Board of Education
The Lowell Board of Education works collectively and conscientiously to establish programs and procedures which will best help all students to achieve at their highest potential, and do so within the financial limitations of the district. The Board of Education functions as a legislative body in formulating and adopting policy, by selecting an executive officer to implement policy and by evaluating the results. Our Board of Education functions openly, and seeks the involvement and contributions of the public, students and staff. Your communication, as a school community is extremely important to us and we welcome your input!
Jim Turner, Board of Education President
Board Meeting Dates
Board Policies
Contact the Board of Education
Virtual Meetings
In compliance with Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order and to preserve the public’s right to attend or address the Board of Education, anyone wishing to do so may request remote inclusion in the meeting by:
- Sending an email to the Superintendent's Assistant at sdedonado@lowellschools.com. If you wish to speak at the meeting you will also need to complete the Audience Comment Form and email that as well.
- You may also appear at the Administration Office located at 300 High Street on the date and time of the posted meeting. Appropriate social distancing will take place during this meeting.
Board Members
Jim Turner: President
Jim Turner was elected to the Board of Education in May 2005. His term expires in December 2022. Mr. Turner graduated from Rogers High School in Wyoming, Michigan. His course work has been in labor studies and in waste water treatment. Jim is a retired waste water treatment operator from the City of Grand Rapids. Jim and his wife Pat have two children Melissa Tichelaar and Kerrie VerWys, as well as 7 grandchildren and 5 great grand-children. All of his children and grand-children have attended Lowell Area Schools. When asked to tell something fun about himself that no one would expect, he said that he likes listening to the Oldies station and occasionally tries to dance.
Brian Krajewski: Vice President
Brian Krajewski was elected to the Board of Education in 2011. His term expires in December 2020. Brian is the Director of Administrative Operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield. He holds a Bachelor of Science Plastics Engineering Technology Degree from Ferris State University. Brian is a tireless volunteer in our community: Pink Arrow Board Member; Gilda’s Club Charter Board Member. Brian and his wife Julie have a son, Derek (Lowell Class of 2014), who is studying Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell, and a daughter, Danielle (Lowell Class of 2015), studying Plastics Engineering Technology at Ferris State University. The Krajewski family have lived in Lowell for over 18 years.
Pat Nugent: Secretary
Pat Nugent was elected to the Board of Education in June 1998. His term expires in December 2022. He serves as Chairman of the St. Patrick Church History Committee, member of the St. Patrick Cemetery Committee, and has held the position of president of the Grattan Township Historical Society. Mr. Nugent earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History Education from Michigan State University. He also has a Master of Education degree in Secondary Education from Grand Valley State University. Pat has been serving as Secretary of the Board of Education since 1999. He also serves as the Board representative to the Lowell Education Foundation. Pat teaches at West Catholic High School.
Gary Blough: Treasurer
Gary Blough was elected to the Board of Education in 2010. His term expires in December 2022. Gary is a Partner with Family-Owned 3000+ Acre Crop Farm, Blu Sky farms in Lowell and is a retired mail carrier from the Lowell Post Office. Gary earned an Associates in Business Administration, from Grand Rapids Junior College and 36 Years as Chief financial Officer and Co-Owner of Growing Dairy and Crop Farm. Mr. Blough has volunteered as a docent and for other activities at Lowell Historical Museum. A long time Lowell resident, Gary has a wife Laurie, and two children who are graduates of Lowell Area Schools. Gary embraces the educational philosophy that our local values as parents, teachers, and community leaders, should serve as the educational guide for the students of Lowell Area Schools.
Tom Kaywood: Trustee
Tom was appointed to the Board of Education in November 2011. His term expires in December 2020. Tom and his wife Lisa have lived in the Lowell school district for more than 15 years and have two children who are graduates of Lowell High School. They are active supporters of Lowell Area Schools. Tom is an architect who has spent much of his career designing public education facilities. We are excited about the unique experience and perspective he brings to the Board.
Laurie Kuna: Trustee
Laurie was elected to the Board in November 2012. Her term 
expires in December 2020. She retired in 2010 after 29 years teaching English—including literature, composition, journalism and creative writing—at Lowell High School. Now days, she spends her time in various writing pursuits and traveling. She holds both a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree from Michigan State University. Her Board goal is simple in theory—find economically responsible ways of providing Lowell Area Schools’ staff and students with the tools and resources necessary to succeed. She also accepts the far more complicated challenge of making that goal a reality.
Dan Stephens: Trustee
Dan was appointed to the Board in September 2017. His term expires December 2020. He has been married to his wife Kim for 28 years and has lived in Lowell for 21 years. They have 7 children, 4 have graduated from Lowell (all currently attending college) and 3 are still in the district. Dan is the program manager for General Motors and has worked there for 32 years. Dan spends time following and supporting his children’s sports activities. Dan feels he lives in the best school system and very much appreciates what Lowell Area Schools offers his children.
Notices, Agendas and Minutes
Regular Meetings
July 13, 2020 - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
June 8, 2020 (Virtual Meeting - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
May 18, 2020 (Virtual Meeting) - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
April 20, 2020 (Virtual Meeting) - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
April 13, 2020 - CANCELED
March 9, 2020 - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
February 10, 2020 - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
January 13, 2020 - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
December 9, 2019 - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
November 11, 2019 - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
October 14, 2019 - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
September 9, 2019 - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
August 12, 2019 - Posting, Agenda, Approved Minutes
July 8, 2019 - Approved Minutes
June 10, 2019 - Approved Minutes
Work Session Meetings
June 29, 2020 - Posting
May 29, 2020 - Posting
April 27, 2020 - CANCELED
March 23, 2020 - CANCELED
February 24, 2020 - Posting
January 27, 2020 - Posting
November 25, 2019 - Posting
October 28, 2019 - Posting
September 23, 2019 - Posting
August 26, 2019 - Posting
Special Meetings
Special Meeting - June 29, 2020 - Posting
Truth-In-Taxation Hearing (Virtual Meeting) - June 8, 2020 - Posting
Athletic Ad Hoc - December 19, 2019 - Posting
Special Meeting - December 16, 2019 - Posting
Facilities Ad Hoc - December 12, 2019 - Posting
Student Discipline Hearing - November 12, 2019 - Posting
Student Discipline Hearing - October 21, 2019 - Posting
Student Discipline Hearing - October 17, 2019 - Posting
Athletic Ad Hoc - October 8, 2019 - Posting
Facilities Ad Hoc - July 25, 2019 - Posting
Facilities Ad Hoc - August 22, 2019 - Posting