Hillsdale board hires new athletic director and approves multiple staff appointments

The Hillsdale Community Schools Board of Education voted July 15 to hire several staff and finalize the salary schedule for a new Athletic Director/Dean of Students.

The board approved the hire of Josh Sepanik as Athletic Director and Dean of Students. Board member Kathy Petersen moved the hire, and Eric Moore supported the motion; the board voted 7-0 to approve Sepanik's appointment.

In separate motions the board approved multiple classroom and food-service appointments. Leslie Bennett‑Granata moved and Rebecca Portteus supported hiring Alicia Cully as an art teacher at DMS; that motion passed 7-0. Kathy Petersen moved, with Dan LaRue supporting, to hire Michelle Packer as an education assistant at Bailey; that motion passed 7-0.

Food-service hires approved by 7-0 votes included Becky Barnett for a three-hour food-service position at Hillsdale High School, Caitlin Haylett for a four-hour position at Gier, Melissa Zaharias as cook manager at Gier, and Karen Hawkins for a five-hour food-service position at HHS. The board also approved the Athletic Director/Dean of Students salary schedule as presented after a motion by Petersen supported by Bennett‑Granata.

Superintendent Ted Davis had earlier reported routine personnel notes, including a two-year retirement notice from Lorie Dickinson, the resignation of Tennille Fenstermaker (Adult Education teacher) effective June 28, and an FMLA leave for night custodian Kimerlee Farnham from May 16 to Aug. 20.

The personnel decisions were procedural votes taken during the meeting; no further public testimony or debate on the individual hires was recorded. The board adjourned at 6:28 p.m.