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Meeting Agenda
CALL TO ORDER
WELCOME AND MEETING FORMAT (2 Min)
Recognition - Student Representatives (5 Min)
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD – Student Trip (5 Min)
PRESENTATION: Bond Update (15 Min + 5 For Questions)
Adequate Information to Proceed
CITIZENS ADDRESS AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT REPORTS/REQUESTS (5 Min)
SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS/REQUESTS (10 Min)
BOARD REPORTS/REQUESTS (10 Min)
ACTION ITEMS
CONSENT AGENDA 
OTHER ACTION ITEMS
IISD Budget
Employment - Director of Human Resources
School of Choice Openings
Locker Replacement Project 
Flexible Furniture
2022 Bond Purchases - Bid Package #1
DISCUSSION ITEMS
2023-2024 Budget Development (10 Min)
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
OTHER MATTERS (5 Min)
ADJOURN
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: May 8, 2023 at 7:00 PM - Meeting Agenda
Subject:
CALL TO ORDER
Description:
Tom Buffett, Katie Cavanaugh, Shulawn Doxie, Mary Gebara, Melanie Lynn, Andrew Phelps and Jayme Taylor
Subject:
WELCOME AND MEETING FORMAT (2 Min)
Description:
Welcome to this regular meeting of the Okemos Board of Education held in public for the purpose of conducting the business of the school board.

There are two opportunities for public comment: Citizens who wish to address agenda or non-agenda items will have an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting, as well as near the end 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. Virtual participants must submit their name and address in a message through the chat box located in Zoom’s meeting controls 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 or chat message and that individual’s microphone will be un-muted for their comments.
Subject:
Recognition - Student Representatives (5 Min)
Description:
The board will recognize and express appreciation to the 2022-2023 Okemos High School Student Representatives to the School Board.
Subject:
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD – Student Trip (5 Min)
Description:
OHS Teacher Trisha Funk will present information regarding a Spanish student trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands proposed for June 11th through June 18, 2024.
Attachments:
Subject:
PRESENTATION: Bond Update (15 Min + 5 For Questions)
Description:
Representatives from Veridas, TowerPinkster and Christman will provide an update regarding the 2022 bond and summer projects, including a review of bid package #1.
Attachments:
Goals:
  • Facilities - PRIORITY 10: Provide high quality and equitable facilities and learning environments for students, staff and community.
  • Facilities - PRIORITY 11: Provide efficient and effective use of facilities and grounds.
Subject:
Adequate Information to Proceed
Description:
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. 
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board waive policy 8344.1 requirements and take action on whether to approve the purchases contained in the 2022 Bond Bid Package #1
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board waive policy 8344.1 requirements and take action on whether to approve the purchases contained in the 2022 Bond Bid Package #1.Andy PhelpsKatie CavanaughCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Subject:
CITIZENS ADDRESS AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Description:
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.
Subject:
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT REPORTS/REQUESTS (5 Min)
Description:
The high school student representative will highlight events and issues of interest and take questions from the board.
Subject:
SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS/REQUESTS (10 Min)
Description:
The superintendent will highlight events and issues of interest and take questions from the board.
Subject:
BOARD REPORTS/REQUESTS (10 Min)
Description:
The board will acknowledge receipt of correspondence.
Individual board members may highlight other events and issues of interest and request follow-up on other matters of concern.
Subject:
ACTION ITEMS
Description:
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.
Subject:
CONSENT AGENDA 
Description:
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.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board approve items 1 through 4 for immediate implementation and appropriate action. Item 1: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 10, 2023; Item 2: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 24, 2023; Item 3: Approval of the Minutes of the Executive Session meeting of April 24, 2023; Item 4: Acknowledge receipt of the April financial statement and approve payment of bills for April.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board approve items 1 through 4 for immediate implementation and appropriate action. Item 1: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 10, 2023; Item 2: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 24, 2023; Item 3: Approval of the Minutes of the Executive Session meeting of April 24, 2023; Item 4: Acknowledge receipt of the April financial statement and approve payment of bills for April.Tom BuffettAndy PhelpsCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Subject:
OTHER ACTION ITEMS
Description:
The Other Action Items require additional discussion prior to board action.
Subject:
IISD Budget
Description:
Each constituent school district has the opportunity to review and pass a resolution in support or non-support of the annual proposed Ingham Intermediate School District (IISD) general fund budget.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board waive the reading and adopt the resolution supporting the Ingham Intermediate School District 2023-2024 general fund budget as proposed. (Roll Call Vote)
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board waive the reading and adopt the resolution supporting the Ingham Intermediate School District 2023-2024 general fund budget as proposed. (Roll Call Vote).Andy PhelpsJayme TaylorCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
Employment - Director of Human Resources
Description:
With the resignation of Mr. Steve Keskes, the Director of Human Resources position was vacated in March 2023. As a result, a formal selection process has led to the recommendation for a replacement. 
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board employ Mr. Mario Martinez as Director of Human Resources effective May 15, 2023 (Roll Call Vote)
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board employ Mr. Mario Martinez as Director of Human Resources effective May 15, 2023 (Roll Call Vote).Jayme TaylorShulawn DoxieCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Subject:
School of Choice Openings
Description:
Okemos Public Schools participates in the state’s School of Choice program. Each year, following a review of enrollment, the district’s administration recommends the School of Choice openings to be advertised through the Ingham Intermediate School District. This year, the recommendation is for 37 openings, which is a total of the openings at grade levels Begindergarten/Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board approve the recommended openings to be advertised through the Ingham Intermediate School District for School of Choice enrollment in the Okemos Public Schools.
Action(s):
Motion 1 Carried:
That the board approve the recommended openings to be advertised through the Ingham Intermediate School District for School of Choice enrollment in the Okemos Public Schools.Katie CavanaughAndy PhelpsCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Motion 2 Carried:
That the board approve the recommended openings to be advertised through the Ingham Intermediate School District for School of Choice enrollment in the Okemos Public Schools.Katie CavanaughAndy PhelpsCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
Locker Replacement Project 
Description:
Director of Operations Mark Fargo presented information regarding the purchase of replacement lockers for Okeos Public Montessori at Central Elementary during the April 24th meeting.
 
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board award the purchase of replacement lockers for OPM at Central Elementary to Symons Building Specialties, not to exceed $77,600 to be funded through the 2019 Technology, Security, Transportation, Capital Outlay, and Facilities bond.
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board award the purchase of replacement lockers for OPM at Central Elementary to Symons Building Specialties, not to exceed $77,600 to be funded through the 2019 Technology, Security, Transportation, Capital Outlay, and Facilities bond.Shulawn DoxieKatie CavanaughCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
Flexible Furniture
Description:
The board reviewed information regarding the purchase of flexible furniture at its April 24th meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board award the purchase of flexible furniture for Hiawatha Elementary to Demco, not to exceed $90,00.94 to be funded by the 2019 Technology, Security, Transportation, Capital Outlay, and Facilities bond
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board award the purchase of flexible furniture for Hiawatha Elementary to Demco, not to exceed $90,00.94 to be funded by the 2019 Technology, Security, Transportation, Capital Outlay, and Facilities bond.Katie CavanaughTom BuffettCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
2022 Bond Purchases - Bid Package #1
Description:
The Board has reviewed information regarding the 2023 Bond Projects for secure vestibules at Edgewood, Cornell, Bennett Woods and Central Montessori and pressing needs at Central Montessori and the High School Athletics complex.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the Board award contracts not to exceed $4,266,025 for the trade contractors listed below and to assign those contracts to The Christman Company pursuant to the construction manager-as-constructor project delivery method: Woodhull Construction Co. Inc, Angelo Iafrate Construction Co., Trois Amis Corp. DBA Dewitt Fence Co., Anderson-Fischer & Associates, Inc., Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors, Inc., Aaron Glass Company Inc., Dobie Construction Inc., William C. Reichenbach Co., Integrity Interiors Inc., R & L Painting, LLC, Pleune Service Company, and Superior Electric of Lansing Inc. (Roll Call)
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the Board award contracts not to exceed $4,266,025 for the trade contractors listed below and to assign those contracts to The Christman Company pursuant to the construction manager-as-constructor project delivery method: Woodhull Construction Co. Inc, Angelo Iafrate Construction Co., Trois Amis Corp. DBA Dewitt Fence Co., Anderson-Fischer & Associates, Inc., Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors, Inc., Aaron Glass Company Inc., Dobie Construction Inc., William C. Reichenbach Co., Integrity Interiors Inc., R & L Painting, LLC, Pleune Service Company, and Superior Electric of Lansing Inc. (Roll Call).Andy PhelpsKatie CavanaughCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Goals:
  • Facilities - PRIORITY 10: Provide high quality and equitable facilities and learning environments for students, staff and community.
  • Facilities - PRIORITY 11: Provide efficient and effective use of facilities and grounds.
Subject:
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Description:
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.
Subject:
2023-2024 Budget Development (10 Min)
Description:
Finance Director Elizabeth Lentz will provide information regarding the development of the 2023-2024 budget including preliminary assumptions.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Description:
At this time in the meeting, citizens have an opportunity to address the board regarding any item(s) of interest. Individual comments at this time will be limited to three minutes but may be extended at the discretion of the board president.  A designated timekeeper will communicate to the individual who is addressing the board at three minutes.  The board highly values public comment; however, our meeting format does not allow the board to engage in conversation with speakers.  Questions or concerns may be assigned for follow-up by the board or the administration at a later date.
 
Subject:
OTHER MATTERS (5 Min)
Description:
  • Reminder of the Work Session on May 15th regarding budget and strategic priorities.
Subject:
ADJOURN

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