Schools Strategic Plan Update Presented

By DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY

Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

HARRISON – The Oct. 14 Harrison Community Schools board meeting included the 2023-2024 audit report provided by Shelly Browning of Weinlander Fitzhugh, a typically lengthy report that showed the district to be on sound financial footing.

Superintendent Judy Walton also provided an update on the district’s Strategic Plan, breaking the plan down into three categories and their components:

Achievement – Facilitate learning environments that focus on continuous academic improvement PreK-12:

Aug. 20-Sept. 18 (learning and half-day inquiry cycles); Evaluate student voice (BOE student member); Mid Michigan Career Quest; and Career exploration trips (Project R.E.D.)

Culture – All students, staff and families will create and contribute to a culture of kindness, respect, and safety across our school community.

Poverty and trauma training new teacher orientation; Restorative practices training new teacher orientation; MTSS teams, SEL; Guiding Beliefs recognition; and Oct. 24 event (plus CGRESD event on Nov. 12).

Excellence – Create and grow an environment that fosters connections among our students, staff, Board, and community.

Marketing (Social media); Student BOE member [senior Jonathan Sterling, who was in attendance at this meeting and will begin providing his update with at the November meeting]; More Grow Your Own dollars; New teacher onboarding (extended to two days) and check-ins; and Aligning MICIP with everyday work.

Under the Non-consent Agenda, the Board moved to approve the audit results, as well as the HEA Letter of Agreement.

Informational Items included resignations received from four of the district’s paraprofessionals. Two were special education paraprofessionals: Shontell Kelts-Walt from Larson Elementary, and Jade Samples from Harrison High School. The other two were Erin Cottrell and Melissa Keener, both Great Start Readiness Program paraprofessionals.

The Board heart public comment from former HMS social studies teacher Mick Haley, who announced his write-in candidacy for the school board in the Nov. 5 election. Also proclaiming his candidacy was Brian Noel, who also voiced complaint against the administration for perceived inaction on an employee complaint (that the employee supposedly had been told that if they complained they would be fired). It was explained to Noel that there had been no complaint lodged and that his refusal to name the employee – or the specific school personnel or contractor accused of the misconduct – would prevent the administration or school board from taking action. Kendra Durga, BOE president, was specific in urging Noel to speak with the superintendent in a more private setting to provide specifics so the accusation could be addressed.

“Judy Walton is one of the most approachable people I’ve ever met,” she said.

Noel also voiced concerns regarding ongoing problems of bullying, however, he did not provide any specifics, but rather used terms indicating that what he had heard about such bullying was not first-hand. Another question Noel had was about how many students who live in the HCS District attend elsewhere, and how many students were attending Harrison schools who live in other districts. The superintendent fielded the attendance question by saying that Schools of Choice accounts for some of the student transfers, both into and out of the district, and that she believed there was a balanced transfer overall.

“I turned down two this year due to their disciplinary history,” Walton said. She also urged Noel to reach out to her confidentially and referred to the District’s whistleblower and anti-retaliation policies. “I truly operate under See Something, Say Something.”

In her report, Walton also spoke of an Oct. 24 event wherein she would be spending about 40 minutes with community leaders reviewing student survey data. Further noted was science curriculum work that was to begin the following week, and the intention to “make a deep dive into science standards.” Also taking place the next week were Honor Society inductions.

Walton further noted having sent out an apology for a yearbook spread which she said shouldn’t have happened, adding her intention to ensure it won’t happen again.

Under Committee Reports, topics included completion of the HVAC work with only the punch list remaining; the need for a part-time maintenance person who would focus on exterior work; the need to strike a new lease contract with the Veterans Freedom Park; athletic field bathrooms; the much-appreciated letter “H” which had been marked on the football field; and the need to seek out a knowledgeable person to work on landscape enhancement.

The HCS Board of Education meets next at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4 in the Board Room at 224 W. Main St.