Board approves budget amendments, contracts, personnel, facilities purchases and tax levy

The Woodhaven‑Brownstown Board of Education on June 17 approved a slate of fiscal, personnel and facilities measures, including the 2024–25 final budget amendment, the 2025–26 projected budget, multiple contract renewals and purchases, and the district’s summer tax levy resolution.

Nut graf: In a series of motions the board adopted the final amendment to the 2024–25 budget, opened and closed the public hearing on the 2025–26 projected budget and then approved the projected budget for 2025–26. The board also approved curriculum contracts (Panorama student success platform and K–6 math professional development), renewed the Sodexo food service contract, approved equipment and construction‑related contracts (ovens, asbestos abatement, access control, interactive displays, pool/band/choir sound systems), adopted required tax and loan resolutions, approved personnel hires (professional and support staff, schedule B coaches) and authorized a set of overnight/out‑of‑state student trips.

Key votes at a glance (each motion carried unless noted):

- 2024–25 final budget amendment — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Chopeck. Outcome: approved. (Presenter: Josh Smith, Director of Finance.)

- Opened and closed public hearing on the 2025–26 projected budget; 2025–26 projected budget and associated resolutions adopted — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Chopeck. Projected revenues were presented at approximately $70,500,000 with projected expenditures of about $76,100,000, producing a projected fund balance (pre‑set‑asides) of roughly $7,800,000 (projected overall balance including set‑asides: ~$11,800,000 or ~15.6% of expenditures). The board approved the projected budget as presented. (Presenter: Josh Smith.)

- Panorama Student Success platform, 3‑year contract totaling $215,766 (funded through 31a at‑risk grant) — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Lowry. Outcome: approved.

- Strategic Intervention Solutions K–6 math professional development, 2‑year contract totaling $96,800 (funded through 31a at‑risk grant) — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Lowry. Outcome: approved.

- Sodexo food service contract renewal for 2025–26 (1‑year renewal; 3% contractual increase) — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Thorning. Outcome: approved. Sodexo representatives were introduced at the meeting.

- Food service ovens purchase (provider: Duke) — $107,462, funded from food service budget — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Thorning. Outcome: approved.

- Asbestos abatement contract for Bates and Goodeth elementaries and Brownstown Middle School (Global Green Service Group) — $46,600, funded from bond professional fees — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Dobek. Outcome: approved.

- L‑4029 summer tax levy form and resolution (2025 summer levy: general operating 18 mills on non‑homestead; sinking fund ~0.9753 mills; debt retirement 7 mills) — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Chopeck. Outcome: approved.

- Participation in the School Loan Revolving Fund (SLRF) for 2025–26 and supporting resolution (district requested a reservation of up to $4,379,955) — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Lowry. Outcome: approved.

- West Michigan health insurance pool authorizing resolution (allowing district administrators and nonaligned staff access to medical, dental and vision programs) — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Dobek. Outcome: approved.

- Sound systems for Brownstown Middle School pool, band and choir rooms (Advanced Lighting and Sound) — $44,466 (bond technology funds) — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Lowry. Outcome: approved.

- Access control/card reader updates at Bates and Goodeth Elementaries and Woodhaven High athletic spaces (Telecom Technicians) — $178,671.77 (bond technology funds) — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Lowry. Outcome: approved.

- Interactive displays and monitors (district wide) through REMC pricing (Digital Age Technologies) — $122,532.27 (bond technology funds) — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Thorning. Outcome: approved.

- Overnight/out‑of‑state student trips (11 proposals approved en masse) including DECA conferences (Detroit and Atlanta), several Stratford, Ontario theater trips, state thespian and festival trips, competitive cheer camp at Alma College, cross country camp (Somerset), GVSU women's basketball camp (Allendale) and UDA dance camp (Oakland University) — Motion by Board member Berry, supported by Board member Sanders. Outcome: approved.

- Personnel approvals (professional staff hire: Jordan Shevsky, Brownstown Middle School science teacher, effective 06/18/2025 and beginning 2025–26; support staff paraprofessionals; schedule B assignments including coaches and sponsors) — Motions by Board member Berry with listed support (various). Outcomes: approved. Presentations introduced new hires in the audience.

Process notes: Most motions were moved by Board member Berry and supported by other members as noted in the meeting transcript. Votes were recorded by voice in favor with "aye" and the chair announced "motion carries" in each case. Several items were presented by staff (notably Josh Smith on budgets and Mister Salah on special services) before the board voted.

Ending: The board recessed to a closed session at 7:25 p.m. for a superintendent evaluation under the Open Meetings Act. No additional public action occurred after the closed session roll call.