JV basketball coach resigns

MEEKER I School board members accepted the resignation of Jamie Rogers, high school girls’ junior varsity basketball coach, at their Nov. 3 meeting.
Interviews will be conducted for the junior varsity and C-team girls basketball coaching positions.
New hires include Lee Overton, high school assistant wrestling coach; Matt Dupire, high school JV boys basketball coach; Neil Joy, high school C-team boys basketball coach (if there are enough players for a team); and Jeannie Johnson, janitor.
In other business, Doug Pfau, superintendent, reported 24 staff members attended a three-hour training on the new Smart Boards.
“Everyone seems excited about the Smart Boards and how they are used,” said Pfau.
In an effort to personally meet all staff members, the board heard a presentation from Amy Chinn, elementary and middle school counselor. Chinn is involved in personal counseling, conflict resolution and behavior plans. A special group titled “Changing Families” has been formed. The group is comprised of 49 students whose families are either going through a divorce or have experienced a divorce in their family.
When asked what Chinn likes most about working for the district, Chinn replied, “The professional environment and the real focus on student achievement.”
Elementary School Principal Jason Hightower said of Chinn, “You do good work.”
The board made revisions to several district policies. A specific policy discussed was the requirement of written parental permission and administrator notification prior to a staff member inviting a student to their home.
Principal Hightower reported that parent-teacher conferences went well for the elementary school with 90 percent parent participation and several make-ups scheduled. Hightower indicated he was “happy to get that many parents in to talk.”
The elementary school also conducted a Scholastic Book Fair and made $4,506, before taxes. “Elementary school teachers will all get about $30 worth of books,” Hightower said. The library will also receive additional money.
Jim Hanks, middle school principal, reported 50 percent attendance at the parent-teacher conferences. Although this number is down from last year, “We have more parents in the building all the time this year,” Hanks said. The end of October was the first Academy Week, where students had the opportunity to take electives. The middle school hosted six different guests/experts as speakers for the students. Hanks also commended the Student Council for its work with the homecoming parade float, Halloween activities and Veterans Day.
George Henderson, high school principal, reported 42 percent participation in the parent-teacher conferences, which is “a big number of people coming to the high school,” he said. The high school also completed training for a Student Mediation Team. Henderson has referred four students to the team and said, “It has been a real positive thing.” The FFA Team went to Indiana and the Floriculture Team received a bronze medal. The high school band and choir were to host a Veterans Day ceremony in the auditorium.
Superintendent Pfau and Mary Strang, board president, thanked outgoing board member Ben Rogers for his time and service. “With your knowledge, you can be a huge asset in the community,” Pfau said.
Rogers expressed thanks for the opportunity to serve.
The next board meeting will be Tuesday.