Trustees praise staff, students and community partners; note donations and local events

Battle Creek Public Schools trustees dedicated time in the meeting for community highlights, thanking teachers and staff, recognizing student work, and noting in‑kind donations to district programs.

Trustee Johnson shared a personal account of her son’s experience with special education services at Valley View and credited teachers for classroom support. “His teacher, miss Goins, was just a just a phenomenal person,” Johnson said, and she described how a current teacher, “mister Matalan,” and classmates adjusted classroom behavior to support her son’s needs.

Trustees also thanked BC STEM students who recorded and participated in a recent joint board meeting and congratulated staff and community members on several events. One trustee praised the International Academy’s IB exhibition and Springfield Middle School’s culture fair and thanked Chartwells and individual staff (named in the remarks as Kuida and Jose) for food and meeting support.

The board acknowledged an in‑kind donation from Firekeepers Casino of men’s suit jackets to WK Prep students; the transcript notes the donation but does not specify a quantity. Trustees also recognized community leaders and staff awards, including remarks about Christian Manley, Miss Koleeda, and a recipient of a “president’s coin.”

A trustee described a visit to the OEC camp and said the site offers opportunities for student use and could serve as a board retreat location; the trustee referenced a prior suggestion to use the camp for retreats. The transcript records gratitude and community celebration throughout the remarks but does not record formal actions tied to these recognitions.