By Michelle L. Santoro

Sherman – Commemorating the passage of one year since the start of running of board meetings, Sherman School District, Board of Education (“BOE and/or “Board”) Chair Matt Vogt said, “the changes that have taken place during that twelve months have been many, and I think all good.”  At its final meeting of the 2022/23 school year on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, Mr. Vogt noted the district’s entirely new administration and two new BOE members.  “The work that we have done, you have made my job as chair easy, and so I appreciate all of you on the Board,” he said, addressing the entire Board and administration in attendance. 

Part-time Superintendent Patricia Cosentino jumped right in, with her “Superintendent’s Update.”  She stressed, “We had an excellent graduation; the weather was beautiful.”  Dr. Pat gave a shout out to Max, who “did a wonderful job on his speech.”  Echoing Mr. Vogt’s sentiments, she said, “It has been a wonderful school year; there have been a lot of improvements.  A lot of small wins and big wins, and we continue to focus on continuo us improvement.  I mean, that is what it is all about, every day getting better.”  Dr. Pat provided an update of administration’s and staff members’ meeting with HYA prior to the meeting; advising much work was accomplished with the district’s strategic plan.  In July, the Board will receive copies of completed work, after which it and administration will work on an action plan, accountability, and measures. 

The district received a donation of computer monitors from Becky Hass (of Grace).  With gratitude, the Board voted unanimously to accept the donation consisting of 1 LG monitor and 10 LG32 monitors.  Dr. Pat said, “it was very kind of them, and we’ve already put them to good use.”  

Mr. Vogt made a motion for the approval of the Superintendent’s contract for fiscal year 2023/24 through fiscal year 2025/26.  It passed unanimously.  BOE member Tim Laughlin noted that contracts for the rest of the administration should be tracked and extended similarly so all remain on the same trajectory (i.e., renewals for the same three-year period).  No one objected to such a course.

BOE Member Kristin Grasseler mentioned a lifetime achievement seen on Facebook – Kathy Grant, a bus driver for the Sherman School for forty-one years. The Board plans to formally recognize Ms. Grant’s achievement at the start of the new school year.

The Board’s annual retreat is scheduled July 19, 2023.

The first regular Board of Education Meeting of the 2023/24 school year is scheduled on September 6, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., in the LMC and via Zoom.