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Meeting Agenda
CALL TO ORDER
WELCOME AND MEETING FORMAT (2 Min)
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION – Contract Negotiations
RECONVENE
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD: Negotiations
PRESENTATION: MTSS Including Benchmark Assessment Data (30 Min)
PRESENTATION: Bond Update (10 Min)
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD: Student Trip
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD - Technology Purchase
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 (5 Min)
OTHER ACTION ITEMS
PHASE Curriculum
Meridian Township Letter of Understanding
Technology Purchase
Board Policy First Reading
Montessori School of Choice Openings
DISCUSSION ITEMS
MASB Election
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
OTHER MATTERS (5 Min)
ADJOURN
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: February 12, 2024 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:
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION – Contract Negotiations
Description:
Pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Open Meetings Act, the board of education may adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations (Roll Call)
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Open Meetings Act for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations (Roll Call).Jayme TaylorKatie CavanaughCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Subject:
RECONVENE
Description:
Tom Buffett, Katie Cavanaugh, Shulawn Doxie, Mary Gebara, Melanie Lynn,  Andy Phelps, Jayme Taylor
Subject:
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD: Negotiations
Description:
The board will discuss the teacher's union request to negotiate.
Subject:
PRESENTATION: MTSS Including Benchmark Assessment Data (30 Min)
Description:
Assistant Superintendent Bailey, Director Slee, and Director Pricco will provide an update on the District MTSS process; while Principal Kemsley and OHS educators will share examples of professional learning and system creation at OHS to improve student learning. In addition, Assistant Superintendent Bailey will also present the winter benchmark assessment data.
Attachments:
Goals:
  • Equity - PRIORITY 1: Utilize critical areas identified in the Strategic Plan to update the ongoing work, evolution and comprehensive integration of the district's Equity Plan.
  • Instruction & Learning - PRIORITY 4: Further explore and implement child-centered models (environmental, programming, etc.).
  • Social Emotional Learning - PRIORITY 6: Further identity and develop policies, procedures, and practices that promote healthy students and staff, safe schools, and a strong culture of understanding and inclusiveness for all.
  • SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING - PRIORITY 7: Implement additional proactive strategies to assist students, families, and staff in accessing school social emotional supports and outside mental health services.
Subject:
PRESENTATION: Bond Update (10 Min)
Description:
The bond team will provide an update on the overall 2022 bond project including the status of completed bid packages and budget. stakeholder engagement plans, and next steps.
Attachments:
Subject:
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD: Student Trip
Description:
OHS German Teacher Andy Floyd will provide information regarding an exchange trip to Germany proposed for June 10th through June 19, 2024.
Subject:
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD - Technology Purchase
Description:
Media & Technology Director Tom Isom will provide information regarding a technology purchase to be funded by the 2022 bond.
Attachments:
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 (5 Min)
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 and 2 for immediate implementation and appropriate action. Item 1: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 22, 2024; Item 2: Acknowledge receipt of the January financial statement and approve payment of bills for January
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board approve items 1 and 2 for immediate implementation and appropriate action. Item 1: Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 22, 2024; Item 2: Acknowledge receipt of the January financial statement and approve payment of bills for January.Shulawn DoxieKatie CavanaughCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Subject:
OTHER ACTION ITEMS
Description:
The Other Action Items require additional discussion prior to board action.
Subject:
PHASE Curriculum
Description:
The board reviewed information regarding proposed Personal Health and Sexuality Education curriculum for use by elementary special education students at its January 22nd meeting. The proposed curriculum has already been previewed and unanimously approved for use by the PHASE (Personal Health and Sex Education) board. 
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board adopt the Personal Health and Sexuality Education curriculum for use by elementary special education students
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board adopt the Personal Health and Sexuality Education curriculum for use by elementary special education students.Tom BuffettMelanie LynnCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Subject:
Meridian Township Letter of Understanding
Description:
The board reviewed a draft agreement between OPS and Meridian Township that formalizes their commitment to working together and sharing of public resources at its January 8th meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board waive the reading and direct the superintendent to enter into the letter of understanding with Meridian Township
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board waive the reading and direct the superintendent to enter into the letter of understanding with Meridian Township.Katie CavanaughShulawn DoxieCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
Technology Purchase
Description:
The board has reviewed information regarding the purchase of to be funded by the 2022 bond.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board award the purchase of ethernet switches and wireless access points, not to exceed $1,128,611.85 to Sentinel and to be funded through the 2022 bond (Roll Call)
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board award the purchase of ethernet switches and wireless access points, not to exceed $1,128,611.85 to Sentinel and to be funded through the 2022 bond (Roll Call).Jayme TaylorAndy PhelpsCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
Board Policy First Reading
Description:
The board's policy committee has been engaged in the implementation process of Thrun's board policies. The committee is submitting several policies that have been reviewed and/or revised: 3118 Title IX Sexual Harassment; 3303 Gifts and Donations; 3403 Reporting Accidents; 3404 Communicable Diseases; 3501 Freedom of Information Act; 3501-AG Michigan Freedom of Information Act Procedures and Guidelines; 4102 Anti-Harassment, Including Sexual Harassment; 4103 Whistleblowers' Protection; 4104 Employment Complaint Procedure; 4105 Workplace Accommodations for Employees and Applicants with Disabilities; 4107 Military Leave; and 5416 Homebound and Hospitalized Instruction; 5702 Student Illness and Injury. The committee is recommending a July 1st effective date for these policies. Policies given first reading by the board are posted on the district website for thirty days for public review. Policies not given first reading are returned to the committee for further review and editing.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board waive the reading and adopt first reading of board policies 3118 Title IX Sexual Harassment; 3303 Gifts and Donations; 3403 Reporting Accidents; 3404 Communicable Diseases; 3501 Freedom of Information Act; 3501-AG Michigan Freedom of Information Act Procedures and Guidelines; 4102 Anti-Harassment, Including Sexual Harassment; 4103 Whistleblowers' Protection; 4104 Employment Complaint Procedure; 4105 Workplace Accommodations for Employees and Applicants with Disabilities; 4107 Military Leave; and 5416 Homebound and Hospitalized Instruction; 5702 Student Illness and Injury
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board waive the reading and adopt first reading of board policies 3118 Title IX Sexual Harassment; 3303 Gifts and Donations; 3403 Reporting Accidents; 3404 Communicable Diseases; 3501 Freedom of Information Act; 3501-AG Michigan Freedom of Information Act Procedures and Guidelines; 4102 Anti-Harassment, Including Sexual Harassment; 4103 Whistleblowers' Protection; 4104 Employment Complaint Procedure; 4105 Workplace Accommodations for Employees and Applicants with Disabilities; 4107 Military Leave; and 5416 Homebound and Hospitalized Instruction; 5702 Student Illness and Injury.Andy PhelpsShulawn DoxieCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
Montessori School of Choice Openings
Description:
The board has reviewed the recommended openings to be advertised for the PPK-8th Public Montessori enrollment in the Okemos Public Schools.  If approved, there will be a 15 day window for enrollment. 
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board approve the following recommended number of PPK-8 Public Montessori school-of-choice openings for potential enrollment: Kindergarten-2 openings; Grades 1 and 2- 1 opening; Grades 3 and 4- 0 openings; Grades 5 and 6 - 10 openings; and Grades 7 and 8 - 10 openings
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board approve the following recommended number of PPK-8 Public Montessori school-of-choice openings for potential enrollment: Kindergarten-2 openings; Grades 1 and 2- 1 opening; Grades 3 and 4- 0 openings; Grades 5 and 6 - 10 openings; and Grades 7 and 8 - 10 openings.Tom BuffettKatie CavanaughCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
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:
MASB Election
Description:
Board members have received information on candidates seeking election to the board of directors of the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB). The election ballot must be completed and returned by March 6, 2024. Okemos may vote on candidates from Region 7, which this year is for one, three-year term. Members will discuss their selection to vote for.
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)
Subject:
ADJOURN

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