Princeton, Newtown-Harris Boards Meet

Personnel was among items considered by boards of education at Princeton R-5 and Newtown-Harris R-2 during meetings this week.
Princeton R-5
Several personnel items were acted upon by the Princeton R-5 Board of Education at its meeting on Monday night.
According to information provided by Board Secretary Christy Stockman, the board approved the resignations of elementary special education teacher Erma Newton and elementary teacher Hilary Marshall, effective at the end of the school year. All probationary teaching contracts were approved for the 2017-18 school year as well as extra duty assignments for next year.
Approval was given to the certified staff salary schedule for 2017-18, which included movement for both years of service and additional education hours. The starting salary for a first-year teacher remains the same at $29,000. A new wage scale for non-certified staff was also approved, also allowing movement based on years of service. There was also a change to the salary scale involving the administrative assistant.
A timeline for the transition to district-owned and operated transportation services was reviewed, with the board approving the job description for the transportation director/mechanic/driver position. The individual filling that position will begin duties on June 1. The board plans to hire bus drivers at the May 8 board meeting.
Dennis Gutshall updated the board on the HVAC project that has recently been completed at the high school. All work has been completed and the district has approved the roof contractor to apply a recoating this spring.
Danny Shew updated the board on the school archery program, which has over 40 students participating on a regular basis. Princeton recently had a team compete in the South Harrison Archery Tournament, with Megan Hydorn finishing first, Colton Youngs finishing second and Juana Jones finishing third.
The board heard reports from the elementary and junior/senior high school principals.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 10, at which time there will be a reorganization of the board, including election of officers.
Newtown-Harris R-2
Contracts were the main topic of the agenda at Monday night’s meeting of the Newtown-Harris R-2 Board of Education.
According to information from Superintendent Kim Johnson, approval was given to contracts for four tenured instructors and six non-tenured instructors. Offered contracts for the 2017-18 school year were Title I instructor Susanne Crawford, kindergarten instructor Julie Tucker, preschool instructor Catherine Renner and high school math teacher Linda Hague, all tenured staff; K-12 music teacher Ethan Steward, first/second grade teacher Laura Kraft, high school ELA teacher Jerry Kiger, counselor Staci Freeman, K-12 art instructor Samantha Miller, third/fourth grade teacher Bailey Kasinger and business/family consumer science teacher Andrea Luper, all non-tenured staff. Non-certified staff offered contracts were Becky Neighbors, Adele Rowland and Mary Collins.
Several resignations, effective at the end of the school year, were accepted and include Michelle McLaughlin, seventh though 12th grade science; Jason Hostetter, K-12 physical education and health; Dennis Ryan, seventh through 12th grade social studies; Tiffany Sayre, special education; and Jaci Rhoades, fifth/sixth grade.
Ken Pearce of Midwest Transit presented information regarding bus leases versus purchasing. No action was taken.
The FFA chapter made a presentation regarding a leadership trip to Washington D.C. in June, which was approved. A fundraiser is to be held on March 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. to help with the trip expenses.
Reports were heard from teachers Michelle McLaughlin and Bailey Kasinger. The HOSA organization also made a presentation.
The next meeting of the board will be on Monday, April 10.