The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Hovatter pleased with board
PUBLISHED: January 24, 2008
Editor's Note: To mark School Board Recognition Month, Milan High School student Brie Prusak interviewed Diane Hovatter, a member of the Milan school board since 1999.
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Although Diane Hovatter has been a member of the Milan Board of Education for almost nine years, she has been involved with the school district since her children began elementary school.
Hovatter said she decided to run for school board after being involved with the elementary school and its field trips, and she was also encouraged by friends serving on the board.
Although her career is in real estate, she said she is very committed to her school board position.
While Hovatter's roots are in Westland, where she grew up, and Saline, where she graduated from Saline High School, she has three sons who graduated from Milan High School.
Her favorite part of being a member of the school board is meeting new people. She also said she likes learning about the school district from a different level and perspective than those who are not serving on the board.
Hovatter said the most rewarding part of her school board position is receiving feedback from students about what's going on in the schools. She also enjoys when students do something for board members, such as the posters that were presented to the board in celebration of School Board Recognition Month from elementary school students.
Hovatter said the school board has had many accomplishments because members are so open to change. One she cited specifically is a new opportunity that school employees have with the Early College Aliance program. The program gives employees an opportunity to take health-related college classes to be better prepared for a possible emergency in the schools.
There are many changes going on in the school district. Hovatter said the district is "taking a new attitude." High school classes are being conducted differently, with fewer lectures and more hands-on activities. This includes more opportunities for high school seniors to participate in internships. She sees this as a step forward and believes that students learn better if they are actively participating, instead of just hearing about it in a lecture.
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