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The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their monthly meeting Thursday evening. After the approval of the agenda and communications, Superintendent Steve Bryant had Ms. Wisdom update the Board on Serendipity. The theme this year was Bon Appétit, and there were 44 presenters even though the weather threatened throughout the day it was not a total washout. The Dent County Fire Protection District was not able to have their presentation due to being on storm watch. In legislative issues, Bryant stated that the house and senate could not reach an agreement on funding and virtually put the measure back on DESE, but stated that there would still be a shortage of revenues for the state which would amount to about a 4% reduction in funding. Bryant said that R-80 would use a 6% reduction rate in setting budgets for next year. Bryant stated that summer school would go on as usual from June 1st through the 25th for grades kindergarten through seventh grade. R-80 applied for the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Grant through DMG Petroleum and received the grant of $750, which was allocated for junior high textbooks and resource materials. Bryant reported to the Board student recognitions for those receiving a 1 rating at the State Music Festival. They were Alex Bay for a vocal solo, Amber Blaylock for a Clarinet solo, the Mixed Vocal Quartet consisting of Houlie Ibrahim, Mitchell Lo, Colton Malott, Kim Marino and also the Girls' Vocal Double Quartet which consists of Rachel Arts, Hanna Bostic, Alexa Bragg, Amy Huitt, Houlie Ibrahim, Natasha Kruger, Kim Marino and Sarah Medley. The Salem High School finished first for the 7th consecutive year at the district art show in Mountain View. Six students won awards this year at RTI/RTC and they were Amber Kearbey getting the regional award in Breaking Traditions; Billy Hollenbeck took 2nd place district SkillsUSA in Action Skills; Sean Blankenship took 3rd place district SkillsUSA in Automotive Service Technical Information; Patrick Whitbrod took 2nd and 3rd place district SkillsUSA in Technical Drafting, and Patrick Whitbrod and Caetlin Brantley both were awarded to the National Technical Honor Society. Kaylee Mielke took 1st place district SkillsUSA in Cabinetmaking Technical Information, 1st place district TEAM Wood Manufacturing and also took 1st place in the State. Congratulations to these students!! The Board approved the program evaluation on curriculum, along with the CIA on social studies, physical education and Ag Ed. The Board then approved the 2009/2010 budget amendments, the program evaluation for the A+ program which now has an attendance rate of 93.5%, and the Board voted to table any revisions for the A+ student handbook until a later date. The Board was then made aware that a former student from the Class of 75 was going to start a fund-raiser as they wanted to Save The Tiger that used to be in front of the gym. In an update on the Student Random Drug Testing Program, it was noted that 300 students participated in extracurricular activities this year with about 50% of them being tested which cost the district $2,700. The program has run smoothly once again this year with only one refusal and three students that tested positive pending. After talking with the student and well as their parents, it was determined that the positive tests were due to prescription medication. The Board then approved the Special Education Part B Compliance Plan as R-80 has adopted the state motto, and they approved the waiver for Policy GCBDB for the Professional Staff Long Term Leaves and Absences. The Board then accepted the resignations of Jim McDaniel as Transportation Director; Eric Kruppe as Senior High Special Ed; Kathy Pabin as Junior High Special Ed; Cori Farrar as William Lynch Speech Language Pathologist; Vontella Kissir as Senior High Food Service and Juanita Gibbs as Crossing Guard. Three bids were out for propane, which is used at the Junior/Senior High Schools for the 2010/2011 school year and the only bid returned was from Ferrallgas for $1.35 per gallon transport and $1.599 for bobtail. The Class of 2010 had a total of 129 receiving diplomas for the graduation ceremonies and it was noted that the Salem R-80 Board meeting would be held on June 24th and on the fourth Thursday of every month from now on. The Board then voted to go into closed session where they employed the support staff for the 2010/2011 year, Stefanie Billington as the senior high business teacher, and Mitch Lundy as the junior high basketball coach. The meeting was then adjourned.

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