Board of Education Meeting | June 8th, 2026

The Okemos Public Schools Board of Education held a meeting on June 8, 2026, primarily focused on budget discussions and proposed staffing and program cuts due to a structural deficit. Superintendent Olsson and Executive Director of Finance Liz Lent presented detailed updates on the current and upcoming fiscal year budgets, highlighting revenue shortfalls and expenditure increases. The board reviewed various proposed reductions, including restructuring reading interventionists, cutting MTSS coaches, reducing building substitutes, and potential cuts to early childhood programs such as the Edgewood daycare. Public comments strongly advocated for preserving instructional coaches, early childhood education, choir programs, and building substitutes, emphasizing their critical roles in student support and community value. The board discussed the challenges of balancing budget constraints with maintaining program quality and expressed interest in phased approaches to certain cuts, particularly for early childhood programs. Several motions were passed related to textbook adoptions, tax levy certification, and athletic association membership, while budget decisions were deferred to a future meeting with ongoing community engagement and legislative advocacy encouraged.