NEW MARKET — The Southmont school board voted 5-1 to appoint Brevan Cornelius to the Ripley Township seat at the regular meeting on Monday.
Cornelius is a 2004 Southmont graduate, volunteer, multi-sport coach within the Southmont district, and day casting supervisor at Nucor Steel. Although not in attendance due to a calendar conflict, he officially began service this week, and will serve until the January following the 2028 general election.
The board also personally welcomed Jason Wise as junior high athletic director and dean of students, who brings 20 years of experience in working with children, classroom management, and teacher mentoring.
In personnel matters, the board approved:
• Performance-based stipend for superintendent Dr. Stephanie Hofer.
• Transfer of Brian King from teacher at Walnut elementary to 7th grade math teacher; Karen Monts from Walnut administrative assistant to Communities in Schools at Ladoga and Walnut Elementaries; and Sharon Albertson from part time to full time junior high computer science teacher.
• Employment of Jason Wise, junior high athletic director and dean of students; and Lindsey Pierle, high school instructional assistant.
Extra duty recommendation for Wendy Black, after school detention, in the amount of $630.
• Stipends in the following amounts: Desson Hannum, varsity football coach, $8,000; Jeremiah Sparks, varsity assistant football coach, $3,500; Mitchell Dehne, varsity assistant football coach, $3,500; Steven Masters, varsity assistant football coach, $3,500; Bill Whalen, varsity girls golf coach, $3,000; Dave Williamson, varsity assistant girls golf coach, $1,500; Amy Reeves, varsity cross country coach, $3,000; Katrina Burris, varsity assistant cross country coach, $3,000; Erin Barry, varsity volleyball coach, $5,000; Bella McIntyre, varsity assistant volleyball coach, $2,000; Lauren Witherspoon, JV volleyball coach, $1,654; Nathan Poynter, varsity boys tennis coach, $4,000; Joe McCutchan, varsity assistant boys tennis coach, $1,500; Chris Cox, varsity assistant boys tennis coach, volunteer; Brittany Madden, varsity cheerleading sponsor, $1,500 (fall) & $1,500 (winter); Angie Williams, varsity girls soccer coach, $4,000; Benjamin Razo, varsity boys soccer coach, $4,000; Annika Cummins, junior high cheerleading sponsor, $750 (fall) & $750 (winter); Kayla Barsotti, junior high cheerleading sponsor, volunteer; Elliott Franklin, junior high boys tennis coach, $1,500; and Josh Gray, junior high girls golf coach, $1,000.
In other matters, the board:
• Approved an FFA trip to Purdue University from June 17-20.
• Accepted donations made to the high school in the amount of $200.
• Approved a Neola board policy update that allows board members to participate remotely.
Next month’s regular board meeting will take place at 6 p.m. July 15 in the corporation board room. Note that this meeting has been moved to a Tuesday due to a scheduling conflict.
