
Superintendent Report
April 21, 2025
Legislative Update from MASA
Summary In case you missed it, Dr. Tina Kerr sent an email to MASA members on Thursday morning announcing the Michigan Court of Claims’ approval of a final settlement agreement in our long-standing lawsuit against the Office of Retirement Services (ORS). We are actively working with our legal team and partners to thoroughly review the order and determine the next steps with ORS. We will continue to keep you updated as more details are confirmed.
Additionally, the Michigan Department of Education recently released two important updates: Memo 2025-031, which reaffirms compliance with Title VI and defends ongoing DEI efforts, and the retirement announcement of State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice, effective October 3.
On the Legislative front, several school safety bills advanced through the House Education and Workforce Committee this week, and the Senate Appropriations Committee heard testimony on the House-proposed road funding package. More details are included below.
As always, please contact MASA with any questions or concerns.
House Committee Round-Up The House Education and Workforce Committee advanced several school safety bills to the House floor on Wednesday, including: We anticipate the House will consider these bills soon and more school safety bills are likely to be reported to the House floor in the coming weeks.
Additionally, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and MDE convened this week to hear testimony on shared time, alternative education, and pupil accounting from Dr. Rebekah Redmer, Lisa Sitkins, and Mitch Cummings, representing the Michigan Personalized Learning Task Force.
House-Approved Education Bills Head to Senate The House passed several education-related bills prior to Spring Break, which were transmitted to the Senate this week for further consideration, including:
Road Funding Package Reviewed by Senate Committee The Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D), heard testimony this week on House Bills 4180-4187 – an eight-bill package aimed at finding long-term funding solutions for Michigan's roads. The bills, which were first approved by the House in mid-March, include: Democrats on the Senate Appropriations Committee raised concerns that the House Republicans’ proposed budget cuts to fund road improvements could put essential services at risk. Analysts from the Citizens Research Council echoed these concerns, testifying that the plan could lead to a projected $2 billion shortfall in the state’s general fund. Republicans countered that the state budget has grown significantly and could be scaled back by reprioritizing spending without cutting core services. Democrats have framed the proposal as a possible starting point but are calling for more collaborative and inclusive discussions as the process moves forward.
DEI Certification Update: MDE Memo and Legal Agreement Last week, the Michigan Department of Education issued Memo 2025-031 in response to the April 3 DOE communication, stating that “Michigan had previously certified compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its implementing regulations.” The memo also noted that “many efforts to promote programs that support diversity and inclusion seek to expand opportunities, not limit them, and therefore do not discriminate.” MDE's response also highlighted that certain programs falling under the DEI umbrella are federally mandated.
Additionally, the ACLU announced an agreement in ongoing litigation to prohibit the DOE from taking any action related to the DEI certification requirement or the earlier February 14 Dear Colleague Letter until at least April 24. Under the agreement, no entities will face investigations or penalties for failing to return the certification and are not required to submit it at this time. The underlying litigation remains ongoing.
State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice Announces Retirement Dr. Michael F. Rice, Michigan’s 44th Superintendent of Public Instruction, recently announced his retirement, effective October 3, 2025. Appointed in 2019, Dr. Rice brought nearly two decades of district leadership experience to MDE – serving 12 years in Kalamazoo and five years in Clifton, New Jersey. Throughout his tenure at the Department, he has worked with the State Board of Education to update and advance Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, establishing measurable goals aimed at improving student outcomes, strengthen public education, and advocate for the needs of students and educators across the state. We thank Dr. Rice for his years of service on behalf of Michigan’s 1.4 million public school children and wish him all the best in his retirement.
This Week's Introduced Bills SB 204 (Chang) Requires policy and procedures regarding closure of a school building SB 206 (Bellino) Requires instruction in organ and tissue donation SB 211 (Bellino) Creates purple star school program HB 4315 (Pavlov) Requires the Department of State Police and the Office of School Safety to provide school safety and security training to certain school personnel SB 212 (Damoose) Provides exception to minimum days of pupil instruction requirement for district closure during a declared state of emergency SB 228 (Lindsey) Prohibits certain substances served in school foods HB 4330 (Wortz) Allows enrollment in a core subject at a public school without being required to take the remaining core subjects HB 4345 (Cavitt) Provides exception to minimum days of pupil instruction requirement for district closure during a declared state of emergency
Prom and Post Prom
Saturday, Apr 26, 2025, 07:00 PM
Prom will be held at the Old Elevator Downtown Bangor
Post Prom
Bangor High School Parents and Guardians,
The Bangor High School Prom and Post-Prom will take place on April 26 and this is an
exciting night for our students!
This year we plan on having the Post Prom in the gymnasium/cafeteria/courtyard areas
from 11:00 p.m. (students must be in by 11 p.m.) until 6:00 a.m.
In order for this to be a success, we are in need of a few items. Please let us know if
you are able to help!
Items Needed:
● Bottled Water
● Hot Dogs
● Hamburger Patties
● Hamburger/Hotdog Buns
● Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise
● Toppings: lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, jalapenos
● Chips
● Plates
● Napkins
● Cups
● Desserts: cookies and brownies
● Breakfast Items: egg casseroles, sweet breads, donuts, orange juice
● Fruit: bananas, apples, grapes
With Viking Pride,
Machelle Powell Neidaly Babcock
Senior Class Advisor Senior Class co-Advisor
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x-h5GyJithtPzg2-r6KpkkwXJaFTFyfPz3ki4OjChEs/edit?gid=0#gid=0