Du Quoin Board of Education Hires Three New Teachers

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The Du Quoin Board of Education Thursday filled three upcoming staffing vacancies for the 2009-2010 school year, re-employed the existing staff and brought back Du Quoin High School head basketball coach Mike Crews after his very successful 23-8 season.

The board employed Amy John as a Du Quoin Middle School social studies teacher for the 2009-2010 school year. It hired Charles Montgomery as a Du Quoin Middle School social studies teacher and employed Rebecca McCrary as a Spanish teacher for the 2009-2010 school year.

The board re-employed as second year teachers Sarah Brock, Derek Beard, Sarah Geiger and Tyler Krone. By contract, those teachers remain on probation through their fourth year of teaching. The evening began with family and staff members shoring up the commitment of Du Quoin elementary teacher Tyler Krone before that re-hiring decision was made. Laura Robinson spoke to the board on behalf of Krone. She shared with the board various activities that he is involved with, charged a letter from a parent regarding Mr. Krone and expressed that both she and Mr. Krone were qualified for possible vacant positions in the district and could be transferred to these positions.

Mark Krone spoke to the board on behalf of his son regarding evaluations and stated that he was liked by students in his class. Cheryl Marsden, his mother, asked the board to consider his evaluations and teaching skills.

The discussions seemed to key on an interpersonal issue moreso than a teaching issue, but apparently it wasn't an issue. Krone was granted another year of teaching. He will face tenure consideration in two years.

The board re-employed Amanda Melton, Megan Schneider, Kathy Toler, Jeremy Cornett, Nathan Crain, Lindsey Estes, Nicole Heisner, Celena Lowes, Denise Rodely, Ryan Summers, Leah Winter and Christina Harsy as third year teachers. They all remain on probation--by contract--until their fourth year of teaching.

The board re-employed Terri Benson, Jennifer Helfrich and Andrea Collins as fourth-year teachers. They will will remain on probation--by contract--through the coming year, then will be considered for tenure.

The board granted tenure to the following fourth year teachers: Laurel Ebersohl, Sarah Phipps, Rachel tilley, Jason James, Pam Pursell, Latasha Baxter, Crystal Harsy, Issac Miller and William Gabe Sveda.

The board re-employed all tenured certified staff for the 2009-2010 school year.

The board employed Du Quoin High School head basketball coach Mike Crews for another season as well as other extra-curricular personnel that included Jeromie Morgan as high school assistant boys baseball coach; Kent Leek as high school cross county coach; Roger Craft as high school assistant boys track coach; Sara Geiger as high school cheerleading coach and Larry Britton and Julie Bruns as freshman class co-sponsors.

The board accepted the resignation of Tammy Kremer as Middle School EOC aide effective immediately.

The personnel decisions followed an executive session that began at 7:15 p.m. and ended at 9:39 p.m. All board members were present for the meeting.

Earlier in the nigh, the board expelled a student for the remainder of the current school year following a short executive session on the matter. The board does not release the names of students who face disciplinary action.

The board asked the administration to begin preparation of the 2009-2010 school year budget and to authorize a notice of a budget hearing on September 17,2009.

The approved a bid-letting for commodities routinely used by the district during the year.

Superintendent Dr. Gary Kelly reminded the board of the District 300 Foundation dinner that will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2009 beginning at 6 p.m. in the K-8 school commons.

Dr. Kelly updated the board on economic stimulus education funding and the projections in Title I and IDEA funding. Dr. Kelly said the district has received its Perry County real estate tax revenue from the last taxing season and added that interest income from investments is down.

The board also renewed temporary borrowing for the J.B. Ward and R.A. Wheatley School demolition and renovation projects with a short term note through the Du Quoin State Bank.