Hancock School Board appoints interim superintendent
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HANCOCK -- During a special meeting on Monday, the Hancock School Board unanimously approved the nomination of High School Principal/Athletic Director Chris Salani as interim superintendent until the Board can post and fill the position.
The Board also accepted the Monday afternoon resignation of Dale Kero from his position as Board President and appointed Charlie Klein to finish the term of former board member Randy Heinonen, who resigned his position sometime between June and July, 2023. The term expires in December, 2024. With Kero's resignation Monday, Catherine Jordan, who was vice president, became president. According to Jordan, Kero stated the reason of his resignation was to spend more time with family.
Jordan addressed the audience of approximately 100, saying the Board needs to appoint someone to the position of interim superintendent to assume the responsiblities of the superintendent position until a qualified person is hired permanently to the position.
"After the reviewing the by-laws and seeking the advice of the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB)," Jordan said, "the interim superintendent can or cannot be a current employee of the district."
She said that even though somebody from outside of the (school) district can be appointed, it is typically a principal.
"The district currently has many balls in the air," said Jordan. "We are in the middle of projects with the buildings, finalizing the details of the McAfee Field purchase, working with the bond, hiring new faculty and staff and, most importantly, getting ready to welcome our students for the new school year."
The Board, she said, is not required to post the position of the interim superintendent. Due to the timely need of someone in that position, however, Jordan recommended appointing one of the school district's principals to the position, then post the position for a permanent superintendent immediately.
Jordan said she had spoken with all three principals, who agreed to assume the interim position.
Barkell Elementary Principal Dan Vaara has held the position in the past, said Jordan, but relayed that he is primarily available for signing paperwork as needed. Hanna Asiala, Middle School Principal, said she would assist in the situation but with support when working with the many things going on in the district.
"Chris Salani feels he has a good pulse on everything happening right now and says he's been helping when needed since Dr. (Steve) Patchin has resigned," Jordan said. "He has no hesitation being the interim superintendent."
Jordan then invited further discussion with the other board members. After a discussion, Trustee Rod Paavola entered the motion to appoint Salani, which was seconded by Trustee Wendy Chynoweth.
"I would like to add as part of the discussion now," Jordan said, "that we work out the details with Chris, but the intent, again, is to post the position immediately and start doing a quality search."
After another brief discussion, the motion carried.