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Jenison Public Schools board approves policy updates, capital projects and emergency remediation; Bursley remediation estimated at $300,000
Summary
The Board of Education voted unanimously on August 18 to approve policy updates, shared-time agreements, a JCA pipe replacement (≤ $105,000), a camera system upgrade (≤ $36,000), and emergency remediation work at Bursley Elementary estimated at roughly $300,000; the administration will pursue insurance offsets and report back.
At its regular meeting on Monday night, the Jenison Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a slate of administrative and facilities actions, including policy updates, shared-time agreements with neighboring Christian schools, capital repairs at the Jenison Center for the Arts (JCA), and emergency remediation at Bursley Elementary.
Board President Dr. Eric Hartman reconvened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. after the SEAB hearing. The Board first recognized a roster of new staff hires across elementary, junior high, and high school programs.
During public comment, Jennifer Gray of Jenison said she was disappointed the Board scheduled the August meeting concurrent with many district Open Houses, arguing that the overlap forced families to choose between meeting teachers and participating in Board business. Dr. Hartman thanked her for the comment; no schedule change was announced.
The Board approved the agenda and prior minutes (vote 7-0). The Board then voted 7-0 to accept the July financial report; Ms. Marcy reported that the district audit review began that day.
Among the approvals:
- Shared-time agreements to provide Spanish and Art courses to students at Jenison Christian Schools and Spanish to Hudsonville Christian Schools (approved 7-0).
- Board policy updates in Series 4000 and Series 5000, including policy 5407 and an instructional materials opt-out form 5407-F (approved 7-0).
- A JCA pipe replacement project to replace galvanized piping with stainless steel in approximately half the facility, not to exceed $105,000; the work is expected in September and will require a scheduled 2–3 day water shutdown (approved 7-0).
- Replacement of the JCA's camera/video system—using SDI cabling, new cameras and monitors—at a cost not to exceed $36,000, funded from the JCA budget (approved 7-0).
- Emergency remediation at Bursley Elementary after environmental concerns were discovered; district staff reported the problem affected 16 areas including 12 classrooms and estimated materials and installation costs at about $300,000. The Board approved proceeding with remediation as an emergency action and will pursue insurance offsets (approved 7-0).
Administration said staff and families had been informed and that contingency plans were in place to keep students together where possible if building access is delayed. Ms. Marcy said testing and remediation work are ongoing and that the final cost will be reported once determined.
Superintendent Brandon Graham gave broader operational updates: staff professional development and an all-district kickoff, a half-day start for students on the first day of school, junior high enrollment topping 422 seventh-graders, ongoing pool renovations with a target opening next year, demolition of the old transportation building with temporary workspace in trailers, and an upcoming Wildcat Festival on Aug. 28.
Dr. Hartman adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m.
