MENTONE – Monday’s Tippecanoe Valley School Board meeting was Hal Hoffman’s last as a member. At the end of the meeting, Superintendent Brett Boggs and the board recognized Hoffman for his 12-1/2 years of service. Tom Craft defeated Hoffman for the District 2 school board seat in the November general election. Hoffman’s term officially ends Jan. 31. Hoffman’s first of three terms began July 1, 2000, according to Boggs. Boggs listed several significant accomplishments in the school corporation which took place during Hoffman’s time on the board. A Guaranteed Energy Savings Project was completed at Akron Elementary School at the end of 2000. At the start of the 2003-04 school year, Burket Elementary students were transferred to Mentone Elementary. The Burket school became Burket Educational Center and houses the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation Academy for alternative education. During its first 10 years, Boggs said more than 170 Burket students graduated with a diploma. “I dare say without Burket, many of those students would not graduate,” Boggs said. The 2005-06 school year saw the completion of a major renovation and construction project at the high school. In summer 2006, the high school’s eight existing tennis courts were removed and replaced. Considerable excavation and drainage work also was completed prior to the courts’ completion, and new lighting was installed. A new wastewater treatment plant was constructed adjacent to the existing wastewater treatment plant in winter 2006-07. During summer 2007, a new multi-purpose facility for concessions, ticket booth and restrooms was constructed at the main entrance of the high school football field. An Energy Savings Project was completed during spring and summer 2009 at Burket. Then in March 2011, the school board approved the construction of a wind turbine on the campus of the high school and middle school. “The purpose was to offset energy costs and generate revenue for Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation,” Boggs said. He said that was a list of just some of the things the board accomplished in Hoffman’s time. President Mark Wise said the board appreciated the time Hoffman served. If Valley needed to bargain anything down on prices, Hoffman was the “go-to guy” because he wasn’t afraid to do it, Wise said. Hoffman said, “I just want to thank the board. We all got along well and it’s good to be on a board like that.” He said Valley was lucky to have Boggs and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Daniel Kramer. “Just thanks to everyone,” Hoffman concluded.
