Hamtramck School Board approves elimination of two skilled maintenance positions and urges restoration of Section 41 funding

At a board meeting, the Hamtramck School District board voted to eliminate two skilled maintenance positions and approved a separate resolution urging the Michigan Legislature to restore Section 41 bilingual and English‑learner funding in the 2025–26 school budget.

Board members debated whether removing two long‑vacant maintenance posts would weaken the district’s ability to respond to multi‑person repair needs. An unidentified board member said the change worried them because "for building for something that comes up to our building that needs to be fixed or it takes more than 1 person to fix" and cautioned that some repairs require more than one worker. The presiding officer reported the district currently has eight maintenance staff and noted the two positions have been vacant, one for about "a year and 7 month" and the other for about seven months; the maintenance director told the board existing staff and equipment can cover the work and the positions could be reinstated if necessary.

The board then voted on a motion, moved by Mister Abihaime and seconded by Mister Obey, to "eliminate 2 skilled maintenance positions based on district needs." A roll call included recorded votes (Adjane: Aye; Watson: Aye; Hall: Nay; Sablina: Nay; O'Bait: Aye) and the presiding officer stated the result as four ayes to nay; the chair declared the motion carries. The motion text and the board’s recorded outcome were added to the meeting minutes.

Separately, the board approved Resolution No. 14, introduced by Miss Bulynick and seconded by "Miss Where," that "urges the Michigan legislature to restore and protect Section 41 funding in the 2025–26 school budget" and "calls on lawmakers to provide stable, adequate, and predictable funding for bilingual and English learning students." The resolution directs the superintendent to communicate the board’s position to the governor, legislative leaders and the Wayne County delegation. The presiding officer announced the vote as 6 ayes with 1 absent; the motion carried.

The board also approved the consent agenda (Resolution No. 15) by a 6‑to‑0 vote with one member absent.

During public comment, Brett Alexander, senior director of operations for Southwest Foodservice Excellence, thanked the board for a five‑year partnership as the district’s food provider and asked the district to consider returning the company if future procurement decisions move in other directions. Alexander said, "We would love to be your partner again," and praised the on‑site general manager and a local supplier he named.

The board concluded routine business, shared announcements about an opening‑day breakfast scheduled for Aug. 25, and adjourned the meeting.