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EDWARDSBURG — The Edwardsburg School Board met for their final regular meeting of 2024 on Monday.

Those present were greeted to three songs performed by members of the Edwardsburg Jazz Band at the start of the meeting.

Board members received a presentation about the Interim Credentials program at Edwardsburg High School. The program is a pre-apprenticeship technology program in the electrical field. It is designed for entry into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union by giving students a certificate upon completion and the possibility of skipping the first year of their five year apprenticeship. Five students are currently enrolled in the program while also taking electrical classes at Southwestern Michigan College.

The chairs of three subcommittees presented updates on their work regarding the district Strategic Plan. The subcommittees, which will continue to meet regularly, are focusing on topics such as recruiting and retaining quality teachers, a teacher mentoring program, upgrade to facilities, long term financial stability and projects, minimizing legacy costs, partnering with businesses and other schools, and improved communication through transparency, collaboration, use of technology, website upgrades, mobile apps, and virtual options for both the parent advisory council, and parent academies to increase participation.

Outgoing Board of Education Secretary, Becky Anson, was recognized as the longest standing board member and was presented with a plaque by Superintendent Dr. Courtney Szucs and the Board of Education. Anson has served on the board for twelve years.

The board adopted adjustments to the 2024-2025 General Fund Budget, after an explanation from Director of Finance & Operations, Gail Enders.

Also approved was a middle school trip to Japan discussed at the November meeting. The trip will take place in the summer of 2026 and is open to students who will have just finished seventh, eighth, and ninth grades at the time of the trip. The cost is paid for by families of participating students.

The meeting included the payment of invoices, as well as the second reading and adoption of new policies relating to school board orientation and compliance updates to match the State of Michigan Education Department General Administrative Regulations relating to employment of personnel for co-curricular activities, the opioid antagonist commonly known as Narcan, student accidents, student conduct, artificial intelligence, and criminal justice information security.