The HSE Board of School Trustees recognized the Advance HSE political action committee, led by chair Sneha Shah, during it’s May 11 meeting. (Photos by Sam Elliott)

By Sam Elliott

The passing of the Hamilton Southeastern Schools tax referendum has created plenty of new work for the district and administration to begin working on.

HSE Supt. Dr. Allen Bourff speaks to the school board during his presentation for the district’s plans as a result of the successful tax referendum.

“We’re moving right away to make some of this happen,” Supt. Dr. Allen Bourff said in a presentation to the board. “(May 10) we had our job fair and had 800 people show up for that job fair, which was amazing and only underscores the reputation this district enjoys… We weren’t necessarily expecting such numbers.”

Jobs created as a result of the referendum’s approval by voters include assistant principal positions at the district’s elementary schools, technologists in each building, counselors and teachers.

A bid for portable classrooms totaling $469,000 was approved by the board in an effort to reduce class sizes at the elementary level, one of the promises of the referendum campaign.

Another promise of the campaign was a new world languages program beginning in the elementary schools, with the goal being to implement that program for the 2017-18 school year.

Additional effects of the approved referendum include an enhancement to the supply budget that will begin in January 2017 and the elimination of the pay-to-play surcharge fee.

“We’re looking at a negotiated raise,” Bourff said, noting collective bargaining had yet to begin but is expected. “It looks like we’re going to be able to negate a raise this year at some level. Placement on our salary schedule is also something that we’re looking at.

“A lot is happening, and it’s exciting,” he added.

During the Snapshots of Success portion of the meeting, board members and Bourff recognized Sneha Shah, the chair of the Advance HSE political action committee, and her executive board.

“When I was young, I always thought I would be a teacher,” Shah said. “I would play school and I loved my teachers and I still remember all of my teachers, but then I grew up and realized I was not built to be a teacher, so instead I became an advocate for the teachers and our education system. It’s been a complete honor and pleasure.”