Board Meeting in Review – August 27, 2018

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The regular meeting was held starting at 6:30 p.m.

Superintendent Denney and the Board of Education welcomed guests and visitors to the meeting.

Correspondence included a thank you notes from three graduates who received the Ruth Creps Scholarships and the Lucile McGee Scholarships.

The high school’s student council representative reported their activities so far this school year to the board.  The student council will be choosing Homecoming float and spirit day themes.  Voting for Homecoming court representatives will take place this week.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, two elementary teachers addressed the board about the need for another teacher and/or aides in the lower elementary classrooms due to large class sizes.

The board approved the officers of the Music Boosters.  This action needs to be taken in order for the Music Boosters to be covered under the district’s insurance.  Officers for the 2018-19 school year are:  Co-Presidents- Danna Woolsey and Diane Anderson; Vice President – Shellie Hall; Secretary – Amie Schittenhelm; Treasurer -Kelly McLain.

Superintendent Denney discussed the possibility of a bond project for a list of needed items throughout the district.  The board would like Mr. Denney to put together some updated costs for these items in order to further discuss the proposal at the next meeting.  Preliminarily, the bond would be for one mil, and depending on the timing, could blend with the pay-off of a previous bond, which would make for a smooth transition without taxes being raised or lowered.

At this time at the beginning of the school year, it looks like enrollment has increased by just under 40 students from the February count day during the last school year.  This number could go up or down by the October count day.

The board approved the hiring of Mr. Benjamin Cates as the elementary art/fine arts teacher, and the temporary hiring of Mrs. Amber Bushinski for a third grade teacher.

Mrs. Courtney Haroney is taking over the school social worker position in the elementary.  This is a contracted position through LifeWays.

The board approved the hiring of an additional kindergarten teacher and up to three instructional classroom aides for the lower elementary grades (Y5-2), due to large class sizes.  Job postings will go out as soon as possible.

The board approved, on the district auditor’s recommendation, an amended budget for 2017-18, to better reflect certain expenditures of Elementary Teachers Retirement, Student Services, and Cafeteria Revenues and Expenditures.

Superintendent Denney reported to the board members on the following:

  • Thank you to the custodial staff, secretaries, and administration for their efforts in preparation of the new school year.
  • An update was given to the board regarding School Aid Fund Diversion and how it affects monies for school funding.
  • We’ve had a very good start to the new school year so far.

The board members commented on the following:

  • Welcome to Joe Ayers, elementary school principal.
  • The board is looking forward to the elementary Jr. Medal of Honor presentations to start this year.
  • The board appreciated the good discussion about the concerns with classroom sizes and are hoping to get the word out to the community that kindergarten class sizes will be reduced with the hiring of a new teacher.  Also, hiring of aides to help in the lower elementary classrooms will be beneficial to the teachers.
  • Hopefully the increase in enrollment numbers will hold steady.
  • The board appreciates the extra time teachers spend at school and the professionalism they show.
  • Thank you to Superintendent Denney for the job done this summer with all the staff changes and new hirings.
  • No one has filed paperwork to run for the school board vacancy in November.  The board hopes someone will run as a write-in candidate.  Anyone interested needs to file paperwork at the county courthouse by 4:00 p.m. on October 26th.
  • This is a good time to prepare for a bond proposal.  Hanover-Horton currently levies far less mils than most other school districts in the area.
  • The board would like to see the format of the Life of an Athlete meetings changed to be more beneficial to the athletes and parents who attend.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.

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