The regular meeting was held starting at 6:30 p.m.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, a community member requested the board to ban Johnnie Stewart from school property in the future. President Schuette responded that the district would have to contact legal counsel regarding the request.
The board and Superintendent Denney recognized the first Junior Medal of Honor recipients for the 2019-20 school year.
The board and Superintendent Denney recognized Isaac Cottrell, Denise Bergstrom, and Joe Ayers, building principals, in honor of Michigan Principals Month.
Ellery Cure, high school student council president and board representative, reported on homecoming activities, such as spirit week, homecoming dance, the homecoming parade, and the crowning of this year’s king and queen (Reagan Fazekas and Richard Haislip). She also reported that the student council is working on a process where they welcome students who are new to the district.
The board scheduled Superintendent Denney’s annual evaluation to be held in closed session on November 18th. President Schuette will be sending out the superintendent evaluation tool to board members, and staff will be sent a survey.
The music department’s annual trip to Cedarville University for select band and choir members for February 13-15 was approved by the board.
The board approved the first reading of district policy updates, NEOLA Vol. 33, No. 2 – February 2019.
Mrs. Stephanie Clement was approved to be hired for the current opening of a temporary high school/middle school physical education teacher. Stephanie currently teaches physical education and science at Pittsford Area Schools. She was formerly Hanover-Horton’s first athletic trainer in the late 90’s, and she also completed her cadet teaching experience at our elementary school. Her employment will start sometime around Thanksgiving.
The board gave Superintendent Denney approval to explore the possibility of contracting an additional social worker through Lifeways for the middle school and high school buildings.
The annual Summer Tax Resolution was passed. This allows the school district to collect summer taxes from the townships in our district.
Superintendent Denney provided a budget update to the board. When this year’s budget was projected and approved in June, we anticipated an end of year fund balance of $725,312. That figure has been updated, and we are now projecting an end of year balance of $743,786. We will maintain a conservative approach, and will not know final numbers until the audit is completed next summer. We will soon begin the process of negotiating with both bargain groups, and hopefully, final agreements will be presented to the board at the December meeting.
The board gave final approval of the 2018-2019 annual audit. A draft copy was presented to the board at the September meeting, but was not finalized until the auditors received some information that has now been included in the final version. This information did not affect the numbers presented in the draft.
Superintendent Denney reported to the board members on the following:
- Thank you to the many volunteers who help with the homecoming festivities.
- Middle and high school parent-teacher conferences are Wednesday, Oct. 23rd.
- The boys soccer team won the district final for the first time in team history, and will be playing in the regional game at Livonia Clarenceville vs. Detroit Freedom on Tuesday, Oct. 22nd.
- Both boys and girls cross country teams won conference championships and will be running in the regional competition on Friday, Oct. 25th.
- Stuff the Bus set a new record of over 6200 items donated, plus cash. Many thanks on behalf of the district to Mrs. Jacquie Melling and the Hanover-Horton Community Service Club. The Hanover-Horton Lions Club and Girl Scouts also help with this event. All donations go to the Hanover-Horton Food Pantry.
The board members commented on the following:
- Board members are happy to have the Junior Medal of Honor program up and running again for this school year; it is nice to hear all the positive recognition of our elementary students.
- Looking forward to the winter sports season starting soon.
- Thank you to staff for everything they do. The last few months have been a stressful time for staff and the board alike.
- The board is proud of the football players and coaches who have stuck it out through a difficult season.
- Board members would like to explore the possibility of paying coaches of some sports who have done the job as volunteers in the past.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
