This week, the Coldwater Board of Education held a special meeting and
approved the retire and rehire of Coldwater School Superintendent Doug
Mader, High School Principal Jason Hemmelgarn and Athletic Director Eric
Goodwin. Doug Mader comments:

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The crowd at the meeting expressed their support for the retire and
rehire of the school personnel. There were no dissenters or anyone
speaking in opposition.

The following is AI Generated:

Meeting Notes

1. Budget Report
   The Treasurer, Jen McCoy, reported that the budget from the previous year was 99.5% accurate to the forecast.

   The budget forecast was 99.5% accurate.

2. Contract Approvals
   The Board of Education approved several supplemental contracts and had three retire-rehire contracts for administrators on the agenda for a vote.

   Supplemental contracts were approved, and a vote was conducted for the retire-rehire contracts.

3. District Progress and Achievements
   The Superintendent, Doug Mader, highlighted significant progress over the past three years, indicating the passage of a levy, and emphasizing that this milestone represents countless hours of communication, education, trust building, and teamwork. The district continues to enhance its culture, with students consistently reflecting the values instilled and representing the Cavalier shared with PIDE. Through intentional hiring, outstanding professionals have been welcomed, adding incredible talent. A strategic plan has been built and is actively being worked through as a roadmap for long-term sustainability and academic excellence. The district has completed a K-12 curriculum mapping cycle and initiated a curriculum review with an embedded adoption plan, ensuring students receive a cohesive, rigorous, and relevant education. Student achievement continues to rise, with the district currently holding a 4.5 out of 5 stars from the state, with five stars anticipated. School spirit has never been higher, and relationships remain the cornerstone of success.

   The district has made substantial progress in culture, staffing, strategic planning, and curriculum, resulting in high student achievement. The passage of the levy is a key milestone, and relationship building is a cornerstone of success.

4. Future Investments
   With the passage of the levy, the district is now able to address long-standing infrastructure needs and invest in the future.

   The levy passage enables the district to begin fixing infrastructure.

5. Retire-Rehire Recommendation for Jason Hemmelgarn and Eric Goodwin
   The Superintendent strongly recommended the rehire of Jason Hemmelgarten (High School Principal) and Eric Goodwin (Athletic Director, Dean of Students, and Transportation Director), who are two of the hardest working individuals. He cited their immense value, work ethic, deep commitment to students, staff, and community, and their embodiment of what it means to be a Cavalier. Replacing either would take multiple people, and their roles are demanding with immeasurable value. This opportunity allows the district to retain their leadership and institutional knowledge, while also saving money as they return at a reduced salary, with their retirement benefits coming from their own contributions of more than 32 years each.

   The Superintendent fully supports the rehire of Jason Hemmelgarten and Eric Goodwin, emphasizing their value, institutional knowledge, and the cost savings from their reduced salaries and personal retirement contributions.

6. Superintendent’s Retire-Rehire Justification
   Doug Nader explained his own retire-rehire opportunity, which was also up for a vote, as a way to honor his commitment to stay a minimum of five years, made three years prior, and hopefully extend it to complete the work started. He emphasized that his decision to return to Coldwater was not for financial gain, noting it meant a significant reduction in pay, and that while some say the cost of living is less, groceries, gas, and housing are comparable or higher. His motivation was to make a difference in his hometown. He believes staff and most of the community appreciate the transparency, direction, and progress made, while acknowledging and respecting that not everyone may support his inclusion in the retire-rehire process. He promised to continue leading with the same character and integrity, expressing full commitment to Coldwater Exempted Village Schools, loving the school and community, and having no plans to stop working in the next five years, hoping Coldwater will be his final professional post.

   The Superintendent is seeking a retire-rehire to fulfill his commitment and continue his work at the school, emphasizing his non-financial motivations, transparency, integrity, and long-term dedication to the district.