South Redford board names Raymond auditor, adopts consent agenda and discusses RESA renewal; motion to cancel May 27 fails

The South Redford Board of Education on April 22 formally designated Raymond as the district’s auditing firm and approved its consent agenda, while also discussing a possible Wayne County RESA enhancement renewal and the district’s May meeting schedule.

The superintendent reported that the district received a single responsive bid and that Raymond had conducted dozens of public-school audits recently. The clerk read a resolution naming Raymond as the auditing firm for the 2024 audit at a base cost of $39,900. The resolution was moved by Mrs. Fletcher and supported by Mr. Winston and the board approved it by voice vote. "Raymond is designated as the auditing firm…at a base cost of $39,900 for auditing services," the clerk read before the board voted. The chair recorded "7 ayes, 0 nays."

Earlier in the meeting the board moved and adopted the consent agenda by voice vote; the chair announced "resolution adopted" after recording 7 ayes and 0 nays.

The superintendent also briefed trustees on a countywide matter: Wayne County RESA is seeking renewal of its enhancement on the November ballot. He said placing the renewal on the ballot would be a renewal at "0 increase" but requires a majority of districts representing more than 50% of county students to agree to place it on the ballot. The superintendent said the current RESA dollars represent approximately $360 per student for daily operational costs; he stated South Redford’s enrollment as approximately 3,800 students. A trustee noted that, at those figures, local support would represent roughly a million dollars for the district (the superintendent advised the board he would bring final county ballot language for formal consideration once it was received).

Trustees also spent significant time debating whether to cancel or reschedule the May 27 meeting because it falls on the Memorial Day holiday. After a show-of-hands discussion, a formal motion to cancel the May 27 meeting was put to a roll-call-style vote; the motion failed with a recorded tally of "0 ayes, 7 nays." Staff agreed to review the May calendar and consider moving specific agenda items (including county items and retirements) to May 13 or May 20 as needed.

No other formal action was recorded on the RESA funding question; the superintendent said the board will be presented with final ballot language and a formal consideration will follow.