##VIDEO ID:IZsVnbo2ehQ## e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e the first item on our agenda for this evening trusty saton Kennedy present trusty Fields here trusty Townsen pres trusty good I am here trusty Lee present trusty Hawkins I am present we apologize we are having a few technical difficulties so please bear with us the next item on our agenda for this evening is the Pledge of Allegiance we'd like to invite members of the public and all those present for our meeting to join us in reciting of the Pledge Shar I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the rep okay while we work out some of our technical difficulties uh this is a special meeting this evening um we have newly elected board members e all right how do I okay so I'm loud and I'm echoing try it again all right I want to try to get this right because they people are probably going to film and you want to have a copy of this so I'll keep talking until you can try to get me my echo okay there we go there we go all right good afternoon everyone it is always an honor and a pleasure to be here with you to do this swearing in and today I have three trustees that I'm swearing in drest Hawkins Don epy Andel but um I always tell people when I come to these events to swear people in that I do a lot of work that does not involve positive stuffff but today I get to do one of the three positive things that I get to do in my role one of those is to perform marriages the other is to perform exp punishment and then there's this one to perform swearing in ceremonies and um it's I just wanted I was telling someone earlier about this that when I first started in this Ro I've only been a judge for four years now when I and I'm going into my fifth when I first started in world the first wearing imp uh ceremony that I performed was for Land Community Schools so um the reason I say that is because education is so important and I remember the first time I did this I was so extremely nervous about being here and Performing and through you I was educated in that process what you do here in terms of Ed educating our children is so extremely important um I always give this speech about an oath like being a part of a a marriage ceremony and it's true for you too um when you take this over you are swearing and giving an oath to the community to the students and to the public at large that you're going to do your best to ensure that these children get the best education that they can get and so at this point in time it is my honor to ask so we're going to do it in order um I believe want to do it individually tonight I'm very very excited to have that opportunity so I'm going to start in order that it's so Dr if you would please stand and uh raise your right hand to take the O repeat after me I do silently swear or airm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of this state and that I will Faithfully discharge the duties of the office of member of the Board of Education of education for Ian community schools in Washington michig according to the best of my ability thank you you are Inc please raise your right hand I do silently swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of this state and that I will Faithfully discharge the duty of the office of member of Board of Education of the ipsan community school was Michigan according to the best of my abilities congratulations and last but not miss ficia Sutton k please raise your right hand I do Solly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constition of this state and that I will Faithfully discharge the duties of the office of member of Board of Education of if Community School Washington Michigan according to the best of my abilities congratulations everybody and again thank you for the opportunity do this I absolutely love it e e e good evening superintendent Court members and trustees thank you we have our wonderful students and parents here tonight our parents will please stand and thank you for your students here night and our wi Scholars please come on up hello my name is m point of Pride number one fourth graders went on a fun adventure as a part of the nature of Weights program at waterd Recreation they went hiking the friendly DNR naturalist who taught them all about the state Parts the students learned that these parts belong belong to every reflecting the inclusive nature of every we are learning environmental 2025 school year both teachers and students will participate in training and development learn about making our community supp for this means understanding different races and supporting ourg will hello my name is Milo Sears point of Pride number three the third grade classes held of health fair where where they were demonstrated ways to stay healthy and mind body and soul the whole school Community including students teachers and families took part in displays activities and learned about Fitness mindfulness good food and being positive it was just what wise needed hello my name is Maya Lori point of Pride number four we are pleased with the success of our whole School recycling program it teaches us how to take care of Earth by reducing waste and keeping our school clean by recycling together we can learn teamwork and help make the world a better place for all future Generations hello my name is Sophia Tu Bank point of Pride number five the fifth grade class recently hosted their first school wide Holiday Market which was a great success they came up with Innova ideas and created a space where students staff and parents could shop for handmade and donated items all the funds raised will go toward their fifth grade camp and the students are very proud of hello my name is Isaiah Boyd point of Pride six our partnership with emu continues to grow we've started with the volleyball team and now we also have the women's basketball women's gymnastics and football team these sports teams help our students engage in literacy and learning activities make making school and learning even more fun and engaging for the students point of Pride number seven wise continues to increase in enrollment annually with 13.51% of current students coming back to the district after previously attending other Public Schools Charter Schools or learning through home schooling or virtual programs this increase suggests that more families are choosing to return which would reflect growing confidence in what wise has to offer thank you for e for e e Dr Zachary Ross before you go any further this is beautiful and I just want to say my seven-year-old granddaughter and I I have this little silver tray that we make our board on we are going to love this I've GL you know oh my goodness she's gonna come over she gonna say yeaha oh my goodness cause she be making it boy she be making she be cutting up that cheese and that meat oh my God this is beautiful thank you thank you oh my goodness e for okay I think it's good perfect that now takes us to item four on our agenda which is the acceptance of the agenda oh I'm sorry Dr Zach Russ go ahead each year we know at the organizational meeting the board is committed to sharing the mission statement with the community uh when we were looking towards the long-term planning they worked with Mary Kerwin to revisit this plan this mission statement with uh the community and your input was invaluable so the ycs mission statement the purpose of Ian Community Schools is to develop mindful engaged students with the skill set work ethic and attitude to contribute to a community that honors diversity equity and Justice excellent thank you so much Dr Zachary Ross now that takes us to item four which is the acceptance of our agenda at this time I would like to invite a board member to offer a motion to accept the agenda as presented um president Hawkins trusty Lee move that the Board of Education accept the agenda as presented thank you a motion has been made by trustee vice president Lee is there a support for this motion trusty Fields I support supported by thank you supported by trusty Fields all those in favor say I I those opposed that motion carries next that takes us to public comments for this evening Miss haes have any public comment card to come in thank you okay thank you Miss Hayes um next that takes us to item six which is the election of our acting chair person and the appointment of our orary secretary as the Board of Education moves into the organizational portion of our meeting for this evening at this time we would like to have a motion to nominate Dr Zachary Ross to serve as acting chairperson for this organizational meeting May I have a board member offer a motion um president president Hawkins trustly moved to nominate superintendent Dr Zachary Ross to serve as acting chairperson for this organizational meeting thank you a motion has been made by vice president Lee is there support for this motion trusty Fields I support thank you supported by trusty Fields all those in favor I those oppose that motion carries Dr Zachary Ross our superintendent from this point forward until all the organizational meeting business has been concluded will serve as the acting chairperson Dr Zachary Ross I will turn it over to you thank you at this time I hereby appoint Miss Julie Hayes to serve as temporary secretary until such time as the secretary of the board of education has been elected we will now move to the annual organiz ational meeting and begin with learning who has an interest in serving as president of the board I will recognize each trustee with an interest and ask each to share your level of interest and assets that you bring to the role of president after each interested trustee has spoken I will request um that you trustees will name the person you would prefer to serve as president for this year are there any persons interested in serving in the role of President Dr Zachary Ross I would be interested in serving as president for this year thank you uh truste Hawkins will you please share your level of interest and assets that you bring to the role of President yes thank you Dr Zachary Ross um I am interested in continuing to serve in the role as president um because I have a number of of deep passions for this district and I have served on this board for a number of years um I would consider myself organized Dependable uh compassionate enthusiastic a collaborator um and a leader um in this district and I am humbled to be able to not only serve in this community but also to have the the board members who I serve with um their confidence um and support um as I have been in this role um we've accomplish accomplished a great deal um since I've been serving in this role as president and I look forward to all that we will continue to accomplish um in the years ahead thank you Dr Zachary Ross thank you trusty Hawkins are there any other trustees interested in serving in the role as president Are any are there any other trustees interested in serving in the role as president and finally the third time are there any of the trustees interested in serving in the role as president seeing none others name and remember trustees each uh trustee will be called to identify the name of the trustee that uh uh of your preferred candidate for uh preference um this will obviously we don't have to narrow the poll however once the majority has support for the position we will stop the roll call when we have a majority which is four um for that single candidate after uh Miss haes calls the names and that person will will be uh when we have majority support so we have well we'll have the majority already so we'll put down trusty Hawkins uh may I have a motion for trusty Hawkins to be president for the 2026 25 20 20 whatever until the 20 2026 organizational meeting I have a motion superintendent Zachary Ross I mooved that uh trusty Hawkins serve as the president of the Board of Education until the 20 2026 organizational meeting thank you trusty G is there support supporty thank you trusty Lee so I have a motion from trusty Goodrich and I have support from trusty Lee that pres that trusty Hawkins served as president until the 2026 organizational meeting any discussion on this item not may I have a roll call vote Miss P Dr Celeste Hawkins hi hi hi hi hi I the motion passes 70 the bo vote is to have Dr Celeste Hawkins serve as president until the 2026 organizational meeting congratulations President Hawkins thank you thank you board next who has an interest in serving as vice president of the board um Dr Zachary Ross trusty Lee I do thank you trusty Lee please share your level of interest and the assets that you bring to the role of Vice President I've been serving on the board of education for 11 years for three of those years I've been vice president on the board of education I also have serve on a lot of committees I am available to fill in whenever there's necessary need I am proud of all the accomplishments that we have as a board as a whole has accomplished and I feel like I am ready to move forward with the new members on the board and I look forward to all the accomplishments that we will continue to achieve on this board of education thank you trusty Lee are there any other persons who are interested in serving as vice president of the board are there any other persons interested in serving as vice president of the board and finally are there any other persons that's serving as vice president of the board seeing none we will move and add vice president's Lee name here and I will ask if there's someone who's interested in providing a a nominated her or providing a motion are you ready for the motion Dr Zachary yes I I nominate vice president Lee to serve as vice president until the 2026 organizational meeting thank you is there someone to provide support to that motion Dr Zary Ross I second trust you yes we all right I have a nomination from truste Hawkins and with support from trusty SB that trusty Lee sered as vice president into the 2026 organizational meeting is there any discussion on this item seeing none I have no question question since we're on since the four have to say yes do you have to read them all if you do the top four because we only have one candidate right so yeah but when you do that you just have to do the first four you have to read all of them no not if we don't have the fourre last yep we don't have any other candidates okay I just make sure because last time we ran them on you don't have to if we have two we do have two right yep if we get if we have two we're gonna have to just trying to save you some time because you went through all of them and I oh we have but each person has we have to do the okay that's the roll okay I just want to and if we get if we do get two people who run I'm going to have to go through all I'm going to have to ask you for your candidate yeah which is fine but I was just read and it said the first four vots and that and that's different than a roll call I just want to be clear I want be clear say time all right roll hi hi hi I I I here I and the motion passes 70 the vote is to have trusty Lee serve as vice president until the 2026 organizational meeting congratul congratulations vice president Lee thank you next who has an interest in serving as Secretary of the board superintendent Zachary Ross uh I would be interested in serving as secretary in the coming year thank you and please share your level of interest and the asset that you bring to the role of secretary uh I've been honored to serve as the Secretary of this board for the past three years um I'd be interested in serving for one more year I'm detail oriented and organized I'm um passionate about maintaining records and uh sharing and managing information I'm good at signing things think that covers it thank you is there are there any additional trustees who are interested in serving in the role of Secretary of the board are there any other trustees interested in serving as Secretary of the board and finally are any other trustees interested in serving as Secretary of the board seeing none I'll invite a trustee to a motion truste suton Kennedy I nominate um trusty good Rich to serve as secretary into the 2026 organizational meeting thank you is there support for this motion trusty fils I support thank you I have a motion by trusty S Kennedy and support from trusty fills that trusty Maria goodr sered as secretary into the 2026 organizational meeting any discussion on this matter seeing none would you please I I I Hi I hi I thank you the motion pass passes 70 the vote is to have just Maria putri serve as secretary into the 2026 organizational meeting congrat congratulations secretary thank you next who has an interest in serving as treasurer of the board Dr Zachary Ross um I have an interest in serving as treasurer of the board thank you so much please share your level of interest and the assets that you bring to the role of treasur um I've currently served on the board since 2021 um I have current L I have 25 years in banking and finance experience 16 years in real estate um I have served as the treasurer and Secretary of the washingon area School Board Association and currently I am the um president of that board as well and I also serve an executive leadership on six other boards um where I have served also as Treasurer and I have a deep passion to make sure that the district becomes or remains financially sound and that we protect all of our assets including uh those properties real estate as well as um all of our assets and as well as our making sure that our children have um the resources that they need to continue to be successful thank you please share um is there any are there any other trustees who are interested in serving as treasur of the board are there any other trustees who are interested in serving as treasur of the board and finally are there any other trustees interested in serving as treasurer of the board see none I'll entertain a motion trusty um Fields thank you I nominate uh Janice Thompson to serve as treasure into the 2026 organ organizational meeting thank is their support for this motion support trusty good thank you this time I have a motion from trusty Fields with support from trusty Goodrich that trusty towns and serve as treasur to the 2026 organizational meeting is there any discussion on this item sing none may hi I I I I hi hi the motion passes 70 the vote is to have trustee Janice Townsen serve as Treasurer into the 2026 organizational meeting congratulations Treasurer towns thank you for the opportunity to chair the organizational meeting I now recognize president Hawkins who will serve as chair going forward it has been a pleasure thank you so much Dr Zachary Ross and thank you Miss Haynes for uh getting us through the organizational meeting portion for this evening um board members you will see that that has now taken us to to uh the point in our board meeting where we make our appointments for um our subcommittees and also our liaison appointments um currently we have openings in every area so I'm just going to go through the list to see who would have a willingness to serve is there someone who might be interested in serving as the parliamentarian for this year yes I'll stay that okay thank you vice president Lee uh we have an opening we need a trustee to serve on our Head Start policy committee is there a trustee who is interested in serving on that committee I want to continue with that one thank you vice president Lee next we have our legislative relations Network design is there a board member who is interested in serving in that role president Hawkins um I I would like to express my interest but also my willingness to open up the availability in in any of my positions uh if we have new members who would like to serve um in the places where I've have been serving thank you trusty goodr trusty Kennedy I'm interested in the lrn also okay I'm certainly happy to have trusty Sutton Kennedy um take over at lrn and U advocate for us in that body all right excellent so we have uh thank you so much trusty goodr um and thank you truste Sutton Kennedy for uh volunteering to serve in the role as our legislative relations Network designate next that before you go on yes is that the one that had the meetings at 7:30 in the morning okay that was a good description I love that that that was perfect just to be clear we're crystal clear okay next that takes us to uh number four which is our Wasa Association of school boards representative is there a trustee who's interested in serving in this role I would be interested in serving perfect could I add some context on this one of course um I I so appreciate how trusty Townson has has represented us and has also moved through the ranks of the executive committee there and I know that if if the pattern holds you will continue to be in leadership as past president um at least in through the next year um what I've been told by the WSB leadership is that we are still entitled to a regular seat if we wish um in addition to our in addition to our um our member who is serving as president right now um and I know we talked in our orientation meeting with the new board members about the value of getting to know the work of that body um so I just wanted to put put that out there they've been very enthusiastic about having representation from our district um and I think would be very welcoming of two representatives of ycs if there were interests okay thank you for that context trusty gri so it sounds like we have two potentially board members who could serve in those roles for w for as long as trusty Townsen remains an officer so what days and how many times MH okay so in addition to trust towns and is there another board member who might be interested in serving on the Wasa Association of school boards as a representative I am any other board members interested uh I am I'm interested as well trusty ESP okay arm I'm GNA see how many other ones I end up I have a clarification so I technically don't have to you don't okay well I I respect with you're seeing right right well in that case no arm wrestle it's all yours vice president Lee and it is all yours oh we we have one more I thought because you were in a Le Oh I thought we got three two yeah and we she used two yeah we get one vote but we can have another person there because trusty Townson Serv toal total of two people one toal two that be too you can take it okay yeah you can go ahead and take it okay mhm has it been settled okay trusty espie it is all yours thank you next that takes us to the iilani foundation we need a um for our board liaison we need a trustee to serve in this role is there a board member who's interested in serving in that role I well I was interested but I don't know if they need two people because I know she's already on there and I don't know if she has an executive position on that board too not yet we meeting yes yes that's what I thought but said that well we appoint at this meeting every year so you all can decide how you wanna I'm good but don't you have an aren't you on an executive board there as well um that's I think I'm just the board liaison right now oh I thought you was did something else though but that's the only reason as if they needed to but I thought you were so that's the only reason I said that well you can be aboard liaz and also hold an executive leadership position as the board leaza oh yeah but I didn't know if they need two that's why only reason I said that and I knew she was so if they only have one you can just keep it right yes so I'm I may continue in a different capacity because I know they're gonna have transition and we're working on some stuff right that's so I mean so trusty Townson you would be interested in continuing in the role for the foundation or are you saying that you're stepping back I um well I think like they're going to be having some executive positions opening up okay so I could that could be separate I believe would I would I be able to still to serve in that capacity I'm just asking separate from the board yes so like they still would have I know I would have talked I'm fairly certain that the foundation board would welcome working members um I don't want to speak for their leadership I um I don't know if we can do that that's what I'm saying so um well let's have her stay until they find out yeah yeah we I'll just stay until they find out for sure till there's clarification and we can always add another board member if needed right if you can do kind of serve in a dual capity correct I just want to get clarification okay can you let us know yes thank you okay so I have trusty Townsen as the ifsan foundation board liaison and if we need to make any adjustments we'll do that at a later date next we have the Michigan Association of school boards convention delegate and Alternate is there a board member interested and willing to serve as the delegate and is there a board member interested and willing to serve as the alternate I'll be the delegate again as you guys all stare at me oh guys looking at me like that no I'll do you've done such a wonderful job trusty F yes but okay I'll do it thank you who would like to serve as the alterate We Appreciate You serving in that role Trust C know she coming I don't know why she I don't know why she ain't saying nothing I'm just trusty Kennedy I'll sign up to be the alternate okay okay all right truste Sutton Kennedy I have you down in that role as the alternate thank you so much for Willing your willingness to serve next that takes us to number seven which is our uh coordinated school health Team um appointee is there a trustee interested in serving in that role trusty feels I need a little bit more background on it though but I would have an interest you are interested you said trusty Phil yeah I just want some more background don't we have a I thought we have something a little bit give me a little bit more okay okay just let me know I'm sure and are you over that oh so I'm gonna be good so just confirming trusty Fields that's a yes thank you so we have trusty Fields serving is is in the role as the coordinated school health Team representative and lastly we have the um sex education Advisory Board representative is there a trustee interested in serving in that role trustee I'm interested in serving in that role great thank you trusty esie all right now we'll move into our subcommittee appointments um and each of our subcommittees can have up to one or three members so the first committee or subcommittee is our policy subcommittee which board members might be interested in serving on the policy subcommittee president Hawkins uh trusty good I would be interested in serving again on the policy subcommittee um and if it's not out of line I'll volunteer at this point that I would be willing to chair that committee for the next year thank you so much trusty Goodridge any other board members interested in serving on the policy subcommittee I will continue to serve in that role is there another trustee who's interested trusty S Kennedy thank so we have trusty goodward serving as our chair trusty uh Hawkins and trusty suton Kennedy next we have the financial and operational planning subcommittee is there are there board members interested in serving on this subcommittee uh president Hawkins I would be interested in still serving as a chair perfect thank you so much we have trusty Townson who is serving continuing to serve in this important role are there other board members who might be interested in serving on the financial and operational planning subcommittee trusty Fields thank you any other board members interested all right I will continue to serve in that role as well um next that takes us to thank you trusty Townson who will serve as the chair we have trusty Phils and um trusty Hawkins who will serve on the financial and operational planning subcommittee next that takes us to the Strategic and educational performance subcommittee are there uh trustees who are interested in serving on this committee I am vice president Lee thank you vice president Lee president Hawkins um I would also be interested in continuing on that subcommittee but um additionally I'm willing to make space for uh new who might wish to work in that area perfect thank you vice president Le trusty goodr other board members interested in serving on this committee uh trustee espie I would be willing to serve on that committee right excellent we have three board members who would be in I'm sorry who was chair last um I think I've served as chair of that subcommittee um so seeing as though we have three board members um were interested in serving um among you who which one of you would be interested in serving as a chair I would have an interest in serving this is certainly one of the areas that I'm uh deeply invested in so that's a yes thank you thank you so much trusty goodr all right we have trusty goodr serving as the chair and we have vice president Lee and we have truste as thank you all so much and lastly we have our community relations subcommittee what board members might be interested in serving on this subcommittee trusty Fields would like to chair the community relation subcommittee and vice president all right trusty Thon excellent thank you so much for continuing in these important roles so we have trusty field serving as the chair vice president Lee and trusty Townson thank you board members for your commitment for your service in these important roles as we continue to move the district forward okay so just as a note um and I'm going to go through and read all of the um positions again so that we remember and then miss Haynes is always gracious enough to send the these um appointments out in case we leave the meeting and forgot what we signed up for we'll get it in our email so we know what our our roles and responsibilities are um we will not have a school culture and discipline subcommittee this year um and we will continue to have our regular updates and continue to have discussions and dialogues uh throughout the year about where we are um in this area so in I just want to recap everything that we've done before we take a motion the Parliamentary for the board will be truste Lee Head Start policy committee by the parliamentarian will be parliamentarian will be vice president Lee the Head Start policy uh committee leaan will be vice president Lee the legislative relations Network design will be truste Sutton Kennedy the Wasing off Association of school boards representative will trusty towns the ipsan foundation board liaison will be trusty towns and if we need to make adjustments we will the Michigan Association of school boards convention delegate and Alternate will be trusty field serving as the delegate the alternate will be trusty Sutton Kennedy the coordinated school health team appointee will be trust Fields the sex education Advisory Board liaison will be trusty SB on on our subcommittees we have policy subcommittee our chair trusty gutrich president Hawkins and trusty Sutton Kennedy will also serve on the policy subcommittee the financial and operational planning subcommittee truste Townsen will serve as the chair that committee will also consist of trusty fields and trusty Hawkins the Strategic and educational performance sub committee will be chaired by trusty Goodrich vice president Lee and trusty espie will also serve on that committee and lastly our community relations subcommittee will be chaired by trusty fields and VI vice president Lee and trusty Townsen will also serve on that committee at this time is there a motion president hains may ask a point of clarification sure uh for the uh I believe what we came to the conclusion on the wash Association of school boards was that truste Townsen is act as the board president of the Wason area Association of school boards um would not would not technically be the trustee representative from the board is and that in fact I would be yeah is that correct y that is correct I just don't have your name written down there must have been lots of discussion okay I got you okay so the Washington Association of school boards representative would be myself trusty ESP yes yes thank you so much trusty ESP for pointing that out yep I have Town's name I think we had discussion and then ultimately you were um appointed to serve in that role okay so for the Wasa Association of school boards um the representative is going to be trusty espie thank you again for that correction um anything else does everything else sound like what we agreed to as a board in terms of our liazon appointments and our subcommittees all right is there a motion at this time Madam president trusty goodr I move that the appointments you just articulated of board Representatives be approved and in effect until the next organizational meeting in January 2026 thank you a motion has been made by trusty Goodrich is there support for this motion support vice president Lee thank you supported by vice president Lee all those in favor those opposed that motion carries thank you again board members for your service and getting us through this part of our organizational meeting next that takes us to item eight which is our request for a request for a Clos session is there a motion at this time Madame president vice president Lee move at the Board of Education convene and close session under section 8h of the OM attorney client privileges thank you a motion has been made by vice president Lee is there support for this motion thank you supported by trusty Townson all those in favor I those opposed that motion carries the Board of Education will convene in close session at 7:34 we will leave and go to another room and come back to finish the board business e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e the time is 8:27 the board of education is back in Open Session the next item on our agenda is a presentation at this time I will turn over to Dr Zachary Ross thank you madam president at this time I will ask uh our Consultants from SJ Apple Dr naris to please come uh we know that the board worked with SJ Apple to um provide our community stakeholders with opportunity to give feedback um towards the district 5year strategic plan and we are happy to have them to come to provide information for us and give us the feedback the initial feedback from um their interactions with our community stakeholders thank you Dr Nares thank you good thank you Dr zoss we appreciate I have some copies for the board U all right atam presid superintendent board members we we are just uh super excited about um uh sharing the draft of this form and the reason I call it a draft is because it is an ongoing document um a strategic plan is never done in a system and we have also you know there's two additional board members and so we want to be able to get the opportunity to engage in conversation with you guys as well coming on the board uh but we're really excited um SJ was just really humbled at first uh thank you for the opportunity for us to even do the stre plan but it's great to work in a district where there's Forward Thinking and trying to do a lot of things uh for kids um and we're just excited about that opportunity um one thing I did want to share is uh one of the things that we really pride ourselves is to try to make sure that we do a lot of engag engagement and I mean a lot we spoke to so many folks in the district I see you got leaders in here we spoke to Educators uh you named the folks we spoke to them and so you know uh uh because the reality is a street plan is not only for the school system but it's also for the community and we believe that in order to move the the system forward as Dr zachar Ros talked about is is trying to get the community to buy in make sure they understand where they're going and all those things and you guys are doing a lot of great work and also Forward Thinking around where we are so I'm going to go through some notes but I'm going to show you some cool things first so we have a little video we're going to share with you uh uh the reason I want to share the video is for two reasons number one you guys are doing some cool stuff around AI which the kids talked a lot about in uh all the engagement of the schools and those things so uh we wanted to try to you know match the kids a little bit because you know as you know when you talk to students around I mean the students or the scholars around that work uh they love to tell you about how to do things we pretty cool to share some of that with you so uh we have a video that we'll put up for you I promise you we rehearse the video it [Laughter] works now let me let me just say about the video yes let me say so we were going to put Dr Ross as the Avatar but I'm giving away a little bit of this but uh but uh we we put somebody but we had some cool stuff we're gonna do so we're gonna show you this got it okay is the Dr they going to make that's what they were saying [Music] no not barely bring the I can bring the microphone it's it's the volume on the system as opposed to the volume on that by AI [Music] as ly Community Schools is committed to providing an equitable and inclusive learning environment all Scholars regardless of race ethnicity Stat or learning style have not just a a fundal principle that guides all of our decisions and actions priorities for this strategic plan are bold and Clear World our Scholars will inherit will be very different we want them to succeed is expected to add priorities ensure that we will support our Scholars all the way we are laying the foundation today as Scholars embody the ycs portrait of a graduate they will investment we are dedicated to fostering a enior experiential learningly invite you to [Music] engage available on our district website in invite you to become an active participant your involvement is vital in the lives of our Scholars let's do this together we are stronger today stronger tomorrow stronger together so so when you actually hear without the sound effects I promise you it's cool so um but we we can send you the video um just turn this all right uh but we we can share that video but um with you um but the point is the reason we set it up that way is for you to kind of see a little bit about where you are in terms of the type of Future Ready work that you're doing as you know uh the school District in all of our engagement not only with what was going on in the school district but you're also preparing a Workforce to getting kids to be in a much very accelerated pace and you've been working towards doing that and so I'm gonna walk you through just some high level stuff in the current plan that we have and then I'll take you a little bit of questions to kind of anchor us a little bit where we are so if you go down um through the document I'll just highlight a few things uh you'll see if you go down in uh the draft of page six we put down what about your projected growth as you're going we worked a lot with all your departments around where you are because you're doing such great work around that work um as I shared with you before kind of our process we did Community surveys talked to focus groups uh did Town Halls uh School site Council meetings we talked to many of your scholars in a number of sets of schools uh we talked from University folks to community organizations uh that we had conversation around and we also did did some of that also with some of your school leaders in the room too to get a good sense around how they interacted uh with those pieces um one of the things that we believe a lot is we did a lot of focus groups and the reason we do more focus groups is because you can actually hear what somebody's going to tell you and interpret what that means and how they feel about it when they from the start to the end and also we asked about how do they engage with schools uh and how they wanted kids to see the future of that to see what that alignment would be um one of the things that is the main driver that we've heard through a lot of different stakeholders was the the word of equity and your commitment to that so you're going to see in the document uh an equity statement that is your statement around how you see the work and so we align that to all of your variations of goals that you have in that work um through your vision and your mission in that work um in your in your plan there's also a theory of action you know uh that you're going to see there talks about all your programming from accelerated learning through the innov of high standards um how kids interpret the work how the community engages in that from the variations of offerings that you have um and you have a lot of different set of offerings we believe is is outstanding and how you measure growth for that as you're building for a future for kids to succeed um we also as you go down you'll see you'll have your portrait of a ycs graduate um and if I wanted to highlight some things that make you a little bit different we get to work now with a a few districts across the country you talk about this around you want your learners to be leading Learners to be curious reflective thinkers around the work that you've done um the three areas that you'll see throughout the document is around accelerating for academic work future Readiness which you heard that a lot how do we prepare uh students to not only be future um workers but Future Leaders which I think is a very different approach um you heard that a lot not only from uh from Educators but from school leaders and also Community Partners that you had whether it was Community Based organizations to University folks trying to work in alignment in that process and then the other part which uh I know the board works a lot on is trying to make sure that uh you have Equitable access to resources um you vote on a budget so I tell folks you know don't have to tell me what you believe in your budget will tell you that right and so uh we talked a lot about what that looks like uh the key thing also is you're going to see we have what they call a fiveyear Outlook statement uh one of the guiding works that we talked about was wanting to make sure that you're clear about where your next projection and where you're trying to go not only with your programs but you're engaging with the community and also your programs such as your multilingual you are a tremendously diverse Community which means you have to do a lot of things for a lot of different folks right and accelerating them into that uh is really important but one of the most important that you the the clear Focus that you have is you're clear about your outcome of kids progression in your process process and your schools uh which I think makes it you a very strong space with your steam inies IB Frameworks um the other part you're going to see is We There are three major priorities and in the priorities we wrote down specific goals those goals are from your mykit plan right and the reason that you have those goals is notice that we matched up each of your goals with your Equity pledge and the reason that's important because every decision that you make is based on making sure that your goals connected to your what you're trying to accomplish from an equity standpoint and that's the beautiful thing your strength is your diversity and your approach to making sure that no matter what child comes into your school system you are able to make sure you can deliver for a great outcome at the end of that so you're going to see that that component for priorities so we were very specific about the type of goals which will help your teachers and departments around where to set so if you notice it says goal 1.1 increase the percentage of Scholars reading at above a grade level so it helps to direct when you start to allocate your resources and say we want to accelerate reading in particular here you should be start being able to measure that uh what we say what gets measured gets done um and so that helps a lot of that that part of the work um and so you'll see those priority that PRI each priority is broken down into each of those levels so you'll see where it says myip alignment and then uh when you look at where it says Team Management uh bias free hiring process all those components that's from your actual blueprint uh your blueprint is aligned to your how you do things in your system and so you'll see that in each of the priority areas uh which helps for clarity the beautiful thing about a strategic plan it helps you cross a bridge we say right and that Bridges to help that you're aligning the school system all the way through one of the things that Dr raw Zachary R talked a lot about is make it make sense make sure people understand it and more importantly make sure we can be able to say if we get this done we can see how the community is connected to that as we work with the the board on continue to to to move that work forward um and so you'll see that same model in priority too um where we talk about advancing future prepared um advancing Future Ready preparedness uh we were really excited about this because the reality folks is in most places we've work they always talk about what they either not doing or how do you fix something you guys were talking about how we're going to get them to a particular high level Benchmark which helps to coincide the organization to move forward and I credit the uh the superintendent and the board for thinking in that way um that helps as you think about programs alignment policies whatever you're putting in place on how you continue to help your District move Focus um I want to always align you to notice that you have goals in there so you can literally be specific in that process um um as Dr Zachary was always shares you know want to have clear Targets on how you're moving that work um you'll see the same setup as you did for Priority One always a launch your my Kip for the state and then the next alignment is based also on your blueprint that guides that work the last part I'm just going to highlight for you if you notice uh if you go down to your page 20 um in your page 20 it will say um they call it your uh we called it your keys to success okay uh in your keys sucess if you notice that first key that we highlighted says driving Success Through leadership and collaboration uh we were able to not only talk from executive teams to leaders or teacher leaders or coaches even in your system but the leadership and collaboration that happens is a key thing to making sure that you're moving the marker in your variations of schools across the system so Scholars can get access of what they need to move the work forward the other part I wanted to highlight also is your strategic resource alignment and adaptability as you know as board members you play a tremendous role in that because you have to vote yay or nay on those things and that alignment should help you as you look at your strategic plan and making sure that it's towards these set of goals that you're trying to see outcomes for over the future and progress in the school system and then we have we called our four key uh stages of success sustainability you want to make sure whatever that you're doing has a return on investment on it uh it's important that you are able to have anything that you invested that it's not a one-time thing it's something that goes beyond all of us uh that it's a continuous for the community uh and the students uh and then we started to also talk about implementation this is where where you know whether you are a school leader in the school system Educators parent you know that everything happens around how it's actually implemented and implement it with Fidelity so it can happen um at a great level for Success um then on the last page as we always say folks we have to thank all the people we got to bother uh because we sat down and we listened and listened and listened and listened and our approach to the work um is always to ask questions and let people talk uh you can get a lot by just letting them talk and then we would group and categorize there's a a systematic approach we do around language to make sure how many themes they said or what did they do or or sometimes we watch people in the room debate about how to get to the goal which we think is great too uh but the great thing is you have folks coming from all over and so their perspective on how they think about the work and how whether you were talking to parents on how they want children to go through the system or whether you're talking to Partners how they see the investment that they're doing for making sure success happen or how you think about the leadership team how they support School leaders or School leaders are talking about how they support Educators we had all those variations of groups having those conversations and with your your uh program heads on what they were doing to kind of accomplish and so um I just gave you cliffnote version of a whole lot of work um but but we were really excited to um be able to present this draft um what we think is really important that you get out of it is um it's a plan that is engaging for many we got a lot lot of voices um and as you can imagine we we also so common themes you also saw themes where folks said hey we want to take a look at variations of work that's happening and so we wanted to make sure we can provide an alignment as you're moving towards the future um and so that is your strategic draft and I'm G use draft because H it's a NeverEnding product but also we want to talk you make engage with new folks uh board members and others uh around this process um the last thing I will just highlight and then uh take questions is um um we um found it to be uh we love working with districts like ifs slandy just because of your disposition uh when you're talking about trying to do futuristic work um one of the things that um that you could heard the avadar talk about was you know there's investment of 15.7 billion do in trying to get children to be an advanced place in work and your system is aligned to that especially because of how um the superintendent their team and the educat are aggressive around trying to bring in um advanced technology to get kids to become ahead uh in that work um so you're You're Building as you're going so we really think that's a a great great um strategy and approach um and that is it I'll uh take any questions that you have Dr Z I'm sorry Dr by vice president [Laughter] ohid um yes I do have a question we really EST State yes ma'am this is fantastic thank you for doing the work um did you say this was going to be on our website yes so on the Avatar we're gonna talk with Dr Zachary Ross we we wanted to show you kind of a concept because the video that we put together for we can change that into any way but it was just to show you what it could look like when it's all fully done I mean you will will work with the superintendent their team around how you want it to go out to your community um but we just wanted to give you uh we always we always want to give you uh just like you did like a future approach um I would suspect uh based on that is that you're going to share with everybody when you get to where you feel comfortable with with uh the full plan um but but you there's a multiple ways as you communicate with your communities whether it's through multiple languages we all through video to make sure that people understand uh where to connect with that okay thank you so much like I said this is fantastic I'm loving thank you thank you for the opportunity thank you again for this this I agree um with trusty Lee this is awesome um you know I'm always excited about branding uh the brand looks good everything is very clear it's a easy read um I think it it uh shows our children and our families in a positive light um we're not this this community that's just downtrodden and people just think we just over here just living like whatever I appreciate this um it it really is a nice piece of work my question is um I know you all had talked to some people but I don't know if this is for you or Dr um Zachary Ross it would I would think in some of this uh conversation like on our priorities for three that we have some conversation about the resiliency Center or having conversations with sharesa Allen just because of the amount of resources that come out of there um to support our family I think that would be good because no other real District in this area has such a unique uh concept that we have when we talk about the resiliency Center and the amount of work that comes out of there to support our families so um that would be something I would like to see and then maybe I know with all of the certificates and stuff that we provide to our students I'm always pushing for postgraduation support so if that's somewhere down the line because we're creating Future Leaders that we hope that will come back and be Educators in our district um so I just think it would be good to have something later on to support our students that have those certificates to help guide them further to wherever they need to go so hopefully we can draw them back to the district as future employees that's all thank you thank you thank you and I'm glad that you added that because some people's name names aren't listed and I want to make sure that we do address that we invited all these groups and not everybody got to talk to them and so some people we might have to Circle back to we we just invited all the like so everybody on cabinet every administrator every this and so some of the folks weren't able to not necessarily meet with with SJ Apple even though we invited a whole big net of folks so thank you and and that is one that certainly is important thank you and I see him taking the notes because that's why we didn't want to we did we know our board is certainly invested in this and you set for when we met at the retreat said this is time the 10 year we had the 10 years and he didn't want to present like oh this is the no because this we got everyone's information and although he met with executive cabinet and cabinet and they did a a lot of this heavy lift in putting forth the goals and making sure the line with blueprint and as you see the tan all of the directors really came back and said how do they see the themselves in the role but then again how does the board what pieces do you see are missing so that it's before it goes out you want to make sure you putting input to see what pieces now that we've heard from everyone and they record as you know when you met they did the they signed the nine disclosures and and recorded so that they can really hear what people said then as they took that digest now as you're looking what do you see see a missing and thank you for the new board members he also want to make sure that they want to hear okay what do you see to add so that truly as you're moving for the next five years that it does have that Collective voice I have a question to tag on to that if I could um I I appreciate how you highlighted that that this is a draft and a living document and I'm I'm curious just procedurally what the sort of um approach is for for us to give feedback and um for us to make those updates but also um what sort of the midterm goal is for making sure that this you we know this isn't a set it and forget it situation we want to be sure that we are consistently engaged with and updating um this document after we finish the approximate part of this process so I'm just curious if either of you could speak to that at all well for for us for administration we are going to use this through our DTM work through and through the work that we're doing with the administrator so I had invited so thank you to the davises because I I told thebody didn't I everybody I said if you don't come to a board meeting thank you come to this one because this is going to guide our work as administrators because this is the work and any of the work that I've done and you all know the board you're really you I know you know it then when we when I first came I took all our plans and I said okay this is the work and we have checked off basically the plans that you all had and I'm like okay and then in the fiveyear retrospective I brought it back to you and said here's here's what you all had and we've done it here's here's what and literally that is how I've guided truly the seven years I've been here and and then was able to say in the fiveyear retrospective okay look boor this is what you said you want it and this is what we've done and that is truly how we have guided the work that the administrators do we literally take the plan we aligned it that's why this is align with myip align with blueprint because every single literally every single Department kind of looked through and said okay this is what the people said everybody and that's I think why they twoo have just not bringing this back because I'm like and oh every Department needs to see themselves in here too um and that's I wanted the administrators to hear it because we got to bring this back as well to our administrators to kind of say okay what's missing where do you see it and then we plan on take it they've gotten a lot of revisions from us and then take it back and so hopefully you'll look at it too and give us that feedback so that we can get it back to SJ apple and then we can have something that we can all feel good to take to the community and we can feel like we are sharing this with all everyone in the community and we can get it back we can have perhaps um way to decide how we're going to present it to the community as he said um and demonstrate like this is our Collective voice out to the community and then we can have our workshops administrators and to to Workshop it out like what are we going to do with it because that's the excit I'm like excited about sharing it and breaking it out and what parts of it because it's it's each of the priorities have different pieces that exciting thank you this is really fantastic and very thorough um and it's clear that you all spent some time getting to know the district and the folks in here even based on the way it's presented um one thing I was curious about about in terms of the way that it is laid out and maybe just for readability if it's going on to a website thinking about for example the priorities where we have the goals listed as 1.1 1.2 which is excellent and then I think um the understanding of how those goals are connected then when you get into the myip alignment is a little bit murky I would say I can't it's not a clear Ono one kind of alignment there and so I think just adding in maybe something that says like this is connected to goal 5.1 or 5.2 um and how they're connected in that way might be helpful just for folks who maybe aren't as familiar with the myip um and they want to understand why the goals um are connected to those things does that yes yes thank you for that I just wanted to also bring to the board's attention because we we as we worked with SJ Apple we we kind of really push back on their typical process and so I just wanted to highlight to the board and to the public that Dr Lopez and I were pretty pushy when uh they typically have a fiveyear like literally year and year one we do this and you two and we're like but for example um wise is in the renewal stage of the IB process and tomorrow um the our high school is going through the review of the first year of the ifb process for our CP program at the high school so it's not really a year one right we are a very unique District we are starting we're like almost we're very old District in terms of Willer run and Ipsy but we're year 11 we're new we're baby District in terms of the entire state of Michigan where some districts are in the 100th year celebrating our 100th year anniversary and we're really in year 11 as it'san Community Schools and so in a lot of our process we can't be a year one in year one of something because we're doing things with and some things we're starting year one of a magnet but we just finished the we just finished the grant a full Grant with what we were doing with teacher leadership so it it was so hard to be linear and so that's why you see the fiveyear Outlook because it it's not linear here like there's a lot happening you know we have the whole historic period project but then we're you know we're being very we just moved back to willan Middle School like there are so many tensions in this district and so it was working trying to understand that and even they were talking to some of the people and like you're talking to John and yes he's brand new as the facilities director but he went to elementary school here like like all these tensions and so I think like trying to talk to they were like yeah but some people know things very deeply but then and I think that's where you the keys is making sure that as we communicate that everybody knows in our system all the the deepness even if you're brand new like so we were trying to do the nuances of yes a fiveyear and how do we get this these priorities real deep so we went really narrow and then tried to go deep like make sure that it goes with our micp that is very narrow and then and then stay deep with the processes in terms of uh the blueprint yeah I'm gonna second Dr Zachary Ross one of the things I mean well couple things we are kind of proud of where a lot of us on our team are Educators so we are not uh we're very Nimble so uh because the reality is you know what we pride ourselves on is the collaboration and feedback uh what makes our lives quite frankly easier through the process was that your community from you know Educators to the leadership team just able to collaborate and give us one what's what they feel about the process but also the engagement of feedback because you you know your community right we are taking a snapshot of data and then we're trying to help you bridge the gap as you drive the future um and so we try to make sure uh even with Dr Zachary Ross example when we went through each portion of the document you know that history and so the question is like what does that look like in your document how you communicate with your community around that space because most folks are just sending their child to school or they in engag the community just you know they walk in and they go right so uh you know it a little bit more intimately because you're board members right but but there's a whole process that takes place um in order for this to be a living document it has to be an ongoing process right it's not just we put it on there as a shelf but you have to continue to review it update it over time make you may decide this we didn't get to this this year for whatever reason maybe it's another year right so this is why the strategy that Dr Zack talked about it's an outlook for that but you know that it is a part of your process to accomplish and you have to be nimble and that proc for a number of set of reasons and so we in most of our body of work that we do we always go through that uh what we are excited about is that you don't have a problem saying what's on your mind right Soh that's why we love the engagement we do so much with the people on the ground because you notice we ask them questions and they start talking so we get to really know how they feel how they think what they really want to see is their future and that helps to guide uh the the process um from there and so we're really excited about that oh I just want to appreciate what you were offering and I think absolutely when you think about the five years I think that not only is a strategic plan talking about what you will do but also celebration of the ongoing work you're doing so I don't think that it it needs to be done or laid out at least in this capacity at that one two and I I believe most of the like operational type of things end up happening at the within your cabinet and at administrative level so as far as a overview and having something out for the public this is this is beautiful thank you thank for with all so that's your myip plan that you have so if you look at that those numbers that's in your actual myit plan and then where you see it say teaching and learning that's your blueprint infrastructure so think of it as your targets that you're wanting to accomplish right and then the how you go about it is in the blueprint portion of that so that's why you see the layout of the alignment and then you go down so because you actually submit those targets to the state um um we um actually interviewed um the ISD superintendent uh who talked to and was excited about hearing us of this alignment uh um mean I mean you you know like as I shared before you know you guys are doing some really cool things um but also you're pushing towards an alignment and so in that alone can be a little more complex as you're trying to move it together um you know you're a district that has you know you're not a 100 years right so you've accomplished a lot and a very short period of time but also uh to the superintendent leadership and the board trying to move that work forward the future um we can show you thousands of uh strategic plans that are not doing what you're doing right and so uh um you know and and and your folks are are engag in the work so they're they're okay about saying hey here's what we think it needs to look like or here how we should be thinking about it and then we saw that um theme from every group we spoke to and that I think that um is a compliment to the board and the superintendent for that we've been in places where um I hate to say this but you know there'd be no Comet or quiet you gotta warm them up you but but we saw that there was a lot of Engagement I mean even if you talk to your school leaders uh we we we try to make sure we were really giving the opportunity people can really have voice in the process um because it's very complex and then we have to simplify that voice into simple language so mm yes yes so um so we will be working with Dr Zach Ross and the team around um additional feedback that you want for adjustments for a process um as we go through that we'll sit through make adjustments will also engage with additional uh I know we have two new board members if there's additional engagement because you haven't had an opportunity to engage uh we'll work with Dr Zachary Ross and the team around that uh and then as we work walk through those alignments we'll we'll sit down with um next steps with Dr Zachary Ross on how you want to go through your next steps on implementation or those type of things and if you like for us to come back to help support that thank you madam president I just want to say thank you for the opportunity um we uh I know I'm the one that gets to sit and present but it's a team of us um and you know we always feel fortunate uh when a board um gives us the opportunity with the superintendent uh to be able to present this work uh this is exciting for us and so we want to see you be successful you're successful we're successful too because we have to brag about you so um so uh but thank you again Madam president uh moved at the Board of Education approved the December 9th 2024 regular board meeting minutes number two personal matters as their per personal matters as per the presented the date6 2025 and new hires and resonations thank you a motion has been made by trusty Fields is there support for this motion support vice president Lee thank you support by vice president Lee all those in favor I I those opposed that motion carries next that takes us to um action items we are now at item 12 which is um all of our um annual organizational organizational meeting matters the first item is our district compliance officer's appointment is there a motion at this time Madam president uh trusty gri I moved to designate the following staff to serve as District compliance officers one the assistant superintendent as 504 compliance officer and two the Director of Human Resources as districts District compliance officer and ada8 coordinator in compliance with policy numbers 22601 and 4123 thank you a motion has been made by trusty Goodrich is there a support for this motion trusty Townson support thank you supported by trusty Townson all those in favor I those oppose that motion carries next that takes us to the Board of Education meeting schedule adoption is there a motion at this time trustee EP ESP I move to adopt the Board of Education meeting schedule for January 22nd 20124 to January 27th 2025 thank you a motion has been made by truste espb is there support for this motion Madam President we have a correction on this the dates say 24 and 25 and it should be 25 and 26 it should yes thank you so much trusty Townson so that motion should read that was read by trusty espb to adopt the Board of Education meeting scheduled for the January 22nd 2025 through January 27th 2026 thank you so much oh no it's me January um it look like we're going to be on January 27th January 27th yes right January 27th 2026 and January January 12 202 266 thank you January 22nd s seven okay let's read this again so we having a board meeting on the 27 so wait a minute we're starting to have two board meetings a month now this is just our um if we need it it no we don't only if we need to okay placeholders okay okay so I'll summarize the corrections um it's the 27th as a start date and January 12th as an end date for next year trusty ESP can you read the motion the corrected motion please yes I um want to re itate my motion to adopt the Board of Education meeting schedule for starting on January 27th of 2025 to January 12th of 2026 perfect thank you so much a motion was made by trustee espie is there support for this motion trusty Townson support thank you supported by trusty Townson before we move to a vote is there any discussion on the meeting schedule adoption um I guess it's okay we made sure there's no holidays and everything okay all right I'm good and board members if you have your calendars with you if you could just take a quick look at your own calendars either on your phone or paper calendars to see if there are any conflicts with this schedule we're adopting or considering to adopt I'm noticing that cube is moving up it's why would you put it on labor dat Labor Day oh go ahead so board members just I worked I gave you I put the meeting schedule on the board scorecard calendar so you could see what was placed there um president Hawkins asked that I would um share not only the the possible schedule but and along with it what we typically have on the scorecard um we did have that from obviously masb what we have typically this is the one pager and these are the things that we have shared typically what the state requires us to provide to the board along and this is just again typically what we present to the board along with the fact that when we received uh the relief from the state of Michigan if you can recall we have to have the three District Financial training workshops for the board and so we put those in in um also the board had asked for a possible workshop on uh communication and so I placed those separate so that it wouldn't be taking up most of the board meeting time and so you'll see that there are some dates that there are no currently there are no items on a date so if we don't have additional items as Madame vice president stated if there's not a NE a need for it we can cancel the meeting as we did last year when we added the two meetings um and that is why you have the second calendar because there are many days many weeks that there are quite a few meetings in a week and so we don't want we understand you are paid absolutely voluntary for this position that you are are heard of and so I do understand these are uh again recommended just subcommittee meeting dates and the things we already know about and so given the schedule we didn't want to just overwhelm you and so Julie has just kind of already put in where we already know there's a lot of dates and so we we didn't want to overwhelm board members would you like information at this point if we we have individual conflicts just so you can plan for like making quum I know um I I will not be available for the June 23d meeting um and I may not be able to make the August 4th meeting I also will not probably not be available on the 23d um it is a which which day national holiday which month which month are you guys in which month are you my birthday no juneth is always I don't know if the ninth the top those two topics can be uh combined with the ninth or is that Two Bunch uh okay I mean I'll be here if I need to but I just March March 13th to I have a on that Thursday you have to two small groups I'm not gonna be able to make that I don't know which one I'm in but March 13th no March 13th March 14 13th it's a Thursday okay on January 29th we have a policy sub committee meeting scheduled and um mejc also has a training for new board members on that day um I think that one runs from 600 to 7:30 but maybe that it doesn't necessarily overlap let me check the time no something we can't always change those so thank you for letting us know because we didn't have those dates and now that one is a mejc January 29th it looks like it starts at 6 so as long as okay we wrap up I think we should be okay with that time uh keeping to that timeline might be challenging okay um and then I also notice that I don't see the policy subcommittee meetings after February are we GNA we don't necessarily meet every month okayy question um for May 12 when we have the three-year budget projections are we looking at doing amendments or anything then as well okay so we might want to update that just to be on the safe side so we stay on task and um the other thing is uh the retreat there's no date listed there are you how soon are you all going to be thinking about a date for the bo Retreat we usually just start asking you guys when you're available okay in August okay all right I just wantok when so I guess if you know now if you have any conflicts that might be helpful but it might be too far out to uh uh let me digest I appreciate this but let me digest okay just let us know yeah already knowing all okay yeah we have time I need to get my shuy board but don't make it August 6 through the 12th okay I won't be here 86 to 812 okay yeah that's what we we started saying like Okay let's just be realistic here I'm out this far I just need to yeah eat something and we can make changes especially to all those internal we just we can thank you all right any other comments for anything else glaring or so in summary um a motion was made by truste um espie and it was supported by trusty Townson all those in favor I I those opposed that motion carries next that takes us to action item number 13 which are which are our business items um our reviews and approvals uh is there a motion for the use of our faximile signature authorization Madam president this is trust edri I move to authorize the director of business and finance to file the necessary forms with the appropriately designated Banks to use the fact signature of the school district super intendent on check draws at the general fund Food Service fund debt retirement fund payroll account Student Activities fund and trust fund thank you a motion has been made by trusty goodr is there support for this motion support vice president Lee thank you supported by vice president Lee all those in favor I those opposed that motion carries next that takes us to the execution of contracts and signatures for documents on behalf of the district is there a motion at this time Madam president vice president move to designate and limit thereto the following administrators to sign contract and other documents on behalf of the district superintendent or design and director of business and finance thank you a motion has been made by vice president Lee is there a support for this motion support thank you supported by trusty Fields all those in favor I those opposed that motion carries next that takes us to the bank account signatories authorization is there a motion at this time Vice s Madame president vice um vice president Lee moved to approve the board's president superintendent board Treasurer director of business and finance and Finance and Accounting superviser as official signatures of bank accounts for the district thank you a motion was made by vice president Lee is there support for this motion I support thank you supported by trusty ESP all those in favor those opposed that motion carries next that takes us to the depository for school district funds designation is there a motion at this time truste towns and move that the Board of Education utilize the filing financial institutions as depositories for the following funds normal operations deposits and withdrawals number one Michigan liquid asset funds plus uh m i LF plus uh Bank of an arbor and Fifth Third Bank bonded in depthness paying agents Bank of New York Huntington bank and US Bank thank you a motion has been made by trusty Townson is there support for this motion support thank you supported by trusty Fields all those in favor I those oppose that motion carries next that takes us to the electronic transfer officer designation is there a motion at this time Madame President trustee Lee move that the board Treasurer or director of business and finance be appointed as elect transfer officer etto in accordance with policy number 6144 thank you a motion has been made by vice president Lee is there a support for this motion support thank you supported by trusty Fields all those in favor I those oppos that motion carries next that takes us to the audit firm designation is there a motion at this time trustee towns and moved at the Board of Education designate yo and yo as its auditor of the Year ending June 30th 202 thank you a motion has been made by trusty Townson is there a support for this motion I support thank you supported by trusty ESP all those in favor I those oppos that motion carries next that takes us to the legal council designation is there motion at this time Madame President trusty Fields move at the Board of Education authorize the following law forms as legal councel for the district number one Trin Law Firm PC retainer and colins zba is blah I have my glasses PC thank you a motion has been made by trusty Fields is there support for this motion support vice president Lee thank you supported by vice president Lee all those in favor I those opposed that motion carries next that takes us to the newspaper for bid notices and other legal postings designation is there a motion at this time Madame President trusty Fields moved at the Board of Education designate the an news for bid notices other legal postings thank you a motion has been made by trusty Fields is there a support for this motion support vice president Lee thank you supported by vice president Lee all those in favor I those oppos that motion carries next that takes us to the meeting posting responsibilities designation is there a motion at this time Madam pres on Madam president trusty Fields move that the superintendent or design will designate or appropriate an appropriate available person to post notices of public meetings thank you a motion has been made by trusty Fields is there support for this motion support trusty G thank you supported by trusty goodr all those in favor I those oppos that motion carries that takes us to um our business and finance action items um we have an acceptance of the West Middle School why High lease for the 2025 through 2029 Academic School years is there a motion at this time Madam president vice president Lee mve that the Board of Education accept the West Middle School why High lease for 2025 through 2029 thank you a motion has been made by vice president Lee is there support for this motion support trusty Townson thank you supported by trusty Townson any discussion on this item board seeing none a motion was made by vice president Lee supported by trusty Townsen all those in favor I those oppos that motion carries next that takes us to before we go to public comment can we go back to um number 13 which one um action item organizational meeting move that the Board of Education designate Y and yo as the audior auditor for the year ending June 30 2025 is that the right year is it 202 because they just finished the audit for 24 oh this year yeah okay well it was 2324 school year so 24 25 okay correct making sure okay thank you vice president Lee you will okay that takes us to item 15 which is our second public comment um portion of the evening and we have a couple of members of the public wishing to address the board um and I will read the public comment protocol and invite those members of the public up to address the Board of Education uh pursuant to Board of Education policy 01 67.3 the board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing members of the public to express their views please limit statements to three minutes in duration participants shall direct all comments to the board and not to staff or other participants no person may address or question board members individually and all remarks shall be made in a respectful and professional manner Jeremy Haley thank you REM Diamond Law Diamond Law out tell me more what I can do m thank you I appreciate thank you for your comment J me next we have Veronica thank you as some remember something many thank you Veronica for your comments this evening those were the only comments uh we had this even so that takes us to item 16 which is uh board superintendent comments board members do you have any comments this evening trusty griid thank you madam president um icept two quick ones I want to congratulate the district and principal Zack shes and principal Leslie Davis on um the the work that the the whole community at homes and Community Middle School and that our district as a whole has done um and that was showcased in the ycs benchmark review structured conference in December um and I just want to shout out those those schools and those leaders for not just meeting their goals but really setting the bar um and just going going to B every day for our Scholars um so that was really really exciting and um I'm so proud of the work that our that all of the schools in our district are doing um and then I want to thank trusty uh suton Kennedy for highlighting the MAAC training that's coming up on January 29th um from 6:00 to 7:30 on the open meetings act and thank you to miss Haynes for for sharing that along with us in our emails um Oma is is a thing I'm still learning about so I'm looking forward to that training thank you trusty goodr other board comments yes um congratulations again to all of the new board members returning board members happy Founders Day to the Deltas that's sitting at the table we appreciate you uh my S will'll be on Thursday um I I want to say thank you to everybody that had a hand in our board gifts you all are getting better and better every my wardrobe is nice right now with ycs but um I also thank you Julie for the calendar I do ask that we if possible you could put like the this helps me out a lot graduation and um I know the black history series is coming on there those are very important um things anything that like we definitely have to you want a a big show of um support from the board on I see that we do have the jazz in the park and all that stuff um that originated here um that is on the calendar and stuff so um and then the back to school bash if you all have those dates and mind because I know that's we really like to have board participation on those things that would be great also um I would like to also make it known to the board that I was um selected to be a part of The Advisory board for stem Ed for Eastern Michigan University and that's the partnership with the Lincoln and Toyota so we had a great first meeting we about to put them to work y'all yes is gonna be shining so um it's it was a a great experience for that first meeting and and we're just really excited to um work with Dr Collins and her team at Eastern um other than that uh I look forward to the new year and all that's coming along with that you all keep us working as usual and thank you to our staff and our teachers um our leaders again for your continued uh support so let's do this thank you trusty Townson yes trusty Fields um yes so again these are really nice I'm not really big in the kitchen though but I'll figure it out but just it's really nice I know just cut it up right just cut it up but um yes these are nice as always they are ra outo themselves you know and what is really exciting is the fact that they were students and with that they weren't brought so they're able to use like you said utilize their skills they can make these and sell these I'm just saying but that's a good thing um I had an opportunity as well to uh attend the sneakers ball at the middle school I took pictures but it was a beautiful thing to be able to see the babies you know showing off their shoes I thought I'll switch up the pictures this time so they can show their shoes so they'll be able able to appreciate that so that was well done and well put together um I know the weather probably stopped many people from coming because it kind of snowed Friday night but um Dr atena Zachary Ross was there with her red kicks on I'm just saying but she look good and I'm so she was there and um and I also had an opportunity just to attend a couple of the basketball games if you guys don't get out there you know me I like the sports and stuff but I need a schedule so I can go through other things as well besides basketball and um I want to D what trusty Townson said about the calendar if we can also get some that I know these calendars aren't that big but um just getting something a little bit more I don't know user friendly I like with the different activities within the schools you know and um because I know that I was speaking to to a couple people they said they send some things over I know we might be busy but I know that some people didn't even know about a lot of these things that were going on they said they sent them over but we had heard as a board and I know you know so we can just communication again is key you know if we can just be just more mindful of the communication with what they're send over and if they're not doing it correctly then maybe have that conversation as well with them that's that's great but I'm just saying you know if if there's a breakdown and something in there but I just think um it it's just really exciting that we know about them and if we if we can make it to that because I think some of them Hear It They'll say we never they never see any of us at this stuff but you can't we can't see be seen at things we don't know about you know so I just want to make sure that we just just get a little bit more you know in that area going and that's all I had started the new year though I got to tell you because I at the first meeting of the year we really reiterated it and literally that was last week and we got a bunch of them so we're gonna be getting them okay literally just the first meeting of the year we hit it hard so that you going to get them Julie putting them in the what is it oh okay she's getting it for you but I appreciate it I appreciate it you know I like to be I like to see the babies and stuff and again Welcome to our new uh board trustees welcome welcome and and and you never left but glad to have you back with us Dr Hawkins I appreciate that Y and that's all I have thank you trusty fails trusty G rich I need to make a correction I'm so embarrassed it's late and I got my principal davises mixed up I wanted to congratulate Ace I'm looking at Miss Tillerson here uh it is it is Ace and principal lle Davis I wanted to congratulate on the amazing performance at the ycs Benchmark Review structured conference um so I just wanted to correct that speaking but thank you I just want to thank uh thank everyone for the warm welcome into the board um and as well as the community for entrusting us with these roles and I will do my best to meet those expectations and thank you again uh for the warm welcome from the community from the school district from the board we really appreciate from Dr Zachary Ross thank you trustee suton Kennedy I also wanted to thank you everyone um especially the sitting board members for warm wel um um Dr Zachary Ross and administration and Educators for taking the time out to orient us and on board us and give us all the information um just the few meetings that we've had already it's been really great to learn about the level of intentionality um and thought and purpose that has been going on behind uh the scenes with all the decision making and I'm really impressed and honored to be able to serve with you all thank you trusty Sutton Kennedy other board comments I do it's my question and I'm not sure if this so but I was going to ask and I meant to I kind of sent out a link but there was a survey done with the schools did I send that to you guys anybody have a chance to look at it I was concerned it was Rand M live last week about the numbers and where we're looking at as far as our rating no and that that's the one Benchmark assessment that she went to that mde said we it was excellent we were the top the one that they actually went to that that's what she was just saying which was unbel so you know the one that I saw was we were not we did not look good in that are we looking at the same thing yeah we are the exception in Wasing County we are the we are the one in the whole state yeah that's why and that's not good because what I'm looking at doesn't say that you know what I'm saying and it's talking about the numbers and it's saying that they reached out to our Middle School principal they get a return call and those numbers weren't good so I'm just wanted to know you know but this is why a board member was at the meeting with the state and M live did did not reach out Julie was here the whole break so and was available I was available and it was not our normal M live reporter but that's why I'm glad a a board member was at the Benchmark assessment who was here with the state who was here with the WID superintendent and all of us and who was able to share tonight how our assessment actually went right that person was not here and I don't know what they're doesn't even know how to read the index but right but I'm just saying so what they were I don't know what they were reading but I just wanted because I never got any feedback from anybody and stuff so and that that article was um even the things they got right they managed to word so confusingly that it made the upcome seem the upset so my ask for the district is we need to to have them correct what if you're going to report report correctly because when you report incorrectly it's going to put you in a situation that you don't want to be in so um I'm trying to be very professional at this moment but they need to be checked I just wanted some clarity because I put the link on on our thing and nobody responded and I'm like okay I know somebody seen is besides me I'm just saying well that was why the backhanded compliment of only itand Community Schools did well they wrote that one line in there but the article the article I saw was not that we did well we didn't do anything well line it does say the one line and that was so we talked to Lambert and they were like they're gonna bring undo negative attention so they were like okay I just want to Clarity because you know I'm about Community I'm about communication abolutely and when we don't have that and haven't got official our official final letter so Dr Lopez is going to do his 99b presentation and so that was what we were like okay yeah yes and they are trying to always make us look bad yep so thank you trusty PHS for sending it thank you for bringing it up um and I think I can only speak for myself but certainly I did not comment um but I had a conversation about it um it's just disappointing right we know what we are doing as a district we know what's happening we're right here we're talking to people we're reporting we're sharing all of our successes um not shying away from our challenges talking about our opportunities and ways we need to grow and things we need to to do better um so it is disappointing and it it there may be more to come right so I think as a community as a district we just have to be prepared to continue to speak truth to the powerful work that's happening in our district we have the data to back it up we just want our our partners who are reporting to do it accurately to do it fairly and to represent our district and put us in a positive light when it's needed so um work to be done in that area with that relationship I don't know the reporter necessarily so I hope they would come to a board meeting and talk to us and not pull pieces from I'm not really sure where all of that came from and so any anytime I'll see something I may even reach out to say if some a board member might have been quoted or not even you know I might just reach out to say well did they check this you know with you so that's just something that we all as a board to stay connected with each other to talk about things we might see and if we need to go back and do whatever we need to do to build positive relationships and continue to talk about the good work we're doing that is what we will do um no one's going to dim ycs is light even if they try we too bright they can't do it they might try but they won't so thank you for sharing that um other board comments I only have a couple thank you to the community for being here this evening happy New Year everyone um it was a great break I know everybody is is glad to be back um our Educators our leaders are in the classroom in our buildings doing great work um and kicking 2025 off with a bang so I just am excited about all that's ahead for us um over this new year congratulations to uh trusty Sutton Kennedy to trusty ESP um it is great to have you as part of our team and we look forward to working with you um I'm back and I'm glad to be here thank you all for having me back um it's it's it's gonna be a a a great year a great six years um and I think that's all I had to say oh thank you Julie Miss Hayes thank you for the calendar it's a yes this is a great resource so we can start to plug things in and I know as a district as dates come from our buildings and they get to Administration then those dates will come to the board and then we can start plugging things in on our calendar so that we can start repres be have representation at some of these events so um thank you for putting us together for us we appreciate it thank you um superintendent Zachary Ross thank you well again happy board appreciation month I'm just appreciative of each one of you of Judge Washington I'm coming today and Welcome to our new board members and again congratulations to all three of you um thank you again to trusty Phils for being there you should have seen her working her magic with all of those Young Folks at the sneaker ball um we have really started off 2025 strong as she said the athletic department they put off some strong games this last last week the nail biters and our students really support each other um our our JV uh cheerleaders even did a pyramid the other day like they are just really they really coming coming through so uh just looking to just continue to support them this morning we opened up the Early Head Start classroom over at batty that was exciting um the student who uh Tau our CTE student who spoke at the board meeting for Michigan Department of Ed was asked to come back and speak W yes they did such a wonderful job so they're going to go back to Michigan Department of Ed and speak um and represent uh not only ipsan Community Schools but washingon County um our students were're speaking at the auto show with Toyota on Wednesday and one of our um middle school students is going to speak on the panel where Toyota so that's exciting on Wednesday and then our uh students are going to be able to go um to visit so we have students from both Ace and um ychs are going to go there um with and with Mr Kim and some students at a I'm just excited about already like it's like we didn't have to wait for 2025 they're just already moving and and thriving so I'm just looking forward to what else they just every day as you said every day there's something they're like oh we're doing this and um just truly they're energized and ready to go and so our students will continue to lead the work that we and and push us to continue to when you see those words strive drive and thrive on the front of our plan we really were thinking about the fact that that's we're we're moving and so we're excited about what's happening in 20125 and I'm just thankful again as I see Charlotte here at 10 minutes to 10 and she's like ready like I'm here and I know that it is the work that our teachers and all the educators are doing in the classrooms that are making a difference for our Scholars so I just say thank you to all of them let's just continue to work together and so um we know we couldn't do it without the support of the board so thank you to our board and to the team thank you Dr Zachary Ross I forgot to say two things thank you for such a delicious dinner and now it's the chef so thank you Chef for the dinner thank you Chef thank you Chef we appreciate it and I didn't say thank you for this lovely gift I did say it but I just want to say it again I'm just so excited about this trusty Fields if you don't have any use for your shity reort just oh well if you change your mind all right all right board members if there is no other business or comments or questions um we went long tonight because it's our organizational meeting normally our board meetings do not go this long so I appreciate everyone for hanging with us the community for stand and I hope that you all have a great week have a good night we are adjourned at 9:53 p.m.