The regular meeting was held starting at 6:30 p.m.
Superintendent Denney and the Board of Education were happy to honor the students who received awards for the spring sports season.
Correspondence included a thank you note from a graduate who received the Ruth Creps Scholarship.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, an elementary teacher asked how calls to the elementary office were being handled this summer. All phone calls have been re-routed through the superintendent’s office until staff returns. A question was also asked about board policy regarding a therapy dog in the classroom, and another staff member asked if elementary staff would have a place to voice their opinion on what qualities they would like to see in a new principal. Mr. Denney stated that he has already sent a survey in that regard to elementary staff.
Organizational items, such as approving the legal name of the school district, bank resolutions, and scheduling of school board meetings for the next year were completed.
Deb Fry, a representative from Youth for Understanding, along with Miss Theresa Kuhrt, gave a short presentation to the board and guests about the benefits to the district’s students and families of hosting an exchange student for the school year. Youth for Understanding also presented Hanover-Horton with a Certificate of Appreciation as a Medallion School for participating in their exchange program.
The board approved the hiring of Mrs. Megan Thurston as a first grade teacher.
Mr. Perry Deliyanne, Athletic Director, gave an athletic update to the board on the overall sports participation by students, awards and championships earned during the school year, conference standings, and finances of the athletic department.
The board approved the revisions for the middle school, high school, and athletic handbooks.
Due to dwindling student numbers and lack of success for most students enrolled, the board approved the closing of the Hanover-Horton Virtual School.
Mr. Tim Evans was appointed the special liaison to the Michigan Association of School Boards and the Jackson County School Board Association.
Mr. Gary Schuette was appointed the school board representative on the Hanover-Horton Education Foundation Committee and the Lucile McGee Scholarship Committee.
Mr. Leon Densmore was appointed as the school board representative on the Ruth Creps Scholarship Committee.
The board approved a list of recommended workshops and in-service training sessions throughout the year for board members.
The board approved the length of school term for the 2018-19 school year, as required by the school code. School districts must have 180 days and provide and minimum of 1098 hours of pupil instruction.
Superintendent Denney updated the board, as part of the Superintendent Evaluation Tool, on the progress being made toward district goals #1 and #2.
The board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Mrs. Cindy Forgione, elementary principal, effective August 1st, 2018.
Superintendent Denney reported to the board members on the following:
- Two seats will be up for re-election in November; that of Mr. Leon Densmore and Mrs. Chris Vincent.
- The effects of teacher shortages have been apparent with the small number of applicants for teaching positions within the district.
- The district is in the process of closing the books on the 2017-18 school year and is looking forward to 2018-19. We have had another successful school year.
The board members commented on the following:
- Board members welcome Megan Thurston to the staff.
- It was nice to see the academic and athletic success the district has enjoyed. It is important for students to be connected to extra-curricular activities, whether in sports or other areas.
- Mrs. Vincent will not be running for school board re-election, and expressed that she will miss being a member of the board.
- The board is proud of the work done to revise the athletic and student handbooks.
- Looking forward to the 2018-19 school year.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
