Dist. 300 Votes Flexible 2012-2013 School Calendar to Facilitate Moving Into New DHS

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Du Quoin Board of Education Tuesday voted to approve a new 3-year busing contract with MV Transportation, the district's current bus provider over the bids from three other vendors.

The board also heard from Du Quoin Education Association president Jean Ann Mathis, who said she hopes negotiations can begin on a new contract by early April with the goal of reaching agreement by the end of the current school year.

District Business Manager Cory Robbins provided a bid analysis of the district transportation service bids received. Four companies provided bids for the regular, special education, and extracurricular transportation needs of the district. After consideration of the bids the board approved a 3-year contract with MV Student Transportation the current district transportation provider.

Paul Lunsford, the district architect gave an update on the high school construction project and submitted payment items for various construction work for the board's consideration. The board approved the items.

The board participated in an on-line demonstration of the electronic board meeting/board document solution BoardDocs. The program provides an on-line paperless system of sharing board meeting agendas, board packet information, board meeting minutes, board policies, and board related research capabilities. The board and Dr. Gary Kelly's office will continue to explore this program during the coming months.

The Board approved a request from the high school band program to travel to Disney World at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. The band has traditionally provided a trip opportunity for students to occur once every four years during their time as a participant in the high school band program.

The Board adopted the 2012-2013 school year calendar. The calendar will include starting school on Friday, August 10, 2012 with a Teacher's Institute Day with the first day of student attendance taking place on Monday, Aug. 13, 2012. The calendar would also include three additional days beyond the normal five emergency days in order to facilitate a possible move into the new high school facility during the fall months of the coming school year. The last tentative day of school would be Thursday, May 30, 2013.

The board entered into executive session at 7:21 p.m. to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees and matters of collective bargaining. The Board returned to regular session at 7:38 p.m.

The Board approved a request from Bethany Valier for maternity leave to tentatively begin March 29, 2012.

The Board accepted the resignation of Gary Brock as high school golf coach effective at the present time.

The Board employed the following to extra-curricular positions for this school year: High School Assistant Baseball Coach - Jeromie Morgan, High School Assistant Boys Track Coach - Roger Craft, High School Assistant Girls Track - Lindsey Snider, and High School Assistant Softball Coach - Jacob Emling.

The Board approved the spring extra-curricular volunteer list as submitted by the High School Athletic Director.

The Board adjourned at 8:32 p.m.