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Northport Board adopts 2026–27 budget, ratifies teacher contract and approves multiple purchases
Summary
At its June 8 meeting the Northport Board of Education approved the proposed 2026–2027 budget, kept the operating millage unchanged at 13.388 mills, ratified a three-year Master Agreement with teachers (5–0–1), and approved facilities and curriculum expenditures including an engineering contract not to exceed $29,985 and a math curriculum purchase up to $33,000.
The Northport Board of Education on June 8 approved the district’s proposed 2026–2027 General Fund, Food Service, and Student Activity budgets and a package of related fiscal and operational measures.
The board adopted the proposed budget presented during a Truth-in-Taxation hearing by Superintendent Neil Wetherbee and Lisa Hankins and voted to keep the operating millage at the district’s capped rate of 13.388 mills under Proposal A, with no change from the previous year.
The board also approved amendments to the 2025–2026 budgets and accepted bills presented for payment totaling $287,642.06. Discussion before the budget vote included concern that the board was adopting the annual budget before final approval of the Master Agreement with the teachers’ association.
On a motion by Ben Purdy, supported by Ryan Blessing, the board ratified the Master Agreement between the Northport Education Association and the Northport Public School Board of Education covering school years 2026–2027 through 2028–2029. The motion carried on roll call with five votes in favor and one abstention (Board Member Tom Wetherbee).
Other actions included approval of a proposal with CSD Group, LLC for engineering services related to auditorium lighting replacement in an amount not to exceed $29,985, and a purchase of K–12 mathematics curriculum materials from Savvas in an amount not to exceed $33,000. The board approved an inter-district Open Enrollment Agreement with Northwest Education Services, a renewal that the agenda notes occurs every three years.
Consent items approved by unanimous vote included acceptance of resignations for Heidi Babcock and Denise Plamondon, hiring of Karson Christianson as custodian, approval of MHSAA membership for 2026–2027, and acceptance of the Indian Policies and Procedures for 2026–2027.
The board’s votes were consistently recorded by roll call where indicated. The Master Agreement vote was recorded as five yes, zero no, and one abstention; other measures recorded unanimous approval as noted in meeting minutes.
The board also announced a forthcoming vacancy: Board Member Jamie Scripps submitted her resignation effective June 14, 2026; interviews to fill the seat will be conducted at the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
