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Board approves personnel actions, contracts and multiple equipment purchases; $2.9M in January accounts approved
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Summary
Coldwater Community Schools approved personnel changes, accepted a Rotary gift, and approved contracts and purchases including Kids Read Now ($44,367.50, Title I), two vans (state funds, up to $72,832 each), classroom science kits ($35,982, Title I-A), hydroponic kits ($6,396) and replacement radios ($24,646.50).
The Coldwater Community Schools Board of Education on a single meeting approved a range of personnel actions, contracts and equipment purchases presented by administration, and approved the district's January accounts totaling more than $2.9 million.
Key approvals and outcomes
- Personnel: The board accepted multiple resignations and approved several hires and role changes presented by Superintendent Paul Flynn, including the resignation of second-grade teacher Pamela Hamilton (effective June 30, 2026) and three support- and certified-staff hires approved to begin upon successful background checks where applicable.
- Accounts and gifts: Administration presented January accounts for payment (general fund $2,904,716.01; special revenue $157,556.63) and the board approved the financial statements. The board also accepted a $7,950 donation from the Coldwater Sunrise Rotary to support the Coldwater High School "Youth in Government" trip.
- Instructional materials and programs: The board approved a Kids Read Now contract for $44,367.50 funded through Title I to provide mailed summer-reading books for students below grade 3. Director of Curriculum Gary Dancer said the program ties to the state "3 before grade 3" initiative and uses login codes and certificates to encourage engagement: "Every student below grade 3 gets books mailed out to their house for summer reading," Dancer said.
- Classroom supplies and STEM: The board approved six K'2 science kit bundles for Max Larson Elementary ($35,982) using Title I-A funds and approved four hydroponic classroom bundles for Lakeland Elementary fifth-grade science at $6,396 from Garden Incorporated. Administrators clarified produce from hydroponic kits is not intended for sale, though some items routinely go home with students.
- Transportation and safety equipment: The board approved purchase of two vans (state funds) not to exceed $72,832 per vehicle; administrators said the new vans will include towing packages the current vans lack. The board also approved replacement two-way portable radios for Coldwater High School, Max Larson Elementary and Jefferson Elementary at a total cost of $24,646.50 to address coverage and reliability problems with the current radios.
- Facilities and design contracts: The board approved design and surveying work for Jefferson Elementary parking-lot and bus-loop improvements (AR Engineering LLC, not to exceed $16,800 plus reimbursables) and approved Ignite Design LLC for work related to the state-mandated drinking-water management plan under Michigan's "Filter First" requirements (not to exceed $17,000 plus reimbursables); administrators said awarded grant funds will help but will likely not cover all architectural fees.
- Communications and bond outreach: The board approved a K12 Media contract (about $8,825) for production of a bond-proposal video and social-media clips; administrators said the long-form video will be uploaded to the district website and shorter clips will be distributed via social media and the district app.
All action items on the agenda were moved, seconded and approved during the meeting; most votes were recorded by voice with motions passing unanimously or by general assent. One roll-call vote was recorded during the vans purchase and the Gerard property resolution discussion; the clerk recorded the roll call and the motions carried. The meeting adjourned after completion of the action items.
The board also heard a brief superintendent's report on water-filtration work, the aquatic-center HVAC assessment and outreach presentations scheduled to promote the bond proposal.
Next steps: Administration will execute contracts and coordinate implementation as approved; the superintendent was authorized to execute the Gerard-property purchase agreement following the board's resolution.
