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Kalkaska Public Schools board accepts audit, approves expulsion re‑admission condition and handbook changes
Summary
On Sept. 16 the Kalkaska Public Schools Board of Education unanimously accepted the 2023–24 financial audit, approved a condition for readmission following an expulsion, adopted middle school handbook changes and confirmed a MASB delegate appointment; the board also approved routine hires on a consent agenda.
Kalkaska Public Schools Board of Education members met on Sept. 16, 2024 at Kalkaska Public School and, by unanimous votes, accepted the 2023–24 financial audit, approved a student re‑admission condition following expulsion and adopted changes to the middle school handbook.
The board voted 6–0 to accept the audit after it was presented earlier in the meeting; the presentation was listed as delivered by Ryan Howell of UHY LLP. The motion to accept the audit was made by Mary Scobey and supported by Sarah Dudek.
On a separate motion, the board approved the Expulsion Committee’s recommendation for student number 703522473. Under the action — moved by Dr. Richard Hodgman and supported by Steve Ordway — the student must successfully complete one full year of online learning before requesting readmission for the 2025–2026 school year. The motion carried 6–0; the minutes list the ayes as Dr. Richard Hodgman, Steve Ordway, Mary Scobey, Regan Foerster, Sarah Dudek and Rachael Birgy.
The board also approved changes to the Kalkaska Middle School handbook (motion by Sarah Dudek, support by Mary Scobey), a motion that carried 6–0. The minutes record that the handbook changes were accepted “as discussed”; the packet and on‑record discussion provide the details of those changes.
During routine business the board approved a consent agenda that included the minutes of Aug. 19, 2024; payment of general, bond and athletic fund bills; and several pending hires (pending cleared background checks). Hires listed in the minutes included Hali Headapohl and Kimberlee Speer (paraprofessionals at Kalkaska Middle School), Candy Babich and April Claycomb (food service assistants), coaches and athletics support staff including Amy Doehring (middle school cross country coach), Kelli Wilde (high school fall sports event manager), Gavin Cartmell (middle school football co‑head coach), Jacob Suton (varsity football assistant coach), Britney Burke (7/8th grade mixed volleyball coach), Autumn Kirkland (8th grade volleyball head coach), Charlie Short (JV football assistant coach) and others. That motion was made by Sarah Dudek and supported by Dr. Richard Hodgman and carried 6–0.
The board appointed Rachael Birgy to attend the MASB Delegate Assembly (scheduled for Oct. 24 at the Lansing Center, with virtual attendance noted as an option) on a motion by Steve Ordway with support from Mary Scobey; the motion carried 6–0.
Superintendent Rick Heitmeyer provided multiple updates during the meeting, including construction progress, a recap of the Blazer Bash event, notice of Three Lakes Association awards to teachers (letters included in the packet), enrollment trends, homecoming reminders and an update on the athletic complex. Principal Arica Zenner reported on the Early Childhood Learning Center, and Principal Staci Short recognized National Honor Society students and the NHS advisor.
Two members of the public, Lisa Spears and Aaron Perrin, were listed under public communication during the public comment portion of the meeting. The board called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
The board recorded all formal motions as unanimous (6–0). No votes failed or were tabled during this session. The minutes identify the members present as Mary Scobey, Regan Foerster, Dr. Richard Hodgman, Sarah Dudek, Steve Ordway and Rachael Birgy, with district staff including Superintendent Rick Heitmeyer and district administrators present.
