The Dexter School Board approved a new special assignment/extra-duty assignment agreement the district signs with employees at its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 15. Superintendent Amy James said this agreement has not been updated in the district for several years.
James said the updates to the agreement were due to issues with the auditor. She said the auditor indicated the district needed to review the agreement. Information was added to the agreement stating it is required by law that employees would adhere to all district policies, follow all state, federal and local law and follow all MSHAA regulation.
James said language was also added saying that if an employee was unable to complete an assignment the pay would be pro rated. James said the new agreement says if the employee has already been paid for a sports season that has not been completed, the employee must repay the district if unable to complete the assignment. After James presented the changes to the agreement to the board, the board approved the new agreement.
CTA
Dexter CTA representative Cody Jinkerson said the CTA awarded two scholarships. One was to Dylan Sitze and the other to Magi McBride.
Superintendent's Report
James informed the board that as of the time of the meeting, the district had no students or staff in quarantine due to COVID-19. She also said the CDC has updated its COVID-19 guidelines. She said the new guidelines no longer require the use of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private schools. Additionally, universal masking in kindergarten through grade 12 or early education settings is no longer recommended.
Dr. Jim Welker, director of the Southeast Regional Professional Development Center, along with Seth Ward, will be on campus March 28 to conduct interviews with teacher and student focus groups. They will then interview the Dexter School Board prior to the April 19 meeting. These interviews are part of the continuing process to create the new CSIP (Comprehensive School Improvement Plan) for the district.
James concluded her report with a special recognition to the Dexter School Board as part of Board of Education Appreciation Week. The board room was decorated with posters on the wall signed by elementary and middle school students thanking the board for their work in the district. A special video produced by a group of high school students was played also thanking the board.
Executive Session
The board hired Brittany Navarro, Tana Younger, Kyla Propst and Zachary Smiley as substitutes for the 2021/22 school year.
The board hired Nicholas Libla as a district IT technician for the 2021/22 school year pending favorable background checks and appropriate certification.
The transfers of Alexis Lovins-Central Elementary, fourth-grade teacher, and Christina Jenkins-Central Elementary, title aide, were approved.
The board approved the hiring of Mary Ezernack- middle school special services teacher, Kurt Lovelady- middle school boys basketball assistant, Cody Boyer - head wrestling coach, McKenzie Anthony Brown - Central Elementary teacher, Shelby Lintz - high school math teacher, Sarah Jarrell - district process coordinator (psychological examiner), Lari Hardin-Central Elementary teacher, Lindsay Woods- high school dance coach, Becky Lizenbee - Substitute Bus Aide, Emma Parsley-Central Elementary teacher and Tashan Bittaye - middle school key skills & high school football assistant.
The board approved the employment of all probationary, tenured teachers and instructional/technology coaches for the 2022/23 school year.
The board approved the following resignations/retirements/recensions: Lacey Wood - Southwest Elementary secretary, resignation effective 3/25/2022, Brad Hahn - High school math teacher, recension of employment for the 2022/23 school year, Candice Melton - bus driver, recension of employment for the 2021/22 school year, Candice Averett - 4th grade teacher, resignation effective at the conclusion of the 2021/22 school year, Shelby Lintz - 5th grade teacher, resignation effective at the conclusion of the 2021/22 school year and April Boyer-1st grade teacher, resignation effective at the conclusion of the 2021/22 school year.