Montague Area school board approves 2026–27 handbooks, course catalogs and $53,098 phone purchase; discusses loan‑fund repayment

The Montague Area Public Schools Board of Education approved multiple routine items at its public meeting, including 2026–27 building handbooks and course catalogs, and authorized a $53,098.50 phone‑system purchase, while also discussing a planned repayment on the school loan fund.

During superintendent comments at the start of the meeting, the presiding chair announced personnel and certification updates: three high‑school teachers — Chelsea Bender, Darren Hunter and Trent Phelps — were reported to have achieved tenure under Michigan law. “Steve Gray is with us, today,” the chair said when introducing the new middle‑school principal. The chair also noted that finance director Stacy Brown received MSBO business‑office manager certification and that a donor has offered to expand the football‑field scoreboard.

Why it matters: the approved handbooks, catalogs and technology purchase update student and staff rules, course offerings and district communications infrastructure ahead of the 2026–27 school year. The phone purchase uses cooperative pricing and is planned to be funded from the district’s technology and safety budget.

What the board approved and discussed

Handbooks and course catalogs: A board member moved to approve the 2026–27 building handbooks for district schools (MHS, MVC, RRO and MAC). The board voted to approve the handbooks after staff said changes were minimal and primarily technical — calendar updates, links to course guides, athletic-code clarifications, updates to wireless communication‑device language and additions related to activities and eligibility. The board also approved the 2026–27 course catalogs; discussion noted removal of theater courses not recently offered and an added exploratory elective for 8th grade. One board member raised concern that two required science classes for freshmen and sophomores appeared heavily agriculture/FFA focused; staff said the curriculum and certifications will be reviewed and adjustments considered in subsequent reviews.

Phone‑system purchase: The board authorized a phone‑system purchase from Sears Incorporated for $53,098.50, to be procured through the Sourcewell cooperative and installed locally under the Mitel contract through Cirrus Incorporated. “I move to approve the quote for the purchase of new phones from Sears Incorporated at the account of $53,098.50,” the chair said. Staff said installations could extend into late fall and that the purchasing plan aims to standardize models across the district to simplify troubleshooting.

Personnel and bargaining‑unit numbers: The board approved new MTEA/MTA bargaining‑unit assignments and hires, listing Riley Bailey Zach (elementary teacher), Caitlin Nick (early‑childhood special education), Megan Plummer (5th grade) and Lauren Ross (high‑school student support specialist and girls’ basketball coach). The hires and unit‑number changes were presented as routine staffing actions.

School loan fund resolution: Board members reviewed an annual resolution related to the school loan fund and debt service. Staff said the district anticipates paying back $334,749 as part of its repayment plan and noted a five‑percent assumption for interest in the calculations. Board discussion centered on the district’s borrowing/repayment cycle and planning for future bond needs; the provided transcript does not record a final vote on that resolution, and staff indicated policy votes will be held at next month’s meeting.

Policy updates: Staff previewed several policy changes to be brought back for a vote at a future meeting, including a new staff‑ethics policy, updates to online/blended learning (removing a 15‑day virtual‑learning cap), comprehensive health‑education revisions, volunteer‑screening clarifications and a wireless‑communication‑device policy that would prohibit cell‑phone use during instructional time. The board also reviewed a draft artificial‑intelligence policy framing opportunities and potential disciplinary limits for misuse.

Next steps: Several policy updates will return for formal votes next month. The board also agreed to go into a closed session to discuss a student reinstatement matter; the public portion recessed for the closed session.

Votes at a glance

- 2026–27 building handbooks: approved (motion moved by Board member 3; second by Chair; motion carried). - 2026–27 course catalogs: approved (motion carried). - Phone‑system purchase (Sears Incorporated via Sourcewell): approved (motion carried). - MTEA/MTA bargaining‑unit assignments/hirings: approved (motion carried). - School loan‑fund application resolution (anticipated $334,749 repayment): discussed; no final vote recorded in the provided portion of the transcript.

All attributions to speakers in this report use the meeting’s speaker labels as recorded in the transcript; where no personal name was given, the report uses the speaker’s role.