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Board approves several new hires including Spanish and art teachers for 2026–27
Summary
Trustees approved recommended hires: a certified Spanish teacher, a grow-your-own special education teacher, and a certified art teacher, all effective August 14, 2026; trustees praised the additions and highlighted benefits for language and special-education services.
The board voted to approve the superintendent’s recommended hires for the 2026–27 school year, including Juan Alvarez Harkine as certified Spanish teacher at Fair Plain Middle School, Gwendolyn Tynes as a grow-your-own special education teacher at Benton Harbor High School, and William Schmidt as certified art teacher at Benton Harbor High School. The hires were presented under staff report H-2 and confirmed by roll-call vote.
Trustees welcomed the additions, noting the district’s growing Hispanic population and the value of certified language instruction. Board members said the hires supported the district’s personnel leadership goal to recruit and retain staff to improve student outcomes. The motion to approve the employment recommendations was moved by Trustee Bradley and supported by Vice President Barnes.
The board expressed appreciation for the hiring work and asked staff to communicate with new hires about start dates and onboarding prior to Aug. 14.
