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Anchor Bay board approves routine business, playground purchase and superintendent contract extension
Summary
The Anchor Bay board approved the consent agenda, a summer-tax collection resolution, a January 2026 wrestling trip, a $34,037 purchase of three Gaga ball pits, and extended the superintendent's contract one year after approving his evaluation; the Gaga pits vote passed 5-2 amid questions about installation and total costs.
At its regular meeting the Anchor Bay School District Board of Education handled a slate of routine and capital items, approving several motions by roll call and addressing construction and procurement questions raised by trustees.
Consent and tax motion: The board approved the consent agenda (minutes and personnel report) and adopted a continuing summer tax collection resolution directing municipal partners to collect 50% of operating millage (presented as 9 mills) and half of debt retirement millage (presented as 5 mills) for the 2025–26 fiscal year to be collected in 2026.
Student trip and athletics: Trustees approved a January 2026 wrestling tournament trip to Petoskey for 25 students with three chaperones to travel by school bus; trustees requested confirmation that students and parents acknowledge the athletic code of conduct prior to travel.
Playground purchase and procurement debate: Administration recommended awarding Sinclair Recreation a change order totaling $34,037 to install three additional Gaga ball pits at Middle School North, funded from the Sinclair Recreation contingency. Several trustees questioned cost details in the vendor quote, which included exclusions such as bonding, drainage stone, subbase and excavation. One trustee noted online pricing that suggested a lower MSRP for similar equipment and asked whether the district could use its CTE program to perform installation work. Administration said contractor installation and vendor warranties help manage liability and inspection requirements for playground equipment. The motion passed on a roll call vote, 5–2; Trustees Sunnyberger and Green voted No.
Superintendent evaluation and contract extension: The board approved the superintendent's evaluation as presented. Following that approval, trustees voted to extend Superintendent James Jankowski's contract by one year, citing an "effective" rating on the evaluation instrument. The contract extension passed by unanimous roll call.
Context and next steps: Trustees asked staff to clarify installation scope for the Gaga pits (subbase, excavation, site restoration) and report back if material site-work costs are required. The district continues to monitor bond construction progress (superintendent reported about $28 million spent of an approximate $170 million program) and will follow up on procurement clarifications prior to final site work.
