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Meeting Agenda
CALL TO ORDER
WELCOME AND MEETING FORMAT
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD: SEL Curriculum Recommendation
Adequate Information to Proceed
CITIZENS ADDRESS AGENDA AND NON-AGENDA ITEMS
SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS/REQUESTS (10 Min)
BOARD REPORTS/REQUESTS (10 Min)
OTHER ACTION ITEMS
Employment - Certified
Hockey Co-Op
K-12th Grade Student-Parent Handbooks
Delegation of Authority
SEL Curriculum Adoption
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Board Retreat Planning
Board Operating Procedures
OTHER MATTERS (5 Min)
ADJOURN
 
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: August 6, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Special Meeting
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
Description:

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.
Subject:
DISCUSSION MOVED FORWARD: SEL Curriculum Recommendation
Description:
DEI Director Lara Slee will present information regarding a proposed SEL curriculum for use by K-4 students to be funded through ESSER funds. Due to deadlines and turnaround times, the board is being asked to consider taking action at this meeting. 
Attachments:
Goals:
  • SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING - PRIORITY 5: Increase understanding, awareness, and acceptance of visible and invisible social/emotional health and related matters.
  • 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:
Adequate Information to Proceed
Description:
Board policy 2503A 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 2503A requirements and take action on whether to adopt the SEL curriculum
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:
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:
OTHER ACTION ITEMS
Description:
The Other Action Items require additional discussion prior to board action.
Subject:
Employment - Certified
Description:
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.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board approve the employment of Kara Cook, 3rd Grade Teacher at Hiawatha; Matthew Cyrus, 83% Physical Education Teacher at Central Montessori; and Rachael O'Neill, 67% PPK Teacher at Central Montessori, effective August 12, 2024 in accordance with sections 1230 (2) and 1230 a (2) of the Revised School Code conditioned upon receipt of acceptable criminal history checks and criminal records checks
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board approve the employment of Kara Cook, 3rd Grade Teacher at Hiawatha; Matthew Cyrus, 83% Physical Education Teacher at Central Montessori; and Rachael O'Neill, 67% PPK Teacher at Central Montessori, effective August 12, 2024 in accordance with sections 1230 (2) and 1230 a (2) of the Revised School Code conditioned upon receipt of acceptable criminal history checks and criminal records checks.Melanie LynnKatie CavanaughCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Subject:
Hockey Co-Op
Description:
Athletic Director Ken Hintze presented information regarding a potential MHSAA Hockey co-op in collaboration with Charlotte and Owosso schools during the July 22nd meeting. 
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. that the board authorize the superintendent and athletic director to execute the MHSAA application to form a cooperative hockey team
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
that the board authorize the superintendent and athletic director to execute the MHSAA application to form a cooperative hockey team.Andy PhelpsMelanie LynnCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
K-12th Grade Student-Parent Handbooks
Description:
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.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board approve the 2024-2025 elementary level, Kinawa, Chippewa Middle School, and Okemos High School Student-Parent Handbooks for distribution to students and parents
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board approve the 2024-2025 elementary level, Kinawa, Chippewa Middle School, and Okemos High School Student-Parent Handbooks for distribution to students and parents.Tom BuffettMelanie LynnCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
Delegation of Authority
Description:
Annually, school districts may elect to have the plan review of school construction projects and inspections conducted by local building departments.   For this to happen, both the school district and the unit of government(s) must execute the application, Request for Annual Delegation of School Plan Review and Inspection Authority to a Local Unit of Government Enforcing Agency.  The board is being asked to designate a local inspector, Meridian Township to be the primary inspector for upcoming bond projects, building, and renovations. 
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. That the board approve the delegation of school plan review and inspections to Meridian Charter Township
Action(s):
Motion Carried:
That the board approve the delegation of school plan review and inspections to Meridian Charter Township.Shulawn DoxieMelanie LynnCarried
  • Buffett: Yea
  • Cavanaugh: Yea
  • Doxie: Yea
  • Gebara: Yea
  • Lynn: Yea
  • Phelps: Yea
  • Taylor: Yea
Attachments:
Subject:
SEL Curriculum Adoption
Description:
The board reviewed a proposed SEL Curriculum for use by K-4th grade students earlier in the meeting.
Recommended Motion(s):
  1. that the board adopt the Everyday Speech Social Emotional Learning Curriculum for use by K-4th grade students, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and to be funded through ESSR grants
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:
Board Retreat Planning
Description:
The board will discuss the upcoming board retreat and prioritization of agenda items.
Subject:
Board Operating Procedures
Description:
The board will begin its review and discussion of the proposed board operating procedures.
Attachments:
Subject:
OTHER MATTERS (5 Min)
Description:
  • Reminder of Special Meeting August TBD
Subject:
ADJOURN
 

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