The Clear Fork Valley Local Board of Education held their regular meeting Thursday evening in Bellville in which the board named Jennifer Klaus as the new principal for Clear Fork Middle School, effective August 1.
In a special meeting last month, the board accepted the resignation of Bellville Elementary School Principal Jeremy Miller and approved the transfer of Clear Fork Middle School Principal Steve Bloir to the position of Bellville Elementary School principal. Klaus will fill the position left vacant by Bloir.
“We’re pleased to have her on board,” said Interim Superintendent Janet Wyckoff. Wyckoff noted that Klaus had previously been employed in the Clear Fork Local School district, but had since been teaching in Ontario while she obtained her administrative degree. Klaus was not in attendance at Thursday’s meeting as she was attending the National Family, Career, and Community Leaders of American (FCCLA) Convention.
The board also voted to employ Kathleen Frazier for the position of special education director, effective August 1. “Mrs. Frazier has, I believe, 15 years experience as a special ed director. She’s also been an elementary principal and an assistant high school principal in the past,” said Wyckoff. “She comes to us with quite a bit of experience and we’re very pleased to have her on staff.”
The board approved one year limited teaching contracts, pending completion of employment requirements, to Tara Kemp for the position of middle school multi-handicapped teacher and Hannah Lemont for the position of elementary music teacher.
Among other staff additions, some pending completion of requirements, were: Richard Beans, assistant varsity football and high school girls basketball; Adam Brown, assistant varsity football; Logan Doup, seventh grade football; Nancy Fox, Butler student council advisor; Jeffrey Gottfried, varsity boys golf; Jennifer Moore, varsity volleyball; Stacie White, middle school academic challenge advisor; Jennifer Chapman, cross country; Josh DiPuccio, assistant varsity football – shared; Jeff Moore, eighth grade girls volleyball; Jennifer Seifert, activities coordinator secretary; James Klenk, boys soccer; Jim Tackett, girls tennis; Tami Vaughn, varsity volleyball; Brian Kinnard, varsity boys soccer; Kourtney Kucirek, seventh grade girls volleyball; Jeremy Riddle, varsity boys golf; Patrick Bailey, seventh grade football and middle school wrestling; Penny Farst, assistant boys soccer; Jodie Flynn, high school cheerleading; Marc Wilson, eighth grade football.
In preparation for the upcoming school year, the board approved change funds and activity budget, adopted a resolution to participate in the free and reduced lunch program, and approved Nickles Bakery and Smith Dairy to provide food service items.
School fees were approved in the amount of $50 for grades kindergarten through fifth, with a $10 discount if paid in full before Sept. 30. The amount of $55 was approved for grades 6-8, with the same discount to apply.
The board also voted to enter into a contract with Knox County Educational Service Center for the 2014-2015 school year.
The board held the second reading of the policy regarding admission of students from non-chartered or home schooling as well as the illegal substance testing policy.
Board member Jim Jackson noted he would meet with Wyckoff to discuss changes in the illegal substance testing policy to reduce the penalty for a first offense positive drug test from 50 percent suspension to 30 percent. He hopes to have a draft to present to the board for consideration at the next meeting.
