Chippewa Hills board approves 2026-27 calendar, sets June 22 Truth in Budgeting hearing and OKs overnight trips

The Chippewa Hills School District Board of Education unanimously approved the 2026-27 district calendar and a measure to count full professional learning days toward instructional time at its April 13 meeting at Chippewa Hills High School. The board also set the Truth in Budgeting hearing for June 22, 2026, at 5:15 p.m. and approved multiple overnight field-trip requests.

Superintendent Michelle Newman reported highlights from March Is Reading Month, saying Barryton students logged 53,000 minutes, Mecosta students logged 187,644 minutes and Weidman students recorded 10,226 books/chapters. Newman also noted the district’s robotics team qualified for playoffs. Director of Finance Jessica Walburg told the board the budget is on track and that she will perform a federal funds drawdown soon; she said food service plans to buy a walk-in freezer for Mecosta with surplus funds and that the freezer will be an action item at the May meeting.

During presentations, the Mecosta Elementary School Leadership Team reported academic improvements: Acadience Reading schoolwide benchmark rose from 59% to 63% (fall to winter) and NWEA schoolwide benchmark was 66%, with reading accuracy at a record 69% and math intervention work underway. Facilities and maintenance staff led by Kyle Talicska said they have processed 750 maintenance tickets this year and closed 708; they highlighted major projects including an ESG project, an aerator lift station, installation of new drinking fountains and a high-school well replacement, and said upcoming work includes a HS/MS clock and bell project, septic-system work in Mecosta and Weidman and reworking office heat in Weidman.

Board members discussed several items before taking votes. The calendar motion was made during Items for Action by Amanda Cornell and supported by Brian Simon; the board approved the calendar and the proposal to count full professional learning days toward instructional time by a 7-0 vote. Julia Ezell moved, and Sherry Anderson supported, the motion to set the Truth in Budgeting hearing for June 22, 2026 at 5:15 p.m.; the motion passed 7-0. Brenda Donley moved and Julia Ezell supported approval of the overnight field trips as presented; that motion also passed 7-0.

Other business included updates that IDI is designing septic systems for the Mecosta and Weidman sites and that duct detectors for the Mosaic construction project are on backorder with delivery expected at week’s end, after which final inspection can occur. The Remus building abatement assessment was completed during spring break and the district is awaiting the formal report. Committee reports covered MTSS instructional-material orders, Cooperative (CoOp) program developments and facilities work such as middle-school gym painting and playground-screen installation.

Votes at a glance — all motions carried unanimously (7-0): • Approve 2026-27 district calendar and count full professional learning days toward instructional time. Motion: Amanda Cornell; second: Brian Simon. Outcome: approved, 7-0. • Set Truth in Budgeting hearing for June 22, 2026 at 5:15 p.m. Motion: Julia Ezell; second: Sherry Anderson. Outcome: approved, 7-0. • Approve overnight field trips as presented. Motion: Brenda Donley; second: Julia Ezell. Outcome: approved, 7-0.

The board previewed May agenda items including a Wellness Center presentation, Mosaic school presentation, staff recommendations and multiple contract items, and was reminded that the Mecosta walk-in freezer purchase will return as an action item next month. The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.; minutes were submitted by Secretary Julia Ezell.