[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6510393,"mediaKeyId","5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef","parentId",5383647,"title","Parents urge more outdoor time for students; one family demands opt‑out after cited Supreme Court ruling","audioSeconds",403,"startMs",1353000,"endMs",1756000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef&start=1353&end=1756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef/thumbnail_1353000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6510393/Michigan/Parents-urge-more-outdoor-time-for-students-one-family-demands-optout-after-cited-Supreme-Court-ruling","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510393-d21aa0a39f7537b3761f5f1cfe8deb05/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763162&Signature=LjSbdGIY9wCUBKbj2Ohd-rlJ7k7y1wgqFpcQLH23MdUA3Vo5ofE2jKmz4DLTCjOdI8bIZoplLVcPli2l5rcX1T0OSBs83u5QB36zNppTgw7FiuBzvbhJMe4dMuMyKOPyLfrNk63qZblpzGKgoJ4R3TkPDSsKEOHwTXJ1n3VKr~bBvM8gOnjQXNWlhZHxiB33srn1Ur5Qj~7cvw~JlUyqUUrzPpUU4cwNx99pm0x8SKoMbztuT~A1xqKAKzWPPsxIj2u8rcs6GUZhaXcHRtVGRV-R2smGEBHKsiVJJEmd5G4Fp25RZTvRyZBV1DJWk4QuBqc7zi1B-GeD6XkBDu0YPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-15T11:40:08Z","article","Two members of the public spoke during the July 14 Lowell Area Schools meeting: one urged the district to increase students’ outdoor time to support learning and well‑being, and another submitted a written opt‑out demand citing a Supreme Court decision.

Nut graf: Both speakers asked the board to take steps they said would affect students’ daily school experience: one proposing an operational shift to add short outdoor periods, the other asking for immediate opt‑outs and policy action related to LGBTQ‑related materials following a cited court ruling.

Taylor Vanda, who identified herself as a parent and assistant coach and said she is pursuing a degree in mental‑health counseling, recommended the district increase outdoor time for elementary students by 15 minutes per day to meet CDC recommendations and to give middle and high school students at least 45 minutes that could include lunch. Vanda urged using outdoor space and suggested a parent‑staff committee to collect data on behavior and academic outcomes if the district trials the change. “That moderate to vigorous activity is linked to improved brain function, emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, better attention, and academic performance,” Vanda told the board.

Stephanie Boone, who gave a home address on the record and identified herself as a parent, referenced a recent Supreme Court decision she called “Mamou versus Taylor” and said she and her husband were “hereby immediately opting out our children who attend LAS from all LGBTQ plus related texts, surveys, and curriculum within LAS.” She asked the district to confirm receipt in writing within 24 hours and to explain how it will implement the ruling and alert parents to policy changes. The superintendent acknowledged receipt of a letter and said the district will review the ruling and respond as information and guidance become available.

Ending: Board members thanked both speakers and said the district would consider the outdoor‑time suggestion and review the letter related to the court ruling. The superintendent noted outdoor classroom space at Cherry Creek and a hammock garden funded by the Lowell Education Foundation as resources to support outdoor learning.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lowell Area Schools Board of Education July 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two public commenters addressed the board: a parent urged adding daily outdoor time for students to support learning and mental health; another parent cited a recent Supreme Court ruling and formally requested district compliance and opt‑outs for LGBTQ‑related materials and policies.","taxTitle","Lowell Area Schools, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",61097,"location","Michigan","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6510396,"Curriculum director reports strong AP results, expanded summer programs and credit recovery partnership",0,1216000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef&start=1216&end=1216","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef/thumbnail_1216000.jpg","/articles/6510396/Michigan/Curriculum-director-reports-strong-AP-results-expanded-summer-programs-and-credit-recovery-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510396-03c5e788cbbe80c21c7ec32a54d81567/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763162&Signature=a2zZkH~GnwS82KRMBiGElqgAhnY-tUO59L0olSkuNb-EEdfnMGL88kxejSy42cJE4jCTLl-EkJ-WgtBH9FmVbpNeiaxY0zZKhRXukhMsx9uGz6nT~Csxbo-FjWgnHxuuUC5HgsbAc24XCpDO3dt-oWx2I7yERNO2~tkIRySh0W8xdLe-nkJquTGt04ax-a-SHyl01niF0WXSGDA~WGl2o6h6HZjsXjj9kgltd6KAB~vYJZ0FaHT-lASE3QtMzlmZtIQuLu1OTmN352PkWQ7F0t-OThqeuhCafbw9KcMvT5Lx2BtLxx~p68Yc139ZybeonDgocKLY9l6NQyL7JzOhBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lowell Area Schools’ newly transitioned curriculum office reported on summer learning programs, professional development plans and strong Advanced Placement results at the board meeting on July 14.

Nut graf: The district reported growth in AP participation and high qualifying rates, described summer interventions and credit‑recovery partnerships, and outlined staff development plans ahead of the new school year.

Michael Goff, the district’s curriculum lead, thanked staff who helped during a leadership transition and described a series of summer programs. The district ran a condensed three‑week “summer boost” elementary tutoring program focused on reading and math and plans to analyze pre/post data to assess effectiveness. Goff also highlighted an elementary summer reading program at Cherry Creek that served about 30 students.

For high school students, the district runs a credit recovery program in partnership with Kent Intermediate School District (ISD). Goff said the ISD provides the certified teacher while the district provides the site and support staff; last year that partnership yielded 42 courses (21 credits) recovered for 59 students. The summer school credit recovery program continues as a tier‑3 intervention and also offers paid acceleration courses through the ISD.

Goff provided AP program results for the most recent year: 326 students took 613 AP exams, 82% of participating students earned qualifying scores (a district record), and 120 students earned the top AP score of 5. He noted that 100% of AP Calculus BC students earned a 5, continuing a multi‑year pattern of high performance in that course.

The district is also sending teachers to the Professional Learning Communities Institute for ongoing staff development and will continue implementation of the Open Court K‑5 reading program, with trainings scheduled ahead of the school year start.

Ending: Goff said his immediate goal is to provide stability for instructional staff during the transition to his role and to review summer program data this fall to inform instruction and interventions for the year ahead.","Curriculum director Michael Goff (acting) reported record AP participation and qualifying rates, detailed summer boost and credit‑recovery programs, and described professional development plans for the coming year.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6510400,"Asbestos abatement begins at Cherry Creek; federal Title funding for next year remains uncertain",132,713000,845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef&start=713&end=845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef/thumbnail_713000.jpg","/articles/6510400/Michigan/Asbestos-abatement-begins-at-Cherry-Creek-federal-Title-funding-for-next-year-remains-uncertain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510400-c01014bf0db531bb3e7e43fef48bbe15/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763162&Signature=Q54xgbL-Db4XyIpXlqipi4zDDSNzP191aXCEs2HjiJKo2Counxb6rPixh5KPRTx4PkzV~afma98-Szsp2HDhRH26t~EicMDFPg4uUwZxa3ip569-L6pC1~iOAYRn1D22Vj7GZX38ljaPH6YuCcI6J~ZpAXxxNDA7Glf6uZSzAb38LIQ6uVKrGqxiO~NOzmrMM-x763l8-aJ50yVCpnWAJEX7EE30ojzjpIpyN1bDkjl2pDL6wXR3823R6F8LsbvPMv8CBKTArCYLmcLJADX-8FZ5zIMY8OqkXiDmIf0S5lEiw1nEPhpUY50o73AE9ih8F-tSRaL8vkFXPE4VkP76EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lowell Area Schools staff told the board on July 14 that asbestos abatement work has begun at Cherry Creek as part of a planned renovation and that the district is monitoring federal Title funding that remains on hold for next year.

Nut graf: The asbestos contract allowed the district to move ahead because the low bid was under the state bid threshold; the frozen federal funds could affect next year’s budgets for Title I and other federally funded programs.

Miss Hott, the district staff member providing the budget update, said the district placed the asbestos abatement contract with ProTech Environmental after receiving five bids that ranged from $26,000 to $129,200. Because the low bid of $26,000 was below the state bid threshold, the district awarded the contract without a separate board approval; ProTech began work the morning of July 14 and the initial phase of abatement was expected to take about one to two weeks.

On federal funding, Miss Hott said the U.S. Department of Education has frozen some allocations the district had expected for next year. “Right now, we’re just in a holding pattern,” she said. She told the board the state has released Title I funds to districts but that the state must rework application programming to push Title I separately from the other titles; the district’s Title I award last year was $291,000. She said last year’s combined allocation for Titles II, III and IV was about $94,350, and the district does not yet know allocations for those programs this year.

Ending: District staff said they will monitor state guidance and federal developments and bring budget updates as allocations are finalized. Contractors will continue asbestos abatement so the Cherry Creek renovation can proceed to bid for other trade work later in the month.","District staff reported ProTech Environmental began asbestos abatement at Cherry Creek after winning the low bid; separately the district said federal Title funding for the next year is frozen and allocations for titles 2–4 are uncertain.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6510406,"Votes at a glance: Lowell Area Schools approves consent items, moves into closed session",2146,113000,2259000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef&start=113&end=2259","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef/thumbnail_113000.jpg","/articles/6510406/Michigan/Votes-at-a-glance-Lowell-Area-Schools-approves-consent-items-moves-into-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510406-f5db49744c027cb07f104c87938d9e38/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763162&Signature=QAADSYeyZGTqhRrZze8dT6i-TRl76jixSuyMAkiEj6LkdBzpT5RyE0~f9QCl3hXZtvyjTlwj4VqXYvS7~EgUrn6Z1bIJ-wI6f0aWVqfME8TkRAtqVQK89nNeQKai85~jQYW6DfYw5OHzBvzatOk~FKRNWL35WWr1GYcOjJlmCb-VZ12cHoQUGTyzJbKHBQD2nityYX~r2bJPkkiKxmhmlDF8IaX3y~NYAmWN4bu3eLBQH~rz8b~t4GjqWqkT4jNvxi97m8H11HPotuY1YQ4HUmHykxgWILF-jlWqv4Vf-wJVVyzaKNIPCdhcHE0E0iqx9UPQBsyKCZzseQpZodYQbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lowell Area Schools Board of Education approved routine consent items and later voted to enter closed session during its July 14 regular meeting.

Nut graf: The actions were procedural: the consent grouping confirmed minutes and routine approvals; a later motion authorized a closed session. Both were approved by the board.

At the start of the meeting the board moved and approved a consent grouping that included approval of minutes from the June 9 regular meeting and related sessions and a list of personnel hires. The motion to approve the consent grouping was made by Jennifer (board member) and supported by other members; the item passed by voice vote.

Later in the meeting a separate motion to enter closed session was moved by Pat and supported by Laurie. The board took a roll‑call that recorded “yes” votes from board members present (Annie, Lori, George, Jennifer, Jessica and Pat) and the motion passed, placing the board into closed session at 7:37 p.m.

Ending: Board members proceeded from routine business into a closed session at 7:37 p.m.; the transcript records the motions and approvals and shows routine handling of consent items prior to more substantive discussion on purchasing, budget and curriculum updates.","At its July 14 meeting the Lowell Area Schools Board approved a consent grouping including minutes and staff approvals, and later voted to go into a closed session; both actions were approved after motions and voice or roll‑call votes.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6510410,"Lowell Area Schools approves purchase of three ShopBot CNC machines for career‑tech classes",342,316000,658000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef&start=316&end=658","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5383647-421c30e4c57fd2574a855b3246ad6aef/thumbnail_316000.jpg","/articles/6510410/Michigan/Lowell-Area-Schools-approves-purchase-of-three-ShopBot-CNC-machines-for-careertech-classes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6510410-8928b4b122db5730ac10cd0964178212/orig.mp4?Expires=1776763162&Signature=PlQ~y0pJUuo-jjCdraVF5sLxsPTL-C84IOq0NUXPem8voIRCYv-HpxunP3tVAlHxhExVC6pZoRKEAt0gucwf4kMCEWWFKnwp90-TMEVCfV9FhblI1UYnlZBpUyjmNeXoDWqakMM~KuaRXKAXYRdSsMvvBlFzwGBa0DtcbmmF8TMbvM622LRMvAOIVEZI6xh0oDqzdwPk-thuUmesXVM9JZxyoCnabgdecgBE7Mv5KNhJWIN~T8OHUCxvOOi7fCJzEi27TGbpPD7B82i1ePGIJGz5-X7cgs9TvrpCf5unqpiCFBPs0ruW6Nne~37P~qtje0zl03NxRjOAN5L2EFwAvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lowell Area Schools Board of Education on July 14 approved the purchase of three ShopBot computer‑numerical‑control (CNC) machines for high‑school shop and related classes at a total cost of $44,440.70.

District staff said the machines will replace three aging units that are “breaking down, difficult to use,” and that matching the brand of an existing ShopBot in the Home Essentials class will simplify maintenance and spare‑part management. Sonya, a district staff member presenting the item, said the machines are available through the TIPS purchasing consortium, allowing the district to rely on that cooperative contract rather than run a separate bid process.

Nut graf: The board’s action formalizes a plan to keep the district’s shop and STEM offerings current and to use grant funding to avoid tapping general operating funds. The board approved the purchase by voice vote after a short discussion about classroom use and parts availability.

Tony Ellis, the district’s shop teacher, described classroom uses and curricular connections for the machines. “I try to integrate math as much as possible into the classroom,” Ellis said, explaining that students use coordinate systems and geometric plotting when designing projects on CNC equipment. He told the board nearly all of his classes use the machines in some form during the year.

Presenters said the district plans to buy three new units to replace aging machines that have become difficult to repair because parts are not readily available from the previous supplier. Sonya told the board the old machines’ parts source in Canada declined to repurchase the old units. The new machines are from ShopBot Tools and were requested because they match an existing shop machine.

Board members discussed how the machines are used by multiple courses and extracurricular groups; the shop teacher and another staff member said the equipment supports engineering, robotics and fabrication lessons as well as industry‑aligned software skills.

District staff said the purchase will be paid from a Lowell Community Fund grant; presenters stated the grant would “cover these machines as well as some other incidental costs,” but the meeting record contained inconsistent references to the grant amount. The motion on the floor described only the purchase price of $44,440.70. The board approved the purchase by voice vote. There was no roll‑call tally recorded in the meeting minutes.

Ending: District staff said the new equipment will be integrated into shop courses and made available to other classes that teach engineering and design software. Board members thanked the Lowell Community Fund for supporting career‑technical education.","The Lowell Area Schools Board of Education on July 14 approved buying three ShopBot CNC machines for the district’s shop classes using a Lowell Community Fund grant; the board cited equipment failures, consistency with existing machines and use in multiple classes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents urge more outdoor time for students; one family demands opt‑out after cited Supreme Court ruling

Curriculum director reports strong AP results, expanded summer programs and credit recovery partnership

Asbestos abatement begins at Cherry Creek; federal Title funding for next year remains uncertain

Votes at a glance: Lowell Area Schools approves consent items, moves into closed session

Lowell Area Schools approves purchase of three ShopBot CNC machines for career‑tech classes