[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6120195,"mediaKeyId","2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe","parentId",2708997,"title","Plymouth‑Canton student congresses recognized for state awards and community service","audioSeconds",795,"startMs",386000,"endMs",1181000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe&start=386&end=1181","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe/thumbnail_386000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6120195/Michigan/PlymouthCanton-student-congresses-recognized-for-state-awards-and-community-service","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120195-d65854a910f97c191fa7115354695520/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447791&Signature=ATbo4XWEE-A8xsf-ExcyU9fdHtIpPtUGV61Vxs0WnJuZvCNrmbB7ESi-GbPgRUe-~4K1oQ50sZypaL-kfbLcuMWn5uGC6bIVPU4ycm94UiVD7rcdksG8M267~TUshiAU-ON-s5hPoMtzV59L4XPAaw5M-teAl99qNZPilI5qMkZKr8jbdVpyPOg4gh4lPGGHizVxdGATIO-BGtMOZBFDfwPRXNTuVfN3h3E4M~KijfuXrVQSHNI~D6yF12Y3ItQbqA~ij9DguI7maF7GbneP1qlhtX1WJcE9XYqrOm0Jbvg7ZvfVqRmiBQQryZgDbN8tMMytc4bpzOyy8Lw3UId5og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","P-CCS TV","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","The board recognized student congress leaders from Canton, Plymouth and Salem high schools for awards earned at the MASC state conference and for local community service projects.

Sheryl Picard, on behalf of the board, presented Star School awards and “extra‑miler” advisor awards to advisers and student leaders. Board materials and student speakers described the student congresses’ activities—homecoming planning, food drives, community outreach—and statewide recognition at the MASC conference in Grand Rapids.

Why it matters: Student congresses run student‑led governance and service programming that connect high school students with community service, civic skills and leadership experience.

Details: Canton and Plymouth each received the Award of Excellence, the highest honor available to member organizations; both also received an exceptional service project award. Canton additionally received a Quilt Award for purposeful, tangible work on diversity, equity and inclusion; Canton’s project focused on improving access to DEI clubs and funding. Students named as unsung heroes and student award nominees were cited in board remarks. The Mary Beth Carroll “extra mile” advisor awards were presented to Canton co‑advisers Aaron Lee and Richard Mui, Salem adviser Zach Summit and Plymouth adviser Stephanie Metzger.

Student remarks and outreach: Student presidents Summer Qureshi (Canton), Brooke McMahon (Plymouth) and Reagan Kline Glass (Salem) described service projects such as Ria’s Readers (district book drive and classroom visits), senior‑citizen prom and holiday support for families, and cross‑congress events such as Tri‑Congress tailgates.

Ending: The board invited the community to a Salem activity event and applauded students and advisors for their leadership and service.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","P-CCS Board of Education Regular Meeting -- March 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board honored PCEP (Canton, Plymouth and Salem) student congresses for statewide awards including the Award of Excellence, exceptional service projects and DEI recognition; advisors received extra‑mile awards.","taxTitle","Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",13579,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120200,"Board adopts 2024–25 midyear budget amendment, approves multiple contract and bid awards",1124,4344000,5468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe&start=4344&end=5468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe/thumbnail_4344000.jpg","/articles/6120200/Michigan/Board-adopts-202425-midyear-budget-amendment-approves-multiple-contract-and-bid-awards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120200-0816e0232a5b528cd6e2e35ebcda139e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447791&Signature=ex2EyI8x12zLH7usF0GozP4qy3kJw6SHlE4G9UnQ1pZ8WGd19Hp0DPknYGWT8TkZCFFtgwkoPiMQeC7ekGO1SxD8cOi0~YlceuheVYB76WHUhnYszMySHp5RF-m2ZSCKGsFueVIKtHaiZFY0jbpENVrSYAdQ1C144-WpyojosR-jmOCWv-CLLBCYciYfIRzMu-Aeq0YA354zilW3N9hr3Ag86XGBWOk4YGHTIToQC6jW25d07ZSot46LqPy-PhqSuCcqvw4HcVB0T3NwK4Mgv9wcVou8T7AU1X1459q~GxohIzMfTMsoLmkZia4eXvFQ~nucNulHOkWcYSTZu04o3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools Board of Education approved a midyear general‑fund budget amendment and several contract and construction award recommendations during the meeting, and the finance presentation outlined the changes behind the amendment.

Why it matters: The midyear amendment reconciles earlier budget assumptions with updated enrollment, state aid and expense information; the board also approved multiple procurement and construction items needed to maintain technology, facilities and classrooms.

Budget overview: Chief finance and operations executives presented the midyear amendment. Key points included a fall pupil count of 16,034 (the district had budgeted 16,100), no increase in the state foundation allowance (the administration had previously forecast a $241 per‑pupil increase), and adjustments tied to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) line items. The administration reported a net revenue reduction of roughly $2.0 million from original projections and a set of expenditure adjustments; the amended budget projects an ending fund balance that still meets auditor and board policy targets.

Board action and votes at a glance: The board approved the midyear budget amendment (action item 25‑03‑53) on a first and final reading and voted on a group of related procurement and construction items. All recorded roll-call votes in this batch carried unanimously, 7–0.

Votes at a glance (selected items recorded in the meeting):
- Consent agenda (action item 25‑03‑51): Motion to adopt and approve consent agenda moved by Treasurer Kehoe, seconded by Member Ahmed. Outcome: Approved, 7–0.
- AP Chemistry course materials (25‑03‑52): Moved by Treasurer Kehoe, seconded by Member Picard. Outcome: Approved, 7–0.
- Midyear budget amendment (25‑03‑53): Moved by Vice President Sidhu, seconded by Secretary Westra. Outcome: Approved, 7–0.
- Technology/cabling and network electronics (25‑03‑54, 25‑03‑55, 25‑03‑56): Multiple bid packages for structured cabling, network electronics and related technology were approved (moved by Treasurer Kehoe; seconded by Member Picard). Outcome: Approved, 7–0.
- Canton High School paving (25‑03‑57) and Salem High School remodeling (25‑03‑58): Board approved award recommendations for paving and for the Salem remodel package; trustees discussed restroom scope and alternates for Salem before approving (moved by Treasurer Kehoe; seconded by Member Picard). Outcome: Approved, 7–0.
- Barone/EL‑5 furniture purchase (25‑03‑59): Approved (moved by Treasurer Kehoe; seconded by Member Ahmed). Outcome: Approved, 7–0.

Why the Salem remodel discussion mattered: Trustees and facilities staff reviewed which group restrooms and locker rooms are included in the Salem remodel scope. Facilities recommended that all but one group restroom be included; staff suggested two additional restrooms (a First‑Floor group restroom and a Second‑Floor nurse’s restroom) be considered as alternates for inclusion through the bond steering committee and future project phases. Facilities staff noted that pool locker‑room work had been completed earlier (2013 bond) and recommended sequencing remaining locker‑room work to align with the Salem multipurpose room addition.

Ending: Administration will continue monthly monitoring of revenues and expenditures, bring a final fiscal-year amendment in June, and present the spring data and budget planning materials as the district prepares the 2025–26 budget.

","Trustees approved a midyear general‑fund budget amendment and a slate of vendor and construction awards in voting items that passed unanimously; the finance presentation outlined revenue shifts tied to state aid, MPSERS items and local tax collections.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120205,"Parents, students and advocacy groups urge board to preserve LGBTQ+ protections as some speakers press to reinstate policy limiting staff referrals",1636,2320000,3956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe&start=2320&end=3956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe/thumbnail_2320000.jpg","/articles/6120205/Michigan/Parents-students-and-advocacy-groups-urge-board-to-preserve-LGBTQ-protections-as-some-speakers-press-to-reinstate-policy-limiting-staff-referrals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120205-b040964e75255a51c9af16312c818d7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447791&Signature=l2LdnoAG4AN4HE~b5CEHPbQ1kvlIr9iNt9bVBf5wLol8yByFeKRYS7FU7qf1VAKI9Jc5IABiAIlx-8L3cInTgQ-aJ20HtY2va4Y1oCKs1svAtWsSMRhilAipziuupJ1Pxc05uz~76qaK-yQKoUvIMNpuN54SgRBYDkHl9XQv~zw0ir19CDW3AtvMI2F6~scEpEKrB9ZjJz8prukYpAd8f0xovg1GdvvHZfEwsAx8pTchJKdw4ChAGtcfeq0rU7wPau8eHiyNzbdgc0EIn60baIdq9dhEizrB4WDzG7EmPQT36HYt5oIZOr447eO50lq8YP6jEfn3X385zbSNe~qrwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A large group of public speakers used the board’s citizen comment period to press trustees on two related but distinct topics: district support and protections for LGBTQ+ students, and a campaign by some speakers to restore an earlier board policy that had barred staff from referring or assisting students to obtain abortions.

Why it matters: Comments touched on student safety, board policy and the limits of school authority; multiple speakers said existing district policies protecting transgender and gender-nonconforming students are life‑saving and should be retained, while others urged the board to restore a policy restricting staff involvement in abortion referrals.

On LGBTQ+ protections: Several speakers, including Rachel Hayes and representatives of Western Wayne Indivisible and PFLAG, urged the board to maintain the district’s policies protecting transgender and gender nonconforming students. Hayes read a memo from Michigan Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice urging protections and said removing school support would put students at risk. A teacher and parent, Matthew Cara Magno, said PCCS has a duty of care to protect LGBTQ+ students and should maintain inclusive policies despite external pressure.

On policy 24-10 and abortion referrals: Multiple commenters asked the board to reinstate or modify board policy 24-10 (earlier titled “prohibition of referral and assistance”), which was rescinded in September. Jan Lehi and Colin Miranda argued that school staff should not refer or assist students to obtain abortions without parental consent; Lehi framed it as a parental-rights issue and cited amendments to the state School Aid Act, while Miranda made a longer philosophical argument against facility assistance. Commenters who advocated reinstatement noted parents’ desire to be involved in major medical decisions.

Board context: The transcript records that the policy had been rescinded previously; Trustee Picard objected at the time, while other trustees supported rescission. Commenters urged the board to bring a revised policy back for consideration. Trustees and administrators did not take immediate action during the meeting; the issue was raised for future policy committee work.

Ending: Public comment reflected a divided local electorate: speakers described threats to student wellbeing if protections are removed and others framed the question as parental authority over medical decisions. The board was urged to consider a modified policy or to keep existing protections in place; administrators said policy committee review is the next procedural step.

","Public commenters split on school role in reproductive counseling and urged the board to retain protections for transgender and gender‑nonconforming students after a prior rescission of a district policy restricting staff referrals for abortions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120210,"District presents early results from expanded instructional coaching program for elementary schools",881,4016000,4897000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe&start=4016&end=4897","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe/thumbnail_4016000.jpg","/articles/6120210/Michigan/District-presents-early-results-from-expanded-instructional-coaching-program-for-elementary-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120210-3128bb3b3985921a3bc431234e61117a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447791&Signature=R8epExNaF3l7Ka9eTobz6q0IFaNDY2ftLEWTzYs~a5HT0ft0IL0DObPNULkaA~AMPyl-Rmb1Agrc058p4-9WPMA1GKuTDhmoDSpmzfe0wCAxlXUwCt6OIhbpDroOwJTx-q7~1dE3uCvpKydBt-0Z1UBxiX9UrS21YD2Ov2sqQKLlgQfVudTQKPkZhAP9hhSSvQCqly8KLi67IV4d3Je2te6INRah-fl7bq64fVjrdbQ828JTpCvJrBW7hraqGMoWagxlUOIpPbgVS2FS8SJ8reydo55U~fI3ralS3U6mzqkzX7rAMCBFR7nqvSdjhoCHC52qjix5wudWnU6w~ya1-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Plymouth-Canton Community Schools administrators outlined the district’s instructional coaching model for elementary schools and shared early fall-to-winter data showing modest gains in foundational literacy and math engagement.

Dr. Denise Lilly, executive director of elementary education, said the district restructured professional learning to emphasize job‑embedded coaching. She said coaches support teachers through coaching cycles, collaborative planning and targeted professional learning communities; the aim is to strengthen tier‑1 classroom instruction so fewer students require intensive interventions later.

Why it matters: The district made a deliberate shift to building-based instructional coaches to raise the overall quality of classroom instruction and reduce downstream intervention costs.

Key figures and findings presented: district trainers previously delivered in-service professional development to more than 300 teachers and supported roughly 3,000 hours of professional learning. For the 2024–25 school year, administrators reported coaching hours by focus area (example figures cited by presenters): about 2,340 total coaching hours logged across elementary coaches to date, with roughly 905 hours (about 39%) focused on word-recognition/ foundational literacy work. Presentation slides also showed distribution across pedagogy/management (27%), math (27%), language comprehension (20%) and ELA comprehension.

Principals and coaches described how coaching operates in practice. Thunder Elementary Principal Dave Turrell and instructional coach Kristen Bertollia described options: weekly one-on-one planning meetings, regular co-teaching/modeling, targeted PLCs on assessment use, and use of teacher-release days for observation and collaborative planning. Coaches model lessons, record and debrief instruction, and help teachers plan differentiated small-group lessons tied to frequent progress monitoring.

Board questions and next steps: Board members and student co-chairs asked about coach placement and whether coaches serve one building or rotate. Administration said each elementary has a building-based coach, district coaches rotate among buildings, and high-school coaching is provided by part‑time coaches who also teach. Trustees asked for a fuller accounting of how many teachers and students are affected; administrators said that spring data review will provide consolidated metrics for 2024–25.

Ending: Trustees thanked staff for the presentation and asked for a follow-up report with end-of-year coaching reach and student outcome data during the spring data review.

","Administration reported increased coaching hours and early gains in kindergarten and first-grade foundational skills after shifting to a building-based instructional coaching model.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120213,"Plymouth-Canton trustees and staff review special education staffing, programs amid continued shortages",6745,4072000,10817000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe&start=4072&end=10817","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2708997-ec865a03a2d42f38154d1ffe169cfbfe/thumbnail_4072000.jpg","/articles/6120213/Michigan/Plymouth-Canton-trustees-and-staff-review-special-education-staffing-programs-amid-continued-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120213-ed95585c690cbda5951f82899ed8a236/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447791&Signature=egeyMCnZqna8nBMJE77Vr-aVBWbjx7CIEamePCAsOAbKd1k5IyTCrWn8p-0hRNYCNLv8Vx5IvlImGpHmrMspoTVv~Jf-wjr5RIuWfDuNcs68vqRIq4D8cgvm8Kv0zjSuEXUYj1CgSHI8CPlpjbSES7ffnUxBHHw6SdpIONj7ho58sH0QQvexDs8PUeiEO5qh8RqjP170jInibI~XYmf-~1Li53qCLvPXz7kK-HPHtzKxtFBeO4bJQ-ObefEHkOqe35vonMRVHgu3vTznLtXQe1KOMOWuLyLrYmMyvWcLg8mJbhQeg7tAnCY76Dr9LUYwBUvP2LtGPYfk4iliE2Uxqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Plymouth-Canton Community Schools administrators and families discussed ongoing special education staffing pressures and program structure at the board meeting, including the district’s efforts to recruit staff and clarify how programs and services are provided.

The district’s executive director of special education, Stephanie Hayes, told the board PCCS provides special education “programs and services” rather than a single location and reiterated the federal child-find responsibility to identify children with disabilities. Hayes said PCCS serves students from early childhood through age 25 under Michigan practice, and reported a special education population of about 11.7 percent of enrolled students (the district’s 2023–24 count). She also said speech-and-language-only and other categories are among the larger eligibility groups.

Why it matters: Special education accounts for a substantial share of student services. Board members and meeting speakers pressed the administration for clarity about staffing, training, and day-to-day responses when students have behavioral crises.

Hayes listed the district’s continuum of programs (early childhood, building-based resource programs, categorical programs such as autism spectrum disorder classrooms and other center-based placements) and described services (speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, teacher consultant supports). She said the district is focusing on relationship-building, recruitment and retention, and alignment across schools and supervisory teams.

Parents and paraeducators in public comment described safety and staffing concerns. A parent, Crystal Clark, said her child with significant cognitive needs left a Bentley (school) classroom without staff noticing, was missing for about 12 minutes and was found in nearby woods. Clark asked whether the district could provide fenced outdoor spaces for students in specialized programs, and asked for more parasite support and training.

Another commenter who worked as a para and teacher, Natalie Sharp, said the shortage of paraprofessionals and special-education staff is not unique to PCCS and urged differential pay for hard-to-fill sub and para assignments (she noted an example at a nearby district where subs for self-contained classrooms are paid slightly more). Sharp suggested greater recognition of para staff in board meeting hires/resignations lists and proposed a centralized special-education facility as a long-term idea.

Board discussion and follow-up: Trustees asked Hayes and Superintendent Monica Merritt to identify near-term recruitment strategies. Hayes said the district is using programs such as Talent Together (a state pathway program) and university partnerships and is seeking to make PCCS a more competitive employer. Hayes and Merritt also described staff training around nonviolent crisis intervention and de‑escalation, and said district teams try to minimize disruption when a student’s behavior requires removal from class. Board members asked for written follow-up on where vacancies exist, which restrooms/rooms are included in facility plans tied to special-education spaces, and what additional funding or policy steps the board could take to support staffing.

Ending: Hayes told the board the district would bring more detailed analysis of program capacity, staffing gaps and potential budget or recruitment measures in future updates and that administrators welcome the board’s support for retention and for advocacy at the state level to increase special-education funding.

","District special education leaders and parents described staffing shortages, program structure and supports during a March board meeting; administrators outlined program counts, services and efforts to recruit and retain paraprofessionals and specialized staff.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Plymouth‑Canton student congresses recognized for state awards and community service

Board adopts 2024–25 midyear budget amendment, approves multiple contract and bid awards

Parents, students and advocacy groups urge board to preserve LGBTQ+ protections as some speakers press to reinstate policy limiting staff referrals

District presents early results from expanded instructional coaching program for elementary schools

Plymouth-Canton trustees and staff review special education staffing, programs amid continued shortages