Michael Cronshagen

The document outlines the vision, mission, and beliefs of Van Dyke Public Schools. Its vision is to cultivate critical thinkers and problem solvers within a culturally responsive, supportive, and safe environment, preparing students for careers and college. The mission is 'Every Student, Every Day, No Matter What.' Core beliefs emphasize developing intellectual skills for post-graduation success, providing stimulating and relevant instruction, fostering an inclusive climate that supports all students, offering appropriate interventions, and ensuring an equitable, research-based curriculum delivered through collaborative efforts with teachers and parents.

The report to the Board of Education discusses the audit of Van Dyke Public Schools' financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024. Key discussion points include managing changes in school funding, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, updates on the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System (MPSERS), fund balance management, early warning legislation, upcoming accounting pronouncements, revisions to Uniform Guidance, and cybersecurity threats. The report also covers grant management, operations review, and controls assessment.

The document outlines a multi-year Deficit Elimination Plan to address a significant financial deficit and rebuild the Fund Balance. Key strategies include administrative restructuring, a spending freeze, increasing K-12 class sizes, reorganizing various staff categories (special services, mental health, support, Central Office), and implementing cost-saving measures such as summer school reorganization, insurance coverage changes, adjusted pay scales, and professional development moratoriums. Additional measures include reducing purchased services and hall monitors, with early retirement incentives and pay freezes planned for later years. The plan aims to eliminate the structural deficit and rebuild the Fund Balance by 2028 or earlier.

The report to the Board of Education covers the audit of Van Dyke Public Schools' financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2021. It includes results of the audit, other recommendations, and informational items impacting the School District. Key discussion points include the challenges faced during the pandemic, the impact of new federal grants and state funding, bank account access, bond refunding, state aid funding, and new federal funding considerations. The report also addresses grants management, budgeting considerations, updates on the Michigan Public School Employees' Retirement System (MPSERS), fund balance, GASB Statement No. 87 - Leases, significant changes coming to the auditor's report letter, and understanding and managing potential threats to data.

The Van Dyke Public Schools board meeting included discussion of the original budget projection for the 2025/26 year. The general fund, special revenue fund for food service and student/school activities, debt service fund, and capital project funds were all reviewed. Revenue, expenditures, and fund balances were discussed for each fund.