Chanda Cleaves

The Special Board, Finance & Operations Committee of the Whole meeting addressed board compensation as an information-only discussion point regarding policy clarity. Administrative guidelines related to compensation will be discussed with Wayne from Neola and documentation is set to be reviewed and sent to the Board every two weeks. Administrative staff will execute payments according to the existing policy.

The meeting included discussions and approvals related to several new business items categorized by committee. The Human Resources Committee approved resolutions concerning personnel recommendations and an addendum to the establishment of an NJROTC Unit. The Finance & Operations Committee of the Whole authorized the purchase of boiler system equipment, boiler pumps, and food service vehicles. The Committee of the Whole approved resolutions regarding the Schools of Choice Plan Section 105 and lease agreements for the Flint Soap Box Derby and El Ballet Folklorico. The Academics Committee of the Whole approved a resolution to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with CDF Freedom School for a Summer School Pilot in 2025.

The meeting included public comments and a presentation on the Flint Center for Educational Excellence. New business involved committee actions to move several resolutions to the regular board meeting scheduled for March 26, 2025. These included personnel recommendations, the establishment of an NJROTC unit, authorizations for purchasing boiler system equipment and food service vehicles, and an expulsion resolution. Furthermore, the committee voted to send the Vacant Property Policy to Thrun Law Firm for review, and to move a resolution concerning a Memorandum of Understanding with CDF Freedom School for Summer School Pilot 2025 to the subsequent regular meeting.

The special board meeting was called to order and adjourned before the regular board meeting commenced. The regular board meeting began with the reading of the district mission statement and the Board of Education standards of practice. Public comments were heard regarding potential appointment to the Flint Public Library Board and concerns over the cell phone policy, citing issues with device retrieval and student safety without communication devices. An update on shared services with the Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) was provided, highlighting partnership successes, particularly in business services and human resources, and noting the upcoming consideration of an addendum to the shared business services contract. A presentation on human resources staffing provided a district-wide overview of union positions, aligning with strategic priority four concerning attracting, recruiting, and retaining high-performing staff, and detailed the structure of the HR department and commitment bonuses funded by grants.

The meeting commenced with the calling to order for the Annual Organization Meeting. Key activities included the election and installation of officers for 2026, where Dr. Joyce Ellis McNeel was elected President, Lauren McIntyre was elected Vice President, Claudia Perkins was elected Secretary, Dylan Luna was elected Treasurer, and Linda Boos was elected as Assistant Secretary and Treasurer. Trustee King was appointed as the alternate representative for the Genesee County Association School Board. The district mission statement and standards of practice were read aloud. The board proceeded to approve the minutes from the December 3rd, 2025 Special Board Meeting, the December 17th, 2025 Regular Board Meeting, and the December 22nd, 2025 Special Board Meeting, despite a discussion regarding a correction/clarification on a previous vote. The session concluded with a period for public comment addressing serious concerns regarding student bullying, stalking by both a student and staff member, and procedural issues related to student safety and unauthorized removal of a student from school property.