Wayland Union Schools Supt. Dr. Christina Hinds Monday night acknowledged to the Board of Education she had sought the superintendency at Kalkaska Public Schools, but was not hired.

Hinds, who has been the school chief at Wayland for less than a year, denied that she was seeking a different job because of anything not working out here.

“Stepping into a new community in a new position during a pandemic has been difficult, yet superintendency in general has never been described as easy,” she said in response to an inquiry. “Despite the pandemic and difficulty, I have had many positive experiences this year.

“Although much smaller than WUS, I applied to Kalkaska Public Schools to be closer to family. Kalkaska is my husband’s hometown. He graduated from KPS and his family still lives in Kalkaska.

“It was an opportunity we needed to investigate, yet we are content with the outcome. My son, Andy, is thrilled to remain a Wildcat.”

Hinds was one of three finalists who interviewed June 8.

Board President Dan Casini said he was glad to have Hinds remain as Wayland’s superintendent.

In other business at Monday night’s meeting, the school board:

• Approved a renewal of the annual tax levy at 8.4 mills and noted the Gun Lake Casino’s revenue sharing contribution was about $890,000, down considerably from previous year because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
• Received a recommendation from Pat Velie, assistant superintendent for finances and operations to replace bus cameras for 23 buses and a mini-van for $45,592.53. She also recommended the purchase of transportation technology software the director uses to track buses and monitor weather conditions at a cost of $88,479.54.
• Learned from Velie that the administration has come to contract agreement with GRBX for custodial service for the next three years.
• Was told by Hinds that the strategic planning session earlier this month turned into a sort of town hall meeting and there is interest in having another.
• Learned from Velie that she expects the district to receive an added $64 in state aid for the next academic, brining the amount to $8,275 per pupil. She added that projections for the school district’s population is pegged at 2,997, down about 100 from a year earlier, resulting in a loss of about $1.5 million in state aid revenue.
• Was told by Velie the school district anticipates $4.65 million in Covid-19 Recovery Act money.