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Utica board approves Schools of Choice window, professional development hours; hears first reading on forensic science elective
Summary
The board approved Schools of Choice enrollment periods for 2026–27 and a schedule to count professional development hours as pupil instructional time; the Forensic Science 1 elective was presented as a first reading with no vote.
The Utica Community Schools Board on Dec. 15 approved a Schools of Choice resolution for the 2026–2027 school year, adopted advisory committee recommendations to count specified professional development hours as pupil instructional hours, and heard a first reading of a proposed Forensic Science 1 elective for grades 11–12.
Under the Schools of Choice resolution approved by motion of Mrs. Fitzpatrick with support from Dr. Steven Meyer, eligible students residing within the Macomb Intermediate School District and contiguous intermediate districts will be allowed to enroll in UCS for 2026–2027. The unlimited Schools of Choice enrollment period opens Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 and continues through Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026 for K–12 students; a second enrollment window is set for Dec. 7–18, 2026 for K–6 students. The motion passed 6–0 on roll call.
On professional development, the board approved the District Provided Professional Development Advisory Committee recommendations that allow a maximum of 31 professional development hours to count as pupil instructional hours for 2025–2026 and 36 hours for each of the following two years; the committee composition and required teacher-majority membership were noted as part of the statutory guidance (MCL 388.1701(10)). The motion (mover: Mrs. Kelli Rankin; support: Mrs. Austerman) passed 6–0.
Kim Charland presented Forensic Science 1 as a semester-long course aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards; this was a first reading and no action was required. Dr. Charland said the course is designed to provide rigorous, inquiry-based experiences and reflected district efforts to expand elective options for grades 11–12.
The board also approved certified personnel changes and accepted the financial report for November 2025 as presented at the meeting.
