Negaunee Public Schools board adopts unlimited Schools of Choice status, approves Chromebook and equipment purchases

Negaunee, Mich. — The Negaunee Public Schools Board of Education at a regular meeting March 18 adopted an unlimited participation status in both Section 105 and 105c Schools of Choice for the 2026–2027 school year and approved several routine expenditures and personnel items.

The board voted 6–0 on a roll-call motion to adopt unlimited Schools of Choice participation; the administration will publish required public notices. That resolution was moved by Trustee Pat Thomson and supported by Trustee Amy Clickner and was recorded as a roll‑call vote of six ayes and zero nays.

Board members also approved a technology purchase from Sehi for 600 Chromebooks at $150,180.00 and 25 interactive panels at $51,175.00 on a motion by Amy Clickner, supported by Pat Thomson. Trustees questioned what would happen to older Chromebooks and whether the district’s annual replacement set‑aside should be revisited given rising prices. Business Manager Michelle LaMere reported that she and Athletic Director Jake Skewis have begun using Arbiter for athletic worker pay, a change they said will be beneficial for district athletic staffing and payroll processes.

Other actions taken by the board included approval of payment of bills totaling $503,576.64; the purchase of Probability and Statistics textbooks from McGraw‑Hill for $4,433.00; approval of an employee FMLA request from Jodi Johnson and the board’s spring coaching recommendations listing head and assistant coaches for multiple sports. All motions recorded in the minutes carried by unanimous 6–0 votes.

During administrative reports, Principal Heather Holman said 56 students had registered so far for next year’s kindergarten and discussed March reading month activities and playground equipment planning with LPTP. Superintendent Andy Skewis updated trustees on snow‑removal work, planned updates to the district’s asbestos plan, early childhood/GSRP planning, and the first meeting of an AI committee to develop a district student policy. Trustees asked the administration for a multi‑year improvement plan and expense breakdown for the Negaunee High School pool and requested additional snow removal at parking lots and practice‑adjacent intersections.

The board moved into closed session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act, Section 8.1(d), to consider purchase or lease of property; the meeting entered closed session at 5:51 p.m. and returned to open session at 6:04 p.m. President Todd Saunders adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda approval (motion by Greg Toutant, supported by Marty Saari): carried 6–0. - Approval of February 23, 2026 minutes (motion by Greg Toutant, supported by Dave Paananen): carried 6–0. - Payment of bills $503,576.64 (motion by Dave Paananen, supported by Greg Toutant): carried 6–0. - Schools of Choice resolution, Section 105 & 105c, unlimited status (motion by Pat Thomson, supported by Amy Clickner): roll‑call vote 6 ayes, 0 nays; resolution passed. - Teachers of the Year — Elissa Macario and Cody Scanlon (motion by Greg Toutant, supported by Marty Saari): carried 6–0. - Sehi purchase — 600 Chromebooks ($150,180.00) & 25 interactive panels ($51,175.00) (motion by Amy Clickner, supported by Pat Thomson): carried 6–0. - McGraw‑Hill Probability & Statistics textbooks $4,433.00 (motion by Greg Toutant, supported by Marty Saari): carried 6–0. - FMLA request for Jodi Johnson (motion by Greg Toutant, supported by Marty Saari): carried 6–0. - Spring coaching recommendations (motion by Amy Clickner, supported by Pat Thomson): carried 6–0.

What happens next: The administration will publish required public notice for the Schools of Choice resolution and proceed with the approved purchases and personnel actions. The board requested additional detail and a multi‑year cost breakdown for long‑term pool improvements; no final plan for pool work was adopted at this meeting.