GENTRY — With census numbers slightly altering the five zones within the Gentry School District, all seven school board positions will be on the ballot at the September school election.
Though the slight changes did not move any of the current school board members out of their respective zones, the adjustments for population numbers would mean that some residents will be in a different zone than they were at recent elections and could be represented by a school board member without having had the opportunity to vote for their zone representative.
Though it may have been possible for the at-large school board members to retain their posts, the safest course of action, it was determined at last week’s school board meeting, was to put all the positions on the September ballot. Not to do so could result in a legal challenge to school board decisions, according to school district superintendent Randy Barrett.
Three of the current school board members would have had to run for their positions in September even without the zone changes.
Because the terms are to be staggered to ensure continuity and experience on the board, the newly-elected board members will have to determine the lengths of their terms - from one to five years - and will likely do so by a drawing conducted at the first school board meeting following the election.
All the current school board members will be eligible to run for their current positions on the board, Barrett said.
Board member Ted Dorn announced at the March 28 meeting that he would not be running for another term. Dorn is presently in his second term on the Gentry board.
Board members serve without pay and put in a considerable amount of time in required training to hold their posts.
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Administrative contracts
In other business, the board unanimously approved extending new contracts to the four school principals - Brae Harper, Larry Cozens, Denise Waters and Gayla Wilmoth - federal programs coordinator Judy Winslet and special education director Debra Still. Teacher contracts will come before the board at its April meeting and contracts for other staff at its May meeting.
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Transportation director
The board accepted the resignation, at the end of the current school year, of transportation director Shiera Wilson. Wilson is retiring after 34 years with the transportation department, Barrett said.
Because the positionis one which has much contact with the public, Barrett suggested a screening committee be appointed to interview and recommend a new transportation director for hire by the board. After an executive session with Barrett present, the board approved the appointment of a screening committee, including middle school principal Larry Cozens, athletic director Brian Little, school board member Gary Dunlap, bus driver and payroll clerk Pam Harrelson and an elementary school parent to be appointed by primary school principal Gayla Wilmoth.
The board will consider applicants for the position, conduct interviews and make a recommendation for Barrett to take to the school board. Before the position is advertised outside the district, district employees are given 10 days to apply fora transfer into the position.
Approximately 70 percent of students ride a school bus, Barrett said.
“The bus driver is the first person (from the school) students see in the morning, and it kind of sets the mood for the day,” Barrett said.
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Exploratory committee
The board also appointed board member Coye Cripps and the new transportation director to represent the board on a city exploratory committee seeking to plan ahead to promote safe vehicle and foot traffic to and from the schools. The committee will consider such issues as street access to schools, sidewalks, street crossings and traffic control. The action came about as a result of a request by Gentry Mayor Kevin Johnston that the schools be represented in city planning related to such matters.
News, Pages 1 on 04/06/2011