Hastings Area School System’s May Board of Education meeting was held at Hastings Middle School on Monday, May 23, 2022. The evening started with the District’s annual retirement ceremony. This year, nine staff members retired from Hastings Area School System with a combined total of 255 years of dedicated service. Judy Way (31.5 years), Kristen Laubaugh (23.25 years), Sheree Newell (26 years), Marshall Evans (37 years), Shari Barker (30 years), Joni Sauers (24.75 years), Jillana Withey (31 years), Angelia Sixberry (25 years) and Catherine Longstreet (26.5 years) have made outstanding contributions to HASS, and they will certainly be
missed.

The Board is required to take action on the Barry Intermediate School District general fund budget for the 2022-2023 school year. Rich Franklin, Superintendent of the BISD presented and answered questions for the HASS Board. The Hastings Board of Education approved contracts with the Hastings Education and the Bus Driver’s Associations through June 30, 2025. Furthermore, the contract with Grand Rapids Building Services was extended through next school year. 

The Hastings Board also approved second readings on updated policies from NEOLA, and accepted donations from the Hastings Educational Enrichment Foundation in the amount of $5,506 to help defray transportation costs for field trips, scholastic resources in the classroom, and literacy materials.

A public hearing on the proposed 2022-2023 budget will be held on Monday, June 27, 2022 at 6:45 p.m. in the Hastings Middle School Commons followed by the June Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 p.m.