001Okay, this meeting of the board of education starts now. Please stand and join us in the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you all for coming this evening. We'll get right to work by approving our agenda. Are there any changes to the agenda as printed? Hearing none, is there a motion to approve the agenda, please? On page two, I move that the board of education approve the agenda as printed. >> Thank you, Mark. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. All those in favor of approving the agenda as presented. Please say I. I. Opposed. The motion passes. We'll get started with our
002superintendent report. All >> right. Thank you, uh, President Vantor, members of the Porsche public schools board of education. Our first of three presentations tonight, uh, will be will be led by first, Dr. Michael Pasco with our trip proposed trip. >> Good evening, Superintendent Edwards and trustees. We've got some esteemed colleagues here with us today from PC, Rachel Ryell, Bonnie Moss, Kate Quitell. Get those names right. They're here to talk about an exciting proposal for a trip to Puerto Rico that's planned for 2027. So, ladies, why don't you come on up and inform the board on what your plans are. >> Thanks for coming. >> Thank you for having us. We appreciate it. >> So, I'm Rachel Ryell. This is Bonnie Moss and Kate Twitchell and we all teach Spanish at the at Central High. Um,
003we've been really talking a long time about the next trip that we wanted to offer. So, this past summer, we had students that traveled to Spain, so we really wanted to do something a little different. So, we're offering a trip to Puerto Rico. It's a little closer to home, so we hope it's a little bit more affordable for some of our students who maybe find traveling to Europe a little bit out of their reach. Um, we'll be going to a lot of different cultural sites and heritage sites, which deal with the history and the indigenous background of Puerto Rico, but also doing a lot of scienceoriented pieces where we'll be visiting caves and going out on the bioluminescent bay. Um, also traveling to see the tropical rainforest that we have outside of the US, a
004national forest. It's the only national US forest that's tropical. So, that would be something to see a lot of the different flora and fauna, but really just um we studied Puerto Rico in our classes and we've done a lot of Caribbean units and I think there's a lot of hype right now too with the Super Bowl and hearing about Bad Bunny in Puerto Rico. But for us, it's just it's been on my bucket list for a really long time. And the chance for the kids to see something that's different and close to home, but also to have practiced their language is I think something that we're really excited to offer. You have any questions for us regarding the trip? We really are excited that you're considering our proposal. >> Is this the first trip ever
005to Puerto Rico that you're aware of? >> It's I've been here for 23 years and we've never been to Puerto Rico. >> Okay. That's that's pretty good information. Yeah. Right. >> Mexico, Spain, Costa Rica, >> we've been to Peru. >> I went to Ecuador with the students two summers ago. >> Never Puerto Rico. And we talk a lot about it in our classes. And I think it's a really interesting lesson for the students when you talk about the Commonwealth of the US and how it interacts with Puerto Rico. And so the independence of Puerto Rico yet the reliance a little bit with the US. I think that's something that the kids don't totally understand. So to be able to witness it firsthand is something that we're excited to to teach and show them as well.
006>> And it feels safe to travel too. Mhm. >> Yeah. Right now in the political climate, there aren't a lot of places that we probably would be proposing to go and visit. So, Puerto Rico is one, Spain would be the other. But like I said, the kids just took a 14-day trip to Spain. So, this is a chance to offer something different and unique that we haven't had in obviously in a really long time. So, >> well, we always say this, but thank you for stepping up and being willing to do this. These are experiences that are lifealtering for kids. My daughter is in Japan right now for two weeks and her goal while she's there, she's there for something else, is to reconnect with the family that she went on a school sponsored trip
007to to visit and stay with in 1999. So, um, you know, it's just it you carry it with you for the rest of your life. So, thanks for providing that opportunity for the kids. >> Absolutely. >> It all looked great. Thank you. >> Thank you for your appreciate it. Uh followed by that, up next is our assistant superintendent of operations, Russ Garver's bond project update. >> Good evening, board. Superintendent Edwards. Going to give you guys a quick bond update in terms of construction projects. Obviously, you know, Woodland's kind of continuing. Uh things are going well there. The weather has finally started to cooperate a little bit better. We had a couple 60° days there, so it's feeling good. Got a little cold today, but uh the work's going along nicely. They're doing a second course
008on unit B. That's looking nice. Um they'll be finishing up unit C here soon and then working on to unit A. But the project holds it's going good. Slowly working back to try and get back on schedule with the hard winter we had. But overall happy with the construction progress we had over the last two weeks. Um we had Amberly's final design meeting uh this week as well. That went really well. will be moving into our gallery walk coming up on April 7th at 6:00 at night in Amber Lee's gym. We'll get more information to you guys and invites to that as well. But we're super excited about that. And then the following board meeting, we'll be bringing that gallery walk to you guys as well. Um and then uh we uh kicked off the
009Angling Road uh um we had a DAT team, which is design team meeting with the uh the the D that team there. Um, and we started going through what they want to see in the outdoor spaces as well as their the common indoor spaces in their new building that we're currently starting the design process. So, that's early in the stages. Um, and that project go, you know, that team's engaged and do good work there. So, we're excited about what they come up with as that process continues over at Angling Road. >> I don't know if there's any questions you guys have for me. >> Great. Thank you very much. Thanks, Russ. >> Thanks, Russ. And our third and final report is from our director of finance, uh, Paul Johnson. >> Good evening, trustees and superintendent
010Edwards. Included in your board packet was our financial report through the month of January. So, we're seven months through the fiscal year. I just want to touch on a few things in on that report. A lot of things are the same as what I reported previously, so I apologize. Um our federal revenue still appears to be down from last year. Two thing for two reasons. Number one, we should be receiving a deposit any day now for our most recent federal funds draw down. And then last fiscal year we had a little bit of SSR money left over that we had to spend by September 30th. So that's the reason why that um area looks to be lower than last year. Um, operations and maintenance is up from last year, but it's the same reason I've
011told you the last two months. We, it'll go away once we put the budget amendment on the system because this report reflects preliminary budget and not the amendment that you're going to vote on tonight. So, um, we've got 31A money um, running through there for um, security related items throughout the buildings. um our child care services in percentage-wise it's up over last year but dollar-wise overall it is down because we have a restructuring of of that program and bringing in the GSRP um program on the on the second page of the report which is broken out by object code um supplies are supplies are up from supplies are down from the previous year excuse me and and that was we purchasing of Chromebooks with ESSER funds last year that we are not doing this year
012and the capital outlay percentage that looks like it's way over spent is going to be fixed with the budget amendment um on tonight. I'd like to just take a few minutes and give you guys some of the highlights from the governor's executive budget that was released on February 11th. Um, she has proposed a 2.5% foundation allowance increase, which is $250, which that's that's a lot lower than what we've seen the last few years. Um, she's proposing an 80% foundation allowance um, award for the cyber schools. She typically puts that in her budget each year, but it seems to not stay there. And then the cyber schools are still funded. at the same per pupil foundation as what has happened in past years. Um she's working to have universal breakfast and lunch made into law so
013that it wouldn't be voted on each year. It would just it would happen. Uh she's also recommended a larger increase for GSRP students than she did for K through2 students. She's uh suggesting a 6% increase for them to be funded at $11,290 per pupil versus K through 12 at 10,300. Um a couple of the MYPERS uh rates for that we have to pay for retirement. Um a few of those are coming down because of the health care component no longer rolling up into that percentage rate because it being fully funded. You've heard us talk about 147 retirement funds. Um, they didn't reinstate the 147A1, which we didn't receive this year, but there's a slight decrease to 147 A2 in her recommendation. She's also proposing an additional increase to higher education, another $32 million um to
014higher ed. This equates to approximately $1,300 a student statewide that's going towards higher education. Um the governor will present her final state of the state address this Wednesday night at 7:00 and we're still waiting. You know, House and Senate will come out with their budget proposals next before we go into conference committee for the final. and we're hopeful that we might have a budget sooner this year than what we did last year because it's an election year. >> Any questions? >> Thanks, Paul. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we'll move to our comments and communication section. Do we have anyone who wishes to address the board this evening? Okay, we have Dennis Coen. >> Welcome, sir. Thank you. Uh, thank you board for allowing me to speak tonight, Superintendent Edwards. It was great to see you
015at Costco last week to meet your family, too. Uh, my name is Dennis Kosen. I'm the band director at West Middle School, and I live at 5139 uh Maple Ridge in Portage. Um, I want to share some amazing things that our Portage Education Association members are doing throughout the district. I have a few stories here tonight. Uh, number one, I'd like to, uh, give a shout out to the folks over at Haver Hill Elementary and the occupational therapist, uh, Chelsea Horn and the Haver Hill PTO that surprised the staff last week with the Dolly drink carton. Chelsea dressed his Dolly Parton and delivered beverages to the teachers and staff following their staff meeting last week. What a sweet treat to show their appreciation. Julie Stevenson at Morsbridge wants to give a shout out to the
016uh kindergarten team and all of our kindergarteners at Morsbridge as they've been working so hard learning their letters this year. Uh thanks to the amazing kindergarten teachers at Morsbridge, including Mrs. D, Mrs. Morasco, Mrs. Moulder and Miss Patson. Our students are growing into confident little readers every day to celebrate all their ABC learning. They had a super fun ABC parade with homemade letter vest to show off everything they've learned this year. I'd like to give a huge shout out to uh CHS band directors Brian Van Tol and Deanna Russell. Uh they had their prefestestival concert here last week at Port Central. Uh they also had a special guest or a special band come. They had the Western Michigan University Wind Symphony which is the top band at Western. So our central bands played first and
017then the Wu uh symphonic band played last and it was a huge treat for all the students and our families to hear such amazing musicians. And then finally, uh, I want to give a shout out to all of our students at West Middle School, our band students, our eighth grade orchestra. Uh, over 250 of them, uh, participated last week on Valentine's Day. Uh, with our annual lock in. We've been doing this for 11 years. Uh, we do it on a Saturday uh, night and it happened to coincide with Valentine's Day this year. Uh, it is just an awesome party. We have a DJ, uh, so much food where the kids never have to eat ever again. Uh, we bring in interactive games like a huge indoor gaga pit, a human soccer pit. We put video
018games up on the big screens in the band room and the um, uh, little theater. And there's just so much for all kids to do. Whether they're uh, you know, a little more quiet, shy, and reserved, or they're really into sports, we have something for everybody. Uh, the uh, party was three hours. Uh, the kids are bummed out when it's over. They always ask, "When are we going to do the next one?" And it's next year. So if you guys want to come next February, it'd be great to have more chaperones. We had over 65 chaperons, including Mark Stevenson, who was there almost all night. He is a trooper. My wife was there. She's a teacher at Northern High School. She was there the whole night on Valentine's Day. And um just we have a
019great time. So uh we have great students at West Middle School. And um just want to thank you for supporting us to let us do that every year. So that's all I got. I'll see you at Costco next week. Thank you, sir. Thanks for coming tonight. >> Any comments this evening by board trustees? >> I'm just looking forward to hearing Donniey's uh presentation at North Middle School on is it Thursday? >> Wednesday. >> Yes, Wednesday. >> See you there. >> Yes. Thank you. Yeah, >> I just want to say in case you missed it, there's a copy of an article that appeared in Business View magazine. Business View magazine named Portage Public Schools the 2026 best managed school district. It's really >> good reading. Congratulations to the district, huh? >> Yes. >> Yeah, that's great.
020Uh we have a policy committee meeting this week. Correct. Correct. Okay. >> Wednesday maybe. >> Yeah. Yeah. Anything else from anyone? Okay, let's uh move ahead and that's to our consent agenda. And we only have one thing on the consent agenda tonight. That's to approve the February 9th, 2026 committee of the whole work session minutes. Are there any exceptions to the consent agenda? Hearing none, the consent agenda is approved or requested. Uh we need to go to page uh 27 for a required action item and that's the MIASB board of directors election. We discussed this briefly at our last meeting. There are three candidates for the position. Uh Charlie Fulbright, Battle Creek Public Schools, Elizabeth Odell from St. Joe's County ISD. Both of those uh folks are incumbents. And we have Tiana Harrison, uh, the
021president of, uh, Kamazoo Public Schools Board of Education, also running. And we need to select one of those, uh, folks for, uh, uh, to be elected to the board at, uh, MASB. So, any discussion about this? >> You can just give a quick comment. >> Sure. >> I don't know um, most of the candidates. However, at the annual leadership conference, I had the privilege of hearing a presentation done by the KPS board and then later at the next large session, I was able to sit at the same table as Tiana and was quite impressed with her. Um, so it's nice to be able to vote for someone that you have um, personally met and interacted with as opposed to simply going by the information and bios that they happen to send out. >> And she
022is in our K Resa family. So that's another good thing. Any other comments before we ask for nomination? Uh, very good. Is there a nomination, please? Motion is on page 27. >> Mr. President, I move that the board of education cast its vote for candidate Tiana Harrison to represent MASB Region 6 in the 2026 MASB board of directors election and authorize Barb Atkinson to cast the board's vote via the online ballot provided by MASB. >> Thank you, Terry. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Any other discussion? All those in favor of voting for Tiana Harrison, please say I. >> I opposed. The motion passes and uh Tiana is our candidate going forward and Barb will take care of notifying MASB. Uh we now have an action item on page 36 and that's to approve
023the 2526 budget amendments that we went through in detail at our work study on February 9th. Is there any discussion? Any questions about this? Any questions for Paul? >> I'll just note a ton of work. It was great to hear the presentation last meeting and >> the motion takes about five five seconds, but it's a ton of work that leads up to that. >> Right. Right. Thank you, Bo. Okay. Then there's a motion on page 36 to approve the budget amendments. >> Mr. President, I move that the board of education approve the general fund budget appropriations resolution 2526 amended budget number one as presented. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thank you. All those in favor of approving the budget amendments, please say I. I. Opposed. The motion passes. The budget
024amendments are approved. And uh we now go to page 45 for a motion please to um recognize National School Breakfast Week. Is there a motion please? >> Mr. President, >> I move that the board of education approve the National School Breakfast Week proclamation as presented. >> Thank you. B. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Terry. Do we have a volunteer to read the proclamation on page 46? >> I can. Action >> proclamation National School Breakfast Week March 2nd through 6th 2026. Whereas we recognize March 2nd through the 6th of 2026 as National School Breakfast Week and honor the dedication of Portage Public Schools food service staff. This observance highlights the important role breakfast plays in helping students stay alert, strengthen memory and problem solving skills, and achieve academic success. And whereas each day 27
025food ser service employees prepare and serve an average of more than 1,800 breakfasts while managing ordering, storage, delivery, and strict food safety and nutrition standards, all with care and attention to student needs. And whereas these skilled and caring professionals make meaningful contributions to student well-being and education and this week provides an opportunity to express our gratitude for their service. Now therefore, be it resolved by the board of education that we proudly commemorate March 2nd through 6, 2026 as National School Breakfast Week and commend all who contribute to the success of our breakfast program. Together we make a positive difference in the lives of our students. Proclaimed this 23rd day of February 2026. Porsche Public Schools Board of Education. >> Thank you, Kimberly. And we want to recognize Susan and all the great folks who work
026for you and thank you for all the work you do. Appreciate it very much. >> All those in favor of approving the National School Breakfast Week Proclamation, please say I. I. >> I. Opposed. The motion passes. The breakfast week proclamation has passed and now we move to our discussion item which is uh lighting at 12 street. Uh good evening again board and uh superintendent Edwards. Um I'd like to recommend that the uh board of education approve the uh project of uh upgrading the lighting at 12 street. Uh the current lighting is fluorescent lighting. Uh we'd like to move it to LED lighting. Um Tower Pinkster and OK will be helping run the project. Tower Pinkster did the design of the project. OAK will be running the project for us. Um we went out to bid
027as a normal bidding process would be. Uh one of the main reasons you want to we want to upgrade the lighting is fluorescent light bulbs are no longer being produced. So as those that inventory runs out, we will be in trouble. Um, but also moving over to LED light bulbs are just more energy efficient, which will drive down cost and it'll also give us the ability to control the light in the classroom better with immers and things like that just for a better educational environment. So, some pretty good reasons to move forward with that. Uh, we went to a bid process Esper Electric out of Kazoo ended up winning the bid uh at a total of 525,72 572,965. uh when you put in contingency general conditions um and construction management fees uh should will not
028exceed $739,463 for the project. Um this is the exact same project that we did last summer. We're really this school year on second shift hours over at 12 street. Um the bids were a little more favorable than we had for 12 street. A little over $100,000 in savings versus that bid at 12 street. So we're happy with that. I don't know if there's any questions or comments. you happy to answer them? >> Would the board be okay if we just approve this tonight? I mean, we already are doing it, done it at the other school. >> Yeah. And somebody could make a motion out of that recommendation on page 48. >> Mr. President, I move that we move the 12th Street Lighting Project to action. >> Thank you. Is there a second? All those in
029favor of moving the 12th Street lighting project to action, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed. The motion passes. And now the motion to approve on page 48. >> Mr. President, I'll give this a shot. Um, I move that the board of education authorize Owen Ames Kimble Company to issue a notice of pending award for the 12th Street lighting project to Esper Electric. Uh total project cost inclusive of inclusive of fees and related expenses not to exceed $739,463 funding for the project provided through the 2019 building site city. >> Second. >> Thank you. All those in favor of approving that 12 street lighting project, please say I. >> I opposed. The motion passes. The 12 street lighting project is approved. Uh thank you. Our next motion is on page 51. A motion to go into
030close session. Mr. President, I move that the board of education move in close session for two purposes. Number one, to consult with its attorney on pending litigation, spec specifically Driver versus Portage Public Schools. And number two, to consider the purchase of property as allowed under the Open Meetings Act 15.268, sections 8E and 8 C and 8 D respectively. It looks like 8 A. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Terry. Is there a second, please? >> Thank you. And this is a roll call vote, please. >> Mrs. Roar? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Crawford? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Navario? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Van Anor? >> Yes. >> Mr. Snder? >> Yes. >> Mrs. Larson? >> Yes. >> Dr. Stevenson? >> Yes. >> Okay, the motion passes. We'll be moving into close session. And I believe we're going
031to stay right here. Is that correct? Okay. Very good. >> Thank you. But we'll see. We'll see. >> We will see.