GLADSTONE — Monday’s meeting of the Gladstone Area Schools Board of Education, the last regular monthly meeting before school begins Aug. 28, included some discussion of the fact the current rate of state aid to schools will only continue through September.

There’s no guarantee that state-supported free lunch and breakfast will be available after that.

The stress and uncertainty most schools in Michigan have faced over the past few months surrounds the lack of a state budget, as the legislature missed the July 1 deadline imposed by statute. The existing budget from last year remains in effect through September, meaning that certain operations may very well shift when the new fiscal year goes into effect in October. If a budget is not decided — agreed upon by the state House, Senate and governor — by Oct. 1, the state government could face a shutdown.

“Here we are, second half of August. Clock is ticking,” Gladstone Superintendent Jay Kulbertis said on Monday, “and it really doesn’t look like there’s much urgency (on the part of the Michigan State Legislature).”

Despite not knowing what funding may be expected from the state for the 2025-26 school year, Gladstone Schools adopted a budget two months back, as reported in the Daily Press on June 18. It is imperative schools continue to plan for the school year that is about to begin, even if those plans may need to be adjusted whenever guidance from the state emerges, officials said.

Fortunately for the Braves, Gladstone is a little more financially secure than some other districts that are struggling more, Kulbertis noted.

“Obviously we’re frustrated, as we’re entering in the school year. So we’ve got our people in place; we have our programs in place. We just need to make sure that the funding for all of that is also in place. As you know, our initial budget was very conservative. When we do that, it’s our expectation that whatever comes out of the state, we’ll make an adjustment to the better. At this time, there’s really no good betting line on how that’s going to play out.”

He pointed out that sources of disagreement between the branches of the legislature include conflicting interpretations of how federal decisions like the One Big Beautiful Bill and tariffs will affect Michigan financially.

In a Michigan Department of Education news release, state Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice said strides have been made towards school funding equity in recent years, but the proposed House budget lumps a number of items into one category that could be detrimental and inequitable, as various school districts have different needs.

“School leaders are in a tricky situation,” Rice said. “For many years, the state legislature would regularly complete its budget work in September, but differences among the budgets of the governor, House and Senate were minimal. While budgets were finalized after school began, district leaders knew roughly what to expect.

“The same is not true today. I don’t ever recall in my career so little clarity about approximately where school funding in the annual budget will land. It is troubling and, if not rectified very soon with the passage of a reasonable budget for schools, will ultimately hurt children.”

Kulbertis stated that whatever happens, Gladstone will be okay. “We will continue to be fine if, for example, that first state aid payment in October is delayed,” he said, but quipped he hoped by autumn the school district would be pleasantly surprised with a generous state budget.

In other business at Monday’s meeting:

— The board established a calendar with 180 days and 1,098 hours of student instruction.

— The 2025 tax rate request was approved and will be submitted to the county clerk. Three millage sources within are from elections in 2021 that expires in 2032, and 1997 and 2012, both expiring in 2026. The one that continues until 2032 is a general operating millage; the other two are for bond debts that will soon be paid off.

— Melissa Neuens was reappointed to the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District Parent Advisory Committee.

— Letters of resignation were accepted from Mariah Leeseberg, Aleyna Wetthuhn and Kayla Bizeau.

— The board approved hiring Taylor Hunter and Stephanie Huizenga as Teamster employees.

— Wetthuhn was hired as a long-term substitute teacher for special education at the high school.

— Autumn Henseler resigned as yearbook advisor.

— Junior High Principal Dave Ballard announced that Lakestate Industries was providing a $1,500 grant. Educators expressed gratitude for not only the grant, but for the fact that Lakestate has been great about helping special education students find employment after school.

— Darren Landis was advanced from coaching freshman girls basketball to junior varsity girls basketball.

— New Athletic Director Cole Hansen reported he has worked closely with coaches and that filing physicals for fall sports is on track. He also shared that jobs had been posted for bowling coach, freshman girls basketball coach and junior varsity baseball coach.