Jeremy Smith has resigned as director of the Exception Child Education Cooperative.
Smith, who is completing his second year running the institute, has accepted a position in the Mount Vernon R-5 School District, according to Dr. Allen Moss. Smith’s resignation was accepted last Thursday night during a special session of the Houston school board.
Smith arrived in Houston in 2016 as the eighth director of the co-op. His wife, Amy, is the Houston High School principal. She is under contract through 2020.
Moss, Houston’s superintendent, said the co-op’s 12-person board will meet early this month to begin the process of finding Smith’s replacement. It’s the latest challenge for the institution that is facing financial issues based on a change in government funding. Moss said the co-op has absorbed staff positions and will split a likely $140,000 deficit among the 12 member schools.
Despite the issues, Moss said he believes the co-op will continue to serve area students with special needs. It has provided the service since – this year aiding more than 700 students – it was formed in 1977.
“I think the coop is secure,” Moss said. “Many schools believe it’s valuable and don’t want it go away. We’ll support that as long as it doesn’t hurt the Houston School District.”
Also during the special session, board members
•Hired Jacob Brookshire (physical education/weight room/extra duties), Dana Wilson (National Honor Society sponsor), Mark Conway (high school English) and Cody Whitaker (high school English).
•Extended a teaching contract to Loran Richardson, who has served two years as the district’s wellness director.
•Accepted resignations from Ellen “Tori” McKee (high school English) and Lindsey Schwalm (speech-language pathologist).
•Chose not to employ Mike Moyer as welding teacher for the 2018-’19 school year. A motion made by board member Leon Slape died without a second.
•Voted to employee Tyann Nettleton and Nicole Pounds as substitute teachers at the Exceptional Child Cooperative for the current school year.
PDF: Minutes from Thursday’s special session of the Houston School board