The Houston school board accepted five resignations at Monday’s regular meeting, including the high school principal and varsity football coach.
Brenda Dennis, whose contract wasn’t renewed in February after it failed to receive a second motion and died without a vote, will leave Houston High School after one year as principal. Also resigning were second-year HHS head football coach David Williams, Jason Puryear (in-school suspension supervisor, middle school boys’ basketball coach and assistant high school football coach), Renee Purvis (Title I reading) and Madelyn Vendt (second grade)
The board also accepted Jenny Sawyer’s resignation as co-sponsor of the high school cheerleading team.
Also at Monday’s meeting, board members:
––Heard from Scott Dill, acting superintendent, that Brent Hall has been hired as HHS girls’ softball coach. Ryan Munson will be his assistant.
––Were told the HHS varsity football coach position has been extended to a candidate. Dill said Tuesday morning that he was awaiting acceptance from the candidate.
––Adopted the school calendar for the 2012-’13 year. The first day of school will be Aug. 16.
––Set summer school dates beginning May 21 and ending June 18. The board accepted a proposal to hold summer school in the high school for the purpose of credit recovery.
––Were told a forum for school board candidates will be at 6 p.m. March 27 in the elementary gymnasium.
––Heard from citizen Brad Rees about the need for communication from the school district as well as collaboration between the school and the community.
––Approved the purchase of a new school bus. It will be purchased on a five-year lease/purchase agreement and will be available for the next school year.
––Renewed a full service agreement with the Missouri School Boards’ Association (MSBA). Under the terms of the agreement, MSBA will provide policy and policy updates to the school district in accordance with Missouri legislation. Additionally, MSBA will maintain an online database of district policies. The online database is incorporated in the district website.
––Received copies of 11 policy updates to review for potential adoption at the April meeting.
––Were presented a proposal from Brent Kell, athletic director, and Dill regarding outsourcing care for the football field through Turfmark Services. It was provided for informational purposes only. No action was taken.
––Received an updated technology plan for the new Comprehensive School Improvement Plan that will be in effect from 2012-’15.
––Heard from Audrey Kell regarding the ongoing transition to the Common Core Standards, a national set of curricular standards, currently taking place throughout the school district as part of its curriculum.
––Approved John Buse, Robyn Sterner and L. Annette Stopka (bus driver) as substitutes.
Minutes of Monday’s closed session of the Houston school board.