Board adopts FAFSA graduation requirement, approves sports and operations contracts; other measures split

The Heartland Consolidated Schools Board of Education on April 21 approved a revision to its graduation requirements to make completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) a documented graduation expectation for seniors while preserving an exemption for students who qualify. The board also approved several operational items, including a cooperative application to field an MHSA-sanctioned field hockey program, a bond-funded computer replacement purchase and extensions of custodial service contracts.

The FAFSA policy change was presented as a condition for the district to receive a state college-access award intended to fund counseling and college-awareness activities. Superintendent Chuck Hughes and district counselors told the board the award—about $300,000–$382,000 (figures disclosed in meeting discussion varied by rounding)—would be recognized through state aid and used over multiple years to support college- and career-readiness activities, including FAFSA filing help, celebration events and related staffing. The board voted to add the required exemption language specified by the state: the graduation requirement applies “unless a student qualifies for an eligible exemption.”

Why it matters: district staff said the grant will fund counseling and activities to increase FAFSA completion, which they said helps students access scholarships, trade-school funding, apprenticeships and other postsecondary supports. The district described counselors’ ongoing outreach, parent nights and in-school supports intended to raise FAFSA completion rates.

Other votes at the meeting covered a mix of program and operational items, including approval of a cooperative (MHSA) field-hockey application and three contract-related votes for technology procurement and custodial services. One board proposal (policy 166, agenda policy revisions) failed. A separate policy change to the district’s “3 R” (Respect/Responsibility/Results) language was debated and approved after heated discussion.

The board recorded the following formal outcomes and vote tallies at the meeting (motions are summarized from board minutes/transcript):

Votes at a glance - Revised graduation requirement (Universal FAFSA) — Motion to revise policy to require FAFSA completion for graduating seniors, with stated waivers/exemptions and related administrative guidance; motion amended on the floor to add the state-recommended phrase “unless a student qualifies for an eligible exemption”; amendment and final motion adopted. Mover: Mrs. Coleman; Support: Mrs. Shaw (amendment moved by Mr. Scott). Vote: 7–0 (yes: Mr. Scott; Mr. Gogoleski; Mrs. Coleman; Mr. Keller; Mrs. Shaw; Mr. Campbell; plus the seventh board member as recorded). Notes: District staff said the award will fund FAFSA outreach and related activities; administrative guidance and an opt-out/waiver process will appear in the high-school curriculum guide and administrative guidelines.

- Revised policy 166 (agenda/reporting changes) — Motion to adopt updates to policy 166 (board agenda/notification/reporting items). Mover: Mrs. Shaw; Support: Mr. Keller. Vote: failed (recorded votes in transcript: yes — Mr. Scott, Mr. Gogoleski, Mr. Keller; no — Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Shaw, Mr. Campbell; resulting in the motion not passing). Notes: trustees debated scope and frequency of information published to the agenda.

- 3 R changes (definition of Respect) — Motion by Mr. Gogoleski to change the wording of the district’s Respect definition under the 3 R framework. The motion prompted extended debate and an unsuccessful effort to postpone for student input. Final motion (no additional amendment) passed in the meeting. Mover: Mr. Gogoleski; Support: Mrs. Coleman. Recorded roll call included yes votes by Mr. Scott, Mr. Gogoleski, Mr. Keller and Mr. Campbell and no votes by Mrs. Coleman and Mrs. Shaw; the motion passed. Notes: the item drew extended public and board discussion about whether the policy should retain enumerated identity groups or rely on the single word “all.”

- MHSA cooperative field-hockey application — Motion to approve the MHSA application to form/support a cooperative field-hockey program. Mover: Mrs. Coleman; Support: Mrs. Shaw. Vote: adopted (recorded as unanimous yes by board roll call). Notes: the district said the cooperative will prioritize Heartland student participation and that coaching/hiring decisions remain administrative responsibilities.

- Computer replacement purchase (2020 bond funds) — Motion to approve purchase of desktops for HESSC and the middle school (bond-funded). Mover: Mrs. Shaw; Support: Mrs. Coleman. Vote: adopted (recorded as unanimous yes). Notes: technology director reported vendor savings allowed the district to increase the purchase count while remaining under the bond allocation.

- Contract extension: ABM custodial services — Motion to extend an existing custodial-services contract (ABM hybrid model used for high school/middle school while other buildings are staffed through EduStaff). Mover: administration; Support: board (motion recorded and discussed). Vote: adopted (recorded as unanimous yes). Notes: administration reported improved performance and weekly operational meetings with ABM and district supervisors; the board asked for a one-page “scope of services” summary to be provided at the next meeting.

- Contract extension: Heartland Custodial Maintenance Association (HCMA) — Motion to approve a labor contract extension for the local custodial association. Mover: Mrs. Coleman; Support: Mrs. Shaw. Vote: adopted (recorded as unanimous yes).

What the board said Superintendent Hughes said the FAFSA-related dollars were intended to support counseling, work-based-learning and college/trade awareness and that counselors have been working for years to increase FAFSA completion. Trustee debate around the FAFSA policy focused on ensuring an explicit exemption and on whether the district should place the waiver/opt-out language in policy or administrative guidelines; administration committed to document the exemption and include it in the curriculum guide and administrative guidelines.

Looking ahead Several discussion items were held without final board action: an extended conversation about the Livingston County sheriff road-patrol agreement (board requested a one-page scope of services from the township before formal action), and a governance discussion about formalizing contract-approval and legal-counsel access protocols. The board asked administration to return with refined documents and explicit scope language for future consideration.