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Milan Area Schools board updates superintendent search, approves 2024–25 budget amendment
Summary
At a Jan. 29 board meeting Milan Area Schools officials outlined next steps in the superintendent selection process — including a community survey and planned meetings with union representatives — and approved a 2024–25 general fund budget amendment by a 6-0 vote.
The Milan Area Schools Board of Education on Wednesday updated the public on its superintendent selection process and urged community participation in a district survey, then approved a 2024–25 general fund budget amendment.
Board members said the district is collecting stakeholder feedback through a survey and scheduled outreach. The personnel committee held a “Big Redboard Chat” on Jan. 22 that officials said drew six community members; the board asked anyone who has not yet taken the survey to do so before the stated deadline.
Board member Farrell, who serves on the personnel committee, said the selection effort has been “a very deliberate, very transparent, process in terms of engaging the community and … what they would like to see in our next superintendent,” and urged participation after noting limited attendance at the recent community meeting. Board member Gutierrez said those who attended offered “very helpful, substantive, feedback” and encouraged broader community response to the survey.
Superintendent search details and next steps
District officials said the personnel committee is still arranging a meeting with Milan Education Association union representatives to gather their input. The board also plans to rely on survey results and guidance from the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) as it moves toward a recommendation to the full board.
Board members described multiple ways for stakeholders to offer input: complete the online survey (the transcript indicates the survey was available "until next Friday"), contact any board member directly, or reach out to the district office. Board members said MASB resources and upcoming conferences are also being used to inform the process.
Budget amendment
The board voted 6-0 to approve a 2024–25 general fund budget amendment presented as Attachment A. Board discussion before the vote included questions to finance staff about tuition-based preschool expenses, miscellaneous expenses and building athletic costs; board members said their questions were answered. One board member suggested the board consider, in future budgets, funding for a full-time building facilities manager, a security director and marketing and communications capacity.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes of the Jan. 14, 2025 regular meeting — motion by Pryor; support by Gutierrez. Outcome: approved (motion carried 6-0). - Approval of the 2024–25 general fund budget amendment (Attachment A) — moved by Farrow; supported by Burdette. Outcome: approved (motion carried 6-0).
Other items
Assistant Superintendent McMahon and Superintendent Gierbaugh offered routine announcements and student/staff recognitions. McMahon noted three staff members identified as 2024 SuperCare Heroes by Care Solace — Christina Barber (high school), Kyle McIntosh (middle school) and Rachel Staley (Paddock) — and described recent professional development work. Gierbaugh highlighted student achievements in swimming, bowling and a team toy drive and closed with a reminder that state and federal legislative activity could affect public education funding and policy.
Next steps
Board members said the personnel committee will review survey results, meet with union representatives when scheduled, and at a later point bring a recommendation to the full board about the superintendent selection process. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
