Kentwood Public Schools

This Annual Education Report details the 2024-25 educational progress of East Kentwood Freshman Campus. It addresses federal and state reporting requirements, highlighting challenges in student reading levels and math skills. The campus implements data-driven literacy strategies, targeted math instruction, and a defined data review process to address these areas. The report affirms the commitment to a collaborative, supportive, and rigorous academic environment to foster student success.

This Annual Education Report (AER) for Challenger Elementary, under Kentwood Public Schools, provides key information on the 2024-2025 educational progress. The report addresses student assessment, accountability, and teacher quality, with a focus on closing achievement gaps for Economically Disadvantaged students and Students with Disabilities. Strategic initiatives include increasing classroom lesson clarity, data analysis, maximizing intervention time, leveraging instructional coaching, and participating in professional learning communities. The school is committed to excellence, continuous improvement, and fostering a collaborative environment to achieve academic and social growth for all students.

The meeting commenced with the election of officers for 2026, including the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Audience participation included multiple parents addressing concerns regarding bus driver safety and incidents involving cell phone use while driving, particularly concerning third-party contractor Dean's transportation and adherence to IEPs. Other comments acknowledged the Board's support for School Board Appreciation Month and a partnership with W2W. The Superintendent's Report recognized various achievements, including support from donors for the Michigan Education Core reading tutors and the upcoming public hearing on modernizing school funding. Key actions taken included approving resolution and ballot language for a special election on May 5, 2026, approving a scope expansion for the Main Campus Water Loop, approving cafeteria furniture for Glenwood Elementary, approving replacement copiers for several schools, approving a scope expansion for the Glenwood Elementary project to include an Inclusive Playground Addition, approving financial management policies (second reading), ratifying the sale of 2026 Refunding Bonds, approving a 3-year agreement for Internet Services with Metronet, approving the amended 2025-26 General Fund budget, approving the purchase of K-12 instructional materials, and approving the disbursement summary for December 2025. The meeting concluded with approval for the employment of an attached list and adjournment.

Key discussions during the meeting included an audience participation segment concerning the non-award of the Filter First program bid to AMR, a Superintendent's Report recognizing a Michigan Regional Teacher of the Year and a National Board Certification recipient, and a presentation on Future Facilities Planning. Action items included approval for administration to develop ballot language for the May 2026 bond proposal for January consideration, approval of the contract agreement with the Kentwood Education Association (KEA), and approval of updated board of education policies on their second reading. Financial matters involved purchasing Trustmark Life with Long Term Care for eligible employees, first reading approval of financial management policies, approving a contract with Van Dyken Mechanical for HVAC work at the Aquatics Center, adopting a resolution delegating authority for the 2026 Refunding Bonds, authorizing the purchase of residential construction program lots, awarding a contract to River City Mechanical for the Filter First district-wide fixture replacement project, and approving the purchase of two new passenger buses. The board also authorized the collection of summer taxes and approved the disbursement summary for November 2025. The session concluded with a closed session to approve three student reinstatements.

The meeting agenda included the Call to Order followed by the Election of Officers for 2026 for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Key discussion items involved the Superintendent's Report, which included School Board Appreciation Month Recognition and a Future Facilities Planning Presentation. Action items focused on recommending approval for a special election ballot language on May 5, 2026; approving a Change Order PCO 24 for the Main Campus Water Loop expansion; approving the purchase of cafeteria furniture for Glenwood Elementary; approving replacement copiers and print management solutions for several schools and departments; approving a scope expansion for the Glenwood Elementary project to include an Inclusive Playground Addition; approving attached financial management policies (second reading); adopting the Ratification Resolution confirming the sale of 2026 Refunding Bonds; approving a 3-year agreement for Internet Services with Metronet; approving the amended 2025-26 budget for the General Fund; approving the purchase of K-12 instructional materials; approving the disbursement summary for December 2025; and approving the employment list.