Lake Orion Community Schools is replacing its previous opt-out practice with a requirement for a parent signature before students take surveys about mental health or other health-related topics.
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The policy desk
What’s moving in phones
The debate over phones, screens and the school day.
The Board approved adopting Volume of Reading and Geodes Decodables for K–5 literacy instruction. The $238,601.91 purchase will be paid from the General Fund using 35M funding.
The Board approved revisions to Policy 2006, Wireless Communication Devices, to align with Michigan’s new student device law. The law requires districts to prohibit student use during instructional time starting in the 2026–27 school year, with rules addressing device definitions, exemptions and enforcement.
The board approved Youth Solutions as the high school career-awareness curriculum for Bath Community Schools. The minutes identify Bath High School as the affected level but provide no further detail about the program’s contents or implementation.
The Sept. 28, 2026 agenda lists a Section 31aa funding resolution as an action item; the supplied record does not establish whether the board approved it or the amount sought. At its Oct. 2025 meeting, district officials said opting into the safety/security funds required a board resolution waiving privilege, and described a prior $5.4 million award, with the then-current award expected to be about half after a cap.
The board is scheduled to consider supporting Saginaw County’s Career and Technical Education millage renewal for the November 3, 2026 election. The agenda describes a proposed endorsement, not an adopted position, and provides no millage rate or revenue figures.
The board approved the resignation of Joey Bigford, Roscommon High School’s assistant principal and athletic director. His departure is effective January 2, 2027; the minutes do not identify a successor.
The board approved Savvas American History: Beginning to 1877 for eighth-grade social studies as a six-year adoption, from 2026–27 through 2031–32. The digital and student editions will cost no more than $15,109.16.
The Sept. 21 board agenda schedules a second-reading vote on a broad policy package covering student medication forms, smoking/tobacco/drug and alcohol rules, service animals, nondiscrimination and Title IX procedures, construction bidding, drills, asbestos management and opioid antagonists. It also places student use of cell phones/electronic communication devices and personal communication devices on the first-reading discussion agenda. These are proposed or scheduled actions; the agenda does not establish that the policies were adopted.
Saginaw Township Community Schools says it must address drainage and parking-lot problems at Arrowwood after finding that the site could still flood during heavy rain. The work will likely include a retention pond, and the planned bathroom project has been postponed so drainage can be addressed first.
The board approved a new rule requiring middle and high school students to store backpacks in their lockers during the school day. Students may retrieve them from their lockers between classes as needed.
The board approved hiring a new Ionia Middle School principal in a 6–0 vote. The minutes do not clearly identify the appointee: they name Patrice Phelps as the recommended Emerson Elementary principal, then record a motion approving an Ionia Middle School principal; board members subsequently congratulated Tim on his new position.
The board unanimously approved Amy Brender as principal of Graham Elementary on August 17. District HR presented an overview of the hiring process and Brender’s background and experience before the vote.
The Board approved Mel Rentschler’s superintendent contract beginning August 12, 2026, for two years through June 30, 2028, with a possible third-year extension after two effective evaluations.
Saginaw Township Community Schools adopted mCLASS DIBELS 8th Edition as its universal literacy screening and progress-monitoring assessment for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The change begins in the 2026–27 school year.
The Board accepted Superintendent Michael Musary's retirement/resignation in June, appointed Kelly Skokna interim Superintendent, and approved a three-year Superintendent contract in July.
The board appointed Tonia Vorce as interim superintendent. It authorized the district’s law firm to prepare her contract, with the board president and secretary authorized to sign it.