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Buchanan Community Schools elects officers, approves routine organizational items
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Summary
At its Jan. 20 organizational meeting, the Buchanan Community Schools Board elected Katie Berry president and other officers, approved committee assignments, retained legal and audit firms, adopted an amended budget and calendar, and certified four virtual academy graduates.
Katie Berry was elected president of the Buchanan Community Schools Board of Education at the board’s organizational meeting on Jan. 20, 2026, as trustees completed officer elections and adopted routine organizational business.
The board also elected Dr. Harvey Burnett as vice president, nominated Kelli Loesch for secretary and approved Chris Carlson to serve as treasurer. Trustees voted to adopt the meeting agenda and approved the consent agenda, which included minutes, employment contracts and several staff hires and resignations.
The superintendent introduced Scott Johnson as the district’s new director of business services; Johnson told the board he will work remotely until mid-February and begin full-time Feb. 17. “I look forward to serving this community,” Johnson said.
On finance and legal matters, trustees approved retaining Troon Law Firm of Lansing as board legal counsel and approved the use of Clark Hill for personnel/legal human-resources needs if required. The board designated Honor Credit Union, United Federal Credit Union, Michigan CLASS Investment Pool, BMO Harris Bank and UMB Financial Corporation as depositories for school funds; Ms. Berry abstained from that vote, noting an employment-related conflict.
The board accepted the district’s amended budget appropriations resolution for fiscal year 2025–26 and approved recommended audit services from Bridal, Lawton & Company. Trustees also approved updated authorized banking users (adding Scott Johnson and removing two former users), certified four Buchanan Virtual Academy graduates and approved an overnight close-up student trip to Washington, D.C., March 22–27, 2026, supervised by Josh Wagner.
Board members moved through committee assignments for the year, naming primary and alternate reps for curriculum, human resources, facilities and finance, student discipline and other district committees. Several trustees commented that committee work is the “behind the scenes” work that helps the district move forward.
The board set its next meeting for Feb. 23, 2026, at 6 p.m. and adjourned.
What’s next: The board will follow up on the budget amendment and facilities planning in committee meetings before reporting back to the full board.
