DPSCD REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Today’s board meeting is being held in person with an option to join remotely. Here is the information on attending and contributing to the public comment section. https://t.co/Zjpf2XZeeQ

And here is a link to today’s agenda along with screenshots: https://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/Public https://t.co/RxeYzgi8ot

This is the first DPSCD Board Meeting of 2023!

2022 left off with much discussion on school name changes (Frederick Douglass Academy, Ben Carson Academy).

2023 welcomes new board members LaTrice McClendon and Dr. Iris Taylor.
https://www.detroitk12.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=134&ModuleInstanceID=4585&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=77011&PageID=256#:~:text=As%20a%20result%20of%20the,returning%20to%20serve%20the%20community.

If you find anything inaccurate in my tweets, please email documenters@outliermedia.org with the subject “Correction Request”

See you at 5:30! 👋🏻

Live stream has started, waiting for the meeting to begin https://t.co/PRgTLElna2

I am not getting any audio from the livestream

Can anyone out there confirm if audio is coming through from the streaming of the meeting? https://www.detroitk12.org/boardmeeting

Hard to tell what’s going on right now. Haven’t had audio since the meeting began, but doesn’t seem that the meeting is moving forward. 8 board members and superintendent on stage, looks like everyone is silent, PPT slides not moving forward.

Correction, 7 board members https://t.co/pbsrxyZAxD

Got confirmation from my fellow Documenter that there is no audio, please stand by. https://t.co/2doZKGYqOB

Tried joining a zoom link that I found on the page, same technical issues. This screen comes up and there is no audio. https://bit.ly/DPSCDBoardMeetings https://t.co/yTVioRuKIn

A tentative ‘Hello’ comes through from somewhere…some background audio clicks and then nothing.

Also tried calling in with their Zoom number, and nothing. There is now a user message showing up on the website. https://www.detroitk12.org/boardmeeting https://t.co/2Zmf09QNFd

Before they paused the meeting it appeared that some board members were being sworn in. They stood up and there was some applause.

Still waiting on the technical issues to be cleared up, board members are still on stage waiting patiently.

We are now at 6:00pm, 30 minutes after the scheduled start time of the meeting, with video and no audio.

Still no sound, but it seems like the powerpoint slides are advancing. It doesn’t appear that the board members are actually discussing anything, but hard to tell if the meeting is moving forward. https://t.co/UK8X5uIVZW

Oh! Just heard a snippet of sound. The meeting is happening, we all just can’t hear it.

Hard to tell but there is a presentation happening, no audio. Will try to keep describing what’s happening but it’s hard to know exactly. https://t.co/t801W9xgQ6

While I was typing that last tweet audio began coming through, but as I’m typing this one, it has gone out again. The superintendent was describing how things are improving but they are trying to get back to before COVID numbers.

Audio seems to be back on track, a little echo-y. Superintendent Vitti is discussing the 35 schools that have exited the partnership based on 2021-2022 performance. He is discussing this slide which is difficult to read. https://t.co/y0DLfYfFLJ

Vitti is discussing “Overall K-8 Placement Levels” data but there is some double audio going on, two conversations at once, hard to understand.

There has been some improvement in this data, but are still not where we were at before the pandemic. Need some improvement in attendance to bring those numbers up.

In K-8th grade, 52% of students have shown 1 year of growth (which is what is expected), an improvement of about 6% but not where we were before the pandemic.

Would be nice if the stream had a full page projection of the powerpoint slides, and a small window view of the presenters. Not possible to see the written information on screen and I have 20/20 vision.

Superintendent’s report is exclusively focused on standardized test metrics, which are not designed to measure all types of strengths and intelligence. https://t.co/fkoF3qrRu7

Overall, there is improvement across the board in all subjects.

Indicator of: 1) being in school 2) focus on principals, no longer need to focus 80% of time on managing pandemic.

Questions for Dr. Vitti:
1. Our data is related to exams, doesn’t indicate how well students are actually reading, for example. Is there a way we can see more accurately where our students are with their literacy without adding another assessment or giving teachers more work?

Vitti describes difference between state exam and literacy test. The state assessment is not a literacy test, it is a state standards test. Being below a state standard does not mean they are illiterate.

Some side commentary happening that he is not answering her question.

Clarification on question (I believe this is Misha Stallworth): reiterates that she wonders if there is something teachers are already doing to measure how well students are reading.

It doesn’t sound like he has an answer beyond creating another assessment but seems receptive.

What steps are being taken to make sure students are adequately prepared for taking tests given the year that they lost to COVID? (applause from audience)

Vitti: We gave schools more money so they can offer more tutoring after school, in high school. Pandemic allowed them to lower class sizes, hire more teachers. But this was a 2 year assistance only. Principals received $500 more per student.

How do parents view literacy and how can we engage parents?

Vitti: (audio cut off) teachers should refer to data in parent teacher conferences to show where students stack up compared to grade level.

Vitti continues describing these “data chats,” saying that “Students know their data.” Parents just need to be brought into this conversation more.

“Parent Academy” typically brings in parents that are already engaged - how do we bring in parents of students who are most challenged, parents that have more challenges around employment, care giving, etc?

Are we identifying locations where the data is showing accelerated improvement, and finding how this improvement is happening to learn more from their success?

We highlight those schools principals, but haven’t been doing that recently because of the pandemic.

Topic change: Vitti describes the response to the flooding at Southeastern, going through intensive restoration in those classrooms.

Students received laptops, we have shifted to online learning. Looking at a new building before the two months restoration is up to do in person.

Are those students receiving lunch?

Yes, grab and go on Mondays and Thursdays, they can go to a location and pick up lunch.

Follow up: Is there a way to make sure all virtual students are receiving lunch?

Not clear, I think the answer was yes.

Challenge for getting students back in person (I believe he is referencing Southeastern students affected by the flood) are transportation, can’t rely on city buses. Laptop pickup days, 60-70% of students picked up a laptop. Those who did not may already have had one.

Board passes motion to approve Superintendent’s report.

Moving into public comment🚨

Board member reading rules about public comment. Can be done in person or virtually, raise hand virtually and can be done before the close of public comment. All comments limited to 3 minutes.

14 public commenters, 11 online. After 1 hour it will be decided if public comment can continue or end.

Public comments begin https://t.co/qpqs7ItkUX

1. How will the schools look, in terms of nurses, after the COVID numbers run out?
2. When will high school students receive laptops they were promised?
3. Did they fix the bathroom problems on the third floor at Cass Tech?
4. Shout out to Peterson for attending an MLK event.

Commenter #2. There was a program called the Parent Liaisons that assisted students with reading.

Re: Southeastern flooding, heat was cut off, this is why the pipes burst.

Children don’t know how to tell time because they look at cell phones, not writing because of computers.

#3. $700mil facilities plan, are we on schedule?

Southeastern, was there an engineer in the building at that time?

Vitti, no transparency about COVID spending.

Does not feel heard in various forums, very impassioned.

#4. “Our children are still slaves…At a certain point they stop going to school and you know where they end up at a certain point in their life.”

They’re keeping us in slavery deliberately, keeping us at a 4th grade reading level deliberately.

#4 mic was cut off, still continuing fervently.

#5. A teacher, Urging them to reinstate Nicole Conaway, science/math teacher.

Contract bargaining is beginning in a few months. Do the right thing and bring Conaway back.

9.3 bil surplus in MI state budget, needs to be returned.
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2022/04/25/tauv-a25.html

#6. A lot of cross-talking, hard to hear. Wants help from board to bring back PTA.

#7. Inviting board to Jan 26 development meeting of City Council, discussion on resolution to ban tax captures of schools and libraries, to send resolution to state legislature to demand action.

You could be employing people in the hundreds on building development and rehab.

#7. bringing up the money stolen from the library. Downtown Development using resources from our institutions. (applause)

#8. “Lets talk about real changes, not name changes.” Re: Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men name change.

Most money per pupil, lowest test scores in the state.

What is the point of changing the name if the students can’t read the name on the building?

Lots of audience reaction support for #8.

#9. Why do you not get a return call when you want to volunteer to help children read? Why do you not want the community to help the children?

It only takes 72 hours for an individual to be screened and pass so they can come into the school and help.

COVID needs to be reported.

#10. PTA President, hold on to legacy in building of Fredrick Douglass, and wait for new building to change name.

#11. Community organization representative, concentrated on schools regarding behavior. Did not like seeing the low scores in the data that was shown tonight.

Schools are more than just academic institutions, they are also social.

More Black teachers needed.

#12. Former DPS teacher at Central, father of kindergartener.

Principal Haywood is doing a phenomenal job.

Facility maintenance needs attention. Bathroom has not been available for years. Kids K-5 all share one bathroom.

#13. Parent of 5 at Nichols Elementary.

Since Oct 2021, need assistance with traffic situation. 3 lanes of traffic, incredibly hazardous. Has done a lot of work with PTA to improve situation, have reached out to city council, gotten police presence.

Wants police car present.

#14. Mothers from Frederick Douglass, not tied to the name either way. Change the name at the new location.

Southeastern, someone must have turned off the heat. Why didn’t anyone know that would have been a bad idea?

Transferring students across town (FD to SE) makes no sense.

#14 cont.

We are we finding out about these decisions in the news?

New board members, keep the same energy when you were running and begging for these positions.

Last in person public commenter, online portion starts now. 💻

#15. BAMN organizer, advocating for teacher Nicole Conaway who was unjustly terminated. She needs to be reinstated now and Beatty must go.

Clarification: meetings are recorded, some public commenters needed to leave before their comments will be answered, but they can access recorded meetings.

#16 BAMN organizer, supporting Nicole Conaway’s reinstatement.

Beatty used Conaway’s accommodations against her, was a political witchhunt and he needs to go.

Some applause in the audience.

#17. BAMN organizer, supporting Nicole Conaway’s reinstatement.

“It makes you look like a bunch of chumps” that you voted for her firing without doing due diligence.

Take the vote tonight for a new superintendent (applause).

Emergency management is over, this board was elected

Note for phone/online commenters: Please make sure that you are just addressing the board.

We do not need additional comments on the Nicole Conaway situation, we have that information.

#18. (bad audio). Please Buy Cooley building, please accept offer. Building is deteriorating. People are starting to go into the building again.

“Look into your hearts and keep a positive mind, there is hope in our community.”

Applause.

#19. BAMN organizer, in support of Nicole Conaway.
Commenter is muted, some background chatter that this comment has already been addressed.

#20. In support of Nicole Conaway, science teacher, students are behind. Wasted a lot of money with lawyers and lawsuits to what end?

Why was I kicked out on the 27th when I was given accommodations until the 29th? Alleges sexual and other types of discrimination, retaliation.

#21. Nicole Conaway speaking, requesting reinstatement, is muted.

From audience:
“Oh my god they just cut the lady. “That’s what they do!”

#22. Teacher speaking. Sent grievance to Beatty and Vitti.

Asked for more transparency in grievance, her requests were not taken seriously.

The average employee doesn’t know about sick leave rollover, that COVID cases aren’t being counted. Lack of transparency overall.

Getting Nicole Conaway back on the line.

Nicole Conaway cont.

You must reinstate me, reverse all wrongful termination. Hundreds of teachers have been fired based on misinformation.

It’s time for Beatty to go.

Invites other teachers facing the same issues to reach out to her, “we must fight together.”

Her dismissal was “arbitrary and capricious” and a result of Beatty not understanding the ADA.

“We need to protect our civil rights and theirs [the students].”

Applause.

Motion discussed to hear the last two public commenters. Motion carries unanimously.

#23. Former public service worker. Emergency manager was damaging, did not represent the public will.

The newly elected board acted like it was under the emergency manager, though. Just followed Beatty, ignored Conaway’s ADA rights.

“I expected a little more from you guys.”

#24 Was terminated, reinstated, fighting for accommodation. How important does the board thing engagement is with the public, staff, students.

Can’t believe there was no audio for the first half of this meeting, totally unacceptable.

Volunteered to help with tech support.

#24 cont. Nicole Conaway needs to be reinstated immediately.

Act now before there’s a class action lawsuit.

Response to questions from public comment starts now.

Vitti responds to nurses in schools shortage, the challenge is that we have not balanced the budget with fewer students in the school. We have to contend with inflation, and we have to raise teacher salaries.

Cass 3rd floor bathroom, damaged severely by students. Working with a contractor. Other bathrooms are working, just the one bathroom needs to be fixed.

Engineer was present at Southeastern that weekend, it was Christmas when the pipes burst. There is an insurance investigation, potential $3 mil claim to fix.

Southeastern to Frederick Douglass student transfer, if we want students learning in person, we have to transfer them temporarily to a building with students in process. FD was the biggest (not clear.)

Re: name change for Frederick Douglass, came out of the PTA, student survey, parent survey. Based on what we were hearing from the “internal stakeholders.” To not change it would have to come back to the board for more discussion. Name change is on track to happen by the fall.

Frederick Douglass has the highest cost per student in the district. No plans to close this school.

Nichols - $5.5 mil to do facility upgrades including bathroom. We don’t have the authority to put a police car in front of the school every day, to watch the pattern of traffic. Long term plan could include volunteers. Will look into with staff.

Nicole Conaway will be rehired.

• Let’s Read phone number is corrected (information is on website, will be in meeting transcript.)https://detroit.documenters.org/assignments/dpscd-regular-board-meeting-5396/

When will high schoolers receive their laptops?

• Facing national supply chain issues

What is the process for reporting issues with facilities?

• Students, Parents an use the survey/number (not sure where this is available). Principals complete a cleanliness survey.

Not enough teachers to schedule two gender based schools, re: the mixing of students between Southeastern and Frederick Douglass.

Seems like people are getting tired, not speaking loudly enough into the mics.

Board member: Staff relations are an issue. We need direction on the ongoing issues, email and social media are flooded.

Asks clarifying question about cleanliness at schools. How many young people are actually there? Students being destructive because of online challenges.

Clarification that there are issues that don’t even make it to this table, please don’t be so naive to think that we wouldn’t be prepared. We are collectively working together, we might not always get it right. A lot of manpower goes into what gets brought to this table.

Vitti: We are in a very litigious environment. Want to reiterate that everything that I told the board re: Nicole Conaway is what I knew, I stand by the recommendations that I made.

Motion to go into closed session, they have quorum.

Closed session begins, some chatter on the hot mic and now muted.

Sound is back on, board is returned to the stage.

Sound is really rough, but they are voting on motions under section 11 - Personnel Actions.

Decisions seem to have been made in advance and are not clearly audible.

Section 12 begins - 12.01 and 12.02 pass quickly with no discussion.

Agenda with more details: https://go.boarddocs.com/mi/detroit/Board.nsf/Public

No announcements.

Motion to adjourn, passes.

Good night everyone!