I call the board finance and operation committee uh to order. The community comm the committee would like to welcome the audience. Viewers may watch live board committee meetings online at tcaps.net/board. Recorded meetings may be viewed on demand at the same address. Um, I'm
guessing we do not have public comment, so we'll go ahead and skip right to procedural items. Uh, so we are at the draft committee meeting minutes from the February 26th meeting. Um, do I have a motion to approve the
meeting minutes? >> Yep, they look good to me. And I move to approve the committee meeting minutes from February 26, 2026. >> Okay. So, I guess I will go ahead and second it. >> Yeah, there's two of us. >> No choice. Uh okay, great. Motion uh
passes. Uh next item is the Mission Hill Church donation which is formula form formerly formerly formerly First Congregational Church of Traverse City right there at the base of the peninsula. And I'll defer to Dr. Van Whitner. >> Yeah. So you might remember last year um
out of their uh holiday giving the uh the church uh had given SSN a donation and they were kind enough again this year to give that donation. They've in the past selected different. So I think from what I understood what for the first time they've done it the same
group twice. So to give that to SSN's a awesome awesome gift. And so uh that's a gift of $22,088. And uh again that goes into our fund with SSN um to be able to provide those critical items for our kids. And so we
are greatly appreciative um and thankful for that gift from the church. >> That's so great. So nice. Um wondering I know we I'm sure send all kinds of thank yous and all that stuff. So >> um just really thoughtful and um good. I
I would like to move this for discussion just so the community can acknowledge it versus like putting it on consent or something. Is that okay? >> Yeah, that's okay. I just have a quick obviously I think I believe they gave $26,000 uh last year. Mhm.
>> Um and to your point about critical items, I just like from a systems point for us, you know, not right now, but just to think about because I know last year student support network raised roughly 120 grand, spent 30 grand, you know, and as the board has decided that,
you know, uh you know, we're looking to invest and and really do something the district's never done, closing large opportunity gaps. And could there be an opportunity to move from critical items to critical let's just say uh student support network to student success
network and ways for us because it is housed in central office that if if there's a a need that we can uh accelerate maybe those priorities for the district to uh support the superintendent in that office um to uh
invest more aggressively. I I I'm just saying. So >> do you do you mean can I ask just some clarifying questions? So, do you mean more moving away from like boots and hats and mittens, food to more even curriculum support or uh
>> well, I would say and I mean those those critical items obviously uh essential for our kids, but I would say yes and I've mentioned this before just coming up the pyramid of of needs from basic needs to again when we talk about success, right? what you know and and um
and I I'm just throwing it out there because now I mean this memo is from Ginger, our new chief fundraiser, you know, and and now we've stood up uh a foundation that's also based in uh central office that we oversee. And I guess I'm just want to just maybe down
the road have a discussion about um how aggressive and and and and or or when the needs arise um is the board willing to have those discussions around um investing more in things like tutoring I guess
right and we talk about tutoring or other things needs that go beyond coats food housing assistance and that's I mean not for now I just wanted to bring that up because I I don't think I've I've been here since the the campaign went out, end of year campaign went out for the foundation because I believe one
of the arms that the foundation wants to support is the students to support network, right? And correct. >> Um, you know, I want to champion that. I want to be wellversed in and when I interact with community members that that yes, the board has made it clear that we want to, you know, around academic success and closing achievement
gaps. um and here's how that support translate not just to critical items but to student success >> and and I think we're doing that's the plan but I think to your point of giving the board presentation on what that looks like and are doing um you know one
of the things that I think with like you'd said the amount of money we had a lot of carryover that was there from left from Esser and those elements that she had that you know now is spent and so I think that we're getting much closer to a zero sum spend end of what we're collecting and what we're
spending. Um, but above and beyond what we're trying to now gain is, you know, as as I've talked about SSN and LEAP, for instance, one of the goals in our strategic plan is increase LEAP and have our kids that are free reduce lunch and not have to pay for it. That's what that
campaign's working towards, you know, also towards that after school programming, you know. So, I think that we're working towards those things you're talking about. But I think a good update probably this summer on where we're at, what those goals are in the plan would be good for the board to see. >> Right. And then that's that's it. And
again, um again, full support bringing this from Mission Hill Church to full discussion um Monday. >> Is that a motion? >> Uh let me go back here and do a better way. >> It was a pretty good motion, but I don't know. I move uh that this very generous
donation from the Mission Hill Church uh be placed for discussion at the April 13th regular board meeting. >> Perfect. Uh I second that motion. And so that motion passes. Uh okay. Moving on to bids, services, and purchases. First
item is uh transportation district vehicles. And I'll defer to Christine Thomas. >> Yep. So this actually is for facilities, but transportation oversees our fleet. Uh, so Tyson uh worked directly with Ryan to make this purchase. So this is um not something that we necessarily had
planned to purchase this year, but I went to John quite early on um for a um sander truck. We have three and over the course of three months uh one of the three broke down four or five times which causes a pretty significant
um issue throughout the district. We have, you know, elementary schools calling because it's slippery and icy and because we just don't have the sander truck. We don't have another spare. So, it became quite a challenge and two of them are quite a bit older. Knowing that we're going to need to replace them in the future, we decided
just to do it this year uh so we don't have those issues coming up next year. Um so, this is for uh the purchase of a truck. Um it's a V-Box stander with the V-Box standard spreader. Um we went through the state of Michigan my ideal contract. So this is a purchasing consortium. So the total is not to
exceed 192,000 which includes 10%. And this is at a general fund. You might remember vehicles cannot be purchased out of bond money. >> You know I I think it makes sense. Um and lots of parking lots and sidewalks to that makes sense to me.
>> It's it's a it's a it's a big operation. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um the the when it broke down three times, just curiosity, was it the same thing that broke down? >> There was two different ones. >> There were a couple different problems. >> Okay. And just depending on, you know, some of them took a little longer to fix
than others. So we could be down a few days uh dealing with it. So it was definitely challenging because once they're out on the road, um they each have their routes that they're doing and then they have to adjust and so it does kind of throw off the whole operation
and you just it's very unpredictable as to when it's going to happen because we think it's it's good to go and then it's not. >> Yeah. Yep. Yep. Yeah. Well, good. Uh any any other questions? >> No. No. >> So, with that, I'll move that the purchase of the district uh vehicle, the
Sander, be placed on the consent calendar uh for April 13th regular board meeting. >> Perfect. And I will second that motion. And so, with that, I'll let Scott get caught up, but the motion passes. Um we
are just so you know under procedural item three uh C number two. So um and I'll just continue that. So uh facilities uh next item field groomer and I'll defer to Christine on that as well. >> So I'll let Ryan give an overview of
this. Um this was an attempt to buy a machine that's multi-purpose to take care of our fields. Um we've got quite a few athletic fields now. Um, and we're trying to do a little bit more uh work on the middle school fields. Typically, it's been a lot of high school, but we'd like to try to do some maintenance on
the um middle school fields. So, I'll just let her know some of what they investigated. They did some trials, had some people come out with um uh some presentations. So, I'll let you give kind of the specifics. >> Yeah. So, just at our secondary sites alone, we've got over 27 athletic
fields. In every field there is kind of a recommended annual maintenance that you do and um we have that um we do that contracted and have it professionally done but just with the number of fields that we have there's just no way that we
can get to it every single year. So we do that on a rotation and you know our department we're looking for ways that we can help to kind of maintain those fields and keep them in good condition while they're waiting for their turn in that rotation. So one of the things that
we don't have currently is a field groomer. Um and that typically a field groomer is used for the infields at baseball and softball. But if you buy the uh right machine and the right attachments, there are uh maintenance jobs that we can do in the outfields and
on other grass fields. Um so yes, we did have opportunity the two bids that we have here, we were able to demo both of those. And um with the demos, I would say our team was by far thought the ABI Force was a much higher quality product.
um not only just in the machine itself, how it was built, how sturdy it was, how easy it operated, but also how it performed on the field. Um it did a much better job of having kind of that consistent um even pressure and contact
on the field. So, as you're out there and you're turning around and you're doing a lot of of circles, it's really important to kind of keep that that same consistency as you're going. And the ABI just did a hands down better job um
competitor we you know the wheels are coming off the ground the attachments are are kind of wobbly and so uh with the ABI I think we'll get a better um better better service from it in least amount of time. Um the other reason that
we really like the ABI is um it's kind of what they do and so they're constantly building and designing new attachments that kind of extend the use of the machine. So, not only improving what it does on the infield, but also those other other purposes that it can
do. And they design it so it easily attaches to the machine you already have uh without having to buy a whole bunch of extra things to make it work. Um, so I think with the ABI, we can also extend our our reuses for it going forward down the road. Um the other thing that we
really liked about the ABI was um I think the service level the oil attain is a lot better. Um if we were to have any pro problems with the product they would come on site and service it right here. Um with the other they would need to come pick it up, take it down to
their shop, ship it back up here. And a lot of those costs uh we would end up uh most likely incurring those. um and it would have just added downtime for it. So um that we liked it has a longer warranty on the uh machine itself and
the attachments. So um we are recommending that we go with the ABI force. I think it will help us um do a lot more for our fields. >> I think I know the answer to this, but they're only used on athletic fields,
right? They are not used. Well, so with these attachments that I'm talking about where we can take it off, uh, one of the attachments we'd like to get right away is called the airvator. So, it allows you to airate your fields. There are some, uh, over seating type attachments
that we could purchase down the road too where you could go and you could uh, airate a field. You can do that anywhere. It benefits any lawn. Um, and I would say that's not something that we do um inhouse on a regular basis, but that helps um with the moisture, helps
helps drainage um all of that with the field. So, yes, if we had somewhere we could take it, we could absolutely take it off the field. It doesn't have to just be athletics. That's a big need for us, but we could do it on front lines as well. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay, good.
Um, so with that, any other >> question? Yeah, I have a couple qu My apologies for being late. Um, business interrupted and I lost track of time. Um, what's somebody's going to ask, why
don't we just have a a big riding lawnmower and something to drag the infield with um as opposed to spending $60,000 on a group. >> Um, the other question I have is transporting it from one middle school
to the other middle school. I'm assuming this also requires a trailer for this. >> We have that. >> We have that. Um, so what you know, most schools for their smaller fields just simply use a a riding
lawnmower and then drag the infield at the seventh inning or whatever it is during a baseball game. Why a groomer at this point? >> Well, I would put out, let's say, West Middle School baseball field, for example. I don't know if you've been on it recently, but it does not look like a
baseball field anymore. Just the the in uh the infield, we have not been able to have that professionally done in a long time. We have a challenge of maintaining our high schools um to a certain level. So, if you look at that itself, just
going out there with a riding mower and a drag mat behind is not going to do what needs to be done to that field. you need the attachments that where you can actually get in there and you can dig up that dirt and break it up and it increases that that stuff gets compacted
so much. It's so hard and then you get um the grasses that try and grow in there. So being able to >> rip all of that up, so to speak, and then rele it so that it it doesn't it performs better when you're out on the field, you can't do that with a
lawnmower. Plus, this is one machine that can do 10 different things versus 10 different pieces of equipment. Um, it's much more streamlined. >> Again, I'm just looking sort of at budget questions that inevit and and
this is opposed to hiring a lawn service to be able to do the same kind of thing. We still would be contracting to do those professional um grooming, but this will help maintain it and it'll get us onto our middle school fields and we can even do it at
our elementary fields which have not been >> done probably ever. >> Um so we have that ability to kind of do it and honestly, you know, it >> it would be nice to be able to do it more often. Are we going to be out there
every week doing it? No. But we can be out there at least once or twice a year and get those fields going. And I think our our middle schools need extra um that we just currently cannot provide. >> Our fields are used like 247. They are
>> by the whole community and it's really hard to >> I mean it makes sense, you know, but to be clear like we're still going to be contracting with the professional services. Yes. Yes. >> But to your point about the middle school, like when you say they haven't been done in years, is that because these these professional services don't
have the capacity or we don't have money. >> We don't have the money. >> Correct. I see. >> We only do the athletic fields every other year. >> Our reg our varsity reg. And they're supposed to be >> that line item stays the same. This this will help them during those every other
year >> allow them to be better. >> Yes. And I would argue that it probably costs us a little bit more when we do it every other year because of the condition of things of the brick, you know, of the of the ground uneven. It just they charge us more. >> And so I think this actually will allow
us to have the fields a little better. So when they come, they go they don't charge us as much because the condition of it. >> Yeah, I understand. All right. I move that the purchase of the field groomer be placed in the consent calendar of the April 13th regular board meeting. >> Second. Uh, so with that motion passes
and with that >> let's let Scott vote. >> Oh, >> sorry I'm caught in my uh room. >> I know. I was going to finish. >> She just assumed you were still here. So >> I'm virtual. I AI guy sitting here.
>> All right. All those in favor say I. I. >> I. Those opposed. >> Okay. >> There we go. it. >> Pass it back to you all together, Scott. >> All right. So, we are at the
>> capital projects update. >> Capital projects update. Yes. >> And Paul's not here, so I get to take this one. >> Um, >> uh, we have the Glen Lumis renovations, the gymnasium. So, they have, uh, ripped out the gym floor. Train has already done all the overhead work for the heat.
Um, they are currently painting the ceiling. Um, and then they still have to rip up the cork that you see underneath the gym floor. Um, they have quite a bit of painting to do that they want to do obviously before they put the real gym floor down. Um, so that's in progress.
Gosh, it looks like a legit elementary school gym almost. Almost. >> Well, you know, she actually >> from what it was, >> it's actually bettering now. So, they've painted a lot of the top. >> It's actually really really looking good. >> Yeah, it looks great. I mean, it used to have like mismatch
shave the paint. So, it looks great. >> Has there been any abatement issues at this point? >> Nope. >> So, no asbesus tile or any of that kind of No, >> there was some ceramic tile that was taken out, but it wasn't as >> we've done a lot of remediation over the years, so there's not much left.
>> Um these are the um units uh the heating units uh cabinet unit heaters that will go in the classrooms. They have to wait until they can shut the heat off, which they will be doing in half of the building in a week. Um, so we're moving more people around than we originally thought, but they want to get a good start so that they can uh still do all
the elementary schools that need uh unit heaters and boilers over the summer so that we don't get behind on those. So those are sitting in the cafeteria. Um, restroom uh renovation. So we don't currently have a an ADA accessible restroom in this building. So, the
restroom that was in the staff lounge is being renovated to be an ADA compliant restroom and accessible from the hallway instead of the lounge. >> Um, work going on in the classroom. So, you've seen all the pictures of the piping for um the uh HVAC, but right now
all the electricians are working on the electrical. So, all of the um boards you kind of see up top all around will come down. The projection screen will come down. Um they're doing new electrical for a um TV monitor, touchscreen TV monitor. That's the new specification
that we have for teaching in the classroom. It'll be mounted over the uh whiteboard. So just starting to get into that. Um this is a Trevor City High School bridge stabilization. So I was over there yesterday. Um one of the unfortunate things with this project is it did sink.
We were not able to actually lift it back up. It's in its place without damaging the bridge, the roof, and the structure. So, it sank. We have to leave it there, but we have prevented it from sinking any further. So, we've worked with an engineer. Um, this work is now complete. They had to do a lot of extra
um support underneath. Uh, but it looks good. Um, the only thing left to do is we have to do some um patch and fill on the trazo that they had to cut in the actual bridge hallway. And that's a five-day project. So, we're going to have to wait till summer to do that.
Can I go back to uh Lumis just a quick again? Somebody asked me capacity here is what and how many kids are we moving into this building? >> Capacity is like 4 to 450 and we're moving about 350 in. >> Okay. So, we have plenty of capacity to be able to handle that.
>> Yep. >> Now, the tag is Yes. offsite >> and preschool won't be here either. It's going to stay at Monasuri until they move back in. Oh, >> okay. Good. So that's the rest of the bridge stabilization. That's where the trazo has to be
patched. So they did concrete infill it. Um it's not level. So they put plywood on top. They have to leave enough room for the trazo to come back in. So they put uh plywood on top and covered it with rugs. So it's level right now until we can get back in.
>> It's it's levelish. >> Concrete plywood rugs. >> So here's saving. Um, one of the last items that, um, we thought we were looking for for our occupancy was the sidewalk pour. Um, they got that done a week ago, Monday, when it was really
nice. So, that's complete. Um, inside, um, the roofing is still going on. That's been a really long project just due to some weather complications. Um, it's not necessarily an easy roof to do. Um, >> it's a membrane roof. >> Yeah. And there's several different
levels to it. Um, and there's just this weird area in the back. Can you see where it raises up? >> Um, we had to do a lot of extra stuff there. Um, after getting into it. So, um, inside, uh, carpets in, cabinetry is
in. We're basically finishing four or five offices and then punch list items at this point. So, furniture started moving in Monday. The rest of it will be moved in tomorrow. Um, with expected occupancy tomorrow. Uh we had an issue with the fire alarm in the octagon. Uh
the parts coming this morning. It'll be wired in by the electrical contractor. The inspector will come back either today or tomorrow to give us occupancy and we'll be up and running Monday. >> Looks so nice. Looks great. >> Yeah, it turned out really nice. >> See, the hallways aren't as uh
narrow. That one picture was terrible. I saw that too and I went, "Oh my gosh, is it really that?" >> Yeah, that looks great. >> Sure. And I went there, I'm like, "No, it's not." So yeah, you can see this is some of the punch list items um that we're still tackling, but this is storage for HR. Um so these
um these don't lock, but behind it will be lateral files with all of their file cabinets with that lock. So those are accessible. Uh this is a work area for us with copier, printer, some of our um business office equipment, chuck uh printer, scanner, things like that.
Outside they're working on the addition. So, footings and Foundation are in for the actual addition. They're currently working on the corridor. Got some water issues going on there. They had to bring engineer back in. Um, they've solved that issue. We have to put a ditch in the back, which won't be pretty, but this isn't the front of the building, so
I'm not terribly concerned about that. >> The ditch is a retaining or retention ditch. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. The the water table here is um very Nobody really expected it to be um >> as high as it is. >> As high as it Yeah. We had to I don't
know if you remember before Paul said we had to eight add eight inches of stone >> um because of the water table. >> So they're working on that. Um this is West Middle School. Um when I was out there over spring break, they basically just got set up for construction um with
all the safety equipment, the fencing. Um they started ripping out the um this is right across from the library in the courtyard. So they started ripping out the windows and the doors. They added the drywall separator. So, this will be the hallway that the students work through and this will be the area the
contractors work through. It amazed me that you have to actually drywall this wall. They were finishing both sides of it. I'm like, that seems like a waste of time, but because of um fire protection, you have to it has to be fire rated. So, it's fire. So, yeah. Like, why are we drywalling the construction side of it?
>> We're not required to do sprinklers in these buildings, are we? Or >> I think this building is sprinkler sprinkled. I'm pretty sure it is. >> So, everything's got to be fire suppressed. Okay. >> Yeah. So, the uh choir room will go right here. Um they'll come back in and
do the steel supports into the seventh grade wing after school's out. Um but they're going to get started on the actual addition here. We'll move inside the building when school gets out. This is the emergency sidewalk for students that they had to put up. It was kind of funny when I was out there. They
had a Bobcat. They had to remove all the snow so that they could lay the stone >> snow. Oh yeah. We used >> Yeah. Week ago we had quite a bit >> yesterday. >> And then in terms of like 50s something the weirdest day.
>> Yeah. So that's my update. >> Um just out of curiosity on Sabin, are we under Garfield Township? >> Yes. >> Do we have to meet their construction codes or do we have our own construction codes? >> It's state. >> Okay. It's state. So the sidewalk
controversy out there is not doesn't apply to us. >> No. >> No. >> Okay. >> All right. Sustainability report. Dr. >> Wagner. So some cool things. So um really feel like making some good progress. I think our team really was
good. We had uh four students actually five students join us um now uh with it from both of our environmental clubs from both West High School and Central High School. Um few updates. All of our schools have completed the application for Michigan Green School application.
Um so excited about uh that work. Um one of our other goals was to uh get all of our uh solar panels um that we've had up running and all of the software going and at this point happy to report that all three are fully functioning and we
have uh data back uh with the software talking with it. We worked with Keen Energy Solutions. We had a grant from Cherryland Electric that allowed us to have them completely evaluated um and tuned in and and all that. So, they are uh functionally working. Um
along that solar uh work, uh we had the chance to talk to the students from West High School that are working on the solar project and had the chance to talk to them on exact procedures and and structures and so they're clear on what's needed for them to be able to to work with us to move forward. um also
had the chance to work with uh conversations with Cherryland um with the new uh clubhouse and fieldhouse um on Carlile Road. That's a part of Cherryland's uh work. And so they have given us a $70,000 energy uh
sustainability grant. So we're working with them and had the chance to talk to Tim from Keen Solutions last night about trying to partner um to put a ground mounted solar array a part of the clubhouse and fieldhouse project as well. Um so lots of work there that was
uh very exciting. Um had the chance to talk about um with our students um some food service pilots that we're working to do. Um we're hoping at two elementaryaries, one on each side of town, to have our high school students work with um some of our elementary
school uh principles and key student leaders in those buildings on a pilot to use uh um metal silverware instead of plastic silverware um in those buildings. And so, uh, we talked with our high school environmental club, uh,
leaders about, um, contacting our high school principles, working with Tom Fredus, our food service director, um, to begin to work for next fall of what that pilot can look like. Um, so they were excited on that. And uh one of the things that our sustainability committee
has really wanted to do is um we recognize that a top- down approach is not really going to be very successful compared to a bottom-up studentled approach to this work. So, as we work with our our PBIS systems in our
buildings and the leadership roles that students take, we think that partnering our high school environmental clubs with those leaders and having them encourage their own student bodies and plans and what they can do to create posters and those kind of things jointly um to encourage students to do that is the
best way that we can get progress made on those items. So, felt really good about that work so far, part of our 1.0 plan. had the chance to talk uh about our other goals and some thoughts on progress that we could do to to work with that. Um we are currently trying to
do some things with GFL. Um we've had a little bit of stumbling blocks that we lost our representative their their company representative um with GFL. Um we're we're just kind of still trying to find out who our key person is to work with there. So, uh, but, um, Ken, uh,
um, with our O'Brien with our facilities team is a part of the the sustainability committee. So, he's working with them to try and do that. One of the things we want to try and get a grasp of is how much garbage we have and you know what that is. Are there with some ways to reduce some of that, but until we have
an ability to figure out how much we have, um, you know, that that's a little hard. one of our committee members um is also the sustainability lead at Interlockan Center for the Arts. They're having the same struggle. So, it's been interesting kind of talking about what they're looking at with some of that.
So, um that was good. Talked about uh hoop houses and green houses and sustainability for those and a part of when we do those fundraisers that we have some type of money that's endowed to be able to make sure that we have money for repairs and those kind of
things moving forward. So really really good meeting feel the group I I can tell you feels like they're we're making really good progress on our 1.0 plan and uh we'll meet again our plan is at the end of May. I just had a quick question about um the
uh solar panels and the students. Do they monitor that the use of I mean they're involved with kind of monitoring the use and and I know they they haven't been working for a while. So we probably have to rebuild some of that with some of those kids I'm guessing. >> Yeah. Software. I mean the hard part of
the environmental club is that you know especially when seniors change right leadership change. So I think that um one of the things that is in our 1.0 plan is on the energy sustainability. So as train gets our work complete, train will help us with some of those numbers
and they are even willing to do some education and have some opportunities with that. So once we get the work done and we're able to have data, we'll be able to work with train and they'll work with our student groups on seeing what that can look like. It was interesting
with our students talking for the in the for the very first time that I've seen um Tammy who's the um energy savings lead for Cherryland um electric co-op is a part of our sustainability group. Um she showed us some of the very first numbers from the work that's been done
so far across our district with LED with the heating and that element. Didn't break it down yet. she it was a first just look that she had at it and I will tell you that the numbers were really solidly promising um of just seeing already some of that work it the data
can be taken much down she had said we got to get our software and train will do that for us once we get it all so um that's one of the things train has said they'll do is work with our student groups um to do some of that but as the work's complete then they they can do a 60month like Cherryland can do a
60-month analysis to be able to show from year to of what that is. And and then one of the things that you know once all that's in place the student groups can work towards in their buildings like okay make sure students when you know the end of the day that the teacher's turning
the lights off and different initiatives that can further you know while it's LED and and you know dimmer switches and those you know the best thing is for it to be turned off at the end of the night you know when people leave or a bathroom at the end that's light shut off and those kind of things. So those are those
things students can get involved with in conversations and some student leadership and train's willing to do that and again once we get everything after this summer our boiler is all done at that point LED replacements water you know savings those kind of things that's something that we can begin to do.
>> Yeah I love the idea of the kids um just learning about like the LED savings like with train I think >> you know that's how you get real stewards of the environment >> and that's a real goal of the sustainability committee. I think when we started we said you know it's one thing for adults to do it it's another
thing for our students to lead the work and we really wanted to work at how can we can work harder empowering our students to lead this and we really like the idea of that mentorship from our high school to our elementary kids >> and and you know that's something that
um that we're really excited and so that's uh that's already with our food service starting we think that you know that's a good spot um one of The other things we have within the 1.0 plan is that in each building um our goal is going into next year that each
elementary um class actually kind of selects something to do and then promote that and and have a winner in each building, you know, um throughout the year, whether that's paper reduction, whether that's shutting all the lights off, whether what that is. So, we've got some work to do, figure out what that
all looks like, but that's something we talked to our students about um how they could help lead some of that with our elementary kids work. So, >> and just uh one more thing on just lunch buddies back in the day. That could be a cool I I know it kind of went away in
some way, but that would be good to have, you know, lunch buddies help with like if we do have silverware to help make sure the kids get the silverware where the silverware needs to go or if we move to more of like composting those lunch buddies that are volunteers >> could help with that rather than putting
the stress on our staff and um and just helping the kids helping the kids. >> And that's what we said is that you know if you depend on stuff we don't have the staff to sit there constantly and watch, right? So, it was cool though. One of the students was like, you know, he works at a restaurant >> and he's like, one of the things that
they did and and uh is there's some somebody that makes a magnet that sits at the top of the garbage can and when things get dumped like it catches the the silver. >> Well, that's smart, >> huh? >> Right. And and he's like he says he says we use it in all of our restaurants. And
we're like, well, that's a great idea. >> Yeah. >> You know, and so Tom's like, "All right." He goes, "Where do you work? I want to find out where you get those, >> you know, and so like, you know, I think that that's the cool thing having kids, right? I think we've learned a lot of having our student leadership groups,
you know, our our student voice in that element. And so, it was awesome to have them there and a part of it. Um, we're working a little bit closer now, I think, with our um adviserss with both of the the C club and the environmental club at Central and West. And uh I think it'll just again continue to work at at
helping us towards our 1.0 goals. >> Very cool. I just have two quick questions and a comment. U great report. Um first question is are we going to do our food audit waste um food waste audit this spring or next fall? >> It'll be next fall. >> Okay. So that's the reason I brought it
up because the the funding I shared with you >> and let me just share and and the and the one thing that we kind of leads to that to help us is that Tom is working to establish some of our most of our buildings have but not all of a rescue box. And so one of the things we talk to
the students about is uh having them come up with some type of plan to explain to the students and encourage them to use those boxes because we have you know the the hard part of the food waste is that with u USDA and requirements is we have to offer each of
the different food elements and and the kids you know if they take it you know we can't just go okay you can you know give it to another kid because of food allergies or you know if they don't do something and they just throw it away. It's gone. And so one of the things is
is that is they they if they put it in that box, then Food Rescue with Goodwill comes and picks it up and does that and they can they will give us the numbers of how much food, you know, we're we're doing from that standpoint and savings. So that's where Tom is is, you know, going to try and work with food service
leads and principles. And so a big piece of how we're going to be able to measure that is by how much we're collecting in that food rescue box. >> Right. And I just I just want to be clear like we've done this before. I'm looking at a report on the Michigan State uh MSU Extension page. This was shared by TCAP's mom who works for
Michigan. So we've done this at Traverse Heights. There's a beautiful I mean and I know Tom knows that. Yeah. >> Um and it sounds like the funding that she was offering us won't be available because it was tied to the spring. And I guess my only other comment is I love that our local co-op, our electrical co-ops on our sustainability committee. If there's a place >> and TCP as well.
>> Okay. >> So Suzanne's on the board of TCP. >> I was going to say that. Thank you. Yep. Okay. >> Yep. That's all. >> I had a quick question. We talk about shutting lights off and trying to I'm assuming that also can be automated with
occupancy sensors. >> Yeah, I was going to say that's going to help quite a bit because we are installing those. >> I'm assuming through their train DDC controls, we can also do setbacks at night so that we're down to >> some of the issues are things that they plug in that they live leave on. Another
thing for us in the winter time is shutting your blinds. like there's things that can it's the people behavior that you know we need to get back to. Um, but there's, you know, shutting your your monitor off and things like that that aren't automated, but we are with the LED putting in occupancy sensors
which sometimes pose a problem, but um, you know, for the most part benefit us. >> Yeah. >> Clean the room. All of a sudden, the occupancy center didn't >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There's a lot of waving. We used to have if and I'm doing this from recall back in the other
>> term I served we used to have somebody that was appointed for that >> and and it it cost right it's a it's a you know in that element >> it saved us more than it cost but you know when you're looking at budget cuts it was just it was tough but it did save more than the employee cost for sure
>> I remember right >> we're continue to have conversations on that Christie and I have talked a lot about it actually so we once we get everything in place we kind of want to evaluate what that looks like you know and try and get a sense of is there enough savings there for it you know or do we do we try and have it more
encouragement from you know staff but know that and we we are we are continuing to have >> one of the biggest things we have to analyze is the biggest difference we biggest savings we had was how we operate our HBAC now that we've incorporated oper
operating it better so we're not bringing up a huge boiler in in um October we're not bringing both of them up at the same time the way we're operating them now is already better. So it we have to kind of calculate going forward if that's already been a savings is it going is the position going to pay
for itself? So it's it's something with all of the changes I have to take into consideration when evaluating >> when we get all that data and I have the ability with the new systems and all on the same you know same train software all of that we'll be able to go okay what do we think our margin of savings
would be through human and then determine if there what's there from a partial or full or whatever if if there's a cost savings benefit. >> Yeah. And some of it was fixed cost he saved from going to from fluorescent to LED and that that kind of then and once
you've done it >> that's just it. >> You don't do it again. So >> but if if there's a return on investment there to do I'm all for it but we need to make sure the RO is there like we are trying to evaluate everything from an ROI. >> Okay. >> All right. Uh finance update.
>> Yes. So I am happy to report we just received our certificate of excellence uh 21st consecutive year. Um this is for fiscal year ending 25. Um so certificate of excellence from um ASBO the association
of school business officials. Um so that's exciting news. Um again uh we participate in the annual uh comprehensive financial report which is not required just to provide more transparency. Um, it's something that that Wes will be focusing on with his
replacement who starts Monday. Um, so he'll be done. Yep. Wes will be done on Look at >> that smile. >> Wes will be done August 1st. So we have a nice chunk of time for some crossover. So Anna Braun uh will start with us on Monday. Um,
>> so we have a West 2.0. >> Yes. >> Yes. Well, I I we shouldn't minimize those certificates of excellence because you guys do a phenomenal job and um I realize not everybody in the state gets
those awards. So, uh we do it in sort of rare fire. >> I forgot to mention, she wrote it down. I forgot to mention. So, one of the things that's very exciting is we didn't get any comments. So, you know, auditors typically there's a comment on anything. This is the second time we've got no comments. And when we talk to our
auditor, only two districts have ever gotten no comment. So that even more shows like our their uh pride in the work and how much they do. Uh they do all of the work. They're phenomenal. I can't say enough about how awesome they are. Um Julie does a great job putting
it all together. Um she's learned a lot over the the last few years about audit and finance, which has been fun. Um Wes, as always, like we're going to miss him. It's going to be it's going to be tough. >> He's been our goto awards aren't linked to Wes. >> We'll find out.
>> Man, too much pressure for you, I think. But >> well, thank you so much to your team and uh obviously it just proves all your great work. So, thank you to to all of you and all your hard work and um good good bragging points. So, that's that's a good thing.
>> Are you going to mention this on your superintendent report? Okay, good. >> The only other update I have is I don't really have much on budget. Um, we don't have any proposals from the Senator House yet, which I really thought we would by now being that it's >> well, it's spring break, so you know,
everything I'm hearing right now is we will have the Senate and the House by the end of April. Um, which, you know, is great compared to October, you know, before. So, uh, so I'm very very hopeful that, um, we'll have a House and a
Senate version here, um, with an election year, all those things. at least school aid, there's a lot of harmony and conversation um there uh that we're hearing. So um >> have they have they dropped the conversation about re-evaluating property tax because that's a big
revenue source that >> they have not dropped it. But I'll tell you, you know, talking to Tim Kelly, who's the chair in the Education Appropriations Committee, um, Republican, um, he just doesn't think it's even feasible with the amount of time, um, budget-wise, all those things,
and election season that everybody trying to get out the door that they'll be able to come up with a a a proposal that has solid thought, >> cost neutral revenue. >> That being said, the speaker hasn't said that. Um, so and and the governor, you know, has proposed some elements there.
So, so it's still in the conversation. I think that longtime legislators on both sides are skeptical that they have the time to truly be able to do that. They think it's more likely in a lame duck period >> um after uh elections are done that
maybe something kind of like proposal A was done in 1994 was done just before Christmas. >> More likely something like that if if it's a reality, but that's not official. and the speakers, I think, still, you know, sounding the drum on it. So, you never know, but I think that's the
that's the scope of what I think some of our our long-term legislators do. >> Yeah, we do have several guminatorial candidates. One who's proposed eliminating property tax, the other one the income tax, and >> pretty soon there'll be no revenue and
all expenses. Yeah. So, like I said, that's there's a whole lot of words and rhetoric, but actual details a whole another thing. And uh and so, but we're keep an eye on all of it and just in case, we'll monitoring and our our student leadership groups are making sure to stay involved in the
conversation and we'll keep you updated if anything that has any substance arises. >> All right. Anything further on finance? >> Nope. Um I >> think we're on the public district. Uh
yeah, there was a backside. >> All right, mine ended at finance update. District purchases. >> Uh so this is the uh document that we maintain. Um so there's a couple items here that were on um will be on consent. Uh so those will actually those two
won't move down to the other area because it's facility bond money and general funds. so it wouldn't show up at the bottom. Those are just the overall capital projects, not individual department allocations. Um, but we have elevator upgrades coming. This is a a
requirement um that we're having to deal with at Central High School and West Senior High. Um, we've got a little bit more time to be compliant. Um, but the lead time uh for some of the equipment is quite long, so we're getting quotes right now. Um, and then uh some
curriculum purchases. uh West Middle School Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment. Um that's for the um music renovations. Uh we waited to purchase that because we're still um we're still sampling some products. Um we got some products in that we weren't too pleased
with and they were very expensive. So, I'm just working with the principal to get more samples in and see if we can buy something a little better quality and perhaps a little bit cheaper. So, we're working with uh somebody in town that belongs to a consortium that's done a lot of our furniture. It's nice she's local so she can bring samples in and
work directly with the principal. So we're working on that. Uh technologies got some purchases coming in. Um and then the big two uh that will be coming uh so central grade renovations um in July. Um we're still at the $55 million budget. We'll see how uh the bids come
in. We've got a couple alternates in there just in case uh some of the budget the prices come in high. So we've got a couple options there. um high school re general central high school renovations. Um that one we're working on budget. Um
we're struggling um at the 20.2 right now. Um but we're working through it. So um I have a meeting next week with the principal, the AD and the architect team about some of the things we can do especially on the design part um that might help with some of the cost.
we settled at Central High School on on the approach. I know there'd still be options out there. >> So there there was a motion uh that passed at the board level to demo it and rebuild a new competition gym. >> Um so that's our plan. Um we have an
alternate in there for building a mezzanine um >> up top so that it would give somewhat of the same effect that people are looking for from the perspective that there's a view up top, you'd be looking down. and we've added an elevator to the scope to make sure it's ADA accessible. Um, but
right now the base bid is uh demo the existing um 1958 gym and then do an addition in its place to include athletic offices, the main office, main entry, secure main entrance, vestibule. Um, we will likely have the bus loop as an alternate just because we're
concerned about budget. It's much better to have it as an alternate and be able to make the decision on bidday u versus having it in there and scrambling. Um, so anyway, so we've got a couple alternates in that one, too, and we're still evaluating it. >> I I will say that I am um I have had a
couple Erica's had a couple people come to her stuff like that. So I am u putting together a group of some folks that have some questions and then eventually to back to the reference group to really show, you know, what the the costs are of renovation, you know,
versus new and what that really means. Um, you know, I don't see a financial feasible component of keeping the the current gym. Um, but I want to I want to be very transparent with what that looks like as well as I think I think it probably even goes more towards some
that I think are okay. If we build the new one, you know, can it have some of the things that the old one has, but because of the second level to it are pretty costly. So, I I've asked Christine to put some rough numbers
together for me to have what that would look like. I think there may be some flavors some for some folks to maybe want to do some fundraising to add some components um that the current gym has that's not um in the existing um drawing. So, to give you an example, the
the the new gym concept has two courts that our current one only really has one. >> Yeah. And so but by by g doing that we don't have two mezzanines and we don't have what is some call the press boxes that are up there that you know the radio gives and that I think there's
some that want well man we'd really like to we like the old gym that it has those things well those things come at a cost what is that cost is there a flavor if somebody wants to donate or do a fundraising campaign to have those additional things I at least want to be transparent of what that would be and
recognizing this is the amount of money that we have to do the project bondwise. So, we're not against those other things, but understand it would have to come from some type of foundation donation or something like that. So, I want to sit down with some of those folks that have reached out that have some questions and put all those numbers
out there and have that discussion >> and I'll share. Sorry. Go ahead, Ty. >> Well, I mean, I feel like that's already been decided. I I do too. But I think it's um I guess the question T is is that if somebody said, "Okay, we'd really like to add, you know, a second
mezzanine on the other side and we're willing to go out and fund raise $3 million >> about tearing down the old one." >> No, I'm I want to show what the numbers look like for tearing down the old one. >> I understand that. >> Yeah. I think that there's some questions and some people that maybe question, well, couldn't you redo the old one for the price of the new one? And we don't believe so.
>> Well, we heard that earlier and I I mean, we've Yeah. >> And I I believe we decided on that. >> I agree. Okay. >> I just want but I want to just reiterate it because people have asked questions. Okay. >> And so when somebody calls I sit down and meet with them. >> I believe it was a 70 vote too. >> Agreed. >> Okay. >> I think the biggest thing is to try to
explain that it's not just money. The issue is is if you try to renovate the existing you basically will be >> keeping two walls >> because we we've been firm that we're going to raise it to grade level that we're not going to have anything below
grade. Well, what that mean means is if we want two courts, it doesn't fit in its existing structure. So, we can only keep two walls. >> So, we're happy to share those details and get cost estimates. I've got a draft for you to look at that when I have um
time I can sit down and go through it with it when I'm not >> I think what it's going to lead to is the conversation of okay, if we wanted two mezzanines like okay, what would the additional cost be? and then go, okay, you know, if if there's an interest in
somebody willing to want to be a a donor or a group of donor, then we need to know that from an architectural standpoint, you know, moving forward in the design. And so that's more of what the conversation's going to be. But I am going to I I am going to go back and go, here's what led us to our decision for
clarity. And then, you know, if yeah, we love those things, too. um but they cost money, you know, and so that's going to be, you know, I want to give them what those cost estimates are and if they want to present to the board, you know, an opportunity to add some
things and they're willing to do some donation or funding for that, I think that the board would be open to that conversation. >> I think we also need to be very cognizant of the schedule on this. I mean, this is not like we can just sort of >> keep kicking the can down the road.
So I >> the current schedule is um demo um begins in April of 27 which is right after um volleyball basketball season and it's going to be close as to whether or not the next year they can start their season um in the new gym or if we
might need a month or two to finish up >> and we've got some contingency plans working with the Y we work with that but to the point of what you just said I agree those meetings I have are scheduled over the next three weeks >> and I don't want to leave open the invitation for anybody that decides they want this
feature or that feature because they have some nostalgic appreciation for it. >> And again, it's a collective group of folks, you know, that have some ownership of Central High School. Um, and uh, and I think that I think we still have time, but not a lot, you
know, if they wanted to commit to something like that. So, but I said I'd meet with them, give the opportunity, and uh, that's what I plan to do. >> Okay. Christine, when you said the field groomer won't move down the the bond
facilities that that the 60 grand is going to move down to that line item, right? >> Well, so we don't keep track down at the bottom all of the um annual allocations. So technology gets 25 million. Um you
get I can't remember over the course of the whole bond. I think it's like >> so this is what's budgeted, not really what's been approved. Like I'm looking at facilities equipment allocation 900,000. >> That is their total allocation. >> I see. So with a field groomer we're still somewhere
>> still part of that >> under. Right. So we're under that somehow and I assume if we're going to go over that we you would let us know. >> They won't go over that. >> Yeah. >> But trying to keep track of those would be probably four pages and so I just didn't put those. >> I like the big ones. I like the big ones. I don't need the small ones. My
other question has to do with the curriculum purchase. I see that curriculums, this middle school science curriculum, I see that the curriculum committee is going to be looking at that too. And I guess my again, I don't know exactly what the purpose I know I'm a broken record. Uh the purpose of the
curriculum committee is um because we don't have a written uh purpose statement, but I would recommend that the curriculum committee take a look at that and make a recommendation >> and they do >> before before we do. >> And they do. >> That's how we do it. Yeah, they do.
>> And I would say if if the curriculum committee makes a recommendation to the full board, I would question what what is the purpose for us >> because we're approving the money >> the money also will approve the money as a full board. >> Maybe not a big deal. I'm just saying like if we want to be efficient again I
think this >> in the wheelhouse of curriculum to be honest. I would also say the gun boarding would be also if we're taking curriculum dollars the curriculum. So, and we will always have the opportunity during the for board meeting to poll at or ask questions or vote no on it. But
if again it just seems a little redundant to >> so I'm going to give you just I wouldn't disagree. I will tell you historically we've had some board members that felt no finance needed to also because it's a dollar thing approve it too. >> So since I've been the board give me direction to have both committees see
that kind of expenditure. The board wants to change that conversation. I I understand that too because we don't have a board operating procedure yet. So again, I'm just looking to be more efficient with the governance team's time. >> Maybe we're talking three minutes so it's not a big deal. >> But again,
uh I and I'll make the same comment about the gun boarding. I hope they weigh in on that before we do. >> They will. They do. That's the >> And I would just say having that you've served on both committees that that curriculum is really focused on the curriculum piece of what they're approving. And so the curriculum team
comes and presents to the curriculum team as to why they're they want that particular curriculum. So it's the questions are usually much more driven towards you know the data behind why they're making those decisions versus the finance committee is coming from a
different angle of the finance decision as to as to how that looks in our whole financial. So I I I I know it's repetitive, but I also think the questioning from the different committees comes from a different place and then once you come and so the
purpose of the committees are to vet out those questions so that when you get to the full board, it's been through all the committees to then kind of have that final discussion and approve or or not approve. >> Okay, that's my own opinion. I would have to check policy to see if we could skip finance because really the board
finance committee is supposed to look at how we're purchasing. If it's single source, have we done the appropriate paperwork? If it's a consortium, have we done the appropriate paperwork? If it's bid, it's more following those policies. >> When you say how, and that's I'm curious because I have yet to see this, but the
purpose of the finance, I would love to see a written statement what you just mentioned because that does not exist currently. So, >> but it might be in board policy. >> It is not. It is not. Okay. >> I wonder if it was an an old guideline that we didn't adopt. I can >> not urgent. I think we're fine and I'm
fine with being redundant than, you know, letting I just again as we look to be more efficient with our governance team time. >> I'm fine looking at gun boarding and in middle school curriculum, but I I would defer to my colleagues because I trust them to make that to ask the right questions and bring it to the full board
where we will all vote on it. >> Well, let me let me also say that the you're right. We don't have a board policy. We don't have a a committee description, but one of the real values of finance is to look at finances in totality. So, if we're looking at an
entire budget, whether or not we approve or don't approve the curriculum purchase, we know the impact it's having on other issues along the way in in a curriculum total budget. So, that's one of the things I've always tried to keep in focus is,
okay, there's there's only one dollar to go around. we're going to spend it here and that's going to have an impact here and >> especially if it's grant related if they're buying curriculum with grants. >> So, those are the questions I'd like to be able to ask. Okay, we've spent $60,000 here. Does that mean we can't
spend $60,000 over here or do we have other grants that pay for that? >> And I'm sure Dan and Jesse are looking into that. I didn't want to open a can of worms. I'm just saying uh >> we'll look to see this body. I will defer to Scott. Like if Scott wants it on the agenda and we have to vote for
it, I will vote for it >> as long as curriculum supports it. >> I think maybe at the study session we have a conversation about it because I think Tai's right until we have descriptions of these committees and duties and responsibilities.
It does become somewhat nebulous as to why we're dealing with one and not the other. Some >> I say all the time >> that's a board policy. >> We'll show up where you want and not So tell us Boris. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um
not to bring up a s subject but central grade school and electrification. Where are we on that? >> So we're still working with TCLP. Unfortunately right now we're not getting apples to apples comparison of what our engineer put together and what they're putting together. So we're
working through that. Um, we have to schedule another meeting with Colin who's been um, evaluating all the data. >> Okay. And then at some point we'll be able to >> Yeah, I'll pass on what I have to John. I'm trying to get it I've got several versions of it. I'm trying to get it to
a final clean version, but all the questions have not been answered yet. Also with that similar kind of the the gym is once I have that data I want to reach out to those that have reached out to the board about even considering trying to do some funding fun some fundraising component that they've
expressed a willingness and a want to to be able to show what that number would be and that way when it comes time for the board to be able to make a decision they'll be able to have been mobilized and decide whether they feel feasibly they're able to do that or not. Well, again, I'm back to schedule because the
sooner we can get a number. >> Yeah, we we have it built in as an alternate so it won't affect schedule. Um, >> well, it will in terms of fundraising because if that fundraising process takes a while. >> Agreed. And so that I I did also put a ear in somebody TCOP Birdie that we need
to need to make sure we're getting together to have that conversation because I need that data as soon as possible. >> Okay. Not offering to do anything there. Understood. I have any conflict. >> Understood. >> Um. All right. Anything further on
>> I don't have anything else. >> Nope. >> Yeah. All right. So, now we're on to public comment. Correct. >> Yeah. >> And I don't see any public comment. >> No. >> So, can I have a motion to adjurnn? >> Uh, I move to adjourn the meeting.
>> Second. All those in favor say I. I >> opposed. >> And again, sorry for the delayed