Superintendent reports on EGLE, bond timeline; principal cites family literacy and field trips

Superintendent Samantha Ball told the Martin Board of Education on Oct. 21 that the district is still awaiting a response from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and that the district expects more information in the coming weeks. Ball asked the board for her self-evaluation by Nov. 4 as part of the superintendent-evaluation timeline and noted a 3½-hour bond "page turn" meeting is scheduled for Thursday, with a bond update planned for the Nov. 18 board meeting.

Principal Becca Lynema reported updates from staff and described a successful family literacy night; she said middle-school students who maintain good behavior will participate in monthly field trips and credited Lauren Mathis for organizing those activities. In public comment, staff member Barb Schipper offered praise for Mathis' work supporting students, and visitor Jon Hoekstra raised a question about yearbook availability. Visitor Alice Kelsey asked that students aged 18 were offered an opportunity to register to vote ahead of the upcoming election.

Board members used the members' comments portion of the meeting to congratulate fall sports and the band; board member B. Branch said a group of middle-school students were upset about their grades and unhappy with a middle-school teacher. No formal board action followed those member comments; the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

The board plans to receive a bond update at its Nov. 18 meeting and the superintendent requested administrative deadlines for her evaluation be met.