Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Three Rivers board approves sale of Henry P. Barrows building, Norton Elementary transition and one-time educator compensation
Summary
At its March 16 meeting the Three Rivers Community School District board voted unanimously to sell the Henry P. Barrows building via a real estate broker, agreed to move Norton Elementary 1st–3rd graders to Park Elementary for 2026–27, and approved distribution of one-time state Section 27l funds for qualifying educators; two members abstained from the compensation vote due to family relationships.
The Three Rivers Community School District Board of Education on March 16 approved three major items affecting facilities, school configuration and educator pay.
The board voted 6-0 to authorize the sale of the Henry P. Barrows building and instructed staff to proceed with listing the property through a real estate broker after district leaders reviewed options related to age-related deterioration and upkeep costs. Superintendent Nikki Nash presented the background that the district is no longer using the building due to its condition.
The board also approved a transition plan for Norton Elementary’s current 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade sections to move to Park Elementary for the 2026–2027 school year. Superintendent Nash and the administrative team said the reconfiguration is intended to support district financial stability amid declining enrollment locally and statewide. Member Melissa Patch moved the Norton plan and Member Ross Daniels supported the motion; the motion passed 6-0.
Separately, the board approved a recommendation to distribute one-time educator compensation funded under State School Aid Act Section 27l (MCL 388.1627l). Superintendent Nash reviewed the state-allocated, one-time funding intended to increase educator compensation and recommended it be paid to qualifying employees and bargaining-unit members. Member Patch moved to approve the 27l Letter of Recommendation with bargaining groups as presented; the roll-call vote was recorded 4-0 in favor (Baker, Nowak, Ogreen, Patch). Members Julia Awe and Ross Daniels abstained and the minutes note the abstentions were because their spouses are educators at Three Rivers.
The Consent Agenda, which included approval of the February 16 and March 2 minutes, the February payroll change register, an accounts payable register totaling $1,277,161.17 and bond invoice payments totaling $295,070.31, passed 6-0. The board also recognized winter sports accomplishments during the meeting but took no formal votes on the recognitions.
The board adjourned at 7:20 PM. Listed next steps include moving forward with the Barrows property sale through a broker and implementing the Norton-to-Park transition for the 2026–27 year; the minutes record that board members asked questions during presentations but do not list follow-up deadlines in these minutes.
