Milan Area Schools board approves Schools of Choice resolution, Chartwells renewal and schedules tax hearing

Milan Area Schools Board of Education members approved a set of routine motions at their meeting Wednesday, April 23, 2025, including the district's 2025–26 Schools of Choice resolution, renewal of the Chartwells food-service management contract for 2025–26 and the posting of a budget and truth-in-taxation hearing. The board also approved multiple sets of minutes from April 9 and recommended a parent advisory committee nominee for approval by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD).

The votes were procedural and carried unanimously where recorded. The Schools of Choice resolution allows the district to accept and educate students from outside Milan for the 2025–26 school year. The board approved a budget and truth-in-taxation hearing notice that will set the public hearing for the district's millage proposal during the district's June meeting schedule.

Board members voted to renew the district's food service management contract with Chartwells School Dining Service Management Company for the 2025–26 school year and authorized the superintendent or designee to sign necessary documents. Superintendent Gierbaugh told the board that the district is following the contract's terms: the original five-year contract included up to four one-year renewals and allowed an annual vendor price increase capped at either the Consumer Price Index or 3%, whichever is lower. Gierbaugh said the CPI was 3.1% and the contract calls for a 3% increase this year; he also said state approval offices have reviewed the renewal email and indicated the increase is in line with the contract.

The board approved several sets of minutes from April 9 (special meeting, closed session, regular meeting and regular-meeting closed session) as presented. The board also moved and supported a recommendation to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District Board of Education to appoint Sarah Norton to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District Parent Advisory Committee (PAC); the ISD will complete the final appointment process. All motions recorded in the meeting carried by recorded voice vote or unanimous tally (motions listed as carrying 6-0 where roll-call results were given).

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes of special meeting of 04/09/2025 — motion carried (6-0). Moved by Heika; supported by Gutierrez. (Transcript reference: motion introduced at 412.72 and carried at ~441.73.) - Approve minutes of the special meeting closed session of 04/09/2025 — motion carried (6-0). Moved by Farrow; supported by Burnett. (Transcript ref: 445.23''''') - Approve minutes of the regular meeting of 04/09/2025 — motion carried (6-0). Moved by Heica; supported by Marie. (Transcript ref: 496.25'') - Approve minutes of the regular meeting closed session of 04/09/2025 — motion carried (6-0). Moved by Verdett; supported by Gutierrez. (Transcript ref: 531.95'') - Approve 2025'26 Schools of Choice resolution (attachment A) — motion carried (6-0). Moved by Farrow; supported by Gutierrez. (Transcript ref: 568.97''''') - Approve 2025'26 budget and truth-in-taxation hearing announcement (attachment B) — motion carried (6-0). Mover/second unclear in transcript. (Transcript ref: 635.01'') - Renew food-service management contract for 2025'26 with Chartwells (attachment C) and authorize superintendent or designee to sign documents — motion carried (6-0). Moved by Marais; supported by Haika. Superintendent noted state review and the contract's CPI/3% provision. (Transcript ref: 702.92'' to 833.39.) - Recommend Sarah Norton to the WISD Board for appointment to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District Parent Advisory Committee — motion carried (6-0). Moved by Gutierrez; supported by Ferrell. (Transcript ref: 834.33'')

What the board said and why it matters

Board members described several votes as routine, annual or required. The Schools of Choice resolution is an annual authorization that allows the district to accept nonresident students. The budget/truth-in-taxation notice is a statutory step that posts the public hearing by which the district will present proposed millage to local taxing authorities and residents; the hearing is scheduled to be held at the district's first June meeting. The Chartwells renewal continues the current vendor arrangement under the previously bid five-year agreement with allowable one-year renewals and a contractually limited price increase.

No substantive policy changes or new programs were adopted in this meeting; votes were procedural approvals and routine contract renewal.

Meeting context

Board members were present with one excused absence (Ms. Pryor) and student board members excused. Several motions were brief and noncontroversial; the Chartwells item drew the most discussion by way of staff explanation of contract terms, allowable rate increases and required state review.

Ending

The board handled routine business items in a single meeting session and took several unanimous votes to advance procedural items and routine contracts. The board will post the budget/truth-in-taxation hearing and send the PAC recommendation to the WISD for final approval.