[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6393634,"mediaKeyId","2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf","parentId",2106362,"title","Votes at a glance: board approves consent agenda, appointments, construction manager and several purchases (all motions carried unanimously)","audioSeconds",290,"startMs",9180000,"endMs",9470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf&start=9180&end=9470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf/thumbnail_9180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6393634/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-board-approves-consent-agenda-appointments-construction-manager-and-several-purchases-all-motions-carried-unanimously","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393634-a46ec95d19ab436fda182892d50a5822/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172125&Signature=lBFz5iUki3Ztb4yBoUbEwEqaNYCB2AnOhwEX2k~-0-e6aJFbD9ih0RPrCjG2agTttsb5InNieifO4lmOJ81-IWfdGde0TdcxLXJgvkZ81W1Floq6R4tFjlGFI4U8ekHZcvQ7MA5VquXQcFIGuaUWEycSpXBKdCQQs7hHXyijy7xjSYNqkAc6b178SdNlmJmVoDlrGNFYasuMJOx0cK04P~Mf1z3GN2r9whirdTnB6nJY~1BaOVuYSgj9sKDG62MHAjp3vCEW0g441PiID-OYDG6bo1LTIi69XzpMCYz6S5cGV6EEyFNrOVH6KlQXkVmC-3JmMq7AAtbsw40y-aZvGg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-10T13:41:43Z","article","The Walled Lake Consolidated Schools Board of Education approved a series of routine and project motions during the meeting; all motions recorded on the transcript carried unanimously 7–0.

Key approvals and formal actions recorded in the meeting included:

- Consent agenda (approval of minutes, personnel recommendations, financial reports, disbursements and other routine items). The board approved the consent agenda as presented. The consent package included disbursements totaling $22,711,648 and a list of personnel actions (new hires, retirements and leaves).

- Administrative appointment: The board approved the appointment of Patricia Karban as principal of Dublin Elementary School. The administration said Karban has more than 25 years of experience and a master’s degree in educational leadership; the appointment was moved and approved unanimously. The administration stated the appointment includes overlap time with the outgoing principal and quoted an effective start of “Monday the 13th.”

- Construction management services for the district’s 2024 bond program: The board approved continuing construction management work with Auk Construction, not to exceed $17,371,170 for the 2024 bond program; the motion passed unanimously.

- Textbook purchase: The board approved purchase of the high‑school anatomy and physiology textbook Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (Pearson, 2022) and online teacher/student materials from the general fund at a reported amount of $21,700.

- Bid award: The board approved an acoustic insulation installation package for elementary gyms at Keith, Loon Lake and Oakley Park elementary schools and awarded the contract to Stoney Creek Services for $89,640 to be funded from 2019 bond proceeds.

- Special Olympics waiver: The board approved a facility‑use fee waiver for the Walled Lake Special Olympics team for the 2024–25 basketball season, totaling $1,224, to allow continued twice‑weekly practices.

- Head Start policy committee: The board approved the 2024–25 Head Start policy committee code of operations, as required by federal Head Start performance standards; the policy committee had approved the code at its December meeting.

Other routine approvals on the agenda included bid and purchase authorizations and authorization for board members to attend county board association events. Every motion that went to a vote on the record passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition; the meeting transcript records the outcome as unanimous (7–0) for the motions shown.

Each action is documented in the meeting transcript at the points noted below; the board chair called for “Aye” and then announced “Motion carries” with a 7–0 record for the recorded votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WLCSD Board of Education Meeting - January 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the meeting the board approved the consent agenda, appointed a new elementary principal, awarded construction management services and multiple procurement actions; all recorded motions passed unanimously (7–0).","taxTitle","Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",13578,"location","Michigan","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6393639,"Consultant reports strong community turnout; next steps set for district strategic‑plan workshop",1430,7006000,8436000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf&start=7006&end=8436","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf/thumbnail_7006000.jpg","/articles/6393639/Michigan/Consultant-reports-strong-community-turnout-next-steps-set-for-district-strategicplan-workshop","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393639-1ff4dfa642f00a94bcfe2ff983f55162/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172125&Signature=FK0WadnTnkGiJjWq54uJsyPtVyRgGO5VhFv-ywhtqDEtGJ1x0s78d2QfEod4bon~w-FOI0oJgkMsQ7xnvTRomMlem6wZcqwh8IgSNj9tT9~TIp6NH9tA6XUO64TJcWQG8~-OwdmY6hkQCe7zVHos1hqZIXNbYGKwkKvV9LSLFXX8DXLyY7p-zGV3wTrING9bEag2sGXa9a8U7NKM0QVhRl6Wdi1U3lh~H0EPnMt446wVArDIiZtqMr4AWxdjT0lKqiDEk1k1OK-ng4rTCl1PR9knulKXikTMVzvXHWjYaoPgAJTt~xx~VeDsGYbwV9PBQicszNmjDSkWxkbmP7wmVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board received an update on the district’s strategic‑planning process from consultant Scott Fuller of G and D Associates, who summarized community engagement to date and outlined next steps for vision and action‑plan development.

Fuller said his team conducted extensive stakeholder interviews, administered a community survey and ran focus groups, reporting approximately 249 people had participated so far across parents, staff, students and community members. He told the board the district’s response rate and focus‑group turnout compared favorably with similar engagements in other districts.

Fuller described the consultant’s approach as one that emphasizes a clear vision, an action plan, and ongoing implementation supports. He said the next major milestone is a two‑day facilitated workshop at the end of February to synthesize community input into a draft vision. That vision, he said, will be broken into measurable deliverables and a 12‑month strategic plan with owners, budgets and a weekly health‑check cadence.

During board Q&A, members asked about representation in focus groups and how students and staff were recruited. Fuller and district staff said principals were asked to assemble cross‑sectional student groups and staff volunteered for sessions; the consultant said they will continue scheduling virtual options and one‑to‑one interviews to broaden participation. Board members asked for confirmation that outreach included a representative cross‑section; Fuller said thematic consistency across groups is typical and that he would continue efforts to ensure balanced representation and follow up with community members who reported difficulty scheduling.

Fuller said the firm’s initial contract includes point‑of‑need support during the first year of implementation, quarterly health checks and a spring 2026 revisit to help plan the next 12 months—services he said are included in the engagement and not billed as separate add‑ons.

The board asked additional clarifying questions about focus‑group size, scheduling and whether board members could observe implementation health checks; Fuller said occasional board presence is acceptable if members use the meetings to ask clarifying questions and help communicate progress to constituents.

The consultant’s report concluded with an invitation for further outreach and the commitment to return with the vision‑workshop deliverables at the end of February.","Consultant Scott Fuller reported roughly 249 focus‑group and survey participants, outlined the vision‑to‑implementation model and said a two‑day workshop to draft a district vision will be held at the end of February; he also described follow‑up coaching and quarterly health checks included in the engagement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6393644,"Parents, students urge board to preserve resource math/reading classes after district signals mid‑year changes",276,3294000,3570000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf&start=3294&end=3570","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf/thumbnail_3294000.jpg","/articles/6393644/Michigan/Parents-students-urge-board-to-preserve-resource-mathreading-classes-after-district-signals-midyear-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393644-438c01d2855a3b07519aa50e5e1baac2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172125&Signature=j5IUPIregch9nRWRHknzqqI1~g5zDq0a8daRnp~qbWtyAxYQH3nUf7QVCaDKJKOL0CAjMNG50bpgl4VRrA7M2Y4Sd~dUcQmlh8OpLecrSLrnZI6YQFwgXojx7OJIrSHIN77pd6V1VQCp4Lsijb9IIUnyCsyynQacyKALtpMmLeqCCcDVGH~3EI-TvQu-pp~OMWkPaUmC7EjxxkybujTzc808J7AN892ue7EvkEOta49J270eF4-c8-SLVh4Bg3Iox0axzENoz0RzK1sWRCMTGFD-Xp~b8DIRAO6biJD-mN1Vvo~Yqvp9Zvw51q2HcN55vY2FUIBJTu9iGetdkdwgQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple parents and a sixth‑grade student addressed the board to protest an announced change to special‑education resource classes in middle schools, saying the plan to end separate resource math and reading classes mid‑year risks academic regression and violates students’ needs under federal IEP protections.

A student, Hannah Lazorovich, spoke during public comment that she is below grade level in math and reading and credited her resource classes with restoring her confidence. “I do not want to be in a special in math class because it’s embarrassing, but…every kid who is far below needs to stay in resource in math until they get better,” Hannah said.

Her mother, Allison (surname not specified at the meeting), explained a December 19 email she received that asked the family to amend the child’s IEP because the district is making changes tied to Michigan Department of Education least restrictive environment rules. Allison said the district intends to dissolve resource math and reading classes by second semester (she cited a target date of January 21) and that Banks Middle School alone could be affected for about 50 students with IEPs.

Allison said those students were placed in resource classes after individualized evaluation and that abrupt mid‑year removal would move students into grade‑level co‑taught classrooms that lack the small‑group structure they have relied on. She proposed an alternate schedule: dedicate one classroom for two hours per grade for math and reading special‑education instruction taught by a teacher certified in those subjects, which she said would preserve services while accommodating building repurposing needs.

Other parents—some of whom described multi‑year struggles to secure IEP services—said the change was communicated with insufficient notice and that moving students mid‑year violates the spirit of individualized planning. Commenters invoked the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as the legal framework that requires appropriate IEP services and asked the board to make a motion to stop the change until a fuller review and stakeholder discussion occurs.

District staff acknowledged the change was under review and said they would present further information to the board; during administrative commentary staff also said special‑education leaders are hosting advisory events and resource fairs to engage families on services and supports.

Documentation of this discussion appears in public comment remarks by Hannah Lazorovich and Allison and in administrative comments from special‑services staff about upcoming meetings and resources.","Parents and a middle‑school student told the Walled Lake board the district’s planned mid‑year removal of resource math and reading classes will harm students with IEPs; speakers requested the board halt the change and consider alternate staffing and scheduling solutions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6393649,"Residents at Walled Lake board meeting debate book challenges and urge protection for teachers",1923,4099000,6022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf&start=4099&end=6022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf/thumbnail_4099000.jpg","/articles/6393649/Michigan/Residents-at-Walled-Lake-board-meeting-debate-book-challenges-and-urge-protection-for-teachers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393649-7e3de57966745589ebdabc9ddffbced5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172125&Signature=IYGOgcEfOr9zkHatjsnC5XP~55m63Wj~iwOyqwv6tUl92XTlw~59oHVaE2V5xJN6sbO63cx2ye~2UTsBdohtUohrmkhOEPuxL8tAMRrQ8AI2VdJ-2eleyFydYh0eT0MT9KzaBCZjBZUNXcFEf1esWacH-OCHsqkSE65PS7KzqnBbuP-mcQaz0LS7D8uMvWxVqwpHeCvqIP8LuBqr2qoXL5r3JDsdnBo5Ux9FK0P6lHc~cuL26Ga6uv-9UMYJE7VijnEiJI6XyJa4JcvnXrfGPwaMteoROJKawsmclf1-uCse~Cv2UP0xgjWo2e4AkTgQ0yBEEZsUr0mJybO7Qe-3Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several community members used the district’s public comment period to oppose book bans and to defend a Walled Lake Northern teacher whose classroom selections and identity have become the focus of public criticism.

Speaker Mike Wise drew an historical parallel between book banning and 20th-century authoritarian censorship, saying public burnings and bans were early steps toward wider repression and urging the district and community to avoid similar actions. Wise said current efforts to remove materials echo “intolerance” and “hatred” he traced to historical examples.

Linda Firschman, a retired school psychologist and currently a clinical practitioner, urged the board not to punish the teacher and called representation in school materials lifesaving for some students. She said the teacher “not only should his book not be banned, but he has the power and the courage just to be himself,” and added that for many students the teacher could be “the only safe person in their life.”

Janet Mayo, a licensed mental‑health professional, told the board that “books and teachers saved me” and urged the district to protect academic freedom. Mayo argued that removing materials or punishing educators for classroom selections undermines students’ capacity to think critically and harms the mental health of students who see themselves reflected in literature.

Commenters framed their remarks as appeals to the board’s duty to protect students’ well‑being and the educational mission. Several speakers urged the board to foster dialogue rather than punitive action, saying silencing uncomfortable viewpoints would chill classroom discussion and possibly damage student support networks.

The public commentary came amid broader, highly charged public debate about curriculum and classroom materials in districts statewide. At the meeting, board members did not take immediate disciplinary action; staff indicated follow-up would occur if warranted and that formal processes exist to address personnel or curricular concerns.

Evidence for this story is drawn from public comment remarks by Mike Wise, Linda Firschman and Janet Mayo during the board’s comment period.","Multiple residents addressed the board on book removal and calls to discipline a teacher at Walled Lake Northern, with speakers urging caution about censorship, defending representation in classrooms, and warning about harm to students.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6393654,"Walled Lake honors dozens of educators and names district teachers of the year",3031,239000,3270000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf&start=239&end=3270","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2106362-06f842fe94558bc9c5b6c7f9ac19e4cf/thumbnail_239000.jpg","/articles/6393654/Michigan/Walled-Lake-honors-dozens-of-educators-and-names-district-teachers-of-the-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6393654-78bb0e49bb0786e648cc50ed098395a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172125&Signature=VsY7fO89hJ6L4IqOVKkyO2kl~YTh6w~3WYtZa-Gp~egbcaaqkd6LaCrhG4YE6vSi9HgFCxLX~gItL-UpVp2jTLmh9mUifkqYYduIbbwuqAbs~1pov-pIZ04z5PejMZhca5bsYpL4uKea2z8~K0d5rPTLjhBIU8zurwpp80Fvs8b0NKNSCVJLX8MWtHkg0tD5pspSnWJYEAngVxcHzQ39nO2OSLvddPvdiTck0tU3fC0J~ZkQgXPug66vLpyVAauk5O-EOBTxw2BBwLmAnChxKgqpeShmtMQmgkgljyhRhgIsOFcw0GIpB~ama4EadGOwkwI4niGGyFJzpFOwTEjZsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walled Lake Consolidated Schools held its annual Teacher of the Year celebration during the board meeting, honoring 20 school-level winners and naming three district finalists and overall winners for elementary, middle and high school.

The event showcased the district’s selection process and recognized classroom teachers across early childhood, elementary, middle and high school levels. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Ali Hamka outlined the multi-stage nomination and review process used to identify finalists and district winners.

Hamka said the district’s selection procedure begins with nominations from colleagues, parents, students or administrators; buildings pair to evaluate nominees and create a pool of finalists. A committee of past teachers of the year, a board member and district administrators reduced those finalists before interviews and essays produced the district’s top candidates.

The board and superintendent presented certificates and tokens of appreciation from the Foundation for Excellence. Jackie Gerwin, executive director of the Foundation for Excellence, told the room the foundation provides classroom grants and gifts for the district winners and finalists. A representative of Walled Lake Schools Federal Credit Union presented $250 Visa gift cards to the three district finalists; the LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership in Walled Lake contributed additional cash awards and a lease prize for the top district honoree.

The district’s three district-level winners were named as follows: Robert Vogt (Glengarry Elementary) as the elementary-level district winner, Chelsea Shikora (Sarah Banks Middle School) as middle school district winner, and Andrew Tiberian (Walled Lake Central High School) as high school district winner. The board announced 3rd place (Chelsea Shikora) and 2nd place (Robert Vogt) cash awards from LaFontaine, and a two-year lease on a Jeep for the district’s overall teacher of the year, Andrew Tiberian. District staff noted Tiberian was not present to accept the vehicle award at the meeting.

Winners and finalists described the honor as humbling and emphasized students as the motivation for their work. Gerwin and other community partners thanked teachers for their day‑to‑day efforts and for the role they play across school life.

The board recessed briefly after the presentation and then continued with the remainder of the agenda.

The district said the three district winners will be considered for the Oakland County Teacher of the Year recognition.

Evidence supporting this report appears in meeting remarks by Ali Hamka introducing the Teacher of the Year program, the presentations of certificates and gifts by Jackie Gerwin and representatives from Walled Lake Schools Federal Credit Union and LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and the board’s announcements of the district winners.","Walled Lake Consolidated Schools recognized 20 school-level Teachers of the Year and named district-level winners from elementary, middle and high school; community partners presented prizes including cash awards and a vehicle lease for the top district honoree.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: board approves consent agenda, appointments, construction manager and several purchases (all motions carried unanimously)

Consultant reports strong community turnout; next steps set for district strategic‑plan workshop

Parents, students urge board to preserve resource math/reading classes after district signals mid‑year changes

Residents at Walled Lake board meeting debate book challenges and urge protection for teachers

Walled Lake honors dozens of educators and names district teachers of the year