Ready? Ready, Frank? Alright, thank you. Good evening, everybody Thank you for joining our July 14th organizational meeting. The time is now 6: 06 PM and we are going to call this meeting to order. Madam Secretary, roll call please. VP Bowman. Present. I'm present. Trustee Dooley. President. President Hannah, present. Trusty mother. Present.
Alright, Thank you very much. If we can all stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I would like to make an amendment to our agenda adding under meeting card to order, I need to add election of officers for president, vice president, secretary, treasurer,
and also moving item C which is the approval of the agenda, moving that down to item D, which will come after the election of officers. Also, I need to replace under our consent agenda items. Item B to include the revised special board meeting minutes from July 8th meeting and also add under consent agenda items. Item C which is the closed session meeting minutes from June 26th, 2025. Can I get a motion
please? Point of information please. Madam chair. Uh if my memory serves me correct, I believe that the policy states that off of the election of officers is to be conducted every 2 years. So can you can you explain to me why we are doing the election this year and to my understanding you guys have been in office for a year. Yes. Excuse me. Um BP Bowman and I have been in this position for a year but it was for the continuation of the previous
president and vice president. So we were completing out their term. So now by doing an election tonight it starts over it starts over the new term. Alright thank you the clarity. You're welcome. Alright, any other questions for the amendment regarding the amended agenda? Hearing none, can I get a motion? Okay. So move support. It's been moved by BP Bowman and supported by Trustee Miller to amend the agenda with the items that were
mentioned. Any other questions? Roll call please. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley. Yes. Trustee Rose? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Yes That past is six ounce. Yeah. Did you get Did I say trusty? I don't know. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Alright. Thank you. Thank you. Can I get a motion to approve the amended
agenda as presented? So. Support has been moved by trustee Gross and supported by VP Bowman to approve the amended agenda as presented. Any questions? Bro, call please. Trustee Dooley Yes. Trustee Gross? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Bp Bowman? Yes. And I'm voting yes. That price is six oh. Okay, thank you very much. Now that the agenda has
been set, now we're turning it over to Attorney Seagers who will facilitate the election of officers. Good evening. There are four positions. Uh officer positions which are eligible for you all to vote on tonight and we will start with the office of president. Are there any nominations for the office of a president of the school board of the school district of City of Pontiac? I'd like to nominate Doctor Anisha Hanna. Great. Uh do you accept that nomination, Doctor Hannah? Yes. Okay. Are there any other
nominations? One, one second I'm going to nominate Kevin Gross. You accept that nomination, mister Gross? I do. Uh are there any other nominations? Um for the office of president? Alright. So, hearing none. Um we will take a a vote for the position of president for Anisha Hanna. I guess I guess you can do a roll-call vote for those who are voting for Anisha Hannah. As president. What's that? You need to do a a
roll-call vote for. Okay. These are people who are voting for Anisha Hanna as president of the. Okay. School District. Yeah. Board of Education. Alright. That's right. How y'all doing? Alright. Good. Thank you. Okay So, trustee Gross, this is for Anisha Hammer, Trusty Gross. Trustee Hannah. Yes. Trustee Miller? No. Vp Bowman. Yes.
And I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley. No. Soak that feels. I don't know. Okay, Three, three, and three. Okay. Alright. Um and if it fails, next we have the nomination of Kevin Gross as president of the Board of Education of the School District of the City of Pontiac to do a roll-call vote. One second, please. President Hannah? No. Trustee
Miller? Yes. Vp Bowman? No. I'm voting no. Trustee Dooley? Yes. Trustee Gross? Yes. That feels I guess we need to do another vote. Um I guess we'll have to do another vote for Anisha Hanna. Uh why not work? I I think one I think it's going to turn out to be the same thing. It could be, okay. Alrighty. Trusty Miller? No. Vp Bowman? Yes.
I'm voting y'all's trusty dooley. No. Trusty Gross? Yes. Before I finish, I want to thank my colleagues for having trusted me to vote. I want this thing to carry on for the rest of the year so I protest. Okay? President Hannah. Yes. That passes fortune. Okay. Uh President Hannah remains the president of the Board of Education. Alright. Now, we move on to the position of vice president. Are there any nominations? I nominate Kenyatta Bowman for vice
president. And do you accept that Nomination? Yes, I do. And anyone else, any other nominations for the position of vice president. Hearing that. Uh let's have a vote for the position of Vice President for Kenyatta Bowman. One second, please. Vp Bowman? Yes, I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley. Hi, I'll stay. Uh trusty girls? Yes. President Hannah. Yes. Trustee Miller? No.
That passes four to one. Alright, congratulations. You are the remained vice president of the school board. Alright, next we have the position of treasurer. Uh are there any nominations for that position? In his absence although I would like to nominate Marcus Terry. Okay. Itinerary savers. Yes. He did respond that if he was nominated for the position again that he would accept. But I don't know if that matters because he's not here. It's point of information Um I have I have a
question about that. I just received this agenda walking in here. So how can he confirm that he if he was nominated that he would accept the nomination if we just got the agenda coming into this meeting today. It wasn't on the agenda. That was sent to us prior to the meeting. Tre Terry understood that we would be having votes for officer positions because this was our organizational meeting. So, he knew just as it was explained that because the positions that we have filled were
filling in the positions from before that he would if he was nominated again that he would accept it. Point of order So, myself being newly elected and doing a follow up on Trustee Miller's concern and question that elections were normally held every two years by annually, we had no knowledge of this and let me take cross that we I. We, I confirm that as
well. That's why I'm I'm trying to understand how somebody can confirm that. Well, now you want to put this. I think you have the nominations for position of treasurer. Hearing none. Um nominate Trustee Tanisha Miller for charger. Do you accept the nomination, Tracy Miller? Yes. So, are there any other nominations for the position of treasurer? And so let's do a roll call vote for Marcus Terry as treasurer for the school district Board of Education. Secretary.
Oh, one. One second. I'm sorry. And that's you said this for Marcus. Is there a reason why we skipped over secondary? It's it's just last on this list. Okay. I don't know. Okay. Yeah. Come in. I'm a little cheat here. Yes. I voted yes trustee Dooley. No. Trustee Gross? No. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? No. That feels Okay, well, let's do a roll call for Trustee Tanisha Miller as treasurer
for the Board of Education. Um I'm voting no. Trustee Dooley. Yes. Yes. Yes. President Hannah? No. Trustee Miller? Yes. And VP Bowman. No. That feel Okay. So, right now, we don't have a. Treasure? Yeah, we don't have a treasure. Okay. Might it make sense to do another vote. Okay. Okay, well, let's let's do another vote for Marcus Terry.
Trusty Dewey. No. Trusty Gross? No. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? No. Vp Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes that fails. Alright, let's do another roll call vote for Trusty Miller. The character the next meeting when you have taken both but then you have to carry to the next meeting when you have Alzheimer's. Uh huh. If it fails this time. Trusty growth? No. I mean for Miller. Miller. Yes.
President Hannah? No. Just another? Yes. Bb Bowman. No. I'm voting no. Trustee Dooley? Yes. That feels. Okay, as of right now, there's been nobody elected. So, we'll have to move that to the next meeting when there's a full board here. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Next, we have the position of treasurer. The secretary. Secretary. Uh are there any nominations for the position of secretary?
I like to nominate trustee Jennifer Dooley for the position of secretary. Do you accept Trustee Dooley? Any other nominations I would like to nominate Shaquana Davis Smith. Do you accept, trustee? Yes. Any other nominations for the position of secretary. So at this time let's do a roll call vote for Trustee Dooley for the position of secretary. President Hannah? No. Just another?
Yes. Bp Bowman? No. Converting no trusty dooley. Yes. Yes. And trustee Gross? Yes. That feels. Okay. Our next is do a roll call go for trustee Shaquana Davis Smith. Trustee Miller. No. Trusty? Oh, sorry Leafy Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yours, Trustee
Dooley. No. Trustee Gross? No. And President Hannah. Yes. That feels. Okay. Um I'm thinking that maybe we just need to send this over to the next board meeting. Uh huh. Unless you guys want to do another vote. Uh Okay. Alright. Okay. Okay. Um alright. Well, now Hannah meeting back over to President Hannah. Alright, thank you very much Attorney Seagers. Moving down the yes. In lieu of the
secretary position not being filled, are you still considering a law verdict? Continue to write as we do for the remainder of this evening's meeting? Yes, I would like for Chicago. I would like for Secretary David Smith. Thank you. Acting. Trustee. Um. Shaquana Davis Smith to continue taking notes for the role of secretary for this meeting. There has to be documented. That's what I said. It has to be put in the notes. Thank you. Thank you. Alright, moving on down. Good evening again. Uh elected official
trustees. I don't see any in the audience. Uh can I get a motion for the approval of the consent agenda? So move. Support. It's been moved by VP Bowman supported by Trustee Gross to approve the consent agenda items. Any questions? Roll call please. Leapy Bowman. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley. No. Trusty Grouse? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. And Trustee
Miller. Yes. That passes Thank you. Alright, moving on down for regular working agenda, discussion items, and for approval is the draft of the twenty twenty-five, 2026 board-leading schedule. Excuse me just the President Hannah. Yes. Congratulations on your newly elected position. Thank you. Um for those minutes, was her vote changed? Not was her. Was Trustee Miller's vote updated on that? I didn't read it. Yes, it was. It was
revised. So, I'd like to backtrack and change my vote to a yes on that. She's talking about the consent agenda items. Okay. Well, in this with the stakes limits. Trustees you have before you list of our board meetings for the upcoming school year 20 twentyfive, 2026. You will see your regular schedule meetings. As well as the it's in your pocket. Oh, online. Um it also would include in their board governance meetings.
We didn't have to board governance, just the regular meetings. Alright, those are your listed board meetings for the twenty-five, 26th school year. Any questions? About any of the meetings. Who eventually commanded. I'm a The board meeting schedules that you have are for the twenty-five, 26 school year for regular monthly meetings and it shall be adopted by a majority of members elected to serve, elected to, and serving on the board. It is the recommendation to adopt the
schedule for regular monthly meetings for the twenty-five, 26th school year. Any questions or comments or concerns regarding those meetings that are scheduled. Question? Yes. I already know the answer but I want to make sure we're clear. Um after approval, miss Wright Julie sends us the calendar contact information to place into our official calendars. You'll be doing so. Yeah. It was approved. It's all I need in this. That keeps me abreast on what we do. Yes. Thank you, dear. Okay. That's
it, ma'am. Alright. Thank you. If there are no questions regarding those monthly meetings, can I get a motion to approve the draft of the 2526 board meeting schedule. So moved. Support. It's it's been moved by Trustee Dually supported by Trustee Gross for the approval of draft of the 2526 board meeting schedule. Any questions? Roll paw please? Trustee Bowman. I'm sorry. BP Bowman. Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley trusty, trusty growth. Yeah.
Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. That passes. Alright, thank you very much. Moving down under finance items for discussion. The 25 twenty-six procurement card, authorization position. Doctor Leverette. Yup. Uh I'm doing this in the state of Jim. Um. Okay. Jim Graham. Uh the attached listing shall be the authorized positions to use the district approved purchasing cards for the twenty-five, 26 fiscal year. The listing of authorized users is
maintained on the district website within the transparency section under the heading district credit card information for statutory requirements found in MCL 3eight 8. point one six 18 subsection two. Throughout the year, request for a P card limits to be temporarily raised, especially at the start of the school year for supply orders, as well as staff movements are documented and authorized by the superintendent or designate. It is a recommendation of administration that the Board of Education approved the fiscal year 2526 authorized
positions for the district purchasing card program. Thank you. Only attached and I'm not sure if you have the attached but we were able to update the format so that it does have the name for that aligns with the title or positions. Are there any questions? Are there any? Okay. Madam, what are you doing? Is it possible for me to receive a list of what's allocations can this money is allocated but what are the specifics for these accounts and am I
reading this correctly it says a monthly limit so if that's indicative to say that they this would be refreshed every month like it says monthly limit at the heading. 2025030000. So Imma stop right at that second vacancy. Um for the office. I'm not quite sure who would have a spending amount of up to $25, 000 a month but I did like 10 months. That's a quarter of a million
dollars. So, when we look at these, am I, it's saying monthly limits. So, am I wrong in assessing that these could be reallocated monthly? These these prices? So, just that one be 250000 then we go to somebody So now, how is it that facilities for Marvin Beasley, number three, would be 30, 000 and then, we see Marvin Phillips. I'm sorry, Marv. Cuz I was
like, business office. So, let's go there at number twenty-seven if or in even Diane Perez at $76, 000. What are they doing? What what's this money? I'm not understanding why they would need such an exuberant amount of money. I'm I'm just curious because if it's if that's going to be renewed monthly, you know, they they could spend number 27 could spend up to $100, 000 and then get it replenished. I I don't I I'm yes. I'm
in a quandary to yes, to answer your question that is a yes. These are monthly limits and this does not mean that they that they do spend this amount of money but this is their monthly allowance per month but these are they're operating departments. So, this is to say that the items that they would be purchasing is for one or two items It could be a variety of items. However, Doctor Leverette did say that she will get the information in terms of what those spendings technically
look like for those departments to give you an idea of what the spendings how they could add up. But that is, I mean, I'm aware of how the P cards work for the principals because I was under principles for many years so I know how they use their cards but I never knew people were allocated. You get 76, 000 and 100010, 000 and 30, 000 and 25, 000. That's a lot of money. Yeah. Well, we gotta keep in mind too. This is a multi-million-dollar. Absolutely. That's why we need to
align our resources with with our money and and which brings me back to, I've been on this board 6 months, seven months and I still have not had a full budget review. So, it would be these types of things that would have been answered had that been given to me. Can any of my colleagues confirm? If did I miss the meeting or will Trustee Julie we have had budget reviews? No, we've had budget presentations. We've had budget reviews. They one was done
specifically at our during our board retreat. We're the Shelby came in and reviewed the budget, reviewed the application with us. Uh Jim Graham. This is not a problem. It was Jim Graham did step in and he did review the information with us as relates to our budget. So, I understand if are some pieces or parts of the budget that you may not understand but it's not fair to say that those individuals didn't review the information for our budget with us. So, I would be fair in going on record to say that I received what in my
opinion, my background in educational expertise, a presentation. Which was not a budget review, okay? That's fair to say but there was also an opportunity for any trustees that had any specific questions about the budget to contact the finance department and get those questions. How do you know what you don't know until you know it? Did anyone else have any questions? Order. Yes. We can alleviate these concerns. If we can reiterate what I've been saying for the last year
which was told to me at one of the previous meetings I was at, that we are going to start having budget study sessions like we did in the past, every Thursday night, prior to the approving of the budget. And it was said to me that during working days, they were going to look at now that we're into a new fiscal year. All we have to say from this point forward. We will designate some days to have a board study session on the
budget. That would alleviate any concerns or problems that we have and at that time, instead of presenting it right now in this type of meeting, right? We can do it in a board study session and all the questions including those that are here because I have some questions too but I'll take, I'll wait for that until we get to the board study session because if someone spends $50000 dollars, and the borders only approved of $25, 000 for the
superintendent to do so, then my question is, should or should we not be made aware of the moneys that was spent that's over twenty-five thousand and I have no issue with this because I'm not doing day to day and I think these items are needed and these people need to do specific things. but at some point in time, if a considerable amount is spent, make the board aware. That's all I say and then, those questions can be answered for trustee Dooley. Once we start having board study sessions
for the budget. That's just one board members. Thank you. Any other questions regarding the the P card? Yes, I have madam chair. I do have some questions and a comment. Again, this is considering what we are experiencing in our in the world with our government today. Why why would the business office that is short handed, we don't have even a CFO at this time. Why would they, what
wouldn't be necessary for them to spend $100, 000 a month without having to do a RFP or anything to to create checks and balances. Um even with like the grants coordinator for seventy. These are these are in-house positions to wear an RFP would be more than reasonable to to prevent for checks and balances. So why would they need access for two people of a hundred and 000 a month?
Wow. We need to desperately, desperately take some time and stop doing what we've been doing. Really take a look at this and realign our resources. This is hm. Troll. Some of this money can go towards our our students or staff and and $a 00, 000 is can. Let us know what is used for. Thank you. If I can before you ask your second question, Trustee Miller, I just want to comment. Just because these dollar amounts are allotted does not mean they are spent. This is just like
anybody having a credit card of their own. If you have a limit, that does not mean you have permission to just go and just spend it any type of way you want because I'm sure there has to be a for any type of spending that is taking place. So, I I'm and Doctor Leverette can correct me if I'm wrong. Are these amounts that are listed here? Are they different? Did we increase our monthly limits? Do we increase these amounts from last year? No. But it even that. Please
correct me if I'm wrong because I too would like to make sure that we all have an understanding of how this works. These are limits as to how much a person could spend in a month. This does give permission to some of the departments that they highlighted was for the business office or even for the accounts payables who has a very large limit. This does not give them permission to just go and spend these dollar amounts. This is how much is allotted that month But do
they have to get approval before they spend anything for for their respective departments? That is correct. And the other date option. The other thing that I would add, that was a great point that you made, Trusty Miller, and considering what has happened in our country as of five oh five this afternoon. We may have to go back and reallocate a tremendous amount of how we are governing ourselves as a district within Pontiac School District as well as the state. So again, I I don't want to
get us off topic but as you know, the Supreme Court has agreed to dismantle the US Department of Education just so everyone knows as a 505 PM this afternoon. There are serious implications for the future of Pontiac School District and and very soon I would like to meet with the board of trustees because we need to have a serious conversation in terms of what is our plan of action to make sure that we're still able to provide a viable education for our students
in districts like Pontiac that are going to suffer tremendously because of these changes. Normal finish. Go ahead. One of the second parts of my question is, this can be the first step of us reallocating these these funds. Um I am going to recommend for a discussion that we table this because I can't consciously and in good faith vote as at all and support anything with this exuberant amount of money to just give Even though they may not, they may or may not spend it
but to have accessible to a hundred thousand dollars a month. Uh not in good favor good conscious but I ever support that. So again, let me let everyone know that if we table this and school is getting ready to start, something as simple as classroom supplies, professional development opportunities for our staff. It will cause grave harm. So, please keep that in mind. I would not advise the board to do that at this time but I am certainly amenable to us doing a a quick turnaround to have
some discussion about this but this is going to cause grave harm to our schools and our students to table something like this at this time. Question, madam chair. Yes. And I understand that, Doctor Liberette. But my question to you, What is the hurt or harm to come back to this board within a week or two with new numbers? We call a special meeting because remember, I've been saying, just because we're summer, education doesn't stop. And the new
news today say, that we need to continue to work through the summer. On what we need to do. So, why can't we table this and come at another time at a special meeting because you say you want to talk to us? Why can't we come to another meeting, special meeting, and then have a closed session to be able to discuss with you what you need to discuss with the trustees and bring us different numbers so we can look at it prior to upspending needed to be done. I know we're on summer vacation and I know we say people listen, for these
children, I'm not stopping and I'm not trying to get on my high horse or pedestal. Things are changing. So we have to change too. Now, and I'm going to say this, if there's a specific budget in my house that was this last year and because the economy the way it is this year, we're having discussion on changing the budget. So, I understand, you saying, take a look at this but the president has the authority to call a special meeting. We come back with
different numbers. We take a look at it, have a close session, meet with you on the discussion you want to talk about, some of the changes that are going on, which is necessary. Then, we move forward and we go from there. So, based on what's going on right now in the world, it's how we need to base on what we're doing here for our children. That's all I'm saying. Uh I know people want to take a break and people go on vacations but Trump ain't stopping. And if I may by doing what has been suggested. Superintendent Leverette, we can curtail these
numbers to ensure that we stay and save. Hypothetical situation, if we reduce and with the exception of our principles and some basic directors with the exception of those, if we reduce those and cap those monthly limits, we could see where we could save because let's just off the top of my head Number two, which is vacant, hypothetically, if they were
allowed to spend 250000, twenty-5, the whole 25 per month, I did 10 months, that's $250, 000. We could, we could take 100 thousand off of that. Do you see my, I'm not saying we would but I'm just trying to give an example. If we go back and and look at these and truly try to align our moneys with the resources because we already know. And then let's look at based on out. We know Trump is going to dismantle the educational
department. Let's see how much money that we can shave off to give to to add to absorb some of that that we will not get. So so again, I'm not coming against anybody. It's just for me, fiscal management. Right. This we we just have to start looking at things and then when we talk about I'm really tired of being under the gun. Every time I turn around, when we're voting, we have to do this. We have to do this. We knew last year and I
won't even on the board that you have an organizational meeting every year. Almost every single thing that we do is a continuous from year to year. Am I correct or am I wrong? So, with that being in mind, we should not be under the gun. Just like we're we're approving calendars for meetings and we're proving the PA calendars. We should have also have a calendar of things that are due and the due dates so we can I I think as trustee Miller has been promoting
timelines. Give us some timelines. What what's do? What's needed? I think that way those types of things put in place will allow us to become a more effective and smooth running board. I yield Thank you, Trusty Dooley. Yes, trustee Miller. Doctor Doctor Leverick. I understand what you're saying as relates to the principles may need to make some purchases. The teachers are we have lower principles. I'm sorry. I don't I
haven't mentioned the principles at once me because there's there is $2, 000 monthly limit. Um it's more on the administrative side. Uh in the central office, we're all the bulk of the money is. Is there a way that we can give to to those people that are working on the frontline with our children so they can order things and put immediate halt on things that are going on here in the central office that we can have some further discussion on because $2, 000 a month and that's directly going I would assume that's directly going
towards our children but $100, 000 is something that we need to further discuss That's my recommendation. Thank you. Thank you Trusty Miller. Is does someone want to put them up? Any more questions or comments in regards to the the procurement card authorization positions? Yeah, I do have a question. Okay. I'm I'm asking you, if we table this, are you looking at having a a meeting within the future very soon so we can continue once we get the numbers or? Well, it all depends on how it would probably be two weeks but it depends on Doctor Leverette. What?
When how soon she could get this information? Uh all we're asking is that we take a look at the limitations on the specific amount of high and I mean, because I know the facilities, Marv's going to need some money even months because of what he does. Right. But you present to us the the the minimum that these departments can take right now as a and here's the thing, if we remove just $50, 000 from the from the accounts payable. If there
is something specific that month that goes over the $50, 000 that he has to spend, why can't you bring it to the board for a vote? Say, listen, you guys, I really need this. I'm only only have 50000 but I need another ten. So, can you approve this? Bring this to us. Why not? The other thing I'd like to add. Hold on. Hold on. I'm I'm waiting on the answer. Hold on. Okay, I'm sorry. Thank you. You said, why not? If we change the numbers. Mm hmm. And in that department, they have to go over
the allotted amount that we give them now once we change the numbers and they need more money. That month, why can't they present it to the board? And say, you guys cut me from $100, 000 to 50. But this month, I have to spend seventy-five. So, I need another twenty-five thousand. Why can't that be presented to us? It can be presented. That's what I'm asking you. It can be presented. So, the answer is is not that it can't be presented. I think one of the potential challenges is if there's a
piece of equipment, the same piece of equipment that we had an issue with at Pontiac High School, it could be an issue with backlogging and getting things in in a timely manner but yes, let's move forward and absolutely do that. Yes, we can. Right, because if if equipment goes Friday night, you're not going to you think and you're going to need something to spend for that Friday night and you can't wait til Monday to fix the equipment it. Yeah. Something like that. I'm giving you an hypothetical. It could just depend on if there's an emergency, if there's something that could
potentially take a long time just like when we were in COVID. But no, I'm saying to you, yes. Let's have a conversation about it. It could potentially be something that we could absolutely do. That's all I'm asking is that we we table this the allotted time that you need to get new numbers. Uh huh. We come back for a special meeting and we and then we vote on this and then we have a close session to discuss what your alternative plans on dealing with things because things are changing. That's all I'm asking Okay. So. Thank
you. Hi. Thank you. Uh VP. I'm I'm I'm almost there. Thank you. On this side was a VP bombing and then Rusty Dooley or Rusty Dooley, did you? Thank you. Um are there any purchases that need to go out that's pending that we need to address in in any regard before we table this entire thing. Is there any purchases that we need to look at or anything pending going out? In any of these offices? Not that I'm aware of right off hand that I could share but I could
get that information to you all. Yes, I'm checking on No. Thank you. Yup. Trustee Dooley. Just a follow up would be by putting these constraints in, it would curtail any fraudulent spending. So, we don't we can eliminate or at least control frivolous or fraudulent spending because hypothetical situation of course. I'm sure it has not occurred but it crossed my mind. Um.
Not because they commit fraud. They're going to jail. Well, I'm I'm just what I'm saying is money tempts people. We know that and I'm not saying it's tempting anyone here but money will tempt you. When you have access and when you have access to this kind of money, hypothetical again. Uh huh. It's easy to hide things because there's no total check imbalance on these monies and I'm just going to use the 76, 000 or $100, 000. If if creative spending
could occur. So, I would like us to look at dropping those limits and coming back to the board for expenditures that go over. Uh I think it's it they shouldn't have more of a threshold than you have for spending. You you are hooded. So, noted. Thank you. Any other questions? Yes. Well, I will I I want I would like to make a motion. Point of order. I like to make a motion that we break this up
and allocate the principals, athletic director, people who are actually physically like the facilities. People who are getting supplies for our students that they need. They should have access to that because if you need two weeks hypothetically, that's that's getting really close to close to August and we don't want. Again, we want, we don't want people to be rushing. So, if there's things that need to be purchased prior to the speaking of school year, the the
principals should have access. It's just $2, 000 a month. I don't see where how we could really decrease that by much more. That's not my concern. So, that's my motion on the floor is that we break this up and give the principals to athletic directors, anybody who's working directly with our children facilities to be to have access to these funds to be able to make purchases prior to us make having a another discussion to fine line the larger allowances for funding. I do have a question. I do. I
want to say before you entertain the motion. Okay. You need to tell us. I'm asking you to tell tell us. I'm not saying you mean to. I'm not your. But I think it would be in the best interest of this board because you made the statement that there's some purchasing that needs to be done And I think you should make us aware because I don't think the principal's going to spend on anything right. They're not even here. That they're going to spend money within the next two weeks if we table this is what I'm saying. So if there's specific things that has to
be purchased within two to three days before the two week then because you made the statement some things have to be purchased. I don't think this $2, 000 that the principals are getting is money that they spend on immediate supplies that they have to do now. Cuz they're not even here. All I'm saying is what is detrimental that has to be spent prior to the two weeks or if we can get all of this done before any spending is done within two weeks. Okay. You you make that thing. Doctor Devison, can you share
with us what the needs are just as an example because she's here as far as it relates to curriculum and instruction. So I can only to Diane Perez. I know what you all are saying and that is principals need to order their supplies and you are correct in that. But those orders go through the curriculum department by way of Miss Jeter and by way of Miss Jackson. And some of those funds are funded from grants which Diane uses her credit card. So say for instance here at the
board meeting you will approve this last time you approve all of the curriculum orders which were like a a hundred and10, a hundred and fourteen, a twenty. Well, Diane would not be able to utilize the credit card if you reduced it down to 20 000. So, supplies are ordered through the credit card. So, I hear what you're saying that Diane has the opportunity to order and yes, she does but she's ordering the supplies for a building administrator. Mm hmm. So, if that's occurring, then,
why are we allocating individual moneys if they're running through Diane anyway. So that's level two. So planting? No. Just like the the everyday supplies the building administrators. So as the building administrator, I might order paper. That's minimum. But for like the resources that we use for students on a everyday basis, they don't. The building administrator do not order those supplies. And in most instances, like we have been saying,
administrators usually don't even use up to $two000 dollars. But say for instance, if they have a field trip, that money is allotted in their card so that they can reconcile with the business office. So, that's just an example. Doctor. Doctor Donaldson, just go a question. So, in regards to ordering, I think I hear you saying that the discrepancy lies with each individual Principal can order what
they deem necessary for their ability but on a financial and more judiciary responsibility, it would seem that we know all schools would utilize paper. All schools would utilize pencils, etcetera, staples, and so forth. Why would not we order on a bulk situation to get better pricing, save money, and then we have some distribution where they went and picked up the stuff. Okay. If I may? Yes. Doctors have a
deficit. Let me, let me, here's the thing. Marvs, he, they supply the needs like paper, things like that in Mulby. No, no, hear what I'm saying. They get there everything. They get mob sexual applies them if they're needed. He keeps the bulk amount of papers and things that they need as pertains to paper and and what I'm speaking of is it pertains to the two thousand. I mean, I'll give you an hypothetical. You have a science class experiment and they don't have enough guinea pigs to experiment on. 10 kids don't have em. The principal
can go and purchase with her $2, 000. To purchase something at that time of need because that's part of their month that what they need for that month and then seek reimbursement. Am I right? Am I right? Mars supplies, yes. They have a way of getting pencils and papers like that. But there are specific things that they may need at that time that Marv can supply him with. Right? She'll have they'll have the ability to go out and am I saying it right? Yes. Yep. Help me out. Now am I. Yeah. Please somebody say let that's what it is. These are
specific items that's needed that they can't get at that time and it allows them is this monthly $2, 000. If they need extra items for the science class that's not given to them by the district or paid by Diane. At that time they can purchase them. Yeah. And maybe resubmit to Diane and said I had to use my card to get this. Can I be in reimburse through this grant because I paid out of my $2, 000. These are specific monies used for specific items that's needed on a monthly basis. Not just papers already. Marv takes care of that.
They order through Marv. There's a budget for that. Right? Right. Okay. That's why and I just wanted to make you aware. No disrespect. No, I didn't take it as disrespect. I I'm just still, my mind is still trying to wrap around. Right. Uh knowing that we are about to embrace all of these cuts. How can we But you gotta have. Slash suspended and I understand. You, that was a good example. Right. With the pigs because you could run and get some pigs but not the paper. Right. But I'm just saying, we just have to do better and look at these and
see how we can save some money. Any One more question. So, hypothetical, I didn't spend my $25, 000 my allocation or I didn't even spend my whole three thousand. So, what I did spend, I spent half of the 1500. I spent 1500 up to $3, 000 allocated. When it's time for the next monthly district distribution of the money, do I get the entire 3000
or would I only get 1500 to bring my monthly spending back to 3thousand. How does that go? And it if if I can just try to answer these questions. These are what is is like a credit card for each of these departments. And so every month they have a credit limit. Yes. Just like those of us that may have credit cards. Every month you have a limit. Just because you have a limit or a maximum amount. That does not mean you have to spend your maximum amount. That means that's
was is allotted to you. So to your question, Trustee Dooley. If you spent $1, 500 for the month of July, in August, your limit will be $2, 000. Every month, the limit is the same regardless of how much money you spent. It doesn't accumulate, it doesn't carry over. Yeah, nope. It does not carry over. Every month and again, these limits are put in place so that we can allow the departments to function and do what they need to do to carry on the day-to-day work of the
district. Understandably, you you there may be some question in terms of the limits may seem high but as Doctor Devison pointed out, there are some expenses that they may incur that are from multiple areas as to why accounts payables would be as it is. If there's an in you all know better than I do what that looks like but that's the reason why certain departments limits are higher because of the types of types of transactions that take place. As you
see, it's a consistency across the board as to how much funding a principal is receiving for that school. It's the same for all of em. So, again, I just want us to be mindful. These are limits. Whether we cut their limit or not, they have to come before. It all has to be approved and there is a person that has to sign off on everything that's being spent whether that comes to the board or whether it goes to their department head or administration. So, We can easily say, nope, I don't want
accounts payable to have $100, 000 monthly limit on their spending card. I want it to be fifty. Granted, when they get to their max for whatever the reason, they have to come to the board. Excuse me, the board has to approve it. It's the same thing that will just continue to happen. It just prevents them from having to come for the board approval if that's what we're suggesting as opposed to getting the approval from their Um the administrator that's in So, again, these are limits. It does not carry over. It doesn't give
anybody permission to say, every month, you can max out your $2, 000. It's not it's saying that this is how much you have on hand to operate the daily functions of your school or department and again, everything has to be approved. So, I just want to make sure that we're clear with that while we're saying we're cutting. It's not like the they're getting this money in their hand. This is just their card. Should they have emergency. Should they need to pay for transportation to a field trip? Should they need to pay for
something? We should be happy that we can entrust our employees to be responsible enough to handle the day-to-day in their school without them having to report to the Board of Education for every single thing that they do. So, I just want us to be clear and be mindful of that as we move forward and determine how we want to proceed. As a board, put a motion, whatever you're thinking that how we should handle this, that's fine. Put a motion but I just wanted us to be clear because whether we table it not. Hearing from Doctor Leverette,
her giving us recommendations as to what she cut. These limits too. It's the same. I mean, she can give us a recommendation and we can approve it and then when they have a purchase, they can just bring it before the board or we can let them continue to function. And not have to come back as quickly as they would. With us saying that we want to decrease their limits. But Imma I I just want us to understand that and move forward so we can. And understand. And if I'm if I can I hear you. And I don't want us to
keep going back and forth. But I I I need I just need for us to have an understanding Alright? Mm hmm. If these were the same numbers from last year that we gave them. Right? I am trusting them that it's been doing. We do this every year. Uh huh. But I'm saying times have changed from last year. We have laid a numerous amount of people off. All I'm asking is that you go back to these specific departments that have these high
limits and say, what is the minimum you can utilize now because things have changed. The money's amount have changed. Government has changed. So, if right now, you can, I know we gave you a hundred 000 last year and you didn't use it every month but because the budget has changed a little bit, can you just do 75 right now? Diane, we know we gave you 76 and at times, specific things happen but right now, can you just do sixty? Because things have changed? You
understand what I'm saying? Because my last question is, you gotta have $100, 000 from somewhere in order to give them the limit. Where's the $100, 000 coming from? The general budget. Correct? Am I am Doc? Am I right? Yes. Right. So, that's $100, 000 you have to keep. For this specific department for that credit card. For the month. For every month. You gotta keep a hundred thousand. If they spend it, you replenish it from digital fund.
Am I right? Get what I'm saying? Yes. And so you have to maintain those amount of moneys in your general fund balance to continue to hold these amounts to where they are on a monthly basis. So all I'm asking if we table this, just go to the departments and say, what is the minimum? Because we know things have changed in this world. What is the minimum that you and I understand
what you're saying, Doctor Anna? I have no issue with that but I retired. So, my budget is different from when I was working. So, I had to lower some of the things I did because I don't have that money near my account anymore like I used to when I was working to continue to live. So, I made some adjustments based on the economy and my position. That's all I'm asking. So, if we table this, maybe the department says, we can't go lower than 1 hundred thousand. Bring that
number. Diane says, I can't lord in seventy-six. Bring that number but at least you justify why. Because things have changed. That's all I'm asking. Just take a look at it. Georgetown, one final note. Is there excuse me, Doctor Hannah and Doctor Lavert that you can create a some kind of template that will show when they have the spendings what it was spent on and how it directly
supports educating our students. How does it support academic sustaining How, how, how, because again, we're we're going to see some poorest times coming. Trust me. We we're going to need to do everything we can to maximize our dollars, to ensure we get our bang for our buck. So, if and I don't know if this goes to the policy committee that we create a policy that ensures that when they're spending and and
then it'll it'll probably evoke something in their mind to make sure that they're not even doing fibroid spending. We have to show how our spending supports directly correlates to educating our student. So, I would like to see that in an effort to align our resources that we show directly how it supports student learning. Yes, Trustee Dooley, thank you. We do have those policies, procedures, and templates in place currently as a district. We have been using those for a number of years and they are
directly aligned to how we support student learning outcomes whether it's academically, whether it your attendance, whether it's social, emotional learning, all of those are directly related and it's tied to our MKIP our Michigan Continuous Improvement plan as well as all of the building level plans that they have in place for student achievement. So, that is in alignment and be happy to share that with you. So, could that be like included, inclusive of our regular
package? So, we could we could get, I know you meet with your cabinet monthly or even weekly probably. Yes. So, monthly, we be able to get an overall report. Uh huh. I don't want to see that. That's day to day. We can see things. Well, I just, I mean, the overall, I don't I don't have to, I don't have to see day-to-day functioning but I would like to see the moneys align with how they have directly supported spending because if we look at the pattern and we look at what's going
on, perhaps we as a governing oversight board, we may have suggestions to say, hey, have you thought about this? If we do it this way but you don't what you don't know, do you know it? Yeah. And we do that at when we have a board study session with the budget. I don't know what we should have said. This. Trustee goes, something like this has to be ongoing. It it can't be for 1 one thing, one cycle. We, this has to be ongoing because you, yes, if you want study sessions can have once a
quarter. No, no, I'm saying what I'm asking for when we talk about alignment of resources. It's ongoing. Yes, trust what I'm saying. Trustee Dooley and Trustee Growth just for the sake of time. That information when it does to come to before the board for approval. It is included in the bear to show what it is supporting. Whether it's for what the department, those the accountants coming from. So, the request for funding does show how it is supporting or aligning with this specific need for the district and of
course, it is ultimately going to impact the education, the learning for our students. So, that is something that does take place. When those things come before the board but I want to be again respectful for everybody's time. I think Trustee Miller had something to say and we're going to ask for the motion so that we can move on beyond this point. I would like to point of information. I would like to remove my motion to give to do half of it and make a motion that we table this to the maximum two weeks, maximum to set a date within the next day so that we can have this and
present it to our our our staff so that they can know what's so they can have an update and they don't have to wait. So, for a maximum weeks. Table's entire, this entire document so that we can realign, readjust, and approve it more fitting to the needs for this day and time. Okay. Support, if you made a motion. She got a Christian right here. It's just a table. Table there, twenty-5, twenty-six procurement card, authorization position. Yeah. That's I would like to make a motion to
table the twenty-five twenty-six procurement Card authorization. Card authorization. Thank you. Can I add to that motion? No. Okay. There's no need to proceed. The bank lower You ready? Trust us, I'm sorry, sir. Trustees Secretary Davis Smith. Oh, no. No one supposed to be duty supported. Oh, duly supported. Oh, absolutely. It's been moved by Trustee Miller and supported by Trustee Dooley to table the approval of the twenty-five twenty-six procurement card
authorization positions. Any questions? Broke off please. Um I voted yes. Trustee Dooley. Trusty Grove? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Mvp bomb. Yes. That passes 6 on. Alright, thank you very much. Continuing on with our agenda. Now, we have the 25 26 authorization of bank depositories and signatures. Chinese singers. Yes. Good evening. Um I'm doing this in the state of Jim
Graham again. Pursuing to the Pontiac School District bylaw section zero zero code P zero 154 subsection A, the board shell at the organizational meeting, designate depositories for school funds for MCL three eight zero point one two two one. Therefore, the following banks are designated depositories in which the school district of the city of Pontiac, Michigan may legally deposit moneys for the period of July one 2025 to June 30, 2026. Designation of depositories for the twenty
twenty-five, 2026, fiscal year, our PNC Bank, 5th third bank, America Bank, Chase Bank, Bank of America, and the Huntington National Bank. School District of the City of Pontiac collects and disperses moneys for its operations. These monies are deposited in banks in the name of the school district of the city of Pontiac. It may be written upon with checks signed by authorized bank signatories. The following will formally be designated as signers on the account. Superintendent and board treasurer. It is recommended of a of a
miss recommended by administration at the Board of Education approved. The attached resolution authorizing the appropriate depositories and to be utilized for the fiscal year 2025 and 2026. Alright, thank you very much. Any questions board trustee? Yes, I do. Yes. Being that we just had an election today and that we don't technically have a trustee. I mean, I'm sorry, a treasure to add as a signature. It procedurally, do we add the previous treasure or do we wait until we actually have another
vote to see who the treasure will be? Before we move forward with this. I believe the president was going to appoint Miss Smith Davis and mister Terry as the interim. Is that? Yeah, they are but I'm just but again, for the sake, I'm sorry if I can. This is saying that this is the the positions of the the position that superintendent and the board trust treasurer are the ones that are signers, not the persons. Correct. Because whoever it is that sits in the seat of superintendent and
treasurer will be the sign of correct? Correct. Okay. So, it doesn't matter who the person is that sits in those seats. Well, thank you for the clarity. Question would be, we don't have anyone from the business office on signer as a signer. Are we talking about our treasurer that sits here? Correct. Mm hmm. So, we don't have we we're only we're multi-million-dollar corporation. We only have two signatures on on stuff and then my next question would be so at what point does the board president have
authority to sign? Uh when it comes to signing checks, checks. He or she doesn't. No, that's separation of duties. So, the persons that are obligated and as we have. The reason. Excuse me. First The reason why the question was asked, I've seen your your signature different places but I just want to make sure that we're not doing ourself a disservice, only having two signatures on a multi-million-dollar business corporation. Thank you, Dewey. Any
other questions? Right. We will move down to the next item on the agenda for authorized signer. Tony Secrets, that's back to you. Oh, okay. Um authorized signer, pursuing to the Pontiac School District bylaws, section 0, zero, zero, zero, code PO zero one, five, four, section B, the board shall at the organizational meeting, designated person, or persons authorized to sign checks, contracts, agreements, and purchase orders for the period of July one, 2025 to June 30, 2026. The
authorized China shall be the superintendent of schools, or his or her design the fifth fiscal year 202five, 2026. Okay, trustees, any questions? I have one. Okay, trust me. So, what are, what's the constraint for who the superintendent can put in as a designated signator and how many can she or he, well, she, because she, our superintendent. How many can Doctor Leverette have? Uh I'm just concerned that when you get into
multiple signatures, and they're not there, that's where mismanagement can fall into place or Imma leave it there. Permit? Yes. Trustee Grimson. No, no, no, I'm sorry. I I don't with all due respect, Trustee Gross, I know you have a wealth of knowledge but I'm asking questions because I need to know who knows what. I I know you know a lot. You've been here 12 plus years. We got in in no disk, no snow. No, I'm
not accepting. I'm not taking it down. Okay. But the reason why I'm saying that is because. Ifs in her absence, there's a designee. You don't want multiple people to be able to sign off. Yes. So, my question is, you're right. There has to be some semblance of who's in line to sign like a succession, a succession plan because if she's not here to run, then
I think it would defer to, I'm just, I don't know if this is true but the next person would be assistant superintendent, or I'm, I'm just saying. But. What's the succession? What's the people saying? Only for it to be a safeguard, safe point. So, say for the instance, if I see your name on a check, it should not be I'm just giving you an example. Correct. So, I would like to know. Just this is just the trustee Dooley wanting to know in order to remember, I'm new. Right. And remember the stuff that I'm
asking for is for what will be utilized for me moving down. So, then, once I get a a grasp and a a working knowledge of a bunch of stuff, I won't have to revisit this. So, that's why I'm saying, if if Doctor Leverett is one and then we have the trustee would be one, two, and three in a succession because if she said it was you next, I hypothetical and then you sick too. You're out ill. Who's next in line? That's all I'm asking. But can I have a
succession plan of who our signatures are? Because I I'm trying to figure out where does the business office come into play? For signing. What what we're giving all the doctorette? Be Doctor Devison and then it will be Ashley. Those positions. Correct. So, where does the business office come in? To keep, I mean, okay. So, I guess what I'm thinking we have curriculum signing. We have HR
signing. Where does our business office do we even need a business office if they not doing the business? Any other questions? comments? Alright, moving down. Next one. Attorney Seagers, item D, authorized signer. Yeah, I thought we just did that one. We did? Nope. Oh, no. We did. Um yeah, that's the one we just did. So, now we're doing resolutions for. Oh, resolution. Okay, I have. Resolution offer authorization. Election on it. Electronic transfers and ETO. The board shell at the organizational
meeting pursuing to board policy 6144 adopt a resolution authorizing agents to complete such transactions on behalf of the board. The following will formally designate the superintendent or other appropriate designee responsible for the school District's ACH agreements including payment approval, accounting, reporting, and generally overseeing compliance with the ACH policy. All ACH invoices are to be approved prior to payment. It is recommended by by administration that the Board of Education approved the attached
resolution authorizing electronic transactions for the fiscal year twenty twenty-five, 2026. Okay, thank you very much. Any questions, trustees? Um Um what point in time will approvals come before what's what's what's the threshold for the signers not to have the right just to sign without any conversation with the board. Right now, that dollar amount
is roughly thirty-one thousand. It's like 308 820 or something so. So, less than $31, 000, they have a right to sign without any other before approval from the board. When you when you say that, I'm just the superintendent. She she has that authority pursuing to your board policy. Or the other signers, the designees? Um not without her authority. Not not without her signing it. So, I think what I'm here you say is the amount that Doctor
Leverette has is roughly 30, 800 that she can sign without any app for any for any conversation with this body of members, am I correct? That's correct. Thank you. Oh. Okay. Any other questions? Alright, moving down to action items. Can I get a motion for the approval of the twenty-five twenty-6 authorization of bank depositors and bank signatures? So move.
Support. It's been moved by BP Bowman supported by Trustee Growth for the approval of the twenty-five twenty-six authorization of bank deposits and bank signatures. Any questions? Roll trusty dually. Which one are we voting on again? The bank signatures. Yeah. It's B. Item B? Yes. Trusty Gross. Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Vp Bowman? Yes. Not voting yes. That passes six oh. Thank you. Can I get a
motion for the approval of the twenty-five twenty-six? Authorization electronic transfers and ETO. So board. Support. It's been moved by trustee growth supported by BP Bowman for the approval of the twenty-five twenty-six. Authorization electronic transfers and ETO. Any questions? Roll call. Trustee Groves? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Dp Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee? Yes. That passes six odds. Can I get a motion for
the approval of the authorized signer? So move. Support's been moved by Trustee Grow, supported by BP Bowman for the approval of authorized signer. Any questions? Roll call. President Hannah. Yes. Trustee Miller. Yes. Bp Bowman? Yes. I'm voting yes, Trustee Dooley. Yes. Trusty girls. Yes. That passes six oh. Thank you very much. Moving down the agenda under General Council Human Resource items for
discussion, professional agents of record for the twenty-four25 fiscal year. Attorney Seagers. Is that question? Should that be 20 by 26 or is this correct? Twenty-four 25? Uh it says twenty what says 2526 maybe? Yep. On my paper. I'm sorry. It does say twenty-five. Only. But I think. On the agenda? Yes. Okay. Correct. On the Barrett's office is twenty-five. Okay. Correct. So this is we're having discussion for professional agents for the twenty-five, 26th fiscal year. That's correct. Attorney Seagers.
Board policy zero one seven two provides that a decision to seek legal advice or assistance on behalf of the school district shall be made by the superintendent since action shall occur as it is consistent with approved district policy or standard practice and meets an obvious need of the district. It may also take place as a consequence of formal school board action. The superintendent is also to provide the board on at least an annual basis, a list of firms to be utilized. The pro list is attached for board consideration. It is the recommendation of administration that the Board of Education consider
the legal firms provided as a district's professional agents of record for the twenty twenty-five, 2026 fiscal year as more specifically set forth from the list attached here too. Okay, thank you very much. Trustees, any questions? Alright. Next item for discussion is PGS contract extension. Attorney Seagers. The district's contract extension with Professional Ground Services PGS expired on June 30th of 2025. The administration is recommending the Board of Education approve a one year extension of this
grounds contract. We believe it is in the district's best interest to extend the grounds contract with PGS. If we lose PGS, we may also lose the monthly rent that the district is receiving for renting space at the Fells Center. The quality of work response time for district needs has been a great value under our current contract. Our current grounds crew is also responsible for maintaining and painting the athletic fields to ensure fields are ready and properly painted. PGS also cleans the vacant district owned building property. Debris that's dumped on site. They
also will remove any large debris or urgent items needed by the district. Since the bond issue was successful, district staff has been busy coordinating all the related activities. It would be not be a good to also introduce a new service contractor and all the learning curve and potential issues that was resolved. There is no increase in the monthly contract amount. It is a recommendation of administration that the Board of Education approved the nine-month extension of the professional ground services contract for ground services and it
amount not to exceed 3 hundred and three thousand, seven hundred and sixty dollars and 76 cents. From July 1 2025 through June 30, 2026. Trustees, any questions? Point of order, please let the minutes reflect that while the agenda states two thousand, twenty-four, 2000 twenty-four, five, we are actually voting on twenty-five, twenty-six. Let the minutes reflect. Any questions, Trustee regarding professional ground service, I do
have a question. Um is there a reason why we're just extending it? The contract as opposed to renewing the contract? Um I mean, I guess six to 1, half a dozen of the other. It's there's the contract has extensions on the end of it and they were at the end and and you know, we have the ability to exercise a a one-year extension at the end of that contract. So, are we saying next year when it ends that we'll be able to a renewal as opposed to. You guys want to, you know, look at
somebody else or look at some other, you know, vendors. Yes. Okay. Yeah. We can renew and and perhaps going to you know, longer contract. Okay. Okay. They were very they they wanted to increase the rates this year just for cost of living but we were able to to get them to hold their prices this year. So, I want to thank them for that. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions? Trustees? Yes, Trustee Miller. Again, making the same statement that I made as it relates to realigning your readjusting our
resources financially. I understand that this maybe a service How does this correlate with the rent that we're we what is the rent amount that we could possibly maybe lose if we don't or we if we don't vote on this contract or renew this contract. Extend this contract. I don't know what the exact dollar amount is but you know if there's a the way I wrote the both of these contracts both the lease for the Fell Center as
well as the agreement with them if if we stop doing services with them, we also have the ability to end the lease agreement with them. Um I forget what the exact dollar amount is as I sit here. I don't know. Duke, Marvin, do you know? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I don't I don't know. And the second part to that is being that we are moving forward with building the transportation center over here. Uh again, back I asked for a timeline of when we will be listing the Fail
Center for for sale or or moving forward with that. My concern is that we're going to again lock ourselves into $303, 000 with a contract. How long are we going to be in the Philson? Like, how are we going to move forward? At this point, I just I do not feel comfortable moving forward any substantial amount of locked in contracts until we can realign our services with our money and plan for plan for an emergency basically because we don't know what we're looking at for twenty-five, 26
school year. So, why we spend 300, $3, 000? Thank you. Any other questions? I do have a question based on Trustee Miller's comment. Um however, maybe you could help. If we don't renew, if we don't extend this contract, then does that mean we would have to bid out now to find somebody else to do these services for now until June of twenty twenty-six? In Educated High School, we have a lot of services. Yeah.
Billionaire one. Um it's it's a lot of misunderstanding when it come to grounds when it comes to your the school district. They do more than cut grass. They do multiple things for the school district. Actually saves a lot of money. Having a contractor on site. Um our athletics department. I mean again you guys just going to be very honest with you. Our demand is very high for everything. Trees fall consistently. We have issues with sub sub pumps trainings. We have issues with sinking. Things are sinking around this district. Um
equipment. You know making sure even though our buildings are closed to frosting. I apologize. Frosting Lincoln for example. They maintain a property for us. And they go and they they pick the paper up every day. We have a lot of vandalism going on around our building. So keeping those guys consistently going around our schools like that on a daily basis. Let the community know somebody always aware. As soon as I have maintenance going to build this every single day because the building is closed like Frost for example. We going to build it every single day to monitor them schools. But grounds pay a very critical part. We get people they dump almost the
entire houses on our property sometimes. And grounds go over there with a minimum cost and get that stuff up for you. Pens on extra cost or not. But on a twenty-four-hour basis, better be a snow removal is is very incredible. You have somebody. Them guys again, I apologize Doctor Larry but on my phone, Doctor Larry Rev sometimes from eleven o'clock and night to four o'clock in the morning to make sure our schools get open and them guys do a wonderful job. We have, we now order salt and we keep salt on site at the fail center to make sure that we can, we don't go to the county no more. We get to saw at at Center to
make sure it's gone. Our buses for example lead these ladies and gentlemen. They they they go seven days a week. So those parking lots gotta be plowed. Those parking lots gotta be sorted. And we gotta be ready to go at all given times. And in most cases gotta say again they do a wonderful job with us. Um the team we have in place and we work with on a daily basis. Those guys do a wonderful job assisting us in the school district. Thank you. Any other questions trustees? Yeah also. Doctor Hannah. Uh athletics has started. Yes. Practicing and they're going to start playing next
month. And it'd be extremely to have someone come in and and keep the alignment of the fields. Right. Stadium and they take everything if we again it's I'm just an independent board member. Um I think this should have been brought in June before we get to before school was over because we have kids starting athletics and training now and we now have athletic trainings within the buildings and they keep those things clean and in line for the for the summer. You actually have payout right now doing your baseball right now with your with your and our
fields have to be cut in Mark. And and line. In line. And then that happens a couple days a week. Right. Okay. Thank you. Any other questions from the trustees before we move forward? Alright, you very much. Thank you. Alright, can I get a motion for the approval of the Professional Agents of Records for twenty-five, 26th fiscal year? So, move. Sport. It's been moved by VP Bowman, supported by Trustee Gross for the approval of professional agents of records for twenty-five, 26 fiscal year. Any questions, roll call. Trustee
Miller. Yes. Bp bombing Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley? Yes. Trustee Grouse? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. That pass is six oh. Thank you. Alright, can I get a motion for the approval of PGS contract extensions? So moved. Support's been moved by trustee growth supported by BP Bowman for the approval of PGS contract extension. Any questions? More or less a comment
on my behalf? I see that that you that mister Beasley are very passionate advocating for this service and contract. Moving forward, I would appreciate if we aren't approving things that have already expired and because we now we we're desperate and we have to do it. I would like to see us be a more proactive instead of reactive when it comes to bringing forth contracts that the board needs to approve. Thank you. May I just add real quick? We we started talking to PGS in the spring and we were going
back and forth and they were they were pretty decisive about the fact that they needed an increase this year because I think they didn't do an increase last year and we almost lost them and but we kept them and they and they held their price. So, again, I want to I want to thank them again. Thank you. Yeah. Any other comments? Roll call. VB Bowman. Yes. I'm voting yes, Trustee Dooley. Can you come back to me? No. I'm sorry. We can't. We we can't do it
that way. And I ought to stay. Chelsea Grove? Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. That passes five finals. Okay, thank you very much. Alright, moving on down to communications, petitions, and delegations. I think we do have one. Um Doctor Leverette before has its statement. Yes, as it relates to the Esser funds, I just really wanted to reiterate the position that we
found ourselves in as well as districts across the country and I do want to say directly to all of you that are here. We appreciate the work that you do on behalf of children. I know that people are about what transpired but but I do want to share these sentiments with you to let you know that we understand, We understand the work that you do is very important on
behalf of our district but I did want to share with you all that on Friday, March twenty-eighth, 2025, just after 5 PM, State Education Agencies across the country, including the Michigan Department of Education, received a from the US Department of Education Secretary to announce that the deadline for reimbursement request for the coronavirus relief supplemental appropriations in American Rescue Plan Funds have been changed to that same day Friday March
twenty-8 at five o'clock PM prior to the change the deadline had been March 2-eighth twenty 26 with districts across the country including Michigan having been approved to submit delayed request for late reimbursements of their pre-approved projects. The communication was provided to impacted school districts on Monday, March 30th, 2025. Fast forward to Tuesday, May sixth, 2025, the US District Court for the
Southern District of New York, granted a preliminary injunction to stop the US Department of Education from canceling an extended timeline for school districts to request reimbursement for COVID-19. Pandemic relief funds to improve safety, health, and air quality in school districts. This communication was provided to impacted school districts on Thursday, May 8th, 2025. On Sunday, May 11th, 2025, State Education Agencies across the country, including the Michigan Department
of Education, received a communication from the US Department of Education to announce their consistent with the May sixth twenty twenty-5 order, the department was modifying the period liquidate obligations under the program to terminate on May twenty-fourth 2025. This put all districts, especially Pontiac School District in a very difficult position and I know that you are all here. You have every right to express your concern as I will be doing the
same thing. I just wanted to let you all know that this is a situation that was really beyond the disuse control. Uh and again, I just want to thank you all. I know it's a very tough time for everyone. Yes. Let me read this brief statement for a second. Um your request to address the Pontiac Board of Education for three minutes is granted with your commitment that all of your comments will be delivered with courtesy and civility. Failure to do so will
result in forfeiture of your allotted time. This Stephanie Alexander first student APRP bonus. Good evening. I'm Stephanie Alexander. Um I as well as all of my coworkers are here on behalf of the ARP funds. Yes. Um you know, we transport these children every day. We grow bonds with them. We deal with the good, the bad, and the ugly. We we build personal bonds with them. We make sure they get to and from safely and we try our best to get them to and
from school, okay? Um also with us, we have our Teamsters Union members also here with us to support us. Um we under the impression that initially the money was held to the side for us for the end of the year. So, our first question was, what happened to that money? If it was set to the side for us but outside of all of that, years prior, we didn't receive any kind of bonus, no initiation, no, no appreciation, no anything but lunch ladies, lunchmen, janitors,
groundsman, get bonuses from the city. We get nothing. Um at the end of the school year, we were all under the oppression that full-time employees will get $3, 000. Part-time employees will get 1, 500. We were supposed to get this check at the end of the school year around the 13th of June. We found out on June 5th of 2025 that those funds have been taken due to the Board of Education and everything that's going on in the world. We understand that. Um due to recent communication as of June 26th
2025, Michigan along with 1600 other states and the district of Columbia were reissue those funds. Hmm. So, I'm not sure if you guys are aware or not but now, they give you guys until March of 2026 to use those fundings. So, we're just asking seeing that we do our due diligence every day to get these babies back and forth to school and you guys are talking so many numbers and your multi-million-dollar organizations and we're sitting back here. It's the summertime. You know, these kids still have to get
back and forth. Majority, more than half of us don't even get to work in the summer. So, that's some that we were looking forward to. $1, 500. Most of us are part time and we're sitting up here talking about two-hundred-thousand-dollar month and we can't even get a $1500 check. That hurts. A lot of us is looking forward to us. Most of us are single parents, struggling on a day to day. Some of us, this is our only profession. So, we're here today just to ask you guys like to look into that. Why you're looking into your budgeting and cutting down some of these monthly budget spendings.
Look out for the ones who get your babies to and from school every day, these students. Alright. Cuz we we trying our best. And we just feel like we're old that. We're old. 1, 500 If not, all this money y'all spending every month are delegating to all these different company. Can we get more than fifteen? But you know, asking for 15 would do will make us a little happy. So, that's all I'm here for today and I believe that all my coworkers agree with us but I feel
like we we should get our bonus and if you guys want any information, I do have multiple documentations. I have actual articles and everything of them funds being reissued to those sixteen states and the district of Columbia. So, if you haven't heard it about it, please look into it because they are available only up until March of 2026 but we shoulda got that paycheck on June 13th and thank you guys and you are appreciated. Thank you. Alright, thank you. Um moving on down to board comments. We'll start with
Trustee Dooley. Good evening. Good evening to you guys. Thank you for coming out. We certainly want to extend appreciation to you. And I can make a promise as a one vote person here. That we I will look into that and see if I can share that information. Thank you. Because it's only fair. I I certainly apologize as our superintendent has expressed that it was out of our control. Those funds were called back by the states.
However, with this new information, I think it's warranted that we look into it. Thank you. Um to those in my seven thousand six hundred and seventeen voters and all the other educational stakeholders, we endeavor here to change the climate. That were perceived as not a board of understanding policy and protocol and with that being said, when you see us disagree, it's not, it's okay to
disagree and still be in agreeance. We can, we still get along when we leave here. However, myself and maybe others, we're kind of passionate at times in our positions and perhaps, we come off a little forceful but it's really the that we have for our students. We endeavor to support the academic attainment, achievement, and sustainability of our students. I want to promise to you, moving forward that we are going
to align these resources. To do better. And if it's any way, that we can do something for you. I'm sure it'll get done. Because you are a vital part. It's just like the whole body. The head cannot function without the neck. Amen. The hand cannot function without the fingers. So, I'm saying we're all knitted together in this. Be encouraged that while we all will take cuts one way or the other, that we
do as a collective body want the bus for everybody involved. Every educational stakeholder that has a vested interest in moving Pontiac District forward We do have a lot of good things going on. Summer school, get your kids enrolled. School will be starting. We are on our road to making sure we have our supplies in school. I've I've was a teacher for
many years and sometime we did not start. So, I'm excited that we are at least in front of that that we want to be prepared to open our doors to welcome our kids and then, I want to say to parents that are at home, your children will be coming to kindergarten or even our head start program. Please begin to work with your children at home. You're your child's first teacher. I had the opportunity to experience a summer camp. This summer and some of the
children don't even know their names. They know what they're called. So, I need you parents to take a look at that. Get some alphabets, write em out, do their colors, do their numbers, and we to them that will make a vital difference in behavior because they will be accustomed to sitting and listening and not so restless. Colleagues. Once again, as always, glad to see that god is keeping you safe from all
hurt, harm, or danger and I look forward to us convening real soon to do the work that we have tabled as a affirmation to endeavor to give accountability through transparency of the work that we do collectively representing you as the Board of Education for the City School District of Pontiac. With that, Trustee Jennifer Landoli bid you a good night. Miss Dooley, can I ask you a question? Can you give us the
best answer when you will look into that for us? Trust me. Trustee Miller. I cannot answer questions but I'll talk to you after. Trustee Miller. Good evening, everyone. I too thank you all for being here and I appreciate you as you pick up my son to bring him this, bringing us to and from school and to and from practice. So, I appreciate that sincerely. I am begging this administration, our our leadership for this district to
really stop dead in our tracks and take a look at what we are going to be moving forward. I know we, a lot of these the expectations is that we approve vendors that we've always used. We approve things, business as usual. When business is not as usual, we have to beat our boots on the ground, no pun intended, boots on the ground, and really get to work. My first my first ask is that it was admitted in our June meeting that the Bell Center has supplies and books
and everything like that. So, first things first, we need to distribute if it's if it's even occurring, we need to distribute but we have to stop. We talk, we do a lot of talking. We don't set timelines, deadlines, and this is a brand-new school year. It's a brand-new administration in the White House and we gotta start moving according to how they moving. We cannot move like it's business as usual. So, with that being said, we gotta with that being said, I hope that this the beginning of this
school year that we start moving different and really start getting to work and stop talking and start sending some deadlines with some timelines and move move this district forward. Thank you. Have a good night. Trustee Gross. Thank you. Good evening. It's so good to see some faces over there that I know. Listen, I know a commitment and I know how important you are because you're the first and the last line that I can't see. So, continue to do what you
do. As we continue to do what we have to do here to ensure that everybody's happy. That's our job. That's my goal. So, thank you for coming out and I know you took your time but I want to see you again. Come on out again. We just approved the cannabis and we want to see y'all at the beach. So, come on. Just go look at us online. I enjoy seeing all of you. Thank you. Uh I am so glad to be back. I missed the last meeting. Um I had surgery and
thank god thing went well and and I'm here and I'm keeping it elevated and I'm hoping within the next week, I can get these stitches out of here. So, but I'm happy to be back here and I'm sorry I missed the last meeting. Apologize to all my colleagues. Um but I want to personally thank the ministers at home, my wife at home, who truly took care of me. I didn't know she had it in her. No, I'm just kidding. Yes, she she's wonderful. She took care of me and and so I'm here today is around healthy
now. So, thank you. Um I want to send a shout out to Toycroft and his his project over at the he call it the hangout where all of our young kids, little bitty ones and I follow him a lot and I talk to him a lot and he has been doing an exceptional job over there and I think they're housed in PAE this year and he even showed some different. They had a girls club where the girls are in there doing their own thing and they
had their own staff and those boys were allowed but he's doing great work with our children Also, I want to thank Tanisha and the work they're doing with our children and we approve that and so, we gotta keep our kids busy because the idle mind is what? The devil's workshop and we're seeing some things that people want to say is because of the summer that we're having all these mishaps or shootings and all these things. No, it's because these kids don't
have anything concrete or positive to do. So parents, we got a young kid look at some of these things that the district is offering through the partnership with the city and go over to PAU with mister Craft and bring your youngsters over there. Give them something to do until school starts because he's also educating them too. Tonight was a good meeting. I'm glad we're here. Remember, always remember, education never stops. So, let's keep working and if
there's some things that we need to do, call us together. Call us to see if we're available on what we're doing and when we come back from vacation, we'll be here but education never stops. These baby needs need a concrete plan. And a concrete way of implementing that plan. But we all gotta be on one page and I agree with you. We have the right to agree to disagree but we're all here for one goal and one purpose is that's to
provide the best education we can for all our children. Everybody at this table and all of you out there. I appreciate you all and thank you and have a blessed night. Thank you. Trustee Gross. Trustee, secretary, today, Zaquana Davis. You tired too huh? Yeah. Uh good evening everyone. Um first student, thank you so much for coming out to speak on your own behalf I truly appreciate you guys. I was a first student driver. That's how I
started. I know you guys put safety first. So, I know that the majority, well, all of you. Huh? Work for the safety of our students. When we were in the comfort of our homes, you guys were out there during COVID. Um still feeding our children and I felt that it was a disservice that you guys didn't get the bonus that you you deserve. I feel that you deserve that plus more because I've seen some tragic things happen
when when drivers aren't safe with the children and things like that and we've never had that here at our district and I appreciate you. I see. I'm a driver. So, I see you guys out there early in the morning. Um waiting on your babies. I see think it's bust seventy-seven. Every child that walks on that bus is hugging her and I'm sitting there like, oh my goodness. I'mma be late. Because she getting all the hugs and
love early in the morning but I appreciate that. I I thank you guys for getting our babies there to school and home safely and I know a lot of you do more than just get our babies home. In into school safely. Y'all go above and beyond purchasing clothes, food. Mentoring our children and things of that nature. So, I appreciate y'all. Um I always say that it takes a village to raise a
kid. It takes more than just for us to be successful. It takes everyone and it starts here from the head for us to all be successful. And hopefully that Um I'm sorry, I forgot your name but I know you are. Um y'all I'm sorry. I'm tired. I can't even remember my my uncle. Yes, Stephanie. I I know that I hope that what what you read was was the truth and that we can look into those things or whatever because you
guys deserve that money. Um I said it from the beginning that because you were on that that front line when all of us was at home in the comfort of our house while our family and friends was passing away from COVID and it was unknown. You guys were still out there serving food. And I heard a lot of you guys were getting sick. And all of those things during think we we don't know what what you guys went through. But like Doctor Leverbatt
read today it was it was not we voted for you guys to to get the funding but it was person who's in charge of us that that said that you guys wasn't able to get it. So, I hope that when miss Stephanie read tonight, is truthful and that we can look into it and see that you can get your funds. Also, I would like to say that I wanted to piggyback on what Trustee Dooley stated is that me being a
kindergarten teacher and witnessing my first year, our students are coming to us in a disadvantage by not simply knowing their names, their alphabets, and things of that nature and so it makes it harder for us to get them proficient for the first grade. So, if I know parents be working and sometimes two or three jobs. So, if we have our grandparents, our aunties, our uncles, our cousins, our siblings of someone can just reach our students can just teach them
those alphabets, those sounds and stuff that can help us tremendously. Also, what Trustee Grow said is we have a lot of things going on with the school district, with the cities, with other schools. If you would just enroll your children and some of those things, a lot of times you can get transportation to and from for those events I just pray for our city and that we are safe and that our kids are healthy and safe and if you see
something, don't go the other way. Please make a phone call. Try to intervene, and help our youth. Thank you guys. Have a great night. Thank you. Trustee trust, I'm sorry. We VP Bowman. Thank you all so much for the service that you provide for the school district of the city of Pontiac. You all can be anywhere but you all choose to be here with us and it doesn't go unnoticed. We appreciate you all. Our community right now is in a very
peculiar space. Unfortunately, our youth It's going to through a time of despair. We need to lock in and lock arms and and really hone in as a community. I know that there are plenty of things that keep us separated and divided but let's find the common cause and the common goals that keep us coming together, our community, our space, our people. Most of all, our children because they are our future. I I'm committed
to serve this board of education and that means committed to serve this community. I I serve each and every person that lives in the city of Pontiac and I do it proudly because I am here for you. I'm a product of this school district. So, just know that the decisions made up here, they aren't made lightly. They aren't made to lie in our pockets personally but we are in this together because we are family. We we're going to get this right and we're going to continue to move this district
forward. Just know that you all are appreciated and we don't serve lightly. So, with my colleagues, I thank you all for your service that you do, our administration, staff, all of you. You appreciate it and I hope that everyone continues to have a wonderful and safe summer and good night. Thank you. No. We I'm sorry, sir. We appreciate you being here but we did a lot of time for public
comments. So, please excuse us but I I just wanted to say, I'm glad you all are here because you allow us to put a face with the positions. We know you all are driving and we appreciate it. We know the work that you do. We appreciate it because our kids wouldn't get to school or get home if it wasn't for you. So, please don't take what happened with the federal government cut as the Pontiac School District don't value the work that you do because we do. As it was stated, we approve for all of our employees
where we could provide extra stipends to help them and their families, we approved it but it was because of that decision that was made that caused it not to go forth. So, again, I'm happy that you all were here, not under the circumstances but I'm happy that you showed up. One, it tells us just how important you take your jobs and we need that We need people like you in your positions that truly care about what you do and it's not just about getting a check. I don't care how big or small but you being here tells us that you take your
job seriously and you care about the work that you do. So, I say thank you and I'm sure I can say that on behalf of every board member. So, again, we apologize that that happened and we will definitely look into the information that you share tonight to see if there is something that we can reconsider to help us move forward but again, decision to cut those fundings, it was not because of the Pontiac School District. I want to also thank my trustees. I want to thank you for serving. Um
this work is a it's a tireless job especially when we start getting into positions. I think we mistake the maybe it's it's the glamour or maybe it's the prestige that people assume that comes with having a title as to why everybody probably want one. But let me tell you lot of work that go behind it and I didn't choose to be here. I was appointed to be here. And so when I agreed to step in to this
position, it was because I knew that it was the best thing to do. and for me to serve in this position along with every others. It doesn't mean that I have any higher rank. It just means that it's a title in front of my name. I think that as we said before, it's a level of respect and it's a level of unity that we all have to display to show why we're here serving on the Board of Education for the City of Pontiac School District and I think
if we constantly remind ourselves that our work is here because of the children and not because of a title, not because whatever accolades you think you will get because of a title, then, I think we can move this district. We can address the business of this district a lot more efficiently if we keep that in mind. It has been a pleasure serving on the school board for the past three years. I will continue to serve on this school board for my remaining
term and I am hoping now that we have our superintendent in place that we can continue to move this district forward because there is a lot at stake for the school district of the city of Pontiac just as it is for every other public education institution in these states. We just received notification today that the Supreme Court agrees that the firing of more than 1000 education department workers can proceed. When President
Trump made his statement in his plan that he wanted to demolish the public education system. is coming forth every day. So, the things that we got to deal with in this district is beyond titles. It's beyond positions because now, it's going to impact the lives of every student that attends school in this Pontiac School District and so our concern should be more about what are we going to do to make sure that our students
continue to receive the quality of education that they need regardless of adult issues. Trump freezing 6 point 8 billion dollars in education grants. Our concern is more than whether a line item is balanced or how much money we have to think bigger than that and I think that if we continue to work together because of our interest here to serve the students in the school district is our priority as opposed to trying to say
or pick a right or wrong or pick battles. We can continue to address and make an impact in this community for this school district if we continue to remember why we are here and that is to make sure every kid you guys are picking up and dropping off every day that they are at the top of our list as to why we do what we're doing and so that might mean we have to step back and assess ourselves and ask ourselves, is this really
important for the students and the business of this district or is this more going to be an attack on the persons in charge? We all are in charge. We all are responsible for the work that we do because we were elected to do it. So, I just want to say again, thank you to those of you that have voted to continue to leadership. It needs to be consistent if it's going to be effective. When we constantly change leadership, that's not a good sign of a stable school district or
any type of organization. If leadership is constantly being changed. So, if we can continue to be consistent in our leadership, I think that's a step in the in the right direction to help us to get the results that we need. We have to work together because of and respect one another other. As Trustee Dooley say, we might not disagree on everything and that's okay. Anytime you have difference of minds or opinions or people, it's going to be a disagreement. That's okay. Families fight. Husbands and wives
fight but at the end of the day, you have to respect each other for the work that you're supposed to be doing and so again, I say thank you for choosing me to continue in this role to serve as the president but I I look forward to continuing to work with each of us because we got a lot of work to do. Every single one of these trustees on this board brings great value to this board and I'm hoping that we can use that those talents of every single one of these trustees to do something good for the school
district. So, with that being said, I thank you again. I thank you again for coming here to share with us your concerns. The time is now eight thirteen. Can I get a motion to adjourn this meeting? So, will support It's been moved by Trustee Dooley supported by VP Bowman Any questions? Well, Paul. Vp Bowman. Yes. I'm voting yes. Trustee Dooley? Yes. Trustee Gross. Yes. President Hannah? Yes. Trustee Miller. Yes.
That passes five. Thank you. The time is now 813 PM. This meeting is adjourned. Thank you all and have a good night. Worth watching. Um