From the Office of the Superintendent
Week of October 6–10, 2025
Spencer S. Byrd, Ed.S., CAA, CSBO
Superintendent, Cheboygan Area Schools
Legislature Finally Passes Budgets
In the early hours of Friday morning, the House and Senate approved the 2025–26 School Aid budget. The measure now heads to the Governor, who is expected to sign it quickly. Although months late, the passage ensures that MDE can process and deliver the October 20 state aid payments on time.
Key highlights include:
Foundation Allowance: A $442 per-pupil increase (4.6%), bringing the allowance to $10,050. This increase also applies to CTE, rural and isolated districts, special education, and ISD operations.
Targeted Supports: At-Risk (Sec. 31a) and English Language Learner funding increased by 25%.
School Safety & Mental Health: $321 million in grants for mental health and safety initiatives. This includes $53.5 million for student mental health staff and school resource officers over four years. Districts must consent to a Governor-approved investigation following any mass casualty event to qualify for these funds.
Other Items:
Free school meals will continue and expand to private schools participating in the federal lunch program.
Declining enrollment aid remains at $71 million.
Transportation funding continues at $125 million.
Concerns remain about the diversion of $400 million from the School Aid Fund to higher education, bringing the total shift to $1.34 billion. The bill also eliminates $100 million in MPSERS cost offsets, further straining district budgets.
Cheboygan Area Schools Enrollment (10/3/25)
By Building:
Cheboygan High School (9–14): 640 students
Cheboygan Intermediate School (2–8): 559 students
Cheboygan East Elementary (PreK–1): 196 students
Cheboygan Inverness Academy (9–12 alt): 84 students
Total Enrollment: 1,479
K–12 Enrollment (minus Pre-K): 1,452
October 8 – Half Day for Students / Afternoon PD for Teachers
11:15 – Students released (INV, CIS, HS)
11:30 – Students released (East Elementary)
11:30 – Lunch available in CIS Cafeteria (Taco Bar)
12:15 – Welcome and Announcements – Byrd
12:30 – District PD Begins: Artificial Intelligence
1:45 – Break
2:00 – Resume
3:15 – Adjourn
Busy Week
Oct. 6 – COPESD Superintendent Meeting @ 10:00 AM
Oct. 6 – EMC Meeting with SV @ 1:00 PM @ HS
Oct. 6 – Curriculum Director Meeting @ 2:00 PM
Oct. 7 – BP-Only Meeting @ 9:00 AM
Oct. 8 – Half Day for Students
Oct. 8 – Thrun Survival Webinar for Superintendents @ 8:00 AM
Oct. 8 – PD Afternoon for Teachers: Artificial Intelligence Presentation
Oct. 9 – MICIP Training @ COPESD with Building Principals
Oct. 9 – East Elementary Bid Opening in BR @ 1:00 PM
CTE Millage Reminder – November 4
A regional CTE millage will appear on the ballot on November 4. If passed, it will generate over $4 million annually to support and sustain CTE programs across all 10 school districts in our region. Thank you for supporting the future of our students and the strength of our local workforce.
Reminders – CAS Student Expectations for 2025–26
Student Parking: Please continue to follow assigned parking locations.
Cell Phone Use: Cell phones are not to be used during instructional time. Please keep them put away and out of sight during class.
Attendance Matters: Students who accumulate 20 or more unexcused or non-medical absences will be issued a truancy ticket.
Zero Tolerance for Bullying: Repeated incidents will result in disciplinary action in accordance with school policy.
Zero Tolerance for Vaping: Vaping is illegal on school grounds. Students found in possession of, or using, a vape at school will receive a ticket.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment at Cheboygan Area Schools.
Facility Projects – Updates & Timelines
Track Replacement Project
Construction contract currently under renegotiation.
Soccer games will continue until construction begins.
Tennis & Pickleball Court Renovation
Project is underway and expected to continue for approximately two weeks.
Please drive carefully and cautiously around the construction area.
East Elementary Renovation & Inverness Project
Bid Opening: Moved to October 9, 2025, BR @ 1:00 PM
Construction Begins: Spring 2026
Estimated Duration: 2 years
Looking Ahead in October
Oct. 14 – IA Cohort Virtual Meeting @ 4:30 PM
Oct. 16 – Superintendent Coaching Training with MASB @ 9:00 AM
Oct. 16 – IA Cohort Virtual Meeting @ 11:30 AM
Oct. 16 – Athletic Committee Meeting @ 6:30 PM
Oct. 21 – Finance Committee Meeting @ 10:00 AM
Oct. 21 – Negotiation Team Meeting @ 11:00 AM
Oct. 21 – Policy Committee Meeting @ 2:00 PM
Oct. 21 – Curriculum Committee Meeting @ 3:45 PM
Oct. 22 – Parent-Teacher Conferences, Evening (4:00–6:30 PM)
Oct. 23 – Parent-Teacher Conferences, Afternoon & Evening (12:00–3:00 PM; 4:00–6:00 PM, total 7.5 hrs)
Oct. 23–24 – MASB Annual Conference (Compass Presentation on the 24th)
Oct. 24 – No School for Students and Teachers
Oct. 27 – Cabinet Meeting @ 1:00 PM
Oct. 27 – Board of Education Meeting @ 6:00 PM
Oct. 28 – CTE Advisory Committee Meeting @ Drift Inn @ 5:30 PM
Oct. 30 – Presentation at MTA Meeting @ 7:00 PM
Oct. 31 – End of First Marking Period (44 Days Completed)
Oct. 31 – Halloween
Quote of the Week
“Humility is knowing that you have more to learn.” – Unknown
Have a great Sunday evening!
Spencer S. Byrd, Ed.S., CAA, CSBO
Superintendent