The North Union Elementary School (NUES) was the site for the monthly school board meeting Monday evening.
Darlene Allison, principal at NUES, welcomed the board and all the guests present. Third grade students led the Pledge of Allegiance to open the meeting.
Allison shared information about what is going on at the elementary school and shared stats about all grade levels students have worked on throughout the year.
Allison also held an open house prior to the board meeting, to show appreciation to all the volunteers at NUES who have helped throughout the year.
Rich Baird, North Union School Superintendent also shared with the board the accolades and awards that North Union students have received. He announced that more than $48,000 was awarded recently during the annual scholarship award program.
Baird announced the recent Middle School Math Competition, in which a few of our students have scored in the top ten.
Spring sports awards were announced regarding track, softball and baseball teams. The North Union FFA program also was mentioned, noting students who competed and the awards that were received.
This is also the tenth year that North Union students have participated in the Vex Robotics competitions, with students qualifying to compete in the World Competition.
Discussion has been ongoing about the need for another police officer in the school district. Over the past few months, parents have questioned the board about looking into the possibility of having more security.
During Monday night’s meeting, Baird told the board that he has spoken with Richwood Police Chief Monte Asher about hiring a dedicated officer for special duty. Asher stated that the police department would have an officer fill in that position.
The cost would be $30 an hour and be on special duty two hours a day. The current school resource officer (SRO) would continue to teach safety classes, but the special duty officer would only be for safety reasons. The board asked Baird to have more information regarding an extra officer at the next board meeting.
Two parents approached the board regarding the “zero tolerance” policy currently on the board policy. They felt that the board needs to identify the problem with students, especially regarding bullying and assault. They both asked to be invited to the next scheduled safety meeting.
In other business, the board:
–Set Monday, June 18, 6:30 p.m. as the next monthly board meeting to be held at the administrative offices and a policy committee to meet prior at 5:45 p.m.
–Announced the upcoming graduation ceremony, June 1, at 7 p.m. for the North Union High School Class of 2018.
-Hired certificated/licensed individuals for one, two, three and five-year limited expiring contracts for the 2018-2019 school year.
–Hired non-certificated staff members on a one-year and two-year limited expiring contracts for the next school year.
–Approved contracts for administrators, a list of non-certificated classroom and field trip volunteers and certified substitute personnel and non-certified substitute personnel to be called on an as-needed basis.
–Accepted the resignations due to retirement of Deborah Barnes, elementary intervention specialist and Helen Andersson, elementary school grade teacher.
–Accepted the resignation of Stephen DeRoads, middle school football coach.
–Approved the North Union High School Summer School fee of $90.
–Accepted a request for an overnight trip for FFA students to Carrolton, July 9-13.