NEW MARKET — The Southmont School Board recognized a New Market Elementary student for an exceptional academic achievement during its meeting Monday evening.
Tinsley McCloud was recognized as the June Mountie of the Month after earning a perfect score of 650 on the iREAD-3 assessment.
School officials noted the passing score on the state reading assessment is 446 and that scores in the 600 range are rare. A perfect score of 650 is nearly unheard of and her achievement reflects a strong understanding of reading comprehension and literacy skills.
Superintendent Stephanie Hofer praised McCloud and her family for the accomplishment.
“Tinsley is absolutely amazing,” Hofer said. “That’s just amazing. It’s a testament to the education that we’re getting, but also to the partnership of our families and reading and the importance of reading and understanding what we’re reading. So, we’re just really, really proud of her.”
During her report, Hofer reminded board members and the public about an upcoming fundraising gala hosted by the Ladoga-Clark Township Public Library.
The “Celebrate America 250” gala is scheduled for July 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. and will include dinner, live entertainment and a silent auction. Hofer said tickets are $100 each and that individuals and businesses can sponsor tables. Funds raised will support library projects, including plans for an upcoming building project.
Hofer said the district continues to work closely with the library and wanted to help promote the event in the absence of library representatives.
In other business, the board approved several personnel recommendations.
Approved personnel actions included the retirement of Glenna Livesay, a teacher at New Market Elementary, effective at the conclusion of the 2026-27 school year and the appointment of Amanda Clark as dean of students at New Market Elementary.
The board also approved the resignations of Deryk Benge, in-school suspension and recovery teacher at Southmont High School; Nicki Reimondo, sixth-grade teacher at Southmont Junior High School; Stevi Cornelius, elementary teacher at New Market Elementary; Carrie Edwards, school nurse at Ladoga and Walnut elementary schools; Sarah Rhoads, school nurse at Ladoga and Walnut elementary schools; Brooke Johnson, instructional assistant; Danielle Starcher, instructional assistant; Rachel Rhoads, instructional assistant; and Tiffany Mitchell, secretary/treasurer at Walnut Elementary.
The board also approved the hiring of Alysa Haddix as an elementary teacher at Walnut Elementary, Nicole Biel as a special education teacher at Southmont Junior High School and Kayleigh Arthur as a school nurse serving Ladoga and Walnut elementary schools.
Board members approved leadership team stipends of $1,000 each for Caitlyn Tennison, Raymond Jones, Michael Byrum, Brad Acton and Ashley Hammond, along with a $500 stipend for Jeremiah Sparks.
The board also accepted donations of $3,243.05 to Southmont High School, $100 to Walnut Elementary and $548 to Ladoga Elementary.
