Union School board approves teacher hires, adopts slight schedule change and shares community updates

The Union School Corporation board recorded approvals for several personnel actions and adopted a minor change to next year’s student day.

Personnel: The board approved the following hires by voice affirmation: Gabriella Franklin (elementary), Sarah Johnson (middle‑school math and science), April Buck (middle‑school language arts) and Kelly (fourth grade). A motion to approve RTV James Tongate was also recorded earlier in the meeting. Motions were made and seconded for each item and advanced by voice assent.

Schedule change: Administrators proposed student hours of 8:10 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. for the coming year, with teacher hours of 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The administration said the change shortens a previous 20‑minute morning supervised walking/activity period to get students into classrooms earlier and to add a few minutes of instructional time per high‑school period. "For kids it's like coffee for adults," an administrator said, describing morning movement as helpful to engagement. The board moved the schedule item by motion and second.

Community announcements: Staff publicized the spring alumni dinner set for May 9 at 6 p.m. at the school and noted work on yard signs and tag‑dollars funding. Administrators said a daycare committee has begun to explore bringing local childcare next year, and reminded the public about a spring carnival, seniors’ trip and impending graduation.

The meeting closed after a motion to adjourn was made and seconded.