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Board actions: driver contract, roofing awards, Chartwells renewal and policy first readings
Summary
At its April 13 meeting, Lowell Area Schools approved a three-year bus driver contract, authorized roofing awards for Murray Lake Elementary, renewed its food-service contract with Chartwells, accepted a $370 donation, and selected four KIASB candidates; first readings of revised policies were presented and staff reported on HR, budget and curriculum.
The Lowell Area Schools Board of Education took several administrative and operational actions at its April 13 meeting, approving contracts, accepting a donation, and beginning policy updates.
The board approved a three-year contract with the drivers’ association intended to retain the current workforce and improve recruitment. District administrator Mr. Chaki told the board the agreement aligns driver language (longevity, severance, vacation, school closings/delays) more closely with other support-staff contracts and maintains an attendance-incentive as a letter of agreement. He said the district will form a bus-maintenance committee to clarify who performs cleaning, pre-trip and post-trip tasks and to resolve fuel-tank replacement questions (underground vs. above-ground vs. off-site) before finalizing related language.
On facilities, the board authorized Owens and Kimble to issue notices of pending awards and to proceed with contracts for Murray Lake Elementary’s roof pending required documentation. The low asphalt-shingle bid listed was $153,644 and a flat TPO option was listed at $252,175; district staff said the total project budget including contingency is $766,000 and will be paid from the sinking fund.
The board also approved a renewal of the district’s food service management contract with Chartwells. Staff described the arrangement as a five-year agreement with annual renewals and said administrative fees will increase by 4 percent this year (CPI matched 4 percent). State and federal contracting rules for school food service were reported to have been followed and MDE approved the renewal.
Other routine business: the board accepted a donation of camera equipment valued at $370 from Lori Kuna for the district’s digital photography program; selected four candidates (Aaron Leaves, Ann Hamming, Bill Saxton, Kelly Promote) to fill open seats on the Kent ISD-associated KIASB board; and held a first reading of several policy updates (staff ethics, specialized transportation for students with IEPs, wireless communication device policy in line with Public Act 2, AI guidance, procurement updates).
In informational reports, HR explained distribution options and eligibility for 27L2 funds (cash, 403(b), or HSA) and listed examples of roles that may not qualify; the business office described audit preparation and attendance at the MSBO conference; and curriculum staff reported the sex-education advisory board recommended no changes to the reproductive health curriculum, suggested standardizing parent notices and developing training for new fifth-grade teachers, and said the Michigan Student Voice survey achieved 97 percent participation with a 2.9-point increase in the belonging domain. State testing was noted to continue through May 22.
All motions taken during the meeting were approved by voice vote as recorded in the transcript; the board adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
