Midland Public Schools board reviews 2025-26 budget outlook, advances facility bond and several contracts; approves robotics property purchase

Midland — Midland Public Schools trustees reviewed an initial 2025–26 budget outlook, heard a community update on a $285 million facilities improvement bond planned for a May 6 special election, and approved a slate of procurement and contract items including a purchase agreement for a robotics facility during their April 21 budget workshop and regular meeting.

Anna Womack, the district finance presenter, told the board that “a public school budget is not advisory in nature but rather an accounting of the source and uses of public funds.” She said the district is preparing an initial 2025–26 proposal for board adoption at the June 16 meeting, and that the district expects to build the budget on the governor’s proposal of a $392 increase in foundation allowance per pupil while noting continuing uncertainty from Lansing. Womack said enrollment projections show relative stability at about 7,415 students and stressed the end of ESSER pandemic funds as a driver of tighter planning.

The board and staff emphasized why a healthy fund balance matters: to avoid summer cash-flow borrowing, to support priorities such as student services, compensation, and capital projects, and to maintain programming during leaner years. Womack reported the audited fund balance on June 30, 2024, was $37,396,824 and reminded trustees that a 1% variance in the general fund equals roughly $1.16 million.

Board President Phil Rausch and other trustees then led a discussion of the facilities improvement bond proposal, which has been developed after a two‑year facilities assessment by French & Associates and Barton Malow and months of public outreach. Rausch described the bond as “a needs based proposal that really meets the needs of our students, first and foremost” and encouraged voters to consult the district website for details and schedules of community presentations.

Public comment at the meeting included several speakers both for and against the bond. Mark Hackbarth, president of the Midland City Education Association, urged support and said classroom crowding and building deficiencies made the proposal necessary: “I would encourage everyone to vote yes on May 6.” Dozens of other community members — including parents, alumni, teachers, students and business leaders — spoke in favor, citing aging roofs, leaking classrooms, limited special‑education and music spaces, playground drainage, and safety and accessibility needs. Opponents raised concerns about the timing of a special election, long debt schedules, campaign communications, and the size of the package.

The board also received a focused update on Northeast Middle School and the scenarios analyzed by consultants. Consultants told the board that, while targeted renovation scenarios would improve energy efficiency and operational costs, building a new facility would produce the largest long‑term operational savings and remove recurring, hard‑to‑fix deficiencies.

Separately, the board approved several formal actions and procurement items that it said were either needed now or were intentionally excluded from the bond and pursued outside the ballot question. Trustees authorized a purchase agreement and subsequent closing documents for 215 Fast Ice Drive to establish a permanent district robotics facility. The board discussed the district’s desire to address music/arts, robotics, and community aquatics outside the bond; the administration said the Fast Ice Drive acquisition would cost approximately $4.1 million versus an estimated $14 million to build a comparable facility.

Other board actions approved during the meeting included: - Consent agenda (minutes, personnel actions, legal payments and payment of bills) — motion by Treasurer Jen Lauterbach, support by Secretary Jennifer Ringgold; motion carried. - Two‑year contract extension with EnviroClean for custodial services. - Awards for a unified communications upgrade, window labeling project (safety), seal coating, and Filter First bottle‑filler and filtration installations to comply with the Clean Drinking Water Act. - Acceptance of several monetary gifts and equipment donations to MPS programs. - Ratification of a negotiated contract with the Midland County Education Association (MCEA) teachers’ unit.

Nikki Bruschi and Amanda Tomes, music department leaders, presented the district’s music programs and student accomplishments. Bruschi said the department is “one of the best music programs in the entire state,” and students attending the meeting described how ensemble participation shaped leadership and college opportunities. The trustees commended staff and students for statewide honors, touring ensembles, and high participation in solo and ensemble events.

President Rausch closed public comment by restating the board’s willingness to answer follow‑up questions and noting the district’s website and outreach schedule. The board recessed to a closed session on collective bargaining before returning and formally ratifying the MCEA agreement.

Votes at a glance (selected actions taken April 21): - Consent agenda (items 4.1–4.5): motion by Treasurer Jen Lauterbach, support by Secretary Jennifer Ringgold — approved (voice vote: “Aye,” motion carries). - Purchase and sale agreement for 215 Fast Ice Drive (robotics facility): motion by Lauterbach, support by Anne Horowitz — approved; resolution authorizing President Rausch and Superintendent Penny Miller Nelson to sign closing documents passed by roll call (Rausch, Ringgold, Lauterbach, Blasey, Horowitz = Yes). - EnviroClean custodial contract, 2‑year extension: approved (voice vote: “Aye,” motion carries); annual contract values listed in the packet. - Unified communications upgrade (equipment and services) and recurring service approval: awarded to vendors listed in the board packet; approved (voice vote). - Window labeling safety project (31a grant funds): awarded to Wobick Construction, $237,237.31 — approved (voice vote). - Seal coating project (capital improvement funds): awarded to Smithline Striping and Seal Coating, $46,500 — approved (voice vote). - Filter First bottle fillers and filters (Healthy Hydration grant funds): awarded to William E. Walter, $129,829 — approved (voice vote). - Gifts and equipment donations (multiple items totaling listed amounts): accepted — approved (voice vote). - Ratification of the teachers’ contract (MCEA): motion to adopt agreement — approved (voice vote: “Aye,” motion carries).

The board set a June 16 date to present the more complete 2025–26 proposed budget and to adopt the 2024–25 final budget. Trustees reiterated that projections will change as state revenues and health‑care costs become clearer and that the district will continue community outreach ahead of the May 6 bond vote.

Sources: meeting presentation and transcript of the April 21, 2025 Midland Public Schools Board of Education meeting.