School board meets at new middle school
Published 6:48 am Tuesday, August 16, 2005
By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
New Dowagiac Middle School won't be formally dedicated until Sunday, Sept. 18, but the Board of Education met on Riverside Drive for the first time Monday.
The first of four bond elections occurred in September 1996.
Not until after 9/11 did Union School District voters on Nov. 12, 2001, approve 3.94 mills for construction of a $23.7 million seventh and eighth grade middle school.
This Sunday, Aug. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m., citizens will have their third opportunity to tour Dowagiac's first new school in 35 years.
About 300 people attended a June open house and more than 400 flocked to Riverside Drive in July, literally waiting to get inside.
(If the east parking lot in front is full, there is ample additional parking behind the building.)
New teacher orientation will take place at the new middle school on Monday, Aug. 22, as will the general staff meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
To reinforce the new names in a fun way - Dowagiac Middle School, not Central, and Performing Arts Center, not auditorium - Superintendent Larry Crandall said administrators pay $1 fines.
Accreditation sought
for other schools
Dowagiac Union Schools will seek North Central Association accreditation for the rest of its buildings. At present, only Union High School is accredited.
The school board approved Bill Lawrence's motion Monday night to apply for membership in the Ann Arbor association.
Eventually, Dowagiac wants Dowagiac's elementary and middle schools accredited, too.
Daniels given
ABC award
Hal Davis, assistant superintendent for business and operations, presented an ABC (Above and Beyond the Call) of duty award to Maintenance Supervisor Dave Daniels for his "tireless effort, dedication and commitment" during construction of the new middle school.
Daniels' previous 18 years experience in the construction trades "proved to be invaluable during this project," Davis said. "He attended weekly job-site meetings, bi-weekly project/progress meetings and could be seen on-site almost daily. When the project neared completion he staffed and equipped the building in preparation for the return of staff and the start of school" Aug. 29.
Daniels, accompanied by his wife, Cathy, received the tribute before the school board in the cafeteria, which has a maximum occupancy of 272.
Five certified
positions filled
Action on personnel moves recommended by Assistant Superintendent Peg Stowers completes hiring for the 2005-06 school year except for an elementary counselor to replace Kara Cox, who, in an internal transfer, replaces Kristi Schwartz at Union High.
Keith Klann replaces Jeff Yauchstetter teaching math at DUHS.
Janet Hurlbert will teach art at Dowagiac Middle School, succeeding Holly (Bower) Davis.
Fanny Ramos will be the K-8 migrant support/coordinator.
Kim Wedde will be the temporary special education replacement at Patrick Hamilton Middle School for Becky Rapp.
Four coaches
given nod
Under co-curricular appointments, Matt Alward moves up to junior varsity football coach.
Alward, a DUHS physical education teacher, has been head freshman football coach, as well as an assistant in both the wrestling and track programs.
Scott Dodd was hired as freshman football coach. "Scott has served as a volunteer coach in the district before and was a standout student athlete for Dowagiac during his playing days," Athletic Director Greg Younger stated in his written recommendation.
Chad Perrin will coach eighth grade football. He was a volunteer coach last season.
Mike Pallas was appointed boys JV golf coach.
In other Aug. 15 business, the board voted for Burl Ghastin for Region 6, Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) board of directors.
Ghastin was nominated by the Van Buren Intermediate School District Board of Education, for which he has served 20 years. He also spent eight years on the Paw Paw school board.
Larry Seurynck and Sherry File will be Dowagiac's representatives to the MASB Delegate Assembly beginning Oct. 27 at the Lansing Center.