Doug Furtah

The work session agenda was approved. Key discussions included the consent agenda items, which covered approving the minutes of the January 12, 2026 Regular Board Meeting and Closed Session, and approving overnight/out-of-state travel requests for several staff members. The non-consent agenda involved approving the Personnel Report, detailing personnel changes such as a staff transition to a Teacher role with specified salary placement, retirements, resignations, and the approval of interns and co-op placements. Additionally, the Board approved the superintendent's mid-year evaluation.

The regular board meeting agenda was approved. Key items included communications such as a thank you from Rich VanTol to the board and administration for supporting Early Childhood programs during state budget funding eliminations. The consent agenda covered approval of previous work session minutes, out-of-state/overnight travel requests, and the Treasurer's Report. Under the non-consent agenda, the board approved the Personnel Report, which included recommendations for an Inclusion Coach and an Early Childhood Specialist. The expense statement for January 2026 was also approved, as was an adjusted inservice date on the 2025-2026 Career Center calendar. The Superintendent's Report detailed ongoing consultation with legal counsel regarding the purchase agreement for the Arenac Building, highlighting that the property might be relisted for bid. The report also emphasized the success of the recent Bite of Reality financial simulation event and celebrated February as Career and Technical Education Month, noting recent events like 10th Grade Day and the annual Open House and Apprenticeship night.

This document is the 2025-2026 Annual Education Report for the Bay-Arenac ISD Living and Learning Center -- Bay Campus, detailing educational progress, student assessment, accountability, and teacher quality in compliance with federal and state laws. It addresses the unique challenges of students with significant disabilities by outlining an adapted curriculum that focuses on functional academics, leisure/recreation, independent living, health, and community-based experiences, utilizing programs such as Equals Math, Essentials Math, Readtopia, and MOVE. The report also includes the status of the 3-5 year School Improvement Plan, with key goals to improve student performance in Math and increase Social Emotional Skills, alongside adherence to LRE, FAPE, and IDEA for student assignment.

The meeting agenda was approved as amended to include the Hybrid Framework for the Superintendent's Evaluation for non-consent discussion. Key items communicated included recognition for School Board Recognition Month, updates on NEOLA Fall 2025 policies, a review of the Three Year Budget Forecast, and discussion of the 2025-2026 First Budget Amendment and a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) appeal. Under the non-consent agenda, the Board approved the Personnel Report, which included new hires, transfers, and retirements, approved the expense statement, ratified the first budget amendment, approved a retainer fee for Thrun Law Firm, approved the NEOLA policy updates, and approved revisions creating a CTE Associate Director Position and a CTE Lead Principal Position. Furthermore, the creation of a Director of Communications, Strategic Marketing, and Community Engagement position was approved, as was awarding a professional services contract for the Culinary Arts/Blooming Chefs restaurant spaces. The FOIA appeal was denied, and the hybrid framework for the superintendent's evaluation was approved. The Board subsequently entered and returned from a closed session to discuss the Superintendent Evaluation.

The Board conducted a regular meeting which included an amendment to the agenda to include a closed session following the superintendent's report for Attorney Client Privilege. Key discussion items included a presentation on expanding college access for skilled trades students, an update on renovations for the Blooming Chefs Restaurant and Culinary Arts classrooms, and a report on Early Childhood 32p staffing, where administration requested general fund support to cover costs until potential supplemental appropriation notification. The board also reviewed the NEOLA Fall 2025 Policies Update for a first reading, covering various policies on curriculum, discrimination, substance abuse, bullying, and records management. The non-consent agenda addressed personnel actions, including recommended hires for a Central Registry Secretary and an Accountant, and the processing of a retirement notification. The board approved using general fund support for Early Childhood staff costs through January 2026 and approved hiring an additional full-time Early Childhood Specialist. Following the Superintendent's Report, the board convened in a closed session under attorney-client privilege.