Kalamazoo Public Schools - October 8, 2026 Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education

Updated about 10 hours ago

The Board welcomes students from Northeastern Elementary School, the ongoing teacher contract negotiations, and the district's strategic goals for attendance and student achievement. The meeting also highlights community partnerships, including those with Big Brothers Big Sisters and El Concilio, and addresses public concerns about teacher compensation and school policies. Superintendent Dr. Slade emphasizes the district's commitment to improving student outcomes and the importance of community support.

Chapters

Meeting Call to Order (00:00:05)
The meeting is officially called to order, marking the beginning of the session.

The session begins with the call to order, officially starting the meeting where various agenda items are to be discussed.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:07)
Participants begin the meeting by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting commences with the Pledge of Allegiance, a traditional start to the gathering, reinforcing national unity and respect.
Trustee Motion and Approval (00:00:32)
A motion is made and seconded by trustees, with unanimous approval following.

Trustee Scholler‑Barber makes a motion, which is seconded by Trustee Johnson. The motion passes unanimously, indicating agreement among the trustees.
Attendance Taken (00:00:50)
Vice President Hill, serving as Secretary, takes attendance.

Vice President Hill, acting as Secretary, conducts the attendance roll call, ensuring all members are present for the meeting.
Student Recognitions at Northeastern Elementary (00:01:07)
Recognition of outstanding students from Northeastern Elementary School for their achievements.

The meeting includes a segment dedicated to recognizing students from Northeastern Elementary School who demonstrated significant academic growth and achievements.
Cross Country Team Recognition (00:04:48)
Milwood Magnet School's cross country team is recognized for their achievements.

Coach Dawn Kahler introduces and recognizes the cross country team from Milwood Magnet School for their efforts and accomplishments in the recent season.
Correspondence and Community Concerns (00:10:16)
Vice President Hill reads out various correspondences received by the board, addressing community concerns.

Vice President Hill addresses several correspondences received by the board, which include concerns and ideas from community members and parents, ensuring transparency and responsiveness.
Superintendent's Report (00:12:24)
The Superintendent delivers an extensive report covering multiple topics, including attendance and school improvements.

The Superintendent provides a detailed report on various school matters, such as attendance improvements, strategic goals, and facility upgrades, while acknowledging the efforts of staff and community.
Agreement with Support Professional Bargaining Unit (00:22:28)
Recommendation of approval of contractual agreement with Support Professional Bargaining Unit

Board moves and approves approval of a contractual agreement for the 2026-2027 school year with Agreement with Support Professional Bargaining Unit that is within budget parameters.
Public Comments and Teacher Contracts (00:26:48)
Community members express concerns over ongoing teacher contract negotiations and their impact on education.

During the public comment section, community members, including parents and educators, voice their concerns about the delayed teacher contract negotiations, emphasizing the importance of resolving these issues for educational stability.
Commitment to Students (00:39:35)
The speaker discusses the ongoing commitment educators have to students despite challenges in contract negotiations.

The speaker emphasizes the unwavering dedication educators have towards their students, even when faced with difficult contract negotiations. They highlight the importance of protecting students from the consequences of such disagreements and question the effectiveness of the existing patterns in negotiations. The speaker calls for changes that reflect the community's trust in public schools.
Compensation as Public Concern (00:40:58)
Leslie Church addresses the need for fair compensation for educators as a matter of public interest.

Leslie Church, a teacher at Kalamazoo Public Schools, speaks about the importance of fair compensation for educators, framing it as a public concern. She connects teacher pay to the strength of schools and the responsible use of public resources, emphasizing that those who produce educational results must be fairly compensated.
Living Realities of Teachers (00:41:59)
The speaker describes the financial struggles of teachers and the importance of fair compensation.

The speaker highlights the financial challenges faced by teachers, such as low starting salaries and the impact on their purchasing power. They emphasize that teachers are integral members of the community who deserve to be fairly compensated for their work, as inadequate compensation affects the strength of schools and the community.
Community Responsibility (00:42:47)
Teachers are vital to the community and deserve fair treatment and compensation.

The speaker argues that how educators are treated reflects community values and priorities. They stress that teachers' compensation is a community issue, not just a district issue, and that investments in education should include fair wages for teachers who are essential to the community's future.
Teachers' Commitment and Needs (00:44:22)
Teachers show dedication to the district but face challenges in reaching fair agreements.

The speaker acknowledges the dedication of teachers who continue to show up for students and schools despite not having a contract. They call for the district to prioritize competitive wages and fair agreements to attract and retain quality educators, and to recognize the increasing demands on teachers.
One Job Should Be Enough (00:47:40)
The speaker stresses that one job should provide a living wage for educators and support staff.

The speaker advocates for a thriving wage for educators and support staff, arguing that one job should suffice to cover living expenses. They highlight the dedication of staff who continue to work under challenging conditions and call for the district to value and fairly compensate all educators.
Support for KPS Teachers (00:50:43)
Community member expresses support for teachers and demands fair contracts and retroactive pay.

A community member supports KPS teachers, questioning the lack of fair contracts and retroactive pay. She emphasizes that teachers deserve better treatment to ensure they remain in the district, and that students deserve qualified and valued teachers.
Trustees and Community Involvement (01:01:10)
Trustees thank community partners and highlight involvement in various events and initiatives.

Trustees express gratitude to community partners and highlight their participation in various events, conferences, and initiatives that support the district. They acknowledge the hard work of teachers, support staff, and community partners in providing a successful start to the school year.
Superintendent's Remarks (01:01:27)
The superintendent commends principals, educators, and community donors for their contributions.

The superintendent recognizes the hard work of principals, educators, and community donors, particularly those supporting the Kalamazoo Promise. They emphasize the importance of setting high expectations and continuing to push for improvements in education to reach and surpass state averages.