Redwood Elementary presents G.A.M.E.S. to Hartford Public Schools Board of Education

The Hartford Public Schools Board of Education had their work study meeting on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 at Redwood Elementary, in the Library. Board members were presented a look at the happenings at the school for the start of the 2023-24 year.

Redwood Elementary presentation

Redwood Principal Chris Quist and Assistant Principal Darren Tyria presented to the Board of Education about the school year so far. With the 2023-24 school year theme of G.A.M.E.S., standing for Goals And Motivation Equal Success, Redwood has focused their staff and students on goals around attendance, team building, and positive student and family engagement. Some of the recent and upcoming programs and activities include Hispanic Heritage Month activities, Family Literacy Night, Fire Prevention presentation, new initiates to the National Elementary Honor Society Redwood Chapter and focus on the Capturing Kids Hearts framework and positive behavior interventions. Hartford School Board was pleased to see the work that Redwood Elementary has going on this year and thanked Quist and Tyria for sharing their presentation.

2023 School Bond Information Night

Hartford Public Schools (HPS) held a Community Forum on the Bond, on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. The district also plans to hold a 2023 School Bond Information Night on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the Hartford High School Auditorium. Watch the district’s website, hpsmi.org, and the district’s social media channels for more information.

This November, on Tuesday the 7th, the Hartford School District will have an opportunity to vote on the Hartford Public Schools Bond proposal. This bond would provide funding for the critical needs identified in the facility assessment and the community input.

The amount of $22.6 Million is what will be needed to support these health and safety updates. Water pipes, water heater, exhaust fans, and restroom improvements are some of the most critical needs to be addressed. Those identified critical needs, ADA compliance, and further infrastructure updates are necessary to for daily operations. This bond, if passed, would not increase the millage rate as a previous bond is set to expire this year. This means that tax payers will not see an increase in their taxes from this bond, the millage rates would remain similar to the ones seen recently.

Board Member & Superintendent reports

Board Member Rick Vawter attended the Hartford Chamber of Commerce “After Hours” event held at Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center, the Van Buren County Center, located in the public health building south of the Van Buren Youth Fairgrounds; at 57150 CR 681, in Hartford. Vawter shared about the guest speaker, from Safe Harbor who highlighted the Children’s Advocacy Center which serves ages 2 to 18 and that Safe Harbor often works with local schools and their staff. The Safe Harbor Van Buren County Center can be reached at (269) 512-2854.

The Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center locations are designed to be a central and youth-friendly location for those who need a safe place from child abuse and neglect to disclose allegations of abuse. Currently the center is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Board Member Lee Mireles gave an update on the Hartford Recreation Council (HRC). Hartford hosted the final home Rec Council football game on Oct. 7, the Rocket season will close on Oct. 14 with their final game in Marcellus. HRC is looking forward to basketball; the girls 3rd through 6th grade basketball sign-ups will begin the week after. Expect updates soon.

Upcoming meetings

The Hartford Public Schools Board of Education will meet next on Monday, Oct. 23, in the Hartford Public Schools Central Office, and on Monday, Nov. 6. Public are welcome to attend. Please contact the Hartford School Board prior to the meeting if you plan to address the board, or you can register on site before the meeting begins. The public is welcome to speak during the meeting when registered and only during the portion that public comments are addressed within the agenda.