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