Byron Center in Focus: Board Meetings and Watering Rules Explained

BCPS Board of Ed Work Session Meeting, 4/27/26

The Byron Center Public Schools (BCPS) Board of Education held a work meeting at 5:15 p.m. on April 27, 2026, with Tim Oberst and Amber Swift absent. There were no speakers for public participation, which comes at the start of work meetings. On the agenda were discussions of phonics and updates from the Sex Education Advisory Board. Requests for funds for Brown Elementary and Early Childhood Center renovations also were up for a decision.

Phonics

Curriculum Director Stephanie Thelen gave a presentation on phonics, which establishes the relationship between letters and sounds as an early step in developing literacy. BCPS uses a phonics program developed by University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) in Developmental Kindergarten (DK) through 4th grade, focusing most heavily on students in K-2. The district has been monitoring test scores the last few years with this curriculum and has noticed a remarkable jump in growth. Ms. Thelen spoke highly of UFLI, saying that they are at the forefront of the science of reading. Board members were appreciative of the presentation. Board Secretary Thalia Tilma asked if cursive was still being taught, and Ms. Thelen informed that most 3rd grade classrooms are teaching cursive, using the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum.

Sex Education Advisory Board

Ms. Thelen and Assistant Superintendent Jeff Wierzbicki presented the board with information about an upcoming vote with the Sex Education Advisory Board (SEAB). SEAB is highly regulated by the State for K-12 schools that teach sex education and make decisions about sex ed curriculum. SEAB will be asking the board to approve changes to bylaws and committee members at the May 11 regular meeting. Members of the 12-person committee serve four-year terms, and the last time SEAB met with the Board of Education was in 2021. The district intends to recommend Jason Schut as the co-chair of SEAB, citing his past work as a health teacher. Superintendent Kevin Macina made it clear that the board would only be voting on bylaws and committee members, not curriculum.

Renovations and Remodeling at Brown & ECC

Chief Financial Officer Meghan Hathaway and Operations Director Doug Gallup presented the board with a request for funds to begin renovations and remodeling for Brown Elementary and the Early Childhood Center. Carpeting at Brown is old and needs to be replaced for roughly $40,000. Phase 1 remodeling for Early Childhood Center is set to begin adding classrooms for roughly $1 million. Both Ms. Hathaway and Mr. Gallup pointed out that there is a lot of work to be done this summer, as well as facing mandatory state inspections after completion. The board appreciated the process the district takes with large projects such as these and unanimously approved the bid pack for both projects.

With no further business, Board President Brenda Hondorp adjourned the meeting at 6:24 p.m.

The Byron Township Board’s April 27 meeting was short and sweet, lasting about 28 minutes.

The meeting began at 5:30 p.m. with a prayer led by board member Scott Tubergen, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Absent was Board Member Tom Hooker.

The board unanimously approved the consent agenda, including accounts payable, minutes from the April meeting, and a request from the clerk’s office for Peggy Satler and Jenn Jager to attend the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks Conference in June.

New Business

Since there was no old business, the board moved right into the new business portion.

The board considered a proposed revision to the burn ordinance submitted by the Byron Township Fire Department. The proposal called for a minimum 500-foot clearance from any commercial or industrial business as well as from neighboring properties. The board agreed to include a provision stating that burning conducted by a commercial business would be permitted only within residential agricultural zoning areas.

The board accepted a bid of $8,930 from EPS for two surveillance cameras for the community center. One will be placed by the community center’s door and the other near the ballot box. The township will be reimbursed for the ballot box one. EPS was the lowest of two bidders.

The board also approved a proposal to transition to the township’s Morgan & Associates for auditing services. In addition, it authorized the purchase of a tractor from Greenmark Equipment for $26,619, along with maintenance improvements to the Whistlestop Park pavilion and the Bicentennial Park concession stand.

Public Comment

Two residents addressed the board. One inquired about dog park improvements discussed the previous year, and another spoke about construction along 64th Street.

Member Items of Business

The board reviewed an ordinance violation but determined no action would be taken, as neighbors were unwilling to file a complaint and no safety concerns were identified.

It was noted that there is an election Tuesday for those in the Wyoming and Kentwood Public Schools.

Board Member Marty Tilma raised concerns about e-bikes being used on sidewalks. A representative from the Kent County Sheriff’s Department noted the township could adopt an ordinance regulating golf carts and e-bikes. The board indicated it would review how other communities are addressing the issue.

Board Member Scott Tubergen expressed concerns about charges from the township attorney and engineer, suggesting both be required to submit itemized billing. He also commended the new director of the Gaines and Byron Utilities Authority.

Supervisor Don Tillema raised concerns about a township pond and runoff from a development on 76th Street. The board decided to halt issuing building permits for the site until it has been fully seeded.

The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.

Earlier this month, Byron Township shared the City of Wyoming’s announcement of an odd/even outdoor water restriction for residents and businesses on the city’s water system, which will remain in effect through June 15. All Byron and Gaines Township residents receive their water service from the City of Wyoming and are affected by this water restriction.

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.