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Hart Board approves Michigan Model sex-education curriculum, denies Section 31 aa funding after public comments on volleyball program
Summary
At its Nov. 17 meeting, the Hart Board of Education approved the Michigan Model sexuality curriculum for grades 9–12, approved several personnel and pay items, and voted to deny Section 31 aa funding; parents and students raised concerns about the high school volleyball program and hiring processes.
The Hart Board of Education on Nov. 17 voted to approve the Michigan Model for Health Education in Sexuality Curriculum for grades 9–12 and denied a request for Section 31 aa funding, while also hearing public comments about the high school volleyball program.
The board approved the sexuality curriculum in a 7–0 vote after a motion by Board member Kayla Dennert and a second by Board member Andy Carter. The board recorded that it would seek an additional sex-education option and will revisit the topic in April.
Parents and students used the public-comment period to raise concerns about the volleyball program. Cathy Carrier and Janice Gooding, described in the record as a parent and a grandparent of Hart Public Schools students, asked the board to review the hiring process for coaches and the athletic director. Students Calyn Eisenlohr and Makenna Carrier told the board they experienced mental-health impacts while participating on this year’s team; Gooding requested a formal review of hiring procedures.
The board also approved a number of routine consent and personnel items. It approved the Oct. 20, 2025 meeting minutes and authorized payment of bills by unanimous vote. The board approved a special-education teacher assignment for Michaela Dennert; that motion, moved by Andy Carter and seconded by Mike Barefoot, passed with a recorded abstention: Kayla Dennert was noted as "Abstain (With Conflict)." The board approved Head Start longevity pay for 2025–26 by unanimous vote.
During discussion items, district staff member Kelli Campagna presented two proposed 2026 meeting schedules and asked the board to add superintendent-search dates; Campagna said Mark Dobias, who is leading the superintendent search, plans to attend the December meeting to release a preliminary posting. The board entered a closed session at 6:40 P.M. for attorney advice and reconvened at 7:29 P.M.; Trustee Mike Barefoot left before the end of closed session and was absent for a later vote.
In the late agenda, the board voted to deny Section 31 aa funding as presented. The motion, made by Andy Carter and seconded by Steve Riley, passed with the record showing Trustee Barefoot absent for that vote.
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M. The board’s next scheduled actions include revisiting sex-education options in April and receiving a preliminary superintendent-search posting at the December meeting.
