Cole County R-1 School Board Meets

The Cole County R-1 School Board held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 12. The Board adopted the agenda and the administrators presented their reports.

Under new business, the Board voted to approve the consent agenda as presented. The Board approved a payroll fund transfer of $192,000.

The Board approved the election results for new Board members. James Campbell had 253 votes, Mark Thompson 188 votes, Kris Kirchner 173 votes, Kurt Brewer 120 votes, Charlie Platter 88 votes and Walter Johannpeter had 65 votes. New Board members were sworn in and elections were held for Board officers. Kirchner was elected Board president; William Kautsch vice president/treasurer; and Randy Koestner was elected Board secretary.

James Stark provided a report about the Track Project. A timeline was presented along with the latest version of the layout for the track. Everyone was supportive of the changes and ready to move forward with the final design. The Board approved the Special Services Report as presented. The Board also approved the acceptance of the DNR loan of $233,565 at zero percent interest for 8.5 years. The loan will be used to help pay for the energy projects to be done this summer. The MSBA Board policy updates were approved as presented.

In closed session, the Board accepted letters of resignation from Lance Martin, Andrea Hill and John Shackleford. The Board voted to employ Brett Mettlen to the high school counselor position, Matthew Wessel to fill the middle school science position and Russell Foster to fill the middle school social studies position. Tina Sellner was employed to teach a college-level class next year. Ashley Karle was employed as the head volleyball coach, Danielle Ball as the assistant volleyball coach and Foster as the junior high boys' basketball coach and assistant high school boys' basketball coach.

The April Board meeting will be April 12, at 6:30 p.m., and the June Board meeting will be June 14, at 6:30 p.m.