by Joe Schultz
In the administrative report presented Monday evening to the Wayland Union School Board, there was an ominous warning about the district’s free meals program. The food vendor cautioned that if budget negotiations in Lansing become gridlocked, the district will only have enough funds to sustain the meal program through the end of September.
This would result in no free meals for children after Sept. 30.
The board decided to maintain the status quo and observe developments in Lansing. School Board member Pete Zondervan expressed dissatisfaction with the “wait-and-see” approach.
The board also reviewed an enrollment report commissioned by the district. It showed that K–12 enrollment in Michigan is expected to decline by 1.3% annually. A nationwide decline in birth rates was cited as a possible reason. Though Allegan County experienced a 1.46% population increase, K–12 enrollment shrank by 5.2%.
Wayland’s enrollment decline has been ongoing since 2021. The consulting firm that prepared the report predicted that the student population shrinkage will level off, after which there will be a slight increase in subsequent years.
The report also showed that most students come from Wayland, Dorr, and Moline. This raised the possibility of opening a learning center in Leighton Township.
In other business:
- The bond project is currently $1.4 million under budget.
- Approved the Athletic Student Handbook.
- Declined to submit an SBL loan application.
- Approved the revised Emergency Operations Plans
- Approved the Wayland Union Brand Guide. Board member Theresa Dobry voted against the guide, stating that she did not care for the WU logo.
