Board approves SME grant announcement and several capital purchases; votes carried on consent, curriculum and facilities buys

Caledonia Community Schools announced a new career-and-technical-education grant for Caledonia High School and approved multiple budgeted capital purchases and curriculum changes during its May 20 meeting.

Doctor Diaz told the board Caledonia High School was one of 16 Michigan schools awarded an SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers) grant, a four-year program that provides equipment, curriculum, industry credentials and sustainability funding to support ongoing costs. The grant will expand CTE course offerings and provide certifications for students.

On action items the board: approved the consent agenda (minutes, payables and personnel reports); adopted the education advisory board's recommended curriculum updates; authorized up to $175,000 for classroom furnishings at Emmons Lake Elementary; and authorized construction and installation of an external cooler/freezer/dry storage unit at Cadillac Elementary in the amount of $144,493.70 (administration reported an engineering change that slightly reduced the original estimate).

Facilities staff explained the cooler/freezer approval includes roof-drain work and protective bollards; visual screening was not included pending installation. Emmons Lake principal Nathan Walters, newly introduced earlier in the meeting, said staff were excited about new furnishings arriving.

Votes at a glance:
- Consent agenda (minutes/payables/personnel): motion carried (roll call recorded unanimous yes votes).
- Kent ISD proposed budget (20/24–25): motion carried.
- SCAB curriculum updates: motion carried.
- Emmons Lake furnishings, not to exceed $175,000: motion carried.
- Kettle Lake/Cadillac external cooler/freezer, $144,493.70: motion carried.

Administration said several items were funded through existing bond proceeds or established funds and provided line-item details in meeting attachments.