Michigan / School Boards / Harper Creek Community Schools
After a presentation by King Scott and Clark Construction, the Harper Creek Board authorized consultants to prepare a Michigan Treasury preliminary-qualification application for a roughly $28 million bond program (0 mill net tax increase). The board unanimously approved the authorization 7–0.
Michigan / School Boards / Harper Creek Community Schools
At its Jan. 12 organizational meeting the Harper Creek Board approved routine annual authorizations, a consent agenda, a revised 2025–26 budget and a new high-school math hire; meeting included updates on facilities, safety and curriculum.
Michigan / School Boards / Harper Creek Community Schools
Board and transportation staff reviewed options to address an aging fleet: a lease quote for 18 buses, or buying three buses per year funded by casino revenue plus $100,000 general-fund contribution over four years; members favored keeping a district-owned fleet and recommended budgeting $200,000 (casino) plus $100,000 (general fund) annually as a starting assumption.
Michigan / School Boards / Harper Creek Community Schools
The Harper Creek Board of Education voted unanimously to authorize up to $75,000 from the food-service spend-down plan to buy and install three ovens for elementary schools; the motion passed 7-0 after brief discussion and no public comment.
Michigan / School Boards / Harper Creek Community Schools
Board members said a small, no-tax-increase bond could be proposed now to bridge to a larger 2034 issue; the steering committee will deliver a priority list to the board in January. Trustees also emphasized clarifying school-of-choice funding to the public and implementing safety measures recommended by Emmet Township.
Michigan / School Boards / Harper Creek Community Schools
The Harper Creek Board voted unanimously to add a statutorily required harassment and sexual‑assault information guide to the student handbook and to adopt policy updates recommended by the policy committee.
Michigan / School Boards / Harper Creek Community Schools
Harper Creek administrators reported facilities progress on a high‑school weight room renovation and community outreach for a possible 2026 bond. The district also reported an enrollment headcount of 2,791 and a blended FTE of 2,749.23, yielding an estimated $357,000 more in state foundation revenue than budgeted.
Michigan / School Boards / Harper Creek Community Schools
Karen Stormbeck, Harper Creek’s multilingual coordinator, told the board that Michigan’s new English‑language development rules require the district to finalize a four‑year plan by January and ensure certified instructional staff.
Michigan / School Boards / Harper Creek Community Schools
Auditors reported a roughly $6.9 million general fund balance (~16.5%). Finance staff said a $1.2 million retirement revenue cut from the state, partially offset by about $600,000, leaves the district budgeting cautiously for next year.
Michigan / School Boards / Harper Creek Community Schools
Superintendents bond steering committee scheduled community meetings beginning Nov. 5 and identified priorities ranging from Wi-Fi and projectors to small repairs; the district also reported a potential Blue Oval grant ($70k$80k) to equip a high-school fabrication lab.