By Steve Stiffler
The Engadine Consolidated Schools Board of Education received a strong financial report, rejected a controversial state grant program, and advanced several academic and operational initiatives during its recent meeting on November 19.
An independent audit for the fiscal year ending June 30 returned an unmodified opinion-the highest assurance possible-confirming the district’s financial statements are accurate and comply with state and federal requirements. Auditor Taylor Boonenberg of Hungerford praised the district’s business office for its preparedness and noted steady improvement in audit readiness each year.
The balance in the district’s general fund has increased for five consecutive years, and it now stands just under 35% of next year’s budgeted expenditures, providing what officials called a “very solid base” going into the new fiscal year.
One of the major actions taken at the meeting was the Board’s vote to opt out of the state’s revised 31A safety and mental health funding. New stipulations accompanying the funding would force districts to waive protective legal immunity and due process rights in the case of a “catastrophic event,” leaving individual Board members, administrators and employees subject to personal liability. District legal counsel and the administration strongly recommended the Board decline funding as it’s currently written. The Board included language allowing reconsideration if the state alters the terms.
The Board also approved shifting to a split summer and winter tax levy, a move expected to save $15,000 to $20,000 annually by eliminating the need for short-term borrowing to manage cash flow. By doing this, the summer tax will slightly increase while lowering the winter tax.
Administrators gave updates on district initiatives, including a multi-year curriculum revision effort and a district wide attendance campaign with the goal of 95% attendance. The combined rate for September and October was 94.48%. A newly formed bond committee has started reviewing facility needs and long-term capital planning.
In response to a public question about Michigan’s new health and sex education guidelines, Superintendent Andrew Alvesteffer said the district will retain its present health curriculum and reminded the audience that any changes would need Board approval and a formal public review process.
The Board approved the hiring of Cindy Zinn as a new bus driver and Dave Hopper as the JV boys basketball coach and Carly Dubay as the JH girls basketball coach for the 2025-2026 school year.
