AKRON – Most budget hearings aren’t very emotional, but the Tippecanoe Valley School board meeting Thursday night was.
Along with the budget hearing, the board approved several hirings and resignations, including the resignation of Technology Director Brad Hagg.
Board member Bryan Murphy jokingly said he wanted to make a motion to not accept Hagg’s resignation.
Hagg has been the technology director for Valley for 14 years. His resignation is effective Monday as he begins his job as chief technology officer with Warsaw Community Schools Tuesday.
In his resignation letter, Hagg states, “I come to the sudden realization that there is no way I can ever fully convey my deepest gratitude to the school board, administration, students and patrons of Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation for giving me the opportunity to serve as your technology director since December of 1998.”
Hagg’s letter reviews some of the technological changes that occurred at Valley since he took the job when he was 26 years old. Those changes include adding high-speed Internet, projectors and document cameras in every classroom.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work and serve in the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. Your support and encouragement has always been most welcomed and appreciated. I can not fully express here how incredible it has been to report to Dr. Kramer and Mr. Boggs. Both are men of deep integrity and character,” the letter continues. “They have taught me so much over my time here and it has been an honor to know and work with them.”
Dr. Dan Kramer is the assistant superintendent, and Brett Boggs is the superintendent.
Board member Rod Eaton told Hagg he remembered the meeting where the board hired him and how much they were paying him.
“We were going into a gray area when we did that,” Eaton said. “These years has just whizzed by.”
“He’s not 26 anymore,” Mark Wise, board president, remarked.
That first year, Eaton continued, the board gave him a hard time. However, Eaton acknowledged Hagg has done a lot for Valley.
“When he told us you were being interviewed for this, I personally wouldn’t fault you. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Eaton said. “It would be nice if you told us who would take your place. We do appreciate all you have done for us.”
Boggs said when you look at school districts the size of Valley, people are amazed at the technology it uses. Hagg understood not only technology, but also the educational aspects of it, he said.
“We’re going to miss Brad something terrible,” Boggs said. “He’s highly respected in our corporation. He’s one of those people you never hear anything bad about. He’s one of those people who always lends a hand. Warsaw is getting a good man.”
“I wish Brad the best of luck,” Dave O’Brien, board member, said. “I think Warsaw is getting a good man.”
“I meant everything in my resignation letter,” Hagg responded. “It’s the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life.”
Whoever Valley gets to replace him, Hagg said Valley needs to hire a technology director who not only knows hardware, software and networking, but also someone who can be a visionary.
Hagg’s wife, Aimee, and two children also were at the meeting.
Aimee told the board, “I personally wanted to come here tonight and thank you. You were our family before we had a family.”
The board then unanimously and reluctantly approved Hagg’s resignation.
The purpose of the special meeting was the public budget hearing, though no members of the public were present.
The total 2012 advertised budget was $21,990,723. The 2013 preliminary budget, which was advertised twice, is $22,421,594.
The budget includes five separate funds: debt service, capital projects, transportation, general and bus replacement.
The debt service fund budget for 2013 was advertised at $3,002,967; capital projects at $2,194,624; transportation, $1,585,543; bus replacement, $285,000; and general fund, $15,353,460.
The adoption of the 2013 budget is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Mentone Elementary School.
Hagg also showed the board the “Wind Turbine Information Center” the public can view through Valley’s website at http://www.tvsc.k12.in.us/
It provides a view of the current performance from Valley’s wind turbine, answers to frequently asked questions, current weather conditions at Valley and monthly performance reports of the wind turbine. It is a work in progress.
The board also approved the hiring of: Brittani Bush, physical education and health teacher, Tippecanoe Valley High School; Benjamin Kawsky, science teacher, TVHS; Ashlee Parker, kindergarten teacher, Mentone Elementary; Sydnie Reed, first-grade teacher, Akron Elementary; and Tammy Stoneburner, part-time custodian, TVHS.
Other resignations approved included: Cassandra Cook, secretary, Burket Education Center; Melanie Lowman, head swimming and diving coach, TVHS; and Erin Proskey, assistant principal, TVHS.
