GENTRY -- The school board in Gentry, at its Nov. 14 meeting, approved several resignations and some new hires.
Resignations approved include Billy Glasscock as a custodian and Maria Cedillo as an English as a second language para-professional.
Hirings approved include Sarah Neale as a special education paraprofessional, Penny Young as a paraprofessional, and Pamela Bumgardner as a custodian.
Also approved were the in-district transfers of Carmen Tromp to an intermediate school physical education teacher and Matthew Passaro to an Academic and Behavior Learning Environment classroom teacher.
Halee Tennison was hired as a first-grade teacher pending her degree confirmation and certification. She is currently working as a substitute teacher.
In other business at the brief meeting, the board approved the school district's financial reports and a number of student transfer requests, both in and out of the district.
Terrie DePaola, superintendent of the Gentry School District, reported a current balance in the district's operating funds of $5.9 million, having received a large payment of tax dollars for the operation of the schools.
Jason Barrett, the school district's transportation and maintenance supervisor, reported that FLINTCO, the new construction manager for the HVAC project at the high school and middle school gymnasiums, was working to expedite the project and also obtain the best prices for the district.
An outstanding board award was presented to the board by DePaola. An individual outstanding board member award was presented to board member Jon Holt.
Board members commended the football coaches and team for an excellent season and district teachers and staff for their hard work. Appreciation was expressed for the recent opportunity to visit the schools and observe the students at work with their teachers.