You can watch the meeting live on Zoom or on Xfinity Channel 18. The district typically posts the recording split into segments the day after the meeting.
Note: We will update it throughout the meeting. Please excuse any typos, misspellings, errors (hopefully minor), etc. A summary will be added after the meeting.
Summary
Tonight’s meeting was relatively short – under 80 minutes total.
Dr Swift provided a recap video of the school year with some information on numbers – meals provided, COVID vaccines, COVID tests, tech help, etc.
For second briefings, there was no new information since last week’s first briefings on Westerman Preschool Playground, Eberwhite Playground Materials, or Curriculum adoptions. At last week’s first briefing on Engineered Wood Fiber, the question was raised about the environment sustainability of the wood fiber chips. Dr Swift shared that she sent the trustees a study that shows that engineered wood fiber is environmentally the better option as compared to recycled rubber. These are really the only two options to provide sufficient cushioning to meet safety standards.
The consent agenda passed with Westerman Preschool Playground, Curriculum Adoptions for Middle School Science and AP Chemistry, and Engineered Wood Fiber. Trustee Querijero asked to remove the Eberwhite Playground Materials from the Consent Agenda.
While generally supporting the purchase of the Eberwhite Playground Materials, Trustee Querijero raised questions on the equity of a school being able to raise such a significant amount of funding when other schools don’t have the resources to do that. Other trustees pointed out that since 2015 the district has provided all schools with playground refurbishment funds and gave schools with less community resources additional funds. Other trustees said this topic is a good topic to cover in the equity plan including options such as working through the PTOC or establishing “adopt a school” between different schools. The motion passed 6-1 with Trustee Querijero voting No with a point of privilege to explain his concerns.
The remaining board actions were approved: Summer Funding and hiring, July-December meetings schedule and a closed session on August 11.
Call to Order
Roll Call
Present: (pending – all board members listed) Johnson, Kelly, DuPree, Querijero, Lazarus, Baskett, Gaynor
Other Attendees: Swift, Osiniski, Cluley,
Attendees confirmed they are attending from the local area.
Agenda
Motion to Approve by Kelly. Seconded by Lazarus. No discussion. Agenda passes unanimously.
Public Commentary
As is our practice, we did not cover public commentary. There were 10 comments tonight. Comments are available on BoardDocs. Ms Osinski and Mr Cluley each read half of the comments. The total time for public commentary is limited which can lead to only portions of commentary being read when there are many comments. And, the comments are typically read very quickly to be able to read as much as possible in the time constraints. With such limited time per comment it is even harder to try to capture the context of the commentary.
Clarifications
Swfit: Thank you fo taking time to speak this evening and those who have reached out in other ways. I will share that we have been updating on in person programming for 2021-2022 over previous board meetings. Last week we did taket ime to highlight the virtual options. All of the programs are staffed based on enrollment. There is no additional costs other than our work. We are required to pay for Michiagn Virtual, it is more expensive than our own. Trustees have looked at it over the years that we have offered A2V and it is more cost effective and higher quality. Our focus is on in-person learning for 2 months from today – 60 days.
On summer programs, the majority of our intervention programs are in person. We are offering virtual as well as parents have requested it. Our summer program is many times the size of other surrounding districts. Most of the summer classes are at no-cost to parents and families.
Board Committee Reports
Bond Committee
Lazarus: The Bond Committee met last Friday (June 25 at 11a via Zoom). We continued planning launch of process to select 2019 Bond Advisory Group. District’s website and Dr Swift’s emails will have application and information.
Advised on 2 emergency repair items. They are safety, health, environmental nature. At Angell during summer renovations previously approved – built in 1923 – asbestos was discovered. Abatement is highly regulated with certified contractor. Required for fall operations.
Replacing a broken pipe under Thurston pond. It redirects ground water and prevents flooding & water stagnation. Sinking funds will be used for both issues. If circumstances change, Dr Swift will notify the board.
Next in July but hasn’t been scheduled yet due to summer vacation schedules.
Environmental Sustainability Task Force
Johnson: We reviewed almost 80 applications for the task force. It is assigned to create a plan to get to zero carbon issues. Boiled down to 18 diverse members – educators, local activists and experts, students, general community members. Looking to meet in late June? (maybe he meant July). We had more people than we could accommodate but look forward to engaging with other applicants and general community as we move forward.
Gaynor: Do you know when applicants will be notified?
Johnson: By the end of this week.
Information
Superintendent Update – Reflections on 2020-2021
Swift: In COVID world, we wrap up 450 days of COVID coping. I want to thank students, teachers, support staff, leaders, parents, families, and community for all the sacrifices and support and partnership we have put together over previous school year and back to middle of March 2020.
I want to give gratitude and thanks publicly to trustees and it has certainly been a challenging time to be a public leader. I want to thank you for making the tough decisions even when options were difficult. We understand everyone doesn’t agree, yet we have navigated the time together. I want to invite every one together and refocus on due North of focusing on our children.
2021-2022 begins 60 day from today. It will be a time of restoration and renewal and healing. We ask everyone to have a safe and healthy break. Shoutout to teachers and leaders who have answered the call to teach summer school despite the challenging year. It’s a great time for use to move together to move forward and move ahead.
She played a video and concluded the Superintendent’s report. A few highlights:
- 910 COVID Tests, 929 vaccines give, 370 to school aged
- 11800 rapid antigen tests
- 112 contact tracing
- 15K water & air filters
- 252 air purifiers
- 6135 Rec & Ed Free Programs for PreK-8
- 1,151,958 Meals distributed at 22 locations
- 151,700 face mask & shield donations
- 13,000 gloves & gowns donations
- 32,460 hand sanitizers & pumps donations
- $27k in personal care product donations
- 24K student & staff devices issued
- 125 families sponsored with Comcast Internet
- 35 Student & staff hotspots
- 55K help desk call
- 15k help desk tickets
- 270 Instructional resource binders for self-contained programs
- 432 Social emotional learning lessons
- 37 Parents Support Group Sessions in 9 languages
- 500+ students in Connections+ at Peace, Ann Arbor Community Learning Center, CAN
- 20k school supply kits, 11k art supply kits
- 1459 graduates
- 124 through Graduation Alliance
Kelly: Can this be available as a clip outside the meeting so we can share it?
Swift: Yes, we will be sharing it. It’s also in Board Docs (At this time, not the public version of Board Docs)
Baskett: I totally agree that this showcases the work we have done. Especially those who have made comments on our work in the community, the video highlights what we have been doing. We have a lot on our board agenda and don’t always speak on it in our meetings.
Johnson: I want to echo what the trustees said. It’s been a historic year. Your team had to build the bridge as we walked on it. No one had done this before. It shows the herculean task it was and all the people who had to contribute. It’s easy to say do it, but not easy to execute. Trustee Baskett brings up a point we did a lot, but you’ll always get criticism for not doing enough.
I want to give a shout to Liz Margolis. I saw her name in multiple places and I saw her out at different types of events. To trustees, this has been a tough year for us and to the new trustees who decided to run during a pandemic.
Second Briefings
Second briefings are provided on:
- Westerman Preschool Playground
- Eberwhite Playground Materials
- Curriculum Adoption & Purchase – AP Chemistry
- Curriculum Adoption & Purchase – Middle School Science
- Engineered Wood Fiber Purchase & Installation
No changes. But I shared with you the keeping of the environment we shared an analysis of wood chips vs rubber playground materials. I’ll ask Ms Osinski to attach to Board Docs so it’s a reference for the public. The wood chips are preferable environmental and the cushion is required -those are the two options.
Querijero: I’d like to suggest we move item B in Consent Agenda to a separate item, I’ld like to discuss separately.
Johnson: I think we have to do that at the consent agenda.
Consent Agenda
The Board will vote on the Consent Agenda
- Westerman Preschool Playground
- Eberwhite Playground Materials
- Curriculum Adoption & Purchase – AP Chemistry
- Curriculum Adoption & Purchase – Middle School Science
- Engineered Wood Fiber Purchase & Installation
Querijero: I’d like to ask that Eberwhite playground materials be removed from Consent Agenda and be voted on separately.
Moved by Kelly, Seconded by Querijero. No discussion. Consent Agenda without Eberwhite Playground passes unanimously.
Board Action
Approve Eberwhite Playground Materials.
Moved by Baskett Seconded by Kelly.
Querijero: This came to Finance in its early stages. It hasn’t sat well with me. After thinking about it, it’s the right thing to say something. I recognize this will be approved. I see local school community has raised the money, had the vision. I recognize it was an old wooden playground and it wasn’t safe. I understand it’s important as an iconic piece. One of the issues why I feel so unsettled is the inability of other schools to raise this kind of money. I know we did some compensation to support other schools. To me, I see this especially at the end of the year we want to reward the community, but we also recognize that other schools in our community could do this. It sets a stage of inequality. I don’t think there’s a quick solution. When we make decisions that do make a lot of money that we look at inequity that one school can raise that money to provide for its local school. I am going to abstain due to that. Trustee Kelly I see you are nodding your head against that. I know Baskett you are an advocated of voting 7-0. I feel it’s something to say. But make me vote with it.
Kelly: I would just remind the trustee that we are expected to vote not abstain unless it affects our household income. I know the process to put playgrounds in the schools has been ongoing since 2015. Whether they want something standard, natural playground, add community money. That’s what I value is the characteristics of local schools.
Baskett: First Trustee Querijero, it’s not my desire that we always vote 7-0. I would support a No vote, but I don’t agree with your stance. But this school community has raised the money. You weren’t here when the Eberwhite community was up in arms about having to remove it due to safety. Each school had a base budget. It’s not that the school doesn’t have money to raise for playground, maybe they’d rather use for other purposes. I would not encourage you to abstain as there is no basis for you to abstain. No school community should be penalized either for raising the money. We’re not giving more money than we are to other schools. I was there before the original structure was taken apart. They wanted to replace it and we wanted to encourage them to replace it safely. This is what the school community wants to do and I support their Herculean effort.
Lazarus: I want to comment that Trustee Querijero what you could do is vote No not abstain and do a point of privilege and explain why you vote no. It’s nt that you don’t want it to happen, it’s that you have issues with it. That’s in the record and very clear and everyone will respect you in that.
You bring up an interesting point. I’ve spoken to people in other schools who have the ability to raise funds for other purposes and they struggle with the fact that other schools can’t raise that money. I’d encourage to work with PTOC or other ways to find ways to adopt other schools, provide money from one PTO to another. I’d encourage that discussion to move forward. I would encourage you to do an actual vote.
Querijero: Thank you for the parliamentarian as clarifying that route and I will take that.
Johnson: I appreciate you bringing this up. There are many people int he community who feel similarly and people who wonder where our priorities are with socioeconomic status. The concept of inequality vs equity is important for us to understand. What I like about this district, I notice a lot of funding is dedicated to schools and communities with the least resources often first. We want to create the on-par or even better in the short term. Equity means someone who needs more gets a little more so we can all have similar level of access. I think that the broader definition of equity in our community. Thanks for bringing it up. As we go through our equity plan and launch it we’ll have an opportunity to discuss it.
Kelly: I don’t want there to be confusion. I appreciate equity vs equality. I understand the beginning predates most of the board. Funds were set aside so the district contributed significantly more resources to some than others who could raise more money to buffer what the neighborhoods could raise on their own.
Querijero: I did talk with Dr Swift about the efforts we did in advance and recognize schools who couldn’t commit resources. How much is enough. It was like $69K now. What if it was more? Would we have a school with a $500K playground (using absurd numbers here) and the next school couldn’t. Just to keep the perspective in mind.
Baskett: Not to belabor the issue, but I’d love to have more conversation. But why should there be a cap on a any school community that is willing to support them. There are going to be other instances where some school communities can raise more.
Yes: Baskett, DuPree, Johnson, Kelly, Lazarus, Gaynor
No: Querijero
Querijero: Point of Privilege – all the reasons previously mentioned.
Passes 6-1.
Approve July-December 2021 Calendar of Regular Meetings of the Board of Education
Swift: As is our practice, we place the board Calendar through school calendar, religious calendar, and settle on regular meetings. We hope to settle the committee meetings by August 1.
Baskett: Thank you for the clarification. I’m looking at my colleagues. We’ve all seen this before. Have any of you identified any personal conflicts July-August.
(Note I could not find the proposed calendar published anywhere)
Moved by Baskett, Seconded by Kelly. Calendar passes unanimously
Approve Summer 2021 Expenditures & Hiring
Swift: This is standard. We are interviewing and working on hiring. I do update you weekly in the summer. Thanks to diligent work of bond and finance. We will bring forward things that come up in July I will update you on in August. That way we don’t have to hold up important hiring and expenditures to open.
Kelly: “In order to attend to the business of the district during summer preparations for fall opening, the Board delegates to the Superintendent the authority to make purchases up to and including $250,000 per transaction and to hire staff as needed. The Superintendent shall provide a detailed report of purchases and hiring made under this authorization at the August/September 2021 Board Meetings to complete appropriate ratification of such purchases and hiring.”
Seconded by Querijero.
Kelly: The Learn from my Fail moment. I did not understand well what we did the first year and when we came back in the fall I misunderstood what it meant to ratify and why decisions were made out of the normal process. I want to help the new board members understand.
I think it’s important we make the motion. There is no summer break for our team. She can do the things needed to allow us to open in the fall.
Motion passes unanimously.
Approve Closed Session of the Board on August 11 for Attorney/Client Privilege
Moved by Querijero. Seconded by Lazarus. No discussion. Unanimously passes.
Items for Agenda Planning
None
Items from the Board
Kelly: I would like to have a huge thank you to Baskett and Lazarus for filling in where I fell short the last few months. It seems most of this year has been focused on getting kids in school, keeping safe, focusing on the pandemic. We have not attended to ourselves well which is the responsibility of the vice president. When we had that settled I had things in personal and professional life that drew me away.
I will draw attention to trustee Baskett’s email that had one more questions bout availability. Last I checked we didn’t have all 7 available. When I created the Doodle Poll, I eliminated dates I knew was an issue. Right now people who have weighed in have conflicting dates. There’s one date but 3 haven’t replied yet. We’ll open more dates to get majority if we can’t get unanimous. But unanimous has been shown to be better. Please take a look at your email and look at possible dates you could possibly meet not just your favorites.
Baskett: Thank you for the acknowledgment. It was our privilege to be able to help you. We always say thank you to student, but also to the parents. I could never have been on this board with a small child. Part of the teamwork to get something scheduled and thank you for everyone to respond.
Congratulations to parents of graduates and the retirees. Thank you to all who stuck around the last few months. We wouldn’t have judged you for retiring early. For those of you who remember Dr Williams former Huron Principal, I saw him at an event and laughed at how we pulled him back in. He came for a few weeks and stayed almost a year.
Take some time off.
Asian Pacific Islanders group will be meeting in July. Most of our groups take time off.
July 9 a superintendent evaluation training. Please feel free to join Trustee DuPree & myself. If you want food get with Ms Osinski for the menu.
Annual leadership conference for Michigan Association of School Board is November in Grand Rapids. It will be offered hybrid – in person and virtual. There will be professional development and bonding opportunities.
We will have a bit less work with summer but it continues. 60 days until the start of the new school year. Doesn’t seem long enough. This is the last Board Meeting of the fiscal year. thank you everyone for making this year happen.
Gaynor: To Baskett and Kelly, the email and doodle poll had dates but not times. Can you clarify?
Baskett: I feel if we can get the date we can get a time. If you have a time doesn’t work, please indicate. You can call me.
Kelly: I think we were focused on evenings. If you have a morning conflict, we’re not worried about it.
Baskett: I just want a date. I know most of you have day jobs, but if you can take vacation or leave a little early. We’re looking at 5 hours. Knowing an evening session can be 5 hours, we’ve done it before.
Johnson: I want to echo the thanks for everyone. The board, parents, teachers, students. We saw a lot of innovations and fortitude and grit that was developed. The members of our community, Dr Swift’s team, and lastly Dr Swift. You work harder than anyone and put up with a lot. Keeping your chin up, having a tough skin, and putting your head down and getting the work done. Take some well deserved time off. Try to unplug. You’ve been working non-stop for almost 500 days.
Adjourn
Motion to Adjourn by Kelly, Seconded by Baskett. No discussion. Motion passes unanimously . Meeting adjourned at 8:19p
