Meeting Commencement

Similarities: Both Livonia and Redford started of the board meeting by reciting the pledge of allegiance.

Differences: Livonia congratulated all of their National Merit Scholars and let the students share their future education and career plans. The Redford school board began by addressing a process for new hiring and determined that they would like to have an outline/timeline of the hiring process for building level administrator, department head, or higher once a need has been determined.

Feedback from the audience

Similarities: Both public schools boards opened the floor to the audience for both written and live communication.

Differences: In Livonia, Wayne County Commissioner Joan Gebhardt addressed the board about a grant secured through Growth Works. They also had several parents that had concerns that they wanted to bring to the board regarding land sales, and hair restriction policies at LPS high schools.

In Redford, the few parents if any that were there did not address the board.

Superintendent Remarks

Similarities: none

Differences: In Livonia, the superintendent was not present but he was mentioned when referring to agenda consent items from previous board meetings.

In Redford, the superintendent was present and he addressed the board regarding the Redford Interfaith Program and the future use/none use of Roosevelt and Keeler.

Bids for repair results

Similarities: Livonia and Redford had some repairs needed in a few areas like plumbing and heating, roof repair, carpet replacement.

Differences: Only Livonia had shown that there had been several estimates placed for repairs. Livonia went over a host of federal, state and local laws and regulations. In addition they stated that public schools must also comply with all the state and local building, fire and safety codes. Redford was unorganized and showed no proof that there were bids being placed to have the work completed.

Teachers/staff recall, retirement, hiring

Similarities: In both meetings, the recall of a teacher was carried out in similar ways by a recommendation of the Superintendent and a vote by the board of education from the prospective districts. Both districts also made mention of the staff that would be retiring, and bids to hire new staff.

Differences: Livonia made more mention to the staff that were retiring by telling their history with the district so it seemed special. Redford simply stated new hires, retires, and leaves.

Misc.

Differences: Livonia addressed a change to a certain number of credits in core subjects such as English, mathematics and science in order to graduate for the years 2012 - 2016. The changes would add one more core class to the requirements for graduating with the exclusion of an elective. The decision was made by the board of education and teachers.

Redford ended meeting at 8:30 pm. (1 hour in duration)

Livonia ended meeting at 8:40 pm. (1 hour and 40 minutes in duration)

My Closing Remarks

The school board meetings only addressed a few items that had any bearing on students. The recall of a teacher did not state why or if it was to reduce class size nor was it to replace a leaving teacher. The requirement for graduating will better prepare students for future plans. In my opinion, the Livonia board meeting had more to accomplish than the Redford board meeting. They (Livonia) was more organized and made the most of the time that was available. I also feel that Livonia’s meeting had more valuable items that addressed issues important to the community and the schools such as recognizing the Merit scholars, the staff that were retiring, Principal’s week, CLASS (Continuous Learning And Student Success) program that was directly related to the classroom, and graduation requirements. Redford’s meeting felt like it was going thru the motions of a meeting just to have the meeting. There was even a motion to end the meeting after only an hour.

Heather Ann Arthur's - Administrative Internship Portfolio

Monday, April 16, 2012

#3 - Compare and Contrast two school board meetings