Steven Billes

The Regular Board Meeting included recognition for a retiring employee. The Superintendent provided a report thanking the Trustees for their service during School Board Recognition Month, followed by a legislative update. Key actions taken during the working agenda included the approval of the minutes from the December 9, 2025 meeting and pre-travel requests. Educational Services actions involved approving preliminary capital needs request planning funds for the Oxford Separate Center Program, authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement with West Bloomfield School District for Special Education Services, and awarding contracts for PAES Productions, Inc. and the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA). Human Resources action approved the Personnel List. Finance, Operations & Shared Services actions included awarding contracts to Lutz Roofing, Professional Thermal, De-Cal, Inc., and Contrast Mechanical. A Board Member announced their decision not to seek reelection. The Board President announced that a Proclamation would be presented by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on January 22, 2026.

The meeting included reports on internal organizational activities, human resources, and legislative updates. Key actions included the first reading of several board policies, the award of a contract to School Health Corporation, the approval of overnight field trips, and the acceptance of student services donations. Additionally, the board approved the personnel list, renewed a contract with Frontline Technologies Group, LLC, adopted 2026-2027 staff calendars, accepted financial reports for the final quarter of 2025, and approved intergovernmental agreements and purchase orders for technology services.

The meeting included the Superintendent congratulating Board President Marc Katz and Board Secretary Carol Finkelstein for receiving awards from the Michigan Association of School Boards. Key actions involved approving pre-travel requests for the February 10, 2026 meeting and approving an overnight field trip request. The Board also accepted two donation checks totaling $7,500, approved the Personnel List for February 10, 2026, and adopted a resolution to complete an advance refunding of the 2016 Refunding Bonds. Furthermore, contract renewals and awards were authorized for Instructure, Inc., CDW Government, LLC, and Michigan Association for Computer Users In Learning (MACUL). Board members shared insights from the National School Boards Association Advocacy and Equity Institute, and the Board President expressed condolences to Mr. Ehlert regarding the loss of his mother.

Key discussions during the meeting included a report from the Superintendent detailing recent awards received by the Communications Services Team and the presentation of the Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Audit Statement. The Board held a discussion and subsequently voted to approve a letter expressing opposition to House Bill 4588 regarding partisan school board elections. Actions taken by the Board included authorizing the execution of several Intergovernmental Agreements and Amendments with Huron Valley School District, Clarkston Community School District, and Pontiac School District for Special Education Service Provider services, totaling up to $700,000 in combined approved amendments. Additionally, the Board accepted a monetary donation of $2,000 to Student Services and approved the Personnel List for the date of the meeting, along with the renewal list for Part Time/Temporary Employee Agreements for the 2026 calendar year. In finance matters, a First Reading of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Amendments was conducted, and contract awards up to $1,083,000 to Shoreview Electric and up to $42,851 to Bostick Truck Center were authorized. Board members also shared announcements, including an upcoming joint meeting of the Oakland County School Boards Association and the Oakland County Superintendents Association.

The meeting included the Superintendent's Mid-Year Evaluation, which prompted a motion to enter a Closed Session for the periodic personnel evaluation of a public officer. Following the Closed Session, the Board returned to Open Session. In additional items, the Board President noted the anticipated absence of two trustees from the subsequent meeting scheduled for February 24, 2026, and the Board discussed holding a Study Session to explore alternate board policy services.