Jake Skewis

The board approved the payment of bills totaling $410,015.26 and discussed updates from school principals regarding student activities, sports, and assessments. The Superintendent provided a report covering weather-related school cancellations, progress on snow removal plans, the sale of the old Administrative Building, and planned upgrades for the football field and stadium. Key actions included the approval of the 2025-2026 General Fund Budget Amendment, the 2026-2027 school year calendar, and negotiated educator compensation distributions. Additionally, the board appointed liaisons for the Mini Miners Learning Center and Bus Garage, authorized the purchase of a new school bus and Advanced Biology textbooks, and adopted new custodial standards and priorities. The meeting also addressed a personnel resignation and approved a leave of absence request, concluding with an executive session to discuss the Superintendent's evaluation.

The meeting convened for a Student Discipline Hearing, which was conducted in Closed Session. Following the hearing, a motion was passed to permanently expel Student A from Negaunee Public Schools, with provisions for potential re-admission in the 2026-27 school year based on specific criteria. Additionally, the Board approved the hiring of Autumn Bates as a full-time Special Education teacher. A separate session was held in Closed Session to discuss contract negotiations, though no action was taken upon returning to Open Session.

The meeting involved the establishment of a quorum and the approval of the agenda. Key actions included the election of 2026 Board of Education Officers: Todd Saunders as President, Dave Paananen as Vice President, Amy Clickner as Secretary, and Fae Collins as Treasurer. The Board set the compensation rate for members at $30.00 per meeting annually, approved the 2026 Board Committees, and designated official financial depositories. Further actions included authorizing signatures for check processing, setting the schedule for 2026 Regular Board Meetings, and approving the payment of bills totaling $357,369.29. Administrative reports covered student achievements, testing, and updates on snow day management and the sale of the Administrative Building. New business included approving Thrun Law Firm, P.C. as district attorney, adopting the 2026-2027 course descriptions for all schools, and approving the purchase of two new school buses. A leave request for an employee was also approved per contract language.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and the payment of November 2025 bills totaling $486,008.78, alongside a review of the November 2025 Financial Report which included discussion on the Cliffs settlement and streamlining business office processes. Administrative reports covered holiday activities and student events at the middle and high schools, commencement of planning for the 2026-27 school year, and updates on the Michigan tax tribunal settlement repayment plan and the closing of the old Administrative building scheduled for January 7, 2026. New business involved approving the Superintendent Goals and evaluation timeline, reviewing requirements for the 'Pre-K for All' initiative, approving the Phase One Environmental Site Assessment for the Administration Building sale, voiding a current Easement Agreement to enter into an Access Agreement with the City of Negaunee for a sidewalk project, and approving the hire of an additional full-time Special Education teacher. The Board also approved an increase to the MESPA Instructional and Non-Instructional Aide Pay Rate due to minimum wage law changes and approved Schedule B recommendations for two Middle School Volleyball Coaches. Finally, the Board voted to reinstate vacation time used by two administrators under specific circumstances and scheduled the Organizational Meeting for January 19, 2026.

The special board meeting included a presentation of the investigation results regarding a student who possessed a prescription drug and herbal supplements. The student admitted to providing Ginseng to two classmates, falsely claiming it was an actual drug. Consequently, the board approved a motion to suspend the student for 180 school days, allowing their return on March 17, 2016.