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Grand Rapids school board approves Indian Education Advocate contract, $7.6M in claims and technical policy updates
Summary
At its regular meeting the Grand Rapids Public School District board approved $7,612,176.51 in February claims, the 2025–2027 Indian Education Advocate Group contract (including 1% and 2.25% salary increases and a $0.50/hour certificate premium), the annual capital asset listing and a package of MSBA‑identified technical policy updates, all by roll‑call vote.
The Grand Rapids Public School District board approved several routine and contractual items during its regular meeting after a preceding work session presentation.
The board approved the February 2026 claims in the amount of $7,612,176.51 after a motion and roll‑call vote. "Are there any further discussion? Hearing none," the chair said before Julie (the clerk) read a roll call that recorded affirmative votes from the board.
Casey, who presented the recommended 2025–2027 Indian Education Advocate Group contract, described the financial terms that the board approved: a 1% salary increase for 2025–26, a 2.25% increase for 2026–27, the addition of two workshop days to the advocate schedule, the ability for new hires to start at step 2, an additional $0.50 per hour base pay for those with a relevant diploma or certificate, and a shift in sick/personal‑day allocations. "I'm recommending approval of the 25–27 Indian Education Advocate contract," Casey said. Board members discussed funding sources and the superintendent noted that state and federal grant funds are available to support the programming.
The board also accepted the district's annual capital asset listing, an item the superintendent described as required for the district and summarized in the annual audit. "It lists the capitalized assets for the school district and is included in the annual audit report," the superintendent said before the board moved and approved acceptance of the listing.
Finally, the board approved a package of technical updates to district policies that MSBA had identified as technical (statute number changes or minor verbiage adjustments). During discussion, some board members asked for more time to review the packet; the superintendent noted that the updates were identified as technical by MSBA and presented the option for the board to authorize the clerk to make strictly technical statutory updates going forward.
All of these items were approved by roll‑call vote. The meeting continued with board reports and a superintendent update on legislative activity, facilities mapping and summer‑program planning before adjourning.
Votes at a glance
- Agenda approval: moved by David; second by Mark; approved by roll call (all present voted yes). - Minutes (03/02/2026) approval: moved and seconded; approved by roll call (all present voted yes). - February 2026 claims ($7,612,176.51): moved by Mark; seconded by David; approved by roll call (all present voted yes). - Consent agenda: approved by roll call (all present voted yes). - 2025–2027 Indian Education Advocate Group contract: moved and seconded; approved by roll call (all present voted yes). Contract terms noted above. - Capital asset listing (annual acceptance): moved and seconded; approved by roll call (all present voted yes). - Technical policy updates (MSBA-identified): moved and seconded; approved by roll call (all present voted yes).
What’s next: Board reports and the superintendent’s update followed; the board adjourned at the conclusion of the meeting.
