Kalkaska Public Schools board approves hires, recognizes staff and students; tables 31aa funding until Nov. 24 special meeting

The Kalkaska Public Schools Board of Education met on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, at Kalkaska Public School. Board President Rachael Birgy called the regular meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. and the board approved the agenda by a 6-0 vote after a motion from Trustee Chase Stevenson and support from Secretary Wendy Watson.

In a single consent motion, the board approved minutes from Oct. 20, 2025, payment of general, bond and athletic fund bills, and several pending hires contingent on cleared background checks. Treasurer Mary Scobey moved the consent motion, seconded by Dr. Richard Hodgman; the motion carried 6-0. The hires listed in the packet were Cole McKenzie (Powerlifting Coach); Josh Wakefield (Varsity Girls’ Soccer Coach); Carrie Ingersoll (Food Service Assistant); and Kathryn White (Instructional Paraprofessional).

Kalkaska Upper Elementary Principal Ryan Moore recognized Title I teacher Ali Bridson and students Matthias Whitney and Tessa Parritt during the Student/Staff Recognition portion of the agenda; specifics of the recognition are recorded in the meeting packet.

The district’s vision and mission statements were recorded in the meeting materials. The packet’s vision statement reads: “Inspiring excellence through perseverance, resilience, and individual success.” A public communication entry lists David Stockford (no affiliation provided) under Public Communication.

Superintendent Rick Heitmeyer delivered a series of updates included in the board packet. Items recorded include an Agents for Change grant award for kindergarten teacher Angela Hillier; participation in Teach!Michigan superintendent training in New York City; a noted shout-out to Bryan Flory of MDHHS; updates on food service and transportation supervision; the addition of a reading interventionist at Kalkaska Middle School; the start of winter sports; reported homeschool withdrawals; Regional Staff Development Day on Nov. 4, 2025; a KHS practice lockdown; Thrun Law 504 training; and KAP in-person student data presented by Staci Short. The minutes note these updates without additional detail beyond what is in the packet.

On agenda business, the board discussed naming the Kalkaska Softball Complex; the minutes record the discussion as an agenda item but show no motion or vote on a name during the Nov. 17 meeting. The board tabled the 31aa funding item and scheduled a special Board meeting for Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. to address that funding item.

Building-level reports were listed on the agenda; the minutes indicate they were part of the meeting but do not include their content. The minutes list no resignations or retirements.

Secretary Wendy Watson moved to adjourn, seconded by Vice President Steve Ordway; the motion carried 6-0 and the meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.

Next procedural step: the board will reconvene for a special meeting Nov. 24, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. to consider the tabled 31aa funding item.