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courtesy of GHAPS

Update from GHAPS

By Mary Ellen Murphy Aug 19, 2025 | 9:28 AM

Grand Haven, MI (WGHN) – The following is an update from Grand Haven Area Public Schools.

 

GHAPS School Board Meeting Summary | 8/18/25

 

Financial Institution Approval

Following Huntington Bank’s sale of its institutional trust business, the Board approved a motion to add Argent Institutional Trust Company, UMB, US Bank, and Commerce Bank to the district’s list of approved financial institutions for potential bid investments.

 

2025-2026 Food Service Pricing

The board approved the district’s proposed Food Service pricing updates for the 2025-26 school year. Following the approval, student meal prices will remain the same as previous years, while adult breakfast and lunch prices have increased by $0.25 and $0.12, respectively.

 

Duneside Discovery Center at Mary A. White Update

During Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, Grand Haven Area Public Schools Director of Early Learning Services Erica Kelly provided an update on the new Duneside Discovery Center at Mary A. White.

 

The update came following a ribbon-cutting ceremony before the start of the board meeting that saw several dozen families, staff members, future students, board members, and others from the community join together to commemorate the opening of the nature-based early learning center. The ribbon-cutting event included a hike in memory of former GHAPS Preschool Coordinator LeDwyna Evans and a time for reflection on the lasting impact she had on children in Grand Haven Area Public Schools.

 

During Mrs. Kelly’s update, she shared several celebrations, including the program’s full state licensure, acquired earlier this summer, as the school shifts to serving children ages 3-5. Kelly added that the outdoor spaces have been updated to meet licensing requirements as well.  Age-appropriate play equipment has remained in place, equipment intended for older children has been removed, and a few new features, such as mud kitchens, natural sand areas, and climbing structures, have been added. Duneside will hold a Family Information Night this Wednesday evening, beginning at 5:30 p.m., for parents and guardians of students enrolled for the coming year.

 

Board Member Internet Reimbursement

A motion to approve a Board Member Internet Reimbursement option failed with a 3-3 vote. The recommendation represented the renewal of an optional monthly internet reimbursement that had been available to board members in the past. It had been standing practice in previous years to allow board members to request reimbursement for internet services. However, following recent policy updates, a vote was needed to determine whether or not to continue making the option available.

 

White Pines Kitchen Contingency Increase

During construction work for kitchen upgrades in White Pines Intermediate School, it was determined that an additional circuit breaker would be needed in the building’s main electrical panel to support new kitchen equipment and has to be brought up to code. During last night’s meeting, the GHAPS School Board approved an increase of $30,000 (from $73,000 to $103,000) to the project’s total contingency budget for this project.

 

Funding for the project comes from the district’s Food Service fund, which may only be used for expenses related to feeding GHAPS students. GHAPS will continue to offer one free breakfast and one free lunch to all students through at least September 30, 2025. The district is awaiting the finalization of the State budget, which will determine the availability of the free meals program past September 30.

 

New Hires

The district approved the hiring of seven new staff members to fill vacancies at various schools throughout the district, including teachers, school social workers, and counselors. The district will welcome its new teachers this week, followed by its all staff Welcome Back kickoff next week.

 

Anti-bullying Policy Resolution

During Monday’s meeting, the board approved the replacement of its former anti-bullying policy, Neola policy 5517.01, with Thrun policy 5207. The change comes amid other recent updates to ensure clarity and consistency in the board’s policy. Board policies, as well as agendas, minutes, and other resources, are now available on the district’s recently adopted BoardBook Premier page, accessible from the Board of Education’s website at www.GHAPS.org/boardofeducation.

 

Master Plan Initial Concepts & Feedback Opportunities

Superintendent Perkowski reviewed the three initial Master Plan concepts presented during last month’s School Board Meeting and shared multiple ways for the community to provide feedback.

 

After briefly summarizing each of the concepts, Perkowski added that none of the plans are final, but are intended to provide the community with three potential scenarios to consider, and that a fourth concept, or Plan D, would likely come forward based on feedback from the community over the next several weeks. A full presentation of the initial Master Plan Concepts, as well as a survey, are available on the GHAPS website at www.GHAPS.org/masterplan.

 

The district also has multiple upcoming opportunities for the community to meet and connect with the superintendent and members of the school board:

 

SCOOP WITH THE SUPT. (With Superintendent Perkowski)

  • Aug. 21, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: A la Mode, 307 Oak St., Spring Lake

  • Aug. 28, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Gene Rothi Memorial Stadium (Before First Home Varsity Football Game)

 

COFFEE & CONNECT (With Superintendent Perkowski)

  • Sept. 30, 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM: Kenzie’s Be Café, 1103 Washington Ave., Grand Haven

  • Oct. 2, 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: D&W Starbucks, 1116 Robbins Rd., Grand Haven

  • Oct. 7, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: The Embassy Bar & Grille, 10396 Lake Michigan Dr., West Olive

  • Oct. 9, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM:  Grand Traverse Pie Co., 5817 Harvey St., Norton Shores

  • Oct. 14, 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM: Wesco, 14750 Mercury Dr., Grand Haven

  • Oct. 16,  5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Sandy Point Beach House, 7175 Lake Shore Dr., West Olive

 

TALK WITH A TRUSTEE (With Board Members)

Aug. 19, Noon – 2 PM: JW’s Food & Spirits

  • Aug. 20, 6 PM – 8 PM: Ferrysburg Party in the Park, William Ferry Park Waterfront

  • Aug. 27, 5 PM – 7 PM: Robinson Elementary (Prior to Open House)

  • Sep. 8, 9 AM – 11 AM: Chamber Golf Outing: Spring Lake Country Club (Chamber of Commerce Members)

  • Sep. 13, 9 AM – 11 AM: Grand Haven Farmer’s Market, Chinook Pier

  • Sep. 22, 5 PM – 7 PM: Education Service Center, 1415 S. Beechtree St.

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