Wayland Union Board of Education

The Wayland Union School Board met on Monday, May 8, 2023 at the Administration office for their regular meeting.

All consent agenda items were approved.

Wayland Union High School Robotics Team

• First Robotics team came to discuss their season, experience at Worlds in Texas, and they demonstrated how their robot works.

Presentation regarding potential therapy dog at the High School

• Agenda was amended, this will be discussed at next regular board meeting in June.

Report from Behind the Scenes at the Capitol Event

• Norm Taylor summarized the event by saying that it was a discussion with both political parties on all things education, including budget, teacher evaluation, school safety, and mental health.

Report from April 24, 2023 Policy Committee meeting

• Janel Hott discussed that a few policies were updated, including tobacco use, federal grants and funds, web accessibility, multi-factor authentication, therapy dogs within the district, school safety information, and the ability to charge students for materials used in personal projects.

Student Board Members Report

• Summer Morrison and Ava Makowski mentioned how many students have spent the last two weeks taking AP exams. Student Council, SADD, and LOC Club are working on having a wellness week. Spring sports are fully underway including track and field, girls soccer, baseball, softball, boys golf, and girls tennis. Seniors are also reaching the end of their high school careers.

Governance Team Good News

• Jeff Koon shared that he was very excited that the bond passed last week, everyone shared his excitement. Peter Zondervan shared that his daughter had a dance competition this past weekend in which she placed first. Theresa Dobry shared that her daughter got engaged over the weekend. Norm Taylor shared that he has officially completed all of his level 1 CBA classes for MASB. Janel Hott shared that one of her foreign exchange students from 5 years ago came back to visit and enjoyed the musical. Becky Hohnke shared that all the diplomas are signed, they are ready to go for graduation.

None

Assistant Superintendent of Finance & Operations

• Peter Zondervan shared the actual versus budget report on behalf of Pat Velie, who was unable to attend the meeting.

Assistant Superintendent of Instruction

• Teresa Fulk discussed the wellness week ocurring at the high school, which works along side the launch of Clayful in the district. Lots of spring assessments occurring between AP exams, NWEA, SAT, and M-step. In addition, end of year celebrations are beginning.

Superintendent

• Tim Reeves shared that at the next regular meeting on June 12th, the board will be recognizing stakeholders involved in the bond. Next Monday, Tim Reeves, Peter Zondervan, and Jeff Koon will be attending a meeting at City Hall.

Discussion regarding candidates for the June 5, 2023 Biennial Allegan Area Educational Service Agency Election

• Discussed the two candidates running for the election, one of whom is the current seat holder and the other is a newcomer.

AAESA 2023-2024 Budget

• Tim Reeves discussed that this is an annual process in which Wayland doesn't have much say in the budget, it's more of an acknowledgment.

Memorandum of Understanding for School Resource Officer

• Tim Reeves stated that last week the city approved the SRO contract and now it's the district's turn to review the contract. This is for a part time, during the school year, officer to be dedicated to the school district for the next 3 years.

Capturing Kids Hearts proposal for 2023-2024 school year

• The proposal is to do a half day PD Day training for all staff, CKH calls it a recharge training. The proposal also includes purchasing the PRO experience from CKH. This is expected to take place in October. This isn't a necessity, however, most staff were looking to receive more CKH training on their PD days. This is paid through grant money that is specific for mental health improvements.

NEOLA Policy Updates

• Tim Reeves stated that this is an update that happens twice a year, once in the Fall and once in the Spring. There were not any major changes, just verbiage changes. Policies mentioned were the same ones Janel Hott mentioned earlier in the meeting during her Policy Committee Meeting Summary.

District Requested Policy Update

• Tim Reeves informed the board that the policy was updated with language that already matched the practices being used within the district.

Wayland Union School District Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Delegating the Sale of Bonds and Other Matters Relating Thereto

• Tim Reeves stated that this is a promise to the community to begin the bond updates in a timely manner. Huntington is the issuer that we currently use when working to sell the districts bonds. The first bond sale will be $20 million.

Food Service Contract

• Approved

Glass Replacement for Pine St. Doors

• Approved

Middle School Cafeteria Renovations

• Approved

Electoral Representative for the June 5, 2023 Biennial Allegan Area Educational Service Agency election

• Approved

Wayland Union School District Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Delegating the Sale of Bonds and Other Matters Relating Thereto

• Approved

Janel Hott would like to thank the community for the support with the bond. She also shared the fun fact that the robotics team has only been around since 2016, so their accomplishments are truly remarkable. She thanked Summer Morrison for her time as a student representative. She was also blown away by the musical and the amount of people involved making a grand production.

Becky Hohnke would also like to thank Summer Morrison for her time with the board, she can't wait to see where she goes next. She was also blown away by the talent displayed in the musical. Becky Hohnke is also thrilled that it's teacher appreciation week, because it's one of her favorite weeks in the year. She would also like to thank the bond committee for all their hard work. She also said the safety film in the school entrances look great.

Peter Zondervan also gives his kudos to the bond committee. He also shared that he was able to visit the Carpenter Millwright Center, which sparked an idea to have our students involved with our bond improvements.

Norm Taylor is thrilled that the community supported the needs of the district. He also throughly enjoyed the robotics presentation. He also offers his congratulations to Summer Morrison and the class of 2023.

Jeff Koon also shared his excitement to be involved with the visit to the Carpenter Millwright Center, he was blown away by the technology within the building.

Theresa Dobry echoes everyones congratulations and excitement for the great things going on within the district.

Dan Cassini was absent for the meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 8:43pm.

*Please note: This is a summary of the meeting. Official board minutes will be approved at the next regular board meeting on Monday, June 12, 2023 at 7pm. The meeting will be held at the Administration Office.