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Newaygo Public Schools board adopts 2026-27 budgets and tax levy, renews superintendent contract and ratifies NEA deal
Summary
At its June 15 meeting, the Newaygo Public Schools Board of Education adopted the 2026-27 budgets and tax levy, approved administrator wages, ratified a NEA contract and renewed Superintendent Ben Gilpin's contract after an evaluation; several staff hires and retiree recognitions were also approved.
The Newaygo Public Schools Board of Education on Monday adopted the district's 2026-27 budgets and approved a resolution to levy 2026 taxes, ratified a teachers' union contract and renewed Superintendent Ben Gilpin's contract following an open-session evaluation.
During a budget hearing, Business Manager Kim Bidwell updated the board on district finances, after which the board approved amendments to the 2025-26 General Fund, Food Service and Student Activities budgets. Later, by roll-call vote, the board adopted the 2026-27 General Fund Operating Budget, Food Service Budget and Student Activities Fund and passed the resolution to levy 2026 taxes; the motion carried unanimously with all seven members voting Aye.
The board approved proposed 2026-27 administrator wages and ratified the NEA contract for the coming year. Separately, the board conducted the superintendent's evaluation in open session, rated Superintendent Ben Gilpin —Effective— on the six-component evaluation tool and voted to renew his contract for an additional year with a pay increase commensurate with the NEA agreement; that motion also passed unanimously.
On personnel matters the board accepted notice of several resignations and approved hiring motions: Jake Mayle for kindergarten, Jennifer Pettit as a bus driver and Ryan Schutter as the JV football coach. Retirees were honored during the meeting; the minutes note recognition but do not list remarks in this segment.
The board also approved a proposal to hold a cross country summer camp and approved the consent agenda, which included the May 18 minutes, monthly trial balances, the accounts payable listing, the district's 2026-27 MHSAA membership resolution and the 2026-27 school calendar.
All formal motions recorded in the minutes carried by unanimous votes (Ayes: 7; Nays: 0). The board adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Approve agenda: motion passed (mover: John Bull; seconder: Mary Spicer). Ayes: 7, Nays: 0. - Consent agenda (minutes, trial balances, accounts payable, MHSAA membership, 2026-27 calendar): approved (mover: Sara Rivera-Cronk; seconder: Mary Spicer). Ayes: 7. - Hire Jake Mayle, kindergarten teacher: approved (mover: Thomas Frisbie; seconder: Sara Rivera-Cronk). Ayes: 7. - Hire Jennifer Pettit, bus driver: approved (mover: John Bull; seconder: Mary Spicer). Ayes: 7. - Hire Ryan Schutter, JV football coach: approved (mover: Bruce Gracik; seconder: Thomas Frisbie). Ayes: 7. - Cross country summer camp: approved (mover: Thomas Frisbie; seconder: Bruce Gracik). Ayes: 7. - 2025-26 budget amendments (General Fund, Food Service, Student Activities): approved (mover: Sara Rivera-Cronk; seconder: John Bull). Ayes: 7. - Adopt 2026-27 budgets and levy resolution: approved (mover: John Bull; seconder: Mary Spicer). Roll-call Ayes: Grodus, Spicer, Frisbie, Rivera-Cronk, Gracik, Bull, Schultz (7-0). - Approve 2026-27 administrator wages: approved (mover: John Bull; seconder: Bruce Gracik). Ayes: 7. - Ratify NEA contract: approved (mover: Sara Rivera-Cronk; seconder: Jami Schultz). Ayes: 7. - Superintendent rated Effective and contract renewed for one year with pay increase tied to NEA agreement: approved (mover: John Bull; seconder: Sara Rivera-Cronk). Roll-call Ayes: 7.
Next steps: The board tentatively scheduled a July work session for July 16 at 6 p.m.
