The regular meeting was held starting at 6:30 p.m.
The board and Superintendent Denney recognized the Junior Medal of Honor recipients for the month of October.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, a community member addressed the board with his opinion of the handling of the Johnnie Stewart and Matt Resor sexual misconduct situations. Another comment made by an elementary teacher questioned the board about the staff input of the superintendent’s evaluation.
Mrs. Chris Hobson gave a review of the elementary’s Pancakes with Patriots event held on Veteran’s Day. Over sixty veterans attended this school-wide event, which started out by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Veterans were treated to a pancake breakfast. Elementary students decorated the hallways and sang patriotic songs; students also lined the hallways and clapped for the veterans as they passed by during the Walk of Honor. The veterans visited the classrooms for a question and answer session with the students. Thank you to Mrs. Hobson and all the elementary staff for their dedication in making this such a special program for the students, staff, and community.
The board approved the second reading of NEOLA policies, Volume 33, No. 2, with one small update to policy 1422.01, Drug-Free Workplace, to include the phrase “……at which students are expected to be in attendance.”
The board approved the first reading of NEOLA policies 3122.01 and 4122.01, Drug Free Workplace, to change the phrase “district-related” to “district-sponsored.”
The board approved the purchase of a fourth new bus, not to exceed $91,000. One of the older buses needs repairs that would cost more than the bus is worth, so it was necessary to move up the timeline of the purchase of the new bus.
Superintendent Denney reported to the board members on the following:
- Thank you to the elementary staff for the Pancakes with Patriots program for veterans.
- Last Monday’s snowfall caught us off guard.
- The fall sports season is now complete. Our boys’ soccer team won its first-ever district championship; the volleyball team won a district championship; both cross country teams won conference and regional championships, and the boys’ team went on to win a state championship.
- Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
The board members commented on the following:
- Board members are always glad to see the Junior Medal of Honor recipients be recognized for positive behavior.
- Looking forward to the winter sports season starting soon.
- The Pancakes with Patriots event was great, and the board thanks the elementary staff for making this such a nice experience for veterans and the community.
- The band trip to Disney was very good. Mr. Rouster will review the trip with the Board at the January meeting.
- Please be patient and trust the process with the teacher sexual misconduct allegations. The board must follow rules and legal counsel, even when it appears that nothing is being done. We have a strong district and a very good staff.
The board went into closed session at 7:31 p.m. to discuss the superintendent’s annual evaluation. It reconvened at 10:37 p.m. The board approved the evaluation of Superintendent Denney as Highly Effective.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:39 p.m.
