Hillsdale Community Schools board approves budget revisions, donations, trip, contract renewal and new class

Board President Nicole Hoffman presided as the Hillsdale Community Schools Board of Education met April 21 in the Hillsdale High School library and voted unanimously on a slate of routine and program items.

The board adopted 2024–25 General Fund budget revisions as presented after a motion by Trustee Chris Sumnar supported by Dan LaRue. The motion passed 7-0. The board also accepted a $2,510.33 gift from the Hillsdale County Community Foundation (moved by Sumnar, supported by LaRue) and a $3,600.00 grant from Get To (moved by Kathy Petersen, supported by Chris Sumnar); both donations were approved 7-0.

Treasurer's receipts and bills payable for March 2025 were reported before approval of the consent agenda. The receipts and expenditures reported for March include: General Fund receipts $1,416,574.26 and expenditures $1,483,836.40; Building & Site receipts $46,901.02 and expenditures $42,265.00; Food Service receipts $134,255.75 and expenditures $65,626.08; Activity receipts $23,115.23 and expenditures $30,691.73. The consent agenda (including the March 17 minutes and the finance items) was approved on a motion by Kathy Petersen supported by Rebecca Portteus, 7-0.

Trustees approved a renewal of the district's Food Service Management Company contract (mover: Kathy Petersen; supporter: Chris Sumnar) and authorized an overnight trip for students to attend the BPA National Leadership Conference after a motion by Petersen supported by Portteus; both motions carried 7-0.

The board approved a new Folklore and Mythology course (moved by Petersen, supported by LaRue), also by a 7-0 vote.

Separately, the board approved a package of technical policy updates (moved by Dan LaRue, supported by Kathy Petersen). The changes listed in the minutes include replacing David Pratt with Josh Perrin and Laurie VanOrman with Allison Wirick as named compliance officers in district policies; replacing the Athletic Director listing David Pratt with Joshua Sepanik; substituting Foote Hospital with Hillsdale Hospital in policy text; and replacing Osborne, March & Condon with Willis & Jurasek. The motion passed 7-0.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, treasurer's receipts, bills payable): Moved Kathy Petersen; supported Rebecca Portteus. Vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. - Accept $2,510.33 from Hillsdale County Community Foundation: Moved Chris Sumnar; supported Dan LaRue. Vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. - Adopt 2024–25 General Fund budget revisions: Moved Chris Sumnar; supported Dan LaRue. Vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. - Policy technical changes (naming and vendor updates): Moved Dan LaRue; supported Kathy Petersen. Vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. - Accept $3,600.00 Get To grant: Moved Kathy Petersen; supported Chris Sumnar. Vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. - Approve BPA National Leadership Conference overnight trip: Moved Kathy Petersen; supported Rebecca Portteus. Vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. - Renew Food Service Management Company contract: Moved Kathy Petersen; supported Chris Sumnar. Vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays. - Approve new Folklore and Mythology class: Moved Kathy Petersen; supported Dan LaRue. Vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Nays.

The meeting included routine committee reports and a superintendent's report that noted a facility study by Hanover & Associates, mention of Munetrix, a Transportation Handbook, a PK–12 discipline matrix, calendar committee work, and the announced retirement of Business Manager Patty Knapp effective Aug. 29. Public comment during the addenda included a question from Melissa Tesch about the district's bus driver shortage. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

No additional details about budget line-item revisions or contract terms were included in the minutes excerpt.