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   Northland School Board members met Wednesday, Oct. 16 for their regular meeting. Board Chair Marc Ruyak began the meeting with the pledge of allegiance and recognized the donation of $500 from the Hill City Thrift Shop for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports incentives. 

   Elementary Principal Janessa Green shared with the board the first teacher professional learning day is in the books and was very successful. It was also noted currently elementary is running very smoothly and there has only been nine behavior referrals for the month of September. Green stated this is the lowest number there has been in the last 4 years, the previous three years for the same period there was 40, 45 and 21 referrals. 

   High School Principal/Superintendent Mary Yakibchuk shared with the board that the school is going to be focusing on level one of the High Reliability Schools (HRS), which is the most crucial step for schools in building a safe, supportive, and collaborative culture by operating as a professional learning community. It was also shared that unlike the elementary, high school is having a rough start with tardys, behavior, defiance/disrespect and disruption/disorderly.

   When Yakibchuk shared information about a new option for seniors which allows the students to either skip their first hour or leave early for the day and miss their seventh hour. In order to qualify for this privilege students must be on tract to graduate. Board member Tyler Seifert asked if all parents have been informed of this option and if they have signed a waiver allowing their child to participate. Yakibchuk stated parents have been informed but there is nothing requiring a signature. Seifert stated he feels a form needs to be signed by parents and on file for all students participating to avoid any legal responsibility.

   Yakibchuk then shared information with the board regarding the upcoming audit and mentioned the finance committee will be having several meetings over the next few months in order to try to balance the budget. During the meeting the board began to reduce positions and will continue to look at the options over the next several months. It was stated however difficult this decision is, it is necessary to ensure the longevity of the district. 

   In other Board action:

   • Approved the professional services agreement with Hill City for activities director services for 2024-2025 school year.

   • Approved the purchase of a 14 - passenger bus for special education and activities use and the purchase of a used school bus from Grand Rapids Public Schools in the amount of $10,000, which the school has already been borrowing.

   • Accepted the resignation of Brad Huber as paraprofessional, effective Oct. 4.

   • Accepted the resignation of Joe Wagner as nine month custodian prior to his first day of employment.

   • Accepted the voluntary termination of Joe Herbert as twelve month custodian.

   • Approved the reduction of the Elementary Library paraprofessional position effective Nov. 1 along with the extra summer hours assignment effective June 30, 2025.

   • Approved parental leave for Amber Osterhoudt from April 7 through June 3, 2025.

   • Approved the hire of Theresa Schmitt as kitchen helper, effective Oct. 21.

   • Denied a request from Carla Hopkins to include her placement at Northland from a temporary agency as employment with Northland.

   The board has scheduled the following meetings: a work session, Wed., Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m., the regular meeting Wed., Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m.; and the Truth in Taxation meeting Wed., Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m., all meetings are held at Northland High School.

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