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Kenowa Hills board pauses bond election timeline, approves vehicle purchases and consent items
Summary
At its Sept. 25 meeting at Zinser Elementary, the Kenowa Hills Board of Education paused pursuing a bond election to align with a May 2024 vote, approved the consent agenda and authorized purchase of two passenger vans funded by state Section 22l transportation reimbursement.
The Kenowa Hills Board of Education met Sept. 25, 2023, at Zinser Elementary in Grand Rapids. President Hart called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.; five board members were present and two were absent. The board approved the meeting agenda and a consent agenda, heard school- and district-level updates, voted to purchase two vans, and decided to pause a bond election timeline to align with a May 2024 ballot.
The meeting opened with a moment of silence and recognitions. Principal Ross Willick introduced new fifth-grade teacher Jeff Verhaik and acknowledged new staff members Sarah Thompson (speech & language pathologist) and Adam Galindo (youth sports coordinator). Willick also presented a Zinser Elementary spotlight highlighting the school’s motto, "Kids Who Care," a new logo, student council updates and M-STEP data celebrations. School nurse Courtney Ellens of HealthBar provided an overview of district nursing efforts, including work on Medical Emergency Response Team duties and a goal for each school to become a Michigan Heart Safe School.
Director Gilchrist provided an updated analysis of a practice and competition fields bond proposal. After questions and requests for clarification, the board decided to pause the bond election timetable and align consideration with a May 2024 election to allow more review and avoid increasing the district’s current 4.67 millage rate. Superintendent Hopkins also updated the board on discussions about withdrawing from the O.K. Conference, reporting that seven districts have expressed interest in leaving following the Spring 2024 season; a petition to withdraw is likely to appear as an action item at an October committee meeting.
Votes at a glance: - Approve meeting agenda: Motion by Member Melissa Courtade, supported by Member LaBotz; outcome: approved, 5-0 (Courtade, Gustinis, Hart, LaBotz, Robinson voted yes; Roberts and Turner absent). - Approve consent agenda (including Sept. 11, 2023 Committee of the Whole minutes): Motion by Member Courtade, supported by Member LaBotz; outcome: approved, 5-0. - Purchase two 2023 Chrysler Pacifica vans from LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Lansing for $40,310 each (total $80,620), funded by Section 22l transportation reimbursement funds from the State of Michigan: Motion by Member Courtade, supported by Member Robinson; outcome: approved, 5-0.
Public comment: One individual spoke during the public comment period. Board procedures for public comment, including a three-minute limit and decorum rules, were restated.
The board announced future meeting dates, including Committee of the Whole on Oct. 9 and the next regular board meeting on Oct. 23. President Hart adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m.
