On Monday, Southmont FFA members presented school board members a brief overview of their accomplishments at the National Land Judging Contest held May 1-5 in Oklahoma.
In October, the team placed first in the state to qualify for the national contest. The team did exceptionally well, ranking third nationally. Individual scores for the four participants also were outstanding. All members placed in the top 50, with more than 200 participants.
The floor was opened for public comments. Sondra Sixberry addressed the board, asking for better clarification and policies regarding class rankings when a student graduates early. Sarah Needham asked the panel about efforts for teacher retention, as it seems so many teachers are resigning. Board president Daryl Hutson presented the number of resignations and retirements for the last four years. Those numbers were steady and remained close each year.
Personnel changes made up the bulk of the agenda. Resignations were approved for Sonna Schafer, Ladoga Elementary Principal; Lori Ward, Southmont Jr. High math teacher; Shelle Norman, high school media specialist; and Kim Dittmer, administrative secretary at Walnut Elementary.
New hires for the upcoming 2023-24 school year include: Kristin Paris, Ladoga Elementary Principal; Alison Karrfalt, New Market Elementary Principal; Michael Byrum, Graduation Pathways coordinator; Morgan Vaughn, ELA teacher at Southmont Jr. High; Julie Parent, FACS teacher, Southmont High School; Jennifer Michael, elementary teacher at Walnut; Lucia Iannantuono, high school Spanish teacher; Heather Sutton, Transitions/Special Education teacher; Jessica Metzger, literary coach and admin intern: New Market; Hannah Dial, high school ELA teacher; Kayla Murphy, teacher at Walnut; Tiffany Collisi, Dual Credit teacher/district communications coordinator; and Karen Monts, secretary/treasurer at Walnut.
Revisions to the agenda included an additional five new hires. The new hires announced were Nicole Aguiar, full-time substitute teacher for Southmont Junior High; Jeremy Haire, elementary mental health counselor; Emily Peterson, Southmont High School special education teacher; Candida Blakely, Ladoga Elementary teacher; and Savannah Limcaco, speech and language professional.
The board also approved retirements for Jill Taul, SLP-Walnut (2022-23), and Kyle Myers, PE teacher for Ladoga/Walnut schools (2023-24). The retirement of Tony Gonzarow and Elizabeth Binch will be at the end of the 2023-24 school year as well, as reported at the May meeting.
Medical leaves were approved for Brittany Cooper, ending in June, and Sara Burkhart during the 2023-24 school year. Burkhart’s leave will be intermittent as needed.
Contracts for Kelsey Feese, summer school coordinator, and Lesley Lashley, extended junior high school instructor, were also granted.
Jarrett Todd and Judd VanCleave will be the seventh grade football coach and assistant coach, respectively. Todd will receive $2,500 and VanCleave $2,000 for their work with the youth. Sarah Fadil will receive a $3,000 stipend as the choir director and another $1,000 stipend as the show choir director.
After-school detention payments were approved for Jamie McCormick, Wendy Black, Amy France and Brooke Phelps. The total expenditure was $990.
Cripe highlighted numerous capital projects in progress. Projects included carpeting, painting, new furniture and repaving lots and roads. The junior varsity baseball renovation is complete. A new deck and pool liner will be installed over the fall break.
A public work session meeting will be held at 5 p.m. July 10 in the corporation board room. It will be followed by the regular board meeting at 6 p.m.
