Woodhaven-Brownstown board approves buses, dental lab equipment and hires; recognizes esports team and longtime trustees

The Woodhaven-Brownstown Board of Education on Dec. 10 approved a package of purchases and personnel actions funded largely from 2021 bond proceeds and recognized students and two longtime trustees.

The board voted to approve the purchase of five Thomas 77-passenger school buses for special-education services at a recommended cost not to exceed $778,500, using 2021 bond proceeds. "I'll make the motion to approve the bus purchase recommendation as presented," the presiding official said before the motion was supported and carried by voice vote.

The board also approved equipment and renovation work to convert a former robotics lab at Woodhaven High School into a career-technical dental lab. Administration presented a total project cost of $532,762.65, including a 10% project contingency, and recommended purchasing equipment from ADEC with installation scheduled for summer 2025. The motion to approve the dental lab equipment purchase was made and carried by voice vote.

On personnel, the board approved the professional-staff employment of Sarah Begley as a special services teacher effective Dec. 11, 2024. The board also approved multiple support-staff paraprofessional hires and a slate of Schedule B coaching assignments (including Angela Banks, Andrew Heaton, Brian Marveso, Matthew Papian, Tiffany Pattern, Sergio Ramirez, Amanda Sayer and Becky Thomas), all effective Dec. 11, 2024.

The board approved a revision to student handbooks for Woodhaven Upper Elementary School, Brownstown Middle School and Woodhaven High School to include the district's harassment and assault information guide, presented as compliant with Michigan Compiled Laws 380.1508 and providing information on Title IX complaint processes.

During the meeting the board formally recognized the Woodhaven High School Esports Super Smash Brothers team for reaching the state semifinals after a 7–1 regular season. Coach Brian Taylor and several team members came forward for the recognition; the board adopted a resolution honoring the team's season.

Superintendent's designee Rob Kikoski provided an update on bid pack 8 (renovations and additions at Bates and Goodeth elementary schools). He said the package received 124 bids across 37 bid divisions, with four divisions rebid due to single-bid responses (rebids were scheduled to be due the day after the meeting). Twelve post-bid interviews had been completed with more to come; administration expected to finalize an award recommendation by Jan. 7 and bring it for board action on Jan. 14. Kikoski said, "we are looking to come in under budget for the project," and noted alternating bid items will be reviewed as part of the award package.

The meeting included brief tributes to two departing trustees whose combined service the board described as more than 25 years, and concluded with board member comments. The presiding official adjourned the meeting at 5:59 PM and announced the next regular meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the board office.

Votes were taken by voice and recorded as carried for the agenda, consent agenda, the Esports resolution, the personnel items, the bus purchase recommendation, the dental lab equipment purchase and the handbook revision.