for yourselves but 0 dollars towards staff raises raises. Your generous offer, zero. 07%. About two cents on the dollar, it's almost what if that pennies aren't even being made anymore. But apparently, it's all well worth the
district. So I want you to hear the stories of the people who teach our children. One educator said, I'm at risk of losing my home. Cuz insurance went up and my pay can't keep pays. I don't know what I'm going to do. Another said, I'm sharing clothes with my coworkers just to make it seem like I'm not wearing the same thing every day. It's embarrassing. Your teachers have to share clothes because they can't afford their own. My car broke down and I had to take a predatory payday loan just to get it
running. It overheats and I can't afford to diagnose or repair it. I've been getting food from food pantries all year. Sometimes, I'm lucky the food's okay. Sometimes, I'm not and the food has bugs in it. I don't know how much longer can do this I've had my water shut off. I've had my heat shut off. I have to juggle which bill to pay. Now, rent is increasing and I can't afford it. I'm scared for my future. I have to donate plasma to provide for my children despite having multiple certificates and
degrees. These are not strangers. These are the people educating our children. This is what 6 months of being undervalued looks like. My prescription increasing cost. My insurance has increased in cost. My deductibles have increased in cost but my pay hasn't. I have to have insurance and I have to take medicines but I shouldn't have to choose between my medicine and my electric bill. I never thought I'd have to live in poverty after going to school and getting a master's degree. I look at my friends that work
in surrounding districts and I wonder how they can afford to live. Then, I remember they get paid more than I do even though we started teaching at the same time. I work seven days a week, five days with students, four nights door dashing, and weekends working construction or landscaping depending upon the season. I'm exhausted all the time. I know my students aren't getting the teacher they deserve because I'm spread so thin. But I don't have a choice. My family isn't getting the best of me either. I live in a state of chronic stress and exhaustion. I don't know how much longer I can take this. Good evening. My name is Amanda
Ziegler and I am a first grade teacher at the wonderful Owen Elementary and I'm also the PEA secretary. I was at the last board meeting when staff members were asked to be patient, give grace because we still do not have a contract. So tonight, I'm here to ask you something honestly. If you win a hundred and ninety-six days without knowing what your future pay would look like, while trying to figure out how to keep the lights on, how to pay your bills, how to take care of your family, would you be patient? Would you be with just being told to
wait. Many of your staff members are not okay. They are struggling. There are some educators that would have loved to be here tonight to talk to you all. But they're working a second of job. So they can afford to live. Others are silent. Because they're afraid. They're afraid of retaliation. Afraid of being labeled difficult. Afraid of discipline from administration. Being told over and over again to give grace hurts. When we are the one sacrificing the most, grace does not
pay our bills, patience does not reduce our stress, and waiting does not fix the reality we are living in every single day. This doesn't just hurt your staff, it hurts students when our classrooms are overcrowded, our students lose. In the past, I have had more than 30 first graders in my classroom, all with different academic needs and emotional needs. Every day I came to work and did as much as I could but there were days that I walked out of my
classroom knowing I didn't do enough. Because I did not have the support. I am one human being and I did not have the support to be able to give my children what they needed. Did they make growth? Of course they did. Cuz I tried my best and I walked in every single day doing what I could. But those kids deserve more and their teacher deserved more support. High staff turnover much of which is caused by low pay in this district disrupts learning and stability for students. The lack of substitute means the teachers who stay are
stretched beyond their limits. Every single day, we are giving up our planning time, covering other classrooms, or taking on more students. We are exhausted and exhaustion only affects how we teach and not in a good way. Please understand this. Because it's been said time and time again that we just come up to this podium complain. We are not just here to complain. We are here because we care about this district and our students and we show up for our students every day even when we're overwhelmed, underpaid,
and unheard. All we are asking is that you match our commitment with action. Instead of telling us to be patient and give grace, do something. Ask the hard questions, hold leadership accountable. Help us create conditions where teachers can stay, thrive, and give students everything we deserve. We are doing everything we can. Please do the same. Thank you. Scott Scott Rutherford and Ebony Sims. Good evening. My name is Scott Rutherford. I teach history at the high school. I would like to extend
grace. So, let me start now with complaining, okay? Because there's one thing this district has that is fantastic and that's the kids. I love the students in this district And I know I'm not the only one who loves the students in this district. When I started in this district, this is my fourth year teaching. I come to teaching this profession kind of late in life after having done some other things. And I'm teaching for one reason. It's not because I can't do anything else. I've done a lot of things. And I'll do other things again if I need to. Okay, but I came to
teaching because I wanted to to pass on something valuable to the young people in Pontiac. Okay you've asked us to trust you. but you haven't earned that trust. When I started in this district, I was asked to wear black shirt to to show solidarity because there was a contract dispute and I thought that was the most ridiculous, silly thing I'd ever been asked in my life As an adult, I couldn't I couldn't fathom why you would ask an adult to do that. Well, this is my fourth year and I get it.
I have worked more time without a contract than I have worked with one. Okay? For what I understand, this goes back further. Seven of the last eight years started without a contract Come on, that's ridiculous. You're among the highest paid boards in the region. I have no problem with that. Those who serve well are worthy of double honor. But it doesn't sound like you've served well. I have one foot out. I will I do not intend to be here
next year. The only reason I'm finishing this year is because the kids deserve it. Because I can make more driving an Uber. I do make more driving in Uber. If it looks like we're angry, it's because we're angry and as Bill Clinton said before his election, it's the economy stupid. It is the money but it's more than that, it's the respect. It is disrespectful for you to close a meeting, telling the teachers how much you appreciate us when you're not going to say it with
flowers. Either put something behind it or don't say it. And don't ask us to trust you. You've not earned that trust. Matter of fact, not only do we not trust you, we distrust you. Do whatever you want with the other 20 seconds. Good evening. I'm going to make this fast. Um something is being passed out to the board members. It is a copy of my last three check stubs. Good evening. My name is Ebony Sims. I was born and raised in Pontiac, Michigan. I am 49 years old and 29 of
those years have been spent working in this district. I have entrusted three of my children here. This evening, I come to you as humble as I know how. I hear the word family. Let me repeat at. Family. I remember when it used to feel and was like family. Those days are dead and gone. Sad to say. We lost a colleague last week. And not only was she fighting for her life. She was fighting for a
contract to be settled at work. A place where she was caught family. Money is wasted on lawyers instead of sitting down with your so-called family and coming up with the best and fairest way to support our families. In 2 thousand 12, we took a pay freeze. lost vacation time, holiday pay, and longevity. This present administration gave their self raises before a budget which even settled. My day starts at 5: 30 AM and
ends at 9 PM. 630, I punch in to Pontiac High. Off at 2 30. 3 PM, I punch into the middle school for Accent Pontiac which is a great program by the way. After get off at 630, I doordash from 630 to 9PM every day to make ends meet for me and my family. Ask me when I find the time to spend with my family. It is not asking too much to bring my current pay up to keep up with the
raising inflation. Making twenty-three sixty-six after 29 years of service is so disheartening to me. Teachers took a pay cut and freeze. This freeze was done to eliminate a deficit caused by Central Administration embezzlement. The results of this pay cut and freeze was the elimination of debt and the loss of very good teachers and paraprose. Where is the loyalty of these
sacrifices that we have made? Can anybody answer that question for me? And how many people in this room have over 10 years of service with Pontiac School District. They're not many. So, a lot of you don't know the good, the bad, and the ugly of what we have been through. Right now, it is ugly and I am in jeopardy of losing my home after 15 years. I I'm I'm appalled. My daughter will be a senior next year
and this is the worst year that I have struggled and to hear that the board will on a retreat, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. How much money is being spent on that? Please, look out for your people who are here every day in the frontline. Marcus Kelly, and Fred McMadden, and Marcus Bowman. I grew up here. I went to Pontiac Northern before was called The High. We had some great teachers Um even
after they bombed our school buses back in 1971. I don't know if y'all I don't know if y'all remember when a Klu Klux Klan bombed our school buses back in nineteen seventy-one. Um or if y'all ever heard what David Duke said if you want to control generations of people, control the education. I just sat here and listened to people talk about struggling to pay their bills and pay their rent but our task was shaping our children's future. That is important. And congratulations brother Jackson. But I feel what Miss Dooley said we
hiring people top heavy. But we have somebody who's running Uber. Making $23 an hour at 19 years working at our school educating our children. And we can't even take care of her. We're not giving our teachers what they need to be successful to shape our children's future. I'm here because I went to the high. I got a family that's there now. and they said, you know, I don't like the school. I got, you got people walking around with
ankle bracelets. We got Oakland County Sheriffs walking through here. And I I I couldn't believe it. I'm like, no, it's. So, I went there myself to see it. And show us show as hell. It was two little girls got into a fight in the lunch room and they was escorted to the office by two sheriffs. So, we are criminalizing children for normal child behavior. And being in there, I felt like being in a holding facility, a holding tank, getting ready to get shipped off to prison classroom the prison pipeline. And it's disheartening to see what my
community has come to when we talk about our children. We're talking about our education. We're talking about our teachers. And So now, when I look at Sheriff's scenario, you think about where they came from the 1850s feud of the slave act. Uh where we got the word law and order which is now called public health and safety And police was never meant to be social workers. But we got them in our schools. So now our children it's hard for a child to dream if they face with the constant
nightmares of their reality. So I always tell people when I'm having these conversations that If you never walked in my shoes, don't tell me how to lace em. So, we stand with our teachers and ask them for contracts for our teachers and we believe in care not punishment. Uh thank you my my time is up. And family. The fortune came into this. Happy New Year to everybody. Happy New Year. Yeah, I still got my
celebration on. So, Imma go on and start talking to some of you that use the word be patient. We going to we going to get this thing done. No, you are not. Because the lawyers are doing exactly what they supposed to do. Procrastinate. Make their money. And still, mister Kelly, make sure you talk about the 0. 07% because that's real and just so you know, we just made these signs up for you guys
to see. We are worth more than 2 cents. Now, I've been up here in this district for 27 years. Yeah, 27th in in February but also a supervisor at Havenwick Hospital for twenty-nine. It's a damn shame when somebody gotta work two full-time jobs just to survive. And even the ones who's working two and three jobs still come and give a hundred and ten But today, the conversation started off talking about baby peace.
That's a good thing. Then we start talking about other stuff. Yeah, we definitely needed a a new assistant principal. Nothing against you. But we have been without a contract as the Vice President for the teacher said 196 days. And you guys every night in closing I hear this statement. We hear you. We hear you. Tomorrow morning at ten, board members and I know you guys can do it but I'm going to invite you
anyway. Pair of Pros is in contract negotiations tomorrow morning. I want you to come and see what you guys are paying for. Don't say, hey, you're more than invited. I'll buy donuts. I'll go to Avon. Tell me what flavor you want and I'll take care of it but I want you to come. And we had the same conversation. We talking about language. You know how fast we can work on language? You change a word here. Change it. It don't take three hours to change a language. But
when you make it $150 to $250 an hour. Hell I procrastinate too. But we they're robbing us. Your employee, she's right there. Doctor Levert, please come in and tell the lawyers get a deal done. That's all you gotta do. They will obey. But if they procrastinating, it's because they've been told to procrastinate. Hey. Told him that but I don't know what's happening Here's your phone. Good evening, everybody. Um people
at home, trustees, president, vice president. Um I'm here speaking on behalf of Men in Pontiac. Uh we had a great event this Saturday at the Crowfoot where we hosted Mike Duggan, former mayor of Detroit and Groomatorial candidate for the state. I like to have a special thank you and to Tanisha Miller, Trustee Miller, I'm sorry, and Trustee Dooley for coming out. Trustee Bowman as well for all the support and for all those supported us from afar
for this event. Um we will have other groomatorial candidates coming into Pontiac. Um it won't be February but it will be March. But I also like to say this is a great time. I know the climate in here right now is a little uneasy. But this is the time right now for Pontiac to address things to the people who are going to lead this state. And when I say that I mean our leaders have to step up as well. Meaning all of you to build these relationships that we need. So
issues like this can be resolved. But we can have not only to the state but the federal government because the next governor of this state will be over the education process as well too. So, it'll be good to have friends in the governor's office as well as friends in the White House also. And this season in Pontiac, I want us to understand how important it is. I said this in city council and I'm going to say it here because school board is a little little bit softer than city council but you all are
still elected officials. So, I want you to understand position that you hold and how important it is for the people. For these people back here. And I want to say thank you. Thank you for all the service and all the work that you do. But it's important for leaders to build relationships and put people before political parties this year for Pontiac. Pontiac has a lot of opportunity and a lot of potential to move forward. But we have to put people before political parties. Meaning we have to build relationships. Relationships is what's going to help Pontiac relationships is what's going to
bring finance. Is what's going to give us opportunities to bridge gaps and connect with people that can do something for Pontiac. Instead of us getting overlooked. Rochester has their things together. Troy has their things together. Auburn Hills has their things together. Waterford has their things together. We have to get things together here for Pontiac. But we have to start by picking the candidates that's going to give Pontiac the best deal. And that wants to build a partnership with Pontiac and not just run Pontiac or come to Pontiac when they want to vote. So I urge all of you in the community across the city, those at home start
getting engaged when we invite these gumatorial candidates from senate to congress, to governor, and eventually even for president. We want to let them know that Pontiac has value and Pontiac has a voice. We are the seed of Oakland County and we have to start letting everybody in the world know how important we are. Thank you and have a great night. Alright. Thank you very much for comments. We'll start with Trusty do. Trustee Miller. Good evening. I want to start with I
was elected in November of 2000 twenty-four So, I cannot and will not take any responsibility for the actions that or the decisions made prior to me being elected as the president and other trustee state. Many decisions were made prior to my being elected. Happy New Year. Good evening. I want to thank everyone that came out tonight and all of you who have tuned in to view this board
meeting. I remain in a quandary as to how this is a learning institution and teachers remain without contracts. I'm hopeful that most understand the direct correlation between the delivery of instruction and learning. Our teachers are the facilitators of this learning. And that's the learning that should be occurring. As I previously stated, I do welcome mister Jackson to the district. And the waiver
bearer was written, his contract began today. So that is indicative that this was already a done deal. It's dated January 12th, two thousand twenty6, ending June 30th, 2000 twenty-six. I await to see what the prorated salary will be. The fact that HR did not already know what the prorated salary would be, supports the imperativeness of a human resource director being hired immediately.
I would like to be on record requesting that the human resources position continuously be posted. I did ask were there any other candidates for the positions that were going outside of the district? I believe it's imperative that we begin to hire within. I want to be on record stating that I support our teachers. I retired in this district as a teacher. I remain a teacher. I'm committed in helping you reach and receive
compensation. As always, thank you to all educational stakeholders that allow me to represent them and always a special thank you to my 7, hundred 17 voters that put me in the seat. I continue to endeavor to oversee and provide hopefully direction to move this district in a way that we will support academic
achievement sustain academic progress and success, and come from being not such a successful district. So, I say to teachers, thank you Please continue to hang in there. We are working on your behalf At least I am. Imma speak for my. We're working on your bath because I know how imperative it is for you guys to have a living wage that will allow you
to direct your attention to the delivery of instruction. I often say, part of our deficiency is because your mind is not totally on delivering the instruction because you're getting ready for your next job before you even leave the teaching position. And also you are worried about your own bills. How your family will live. how you'll get your medicine, and as the President Candace, stated, she gave some
personal testimonies. So, I say, I, Trustee Jennifer Dooley, stand with you. I, Trustee Dooley, support you. I, Trustee Dooley, will do and stand with you to ensure that you get fair wages. Be encourage please don't quit. To the gentleman, mister history teacher give us a minute. We're working on it. Not literally. That's figuratively. That we are
going to get you a contract because we know that this learning institution cannot be a learning institution without those persons that deliver instruction. With that, may god continue to bless you and have a good night. Trustee Miller. Thank you. Happy New Year everyone. Alright. Thank you to whomever gave me the strawberry cupcakes. I'm going to eat them when I. Oh. Hey, thank you. I'm eating when I get home
with some cookies and cream ice cream. That is for the baby. Alright, I am entering twenty twenty-six. Having officially completed one full year elected into this role. It has been challenging but deeply meaningful. I remain firmly committed to transparency, accountability, and students decision. Student centered decision making. The relationships I've developed since transitioning into this position with our with the relations with our students. Our
lifelong memories that I hope that I can share with them. For a long time to come. I want to extend sincere congratulations to our new Mayor Mike McGinnis, our new deputy mayor Richard C, newly seated council members, returning council members, library board members, and everyone who has stepped into public service roles across our community. I look forward to collaborating with you. My belief is that strong schools help create strong neighborhoods and even a more vibrant city. My goal for Pontiac School District
this year includes prioritizing student achievement and student success. Every agenda item and especially every budget decision should be grounded in one question. How does this help our students learn, grow, and thrive? I'll close with this. I know I've been pretty steadfast in advancing this district and I know that my colleagues will say it takes time and I understand that. And I know that
Rome wasn't built in a day. But meaningful progress takes time, patience, and perseverance. I know that we can't build Rome in a day. But I like to lay a couple bricks. Put some mortar on it. Is that called the stuff that go on top of bricks? Let's do something to build our, start with our foundation If we keep talking about it years and years and years will pass and the only people that will suffer from that will be our
students. Intentional actions, and focused decisions that builds the future our students deserve. It's one of my goals. It's my commitment to Pontiac School District. Thank you all. And I look forward to the work that we will continue to do. Together. Thank you, Trustee Gross. Thank you. Good evening. Um thank you for your comments. Because we're not there. So, we don't
know what's going on. We only be reported to. So, to hear the other side, you have to put both sides together because one side says something and the other side says the other. So, it gives us the opportunity to understand what's not being said on what's being relayed by us and we're not hearing that. So, that gives us the opportunity to go back and discuss this. Yeah and and and I can See you in the pointy. Yeah, I was the one that said, be patient because it's all we have. And I will continue to say that and
whether you trust us or not, that's your decision. I don't know half of you. I just see you. So, we've not established a relationship of trust yet but there's those who I do know. And that's okay. But I'm glad to hear from you. Because now we know what we need to continue to do. What we thought we were doing. So I'll leave it at that. Had the opportunity to be part of the I'm I'm one of the members of the Readmittance Committee where we have students who
have had issues in school who have been suspended, expelled, and have petitioned us to come back to school. And they have to do so through this committee. And then once that's done it's referred to the board. But this meeting, this one, this meeting on Friday kind of touched me. Because although you hear it, but when you see it, how children are living in our community and the things that are, that they are going
through, and then they have to carry that to school. This case was one of the most extreme that I've ever seen. We're a child and I'm not going to say, you know, the names or parents' names, but First of all, it's homeless and it's going from place to place and then to speak to this person and have them express how they truly feel school wasn't as important to this family as we want it to be Because of life's circumstances.
But this person wanted to get back in school so bad because that was the most consistent thing that they had in their lives was school. See and hear from a child and a parent who are living the way they live, it puts everything in life in perspective. Life is not fair to everybody. And when it comes to a child, that's heartening. That hurts. And that touched me when I
talked with this person and about their concerns and what they were going through and what they wanted. And they said they were going to do their best. To stay in school. Because one they missed it. And two, there's nothing out there for them. And the inconsistency is in their life. Has made it so difficult for them but throughout all of that his mom continued to do the best she can do even with her physical disabilities and her inability to
take care of him and his sister the way she wants to. So I say to all the parents in the community whatever you're going through and we and we I know it's difficult but this parent showed me that no matter what life has given them, they're still working to their best ability to ensure that their children are in school. And to do that, it says something about their determination and their their
commitment. And I want our parents to I want our parents to know that we understand But all we ask is that you do your best. Because extremely important to the children. To be part of something that is consistent. Where people are concerned. And people care. And this showed me that So, my focus will continue to be strongly for our children but also for those who are in
these children's lives. We gotta do better. Thank you. Thank you Secretary David Smith. Happy New Year everyone. Um I just want to say that I really like the presentations from Owen and Alcott Elementary and I love to hear about the family participation. That's one of the reasons I got on the board. I'm not a politician but I was a
parent in this district and we didn't have many parents that was involved at the time when my children were here in this district Um I'm also excited about the baby peace because when actually when I was I was also a bus driver here for the for the district for several years and my son was in school and one of the concerns that the teachers had was the fact that some of their seniors was not going to
their first and second grade. I mean first and second hours because they had to get their siblings off to school. So, I have been advocating for us to to be able to have a daycare. I really want a daycare in Alach Key program for our students because I know that that's a challenge for parents. I actually worked for Cranbrook for 17 years so that I can be on the same schedule as my children as they went to school. And then I drove
the bus so that I can make sure that I was involved in my my son's extra had a lot of them. Extra curriculum activities that he had in the in the school district. And so now I'm a teacher. And I believe that I became a teacher. Um by God because I I wanted to I wanted to volunteer to drive the buses. Um last year I think
it was. Um yeah last year. And wasn't able to. They said I wasn't able to volunteer to help with driving the buses last year. So there was someone who said, oh, we need bus drivers at our school and I was like, I don't need a job. I, you know, I own my bakery and but I ended up filling out an application and so I started driving for them but then I seen that they had a need also for children. I mean, for teachers because there's shortage of teachers everywhere.
So, when I say I have twelve jobs just like you guys do. I have 12 jobs. When people are at home with their families or they're in the bed, sleep, I'm up working. Whether it's baking, whether it's reading my board packet, whether I'm doing someone's taxes, I when I say I have about 12 jobs, I have about 12 jobs. And so I understand what you guys are going through. When I worked here as a school bus driver, I was on a seven-year freeze with you guys. And
I stay in the district and I stayed in the district because the same reason you guys do is because I love the children. So, when I say, I understand what you guys are going through, I understand what you guys are going through because I have to work those several jobs to pay my bills as well and to make sure that my kids continue their education and to be able to help them as well but I'm just praying that all of us I'm excited about the new elected people from the city and the and the library
as well and I just pray that all of us can work together as one Um for the benefit of our children. This year as trustee Gross was saying that we've seen a lot of conditions that our children were living in that we had no no clue or understanding that they were. And that was just a couple but I'm pretty sure that is a lot more than that. And I know a lot of you teachers that come in early to make sure that our kids are clean and fed.
And I know you guys deal with their emotional and behavior be their emotional and behavior issues before you can even teach. That's the same things that we deal with. I I teach thirty-two kindergartners as well. That is my that is how many I have right now. So I understand what what you guys are going through and I just hope that we all can stand together and try to make this resolve all of our issues together and move the district because as long as I've been on the board we have handle our kids
curriculum and that's what I'm waiting for is us to to be able to thrive in that capacity together. Thank you. Have a good night. Thank you. Treasurer Terry. Uh good evening. Um welcome again everyone. Happy New Years for the ones that have not said happy New Years too. Um good meeting tonight. A lot of information. Good presentations. Uh once again, welcome Mister Jackson to the Pontiac District family. So,
welcome. Looking forward to all the things you bring, your experience, your background, and everything else. So, looking forward for that. Um also want to say thank you for all the public comments. Um good and bad we obviously take everything to heart here. At least I do. I know myself. Um a lot of things are personal. Um career wise. I totally understand. I've had my share of woes and ups and downs as well. Um currently working two years now without any raises or anything. So but the important thing to me is I
guess I'm still getting a check. So I I as long as I guess I get that check I can continue to move forward. Um Imma go back to once again. As I mentioned, last year, choices. We we all gotta make those choices. Um sometimes they're hard, sometimes they're easy. Um but we we all gotta decide on what's best for us and what's best for our family. Um change. Sometimes need to happen. But once again that's a choice. So congratulations to all of the officials that got elected or
sworn in this past weekend. Actually that was New Year's day. I want to say. Yes. I did miss that as I was spending time with my family. Um but congratulations to everyone. Um the new mayor. Um current and new city council members as well. So, congratulations. Looking forward to see what they bring also for this school and definitely looking forward to working with them moving forward as a partner to see what all we can accomplish this year. Um things have been challenging but once
again, it's a new year 2026. Um don't know if everybody has resolutions or not but if not, it's never too late to start one and let's continue to pull together not separate us and let's keep our focus on the prize which is our students. So let's continue to educate them the best way. We know, you know, we know we have, know how we can and then also, I'm just going to continue to keep everyone in prayer. Um the district is struggling but I
know we're not the only district. Um they're struggling everywhere, everywhere I look, you know, prices are going up. You know, food's going up. Utilities is going up. Just our basic needs are going up. And keep our administration in prayer as well. Um the United States administration. Um is there dictating a lot of the choices that we're going to have to make moving forward on you know what options or what you can decide to do with your money that you got coming in. So, on that note, I just want to
say thank you everyone. Thank you everyone that's listening in as well. I hope you had a good New Year as well and let's continue to push through twenty twenty-six. Thank you. Thank you. Bowman. Not to repeat everything that's already been stated by my trustees. Um congratulations to everyone who was elected in new positions in sworn. Uh unfortunately missed it. Um I was beautiful right now. I was on my leave and I'm back. So,
happy New Year to everyone. As I sit here and I did listen to, you know, as I read the names and listen to the statements, it may seem as if. I do it myself alone. We don't care that we're not vested, that we are just in it for the money. I I don't at trustee. It's not enough money in it. You know, I just just to be honest. We're not getting giant checks
weekly or anything like that. This is a a service. We're we're providing a service because we love our community. I love my community. I want to speak for myself. I'm thankful for those of you who choose to work in the Pontiac School District. I know that it may not be easy and I do understand that the pay situation is not the greatest. I'm not sure how far a vote of appreciation or a thank you
goes but I appreciate you all and I thank you for what you do. You can be anywhere else in the world but you choose to be here in Pontiac, Michigan. It doesn't go unnoticed. I sit here and I do this because I love my community. I would like to see the city, the the school district, the county, the community, actively work together for betterment and change. We can't change anything if
we don't know what's wrong. So, you've expressed your concerns of what's wrong. So, give us time to get it right. We're not ignoring because whether you believe it or not, you are family. Welcome to our family. It's a bit dysfunctional but we are but that's just the the nature of the beast. If we can all give one another grace, no, it it doesn't feel good for you all to say. We only got 2 cents. Who
in real life do you honestly think that we sit here and think that that's what you're worth? No. Let's be honest about where we are in this thing. We are in a work in progress. This district didn't get here overnight and it's not going to change overnight but we are actively and willing to work with you all, to help you all because this is our community. No, we as
board members, I'm sure each one of us probably, well, Trustee Dooley, I know you're retired living it up and loving it. I, that's great. But Just know that you all aren't taken for granted by any means. We're going to get this thing together but we have to be solid, lockstep, working together. We're not sitting high, looking low. At our teachers, at our community. So, just know that we're
all in this and we will continue to make the steps in progress to get a fair contract to you all because you all deserve it. So, just know that we're not sitting here just collecting checks and doing nothing. This is a just like you all may feel. This sometimes is a thankless job. It's unfortunate but this is where we are but I thank you. Whether you hear, whether you feel
it's your please are falling on deaf ears. You're appreciated. The things that you all bring to this community, to our students, to the PSD family, it's appreciate it. And I just want those of you all who may have lost loved ones in this past season. I'm not going to say it gets easier It just it softens over time. So, I hope that we can continue to have a progressive, positive year and move
forward collectively. Good night. Thank you. One of the hardest parts about being a president is going last and everything everybody else said is what I had on my notes to say. So, I'm not going to just repeat verbatim everything everybody else said but we are happy that you all came back and we want to say welcome back to the twenty twenty-six year. We are hoping and looking forward to finishing strong. Um thank you. As it's been said for the comments. Um we
appreciate the honesty. We appreciate the compassion that you bring, that you share. We don't take for gra that you all are here. We understand and we do. Yes. We hear you. And we are doing what we need to do to make sure that that is seen. So, I want to say and let you know again that we are doing what we need to do to so that we can rectify things and we can make sure that you all have the contract that you're so deserving of. I want to also say happy one year
anniversary to Trustee Miller and Trustee Julie. And also to thank these trustees for their commitment to service. I offer my condolences to the family of Crystal Wilson Muhammad. Um she was a teacher at PMS High Middle School and our thoughts and our prayers are indeed with her as well as the fam, the students, and faculty over there at Pontiac Middle School. Uh Our CTE program, in my opinion, it is the heart of it is the secret sauce for our school
district. The Baby Peace Program which was shared today. That is just one of several CTE programs that we have to offer for our students. We are committed to making sure that our students explore career pathways and that we equip them with what they need so that they can be successful beyond graduation. So, this program with Baby Peace one of a few options that our students will have so that we can help put them on a pathway to success and so that they can be
successful and productive within our community. So, I say thanks again to Doctor Tomoco, Wakabayashi, and her team for consistently wanting to support the Pontiac School District. Um congratulations. As they were stated to our newly elected city government, officials, Mayor McGuinness, Deputy C, and our city council members, Adrian Austin, Chris Jackson, and Regina Campbell. We look forward to working with you and also serving our families and students here in the Pontiac
community. Our board retreat is this week but I just want to offer a little clarification. When we say board retreat, it's not a retreat in the terms of you think us going away to some hot, warm place and having a good time. Our board retreat is a three-day meeting will which will take place right here in this building in a room where we have three days of discussing and working with our administration to hear what their successes have been, what their challenges are, and how we are moving this district forward. So,
again, board retreat does not mean we are really retreating. Change the name. So, yeah, we can maybe come up with another name but I I just wanted to offer that because I did hear some comments as it relates to that but again, I I do thank all of you for coming back Mister Jackson, welcome. Um definitely looking forward to your support for Principal Clark Franklin and just the students over at the high school having you in their building in that presence. So, again, I thank everybody for their commitment to
serving, for the work that each of you do within the school district. It is my prayer that we will continue to move forward in a positive way and that we again will do what's in the best interest for educating our students in this school district. So, that all that I have for tonight. So, if I can get a solution to adjourn this meeting. So, it sounds like it has been made by BP Bowman and supported by Trustee Dooley to adjourn the meeting. Are there any questions? Hearing none, roll call,
please. Yes, yes, I'm sorry, yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. The time is 8: 40 PM. This motion, this meeting is adjourned. Thank you everybody and have a good night.