Key Takeaways
- The Ludington Area School District Board of Education will hold a public hearing on its proposed 2026‑27 budget on Monday, June 15, at 6 p.m., followed by a regular meeting in the O.J. DeJonge Media Center at Ludington High School.
- Major agenda items include replacing aging district phones, purchasing iPad cases and keyboards, renewing memberships with state school‑boards and athletic associations, updating several district policies, appointing a representative to a special‑education advisory committee, and extending a three‑year school‑resource‑officer agreement with Mason County.
- The board will also review the annual bullying report (which showed no verified incidents for 2025‑26), recognize student‑athletes earning all‑state honors, address personnel matters, and evaluate the interim superintendent in a closed session before returning to open session for possible action.
Overview of the Board Meeting and Public Hearing
The Ludington Area School District Board of Education has scheduled a public hearing to review the district’s proposed 2026‑27 budget. The hearing will precede the board’s regular meeting on Monday, June 15, beginning at 6 p.m. in the O.J. DeJonge Media Center located within Ludington High School. After the hearing, board members are expected to move directly into the regular meeting agenda, where they will consider adoption of the budget alongside a variety of other items, including technology purchases, policy revisions, and service agreements. The timing and location are intended to provide community members with an opportunity to ask questions and offer feedback before final decisions are made.
Proposed Replacement of District Phone System
One of the most significant purchases on the agenda involves upgrading the district’s telecommunications infrastructure. Officials recommend acquiring and installing 59 Yealink SIP‑T73U IP phones and 80 Yealink T31G phones, together with professional installation services, at a total cost of $18,358. The board packet notes that these 139 handsets were omitted from the district’s previous phone‑system refresh and are now suffering from internal circuit failures that cannot be repaired. Replacing them is viewed as necessary to maintain reliable communication across schools and administrative offices.
Purchase of iPad Cases and Keyboards for Students
The board will also consider a request to buy protective accessories for student iPad devices. The proposal includes 675 Logitech keyboard‑case combinations intended for high‑school students and 1,700 standalone protective cases for iPad 10.9 models, with a combined price of $142,131.25. Funding would be drawn from the district’s 2022 technology bond allocation, which was earmarked for enhancing classroom technology. These accessories aim to extend the lifespan of the devices, improve usability for classroom work, and reduce the likelihood of damage from daily handling.
Meeting Calendar Approval and Association Membership Renewals
Board members are slated to act on the district’s 2026‑27 meeting calendar, establishing the schedule for future board sessions. In addition, they will vote to renew memberships in two statewide organizations: the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). The MASB renewal fee totals $5,266.25. Maintaining these affiliations provides the district with access to legislative updates, professional development resources, and advocacy support on issues affecting public education and interscholastic athletics.
Second Readings of Policy Updates
Several policy revisions will receive their second readings at the meeting. Proposed changes cover a range of topics, including board powers, administrator evaluations, staff reductions and recalls, probationary teacher procedures, personnel evaluations, and the district’s wireless communication device policy. District officials indicated that many of these edits are needed to bring local policies into alignment with recent amendments to state law, ensuring compliance and clarifying expectations for employees and governance bodies.
Appointment to the West Shore Educational Service District Special Education Parent Advisory Committee
The board is expected to appoint Amanda Kuczynski as the district’s representative to the West Shore Educational Service District (WSESD) Special Education Parent Advisory Committee for the 2026‑27 school year. This role will involve liaising between Ludington Area Schools and the WSESD to provide input on special‑education services, advocate for families of students with disabilities, and help shape regional programming that meets the needs of diverse learners.
Renewal of School Resource Officer Agreement with Mason County
A key item on the agenda is the consideration of a new three‑year agreement with Mason County for school‑resource‑officer (SRO) services. Under the proposed contract, the county would continue to assign a deputy primarily to Ludington Elementary School while making the officer available for district‑wide safety, security, and educational initiatives. The district would contribute $48,000 annually toward the program, and the agreement would run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029. The SRO partnership aims to enhance school safety, foster positive relationships between law enforcement and students, and support preventive programming.
Superintendent’s Report: Annual Bullying Statistics
As part of the superintendent’s report, board members will receive the district’s annual bullying report for the 2025‑26 school year. The document indicates that there were no verified bullying incidents reported at Ludington Elementary School, O.J. DeJonge Middle School, or Ludington High School during that period. This outcome will be highlighted as a positive indicator of the district’s climate and the effectiveness of existing anti‑bullying initiatives, though officials will likely continue to monitor and reinforce preventive measures.
Recognition of Student‑Athletes and Personnel Matters
The meeting agenda also includes recognition of student‑athletes who earned all‑state honors in track and field, as well as swimming and diving. Celebrating these achievements underscores the district’s commitment to extracurricular excellence. Additionally, the board will address personnel matters, including the approval of new hires, acceptance of retirements, and processing of resignations. These actions help ensure that staffing levels remain aligned with instructional needs and district goals.
Closed‑Session Evaluation of the Interim Superintendent
Finally, the board is scheduled to enter a closed session to conduct the annual evaluation of Interim Superintendent Mary Marshall. Following the confidential discussion, the board will return to open session to consider any possible action based on the evaluation’s outcome. This process allows the board to assess leadership performance, set expectations for the upcoming year, and make informed decisions regarding contract extensions or other leadership adjustments.