School board questions tenure procedure
As they finalized the decision not to renew the contracts of two high school teachers, the Durham-Lehigh-Hillsboro Board of Education agreed that the tenure review process needs an overhaul.
At Monday evening's meeting, the board approved two resolutions that fail to renew the teaching contracts of Hillsboro High School vo-ag teacher Kristi Esquibel and art teacher Martha Roach.
Each resolution passed on a vote of 5-2, with board members Reg Matz and Eddie Weber voting against the resolution.
The board didn't give any further reason for the nonrenewal of the teachers, who were being previously considered for tenure at the April meeting.
While reviewing supplemental contracts for various coaching and sponsorship positions, USD 410 Superintendent Gordon Mohn brought up the dilemma of the FFA sponsorship position, currently held by Esquibel.
Technically, Esquibel could choose to stay at the school with just that position, which pays around $3,000 a year, Mohn said.
But realistically, Esquibel will be moving on, he said.
"She's been very graceful through all this," Mohn said.
Questions raised during the process of the nonrenewals, which sparked considerable outcry from students and parents, might cause the board to consider reworking the entire process of how tenure is given, said board president Doug Weinbrenner.
Said board member Brent Barkman, "This was a timing issue. It's unfortunate how this thing came down."
Because the issue is still tender, the board will consider the tenure review process in September, Mohn said.
Also during Monday's meeting, the board approved plans to turn district-owned property on A Street into storage areas with extra parking.
According to the plan, the district will sell the three houses, and any garages, by auction, with the stipulation that the structures be removed or torn down by Sept. 1. These structures are located on three lots that stretch from the corner of Madison and A to midway between Madison and Jefferson.
The structures will be auctioned off with the stipulation that they be removed by Sept. 1. Then, two storage buildings will be built between Madison and the Madison-Adams alley.
On the lots on either side of that lot, two 15-space parking lots will be constructed. These will cost between $25,000 and $30,000 each, depending on the material of the lot (either asphalt or concrete).
In other business:
— Hillsboro Elementary School Principal Pat Call will receive his doctoral degree this Saturday at Wichita State University. Superintendent Mohn intends to begin work on his in a similar doctoral program at WSU, starting at the end of May.
— Several handbook changes will be made to the elementary, middle, and high school handbooks for the 2002-03 school year.
For the elementary school, Halloween costumes will have new guidelines, including no fake or real weapons and no gory or bloody costumes.
The high school will make some changes to its dress code next year. Chains hanging from pants pockets won't be allowed, and neither will pocket knives. Pants will have to have a hem, and boys will be allowed to wear the capri-style pants.
