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Board opens first readings on policy updates, discusses bylaws and renames committee labels
Summary
The Livonia Public Schools Board on Aug. 18 opened first readings on several policy changes — including revisions to a bylaw governing board member expenses and updates to anti‑harassment and civil‑rights policies — and approved renaming four board committees.
The Livonia Public Schools Board of Education on Aug. 18 held first readings on multiple policy items and voted to rename several standing committees to better reflect departmental scope.
Board members discussed a proposed revision to bylaw BBBC on board member expenses and professional development. Superintendent Andrea Oakwist outlined a suggested change to the budgeted total for board professional development from $15,000 annually to $18,000 and an increase in the per‑member pre‑approved amount to $1,000 to reflect rising travel and lodging costs. Oakwist said the administration will rework the bylaw text so that it is clear the board must take two steps: adopt the policy and then approve an annual, preapproved professional development allocation at the start of each school year. Oakwist said that revised wording will be returned for the board’s second reading in September.
Separately, the board held first readings on the proposed removal of two short policies—DFB (federal and state aid) and CJCA (payday schedules)—that administration said are redundant because the district already follows state law and posts pay schedules in collective bargaining agreements and on the website.
The board also heard updates to harassment and civil rights policies. Administration read proposed language for GAEA (discriminatory harassment of employees) and JCD/JAA (discriminatory harassment of students and equal educational opportunities) and sought input on procedural language. The drafts detail reporting lines, investigative responsibilities and remedies including appointment of outside counsel if a complaint involves the superintendent or a board member; board members asked for clarifying edits such as directing complaints to the Title IX coordinator if both the board president and vice president were implicated and changing certain mandatory terms to consistent phrasing.
On a separate, later motion the board voted to rename four committees: Building and Site became Operations Committee; Curriculum Committee became Division of Instruction Committee; Personnel Committee became Human Resources Committee; Policy Committee became Board Policy Committee. The motion was moved by Mrs. Acosta and seconded by Mr. Johnson and passed by roll call.
