Welcome to this special meeting of the Okemos Board of Education held in public for the purpose of conducting the business of the school board.

There is one opportunity for public comment: Citizens who wish to address agenda or non-agenda items will have an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting. In-person individuals who wish to address the board must complete a blue form, located with the agendas near the room entrance, and present it to the board’s secretary prior to the start of the agenda item. 

At the appropriate point in the agenda, the board president will call upon individuals who have submitted a blue card for their comments.

Technology Director Tom Isom will present information regarding the purchase of elementary student devices due to increased enrollment and to be funded through the 2019 bond.

Board policy 8344.1 Adequate Information to Proceed indicates that it is the policy of the board not to take action on an item the first time it is brought to the attention of the board at a public meeting. 

At this time in the meeting, citizens have an opportunity to address the board regarding items of interest that that may or may not be part of the evening’s agenda.  Citizens are required to limit comments to three minutes, except when this requirement is waived by the board president during the meeting.  A designated timekeeper will communicate to the individual who is addressing the board at three minutes. The board highly values public comment and input; however, the board meeting format is designed to facilitate the evening’s agenda and, therefore, restricts board members from engaging in conversation with speakers or immediately responding to questions.  Questions and concerns may be addressed by the board later in the agenda and may be assigned for follow-up by the board or superintendent at a later date.

Individual board members may highlight other events and issues of interest and request follow-up on other matters of concern.

Within Action Items, there is a Consent Agenda to expedite the business of the board which groups a number of items together to be dealt with by one action of the board. However, items in the consent agenda may be extracted by individual board member request for further discussion or clarification.

In an effort to expedite the business of the board of education, but in no way meant to diminish the importance of each item, a Consent Agenda has been developed.

The Other Action Items require additional discussion prior to board action.

The hiring of all certified employees must be approved by the board of education; employment of support staff shall be in accordance with school district policy.

The elementary level, Kinawa, Chippewa Middle School, and Okemos High School Student-Parent Handbooks provide valuable information about school activities and available services, as well as guidelines for behavior and the students’ rights and responsibilities.  The handbooks have been updated to reflect current practice, law and board policy. Once approved, handbooks will be distributed to families and updated on the district website.

During the August 8th meeting, Director Mark Fargo presented information regarding the purchase of a tractor and pull-behind mower for the district.

Earlier in the meeting, Media & Technology Director Tom Isom presented information regarding the purchase of additional elementary student devices funded by the Facilities/Technology/Security/Transportation/Capital Outlay bond. 

The Board has proposed additional dates within the 2022-2023 calendar that complies with the State Aid Act and Revised School Code and prefers to establish calendar dates based on agreement with the Association. Absent such agreement, however, the Board has the right and obligation to establish components of the calendar, as permitted by the Public Employment Relations Act ("PERA") and the Revised School Code. The Board acknowledges that the calendar remains subject to negotiations. 

Discussion items are intended to provide an opportunity for review of material and interaction concerning the individual items.  Action is not taken during the board meeting.  Discussion items may be acted upon by the Board of Education at a later date. The board president may move a discussion item forward in the meeting agenda to facilitate timely discussion and/or community input on that discussion item.

Superintendent Hood will present information regarding expediting improvements to the turf field including updating with the Wolves logo.

Pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Open Meetings Act, the board of education may adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the superintendent evaluation.

Dean Bolton, Katie Cavanaugh, Mary Gebara, Melanie Lynn, Vincent Lyon-Callo, Andrew Phelps and Jayme Taylor