Kris Johnson

The board meeting covered several key items, including a budget amendment presentation, student recognition, and the principal's report. Action items included the approval of several 2025/2026 fund budget amendments (General Fund, Food Service Fund, and Internal Service Fund). The board also approved the hiring of several staff members, including a food service worker, coaches, and a teacher. Additionally, the board approved letters of agreement with the KNDEA and KNDESPA, and authorized an overnight field trip for the Educator Rising group.

This Annual Education Report for the 2024-25 school year details the educational progress of Kaleva Norman Dickson School District. It provides comprehensive data on student assessments (M-STEP, MI-Access, SAT), school accountability (proficiency, growth, graduation, attendance, federal support categories), and educator qualifications. Key initiatives include addressing high absenteeism through a School Success Coordinator, truancy liaison collaboration, and student mentorship. The report also highlights adherence to the Michigan Merit Curriculum, alignment with Michigan Academic Standards, implementation of an Improvement Plan focused on student growth and attendance, and data on student academic growth, parent engagement, postsecondary enrollment, and college-level course offerings.

The meeting commenced with the Superintendent honoring the Board for Board Appreciation Month. The organizational session included the election of officers for the 2026 calendar year: Arthur Fraly as President, Eric Schmidt as Vice President, Jessica Ward as Secretary, and Megan Zupin as Treasurer. The board also established the schedule for regular business meetings and approved the 2026 Committee Assignments. Audience participation included the presentation of Board Appreciation cards from elementary students. Correspondence noted several resignations and the MASB Winter Institute. Board reports included recognition of Students of the Month, the Principal's Report, and an Athletic Report. The Superintendent's report covered personnel, the bond update, and NMSLA. Business items approved included the consent calendar items, check disbursements, and the acceptance of resignations for several staff members and coaches, including Kirsten Amstutz, Clint Southwick, Jakob Veith, and Megan Zupin (who abstained from her own coaching resignation). The board moved into closed session to discuss the Superintendent Evaluation Update before adjourning.

During the regular meeting, the agenda was adopted, and no audience participation occurred. Board reports included the honoring of Students of the Month, the Principal's Report, and the Athletic Report. The Superintendent's Report covered personnel matters, the Spicer Group Bond Packet, the Authorization Sale of the Bonds Resolution, Title III English Learners, and NMSLA. Key actions included approving consent calendar items, approving payment of checks, approving minutes from previous meetings (excluding the current meeting's date), approving personnel actions such as hiring an Instructional Coach and an Interim Elementary Principal, and accepting the resignation of the Elementary Principal/Curriculum Coach/Title I Coordinator. Furthermore, the proposal from Spicer Group to oversee construction for future bond projects was accepted, and the Sale of the Bonds Resolution was approved. The Request to Relinquish Federal Funds Form was also approved.

The board meeting addressed concerns regarding the professionalism of a staff member, expressed by multiple participants. The board acknowledged Krystal Henson's gratitude for their service and congratulations on the bond's passage. Reports were presented, including the Principal's Report, Athletic Report, and the 2024/2025 Audit. The board also discussed a Student Expulsion Update from the Policy Committee Meeting. The board discussed personnel matters, a Thrun Policy Update, KND Board Approved Course Offerings, PowerSchool Litigation, Election Results, and NMSLA. The board approved checks, the 2024/2025 Audit, the expulsion of Student A, and the hiring of a basketball coach and bus driver. The board accepted the resignation of a teacher, approved the Thrun Policy Update and KND Course Offerings. The board moved into two closed sessions to discuss attorney-client privileged opinions, superintendent and principal evaluations, and KNDESPA Negotiations.