Board ratifies bond refunding, approves handbooks, sheriff camera‑sharing agreement and FFA trip

The Cedar Springs Public Schools Board of Education on April 13 approved a package of actions: revisions to multiple student handbooks for the 2026–27 school year, ratification of the district’s 2026 bond refunding transaction, a county sheriff camera‑sharing agreement for emergency access, and a recurring FFA regional officer retreat field trip.

Handbook approvals: Trustees voted to approve the Campus Kids, elementary, middle school, high school and New Beginnings handbooks for the 2026–27 school year as presented. The Cedar Springs Virtual Academy handbook was included in the packet but was not up for action this evening.

Bond refunding ratification: Finance staff reported that Brownstone Investment Group purchased the refunding bonds and described net savings to the district. Staff said the refunding proceeds were used to repay 2016 bonds and issuance costs; the net savings reported in the meeting packet was approximately $286,000. The board approved the ratification resolution.

Sheriff video‑sharing agreement: Staff described a proposed agreement authorizing the Kent County Sheriff’s Office to have conditional access to district camera systems "in the event of a mass casualty emergency or a critical incident," subject to the district’s technical and legal safeguards. The board voted to approve implementing the agreement as presented.

FFA field trip: The board approved the second read of a routine trip request for students to attend the West 2026 FFA regional officer retreat; staff noted the district has participated in the past.

Roll calls and voting: Each motion was taken with roll‑call confirmations following the motions. The transcript records affirmative roll‑call confirmations for the motions as read (names and verbal 'Yes' answers appear in the record). The motions were recorded as carried.