GENTRY -- The school board, on March 12, renewed for the 2018-2019 school year the administrative contracts of Gayla Wilmoth, primary school principal; Keeta Neal, intermediate school principal; Larry Cozens, middle school principal; Brae Harper, high school principal; Angela Dennis, special education supervisor; and Christie Toland, assistant superintendent.
Coye Cripps, president of the board, told Toland the board had intended to renew Toland's contract for two years but could not because of state law. Her contract was renewed for another year along with the contracts of other administrative staff.
The contracts were renewed by a 6-1 vote with Randall Bolinger abstaining.
The board also accepted the resignations of Tanya Gallardo, migrant education; and Dearl Peachee, maintenance.
During the public comment section of the Monday night meeting, John Herrington pointed out the conflicting accounts published by media outlets and asked school board members about the school district's response to incidents which may endanger students' lives or wellbeing. He said the school district did not call and notify parents of current information and had only the conflicting media reports.
Cripps, speaking for the school board, told Herrington this is the first time the Gentry School District has had such a threat and the district is using the incident to review school policies and procedures to better disseminate information to parents should such incidents occur in the future.
Jason Barrett, the school district's transportation and maintenance director, told the board that construction work on the new classroom facility at the Gentry Intermediate School campus is on schedule and brick masons are scheduled to begin work soon. He said the second floor of the building is 95 percent complete and that permanent power to the building is about to be turned on so that the HVAC units can dry out the building for ongoing sheetrock work. He said the new roof for the building to the north of the new structure is scheduled to be completed over spring break.
Terrie Metz reported that gate prices were being adjusted across the conference to pay for the increased cost for officials. The new gate fee will be $5 for adults and students, with no change to the free admission pass for senior citizens (62 and older).
Recognized at the meeting were student winners and runners-up from each campus in an art contest related to designing a new logo for the school district, and members of the state-runner-up bowling team.
It was also announced that Randall Bolinger, the Zone 4 board member, will be running unopposed for his seat. Running for the at-large seat are David Williamson, incumbent, and Larry Scribner. The school board election will be held May 22.
General News on 03/14/2018