Assistant Superintendent Jami Hintz presents student-made mugs as retiree gifts

Jami Hintz, assistant superintendent of human resources for the Sheboygan Area School District, described a program to give retiring employees handmade mugs glazed by high school art students. She said she reached out to the high school art teachers and that the proposed mugs would be "as unique as the person that would be receiving it."

Hintz said the project is designed to give students a tangible connection to the district and to past teachers. "Students gain an understanding of connection with our school itself and also with past teachers," she said, adding that students "really enjoy the process to be able to share their talents with others."

She emphasized the educational value of hands-on art: "I think art is essential for every human, especially in this digital world to have students be able to create with their hands, experiment with different types of media." Hintz said the glazing process is spontaneous and unpredictable, which she described as part of the project's value: "No two are alike. This is not something you can buy in a store."

Hintz framed the mugs as more than a retirement present. She said the project "captures what we are SASD is all about," bringing together students, teachers and departments to create a meaningful thank-you to employees who have "put in their years of service." The district did not specify how many mugs will be made, which retirees will receive them, or the timeline for production.

The presentation focused on the program's educational benefits and symbolic purpose; no formal action or vote was recorded in the transcript.