Superintendent introduces new hires; district to continue universal meals through Sept. 30 while awaiting legislative action

Superintendent Chuck Hughes introduced a slate of new hires and rehires for the coming school year and provided an update on the district's student meal program and potential changes depending on state legislative action.

Hughes introduced new staff who will join Heartland schools this fall, including McKenna Kalimenek (music teacher at Creekside), Jacob Yancho (Village Elementary), Neely King (long-term fourth-grade hire), Erin Quinn (second grade, returning Heartland teacher) and Kristin Memmering (sixth-grade math). Several speakers welcomed the hires; new employees introduced themselves and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to work in the district.

On school meals, Hughes said the district has been providing breakfast and lunch to all students through funding that has covered universal meals. "Up until September 30, the end of the fiscal year, we will feed breakfast and lunch to all of the students that want to eat at school," he told the board. Hughes said the district is awaiting legislative decisions that will determine whether a universal program continues after Sept. 30. The superintendent urged families to complete free-and-reduced applications regardless of current universal coverage because those applications drive federal funding such as Title I and Title II.

District staff said if the legislature does not extend universal meals, the district will return to a paid model beginning Oct. 1 and will present any necessary price or policy changes at a future board meeting. The administration noted the last lunch-price adjustment occurred in February 2019 and that meal policy or pricing proposals would return for board approval if needed.

The board did not take action on staffing items at this meeting beyond introductions; several potential emergency hires were discussed as possible interim administrative actions if candidates are hired before the next meeting.