The Houston School District hired a new assistant high school principal and approved a similar position in the elementary building at last week’s monthly meeting.
In closed session, board members named Amber Stephens the new assistant principal in the high school. Stephens, who was previously employed as HHS counselor, replaces Jody Jarrett, who is departing after one year to become elementary principal at Cabool.
“We are excited to have her back on the team,” Superintendent Scott Dill said of Stephens. “Her familiarity with our students and teachers will allow for a smooth transition between administrators.”
Board members approved employing an assistant principal in the elementary school at the meeting. Dill stressed the necessity for the hire in what he described as the district’s biggest building with the most students.
Also hired at the meeting for next school year were: Joshua Roehrs, high school agriculture; Lyman Brown, high school science; Tim Davidson, middle school math; and Stephanie Homeyer, middle school English.
The board accepted resignations from: Jarrett; Jenny Sawyer, part-time nurse; Holly Atterberry, part-time nurse; Christina Hull, deaf/hearing impaired; Amanda Reed, speech pathologist; Patricia Brauch, speech pathologist; Brenda McGowen, middle school guidance counselor; Kay Dillon, food services; Jennifer Swanson, paraprofessional; and Richard Rose, high school social studies and HHS boys’ basketball coach.
Also at the meeting, board members:
––Elected executive officers for the board following the recent election. They are: Dr. Tom Dunn, president; Sharon Horbyk, vice president; Jo Holland, secretary/treasurer; and Janice Maxwell, executive secretary. Board members Curtis Hubbs and Horbyk were sworn in.
––Heard the district is providing free breakfast to all K-12 students this week during MAP testing.
––Approved eliminating two paraprofessional positions.
––Assigned the duties of process coordinator to Amy Dill, elementary principal.
––Reviewed and accepted the April 2 election results that approved a $4 million bond issue for the district.
––Adopted a resolution recognizing the services of departing board member Doug Castleman.
––Selected Hubbs as Missouri School Board Association delegate. Horbyk was named the alternate.
––Approved health insurance rates for the 2013-’14 school year. The base plan will increase by 7.1 percent, and the buy-up plan will increase by 13.5 percent. A health savings account option will be available to employees.
––Approved a contract with Catlett and Associates LLC for audit services for the fiscal years ending in 2013, ’14 and ’15.