I would like to make an amendment to the agenda to add agenda items under information from superintendent and administration. Under superintendent's report, a resolution in support of stormwater management plan. Initially, it was added to the agenda and we reviewed it, but the resolution was prepared and ready for today's meeting. So I would like the motion so we can add that contribution. I think it was I support, sending that. This is the motion by which we both supported by to add agenda items under information on the superintendent administration for discussion and action.
Trustee Gallo? Yes. Trustee Gallo? Yes. No problem. Trustee Tierra? Yes. I have to sign on. Thank you. If I can get a motion to approve the amended agenda, please? So moved. It's been moved by trustee Brooks, supported by secretary to include the amended agenda. Any questions? Roll call. Trustee Brooks? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Andrew T. Yes. No. No. No. Yeah. That's the system. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. State representative, Bernadette Harrison. Good evening, board president,
panel, board members. Good evening, superintendent. Superintendent. We have you on the audience and to our parents at home. This is a very important one because the superintendent and the assistant superintendent of Kosatsu Shiga Prefecture Japan will be coming to Pontiac School District. This visit represents more than a culture exchange. This is celebration of friendship and mutual respect that has grown between our two cities
for four decades. Room. That's done with glowing powers and stone. This symbol of how bonds across continents can take root, grower, and inspire future generations. This relationship has already touched the lives of our children. For those of you have that might remember, I know Canvas did to us. In 02/2017, we took 11 middle school children in 02/2017, we took 11 middle school children right from the Paliad School District to study in schools in chief profession. During this upcoming event, an upcoming visit,
I pray for themselves who will experience some part of our educational and cultural community. That itinerary includes a morning visit to ITA, followed by Vista Pontiac High School, an afternoon tour of Oakland Community College, in this the open university, and then we go in our day at the Pontiac Public Library. There's a total conference experience because if you go to the Pontiac Public Library, you will see a death which is artifact right in the middle of the room. I want to extend my deepest stage to the Conneaut Library Board,
Oakland County, and most importantly, right here, Conneaut School District. I also wanna give a brief thanks to the city city of Pontiac, Mayor Tim Brown, and the city council for allowing my team to assist them in welcoming this historic business. But most importantly, the reason why in my part that I'm doing this is because of two beautiful educators that some of you might know. Beautiful educators that some of you might know. Nancy Van Paul and Betty Esmerald. They're our ancestors now. And for this reason, I dedicate this whole entire trip For example,
being having to collect a different array of people that don't always aren't always on the same page and make them stay on the same page, make sure they're understanding everything they're teaching them. Me and kids like me and where if you get me for example, my sister is, North she's a student at North Carolina A and T, and she's a political science major. So having a political science degree, I'm just taking one of these things and everything else with avenues, and that's something from the Harvard song, When I reached out to her, I was pretty initially looking for volunteering opportunities. However, she reached back out to me, and she was so excited to get me on the team that in this mentorship
program. And even though I joined this in July and I'm a high school senior, I only really had the opportunity to experience so many events, just the block party the I've assisted the block party last week at Kennedy School, attend ASB and speak at the board of education meeting. I wanna thank everyone here for, listening and so much. And it was just incredible to kind of reuse that solution and kinda see what we can implement and what we could do and how we can better work for Unity.
Thank you, Saint Rotem's reparative. Oh, I thought that's probably fine. I'm pretty good. Can I get a motion to for the approval of the consent agenda? So move. To move. It's been moved by this year, supported by treasurer Yes. Yes. Justin Miller? Yes. Oh, I'm sorry. I can't hear you. Yes. And that that's fine. Alright. Thank you. Next, information from superintendent and administration, doctor Leverett. Thank you, president and the trustees. Good evening, and, we are just delighted to have with us volunteers from GM student board program.
Just very happy, and excited to have them with us this evening to share. And who's your own tomorrow? Any two? Excuse me. Superintendent. To be with you this evening to just share with you, a little information about this wonderful program, called the GM or JL and Lewis student. This is a professional development program for high school students. Traditionally, we hire juniors. This year, we had 80 students that we had. They serve as general almost intern for the summer.
And it's a professional that we have as an department that mentioned will it is our responsibility as retired mentors is to and likely that I of their understanding about what things that really happen in the real world and other things, that they see a lot of stuff on social media and this and sometimes, kind of motivate step in the wrong direction. So we have an opportunity to mention that and talk about, things such as, vision. We know the vision creates hope,
Home pulls them into the vision. Vision, the individual ability to see the invisible. Vision. Right? So vision creates hope, and that pulls them into a future and focus them on what they need to do to bring that vision into the manifestation. So we we, as leaders, we present leadership skills and principles so that they have a good understanding of what they're up to and what looks what they should be looking like as a leader,
as a leader, not only in the future, but now. So we have, miss Maddie Ellis with us as well. Our responsibilities, again, has retired members, we also have with us the winter summers. We have a college intern that serves as the program specialist, to get to lead them and get them through, particular deliverables that they're responsible to accomplish as leaders as leaders. So I'm gonna have miss Patty talk a little bit more about those.
Thank you. Good evening. Thank you. Good evening. Thank you. What we do with our students is not just with Pontiac High School. This program with John Waters, it's with the fourteen, fifteen on the high 14 on the high schools across Southeast Michigan. And we have the privilege of only spending eight weeks with them. It's a very, tedious, programmable, fun, engaging leadership opportunity. And so we use this road map at the stage of the eight weeks that we spend together. We are really set on helping them achieve,
as mister Lee said, their vision. It's about leadership, not just leading, but being a servant of a leader. And so we do volunteer work. We do life skill work. We are always engaged in projects. Projects not only for the community, but for the school as well. And as we do those projects, we have them become leaders of those projects. It's various projects that we do. So each leader creates a plan, creates a budget, follow through with all of the details to make that plan come to fruition.
And so each day in the life of a student at John Rose, that's U of D University, a U of T University College, a day in the life of a a student. We spend time and having them look at artificial intelligence and a GM location and various locations. We spend time with them, financial day where they learn about the importance and how to manage money. So we spend time doing resume writing, skill building, LinkedIn, which is an opportunity for them to to post the job opportunities.
And then we really have a live what is called a mock theater, where we have not just internal to us. We actually have a company come in and do mock interviews with them to show them, but it is it's necessary. One of the basic backgrounds that we use as we talk with the students is how are you living? Home of somebody, but how are you living outside when nobody else is watching? And so that's where the leadership comes into fruition. So we have a very rigorous eight weeks that we spend with them, and we end with the opportunity for them to share what they've done from the
summit with some executives. They present. They end up dining with a five in a five star kind of setting with, servers, and we spend a lot of learning etiquette. Because I've learned that sometimes when students sit around and eat, they tend to do things like few hours learning a lot of tickets, which translates into a real life experience on the final day with leaders. So that's it. You know, Now I'd like to introduce you to at least three of our students. I would like to introduce you to at least three of our students. I would like to introduce you to at least three of our students. I would like to introduce you to Now I'd like to introduce to to at least three of our students. I will be a.
Hello, everyone. My name is Delaney Martinez. I'm an increment senior at Pontiac High. So last year, this program, it really did a lot for me. I've had a lot of students at our school, and I don't really get opportunities. And for, like, lower gradients class, like, students who don't do as well as school, it really got a different opportunity to want to do better because the students who do get better grades, like, we get different opportunities. But we had to have a certain gain in this program. And I feel like that really makes the one. I did do a lot of stuff in this program.
I got to do a lot of community service. I did work at home school. I did work at the courthouse. I got to go to a boys and girls club. So and it also made me put myself out there where I introduced myself to almost a 100 different people. A lot of interesting. And mister P, he was he was really great. He taught me a lot of lot of lot of lessons. And I feel like, you know, I reconnected deeply with both my mentors. And like the said, she wrote the question, how are you living? It made me realize, like, life is more than I can make it and, you know, make a difference in life rather than just grind through.
And what else? Oh, definitely. Hi. My name is Joshua. I'm a Hi. My name is Jonathan. I make company GMAT class. And that was one of the yeah. Like, brand new badges for the courthouse. Yeah. It was it was I would say it was very fun, nagging around, nagging things with the budget and stuff like that. Thanks. Hi, everyone. My name is Johnson Spielman. I'm an incoming senior at high end price. Well, I was also one of the project leads for the courthouse at the conference program. They talked me a lot about what I need to work on as a peer,
And I realized that, I need to learn how to smile more and, but making this possible way to talk to people. I also learned that it would work better on my time management. This program talks a lot of students that we needed, practicing with interviews, probably doing these jobs, really tedious, or at least going to week and also having a second job, all the time in the season. It's time like these, you know, but it's, opportunity to learn. And they came forward with a great day to get off the trip because it's so funny to me and my friends. I was able to work on my budget and save in money.
I think I have about $2,300 saved in. I plan on putting more in there, trying to save it for the car, eventually. Take your time. Take your time. Thank you. As mentioned, these are three major excellent students there that we have an opportunity to, yeah, just speak into their life. With a focus on continuous improvement, you know, with their we surprised that these guys, You know, they couldn't stand and speak before people at all. This is part of their training. They're probably speaking to how to posture
and how to speak, with the, with the focus on the spirit of excellence in everything that they do. Not only just as a student, being the best that they can be wherever they are. So, again, it's a particular level with the panel of this illustrious and esteemed board. We appreciate the opportunity. We've been doing this since 2013 at Pioneer High. So each year, we pull up our sleeves and and hope to make an impact on the folks that
we love. Thank you. Thank you. I just want to say, mister Bogner, the eldest of students, thank you so much. We appreciate the long standing partnership and just look forward to this is what we mean when we say let's pour into our students. They also in the running school or career workforce. These are skills that they are going to have for a lifetime. We are thankful. With that being said, we have a update on our project reimagine phase one to two, and we'll have that presentation.
From Bill Holcomb and Marvin Beasley. Bill and Marvin. As you know, as they're coming to the podium, I'm only gonna think we can pass, but we embarked on this conversation many months ago, and that work is now coming to fruition. As we think about the future of education, we must respond in a different manner that is going to give us outcomes both academically, socially, emotionally, and then engage our students at high levels. So with that being said, I'll turn it over to Theo and Hannah.
Good evening. Thank you, doctor. Good evening. Doctor Anna Ford. So we wanna kind of recap where we're at today with the phase one, chapter one, and we're gonna have to make sure we plan, with summer. So what we're gonna do this summer at WHRC, for the oxfate LA program is to integrate, the I o n program, online, classrooms, and the oxfate program. We've also been at least needed. Now we need to show a program in that program where we have to help so we can teach model and case so I'll send those to make sure that
the ground, support all the buses and put them there in there. Done. So we wanted to reduce some of the costs, that we've presented to you initially. So that he sent an ICA integration plan, you would initially, it did $741,692.74. The actual cost for that program, very much needed mister Beast leading us. Can not help with us for every dime. I actually cost £373,465. See, we cost avoidance then of 368,227
thousand 74¢, and can be contributed to other programs. The transportation center, it's a 3 and a half dollar budget. To date, we've only heard $55,008.40. That's for the architectural work. We So where could we be going? So once the best sellers invest, and then we get the next day, have a two phase. Yeah. Which is after phase one theme, we're calling this. Initially, we tended to see all aspects of phase, and now it's getting, like, different here. So we see that a good turning point on that.
So what we're looking at is, the administration location, from the Administration Building, before they'll nail to the Second Floor of this building. We'll be relocating special services from WHRC to the enemy, relocating the finance assistance from WHRC with the Pontiac High School in the old area. If anybody's familiar with that, that would be where it's located now. The reason that they need to put that there is there's an entrance off that's the full of the premium. Product Excel would be located at high school in May,
and open schools technology staff that would be Administration Building would be embedded within the schools, So costs. Because of the way the administration building is set up, the way the disability can stop, but we have plenty of furniture here So, as I mentioned in the first phase, and this is we got there for, the session. To stay in the eye. Same improvement for those students moving from across, over through to WHRC. What we're envisioning for the elementary schools is banding, a k through two set of schools,
three through four in another set of schools, and five in the six in the amount of those schools. We see that as an increased focus on social and emotional learning, stronger alignment for curriculum learning, better professional learning, and instruction instructional score for level one English learners that's certified themselves. We also think that over the middle school, that should be seven to nine for 82 middle school. Secondary curriculum alignment, stronger integration in preparation for high school, increased focus on social emotional needs,
improved instruction and support, Michelle. And then in high school, we would envision changing that from tenth grade to twelfth grade, grading it in for the curriculum alignment and extend its No. This this is just a a briefing. I need to make it clear. I don't trust the people on file. And next board meeting saying that, board is rolling on the state. James, elementary So you got high school. These are all just are we just now seeing this other than you did in our work?
Yes. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. Yep. One more information. What did we go on in April as a way as it related to, Hyattria Magic? Of course. But what did what did it go in in April? So it was that first phase, you know, delivery school over, begin the natatorium and technology, for the transportation. Those were the three of those who were allowed to move forward at that time. Thank you for clarity. So why is this, the transportation center moved over its face because we it's not configured to face on?
There was no intention of confusion based on it. But when when we brought into the CX, then we used to design it. We started designing that in June, June 1, our school ended. So that progression time is now hit. Now we're going to get more from that. So we got the initial, what's called, schematic design. So we have a a layout of of our own where we don't have the bus to go. Now we have to overplay that with four examples of that plan to make sure that it doesn't there's no heat loss on grid or the fluid or any that's
that it stay in the way of that. That new environmental study has to be done now that I end up with company. So that would be an ongoing process. The goal then is to get this out to bid, by November, So we already have the charging stations. So the first round we're already getting we purchased the the charging stations, both the city, but those are already already purchased. With the first round of 25 of us that were starting to get delivered to them and feed them down, to deliver down the site.
The charging stations they have are called equipments. So over at the Administration Building is one charging station with the supports that come off it. So the configuration, like, the full transportation center will have a variety of those. Some of the stations can support up to five. It's a bunch of buses being charged at the same time. Some have three, some have two, some are single. They're all called DCFC. Those are high end chargers. Both charge costs about three and a half hours. If you plug in the car there, which we do, if our our convenience,
let's take about eight units from our high end charger. And what's the across the roads. So in the springtime, that facility would, that's more charging than that online. In the meantime, we're looking at opportunities at the Wilson for temporary charging for the buses so we can get them on the road. As you go tomorrow, we'll send you a quote in transfer, into the district's main role of those buses. Very first 25 buses. They're ordering the second 15, through MSK. And that's that's really where we're at today.
This is, where we're envisioning the buildings just based on the size of the delays, how it's different. So over to Alcon, that's conducive to build this for sixth grade over there, based on the number of classes. And then that's not for those students to stay on, the enrollment on tech ads, a week ago. Here in elementary, it could be a third or four, only six today. They have 25 classrooms, that had come there with six of those, classrooms that will be for expansion or students, you know, whatever we do there.
Roberts Elementary would be one of our two k to 12 buildings, with 14 class over there. And Whitman Elementary would become another k through 12. It's a k through two building, out of the 17 classes. House of the other buildings. Mhmm. Including that gives you the opportunity, as we've discussed in the past, the, developed education center there, the past program. We have, about 16 classes there in the state that I'll get that. Oh, and we've got that for other programs. Additionally, Additionally, as you ask, what are you gonna do with Frost? So Frost Elementary School,
we've had some, interest interesting conversations. Tested by I think later earlier this morning, we met with Oakland County Parks and Rec, and to on the sheriff's office. We're looking at, potentially, all just from off off the press, maybe a CAL program over there, some community service over there. We discussed things like potential for having emergency housing over there out of that building. So a whole lot of community services provided out there. Potentially, let's call it a substation there where there's,
Sheriff's Office, Chicago's Dairy, coming to get coffee for doughnuts, people, preparing for things that we do. But it it gives us twenty four seven cards in that building. All security programs are there, lots of security classes that are there, a lot of lot of issues like this. You'll have to follow me the next week with Thank you. Yes. I think one big deal. As it relates to phase one, I saw in the slide that you see that when, the adjusted classrooms and the inspiration with IOLA, I understand, and WHRC, that is seeing many rooms were completed.
So is it safe to say that it wasn't completed at two hundred percent? So all the rooms are completed. Oh, and I said many. We we moved some of the IOA programs into the eight fifty program by today. We moved some of the, six or 12 classrooms within the building to accommodate some larger spaces for for some classrooms that need the larger spaces. So I think we moved actually, the piece of 17 over the three special classrooms. We moved more than 40 with the DMV.
We definitely can't. Just a minute. And it's outside the different framework in which we're to accept to be exact. I still have the same level of concern is that there are a lot of uncertainties. When you it was presented, you said that we we think that this would be okay for our students. But what I haven't heard and I appreciate hearing is any data, any consultant, professional coming through to evaluate what these ideas are and tell us or give us a pen. Are they conducive for for a proper learning environment for our students?
Instead of us just kind of thinking about it for what is gonna be convenient or I don't know what the problem is. This is the algorithm see some data, a case study. Anything of science that could that will make me feel comfortable to support this this drastic move without it just being like, I don't think we think this is gonna work because for me, that's what I'm hearing as a parent. Again, I have the same level of concern I had February that I don't have in August. I I just really I don't feel
I don't feel solid about this. I don't feel like there has been really much discussion because it's the same, to ITA. We'll be done. So that's why we changed the programming a bit, to keep ITA all the visibility, incorporate That's that's correct. So just to know that we can give that information to you because these gray level configurations that we have discussed for a number of months now, there is research to substantiate exactly what you're looking for. So we will make sure that we get that as well as the numbers of
the, landscape of the district shrinking and the need for us to, be intentional about how we service and teach students and how teachers would have more flexibility to be intentional whether we're talking about additional interventions or whether we're talking about an opportunity to excel student learning with these great bands. But there is, evidence based research to support these great bands. Well, thank you, doctor Winberg, and I will believe appreciate seeing that, and you're always gonna have these people submit that to me.
Thank you. Thank you, Terry. In regards to, trying to push a and how to get you guys to build, especially administration. It's significant. We've got the best time here. When we did the initial facilities condition assessment for the the district, The upgrading of that building with condition, boilers, or stone. The the burning up property, checking us a lot of flooding problems, storms in here. Please keep out of living with the base. I do have a question. I'm not sure that right. In regards to the, the banning of the grad school, I did see the senate,
senate education committee that will be hearing from k through three class sciences. And I will just share with you what it says. On Tuesday, the senate education committee heard testimony testimonies on senate bills four nine three and four nine four. The bill would limit class sizes to no more than 19 students and came through the pre grade classrooms. The bill is based on research showing that smaller classes need to improve educational outcomes both immediately and in the long term. And, of course, in this, they talk about funding, program funding will be established to support this.
So my question is as as it relates to the the banding that you're suggesting or you're proposing, will this help us to, have smaller class sizes as well? Just so that you're in alignment with what the senate is trying to pass as we like to be a client in front of you. We are very hopeful. I know a decision has not been made, but we are very hopeful. We know historically that lower fat, size, and skin in k three have yielded some significant results for our opportunity. So next,
and go to effect, you know, that affects, this building. We can do so to make those changes because we've now maintained at across to to move it. And now we go around to 19 students So, will this also this this message that you met, person at the end is just my favorite. Yes. I have another question. All of the presentation, I noticed that there in the near future to. That would. I I don't have to know what that looks like. Okay. Okay. Okay. Hey, Adrian. Hey, Adrian. Construction, production, for him. My last year is Greg Durbin.
So so key highlights here. When we came back to the twenty twenty four, October area for the time frame. The board approved, original contract value including contingency of 10,260,020 thousand dollars. That included contingency cost. So right now, what's projecting is a final cost of 9,281,000 of $341. Now with that, it's from a million dollars of savings back to a final program. So right now, we're working,
you know, finishing out in the program, signing out the trade partners, the contractors out there, contracts, and I don't know. Right? I still don't want to see, but so this is gonna try my new So right now, we're projecting as success. We just a little over, really out of that from I'm surprised you're back. So, with that, it's like 700, I think, And then, with the previous equipment package that was already bought out prior to the cost being here, there's single seat passenger that was never touched. So I think it's around 450,000.
That's coming back. You know, it's. So overall, very successful project and edited and then just gives the the district more opportunity to pursue, projects to go longer. Okay. So right now, let's yes. I'm sorry. Okay. So everybody is conditioning their projects, getting through the punctualists and any open items that are there. So that continues to stay in place for five or so, in case anything pops off or anything, you know, that's audio there that is needed to cover, that'll save by so over of August prices and back over.
So we're gonna get that. And that's why I asked there's some specific things that's how the school is supposed to be, you know, high school, actually, kind of, which did all those things. A brief session called agencies that works in the building. The next slide. Okay. So what you're looking at here, is four and a half picture. Phoenix regarding the middle of what we got here, but you could see what the look like before. Okay. So and the left side is the old stage that was there. The six stage stage is upgraded against the two stage curtains that you could see.
Four was finished and then every other two. As you sign here, I have to go next time. Okay. So we're done with the format for this kind of dirty connector. This is going down the main floor of us. The main entrance are right down all the way down the street. That's cool. And then the picture in the middle, that's your same look running right down the hallway that, picture of the bar right. It's a people turn around and look back basically. Such a dramatic difference, what we've said before. Can you go to the next slide? Okay. So for those who've been in the building, on your left side,
I didn't even have a good before picture. I think I guess in front of me. We got some good four pictures. In this space here, you can kind of see the old metal panel in space. On the right side, there's a logo in for a setting into the office. The walls which can tag the words. You've seen the lighting and it's very interesting. Okay. So this was a unique room and space. It's supposed to be a training room within the building. Just before pictures, you can pick up next slide, please. So this room was transformed, and we have to go back in, and this is your new all new electrical and device safety,
then bigger, all the panels within the space. So it's in the classroom or a training room. Apple's It's the same pictures on the left. And then same view looking down the hallway, let's see here. But, before I get the ceilings to lights, the ceilings that used to be there were almost so this is in the lower house in the building almost like called Jack and Joe Maddox, rooms and girls' room. This is the left side, existing picture. You can see it. This is the voice app. So overall, our team time has gone on. Go to the next slide. It's same thing. Totally revamped. Really just stepped up up again.
So okay. This is that in the overall. So all of the time we have this osteosis with this basic, comes, BDS header, starting construction, left side, and not right side of the city. Oh, this is like another crown jewel in place. Kind of possible. That's what it's going to look like. Okay. So when you're there, the, ceiling space, it actually goes up and down. It's about, this was early in the morning. Lights are on. Okay. So this is the Well, we we know that you have with all this, families, the kids seeing it just yet,
I know you know it. I know you're gonna love it. And so we we appreciate you because from the beginning, you guys have been thorough. You have kept us the rest of everything. And most importantly, I think what we really appreciated was that this project was done on the budget. So, I mean, I'm I'm so impressed, and thank you so much, Cody and Tim, for, for working with us and deliver on a a plus product. I really don't like that. Thank you. Do you have anything to just wondering. I've done I see you are Thursday. August 27. 03:05. Okay. August 27,
I need to 03:05. Will be the open house at Harrington Elementary. Thank you. That was fabulous. Customer. I just wanna say thank you, for your your presentations. Every time you presented, I've always said thank you for the accuracy. Thank you for the data. Thank you for the numbers. I'm gonna be a white star. I appreciate that. I don't know what hearings look like before this. I'm not on the building now. So I was supposed to say that. Alright. We'll move it. At this time, we'll turn it over to the communications department. It is Betty Holmes, Ivy, Pitt Buzz, Alicia White, and Frank. This is a communications report update only.
The Pontiac School District communications department is a multifaceted department that covers many challenge channels, excuse me, of communication and touches all areas of the district and is a key link to the community and additional stakeholders. As we approach the start of the school year, continue to share on the department's ground up for the 2425 school year, summer work projects, and the outlook for the 2526 school year to provide insight to the board and administration on potential communications approaches for moving into the new year. Hi there. Hello, everybody. Hello. Hello.
Sorry. Good evening, everyone. Good evening. So good evening to the board, superintendent, So we need to boards, superintendent, staff, community. Thank you so much for letting us be here. Obviously, as I think everybody here knows, our team has been here for quite a while. Some of us are permanent employees of the district. Some of us are contractors, and our team members along with things as shared. At the end of the 2425 school year, due to, circumstances not everyone's control, Alicia White and my contracts were, not renewed. However, through the grace of God and through the miracles that everyone actually were able to
come back, for the summer to help with some very specific critical projects. So, they were very very specific, very tight, very critical, and a lot of our roles were eliminated, just because we were focused on the things that were most important to get us through to get the school year started. Also, to be able to get some other people here up to speed in case there's not an opportunity to bring us that longer term or bring other individuals in for the longer term communication. So we wanted to touch base here just to give you all status of what
those things were, what we've been up to over the summer. Most of what we did last year, we were able to share during the quarter sheet back in May, but also to be able to answer any questions on anything that maybe was wrapped up after that or if there's anything that still going on. But just wanted to let you know. So the biggest things that we were brought in Carrie back to do, involves it may sound silly, but movie night was things, and it's not silly for any of you who've been here. Movie night is one of the biggest things we do to be able to promote
our gatherings, what's going on, be able to engage our community throughout the summer. Everything happening with districts. I also have here in the community. All of our families out on the lawn across the street, project create film, families of all ages, both here within the district. Already new families will be into the community, community members, partners. Everybody comes out with a great win. It is a mess undertaking as many people here can attest. Miss Mitchell, Chauncey, so many people can share.
It it's a it's a amazing event that's been we, came back to be able to prove that over to community, because it was a big event. It's a lot of hours. It was not something anyone wanted to pay us to to do the more shooting all the way through to the end, but it's an incredible thing to be able to be doing. So, we did hand it over. Chauncey took read on it. We had some amazing, team members to help her, incredible staff members, came back to volunteer. They pulled it off without a hitch and had an incredible, you know, on the seventh with a huge turnout,
So, the next thing that is in process is that something that we've all been talking about, which is coming up for those, community members that are voters and staff members. We will be having a seat on the upcoming ballot. Please get out there and vote. So we will be having information coming out soon on what that involves, which we'll be sharing shortly. There are FAQs already on, website for anyone who is interested in that information pertaining more. What is involved in that?
We'll be rolling out as we get closer to the election. We just had an election, so you probably get over the waters too early. So that stuff is in process and will be ready to proceed. Including flyers and everything else to pressure location. All of that stuff is in process, and we'll have that very. And I'm happy to share things at any time. This meeting just all of here. So we have conduct, has been, updated, proofread. Obviously, you saw it here last meeting, and,
it is in the process of Spanish. That's why all of these are being made. And it will be this year a little bit different, and just because printing costs are so astronomical and a lot of people don't Set by event, that is a large undertaking because it's just very busy. But we are hoping it to be an amazing kickoff as always, and we will have, we're working to run it very tight this year because one of the biggest concerns that are set this end of the year is that although it's wonderful events kick off the year, it is a big event,
and it is a long event, and everyone is looking at their watches because they've got to get back to get their rooms ready. They've got to get back and get ready to get ready to start school the next day. And get their rooms ready. They've got to get back and get ready to get ready to start school the next day. And it is the third day before the holiday weekend. It's the last straw school starts after a very long couple days, few days of meetings, and everyone's more down with the two week day. So we are running it really tight this year. It's been a big day with lots of fun stuff, but we are trying to be efficient, not have any less content or efficient content.
So we're excited about that. We have our theme, which many of you already know, but the invitation's coming out tomorrow. And it should be great speakers and, should be fantastic. We've been working well on that. We're also running with much shared budget on this year. So, but it shouldn't be any less exciting. Simultaneously, one of, this is when I say this was a project, it's really many, many projects, but we said it was some summer, Well, you know, for summer projects, it's inviting back to school summer supports.
This has been layers of love, supporting many, many things, but really trying to do as much as we can to get back to school, including backpack coordination for all our schools, which we've done differently this year. Many schools, would had done their own backpack supports through, partners of their own, and we are working to try to support other the rest of our schools through backpack donations. We've had previous partners come forward. We've had generosity from partners like SFB. We've had generosity from departments like SFP. The Zen Foundation has come through with some additional backpacks again this year,
and, we have our teams provide backpacks for all of our students again. Just in a much bigger our, we used to go back to school rally where everybody came out to school, which was amazing pre COVID. Then we moved it to the drive, which worked very well for many years. But just as time has changed, it it got confusing. It just wasn't moving as quickly as it was. And a lot of you to run away. So we're just evolving, and we are working to evolve with it. So this is the first year of doing it this way. Connected ball or tomorrow's year in the future Connected ball,
and we get a little bit more next year to sign up a bit better to make sure those backpacks come in sooner and smoother. The growing pains, that's what happens. But it's it's happening. It's gonna be great, and we're getting there, and we've been hustling to make it happen. Like, basically, she's been, like, crazy. Schools have been jumping in to assist, and we will be in great shape to make sure everybody's stopped. School supplies are ready to start school. Additionally to that, I've been working with registration and promotion. There's schools that need assistance with that piece ongoing with their registration.
TAs ongoing as well. Anywhere from helping the staff and then going up to different events, different blog sites, promotional videos, things of that nature, working with transportation support with bus routes for summer school and now as fall approaches. Audrey and I will get to work together pretty extensively, and Tanya as as those call routes get would come in and, to get those out to all of our families. Also, getting the communications for a welcome back. We've already put some initial ones out to staff, but we wanted to get communications out ASAP this week to be able to let
everyone know, can you hear me? What what building wears? It's really too much. It's really too weird. It's idling wears piece. Just so you know, I only have to get out there, and really reiterate to people where everyone is now, what's going on. So, one of the greatest things that's happened this summer is we actually had the opportunity to flash through and there's so many things going on. There's so many just running and got in all the time is that we have been able to really refill our asset line with wonderful photos and video episodes because
Frank has been I've hardly seen him all summer. He has been out in the field almost every day It's phenomenal. So that is one of the most amazing victories over the summer that I'm really proud of and be overly proud of. So, some of the things are for the back to school backpack summer for things that we utilize throughout the year. We continue to get partners reaching out with that, and we'll look at it extensively on that as well as, obviously, the ribbon cutting as well. And then homecoming would work better for us to pick up meeting on those lines.
Felicia, I think, homecoming team to get that started on that. Again, we don't know what what, if any, our role would be in that, but just sort of getting up to speed on what we'll be going on with that, and then she's already created the same today. Save the date? Obviously, we do it. We put this these subjects together for the short term. We know that in our role, especially my side of it, nothing is end of the 16. It's the best thing planned that we ever it says it seems good and bad things arise on moments notice. And you're always you're going down this path and everything derails and you're going down
this path. Sometimes it's for something bad. Last time, it's for something really great. So, we had a lot of, we allowed we allowed them what we did and if that would happen. We've had some news media stories. Some were follow ups on old stories. Just wrapping them up. We've had some great news stories too. We've had some, opportunities with people who press with WDIV. WDIV would shout us multiple times, to have doctor Lebrecht come down and be on the morning show, with Manicelli, who's a great friend of the district.
Unfortunately, she has a family to manage her again, and, only because she's been here and it's great. They want her to come down for that school stories, but, unfortunately, it's right when we're in back to school, critical meetings. It's in order to get downtown again in the morning, so she can't be in back to school, critical meetings. So it hasn't put her down, but it will it will happen. And so, and more of the time. So it's an only issue. So but but they they're wonderful partners and then more coming, and there's more great stuff coming with hearings in with all the great stuff that's
rolling out, potential of what will be coming across with with all sorts of things going on here. There's there's lots of good news to to relocate up. There will be lots of good stories coming. So, excuse me. The emergency or the relocation, was a crazy triage that we had to do, but it was a really we talked about this in cabinet if you can, but it was an amazing testament to this district and the departments that worked together. So I wanna just a little shout out to how when that happened, it derailed us for probably a day and a half in our department to say
the call vendors and get different things together, but it was communications, technology, facilities, Cynthia, great. We were figuring it out. We were trying to figure out how to make it work when something wasn't quite as we thought it was. When something all of a sudden, the new problem arose, we figured it out, and we made it happen. And it's it was great. So we I love to put my hands together and then, you know, even if I didn't get the things that plans to get done, it worked well. That's when we get used to the district and how we all so, and then you didn't hear it tonight. Things are still going crazy. So apologies watching at home.
We know there are sound difficulties bouncing off the walls tonight. New problem you didn't know yet. So we live in the room. We're always continuing to evaluate this. K. We've we've also been continuing to do our day to day communication, which are web updates with different videos, things of that nature. So there's a lot of weaknesses that have been happening at all times. And while we're doing that, we're continuing to look just no matter what happens, we love this situation. Obviously, this is in my heart. I've been in here in many different capacities over time.
There's carpeting. There's all these different things we've done over the years. We wanna figure out ways that, you're here or not here, those things can divide different ways. So we're looking at ways that maybe there's capacity that could go here or maybe there's capacity we could work this way. We'll continue to look at how that account. You wanna see one way for this district if it makes sense, if there's a way it can. Well, look at how those things could be achieved in some way if we can. That's what I'm asking for. Question. Thank you, Heidi. Looking forward to seeing some new questions.
Heidi, I wanna say, I know your team does a whole lot, and so we totally appreciate you being flexible and especially being prompt when we have to make shifts, like, bringing us over to WHIC into the courtroom. So we we see you even though we may not see you physically, but we see your handprint throughout the district on different projects and different things that you're, that you, Annalicia and Frank and Wala and whoever else steps here to support your company. We see it and we really do appreciate it because that is a a very
key component. Communications is key for this district, and I know we've talked about it a lot. Can even talk about ways that we can improve it because we wanna make sure that we are behaving effectively and not just communicating, responding when Things are bad. But we also want to talk about the things that are good. So we thank you for everything that you've got. For these discharge fees out there to meet stream it to finance the firm's design to take water quality, prevent pollution, and secure ensure ensure it's not commanded,
stormwater runoff to keep water clean and reduce flood risk. School district of the city of Pontiac, County Of Oakland, State of Michigan, and a regular board meeting of the board of education board, of the school district of the city of Pontiac, County Of Oregon, state of Michigan held in the school district on the August 2025 at 06:00PM long time. President Lindley's absent address. Resolution in support of strong water management plan. Whereas finance school district owns and operates facilities within the boundaries of Detroit organized area,
which discharges software through a municipal separate storm sewer system, MS four, to surface waters, state of Michigan, and where MAS, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy maintains oversight and regulatory authority for compliance with the terms and conditions of the NPDES municipal settlement storm sewer system discharge permit, and whereas Piant School District has applied for and received permit coverage to discharge storm work from Piant School District facilities to the MAS four and whereas Conneaut School District
agrees to comply with the NPDES municipal separate storm sewer system discharge permit requirements. And whereas Pontiac School District has developed a stormwater management program plan, SWMP, outlining the policies, procedures, and best management practices to be employed by the district to comply with the permit requirements. And whereas conditions of the NPVES, municipal separate storm sewer system discharge, permit require Pontiac School District to develop policies and procedures that prohibit illicit discharges to
their stormwater system and to implement appropriate enforcement procedures and actions to protect and eliminate such illicit discharges. And whereas Conneaut School District believes to prohibit the discharge of non stormwater discharges into the storm drain system, including but not limited to pollutants or water containing any pollutants. And whereas, Pontiac School District was used to eliminate illicit discharges and illicit connections we had, whereas finance school district will use to prohibit the construction, use,
maintenance, or continue existence of illicit connections to the storm drain system. This prohibition especially includes the sorry. Excuse me. Limitations or list of connections made in the past regardless whether the connection was permissible under law or practice is applicable or prevailing at the time of connection. And whereas finance school district agrees to obtain a part 91 permit from the appropriate state, county, or local governmental, soil erosion permitting agency for redevelopment and redevelop responses and procedures for illicit discharge elimination and control of strong water runoff as part
of the overall finance school district's formal mandate. Today's resolution to have adopted to be passed approved by the finance school district for Thank you. Yes. Alright. Thank you. Yeah. What I'm trying to do is make sure that I'm I'm speaking accurately before I say anything. I'm going back. Look. I know this is not in our original work package. It was sent to us later on. It was also sent to us earlier this month. So I'm reviewing that. And I understand that they're in the resolution that there were, I heard that there was, we were gonna be in compliance with that there were certain standards that were put
in place to make sure that we're compliant. And I don't know what those are, and I was making sure that they had not been submitted, and I had not listed. So I I'm looking for it, and I do not see it. So I I can't agree with the resolution about, maintaining compliance. I don't know what we have in place to make sure that we are as licensed. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Okay. Can I get a motion for the approval of the resolution for stormwater management? To move support. It's been approved by trustee Gross and supported by Treasury material for the approval of
the resolution for the stormwater management. Any questions? Any additional questions? Yes. Where where is it in writing so that we can ensure it may take. So I can help answer this and get some background. So the district received a letter from the Michigan Department of Environmental Great Lakes and Energy, in late February, telling them that they needed to obtain the stormwater permit to be in compliance with regulations. So that is due August 29 of twenty twenty five. And so as part of that,
there's a strong argument plan, which is what this resolution is, about to meet the requirements that passing 12 to meet the requirements of the year. So that plan is then drafted, and it is being finalized for submission for the district. And that allows all the steps and the things that we've done to manage compliance with Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Yes. No. Trying to do? Yes. I'm wondering, yes. Trustee Willis? Yes. And, yes, thank you very much. Alright. Continue now with our agenda on the regular working agenda for discussion item for post
board remarks. So board remarks are essential for this for the success of functioning rewards in highly effective school districts that always saw student success as the number one priority. These norms help to guide our collective commitment to each other as well as the staff, students, and community as a whole. It is a recommendation of the board president that the board of education include the proposed board. I just want I wanna say I really appreciate, this board of education for being willing to,
do a lot more content. And so going through different trainings, especially the ones that we had recently with the MASV, It helped us see where we had weaknesses as well as strength, but I'm happy to say that collectively, we were all in agreement that we wanted to be done. And so one of the ways that we decided we can take that step and doing better to improve our actions and behavior as the board was to adopt support. So I'll read through your hearing, the norms that we have proposed, and these are the norms that,
we, as a board, came up with collectively. And so with the approval of the board tonight, we will go ahead and adopt these four months. So, again, behavioral ground rules enabling teams to build and maintain positive culture or shift a negative one. We will allow wait time after a person speaks. We will respect the right of speaker to their opinion. We will seek understanding before seeking to be understood. We will be aware of verbal and nonverbal communication, body language. We will refrain from silent conversations.
We will keep comments to three minutes by being concise and to the point. We will recognize and abide by the authority of the board. We will make space for other people's thoughts and feelings, and we will be sure that there are no surprises. So any I'll open it up to the board of trustees. Any questions, any comments about the rules? Alright. Here we go. I would like a motion on the floor to adopt the Yes. Yes. Alright. Thank you very much. Alright. So now we will continue on off our agenda and communications allocations.
We do have some. And so your request to address the Pioneer School the Pioneer Board of Education for three minutes is granted with your your commitment that all permits will be delivered with courtesy and stability. Value to do so will result in forfeiture of your allotted time. And the first person I have is Sherry Sherry Cooper. Charity. Okay. I'll move to the next one. Next one is cancer. I'm getting truly the president of the the Education Association, and I'm not here just to just the school board, but to talk to all stakeholders,
the staff, the parents, the students, and the community. We gather here today not just as engineers, but as professionals who have been pushed too far or too long. For over a month now since July 1, we, the teachers, staff, students, and education supports professionals, have them without contracts. We deserve better. Our students deserve better. Our community deserves better. But this isn't about contract wins. This is about pattern of failure that's threatening the nearest schools we dedicated our lives to building. Look at Peace Academy. Enrollment is performing not because our teacher needs investments,
not because our programs are virtual, but because leadership fails to promote what we've built together. Where are the billboards showcasing our achievements? Where are the advertisements celebrating our success stories? Other schools are out there fighting for our students while our districts fight it. They replaced our successful preschool roundup with completely bureaucratic processes throughout the schools. Students and families get lost in drop down menus when they should have been welcomed with open arms. And don't get me started on ITA. The application is going on August 11.
Three weeks before school starts. Where every of our districts was supporting families in the spring, where were we? Sleeping at the wheel. Perhaps the most concerning is the return of the idea of great family building assignments rather than location based enrollment. This decision forced families into impossible situations. Picture a parent with three children. They're first graders at Rogers, third grader at Harrington, sixth grader at Elkhart. Instead of one convenient pickup location, this parent must drive across town multiple times each day. For families already facing transportation challenges,
this creates an insurmountable burden. Consider a parent trying to take their children's medical appointments. They'll have to basically drive out to school buildings. This isn't just inconvenient. It's discriminatory. It gets families who pack reliable transportation or work schedules that don't allow for multiple school boards. The burden outweighs the benefits. So I ask you this, is this malicious? Is this in excusable incompetence? Is there a deliberate strategy to drive down enrollment to justify school consolidation as proposed
in March? Are we witnessing a systematic dismantling of our district's appeal of damages? Or are our decision makers to be failing to be through the consequence of their actions? Thank thank you. Next, we have Paul Sandy. Good evening. My name is Paul Sandy. I'm a teacher at ITA as well as the PEA West Pressman. As teachers, we are now forty nine days of contract. This will be our third year in the last or starting work with no contract. We love teaching and helping the children. We live to serve. And teacher working conditions are student learning conditions.
They can't be separated. We need to attract and retain teachers and staff. What do we want? Two main things. Number one, smaller class sizes. We talked about I heard research talked about. We know that smaller class sizes work. Last year, about 33% of the highest school district elementary schools were above the recommended class sizes in the best program under contract. Low class sizes allow students to learn and teachers to teach. Second thing is a more clear pay scale. There has been some progress in our pay, but right now teachers that spend thirty years working in the Pontiac School District make
less money than 22 of the other 26 school districts here in Oakland County. Despite the fact, the Pioneer has gotten the most unheard cable every year since 2014. We also need to take care of the bus drivers and the substitute teachers and all other school workers. Lastly, I want to end with a comment on the Cognac reenactment plan spelled out today. We strongly disagree with the elementary school consolidation plan. This would ruin school communities. It would make transportation for families more difficult.
Every school would have to have bus rides all through the district, and it would make parents at your costs. Let's say you're a parent who has students in kindergarten, third, sixth grade. You would have to draft for the fourth of three different schools. This plan would chase away families from Pontiac school district. 65 of Pontiac children about 65% of Pontiac children are gonna leave the district. We need to focus and set our funding to bring those families back. To do that, let's invest in our boots on the ground of school workers. We believe in what is proven to work.
Invest in your key. Key. Create community schools that care for space and make our class sizes smaller. And one more thing, on the banning of classes, don't take it from me. Ask our neighboring school district who already tried this. It failed, and they went back to k five schools. Thank you for your time. Fair contact. Yeah. Thank you. Alright. Give me a second. Let me do it together. Okay. Alright. You are the reason that we should be here. The kids, our students. And your success in what it should be, what drives every decision we make.
You matter, your voice matters, and your success matters. To our teachers, staff, conference, peers, bus drivers, security coaches, school service, and anyone who supports our student in any way. I see you. You matter. You are appreciated, and I value you. Your work is not not only is your work important, it is essential. Thank you for your dedication to our students. I'm a tell you why I'm emotional. I know I get up here and a lot of times, it's the worst time y'all hear from me, but my colleagues hear from me all the time when I express my frustration. And it's not it's never been personal for me.
It's always been for the betterment of our students. I had the pleasure of being at Pontiac Holiday. I'm excited. I thought I'd go to the high school because my student my student I have a student there, my son walks there, and I've become acquainted with the teachers, the staff, the coaches, people who support my student. Did they have a DJ out there? What's DJ Cunningham? I believe he works with the district. Great to see. Very engaging. Without going to the school. And this has grown my frustration again, just overwhelms me. I go to the school because I sent an email. I said,
hey. As a parent, I stood in line for an hour and twenty two minutes to fill out a media release form. That could've been emailed to me. Look at the disturbance that we continue to do to our community, that we continue to do to our parents. And I know y'all won't hear. Y'all haven't heard me from day one. At this point, it has to be. No one has to actually know what goes on in our schools because it's daunting. Y'all will be able to stop all these outdated processes and procedures and do what's best for our parents and our students. Walk through the schools instead of just giving a directive.
Walk actually go in there and walk through the schools. When the parents have to go in there and tell me you guys are frustrated with the process. And if y'all put your heels down and work with me instead of working harder against me, we can get some things done. Because who else got a parent on this who else is a parent who's a current student at at community schools? I'm disappointed and I'm angry as a parent. And I'm even more angrier, that's not a word, that I have to sit here and face this embarrassment.
But I don't think when I stay in trouble that I, as a mirror, don't have an opportunity to sit here and let y'all know for real what's going on. But instead of embracing that, I get pushed back. It's not received, and we keep doing the same damn things that we've been doing since That's hard to follow. She's right. We have to do good, but we have to know what's going on before we move. I have no knowledge. But you you be right. My son graduated years ago, and I have no knowledge of what you go through because I don't have the time here.
I have many children, and we need to do better. And I understand your frustration. Okay. I wanna give some kudos and some things. First of all, I think Charles Hughes in the audience, we had an excellent, excellent, back to school day at Kennedy on the twelfth. And I had multiple flyers, and I'm talking about believing that I forget their names. I truly, truly enjoyed myself because when you're there and you see multiple vendors there to serve our children, It says a lot about this community and how they feel.
This was done right. And I know you were rolling and things like that, but this was done right because I think we had a DJing. We had fun activities for children, and it was hot. It was a good hot. And I truly enjoyed myself, and I'm glad that I was able to be there and speak on behalf of the board and and see everyone. But the joy that I received was hugging the children who remembered me, and I was so elated. And and then on this weekend, I had the opportunity, and I wanna thank a couple of people that are here. Barb Beasley,
Terry Covington. I was gonna say right. But it's Terry Covington and his sponsor easily. We represented well. You know, we had the dream cruise this weekend. We met the disputes. And I wanna thank them and Barb for the hard work in that case that you get on to ensure that everyone did what they were supposed to do. And everything went well, the interior parts of things. This gave us the opportunity to bring some people in from Pontiac to get together. You know, we talk about being able to enjoy each other. And sometimes, we only meet when we have funerals,
and it's time that we can we come together, and we did. And it was an excellent time the entire day. Now I was there from 09:30 to 09:30. And, but I was so elated with all of the people in Pontiac, so from the North. These Pontiac Hot Streets came in and what we did. We just need to keep these things going because it shows that Pontiac people are good people, and we do well together. And I thank all of you as well as the Pontiac Auto Club that came in was involved and and some of the other organizations that came in.
And everyone had a good time, and we did well. So I appreciate that. And lastly, I wanna say, you know, to all our students and and, this is our last day before school starts. We will be there for, what is it, convocation. Okay. We'll be there definitely to ensure, that we're all on the same page, and we have a good time together. And it's a welcome back. And let's welcome back our children, because we talk about this, some of the things that that go on in the district. Everyone in this room, everyone sitting on on this crisis, trust and believe without our children,
none of us will be here. Sometimes the majority of the kids Without our children, we have no discipline. So we need to treat our children as precious as they are. Not gonna go on a contract. That's different. We're gonna deal with it in this proper place and time. They will lose you. We did it before. We did it before. I always talk about the time I've been born. I've been born for thirteen and a half years coming up, and we've never gotten through a year and did not complete the country. We'll do it. Right? Now let's work together for the good,
not only for the district we understand, but for the betterment of our children. Let's work together, everybody. That includes this table here. It includes everybody that's listening on the recording of TV. That includes all of us. Let's work together. Let's do this right. Let's do this right. Thank you. Thank you so much for your day. Betty, we never know that. For our youth. And I I just for me, my whole was that we had a bit like that before our time soon. I believe that our backpack,
initiative will be so much great if you do it that way. I believe that our whole city came together like we did for that love party. We have carnival food, free food, information for everyone all at one time, and that that's not where I go for for our district in our city. For me, our bus drivers are always diverse to see our students and the last to see our students. With construction and some of these, on some of the sides of the street and stuff, it makes it difficult for our drivers, things like that. So when I say that each job that our district have,
I respect and appreciate each one of us. Our food service, some of our kids, that's that's the point that they get is when they come here with breakfast. And I appreciate the extra things that some of our food service people do to make that that we hope for those students special. Some of our teachers, go beyond them, to make sure that our kids are comfortable. When they feel uncomfortable, they do it in a private way. I understand class sizes and how difficult it is to teach when you have a
larger class size. It is impossible to make sure that your kids are getting quality education. Thus first, you're a mom because you're working with, behavior issues. You're working with emotional issues before you're able to teach. Our board members, some of our board members, they do extra things by our students and our staff, to make sure that they feel appreciated as well. When I say, I can say something about just about,
everyone. And I wish you can. That's why I always say I appreciate everyone because it takes it takes all of us in order for us to have a productive, a safe, and healthy, and fun, and livable school year for our children. For me, I I go beyond sure community. It's our kids. Our kids are our future. These are the people that's gonna be taking care of Nissan. And I don't know. I'm I'm frustrated too, but I'm I'm frustrated too. I don't know. I'm I'm frustrated too because I'm frustrated because now I don't have a kid in the school district anymore. I have
is from that. That's how I know that they're doing the extra things that they're doing in this district. It's from that. I care about all children, not just having kids, but all children. And to see the things that some of these children are going through. Me as a teacher, this is my first year. So some of the things that y'all been seeing, I'm just now seeing and understanding. I knew, but I didn't know because I was supposed to drive in a finance school district for for ten years. So I'm frustrated too, but it takes all of us for for us to have
a a great district. We are this is also a business, so we have to we have to work as such. And so it takes a little longer for things to to happen in order for us to to succeed. But every little every little accomplishment to me is work and celebrate. Like, we celebrate our children. We celebrate our teachers. We have, I have a teacher that just passed away that,
yesterday. Miss Edwards, her son worked here. Her daughter-in-law worked here as their teachers. Miss Divius was my middle school teacher, and she just passed away. And when I say that, it was heartbreaking because those are the memories. And I know that the teachers, the bus drivers, the full service. I was at an event. Someone saw, Justin Gross. And he said he was the board member when I was at school. And I said, he's still I said he's still a board member. Well. This I just want us to be a family come together and and have a great
school year this year. We should be able to talk, not just at a board meeting, but we need to talk as regular to come up with instead of problems, but come up with solutions that we can do. Have a great night, everyone. Thank you, secretary. It's my pleasure, Terry. Night. Gladly, the information we shared, so looking forward to the new school year, '12, December ninth as well. I'm gonna get to school. Excuse our assignment. I'm gonna scroll back every month. I'm a keep my shortness
on the same change. The ones that have been here in this district, in this community, they're doing a lot of the same things repeatedly and getting the same results. We understood a lot of challenges and expected different results, but we got the same results. I personally came on this board with the the mentality of making some changes. They they are not the easiest ones. Some some we struggle with, some some are easy. But overall, we're for the best interest of this district,
the students, staff, administration, community as a whole. I don't look at one individual. I don't look at one child. I look at one, I guess, you must say, department. I look at it as an overall picture. When one fails, we often this is just a visual situation. This is a team effort. But in order to make that happen, some things have to change. Wanna grow. Wanna wanna evolve. Wanna make it through COVID. Went through a lot of debt within this district, and yet we're still here. Know, get involved with them outside of the I mean,
two districts, but, overall, being personally I mean, two districts is not a good one. That being said, When do we need a change? I love hearing, you know, issues and the plans and everything else, but we also love to hear recommendations, solutions. Open. I like hearing thoughts. I like being outside the box a lot. I can be kinda go there, but I really wanted to when I first got on this program. And there is more to come. So let's continue to push forward. I would say,
walking back, I feel like I've never left. We never left. Some of us are committed. We just never left. Thank you. I wanna, first of all, say thank you to the state representative for giving our students the exposure that they need to see beyond their circle. So I I truly appreciate the leadership training, just the the investment of your time, and even believing in our students, our work, So I I truly appreciate Hartman's lights that represent our as well as our partners with general moments.
Chauncey, to you and your team as well as Heidi and communications team. Thank you again for all that you do for for continuing to be present and just supporting the settlement. So I want to thank you for making I'm looking forward to the upcoming school year. I'm optimistic that we're gonna have some really great things happen this school year. Then we we got a class, a week graders that we gotta push through, so this is exciting for them. So I'm looking forward to all the positive things that are to come in this
upcoming school year. Thank you, mister Beasley and the facility singing for managing the dream cruise activities over the weekend. I know it wasn't us that we planned. However, you guys stepped in and you still made sure that everything turned that way. I wanna also thank you that are here as well as those that are listening or paying attention and for for watching and listening so closely that you you respond and you chat up some comments. We thank you for being open,
and we thank you even for your frustration in telling us what's wrong. As a board, we hear that a lot. And sometimes, as you hear, the frustration is there, you know, the passion is there. And all we hear, we hear a lot more of what's wrong with the school district, with our teachers, with our classrooms, and we hear what's going right. So comments were made at a previous board meeting, and someone sent an email. And they wanted to know, are we trying to attract people to our district, or are we trying to turn people to our district?
Because just as you all sitting here and we sit here on this board, we always hear the negative. And, yes, there are challenges within the school district just like there are in any other school district. But we take so much pride in seeing this and showing up to talk about what's wrong and what's bad. There are things that need to be changed, and we hear you. And just as trusty Terry has said and understand, it don't happen overnight Because as soon as we're addressing one issue, then another one comes and another one comes because we wanna make sure that all
of our staff and our students and our families are content with the work and the options of the school district. But we spend so much time trying to defend all of the negative. And again, it's fine because we need to know because we're not in the classrooms day to day. We're not preparing much for someone that's in the classroom, so we need to know. So I appreciate you saying that for making us aware. There are some processes that definitely need to be changed. But my question is how we show up to address those changes that are needed.
Because to the persons on the outside, we talk about the classroom sizes now, but we then also talk about how we grow this district. How do we make this district better? I don't know if we're making it better if we're always talking about what's so wrong and bad in this district. So as a board and as a as a goal that you talked to doctor Lambert about as the place of communication, what's the good news? What's good here in this school district? We can take the good and the bad. What I just hope is not the intent to come to this to this space
and wanna bash the school district because we're turning a lot of people off. We talk about the students that have left the school district. How many wanna return when they constantly hear or see leadership not on the same page or who constantly hear and see all of the negative things that are happening? We're not all bad. And, yes, there are things that need to be improved, and we're doing our best to try to address them. But it don't happen overnight. It's not going to happen all the more time. For those of us that have been on this,
school board, trustee Gross is a long standing, trustee on this board. And I'm sure from the time he's been there till now, he has seen some improvements in experience. And I wish that we could snap our fingers to just make everything that goes through that every single person is content and happy with this decision. But we know that's not a god. So I wanted to just clarify some things because, again, when communications come because two people are watching and they're listening, and they wanna make sure that we are being honest and truthful about what we say across this across this board,
I do wanna just clarify some information that I've shared just so that everybody understand what the file I'm trying to do. It was stated that a comment was made that there were over a 100 teachers who were not evaluated this year and that it was a failure on the part of the school district. Board policy three two two zero, professional staff evaluation clearly states that teachers rated highly effective or as of July 2024, we've vectored on the three most recent consecutive year end evaluations,
may be evaluated every other year or as of July 2024, every third year at the district's discretion. It was also a question about the pursuit of common conduct, and I know a comment was made about the new policy dating back to 2012. All of our policies are dated policies are dated when they are implemented and only updated as needed. Most policies don't need to change. This is not uncommon, at least to clarify. We have a a policy committee, and we've asked our policy committees to review the policies.
Those that are haven't been changed for a long time because they didn't need it. Let's review them and make sure that they are still current and applicable to where we are today. A demand for a forensic audit. Every year, Yo Yo conducts an audit, which is available before review each year. The concept of the forensic audit is not something to throw out lightly, and it involves an extremely costly process and is generally utilized on a specific proceedings. This district has investigated has invested extensive funds under the past four recommendations in the
recent past towards these avenues and new enrollment of it. Multiple financial ministers have stated it was not a necessary exercise for investment at this time. As board trustees, we take this business of the school district serious. We understand that information provided in this setting is to inform you and to educate the community and families of the workings of this educational system. The educational system across this country is in a state of emergency. The challenges that exist within the Pontiac School District are no different than the challenges
that exist in other urban districts across the country. It is not our intent to defame our school district nor the staff nor the students. And all the information is shared in transparency, ethically, and with full respect for the families and students we serve. It is with confidence that I assure you that this administration and these board members are here to do what is in the best interest of the students and families so that our peer our kids here in high school are reporting a quality education
just so their peers are in other school districts across the state. So, again, we we hear you, and we want you to continue to make us aware of what some of the challenges are that you're experiencing in the classrooms. But please understand that everything takes time. That's not to dismiss what you're saying. That's not to say you won't, but just understand everything takes time. And so we hearing what you said, now I'm oh, maybe it's your administration is aware of what you're saying, whether it's processes that need to be changed
or anything else. We talked about what can we do to reimagine? What changes can we make? When we put out suggestions as to what we can do to make the district better, we then get feedback because some don't like it. But just as some don't like it, there are some that do like it. So now we gotta figure out there's a balance. How are we doing this in order to be so that it is in the best interest of the our students our students. And so that's why we're here, to make sure what we're doing is in the best interest of our students. So, again,
I I thank you. It it is a heavy weight. I'm a be honest to always sit here and walk into a space of all your authority where there's everything that's wrong. But we hear it, and we wanna make sure that we continue to hear it. So it's not to discourage anybody, but just understand it takes time. So that's the end of our comments. Can I get a motion to adjourn the meeting? So move for more. It's been moved by Trustee Gross and supported by treasurer Terry to adjourn the meeting. Any questions or a law? Treasurer Terry?
Yes. I'm voting. Yes. Trustee Rose? Yes. President Hammond? Yes. Trustee Miller? Yes. Okay. To the passes by a law. Are you meeting the judge at May 27?