Mancelona Public Schools Board elects officers, approves hires and passes consent agenda

The Mancelona Public Schools Board of Education held its organizational meeting Jan. 14, 2025, electing Burt Thompson president and approving a consent agenda that included personnel hires, finance approvals and administrative appointments.

Board Business and Elections Kim Musselman nominated Burt Thompson for board president; the motion carried by voice vote (Yes: 5, No: 0). Musselman also nominated Amy Derrer for vice-president and Derrer was elected (Yes: 5, No: 0). Amy Derrer then nominated Kim Musselman for secretary; Musselman was elected (Yes: 5, No: 0). Amy Derrer nominated Gerald Clark for treasurer and Clark was elected (Yes: 5, No: 0). President Thompson requested removal of agenda item J (Reestablish Board Committees) and asked that adjournment be moved until after closed session; the amended agenda was approved (Yes: 6, No: 0).

Consent agenda The board approved the consent agenda (Yes: 6, No: 0), which included approval of the Dec. 10, 2024 regular meeting minutes; accounts payable disbursements for the general fund (12/17/2024 - $41,778.63; 12/30/2024 - $116,658.28) and bond fund (12/17/2024 - $49,858.94; 12/30/2024 - $550,036.06); personnel recommendations and hires including Melissa Orman as Early Childhood Director, Keith Smith as high school science teacher, and Kristin Witt as Early Childhood Coach; appointment of Laurie Phillips as recording secretary; designation of school depositories and credit cards; authorization of persons to sign checks, contracts and purchase orders; designation of legal counsel; and setting meeting dates for Feb. 2025–Jan. 2026.

Administrative and program reports Amy Burk of Communities in Schools of Northwest Michigan said a FAFSA Family Night on Jan. 8 drew eight seniors and their parents and noted upcoming college visits to Ferris State and Kirtland Community College. Bernadette Pletcher reported that the winter holiday sing-along was “a huge success,” that specials rotation will now include coding and robotics, and that the elementary is pursuing standards-based lesson plans and report cards. Jake Murray said testing is proceeding smoothly and staff are working on standards-based grading; he thanked the board for its support of student activities.

Superintendent update and district operations Superintendent Tina Frollo thanked the board for its support and said a SchoolMessenger message was sent to staff and families regarding a PowerSchool information breach; she stated there was no additional information to share at the meeting. Frollo reported the Hawk Lake timber harvest generated $32,580.70 (less payment to Lynn Stephens) and said central office is monitoring pending legislation including SB 6058 along with the Earned Sick Time Act and minimum wage changes. She said central office staff are preparing a budget amendment for the March board meeting.

Operations, facilities and technology Central office staff reported ongoing work on the Tyler bussing routing system; custodial staff described holiday deep-cleaning and a Cleanest Classroom challenge; Food Service noted recent events and a catered Murder Mystery on Jan. 16; technology staff are soliciting quotes for security camera installation and additional card readers; Enrollment Express forms are available in PowerSchool; and bond bid planning for summer projects is underway.

Closed session and adjournment The board voted to enter closed session on a motion by Amy Derrer with support from Bisson (Yes: 6, No: 0). The board returned to open session at 6:04 p.m., noted a positive discussion about goals, and adjourned at 6:05 p.m. on a motion by MacQuarrie with support from Bisson (Yes: 6, No: 0).

What’s next The board set meeting dates for Feb. 2025–Jan. 2026 and will consider a budget amendment at the March meeting. An ISD board seat was noted as open for interested candidates.