Montague Area Public Schools Board of Education Recap

January 12, 2026 Regular Board Meeting

The Montague Area Public Schools Board of Education met Monday, January 12, 2026, at Montague High School’s CAT Lab to conduct its regular monthly meeting. The meeting focused on annual organizational business, board recognition, student and staff updates, and approval of district policies and technology upgrades.

Organizational Business

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by roll call. As part of standard January procedures, the board appointed a Secretary Pro-Tem to serve until officer elections were completed. The agenda was then approved.

No public comments were offered during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Election of Officers

The board elected officers for the 2026 calendar year, approving the following leadership team:

• President: Joel Smith
• Vice President: Amanda Dahl
• Treasurer: Emily Fullmer
• Secretary: Cindy Francis

The motion passed unanimously.

2026 Meeting Schedule and Bylaws

Board members approved the regular meeting schedule for 2026, continuing the district’s long-standing practice of holding meetings on the second Monday of each month.

The board also adopted the district’s existing bylaws for the 2026 calendar year, with the understanding that revisions may be reviewed and considered as needed.

MASB / MAISD Liaison and Committee Appointments

Joel Smith was appointed to serve as liaison to the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) and the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD). Board members also discussed opportunities to serve on additional county-level boards and associations.

Committee appointments for the year were approved, including assignments to:

• Building and Site
• Employee Relations
• Finance
• Policy
• Superintendent Evaluation

The board discussed committee size and agreed that limiting committees to three members supports efficiency and consistency.

Consent Agenda Approved

The board approved the consent agenda in a single vote, which included a variety of annual appointments, authorizations, and approvals. Among the items approved were:

• Designation of deputy secretary and deputy treasurer roles
• Appointment of legal counsel, auditors, and Title IX coordinators
• Authorization of financial institutions and electronic transfer officers
• Approval of district credit card users
• Authorization of EduStaff as the district’s third-party employer for off-staff coaches and substitute teachers
• Approval of minutes from the December 8, 2025 meeting
• Approval of expenditures totaling $443,220.26 across multiple funds

The board also formally accepted several resignations and retirements:

• Denine Jelinek – LRE Aide
• Scott McGee – JV Volleyball Coach
• Randall Mikkelson – Varsity Softball Coach
• Ann Shirtum – Library Aide

Board Recognition Month

January is School Board Recognition Month, and administrators, teachers, and union representatives took time to thank board members for their service. Certificates of appreciation were presented, and a collaborative donation was made in the board’s honor to support student programs across the district.

Funds will help support:

• Chess clubs at the middle and high schools
• Playground equipment at the elementary school
• Emerging student clubs that do not yet have dedicated funding

Administrators emphasized that the donation reflects the board’s continued support of both academics and extracurricular opportunities.

Building Reports

Elementary School
Students participated in holiday activities before winter break, including Santa’s Secret Shop, classroom celebrations, and a well-attended first-grade holiday concert. Midyear assessments and NWEA testing are underway, with results to be shared with families through report cards and PowerSchool. Literacy initiatives continue through instructional “learning walks,” and administrators thanked the board for handwritten notes recognizing staff.

Middle School
Holiday Spirit Week brought festive energy before break, while winter sports and extracurriculars are now in full swing. The district welcomed Ryan Jones, who is transitioning into a librarian role at both the middle and high schools. The Pokémon Club recently concluded a successful session, and Chess Club is set to begin with approximately 35 students enrolled. Sixth-grade students have completed elective rotations, with more than half choosing band or choir.

High School
The high school hosted a Community Day prior to winter break, offering enrichment activities for students. Semester exams are underway, while robotics, chess, and winter athletics continue to see strong participation. The boys bowling team once again won the Whitehall trophy, and wrestler Isaac French earned his 100th career win. FFA student Dylan Bailey was named a State Star finalist and will present at the state convention. College and career planning remains a focus for seniors, with reminders shared about FAFSA completion.

Superintendent’s Comments

The superintendent announced several updates, including:

• The hiring of Carter Pearson, a Whitehall High School graduate and Eastern Michigan University alum, as a custodial floater
• The start of Dan Dice as the district’s new School Resource Officer in partnership with the Montague Police Department

The superintendent also acknowledged the recent passing of Rick Baxter, a Lunch/Recess Aide at RRO Elementary and a Bus Aide on the White Dog Elementary bus, as well as former teacher and coach Charlie Michaelson, sharing condolences with their families.

Board members were informed that a board vacancy will be posted following the departure of Brent Raeth, which is expected to occur later this winter, with additional details outlined in a separate CatchMark Community article.

New Business

The board approved the second reading of Policy 5517.01, addressing bullying and aggressive behavior toward students. Revisions were made to ensure the policy aligns with Michigan guidelines while remaining practical for district implementation.

The board also approved bids for technology infrastructure upgrades, funded primarily through the federal E-Rate program. Projects include:

• Network and stadium infrastructure improvements
• Fiber upgrades at the middle and high schools
• Replacement of wireless access points

Approximately 80% of the project costs will be covered through E-Rate funding, with work anticipated to begin this summer.

Adjournment

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

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