GLADSTONE — Superintendent Jay Kulbertis received a positive evaluation from the Gladstone School Board at its meeting Monday night. The board went into closed sessions for the evaluation.

“Overall, it was definitely a positive evaluation,” said Steve Tackman, board president.

He added the review was strong and positive with the board overall pleased with not only the position of the school district, but the direction the school district is heading in.

The board evaluated Kulbertis’ work over the past year since his last evaluation in December 2018.

The board used the Michigan Association of School Boards’ Superintendent Evaluation Tool.

With the tool, Kulbertis was evaluated on various subcategories where scores are rated on a scale of one to four, with four being “highly effective” and one being “ineffective.”

This year, Kulbertis received scores of 3.57 for Governance and Board Relations, 3.53 for Community Relations, 3.65 for Staff Relations, 3.76 for Business and Finance, and 3.58 for Instructional Leadership.

Kulbertis was given an overall score of 3.61, which Tackman noted was an improvement from his score last year.

According to Tackman, the board felt pleased with the level of communication Kulbertis provides to not only the board, but to the staff and community of the school district.

He said communication was something highlighted last year as needing improvement and Kulbertis has been very effective since.

Tackman noted the board feels it is well informed to make sound decisions for the continued improvement of the school district because of Kulbertis.

He added the board is also thankful for Kulbertis being an effective voice for the school district down in Lansing.

In other business, the board:

– received a budget update instead of a budget amendment. A budget amendment will come in January.

– accepted letters of intent to retire from Candice Barron and Connie Breitzman.

– approved the hire of Joe Darmogray as JV baseball coach.

– accepted a letter of resignation from Bill Lawrence as varsity volleyball coach.

– approved the hire of Denise Hughes as a Teamster employee – custodian.

– scheduled an organizational meeting for Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m., followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m.