Southgate school board approves student trips, facility upgrades and superintendent contract revision

The Southgate Community School District Board of Education on Feb. 10, 2026 approved a set of routine and capital items, including two overnight student travel requests, replacement windscreens at Anderson Stadium and the tennis courts, design‑services agreements for practice and school fields, and a revision to the superintendent’s contract.

Mark Hanson, introduced himself as CTE director at South Canyon High School and asked the board to approve nine students to attend an early‑childhood education conference in Grand Rapids March 4–6. "Students will have the opportunity to participate in sessions focused on early childhood education, instructional methods, [and] network with fellow CTE students and educators," he said. Transportation and lodging will be paid through the DCTC consortium; student registration is $12 per student. The board approved the trip by voice vote.

The board also approved an overnight DECA trip to the state competition in Detroit after staff described the program’s growth from 12 to 37 students under advisors Larry Sackless and Lee Konyaczyk. Staff said DCTC will fund staff registration and most lodging; students may pay up to $100 for an additional pre‑night stay. The motion passed by voice vote.

Facilities staff told the board that "we need to replace 1,074 feet of windscreens at Anderson within the stadium and on the tennis courts," describing the existing windscreens as worn and torn from 2021–22. The proposed, more‑breathable material carries a one‑year manufacturer defect warranty. Staff recommended a purchase not to exceed $50,533; the board approved the purchase by voice vote.

On capital projects and professional services, RealPoint representative Gary Kalimp presented two separate design‑services recommendations. For the Allen Turf practice field, staff described scope that includes turf, stormwater retention, electrical improvements and other work and cited a consultant proposal dated Nov. 16, 2025. The proposal summary in the meeting materials referenced a $116,760 total contract (fee $113,760 plus $3,000 reimbursables), but a motion presented to the board asked approval "not to exceed $100,760," and the board approved the motion. For Davidson Middle School, the board approved architectural A&E services for field and track renovations — including a new 400‑meter track, bleachers, restrooms, fencing, irrigation and related work — under a contract not to exceed $166,950; staff said final drawings were expected before issuing an RFP and that the project will be phased to secure long‑lead items for summer installation.

The consent agenda, approved at the start of the meeting, included the Jan. 27, 2026 regular meeting minutes, an HR update, January 2026 disbursements, and the expulsion of student #8769. The board also approved a superintendent contract revision the board said had been discussed in closed session; the president offered no additional public details at the meeting.

All motions described above were adopted by voice vote. The meeting adjourned after routine closing motions.

Votes at a glance: • Agenda approval — motion moved by Dr. Pomponio; approved by voice vote. • Consent agenda (minutes, HR update, January disbursements, expulsion of student #8769) — approved by voice vote. • Action item 1: CTE overnight conference (9 students to Grand Rapids, Mar. 4–6) — approved by voice vote; student registration $12 (student responsibility); transportation/lodging funded via DCTC. • Action item 2: DECA overnight competition (state competition, Detroit) — approved by voice vote; student cost up to $100 for an extra night; DCTC funds staff registration/lodging. • Action item 3: Anderson windscreens — approved by voice vote; not to exceed $50,533; 1,074 feet total (844 ft stadium, ~230 ft tennis courts); 1‑year manufacturer defect warranty. • Action item 4: Allen Turf practice field A&E services — board approved A&E services; meeting materials referenced a consultant recommendation of $116,760 but the motion approved 'not to exceed $100,760.' • Action item 5: Davidson Middle School fields and track A&E services — approved not to exceed $166,950; includes new 400‑meter track and associated site work. • Action item 6: Superintendent contract revision — approved by voice vote; details not read into the public record.

The board did not receive public comment during the allotted public‑comment period. The board adjourned at the end of the meeting.