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Ludington Area Schools board approves bond payment, LESPA contract, K–5 math program and 2025–26 calendar; holds closed session on bargaining
Summary
The Ludington Area Schools Board of Education on July 21, 2025 approved Certificate for Payment #63 for the district bond project, ratified a three-year LESPA contract, purchased the Math Expressions K–5 curriculum, adopted the 2025–26 District Improvement Plan and school calendar, designated depositories and electronic transfer officers, and met in closed session on collective bargaining strategy.
The Ludington Area Schools Board of Education approved multiple district actions at its July 21, 2025 regular meeting, voting unanimously on a series of contracts, policy updates and administrative designations before convening a closed session on collective bargaining strategy.
Board President Dr. Bret Autrey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at the district administration office. After presentations that included a student-athlete recognition for Gavin Smith and a curriculum briefing from Curriculum Director Mike Hart on student growth percentiles and the District School Improvement Plan, the board moved through a consent agenda and then took action on several items on the agenda.
The board approved Certificate for Payment #63 for the school bond project, authorizing payment as certified by the project architect and construction manager. The motion to approve the certificate was made by Mike Winczewski and supported by Stephanie Reed; the vote was 7–0 (Dr. Bret Autrey, Stephanie Reed, Steve Carlson, Michael W. Nagle, Sarah Lowman, Alan Neushwander and Mike Winczewski voted aye).
The board ratified a three-year contract with the Ludington Education Support Personnel Association (LESPA) covering 2025–2028. The motion, moved by Alan Neushwander and supported by Michael W. Nagle, carried 7–0.
On curriculum, the board approved the purchase of the Math Expressions K–5 program from Heinemann as presented. That motion was made by Stephanie Reed, supported by Mike Winczewski and approved 7–0.
The 2025–26 District Improvement Plan was approved by motion of Steve Carlson, supported by Sarah Lowman; the motion carried 7–0. The board also approved the 2025–26 school year calendar by motion of Stephanie Reed, supported by Sarah Lowman (vote 7–0).
On district finance and administration, the board designated West Shore Bank and UMB Bank as official depositories and authorized Superintendent Dr. Kyle B. Corlett and Director of Business Services Laura Jacobs to act as official signatories for checks, contracts and account transfers. The board also designated Dr. Corlett and Laura Jacobs as the district's Electronic Transfer Officers (ETO) to complete ACH transactions under Board Policy 6144. Both actions passed unanimously.
The board approved updates to Neola Policy 5341 and Policy 2340 as presented. Personnel and committee reports were heard from the Personnel/Policy Committee (reported by Michael W. Nagle), and Finance/Negotiation and Building/Site reports (reported by Stephanie Reed).
At 6:57 p.m. the board convened a closed session for collective bargaining strategy under the Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.268, Sec. 8(c)); the board returned to open session at 8:25 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Minutes were signed by Secretary Michael W. Nagle and later approved on August 18, 2025. The official minutes are available at the district administration office.
Votes at a glance: - Certificate for Payment #63 (bond project): motion by Mike Winczewski, support Stephanie Reed; outcome: approved, vote 7–0. - LESPA contract (2025–2028): motion by Alan Neushwander, support Michael W. Nagle; outcome: approved, vote 7–0. - Math Expressions K–5 purchase (Heinemann): motion by Stephanie Reed, support Mike Winczewski; outcome: approved, vote 7–0. - 2025–26 District Improvement Plan: motion by Steve Carlson, support Sarah Lowman; outcome: approved, vote 7–0. - Official depositories and authorized signatories (West Shore Bank, UMB Bank; Dr. Kyle B. Corlett, Laura Jacobs): motion by Michael W. Nagle, support Stephanie Reed; outcome: approved, vote 7–0. - Electronic Transfer Officers designation (Dr. Kyle B. Corlett, Laura Jacobs): motion by Sarah Lowman, support Steve Carlson; outcome: approved, vote 7–0. - Neola policies 5341 and 2340: motion by Michael W. Nagle, support Stephanie Reed; outcome: approved, vote 7–0. - 2025–26 School Year Calendar: motion by Stephanie Reed, support Sarah Lowman; outcome: approved, vote 7–0.
The minutes show three public participants (Tom Rotta, Whitney Stevens and Noel Niemann) spoke during citizen participation; the minutes do not record the text of their remarks.
