[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6553524,"mediaKeyId","5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949","parentId",5067188,"title","Board approves change order for middle- and high-school technology work; administration says bond budget remains fluid","audioSeconds",170,"startMs",5440000,"endMs",5610000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949&start=5440&end=5610","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949/thumbnail_5440000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6553524/Michigan/Board-approves-change-order-for-middle-and-high-school-technology-work-administration-says-bond-budget-remains-fluid","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553524-86cc43eac7b9a6b782ce771131089dd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776659800&Signature=YAaPaLgW7g40hmWNVYD3kFgjPka~avivSg0Vczcj~-o6RS4TgIz-Q4Bm5MidsTxQwPZQmZ~UaSzIJGhp6SCqlklbWlnFWBq8WM38Bqu6eEMNW-Y3fcSO6HfRae4XOKLBALIzlrccN8jqhBUZJItDsHlkmuuVVB~HhL8DphHOJONDmdnNn7ZRUJA1s4zX8HHUuW2Nd7fvMs7qUG1BDkzfAod54EqNuS~pQ-qkG4v7U5oPqX8FdvmAPatYgFQCHhpBqQFjANnJkykmkwKrYCjRmAUueRpl1w1qZ4EttHygZsptZGTlGIgDL6fLlrhuHAkHU8HL1dxS6FGHUz-bzWP2XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Edwardsburg Public Schools","date","2025-06-24T15:00:34.913Z","article","Edwardsburg Public Schools’ board on June 10 approved a change order for technology scope at the middle and high school that exceeded the $50,000 threshold and required board action.

Administration said the additional work emerged as construction uncovered items not included in original bids and that the change order would keep the project timeline on track. The district’s bond-manager and architect recommended the approval so the contractors could continue without delay. The board approved the change order.

Administrators noted other change orders produced savings (for example, not moving a door at the middle school) and that they are reviewing options to manage total bond-series costs, including whether to move the sale timing for the second bond series to take advantage of current market conditions. The district said it would present a final cost report after upcoming bid openings (the traffic-loop/parking bid opening was called out as a key point) and circulate that report to the board.

Why it matters
The change order alters contract scope and affects the overall bond budget and schedule. Approving the work now helps avoid schedule delays but may increase series-one expenditures; the administration highlighted offsetting savings in other areas and the option of adjusting bond-sale timing.

What’s next
Facilities staff will provide the board an updated cost report after pending bid openings and recommend adjustments to spending or bond-sale timing as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Edwardsburg Public Schools Board of Education Meeting 6/23/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a change order above the $50,000 threshold to add technology scope at the middle and high school to keep the bond project on schedule; administrators said some other change orders reduced costs and staff are evaluating bond-sale timing to manage overall series costs.","taxTitle","Edwardsburg Public Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",38769,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553529,"Edwardsburg names new assistant superintendent, approves multiple building hires and extends superintendent's contract",762,4588000,5350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949&start=4588&end=5350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949/thumbnail_4588000.jpg","/articles/6553529/Michigan/Edwardsburg-names-new-assistant-superintendent-approves-multiple-building-hires-and-extends-superintendents-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553529-dfc2f5a37bf5e32d33bd357617266834/orig.mp4?Expires=1776659800&Signature=JP1yvpIMNBnENdNEMcSJHNcYb0qMLQH~o6gAQrAKwVOYBcHidpHJdxjUrUOvdE78HfmGQLyMsmYlI0nlTNsUNDztXbck3b~rFfx0amMmxEgb8r3uwjFc7taYx6GRpsfjXuwFi4zA39aVL8AR4LeVpcP3xCqA0b31BZZ1AlzrTe5N-RR4fQdnFadNWRmH1jltM1AxDZJZeFrZJNYc0lZzBVL~qQdbLA1YiSrR4PQ2Azy5MjpRacSaKyA2VEX1f92FKmynou-rnQZ7ZJQdmQNmZweZHEdeOlErvKZjaVMrCzN-dF5noor58-1iAgUjEoQ3jr3EfWQt7aPmhZinK~ApAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Edwardsburg Public Schools Board on June 10 approved multiple personnel actions: the appointment of Ryan Towner as assistant superintendent, several recommended building hires, and a one-year extension of the superintendent’s contract.

Ryan Towner was recommended after a three-round interview process that included board members, administrators and staff. Administrators described Towner’s background in literacy direction and building leadership, noted he and his family live in the district, and the board approved his hire by voice vote.

The board also approved recommended hires for building positions across the district (high school, middle school, Eagle Lake, primary) as presented by administrators. Names read into the record included Janet Larson (high school special education), Rebecca Horvath (high school mathematics), Brenda Tu (high school guidance), Douglas (middle school health/PE/ad duties), Bridal Marlow (Eagle Lake part-time music) and Sarah Acones (primary kindergarten). The board voted to approve the recommended hires.

Separately the board approved a one-year extension of the superintendent’s contract (extending through 2027–28) with an annual salary of $155,324 in the first year of the extension; administration said the contract includes a salary schedule that mirrors educator contract increases while also noting the state requirement to include a salary schedule for superintendents. The board recorded a roll-call vote in favor of the contract extension.

Why it matters
The assistant superintendent hire and building-level hires fill leadership and classroom roles that affect instruction and operations for the coming year. The superintendent contract extension provides continuity in district leadership and aligns future compensation with the negotiated educator salary schedule, subject to future negotiations and fund-balance constraints.

What’s next
Human resources will finalize contracts and onboarding for the new hires; administrators will circulate updated staffing and orientation information to school communities before the fall semester.","The board approved the hiring of Ryan Towner as assistant superintendent and several building-level hires; it also extended Superintendent (name not specified in transcript) through 2027–28 with a salary schedule that mirrors teacher contract increases while noting future negotiation considerations.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553534,"Board adopts student-handbook revisions; policy narrows dress-code enforcement to ban holes above the knee",688,3610000,4298000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949&start=3610&end=4298","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949/thumbnail_3610000.jpg","/articles/6553534/Michigan/Board-adopts-student-handbook-revisions-policy-narrows-dress-code-enforcement-to-ban-holes-above-the-knee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553534-b33b771def3ea4abdc9e431f06ef5561/orig.mp4?Expires=1776659800&Signature=er92FQJXA178pBpAZDXnHTKKYFHTCArxftSGEKezZJTJXwQTbHQo9or7kiHr~brrt-Stfj6cA4z59amHxkjeAscY4OcaI5vNuoZMIwG7WOCdPlDL-7Fny0s7gnpUev4-fNI8TFIddD0PalRQO1KHUJ5X3dgtMT40W5wTsoWhW1M2NDgEgDDtpAQAOuo4cEpjSwREk9QnhfFZ20M7KmN1C5p8MK6wsbvBxcgEEEh5NPZWrsQl~0WMC975snQZuOVK4awGlXAa5cV5XXVkNytaCY4PzxKkjm87I~YHTLgp2j~OWnO-dKQopmO2De22MgMHLgfQqLSSyA6falR7mHJgZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Edwardsburg Public Schools Board on June 10 approved proposed 2025–26 student-handbook revisions that administrators said were vetted by the administration and a board policy subcommittee.

Revisions across district handbooks include language prohibiting use of artificial intelligence that misappropriates an individual’s persona or defames character, updated lice wording to align with Centers for Disease Control guidance, and Title IX contact and coordinator information. Transportation language was clarified to note bus-route and estimated-run-time notices will be emailed before the school year begins to addresses listed in PowerSchool.

At the secondary level the board approved a dress-code change after discussion: holes in clothing will be permitted at or below the knee but holes above the knee are prohibited. Administrators and board members debated subjective enforcement thresholds and reached the knees-as-clear-boundary compromise so staff can more quickly identify out-of-compliance articles while avoiding a more subjective midpoint standard.

Administrators said the handbook revisions will be published and communicated to families with guidance to help with school-shopping decisions ahead of fall enrollment. The board asked that the district provide the updated handbooks well before school shopping begins.","Edwardsburg’s board approved 2025–26 handbook updates that include AI-use restrictions, CDC-aligned lice guidance, Title IX contact updates and a dress-code clarification prohibiting holes above the knee. Administration will publish revised handbooks and communicate changes to families before school starts.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553537,"Edwardsburg administrators outline strategic-plan progress: mentoring, curriculum reviews, new communications app and facility planning",258,933000,1191000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949&start=933&end=1191","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949/thumbnail_933000.jpg","/articles/6553537/Michigan/Edwardsburg-administrators-outline-strategic-plan-progress-mentoring-curriculum-reviews-new-communications-app-and-facility-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553537-8e5dde6da269ff1d264807a38030e62f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776659800&Signature=QxyxMW0YiRcVo9DQLCUlR1ljrxf9EunqoZ04MMjIqxL3iEXZC38a0IVzH732qXqptAuNXeJOVjlMpk4M2hhiG5HNRhrHyR--CMMlUuV8I-Glt4WKAfWk23nPilQJMF5LSaweWAX~xuuqQXzwshr4sI7Zr9FSQxroLX4iN3YMQwojX1gCxAgz-1NrNibFc6mgpblS6AmpPYXDlDlf~BzEf9J3w4AKfx38mecF~F8cyxsASHv7MFHxp1tViIpReUXpJbr0mqxU62324gJmxyAiob2yE0CNpFEuAo8cgLfv9fcrjR05ALAtGsKLz-37~NA9XC764E2dvwG6cxFv0uExxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Edwardsburg Public Schools administrators on June 10 presented year-end progress reports on the district strategic plan’s focus areas for teaching and learning, community connections and facilities and funding.

In teaching and learning administrators said the district established a formal mentoring program with a handbook for mentors and mentees and expanded professional development offerings including Orton-Gillingham, i-Ready and other evidence-based programs. The district also reported work on curriculum review cycles (social studies this year), continued rollout of late-start professional development days and pilots for extracurricular opportunities such as an eSports team. The Young Fives program (pre-K) remains in place and has been described as successful by administrators.

On communications and community connections, administrators said a new district website (powered by Apogee) will go live July 1 and a district mobile app for one- and two-way communication will be available in fall 2025. The district is working with Dodo Creative on a brand book to streamline logos, taglines and visual identity and plans to relaunch parent engagement tools, including reworked parent-university sessions and parent advisory committees across K–12.

Facilities and funding updates tied to the bond included work this summer on vestibules, office spaces, the parking-loop/traffic project and church building upgrades (boiler), paid in part by bond proceeds. Administrators said they continue to emphasize competitive bidding and stewardship of bond and operating dollars; they also described exploring additional revenue through facility rentals (a building scheduler is in development) and potential grant and donor opportunities for targeted projects such as athletic lighting. The district noted the Cass County Road Commission offers paving assistance for nonprofit organizations as a potential avenue to reduce paving costs.

Why it matters
The updates show the district moving from planning to implementation in several areas that affect day-to-day instruction, family engagement and long-term capital projects. Communications and branding work is intended to improve family access to district information; bond-funded facility work affects building access, safety and instructional spaces.

What’s next
Administrators said the website will be publicly available July 1, the mobile app will be rolled out in fall 2025 with staff training, and a building-scheduler pilot will initially be available to district staff with the possibility of public rentals in the future. Facilities staff will continue to present bond project updates to the buildings and finance subcommittee and the full board as change orders and bid openings occur.","District leaders reported progress on three strategic focus areas: teaching and learning (mentoring, professional development, Young Fives), community communications (new website, mobile app and branding) and facilities/funding work tied to the recently approved bond.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6553541,"Edwardsburg board adopts series of budget amendments, contract renewals and policies in unanimous votes",2904,248000,3152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949&start=248&end=3152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067188-f1752f819adec1cbff089fa84e716949/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6553541/Michigan/Edwardsburg-board-adopts-series-of-budget-amendments-contract-renewals-and-policies-in-unanimous-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6553541-1aa18191afea64b2a1bc9ea15f361e7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776659801&Signature=RVCv74rA0MwDqpd4gyX1d9W-W8xPaKNZvXDD07R5Ne2MvsoBofZ1QSudcKdvLfKeRCD9JyLecqIUNm~0Qnx9Me2r3kB~CkA3c-zfvpC7CUZ5O8dwXQXQI7pHs0du605QQzDkEfY09E2sNuz2EtYHP4w~SiAHeUzsN5PvLSvJVhhbswIIQ78woY2gpfPnS7IppKl52YtLvNJQcyF6yA398ngBrvDIvTjaDgs~1YIa12FrBD0h4pzLenOCWGx5Lk2p0DO~tct4A-PvJIfWTuN6h4V9IjJT5LsClhq0n0txWnO0xp2uiujv5Yny0Fr4vwKlspE~g4n3190kMgkkrLiY0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Edwardsburg Public Schools Board of Education on June 10 approved a package of budget amendments and 2025–26 appropriations, renewed the district food-service management contract and adopted several policy items in roll-call votes that passed unanimously.

Board members voted to amend the 2024–25 general fund and to adopt the general appropriations for fiscal year 2026 after the district’s director of finance and operations reviewed estimates and highlighted areas of uncertainty, including final state foundation allowance figures and declining federal COVID-era funding. The board also approved separate amendments and appropriations for the food-service fund, student activity accounts and several special-revenue funds.

The board approved the annual renewal of the district’s food-service management contract with Chartwells at a state-approved increase of 0.0406 cents per meal (3 percent), and reaffirmed its annual election under Michigan’s Public Act 152 to limit district-paid health insurance costs to no more than 80 percent of the total annual cost of medical plans offered to employees for the 2025–26 school year.

Other recorded actions included adoption of student-handbook revisions (including a change to the dress code to prohibit holes above the knee), approval of the 2026 graduation date and a series of personnel hires. All motions presented for a roll-call vote passed with board members recorded as voting yes.

Votes at a glance
- Amendment: General Fund (fiscal 2025 amendment as read aloud in meeting) — Motion passed (roll call: all members present recorded yes). Text read by board clerk included figures for total revenue and expenditures as placed in the resolution (transcribed in meeting packet); board discussion separately referenced staff estimates that revenues would be about $31,256,326 and expenditures about $32,880,093 for fiscal 2025. The resolution as read was adopted.
- Amendment: Special Revenue — Food Service Fund (fiscal 2025 amendment) — Motion passed (roll call yes). Resolution text read: total revenues $1,407,583; total expenditures $1,726,600; estimated fund balance $277,781 (as presented in the board packet).
- Amendment: Special Revenue — Student Activities Fund (fiscal 2025 amendment) — Motion passed (roll call yes). Resolution text read: total revenues $398,000; total expenditures $327,000; estimated fund balance $279,338 (as presented).
- Adoption: General Appropriations Act for fiscal 2026 (general fund) — Motion passed (roll call yes). Resolution text read: total revenue $31,618,276; total expenditures $33,933,057; estimated ending fund balance $6,058,541; effective 07/01/2025.
- Adoption: Special Revenue — Food Service Fund budget for fiscal 2026 — Motion passed (roll call yes). Resolution text read: total revenues $1,384,850; total expenditures $1,726,600; estimated ending fund balance $509,172; effective 07/01/2025.
- Adoption: Special Revenue — Student Activity Fund budget for fiscal 2026 — Motion passed (roll call yes). Resolution text read: total revenues $398,000; total expenditures $327,000; estimated ending fund balance $288,425; effective 07/01/2025.
- Public Act 152 election (health insurance) — Motion passed (roll call yes). Board elected the option under PA 152 to limit the district contribution to no more than 80% of total annual cost of medical plans for the 2025–26 school year, consistent with current bargaining language.
- Chartwells food-service contract renewal (annual renewal under existing multi-year contract) — Motion passed (roll call yes). MDE (Michigan Department of Education) had approved the 3% management-fee increase; board approved renewal.
- Student-handbook revisions (2025–26) including dress-code wording change (holes allowed at or below the knee; holes above the knee prohibited) — Motion passed (voice vote/roll call as recorded yes).
- Graduation date 2026 set for May 21, 2026; board also approved a half-day for students with staff working the afternoon — Motion passed (voice vote recorded yes).
- Personnel approvals (assistant superintendent appointment and listed building hires) — Motions passed (voice vote/roll call as recorded yes).

What the motions do
- Establish the district’s adopted 2025–26 spending authority, including the operating mill levy described in the general-appropriations resolution.
- Formalize the food-service contract terms for 2025–26 and the district’s election under PA 152 for employee health-plan cost-sharing.

Context and next steps
During presentation, the district finance director said key variables remain unsettled, notably the final state foundation allowance per pupil and the loss of federal COVID funds, and the board was shown conservative enrollment and revenue assumptions used to build the 2025–26 budget. Several resolutions were read into the record by the clerk and then approved by roll-call votes. The board chair and finance staff indicated they will provide further budget details after state figures and fall student counts are final.

The full text of each adopted resolution appears in the board packet and was read into the record during the meeting; the board president closed the meeting by moving into a closed session later in the agenda.","At its June 10 meeting the Edwardsburg Public Schools Board approved multiple fiscal-year 2024–25 amendments and 2025–26 appropriations, renewed the food-service contract with Chartwells, adopted handbook revisions including a dress-code change and elected to keep the PA 152 80/20 health-insurance option. All recorded roll-call votes passed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves change order for middle- and high-school technology work; administration says bond budget remains fluid

Edwardsburg names new assistant superintendent, approves multiple building hires and extends superintendent's contract

Board adopts student-handbook revisions; policy narrows dress-code enforcement to ban holes above the knee

Edwardsburg administrators outline strategic-plan progress: mentoring, curriculum reviews, new communications app and facility planning

Edwardsburg board adopts series of budget amendments, contract renewals and policies in unanimous votes