GENTRY -- Following a short executive session, Gentry's school board, on March 13, approved contract extensions for the school principals and administrative staff.
Approved by the board was the one-year contract extension for Brae Harper as the district's federal programs coordinator, Victoria Groomer as the primary school principal, Danielle Freeman as the middle school principal, Brent Hester as the athletic director and assistant principal at the middle school, and Justin Blanchard as the high school principal.
Also approved by the board was the hiring of Andrea Folger to serve as assistant principal at the primary school and Brian Little to serve as assistant principal at the high school. Megan Smith, who currently serves as the high school registrar, was hired to serve as the federal programs/technology assistant, effective July 1.
The board accepted the retirement of Sandy Duncan as food service director and Rebecca Young as a cafeteria manager, as well as the resignation of Gabby Johnson as a high school science teacher. Jeff Holt was hired as a custodian.
In other personnel matters, given MCL I stipends were Jamie Johnson, Thomas Clement and Cody Nappier. Brittany Ellison was given a direct-reach teacher stipend; Raena Tellez-Reach was given an associate stipend and Megan Oaks a District ESOL MCL stipend.
The board approved a corrected calendar for the 2023-2024 school year which was recommended by a majority of school teachers and staff.
The board approved on their second and final readings changes to the school district's wellness policy, allowing for a place for breastfeeding at the schools for both students and visitors; the policy regarding visitors to the schools; the policy regarding expulsions; and the policy regarding school choice.
District superintendent Terrie DePaola reported to the board that the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds had all been expended, with the remaining $16,000 being spent on high-quality instruction materials. She said a full report on the use of these funds would be presented to the board at its April meeting.
Also reported to the board for information purposes was that the eighth period of the day would be used for high school athletics practices next year, that the seventh grade would have its practices around the lunch period and that the junior high practice would take place during the first period of the mornings.
DePaola reported to the board that the two open seats to be filled in the school board election were uncontested and would be decided by absentee and early voting only, with no polls open in the district on election day. Chad Amos is running uncontested to fill the unexpired Zone 2 seat on the board and Stacy Nations is the uncontested candidate for the Zone 4 seat.
A plaque was presented by DePaola on behalf of the board to past school board member Jon Holt in recognition of his years of service on the board. Holt recently resigned due to a family member accepting a position of employment with the school district, creating a conflict of interest for Holt.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the April board meeting was moved to Monday, April 10, rather than as previously scheduled on April 17. The board meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Pioneer Activities Complex hospitality room.