Flint board approves several labor agreements, counselor pay adjustment, new park sign and travel-card access

The Flint Board of Education Committee of the Whole approved multiple personnel and contract actions and several administrative measures during its evening meeting, including union letters of agreement, a counselor pay arrangement, authorization for a park sign and adding an executive-administration charge card for travel.

The approvals affect labor agreements and school operations across the district and were adopted by roll-call votes. Board members who voted in each roll call were recorded on the meeting record.

Votes at a glance - Resolution 1.5 — Personnel recommendations: Approved (roll-call vote recorded as a majority in favor). The board sought and received a motion and second and held a roll-call vote. (See transcript segment beginning at 374.525.)

- Resolution 1.6 — Adopt letter of agreement with United Teachers of Flint (UTF) GSRP duty-free lunch: Approved by roll call. Recorded votes in the transcript show Treasurer Luna: yes; Trustee King: yes; Trustee Rutherford: no; Trustee Booth: yes; Secretary Perkins: yes; President McNally: yes. (One member absent: Vice President McIntyre.)

- Resolution 1.7 — Adopt letter of agreement with SEIU Local 517 (Unit 150/195 workdays): Approved by roll call. The roll-call recorded at least one “no” vote and one absence; the motion passed with the majority as recorded on the floor.

- Resolution 1.8 — Adopt letter of agreement with Chandra (Shania) Forward (school-counselor duties/compensation): Approved by roll call. Discussion on this item noted that Forward had previously received compensation related to an increased workload; board members questioned whether the current agreement repeats or continues that pay. The transcript records one “no” vote on this item and the motion carried.

- Action 11.18 — Authorization for a sign at Cronin Derby Downs Park (new sign): Approved by roll call. The board recorded support in discussion recognizing community groups’ work at the park and the nearby Flint Southwestern campus.

- Action (administrative) — Add executive administration position to district charge card for board travel: Approved by roll call. Board members discussed adding the executive assistant/administrative staff who travel with the board to the superintendent’s travel card to permit on-the-spot purchases during travel; the motion passed (6 yes, 1 absent as recorded).

- Action 25.9 — Recognition of Constitution Day and Hispanic Heritage Month: Approved by roll call.

What board members said and why it mattered Board members asked procedural and financial questions during roll calls. On the counselor LOA, Trustees asked Superintendent Jones and staff to clarify whether the pay reflected a prior year step or a continuing supplement tied to caseload; staff explained that the district’s counselor ratio in the contract is 300:1 and that increases reflected duties caused by vacancies while the district seeks to hire additional counselors.

Trustees also questioned an item in the administrative expenses packet (a 2003 Dodge pickup submitted for maintenance) and were told the vehicle is a board-owned maintenance/plow truck that had not had recent servicing and required substantial repairs.

Background and next steps Board approvals put the letters of agreement and administrative changes into effect consistent with the agreements and district practice; specific effective dates or payroll impacts were not fully detailed in the meeting record and are “not specified” in the public packet excerpts referenced on the floor. Questions that arose during discussion included ongoing enrollment-processing issues (raised during public comment), and trustees asked staff to continue monitoring staffing ratios and hiring for counselors.

The board’s administrative approvals (travel-card addition, vehicle maintenance) will be subject to the district’s regular finance and audit reviews. Any additional documentation, such as full text of the letters of agreement and implementation timelines for counselor staffing, was referenced in board materials but not read in full during the meeting.