The Montague Area Public Schools Board of Education held its most recent meeting with a packed agenda that balanced celebrations of student achievement, long-term planning, and community concerns. Here’s a full breakdown of what took place:
Community Speaks Out
The public comment portion of the meeting took a serious turn as two community members voiced concerns about the district’s handling of harassment allegations and staff conduct.
- One parent accused the district of failing to protect students from harassment and expressed frustration that staff feared retaliation if they spoke out.
- Another speaker detailed inappropriate behavior by a male staff member and demanded disciplinary action.
While board members did not respond during the meeting, they acknowledged the concerns, which will be reviewed through appropriate channels.
Honoring Dedicated Staff and Graduates
The board recognized the retirement of three long-serving staff members:
- Stephanie Gaunt – 30 years
- Nancy Rosler – 22 years
- Lisa Ross – 26 years
The high school also celebrated the accomplishments of this year’s senior class:
- 80% graduating with honors
- Two ties for both valedictorian and salutatorian, a first for the district
- Graduation is scheduled for Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m.
District Programs and School Highlights
Middle & High School Updates:
- Career Exploration Day gave 8th-grade students hands-on exposure to careers at local businesses including Rebel Marketing, GE Aviation, MCC, and the Career Tech Center.
- The new peer-to-peer mentorship program was piloted at the high school, pairing general education students with peers who have IEPs. The initiative fostered social growth, inclusion, and meaningful relationships.
- Upcoming events include:
- Whiz Kids Celebration – May 21
- FFA Banquet – May 28
- Community Lunch – June 3
- Final band and choir concerts – May 20 and 29
Elementary and Early Childhood Updates:
- More than 370 awards have been handed out this year recognizing behavior and student excellence.
- Preschool Roundup drew unexpected new families, a promising sign for enrollment.
- A series of themed celebration days (“Glow Day,” “Beach Day,” etc.) are underway at the MAC building.
- Students are wrapping up state testing and field trips across multiple grade levels.
Financial Outlook: Budget Amendment Approved
Finance Director Stacy Brown presented a positive final budget amendment:
- The district will end the fiscal year with a $3 million fund balance, or 14.8%, which is close to the recommended 15–20% range.
- Increased revenues came from state and federal grants, Electric Forest transportation contracts, and local sources.
- Expenditures rose to match grant-funded initiatives, including:
- New food service equipment
- Utility upgrades and maintenance
- Athletics and transportation needs
- The food service budget is being spent down per state-approved plans and includes new kitchen equipment and transportation vehicles.
Brown credited careful planning and staff collaboration for the district’s improved financial standing compared to prior years.
Notable Approvals
The board approved several key initiatives:
- $79,270 purchase of new Bookworms ELA curriculum using a state literacy grant, saving $60,000 by sourcing materials from multiple vendors.
- $1,500 contract with CatchMark Technologies to livestream the 2025 graduation ceremony. The board praised the value and quality of the multi-camera production, which has been in place since 2020.
- Overnight band and choir trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee scheduled for May 2026. The trip will include performances and educational experiences at Dollywood.
- Participation in the Muskegon ISD Biennial Election and endorsement of candidate Mary Schaub for the ISD Board of Education.
- Approval of the MISD 2025–26 budget, totaling $105 million.
Closing Session
The meeting concluded with a closed session to begin the superintendent’s evaluation process.
Montague Area Public Schools Board Meeting Recap – April 14, 2025
