Whiteford board hires two teachers, adopts 2026–27 budget and approves 18‑mill levy

WHITEFORD AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL BOARD — The Whiteford Agricultural School Board of Education on June 29 approved two teacher appointments, adopted year‑end budget amendments and the proposed 2026–27 budget, and authorized a tax levy of 18 mills on certain property classes.

President Shane Hillard called the special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Director of Finance & Business Services Marisa Tebbe‑Cousino told the board that June 30 is the fiscal year end and reviewed year‑end budget amendment materials and the L‑4029 2026 Tax Rate Request and Tax Levy forms, which were made available for board review and signatures.

The board voted to appoint Mackenzie Buck as the new 5th grade teacher at Step 1‑BA, $45,000 per the 2026–2029 WEA Master Agreement, contingent on favorable previous‑employer conduct and FBI/State of Michigan background checks. The hire is effective for the 2026–27 school year with a start date of Sept. 2, 2026. The motion to hire Buck was made by Janelle Hauser and seconded by Tom Wenzel; the minutes record the motion as approved (6 yes, 1 absent).

The board also voted to hire Breanne Jacoby as the new 6th grade teacher at Step 8‑MA, $62,400 under the same master agreement and background‑check contingencies. That appointment carries the same effective date, Sept. 2, 2026. The motion to hire Jacoby was made by Shane Hillard and seconded by Dave Dixon; the minutes record the motion as approved (6 yes, 1 absent).

Marisa Tebbe‑Cousino presented the 2025–26 year‑end budget amendments; the board adopted the amendments by motion (moved by Jason Vida, seconded by Dave Dixon) with the vote recorded as 6 yes, 1 absent. During a public hearing on the proposed 2026–27 budget the board informed the public that it will levy 18 mills of ad valorem property tax against non‑homestead and non‑qualified agricultural property for operating purposes. The board approved the proposed 2026–27 budget by motion (moved by Tom Wenzel, seconded by Brandon Iott); the minutes record the motion as approved (6 yes, 1 absent).

The board then approved the millage rate as indicated on the L‑4029 2026 Tax Rate Request forms (motion by Tom Wenzel, seconded by Dave Dixon); motion approved 6 yes, 1 absent. The minutes note that the tax forms were available at the meeting and available for signatures at the close of the session.

Procedural items on the agenda included appointment of a temporary secretary for the meeting (Tom Wenzel; motion by Dave Dixon, seconded by Brandon Iott). That motion was recorded as passing with five yes, one abstention (Wenzel) and one absence (Jeff Bunge). A motion to approve the meeting agenda (moved by Janelle Hauser, seconded by Jason Vida) was recorded as approved 6 yes, 1 absent. There were no public comments.

The special meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m. The draft minutes contain signature lines for the president and secretary but show no signatures in the included draft pagination.