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Board approves teacher and administrative hires; proposed buildings-and-grounds director fails amid experience concerns
Summary
The board approved four teacher hires and an administrative assistant. A separate motion to hire Dan Douglas as director of buildings and grounds failed after board members questioned his certifications and experience overseeing sinking-fund projects.
Milan Area Schools Board of Education — The board approved several personnel appointments at its June 25 meeting and rejected a proposed hire for director of buildings and grounds after extended discussion.
What passed: The board unanimously approved four teaching hires for the 2025–26 school year — Mary Hagley (kindergarten), Gerald Wodowski (fifth-grade teacher consultant), Sarah Vaughn (resource-room teacher, grades 6–7) and Daniella Faye (seventh-grade science) — on a motion by Farrow with support from Haika. The board also approved Sarah Beckman as administrative assistant to the superintendent and board, effective July 1, 2025, and approved a salary-schedule amendment included in attachment D (moved by Pryor, supported by Gutierrez). Both personnel items passed 7–0.
Contested hire: The board considered moving Dan Douglas into a newly defined director of buildings-and-grounds position and approving a salary schedule amendment in attachment E. That motion (moved by Gutierrez, supported by Marais/Marie) generated sustained comment from board members who said the position had been benchmarked to MSBO (Michigan School Business Officials) standards and that the candidate did not hold an MSBO certification or the 5–7 years of supervisory construction experience referenced as preferred. Some members cited strong references and the candidate’s potential to pursue certification; others said the compensation level and responsibilities (including overseeing sinking‑fund projects and bid packages) required those credentials. Roll call recorded three yes votes (Marie, Syslo, Gutierrez) and four no votes (Haika, Pryor, Burdette, Farrow); the motion failed.
Why it matters: Board members tied the failed motion to concerns about stewardship of sinking‑fund dollars and contractor oversight. The board asked administration and HR to return with alternative options or revised criteria for the role.
Next steps: Human resources and administration will re-evaluate the candidate pool or revise the position description and bring options back to the board.
