Karen Hildebrandt

This strategic plan outlines the mission to provide exemplary educational experiences for each student to thrive, with a vision for students to be inspired, educated, and empowered. It is structured around five strategic goal areas: Academics/Programs, Personnel/Leadership, Operations, Communications/Community Engagement, and Learning Environment/Culture. The plan details specific goals and priority objectives for each area, including ensuring high-quality instruction, attracting and retaining staff, promoting community engagement, optimizing resource allocation, and cultivating a positive learning environment and culture.

The meeting commenced with a welcome to students from Grayson Elementary who performed the national anthem and led the pledge of allegiance. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to celebrating learning, featuring a performance by Grayson Elementary students in honor of School Board Appreciation Month and a presentation by kindergarten teachers regarding literacy training (LETTERS) aligned with the HMH curriculum, focusing on word recognition skills. Later in the session, the executive director of the Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA) presented the 2025 Michigan School Public Relations Association Gold Medallion Award to the Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Stfansky Early Childhood Center Grand Opening project. Board members expressed strong appreciation for the students' presentations and the accomplishments recognized.

The meeting included organizational actions such as the election of officers for 2026, with a motion carrying to elect Member Wagner as president and Member Torres as vice president, and Dr. Mike Stitch as secretary, and Member Donahghue as treasurer. Board appointments to various community committees were finalized, including Oakland Schools, the Oakland School Boards Association of Government Relations Committee, Waterford Township Recreation Board, Hesway Advisory Board, Waterford Youth Assistance, Head Start Policy Committee, and Drayton Plains Nature Center. The board reaffirmed its operating norms and approved the meeting schedule for the 2026-2027 school year. Discussions covered the strategic plan update, noting stakeholder engagement activities and the upcoming development of the next five-year plan. A significant portion of the meeting involved approving the summer 2026 roofing projects for the cafeteria at Mason and the full transportation garage, recommending an award to Molner Roofing with a contingency fund. Furthermore, the board addressed the unfunded mandate from the State of Michigan regarding water quality compliance, which involves installing new bottle filling stations and replacing certain bubblers by June 30th. The cost of this mandate, estimated around $275,000, requires $23,000 in support from bond funds, supplementing nearly $170,000 in received grant funding.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting on February 19, 2026, included a Celebration of Learning featuring Grayson Elementary School and Haviland Elementary School, and a Recognition of Achievement for an MSPRA Award Presentation. The Consent Agenda covered approvals for previous meeting minutes from January 15, January 22, February 5, and February 7, 2026, as well as Accounts Payable for January 2026, the Financial Statement, Support Staff Report, resignations, and a student reinstatement recommendation. Information items included updates on Policy Updates, Lifetracks/Durant Parking Lot Site Improvements, Warehouse Exterior Bulk Storage plans, Food Service Equipment purchases, and Chromebook Refresh plans. New Business involved Superintendent's Recommendations concerning administrative appointments, the Oakland County Enhancement Millage, and a Resolution for Stormwater Permit Renewal, in addition to consideration of purchases for Summer Roofing Projects, Elementary Water Coolers, and Mason Media Center HVAC upgrades.

The meeting included organizational items such as the President's Update, Election of Officers, Board of Education Appointments, Board Operating Norms affirmation, and approval of the 2026-2027 Board of Education Meeting Schedule. The consent agenda covered financial statements, accounts payable for November and December 2025, staff reports, and contract changes. Information items included an update on the Strategic Plan development process, details regarding Summer 2026 Roof Replacements for Mason Middle School and the Transportation Building (with a recommendation expected in February 2026), an update on the BP 26-02 Elementary Water Coolers upgrade initiative, and an update on the BP 26-02 Mason Media Center HVAC project. New business addressed Superintendent's recommendations, including the conditional opt-in resolution for 31aa Funding subject to rescission, approval of the 2026-2027 Schools of Choice Program, approval of a student travel request to Turkey, approval of tentative agreements with MESPA I and MESPA III, approval of a bid award for the Wireless Infrastructure E-Rate Project, and approval of the Superintendent's evaluation rating. The board also accepted public comments and heard reports from board members and the superintendent.