GHAPS Board Meeting Highlights

 Grand Haven Area Public Schools Board of Education meeting kicked off with a ceremonial swearing-in of trustees Heather Herrygers, Cyndi Casemier, and Krystal Boyd, who is joining the board on a full six-year term after most recently holding a partial-term seat on the board.

Following the ceremonial induction, the board nominated and voted in new officers. Former Board Secretary Nichol Stack will now serve as board president, Kristal Boyd will fill Stack’s seat as board secretary, Marc Eichholtd will stay on as vice president, and Seth Holt will continue serving as board treasurer.

January is School Board Recognition Month throughout Michigan, so GHAPS Superintendent Kristin Perkowski took a moment during last night’s School Board meeting to thank and recognize each of the seven board members serving Grand Haven Area Public Schools.

• Superintendent Perkowski highlighted the often-underappreciated work of school board members, saying, “In addition to attending regular school board and committee meetings, board members participate in countless hours of preparation, research, and strategic planning. They review policies, engage with the community, and make difficult decisions that impact the long-term success of our students and our district. Many of these efforts often go unnoticed, but they are crucial to the foundation of our schools and the educational experiences we provide.”

After the new board members were sworn in and officers were assigned, the meeting also included an emotional farewell to Dawn Kelley, Grand Haven Area Public Schools’ Executive Administrative Assistant for the board of education and office of the superintendent. After 17 years with the district, Kelley will retire at the end of the month, so Monday night was her last board meeting in her role.

• In a heartfelt statement, Superintendent Perkowski shared that Dawn “created an environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and valued,” adding that Kelley’s legacy “is going to continue through both the systems she has built and the many lives she’s touched.”

Kelley’s successor, Sara VanderZee, current administrative assistant for Peach Plains Elementary, has spent time training for the new role during the last several weeks and will assume the new role beginning February 1st.

The board voted unanimously to place the district’s annual non-homestead operating millage renewal on the next election cycle. The operating millage will allow the school district to continue levying up to 18 mills on properties like second homes and businesses in the area and would not apply to primary residences.  Operating millage funds support the district’s general budget to pay for things like teacher salaries, utilities, and other operational expenses.

The board also unanimously approved contracts for construction and equipment that will support upgrades to White Pines Intermediate School’s kitchen and serving area. Beckering Construction and Merchandising Equipment Supply have been selected to complete the work this summer, a project that will utilize federal food service funds totaling about $860,000 that have been earmarked for servery upgrade projects. Earlier this school year, White Pines students had the opportunity to vote on the design and color scheme of the serving area in an effort to increase the inclusion of student voice.