Harper Creek board approves salary schedule and consent agenda; moves into closed session on student discipline

At its Dec. 9 meeting, the Harper Creek Board of Education approved routine business and a new salary schedule required for pension calculation and ORS compliance, then voted to convene a closed session to consider a student disciplinary matter.

The board first approved the consent agenda — including general fund checks and minutes — on a motion moved by Mr. Smith and supported by Mrs. Wallace. The roll call recorded unanimous support and the motion carried.

Later in the meeting, the board considered a newly developed salary schedule for employee groups of three or fewer, a response to recent guidance from the Office of Retirement Services and court-driven clarification about retirement calculations. Superintendent Ridgeway and the finance director said the schedule provides a consistent structure for calculating retirement and will be updated annually in June. The board moved to approve the salary schedule; the roll call vote was unanimous (motion carried 6–0).

Before adjourning to closed session, the chair called for a motion to convene under the Michigan Open Meetings Act, MCL 15.268(b), at the request of a student’s parents to discuss dismissal, suspension or discipline of a student whose identity is known to the board. The motion, moved by Mr. Smith and supported by Dr. Borders, passed on a unanimous roll call vote and the board entered closed session.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (approve checks and minutes): motion moved by Mister Smith, supported by Missus Wallace — outcome: approved, roll call unanimous yes. - Salary schedule for groups of 3 or fewer: outcome: approved, roll call unanimous yes (6–0). - Motion to convene closed session under MCL 15.268(b): outcome: approved, roll call unanimous yes (6–0).

No further public action was taken before the board entered closed session.