Whiteford board approves hires, Chromebook refresh and 4th‑grade furniture purchase

The Whiteford Agricultural School Board of Education on April 13 approved multiple personnel hires and district purchases, including a revised quote to replace student Chromebooks and new furniture for fourth‑grade classrooms.

The actions were approved on unanimous votes of the five board members present (Shane Hillard, Dave Dixon, Janelle Hauser, Brandon Lott and Tom Wenzel); Jeff Bunge and Jason Vida were absent. The board met in Ottawa Lake and recessed into closed session later in the meeting for collective bargaining strategy under Section 8(c) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act before resuming and adjourning.

The board contracted with Edustaff to hire Isaiah Joerin as the JV boys basketball coach, with compensation described as "6% of step 4BA" of the current WEA Master Agreement; the specific dollar amount was not specified in the motion and the hire is contingent on favorable prior‑employer checks and FBI/State of Michigan background checks. Superintendent Scott L. Huard reported Joerin had resigned his previous coaching assignment and the board approved the Edustaff contract (motion by Tom Wenzel; seconded by Dave Dixon).

The board also approved hiring Charlie Nykiel as the middle/high school vocal music teacher for the 2026–27 school year at Step 3‑BA, with a start date of Sept. 2, 2026, and a salary no less than $42,555 under the negotiated WEA Master Agreement. That motion passed by the same 5–0 margin (motion by Brandon Lott; seconded by Shane Hillard).

On technology, the board amended an earlier authorization and approved purchase of 205 Lenovo Chromebooks plus Google Chrome Education upgrades from People Driven Technology at a revised total cost of $56,252.20, to be paid from Technology Millage Funds. The revised vendor and amount reflect an increase of $689.20 over the previously approved figure; the motion was moved by Tom Wenzel and seconded by Dave Dixon and approved 5–0.

Separately, the board approved the purchase of 75 desks and chairs for fourth‑grade classrooms from Lakeshore Learning for $49,732.50 to be paid from the general fund (motion by Janelle Hauser; seconded by Tom Wenzel). All formal votes recorded in the minutes show five yes votes with two members absent.

The consent agenda, approved earlier in the meeting, included minutes from the March 23 regular meeting, the March treasurer’s report and check register, and adoption of a resolution proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month; the resolution text was included in meeting materials. Director of Finance & Business Services Marisa Tebbe‑Cousino told the board the district had completed the purchase‑order cutoff for the fiscal year and had submitted an intent to renew the Nutrition Group contract to the Michigan Department of Education for approval.

In reports to the board, Athletic Director Mirandia Green reported 142 total spring athletes districtwide (JV Baseball 13; Varsity Baseball 13; Varsity Softball 16; Varsity Track 46; Varsity Golf 12; MS Track 42) and recognized Jordan Bollin as Monroe County Coach of the Year. Middle/high school and elementary administrators outlined upcoming state testing dates, prom on April 25 and other spring activities.

"He consistently places students in positions to succeed—encouraging them to grow, believe in themselves, and express talents they may not have otherwise discovered," said Jeremy Simmons, who nominated Todd Schreiber, when the board recognized Schreiber as the district’s Staff Member of the Month for March.

The board entered closed session at 6:40 p.m. for collective bargaining strategy and resumed the regular meeting at 7:18 p.m. The board's next regular meeting is scheduled for May 11 at 6:00 p.m.