HANOVERTON – The United school board this week approved a shift from a junior high model to a middle school one.

Beginning in the fall, the sixth grade will be part of the junior-senior high section of the campus with grades 7-12. The sixth-grade students will be on the same arrival and dismissal time as grades seven through 12, as well.

All other details will be worked out at team meetings at a later date, Superintendent Lance Hostetler said. He also said he is confident the sixth-grade students will fit in the 7-12 section of campus, particularly since there are some empty classrooms at this time.

The middle school will now be grades 6-8.

Hostetler said the new middle school structure will include a curriculum to support grades 6-8 as well as provide a focus on social emotional learning, collaboration and career exploration for all students.

In recommending the switch to a middle school structure, Hostetler referenced a 2017 Search Institute County Student Survey which indicated United students were less positive about school climate, had a decreased level of involvement and engagement, and suffered an increased identification of depression or attempted suicide. He said the goal is to address the issues with the middle school model.

In other business, the board approved coaching supplemental contracts for the 2020-2021 school year to Mary Alice Sigler for track coordinator, Todd Huda for track coordinator, Rachel Amos for varsity track assistant, Joe Karmazin for varsity track assistant, Jason Swiger for varsity track assistant, Luke Williams for junior high boys track, Megan Gozelanczyk for junior high girls track, Nicholas Rhodes for junior high boys track assistant, Bob Manfull for varsity baseball, Tim Hydrick for varsity baseball assistant, Ben Black for freshman baseball, Todd Sarchet for varsity boys tennis, Sam Mathias for varsity softball, Erin Briceland for varsity softball assistant and Elaine Meals for junior high Academic Challenge.

The board also granted a coaching supplemental contract for the 2021-2022 school year to McKenzie Firth for varsity volleyball.

Additionally, the board accepted donations of $25,000 to the high school principal’s account for designated projects, $775 to the Community Outreach, $800 to the football program fundraiser and $1,000 to the backpack program.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 10 via Zoom.

khowell@salemnews.net