Tucker

ALPENA — Donna Tucker was appointed to the Hillman Community Schools Board of Education on Thursday.

The Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District Board of Education had to appoint Tucker to fill a vacancy that was formed in September when Hillman schools Trustee Sally Petrik resigned.

Scott Reynolds, superintendent of the AMA ESD, said that, when a vacancy exists for school boards, that district has 30 days to appoint someone. If board members there are not able to do that, the ESD has to fill the vacancy with no time limit.

Tucker told the AMA ESD board Thursday that she’s always had an interest in how schools operate and how budgets are put together. She said a primary concern of hers is the education of the children and she said a strong education system needs to be in place for the students.

“I know a lot of people would like to see Hillman grow and develop, because it is a very small community,” Tucker said.

Tucker said she is excited to be a part of the Hillman school board and work with the other board members.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenges it will bring,” she said. “I think it’s going to be really exciting and interesting, because it’s a diverse group, you know, age-wise and background-wise, professional and nonprofessional, so I think it will be very interesting.”

Reynolds said Tucker will be a good addition to the Hillman school board.

“I think Donna articulated real clearly in understanding the role of the relationship between the board and the superintendent,” Reynolds said. “I think she’ll do an exemplary job and they’re lucky to have her.”

Julie Goldberg can be reached at jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5688.

In other business

The Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District Board of Education on Thursday also:

∫ Went into closed session twice to review staff discipline. Superintendent Scott Reynolds said one staff member was terminated and a second staff member received a three-day, unpaid suspension. He said those issues did not involve students but he would not provide further information.