Special education director position reinstated at Sturgis Public Schools

Michelle Patrick, Sturgis Journal
·1 min read

STURGIS — Members of the Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education recently reinstated its special education director position.

Sturgis school board members filled out their own Zones of Regulation sheets during a presentation by Congress Elementary behavioral interventionist David Smith.
Sturgis school board members filled out their own Zones of Regulation sheets during a presentation by Congress Elementary behavioral interventionist David Smith.

Earlier this year, the board had approved a new, expanded position called special populations coordinator, which was to combine special education services with those of ESL (English as a second language).

Most recently, Assistant Superintendent Nicole Gittinger had taken on responsibilities of special education coordinator, along with help from four special education lead teachers.

At a meeting of the board last week, three separate job descriptions were unveiled: one for assistant superintendent, one for special education director, and one for ESL director.

“I really feel like this is necessary for all three of these jobs to be done well,” board member Emily Halling said Monday, Nov. 21. “These are heavy loads that require a lot of expertise, involvement and knowledge.”

The board voted 7-0 to approve the changes.

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The board also awarded a bid for a roof project at Sturgis High School to Division 7 Building Contractors. The bid, which includes the replacement of the high school entry area roof and kitchen roof, is for $186,731 with a 10 percent contingency, totaling $205,405. Division 7 had been awarded the high school cafeteria roof project that was completed in 2020. Plus, Division 7 has 100 percent of the materials and products in house for the project. They provided a 25-year warranty as well.

In other news, the board heard about the district’s November Trojan Heroes: Mari Campbell (SHS counselor), Amanda Herrera (EL director), and Amy Wiard (bus driver).

The board also heard from David Smith, behavioral interventionist at Congress Elementary, about Zones of Regulation.

Contact reporter Michelle Patrick at mpatrick@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education reinstates special education director position