www.newbuffalotimes.com
10 THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2022
SCHOLASTICS
New Buffalo school board approves employment of new band director
M
embers of the New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education approved the hiring of Ayrielle Hoyt in the position of high school band director at their Monday, July 28, meeting. Hoyt will be replacing former director Christina Baumann, who resigned in June after accepting a position at the Lakeshore School District. “She has big shoes to fill but I think she’s up to the task – she has a great background,” New Buffalo Area Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Leslie said, adding that there were nine applicants. He added that Hoyt has worked for smaller school districts such as New Buffalo as well as bigger ones, like in South Bend. Hoyt said she taught band at Riley High School in South Bend for eight years and taught band for grades sixth through 12 down near Carbondale, Illinois, for four years before that. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in music education from Illinois State University in Bloomington, Illinois.
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
Per the handbook, under “I’m really excited to be here – I got to meet a lot of kids certain circumstances, today for pre band camp, so I the students can sign a was really excited to just jump “probation contract” and right in and get started,” Hoyt then they can play once they said. Board members approved the 2022-2023 Athletic Handbook. Board member Heather Black alluded to a discussion they’d had at the June meeting about the minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. The following is stated in the handbook: Superintendent Dr. Jeff Leslie welcomes Ayrielle Hoyt to the district “Students must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and have come here “while working passed four of five classes in toward obtaining the GPA the previous trimester in order requirement; however, at to begin competition at the beginning of their sport season. all times, a student must maintain the minimum set by If a student does not have a 2.0 the MHSAA, which is 66% of or better GPA, he/she will be courses enrolled.” ineligible for competition until The handbook also states the the mid-term grade check.” following: “Beginning at the Students with less than a three-week mark, if a student2.0 GPA can appeal his/her athlete is failing a course, he/ eligibility status to the athletic she will be referred to the director, the principal, and the student advocate.” superintendent.
“They’ll have the support we got between small classes, homework club, the technology, our teachers, we got awesome teachers - so they’re able to bring their grades up,” Leslie said. In a statement after the meeting, Leslie said that students that move in from other districts may come in with a lower GPA.
H
e added that he didn’t feel it was fair to “punish” students from other districts, who he said may not have been in that position of struggling with their grades if they’d been starting at New Buffalo from the “get go.” Leslie added that once the students arrive at New Buffalo and “get here with everything that we’ve got,” they’ll be able to raise their grades. Leslie added that grades will be checked every week, something that Morgan
Motycka, assistant to the athletic director, shouldn’t have a problem doing. Board members accepted the resignation letter from Melissa Ashdown, who worked in the custodial department. Leslie said she has a “great attitude” and is a “hard worker” and that it’s unfortunate she must relocate from the area. Board members approved the employment of both Madeline Selby and Julie Wamser in the position of a paraprofessional. Board members approved hiring the following band camp 2022 employees, pending background approval: Samuel Loomis, woodwind and Chase Ehlert, brass (Leslie said that they worked at band camp previously). Board members approved the resolution of the four-year lease of computer equipment from Apple, Inc. Leslie said Apple requires them to do this annually and that it’s already been budgeted for in the 20222023 fiscal year budget. The following lunch prices for 2022-2023 were approved: elementary, $2.75; middle/ high school, $3 and adult lunch price to be determined.
A star brand is current or you would call it fashionable. It is edgy, it has sex appeal, it is modern. In some way, it fulfils a fantasy. It is so new and unique, you want to buy it. — Bernard Arnault
