The Martin Board of Education was so pleased with how the Covid-19 pandemic crisis was handled over the past two years that it granted a raise and other perks to Superintendent Brooke Ballee-Stone.

The superintendent’s annual pay was bumped from $55,000 to $71,500 and her work commitment during the academic year will increase from three to four days a week. She also will have vacation days increased from 10 to 15, six to nine leave days, $50 a day for unused sick time and a bonus of $500 per student for increases in pupil population.

Ballee-Stone is beginning her third year at Martin and continues to be regarded as part time.

Though a loss of 30 students is being projected for the next academic year, Martin ended the 2020-21 school year as the only district that did not drop in student enrollment. The district now has 620 students.

Board President Art Shook pointed out that the entire staff received raises during the middle of the school year.

The news of Ballee-Stone’s good fortune accompanied a report from Samantha Ball, in charge of the budget, who noted Martin will begin the 2021-22 budget year with a fund balance of 14.91% and increase from the 9.25 percent from a year ago. The amount now is just over $900,000.

Ball told board members federal funds for free meals during the pandemic helped create a positive fund balance in food service and the student activity fund had a lot fewer expenses.

Ballee-Stone said, “It’s wonderful to have this money, but we have but it has to be spent a certain way.”

Though Martin was the only district in Allegan County to show an increase in enrollment, a decrease in numbers is anticipated this fall.

Though kindergarten numbers are expected to be good, “We tend to lose them (students) in grades 6 through 12.”

The proposed budget was adopted near the end of the session.

In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the board:

• Was told by the superintendent that the non-homestead millage renewal request on Tuesday, Aug. 3, will be important to the district because it represents about 10% of the budget. “This is a very important election for our school system.”
• Relayed some kind words to retiring Athletic Director and Dean of Students Robert VanDenBurg, who was attending his last meeting. He will continue as assistant girls’ varsity basketball coach.
• Accepted the resignation of Madison Kelly, middle school high school guidance counselor, who accepted a different position to move closer to her parents.
• Agreed to reschedule the Aug. 2 meeting to Aug. 9, both being on Mondays.
• Agreed to Shook’s request to revisit the question of extending the bond issue with discussion at the Aug. 9 meeting.