[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6290714,"mediaKeyId","2530610-b7c5beb778cee37c1b368754ee3b5f6f","parentId",2530610,"title","Birmingham Board approves budget amendment, playground accessibility work, facilities study and data-center refresh in 7–0 votes","audioSeconds",1297,"startMs",2948000,"endMs",4245000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530610-b7c5beb778cee37c1b368754ee3b5f6f&start=2948&end=4245","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530610-b7c5beb778cee37c1b368754ee3b5f6f/thumbnail_2948000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6290714/Michigan/Birmingham-Board-approves-budget-amendment-playground-accessibility-work-facilities-study-and-data-center-refresh-in-70-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290714-b1d03870427202d785e30cb26307207d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770656122&Signature=QDEylnNZ2u3wZR0cWSyOtOkwt7EaE7BMs0kpPhQoYEH5RfW1b5swxNAAxSWU9~LTmeZlSJCY3PR0DQOnj2eWf39n4ERdf6s4~LgrZzpAX2L437FFxwkj0WMRRaswke3NYASPR0jOzzJ0m9sD7dfpMlJ9mQa912Pjzyb5KCR0sq-DF007JG5AanCc0sMoPSpzSnGmYEpz-P21bngE-DIwWxqD0vO7UxybbYtck4wPMMyh3sp8Grv3FGiHQyNMNstdzJGwDKhggo6wCfYNOby2R2EucZplNWwnbRdloWQN8NC1rbwuFbBw0ZKIyH8GBr4euBEZxCYCnYw3~ixrBINNKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","BirminghamPS","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Birmingham Board of Education on Feb. 25 approved a series of routine and project-specific resolutions, voting unanimously on items that adjusted the general fund budget and authorized bond-funded facilities and technology work.

Key outcomes

- General fund amendment (Resolution 59): The board approved the second amendment to the district’s general fund budget. The amendment reflects a $1,890,000 net decrease in reported general fund revenues (driven in part by accounting reclassifications and grant timing) and a $1,280,000 decrease in expenditures compared with the board’s first amendment; overall use of fund balance increased by roughly $600,000, leaving an anticipated fund balance of about 11.2% of expenditures (within the board’s 10–15% policy). The motion passed 7–0.

- Pembroke playground surfacing Phase 2 (Resolution 60): The board authorized a second phase to install poured-rubber surfacing at Pembroke Elementary to improve playground accessibility for a student who uses a wheelchair, funded from bond contingency as a pilot for broader accessibility work. The motion passed 7–0.

- Facility equipment study (Resolution 61): The board approved contracting for a district facility equipment study to inventory mechanical, electrical and other “behind-the-walls” building systems to inform potential future bond scope and long-term planning; funding will come from current bond owner’s contingency. The motion passed 7–0.

- Data-center refresh (Resolution 62): The board approved awarding bid package T13 for a data-center refresh to Avalon Technologies for $670,896.45; the project will be funded from the 2020 bond using savings from other lines. The motion passed 7–0. Board members asked whether the district could sell or repurpose the existing equipment; staff said they would explore resale and repurposing for training.

- Board goals (Resolution 63): The board adopted its annual goals following retreat work and drafting; the motion passed 7–0.

- Consent agenda (Resolution 58): The board approved the consent agenda, including personnel reports, financial statements, and minutes. The motion passed 7–0.

- Recognition resolution for departing trustee: The board adopted a resolution thanking outgoing trustee Nicole McKinney for six years of service; the resolution and a commemorative bell were approved 7–0.

- MASB Region 8 director recommendation: The board voted to support Paul Collin as the district’s recommended candidate for the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) Region 8 director election; the motion passed 7–0.

Several items were introduced or explained by district staff before the votes. Mr. Teratuta presented the budget amendment and explained the revenue and expenditure reclassifications, grant carryovers and adjustments to retirement and benefit assumptions. Riley Kelly, the district technology leader, presented the data-center RFP results and recommended the low bidder, Avalon Technologies. Superintendent Dr. Roberson summarized grant- and advocacy-related items in the superintendent’s report earlier in the meeting.

All recorded roll-call votes on listed resolutions were unanimous (7–0). The board did not adopt any motion that failed or was tabled at the Feb. 25 meeting.

Summary of formal actions and recorded outcomes appears below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education Meeting 02/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 25 meeting the Birmingham Board of Education approved the general fund second amendment and a package of resolutions including a poured-rubber playground surfacing pilot at Pembroke, a district-wide facility equipment study, a data-center refresh contract with Avalon Technologies and annual board goals; all roll-call items passed 7–0.","taxTitle","Birmingham Public Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",38788,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6290719,"Parent alleges special-education student barred from graduation activities, says district culture must change",149,2137000,2286000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530610-b7c5beb778cee37c1b368754ee3b5f6f&start=2137&end=2286","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530610-b7c5beb778cee37c1b368754ee3b5f6f/thumbnail_2137000.jpg","/articles/6290719/Michigan/Parent-alleges-special-education-student-barred-from-graduation-activities-says-district-culture-must-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290719-34b36f5f14f3b6db814b9cb5c73d34a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770656122&Signature=YnBol5h9H2sgh7sMSLKoV9myxmJPrI0XV7pu~prQ6XjzbAnAPktNqVzoxt6WwiFEfDPwIcY4KO714gL892AgbodnhTB3vJPRMllYObSVwM6AlxpusjolWquQxPsGFZ~K1Umf7Y7IrWmDpNoshOcEpxQNbdleI1sUCgdA1kU-aOV-IIQKvzOC5FTLpffdnabDaRI0Z3snKVnA4sBNO4CRYFUf4ebuHzyHouk07jbwcSD8AD1QAkKYpD6wTug5oRhBU7dy8IH~e5pB9JBrtAaP9WknOUrnzTwOLaSvU2TOMbJ7ilCw9OTfr4xkS9tcqr-Qa17-WF6I27qX-6pvLpAFqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stephanie L. Jones, a parent of a Birmingham Public Schools student in special education, told the board during public comment that her son was not allowed to participate in multiple school activities because staff said there was no support available.

“At fifth grade graduation, every child walked in but mine,” Jones said. “Watching every parent stand up and cheer for their child when mine wasn't even allowed in the room — they said it was because a kid diagnosed with severe autism and processing sensory disorder was a little riled up that day.”

Jones said school staff told her the son could not attend a fifth-grade trip and that his class is “nowhere to be found” in the yearbook. She described the experience as more than isolated mistakes and called it “a culture.” Jones said she would continue to attend meetings and press the board to change practices: “I will be here every month of every year until it's fixed.”

Her remarks were given during the public comment period; the board did not announce any immediate investigatory or corrective action during the meeting. The district did not respond to the specific allegations on the record that evening.

Jones framed her comments as a plea for inclusive treatment and argued that Birmingham Public Schools, as a wealthy district, should be “the gold standard” in serving students with disabilities.

The board's public comment policy — read aloud before comments — notes the board may not discuss nor debate non-agenda personnel matters during the meeting, and the record shows no policy vote or staff report addressing Jones’s claims that night.","At the Feb. 25 Birmingham Board of Education meeting a parent said her son in special education was excluded from a fifth-grade trip, the graduation ceremony and the yearbook; she called the exclusions cultural and urged the board to fix the treatment of students with disabilities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6290723,"Greenfield parents urge Birmingham Public Schools to offer junior kindergarten at their home school",538,2336000,2874000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530610-b7c5beb778cee37c1b368754ee3b5f6f&start=2336&end=2874","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530610-b7c5beb778cee37c1b368754ee3b5f6f/thumbnail_2336000.jpg","/articles/6290723/Michigan/Greenfield-parents-urge-Birmingham-Public-Schools-to-offer-junior-kindergarten-at-their-home-school","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6290723-052818fb1e9b3402104e890b3b628219/orig.mp4?Expires=1770656122&Signature=LSBMrGEdBy4Ezu~EDMKmNlk8yfSz8etMLUxWTodgCcngFjTEAV1M9GGoE53k6yGiggpAN-DwoN82mHly66j7VrPyJG1XR5yUIdi3MTtqzN362hApPYjxapbHC1UqPTFJteZcZvmr3utqmR3rhEEQrrrupT9P9HUjhKkTbLhRqWXRx5KH0nC2ZvGHihj1My5rJezpyj2vQNgX9IXmHhBgpQTSKDDyHuEk37oQZhxvXw7VPylmAXlWGhD9i1G7iIMCRZ6-WHoopIu0V5U~xfn8e8zbe5M59IBg7YPOiZ-xWQPiP2Kk7ZUfTDzSvCzXkRk-Wrx7~m2KNm699i7Xm2skMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents at the Feb. 25 Birmingham Board of Education meeting urged the district to offer junior kindergarten at Greenfield Elementary after learning the program will be available at seven of the district’s eight elementary schools but not Greenfield.

Katie Schimanski, a Birmingham Public Schools graduate, teacher and Greenfield parent, said the district’s enrollment rollout produced “conflicting information and frustrating dead ends” and that Greenfield families were left to decide whether to send children outside their neighborhood for a one-year junior kindergarten or enroll them in kindergarten before they are ready. “Junior kindergarten is an essential service to all families in our district,” Schimanski said.

The concern was echoed by other Greenfield parents. Ann Roberts said her child received a spot at another school and that the district’s online messaging — including pages that show cohorts as full while still allowing an application to be submitted — likely discouraged families from completing enrollment. “Many families didn’t realize it was part of the registration,” Roberts said.

Parent Betsy McDaniel said Greenfield has space and staff willing to host junior kindergarten and that forcing families to send their 4- and 5-year-olds to another building “undermines the entire purpose of junior kindergarten,” which is to help young children bond with their home school’s teachers, routines and peers. McDaniel said some families have already left the district because of the decision and urged the board to move the Bingham Farms junior kindergarten program to Greenfield if it cannot expand to all eight schools.

Parents requested clearer outreach and a second look at wait lists and the online process; none of the speakers asked the board to take immediate action that night. The item was raised during public comment and not brought as an agenda item requiring a board vote.

Board members did not take action on the requests during the meeting; next steps were not specified on the record.

The public comment on junior kindergarten highlights an operational rollout and equity concern affecting Greenfield families and early-childhood programming districtwide.","Multiple Greenfield parents told the Birmingham Board of Education that junior kindergarten is being offered at seven district elementary schools but not Greenfield, calling the rollout confusing and inequitable and urging the board to add the program or move an existing site to Greenfield.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Birmingham Board approves budget amendment, playground accessibility work, facilities study and data-center refresh in 7–0 votes

Parent alleges special-education student barred from graduation activities, says district culture must change

Greenfield parents urge Birmingham Public Schools to offer junior kindergarten at their home school