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Martin Board of Education approves hires, policy updates and equipment purchases at Aug. 12 meeting
Summary
At its Aug. 12 meeting and annual budget hearing, the Martin Board of Education unanimously approved multiple personnel hires and coaching assignments, updates to the Safe Return and Title IX policies, a snow‑plow bid and purchase of two 10‑passenger vans; trustees also heard bond and safety‑training updates.
The Martin Board of Education met Aug. 12 in the Martin Public Schools media center for its annual budget hearing and monthly business, unanimously approving a slate of personnel hires, policy updates and equipment purchases.
Superintendent Samantha Ball presented updates to the district’s Safe Return to In‑Person Instruction and Continuity of Services plan for 2024‑25; after a public input period with no comments the board approved the updates on a unanimous vote (motion by President Conley, supported by Trustee Dykstra). The board also approved personnel recommendations including the nonrenewal of Amber Hoekstra and hiring of Maecy Lafountaine (custodian); Andrea Dill (elementary paraprofessional/district substitute and 7th‑grade volleyball coach); Joshua Mahaney (middle/high school teacher); Tanner Curry (athletic director); and Justin Cooper (custodian). Trustees voted unanimously to accept the personnel slate (motion by President Conley, supported by Treasurer Brinkhuis).
The board approved the district’s 2024‑25 fall coaching staff, which the administration presented as follows: Brad Blauvelt (varsity football head coach); Keith Snyder (varsity football assistant); Randy Hunt (JV football head coach); Zach Hettinger (JV football assistant); Garret Dill, Tanner Curry and Matt Blauvelt (football assistant coaches, volunteers); Jason Lavorn (middle school football head coach); Scott Andrews (middle school football assistant); Logan Malling (varsity volleyball head coach); Sandi Bronkema (JV volleyball head coach); Shannon Goddard (8th grade volleyball); Andrea Dill (7th grade volleyball); Kristin Evers (varsity cross country); and Sarah Hayes (middle school cross country). The motion to approve the fall coaching staff carried by unanimous vote.
Board members approved a recommended snow‑plow bid for the 2024‑25 season and accepted handbook updates for the coming school year, each by unanimous vote.
The administration presented and the board approved a Title IX policy update; trustees also approved the purchase of two 10‑passenger vans for district use. Both motions passed unanimously with no recorded dissent.
Earlier in the meeting, consultants Andrew Howard of Tower Pinkster and Joe Klein of Christman Construction delivered a bond progress update; Deputy Klein described recent safety work and trainings conducted for staff, including boater safety, planning for an off‑road vehicle safety class and an assailant‑response session for new employees.
Principal Becca Lynema reported that schedules were nearly complete, band camp concluded successfully and the district added a color guard; she noted football players were attending an out‑of‑town camp and that the senior sunrise event is scheduled for Aug. 19 at 6:30 a.m. Superintendent Ball provided a brief update on her SMART goals.
Members’ comments were brief and appreciative of staff. President Conley praised district leaders, saying, “Sam and Becca are amazing, they had a tough situation, and they handled it with grace and patience,” and added that she was encouraged by enrollment numbers for the new year. The meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
Votes at a glance: all formal motions recorded in the meeting were approved unanimously (Ayes: T. Beilby; B. Branch; J. Brinkhuis; M. Conley; J. Dykstra; E. Curry; V. Tuinstra).
