Roll Call of present members:
President- Kurt Ziegler
Vice-President- Susan DeLong
Secretary- Elizabeth Munger
Treasurer- Amy Thomas-August
Trustee- Kenneth Gulock
Trustee- Amber Hildebrand
Trustee- Wendy Tobias

This agenda item is the opportunity for the audience to address the Board on any agenda item. The Board will take no action on issues brought before it at this time but may refer such issues to the administration for further study. 

In keeping with Board Policy po0167.3 the following rules apply to audience participation:

To permit fair and orderly public expression, the Board shall provide a period for public participation at public meetings of the Board and publish rules to govern such participation in Board meetings and in Board committee meetings.

The presiding officer of each Board meeting at which public participation is permitted shall administer the rules of the Board for its conduct.
The presiding officer shall be guided by the following rules:

1. Public participation shall be permitted at a time as determined by the presiding officer. 
2. Anyone with concerns related to the operation of the schools or to matters within the authority of the Board may participate during the public portion of a meeting. 
3. Attendees must register their intention to participate in the public portion of the meeting upon their arrival at the meeting. 
4. Participants must be recognized by the presiding officer and will be requested to preface their comments by an announcement of their name; address; group affiliation, if and when appropriate. 
5. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to five (5) minutes duration.
6. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic unless all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. 
7. Participants shall direct all comments to the Board and not to staff or other participants.
8. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no person may address or question Board members individually.

Move to approve the following:

• Minutes Regular Board Meeting January 27, 2025
• January Check Register
• January Investment Log
• January Purchase Card Report
• January SACC Report
• January November Food Service Report

Recommend the approval of the following personnel report:

NON-UNIT
Move to accept the resignation of:
Lindsay Impemba, Behavior Technician, Rodgers Elementary, effective January 30, 2025.
Move to approve the employment of:
Jenna Bleser, Behavior Technician, Rodgers Elementary, effective January 31, 2025. ASC3B, Step 1.
Move to accept the retirement of:
Cheryl Agrusa, Pupil Accounting Specialist, Administrative Center, effective July 31, 2025 (end of day), 31 years of service (August 1994 - July 2025).

Jeanenne Cappo, Employee Services Specialist, Administrative Center, effective September 30, 2025 (end of work day), 39 years of service (September 1986 - September 2025).

Gina Smith, Employee Services Specialist, Administrative Center, effective August 29, 2025 (end of work day), 25 years of service (July 2000 - August 2025).

AFSCME LOCAL 1217 (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees)  
Move to accept the retirement of:
Brenda Criger, Afternoon Custodian, Lake Shore High School, effective March 31, 2025 (at end work day), 6 years of service (May 2019 - March 2025).

LSFSS LOCAL 4793 (Lake Shore Federation of Support Staff)
Move accept the resignation/retirement of:
Diane Hazlett, Special Education Teacher Assistant, retirement, effective March 31, 2025 (end of work day), 20 years of service (January 2000 - March 2025).

Annette Millefoglie, Bus Monitor, resignation, effective February 10, 2025.

Timothy Owens, Elementary Lunchroom Monitor, resignation, effective February 3, 2025.

Move to approve the employment of:
Sydnie Harris, Parking Lot, Masonic Heights Elementary, effective February 19, 2025. Class A-A.



 

Move to approve the LSFES Tentative Agreement

Recommend the Lake Shore Public Schools Board of Education approve the Tentative Agreement with the Lake Shore Federation of Educational Secretaries, (LSFES) Local 6195.

On Monday, January 27, 2025, the Board of Education negotiating team met with the LSFES negotiating team and were able to reach a Tentative Agreement. The LSFES negotiating team presented the Tentative Agreement to their membership for ratification on February 3, 2025.
 

The Original Budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year was adopted by the Board in June 2024 and projected a net loss of $197,087 (Column 2). The Proposed First Amendment (Column 3) now reflects a revised net loss of $524,043, representing a decrease of $326,956 in the district’s financial position compared to the Original Budget.  The amendment reflects updated financial data based on actual student enrollment, reductions in federal funding, revised state funding allocations, mid-year salary increases and other adjusted expenditure projections.
The General Fund Balance is now projected to be $6,903,413 as of June 30, 2025, equating to 13.9% of General Fund Expenditures. This represents a decline from the originally projected 14.6%.

The Proposed Amendment contains an incoming transfer of $80,000 from the Food Service Fund for indirect cost charges. This amount remains unchanged from the Original Budget. There is also a $100,000 incoming transfer from the Adult Education Fund for central office and general operating costs. Due to the elimination of the International Program, there is an incoming transfer of $10,671 to close the International Fund. Lastly, the outgoing transfer of $17,680 to the Food Service Fund was removed from the General Fund budget due to a change in accounting methodology.

The highlights of the major General Fund revenue and expenditure changes disclosed in Column 4 are as follows:

GENERAL FUND REVENUES

Local Sources: A net increase of $37,305 due to:

• Higher-than-expected investment earnings from improved interest rates and larger account balances: Increased $46,000
• Increased revenue from School Age Child Care participation: Increased $26,000
• The elimination of Chromebook insurance collections as parents now purchase insurance directly from a third-party provider: Decreased $15,000
• Reduced ERATE revenue: Decreased $13,500
• Reduced miscellaneous local revenue: Decreased $6,200

State Sources: A net increase of $92,896, resulting from:

• Student Count & Foundation Allowance:
  • The Original Budget assumed a blended student count of 3,150 and a $200 per-pupil increase in the foundation allowance
  • The Revised Budget reflects an actual blended count of 3,224, but no increase in per-pupil funding
  • The State opted to eliminate the per-pupil increase in favor of providing pension cost relief
• MPSERS Cost Offset - UAAL Reduction (Section 147a(4))
  • A new funding stream was introduced to reduce the district’s Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability (UAAL) payments from 20.96% to 15.21% of covered payroll
  • The district will receive $1.384M in funding under this new categorical
    • These funds are earmarked for student mental health programs, school safety initiatives, educator workforce support, and academic intervention efforts
  • The shift in State funding priorities resulted in reductions to other budgeted revenue sources from the Original Budget:
    • 31aa Mental Health Grant: Decreased by $432k
    • 27l Educator Compensation Grant: Decreased by $166k
• MPSERS Cost Reimbursement (Section 147) - Net Decrease: $1.89M
  • $2.8M decrease in 147c(1) budget assumptions primarily due to the drop in the UAAL stabilization rate from 17.02% to 10.58%
  • $415k one-time reimbursement (147g) for employees related to the healthcare premium subsidy benefit (3%)
  • $579k one-time appropriation (147c(2)) to make additional contributions toward MPSERS retirement obligations
  • Although these reductions lower overall revenue, they are offset by corresponding expenditure reductions
• Other State Funding Adjustments:
  • ORS Defined Contribution (DC) Employer Contributions Credit: Increased $22k
  • Special Education Funding: Increased $31k, reflecting updated student counts and 2023/24 actual expenditures
  • Section 31A At-Risk Funding: Increased $74k, supporting at-risk student services
  • Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP):
    • $112k increase in baseline funding; including $23k in carryover from 2023/24
    • $138k one-time GSRP Start-Up Grant to support program expansion; including $38k in carryover from 2023/24
• Additional State Grants Adjustments:
  • Early Literacy Targeted Instruction Grant: Increased by $7k
  • FAFSA Completion Challenge (67F): Increased by $5k (carryover from 2023/24)
  • Student Loan Repayment Program (27k): Increased by $2k (carryover from 2023/24)

Federal Sources: A net decrease of $1,412,886 due to:

• Key Reductions:
  • IDEA funding: Decreased by $1.5M
    • Offset by $539k in new Special Education County Millage revenue (see Interdistrict Sources)

 

• • Title I, Part A: Decreased by $48k, impacting targeted assistance for low-income students
  • Title II, Part A: Decreased by $4k, affecting professional development funding for educators
  • Title IV, Part A: Decreased by $2k, reducing flexible funding for student support programs
  • Emergency Connectivity Funds (ECF) Reimbursements: Decreased by $4k, reflecting lower claims for technology support
  • 11t Equalization Grant: Decreased by $9k (carryover from 2023/24)
• Key Increases:
  • Regional Assistance Grant (RAG): Increased by $20k, supporting regional educational initiatives
  • ESSER III Formula Grant: Increased by $5k (carryover from 2023/24)
  • Filter First Grant: Increased by $167k, supporting the installation of water filtration systems in school buildings

Interfund Transfers: A net increase of $1,620 due to an additional transfer from the International Fund required for closing the fund following the suspension of the International Program

Interdistrict Sources: A net increase of $951,709, resulting from:

• Act 18 Center Program Reimbursements (Macomb ISD): Increased by $415k
  • Supports the district’s special education center-based programs
• Special Education County Millage Revenue (Macomb ISD): New allocation of $539k
  • Provides additional funding for special education services and offsets reductions in federal IDEA funding

 
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES

Basic Programs: A net increase of $3,385, resulting from:

• $100k increase for GSRP Start Up Fund Grant (one-time funding)
• $38k increase for GSRP Start Up Fund Grant (carryover from 2023/24)
• $9k decrease for 11t Equalization Grant (carryover from 2023/24)
• $166k decrease for 27L Educator Compensation Grant funding (eliminated in 2024/25)
• $7k increase for Targeted Literacy Grant funding
• $5k increase for FAFSA Completion Challenge (67F) funding (carryover from 2023/24)
• $5k increase for ESSER III Formula Grant funding (carryover from 2023/24)
• $44k increase for Great Start Readiness Program for salaries, benefits and supplies - pursuant to increased GSRP funding
• $20k increase for Regional Assistance Grant (RAG) funding
• $442k increase for MPSERS 147c(2) one-time funding
• $2k decrease for Title IV funding
• $480k net decrease to basic programs; including approximately $727k reduction in retirement benefits due to the reduced retirement contribution rate and $247k increase in salaries and fringe benefits

Added Needs: A net decrease of $51,444, resulting from:

• $87k net increase in salaries and fringe benefits
• $113k net decrease in retirement benefits
• $47k net decrease in purchased services including substitute teacher expenses, professional development and software/licenses
• $22k increase in teaching supplies and materials

Pupil: A net decrease of $288,222 due to:

• $114k net decrease for At Risk Behavior Training salaries and benefits
• $83k net decrease for Teacher Consultant salaries and benefits due to staffing changes
• $36k net increase in salaries and fringe benefits
• $118k net decrease in retirement benefit
• $9k net decrease in purchased services and supplies

Instructional: A net decrease of $138,549 due to:

• $63k increase in salaries and benefits
• $200k decrease in purchased services including a $33k decrease for NWEA testing, a $42k decrease for workshops and conferences and $125k decrease for software/licenses

Other Areas:

• Fiscal: Increased by $51,707 due to:      
  • $61k in increased costs for employee compensation and training wages, $7k in decreased expenses related to the State Aid Note, and $3k in decreased expenses for other purchased services
• Operations/Maintenance: Increased by $348,888 due to:
  •  $107k in increased costs for employee compensation, $106k in increased costs for purchased services and utilities, and $136k in increased costs for supplies and capital outlay including Filter First Grant expenditures
• Transportation: Decreased by $9,388 due to decreased employee and purchased service costs
• Central Services: Increased $116,314 due to increased employee compensation, sick/vacation day payouts, and purchased services
• Community Services: Decreased by $17,635, mainly due to staffing transfers to the Adult Education Fund
• Outgoing Transfers: Decreased $17,680 due to the change in accounting methodology for the At Risk transfer to the Food Service Fund

OVERALL SYNOPSIS - GENERAL FUND

The District’s General Fund budgeted operating position has decreased by $524,043 from its original budgeted position for the 2024/25 fiscal year primarily due to the $1.5M loss in federal IDEA funding and mid-year salary increases for all staff totaling approximately $900K.
This amendment was developed collaboratively with the Superintendent, Central Office Administrators, Principals, and Program Directors using the most current financial data available. A final amendment will be presented in June to incorporate additional adjustments and refinements.

FEBRUARY PROPOSED AMENDMENT - OTHER FUNDS

The remaining attached documents are the Proposed First Amendments of the 2024/25 Budget for all of the other funds of the District. The major highlights are as follows:

ADULT EDUCATION FUND:

• Local Revenues: Decreased by $41,144 due to lower participation in trips and tours, youth enrichment, and adult programs
• State Revenues: Decreased by $86,768, primarily due to a reduction in North Lake High School’s student count, which was partially offset by an increase in Section 107 grant funding
• Federal Revenues: Decreased by $17,821 due to the elimination of the WIOA Civics grant
• Interdistrict Sources: Decreased by $9,398 due to a decline in homebound students participating in the program
• Transfers: An outgoing transfer of $100,000 to the General Fund continues to reimburse central office and district employee costs
• Overall Fund Position: The fund’s net position decreased by $119,701, resulting in an amended net loss of $149,082 for 2024/25, compared to the originally budgeted net loss of $29,381. Despite the reduction, the amended fund balance of $472,616 remains strong and supports continued operating transfers to the General Fund

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM FUND: This fund has been closed due to the elimination of the International Program. There was a transfer of $10,671 to the General Fund, and the fund will remain closed unless future programming is required.

FOOD SERVICE FUND: The fund is projected to have a decrease in its financial position of $231,800 compared to the original adopted budget. Key details include:

• A decrease in local revenue by $9,392 due to the Michigan School Meals program, which offers free meals to all students
• An increase of $74,198 in state/federal revenue due to projected meal reimbursement claims
• A decrease in $17,680 due to the change in accounting methodology for the At Risk transfer from the General Fund
• Additional costs due to inflation in food prices and employee compensation, along with $157,000 in capital outlay for cafeteria furniture and food service equipment
• The outgoing transfer of $80k to the General Fund for indirect and central office costs remains unchanged
• Despite the projected net loss of $212,506, the Food Service Fund is still expected to have a healthy fund balance of $467,243 (21.5% of expenditures)

BUILDING AND SITE FUND: The fund's financial position is expected to improve by $377,500 compared to the originally adopted budget. The amended fund balance is projected to be $761,249. Key highlights include:

• Revenue from Property Sales: The sale of three properties, including the Parkway House and two vacant lots, generated an additional $349,000 in revenue, which surpasses the original budget projections
• Capital Outlay: $120,000 has been earmarked for non-recurring replacements and repairs across the district, as well as infrastructure upgrades that are not included in the bond
• Purchased Services: $41,485 has been designated for leasing two school busses

INTERNAL SERVICE FUND: The fund is projected to experience a net operating loss of $86,000. This loss is primarily due to Worker’s Compensation claim costs that are expected to exceed the charges allocated to other funds.

To upgrade district-wide network infrastructure, the district, in collaboration with its technology consultant Communications by Design, issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on December 13, 2024. Five competitive bids were received and thoroughly evaluated based on cost, vendor qualifications, and compliance with project requirements. Following post-bid interviews, Delta Network Services was selected as the most qualified bidder. While not the lowest bid, Delta’s network electronics hardware aligns with our existing systems.

Delta proposed an alternate network topology, reducing the base bid by $41,818.13. This adjustment as well as minor scope reductions lowered the network electronics cost to $419,902.23, with an additional $43,880.40 for uninterruptible power supplies.

The awarded bid amount aligns with the project’s budget, with installation scheduled to begin in April 2025. The funding will come from a combination of federal ERATE funds (approximately $315,197.42) and Series II Bond funds (approximately $148,585.31).
 

Recommend the Lake Shore Public Schools Board of Education approve participation in the Schools of Choice program, for students residing in Macomb County, beginning February 1, 2025, and closing September 12, 2025. 
The Board authorizes the Superintendent to develop administrative guidelines related to criteria for admission and school placement.

Students will attend the State Leadership and Skills Conference and participate in the TV Production Skills USA States competition from Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13, 2025. The student’s media production curriculum of technical skills specific to media, personal skills, and workplace skills will employ planning and time management skills and tools to complete the work tasks from product to production.

Travel will be by personal vehicle. Lodging accommodations at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. 616-774-2000. Funding will be provided by Career & Technical Ed (CTE) funds.

District approved permission slips that include full medical information will be used.
 

The following candidates up for a three-year term to represent Region 8:

• Jason Babbage, Allen Park Public Schools Wayne County
• Anisha Hannah, Pontiac School District, Oakland County
• Paul Kolin, Bloomfield Hills Schools, Oakland County
• Roderick Means, Westwood Community School District, Wayne County
• Randel Meisner, Fitzgerald Public Schools, Macomb County
• Scott Wallace, Fraser Public Schools, Macomb County
• Ursula (Wester) Rogers, Romulus Community Schools, Wayne County
• Lisa Valerio-Nowc, Clintondale Community Schools, Macomb County