NEW MARKET — The Southmont Board of School Trustees approved several personnel changes Monday, while Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Hofer highlighted gains from summer school and praised staff and students for a successful start of the school year.
Hofer said the district saw significant gains among students who participated in summer school and thanked the educators who worked with students during the summer.
“We’ve only been in school for a few days, and we already have so much to be grateful for, so much to be proud of, and just so much dedication and loyalty from all the people that make Southmont a special place,” Hofer said.
Hofer congratulated the district’s educators, staff, bus drivers and students for their work as the school year began, saying the school year is off to a great start.
She also reflected on the district’s summer activities, including hosting Drum Corps International.
“Southmont’s a very welcoming place. I feel that firsthand, and I’m blessed with a fantastic school board and just surrounded by a wonderful team here in central office,” Hofer said. “So thank you very much for making this school year the best one yet, and we’re excited for all the great things to come.”
In other business, the board:
• Approved the hiring of Tyler Frazier as a choir teacher at Southmont Junior-Senior High School; Blair Lenfesty as a special education teacher at Southmont Junior High School; Stefanie Kottkamp, Kelly Elmore and Trisha Truax as instructional assistants at Southmont Junior High School; and Pieper Muse as an instructional assistant at Ladoga Elementary School.
• Approved a temporary assignment for Rob Trautwein to cover Taylor Benge’s maternity leave from Aug. 5 through Oct. 15 as a special education teacher at Southmont Junior High School.
• Approved the resignations of Ellen Gray, an instructional assistant at Southmont Junior High School, effective July 31; Jessica Miller, an essential skills aide at New Market, effective immediately; and Tiffany Lowe, an instructional assistant at Southmont Junior High School, effective immediately.
• Approved extra-duty stipends for after-school detention for Marci Welliever, $310; Rob Trautwein, $30; Whitney Anderson, $30; and Ellen Gray, $60.
• Approved coaching stipends for Chayce Howell as varsity assistant boys’ tennis coach, $2,000; Race Olinger as varsity assistant girls’ soccer coach, $2,500; Jessica Dowell as sixth grade volleyball coach, $1,050; Jaron Cagle as seventh grade assistant football coach, $2,100; and Nathan Bray as sixth grade assistant football coach, $2,100.
• Approved the Career and Technical Education Agreement.
• Approved Emergency Medical Services and Fire & Rescue agreements for Scott Busenbark.
