Seven seats on the school board were up for general election on August 4, 2022. The board has since granted the developer multiple extensions, including a six-month extension in September. .partytd.Green { Executive sessions are closed meetings that boards can have todiscuss things such as school safety, personneland confidential records as well as do board training. The estimated total pay for a Teacher at Hamilton County Department of Education is $52,260 per year. | Updated May 26, 2017 at 8:46 a.m. Tennessee has 147 local school districts, among them the Hamilton County school system. During public comment, board members listen but are not required to respond. Boards are the ones that create a district's policies, he said, so if there's something wrong with the policy, that's on the board. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. } The number of board members varies across the state from as small as three members to as large as nine, but a majority of districts have five or seven members on their school board, Adamson said. 0 . The board voted unanimously to grant Hotel Hamilton LLC the extension to approval, letting the developer take more time to resolve the issues. The estimated base pay is $52,260 per year. erin.miracle@lansingschools.net. Board Room. Hamilton County residents will head to the polls on August 6 to select a new batch of school board members. As a result, proficiency levels are not comparable between different states and year-over-year proficiency levels within a district may not be comparable because states may change their proficiency measurements. The seats will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis, and transportation to the schools will not be provided. Board Docs; Board Members ; BOE Assignments; BOE Board Presentation; BOE Committees; BOE Meeting Agendas; BOE Meeting Minutes; BOE Monthly Meeting Schedule; . Call IndyStar education reporter MJ Slaby at 317-447-1586 or email her at mslaby@gannett.com. The number of board members varies across the state from as small as three members to as large as nine, but a majority. Taft football coach Jeff Kearin steps down in support of school faculty member Gracie Abrams behind 'Good Riddance' message in Los Angeles sky Lancaster woman convicted in 1997 slaying of . State Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga) announced that he is filing legislation calling for pay equity for school board members in Tennessee. It may not reflect actual teacher salaries in the district. "The good news is, is this law is requiring that these kids get extra support, which I do think is something that's needed," Director of Student Acceleration Breckan Duckworth said previously in a phone call. [5], table#officeholder-table th, td { padding:5px; font-size: 16px; } Submit yours today! background-color: #fdd007; Some would remove the law completely, while others would keep the law but extend related state-funded summer and after-school programs. | April 14, 2017 at 1:00 a.m. However, many districts in Indiana do pay their school board members. hb```,x(d00,` 1 7300psh q_D*!Hb-AG Cp:q-PU ]Z The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Hamilton County Schools / Staff / Human Resources / Substitute Teaching. U.S. President | To view agenda items and board-related information, please check BoardDocs color: white; Though everyone knows if your a teacher your never really off. School board members are elected to take care of the business of the district at board meetings and need to be prepared for those meetings, Adamson said. State executives | The board has taken no action until now. Individuals speaking to the Board shall address their remarks to the Chairman. The Chairman shall have the authority to terminate the remarks of any individual who is disruptive or does not adhere to the Board rules. This unfortunate situation does occur from time to time AND is based on the need for all employees to be accountable for the safety, welfare, and academic achievement of district students. And I don't think this law does.". GovSalaries. The Hamilton County Department of Education is guided by federal and state law along with local regulations defined by Board Policy. 18The Hamilton County Board of Education voted Thursday to move forward with hiring nine more student security officers or SSOs at area schools, which would nearly double the number of SSOs in the district from 10 to 19. We now offer online payment through this link-https://hamiltonfl.revtrak.net/. text-align: center; Currently, Tennessee law requires school board members be compensated at least $3 per meeting, with the governing body having the final say on how much is paid above that minimum amount. Before filling in for Smith, Kelly served as the district's director of accountability. %PDF-1.5 % He suggested that school leaders provide a balanced budget and a list of other important needs with an explanation of how the money will be used to make schools better. But school board member Rhonda Thurman said she doesn't support piloting open enrollment at just two schools, saying it should be district-wide. View / Download the complete Board Policy Document Adamson added that board members don't always have all the answers for the communityand can serve as a connector to make sure the community member reaches out to the district employee who can address the complaint.
} The average salary for a Teacher is $42,706 per year in United States, which is 18% lower than the average Hamilton County Department of Education salary of $52,260 per year for this job. Your input helps Glassdoor refine our pay estimates over time. [10], The following table shows the percentage of district students who scored at or above the proficiency level each school year:[11], The following table shows the graduation rate of district students each school year:[11][12], During the 2018-2019 school year, 6.1% were English language learners and 12.6% of students had an Individual Education Plan (IEP).[15][16]. Meet Our School Board Members Group Email: [email protected] Mrs. Rhonda Thurman School Board District 1 Home: (423) 842-4652 Work: (423) 894-5134 View Schools. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The Board holds a regular business session meeting on the fourth Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise advertised. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. But she is against providing transportation to students attending schools outside of their zones. For example, Adamson said a board can decide to pay moving expenses for a new superintendent. 62% of third graders are not yet proficient in English language, 18 proposals to address concerns about the law. Applicants must complete the fingerprinting process online at www.fieldprintflorida.com. Public policy. Hamilton County School District is located in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Welcome. We were informed Tuesday afternoon that Resolution No: 1121-5A had been materially changed to now commit the Hamilton County School Board to an 11-member school board district. Please be prepared to pay the $49.25 fee by either credit/debit card. Gardenhire said current state law requires school board members be paid at least $3 per meeting. "I also reflect on what we can do differently to make our operations safer than ever and prevent something like this from happening again," he continued. 2023 Hamilton Southeastern Schools. Jun. background-color: #6db24f; background-color: #003388; Kelly said if the county, which holds the district's purse strings, rejects the proposed budget, the school district still has time to make a balanced one. School Board. The Hamilton County Board of Education is likely to approve a budget for this upcoming year asking for $33.5 million in additional revenue. Non-Discrimination & Non-Harassment Statement, ADA & Title IX, VI, VII Compliance Information. The resolution also cites insufficient funding for the added instruction as a reason to amend the law. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Meeting Type: Regular. He said, Serving on the board of a school district is a huge responsibility and time commitment that comes with making a variety of complex, difficult and weighty decisions. "[18], Smith announced his resignation after being criticized for how he handled the alleged rape of a high school freshman by three of his basketball teammates. Individuals can alsoreview the agenda items and see what action was taken by the board. The week before he resigned, however, the board voted 5-4 against a $269,000 buyout agreement. Help make it more accurate by, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, All Hamilton County Department of Education Salaries, average salary for a Teacher is $42,706 per year in United States, The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide. If adopted Thursday, Hamilton County Schools will be among several districts across the state to have passed similar resolutions, including Metro Nashville Public Schools and Knox County. U.S. Congress | Johnson's previous career experience includes working as a teacher, coach, and chief academic officer. The public is invited to attend the meetings. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. [2], Galloway said on voting for Kelly that, "Every question we asked Dr. Kelly, he not only answered in specifics, but he's already started acting on some of them. The district had a yearly average of $96,219,571 in outstanding debt. The two women asked the man to get out of the car more. Republican board member Gary Kuehn, of Ooltewah, and Democrat board member Ben Connor, of Chattanooga, are sponsoring the resolution. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. That includes District 2, which is made up of Red Bank, Rivermont, and Signal Mountain. Click here . "The community wants change, and the opportunity might come again before people start to leave. Remarks will be limited to five (5) minutes unless time is expended by the Board. This employer has not claimed their Employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community. Elections in 2023 | Mr. Joe Smith School Board District 3 . The district seats will be on the November 2022 ballot. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. During Thursday's meeting, the board also discussed launching open enrollment pilot programs at Brown Academy and Rivermont Elementary starting next school year. Meeting Type: Working. Board of School Trustees Board of School Trustees The Board of School Trustees meet on the second Wednesday of each month and periodically on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Lansing, MI 48933. View agenda items, board-related information and more! Title IX concerns can also be mailed to: Lansing School District. 2023 www.indystar.com. This places the district's base budget at $372 million, and means an additional $24.5 million is needed to fulfill the budget Kelly is proposing. 5686 Highway 129 South - Suite 1 Jasper, FL 32052 | Phone: (386) 792-7800 | Fax: (386) 792-3681 Hello and thank you for visiting the Lawton Community Schools website. The extra funding would give teachers a 5 percent raise, provide new technology and post-secondary opportunities, and increase the number of literacy coaches at schools, among other things. 90 Park Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08690. The House education subcommittee is set to take a first look at the bills Tuesday. @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { Go do your school district's website to find out who the current board members are as well as find meeting schedules and agendas. Some boards have one type of member or a mix, Adamson said, it all depends on what rules are set in the election plan. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.
[2][17], Board members Steve Highlander, Joe Galloway, George Ricks, Karitsa Mosley, and David Testerman voted in favor of Kelly as interim superintendent. padding-right: 10px !important; And it's community members who vote for and elect school boards. If substitutes do not perform as expected the school/department may request that the sub be placed on a DO NOT CALL list. Ballot measures, Who represents me? Kirk Kelly was the interim superintendent of the Hamilton County School District from 2016 to 2017. Apply today for career with HSE Schools. Board Chairman Jonathan Welch and fellow member Donna Horn voted for magnet school principal Jill Levine, and Rhonda Thurman and Greg Martin voted for retired U.S. Marine officer Shaun Sadler. Click here . The Hamilton County Board of Education is likely to approve a budget for this upcoming year asking for $33.5 million in additional revenue. If a group of individuals wishes to address the Board about the same matter, the group must select one (1) individual to speak on its behalf unless the group specifically requests permission for multiple individuals to speak on the same topic. Smith announced he would retire from the district on July 1, 2016, but he took leave from the district immediately after he announced his resignation on March 14, 2016. Those meetings are typically when members will ask questions about new hires before voting onpersonnel during a regular meeting. Each year, state and local education agencies use tests and other standards to assess student proficiency. The Board operates through a system of standing, sub-committees and ad-hoc committees. .bptable.gray th { background:#4c4c4c;color:#fff; }. Senator Gardenhire said, Most school board members work the same amount of time and sometimes longer hours than their counterparts on the local governing bodies. Currently, many of our school boards in Tennessee are not fairly compensated. Ballotpedia features 395,557 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. Hamilton; e $ 104,770 $ 104,770 $ 104,770 $ 104,770 $ 114,592 $ . "The consequences are a lot greater for society than they are for teachers," Watson said in an interview at the summit. } State Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga) announced that he is filing legislation calling for pay equity for school board members in Tennessee. School board member Karitsa Mosley Jones suggested the community stand with Kelly and demand more funding for schools. The retention law has garnered criticism both locally and across the state. However, they are required to provide additional tutoring. Jill Levine, chief academic officer for Hamilton County Schools, said the district is excited to pilot the program to "increase options and opportunities for students." Also, a substitute may be dismissed for any single specific action that is determined to warrant dismissal by the Superintendent. 19 min ago. Thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the meeting, the Board Secretary will collect the sign-in sheet and provide it to the Chairman. Any resident of Hamilton County may appear before the Board of Education to comment upon the operation of the Hamilton County Schools. The district served 45,052 students during the 2018-2019 school year and comprised 79 schools. Please be prepared to pay the $23.00 fee by either cash, check, or money order (made payable to Hamilton County School District). Hamilton County has not raised taxes for schools in 12 years. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Accordingly, the Board encourages individuals with complaints or concerns to speak with the appropriate employee or administrator rather than first addressing the Board. } Here are the top Hamilton County School salaries for 2018-2019: JOHNSON, BRYAN A SUPERINTENDENT SUPERINTENDENT $202,437 TOWNS EDWARDS, TIFFANIE NAKIA CHIEF OF STAFF CHIEF OF STAFF $130,386. "I also think they're trying to figure out a way to get parents more involved in the early education of their children, but this isn't the appropriate way to do it.". IMPORTANT LINKS. .partytd.Gray { Top 5 Schools in This City. The outcome of the upcoming election will determine many of the people who are setting the tone for the state's schools. Boards are accountable for everything but manage nothing, said Michael Adamson, director of board services for the Indiana School Boards Association. View Full Report Card. The district plans to start at these two schools, and will consider expanding to more schools in coming years. "I don't know what the future holds, but I don't think anyone would say we are where we want to be," he said. Help make it more accurate by adding yours. Chattanooga, TN 37421 He knows what we're dealing with right now. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY $80,212, DAAN, CHARITY P DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY $80,133, BRAZIEL, SHANNON N ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SHEPHERD ELEMENTARY $79,408, REDLIN, ERIC R JROTC ARMY INSTRUCTOR, SENIOR SODDY DAISY HIGH $79,260, PERRIN, STEPHEN B AUDITOR FINANCE $79,206, TORRANCE, KRISTA M SUPERVISOR-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS HUMAN RESOURCES $79,206, CALLOWAY, MICHAEL R ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ORCHARD KNOB MIDDLE $79,150, RODGERS, JENNIFER F ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL HIXSON ELEMENTARY $79,091, HOLDER, PATRICIA D ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL LAKESIDE ACADEMY $78,796, REEVES, MICHELE B ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL EAST BRAINERD ELEMENTARY $78,796, GLASS, SCOTT JROTC SENIOR ARMY INSTRUCTOR SEQUOYAH HIGH $78,705, GALLETTA, JOSEPH GORDON ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL EAST RIDGE ELEMENTARY $78,490, MAYER, KELLY C WEB ADMINISTRATOR CHIEF OF STAFF $78,016, GOINS, JESSE LEE PRINCIPAL BATTLE ACADEMY $78,002, HOCHREIN, CELESTE R S/L PATHOLOGISTS WEST 40TH STREET $77,924, JOHNS, JAMELIE KANGLES ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL NOLAN ELEMENTARY $77,878, MOORE, FANNIE PETROS ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL THRASHER ELEMENTARY $77,878, LADD, TERRILYN H TEACHER EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION DIV $77,476, ROGERS, SUSAN CRAFTON ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ALLEN ELEMENTARY $77,425, FLEMING, DAVID B JROTC INSTRUCTOR OOLTEWAH HIGH $77,329, RICH, TYLER ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL EAST RIDGE HIGH $77,320, SMITH, VALERIE C ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL RED BANK ELEMENTARY $77,266, HALL, RICHARD E ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL SMITH ELEMENTARY $77,119, ALLISON, JENNIFER E TEACHER EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION DIV $76,580, BLACKWELL, PAMELA M EDUCATIONAL DIAGNOSTICIAN WEST 40TH STREET $76,580, FAIRCHILD, TIMOTHY SCOTT TEACHER WEST 40TH STREET $76,580, NELMS, JANICE B TEACHER EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP $76,580, MORENO, JUAN MIGUEL PRINCIPAL EAST RIDGE ELEMENTARY $76,573, COMMANDER, MELANIE A ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL EAST RIDGE ELEMENTARY $76,348, HUFFSTUTLER, DENVER J COORDINATOR - TITLE I OPPORTUNITY ZONE $76,285, MOSES, HEIDI L ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OOLTEWAH HIGH $76,285, FRAZIER, TRACEY LYNN TEACHER BRAINERD HIGH $75,978, AMES, DIRK JROTC NAVY INSTRUCTOR HOWARD SAT $75,731, HERON, LORY E TEACHER EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP $75,548, STEWART-MACKEY, YVETTE A TEACHER EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP $75,548, MAYER, KELLY C WEB ADMINISTRATOR CHIEF OF STAFF $75,015, COFFELT, MELISSA MOORE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WESTVIEW ELEMENTARY $74,977, WALKER, BRETT A COOR. The Hamilton County Board of Education is set to vote Thursday on a resolution requesting the Tennessee General Assembly to amend the third-grade retention law and allow school districts to make . Smith believes the public would support a tax increase, but advised Kelly against presenting an unbalanced budget to the Hamilton County Commission in coming weeks. Hamilton Southeastern Schools, as a forward-thinking school district, provides excellence in education and opportunities to ensure the success of each and every student, to become a responsible citizen and to positively influence an ever-changing world community. } Gardenhire said current state law requires school board members be paid at least $3 per meeting. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. 3074 Hickory Valley Road. We are excited that you are interested in substituting with Hamilton County Schools! Check your county election board's website to see if you can get a sample ballot to see who candidates are atindianavoters.in.gov/CountyContact/Index. "Parents, teachers and students in Hamilton County need to know that our school board supports students and not the new retention law," Fugate told board members at December's board meeting. The calendars for the next three school years have been set. The Times Free Press reached out to Connor for comment but he did not respond before press time. "[18], Thurman and Martin said they voted for Sadler because they wanted someone who was removed from the district. The average salary for a school board members is $3,519. The Hamilton County School District school board maintains the following policy on public testimony during board meetings:[6]. As a Chattanooga school board debated who has the authority to approve, or remove, books in school libraries this week, Tennessee librarians are speaking out. The Lansing Public School District is the urban public school district covering 52 square miles including the city of Lansing, Michigan, part of the city of East Lansing, and parts of the townships of Delta, DeWitt, Lansing, and Watertown.It has specialty schools for Chinese Immersion, International Baccalaureate, STEM, STEAM, and other categories. If this happens, the substitute will be notified. Board members voiced support for the budget Hamilton . FERDINAND During the Wednesday, March 1 Southeast Dubois School Corporation Board meeting, members of the Forest Park guidance staff presented to the board to highlight the ongoings of the guidance department for the school year. Fostering safe and supportive safety environments is a top priority across all our school buildings. Our subscriber-exclusive newsletter filled with local education news, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. 519 West Kalamazoo. However, for the efficient operation of the schools, the Board desires that complaints and concerns be resolved as quickly as possible and by the employee or administrator having responsibility over the issue in question. Additionally, any resident of Hamilton County desiring to address the Board who has missed the three (3) day advance deadline may nevertheless be recognized to speak provided that he or she signs in at least thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of any regularly scheduled Board meeting. He said, Serving on the board of a school district is a huge responsibility and time commitment that comes with making a variety of complex, difficult and weighty decisions. But this might change before the school year is over as lawmakers have filed at least 18 proposals to address concerns about the law. endstream endobj 1655 0 obj <. | Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Likewise, the Chairman will not allow a speaker to address any employee or to make derogatory comments regarding any employee. Drug Screening is also a requirement for substitutes. If the additional $33.5 million isn't in the first request, Kelly said, he worries the commission won't think it's needed. Carmel Clay: The board has five seats three each representing a specific district and two at-large seats. Johnson was appointed superintendent on July 17, 2017. Title IX Compliance Officer. "The consequences are huge for workforce development, they're huge for economic community development. @media only screen and (min-width: 600px) { A salary schedule is a list of expected compensations based on variables such as position, years employed, and education level. A.M.O.R. 9 /10. The salary trajectory of a Teacher ranges between locations and employers. That includes students with disabilities, English language learners and those who have already been retained -- students otherwise exempt from the retention law. Hamilton County. UPDATE (February 17th): At their meeting Thursday night, Hamilton County School Board members reversed their decision on differentiated compensation. 3074 Hickory Valley Rd. Hamilton Southeastern Schools invests in the growth of all students. Senator Gardenhire said, Most school board members work the same amount of time and sometimes longer hours than their counterparts on the local governing bodies. In September, Cortney Fugate, a Hamilton County teacher, launched a petition calling on Tennessee legislators to reconsider. Prior to the 2022 election, the school board consisted of nine members. Find It Fast. It also states that because the assessment is administered only weeks before summer break, school systems and families -- who've already made summer plans -- are not given adequate notice. He or she must submit this written request to the Director of Schools no later than three (3) days prior to the Boards meeting. "I think Ray Charles can see what's going on here, and I sure can," Thurman said. Board memberscan either represent a specific township and be required to live in that township of the school district or be an at-large member who can live anywhere within the district boundaries. The "Most Likely Range" represents values that exist within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role. We've got to have some more revenue.". As Kelly presented the budget, he explained how the different line items in the additional $33.5 million request were tied to the district's strategic plan and would boost student outcomes. Related Searches:All Teacher Salaries|All Hamilton County Department of Education Salaries. Fugate went before the school board in December to ask members to submit a resolution. Elementary. March 16, 2023 at 4:30 PM - Work Session. We are fortunate and proud to support an overall high achieving population of students. A graduate of Panhandle State University and Northern Oklahoma College, her appointment comes as Stitt . Currently, Tennessee law requires school board members be compensated at least $3 per meeting, with the governing body having the final say on how much is paid above that minimum amount. What is the board's role in COVID-19 planning? Community members can reach out to school board members and speak during the public comment section of a meeting. Averages based on self-reported salaries. } Lawton Community Schools remains on solid . 1667 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<368ADC242CE2AD41BC5BDAE48BF755AA><4018A4971573DF41A30BED31D26DFC09>]/Index[1654 22]/Info 1653 0 R/Length 75/Prev 46324/Root 1655 0 R/Size 1676/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream background-color: #db0000; A+. Duke said he thinks about the crash frequently and wishes it was possible to turn back the clock and prevent it from happening. color: white; Wellness Expo On March 11, 65 Roses 5K On March 25 To Raise Money For Cystic Fibrosis, Erlanger Chattanooga Marathon Weekend Starts Friday, Annual Brick Wall Genealogy Class Held In Dalton, Chattanooga Hotel, Terminal Station And Trigg-Smart Building Receive Tennessee Historic Development Grant, Museum & Cultural Center At 5ive Points Has New Exhibit On State Symbols, ReLeaf Free Tree To Give Away 1,000 Free Trees Beginning March 4, White Oak Mountain Ranger: "Do It Yourself" Turkey Calls, Chattanooga Area Anglers To Compete For $300,000 Next Week At Major League Fishings REDCREST 2023 At Lake Norman, Blue Water Therapy At Sandals Royal Bahamian In Nassau, Bahamas, IMAX Adds A One-Two Magic Punch With Arrival Of Creed III And Shazam! All rights reserved. This includes Hamilton County, where county commissioners receive approximately $25,394 per year plus benefits, as compared to the approximately $12,365 per year received by school board members. It has since amassed more than 2,600 signatures. Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. 1675 0 obj <>stream Some school boards have relied on their superintendents to take the lead and figure out adjustments, while others havepassed resolutions to become more involved in areas such as deciding if students will have the option to attend in-person and when. how to check if character is null in java,