Huron Valley Schools Says Highland Needs to Commit Money to Save School Gym

Highland Township will have to hold a special meeting this week to discuss committing $150,000 to save the Highland Middle School gym.

Despite a large showing of support by the Highland community last week to save the gym at Highland Middle School, the Huron Valley Schools Board of Education asked Highland Supervisor Rick Hamill to get the township to commit $150,000 to the the school district at Monday's school board meeting in order to save the building. School Board President Sean Carlson said he appreciated the show of support, but that the school board needed the monetary commitment in order to move forward with the township. The asbestos removal at the property is scheduled to be completed Feb. 14 or Feb. 15, so the time line for the township to commit the money is short. Following the asbestos removal, demolition of the building will begin March 1 unless the …

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Huron Valley School Board Approves Superintendent's Contract

The Huron Valley School district reached an agreement with new Superintendent Jim Baker. Under the contract, Baker will make $170,000 a year with the potential to make more in bonuses and incentives.

Highland Township, Huron Valley Superintendent Unveil Idea for Highland Middle School

Highland Township or any interested party has until Jan. 15 to make an offer to the Huron Valley School District that might save Highland Middle School from demolition.

In an effort to preserve parts of the building and partner with the Highland Community, Huron Valley School Superintendent Jim Baker and Highland Supervisor Rick Hamill unveiled a collaborative idea for the Highland Middle School Property. The idea, which was unveiled at Wednesday's Highland Township meeting, won't save the entire building—but it will preserve the history of the school and allow the township to make good use of the space in collaboration with the school district. "As you know, the township's original offer to purchase the building for $1 was denied," Hamill said. "But it opened up a dialogue with the school district and through that process we've come up with something that I think will allow the property to maintain value…

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Huron Valley Superintendent Says District Will Remain Open

Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Jim Baker said safety of staff and students is the district's highest priority and the district is closely monitoring the schools.

Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Jim Baker just released the following message regarding classes this week. The message is in response to concerns from parents about neighboring districts canceling classes and school activities. Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members –  Like you, we as a school district, are anxious over recent events that have involved school safety. Please know, the safety of students and staff is our highest priority. We are aware that the Genesee County schools made the decision to close all schools. Their news release states that rumors multiplied as a result of social media and the decision was made to close their schools due to their inability to control the rumors. In Huron Valley we have been closely …

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Huron Valley Superintendent Speaks Out About Security in the District

Following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT., Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Jim Baker said the district is actively reviewing security procedures at all district schools.

The following is a message from Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Jim Baker. Good morning HVS Parents and Guardians: Like many of you, over the weekend I watched in horror and sadness the unfolding news coverage of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary. As a school administrator in a community known to be safe and closely knit, I am struggling to come to grips with how this happens and the unfortunate frequency of these types of events.  As a father, I cannot imagine the unbearable grief the families must be experiencing. In parallel, I recognize that our job is to provide the safest possible environment for our students. Following are some important steps we are taking this week and in the weeks to follow. 1. Each building is …

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Huron Valley Schools Unanimously Selects Jim Baker as New Superintendent

The board of education will now enter into negotiations with Jim Baker for the position. Baker has served as interim superintendent at Huron Valley Schools since May.

In a surprise move Tuesday night, the Huron Valley Schools Board of Education decided to forgo the rest of the search process and select Jim Baker as the new Huron Valley Schools Superintendent. Baker has served as interim superintendent for the district since May. Following the remainder of the candidate interviews Tuesday, the board heard feedback from the audience - all who said Baker was the clear choice. Initially the school board was going to select two finalists who would be interviewed again next week and spend a day in the district as part of the process. However, several school board members said they already felt one candidate ranked higher than the other three, and that candidate was Baker. School board member Rebecca Walsh …

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Huron Valley Schools Cuts Process Short, Selects Jim Baker as Superintendent

Following interviews Tuesday night, the Huron Valley Schools Board of Education chose to forgo the rest of the interview process and selected a new superintendent.

Interim Huron Valley Schools Superintendent Jim Baker has been selected as the new superintendent for Huron Valley Schools. The board of education conducted the last two interviews Tuesday night and decided, unanimously, to forgo the rest of the interview process and enter into negotiations with Baker. Story developing... stick with White Lake-Highland Patch for the latest news.

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