John C. Bernia

The special meeting of the Board of Education included a preview of the bond audit, the results of which would be presented at a later regular meeting for approval. A public hearing regarding Truth in Taxation was held, covering taxable values, millages, and property tax. A preview of the June 30, 2024 audit report was also given, with the full report to be presented at the December 4, 2024 regular meeting for acceptance.

The Wellness Committee reviewed the minutes from January 22, 2024, and discussed the outcomes of Wellness Week, focusing on the American Heart Association's involvement. The committee reviewed survey results, noting positive feedback on communication, organization, and educational aspects, while also identifying areas for improvement, such as broader participation, age-appropriateness of activities, and timing. Goals and changes for next year's Wellness Week were also discussed. Finally, the committee noted the progress of a group working on a tri-annual report.

The Wellness Committee reviewed its purpose and policies, including Board Policy 8510, focusing on school lunches and nutrition. Current initiatives discussed included mental health, suicide awareness, student initiatives (vegetable gardens, eye care), staff initiatives (wellness competitions, partnership with the American Heart Association), and nutrition audits. Future initiatives for the next school year were identified, focusing on staff well-being, aligning with the SEL committee's work on student social and emotional support. Discussions included improving nutrition education, addressing physical health concerns like diabetes management, and updating the Wellness page on the school website. Data collection from previous years' surveys was also considered.

The Wellness Committee discussed goals for the 2022-2023 school year, focusing on initiatives like the American Heart Association's Go Red and Jump Rope for Heart programs. They also explored collaborations with Wayne State for building healthy communities and student leadership involvement through NHS students. Parent participation and school-based wellness initiatives were addressed, with a plan to launch new initiatives in the fall of the 2023-2024 school year. The meeting also covered the merging of the Wellness and SEL committees, noting the different focuses of each.

The committee reviewed minutes from a previous meeting and discussed plans for Wellness Week, including the involvement of school clubs and the integration of Wellness Week into the Triennial Assessment. The date for Wellness Week was set for February 12-16, with Go Red Day on February 16th.