May school board meeting: School board hears presentations from students & teachers
by Melissa Yekulis
The monthly School Board meeting for Manchester Community Schools was called to order at 6pm on Monday, May 18. One board member was not in attendance.
The meeting began with the approval of the agenda, which was approved unanimously.
The agenda was followed by a series of presentations from students and teachers. Ellen Supers and her students spoke about the innovative STEM work being done at Luther C. Klager Elementary School. Theresa Heron came forward with her student to share her student’s journey of sending wool felting artwork to the Department of Education and winning a special award. Joe Freeman presented with his students on their series of Industrial Arts field trips they participated in this year including: SeaPerch at the University of Michigan, Bridge Bust at Purdue University, the MDOT Bridge Competition, Fun and Sun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland Florida, and presenting at the Drone Activities for Michigan STEAM Outreach at Grand Valley State University. The board members extended their praise to the students throughout the presentations and gratitude for the teachers and the work they have done to help prepare their students on their journeys.
There were two participants in Public Participation.
A recommendation was made to accept the Consent Agenda as it was presented. A motion was made to remove the personnel report from the consent agenda to vote on separately. The consent agenda was unanimously accepted without the personnel report.
The personnel report was reviewed in four layers. Resignations, retirements, and Terminations were presented. Board members expressed their disappointment at the number of people who were exiting. The report was accepted unanimously. New Hires were presented, acknowledged, and accepted unanimously by the board. Per state law, the board is required to review the list of teachers recommended for tenure. The report was accepted unanimously. Finally, the contract renewal was considered for administrative personnel. Six contracts were voted on and renewed unanimously. One contract was voted on and renewed with one dissenting vote.
Under Old Business, the board returned to the approval of the district handbooks, after having a month to review the initial first looks. Handbook updates were presented for the three school buildings, for employees, and for athletics. The cell phone policy in the handbooks has been updated to align with the new state law that goes into effect for the 2026-2027 school year. The board unanimously voted to approve each of the handbooks.
The board also returned to the subject of updating the board policies. The board policy committee reconvened to make final revisions and recommendations for the revised, replaced, new, and rescinded board policies. The board was presented with the final updates. Board President Wiitala extended her thanks to the team and the work that went into the final preparations. The board policies were accepted unanimously.
Under New Business, there were a series of proposals that were approved.
The board voted unanimously to move the regular meeting published meeting date of the board meeting from June 22 to June 15.
The board voted unanimously to approve this year’s football camp in Olivet, July 13-July 16.
The board voted unanimously with a roll call vote to approve the Public Hearing of the Proposed 2026-2027 Budget during a special board meeting on June 15 at 5pm at the Manchester Jr/Sr. High School.
Superintendent Head recommended the board approve the General Education and Special Education budgets for the 2026-2027 school year, as proposed by the WISD. Both budgets passed unanimously with a roll call vote.
Superintendent Head recommended the board approve the Community Resource Center (CRC) renewal lease agreement. The motion passed unanimously.
A bond fund request was made for acquiring new musical instruments. The recommendation was to approve the bid from Quinlan & Fabish in the amount of $173,597. This company was found to provide and service the largest quantity of instruments needed. The board approved the request unanimously.
A bond fund request was made for the propane infrastructure for the buses. The recommendation was to approve the bid from Kelly Fuels for $123,019.86. The board approved the request unanimously.
An update was provided around the Jr./Sr. High School Schematic Design, with a request for an initial budget approval. The board unanimously voted to approve the schematic design document as it was presented. The board also unanimously voted to approve the initial schematic design budget as presented.
Building department reports have been posted and made available for viewing on the district website. Head of Maintenance Brian Houttekier made a brief presentation. Board Member Caszatt also provided an update on the classes she took at the MASB conference. She also shared her experience participating in the District Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Plan (MICIP) meeting.
Superintendent Head was next to present to the board. He shared an update about all of the upcoming graduation events taking place during the week including the annual Senior Walkthrough Through the three buildings, Senior Breakfast, and the Graduation Ceremony.
He also provided an update on the CTE Budget. The actual costs for districts are starting to come in and spread sheets are starting to be developed. A superintendent retreat will take place at the end of July to continue to develop the CTE plan as they transition to the exploration phase. At this time, the projected plan is that programming will come into play in 2027-2028 school year.
Finally, there was a review of the most recent district MICIP meeting. The district is adding a new goal for next year: Building the Profile of a Learner and Portrait of a Graduate. Work will begin next year in collecting input from all stakeholders across the district. Similar work is taking place at the county level, and there are several Manchester representatives supporting this work as well.
There was no Public Participation.
Kudos were offered to the Klager/Riverside PTO and the PTSA for the incredible work they did during Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. Kudos were also extended to the faculty and staff for the incredible work they do with their kids.
A public reminder was made of upcoming events:
- May 23: No School: Memorial Day
- June 1: Sports Physicals at the Jr./Sr. High School
- June 5: Last Day of School
- June 8: School Board Workshop
The board voted to go into a closed session to review updates on contract negotiations at 7:38pm. The motion passed unanimously and public participants were dismissed for the evening.
The next public board meeting will take place on Monday, June 15 at 6pm in the Junior/Senior High School Media Center.
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