New Buffalo school board approves employment of special education teachers, new social worker

SCHOLASTICS

New Buffalo school board approves employment of special education teachers, new social worker

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Members of the New Buffalo Area Schools Board of Education approved the employment of two new special education teachers and a social worker at their Monday, Oct. 24, meeting. that’s being constructed across from the middle/high school. The bid of $22,800.00 from L&S Metal Recycling for the demolition of property located at 12332 Lubke Road was accepted. Lindley said this is the Conway property and will

At the last meeting, interim superintendent Dr. Michael Lindley said that the state legislature has allocated some additional funds and that the district’s counselors, student advocate and social worker would like the board to consider hiring another social worker. He’d also talked with personnel about the possible need to add to two new special education teachers.

“We’re required by law to do this according to our numbers but based upon our student needs, we think it’s important,” he said.

He added that because of the additional revenues that are coming from state, a lot of people are seeking social workers and special education teachers and “hopefully, we can be a very attractive district and attract the right people.”

Board members approved the resignation of Rodney Wash, Bison After School Enrichment (BASE) director, effective Oct. 14.

In his resignation letter, Wash had requested a hearing in front of the board that’s applicable under his contract. Lindley said he assured Wash of his rights under Policy 9130.

Board members accepted the gift of $12,645.50 from New Buffalo Township, toward the purchase and installation of a safety sign at New Buffalo Elementary School. This gift is half of the cost, and the district will assume the rest of the cost, with Section 97 grant funding. The township has also offered to order and coordinate the installation.

The purchase of two safety signs at the middle/high school for the same price as the one at the elementary school was also approved.

The signs will be blue toothed enabled, as well as can be programmed to have the light come on for students who are going back and forth across the street from the future STEAM building or the pickleball and tennis courts as well as at the beginning and end of the school day.

Board members approved the purchase of a 3D printer from Raise3D Technologies, Inc. for the STEAM building be used as the Building Trades site next year. He added that he hopes to begin looking at the entire property as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) and will bring it to the board when it’s decided. During public comment, parent Donna Messinger said that a stop needs to be put to the “ongoing lies” that are spreading about Critical Race Theory (CRT) and sex education being taught at the elementary school. Patrick Kennedy, who’s running for a four-year term, said he believes that parents should be the “sole decision makers for a child” and they should have a say in the school’s curriculum. He added that, as far as a he knows, “we are not discussing sex ed with community members at the elementary ages.”

The hiring of Nathaniel Tripp Jr., in the position of junior boys’ basketball coach for the 22-23 school year was approved.

Board members adopted the 2023 Summer Tax Resolution.

Linda Wash, wife of Rodney, said he “took the BASE program that had 60 students to almost 100 students enrolled in BASE today,” as well as “implemented and run the sports program, coached JV boys’ basketball, and developed lasting relationships with staff, students, and community members.”

“He has created opportunities for his staff for professional learning related to their job in afterschool. You would think the same thing would happen if Rodney would have been given a two-week notice,” Linda said, adding that he was instead faced with a “ultimatum to resign or be terminated.”

“The problem you have is still in that building, it will never be resolved until you address the issue,” she added. Lindley said that a grand opening for the STEAM building will take place Dec. 6, with the board approving it taking place from 5-7 p.m. Lindley said he hopes students and instructors will be involved and there will be displays.

HIKERS TREKKING THROUGH MADELINE BERTRAND COUNTY PARK THIS WEEKEND

The Harbor Country Hikers will hike the trails of Madeline Bertrand County Park in the second of its annual fall visits to Berrien County parks Saturday, Oct. 29. The event will begin at 2 p.m. and is expected to last about two hours. Led by the park, Derek Pelc, the park’s chief naturalist, the 2.5-mile hike will take attendees through Madeline Bertrand’s 121 acres of pine and oak forests, and along a bluff overlooking the St. Joseph River.

Physical difficulty for this hike is rated moderate, with some hills and a riverbank. The Hikers recommends participants wear long pants (preferably tucked in), a sun hat, sturdy shoes or boots and insect repellent, and to bring plenty of water. Though membership in the Hikers is preferred, the public is welcome at this event. An allterrain rollator--a wheeled walker with oversized tires for unpaved surfaces--is available on request, on a first-come, first-served basis, by emailing harborcountryhikers@ gmail.com.

For driving directions and other details, visit harborcountryhikers. com or Harbor Country Hikers on

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New Buffalo Times

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE — SINCE 1942 —

Bison volleyball team places third in conference tournament

BY STAN MADDUX

The New Buffalo High School girls’ volleyball team placed third in their conference Buffalo defenders with 34 and 17 digs respectively. Funk, defensively, added 15 digs. Other major contributors tournament hosted by River Valley High School Saturday, Oct. 22.

The Lady Bison (20-13-3) won their first match in a finger nail biter against Howardsville Christian.

New Buffalo lost the first game 25-21 but won the final two games 25-22 and 15-13.

The Lady Bison went on to get swept in two games by Michigan Lutheran 25-16 and 25-19.

New Buffalo and Lake Michigan Catholic advanced to the consolation round in the seven team Berrien Cass St. Joseph Conference tournament.

The Lady Bison lost the first game 25-22 against LMC but took the match by winning the final two games 25-21 and 15-10.

River Valley defeated Michigan Lutheran for conference tournament championship.

Sophomore Jane Funk and junior Ava Johnson, as they have all season, led the Lady Bison offense.

For the whole tournament, Funk had 20 kills while Johnson dished out 29 assists.

Senior Ellie Cybulski had her best performance of the season, perhaps, with 12 kills and three blocked shots.

Amanda Jones and Liz Schmock, both seniors, led New for New Buffalo included sophomores Benita Puskinigus with seven kills and seven blocked shots to go with two aces and Cassidy Saunders, who had 11 kills. Head Coach Bruce Molineaux said he was especially pleased with how Cybulski and Saunders attacked the ball to give his team a more balanced offense. Funk has been the primary hard striker all season. “It’s good to see some other players put the ball down besides Jane,” he said.

New Buffalo opens the district tournament Nov. 2 against Lake Michigan Catholic.

The Lady Bison are hoping to make a solid run but have fallen short to Michigan Lutheran each time during the season and, recently, were swept by River Valley.

Molineaux is not ruling out his team’s chances but feels his players have to cut down on mistakes.

“Anything can happen. Whoever makes the most mistakes usually loses.

The district tournament this year is being held at Michigan Lutheran.

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

I’m beginning to believe that up

is really down. That summer is capable of interrupting autumn. That it’s an upset if the favorite wins. Our topsy turvy sports world mirrors our society in ways that heretofore seemed impossible. What in the world is happening?

The Bulls opened their season with an impressive road victory over the Miami Heat. Missing both Lonzo Ball and Zach Lavine, the Bulls won going away 116108. Visions of championships danced in fans heads. Then, after a day off, they fell behind the Washington Wizards by 17, but mounted a furious comeback and tied the game. Unfortunately, there was no magical ending as the Wizards prevailed by a score of 102-100. After playing their first two games on the road, the Bulls came home to play the Cleveland Cavaliers and Zach returned to the lineup. This was a game the Bulls were favored to win, but it was not to be. The Cavs took control early and blew out the Bulls 128-96. So after only three games, the Bulls won a game nobody expected them to and lost a game most people expected them to win. This could be one roller coaster of a season.

Hey Bears fans. Can you imagine how you would have felt if the team had traded Walter Payton? Unthinkable isn’t it. Christian McCaffrey is not Walter Payton, but he is the best running back currently in the NFL. Fans of the Carolina Panthers found out what it feels like to lose their great running back when the team traded McCaffery to the San Francisco 49ers. Then, because it couldn’t possibly happen, the 49ers lost and the Panthers won. Also, two of the best quarterbacks ever looked mediocre. Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers teams both lost Sunday and their teams, the Bucs and the Packers both have losing records for the first time since hector was a pup. With all of this weirdness happening, could the Bears actually beat the Patriots on Monday night? By the time you read this, you’ll know. As for me, I’m not sure if any outcome will surprise me.

I’m not finished. The Blackhawks decided to tear apart their team this season and rebuild with youngsters. The consensus is that they will be one of the worst teams in hockey. They lost their first three games and everything looked like it was supposed to look. But not this year. The Blackhawks roared back and won their next three. There isn’t a full moon, is there?

At least the Dodgers and Yankees would face each other in the World Series, right? The Dodgers were heavy favorites and the Yankees always win. Not this year. The Phillies and the Astros will face off instead. The Astros will be favored so Philly fans might want to get ready to celebrate.

Michael Crichton said, “At the edge of chaos, unexpected outcomes occur. The risk to survival is severe.”

Keep smiling. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.