[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6049391,"mediaKeyId","3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55","parentId",3511496,"title","Board approves bonds, capital fund and multiple construction and technology awards; summary of votes","audioSeconds",3618,"startMs",4549000,"endMs",8167000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55&start=4549&end=8167","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55/thumbnail_4549000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6049391/Michigan/Board-approves-bonds-capital-fund-and-multiple-construction-and-technology-awards-summary-of-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049391-65bab643b14f42ea25ab575d89af981f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141251&Signature=BDpH-0SRlld7bAeRqlTOSK5rS7NzUSkObyPooyeD27BXU2DD0SalxFF42qC9foCmhnctlMkmcnTTNVmzVNM1pNgHsDKUiF8BDGqqgp8TavMsFeQyMwt9oreDYO1U8Ewkdk2oL~8CTGFfD-bFrc5DXnrP-FE0KvT2iO-1xUQGAmniiXPern79mktILZOMQ1D3GY0ibHjBgpi4Wj896x2sWwF0MSqTnTAR7hQ59tbmFIGB6ML24EZuGlBkx64wGtDtA2SXMI2Aw-EB~SOgrim3NRS6WkIjyt2Dv4N1WO2Hwyy2IgLI0CyGtwb-~fLuc4~XkD5kEP2ZQK8LlQpK-Y-epQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Anchor Bay","date","2025-04-23T00:00:00Z","article","At its April 25 meeting the Anchor Bay School District Board of Education took several formal actions on funding, construction and technology contracts, and student activities. The full list below summarizes motions, roll-call outcomes and next steps.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes and bills payable): Approved by roll call (unanimous of those present). The consent agenda included minutes from previous meetings and financial reports.

- Personnel report: Approved (see separate coverage); vote recorded as unanimous among trustees present.

- Bond Series 2 resolution (issuance of second series of capital improvement bonds not to exceed $54,365,000): Approved by roll call. Trustees voted yes; motion carried.

- Resolution to establish a Capital Improvement Fund (using funds raised through a levy passed prior to 02/13/2024 and to address prevailing wage issues after Public Act 10 of 2023): Approved by roll call.

- Sidewalk assessment proposal (offer to pay 50% of amount billed by City of New Baltimore — $15,736.15): Failed (motion did not carry; recorded votes: majority no, 1 yes, 1 abstention). See separate coverage for background and timeline.

- Change orders (Bond program): Change Order 13 (high school chiller bundle rework) for $71,621.33 and Change Order 14 (Middle School South steel outbuilding) for $74,378.92 were approved; funding sources noted as construction contingency and bond construction budget, respectively.

- Field trips: Approved (roll call) — highlights include Anchor Bay Band travel (Cedar Point and Orlando trips), DECA and BPA competitions in Orlando, volleyball and cheer camps (JV Cheer approval conditioned on adding a third chaperone), and other student travel as listed in the board packet.

- Technology awards: Contracts approved with People Driven Technologies (low-voltage cabling) in the amount of $203,737 and with Moss of Grand Rapids (technology systems) for a base bid adjusted to $1,530,946.90 (administration removed optional items not requested). The board discussed vendor bankruptcy news for a telephone-system manufacturer; administration stated no upfront payments would be made and five years of base support were included in the proposals.

- Volunteer appeal: The board approved one appeal allowing Parent A to volunteer and accompany students on trips (vote 4–3; see separate article for detail).

- Closed session: The board entered and exited closed session to review legal counsel’s written opinion under the Open Meetings Act, MCL 15.2681(h).

What’s next

Administration will proceed with contract finalization, change‑order tracking and the bond issuance process. The board asked administration to bring back implementation and financing details on the solar presentation (informational item) and to report on Lighthouse follow‑up and any policy adjustments requested by trustees.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 23, 2025 - Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","During its April 25 meeting the Anchor Bay board approved bond series 2 funding, established a capital improvement fund, approved two construction change orders, awarded technology contracts, and approved several field trips. A sidewalk settlement proposal failed; the board also approved a personnel report and a volunteer appeal.","taxTitle","Anchor Bay School District, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",38388,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049396,"Board rejects proposal to pay 50% of New Baltimore sidewalk assessment billed to district",2716,4931000,7647000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55&start=4931&end=7647","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55/thumbnail_4931000.jpg","/articles/6049396/Michigan/Board-rejects-proposal-to-pay-50-of-New-Baltimore-sidewalk-assessment-billed-to-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049396-852fc8dec46514a430e8f9161d60c13e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141251&Signature=nt7fEvv2Wc3DPinSx8Lrv8-rEbD1WgA~aruLCngdLRYR3KzSA55x2XjqfFwGWqnsrwb1c4Sfu9xnzoHcH4KsO54bMZJufX6~nJzWLDjYScSa5p9nJR8VUgG19~-y5khURNlxDFlFK5ZyuVUteYBGgOYDcSijo9Vlxvmg5Fnk4yfT7jj8uAHqbvVTM1erpqH9LeBzIKX~7KTAaGYXFLEUZIZHYxY-S7hzdMTWJPjVdb3LE05sP5Z0CsNYmhbZ4uKRanXMT59rz0B812R5yn6545MQZoaqG7ndktAKK97hAyptkav8aLHamqP2wFF8xx5iqY8lCIplcs1ZnQaNB08pug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anchor Bay School District Board of Education on April 25 declined to accept a city‑led offer to pay 50% of sidewalk repair assessments billed to the district by the City of New Baltimore, rejecting a finance‑committee recommendation after trustees raised procedural and notice concerns.

Background: In October 2024 the district received three invoices from the city, together totaling roughly $31,472, for sidewalk pad repairs on district property. District counsel reviewed Michigan statutory language and advised the district that school property used for public purposes generally is exempt from such special assessments. The district’s attorney sent the city two written opinions in November 2024 asserting the district believed it was not liable under state law.

The finance committee later met with city officials. District staff told trustees they did not receive routine pre‑work notices that the city said it had published. The district’s facilities staff documented roughly 127–230 repaired sidewalk pads across district properties; administration calculated an offer to pay 50% of the billed amount as a one‑time, nonnegotiable settlement to preserve relations with the city.

Board members criticized the city’s outreach and how the city presented the district’s later offer to its council members. “They graciously accepted an offer that we haven’t even made,” Trustee Powers said, and other trustees said the city’s packet gave the impression the full board had already authorized the payment when it had not. Several trustees said the committee had discussed a possible offer but that committees do not have unilateral authority to bind the full board.

A motion to approve the settlement — to pay 50% of $31,472 (district portion $15,736.15) — was made and seconded. The roll call vote: Powers — No; Richards — No; Sunnyberger — No; Bergmeier — No; Venetelli — Yes; Knox — No; Green — Abstain. The motion failed to pass.

District staff told trustees that accepting the offer was intended to avoid straining the working relationship with the city and that the district continues to pursue Safe Routes to School grant funding for future sidewalk projects; staff said the federal/state grant, if awarded, would not retroactively cover the already completed work.

Trustees instructed administration to document the timeline and communications, and several said the board and city should establish clearer processes to prevent a recurrence. No further payment was authorized.","After months of correspondence with the city, the Anchor Bay board rejected a finance‑committee recommendation to pay half of a $31,472 sidewalk assessment billed by the City of New Baltimore to district property owners. Trustees criticized the city’s notice and process; the motion failed 4–2 with one abstention.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049401,"Board approves personnel report including new football coach; trustees criticize communication and timing",291,2737000,3028000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55&start=2737&end=3028","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55/thumbnail_2737000.jpg","/articles/6049401/Michigan/Board-approves-personnel-report-including-new-football-coach-trustees-criticize-communication-and-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049401-c3f2984c2f5e674d13fff1e2c2eb7769/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141251&Signature=ZzW6yweamhee1V0v8LSaSB0-Sp6Q32ABuM4KQ6quNH1yDTpmDRHain5plOMOMOFwwqhGjBtWkYOEmeB3p1pbWD-Uv~IBAE-SzAPDrpy6zg1SFLGr3I2~YHORu7cwmy6LBYJL3PvBSlO-PuAQjwViLtt3BFtjfbp0etag6pzYhVBkiyhOIbPglgPkAwsH~A0jM2T3UezEA7sUG4clNbcvGUXUIs0qkMLvCnnBC0Zr1shWIZF7Bx6ROOFu5rBnZRrQ5yvGzKTg5AqqIiE7Mflh0MEg3cF7DJlUb0juUgtjvq5Bkq7JNsHRFvIw3Nqkw2uHDCfrD8HbxqaWZjgunwshPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anchor Bay School District Board of Education on April 25 approved a personnel report that included hiring a new varsity football coach, but several trustees sharply criticized the timing and tone of how the district communicated the staffing change to the outgoing coach.

Trustee Powers — who requested that the personnel report be pulled from the consent agenda for separate discussion — said he had served on the interview panel and supported the hire but called the timing and manner of the notification “a poor look.” He told the board he had expected more public comment about the hiring and said an email sent at 5:00 p.m. on a Friday notifying the prior coach drew criticism. “I don’t think sending an email at 05:00 on a Friday was an accident,” Powers said.

Several trustees who participated in the interviews said they believed the selected candidate, identified in discussion as Coach Brandon, “has the credentials and the qualifications” to lead the program and that once the community gets to know him they would support him. Trustee Powers said the board and administration were generally aligned on moving the program in a new direction.

Trustees also stressed that individual board members do not unilaterally hire staff and that final approval rests with the board. “No one member just because two of our board members were in the interview process…they do not get to act alone,” Trustee Richards said.

After discussion, the board voted to approve the personnel report. Roll-call votes showed the motion carried with all trustees present voting yes: Powers, Knox, Green, Richards, Venetelli, Bergmeier and Sunnyberger.

Trustees said they will review the district’s communications processes to avoid similar public-relations problems in the future and suggested the policy committee consider formal guidance on how to notify long‑term coaches and staff when the district moves in a different direction.

","The board approved the personnel report, including the hiring of a new varsity football coach, after spirited discussion about the process and a Friday 5 p.m. email notifying a previous coach. Trustees said the hiring is appropriate but faulted how the district communicated the decision.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049406,"Parents and staff raise concerns about Lighthouse Elementary leadership and staffing; board approves a parent’s volunteer appeal",8311,1764000,10075000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55&start=1764&end=10075","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55/thumbnail_1764000.jpg","/articles/6049406/Michigan/Parents-and-staff-raise-concerns-about-Lighthouse-Elementary-leadership-and-staffing-board-approves-a-parents-volunteer-appeal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049406-2203ab4eef8c81660248440178f56463/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141251&Signature=N4xNOJ6kwaLfR6bvXx1JnPXHni64bIROdkd4IA9C3LAgx0bINqCngHlq0pVBCNznblLoQ8Oeq4ezRKkCQ0Sr4vHAxEVgFtiYfNZ3Fdz1RrcG0SHMhncUhRrmTnK1Lc3cNiq8INJNz27ht-VFrfzRyNigqYUGu2AWiZqZDXyB7zfVpslI8lq-BszNwuxfARkrUYPjmda668laFDhNwxSyenMIAKYjGfbSp3GqFgBseVuriHEhmgLfZNQ9YCEeQOwVF-V6DPFjfJNECDrR3HlSufTXM9UtJ91Hp8E2s3e2FitRGpr11wu7WzbJI5Kynt-pD9FMJAkWJTCIjAbTNFzmnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Lighthouse Elementary parents and staff brought grievances to the Anchor Bay School District Board of Education on April 25, describing repeated teacher turnover, office communication problems, alleged bullying incidents and a lack of visible principal engagement.

Multiple speakers said Lighthouse has experienced unusually high staff turnover this year and that the building’s office staff and leadership have been unresponsive. “My kids don’t even like going in the morning. They feel like it’s a prison,” parent Maja Atwal said. Parents described frequent substitute teachers and a string of short-term classroom adults; one parent said her son’s academic performance slipped in kindergarten after multiple teacher changes.

An Anchor Bay staff member and former long-term kindergarten substitute described shortcomings in principal contact: “I received one visit from the principal two minutes before we were headed out for a Halloween parade,” she said. Several parents described missed communications, delays checking in volunteers and inconsistent emergency responses at the front office.

Board members said they had received multiple emails and phone calls and that the board and administration would follow up. “We’ll have follow‑up with the superintendent who we expect to follow-up with you in the next 48 hours,” Board President Green said during public comment.

Separately under the meeting’s consent business, the board considered a volunteer appeal by a parent identified in the meeting only as Parent A. Parent A said the underlying conviction dated more than 20 years earlier and that she has been steadily employed and active in church and volunteer roles. The board voted 4–3 to grant the appeal, allowing the parent to accompany students on trips.

Board members and the superintendent acknowledged the need to protect student safety while maintaining fair processes for volunteers. Trustees said they would seek more immediate remedies for Lighthouse, including possible administrative steps before the end of the school year. Trustee Bergmeier suggested offering optional summer remediation for the affected kindergarten class to address learning gaps caused by teacher turnover.

The board did not vote on personnel matters in public comment but approved follow‑up actions and asked administration to contact concerned families within 48 hours.

","Multiple parents and staff urged the Anchor Bay board on April 25 to address leadership, staffing turnover and safety concerns at Lighthouse Elementary. The board pledged follow-up; the board also approved one volunteer appeal allowing a parent with a historical conviction to accompany students on trips.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049411,"Anchor Bay board debates districtwide ban on student cell phones; split among trustees",656,3511000,4167000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55&start=3511&end=4167","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511496-6962eb048e52797efddec98deaed2b55/thumbnail_3511000.jpg","/articles/6049411/Michigan/Anchor-Bay-board-debates-districtwide-ban-on-student-cell-phones-split-among-trustees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049411-66eec0715229af04caa50ebfdf8d08fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141251&Signature=QxrK0evrGYe2qnR6FoM6YUDx7gFyoX8FoWHFVYHZ5XQshiPFFtmQqQHBmiDorcPAhZY0crrR9T3-tiHPw-QqxFk2jN~6-95EpxAgmoUiKDjkp~GOdi407SfTglYTjymbDHVSgOGvumiVaVxbEBxKlYN93F12FpaS9R-Ho13P1AnyxREJ~hxJgsCeY5iJ8hn4heoPPtlDq0i2B3kRRn3QN-uIeu6vjziZ3HoEvZyjZysryDJAs9tkhLKYKazf3dSUnxNRt1AKdHR9LN~ShfKSjPNetzKFnx~t3t8UsRJHEYxCkz3xklgrqroOaLfFT~-MrcZc013vBqhdeE4wQxyPzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anchor Bay School District Board of Education on April 25 discussed a proposed policy that would ban student use of personal electronic devices while on school property, with trustees expressing sharply different views on whether the district should prohibit phones entirely or teach responsible use.

The board opened the floor for discussion during the policy’s first reading. Several trustees urged the ban, citing student safety incidents, Title IX–related cases, and disruptions at middle and high schools. “We have had a couple of Title IX issues,” Trustee Bergmeier said, adding that some incidents involved phones and social media. Bergmeier and several colleagues said middle school South already enforces a near-ban and that enforcement reduced disruptions there.

Trustee Venatelli, who led the exchange, said research and local incidents convinced him a strong policy is needed. “A wide body of research shows that consistent media use is not good,” he said, citing impacts on sleep, attention, and self-esteem. Trustees described episodes in which students coordinated brief fights on social media, then recorded them; administrators said by the time staff or the school resource officer could respond the incidents were over.

Trustee Richards said the policy discussion had been underway for nearly two years in the district and that the board had been considering changes gradually. “There is already a cell phone ban within the school district as well,” he said, noting this proposal refines existing practice.

Trustee Kristin (last name not provided) dissented from a full ban, saying she supports limiting classroom use but prefers a model that teaches students to use phones as tools. “I believe phones are a tool,” she said, adding she wants staff to have resources to teach appropriate use rather than a blanket prohibition.

Board members also discussed lunchtime use. Several trustees argued against permitting phones at lunch, saying unstructured time still produced harmful behavior such as sharing images or arranging fights. Others acknowledged concerns about equity and safety: parents and students sometimes rely on phones for family check-ins, translation and accessibility tools, and contact during emergencies.

Superintendent Jankowski and staff said the policy is in a first-reading stage: no vote was held; a second reading and possible vote is scheduled for the board’s next meeting. Trustees asked administration to anticipate implementation details — exceptions for medical needs, handling of accommodations, and how the policy would be enforced at elementary, middle and high school levels.

Trustees and staff also noted the district is watching developments elsewhere: other Michigan districts have sought similar rules, and emergency responders have mentioned how phone-related behavior has complicated evacuations and drills.

The board agreed to continue the discussion at the second reading, and trustees asked administration to provide specifics on enforcement, accommodations, and communications to families ahead of any final vote.

","Trustees held a lengthy first reading of a proposed policy to ban personal electronic devices during the school day, with several members citing student safety and disciplinary incidents and one member urging a more instructional, permissive approach. No vote was taken; second reading is scheduled for the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves bonds, capital fund and multiple construction and technology awards; summary of votes

Board rejects proposal to pay 50% of New Baltimore sidewalk assessment billed to district

Board approves personnel report including new football coach; trustees criticize communication and timing

Parents and staff raise concerns about Lighthouse Elementary leadership and staffing; board approves a parent’s volunteer appeal

Anchor Bay board debates districtwide ban on student cell phones; split among trustees