TAS Board approves Athletic Director resignation

By Sterling McGinn

The Tahquamenon Area Schools (TAS) Board of Education approved the resignation of district Athletic Director Dan Hardenbrook and approved several new hires at their September 21 regular meeting.

In addition to leaving the athletic director position, Hardenbrook also submitted his resignation as JV football coach.

No information on the reasons for Hardenbrook’s departure were given that night.

Several members of the public spoke during public comment.

Carol Derusha spoke as a follow up to the school board’s recent decision on closing the athletic field unlocking the facility for sporting and special events only.

“I spoke to a number of people who were at the meeting where it was decided to close the track to see what the discussions were on additional lighting and cameras and other options other than closing,” Derusha said. “It is my understanding that there were none. I was wondering if any of it happened since then, and if not, why not?”

She also wanted to know who was responsible for the maintenance, repair and clean-up for the playground and the track.

“Does that have any bearing on you deciding whether to do additional steps besides closing?”

Derusha also asked the board where the money that was raised for the track had been placed.

“Is it in an interest-bearing account until such time that there is enough money to resurface the track, or is that absorbed in the general fund or who knows were? I think when people donate money for a specific cause for the school, and that money is not utilized for that cause, they deserve to know where the money went.”

Greg Rathje asked what the status is of the old high school being winterized, secured and protected for the upcoming winter. He also wanted to know the next step that the school board is going to take in the long-term fate of the high school.

In other business, the board voted to hire Dan Schultz as a 7-12 grade roving substitute. David Fair and Danny Chastain were hired for custodial staff that evening. All three positions secured through EduStaff.

Trustee Veronica Edwards asked Superintendent Shawn Tebo on the status of lights and cameras for the playground. Tebo said that the Village of Newberry would not install any lights on the outside poles. Tebo said that the tech person for the district is getting caught up on the moving of the offices and that she hasn’t asked about the possibility of installing cameras out there.

At the end of the meeting, the board voted to convene in closed session for the purpose of student discipline. After reconvening in open session, Student #0150 was suspended for 45 days with a return date of November 20, while offering tutoring two days a week.

The board again entered closed session for attorney/client privilege. No action was taken when the board entered back into open session.