Caledonia Board approves bus, playground and technology contracts and votes to opt out of Section 105c schools-of-choice program

The Caledonia Board of Education on an affirmative roll call on multiple motions approved the purchase of new district vehicles, awarded a playground contract at Paris Ridge Elementary, authorized several technology- and copier-related contracts and adopted a resolution to opt out of section 105c of the schools-of-choice statute while continuing participation in the Kent ISD collaborative schools-of-choice program for the 2025–26 school year.

The school board’s actions came after routine reports and public comment, including remarks from Katie Auville on behalf of the Caledonia Education Association praising teacher efforts and upcoming contract negotiations. Superintendent Wilburner also gave updates on student awards and district projects including the Cal Community Center grand opening and a recently completed food-service audit.

Votes at a glance: The board recorded approval on each of the following motions during the meeting.

- School bus purchase: Motion to approve the purchase of three 77-passenger school buses, one 47-passenger specialized bus and two 10-passenger vans at a total presented cost of $744,092 — approved. (Motion text recorded in meeting minutes; mover/second not specified in the transcript.)

- Paris Ridge playground: Motion to enter into a purchase agreement with Sinclair Recreation for supply, installation and renovation of playground elements and surfacing at Paris Ridge Elementary, $389,786.94 — approved.

- 2025 technology/bond vendor contracts: Motions to initiate contracts for multiple bid categories were approved, including a districtwide copier purchase from Applied Innovation ($541,360.14), a high-school north paging replacement through Town and Country Group ($175,560), classroom instructional technology upgrades through Bridal Audio Visual ($473,824), and low-voltage structured cabling through Shareco Communications ($113,145) — approved.

- School-of-choice resolution: Motion to opt out of section 105c and to participate in the Kent ISD collaborative schools-of-choice program for the 2025–26 school year — approved. Board members discussed the decision and noted it preserves other enrollment pathways while giving the district more time to study enrollment and special-education funding implications.

During public comment, Katie Auville, speaking for the Caledonia Education Association, thanked the board and highlighted staff efforts, trainings and student activities. "Our teachers are feeling extra extra thankful for the extra 2 days of rest provided by the midwinter break," Auville said, adding that her association looks forward to negotiations with the district.

Superintendent Wilburner provided multiple district updates including student competitive results and awards and details about the district’s food-service audit. He told the board, "There were no findings at all cited for things like meal components, dietary specifications, wellness policy," and described a small number of corrective items that were addressed on site.

On the school-of-choice discussion, district staff explained the board’s action to opt out of section 105c was taken at this time to preserve the district’s current enrollment process while allowing more study of options for attracting students and of state-level complications around special-education placements under section 105c. A staff member noted the district remains eligible to accept nonresident students through other protocols, such as resident-district release processes.

Several discussion items were introduced for future committee or board action, including a Dutton Elementary furniture package selection (staff said they will return to committee with detailed vendor and pricing information) and an asbestos abatement request-for-proposal for Caledonia Elementary with sealed bids scheduled to open the following week. Technology staff said bids for network switches were open with an anticipated opening date listed in the meeting materials.

Board President and other board members made brief remarks, including recognition of individual staff and reminders about Adopt-a-Road volunteer dates. The board adjourned into a closed session as permitted under Michigan law and later returned to open session with no additional public actions reported.

The motions and contract authorizations recorded at this meeting will be reflected in the district’s minutes and procurement files.