[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6503651,"mediaKeyId","5499825-5778ed052f701e599bb83fd3a2ebf5e3","parentId",5499825,"title","Board receives first read of draft personal-electronic-devices policy; trustees request more detail before vote","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",6395000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499825-5778ed052f701e599bb83fd3a2ebf5e3&start=6395&end=6395","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499825-5778ed052f701e599bb83fd3a2ebf5e3/thumbnail_6395000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6503651/Michigan/Board-receives-first-read-of-draft-personal-electronic-devices-policy-trustees-request-more-detail-before-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503651-c85c7e95eab67c85804a51f75681b412/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148096&Signature=jAGde2jutWPq~FRalOrQUIbb-GC96YmhMNHq1UD84I8rACG7XrP9wryHgQdNAZDVQb8V-eryXiV8ncD4NVvs5fe~uX6MRu4EhkuJefakGyXRVCKxBSNCIfYzyqwv8Fy8JlcL6fCpF4RO70bsoeKoW4fvCM-r7tpzgfo7VPWpx2HJoCY~GOxz70tY~NrgMuFzlSW5UHmNRQqDeDz7TAyXeQDQrMjNd0-KLOvd-YM5NDGJKsad29ACLmqgaOO2vyNtB9oasVrPQJ34Vi0Vdn9xN7-4YdFv27ZiAwJQt3qbZcbJ7JL9BrJbYLOIVBwYEbVDpZ8Xmyd0LStuwmBLcBwQOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","WayneWestland","date","2025-07-29T15:14:06Z","article","The Wayne-Westland Board of Education’s policy committee presented a first read of a draft policy restricting student possession and use of personal electronic devices during class time. The draft defines personal electronic devices broadly (phones, smartwatches, earbuds, smart glasses) and says devices “may not be used or visible during class time unless permission is granted by the school administrator.” It also prohibits broadcasting or recording other students or staff without permission, with curricular exceptions.

Trustees and members of the public questioned several implementation issues during the floor discussion: how the district will notify and gather input from parents (trustees noted the survey reached district stakeholders but that respondents are a subset of the full parent/staff population), how to handle medical exceptions and prescription eyewear with connected devices, and what enforcement steps administrators and teachers should take in the early weeks of school. The policy committee said the draft does not initially propose suspensions; the committee discussed a step of sending a student to the main office and a parent pick-up requirement for repeat issues as an early enforcement posture.

Board members asked for more research and mitigation options prior to a vote. Suggestions from trustees included in-district education for students on responsible device use, stakeholder outreach, and exploring technical options (for example, classroom signal-management technology) so instruction relying on district-managed Wi‑Fi or Chromebooks is not disrupted. At the end of the discussion trustees agreed to schedule a second reading in August to allow the committee time to refine enforcement language and to provide additional documentation requested by trustees.

Public comment in the meeting referenced students’ mental‑health concerns and taping/recording of incidents as drivers for the proposal. Staff members and parents who attended a supplemental daytime community session said they preferred measured rollouts tied to staff training and student education rather than an immediate, uniformly strict sanctioning regime.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - July 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board’s policy committee presented a draft limited cell-phone/personal electronic devices policy at first read. Trustees and community members discussed enforcement options, survey reach and implementation timing; a second reading was set for the August meeting.","taxTitle","Wayne-Westland Community School District, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",17526,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6503656,"Board approves hires, contracts and bond language; several purchases and renewals pass unanimously",197,7043000,7240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499825-5778ed052f701e599bb83fd3a2ebf5e3&start=7043&end=7240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499825-5778ed052f701e599bb83fd3a2ebf5e3/thumbnail_7043000.jpg","/articles/6503656/Michigan/Board-approves-hires-contracts-and-bond-language-several-purchases-and-renewals-pass-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503656-74ab9573c84cccfd77b0a0551ccdafc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148096&Signature=UulbyDe7ZHHRHjleU3tyAbGnURRtNLV60LBwhI4-bsydBpaywIvtG1rAbqVReNa7svLHXu0qymmkzcmeiBpN4955SWcWCiyeVbcLBFTtdQyrGVrVAL9WD67QInnjBcmsZxgH4wQzl3f3uvqWH5cKTmgRVYaPCd-4aXSMJ0i-~FAOKVuEwSx7P3Tn4JlxKINtWsZ2G2uCqPwF3LXUSXHF6WZSa0ne9GxQvcMHflcD52OZcS9iehL86UlfwmiDt-YTLhNX9dBAYIaV6ec9Mz72ViUQjNtTlwSTItKuJMnZNLoEolqet0gR5T3NyI93ohWn938XoewjGH2TDKpeOPJSJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its July meeting the Wayne-Westland Community School District Board of Education approved a number of district hires, contract renewals and purchases and certified bond language for the November ballot. Vote tallies recorded in the meeting minutes were unanimous (7-0) for each item listed below.

Key formal actions approved by the board:

- Hires: Bradley Smith was approved as principal of Walker-Winter Elementary School; Matthew Seal was approved as principal of Adams Middle School. Both motions passed 7-0.

- OpenSciEd high-school science materials: The board approved the purchase of OpenSciEd kits to support high‑school science implementation for $1,100,758.56 charged to the general fund (motion approved 7-0).

- NWEA benchmarks: The board approved a three‑year renewal of the NWEA license at a cost not to exceed $352,360.25; the administration reported this saves roughly $43,000 versus annual purchases and that available state reimbursement will be sought (motion approved 7-0).

- Human resources software (Humanex): Renewed for $31,000; the software supports hiring workflows (motion approved 7-0).

- Collective-bargaining contracts: The board ratified a three‑year tentative agreement with Local 4 (food service, transportation and custodial staff) and a three‑year agreement with district administrators (WACOA/central office administrators). Both carried on recorded votes of 7-0.

- Bond and sinking fund items: The board approved a resolution to certify school-improvement bond language for placement on the Nov. 4 ballot (no tax increase asserted on the ballot language) and also authorized reallocations associated with closing some bond project bid packs; trustees were told sinking‑fund renewal language would be brought forward separately. Both actions passed 7-0.

Administrators told the board the OpenSciEd purchase is paid from the general fund; NWEA renewal costs will be applied to the general fund and grant funding as available; Humanex will be paid from the general fund. The board heard that the state had provided Healthy School grant funds to offset some drinking‑fountain and water-bottle filler costs and that architects are finishing bond‑related plans.

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- OpenSciEd science kits: approved 7-0 (amount $1,100,758.56; funding: general fund).
- NWEA three‑year renewal: approved 7-0 (cost not to exceed $352,360.25; anticipate state reimbursement application yearly).
- Humanex HR software renewal: approved 7-0 ($31,000; general fund).
- Local 4 contract (3 years): approved 7-0 (costs presented to board; funding source: general fund).
- WACOA (central office admin) contract (3 years): approved 7-0.
- Certification of school improvement bond for Nov. 4 ballot: approved 7-0 (ballot language certified; no tax increase stated in presentation).
- Reallocation of certain bond project costs into sinking fund as needed: approved 7-0.
- Two principal hires (Bradley Smith, Matthew Seal): each approved 7-0.

Board members and staff said they will continue outreach and budgeting work required for bond implementation and for implementing curricular purchases. Trustees and staff also discussed the state aid schedule and grant reimbursements that will offset some of the costs for assessment tools and facilities work.","Wayne-Westland trustees approved a package of hires, software renewals, curriculum purchases, collective-bargaining agreements and certification language for a school-improvement bond to appear on the Nov. 4 ballot. All recorded votes were unanimous (7-0).",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6503661,"Two search firms present rival superintendent-search plans; board delays selection to August",2747,83000,2830000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5499825-5778ed052f701e599bb83fd3a2ebf5e3&start=83&end=2830","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5499825-5778ed052f701e599bb83fd3a2ebf5e3/thumbnail_83000.jpg","/articles/6503661/Michigan/Two-search-firms-present-rival-superintendent-search-plans-board-delays-selection-to-August","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503661-c0c57dfa8003160916aeae4bcbf2a297/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148096&Signature=QzMxvj~j6XSNSL5ROCDEA7nr8imDesYMd~liPNCPWL1teDjFheuehOVWT~LJtUbJ~4au5AfZWxXtNfuOZqghzgBa1rH1C-WwJpiGmTgQb5KuNZ4KbAqXgOoil2vu4aBDbjNJrNkVibpn9BclNi7TUbe3yPF1P--4Jxkcrmy6jy6Yf6mv~CnE6c8xmh1Moj2kz-l3b1sboT1gFHPli1XiX3aQsOQObqbRs1lXwphk9fW3XHlNzsA7wEjOXRIYTVFTvAiPQDKuvQcH2FfqO1cg7u41G3st2fr96f0TTwJLziXqbr0zdDMvaXASBMxwrjAX6XLns0duZE12UkuErI~KcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two superintendent-search firms — Hazard Young Attea (HYA) and the Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) — gave separate presentations to the Wayne-Westland Community School District Board of Education on the district’s planned superintendent search. Board members asked about internal candidates, outreach strategies, timelines and fees. The board did not select a firm at the meeting and on a 7-0 vote tabled the matter until the board’s August meeting.

HYA representatives emphasized active national recruiting and proposed a three-phase process (engage, recruit, select) with a strong community engagement component, a password-protected board portal for application materials and a two‑year replacement guarantee for any superintendent who leaves within two years. HYA said it focuses nationally but will “hone in on the Midwest” to recruit candidates who match Michigan districts’ context. HYA’s presenters included Mike Ritchie, identified as a vice president with HYA, and Pam Hornberger, who described herself as a former Michigan state representative, former school board member and former teacher.

John Silverick, representing the Michigan Leadership Institute, outlined a Michigan-centered approach. MLI highlighted an established statewide network, a superintendent preparation program (Sups Academy) and guaranteed mentoring for one year after appointment. Silverick described a typical 12–14 week timeline and said the firm’s standard fee is smaller than some national firms’ fees, with optional add‑ons (for example, broader national advertising) available for additional cost. He also described MLI’s process for collecting stakeholder feedback via surveys and focus groups and for protecting candidate confidentiality under Michigan’s Open Meetings Act during application review.

Trustees asked about internal candidates, national versus state recruiting, costs and logistics. HYA said internal applicants are welcome and treated the same as external candidates; Silverick said MLI likewise allows and commonly assesses internal candidates and that some districts opt to evaluate internal candidates first. Board members also raised the question of whether to pay for broader national advertising after reviewing initial applicant pools, and both firms described options for that.

A motion to engage the Michigan Leadership Institute was made and seconded during the meeting. After extended discussion of the two proposals and of MLI’s stronger statewide connections versus HYA’s portal and national recruiting tools, a motion to table the decision passed 7-0, postponing a final choice until the board’s August meeting so trustees could review both written proposals and follow up with questions.

The presentations and the board’s decision leave the formal search timetable flexible; both firms described timelines that would permit a hire before the end of the calendar year if the board pursues an accelerated schedule.","Hazard Young Attea (HYA) and the Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) outlined different approaches to Wayne-Westland’s superintendent search. Trustees asked questions about outreach, internal candidates and cost. A motion to engage MLI was made and then tabled to the August meeting.","actionData","errors"]

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Board receives first read of draft personal-electronic-devices policy; trustees request more detail before vote

Board approves hires, contracts and bond language; several purchases and renewals pass unanimously

Two search firms present rival superintendent-search plans; board delays selection to August