The Anchor Bay Board of Education convened on June 25, 2025, to address several pressing issues, including safety concerns raised by a parent advocate and a budget presentation for the upcoming school year.

The meeting began with Christina Ross, a parent advocate for her nonverbal autistic daughter, expressing her concerns regarding safety during early voting at Sugar Bush Elementary. Ross criticized the lack of accountability and transparency from both the township and the school district, stating that special education students were treated as "lab rats" during the voting process. She highlighted that multiple families withdrew their children from school during early voting, disrupting the routine essential for special needs students. Ross called for accountability from the board, emphasizing the need for trust and transparency in their dealings with parents.

Following Ross's remarks, the board moved on to a budget presentation led by Mr. Rathbun. He presented the final budget for the 2024-2025 school year, proposing total revenues of approximately $82.6 million and expenditures of about $78 million, resulting in a projected profit of $3.7 million. Rathbun noted that the budget included the sale of Sugar Bush Elementary, which would contribute significantly to the revenue.

The board discussed variances in state funding and expenses, including a notable increase in state sources due to reimbursements for employee healthcare contributions. Rathbun also addressed adjustments in pupil transportation and outgoing transfers related to energy projects.

The meeting then transitioned to a presentation on an energy bond project, with Rathbun introducing Ron Stimick from SentriX, a company specializing in energy efficiency projects. The proposed energy bond resolution would authorize the district to issue up to $11 million in energy bonds, aimed at funding various upgrades, including lighting improvements and boiler replacements. The board was informed that the energy savings generated from these projects would help cover the costs of the bond, making it financially neutral for the general fund.

The board unanimously approved the energy bond resolution, recognizing its potential to expedite projects and mitigate rising costs due to inflation. The SentriX contract was also recommended for approval, allowing the district to proceed with energy efficiency upgrades as part of the 2022 bond projects.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted significant concerns regarding student safety and the financial planning necessary to ensure the district's projects are completed efficiently and effectively. The board's commitment to transparency and accountability was underscored by the discussions, particularly in light of the advocacy from parents like Christina Ross. The next steps will involve implementing the approved energy projects and addressing the ongoing concerns raised by the community.