Ludington Area School District

The meeting focuses on the superintendent search process, specifically conducting candidate interviews and deliberating on the selection of candidates to invite for a second round of interviews. The agenda also includes standard procedural items such as citizen participation and public commentary guidelines.

The special meeting included citizen participation where one citizen addressed the Board. The primary action item involved going into closed session for a student discipline hearing, referred to as student 2025-2026-1. Following the closed session, the Board approved the conclusion of the student's long-term suspension, effective March 6, 2026, with the student permitted to return in person on March 9, 2026, contingent upon an agreed-upon reintegration plan.

Key discussion topics for this regular meeting included special presentations such as a Student Government Update and an update on Ludington High School AI Student Ambassadors. The agenda involved reviewing committee reports from Personnel/Negotiations, Finance, and Building/Site. The Superintendent's Report was presented. Discussion items centered on 2025-2026 Budget Amendments, the Master Bargaining Agreement with the LEA, and necessary repairs/replacements for the OJ Middle School Roof and the OJ Middle School North/Auxiliary Gym Floor. Action items involved approving the revised committee meeting schedule, formal approval of the budget amendments and the Master Bargaining Agreement, and authorization for the roof repair and gym floor replacement. A motion was also prepared to enter a closed session for Collective Bargaining Strategy.

The meeting agenda included a Student Government Update and a review of Academic Data. Key discussion points covered the candidate for Director of Business Services, JoAnna Story, and amendments to the Technology Purchasing Fund and Sinking Fund Budgets. The Board also discussed a resolution regarding individual procurement cards and the designation of a representative for the West Shore Educational Service District (WSESD) 2026-27 General Fund Operating Budget Hearing. Furthermore, discussions addressed School of Choice grade levels and submission windows for the 2026-2027 school year, and the scope and bids for the Transportation Building Roof Replacement. Action items included hiring the Director of Business Services, approving budget amendments and the procurement card resolution, designating the WSESD representative, approving the School of Choice parameters, and approving the roof replacement bid. The session concluded with a planned closed session for collective bargaining strategy discussion.

The document records both the Organizational Meeting and the Regular Meeting. Key activities during the Organizational Meeting included the election of the Board President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, followed by the appointment of various board representatives and committee assignments. The Regular Meeting acknowledged Board Appreciation Month and provided updates on district activities, including the scheduling of the first "Coffee with the Superintendent." Committee reports were presented for Finance, Building & Site, and Personnel. Discussion items included the bond project certification for payment application, the retainer agreement for legal representation by Thrun Law Firm, and an update on the Superintendent search timeline. Action items involved the approval of the payment application, the retainer agreement with the law firm, and a motion to enter a closed session to discuss Collective Bargaining Strategy.