The Webster County School Board has accepted a bid for insurance for the upcoming school year.
Superintendent James Mason and the board heard a presentation from Artie Grimes regarding a bid from Marketplace for Insurance for school year 2023-23 on June 13. This was the only bid received. No action was taken, according to meeting minutes.
During a special meeting June 29, Mason recommended the board accept the bid. The board voted unanimously to approve the recommendation.
Also on June 13, Mason informed the board of two upcoming timber sales and other 16th Section information that did not call for action.
Mason informed the board that the “Transfers and Withdrawal of Students Policy” needed to be reviewed for possible revisions. No action was taken.
Mason presented each board member with a copy of the district’s security plan for possible revisions. No action was taken.
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Consent Agenda
These items were approved as a part of the consent agenda on June 13:
• Minutes of the regular meeting held on May 9.
• IDEA Assurances for FY23.
• English Learner Plan for 2022-23.
• Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care Plan for 2022-23.
• Instructional Management Plan for 2022-23.
• District Parent and Family Engagement Policy for 2022-23.
• The security service proposal from TBL Security Services for the 2022-23 school year.
• A request to dispose of old records.
• A request to begin girls powerlifting teams at Eupora High School and East Webster High School.
• The resignations of Chance Carden, teacher at EWHS, and Allison Crowson, teacher at East Webster Elementary School, both effective June 30.
• The resignations of Brandi Johnson, teacher/coach at EWHS, and Meredith Woolbright, teacher at EWES, both effective June 30.
• The resignation of Darden Price, junior high cheer coach at EWHS, effective June 7.
• The recommendation of Leslie Frank, Chad Hawkins, Tracy Palmer, Stephanie Bullard, Elisa Brooks, Courtney O’Briant, Jon Ginn and Lavelle McAlpin as certified staff for school year 2022-23
• Approved the transfer of Aly Hutchison from EWES to EWHS as a teacher effective Aug. 1.
• Ron Price as girls powerlifting coach at EWHS effective Aug. 1.
• Beth Thompson as cross-country coach and Hagen Jones as junior high cheer coach at EWHS effective Aug. 1.
• The hiring of Mindy Hollenbeck as cafeteria staff effective Aug. 1.
• The hiring of Brandi Johnson and Deborah Bowdain as substitute teachers effective Aug. 1.
• Student releases for children of employees in other districts for the 2022-23 school year.
• A fundraiser for Eupora High School cross-country.
• A resolution congratulating the EWHS softball team for winning the 2022 Class 2A Fast-pitch Softball Championship.
• Asset disposals.
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Other Business
In separate motions June 13, the board:
• Approved an update to the salary of Child Nutrition Director Amy Rollins.
• Approved a recommendation that Kenneth Wade transfer from assistant teacher at the Alternative School to the new SPED assistant teacher position at Eupora High School, effective Aug. 1.
As part of the consent agenda during the special meeting on June 29, the board accepted Wade’s resignation as assistant teacher/coach/bus driver at EHS effective June 27. As previously reported, he stepped down after deciding to become a full-time assistant coach for baseball and softball at Starkville Academy.
• Approved coaching supplements and days assignments for 2022-23.
• Approved a recommendation from Principal Chip Powell that Tabatha Pearson be hired as guidance counselor at Eupora Elementary School effective July 1.
• Approved recommendations from the respective principals, Jennifer Carver and Adam Dillinger, that Kinsey Hitt and Dee Denman be hired as teachers at East Webster Elementary School, and that Rhiannon Lambert be hired as a teacher at Eupora High School, all effective Aug. 1.
• Set July 18 as the date for the 2022-23 budget public hearing.
•Approved a recommendation from Mason to accept the hunting and fishing lease bids received from JoDan Boykin for Long Branch Hunting Club of $4.01 per acre on one 16th Section tract and from Artie Sutherland to match a $5-per-acre bid on another tract.
• Approved financial reports and the docket of claims.
After Mason presented a student release request to the board for discussion, minutes show the board went into executive session to discuss a student matter. No action took place while in executive session.
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June 29 Meeting
Also during the aforementioned special meeting on June 29, Mason presented some information to the board about a meeting he had held with area law enforcement and emergency officials, according to the minutes.
He announced another meeting with law enforcement and administration was to be held in July. No action was taken.
In addition to accepting Wade’s resignation, these items were approved as a part of the consent agenda on June 29:
• A recommendation for an increase in school lunch prices.
• A certified staff recommendation for 2022-23 for Wendy Brewer, teacher at EWHS.
• The resignation of Dabnee Slay, teacher at EWHS, effective June 30.
• The resignation of Hunter Mason, teacher/coach at EWHS, effective June 30.
• Casey Oliver as EHS assistant softball coach, effective July 1.
• The resignation of Katie May, secretary at EHS, effective July 13.
In a separate vote afterwards, the board approved a recommendation from Dillinger to hire Aubrey Ramer as secretary at Eupora High School, effective July 6.
All board members were present at both meetings.
