Big Jackson board approves 2025–26 school‑choice plan, hires law firm to update policies

The Big Jackson School District Board of Education on April 8, 2025 unanimously approved the Newaygo County School of Choice plan for the 2025–26 school year, authorized the retention of Thrun Law Firm to update district board policies, accepted a bid nomination presented by a visitor, and approved routine payments and the March 11 meeting minutes.

Board member Laura Johnson moved to approve the meeting agenda, the March 11 regular meeting minutes and later moved the motion to approve the School of Choice plan; Andy Cook and Ross Fulton, respectively, provided support on those motions. Each recorded motion passed 5–0. The consent agenda, which included payment of checks and payroll as presented, was approved on a 5–0 vote after a motion by Johnson and support from Cook.

During public participation, visitor Hillary Cobb raised questions about NCRESA and the 2025–26 school calendar. Visitor Jacalyn Carter asked questions about the School of Choice plan and later provided a bid nomination that the board accepted; the board recorded that acceptance with a motion by Johnson, supported by Fulton, and a 5–0 vote.

On policy updates, Board member Sarni Jackson moved, and Laura Johnson supported, to approve the use of Thrun Law Firm to update the school board’s policies as presented by Ron Veldman; that motion also carried 5–0. The minutes record Veldman as the presenter of the policy-update recommendation.

The board’s actions were procedural and unanimous; no recorded dissent, abstentions, or roll-call differences appear in the minutes. The meeting was called to order by President Michelle Ruelle at 7:00 P.M. and adjourned at 7:43 P.M.

Next steps recorded in the minutes: retain Thrun Law Firm to begin policy updates and implement the approved School of Choice plan for 2025–26; the minutes do not specify contract amounts, timelines for the policy update, nor detailed operational changes to the School of Choice plan.