Ludington Area School District board approves $229,210.92 bond payment, WSESD budget, WMHIP trustee and irrigation contracts

Ludington — The Ludington Area School District Board of Education on April 21 unanimously approved a series of routine fiscal and facilities actions, including a $229,210.92 payment on the district bond project and acceptance of three bids for underground irrigation work at Ludington High School and near OJ DeJonge Middle School.

Board President Bret Autrey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the board approved the consent agenda, which included ratification of bills dated April 21, minutes from the March 17 regular meeting and several personnel items. The board voted 6–0 on the consent agenda; Board member Sarah Lowman moved the motion and Stephanie Reed supported it.

In formal action, the board approved Certificate for Payment #60 for the school bond project "in the amount of $229,210.92 as certified by the architect and construction manager," a motion made by Michael W. Nagle and supported by Stephanie Reed. The motion passed on a 6–0 vote.

Separately, the board voted 6–0 to approve the West Shore Educational Service District (WSESD) 2025–2026 General Fund Operating Budget Resolution as presented. The board also unanimously designated Superintendent Dr. Kyle Corlett as Trustee and Laura Jacobs as Alternate Trustee to serve on the Board of Trustees for the West Michigan Health Insurance Pool (WMHIP); that motion was made by Stephanie Reed and supported by Mike Winczewski.

On facilities, the board approved three bids submitted by Olson Irrigation, Inc. for installation of underground irrigation systems: Ludington High School for $20,300, and two sites near OJ DeJonge Middle School for $22,000 and $19,200. The motion to accept the bids was made by Michael W. Nagle, supported by Mike Winczewski, and carried 6–0.

Superintendent Dr. Kyle Corlett presented the evening's Soaring Oriole Award to Dante Vela, praising him as "a recent graduate of Ludington High School who has returned as a coach and now a full time member of our staff supporting our current students." Corlett also provided brief facilities updates: the tennis courts will be closed for a few weeks this summer and pool tile repairs are in progress; Ludington Elementary School's spring musical was noted as upcoming.

Committee reports were presented by Mike Nagle (Personnel/Policy Committee) and Stephanie Reed (Finance/Negotiation and Building/Site Committees). The public comment period produced no formal actions. The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

Votes at a glance: • Certificate for Payment #60 (bond project): motion by Michael W. Nagle, second Stephanie Reed; Ayes: Autrey, Reed, Nagle, Lowman, Neushwander, Winczewski; motion carried 6–0; amount $229,210.92. • WSESD 2025–2026 General Fund Operating Budget Resolution: motion by Mike Nagle, second Stephanie Reed; Ayes 6–0; carried. • WMHIP trustee designation: motion by Stephanie Reed, second Mike Winczewski; designated Dr. Kyle Corlett (Trustee) and Laura Jacobs (Alternate); Ayes 6–0; carried. • Olson Irrigation bids for underground irrigation: motion by Michael W. Nagle, second Mike Winczewski; accepted three bids ($20,300; $22,000; $19,200); Ayes 6–0; carried.

The district minutes list that official records are available for public inspection at the district administration office.