Doreen Barnes

The meeting covered several updates and action items. The Finance Committee reviewed monthly financial statements and provided a brief update on bond construction, listing future action items including Auxiliary Turf installation, Ada Elementary renovation, updating the RFID card system, and Kent County property tax reimbursement. A presentation on the 25/26 General Fund Budget Amendment was given. The Instruction segment focused on recommendations for the 2026-2027 High School Course Description Guide, including proposed course deletions, additions, revisions, and new course proposals such as AI Foundations and Ethics and AP Cybersecurity. Information was also shared regarding a new Health Careers Certificate Program offering dual enrollment credit. Action items included the approval of several new courses.

The Finance Committee meeting included a curriculum update reviewing and updating secondary courses, alongside staff and leadership training initiatives. Financial discussions covered the monthly financial statement for November, indicating the district was 42% through the fiscal year and trending as expected. The bond construction update noted the installation of the water main for the new Aquatic Center, with other project work commencing in February 2026. Key actions included recommending the Board of Education approve contracts for construction work at Eastern High athletics and Ada Elementary renovations. Additionally, the committee recommended approval for the purchase and replacement of the door access control system from Motorola Solutions, amendments to the 2025-2026 budgets for the General Fund and Special Revenue Fund, and authorization for reimbursement to Kent County for refunded property taxes. The Superintendent provided an update indicating that contract negotiations would begin in February.

The meeting focused on updates and action items across Finance and Instruction departments. Finance updates included a presentation on the FHPS Food Service Program and action items related to purchasing interactive flat panels and approving athletic projects for turf installation and relocation at CMS/NHMS and CHS/NHS, respectively. An action item also addressed a change in the Aquatic Center project involving a new paint vendor and increased costs. The Instruction department provided updates on their fall data review, attendance goals following the National PBIS Leadership Forum, and ongoing curricular reviews for K-5 ELA, 6-8 Math, and 11-12 ELA alignment. Superintendent updates included scheduling the Aquatic Center groundbreaking and confirming participation in the 31AA resolution, requesting Board approval for Assistant Superintendent Julie Davis to serve as the representative.

The Finance Committee meeting included a curriculum update highlighting active piloting of two K-5 ELA products, ongoing Math 6-8 curricular review, and refinement of the AP Seminar class. Financial updates presented statements for October, noting the district was 33% through the fiscal year and trending appropriately, alongside construction and school nutrition program updates. Action items recommended for the full Board of Education included the approval for the purchase and installation of interactive flat panels not to exceed $425,000, approval of construction contracts for Central High Baseball/Softball Fields totaling $6,313,671, approval for Northern High Baseball/Softball Fields contracts totaling $11,705,163, and approval of an increase to the construction cost for the new aquatic center by $902,717. Information was also provided regarding Section 31aa Grant Funds, which requires an opt-in decision by December 4, with a potential board vote scheduled for December 8.

This special meeting of the Board of Education is scheduled to cover organizational items. Additionally, a periodic personnel evaluation of the Superintendent is planned to be held in closed session as permitted by MCL 15.268(1)(a).