Hagerstown Jr./Sr. High students have a new club empowering them to make positive, healthy choices.
During their Oct. 15 meeting, Nettle Creek school board members approved the Students Against Destructive Decisions club. It will be open to seventh through 12th grades.
The club promotes safe driving and making responsible decisions, raises awareness of risks, and supports mental health, stress management and healthy coping strategies. It also aims to build a culture of respect, leadership and resilience.
In other business
- The board approved the 2026 budget, bus replacement and capital projects plans and related resolutions.
- Director of Learning Maria Tinkle said Discovery Preschool received “glowing” reviews from its audit and had zero deficiencies. The auditor said the files were the most organized she has seen so far, Tinkle said. She thanked coordinator Andra Solis and staff for their work.
- Hagerstown Elementary received $5,600 to enhance reading comprehension for K-3 students. Funds came from the Hagerstown Hometown Fund through Wayne County Foundation. HES Principal Belinda Locke thanked Chad Lieberman and Marla Lieberman for their help with the grant.
- The board approved the 2025-2026 teacher evaluation manual. Schaeffer said the only substantial change was streamlining teachers’ individual growth plan to align with the district’s focus on school goals and professional development they’re participating in. Nettle Creek Teachers Association was aware of changes.
- The board’s next meetings: Special, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29 (ratify teacher contract); Regular: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12. The public is invited to both at Hagerstown Elementary, 299 N. Sycamore St.
Policies
- First readings were conducted on topics including attendance/academic engagement/truancy prevention; religious instruction attendance form; anti-bullying; parental access to instructional material/surveys; human sexuality instruction consent form template; student suicide prevention/awareness; non-discrimination/anti-harassment; standard of student care/supervision; controlled substance/alcohol testing for commercial driver’s license; medical needs; personal background checks/mandatory reporting; religious release time/credit for religious education; unpaid meals; fundraising/crowdfunding; travel expenses; criminal organization activity; registered sex or violent offenders.
Additional topics included chemical management/preparedness for toxic hazards; environmental health/safety issues; vehicle idling; animals; latchkey programs; meeting audio/video/digital recording; data breach/protection; school facilities use; visitors and parent-family engagement. Others are related to financial procedures and board operations.
- After second reading, policies were approved on topics including distracted driving; adoption of curricular materials; programs for high-ability students; college/university programs; gifts/donations; debt management; reserve/liquidity; and facility/transportation safety.
Personnel
- Hires: Breeanna Hammond, day care assistant; Hayley Charles and Morgan Jackson, on-call substitute teachers; Cheyanne Garringer, on-call substitute teacher and nurse assistant; Victoria Burns, HJSHS instructional assistant
- Coaches: Boys basketball: Tyler Stotler, head; Matt Hileman, varsity/junior varsity assistant; David Cruse, varsity assistant; Noah Dale and Jared Andis, assistants; Evan Smith, volunteer; Pat Brown and Dustin Jones, junior high volunteers; Thorin Stage, seventh grade; Lance Lumpkin, eighth grade; Jimmy Ward, fifth grade; Shawn Murphy and Ryan Cowan, sixth grade; Karsen Scarrette, elementary volunteer. Girls basketball: Brad Catey, head; Evan Lanum, JV; Bruce Charles, varsity assistant; Chad Romack and Clint Moore, junior high; Madilyn Coomes, fifth grade; Jeremy Spicer, sixth grade. Swimming: Jennifer Hill, head; Aaron Turner, varsity assistant; Ryan Hill, swimming/diving; Chris LaMar, junior high; Jeremy Fewell, volunteer; Brooklyn LaMar and Bryce LaMar, junior high volunteers. Wrestling: Anton Payne, head; Michael Payne, JV; Matt Sullivan, junior high assistant; Javin Payne, Garrett Shook, Earl Gilbert and Lenny Payne, volunteers. Winter junior high athletic supervisor: Glen Meek
- Departure: Jeff Becker, HJSHS instructional assistant
A version of this article appeared in the October 29 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.