Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kenowa Hills board votes to leave O.K. Conference if six-district league forms; approves security cameras and box truck purchases
Summary
The Kenowa Hills Board of Education on Oct. 23 approved a conditional withdrawal from the O.K. Conference pending formation of a new league of at least six schools, and approved purchases including bus security cameras ($107,561.80) and a 2024 box truck ($43,340). All listed motions passed unanimously.
The Kenowa Hills Board of Education voted Oct. 23 to withdraw from the O.K. Conference after the 2023–24 spring season if a newly formed conference includes at least six member schools, and approved multiple procurement items including bus security cameras and a box truck.
The board’s amended withdrawal motion, offered by Member Robinson and supported by Member Roberts, conditions the district’s exit on formation of a new conference composed of at least six schools; Member Gustinis successfully moved to amend an initial seven-school threshold to six. The board approved the amended motion 7-0. Board leadership noted that a recent O.K. Conference vote on withdrawal did not pass (13 in favor, 35 opposed) but Superintendent Hopkins recommended proceeding with withdrawal if enough districts commit to a new league.
Votes at a glance: The Consent Agenda was approved 7-0. The amended withdrawal from the O.K. Conference passed 7-0 (Report #23-053). The board also approved appointment of voting delegates to the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) Leadership Conference on Nov. 9 — Members Danielle M. S. Roberts, Turner and Gustinis as delegates and Member Hart as alternate — by a 7-0 vote (Report #23-054). An item on board operating norms was tabled by a 7-0 vote (Report #23-055).
On procurement, the board approved purchase of bus security cameras from Pro Vision of Byron Center, Michigan, through the TIPS purchasing cooperative (contract #210801) at a cost of $107,561.80, to be funded from Section 97 Safety and Security funds deferred from FY23; the motion, moved by Member Courtade and supported by Member Roberts, passed 7-0 (Report #23-056). The district also approved buying a 2024 E450 model box truck for $43,340 using Capital Project funds; the lift for the truck will be requested in a separate action because current quotes and supply availability differ (Report #23-057). That motion passed 7-0.
Board members discussed the practical rationale for the box truck purchase, saying the district’s existing lift is inadequate and that using Capital Project funds was preferable to using food-service funds because the truck will be less used for food-service distribution following decentralization of food production.
The board recorded standard public-comment rules during the meeting: speakers are limited to three minutes, inquiries needing a response will be routed to the superintendent when contact information is provided, and disruptive conduct or threats will be referred to law enforcement.
The board listed future meetings including a Nov. 13 Committee of the Whole and a Nov. 27 regular meeting at the high school. President Hart adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
