Trenton board approves consent agenda and several settlements; board to revisit harassment policy language

At its March 23 meeting the Trenton Board of Education approved the consent agenda and, after a brief executive session, approved several settlements and a memorandum of agreement.

Consent agenda and rescind: The board moved and approved the consent agenda, which included personnel and finance recommendations. The board also discussed rescinding an RFP for a comprehensive multilingual platform for multilingual-learner program management; district staff said they did not need that procurement at this time and would revisit needs later.

Policy second reading: During discussion of a second-reading policy on harassment protections, a board member asked about state statutory language covering gender identity and non-binary protections. The board indicated the policy could be approved and then returned to policy committee for revision; the board did not finalize additional language that night.

Telecommunications ground lease RFP addendum: The board considered an addendum/RFP award to identify a vendor to enter a long-term ground lease for a cellular telecommunications facility on the Trenton Central High School campus. General counsel and staff explained the action was prompted by demolition of the nearby hospital (Saint Francis/Helene Ford site) that hosted cell towers; the vendor will relocate service to a parcel near the high school. Staff said the RFP process was conducted and the recommendation is to award and proceed.

Executive session settlements and MOAs: The board convened an executive session citing pending or anticipated litigation and attorney–client privileged matters, then returned to open session and approved multiple actions by roll call, including a Memorandum of Agreement with AFSCME and settlement approvals for MC LLC versus the Board, TEA versus the Board (CO2024-034), and TMV versus the Board. Each motion was moved, seconded and passed by roll call during the open meeting after the executive session.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda approval (personnel, finance items): motion passed by roll call with seven yes votes, two absences. - AFSCME MOA approval: motion passed by roll call with seven yes votes, two absences. - MC LLC settlement approval: motion passed by roll call with seven yes votes, two absences. - TEA settlement (CO2024-034) approval: motion passed by roll call with seven yes votes, two absences. - TMV settlement approval: motion passed by roll call with seven yes votes, two absences.

The board adjourned after completing the stated business.