Arrington resigns as NHS principal

By Staff, 10/1/21 9:10 AM

ROSSTON – For the most part, it was business as usual for the Nevada School Board during its September meeting Thursday night.

However, there was a surprise thrown in with the resignation of Nevada High School Principal Jason Arrington. This was discussed during a 30 minute executive session with the board accepting the resignation effective Oct. 1, and naming Tonda Pennington the new NHS principal in his place, also effective Oct. 1.

The panel approved a 5 percent pay increase for those who worked more than their contractual obligation, or obtained a higher classification rating. This affected 18 employees.

InĀ  her report on Nevada Elementary School, Pennington said K-2 students had been taking their NWEA tests, and the results show less than 10 need intensive reading help.

Superintendent Roy McCoy, in his report, said the district will be participating in a pilot program concerning Covid dealing with close contacts. The state will provide testing for those students who have close contact and if said student doesn’t test positive, they can attend school, but must wear a mask and be monitored, but don’t have to be quarantined.

He told the board student enrollment is down, at 375.

The board was also informed the redistricting plans for school zones show all former districts have representation with an allowable population in all of them. The new map could be approved at the October meeting.

The 2021-22 operating budget, 2021-22 federal, 2021-22 special education budget, 2021-22 minority teacher and administrator recruitment plan and 2021-22 school parent and family engagement plans were all approved by the board.

A transfer from Prescott to Nevada was also approved.

In other personnel news, the board approved Kyle McAfee as the head of the district’s federal program for the remainder of the year, starting Oct. 1, and approved giving Lindsey Casey $1,000 increase as the Covid point of contact person. McCoy was approved to receive the teacher’s insurance rate and the panel agreed to reimburse him for use of his personal cell phone instead of supplying him with one.