MP School District is on the move, holds brief meeting Monday

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

The hustle and bustle of packing up the Mt. Pleasant Community School District?s Central Office came to a brief halt Monday afternoon as the school board held a meeting at noon.

The light lunchtime agenda had one considerable new business item, the resignation from Jane Ragen, principal of Harlan Elementary and director of special education for the district.

Ed Chabal, board secretary and the district?s business and finance director, said there was virtually no discussion regarding Ragen?s resignation.

As for the vacancy, Chabal said it is very late in the year to find a new principal. He said the new superintendent, John Henriksen, is leading the charge as to how to fill the position. ?They are looking at several options,? said Chabal. ?One option is to advertise, but it is very late in the school year so there is a pretty good possibility we will look at some one-year (interim) solutions to take care of Harlan.?

According to her staff biography, Ragen had served as principal at Harlan for three years, and had been a part of the Mt. Pleasant Community School District for eight years. Prior to taking over at Harlan she had worked as an instructional strategist at the middle school.

In her resignation letter, Ragen said the ?relationships with staff, parents and students have been extremely fulfilling.?

?The learning opportunities I have had have been enriching, and the accomplishments in this and all positions I have had during my career with Mt. Pleasant have been a phenomenal growth experience,? she continued.

Other items on the agenda included the approval of claims. ?We were going to delay the regular board meeting until July 18 because of vacations, but what we needed to have done was approving the claims because the vendors are use to getting (paid) that time of the month,? said Chabal.

Lastly, the board approved a host of personnel items, including:

? Selections of Julie Crozier, Middle School science; Heather Smith, Van Allen special education; Tami Herr, computer technician; Richard Smith, Wisdom Quest teacher; Sheila Evans, Lincoln special education; Jeremy Klopfenstein, Middle School language arts.

? Resignations of Kirby Booton, ninth-grade football; Michael Pilcher, Middle School physical education and head varsity girls track; Brandi Helleur, Middle School special education and yearbook; Mandy Dunphy, Middle School science; Najam Uddin, Middle School math; Anila Uddin, Lincoln ELL; Michael Beason, Middle School wrestling.

? Transfer of Melissa Schull, 80 percent Middle School at-risk teacher and 20 percent WisdomQuest administrator; Nichole Ensminger, High School special education to instructional coach; Colby Newman, 6/8 High School industrial arts to 6/7 High School industrial arts; Jerry Crouch, 5/8 High School auto to 5/7 High School auto.

As previously stated, the district is moving to its new location at 1010 East Washington St., Suite 102-103(the old Farm Credit Services building). Due to the move, the district office will be closed on Wednesday, July 13 and Thursday, July 14. Limited services will be available on Friday, July 15.

The Mt. Pleasant School Board will meet next on Monday, July 18, at 6 p.m.