“I would like to say thank you to the community,” said Clinton Primary Principal Ashlea Stewart at the special called Hope Public School Board meeting Thursday night. Superintendent Dr.Jonathan Crossley turned attention to Stewart saying she was “really excited” about the project and said she could answer questions. Stewart explained the old playground was installed when the school was built over 30 years ago. “Currently three-fourths of that structure is condemned and boarded up.” She said fundraising had continued for 14 years, with typical fundraisers only bringing in between 1,200 and 3,000 dollars each time. With community donations and help from the school’s magnet program, they were able to move forward, even securing a 40% discount on new equipment according to Stewart.
The superintendent then presented a personnel packet that he said included a resignation, a reassignment, and a new hire. Crossley said there was a comment noted on the board’s paperwork why the employee stayed with the district, but just in a different capacity, stating matters in the personnel packet “make good sense.” Crossley said the district planned to hire a fourth-grade teacher based on enrollment numbers, and the reassignment “would keep an employee with the district in a different role”. A motion passed to accept the personnel packet. T
he board also discussed the facilities request concerning the continued rental of the gym. Crossley said it was a continuation of an arrangement already in place. Board member Bill Hoglund said regarding the facilities rental that constant communication with the coaches (Turner, Bradford, and Muldrew) “make sure there are no overlapping schedules” is important noting “weekend practices and changing game schedules”.
Finally, the board held hearings in executive session related to five students, identified as cases A through E to protect student identity. Two parent representatives were in attendance, but Crossley noted to welcome any others that may show late. Some community service, expulsions, student returning for a transition period as well which required academic progress and no absenteeism were discussed by the board, regarding the hearings after back in open session.Following executive session, when the board took action on student disciplinary matters, two board members abstained on two of the disciplinary votes.
