Brandon Twp.- Carol Bogner has been named the interim principal at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School.
‘I think she brings a lot of experience to the Brandon School District and will be a real asset to our administrative team,? said Superintendent Lorrie McMahon, who made the announcement Wednesday.
Bogner has been employed by Evart Public Schools for the past 10 years, nine as the principal of the alternative high school and during the past year, serving as the middle school principal. She was an elementary teacher in the Marion Public Schools from 1991-2002 and in 2006 earned her masters of arts degree in educational administration/school principalship from Central Michigan University. She is married to Scott Bogner, who was recently named superintendent of Goodrich Schools. They have two children, Kaitlin, 24, and Brandon, 19.
‘I’m looking forward to this school year at Brandon Fletcher Intermediate School,? said Carol Bogner. ‘I’m impressed with the MEAP scores and other assessment scores (at BFIS) and am excited to continue the work in progress there. I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff, students, and families.?
Carol Bogner replaces Jeff Beane, who resigned from the district in July to take a position as a mathematics teacher at Brighton High School.
The district has named interim principals at both BFIS and Belle Ann Elementary while the school board considers possible restructuring of buildings, first publicly proposed during an April finance committee meeting.
A facilities review committee is currently being formed, with a first meeting tentatively planned for mid-September.
‘We will look at all the buildings and focus on efficiency of use and academic impact and come up with the best solution, which may mean no change, closing of a building, or reorganization of the way we do business,? said McMahon. ‘We are going in with an open mind and will make the best recommendation to the board. We will have focus groups and meetings in which anyone can participate, but if you want to be on the committee, contact us.?
McMahon has estimated the district could save as much as $400,000 by consolidating grades into specific buildings. Two options were presented to the board in May, both of which would have Oakwood Elementary house all first and second grade classes and Harvey Swanson having all third and fourth grade classes. The options differed in that in one, Belle Ann Elementary would house all kindergarten classes and preschool programs and H.T. Burt would continue to be home to the alternative high school and the early childhood wing of Burt would be available for rental or closed. The second option would have the alternative high school moved from the H.T. Burt building to Belle Ann, and have kindergarten and preschool classes at H.T. Burt. Under this scenario, part of Belle Ann would be closed.
Savings would be realized through the reduction of about six teachers, which would be possible because consolidating grades into separate buildings more evenly distributes class sizes. However, the plan sparked backlash from many parents in the community and it was determined more discussion was necessary.
For more information on the facilities review committee, contact Rhonda Hervey at 248-627-1802.