Harper Creek board approves audit, declines springschools-of-choice and carries consent agenda

The Harper Creek Board of Education voted to approve its 2024-25 audit, carried a consent agenda and declined to participate in Schools of Choice for the second semester of the 2025-26 school year.

Madam Secretary called the motion to approve the consent agenda, which included the general fund, school service fund, school lunch and student activity fund checks and minutes from meetings on Sept. 8 and Oct. 9. The board took a roll call and the motion passed 7-0.

Christine Kratzer of auditors Willis and Jersak presented the districts audit and answered questions from the board. "You ended the year in your general fund with about $6,900,000, which is about a 16 and a half percent fund balance," Kratzer said, and later noted the federal single-audit review of the Grow Your Own program had "no findings." Following presentation and brief discussion, the board approved the audit on a 7-0 roll call.

On the policy item for schools of choice, Ridgeway recommended the board decline participation in section 105 schools of choice for the second semester, saying typical late-semester applications run only "5 to 10 students" and the small numbers do not materially improve the districts budget picture. The motion to decline participation passed on a 7-0 roll call.

The board also considered a summer tax levy resolution directing the superintendent or designee to request that each city or township in the district collect the summer tax levy of 100% of annual school property taxes for 2026; the resolution language was read by the secretary and moved and supported, with the transcript indicating the board approved the request though a formal roll call tally for that specific motion was not recorded in the minutes.

The meeting closed after a brief preview of topics for the next meeting, including a review of discipline and behavioral-offense policy language. The board adjourned at 7:20 p.m.