Greg Helmer

The Board discussed and took action on several items, including the approval of staff retirement and leave requests. Financial expenditures from the General Fund and Food Service Fund were authorized. The Superintendent provided an update on the 61v grant application aimed at enhancing industrial technology curricula. Additionally, the Board passed a resolution to authorize a special election for a bond issue and approved a resolution regarding a bus purchase. Finally, the Board approved the 90-day entry plan for the new Superintendent and the resolution to hire them.

Key discussion topics for the meeting included the approval of the 2026-2027 Schools of Choice Resolution, approvals for personnel actions such as the hire of a JV Softball Head Coach and the retirement of a Special Education Teacher, and correspondence regarding a Muskegon County Public School Boards Alliance dinner invitation and the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District Budget Review. The Superintendent's report focused on the Beechnau Elementary Student Achievement Celebration and staffing preparations for the 2026-2027 Master Schedules, including ILT review sessions and timeline milestones related to the upcoming Bond Election Outcome. The agenda also allocated time for Public Comment and a Closed Session concerning employee collective bargaining and contract negotiations.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda and the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda included the approval of the Retirement/Resignation of a Middle School Food Service Lead, the hire of a Middle School STEAM Teacher and a Middle School Food Service Worker, and the purchase of a new passenger bus. Key reports included the approval of expenditures totaling $111,005.27 from the General Fund and $55,915.86 from the Food Service Fund. The Superintendent's report outlined preparations for the Superintendent Candidate Open House and related communication strategies. Discussions under the School Bond Campaign involved planning for three community forums leading up to the May vote and ongoing stakeholder meetings. New business involved the approval of the Application for Preliminary Qualification of Bonds and the approval of the Revised 2025-2026 General Fund, Food Service and Technology Fund Budgets.

This document outlines the Ravenna Schools' 2026 Bond Proposal, focused on ensuring safe, comfortable, and modern learning environments, while developing a financially responsible bond that positively impacts the community. Priorities, determined by equipment lifespan, stakeholder input, and student impact, address critical district-wide facility needs across Beechnau Elementary, Middle School, band & choir, hands-on learning projects, transportation, and athletics. The proposal also details projected expenditure allocations and the financial implications of the bond, including the potential impact of a solar farm on millage rates and district improvement funding.

This Capital Financing Plan for Ravenna Public Schools details a strategy to address critical facility needs and modernize learning environments. The plan's primary goals are to ensure safe, comfortable, and secure schools, create modern learning spaces, and manage community finances responsibly. It outlines a proposed bond program, informed by community input, to fund strategic district-wide investments including updates to elementary and middle schools, new instruments, improved transportation, and athletic facilities. The financing approach integrates potential revenue from the Muskegon Solar project and explores various capital funding alternatives for K-12 schools, emphasizing a voter-approved bond issue for long-term improvements.