9/12/13 - The Howell School Board held a special meeting last night to become acquainted with its new lead negotiator, Tom White. The former lead negotiator, Eric Griggs, has taken a new job in Grand Rapids. As former director of the Michigan Association of School Business Officials, White has worked with he MASA and MASB. Superintendent Ron Wilson describes him as an âelder statesmanâ of school district management, and officials hope his experience will help close the rift in the Howell School Board. Last night's meeting was done in closed session and was meant to introduce White to the board and begin making headway on some of the board's more pressing issues. Most prominently, the board hopes to find some consensus on how to proceed with negotiating a contract with the Howell Education Association, which still does not have a contract for the 2013-14 school year. Wilson says no new direction was provided during the meeting, but the board is making progress. Members of the board, including Mike Moloney and Kim Witt, said the meeting was a positive step for the board. White will be out of town through next week, so no further meetings with him are scheduled at this time. White describes the board as a group of highly intelligent and dedicated people, and says while they may not always agree they all know that creating the best possible district for the kids is the top priority. (TD)
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