As the 2024-25 school year progresses, it’s important to stay in touch with the workings of one’s school district and the town as a whole. Being involved can be as simple as attending school board meetings or at least knowing what went on.
The beginning of 2025 brings good news about the 25-26 school year at Hayes, including a multitude of new classes. However, Hayes isn’t the only school in Delaware benefiting this year. The middle and Elementary schools in the district are getting facility updates in addition to new plans for electricity.
The Delaware City District School Board recently discussed facility improvements that have been advocated for within the community. Facilities director Jason Sherman was brought up to talk about the need to shift the district’s energy procurement plan, referring to higher prices with other contract options.
“The Proposal chosen was from our current vendor, Direct Energy for the ‘load following’ option for a period of two years” Sherman said.
In this context, a load following hedge is a form of pricing that comes with a flat rate for access, in addition to charging for the amount used. Sherman also discussed the district’s partnership with META and how they will work with Direct Energy to secure the best deal. The Board also approved a 30-year-old chiller replacement, which will be installed next summer in the Willis building.
Nine new courses were approved for the 2025-26 school year and two moved from the pilot stage, the majority of which are included within the school’s CTEE grant. The classes include Career Explorations, Intro to Health Science Careers, Teacher Academy (1 & 2), Exploratory Engineering Tech/Adv. Manufacturing (1 & 2), Semiconductor 101, Manufacturing Processes and Intro to Vacuum Systems.
“Most of these are introductory courses, although some of the courses [are] not going to be offered next year,” Misty Swanger said.
Swanger then described that the list of approved courses will get students through the advanced manufacturing pathway, which includes more computer science, robotics and the Teacher Academy. She also talked about the health sciences pathway and the career opportunities course.
The Board also approved Spanish for Heritage Speakers and Textile Design, Construction and Maintenance to be moved from pilot status, both very popular classes with Hayes students. In addition, the 2025-26 Course Handbook was approved, so that scheduling to begin at Hayes.
The Board discussed four resignations, two salary changes and 10 classified staff hires for the 2024-25 school year. As well as two start date adjustments, one hourly rate adjustment, three classified substitutes and 13 supplemental contracts. The Board acknowledged donations from the community, as well as some organizations, such as the Ohio String Teachers Association and the Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.
In the action items, they approved pay rate changes for substitutes, bringing the daily rate for certified substitute teachers to $150, which is closer to many other districts in the area.
“The focus of this meeting was to find things that needed attention and bring those to the Board,” Superintendent Heidi Kegley said at the December Board meeting.
Kegley referenced continuous work sessions in January and February to be able to gain feedback and discuss the next item that needs to be addressed in the rotation so that one area doesn’t get overlooked.
Kegley also took the time to acknowledge Dara Gillis, the Director of Choirs at Hayes, for being selected to be a guest conductor at Carnegie Hall in May 2026. The Hayes Symphonic choir along with Hayes Singers will be performing there as well.
The Board finally approved the next school year’s calendar, appointed the president pro tem and approved substitute pay rates as they head into the new calendar year.
