Meeting Agenda
1. Call to order and welcome
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call 
4. Audience Participation
5. Superintendent's Report
6. Items for Action
6.A. Consent Agenda
6.B. Personnel Report
6.C. Budget Amendment
6.D. Bid Award - Filter First Drinking Fountain Equipment
6.E. Overnight Field Trip by LSHS Media Productions
7. Standing Items
7.A. Board Commentary
7.B. Board President's Comments
8. Adjournment
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting

Meeting: February 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Lake Shore Board of Education Regular Meeting
Subject:
1. Call to order and welcome
Presenter:
President Ziegler
Subject:
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Presenter:
President Ziegler
Subject:
3. Roll Call 
Presenter:
Secretary Munger
Description:
Roll Call of present members:
President- Kurt Ziegler
Vice-President- Susan DeLong
Secretary- Elizabeth Munger
Treasurer- Amy Thomas-August
Trustee- Kenneth Gulock
Trustee- Amber Hildebrand
Trustee- Wendy Tobias
Subject:
4. Audience Participation
Presenter:
President Ziegler
Description:
This agenda item is the opportunity for the audience to address the Board on any agenda item. The Board will take no action on issues brought before it at this time but may refer such issues to the administration for further study. 

In keeping with Board Policy po0167.3 the following rules apply to audience participation:

To permit fair and orderly public expression, the Board shall provide a period for public participation at public meetings of the Board and publish rules to govern such participation in Board meetings and in Board committee meetings.

The presiding officer of each Board meeting at which public participation is permitted shall administer the rules of the Board for its conduct.
The presiding officer shall be guided by the following rules:
  1. Public participation shall be permitted at a time as determined by the presiding officer. 
  2. Anyone with concerns related to the operation of the schools or to matters within the authority of the Board may participate during the public portion of a meeting. 
  3. Attendees must register their intention to participate in the public portion of the meeting upon their arrival at the meeting. 
  4. Participants must be recognized by the presiding officer and will be requested to preface their comments by an announcement of their name; address; group affiliation, if and when appropriate. 
  5. Each statement made by a participant shall be limited to five (5) minutes duration.
  6. No participant may speak more than once on the same topic unless all others who wish to speak on that topic have been heard. 
  7. Participants shall direct all comments to the Board and not to staff or other participants.
  8. All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no person may address or question Board members individually.
Subject:
5. Superintendent's Report
Presenter:
Dr. Joseph DiPonio
Subject:
6. Items for Action
Subject:
6.A. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
President Ziegler
Description:
Move to approve the following:
  • Minutes Regular Board Meeting January 26, 2026
  • Minutes Special Board Meeting December 29, 2025 (amended)
  • January Check Register
  • January Investment Log
  • January Purchase Card Report
  • January SACC Report
  • January Food Service Report
Subject:
6.B. Personnel Report
Presenter:
Dr. George Lewis
Description:

Recommendation for approval of the following personnel report:

 

RESIGNATIONS

Non-Unit

  • Breana Folgman— Non-Unit ECC Caregiver, Early Childhood Center; effective February 16, 2026

 

RETIREMENTS

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 01217

  • Lynn Wunderlich — AFSCME Food Service Leader, North Lake High School; effective January 30, 2026, after 25 years of service. 

 

EMPLOYMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Lake Shore Federation of Teachers(LSFT), Local 01465

  • Jason Knight - LSFT Construction Trades Teacher, Lake Shore High School; effective February 17, 2026; BA Step 6

 

Lake Shore Federation of Educational Secretaries (LSFES), Local 06195

  • Erin Darling - LSFES Middle School Secretary (Secretary 1), Kennedy Middle School; effective February 2, 2026
     

Lake Shore Federation of Support Staff (LSFSS), Local 04793

  • Gwen Gillis — LSFSS CI/ECSE Special Education Teaching Assistant, Kennedy Middle School; effective February 2, 2026; Class E-A.

  • Isaac Hojara — LSFSS SACC Caregiver, District Wide; effective February 19, 2026; Class B-A.

 

Non-Unit

  • Whitney Scalici — Non-Unit Behavior Technician, Violet Elementary School; effective February 18, 2026; ASC3B24, Step 6.

Subject:
6.C. Budget Amendment
Presenter:
Shelly Larsen
Description:
The Original Budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year, adopted by the Board in June 2025, projected a net loss of $3,072,582 (Column 2). The Proposed First Amendment (Column 3) now reflects a revised net loss of $1,550,930, representing an improvement of $1,521,652 in the district’s financial position compared to the Original Budget.  The amendment reflects updated financial data based on actual student enrollment, reductions in federal funding, revised state funding allocations, and updated expenditure projections.

The General Fund Balance is now projected to be $6,923,165 as of June 30, 2026, representing 13.4% of General Fund expenditures, an increase from the originally projected 10.8%.

The Proposed Amendment includes an incoming transfer of $80,000 from the Food Service Fund for indirect cost charges, which remains unchanged from the Original Budget. The previously budgeted $100,000 incoming transfer from the Adult Education Fund for central office and general operating costs has been removed due to an anticipated reduction in the Adult Education Fund balance.
 
The highlights of the major General Fund revenue and expenditure changes reflected in Column 4 are as follows:

GENERAL FUND REVENUES

Local Sources: The net increase of $19,924 in Local Sources includes the following adjustments:
  • $4k increase in credit recovery tuition
  • $32k decrease in investment earnings
  • $1k increase in School-Age Child Care (SACC) revenue
  • $36k increase in insurance claim reimbursements
  • $9k increase in revenue from the sale of technology equipment
  • $2k increase in ERATE/BEAR reimbursements
State Sources: State revenue increased by a net amount of $3,329,255, resulting from the following changes:
  • Student Count & Foundation Allowance:
    • The Original Budget assumed a blended student count of 3,200 and a $392 per-pupil increase in the foundation allowance
    • The Revised Budget reflects an actual blended count of 3,126 and an additional $50 per-pupil increase
    • These changes resulted in a net revenue decrease of $400,393
  • MPSERS Cost Offset  
    • A net increase of $1,302,332, including: 
      • Increased UAAL reimbursement rate from 10.58% to 15.02% of covered payroll
      • $123k increase in MPSERS Normal Cost Offset (prior year adjustment)
      • $337k increase in MPSERS Healthcare Offset under Section 27l(4), a new offset to help mitigate increased normal cost contribution rates for employees with 3% retiree healthcare
  • Other State Funding Adjustments:
    • Enrollment Stabilization Payments (Section 29(6)): Increased $278k due to declining enrollment
    • Special Education Funding: Increased $1.068m based on updated student counts and prior year actual expenditures
    • Section 31a At-Risk Funding: Increased $554k to support at-risk student services
    • CTE Per Pupil Incentive (Section 61d): Increased $19k
    • Vocational Education (Section 61a(1)): Decreased $11k
    • Headlee Obligation for Data Collection (Section 152a): Decreased $1.9k
    • Mental Health Grant (Section 31aa): Decreased $346k due to a deferral of FY26 revenue until expenditures are planned
    • Mentoring Grants (Section 27h(2)): Increased $18k (prior year adjustment)
    • Educator Compensation Program (Section 27l(2)): Increased $468k, offset by related stipend, FICA and retirement expenditures
    • Literacy Supports (Section 35m): Increased $217k (prior year adjustment)
    • FAFSA Completion Challenge (Section 67F): Increased $50k
    • Early Literacy Targeted Instruction (Section 35a(5)): Decreased $48k
  • Additional State Grants Adjustments:
    • Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP): Increased $169k, including $131k in prior year carryover  
    • Mathematics Teaching and Learning Grant (Section 23h): Decreased $7.3k
Federal Sources: Federal revenue decreased by a net amount of $69,581, including:
  • Title I, Part A: Decreased $74.3k
  • Title II, Part A: Decreased $27.5k
  • Title IV, Part A: Decreased $5.6k
  • Regional Assistance Grant: Increased $37.8k (initial allocation)
Interfund Transfers: Decreased by $100,000 due to the removal of the transfer from the Adult Education Fund.

Interdistrict Sources: A net decrease of $16,555, including:
  • Act 18 Center Program reimbursements from Macomb ISD: Decreased $62k
  • International Academy of Macomb revenue: Increased $45k
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES

Basic Programs: A net increase of $481,006, resulting from:
  • $208k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures  
  • $48k decrease for Early Literacy Targeted Instruction expenditures
  • $217k increase for 35m Literacy Grant expenditures
  • $47.5k increase for FAFSA Completion Challenge (67F)
  • $58k increase for 31a At Risk expenditures
  • $148.5k decrease for Great Start Readiness Program expenditures
  • $38k increase for Regional Assistance Grant (RAG) expenditures
  • $14k decrease for Title IV expenditures
  • $29k increase for transfers to other governmental units (IAM)
  • $93k net increase across salaries and benefits, purchased services, and supplies, primarily reflecting the reassignment of allowable expenditures between grant-funded programs and the General Fund based on updated funding allocations and program needs
Added Needs: A net increase of $59,339, resulting from:
  • $62.5k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures 
  • $92k increase for 31a At Risk expenditures
  • $14k decrease for ACT 18 Center Program expenditures
  • $52k decrease for Title I expenditures
  • $29k net decrease across salaries, benefits, purchased services, and supplies, reflecting the reassignment of allowable expenditures between grant-funded programs and the General Fund
Pupil: A net increase of $468,446, resulting from:
  • $4.5k increase for 27h Mentor Support grant expenditures
  • $75k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures
  • $415k increase for 31a At Risk expenditures
  • $284k increase for Great Start Readiness Program expenditures
  • $310.5k net decrease across salaries, benefits, purchased services, and supplies, primarily reflecting the reassignment of allowable costs between grant-funded programs and the General Fund
Instructional: A net increase of $13,798, resulting from:
  • $1.8k decrease for 104a Benchmark Assessment grant expenditures
  • $7.4k decrease for 23h Mathematics Teaching and Learning grant expenditures
  • $14k increase for 27h Mentoring Grant expenditures
  • $7k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures
  • $9k decrease for 31a At Risk expenditures
  • $29k increase for Great Start Readiness Program expenditures
  • $4.8k increase for ACT 18 Center Program expenditures
  • $11k decrease for Title I expenditures
  • $28.4k decrease for Title II expenditures
  • $8.3k increase for Title IV expenditures
  • $8k net increase across salaries and benefits due to anticipated retirement-related severance payouts
General Administration: A net increase of $46,181, resulting from:
  • $1.7k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures
  • $12k net decrease for salaries and benefits
  • $20k net increase for purchased services
  • $8k net increase for supplies and capital outlay
  • $27.6k increase related to an OCR settlement
School Administration: A net increase of $174,263, resulting from:
  • $30k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures
  • $6k increase for Great Start Readiness Program expenditures
  • $139k net increase for salaries and benefits
Other Areas:
  • Fiscal: Increased $15,472, resulting from:
    • $4.5k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures
    • $12k increase for State Aid Note arbitrage compliance costs
  • Operations/Maintenance: Increased $238,578, resulting from
    • $30k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures
    • $81k net increase for salaries and benefits
    • $28k increase related to insurance claim expenditures
    • $99k increase for utilities and other purchased services
  • Transportation: Increased $34,299, resulting from:
    • $13k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures
    • $2k decrease for 31a At Risk expenditures
    • $11k decrease for Title I expenditures
    • $26k net increase for salaries and benefits
    • $8.5k increase for POHI special education transportation costs
  • Central Services: Increased $94,551, resulting from:
    • $12k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures
    • $82.5k net increase for salaries and benefits related to retirement severance payouts
  • Community Services: Increased by $15,458, resulting from:
    • $6k increase for 27l Educator Compensation grant expenditures
    • $9.4k net increase for salaries, benefits, and purchased services
OVERALL SYNOPSIS - GENERAL FUND

The Proposed First Amendment to the 2025/26 General Fund budget reflects an improved financial position compared to the Original Budget adopted in June 2025. The projected net loss has been reduced from $3,072,582 to $1,550,930, an improvement of $1,521,652. As a result, the ending General Fund balance is now projected at $6,923,165, or 13.4% of expenditures, up from the originally projected 10.8%.

This improvement is primarily driven by increased state funding, including higher MPSERS cost offset payments, At-Risk funding, Special Education funding, enrollment stabilization payments, and literacy and educator compensation grants. These increases were partially offset by lower-than-projected enrollment, reductions in federal Title grant funding, and the removal of the planned $100,000 transfer from the Adult Education Fund to preserve that fund’s balance.

Expenditure increases largely reflect grant-funded program adjustments, retirement-related costs, and operational cost increases in areas such as maintenance, transportation, utilities, and compliance. Many expenditure changes represent the reassignment of allowable costs between grant-funded programs and the General Fund to align with updated funding allocations and program requirements, rather than changes in staffing levels.

Overall, the amended budget reflects updated financial conditions and strategic alignment of revenues and expenditures, resulting in a stronger projected fund balance and improved financial outlook for the district. This amendment was developed collaboratively with the Superintendent, Central Office Administrators, Principals, and Program Directors using the most current financial data available and reflects prudent fiscal planning and ongoing monitoring of district resources. A final amendment will be presented in June to incorporate additional adjustments and refinements.

FEBRUARY PROPOSED AMENDMENT - OTHER FUNDS

The remaining attached documents reflect the Proposed First Amendments to the 2025/26 budgets for all other district funds. Major highlights are as follows:

ADULT EDUCATION FUND:
The Proposed First Amendment to the 2025/26 Adult Education Fund budget reflects a decline in overall revenues and a corresponding need to preserve the fund balance. Local revenues increased by $69,786, primarily due to higher participation in trips and tours, youth enrichment, and adult education programs. However, this increase was offset by a significant decrease in state revenues of $383,378, including a $333,112 reduction due to lower student enrollment at North Lake High School and a $50,266 reduction in Section 107 Adult Education grant funding. Federal revenues also decreased by $40,906 due to the elimination of the Michigan Works! Workforce Development program.

In response to these revenue reductions, the district removed the previously budgeted $100,000 transfer to the General Fund to maintain the financial stability of the Adult Education Fund. This amendment reflects prudent financial management and ensures that available resources remain sufficient to support ongoing programming. The ending fund balance is projected to be $61,135. A final amendment will be presented in June to incorporate any additional adjustments based on updated enrollment and program participation.

Beginning with the 2026/27 fiscal year, the district plans to transition the Early Childhood Center and North Lake High School budgets from the Adult Education Fund to the General Fund. This change will improve financial transparency and better align program expenditures with their primary funding sources.

FOOD SERVICE FUND:
The Proposed First Amendment to the 2025/26 Food Service Fund budget reflects a modest decline in the fund’s financial position compared to the Original Budget, with a projected decrease of $18,525. This change is primarily due to lower-than-anticipated investment earnings, reduced adult meal sales, and decreased state and federal reimbursement revenue resulting from lower projected meal claim activity and the elimination of the 10 Cents a Meal grant.

Expenditures have increased due to higher personnel costs, including expenditures related to the Section 27l Educator Compensation Grant, as well as increases in purchased services and supply costs necessary to support food service operations. The $80,000 transfer to the General Fund for indirect and central office costs remains unchanged.

Despite the projected decrease, the Food Service Fund remains financially stable, with an estimated ending fund balance of $670,281, representing approximately 33% of annual expenditures. This fund balance provides sufficient reserves to support ongoing operations and manage potential fluctuations in participation and reimbursement rates.

BUILDING AND SITE FUND: The Proposed First Amendment to the 2025/26 Building and Site Fund budget reflects a slight improvement in the fund’s financial position compared to the Original Budget. This improvement is primarily due to higher-than-anticipated investment earnings. As a result, the fund’s financial position is expected to improve by $8,050, with an amended ending fund balance projected at $498,636.

INTERNAL SERVICE FUND: The Proposed First Amendment to the 2025/26 Internal Service Fund budget reflects a projected net operating loss of $37,000. This loss is primarily due to Workers’ Compensation claim costs that are expected to exceed the charges allocated to other district funds. As a result, the ending fund balance is projected to be $22,254.

Beginning in the 2025/26 fiscal year, the district transitioned away from being self-insured for Workers’ Compensation. As a result, beginning in the 2026/27 fiscal year, the district plans to transition the Internal Service Fund budgets and expenditures to the General Fund. This change will improve financial transparency, simplify financial reporting, and better align these expenditures with the district’s current operational and insurance structure. With the district no longer self-insured, maintaining a separate Internal Service Fund is no longer necessary.
Subject:
6.D. Bid Award - Filter First Drinking Fountain Equipment
Presenter:
Shelly Larsen
Description:
In partnership with Partners in Architecture, the District solicited bids for the Filter First Drinking Fountain Equipment package. The bid opening was held on February 19, and two (2) bids were received.

Following a thorough review of the submissions, the District recommends awarding the contract to ETNA Supply for drinking fountains and filter products.
 
The recommendation is based on a comprehensive evaluation of competitive pricing, product and service quality, vendor qualifications, cost-effectiveness, and overall responsiveness to the RFP requirements. This evaluation process ensures the District secures the best overall value while maintaining high standards for quality and service.

The purchase will be funded through the Filter First Healthy Hydration reimbursement grant.

Enclosures:
 • Partners in Architecture recommendation letter and bid tabulation (dated February 19, 2026)
 
Subject:
6.E. Overnight Field Trip by LSHS Media Productions
Presenter:
Rachelle Stephenson
Description:
Students will attend the Skills USA Michigan State Leadership Conference in Grand Rapids, MI and participate in the state competition from Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19, 2026. This is a work-based learning experience in a timed situation to create a multimedia product through the phases of production. Working on specific video and audio elements and editing software, as well as, essential skills including teamwork, professionalism, planning, organizing and management, communication, leadership, decision making, professional development, and work ethic.

Travel will be by personal vehicle. Lodging accommodations at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, 187 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. 616-774-2000. Cost is funded with Career & Technical Ed (CTE) funds.

District approved permission slips that include full medical information will be used.

 
Subject:
7. Standing Items
Subject:
7.A. Board Commentary
Presenter:
President Ziegler
Subject:
7.B. Board President's Comments
Presenter:
President Ziegler
Subject:
8. Adjournment
Presenter:
President Ziegler

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