Meeting Overview
The Montague Area Public Schools Board of Education held its regular meeting on September 8, 2025, at the Montague High School CAT Lab. The session opened with the district’s mission statement and the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, newly appointed trustee Ben Rupert took the oath of office. Following roll call, all members were present. Trustees approved the meeting agenda as presented.
The consent agenda was then adopted, including approval of the August 11, 2025 minutes, expenditures totaling $557,189.99 (with allocations across the general, food service, technology and safety, scholarship, activity, and capital projects funds), and the resignation of staff member Ashton Pranger.
Public Comment
The board next opened the public comment portion of the meeting. No residents addressed the board at this session.
Reports from District Leaders
The meeting continued with the Principal Meaningful Minute, where building leaders highlighted a strong start to the school year. RRO Elementary welcomed 418 students and six new teachers, the MACC gained 119 kindergarteners, and both schools emphasized expectations, routines, and the launch of the Bookworms English Language Arts curriculum. At the high school, enrollment reached 415, new staff joined in Spanish, counseling, and strength training, and student recognition included five national academic honorees. Middle school leaders shared updates on new electives in Design Thinking and Media Tech, robotics preparations, and attendance incentives.
Superintendent Jeff Johnson followed with district updates. He introduced new hires including Maddison Balon (cook aide at MACC), Heidi Munoz (LRE aide at RRO), Nicole Noel (bus driver, moving from substitute to full-time), and Pam Weesies (cook aide at the high school). Johnson also noted student enrollment was trending higher than expected, which benefits the budget outlook. He further praised the food service team, which served more than 51,000 meals during the summer program, and cautioned that upcoming state budget negotiations could affect schools if delayed past October 1.
Board Actions and Approvals
Trustees took action on several items of new business:
- Facilities: Approved a $509,440 Johnson Controls bid to upgrade fire protection systems at RRO Elementary, NBC Middle School, and Montague High School. Approved an $84,884 Arrow Roofing bid to replace the middle school gymnasium roof.
- Personnel: Approved the hiring of a speech-language pathologist third-grade teacher at RRO Elementary.
- Student Opportunities: Approved the eighth-grade class trip to Chicago on May 29, 2026.
- Policy and Representation: Appointed Trustee Karen as the voting delegate and Trustee Amanda as alternate for the MASB Delegate Assembly. Adopted the second reading of Policy 5610, extending superintendent authority to recommend suspensions longer than ten days prior to board review.
Adjournment
With no further business, the board adjourned the meeting. The next regular session is scheduled for October 13, 2025.
Montague Area Public Schools Board Meeting Recap – August 11, 2025
