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Board approves jazz ensemble trip, superintendent evaluation, Floodwood contract, retirements and routine items
Summary
At its meeting the Grand Rapids Public School District board approved a jazz ensemble field trip to New York (March 2026), a 2025–26 community education leadership contract with Floodwood, the superintendent’s annual evaluation summary, retirements and routine agenda items and minutes.
The Grand Rapids Public School District board approved several routine and specific items at the meeting, including a proposed jazz ensemble trip to New York, a community-education leadership contract with Floodwood, the 2024–25 superintendent evaluation summary and several personnel and consent items.
Jazz ensemble field trip Dale Gunderson listed a proposed jazz ensemble trip to New York in March 2026 and a program staff member described itinerary, fundraising plans and insurance coverage. The band staff member said the district cost would be zero and that the trip is planned over spring break so district-paid substitutes would not be required. The board moved to approve the field trip: motion moved by David; second by Dave. The board voted and the motion carried: “Field trip request is approved.”
Community education contract with Floodwood (2025–26) Superintendent Matt Gross explained that the contract mirrors similar agreements the district has with other small partner districts and that Floodwood would run its own programming committee while sharing catalog access. The contract was moved by Ashley, seconded by Dave. The board voted and the motion carried: “Contract with Floodwood is approved.”
Superintendent evaluation summary (2024–25) The board reviewed a written evaluation summary for Superintendent Matt Gross. The summary rated administrative, instructional and financial leadership positively and recommended continued focus on long-range visioning and community engagement. The motion to approve the evaluation summary was moved by Dave and seconded by Ashley. The board approved the evaluation summary.
Personnel and routine items The board approved three retirements (Christie Lisonbee, ESP, 17 years; Miles Mata, bus driver, 25 years; Sandra Pearson, ESP, 13 years) after a motion by Ashley and second by Melissa. The board approved minutes corrections for May 12 and approved May 19 minutes; consent agenda items were approved as routine. Each of these items was moved and seconded per the meeting record and carried with the standard “all in favor” voice vote.
What the record shows - Field trip: mover David; seconder Dave; outcome approved by voice vote. The band staff member stated the district cost would be zero and that the travel agency carrying the trip is fully insured. - Floodwood contract: mover Ashley; seconder Dave; approved by voice vote. - Superintendent evaluation: mover Dave; seconder Ashley; approved by voice vote. - Retirements (three employees): mover Ashley; seconder Melissa; approved by voice vote. - Minutes and consent agenda: motions carried by voice vote after procedural discussion and a single correction to the May 12 minutes’ referendum timing note.
The board did not record roll-call tallies in the meeting transcript; approvals were taken by the board chair’s call for “all in favor, say aye,” followed by an affirmative voice vote. No votes were recorded in opposition on the items described above.
