Board of Education members met January 9. The first order of business was reorganization.
Members elected Clay Scott as president; and Ron Smith, vice president. Other members of the local school board include Nichole Winner, Daron Cowan, Jamie Kratzer, Diana Nunez and Mike Meyer.
Board members went in to executive session at one point to discuss personnel issues. After conferring for approximately 10 minutes, the board returned and voted to accept the resignation of six USD214 employees. Those employees will now receive a $1,000 stipend for letting the board know early about their intentions.
Employees who submitted their resignations were: Deana DeLeon, Kepley Middle School Secretary; Lori McMahon, Hickok Elementary School Secretary; Susan Alexander, Kepley Middle School Science teacher; Stacy Gee, Kepley Middle School principal; and Darrel Manis, Ulysses High School Art teacher.
Board members were appreciative of the six letting them know as soon as possible.
"If we had their resignations by noon today, they could earn a $1,000 stipend," explained Corey Burton, USD214 Superintendent. "The whole premise behind that (stipend) is that there are so few teachers and so few employees out there to choose from. So, the sooner we can start looking for replacements the better."
Burton said those who plan to resign from their positions don't have to let them know that early.
"Technically, they wouldn't have to let us know until May, and if they did we would be way behind the eight ball," he explained. "If we know now, we can hopefully find a quality candidate and get someone secured for next year - that is why we offer the stipend."
Burton stressed the resignations were not affective immediately.
"It was early notice so the school could start the process of looking for replacements," he said adding, "We have a lot of long time employed folks on this list. We want to say thank you for their service to this school district."
Board Vice President Ron Smith interjected they were "names on paper"; however, "they have been here forever some of them. They are going to be highly missed. We accept their resignations with regret."
The board also approved new hire contracts for Natalie Flores, Kepley Middle School secretary; and Kevin Self, Kepley Middle School Spelling Bee coordinator.
Watch for more from this board meeting in the next edition of Ulysses News.
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