[{"_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",6308420,"mediaKeyId","2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48","parentId",2422836,"title","HR reports vacancies down but special‑education and paraprofessional shortages persist; substitute pool grows","audioSeconds",5704,"startMs",12774000,"endMs",7070000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48&start=12774&end=7070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48/thumbnail_12774000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6308420/Michigan/HR-reports-vacancies-down-but-specialeducation-and-paraprofessional-shortages-persist-substitute-pool-grows","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308420-693b4110e9d17f82bce3e64301843ecc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170661&Signature=Qzpa-jd-qNCsJi55hnQ0QIMTt0HynZuENM67RYX7cu35OAd91SwxPvsB6CaRlUDbrBVIvYLJLOT51EUA1BajHMgIN0FpEOr-DVV2ZBdvM~aFS1qDuKHR7TTEQhdoyWUsRVf84bsSl9-~rkAbmEIboFf595Nx-k9TlRWnwF6Yiz-WYvNyLzFnOwBlS0xgafbKatuW7se4rkRDARLdUxAPyAouaygpOJQ-FtOCOy2i~vl9iiX2S64MAm-ovq0AEuMvM9z~33Fq6hqgM-xLftKqFf1wa23BAU2hm24gwAMXy67i0V-aEXywiv-U8HL7poyAxOCW2GEyGF7jh-YEYl3xaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-26T07:42:20Z","article","District human resources leaders presented an annual staffing update showing a highly experienced teacher workforce while also flagging persistent hiring challenges in special education and paraprofessional roles.

HR staff reported the district’s approved staffing for 2024‑25 includes about 1,122 teachers and professional staff. The department said 81% of classroom teachers hold a master’s degree or higher and that roughly 50% of teachers have served the district 10 years or more. The HR presentation also noted strong substitute coverage: 858 active EduStaff substitutes and a 96% fill rate reported for the current year.

Vacancies were reported at 17 total positions on the day of the meeting: 11 special‑education openings and 6 general‑education openings. HR said the oldest open position dated to the start of the school year, and staff described national and state shortages for special‑education teachers and related specialists (speech‑language pathologists, occupational therapists) as the principal driver. HR said districts statewide are competing for a shrinking pool of qualified candidates.

Human resources chief Abdul Madgeone outlined active recruitment steps: national job postings, relationships with regional universities (EMU, MSU, U‑M, Wayne State), participation in upcoming job fairs, targeted outreach to student teachers and substitutes, and use of alternative certification and ‘‘grow‑your‑own’’ pathways. Retention work included an HR roadshow to meet staff in buildings, stay interviews to gather on‑the‑job feedback, employee‑assistance and financial counseling resources, and benefit plan adjustments that added new HSA options.

Madgeone said the district is analyzing pay scales and benefits against peer districts and that HR and finance will pursue systems and process efficiencies (e.g., electronic timekeeping and vendor review of HR databases) to reduce duplication of administrative work.

Board discussion focused on special‑education turnover, paraprofessional pay and recruitment, the timing of bargaining and planned town‑hall listening sessions with hourly staff. HR committed to provide a side‑by‑side pay comparison with peer districts and to return with more detailed vacancy breakdowns by role.

— This article reports staffing figures and HR actions as presented to the board; vacancies and program details reflect the numbers given at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","P-CCS Board of Education Regular Meeting -- February 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Human resources told the Plymouth‑Canton board that vacancies have fallen but the district still faces concentrated hiring pressure in special education and paraprofessional roles, even as substitute capacity has grown.","taxTitle","Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",13579,"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},6308435,"Plymouth-Canton board reviews first readings on bond-funded tech, paving and school remodeling projects",4276,2146000,6422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48&start=2146&end=6422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48/thumbnail_2146000.jpg","/articles/6308435/Michigan/Plymouth-Canton-board-reviews-first-readings-on-bond-funded-tech-paving-and-school-remodeling-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308435-d58a4cbbcb10e9d9f1437c31612b7dd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170661&Signature=h8SYQALGPiOcvwkHCPjVbXLTsuAUyTqRk0IfWEPIWPzDGkwHma2pUK4N5dfiHT0aZaVa-ArRx8PW1q0cW9V1yxDZSDO4rVJdoBhJNusLYLH3Bm6dnGiXkc9wKZKKbk~8ZXqnAnYqX2uErW3AvhWWs2egYajqvEQifBjdqBd4NiuDmmTknkV5dEQBfxaXpREmfSXLUPsgreI9gzWfDJcRlz0BLoEaEoLFsw-mhvAd~JIB2gTCnc-iDr29yeczGcgA5MQXOAEZGAzn406C8f85cpEgMh9F6V98ySGCIHSUwqcIpC3u3B8h3lE-pTzfPNqakFmVosRPspNuPXJ5InMSyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Plymouth-Canton Community Schools officials presented first readings this week on several bond-funded construction and technology projects, including E-rate‑eligible network cabling and electronics, audiovisual/paging work, a multi-phase paving project at Canton High School, a major remodel at Salem High School and classroom/furnishings for Farrand Elementary.

The projects are being paid from 2023 bond proceeds; some components are eligible for partial federal reimbursement through the FCC E‑rate program, which staff said reduces the district's net cost but carries timing risk while the federal program is under review.

District technology director Mark Selzer told the board the first E‑rate packet (Bid Pack T10) covers structured cabling and basic electronics for newly constructed spaces and additions. He said the district is recommending a “not to exceed $131,926.07, net of reimbursements of $42,189.43” and that the purchases will be made from 2023 bond proceeds. \"We apply for reimbursement from the government for eligible goods and services,\" Selzer said, describing the federal program that helps lower the district's cost.

Staff also described a companion E‑rate packet (E11) to replace the district's two core network switches and to add a more resilient firewall deployment. Technology consultants said the current core switches were installed more than a decade ago and do not meet anticipated concurrent‑user demand. The recommended award figures were reviewed in the board packet; staff emphasized that contract language includes contingencies tied to federal approval of the E‑rate funding so the district can adjust if reimbursements are not granted.

Board members asked whether the E‑rate program is at risk of changes under current federal review. A Barton Malow consultant explained the FCC is soliciting public comment on the program and signaled uncertainty beyond the next funding cycle; district staff said state E‑rate officials expect no immediate impact on this filing but cautioned about later cycles.

Construction manager Brian Gessman and project lead Nick Bridal presented PSEP‑3, a three‑phase resurfacing and site work package at Canton High School. Work is planned in three windows to limit conflicts with summer athletics and the Innovation Hub project: a staff lot mill and cap, a full‑depth replacement near the east athletic fields and a full deck replacement for the student lot. Gessman said bids came in at $3,524,293 against a construction budget of $3,541,160, a variance of about $17,000. Board members pressed for clarifications on stormwater detention requirements (set by Wayne County), fencing adjacent to the athletic field and how the schedule would affect summer programs. Bridal said the planned fence would create a 16‑foot access point and that athletics and maintenance teams would coordinate to avoid choke points.

The board also reviewed HS‑7A, a broad remodeling package for Salem High School that staff said renovates classrooms, restrooms, lighting and casework across much of the building. Presenters said the base bid total came in at about $6.2 million and that, with five accepted alternates (including a gym‑floor lower/replacement alternate and broadcast studio work), the project subtotal presented to the board totaled roughly $7.16 million, which staff said was just under the allotted construction budget. Designers noted they had included three new single‑user, fully accessible restrooms (one per floor) to improve accessibility while keeping required plumbing fixture counts intact. The board asked for higher‑resolution drawings and an explicit audit of which locker‑room and staff restrooms will be renovated as part of this package; staff agreed to return with clearer plans and a restroom punch list.

Bid Pack T11 (paging, clocks, access and video surveillance) and an audiovisual package for replacement classroom AV at several sites were also discussed as first readings; staff said those packages are related to the same buildings as T10 and will return for award recommendations once final scope and pricing are confirmed.

Finally, the board heard a furniture presentation for Farrand Elementary (bid pack EL4). The district's furniture consultant described classroom and media‑center layouts, flexible seating, art and music classroom pieces and two alternates (main office reception casework and high‑density PTA stacking chairs). The not‑to‑exceed figure presented for Farrand’s furniture and alternates was about $505,603, with a negative variance to budget shown in the packet.

What happens next: most of the items on the agenda were presented as first reads and will return to the board for award or formal vote after staff completes final reviews, resolves packet discrepancies and brings higher‑resolution plans for board review. Staff said they would continue to phase work to protect summer programs and ensure ADA access during and after construction.

Board members and staff signaled that E‑rate timing and the county’s stormwater approvals are the principal external contingencies that could change schedule or scope.

— Reporting here is based on staff presentations and board discussion at the Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools board meeting.","Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools officials presented first readings this week on multiple bond‑funded technology, paving and remodeling projects, including E‑rate‑eligible network cabling and electronics, Canton High School paving and a major Salem High School remodeling, and described costs, federal reimbursement contingencies and construction schedules.",{"_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},6308425,"Parents, citizens press board to reinstate policy barring staff abortion referrals; legal counsel warns of federal conflicts",3731,9004000,12735000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48&start=9004&end=12735","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48/thumbnail_9004000.jpg","/articles/6308425/Michigan/Parents-citizens-press-board-to-reinstate-policy-barring-staff-abortion-referrals-legal-counsel-warns-of-federal-conflicts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308425-b6ae1ecac4222c9b2b9691f21d3b7745/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170661&Signature=VTyw3yRIZHSsv4j6P4KLxECLW8skz7RAG20VeB8btmduI4FdAzsfD~uDdLBidtcqv5oDIRdykPkT0~DoGKmUjUNDExkDpGb~VyHHr21Z9aDKjyQ7H4lImDv2BcwF19yRy5bZATl~JRBarPSUrclKDMT56OAhdxvItKQT5Y58NSyEDFdWSmT7mO8uRKOvYjdIkzAh7jAasdtlk5Bu7jkWJO8bUvon~Xdyw77TQkdr7IP8F9HMSP~HpbNntqaRyiEcertiYg8feTblankreRGIlbSZuRW31GraF6l3IryZM4duP6K4sIr7tkSNJYLmkA8pYswKh-qLFvl8o17xKZVJBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A steady stream of public comments at the Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools meeting focused on a recently rescinded district policy that had limited staff from referring students for abortions. Several speakers urged the board to reinstate the restriction and to make parental notification central to student health decisions; the board did not adopt an immediate change after a short procedural motion failed to receive a second.

Multiple community members and district employees spoke during citizen comment. Roseanne Volley told the board the practice “would be highly unethical,” citing counseling experience and concerns about long‑term harm. Laura Miller, an occupational therapist and longtime resident, described the rescission as a taxpayer concern and urged reinstatement to protect parental rights. Parents, students and advocates for both sides of the debate addressed the board during a lengthy public‑comment period.

Legal risk and enforceability were also raised. Attorney Matthew Wilk — addressing the board during the citizen comment period as an outside attorney — told trustees that federal law can supersede state action and cautioned that a local policy that conflicted with federal nondiscrimination law could draw complaints to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. “Article 6, section 2 of The United States Constitution is our supremacy clause — federal laws override state laws,” Wilk said, and he recommended removing the contested policy from the books to avoid a complaint or legal challenge.

After public comment a board member moved to restore the previously rescinded policy (the motioner was not identified in the public transcript). The motion did not receive a second and therefore did not proceed to a vote; board members did not take immediate formal action to restore the policy during the meeting.

What happened next: the board did not adopt policy language at the meeting. Administrators and several board members said the district will continue to follow legal counsel and state and federal guidance; the lack of an immediate board vote means the district will likely revisit the item in committee or through staff/legal counsel before any formal policy change.

Reporting note: this article summarizes public comments and a board procedural motion made during the meeting; it reports what speakers said and records that the motion to restore the policy failed to receive a second and no board vote to change district policy occurred at this meeting.","Dozens of public commenters urged the Plymouth‑Canton school board to reinstate a policy that had prevented district staff from referring students for abortions; a motion to restore the policy failed to receive a second and the board took no immediate action.",{"_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},6308430,"Board approves one‑year parking agreement to add 10 spaces at district support center",333,10166000,10499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48&start=10166&end=10499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48/thumbnail_10166000.jpg","/articles/6308430/Michigan/Board-approves-oneyear-parking-agreement-to-add-10-spaces-at-district-support-center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308430-5e0e300e244157aa8041ed3cf2fa31fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170661&Signature=HRGv2U89voWU73GcEpRR0rHfI5NWi4tIS6-zzv8VngqCirKh4fDGfDA9-0lTAIrs4L8Aq~F5FHocGxLT2YzYBCvCMmNqulDjYAkquVrwlDLUxMc8b3ZN12~fnCvJ~mKiHbd94nfsVHvB1MSqFcghrKZAlQwNSxLlfOAniNz7C4ErKVmCglLAbs0GB6gorj0QH-ux5VXQBSJOcBsE4~U-Qy-XZHTBoD6ET1ia62N6-qyeEvnWioks32egOq6mXJlI~gTOUktpLspGHiGZ1yGCnMQ58xz8QejTJKqbJ2IqDxrgQqksjUP4gbLmeUJhKGXQzdhYa~Vk2qxtwKDUxpNWyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools board voted unanimously to approve a one‑year agreement allowing the district to use 10 parking spaces at a neighboring property to expand parking at the Educational Support Center.

Superintendent Monica Merrick told the board the district has limited parking at its pilot Education Support Center and uses the neighboring property during peak times for professional development and other district activities. Merrick said the agreement formalizes that arrangement and is designed to reduce liability by creating a written contract. \"We have approached them ... and this would be a 1 year agreement that would allow us to utilize these 10 spaces as necessary with a couple of days notification,\" Merrick said during the meeting.

The board approved the resolution by voice vote (motion carried 6‑0). The contract dates in the packet will be updated to reflect the effective one‑year period agreed by the parties; staff said the district will present the final executed agreement in board records after signatures.

The agreement does not carry an operational charge to the district; it formalizes an existing neighborly arrangement and creates a notification and liability framework so staff can plan for large events.

— This summary reflects the board vote and staff presentation at the Plymouth‑Canton board meeting.","The Plymouth‑Canton Board approved a one‑year agreement allowing the district to use 10 parking spaces at a neighboring property for the Educational Support Center to ease parking during professional development and other events; the contract requires advance notice and addresses liability considerations.",{"_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},6308416,"Board hears first read on new AP Chemistry textbook; district to buy print and digital access",365,8688000,9053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48&start=8688&end=9053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422836-9afab1aba076851df60f7b62f7ec5f48/thumbnail_8688000.jpg","/articles/6308416/Michigan/Board-hears-first-read-on-new-AP-Chemistry-textbook-district-to-buy-print-and-digital-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308416-cf8abf34b6b846219cbd5bfa32ece901/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170661&Signature=M4A5nYGOKhJ2850cCpvKhvNCry12RA67s-hOnjqXQaPThqH-49flvRbjWmz5F4XOVU6y6cCUXXwDN4hrL5yHtgzjb-h1RUtNkfJiwFnUWQCOxWyZ2RaFitO2Q~LYMfKB4gS6svqYynkPKAZrrQz~9VtmAKUdR4EtLFHv4vMKSa7yZe3uCZYFgeQ2E9L92kstcJiJrt29ki0Wq3AQYxR66OLDaBzYGzYdwM-0Q1sQe47hfsY6O0v8MlvN744hHpYW6ra7zWcsS4CtIVtJo8dkExIgahOAOlg84Yg7i8E7YXIvQBXmmcyoYVDpZtFH0Od35czX2sAPCt94~-SBF~325A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board received a first reading on a recommended textbook for Advanced Placement Chemistry. Curriculum staff recommended Chemistry: The Central Science for AP Chemistry and presented the estimated acquisition cost for print and digital materials.

Curriculum staff said the recommended purchase covers print textbooks plus district digital access and online resources for a six‑year subscription. The package cost presented to the board was $23,790 and staff said the purchase would come from the current year’s instructional materials budget and be implemented next school year. The team noted that AP courses must remain aligned to College Board expectations and that staff regularly reviews texts to maintain that alignment.

District presenters described embedded study tools — including an AI‑driven study assistant built into the publisher’s platform — and said they would provide district technology staff with vendor data‑privacy details. Board members asked whether digital access requires online authentication and whether student data is retained; staff said the platform typically allows anonymized use and that the technology team will review privacy and filtering protections and provide details in board notes.

The textbook recommendation will return as an action item in a subsequent meeting after staff completes the privacy review and finalizes procurement details.

— This article summarizes the textbook first read and staff commitments on data privacy follow‑up.","Plymouth‑Canton's curriculum team presented a first read to adopt Chemistry: The Central Science for AP Chemistry. The six‑year print and digital package was listed at $23,790 for the initial purchase in the packet; staff said final purchase will come from this year’s textbook budget and the item will return for final approval as required.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

HR reports vacancies down but special‑education and paraprofessional shortages persist; substitute pool grows

Plymouth-Canton board reviews first readings on bond-funded tech, paving and school remodeling projects

Parents, citizens press board to reinstate policy barring staff abortion referrals; legal counsel warns of federal conflicts

Board approves one‑year parking agreement to add 10 spaces at district support center

Board hears first read on new AP Chemistry textbook; district to buy print and digital access