Drager Head Start projects are expected to continue for several months

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ADRIAN — Several projects at Adrian Public Schools Drager Early Head Start Education Center and Head Start Portable Classroom in Hudson are underway.

Construction projects are expected to continue for at least the next few months.

To ensure the projects continue, Adrian’s school board approved the transfer of up to $100,000 from the general fund to capital projects and the technology fund for Head Start projects at its June 27 meeting. The school board will meet only once in July, on the fourth Monday of the month, July 25.

Current projects include:

  • Renovation of Drager Room #314, the former media center, to function as a multi-purpose training room, including an elevated presentation area and technology upgrades.
  • Renovation of Drager Room #210, formerly used by the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee, to meet the requirements of a Head Start classroom, including the addition of restrooms and painting.
  • Seal and cover Drager parking lot and repair broken concrete curbs.
  • Repairs and updates needed for the Head Start portable classroom at Hudson Elementary School, including flooring, kitchen and bathroom components, and entry doors.

The council unanimously approved the transfer of funds for the construction work. Chairman Beth Ferguson and Trustee Rudy Flores were absent from the meeting. Vice President Jon Baucher served as interim president.

In other cases

Adrian’s school board at their meeting also:

• Approved the list of goals assigned to Superintendent Nate Parker to be achieved in the 2022-23 school year. Parker’s goals and progress will be assessed at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Goals will be paid out to a maximum of $10,800, and the superintendent must provide a self-written evaluation with supporting evidence for the achievement of each goal.

• Approved an increase in the hourly rate of pay for Hall Supervisor Todd Bailey to $22 per hour for the 2022-23 school year. A retired military police officer, the board said Bailey was a valuable asset to the district. Deputy Superintendent Kathy Westfall called Bailey “a breath of fresh air.” The board’s finance and personnel committees reviewed and recommended the salary increase.

• Approved the district’s annual membership in the Michigan School Boards Association and authorized the payment of dues. Dues are based on the district’s fall count, including adult education students. The 2022-23 membership fee will be $5,722.

• Approved 2022 graduates of Adrian High School and Adrian Community Education Center. There were 162 graduates from the high school and 19 from the community education center, Baucher said. Graduates have met district and state requirements to be eligible for graduation.

• Approved the final budget changes for the 2021-22 school year and approved the proposed budget for the 2022-23 school year.

• Approved the resignations of Adrian High School special education teacher, Kelly Bacus, effective June 15, and Head Start parent educator, Kaylee Williams, effective June 30.

• Accepted several donations from community members. Jeff and Elizabeth Rising donated $1,210 to the Lincoln Elementary School Drama Club; the Wagley family donated $500 to the boys’ swim team; and the Maples Fan Club donated $3,000 to the powerlifting program, $100 to women’s tennis, $100 to men’s tennis, $100 to women’s soccer, $60 to softball, $235 to men’s track and field and $235 in women’s athletics.

• Review of Head Start monthly report and discussion of district return to learning benchmarks for the 2022-23 school year. According to Derrick Richards, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, the district’s educational goal is for 60 percent of K-8 students to meet fall semester through spring semester growth goals, such as measured by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). To achieve the goal, Richards said federal funding will be used and the district will increase its academic interventions for students who are not meeting grade expectations. Supports will also be provided to increase and promote attendance.

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