Board approves bond sale, HVAC and lighting contracts; elects officers and confirms personnel actions

The Livonia Public Schools Board of Education on Jan. 27 unanimously approved a slate of business items including a bond sale authorization of up to $38 million, contracts for HVAC and stadium lighting, a change order for field-house equipment, several personnel actions, and the board's officer elections.

Why it matters: The bond authorization enables the district's next series of voter-approved construction projects and gives staff authority to pursue refunding opportunities to reduce long-term interest costs. The facilities contracts and change order move multiple capital projects forward. Personnel actions and officer elections set governance and staffing for the coming year.

Key votes and outcomes

- Bonds: The board approved a resolution authorizing sale of the third series of 2021 voter-approved bonds for an amount not to exceed $38,000,000 and authorized district staff to offer to buy back (tender) outstanding bonds and issue refunding bonds if that will produce taxpayer savings. Motion by Mark Johnson, supported by Colleen Burton; roll call vote was unanimous (7'0yes, 0'no). Allison Smith, chief financial officer, summarized that tendering outstanding bonds at a premium can reduce overall interest costs to taxpayers if market conditions permit.

- HVAC (auto and wood shops): The board approved funding for purchase and installation of HVAC units (adding air conditioning) for auto and wood shops at Churchill, Franklin, Stevenson and the Livonia Career Technical Center from Quality Air Systems (Whitmore, Mich.) for a total cost of $1,326,080 (including contingency). Motion by Colleen Burton, supported by Crystal Frank; roll call unanimous (7'0yes, 0'no). District staff said these are replacements of original heat-only equipment in shop spaces and are funded from the sinking fund.

- Stadium lighting materials: The board approved purchase of stadium lighting replacements (LED) for Churchill, Franklin and Stevenson high schools from Musco Sports Lighting LLC (Oskaloosa, Iowa) for $672,479. Motion by Liz Jarvis, supported by Madeline Acosta; roll call unanimous (7'0yes, 0'no). Facilities staff said additional investigation will follow to ensure auxiliary areas (concessions, sidewalks) receive adequate illumination.

- Change order: The board approved a $28,725 change order to the high school field-house equipment contract to adjust batting-cage specifications to allow divided nets (two simultaneous users). The change raises the total project approved amount to $362,025. Motion by Dave McFarland, supported by Liz Jarvis; roll call unanimous (7'0yes, 0'no).

- Expulsion: The board voted to expel one secondary student for violations of board policy. Motion by Colleen Burton, supported by Mark Johnson; roll call unanimous (7'0yes, 0'no). The board record presented no identifying details; the action was recorded as an expulsion under district disciplinary policy.

- Personnel and tenure: The board approved new teacher hires recommended by the superintendent and acknowledged tenure for four teachers effective on their listed dates: Megan Harris (Jan. 6, 2025), Thomas Hurley (Jan. 26, 2025), Heather Pittman (Jan. 28, 2025) and John McDaniel (Jan. 30, 2025). Motions carried by unanimous roll-call votes.

- Retirement resolution: The board adopted a resolution of appreciation for Tamara Blough, who retires after 27.5 years of art instruction in the district. Motion by Mark Johnson, supported by Crystal Frank; roll call unanimous.

- Election of officers: The board elected Karen Bradford as president, Crystal Frank as vice president, Madeline Acosta as secretary and Lisonbee Smith as treasurer for 2025. Nominations were made from the floor (Colleen Burton nominated Bradford for president, Mark Johnson nominated Frank for vice president, Crystal Frank nominated Acosta for secretary, and Liz Jarvis nominated Lisonbee Smith for treasurer). All officer elections passed by voice/roll call votes; the record shows unanimous support.

Discussion and next steps: Board and staff noted that many items were discussed in prior study and committee-of-the-whole meetings and that the approvals bring funded capital and operational projects into procurement or construction phases. On the bond resolution, staff emphasized their ongoing work with financial and legal advisors to identify market opportunities for taxpayer savings through tendering and refunding. Facilities staff said stadium lighting and HVAC contracts will be further reviewed in coordination with athletic directors and maintenance to confirm final scope and placement details.

The board took all votes by roll call; no items were tabled or defeated.