May Board Meeting Update
This is an extremely difficult time for the Grand Ledge Public Schools community following the loss of Willow Ridge's Chong Bedard. Last Monday's Board Meeting was bittersweet, as we remembered Mrs. Bedard and celebrated our Class of 2026 Top Scholars.
Our meeting began with a moment of silence to honor Mrs. Bedard. Over the last several days, it has become clear to the entire community how special Mrs. Bedard was. A good friend of mine described her as "sunshine in human form." I am so grateful for how our leadership responded. It was all hands on deck. Counselors from across the district and from Eaton RESA were available. All our Canines for Change dogs were there. And while our students are always number one, you cannot pour from an empty bucket and our adults need support too. No adult started the day alone in a classroom--they all had a colleague there to support them as Willow Ridge reopened on Monday.
As we celebrated our Class of 2026, I couldn't help but think how Mrs. Bedard's impact will continue to be felt. Our Class of 2026 Top Scholars are an incredible group of young people. Countless AP classes, achievements in athletics, the arts, community service, and so much more. This meeting is always my favorite of the year, where we can see the culmination of all that we do.
After we honored this amazing group of students, we learned about another amazing group of students. A few years ago, Mr. McKennon started the process of creating the Grand Ledge Education Pathway (GLEP) -- a CTE program for GLHS students who are interested in becoming teachers. GLEP allows students to earn college credits while getting real world classroom teaching experiences. Ms. Pratt--a GLEP student--shared her experiences with the board. A huge thank you to Mr. McKennon for creating this amazing program. I cannot wait for these students to finish college, so we can start hiring them as teachers right here in GLPS.
After that, we had to discuss finances. Public schools in Michigan are required to approve budgets before the State finalizes its own budget. That means districts often have to make financial decisions without knowing exactly what state funding will look like. Last year the State sure did take its time...
At GLPS, we planned conservatively and responsibly. Last year’s approximately $2 million surplus was intentional. It created a cushion in case we needed to run a deficit this year due to state budget uncertainty. That’s not “extra money.” It’s responsible financial planning that helps protect students, staff, and programs from unexpected cuts or instability.
Strong schools require careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and preparing ahead for uncertainty is exactly what we did. And good news: Thanks to the continued hard work by our Central Office, our fund balance is now higher than it was at the beginning of the year both in real dollars and as a percentage.
After that, we ensured our school of choice window will be open for 2nd-12th grade on a very limited basis -- only to fill in classes where we may have an open seat. As a growing district that is already feeling the strain on classroom space and preparing for future bond conversations, we also recognize the importance of managing enrollment carefully and responsibly.
We closed out the meeting by paying the bills. The work continues on the Morris property. If you drive by, you can see it taking shape.
If you're interested in more details, you can check out the Board Packet, Agenda, Minutes, and recording for every meeting. I'm proud that we have increased transparency by ensuring the community has all the information Board members have ahead of our meetings. https://www.glcomets.net/boardofeducation/meeting-noticesagendasminutes/2026meeting-schedule/
As we finish the school year under such bittersweet circumstances -- feeling such a profound loss while celebrating the accomplishments of our students -- I am truly proud to be a Comet. This community is unmatched when it comes to coming together. I look forward to coming together to celebrate the Class of 2026 at graduation on June 5.