All the Buzz
HCS News and Information -- October 23, 2025
Supe Scoop
Hornet Nation,
In this issue, you will find quite a few pictures from all of the wonderful Homecoming events we experienced. Please make sure you scroll through all of them. Of course, the week was capped off with a victory against Farwell!
Now some news that is not wonderful. In the wee hours of Friday/Saturday, one or more persons broke into the concessions stand at the athletic field. In addition to the physical damage done, all of the candy supply was stolen. Not only was this a crime in law, it was a crime against all of our athletes. The Boosters run the stand to support athletes -- all net profit goes directly to our programs. If you have any information about those who may have been involved, please contact the sheriff.
Our proposed bond does provide for new poles, lights, and sound at the athletic field. If it passes, we will be able to have cameras purchased and installed on those new poles to better protect our facilities and our people. You can find more information about the bond below, including voting via ballot or in person, as well as four concept plans.
Thank you for choosing Harrison Community Schools. In partnership and with Hornet Pride,
Judy
Judy Walton
989.539.7871
Seventh-grade volleyball team
Eighth-grade volleyball team
Bella Young continues to shatter cross-country records!
In this issue, we are featuring Mick Haley, who won election to the Board in 2024.
- Number of Children in HCS: Two children, neither old enough yet for school
- Job/Position Outside of BOE: Manager, Snow Snake Ski and Golf
- Why I Ran for BOE: I ran for the Board of Education to best serve the students and families of our community. The BOE allows me to combine my knowledge and experience in education with my passion for local government and representing the people that make up our district. After proudly serving four productive years as councilman in the City of Harrison, the opportunity to run for BOE presented itself and I was fortunate to have the people of the district elect me to represent them.
- Hobbies/Interests: I enjoying spending my time with family, especially as my wife and I raise two young children. I enjoy skiing, golfing, gardening, time at a lake, and going on walks through the woods.
- One Thing I Wish More People Knew About BOE: Every board member genuinely cares for each kid in our district and wants all of them to be successful. This partially stems from most of the board members being Harrison alumni. We went through the Harrison school system and personally saw how a quality education makes a positive impact. We want to ensure every group of students makes it to graduation day and is prepared for the future and grateful for a positive experience.
Reading Buddies, where more experienced readers are paired with newer readers, is a wonderful strategy to build a lifelong love of reading.
We do not know of any other elementary school that offers a STEM special to all of its learners! It is one of the many unique things about Larson.
Using manipulatives to practice math skills and strategies builds connections in the brain.
Important Bond Election Information
Who can vote? Any registered voter living in the Harrison Community Schools district
Where to vote? Visit www.michigan.gov/vote to locate your polling place or to register to vote. Please note that the clerk is consolidating the City of Harrison, Summerfield, Township, and Winterfield Township into one voting location.
Absentee voting: Visit www.michigan.gov/vote to request an absentee ballot.
In-person voting: Open from 7:00 am through 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 4.
The concept plan for the bus garage is above right; the others are below:
Early Childhood Center (Hillside)
MMCAA (Hive)
Larson/MS
S&S Collision worked the concession stand on October 11
Up North Coffee worked the concession stand on October 16
Tom Hamilton Construction and some members of MS Volleyball worked the concession stand on October 20
Logan Young is the JackPine Conference Division 2 Individual Boys Cross Country Champion!
Varsity Football Team
Varsity Volleyball Team
Interested in Volunteering?
Would you like to be more involved in your child's school? Do you have time during the school day or just after to volunteer? We would welcome you with open arms!
In order to volunteer, you simply fill out and submit an iChat form (linked below). This enables us to run a criminal background check in short order, to ensure the safety of all students you may come into contact with. Assuming nothing of concern shows up, you are all set to help out wherever your school may need you. The principal of each building determines the needs, and works with approved volunteers to meet those needs; some schools may have more needs than others. If you would like to view our Board Policies in regard to volunteering, please view Board Policy 3105 on our website.
Excused Absences
When communicating that your child will be absent, the following are coded as "excused" per Board Policy 5301:
- the student’s physical or mental illness (verification from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner is required after 4 consecutive days of absence for illness);
- severe weather;
- medical appointments for the student;
- death or serious illness of the student’s family member;
- attendance at a funeral, wedding, or graduation;
- appearance at court or for other legal matters;
- observance of religious holidays of the student’s own faith;
- college planning visits; and
- personal or family vacations (form must be completed and turned in at least five (5) days beforehand; see principal for form).
The ABCs of a BOE Meeting
All Board meetings are open to the public, and are conducted in compliance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act. On rare occasions, the Board may go into closed session, but only as allowed by the OMA.
If it is your first time attending a Board meeting, you may not be familiar with the structure. Make sure you pick up an agenda on your way in, and if you intend to speak during the portion designated for public comments, please pick up a copy of Board Policy 2504, which is near the copies of the agenda. This will explain the parameters of the public comment portion of the agenda.
As you observe the Board conduct its business, the agenda will guide you. Common agenda sections are as follows:
- Opening of the Meeting (welcome, Pledge of Allegiance, additions/corrections to agenda/minutes, building instructional highlight, any other "organizational" items)
- Consent Agenda (items for approval that do not require a roll-call vote, and without objection from a Board member, can be considered all together)
- Non-Consent Agenda (one or more items that require a separate roll-call vote, such as budget approval)
- Informational Items (examples include resignations, other presentations, etc.)
- Public Comments (3 minutes each, Board members do not respond during the 3 minutes so that each speaker gets their full time; after, Board members may, but do not have to, pose questions or make statements)
- Communication (Superintendent's Report - includes subject matter of public comments; any other Board communication)
- Discussion Items (other matters any Board member may choose to speak about; may relate to public comments but not required)
- Adjournment
Within 8 business days of the meeting, minutes are posted on our website.
See below for information on our next meeting.
