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Meeting Agenda
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I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance
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II. Approval of Agenda
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III. Approval of Consent Action Items
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IV. Good News
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V. Superintendent Informational Report
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V.A. Student Representative Report
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VI. Board of Education Reports/Action
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VI.A. Facilities & Finance Committee
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VI.B. Community Connections Cmte.
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VI.C. Culture & Leadership Committee
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VI.D. Student Success Committee
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VII. Superintendent Recommendations
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VII.A. Overnight Trips
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VII.B. Bid Approval
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VII.C. Personnel
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VIII. Public Comment
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IX. Closed Session — Superintendent Eval.
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X. Other Matters - Adjournment
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Agenda Item Details
Reload Your Meeting
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Lakeshore Public Schools
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| Meeting: | December 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting | |
| Subject: |
I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance
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| Presenter: |
Rachel Wade
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Description:
At this time, the Board will conduct the routine activities related to calling the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
INTRODUCTIONS will be conducted by the Board President. |
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| Subject: |
II. Approval of Agenda
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| Presenter: |
Rachel Wade
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Description:
The Board should consider any changes or additions to the agenda, including the potential removal of any matter scheduled as a consent action item. The Board should approve the agenda with one of the following motions:
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| Subject: |
III. Approval of Consent Action Items
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| Presenter: |
Rachel Wade
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Description:
The Board may approve these Consent Action items with the following motion:
Minutes - that the minutes of the December 2, 2025, special meeting be approved as presented; and Financial Statement & Bills - that the November 2025 financial statements be accepted, and the November 2025 payrolls be approved for payment as presented. |
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| Subject: |
IV. Good News
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| Presenter: |
Greg Eding
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Description:
Tonight, we have the Middle School’s Student Council here to share on the Stuff-A-Truck project.
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| Subject: |
V. Superintendent Informational Report
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| Presenter: |
Greg Eding
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Description:
It has been a busy month! In early November, we conducted Parent-Teacher Conferences across all buildings. As normal, we had very high attendance in our elementary schools and moderate attendance in our secondary schools. This year we tried a new plan where we had one day of evening conferences for just the elementary schools, one day of evening conferences for just the secondary schools, and one day of conferences in the afternoon and evening for all levels. This change allowed our families a better chance to attend conferences in multiple buildings. We will examine if this change was helpful as we look at the calendar for the next school year. We had a nice break for the Thanksgiving holiday. Prior to the break, we had many activities that were focused on being thankful, including the Turkey Tote Away, which was a combined activity from our middle school and elementary schools. Our elementary schools each had a food drive to help supplement the Turkey Tote Away activity. And the middle school also received food donations and put 78 Turkey meals together for needy families. Such a great activity that connects students across our entire District! I would also like to highlight the middle school’s Stuff a Truck activity that took place this past month. The middle school has taken part in this annual Southwest Michigan food drive event for several years now, which is coordinated by the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency and 99.9 Y County. The event served more than 9,800 people this year! This is a great way for our students to help out the greater southwest Michigan community. And finally, we are now into the holidays, which brings about holiday concerts, classroom parties, and fun dress-up days. Our central office is doing the 15 Days of Christmas this year as a fun way to build teamwork and enjoy the holiday season together. This past week we had a hot cocoa bar, a holiday hat selfie challenge, and holiday sock day. It’s been super fun, and we are all looking forward to the next two weeks! |
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| Subject: |
V.A. Student Representative Report
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| Presenter: |
Logan Hendrix
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| Subject: |
VI. Board of Education Reports/Action
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| Subject: |
VI.A. Facilities & Finance Committee
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| Presenter: |
Griffin Ott
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Description:
Ms. Althouse presented the monthly financials. The committee discussed the cash flow timing of the State Budget item 27i, which includes educator compensation. There is an estimated $380,000 in this categorical line item. The District is waiting for the State to provide clarification on how the funds are distributed. At this time, the District can not pull the funds until that clarification is provided. The committee discussed the excess equity funds that will be distributed from the Berrien RESA. Through discussion, the committee will ask the Board to reserve these funds for curriculum and professional development during the next budget modification.Mr. Eding also updated the committee about a few staffing updates across the District. |
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VI.B. Community Connections Cmte.
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| Presenter: |
Scott Allan
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Description:
The Community Connections Committee met on Tuesday, November 11. Present at the meeting were Jessica Bigley, Rachel Wade, Susan Toothman, and Scott Allan. The committee discussed the effects and feedback of the wellness challenge that took place in late October / early November. Mrs. Toothman talked about the staff appreciating the physical activities that they did with their class, like the funny dance steps, echo walking, and wall sits. And, staff also wrote about their fellow teammates who were inspiring, which brought a feeling and tone of thankfulness across the buildings.
Mrs. Toothman also went through several community-based activities, including Trunk or Treat at our elementary schools, the middle school Turkey Tote Away, the high school Caring Cupboard, the middle school Stuff a Truck, and the food drives at elementary schools. A lot of giving activities for the month of November! |
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VI.C. Culture & Leadership Committee
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| Presenter: |
Bill Scaletta
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Description:
The Culture and Leadership Committee met on Friday, December 5th. Present at the meeting were Susan Toothman, Greg Eding, Griffin Ott, Lori VonKoenig, and Bill Scaletta. The committee went over the past month’s District Pulse communications. This included the Best of the Best awards, which went out to four staff members and were taken from 53 nominations. The Pulse included articles about National Special Education Day, Toys for Tots, and an article explaining the Recognize, Appreciate, and Value (RAV) program that supports all the staff recognition initiatives that we are doing. One highlight this past month was the Thankful for YOU Cookies that were delivered to each building for the week of Thanksgiving. The treats included special-baked Lakeshore Lancer cookies, made by Melissa Rescoe, who is a Reading Interventionist at Stewart. They were delicious!
The committee also spent time discussing personnel situations at each building. Of note, the middle school had 10 applications for their 6th grade social studies position and ended up having two candidates stand out as excellent. We were able to hire one candidate for our current 6th grade position, and one candidate for our upcoming 8th grade social studies position that will open in the fall of 2026 due to the already announced retirement of Mr. Graziano. |
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VI.D. Student Success Committee
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| Presenter: |
Jason Beckrow
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Description:
The Student Success Committee met on Tuesday, November 25th. Present at the meeting were Bill Scaletta, Jessica Bigley, Natalie Macerata, Greg Eding, Jason Beckrow, and guest Allie Kibler-Campbell from the Child Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan. Allie gave a presentation outlining the short lessons that the CAC does throughout the District. The short lessons deal with child sexual abuse, harassment, healthy relationships, and online behavior. They teach students what to do if they feel they are in a situation, and what to do if they see or know about something happening to someone else. All school districts in Berrien County have partnered with the CAC and use this curriculum.
The Committee also learned that prior to the lessons, parents receive a letter home that allows for their child to be opted out of the lesson, as there are students who have been pre-disposed to situations who could be triggered by the lessons. While this is a difficult topic, it is important to educate our students so they feel comfortable and able to handle a situation if it were to arise. |
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VII. Superintendent Recommendations
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| Subject: |
VII.A. Overnight Trips
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| Presenter: |
Greg Eding
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Description:
The High School Choir Program is seeking approval for approximately 40 students to travel to New York City to experience music in the Big Apple from June 18–22, 2026.
Teachers from the Math & Science Center are requesting approval for two overnight trips. The first is the Sophomore Winter Trip to Michiana Service Camp in Niles, January 31–February 1. The second is for the seniors to travel to Ocoee (oh KOH e), TN from April 24–27 for their capstone experience. Last month, the Board approved three DECA trips. The Orlando location for one of the trips, the International Conference, was reported in error and should have stated Atlanta instead. As proper advance notice was given to the Board, we ask to amend the previous motion. |
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VII.B. Bid Approval
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| Presenter: |
Greg Eding
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Description:
AUDITORIUM ACOUSTICAL SHELL
Operations Director Nick White is requesting the Board to accept the only bid received to purchase a 14-piece acoustical shell for the auditorium in the amount of $46,331.49 from Wenger Corporation, out of Minnesota. The current one is about 20 years old and presents challenges when replacement parts are needed. |
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VII.C. Personnel
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| Presenter: |
Greg Eding
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Description:
Becky Clemons-Rydzinski announced her retirement, effective later this month, after serving the District since 2000. Following a shift in teaching assignments, Brent Turner has accepted the position of 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher and will start on January 5. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Huntington University and has taught in both Indiana and Benton Harbor.
Progress is already being made in finding a replacement for the next school year. 8th Grade History Teacher Steve Graziano announced his retirement, effective at the end of the current school year, having taught at the Middle School since 2003. Elise Von Koenig has accepted this opening and will commence her duties in August 2026. |
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VIII. Public Comment
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| Presenter: |
Rachel Wade
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Description:
The Board President will call on citizens who would like to make comments or express concerns at this time. The Board of Education Policy, ‘Public Participation at Board Meetings’, applies to this section of the Agenda.
"To ensure due process and respect of individual rights, the District maintains a formal process for handling complaints against individuals. A problem involving an individual or specific incident is best handled through administrative channels." "Speakers are asked to express themselves in a civil manner, with due respect for the dignity and privacy of others who may be affected by your comments. While it is not our intent to stifle public comment, speakers should be aware that if your?statements violate the rights of others under the law of defamation or invasion of privacy,?you may be held legally responsible. If you are unsure of the legal ramifications of what you are about to say, we urge you to consult first with your legal advisor." |
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IX. Closed Session — Superintendent Eval.
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| Presenter: |
Rachel Wade
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| Subject: |
X. Other Matters - Adjournment
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| Presenter: |
Rachel Wade
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5771 Cleveland Ave., Stevensville MI 49127 269-428-1400 www.lpslancers.net |
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