Saline Area Schools holds organizational meeting; board elects president, approves capital contracts and delays emergency operations review

President, officer elections and organizational business

The Saline Area Schools Board of Education opened its organizational meeting Jan. 14 with ceremonial swearings-in of newly elected trustees and then elected Michael McVeigh president, Jennifer Stebben vice president, Darcy Berwick secretary and Brad Gerby treasurer.

The elections followed ballots read aloud at the meeting. The board elected its president by a recorded count of 5–2. Jennifer Stebben was named vice president by acclamation; Darcy Berwick won the secretary vote (four votes) and Brad Gerby won the treasurer vote (five votes).

Why it matters

The organizational items set the board’s leadership and committee responsibilities for the year, and the meeting also advanced a package of capital spending and project awards that will affect campus facilities and programs, including the new high‑school weight room and middle‑school recreation complex included in the district’s recent capital program.

What the board did and discussed

Swearing-in and organization: The meeting began with Judge Anna Freshour administering oaths to newly elected trustees. Trustees then nominated and elected officers and assigned the board’s recording secretary and designees for posting legal notices.

Recognitions and student programs: The board recognized the Saline Middle School FIRST robotics teams (the Cy Bugs, Swarm, Hornet Hackers and rookie team Hive) and the high‑school esports teams for statewide successes; district staff said the robotics teams combined for more than 23 awards this season and that two teams advanced to the FIRST World Championships. The district also heard a foundation update reporting fiscal‑year sponsorships and grant awards.

New director of safety and security introduced: Human resources director Carol Diglio described the district’s multi‑step hiring process for the new director. Dan Carrick, introduced as the district’s director of safety and security, summarized his law‑enforcement background and told the board his early priorities include updating the district’s emergency operations plan (EOP) to a new state template and presenting a draft to the board in March. "You got to put both sides together to be able to have a complete program," Carrick said of combining physical‑security and social‑emotional strategies.

Capital purchases and construction approvals: The board approved multiple procurement and contract awards, including the following motions (votes noted where recorded): - Approve purchase of exercise equipment for the new Saline High School weight room from Sorenex (amount as presented at the meeting was not clearly read in the transcript; see clarifying details). Motion passed. - Approve Intercal proposal to replace the east and west bleachers in the high‑school gymnasium in the amount of $295,663. Motion passed. - Approve bid package No. 3 (middle‑school recreation complex and parking lot) and award construction contracts to Clark Construction in the amount read at the meeting ($18,255,709 as presented). Motion passed. - Approve bid package No. 4 (middle‑school pre‑purchase equipment and interior renovation) in the amount of $48,981. Motion passed.

Appointment and reappointments: The board approved administrative appointments and reappointments including reappointing Barry Levsey and Chris McCulloch as the district’s representatives to the local development finance authority and reappointing Ben Goodman and Jackie Martin to the local access cable television commission.

Emergency operations plan & policy cadence: The board postponed its formal review of the emergency operations plan until March (a March date was discussed) to allow the new director to complete a rewrite using the state’s new EOP template; the board asked the policy committee to consider amending policy 8402 to require annual review rather than the current biannual cadence. The motion to delay the review and refer the policy discussion passed; board members asked that the EOP come back in closed session as part of the March review.

Ad hoc committees and process reviews: Trustees reauthorized an ad hoc superintendent search committee and discussed next steps for an ad hoc committee tasked with planning a third‑party review of the athletic department. The ad hoc athletics committee reported it had interviewed several consultants; trustees directed that an open ad hoc meeting be scheduled so the committee can narrow the district’s priorities and supplier list and seek wider stakeholder input before recommending a vendor.

Budget and foundation reports: The Foundation for Saline Area Schools reported sponsorships and grants: the foundation said it had secured $73,500 (including $17,500 in in‑kind contributions) for its annual upfront sponsorships, had 39 sponsors (8 new), and reported $117,000 in sponsorships and in‑kind support from July to December. The foundation said it had awarded $100,000 in grants to date, with $67,535 used and $32,465 remaining for the school year; the foundation also described an upcoming Mardi Gras themed fundraiser in February.

Public comment and student showcase: The public‑comment period included a foundation update and a student presentation by the High 5 Club, a high‑school volunteer group that works with senior citizens; students described club activities including game nights, veteran‑recognition breakfasts and yard‑work assistance.

Votes at a glance (formal outcomes recorded at the meeting) - Board president (nomination and vote): Michael McVeigh elected president; tally announced as 5 yes, 2 no. - Vice president: Jennifer Stebben elected by acclamation. - Board secretary: Darcy Berwick elected (4 votes reported aloud). - Treasurer: Brad Gerby elected (5 votes reported aloud). - Approve appointing Darcy Berwick as board secretary and assigning district designees for legal postings: motion passed (voice vote; board recorded ayes). - Reappointments to local authorities (Levsey/McCulloch; Goodman/Martin): motions passed. - Postpone EOP review until March and refer policy 8402 for possible annual review: motion passed. - Approve Sorenex equipment purchase for high‑school weight room: motion passed (amount unclear in meeting transcript; see clarifying details). - Approve bleacher replacement (Intercal): $295,663; motion passed. - Approve bid package No. 3 (middle‑school recreation complex / parking lot) and award to Clark Construction: $18,255,709 as read at the meeting; motion passed. - Approve bid package No. 4 (middle‑school pre‑purchase equipment / interior renovation): $48,981; motion passed.

Ending / next steps

The board scheduled a March review of the emergency operations plan with Director Carrick and asked the policy committee to consider an annual review requirement. Trustees also agreed to an open ad hoc meeting to focus and narrow the scope for any external athletic‑department review before the district solicits a final proposal. The board adjourned and moved into a closed session later in the evening for complaints/disciplinary and bargaining matters.