The regular meeting was held starting at 6:00 p.m.
Superintendent Bergstrom presented “Superintendent Spotlight” certificates to students and an employee throughout the district who have shown outstanding effort this school year.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, a district resident expressed concern with the retention of students, as well as an issue with a high school student.
Mr. Mark Hubbard, Building and Grounds Supervisor, was on hand to explain to the board the need for a new or used tractor. The district’s current tractor is over 50 years old and is not in working condition for the routine maintenance that needs to be done. After discussing the prices and models of new or used tractors available at this time, the board approved the purchase of a new or used tractor, at Mr. Hubbard’s discretion.
The board adopted a graduation requirement for FAFSA completion or waiver completion by all seniors, effective with the 2025-26 school year. This update to graduation requirements must be done for the district to receive the FAFSA Challenge Grant funds that we were awarded. These funds are to be used to increase FAFSA awareness and increase career awareness opportunities for our students.
The board reviewed the first reading of NEOLA policy 5460, in order to update that policy regarding graduation requirements for students, so that our policy will be aligned with the FAFSA Challenge Grant fund requirements.
Superintendent Bergstrom updated the board of the progress made with the Strategic Plan:
Focus Area 1, Academics & Programs: K-12 Alignment meeting; K-12 Alignment work continues; Reviewing Parent Guides and have a guide ready to publish in the fall; EL/MS/HS all have a written process for identifying students for intervention; Intervention plans rolled out to all three buildings; STARS and SAT meetings have taken place to identify students needing intervention.
Focus Area 2, Learning Environment & Culture: Character Strong selected for all three buildings; Full implementation at elementary school; MS/HS are developing their implementation plans with more work to be accomplished on 5/5/25; Administrators attended the MSP Behavioral Threat Assessment Training; Continue our work on StrataSite project; Reviewing our Emergency Operations Plans and making some adjustments; Continue to work closely with our liaison officer and other members of the JCSO; Each building completing their required safety drills.
Focus Area 3, Communication & Community Engagement: Identified Facebook as the best social media platforms to use; Building secretaries working on a schedule for featuring each building; Newsletters continue to be published by building administrators;
Focus Area 4, Personnel & Leadership: Created a survey for mentor/mentee teachers which will be administered soon and data analyzed to see how we can better support both new teachers and those that serve as mentors; Continue to have strong partnership with SAU; Denise & Erin Beach attended Partnership Breakfast in March; Establishing partnership with Albion College; Data from survey will help determine additional information needed in our New Teacher “binder.”
Focus Area 5, Operations: Inventory list of current technology – still a work in progress; E-Rate projects identified and approved by board in March; New ticketing system for Maintenance and Technology; Administrators receive notice of tickets.
The board approved the probationary status of several teachers in the elementary and middle school for the 2025-26 school year.
The board accepted, with regret, the resignations of Mrs. Kim Manarin and Mrs. Emily Schwertfeger, to be effective at the end of this school year.
Superintendent Bergstrom reported to the board members on the following:
- The winter sports banquet took place last night.
- Congratulations to Joe Childs for being selected Dream Team Coach of the Year by the Michigan High School Interscholastic Bowling Coaches Association, and who was honored at a banquet in Sterling Heights.
- Spring sports have had a challenging start due to the weather.
- Congratulations to our varsity softball team for winning the Chris Brian Memorial Tournament last weekend.
- Kindergarten Parent Night was a success. There are 60 students currently signed up for Round-up, with more to come.
- We have started posting some vacancies for the next school year.
- M-STEP and PSAT/SAT testing is underway.
- The state band festival for middle and high school will be held on April 24th in Otsego.
- The Art Fair at Jackson Crossing will take place April 21 – May 5.
- A high school student has been hired to work in the maintenance department for a couple hours a week currently, with more hours added during the summer.
The board members commented on the following:
- The senior recognition breakfast at Hillside United Church will be on April 27th.
- The “robot” that paints lines on the athletic fields was very helpful in making the games go faster and was commented on favorably by spectators at the baseball/softball tournament.
- As always, the board enjoys the Superintendent Spotlight recognition.
- The school grounds look good, and the purchase of a new/newer tractor will make the maintenance of the grounds more efficient.
- The end of the school year is fast approaching. There are many senior activities to take place in May.
- Thank you to Mrs. Bergstrom for the great job and confidence she has displayed in her role as Superintendent.
The regular meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
