This adage applies to many aspects of life and applies to HBR CUSD #429. Sometimes we take for granted all the moving pieces that make up something very familiar and comfortable to us. As a Board of education member, I wanted to reflect and share thoughts on the bigger picture of our amazing district.
Our district is comprised of many supporting entities. The largest group are the taxpayers of the district. The overwhelming percentage no longer have students attending the schools. Federal and State funding along with grants, minimally contributes to the annual income of the district. Tax dollars provide the largest portion of the annual income.
The most familiar support groups are our dedicated teachers and administrators. They painstakingly care for the whole student, the parents, and each other. The amount of time they spend teaching, mentoring, growing professional, collaborating, and looking for ways to tweak and improve instruction goes well beyond the perceived school day and year. They do it with dedication.
The Paraprofessionals are unsung heroes. Their impact on students and the help they provide teachers is priceless. Their days require patience and flexibility.
Secretaries, where do we start. They are the welcoming face of the district, first line of defense, caring shoulders for students and parents, organizational resources for staff, and the list goes on. Thank you for your smiling faces and caring demeanor.
O&M and custodial staff take great pride in maintaining our district, which is not a spring chicken. They perform maintenance and repairs on the buildings, grounds, and buses. They develop short- and long-range plans to keep a safe and properly functioning
campus. They also research ways to cost effectively make wants/needs list improvements.
Bus Drivers are undoubtedly an important backbone of the district. They safely transport our students to school, sporting events, and peripheral educational institutions. Between dealing with weather, schedules, and exuberant students (I remember my bus riding days), it takes a special caring person.
This brings me to our fiscal services, technology, and school nurse and district psychologist. The Fiscal services deal with accounts receivable/payable, salaries, pensions, audits, just to scratch the surface. Technology is our one stop shop for internet connectivity, safety, development, infrastructure, helping with podcasts, and streaming board meetings. Now for our school nurses and district psychologist. You skillfully and caringly tend to the health and wellbeing of our students both physically and mentally. You also serve as a resource for parents.
Every one of these individuals is an important village member that makes this district an asset to our communities.
Thank you!
Deb Winkle
Former Member of the Hinckley-Big Rock Board of Education