December 14th marked the final regular Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meeting of 2016, and was also the final session for two school board members.  Karen Harmer and Howard Stevenson took the opportunity to say their goodbyes to their board duties.

Mr. Stevenson talked about the 16 years his wife has been a teacher in the HSE System and his three sons, who received top-notch educations at HSE Schools.   “I wanted to pay it forward to be on the school board,” Stevenson told his colleagues.  “For no other reason.”

He said all he wanted to do with his school board service was to give back to the school district.  “Hopefully, I’ve been able to do that since I’ve been on the board.”

Stevenson lost in the last school board Fall Creek Township election to Mike Bottorff by 41 votes out of more than 29,000 cast in November.

Board President Karen Harmer chose not to run for another term after more than 20 years on the board of trustees.

“Thank you for 20 wonderful years,” Harmer said.  ” I’ve learned so much and had the privilege to be a part of so many great programs, but most of all, I have grown, through the many outstanding people I have had to honor to get to know.”