Southfield board approves Avance marketing contract, adopts recycling policy and clears routine reports
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Summary
The Southfield Board of Education approved a communications contract with Avance, adopted a district waste-reduction/recycling policy and approved routine personnel and administrative reports; trustees emphasized fiscal caution amid possible federal funding cuts.
The Southfield Board of Education voted to approve a marketing and communications contract with Avance and adopted a waste-reduction and recycling policy during its last regular meeting before summer break. Trustees also approved a bundle of routine reports and a personnel action report.
Board President Ashanti Bland presided over the meeting where Superintendent Jennifer Green said the Avance team “is also going to be transitioning to assist with the bond work, which will come directly from bond dollars, so we are not taking away from the general fund and not impacting the classroom.” Trustees moved and seconded the Avance contract on a second reading and voted to approve it; the board recorded the vote as unanimous.
The board adopted report 63 86, the waste-reduction/recycling policy drafted by the sustainability committee. Trustees noted they had reviewed the policy extensively in study sessions before the meeting and agreed to put the policy into action across district buildings.
Trustees also approved the consent agenda (including minutes from the May 20 special student-hearing meeting) and routine reports 6391–6394. A personnel action report recognizing tenure and other personnel changes (report 6396) was likewise approved.
During public participation, neighbor Mr. Gunther asked about grounds maintenance and the future of the old Bussey Center, which he said is listed for sale. Marie Banks urged the district to increase visibility for top scholars after noting that no Southfield students appeared in an Oakland County “top scholars” list; Dr. Green said she would have communications staff contact the Oakland Press and standardize submission procedures with building leaders.
The board’s actions come as Superintendent Green and trustees flagged budget uncertainty at state and federal levels, and said they are seeking to protect classroom funding while moving some communications and bond-related work onto bond dollars. The board adjourned its meeting at 8:30 p.m.