New Lothrop school board OKs budgets, $1.04M in bills, bond refunding

The New Lothrop Board of Education approved its amended 2025-26 budget and its initial projected budget for 2026-27 at a budget hearing held June 15 in the High School Media Center, according to minutes posted by the district.

Both budget motions covered the general fund, capital projects, food service, debt retirement and special revenue accounts. Each passed 6-0. Trustee Adam Green was absent; board members Richard White, Wendy Vincke, Ashley Krupp, Tim Birchmeier, Jenn Otter and Joseph Toma were present, along with Superintendent Jay Larner, Kim Kuchar and five visitors.

White read the financial report and presented bills totaling $1,040,872.65 — $988,402.26 from the general fund and $52,470.39 from school service. The board approved payment 6-0. The monthly financial report listed a beginning balance of $3,074,334.87, receipts of $1,116,003.20 and expenditures of $1,040,872.65, for an ending balance of $3,149,465.42.

Bonds, buses and contracts

The board accepted a resolution for 2026 refunding bonds to refinance a portion of the district's 2014 bonds, and a separate resolution to finance the purchase of three buses being received from Midwest Transit in July 2026. Trustees also approved a pre-bond services agreement with TowerPinkster.

Other 6-0 votes approved all administrative and salaried support contracts for 2026-27 effective July 1; a tentative agreement between the board and the Transportation Group covering the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years; the hire of Haley Parson as high school special education teacher at MA Step 5 effective Aug. 17, 2026, contingent on a successful background check; junior high and high school handbook changes; and the 2026-27 athletic code of conduct.

The board set its meeting dates for the third Monday of each month, with exceptions for December 2026, January 2027 and February 2027. Trustees also approved a Mackinac Island trip for seventh grade students on May 17-18, 2027, contingent on enough student interest.

Softball and track honors

Athletic director Marty Weese reported the varsity softball team won district and regional championships and a quarterfinal against Millington before losing to Ravenna at the state semifinals. Weese also recognized girls who competed at the MHSAA Division 3 state track finals: Katelyn Wendling, sixth place in the 100 meters; the 4x100 relay team of Riley Neubecker, Geanna Kopschitz, Ashley Krupp and Katelyn Wendling, 19th; Cassie Green, 23rd in shot put; and Miriam Sharpe in pole vault, no height. The district hosted baseball districts, softball regionals and a baseball regional semifinal, and Weese thanked Denny Ruddy, parent volunteers, coaches and event workers. Coaching openings listed were varsity cross country assistant and seventh grade volleyball.

Kuchar presented the elementary ABC report with spring data on attendance, behavior and reading and math scores from Acadience and i-Ready. Larner said the end-of-year staff recognition luncheon was a success and that summer enrichment is underway in the elementary and credit recovery in the high school. The board read Neola policies 0100, 1410, 2370.01, 2417, 2418, 4210, 5136, 5336, 6320, 6325, 7540.09, 8120.09, 8402 and 8655 for a first reading. There was no public comment on agenda or non-agenda items.

What happens next

The board entered closed session at 6:50 p.m. for the superintendent's evaluation and attorney-client privilege, returned at 7:57 p.m., added the superintendent evaluation rating to the agenda and approved the rating as effective for the 2025-26 school year, 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m. The minutes list the next meeting as Monday, July 20 at 6 p.m. in the High School Media Center.