Saline superintendent outlines athletics review and urges quick move to Troon policy service; board accepts superintendent evaluation
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Summary
Superintendent Dr. Kowalski described actions taken after an independent athletics review, including reinforcing the MHSAA 24-hour rule and residency checks, and outlined a six‑month Troon policy transition plan; the board later voted to rate the superintendent 'effective' in all categories.
Dr. Kowalski, the district superintendent, used the Dec. 9 Saline Area Schools board meeting to summarize an independent athletics review and to describe next steps for a pending policy-service purchase.
On athletics, Kowalski told the board the review affirmed strengths in the department but identified areas where consistent practices and clearer communications were needed. She said the district has "reinforced that rule" referring to MHSAA’s 24‑hour rule for communications, added deeper coach training at season starts, instituted mandatory rosters before first practice, and is pursuing a more intentional mentoring system for new coaches. "We have made meaningful and early progress on the recommendations," Kowalski said, noting work on Schedule B stipend language and residency verification to tighten eligibility processes.
The board also discussed replacing their current policy service (NEOLA) with Troon. Kowalski described the vendor transition timeline as taking about six months and said the district would do a policy "crosswalk" and engage core teams and assistant superintendents for targeted review. Board members asked whether the policy committee or ad hoc groups would lead the heavy lifting, how costs would be handled and whether a board vote would be required to purchase Troon; Kowalski said the purchase should proceed soon to allow Troon to begin work, but noted final policy votes occur after staff and committees complete reviews.
In executive business, the board entered a closed session under section 8(a) of the Open Meetings Act to evaluate the superintendent. After returning to open session, the board moved to accept the superintendent's evaluation, rating the superintendent "effective" in all evaluated categories and noting the district no longer uses a "highly effective" rating on its rubric. The board instructed staff to compile members' notes into a final report to be released by the communications director; Kowalski will have the option to respond.
Why this matters: The athletics changes affect coach-student-family interactions and athletic eligibility practices across the district; the Troon discussion signals a multi-month policy modernization effort that will involve staff time and future board review. The superintendent evaluation concludes the district’s annual review cycle with a unanimous acceptance of an "effective" rating.
What's next: Staff will crosswalk existing policies with Troon materials, form review groups as needed, and return policy drafts to the board for final votes; the communications director will publish the compiled evaluation report in the coming days.