Lowell Area Schools board elects officers, adopts budget amendment and OKs two new buses

The Lowell Area Schools Board of Education elected officers and approved a slate of organizational and fiscal actions during its Jan. 13 meeting, including adoption of an amended budget and authorization to purchase two buses totaling $308,765.

The board took its annual organizational steps first. A ceremonial oath was administered to returning and newly seated members. The board then approved a slate of officers by roll-call vote: Brian Krajewski for president; Lori (last name as recorded in meeting materials) for vice president; Jennifer Doherty for treasurer; and Pat Nugent for secretary. The motion to elect the slate was moved by Laurie and supported by Jared. Board members recorded their votes aloud; the motion carried.

Why it matters: the budget amendment sets revised revenue and spending expectations for the current fiscal year, and the bus purchases fund core student transportation, including one lift-equipped vehicle used for students who use wheelchairs.

Budget amendment The board approved a budget amendment presented by the district finance official. Key figures presented during the discussion include a blended enrollment figure of 3,468 (calculated as 90% of current fall enrollment plus 10% of last spring), an assumed foundation allowance of $9,608 per pupil, and continued receipt of county enhancement funding described as “over a million dollars a year.” The presenter said state revenue lines changed because of enrollment and that the amendment incorporates $1,250,000 in one-time offset funding and a $1,900,000 in/out retirement-related adjustment, resulting in a net state revenue decrease of about $427,000 shown in the packet. The district projects an ending fund balance of approximately $9.4 million (18.66 percent), within the range recommended by the Michigan School Business Officials standard noted in the presentation.

Transportation: MSPO program and bus purchases The board authorized participation in the MSPO bus purchase program, an annual cooperative specification-and-bidding program used by Michigan districts. The motion to approve the MSPO program was moved by Pat and supported by Amy and carried by voice vote.

Separately, the board approved purchase of two buses from Midwest Transit Equipment totaling $308,765: a non-lift 71-passenger bus (listed price $150,764 plus $125 fee, total shown as $150,889) and a 71-passenger lift-equipped bus (listed price $157,751 plus $125 fee, total shown as $157,876). District staff said the district recommended a particular vendor to standardize fleet make and model for maintenance, parts inventory and repair pricing, and because mechanics and drivers are trained on that bus brand. Board members were told supply-chain delays continue and that the district has delayed some expected deliveries from prior orders. The purchase motion was moved by Jared and supported by Laurie; the motion carried by voice vote.

Other organizational and routine approvals - The board approved its regular meeting schedule for Jan. 2025–Jan. 2026 (regular meetings second Monday, workshops fourth Monday except July and December). Motion moved by Jennifer, supported by Laurie; voice vote carried. - The board approved the annual consent grouping, which included approval of minutes, payment of bills, committee memberships, check-signature authorization (adding the elected treasurer to accounts), appointment of an assistant to the board secretary, designation of depository institutions, conflict-of-interest acknowledgments, meeting notices, annual board compensation, and selection of legal services and auditors. The new hire noted in the packet is Hannah Kinney, a Lowell graduate hired for a fifth-grade position at Cherry Creek; she is scheduled to start at the end of the month / beginning of next month. The consent grouping motion was moved and carried by voice vote. - The board approved one overnight student trip: the Lowell Gymnastics team to an out-of-district meet in Coldwater, Michigan, Feb. 7–20, 2025, with building-principal approval. Motion by Lori, support by Jessica; voice vote carried.

How the votes were recorded Where the transcript recorded named motions or roll-call votes, movers and supporters are listed above. The majority of routine business items passed by voice vote with board members saying “aye”; no formal no votes or abstentions were recorded on these items during the meeting.

What the board noted about operations District leaders told the board that consolidating bus makes reduces parts inventory and repair costs, that the district expects longer vehicle life now that a bus wash is complete, and that supply-chain delays have pushed some deliveries later than expected. The finance presenter said the district is transitioning budget work to a new software system and intends another budget amendment in March and a final amendment in June to reflect updated state allocations and final enrollments.

Next steps Approved purchases will move forward subject to vendor delivery schedules. The board will review further budget updates at upcoming workshops and in the planned March amendment.