Carrie Tenkel

The Organizational Meeting included the election of a Temporary Chair, followed by the formal election of 2026 Calendar Year Officers. Stacey White was elected as Board President, Johnetta Tabron as Vice President, Terry Hughes as Secretary, and Frankie Brooks as Treasurer. Subsequent organizational items involved the assignment of members to various subcommittees, including Policy, Building and Site, Finance, Community Relations, Evaluation, and Merit Pay. The Board also designated the Board President and Treasurer as authorized signatories for checks, contracts, and purchase orders, named several financial institutions as depositories for district funds, and designated administrative staff to assume the responsibilities of Secretary and Treasurer in their absence. Finally, the Administration was authorized to update bylaws and policies twice annually.

Key discussion topics for this workshop meeting included the extension of the Superintendent's contract, the upcoming School Board Organizational Meeting, review of Policies, and Bylaws. Future action items slated for consideration involved overnight travel requests for two members to attend the NSBA Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, in April 2026, and various personnel matters, specifically resignations of three coaches and a paraprofessional, and new hires for substitute teaching and mentorship positions. The public participation session had no speakers.

The workshop meeting included discussions on the audit by Yeo & Yeo, the 2026 Refunding Bonds, and a student enrollment update. Future action items were also discussed, including personnel matters such as resignations, terminations, new hires, and rehires. The meeting also included a segment for public participation, with guidelines for making comments.

The meeting addressed several key areas, including the evaluation language for the Superintendent's employment contract, NEOLA policy updates, and the approval of the Harper Woods School District Radio Project. The Building & Site Committee presented a walkthrough report identifying areas for improvement in multiple schools, including carpet removal and kitchen enhancements. The Superintendent reported on the Avatar Center's program opportunities at the CCI and the construction of a new Excellence Institute focusing on college and career readiness, health, and wellness. Public participation involved questions about taxpayer obligations for school funding, traffic issues during student pick-up and drop-off, the condition of girls' baseball fields, and graduation rates.

The agenda included a Summer School 2025 presentation, discussion of a 3rd Party Contract with Dispora Services Inc., the 2025/2026 Harper Woods School District Calendar, Michigan Department of Education Next Generation Readiness, and NEOLA Policy Updates 39.1 & 39.2. Terry Hughes and Ramona Dunn-Simmons were appointed as MASB Board Delegates. The board also discussed personnel matters, including retirements, resignations, terminations, lay-offs, new hires, and reassignments. The Superintendent reported on recruiting efforts, enrollment numbers, the Sound Mind Sound Body Partnership, the Back to School Event, and a potential Medical Assistant Program partnership with Corewell Health. Stacey White was approved as Board Secretary. There was also discussion regarding the removal of Ramona Dunn-Simmons as Board President.