New Lothrop board adopts strategic plan, approves contracts, personnel changes and program additions

At a meeting May 18, 2026, the New Lothrop Area Public Schools Board of Education adopted a district strategic plan and approved a series of personnel, contract and program actions, all by unanimous votes reported as 7-0.

The board voted to adopt the strategic plan presented by Penny Kentish-McWilliams of the Michigan Association of School Boards; the motion (moved by Birchmeier, supported by White) carried 7-0. The board also approved the 2026–2027 SRESD budget (motion by Joseph Toma, supported by Tim Birchmeier; vote 7-0).

Several personnel motions carried unanimously: the board accepted resignations and retirements, including the retirements of Linda Hilliker (high school special education teacher) and food service workers Margie Jacobs and Vickie Vincke, with effective retirement dates noted in the personnel motions; the board approved the hire of Courney Krupp as head varsity cross country coach as a contracted employee of PCMI for the 2026–2027 season.

On contracts and program approvals, the board adopted the MHSAA resolution for the 2026–2027 school year and approved an overnight varsity girls basketball team camp (Northwood University, July 14–16, 2026) and a varsity volleyball overnight trip to Eagle Village, Hershey, MI (August 12–14, 2026). The board approved adding Work Based Learning to the high school course guide beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

The board approved a Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH) contract proposal for the 2026–2027 school year at a cost not to exceed $42,850.00 (motion by Krupp, supported by Otter; vote 7-0). The board also approved adding Tower Pinkster to the agenda and subsequently approved Tower Pinkster as the architectural engineer for pre-bond work (motion by White, supported by Birchmeier; vote 7-0).

Routine business included approval of payroll and benefit descriptions for multiple district positions (motion by Birchmeier, supported by Krupp; vote 7-0). Adam Green read the monthly financial report and presented bills for payment—general fund $815,976.45; school service $52,586.99; total $868,563.44—which the board approved (motion by Toma, supported by Krupp; vote 7-0). The monthly ending balance was reported as $3,074,334.87.

The meeting adjourned after a closed session for negotiations held from about 8:17 p.m. to 8:32 p.m.; the meeting was adjourned at roughly 8:30 p.m. The board scheduled its next meeting for Monday, June 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the high school media center.

Votes at a glance • Approve 2026–2027 SRESD budget — Motion: "Motion by Toma, supported by Birchmeier to approve the 2026-2027 SRESD budget as presented." Mover: Joseph Toma; Second: Tim Birchmeier; Outcome: approved; Tally: 7-0. • Adopt New Lothrop Area Public Schools Strategic Plan — Mover: Tim Birchmeier; Second: Richard White; Outcome: approved; Tally: 7-0. • Approve CKH contract up to $42,850.00 — Mover: Ashley Krupp; Second: Jenn Otter; Outcome: approved; Tally: 7-0. • Approve Tower Pinkster for pre-bond architectural work — Mover: Richard White; Second: Tim Birchmeier; Outcome: approved; Tally: 7-0. • Approve payroll/benefit descriptions for listed positions — Mover: Tim Birchmeier; Second: Ashley Krupp; Outcome: approved; Tally: 7-0. • Approve payment of bills — Mover: Joseph Toma; Second: Ashley Krupp; Outcome: approved; Tally: 7-0. • Approve resignations/retirements (Linda Hilliker; Margie Jacobs; Vickie Vincke; Jill Severn) — Outcome: approved; Tally: 7-0. • Hire Courney Krupp (Head Varsity Cross Country Coach via PCMI) — Outcome: approved; Tally: 7-0. • Add Work Based Learning to high school course guide — Outcome: approved; Tally: 7-0.

Why it matters The strategic plan adoption sets district priorities and provides a policy framework for curriculum, budgeting and district initiatives. Contract approvals, staffing changes and the addition of Work Based Learning will affect program offerings and district expenditures in the coming school year.