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Meeting Agenda
CALL TO ORDER
WELCOME AND MEETING FORMAT (2 Min)
ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION – Contract Negotiations
RECONVENE
PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD – IISD Budget (10 Min)
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD-Student Trip
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD-Student Trip
PRESENTATION: Bond Update
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 (5 Min)
OTHER ACTION ITEMS
Resolution - Staff Appreciation Day
Board Policy First Reading - July 1 Effective Date
Board Policy First Reading - 30 Day Effective
Bond Sale
2022 Bond Purchases - Bid Package #3A
DISCUSSION ITEMS
24-25 Budget Development
School of Choice Openings (5 Min)
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
OTHER MATTERS (5 Min)
ADJOURN
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: April 22, 2024 at 6:30 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)
Subject:
RECONVENE
Description:
Tom Buffett, Katie Cavanaugh, Shulawn Doxie, Mary Gebara, Melanie Lynn,  Andy Phelps, Jayme Taylor
Subject:
PRESENTATION/DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD – IISD Budget (10 Min)
Description:
The board will review the Ingham Intermediate School District proposed 2024-2025 General Fund Budget as required by Michigan law to determine its action at the next meeting to support or not support the budget.  Ingham Intermediate School District Superintendent Mr. Jason Mellema will present the budget information.
Attachments:
Subject:
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD-Student Trip
Description:
French Teacher Kim Floyd will present information for board discussion regarding a trip to Quebec proposed for February 7-10, 2025.
Attachments:
Subject:
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD-Student Trip
Description:
Spanish Teacher Karen Sanders will present information for board discussion regarding a trip to Spain proposed for June 7-14, 2025.
Attachments:
Subject:
PRESENTATION: Bond Update
Description:
Representatives from Veridas, TowerPinkster and Christman will provide an update regarding the 2022 bond, including bid package #3 award recommendations.
Attachments:
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 #3A
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 April 8, 2024; and Item 2: Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of April 15, 2024
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 April 8, 2024; and Item 2: Approval of the Minutes of the Special Meeting of April 15, 2024.Shulawn DoxieJayme TaylorCarried
  • 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:
Resolution - Staff Appreciation Day
Description:
The board of education recognizes the efforts of all its employees in delivering an exceptional program to students enrolled in the Okemos Public Schools.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board read and adopt the resolution establishing May 7, 2024 as Staff Appreciation Day in honor of the employees of the Okemos Public Schools (Roll Call Vote)
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board read and adopt the resolution establishing May 7, 2024 as Staff Appreciation Day in honor of the employees of the Okemos Public Schools (Roll Call Vote).Tom BuffettKatie CavanaughCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
Board Policy First Reading - July 1 Effective Date
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: 5801 Closed Campus; 5802 Student Transportation;  5805 Student Audio and Video Recording; and 5807 Flag Display and Pledge of Allegiance. 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: 5801 Closed Campus; 5802 Student Transportation;  5805 Student Audio and Video Recording; and 5807 Flag Display and Pledge of Allegiance
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board waive the reading and adopt first reading of board policies: 5801 Closed Campus; 5802 Student Transportation;  5805 Student Audio and Video Recording; and 5807 Flag Display and Pledge of Allegiance.Katie CavanaughShulawn DoxieCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
Board Policy First Reading - 30 Day Effective
Description:
The policy committee is submitting board policies 5206 Student Discipline; 5206A Discipline - Due Process; 5206B Discipline - Students with Disabilities; 5206C Discipline - Reinstatement Following Expulsion; 5206D Discipline - Enrollment Following Misconduct at Another Public or Nonpublic School; and 5206E Discipline - Suspension from Class, Subject, or Activity by Teacher. Policies given first reading by the board are posted on the district website for thirty days for public review before being placed on a board agenda for final approval; 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 policies 5206 Student Discipline; 5206A Discipline - Due Process; 5206B Discipline - Students with Disabilities; 5206C Discipline - Reinstatement Following Expulsion; 5206D Discipline - Enrollment Following Misconduct at Another Public or Nonpublic School; and 5206E Discipline - Suspension from Class, Subject, or Activity by Teacher
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board waive the reading and adopt first reading of policies 5206 Student Discipline; 5206A Discipline - Due Process; 5206B Discipline - Students with Disabilities; 5206C Discipline - Reinstatement Following Expulsion; 5206D Discipline - Enrollment Following Misconduct at Another Public or Nonpublic School; and 5206E Discipline - Suspension from Class, Subject, or Activity by Teacher.Jayme TaylorShulawn DoxieCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
Bond Sale
Description:
On January 22nd, the Board authorized the Superintendent to initiate the process for the negotiated sale of up to $83.3 million 2024 School Building and Site Bonds, Series II.  On March 21st the preliminary official statement was released providing material information to potential investors.  Pricing of the bonds occurred on April 4th and based on information provided by our financial advisor the offer from Stifel, Nicolaus & Company to purchase the Bonds was accepted on April 5th.   The Board will consider a resolution to ratify and affirm the acceptance of the offer.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board waive the reading and adopt the resolution to accept the offer as set forth in the bond purchase agreement dated April 5, 2024 and appoints the Huntington National Bank as the Paying Agent-Bond Registrar (Roll Call)
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board waive the reading and adopt the resolution to accept the offer as set forth in the bond purchase agreement dated April 5, 2024 and appoints the Huntington National Bank as the Paying Agent-Bond Registrar (Roll Call).Andy PhelpsTom BuffettCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
2022 Bond Purchases - Bid Package #3A
Description:
The Board has reviewed information regarding the 2024 Bond Projects for Chippewa Middle School.. 
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the Board award contracts not to exceed $2,399,704 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: Asbestos Abatement, Inc.; Michigan Paving & Materials Company; Justice Fence Company; Centennial Electric LLC; (Roll Call)
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the Board award contracts not to exceed $2,399,704 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: Asbestos Abatement, Inc.; Michigan Paving & Materials Company; Justice Fence Company; Centennial Electric LLC; (Roll Call).Katie CavanaughJayme TaylorCarried
  • Lynn: Absent
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: 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:
24-25 Budget Development
Description:
The board will continue its discussion regarding the development of the 2024-2024 budget. 
Attachments:
Subject:
School of Choice Openings (5 Min)
Description:
The board will review the recommendation for School of Choice openings to be advertised through the Ingham Intermediate School District for the 2024-2025 school year.
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:
  • Board Book Study (If Time Allows)
Subject:
ADJOURN

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