Schools
School Board Approves Calendar; Teacher Recalls Issued
With a little more than a month until a new school year begins, the Huron Valley Board of Education approves and discusses new purchases and policies.
The Board of Education met Thursday evening at Milford High School to square away and discuss issues related to the fast approaching 2011/2012 school year.
Board members John Knight, Rebecca Walsh and Lindsay Cotter were absent from the night’s meeting but quorum was still met with the remaining four members present, allowing them to vote on and pass agenda items.
All consent agenda items were unanimously passed. Included in these items was approval of a Bogie Lake sewer easement, as well as approval for the purchase of food service equipment for . The sewer easement is to connect Lakeland High School to the township sewers.
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The school calendar for the 2011/2012 academic year was also approved. The calendar follows a similar format of years past, and does include early release days. The first day of school is set for September 6, and the last day of school, barring any need to make up days, is scheduled for June 8.
Board members discussed potential revisions to their policies which Superintendent Jackie Johnston said would “enhance efficiency and effectiveness” at meetings, as well as “help move more quickly through routine items.” One change could include the addition of a student leadership comment opportunity to meeting agendas. The board anticipates voting on potential changes at the August 11 meeting.
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Donna Welch, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Service, gave a brief presentation on the 2011 Bond Refinancing. Welch explained the process as similar to homeowners who refinance their mortgage in order to get better interest rate. Standard & Poor’s gave the district a AA- rating. This refinancing move is anticipated to save taxpayers $2.6 million in interest costs, according to Welch.
In other items, Executive Director of Human Resources, Jim Baker, said that at least 29 of the 58 teachers that were laid-off have been recalled for the new school year. A second wave of recalls is expected to go out to bring back at least five more teachers.
The meeting adjourned to the public to go into closed sessions for re-admittance hearings for two students.
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for August 11 at Milford High School at 7 p.m.
