BCPS Board of Ed Regular Meeting, 7/13/26
Spoiler alert: it might take you longer to read this recap of the July 13, 2026, regular meeting of the Byron Center Public Schools (BCPS) board of education than to have actually sat through the public portion of the meeting.
Starting at 5:15 p.m. and ending at 5:17 p.m., the board blew last year’s record - eight minutes - out of the water. Of course, the board had important work to do following the public portion of the meeting as they moved into their annual evaluation of Superintendent Kevin Macina.
Consent Agenda Items for Approval
Following the pledge of allegiance, President Hondorp appointed Board Member Rob Hughes to serve as temporary secretary in the absence of Secretary Thalia Tilma; Board Member Tom McCoy was also absent.
President Hondorp then introduced the consent agenda items, all of which were approved unanimously and without further discussion. Approved items included:
Regular Meeting Minutes - June 22, 2026
Monthly Expenditures - June 2026
Participation in the School Loan Revolving Fund Annual Loan Application
Superintendent Evaluation
With no public participation, President Hondorp moved the board into closed session at 5:17 p.m. for its annual evaluation of Dr. Macina.
Byron Township Board of Trustees Meeting, 7/13/26
The July 13, 2026, Byron Township Board of Trustees meeting started at 5:30 p.m. with Clerk Peggy Sattler absent. After opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the consent agenda of minutes, accounts payable, and a building official’s conference request.
Old Business
The first item under Old Business was an update of the NW Sewer Project, which is moving along. There have been some requests for minor adjustments as the sewer expansion is built, which the board has approved of when practicable. Residents in the area are still concerned about their wells with dewatering nearby, particularly as we come into the dry season.
The last item was picking back up the discussion for a rezoning request by Paramount Development which had been tabled at the June 22 meeting. Mick McGraw, CEO of Eastbrook Homes, was on-hand with some of his team to talk about their plans for Phase 5 of the property development southwest of 84th St. & Burlingame. They spoke about changing plans to replace townhomes with single family homes, increasing setbacks, and communications with Byron Center Public Schools. While BCPS appreciates improved traffic-flow, they don’t like the “attractive nuisance” of having a gas station or grocery store next door to the high school.
After some discussion, the board voted to table the rezoning request until their next meeting, on July 27, to get some time to review the plans with the city planner.
New Business
The first item under New Business was a Sustainable Business Park license agreement with Grand Elk Railroad, which was approved unanimously.
The last item was an amendment to the sidewalk ordinance to close a loophole which allowed anybody to claim disability to evade a citation. The board passed the amendment unanimously.
Public Comments
Two residents spoke to the board during public comments. The first gave an update of their experiences with the NW sewer expansion. The second shared an anecdote about home prices and how there is no affordable housing.
Members Items of Business
Trustee Scott Tubergen talked about an idea he has been developing with Jay DeKleine about encouraging use of private roads to divide large plots of land for construction. They claim this could deter developers, slow growth, and keep more rural areas intact. The board agreed to discuss the idea further.
Trustee Marty Tilma gave an update from the Recreation Committee, which is saving some of their budget by deciding against moving the playground at Whistlestop Park.
Supervisor Donald Tillema talked about the recent repaving of 84th St. west of Byron Center Ave and the decision to keep the brick crosswalks intact to encourage drivers to slow down through town. Apparently, the space in the intersections between the crosswalks was 8” thick concrete that was still in good shape, so they chose to keep it.
The meeting adjourned at 6:34 p.m.
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