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Special education director outlines services and staffing; parent praises coach and urges parent code of conduct
Summary
Michaela Dennert, Hart Public Schools' Special Education Director, reviewed eligibility, services and staffing challenges; a parent, Don Tucker, praised the volleyball coach and athletic director and suggested the district consider a parent code of conduct. The board also received multiple letters of support for athletics.
At the Dec. 15 Hart Board of Education meeting, Michaela Dennert, the district's Special Education Director, reviewed the special education eligibility process, described services available to students, and discussed the district’s balance between numbers of eligible students and staffing levels, including challenges and recent improvements.
Dennert presented examples of student success stories and outlined procedures the district follows when determining eligibility for special education services. The minutes record the presentation as a report to the board; no vote was required or taken on the program report.
During the public-comment portion, Don Tucker, a Hart Public School District parent, told the board his family was pleased with the volleyball season and commended coach Shawn Bectel and Athletic Director Tim Hertzler for a “student first” approach. Tucker suggested the board consider adopting a code of conduct for parents. The board also received letters from several community members expressing support for the volleyball program and the athletic department.
The minutes indicate Trustee Mike Barefoot arrived while the special education report was being presented. No formal board action on special education programming was recorded in the public minutes; the agenda’s draft minutes are scheduled for approval on Jan. 19, 2026.
