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.
The first of the 2018-19 Junior Medal of Honor recipients were in attendance and recognized with a certificate presentation.
Mr. Ayers, Mrs. Bergstrom, and Mr. Cottrell were recognized with a certificate for Michigan Principals Month.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, an elementary teacher addressed the board with her concerns about the large class sizes. Another teacher reminded the board of the elementary’s upcoming Pancakes for Patriots veteran’s recognition and program on November 9th. Two elementary teachers thanked the board for hiring an additional kindergarten teacher to reduce class sizes, as well as the addition of three instructional classroom aides. A high school parent addressed the board about an athletic issue with her daughter.
Superintendent Denney talked to the board on the progress being made regarding the future updating of curriculum materials. Principals have been meeting with department chairs to determine where the needs are for new materials. The hope is to have some new textbooks in place for next school year.
The board approved the scheduling of the superintendent’s annual evaluation to take place next month at the November meeting. This will be done in a closed session after the regular meeting.
The board passed the annual summer tax resolution, which will be mailed to the townships in our school district in order to collect our portion of the summer taxes.
Superintendent Denney updated the board regarding current student enrollment and budget. The budget for this school year was based on 1110 students, and after count day, our unaudited enrollment is at 1135. In all, after adding three aides and two additional teachers, the district is still about $50,000 ahead of the original budget. Bargaining with both union groups and purchasing textbooks will impact how much money we are able to carry over into next year, however, the district is in a much better financial position than in recent years.
The proposed bond issue was discussed. This bond would be for 1 mil for 22 years, and would continue the rate of the current bond, without raising taxes. Superintendent Denney has been meeting and talking with contractors to get some more accurate figures for the wanted items that would be covered under bond monies. One major change is the location of the proposed gymnasium; the best location is believed to be next to the middle school gym. This would allow a nicer facility to be built for the same cost as the previous plan. We would be able to share most of a wall with the middle school gym and there would be the potential to use masonry on the exterior instead of steel siding, which would fit in better with the existing exterior and be more durable. Parking lots around this location were also discussed.
The board would also like Superintendent Denney to research the possibility of adding some kind of life skills classes for our students with the bond monies. More information will be presented at the next meeting.
Superintendent Denney reported to the board members on the following:
- We’ve had a good start to the school year so far.
- Fall festival at the elementary is coming up on October 25th.
- He understands some teachers’ frustrations with class sizes. The district has to take a look at balancing funds vs. class size.
- Thank you to the building principals for the great job they do.
The board members commented on the following:
- It’s great to see the Junior Medal of Honor recipients and have the program up and running again for this school year.
- There is an interest in the proposal of life skills classes being added to the curriculum.
- Thank you to our teaching staff and principals for going above and beyond.
- Hopefully any student issues will be resolved by going through the proper channels; it is good to hear both good and bad comments.
- Hanover-Horton students were the best prepared and most engaged students out of all the schools to visit Lomar Machine and Tool during Manufacturing Day.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
