GENTRY -- The school board, at its regular meeting on Aug. 21, voted not to open a local polling place for the Sept. 19 school election since there are no contested school board races in the district. Those who wish to vote may do so at the Benton County Clerk's office or by absentee ballot.
Jon Holt is running uncontested in Zone 2 for re-election and needs only one vote to be elected; and no one is running in Zone 5, leaving Jim Barnes in his board position until next year's school election -- Barnes has agreed to continue serving for another year. No change is being requested in the district's millage rate of 46 mills.
Under personnel matters, the Gentry School Board, after a brief executive session, approved the certified resignations of Sara Reyes, high school English teacher; Cassie Duncan, high school special education teacher; Lonna Gault, special education teacher; and the classified resignations of Diane Tillman, bus driver; and Laura Peters, para pro special education. The board hired Debra Buss, special education teacher; Krista Carr, high school English teacher; Madeline Boone, high school art teacher; Amber Wallace, special education teacher; Heather Atchley, speech pathologist; Clyde Backer, contracted route driver; Brandy Coker, bus driver; Whitley Holland, cafeteria; Rachelle Hough, para pro special education; Quinn Simmons, para pro special education; and Kyla Pierce, para pro special education.
Also approved were some involuntary transfers due to overstaffing and budgetary concerns: Delores Vaughan to special education; Nou Lee to kindergarten; and Bobby Hogan to fifth grade.
The board approved 16 student transfers into the district and 15 out.
Reported to the district was a letter of agreement with Northwest Technical Institute to allow Gentry students who successfully complete the Gentry School District's diesel truck technology program to simultaneously earn 11 hours of college credit at NTI in its diesel truck technology program. The agreement would allow Gentry students to earn five credit hours for tractor-trailer brakes, five hours for truck electrical systems and one hour for basic welding. Certain conditions apply.
Terrie Metz, the district superintendent, told the board final figures for the closeout of last fiscal year would be available at the school board's September meeting. Other financial reports were accepted by the board.
The board discussed traffic concerns and asked Barrett concerning options the city might consider to improve the traffic flow on Pioneer Lane before and after school and for school activities.
General News on 08/30/2017