NEW MARKET — As class resumes session in the Southmont school district, the first school board meeting of the academic year took place Monday.
With a more permanent administration team now in place, several board members commented on how seamlessly the school year began.
“Of course you always have your first-day bumps, but it has been one of the smoothest starts to our school year that we’ve had in a while,” president Daryl Hutson said.
“Transportation has done an amazing job and our back-to-school breakfast was filled with lots of food and smiles,” said superintendent Dr. Stephanie Hofer. “As a central office team, we have been to every building multiple times for arrival, dismissal, and throughout the day, and everyone’s just rocking and rolling.”
Michael Nehring was welcomed to the district as chief operations officer, having come from the Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township where he served as director of human resources. In attendance with him were his wife, four children and nephew.
“Our whole family is excited and proud to be a Mountie,” Nehring said. “I look forward to working alongside you and getting to work as soon as possible.”
The board addressed several retirements, including that of high school art teacher Eleanor Brewer, who taught for 43 years and will retire immediately. Ladoga Elementary teachers Sharon Redmaster and Tammy McGaughey were recognized for their achievements of 40 and 27 years in teaching, respectively, who will both retire at the end of the school year. The board also welcomed high school science teacher Tony Gonczarow back to the district part-time after his retirement earlier this year, marking his 41st year in education.
The board also acknowledged backpack and school supply donations from First Baptist Church and Acuity Brands, which were distributed among the five schools.
The consent agenda was approved 7-0 and included the aforementioned hires and retirements as well as an administrative contract alignment for Kristin Paris, Ladoga Elementary principal. News hires include Christina Dale, Ladoga instructional assistant; Annika Cummins, New Market preschool instructor (transfer); Laura Benson, high school instructional aide; Addison Monroe and Makayla Givans, New Market instructional aides; Makaila Underwood, New Market preschool floater; and Hannah Nichols, New Market Title I aide.
Resignations include Alisa Haworth, New Market preschool; Cierra Wright, New Market aide; Christina Dale, New Market preschool floater aide; Jenny Sayler and Aravis Lynd, New Market instructional assistants; Ken Dooley, high school study hall supervisor; and Cara Troutman, junior high clinic assistant.
Personnel stipends were approved in the following amounts: Steven Masters, varsity assistant football coach, $3,500; Johann Palo, varsity assistant boys’ soccer coach, $500 (one-third stipend); Jesus Bonilla, varsity assistant boys’ soccer coach, $500 (one-third stipend); Miguel Salazar-Jimenez, varsity assistant boys’ soccer coach, $500 (one-third stipend); Kathryn Yoakum, sixth grade volleyball coach, $1,000; Amanda Anglin, seventh grade volleyball coach, $1,500; Andrea McArthur, seventh grade volleyball coach, volunteer; Taylor Wolf, eighth grade volleyball coach, $1,500; Rylan Gayler, junior high assistant boys’ soccer coach, volunteer; Jasmine Adams, junior high cheerleading sponsor, $750 (fall) and $750 (winter); Dan Chadd, sixth grade football coach, $2,500; Ben Fullenwider, sixth grade assistant football coach, $2,000; Cody Proctor, eighth grade assistant football coach, $2,000; and Dana Hunt, New Market student council sponsor, $211.
Also approved on the agenda were an overnight trip for a Sudden Impulse Show Choir competition; SA-5 reports for the district for the period of Jan. 1 to June 30; joint services and supply fund cooperative agreement for career and technical education; not-for-profit lease agreement for West Central CTE cooperative; Scott Busenbark - Crawfordsville Fire Department agreement; Cameron Jenness - fire and rescue contracted instructor agreement; Scott Busenbark - EMS agreement; and authorization to sign agreements for alternative services and private residential school placements.
Next month’s regular school board meeting will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 in the corporation board room.
