Mason Consolidated Schools board adopts 2026 technology millage, approves resolutions and opts out of 31aa funds

The Mason Consolidated Schools Board of Education on Nov. 13 adopted a 2026 Technology Enhancement Millage resolution, approved a pair of board resolutions, authorized personnel actions and travel, and adopted a resolution to opt out of 31aa funds at a meeting in the Mason Senior High School Library.

The actions were taken during the regularly scheduled meeting that President Otting called to order at 6:00 p.m. The consent agenda — including Oct. 1 regular and closed-session minutes and the October check register — was approved on a motion by Waller, supported by England; the motion carried 5-0.

In a roll-call vote the board adopted the 2026 Technology Enhancement Millage Resolution. The motion to adopt was made by Grodi and supported by Nehrig. The recorded vote for that item was: Waller—Yes; Fowler—Absent; Otting—Yes; England—Yes; Grodi—Yes; Smith—Absent; Nehrig—Yes.

The board also adopted a resolution concerning PowerSchool litigation (motion by Waller, supported by Grodi) and a Great Lakes Football League resolution (motion by Grodi, supported by Waller); both motions carried unanimously among members present.

Personnel approvals included hiring Kelly Burnside as a bus aide at $14.85 per hour (motion by England, supported by Waller) and approving CTE teacher Todd Hodge to attend the Michigan Career Education Conference Jan. 25–27 in Grand Rapids (motion by Waller, supported by Grodi). Both motions passed 5-0. The superintendent’s report recorded tenure for teachers Christopher Brown and Kristen Donnelly and accepted the resignations of instructional aide Heather Spagnol and food-service employee Cheyln Welling.

The board voted to enter a closed session under Section 8(h) to consider material exempt from disclosure; the meeting recessed to closed session at 6:40 p.m. and reconvened at 7:14 p.m. After returning, the board adopted a resolution to opt out (deny) 31aa funds on a motion by England, supported by Nehrig; roll call again recorded five yes votes and two absences.

The board recognized staff and students before taking action: Shawna Lucarelli and Todd Hodge were named Staff Members of the Month (sponsored by Leski Wittman Insurance Agency), and senior Zhuoran Cai was recognized as a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program and awarded a $1,000 BCSN Spotlight Scholar scholarship. Student council reports were presented by Molly Sepulveda (high school) and Madeline Kolbe (middle school), and the pledge was led by CES student council officers Ava DeSloover, Bennett Gordy and Jackson Eurenius.

The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m. on a motion by England, supported by Waller. The next regularly scheduled meeting is Dec. 3, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Mason Senior High School Library.