Citizens approve tax levy at Annual Meeting
Citizens approved the Hamilton School District tax levy at the Annual Meeting held before the School Board’s regular Aug. 19 meeting. The tax levy, the portion of the budget paid through local property taxes, totaled $41.5 million, up from $38.4 million the year before. The total budget was $80.8 million, up 9.34% from 2023-24. The increase is because of expenses due to the referendums voters approved in April, enrollment growth and rising costs due to inflation.
In addition to the levy approval, citizens kept School Board member salaries at $5,335 and approved lease agreements of district owned land for farming purposes.
Human Growth and Development Advisory Committee approved
School Board policy requires that the Human Growth and Development curriculum be reviewed every five years. In June, the Hamilton School Board approved the process for selecting committee members. A lottery draw was held on August 7. Committee members were selected and notified via email. If committee members indicated they could no longer participate, the first alternate name was notified. The committee is composed of 21 people, including parent representatives from each school, health care professionals, district staff and high school students. The committee will meet twice this fall.
Second Step Bullying Curriculum approved
The District has purchased a one-year subscription to Second Step’s Bullying Curriculum for students in 5K-grade 4. There is also the option to use the curriculum for grade 5 students. This will ensure the District is providing universal instruction on how to encourage students to stand up for one another and reduce any bullying-related behavior in our schools. The lessons cover topics such as recognizing bullying, reporting bullying, bystander responsibility and bystanders to cyberbullying.
Reports and documents approved
Reports and documents were approved including:
- Early Literacy Remediation Plan
- Employee Absence Report for the 2023-24 school year
- Revised Biology Grade 9 Curriculum
- Behavior Consequences Progressive Discipline Guide
- Reviewed and revised Board Policies and Position Descriptions
Personnel matters
The School Board approved the appointments of:
- Beth Lueck, Associate Kitchen Employee at Hamilton High School, effective September 3
- Maria Wartgow, Special Education Teacher at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective August 26
- Michelle Matter, Instructional Coach at Templeton Middle School, effective August 26
- Alyssa Jenkins, Educational Support – Instructional and Supervision at Marcy Elementary School, effective September 3
- Janette Below, Educational Support – Special Services at Templeton Middle School, effective September 3
- Allison Hertel, French Teacher at Hamilton High School, effective August 26
- Judith Flegner, Educational Support – Special Services at Lannon Elementary School, effective September 3
The School Board approved the resignations of:
- Hunter Dow, Custodian I, PM at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective August 8
- Sonam Shaw, Educational Support – Special Services at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective July 30
- Ashley Shanks, Educational Support – Special Services at Lannon Elementary School, effective August 1
- Saul Moore, Custodial I, PM at Maple Avenue Elementary School, effective August 9
- Lorie Block, Custodial I, PM at Silver Spring Intermediate School, effective August 6