Forest Hills board approves consent package including technology contracts and places regional millage renewal on November ballot

The Forest Hills Public Schools Board of Education on Tuesday approved its regular consent package, authorizing multiple annual contracts and equipment purchases and voting to place a countywide Regional Enhancement Renewal millage question on the Nov. 4, 2025, ballot.

The board approved renewals and purchases included in the consent grouping after a motion to approve consent items VA‑1 through VD‑5 and a subsequent roll call. The package included a PowerSchool agreement not to exceed $195,120 from the general fund, a third‑year term for an AT&T internet contract at $33,840 per year (the district receives 40% federal E‑Rate reimbursement), renewal of the Instant IQ help desk/inventory system at $35,390, year two of a three‑year Google Workspace for Education Plus contract at $41,400, the purchase of 400 replacement iPads for $129,600 (REMC pricing; recorded to 125 capital projects), and a new maintenance lift estimated at $87,800 from the general fund. The board also adopted a resolution appointing district officers as trustee and alternate for the Western Michigan Health Insurance Pool.

Superintendent Kirby said the board is pursuing routine renewals and equipment refreshes while monitoring broader budget and enrollment pressures. “We have added 3 preschool sites,” Kirby said, highlighting one of the district’s efforts to stabilize future enrollment.

Board members heard the finance and curriculum reports before the vote. The finance committee reported that phase 1 of a planned three‑year renovation at Central High School began on Friday and highlighted summer roofing, paving and mechanical work across campuses. The district also heard enrollment projections from a consultant engaged to prepare demographic forecasts; the consultant estimated an 11% decline in local school‑age children over the next five years, projecting roughly 8,200 students in five years from about 8,900 currently within district planning assumptions.

Separately, the board took a separate voice vote to adopt a resolution authorizing placement of the Kent ISD Regional Enhancement Renewal question on the November ballot. No opposing votes were recorded in the voice vote.

Public comment at the meeting included concerns about curriculum and library materials, including a request for book reconsideration procedures and objections to policy 5407 that limits who may formally initiate reconsideration. Several residents also addressed the board about enrollment trends, curriculum decisions and teacher discretion.

The items approved on the consent agenda are routine annual renewals and capital purchases the administration said are budgeted in the general fund or capital projects. The millage resolution authorizes the countywide millage question to appear on a special election ballot; if the question is approved by voters in November, the renewal would continue countywide enhancement funding overseen by Kent ISD.

The board adjourned after closing public comment and noting that district staff will follow up with community members who requested responses.