BOARD OF EDUCATION

Thank you for your interest in the Board of Education for Okemos Public Schools. The goal at each meeting is to conduct necessary business while allowing adequate time for the public to express concerns and opinions. Public participation and open lines of communication are vital to a successful educational environment for our schools. Each meeting has an agenda , which you can find posted here. For additional information, please email the Board of Education or call the Superintendent's Office at (517) 706-5010 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Meet The Board

How to Run For School Board

Are you passionate about education and want to make a positive impact in the Okemos community? Serving on the school board is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the success of our schools and the well-being of our students.

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Advocacy Committee

Advocacy is showing public support for or a recommendation of a cause.

Advocacy is pushing for change.

The Board of Education has a responsibility to advocate for public policy, legislation, and state budgetary allocations that impact public education and the Okemos Public Schools. The Advocacy Committee of the Okemos Public Schools Board of Education works to advocate for our district and for public education, keeps the Board of Education and the district informed of legislative happenings in Lansing, and provides legislative updates to our community. In addition, the Advocacy Committee will help our stakeholders by providing information so that parents and caretakers, students, teachers, staff, and others can also advocate for public education and OPS. Look to the Advocacy Committee for updates on current pending and proposed legislation, sample letters that can be sent to elected officials, advocacy event opportunities, and more.

Use Your Voice

Gun Violence

The OPS Board of Education is dedicated to working to reduce school violence, including school shootings. Gun safety and gun reform have very much become part of the public education discussion. The BOE Advocacy Committee encourages our stakeholders, including parents and caregivers, students, and staff, to reach out to our elected officials on the issue of reducing gun violence in our schools. This sample letter may serve as a guide for your personalized letters. This document is a list of elected officials contact information.

Legislative Updates

The budget was passed which includes the following:

• Increased funding for mental health and school safety.

• Funding for Grow your Own programs and student teacher stipends.

• Scholarships for college students in teaching preparation programs.

• Funding for At Risk and Special Ed at 100%

• Funding for ELL increased.

• Money towards MPSERS to pay down the debt.

• GSRP eligibility increased from 250% to 300% – increases slots and classrooms.

• Cyber charter funding kept at the same level as last year.

• Free meals for all students and money to forgive lunch debt.

No progress on:

Transparency of education management for charter schools
Designation of the School Aid Fund for Pre-K to grade twelve only – not allow SAF money to go toward private schools and colleges.

Meeting Agenda Live Broadcast Policies & Resolution

Meeting Minutes Past Meetings Contact

2024-25 Board Schedule

Feb 24 2025

Regular Board of Education Meeting

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

When the Board Meets

Board meetings will normally be conducted the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in the Community Conference Room in the Administration Center located at Mt. Hope and Okemos Road. School board meetings are televised. Replay of the meetings can be found on The Okemos Channel Video on Demand website . Notice of all meetings are posted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act and are on the district website.

All meetings of the board of education are open to the public except those specifically exempted by law; these closed Executive Sessions may be a discussion of negotiations or certain personnel or student matters.

Public Comment

There are two opportunities for public comment: Citizens who wish to address agenda or non-agenda items will have an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting, as well as near the end of the meeting. Individuals who wish to address the board must complete a blue form, located with the agendas near the room entrance, and present it to the board’s secretary prior to the start of the agenda item.

At the appropriate point in the agenda, the board president will call upon individuals who have completed a blue form. The board president will call individuals who have submitted a blue card to speak on a topic. Citizens are required to limit comments to three minutes, except when this requirement is waived by the board president during the meeting. A designated timekeeper will communicate to the individual who is addressing the board at three minutes. The board highly values public comment and input; however, the board meeting format is designed to facilitate the evening’s agenda and, therefore, restricts board members from engaging in conversation with speakers or immediately responding to questions. Questions and concerns may be addressed by the board later in the agenda and may be assigned for follow-up by the board or superintendent at a later date. Citizens are reminded it is unlawful to mention the name of students when discussing behavior or other incidents.

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