The Houston school board made several personnel decisions during a closed session of last Tuesday’s monthly meeting.
Members accepted the resignations of Amy Gailey (elementary teacher), Annette Stopka (bus driver) and Brandon Reed (technology teacher).
Approved for positions in the district were: Robert Postlewait, custodian/shuttle bus driver; Julee Chipps, assistant middle school volleyball coach; Jessica Meier, elementary paraprofessional; Raymond Laramore, bus driver; and Jennifer Swanson, paraprofessional.
Also approved by board members was a long list of substitute teachers. They are: Michael Moore, Darrell Colborn, Terry Gayer, Chris Honeycutt, Janie Fraser-Giddens, Jennifer Richardson, DeeDee Dunn, Alisa Stevenson, Ila Jean Farris, Jennifer Cooper, Kent Swearengin, Christine Torbit, Maygen Ward, Ed Edington, LeAnn Edington, Jason Pounds, Mary Wiseman, Wendy Preheim, Daniel Hickcox, Amber Clinton and LaMoine Hamilton. The board also approved Nancy Sword and Jody Jordan as substitute cafeteria workers.
Also during last week’s meeting, members:
––Approved the tax rate for the upcoming year, including a voluntary rollback from the district to say money for taxpayers, according to Superintendent Scott Dill. A total tax rate of 3.5500 was approved. The incidental tax rate was set at 2.7500, and the service rate was set at .80.
––Received information from representatives of L.J. Hard Company regarding the defeasance of remaining bonds from the elementary school construction project. Additionally, the board was presented finance scenarios for potential future projects.
––Approved the Annual Secretary of the Board Report (ASBR) that summarizes the financial state of the district. Copies are available in the superintendent’s office, district website or the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.
––Discussed the Missouri School Boards’ Association fall regional meeting that will be hosted Nov. 1 in Houston.
––Approved the professional development plan for the 2012-’13 school year. It details district goals and procedures related to the continued professional growth of educators in the school district, Dill said.
––Heard information from Dr. Cordie Wimberley about a “Prayer Zone Challenge” community event to be held Sunday night on the school campus.
––Approved an updated employee handbook. It is available on the district website.
––Evaluated policy BDA related to the procedures for monthly board meetings. The discussion was prompted by the board’s decision in July to meet on the second Tuesday of each month instead of Monday. The issue was tabled until September.
All seven board members were present for the meeting. The next board meeting is 6 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Exceptional Child Cooperative.