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Milan Area Schools elects officers, affirms code of ethics and approves curriculum and graduation changes
Summary
At its Jan. 14 organizational meeting, the Milan Area Schools Board of Education elected officers for 2025, adopted a code of ethics and approved several routine items including curriculum use and graduation requirement changes; the board held a first reading of a budget amendment and will vote on it at its next meeting.
The Milan Area Schools Board of Education on Jan. 14 held its annual organizational meeting, electing Andrew Syslo president, Tom Farrow vice president, Sarah Marais secretary and Michelle Heike treasurer for one-year terms and adopting a board code of ethics by unanimous vote.
The board’s action items also included appointments of Carrie Gutierrez as Washtenaw Area School Boards Association representative and Cassie Pryor as Legislative Relations Network representative, formal committee assignments for 2025, approval of multiple minutes and bills, and approvals related to curriculum and graduation requirements.
Why it matters: The elections and policy affirmations set leadership and governance responsibilities for the coming year. The board’s curriculum and graduation decisions affect course offerings, credit counting and student pathways at Milan High School.
Key actions and votes - Elected Andrew Syslo president (motion moved by Cassie Pryor; supported by Carrie Gutierrez). Vote: 7–0. - Elected Tom Farrow vice president (moved by Sarah Marais; supported by an additional board member). Vote: 7–0. - Elected Sarah Marais secretary and Michelle Heike treasurer. Each motion carried 7–0. - Appointed Carrie Gutierrez to the Washtenaw Area School Boards Association and Cassie Pryor to the Legislative Relations Network. Motion carried 7–0. - Adopted the board Code of Ethics (Attachment A) as read at the meeting. Motion carried 7–0. - Approved multiple meeting minutes (special and regular, including closed-session minutes) and approved the bills and reimbursements as presented. Votes recorded as unanimous where taken.
Curriculum and graduation items - Approved a motion to permit previously board‑approved "*** education" curriculum and materials to be used at grade levels above the grade for which they were originally approved (the board noted this does not permit moving content downward). Motion carried 7–0. - Approved a Newcomer Literacy/English Language Development course for English learners; the board and staff said the course will be funded primarily from Title III and other designated funds and will count as elective/English credit toward the transcript. Motion carried 7–0. - Approved revised graduation requirements to align more closely with the Michigan Merit Curriculum and to address the district’s shift from seven-hour to six-hour high school days. The changes reduce total required credits (from 24 to 21) by reducing elective and certain subject requirements and add a pathway for the state-required personal finance credit for current 9th graders. Motion carried 7–0.
Budget amendment first reading Business office staff presented a first reading of the 2024–25 general fund budget amendment (Attachment B). Finance director Krista Hendricks said proposed changes would increase anticipated revenue by about $2.2 million and increase expenditures by about $1.96 million, leaving a projected year-end general fund balance of about $1.9 million (5.37% of expenditures) under the amendment. The board will vote on the amendment at its next meeting.
Other business - The board restored and scheduled "Big Red Board Chats," informal quarterly public sessions for stakeholders; the first is set for Jan. 22 at Simons Elementary, focused on the superintendent selection process. - Committee assignments for academics, learning environment and culture, communications, personnel, and finance/buildings & grounds were announced and will be posted on the district website.
What’s next - The board will vote on the budget amendment at its next regular meeting. The administration said sinking fund receipts will not appear in this fiscal year’s receipts and that many building repairs shown in the amended budget could be funded by sinking‑fund dollars beginning next fiscal year.
Ending Board members said they appreciated public participation and the extensive work by staff on budgets, curricula and committee work. The board adjourned following routine business.
