Paul Carlin

The meeting included a special presentation recognizing Kurt Rheaume, Sr. Executive Director of Information Technology and Operations, upon his impending retirement, which was followed by an update on unaudited fall enrollment data for Wayne County, reviewing trends over the past five years. The Board of Education was formally recognized for School Board Appreciation Month. New staff were introduced, and board members offered comments, including an acknowledgment of a recent safety incident at Romulus Middle School and appreciation for staff service. The Superintendent provided extensive reports detailing state budget developments, legislative activity, instructional improvement initiatives, talent pipeline progress including a new partnership with Grand Valley State University, bargaining preparations, facilities updates, and highlights from a recent Michigan State Board of Education meeting, noting Wayne County's leadership in graduation rate improvements. The Consent Agenda was approved, including the Superintendent's Recommendations, December 2025 minutes, and various financial reports. Several personnel actions were approved, including new hires, leaves, and reclassifications. The Board authorized multiple procurements and payments, including software subscriptions, payments to Cesar Chavez Academy for Independent Paraprofessionals, Medicaid claim reimbursements, and substantial amendments to subrecipient contracts for the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) funding allocations and start-up funding. Several new grants were accepted, including funding from the State of Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) for GSRP Start up Funding Round 1, and a MiSTEM Playbook Mini Grant. Finally, the Superintendent Evaluation Timeline was presented, with the first study session scheduled immediately following the regular meeting.

The Wayne RESA Board of Education addressed numerous items primarily through the Consent Agenda, including approvals for new internal and external personnel appointments, leaves of absence, and returns from leave. The Board approved the regularization of one administrative employment contract following probation. Key financial actions included approving actual and necessary expenses for Board members during January 2026, and authorizing substantial payments to various Districts and Public School Academies (PSAs) for 31n(6) Mental Health Supports and 61b State Aid funded activities related to Early Middle College and Dual Enrollment CTE programs. Furthermore, the Board authorized significant agreements with Barton Malow for multiple renovation projects at the WRESA Annex building (conference center renovation, elevator modernization, roofing project), executed service agreements with districts participating in the Michigan Statewide System of Support (SSoS) as CSI Schools, and authorized amendments to increase funding allocations for several grant initiatives, including the Math Coaching Educator on Loan Initiative and IDEA Flowthrough/Preschool adjustments. The Board also accepted several new grants, including a major $8,000,000 Section 35a(4) ISD Early Literacy Coaches Grant. Action Items included the 2025-2026 Wayne RESA Budget Amendment and a Resolution Recognizing Dr. Sue C. Carnell. The Superintendent's Comments highlighted organizational progress, commitment to equitable funding, and collaboration on the Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace Initiative.

The Study Session focused primarily on the review and discussion of the Superintendent's Evaluation. The Superintendent presented and reviewed the 2025-2026 Midyear Goals Update, providing evidence related to categories from the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) ISD/RESA Superintendent Evaluation Instrument. A follow-up study session was scheduled for February 18, 2026. Separately, a board member inquired about the oversight of childcare and daycare centers, and it was confirmed that the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) holds that responsibility. The agenda was approved at the start of the session.

This document outlines The Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency's (Wayne RESA) Medicaid Annual Quality Assurance Plan for the School Services Program (SSP), encompassing Direct Service Claiming (DSC) and Caring 4 Students (C4S). The plan establishes processes for monitoring and evaluating the quality and documentation of covered services to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. It focuses on seven core standards: medical necessity, comprehensive Plans of Care (POCs), effective service monitoring, billing accuracy, qualified staff, coordination with external providers, and parent/beneficiary participation. Additionally, it details various annual review processes for billing components, clinical notes, and cost reporting.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. New staff members were introduced. Board members shared highlights from the National School Board Association (NSBA) Annual Conference, including presentations on trauma-informed frameworks, equity in instruction, and skills for dignified disagreements. Special presentations recognized Autism Acceptance Month with a demonstration of 911READY bags for citizens with autism or mental health concerns, and the presentation of Wayne RESA's 2024-25 preliminary budgets. Legislative updates included shifts in the State House majority and status on school safety and foundation allowance recommendations. Operational items included an amended recommendation for roof replacement at Beacon/Gilead and clarification on the Follett Software Company contract. The Superintendent's report highlighted various April recognitions (Autism Acceptance Month, Week of the Young Child, Arab American Heritage Month), collaboration during the solar eclipse, the final debt retirement payment for Inkster Schools, and hosting the National MISTAR Q Users Experience Conference. The Consent Agenda involved approvals for Superintendent's Recommendations, previous minutes, financial registers, investment reports, and travel. Key board actions included approving several external applicant hires, various leaves of absence, a purchase for laptop computers, payment authorizations for Section 31n(6) Mental Health Supports and Health Resource Advocates (HRAs) across multiple districts, Act 18 facility rent payments, and final settlement payments for Medicaid-eligible special education students. Agreements were also authorized for a new website design, security camera system project management, library software licenses, and carryover fund expenditures for various programs. The Board accepted major grants for Healthcare Resource Advocates and Safe and Healthy Schools. Action items included the approval of a proclamation for National Teacher Appreciation Week and the 2024-2025 Board Meeting Schedule.