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Board approves property sale, bond sale, purchases and personnel items; votes at a glance
Summary
The Livonia Public Schools Board approved a consent agenda and a set of business, instructional and personnel items on May 19, including the sale of 10.33 acres to a developer, ratification of a bond sale, purchase of K–4 math journals and multiple personnel actions and policy changes.
At its May 19 meeting the Livonia Public Schools Board of Education approved a series of motions covering property and bond sales, instructional purchases, personnel actions and several policy adoptions and removals. Below are motions and vote results recorded in the meeting.
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda — Approved. Motion by Mrs. Acosta; support Mrs. Burton. Roll call: Burton, Jarvis, Johnson, McFarland, Acosta, Bradford — all yes (6‑0). Consent items included minutes of the April 21 meeting and routine approvals listed by the superintendent.
- Sale of property on Ann Arbor Trail to Infinity Homes and Company LLC — Approved. Motion by Mrs. Acosta; second by Mr. Johnson. The board approved sale of a 10.33‑plus‑/minus‑acre vacant parcel (SID 56‑012‑99‑0017‑001) for $235,000, with proceeds to be placed in the district’s capital projects fund. Roll call: Burton, Jarvis, Johnson, McFarland, Acosta, Bradford — all yes (6‑0). Staff noted wetlands and remediation costs limit district facility use of the parcel.
- Ratification of bond sale (third series of 2021 voter‑approved bonds) — Approved. Motion by Mr. McFarland; second by Mrs. Jarvis. The board ratified the sale of the third series (the transcript identifies the series amount as $38,000,000 of a $186,000,000 authorization); staff reported strong market demand and orders totaling approximately $84,800,000. Roll call: Burton, Jarvis, Johnson, McFarland, Acosta, Bradford — all yes (6‑0).
- Purchase of Everyday Mathematics student materials (K–4) from McGraw‑Hill — Approved. Motion by Mr. Johnson; second by Mrs. Jarvis. The board approved a one‑year purchase of print and digital student sets and teacher licenses for kindergarten–fourth grade at $129,245.16, funded from the elementary textbook budget and supported by Wayne County enhancement millage funds. Roll call: Burton, Jarvis, Johnson, McFarland, Acosta, Bradford — all yes (6‑0).
- Teacher granted tenure (Hatsumi Thorsen) — Approved. Motion by Mrs. Burton; second by Mrs. Acosta. Board acknowledged meeting probationary requirements and granted tenure effective Aug. 20, 2024. Roll call: Burton, Jarvis, Johnson, McFarland, Acosta, Bradford — all yes (6‑0).
- Leave of absence (Stephanie Scroggins, 2025–26 school year) — Approved. Motion by Mrs. Acosta; second by Mrs. Burton. Board approved leave in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. Roll call: Burton, Jarvis, Johnson, McFarland, Acosta, Bradford — all yes (6‑0).
- Retirements (resolution of appreciation for 22 staff members) — Approved. Motion by Mr. Johnson; second by Mrs. Jarvis. The board adopted resolutions recognizing 22 employees who are retiring and noted a combined 564 years of service. Roll call: Burton, Jarvis, Johnson, McFarland, Acosta, Bradford — all yes (6‑0).
- Wayne RESA board election designation and votes — Approved. Motion by Mrs. Burton; second by Mr. Johnson. The board designated Theresa Gunta as the local district’s Wayne RESA election representative and Mark Johnson as alternate, and instructed votes for Wayne RESA candidates James Berry and Linda Jackson. Roll call: Burton, Jarvis, Johnson, McFarland, Acosta, Bradford — all yes (6‑0).
- Policy changes — Approved (several items). Motions and votes: second reading and adoption of policy GAC (staff job‑related accident/injury/assault) (motion by Mrs. Acosta; support Mrs. Burton); removal of GAEB (assaults on employees) because language was incorporated into GAC (motion by Mr. McFarland; support Mrs. Acosta); second reading of GAF (workplace violence) (motion by Mrs. Jarvis; support Mrs. Burton); removal of GBBA (qualifications and duties) as redundant with GBC (motion by Mr. Johnson; support Mrs. Jarvis). Each policy motion passed by roll call vote — all yes (6‑0). The board also heard first readings of policies DFF (post‑issuance tax compliance), DID (audit of financial statements) and DJD (expense reimbursement) and did not vote on those first readings.
Context and discussion highlights
- Property sale: staff explained wetlands and remediation needs and said the parcel is not suitable for future district facilities; a local developer will assume cleanup responsibility and seek city funding/permits.
- Bond sale: district CFO reported a favorable market pricing for the final $38 million series and that orders exceeded available bonds, allowing interest‑rate adjustments that reduce future interest costs.
- Instructional materials: the math journal purchase is for one additional year while the district completes a multi‑year curriculum review and pilot of alternative materials.
All motions passed unanimously by the six board members present. The board did not take action on the first readings of DFF, DID or DJD; those will return for second reading as part of the policy process.
