By Sterling McGinn
Three new hires for the Tahquamenon Area Schools (TAS) district were approved at their regular board of education meeting held in the school cafeteria on Monday, May 20.
All members of the board were present that evening.
The board approved the hiring of Kelly Carlson as a bus driver.
“I am ecstatic,” said Superintendent Stacy Price. “This person is moving back to the area and saw our posting and has driving experience.” The school may be able to operate three bus routes next school year.
Newberry resident Michelle Clark was hired to serve as the 7-12 grade counselor. She will replace Kristi Palmer, who left the district in April.
“As I have said before, going back to school is one of the requirements, and she is very well aware of that,” Price said. “She is coming in full of ideas and has a background regarding conflict resolution to problem solving.”
Price said that Clark will need to obtain a Masters in School Counseling.
Brad Huffman was hired that evening to fill the position of maintenance /custodial supervisor. He will replace Samantha Sawyer, who also recently left the district.
In other news, a request from elementary school teacher Ann McFadden for purchasing the Open Up Resources reading curriculum for grades 3 and 4 was approved. McFadden had been piloting the program since October of 2023. The program uses engaging real-world texts, to create rich vocabulary and comprehensive experiences. The program costs $2,050.
The board also approved a potential fully grant-funded position for coordinator of instructional services. The coordinator will lead district-wide curriculum efforts and create a multi-tiered support system. Price wanted the board to approve the position, but only if it is fully covered by a grant.
“If it is not 100 percent grant funded it won’t happen,” she said.
Price updated the board on asbestos abatement within the facility. That work will begin on May 29 in the hours after school and will take a couple days, she said.
Board trustee Veronica Edwards expressed concerns about the asbestos removal taking place while school is still in session for the year. She would like to have the contractor talk to the board on the issue.
Price said the removal will be happening in two rooms and that the company assured her of the safety.
“It is hard for me, I will be honest, but the time it would take could push the project back in the fall,” Price said. “We started two weeks late last year. They are telling me it could be much longer.”
More bond work will begin on June 10.
“We are trying to get everything prepped and ready for the full-fledge bond work starting on June 10,” Price said. “Part of that is the movers moving the library getting that ready for asbestos work.”
Finally, the board entered into closed session for a security discussion. After an hour, the board reconvened and adjourned the meeting, and no information was given on the matter.
