About a dozen speakers addressed the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education on teacher contract negotiations during its November 5 meeting.
The comments came the same night the board received the district’s annual audit and heard a presentation on the district’s fund balance. The board then entered closed session to discuss collective bargaining strategy.
Public comment on the teacher contract
Speakers included parents, teachers, a support staff member and the president of the Kalamazoo Education Association (KEA). Several speakers said teachers are entering a third year without a settled contract. Speakers called for pay increases that keep pace with inflation, a multi-year agreement, smaller class sizes and more instructional support, and several asked the board to settle the contract quickly. Some speakers pointed to the district’s fund balance when making their case, while others questioned how the district’s published salary comparisons were presented.
The KEA president said bargaining is expected to resume next week and hopes to join Superintendent Dr. Slade at a future meeting to announce an agreement.
These comments reflect the views of the speakers. Contract negotiations are ongoing, and the district and KEA have not announced terms.
Board response
Several trustees said they want the contract settled. Trustee Carol McGlinn said she believes teachers are underpaid and that the funding problem has to be addressed at the state level, since school funding comes from the state. Another trustee, a former teacher and administrator, said they want a contract settled. Trustee Murphy said the board wants to support teachers and urged residents to contact state and federal legislators about school funding. Trustee Patti Sholler-Barber said there are critical issues and that she would also like them resolved.
Board President TiAnna Harrison, who thanked voters for her re-election, said teachers deserve recognition and respect and that she respects the bargaining process. She also said a large fund balance should not be treated as unrestricted money for ongoing expenses, because one-time reserves used for recurring salaries could create financial challenges in later years. She said financial responsibility and support for educators should go hand in hand.
Superintendent Dr. Slade gave a similar explanation of the fund balance earlier in the meeting, describing it as a safety net that helps the district avoid layoffs, program cuts and short-term borrowing.
Audit results
An auditor from the district’s outside audit firm presented the annual audit for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2026. Key points:
- The auditors issued an unmodified opinion, meaning the financial statements were found to be materially correct.
- No material weaknesses or significant deficiencies were identified in internal controls.
- The separate review of federal funds and of voter-approved bond spending found no problems.
- The general fund balance was 19.73% of annual expenditures, down slightly from about 20.2% the previous year. The auditor said a range of 15% to 20% is commonly recommended.
- Actual spending came in very close to the final budget, with a variance the auditor described as well under the 1% to 2% typically seen in districts.
The auditor also noted that the decline in fund balance reflects the end of one-time federal pandemic relief funding. Trustees thanked the district’s finance team, and the board voted to accept the audit presentation.
What’s next
Public comment was extended past the usual 30-minute limit, and the board entered closed session under the Michigan Open Meetings Act for bargaining strategy. After returning, it called the one remaining speaker, who was not present, and adjourned.
The meeting is available to watch on Public Media Network.
