Herman resigns from school board, Zilla from JR/SR high school staff
Two resignation statements opened the April 17 meeting of Holyoke School District Re-1J Board of Education.
Dennis Herman, who has served on the school board for six and a half years, was passionate in reading his prepared statement, announcing his decision to exit the board that night.
In another unexpected statement, John Zilla, who has been employed as a resource teacher at Holyoke JR/SR High for the past six years, told the board that he’s resigning. It was later confirmed that his resignation will be effective at the end of the current school year.
A board work session devoted to developing a timeline for appointing Herman’s replacement will be held prior to the May 1 board meeting. The vacancy will officially be declared at that night’s meeting. Additionally, board president Pat Wiebers said they will be looking at board development types of activities as they go through changes throughout the district.
Herman said he feels it’s incumbent on all who choose to serve on a school board to learn the roles and responsibilities of a board member, as well as the ethical and legal limitations.
“I believe it is a board member’s responsibility to point out when those legal and/or ethical boundaries are crossed by themselves and other members of the board. When infringements of those boundaries continue, with no correction from board leadership, a culture is created that I’m not comfortable being associated with,” he added.
“For that reason, I have decided to end my service on the school board,” said Herman, adding that he’ll continue to support and advocate for the kids of this community and the district as a whole.
Herman opened his comments with praise for the professional educators in Holyoke School District.
Noting that members of the community who serve on the school board are also a unique group, he described the board as follows: “This is a group that submits themselves to a public election, dedicates a significant amount of time away from their families, serves without compensation and all for the privilege of a relatively steady flow of parents informing them of how incompetent and inept they are.”
Herman referenced a complaint filed with the Colorado Department of Education last year by a group of parents, saying that the nature of the accusation is such that it implicates the board, along with the administration, as it is the board’s responsibility to hold the administration accountable.
“In general, it’s been my observation that there is a level of politics around the school in this community that I ethically refuse to engage in and choose to no longer remain subject to,” said Herman.
Herman encouraged the board to revisit Policy BCB involving school board member conflict of interest, noting his opinion that a return to the best practices outlined in the recommended Colorado Association of School Boards policy is the healthiest alternative for the district.
Retirements, resignation announced
Other staff changes were noted during last week’s board meeting.
Sixth-grade teacher Crystal Rigel said in her letter of resignation that it’s with gratitude and sadness that she resigns her position, effective April 20, due to health reasons.
Approval was also given for the retirement of JR/SR high art teacher Rhonda Mehring-Smith, who started teaching in the district 35 years ago, in 1983. While retirement will start June 1, Smith will work the 2018-19 school year on a 110/110 contract.
Additionally, the Chartwells monthly food service report noted that Maggie Busch will be retiring from her position with the Holyoke School District Food Service at the end of the 2017-18 school year after 20-plus years of service.
Transportation, capital projects reviewed
A transportation update, as well as capital projects for the summer, were reviewed at last week’s board meeting.
Budget & Finance Director Ben Rahe cited that some of the district’s buses are seeing significant costs for upkeep. He shared possible costs for bus purchase, as well as a resolution for the use of charter buses for transporting students to and from school activities.
Technology funds from the mill levy override are designated for Chromebooks ($30,000), new server ($20,000) and new lighting in the auditorium ($10,000) plus $10,000 from the Heginbotham Trust for the lighting.
Other miscellaneous MLO projects will be handled in-house at a total of $5,250. These projects include sprinkler repair at the elementary school, concessions stand countertop at the football field, handicap parking spaces at the high school and fence repair.
Other MLO capital funds cite $10,000 in a track reserve and $210,443 for lease payment for the elementary roof/district lighting.
A total of $88,607 is targeted between lease payments for buses and for the JH and old gym roofs and life skills class.
The need for new gym bleachers was cited, with options being considered.
Other business
In other business April 17, the school board:
—Adjusted the classified staff salary schedule to match the minimum wage pay increase to $11.10 Jan. 1, 2019.
—Viewed a mock-up of the possible school district Facebook page and noted that webmaster Stefan Betley is very excited about its potential.
—Approved second reading on eight CASB policies and regulations that were initially approved at the previous board meeting.