Public Meeting Agenda: July 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Meeting

1. CALL TO ORDER
Pledge of Allegiance
Attendance Roll Call

2. CONSENT AGENDA

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That the Board of Education approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by Molden and seconded by James, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

2.a Approval of Minutes:
June 10, 2025
June 25, 2025

2.b Approval of New Hires:
Jennifer Moore - High School Counselor
Renee Apolin - High School Special Education Teacher
Michael Gathright - Discovery and Virtual Academy Teacher
Libby Kawalski - Discover Academy Teacher
Gabriela Dormus Parra - IEP Facilitator
Alexander Milnikel - Middle School Social Studies Teacher

2.c Approval of Resignations:
Cody Britton, High School

3. ACTION ITEMS

3.a Appointment of Professional Development Advisory Committee (enclosed)

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That the Board of Education appoint the School Improvement Team to serve as the district's Professional Development Advisory Committee for the purpose of recommending countable PD hours, as presented. Roll Call Vote:. This motion, made by Molden and seconded by James, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

3.b Approval of the 2025-26 School Year Calendar (enclosed)

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That the Board of Education approve the 2025-26 school year calendar as presented. Roll Call Vote:. This motion, made by Molden and seconded by James, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

4. ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR

4.a Appointment of Temporary Chair

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That the Board of Education approve Superintendent Dr. Thomas Bruce, as temporary chairperson by voice acclaim until such time as a new Board President is elected. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by Molden and seconded by James, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

4.b President
Open Nominations
Close Nominations
Roll call Vote(s):

4.c Vice President
Open Nominations
Close Nominations
Roll Call Vote(s):

4.d Secretary
Open Nominations
Close Nominations
Roll Call Vote(s):

4.e Treasurer
Open Nominations
Close Nominations
Roll Call Vote(s):

5. Appointment of Representative to the Berrien-Cass School Boards Association

This past year, Mrs. James was the delegate and Dr. Davidson was the alternate delegate to represent the local board.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That Member Stephanie James be appointed Delegate and Member Paul Toliver be appointed Alternate Delegate to attend all regularly scheduled meetings of the Berrien-Cass School Boards Association during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by Toliver and seconded by Turner, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

6. Appointment of MASB Legislative Relations Network Representative

Mr. Shembarger was the representative for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That Member Justin Turner be appointed as Legislative Relations Network representative for fiscal year 2025-2026. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by James and seconded by Shunkwiler, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

7. Designation of Depositories for School Funds

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That Huntington National Bank be designated as the official depository for all District funds. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by Toliver and seconded by Turner, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

8. Authorization of Account Signatories

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That the Board approves the following signatories to accounts as indicated. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by Toliver and seconded by James, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

8.a United Federal Credit Union
Union School Fund
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

High School Activity Fund
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

Middle School Activity Fund
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

Investment Account
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

8.b Huntington National Bank
General Fund Account
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

Payroll Fund Account
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

Food Service Account
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

Petty Cash Account
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

Activity Account
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

2019 UTGO Debt Retirement
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

Building & Site Sinking Fund Millage
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

2012 QZAB Debt Set-Aside
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

2019 LTGO Debt Retirement
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

2021 Energy Conservation Debt Retirement
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

2023 Energy Conservation Capitol Project
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

2023 Energy Conservation Debt Retirement
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

8.c Honor Credit Union
Investment Account
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

8.d Michigan Class Investment Fund

General Fund Investment
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

8.e Michigan Liquid Asset Fund

General Fund Investment
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

Public Improvement Project Fund
Dr. Thomas Bruce / Kari Bennett

9. Authorization to Deposit Funds & Invest Surplus Funds

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That the Board authorize the immediate deposit of school funds in the established depository without the Treasurer's signature; further, that the Superintendent, Dr. Thomas Bruce or his designee, be authorized to make investments and withdrawals in accordance with accepted business procedures, and in the best interests of the District, commensurate with Board of Education Policy #3203 and #3204. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by Turner and seconded by James, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

10. Retainer of Legal Counsel

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That Thrun Law Firm of East Lansing, Michigan be retained as legal counsel for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by Toliver and seconded by James, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

11. Title III Authorization Statement

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That the Board of Education authorizes the superintendent or his designee to apply for Title III funds to support a program of services that provides coherent, sustained English Language development for K-12 English Language Learners. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by Turner and seconded by James, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

12. Readoption of All Previous Policy & By-Law Statements

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That all POLICY & BY-LAW STATEMENTS adopted by the Board in previous years, be reaffirmed for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by James and seconded by Toliver, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

13. Approval of 2025-2026 Meeting Schedule (Enclosed)

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That the Board of Education approve the meeting schedule for 2025-2026 as presented. This motion, made by Toliver and seconded by Shunkwiler, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

14. RECOGNITION OF VISITORS AND GUESTS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

15. INFORMATION ITEMS
July 28 & 29: Shamrock Admin Retreat

16. ADJOURNMENT

Note: The next Board of Education meeting will be August 14, 2025, in the Central Office Boardroom

Action(s):

Motion Passed:

That the Board of Education approve to adjourn the meeting. Voice Vote:. This motion, made by Toliver and seconded by James, Passed.

No Action(s) have been added to this Agenda Item.

July 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM - Meeting

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