Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Houghton-Portage Township School District Board President Nels Christopherson discusses the district’s superintendent search during Monday’s board meeting. Elementary School Principal Anders Hill, the only applicant for the position, will be interviewed for the position at a board meeting next month.

HOUGHTON — The one applicant for the Houghton-Portage Township School District superintendent position will formally interview for the job next month.

Elementary School Principal Anders Hill will take questions from board members at a special meeting 6 p.m. Nov. 9, which will be followed by the regular board meeting.

Hill has been with the district since 2013, when he was hired as principal. Before coming to Houghton, Hill spent five years as principal at several schools in Menominee.

Superintendent Doreen Kramer announced last month she would be retiring at the end of the semester.

The board also heard from Kramer that the widespread supply chain disruptions are also impacting the district. Twice recently, Food Service Director Shelby Turnquist has had to change meals from what was on the menu, which could happen again, Kramer said.

“Shelby’s very resourceful and she can plan accordingly,” she said. “And we do have some excess things, but sometimes we are short in other areas and she’ll have to shop at the last minute for something.”

Technology was also delayed. Kramer showed the board Chromebooks on the table that had just arrived after being ordered last summer. They are now being distributed to students.

The district also received $134,000 in emergency connectivity funds for 400 Chromebooks and laptops to be purchased by the end of the school year.

Hill discussed upcoming activities at the elementary school, including the Halloween parade Oct. 28. For the first time, first-grade students will take a bus to hold a Halloween parade at the Bluffs. Wednesday and Thursday, the Houghton Fire Department will bring a truck to give presentations to kindergarten through second-grade students.

High School Principal Cole Klein also reported on SAT results for last year’s juniors, who outpaced the state and national averages. Their average scores also improved in every area over their earlier PSAT tests.

“That really shows the growth that happened in a challenging year where students found themselves at home a few separate times for extended times due to COVID, and our teachers found themselves teaching behind the camera in an empty classroom,” Klein said.

In other action, the board:

— Was introduced to new high school English teacher Andrea Jeannotte, who is teaching English 9 and AP Literature. She previously taught for almost four years in Gaylord, Michigan.

— Approved Mike Baril as head junior varsity hockey coach and Jeff Finger as assistant varsity hockey coach.

— Recognized National Principal’s Month.