Okay. Good evening everyone. I think we are at 7:00. So welcome, to the. What's the date to the 2018? March? Yeah. March 18th, 2025. Board of Education meeting. We have all trustees present. And we have our four student reps present. So if you would please stand with me and we will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for. So we are going to start tonight with recognition. And we have, a lot of, wonderful students to recognize. So I will turn it over to Mr. Pilotto to introduce our first item. Good evening, everyone, and thank you for the opportunity to recognize some of our students this evening. And we're going to start our recognition with, recognition of All-State band and orchestra students. But before we talk about the students we are going to recognize tonight, I would like to introduce some of our staff, who have joined us, who
support our students in their endeavors in their instrumental performances. Throughout the years, we know that our students put in quite a bit of hard work. We also know that their parents put in quite a bit of hard work to support them getting there, and that our our teachers are instrumental. No pun intended in their success as well. So I'd like to recognize Mister Joe, have rella, Miss Wendy Stewart. Miss Jamie millett. Miss Joanna van Huizenga and miss Rihanna Taslim. So they're here joining us tonight as a few of our interim. I'd also like to just for a moment, pay a little special attention to Mister Joe.
Have rella. Mister have Rella is the director of bands for Boland Park Middle School. And this year he will be retiring after 31 successful years in the district. Mister Havilah also serves as the coordinator of instrumental music, and those titles don't even begin to lean in to all that Joe brings to the job every day. Joe has been a confidant and a support in our pursuit of instrumental music here in the district. He is, steadfast in his commitment to students and best practice, and we are forever grateful for the work that he's done, as he's been here since 1994.
And I am proud to say that, he serves some of my very best friends here in Troy. So, I just want to thank Joe for all of his service to the Troy School District, and I wish him very well in retirement. Thank you. Joe. Now, on to our students. 28 Troy School District musicians were chosen to be members of the 2025 Michigan All-State Bands and Orchestras. These students were in Grand Rapids, Michigan from January 20th 3rd to January 25th to rehearse and perform with young musicians from across the state as part of the annual Michigan Music Conference.
Each fall, thousands of students worked diligently to prepare for the audition, with hopes of joining one of these elite ensembles. I'd first like to recognize all of our middle school students so I would ask if you are a middle school, student who is receiving recognition tonight to please come to the front of the room. I will read all of your names. We do have, certificates for you, so if you would just come to the front and then we will work to find the appropriate certificate, and then we'll take your picture as a group. Once we've finished. Annaliese van jolly, William Chen, Daniel two.
Chloe. Kim. He. So, Kim. Juha, Kim Joon, Kim, Jonah. Lee, Jeremy. Liang, Leon. Mao. I'm sorry. Leon. Ma. Davis, Sheena. Nimesh, Julia Zhao, Jerry Zheng, and Andy Doe. Kim, can we ask our students after you've received your certificate to come around the front? That way, we can allow parents to get a picture and
actually. Go into that. So once we've got them right, I'll here. So. Yep. Oh yeah. Right up front. Yeah. That's perfect. Right. That way we can get you parents to get a picture. Mom, come on up front. What? Right. Yeah, yeah, just kind of line up along the table here. That'd be great. Just slide over. Don't be shy. Yes. There you go. That way your parents can get a picture at any moment.
They're okay. Yeah. Parents, by all means, please come on up and grab a picture. We're going to have our board members jump in that picture as well, and then we're happy and we're sure they'll. You're in the picture regardless. But. I had written. Let's have a round of applause for our.
In addition to our middle school, students, I'd like to also ask all of our high school students. Now, if you're here being recognized to please come forward. Our high school musicians, Cameron Anderson, Ryan Deller, a tool ganache, Ray Allen, Kim Jarrell, Kim Sung one, Lee, Danielle Light and Jingyi, Emma, Angela, Park Ji soo, Park Benjamin Chang, Landon, Taylor, you, Chen, Zhang and victors on.
I don't want to always try to some we have to appropriately embarrass you. It's hard to feel sorry. It's part of the deal. So. Here we are pleased. Here. And parents, by all means, feel free to come on forward that. I think the pictures go ahead and. Don't be shy, parents. Come on. Forward. We're ready to move to our mission moment. To me. Yes. Wonderful.
Tonight I have the opportunity to, introduce and bring forward, the the principal of Larson Middle School. Mr. Ryan's with work. As as Mr. Smith black makes his way up to the podium here. We are excited to recognize here in Troy, a new reigning champion, of the Oakland County spelling bee. I won't steal the thunder, but I will remind the board that for the last two years, we've had the great honor of having, our baker student, Aaron, who held that title for two years,
and the reins have been turned over, and we have a new student joining us tonight who has won that championship. So, Mr.. Zach, I'll let you tell the board all about her. Thanks. Mr.. Deep lot of good evening, members of board of Board of Education, Doctor Chesky and members of the audience. I'm Brian was like, proud principal of last middle school and it is my pleasure to be here tonight joined by Sandy Sapphire. Sorry, son. We met at medivac car. I'm sorry. Sandy. Sandy
joined the Larsen community and middle school after attending Warren Consolidated Schools, and she has quickly become a bright light in our school. She's a conscientious student who always works hard, balances time between focus and fun, and is deeply respected by her peers and teachers alike. She is kind, thoughtful and always willing to advocate for herself and others qualities that exemplify our four hours at Larsen of respect, responsibility, resilience, and relationships. Her love of learning is evident in everything she does. Sandy speaks four languages English, Hindi,
Marathi, and Spanish and has developed a particular passion for Spanish, enjoying the opportunity to explore both the language and its culture. She is also deeply involved in other extracurricular activities, serving as head editor of the Larsen Free Press, mentoring younger students on her robotics team, the Rebel Droids, and recently qualified for Hosa Internationals in Tennessee this June after placing in the top three in the state in the health care preparation categories at the state event.
Outside of school, she is equally busy. She runs track, teaches beginner and intermediate taekwondo while pursuing her black belt, and is involved in swimming, dance and the Young Eagles program. However, one of Sandy's greatest passions is reading. She believes that her love of books has strengthened her vocabulary and helped her become a better speller, something that has certainly served her well, which is why we are here to recognize her. Sandy's spelling journey began at eight years old, when she qualified for a state spelling bee competition,
and in sixth grade, she made it to the school. Wide spelling bee, however, was not able to participate due to a family commitment. In seventh grade, she won this schoolwide spelling bee in place six at nationals, and this year she won both the schoolwide spelling bee, which I was able to see the final four, and they were amazing to watch. And the Oakland County Regionals competition, being crowned champion of the Oakland County Spelling Bee on March 1st punched her ticket to this May's Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C..
We're so proud of her. Sandra's journey to this moment has been anything but easy. Her teachers describe her as dedicated, hardworking, and goal oriented, and those traits have been on full display as she prepares for nationals. Spelling at this level, as she tells me, is more than memorization. It requires understanding, word origins, language patterns and definitions. The hours of preparation she has put in reflect her deep commitment to learning and excellence, so literally leads with passion and excitement, setting goals and knowing exactly how to achieve them.
She's an impressive young woman who inspires those around her, and I have no doubt her journey is just beginning. It's my great honor to introduce this remarkable student Saanvi medivac. Her. I don't know if you were to say something. You don't have to, but, I'm just really thankful to be here. And I'm really grateful to Mr. Z, Miss palmeri, my teachers, my friends and my family for supporting me. And I'm really grateful for the opportunity to get to go to DC and compete in the National Spelling Bee.
Wonderful. I think. Sadly, we have a certificate for you, Mom and Dad. By all means, please feel free to grab some pictures. Yeah. Yeah, I think I like that. I might. You know. That's. Thank you.
So, Sandy, we are all rooting for you when you go to Washington, DC. I know you'll make us proud. When is the actual competition? The day is May 25th. Makes it six days long. So it is one. Yeah. So pretty much success on the family in June 1st. That's the thing for me is you first. Wow. Oh, yeah. Just in time for the last day of school. I'm. Yeah.
We do want you to say, happy summer to all your friends at this. Okay. So we have one more item of recognition for student spotlight. Mr.. But you I'm going to let you introduce these two young ladies. Thank you, Doctor Chesky, and good evening, Board of Education. There is so much I want to tell you about our students tonight. But truth really, there is still so much for me to learn myself because it was only ten weeks ago when it early January when I first met Vanessa Lu and Gabrielle Robinson.
And in those ten weeks they have done some incredible podcast work. Their dedication is simply undeniable, and they have earned their place in student spotlight tonight. And what's probably the quickest time frame that has led us to this moment. In their senior year at Athens, Gabby and Vanessa are squeezing in as much as they can. Vanessa Lu was part of our oh eight, a White Division winning girls golf team. And Deborah Robinson is a multi-time state qualifying track star. Now training for her final season.
But beyond athletics, as impressive as it may be, both of them are very passionate about belonging in their school community, and that is the inspiration behind their podcast series Life Unfiltered. Their show is all about personal growth, advice and reflection, with topics including motivation, balance, practicing gratitude, friendships, leadership and more. I just mentioned ten weeks. They have already recorded ten episodes. They've had many student guests, including a certain someone over there,
and they have also interviewed staff members, which hopefully soon we could even have document Chesky join the show. This is your official invitation to, Those who are interested can watch or listen to their podcast on YouTube and Spotify at life Dot Unfiltered Pod. And of course, we're going to share a couple minutes of their show here tonight so everyone can see. But one more thing. Before I roll the clip, I want to thank you both for taking the risk of trying something totally new yourselves. You've learned so much, so fast, and I love that it's for you.
And it's more than a podcast. You're showing us who you are and bringing other people with you. This podcast might be a short time in your life, but no matter where you go after this, I encourage you to always embrace the mess and live life unfiltered. Hey guys, my name is Gabrielle Robinson and my name is Ben Absolute and we are co-hosts for likelihood. So today we have two special guests from Athens High School Diana Lazio. And oh, this week's episode is going to be about positivity.
And we just think that you guys are such good candidates to talk about, like how to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere at school. Yeah, like we were talking about telling people that you were going to be on the podcast and everyone's saying like, oh my gosh, you're so excited. You're going to the most positive people, you know? Yeah. So what are some ways you maintain a positive mindset even on challenging days at school? I just remind myself of like what there is to be grateful for. Like there is so many opportunities that we have, and I know I can say like, oh my gosh, I'm tired. I don't want to be at school today or just like little things.
And I'm like, I am like, I have this opportunity to get an education and to be here and to be involved in these activities. And I just think that that's what really helps me like get through the day. I know I dealt with, burnout at the end of my junior year of high school. So I think the biggest thing is just trying to encourage yourself to believe that in the next couple months, you're going to be on a path that's right for you, and that it might not be linear and it might not be what you think it is going to be now, but you're going to find your way
with something small that always makes you smile. Seeing you guys light up when you're seen. I just feel like so many times you're being, you know, washed off or you know, everyone's busy and it makes a real impact. It really fills my bucket. I don't know if you guys in elementary school had that, but yeah, we did. That was my bucket. Big time to make you guys feel seen and heard. I want you guys to feel comfortable and safe. That's what makes me show up each day. Do what I do. In 12 opportunities, Gabby has
grown in seven events. If you were to make it to four events in state finals, you would go 11 and 16. That would have to make you the greatest runner in Athens. Go, oh yeah. Oh, I didn't even know that because I don't sleep at night. I think I met you like the second day. I don't know if you remember. I think I met you do was like, no, I was try this. My memory is just not that I got in this fight. And you, I really, really was ready to go. But, Yeah, that's probably how I started.
Just really just talking to people, forcing myself to go out of my comfort zone because I refused to be good. That's good. Yeah. That's good. That, like, a lot of people can take that where it goes with us and Gabby Horowitz and and always remember to embrace the mess and live life on both sides. Bye, guys. I know you. So at this time, we're going to open to any potential comments and questions from the board. But first, if you'd like to say a few words, it's all yours.
I just want to thank the Troy School District for giving us this opportunity, to work with such a great producer, Thomas Butcher, and for allowing me to work with one of my closest friends, Gabby Robinson. So it's really been a privilege. And to stand in front of you guys and show you guys, you know, all this work that we've done, it's really an honor and a privilege and I'm very grateful to be here. Yeah, I miss you. I'm very grateful to be here. And I think it's crazy because we like many times. But you're like, so late in our senior year and we were you have like so much stuff done and we've made like a tremendous impact
on the Troy Athens community. But I feel like in the Troy School district, like community in general, we have so many students and listeners, and I'm just so happy that we can be a positive light on social media and just like, let people feel heard and like, you know, supported and also just reflecting the Troy school districts in a bright way with every single episode. We talked to. Somehow, you know how the Troy School District has allowed us to have this opportunity and all the successful things that you guys have facilitated for us? So, yeah, we just love having this platform and so grateful. Thank you. Hey, great.
Well, questions from any board members. I have to have it. Actually by this time of the year and senior year, our January when you started, people are like burned out, checked out and they're ready to move on. So but you have started something new at that time. How and what made you do that to. Okay. So, I had the privilege, obviously, like, you guys know, meeting times with your Masha. I met her earlier, but like, meeting them through the podcast earlier
and this year through Student Equity Council, which is also something that we're both involved in. And I've always had a dream of bring the community together, like being a positive light within the student body. And so we were actually at a student equity council like, function or something. And, and we saw the Thomas Butcher and we were like, oh, well, this is perfect. And I was talking about my dream. And then Nessa was there. So I was like, why don't we just do a podcast together? And then since then we just kicked off and we started watching so many episodes. Yeah. So great. Excellent. Go ahead. Mina. So how do you guys
this is all new to you? And so, you know, maybe this isn't a wasn't a part of your, you know, career or college goals, but how do you guys, you know, see this type of work going forward for you. So we both do want to go into the medical field. So one is like given the correlation to our future careers, but we do plan to meet up in the future to just record podcast episodes together. We don't plan to make it consistent because we're going to different places for college. But just having this friendship and having a podcast, it's such a privilege and we do want to continue doing what
we're doing, and it's something we truly love to like. What you were saying with seeing Year and Burnout, a lot of kids don't really want to do anything, but for us, this is kind of a way to, like, have fun, enjoy what we have left of, you know, this last year we have. Right? Right. What's the biggest lesson that you've learned in, you know, doing this podcast? Excuse me. And really, you know, working to, to spread, spread positivity amongst your school community. I think for the most part, it's like, like I said, bringing the community together.
A lot of high schoolers we experience like the same things like burnout, stress, a lot of the things that our guests have talked about. So just like having a platform where we can, like hear students talk about things here, faculty, it just makes I know it makes me happy, and it makes me feel more like of a sense of belonging within the district, knowing there's other students that feel similar to me. Great, great. So we have a certificate for you both. Students. For American.
To make it through the business. Overcoming. So if you don't do the things. Well, that was great recognition. We are going to continue on. If any of you that were here just for the recognition portion, you know, feel like you want to slip out, you know, please feel free to do so. Otherwise, you're more than welcome to continue to, stay for the rest of our, agenda.
So we're going to move right on. Any additions or deletions for the chess game this evening? Okay. Public communication. We have one public communication on non non agenda items. Okay. Then we'll hold that to the end. So our next item of business is approval of the consent agenda. Tonight's consent agenda consists of minutes of the February 11th, 2025 Board of Education workshop minutes of the February 25th, 2025 Board of Education Meeting, the January 2025 Treasurer's Report,
Budget Amendment Number two, and a notice to reschedule the April 15th, 2025 Board of Education meeting to April 22nd, 2025. May I have a resolution, please? Mr. Hopp, be it therefore resolved of the Treasury Board of Education takes action to approve items A, B, C, C and E, The consent agenda support. We have a resolution by Mr. Hopp supported by Miss Aleix. Any comments on that? Okay. All those in favor of the resolution, please say yes. Yes.
Opposed? Say no. Okay. Thank you. Motion carries. Any personnel tonight? Okay. There's none this evening. Any curriculum? None as well. Okay. So we'll call Mr. Trudeau up. Trudeau up for business. Good evening. Board of education. So on the agenda tonight for your consideration are three different business items. So we'll start with the first item. This project relates to a bid packet that was put out and received, with good bid coverage. This relates to Smith's new middle school
going up and, site work and signage components of those, as well as, the demolition of a few houses as part of this project as well. So, the site work, this was a rebid. We had to rebid this project due to some city ordinances that we had to tweak some of the design work, so they rebid it accordingly. So this will kind of go through all the parking lots, the drives, the grading in those parking lots, and then kind of preparing that roadway off of little or no way, to get into the new Smith complex there. So the signage also relates to all interior exterior wayfinding signage as well.
And then in terms of the demo, there are two homes that the district owns off of Liver Noy. That's where the new light is going to be installed. That light component is the last that had to be issued. But they're still in design phase of that. So, for now, we're going to prepare the space over summer, to get those homes down. That way we can create that temporary roadway for some construction workers to go through of Livernois, just to avoid any more disturbances, in the neighborhood. So. Okay. Thank you. We're being asked to consider a resolution for site work
and, signage in conjunction with the construction at Smith Middle School. May I have a resolution, please? Doctor mountain, be it therefore resolved that the bid for site work and signage be awarded as follows, and that this be approved as an expenditure from the Capital Funds project. Segment construction services for site work in the amount of 3,573,000. Curb appeal Concepts incorporated for signage in the amount of 119 793,000, a contingency of 8%,
which would be 295,423 for a total of 3,988,216, is where we have a resolution by Doctor Mountain, supported by Mr. Hoppe. Any discussion or comment on this resolution? This is just, just for the public safety. So, you mentioned that part of the site work. Involves a drive off the Livernois. Is it something is that that the city's requirements? Yeah. So that's to in order to establish that new traffic signal there.
Typically you like to have two points of egress on a building. So we're going to add that entrance way off of living way directly north of Martel Elementary into that Smith complex. So, they're finalizing the design phase right now of the the traffic light. There's some considerations we have to look into for the there's a drainage ditch on the side. So, but for now, we can at least get a temporary roadway through that path and then it be fully graded and ready to go. Yep. Yep. Okay. Anything else? One one more comment. So there's this amount majority of it
has to do with the sidewalk, like we've talked about at the workshop. More of the grading and getting them up to a grade. Yeah. Forgiving. Yeah. Within the site work component, there are demolition costs. It's about 15 grand to home. The demo out. But there's there's a process that they have to do in order to do that. They can't just come in and knock it down. So. Okay, great. Okay. Let's vote all those in favor of the resolution, please say yes. Yes. Opposed? Say no. Thank you. Motion carries.
We'll move on to painting. Okay. Next item for consideration is for interior painting services. So this is the time of year where our operations department goes through. And they kind of select a few different schools to work on. Just, keeping with the painting and the appearance and the ins and interior of the building. So this park specifically relates to, Schroeder Elementary, which will have some hallways and corridors addressed this summer. And then while those will have the gym and cafeteria and then, door frames, doors and railings at the Troy High auditorium that were part of this project.
So, the low bid came in at $43,160 for requesting for an amount of $50,000 to be approved. That I'll just give a little bit of flexibility as the painters are there and staff are in the building, and they may have a specific area that they want to tweak. So we just want a little flexibility with that. Right. Thank you. So we're being asked to consider a resolution for interior painting services. May I have a resolution please? Miss Potts, be it therefore resolved that the bid for interior painting services be awarded to RNC paint systems in the amount of $50,000, and that this amount be approved
as an expenditure of the general operating fund support. We have a resolution by Miss Potts supported by Miss Honey. Any questions or discussion on this item? Okay. Hearing none. All those in favor of the resolution, please say yes. Yes, yes. Opposed? Say no. Okay. Motion carries. And our last item. Item for your consideration tonight is relating to the phase two of our first of our furniture purchasing. This goes in line with the playground phase two that was approved by the board, back in January.
So this will impact Barnard, Bemis, Hill, Martel and Morse Elementary and then our trade union as well. And then select areas of Troy High School. We'll get new furniture. So, the recommended amount was not to exceed, budgeted amount in the bond at $5.2 million. The total thus far as we've gone through and totaled everything up for the design is just over 4.6 million. So we're going to leave it at the not to exceed amount, but we should be well below that. And then that'll give a little bit of, overall room there.
But any savings which we generally strive for will just be shifted to future projects in the bond. Great. Okay. Thank you. Were being asked to consider a resolution, to continue our furniture purchases. May I have a motion, please? The Senate be therefore resolved that the furniture purchase for Barnard, Bemis Hill, the Martell Morse training and select areas at Troy High School for an amount not to exceed $5,286,379 through preexisting bid contracts or consortiums,
as outlined in the memo from TMP dated February 28th, 2025, be approved as an expenditure on the 2023 bond Fund support. We have a resolution by Miss Sandler supported by Miss Aleix. Any discussion on this item? Go ahead. Just to clarify, you mentioned, the bid was around 4.3 million and but you're asking not to exceed 5.2. Is that normal to do just for the general public? And what happens in that situation when the bond budgets were created
there was an amount established. So in this case for these buildings, for these specific projects that came in, the budget recommendation was 5.2 million. The market for furniture has kind of come down a little bit from where it was a few years ago. So the pricing is actually less than what we have budgeted for. So it's about 4.65 million is the total that will be a will be spent on the current design. But the difference while we're not going to use it, it does. It gives a little bit of flexibility to each building to say, hey, if we need this spot or we might have missed a piece here,
it gives you a little bit of wiggle room there. But whatever the goal will be, that $600,000 savings is just shifted over to future projects. Okay, well thank you. Thank okay. Let's vote. All those in favor of the resolution, please say yes. Yes. Opposed? Say no. Okay. Thank you. Motion carries. Thank you, Mr. Trudel. So we are now going to move on to our next item of business, which is public communication on non-agenda items.
I would like to remind our speaker tonight, to please, that we respect your First Amendment rights, but to please, consider, the, requirements on the back of the goldenrod sheet and keep your comments within those parameters. So with that, I'm going to call up mister up ahead and to to speak. And of course, you'll have three minutes and, you can watch the, the clock here. Good evening. Ali Troy, Parent Tree resident February 28th, 2025 was the deadline
that the federal government gave all public school districts, including Troy schools, to remove the I programs in critical race theory from its curriculum or lose federal funding. Obviously, Troy Schools chose to ignore that directive. Troy Schools administrators and Board of Education did not comply, and they did nothing to comply. Troy Schools continues to push the racist and Marxist propaganda API into our classrooms. Enrollment is down in the district, and also a very likely budget deficit is on the horizon for the next school year.
Yet the district is sending the message that they would rather lose $4.5 million per year in federal funding than eliminate DEA from our district, Troy Schools is so hellbent on pushing the I that this year it added a brand new class in our middle schools and it made it mandatory. This class is designed to indoctrinate the minds of our middle schoolers about the oppressed and the oppressor mentality. Not only is TSD aggressively pushing the D-I agenda, but it's also quietly allowing boys to use girls
restrooms and girls to use boys restrooms. Multiple students have witnessed this at one of our middle schools. I contacted the principal at the school and asked him to explain why this is happening under his supervision. I asked him to investigate if students are being allowed to use whatever restroom they want. His only response was that he's not aware of what is happening. How is it possible that students know what's happening in their school building, but administrators don't?
That's unacceptable. Whatever happened to making our children safety a priority? Allowing boys and girls bathrooms is doing exactly the opposite. If my daughter ever comes home and tells me that guy walked into her bathroom, the leadership of this district will be held accountable. And this includes all of you on this board. For all the parents. Who want to report our district to the federal government for continuing to waste our tax dollars on the propaganda,
you can file a complaint at end by deed. Gov. In my opinion, our district doesn't deserve a single penny of our tax dollars because it has abandoned the noble mission of educating our children and has become an indoctrination institution that uses dye to poison the minds of our next generation. The fact that this district has refused to comply with the federal mandate to MDI proves that every parent in this district would rather you would rather push a destructive agenda rather than do what's best in the interests of every student.
Thank you. Okay. Got it. Okay, okay. We are going to move on to other so we are going to start with the reports from, our students. And so, Diana, would you like to start? Yeah. I think first of all, you look great on the podcast and very great to hear that positivity. Thank you. Good evening. Members of the board, staff, students and families, thank you for the opportunity to share some of the recent updates. Math and high school community.
First, we are excited to celebrate the success of our athletics teams, our boys swimming and diving team on the O.R. Blue Championship. Additionally, our boys basketball team received the mHSAA District Championship, which was a fantastic achievement for our athletes and our coaching staff in powerlifting. Our girls team secured their third consecutive state championship, while our boys powerlifting team finished by placing fourth in the state. Our boys bowling team also had a strong finish, placing 14th at the mHSAA state meet.
As we transition into spring sports, our first home event is tomorrow at 7 p.m. with our girls soccer team. Additionally, today marks the first day of boys volleyball tryouts as we introduce both boys volleyball as a club sport at Athens. Moving on to academic and extracurricular achievements, our Science Olympiad team had a fantastic performance, finishing second at regionals in Deca. Our students earned 11 medals at their state finals, with two students qualifying as state champions who will advance in the international
final in Orlando, Florida next month. Our Athens forensic team placed first at the Avondale Ninja stations. Beyond competitions, we've been focused on keeping our families engaged. Our March 5th. Sorry. On March 5th, we held a 10th grade parent night as part of Athens University, helping families navigate academic planning and student success. Looking ahead, we are hosting Curriculum Night tomorrow, March 19th at 7 p.m. this event will provide families with valuable information about course offerings and programs at Athens.
And that concludes the latest updates from Athens High School. Thank you and go Hawks. Great. Thank you. Yes. You want to go next, Adam? Sure. And happily. Good evening. Members of the board and of the community. Thank you for the opportunity to update the community on Troy High School happenings in the recent month. Spring sports are in full swing at Troy High School, and our votes are preparing to take on the fiercest competition in lacrosse, water polo, baseball, softball, golf, track and field, tennis, and girls soccer.
We look forward to a season full of wins across all teams and wish our student athletes good luck this season. Moving into some other organizations at Troy High School, Deca. This past weekend, 135 members of Troy High Deca competed for Glass in Detroit at the Huntington Center in a wide array of events ranging from hospitality and tourism to marketing management. LED by Mrs. Elena Wahlberg, Troy High will be sending roughly 45 competitors to Orlando, Florida, to compete against business leaders across the globe. The Troy Theater Ensemble performing
their spring play, a midsummer Night's Dream, this past weekend. As well. This unique take on the Shakespearean classic was incredible, and we are very proud of all of the hard work that went into this production a week prior. Troy High model took a bite out of the big Apple with 15 students attending. The model U.N. International Conference, competed with students from over 250 schools, and received awards like Best Delegate and Award of Excellence for their hard work. Last but not least, congratulations to the team of five members from the Troy High Math Club for being named Grand Champion at the Flint Math Field Day.
Looking into the future, we have some upcoming events. We are actually in full swing with our Spring Break Spirit Week to send our students off into their week long spring vacation. We are hosting a Spring Break Spirit Week, where our coats can show just how ready they are for a break. Tomorrow is destination day, so coats, if you're out there listening, let's see your vacation starts tomorrow. Next up is Senior Citizens Prom. On April 23rd, we will be hosting a prom like dance for senior citizens in the community. Dinner, music and dancing will be provided.
If you are interested in this event, please reach out to Troy High, Student Government or myself. And last but not least, go girls. Great. Thank you. Adam, let's go over to the other side. Christian, do you want to tell us what's going on and talks church. This month at TCC, starting from the most important, we got 50 new MacBook airs, via grant money to help kids do their work better and hopefully reduce phone use and stuff like that.
Woodshop has gotten a grant for new materials. The careers class has had their second wave of interviews, this time with real employers, and a student even got hired from that. The there was a cabinet shop field trip with select students, which was intended to teachers, teach students skilled trades and get them get have them form some connections outside of just, school based, skill based,
like skills because, music club got new instruments, two electric guitars and two electric basses. They're the literary journal, which is a club in progress of sorts, is, a student and a teacher, Mr. Fletcher, our creative, collection of poetry, prose and art to share and, publish to the world. And in men of today, life skills are being taught, such as drywall repair, how to change a diaper, and how to cut onion broccoli.
There's a couple skills. Yeah, great important skills. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Christian. And then finally, Narada, you want to tell us what's happening at Ieast? I would love to. Good evening everyone. I hope you are all having a terrific Tuesday. It has been an awesome month, at Ieast, with meaningful events and impactful extracurricular activities. To start off the month, our Red Cross Club hosted a blood drive
that almost 60 students and teachers participate in every two seconds. Someone in the US needs blood, and we are extremely proud of our students for taking action to address this critical need. Another big event we hosted was our second annual Shamrock Shake down a Special Olympics basketball tournament. We spearhead with the Troy Center for transition. Our sophomores took their shot at organizing this event through their Adventure Challenge class, working
hard to slam dunk the decorations by filling the gymnasium with personalized banners and jerseys for each team. They also took on the roles of announcers, cheerleaders, and halftime coordinators to make the tournament as memorable as possible. Every year I am brought to tears by the uplifting atmosphere our IU students create. The crowd truly makes every shot feel like it is straight out of the NBA finals.
I cannot wait to see where the event will go from here. In club news last week, our forensics team spoke volumes at their final invitational of the season. Since December, our students have been working hard to perfect their delivery and ensure that every speech is mic drop worthy. We are eager to hear them make their voices heard at the upcoming regional and state competitions. This past weekend, our model U.N. team attended the Michigan State University Model U.N.
conference. Some of our students stepped inside the shoes of world leaders to preserve the human rights of every child, while others channel their inner rockstars to launch music television on MTV board of directors. We can't debate the passion that our students put into crafting policies that could transform global affairs, and the soundtrack of history. Lastly, this week is Powderpuff Volleyball Spirit Week, featuring Jersey Day and Pajama Day,
which most of our students practice every day. This is the highly anticipated matchup between the junior and senior boys will happen this Thursday, and if you were unable to attend, I can serve up the result early. The seniors will fight their way to victory and that is all I have with current news from Iowa East. Great. Thank you. Well, as you can tell from our student reports, our high schools are in full swing. You guys will really deserve a break next week.
Okay, we're going to do, round table for the board. Stephanie. Anything? Yep. I just, in terms of, terrific Tuesday, shout out to. I'm gonna have you start writing my end. Yeah. I'd like to thank the schools that have invited us to come and read for March's reading. It's been absolutely fantastic to get into classrooms and see our amazing kids, eager about reading every single day. And one last shout out to our teachers who I know are, running hard to the end of this week when, spring break will start, where they'll get to take a little breather before the,
the last run to the end of the school year. So, a big thank you to all of our staff who worked hard last week at parent teacher conferences, making sure that our, parents and community know exactly how their kids are doing and getting ready to rest up before the end of the year. Great. Thank you. Alicia. Hi. I was kind of disappointed that everyone, everyone who was here from band left. But shout out to all the band members. I am actually missing my son's middle school band concert tonight, but it's it's very,
funny to me and entertaining to see kids go from fifth grade where they're squeaking their way through those instruments to sixth grade, seventh grade, eighth grade, and high school. It's almost like being in front of you know, the downtown and or whatever, Carnegie Hall. I, I think the teachers do such a phenomenal job teaching these, these kids, I don't know, I know I took the flute, I think I studied the flute, and I was horrible. Yeah. So, shout out to everybody in band and music.
I was able to also go to a Leah. My daughter's, powerlifting banquet at Athens. She placed fourth in the state for her weight division. I was so excited for her go Hawks. Very, very happy for them. Also looking forward to the next couple of, RC meetings. Looking forward to reading all the feedback from parents in the community. And, happy spring break for everybody. I know everyone's looking forward to some time off. And one last thing.
I know the Troy School District is always going to be a district that supports all students and all teachers, regardless of, you know, wherever we are, we're whoever we worship, whoever we love. And I, for one, it will not stand for anyone trashing our district or saying anything disparaging, not against our students or our teachers ever. So thank you everybody. Thank you. Order. Well, I just wanted to, kind of piggyback on one of our resolutions from from last month.
Last month, our board passed a resolution urging Congress to fully fund ID, a, fulfilling the promise that was made over 50 years ago or actually 50 years ago. To, provide a certain level of funding for states for special education students. And I wanted to thank the members of our, group here that traveled to DC to advocate on behalf of kids for Ida and get getting that fully funded. I wasn't able to make that trip, but, I'm busy here at home.
I'm a member of my pack, which is, stands for Michigan Parent Attorney and Advocate Coalition. And the month of March, we're kicking off our Michigan special education finance reform blueprint. So with this, we are working on getting input from groups and individuals across the state, with the goal of getting input on, special education finance reform. With that looking like providing school districts with the funding that they need for special education, but also funding
education and special education in an equitable manner. Many people don't realize that, and this is a great example of when we talk about equity in schools, this is what equity is about. We get a certain number of dollars from the state of Michigan for every single student, but every single student doesn't cost the same to educate. We know that some of our special needs kids are much more expensive. They have much greater needs, but yet they're funded at the same level. So what we're trying to do is get equity
for all of our kids so that they all have what they need. And so that's the challenge. That's what this group is working for. I'm super happy to be a part of that group. And I'm also, really proud that my colleagues are joining us on that journey and advocating for Ida fully funding. And doctor McKissick is leading that as well. So thank you. Great. Thank you. Matt. I don't have much. I just want to say happy, March's reading month. I was able to go to a couple schools, and the questions that the kids ask you at the end is just the cutest thing.
I was asked if I actually wrote the book that I was reading, which is, I just wanted to say that I love that we do that as a district. Hopefully all the parents can go out and, you know, if not this year, next year, be able to go into their classrooms. And I wish everybody a very relaxing and safe spring break, right? I mean, nothing to say the can't I pretty much pretty much all my colleagues have covered everything I wanted to say. The only thing I want to add is for all the, people that celebrate. Holy. We celebrated the Holy last weekend.
It was a day off for the students, but our teachers were busily doing, professional development. Thank you so much for them. And right after their, parent teacher conferences. Thanks a lot. And thanks for the district for putting together that, calendar for that to happen. Happy holidays to all and happy spring break to everybody. You all deserve a break. Right, doctor Chesky? Thank you. Spring is a time for a number of celebrations. Mrs. Pilotto mentioned one this evening, and that is, retirement of Mr. Novella.
We have the distinct privilege as a board, and as an administrative team and as a community to celebrate our retirees later this spring, if you'll all join us in celebrating, what will likely be a fair number of retirees as we, as we move into the spring. So it's a highlight of the work that we get to do, to celebrate those that have given so much of their life and their to this community, and to the thousands and thousands of students that they've served. So we look forward to that. Miss Potts mentioned the arc. We actually we have, two meetings left. We will meet this Thursday at Larson.
That be the 20th March 20th at 530 at Larson. We did add an additional meeting for April 8th, 530 again at Larson. Knowing that the the meeting this Thursday is right before spring break, we don't want we wanted to make sure we didn't miss anyone. So anyone that has an interest, to to get to one of those, the, the 8th of April would be the last opportunity, although there will be additional opportunity for anyone in the community to provide input that will be in the form of, a survey that will go out,
the the information that we're gathering from these RC meetings. And thank you to all of our board members that have been to multiple, meetings thus far. Is that information will be used that we're gathering will be used to inform the survey that we're putting together, that the entire community will have an opportunity to weigh in on. So you can look for that, later that survey later in April, for those that may not be attending those meetings, we will be starting our spring updates for all staff across the district, as well as our PTO, PTA groups, our booster groups.
Those will start in mid April. So look forward to getting out, and visiting with all of our with all of our community. And that way, I want to, shout out to, narrate and, and the Shamrock Shake down. I had an opportunity. Many of us had an opportunity to attend that really a fabulous event, where, students, especially students from here in Troy as well as, Bloomfield Hills and Avondale had an an opportunity to come and really be celebrated, by the students that I, in in that in the gymnasium there.
It is truly special. This is the second time I've had a chance to see it. It's really it's a great event. So thank you to the students at Ida and Mr. C for for putting that on. Lastly, just a huge thanks to our teaching and learning team, as well as our instructional leadership team across the school district who put together, a terrific day of learning on Friday of last week, as was mentioned, as any, the staff was involved, all of our staff, including our secretarial staff, our support staff, were involved in professional learning all day on Friday,
had a chance to hit a number of those. And, we got some really terrific feedback from the opportunities that were provided to staff that day. So, although a day off for students, our staff were in, and, and working diligently, really focused on improving their practice, as, as professionals across our school districts, we want to thank them for their, their continued dedication. With respect to that, and thanks to our teaching and learning team, for for putting in our instructional leadership team, for putting all of that together. Tremendous amount of work goes into providing sessions for over 850
teaching staff as well as, almost 80 secretarial staff, over 100 paraprofessionals. And the tremendous amount that goes into that. And so, again, we thank them. And I agree, spring break comes at a great time looking, wishing everyone a spring break, a great spring break. Safe travels. And we'll see everyone back on Tuesday, April 1st. Right? Right. Great. So I only have one thing. I thought you were going to bring this up, but, I did want to alert the community
because we will have a meeting before our next, board meeting, but, members of the board are going to be doing, open community forums for, you know, any members of the community who would like to come and talk. So we're going to divide and conquer. There'll be 2 or 3, board members, you know, at each of these sessions, the first one is April 9th, 8 a.m., eight at 8 a.m.. We're going to do different times. And I don't know that we have a location, but do we have a central office?
Okay. And then the next one is May, May 11th, May 11th or Sunday. So there'll be two more and they'll come out in a in a district communication. They so we'll do two this year. And then, you know, the plan is to do them, every about every other month or so, next year. So it's just another opportunity for people to be able to do some small group conversation with the board. So with that, if there is no further business, we are going to adjourn tonight again.
Happy spring break, everyone. And our next meeting is doctor McCluskey said is a workshop on Tuesday, April 1st, which will take place over at the administration building starting at 6:00. Thank you all and good night