The April 17 Board of Education meeting was predominantly dedicated toward approving staff reductions, personnel transfers, and extending contracts.
Tina Carr, Jessica Samples, and Alisha Winans were laid off from the school system. Carr is currently a specials teacher at Davis Thomas. Samples and Winans are speech assistants that will be replaced by the employment of the tele-speech services, effective next school year.
Craig Hyre was also part of the reduction in force. He is a custodian at Davis Thomas.
Professional personnel, Dale Lansberry and Tracy Harlan, will be transferred from their current positions next school year. Robert Leard will also be transferred from his maintenance position.
Ten continuing contracts were extended to professional personnel. Two continuing contracts were extended to service personnel. Continuing contracts are not voted on yearly by the board.
Eight probationary contracts were extended to professional personnel. Seven probationary contracts were extended to service personnel. Probationary contracts are voted on each year.
Melissa Tauscher was hired as a full time gifted teacher. Christen Smith was hired as a long-term, half-time science teacher.
Rachel Stafford resigned from her position as a social studies teacher at the high school, effective at the end of this school year. Felicia Goldizen resigned as the high school cheer coach.
It was reported during the transportation supervisor report for March that the county has not received new school bus yet.
During the citizen’s input section of the meeting, Kim Day asked the board to allow her son to attend the graduation ceremony with this year’s senior class, despite his homeschooling for the last four years.
The 2018-2019 calendar was approved in a public hearing that preceded the Board of Education meeting. No changes were made to the schedule since it was originally introduced to the public at the last board meeting.
Tucker County High School Art students will attend the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. on May 17.
The Tucker County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Pickin’ in Parsons will use one school bus and driver to transport guests between the festival grounds and lodging in Davis and Thomas on July 31 through August 4.
The last day of school is June 11. The Tucker Valley 8th grade recognition ceremony is on June 1 at 6 p.m. Davis Thomas’ 8th grade recognition ceremony is on June 4 at 5:30 p.m.
The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 7 at Tucker County High School at 4:30.
