Nettle Creek collecting food for weekends

Nettle Creek schools are collecting food to send home with students on weekends.

“We are going to ask the community to donate food items for weekend backpacks,” Superintendent Emily Schaeffer told the school board on Oct. 16.

It’s intended to help children who are “food insecure,” meaning that they might not be getting three meals a day. Some get only what meals they eat at school: breakfast and lunch. Through the Communities in School program, some students are given snacks for eating at home in the evening. Schaeffer said the two CIS site coordinators who work in Nettle Creek – Rachel Mull and Meg Mayberry – told her that some students are probably not getting meals on weekends.

Donated food items are being collected at the Nettle Creek School Corporation administration office, 297 E. Northmarket St., from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Staff will put the food into backpacks to be taken home on weekends.

“We’re asking for things that kids are going to eat,” she said, such as microwavable macaroni and cheese and other ready-to-eat nonperishable foods.

During a public comment period at the meeting, Sharon Nash asked about progress toward repairing and replacing Hagerstown Elementary School playground equipment. Some parents had complained about the condition of the equipment during the September board meeting.

Since then, repairs have been made to some equipment.

Estimated replacement costs total $507,631 for the elementary playground and $230,132 for the adjacent preschool playground. HES Principal Tiffani Hokey and Elizabeth Bryant, director of learning, are working on playground plans and funding, Schaeffer said. Board member Julie Blaase gave her a list of grants that might provide playground funding. 

“In a perfect world, we would replace it all at once,” she said. It’s likely that complete replacement will have to be part of a future project financed by a bond issue.

In personnel business, Schaeffer made special mention of the retirement of Jerry Hillman, director of operations. He has served Nettle Creek for more than 31 years, having been director of maintenance, buildings and grounds, and more recently also the transportation director.

“His unwavering commitment to Nettle Creek School Corporation has been an inspiration to us all. His leadership, expertise, and tireless work ethic has made a significant impact on our district,” she said in an email. 

She also commended Mary Randall, a Hagerstown Jr.-Sr. High School English teacher. Randall completed 18 graduate credits to become credentialed to teach dual credit speech. That allows the school to offer that class at HHS instead of sending students to IU East. The class counts towards the Indiana College Core. 

In other business, the board:

• Heard from Sarah Gwin that she and other school bus drivers feel as if their work is misunderstood and that school personnel don’t listen to their concerns. Board President Shaun Lieberman said he hopes Gwin will share specific concerns with him and other board members. 
• Approved Nettle Creek’s 2025 overall budget, bus replacement plan and capital projects plan. 
• Announced the start of contract negotiations with the Nettle Creek Teachers Association. Representing the NCTA, Glen Meek said collective bargaining should be quick and smooth.

Personnel changes:

Noncertified staff: Sarah Cross, HHS instructional assistant; Vicki Mahaffey, long-term substitute.

Retirement: Jerry Hillman, director of operations.

Departures: Beth Overfield, BPA; Haley Dickerson, HES instructional assistant; Kim Werking, part-time custodian; Jaycie Bevans and Christina Palmer, on-call substitute teachers;

Extracurricular activities: Mark Linderman, BPA; Elizabeth Stracener, academic team coordinator; Mark Doerstler, varsity boys basketball coach; Matt Hileman, varsity and junior varsity boys basketball assistant; Jason Ervin, varsity boys basketball assistant; David Cruse and Barry Miller, boys freshman basketball; Lance Lumpkin, junior high boys basketball (seventh); Brad Tinkle, junior high boys basketball (eighth); Jennifer Hill, varsity swim; Andrew Turner, varsity swim assistant; Paige Stuart, swimming and dive coach; Jennifer Hill and Andrew Turner, junior high swim; Anton Payne, wrestling; Michael Payne, JV wrestling; Matt Sullivan, wrestling assistant; Brad Catey, varsity girls basketball coach; Evan Lanum, JV girls basketball; Bruce Charles, varsity girls basketball assistant; Chad Romack and Annie Koontz, junior high girls basketball; Shaun Murphy and Ryan Cowan, fifth grade boys basketball; David Muse, sixth grade boys basketball; Madilyn Coomes, sixth grade girls basketball; Craig Gwin, fifth grade girls basketball; Glen Meek, winter junior high athletic supervision.

ECA volunteers: Kelly Bicknell, boys basketball; Dustin Jones and Pat Alred, junior high boys basketball; Clinton Moore, girls basketball; Garrett Shook, wrestling.

The board’s next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, in the Hagerstown Elementary LGI room, 299 N. Sycamore St. The public may attend.