Ferndale school board approves two buses, adopts earned-sick-time policy and greenlights owner's rep for $114.8M bond program

At its Feb. 24 meeting the Ferndale Schools Board of Education approved several district actions in a series of unanimous roll-call votes.

Buses: Deputy Superintendent Wright presented a recommendation to purchase two fuel-powered school buses for a total not to exceed $337,497, funded from the district $1.2 million allocation in the 2020 bond program. Wright summarized deliberations about electric buses, citing trade-offs: higher up-front cost and potential need for electric-grid and charging infrastructure upgrades, mechanic recertification, supply-chain delays (districts have waited multiple years for ordered electric buses) and limited cold-weather battery range. Wright said battery replacement costs were reported in the discussion as ranging approximately from $10,000 to $60,000. Board member Jonathan moved the purchase and David seconded; roll call was recorded as five yes votes and the motion passed.

Earned Sick Time Act policy: The board adopted a policy drafted by Troon Law Firm to implement Michigan's Earned Sick Time Act for district employees. Presenters said employees under current collective bargaining agreements are not subject to the act provisions until their contracts expire and that the district will begin tracking hours for non-bargaining employees and provide required employee notifications. The board approved the policy by a 5-0 vote.

MASB Region 8 candidate: The board approved the selection of Anisha Hannah from Pontiac as Ferndale 's recommendation for MASB Region 8 director; the motion passed 5-0.

Schools of Choice: Staff requested and the board approved participation in Oakland County School of Choice programs under sections 105 and 105c with grade-level caps. Staff presented seat allocations (examples included 20 kindergarten seats at Ferndale Lower; middle-school grades proposed 10 seats per grade; high school 9th and 10th grade 10 seats each) and calendar windows: the K —2 window was proposed for April 1

pril 30, 2025, while University High School would operate under section 105c with an extended enrollment period from March 3 through Aug. 29. The board approved the recommendation 5-0.

Owner's representative (bond): The board approved engaging an owner's representative for the district 2025 bond program; presenters named Plant Moran and RealPoint among firms considered and said the owner's-rep fee would be 1% of the bond program. Staff reported a bond program total of $114,800,000 and described a 1% fee as approximately $1,140,000 in the presentation. The owner's-rep engagement was approved by unanimous vote. During discussion a board member asked whether the selected firm would assist with bond campaigning; staff said details about fees and services would be negotiated.

Votes at a glance (outcomes): the consent agenda and items 6.1 (bus purchase), 6.2 (Earned Sick Time Act policy), 6.3 (MASB Region 8 candidate), 6.4 (schools of choice), and 6.5 (owner's rep) all passed by recorded 5-0 votes.

The meeting record shows motions and roll-call language as stated at the meeting. Where the transcript included inconsistent spellings for vendor names or slightly different fee math, the article reports those details as presented and notes them as reported in the discussion.