February MCS board meeting report: Riverside bond project progress, central office moving to HS for summer
by Melissa Yekulis
The monthly school board meeting for Manchester Community Schools was called to order at 6pm on Monday, February 23. One member arrived later during the meeting. All others were present.
The meeting began with the approval of the agenda. The agenda was approved unanimously.
Approval of minutes took place around the regular board meeting, closed board meeting, board operating policies committee meeting, finance committee meeting, and capital improvement committee. Requests were made around updating and/or correcting postings of meetings dates. The minutes were approved, with one board member opposed.
The treasurer’s report was presented. Ongoing discussion continued around procedures for accepting the treasurer’s report. Additional research was presented to the board. The board agreed to review this information deeper during the next finance committee meeting. They will make their recommendations during the next board meeting. Concerns were also voiced during the meeting that more information is needed when receipts are turned in. The report was accepted with one board member opposed.
There was no public communication.
Under old business, discussion returned around developing a board operating-procedures document. The Trustee Code of Conduct was accepted unanimously. The board meeting preparation section was discussed in depth. The board meeting preparation section was accepted with one board member voting opposed.
Under new business, high school teacher Joseph Freeman made a presentation to request distance field trips for his classes. The industrial arts field trip to Purdue University was approved unanimously. The industrial arts/STEM field trip to Grand Rapids was approved unanimously. The drone soccer team field trip to Florida was approved unanimously with an amendment for dates to be updated once they are confirmed.
Updates were presented around the Riverside bond project. Approval was sought for the masonry contract with Arbor Masonry, Inc. It was shared during discussion that central office will be temporarily relocated to the Junior/Senior High School over the summer. The masonry contract was approved unanimously. The roofing contract with Royalty Roofing (Division 7) also required approval. It was approved unanimously. Finally, technology approvals were sought for making purchases for the Riverside clocks and PA system with Inacomp and Informacast Bell/PA and Security System, classroom technology with Forte to install NewLine displays and Aver Audio Solution, and E-Rate Wireless Access Points with Sentinel. All technology requests were approved unanimously.
Within the personnel report, two new hires were confirmed. Troy Wissink was recommended as the technology director. Andrea Worthing was recommended for the K–2 art teacher. There were no resignations. The personnel report was accepted unanimously.
Department head and building principal reports are available to review on the district website.
During the superintendent report, director of special programs Nabil Nagi made a presentation to the board around the district’s initiative of implementing Educational Epiphany to help align practices and vocabulary across the district. Superintendent head thanked Nagi for his work and leadership in the district. Head also shared that meetings are increasing around the upcoming Riverside bond work.
This month’s kudos were shared between Joe Prestia, who is doing a fantastic job in the transportation department, and Will Bennett and the many hats he wears at the high school. Congratulations to both!
The board meeting adjourned at 7:37pm.
The next board meeting will take place on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 6pm in the Junior/Senior High School Media Center.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login