Ionia Public Schools board approves playgrounds, track and policy updates; affirms student-discipline decision

The Ionia Public Schools Board of Education, meeting in regular session and called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Yokom, unanimously approved a series of facilities projects, staff hires and policy updates and later affirmed an administrative student-discipline decision after convening in closed session.

The approvals included purchase and installation of new playground equipment for Rather Elementary (motion by Vice President Baker, supported by Treasurer Ellis) and Twin Rivers Elementary (motion by Trustee Montgomery, supported by Trustee Siemen); both motions carried 7-0. The board also approved replacement of the IPS track following a presentation by Athletics Director Andy Barr (motion by Trustee Shippey, supported by Treasurer Ellis) and upgrades to the Ionia High School athletic commons bathrooms (motion by Vice President Baker, supported by Trustee Siemen). Presenters for the facilities items included Superintendent Benjamin Gurk and Facilities Director Mike Avery.

In personnel business, Human Resource Director Melissa Weller reported a recommended support-staff hire for the Bulldog Beginnings associate-teacher candidate, McKenzie Sheteron, and a recommended professional hire for Boyce first-grade teacher candidate Kamryn Nicholson. Trustee Shippey moved, and Trustee Montgomery supported, approval of the professional hires; the motion carried 7-0. Earlier consent items included approval of the March 16, 2026 regular and closed-session minutes and payment of bills (motion by Secretary Marhofer, supported by Vice President Baker), also adopted 7-0.

The board received a sinking fund and financial update from the Executive Director of Business and Finance who reported sinking fund revenue through March 31, 2026 of $10,645,024.23 and expenditures to date of $8,432,035.39; the director said April updates would be provided at the May board meeting and that sinking fund projects are planned for the summer.

Administrative Assistant Little presented Neola policy updates in a second reading, describing legal changes to policies PO00100, PO5136 and PO6325, introducing PO1410 and PO4210, and moving the Volunteers policy to Operations while rescinding policies 3120.09 and 4120.09. Vice President Baker moved and Trustee Shippey supported approval of the Neola updates; the board adopted the changes 7-0.

The board considered and approved a motion by Trustee Shippey, supported by Trustee Montgomery, to enter closed session for student discipline under OMA 15.268(b); the roll-call vote recorded all ayes and the board entered closed session at 7:22 p.m. The board returned to open session at 7:57 p.m. and, in open session, moved to affirm the administration’s decision in the student-discipline matter (motion by Trustee Shippey, supported by Trustee Montgomery); that motion carried 7-0. No disciplinary facts or identifying student details were disclosed in open session.

During board comments Trustee Shippey congratulated the art contest winner (referred to as Miss Castillo) and thanked 12 Rotary members for a community cleanup. President Yokom thanked an IPS parent who attended and shared concerns. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.; the board announced its next regular meeting on May 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in room 304 of the Ionia Educational Center.

Votes at a glance: approval of agenda (7-0); consent agenda—minutes and bills (7-0); new professional hires (7-0); Rather Elementary playground (7-0); Twin Rivers Elementary playground (7-0); IPS track replacement (7-0); IHS athletic commons bathroom upgrades (7-0); Neola policy updates (7-0); motion to enter closed session for student discipline (roll-call, 7-0); affirmation of discipline decision after closed session (7-0).