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BCPS Board of Ed Regular Meeting, 5/11/26

An on the road edition of the meeting of the Byron Center Board of Education was called to order in the high school band room promptly at 6:30 p.m. by President Brenda Hondorp. Treasurer Brad Wiechertjes was absent.

Superintendent’s Report

The meeting started with a report from Superintendent Kevin Macina. The reason for the change of venue was immediately apparent with the entrance of the Byron Center Jazz Orchestra, fresh off their ninth trip to Essentially Ellington, an annual New York City-based competition drawing the top 20 jazz bands from around the globe. At the competition, Byron Center received the following awards and recognitions: Honorable Mention Rhythm Section, Outstanding Saxophone Section, Outstanding Auxiliary Percussion (Parker DeWyse), and Honorable Mention Baritone Saxophone (Jack Denning).

At the board meeting, the jazz orchestra performed three pieces from their performance interspersed with commentary from the Byron Center Fine Arts and Jazz Orchestra Director Marc Townley and some of the students. Themes that were shared were the importance of getting to know one another as people, not just playing the music together, and committing to doing the things needed. It was summed up beautifully by Mr. Townley, who phrased it: “Relationships have to be in order for the music to work.”

Consent Agenda

The board then moved into the consent agenda, which included the regular and work meeting minutes from April 13 and April 27, April monthly expenditures, and 2026-27 board meeting schedule. All consent agenda items were passed unanimously.

Action Items

Moving into the action items, there was a proposal to hire current Curriculum Director Stephanie Thelen as Executive Director of Instruction and current Athletic Director Brady Lake as Executive Director of Operations.

The transportation department requested new bus tracking software allowing for more robust communication with parents and real time tracking of buses. There was a request to replace aging ceramic flooring in the high school. The board approved the SEAB bylaws and committee members and the 2026-27 Kent ISD budget resolution. There also was a request for approval of trips for varsity boys basketball, high school cheer camp, and varsity volleyball.

All items were individually called for a roll call vote, and all passed unanimously.

With no public comment, the meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m.

Byron Township Board of Trustees Meeting, 5/11/26

The May 11, 2026, Byron Township Board of Trustees meeting started promptly at 5:30 p.m. with Becky Beld and Scott Tubergen absent. After the opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, the board unanimously approved the consent agenda, consisting of approval of minutes, approval of accounts payable, and a fireworks permit for the Byron Shores neighborhood.

Old Business

Under Old Business, the board discussed issues with drainage at Alden Grove and phase 3 of the northwest sewer expansion project. Supervisor Don Tillema had earlier visited the Alden Grove site and pointed out where a drainage culvert was being blocked by a huge mound of soil. He said the excavation company was very apologetic and started working to resolve the issue.

The board mentioned that there is a pre-construction meeting later this week for the upcoming sewer expansion work and that dewatering has resumed.

New Business

Under New Business, the board discussed Class C liquor license fees within the Downtown Development Authority District. A Class C liquor license authorizes restaurants and bars to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises. Some establishments in Byron Center want to apply for such a license, but the township does not have an ordinance regarding license fees. Trustee Jay DeKleine motioned to set the price for these application fees to $1,500, seconded by Trustee Marty Tilma. The board voted to approve the motion, with Trustee Tom Hooker being the lone dissent. Trustee Hooker pointed out that he has personal reasons for not expanding alcohol sales, rather than being against the businesses.

Public Comments

Public comments were lively, with eight members of the public standing to talk. One resident voiced frustration with the Alden Grove drainage issues. Another talked about their fears and frustrations with the sewer expansion, with one neighbor already reporting a failed well pump since dewatering resumed. Both complained about their interactions with the excavating companies.

The majority of the commentary was about Whistlestop Dog Park, dueling from either side of the fence. Residents living near the dog park complained about the noise, a recent incident where somebody was bitten, visitors not following the rules, and questioned the board about who exactly should be enforcing those rules. Residents who enjoy visiting the dog park complained about tension with nearby homeowners, the state of the dog park, and questioned the board about who exactly should be maintaining the grounds.

Members Items of Business

During Members Items of Business, the final agenda item, board members addressed the complaints raised during public commentary. Trustee DeKleine said the goal for the dog park is to relocate to a site on 92nd St. and that no date is yet set. He admitted that the township has some weaknesses in enforcing rules. Trustee Tilma made a point that not all the barking was coming from the dog park. Living nearby, he recently tracked some noisy dogs and found the barking coming from the neighboring houses rather than the park.

After some conversation between the board and the gallery, Supervisor Tillema abruptly adjourned the meeting at 6:29 p.m.

A quick reminder: all residents of Byron and Gaines Townships, among other surrounding municipalities, are asked to restrict water usage for outdoor automatic watering systems to an even/odd schedule based on address. For full details, visit the City of Wyoming’s information page.

The restriction does not affect water used for drinking or bathing. Instead, it limits when residents and businesses can water lawns and landscaping or fill pools to reduce strain on the city’s water treatment plant during construction of the third transmission main.

Under the restriction, outdoor watering is permitted on odd-numbered days for municipal water customers whose addresses end in an odd number. For example, a property at 611 or 2307 may water on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and so on. Properties with even-numbered addresses — such as 610 or 1212 — may water on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, etc.

Municipal leaders are asking for the community’s cooperation during this construction period, which will ultimately increase system capacity and reliability. In the meantime, following the restriction will help avoid a complete ban on outdoor irrigation.