School board hires head wrestling coach

Small town school board meetings are pretty much routine affairs until they aren’t. The most recent meeting on Match 20, 2023 was one of the latter. The topic that drew a crowd on this evening was hiring a head wrestling coach. So after the meeting openers, public forum began.

There were two candidates vying for Head Wrestling Coach: Brady Schmidt and Damon Loyd. Each had supporters at the meeting. Becky Hays spoke on behalf of Schmidt, and Bobby Forseen spoke on behalf of Loyd. Both men have experience and both were more than qualified.

As the item came up for a vote, Board member Tim Myers spoke. He talked about the candidates and their excellent qualifications. He said that his vote was a reflection of the candidate he thought could impact the most kids. Damon Loyd was hired with Myers casting the lone “no” vote.

As the groups of supporters for both men began to file out, Hays asked if she could speak. With the public forum part of the meeting closed, Board President Jesse Howard declined her request. She then accused him of sharing confidential information from one of the interviews. Saying he didn’t know to what she referred, he asked her to stay and they could talk after the meeting. She declined, calling Howard a profanity as she left. With that, the meeting continued.

Brittany Earhart, first grade teacher at Clark, addressed the Board on another matter in public forum. She was concerned about class size. The talk is that the classes that are currently in three sections will be consolidated back into two after a promise from the Superintendent that this would not be the case. She presented a cogent argument in favor of the three sections being maintained.

The Board then heard reports from the student ambassador, both principals, and the Superintendent. He gave a building update. They weather slows the process, but progress continues.

Board President Howard gave kudos to the “Little Mermaid” cast and crew for their “amazing” presentation. He then discussed the efforts to start a Career Academy that focuses on expanding career pathways, provides an earlier introduction to the trades in middle school, and offers concurrent classes partnering with SCC at the high school level. It could be located in New London and would serve several districts. There is state and federal money available.

The Board then addressed personnel matters. They approved the following:

Resignations: Candace Moore-elementary teacher; Chris Shadle-Sp. Education Assoc.; Brian Swafford-assistant. HS wrestling coach; and Wahls-assistant. HS Boys Basketball Coach.

Appointments: Bridget Swailes-HS Track meet clerk@ $75.

In Board business, they took the following actions:

•Approved sharing agreements with Mt. Pleasant for HS girls soccer, dance, and HS boys and girls bowling.

•Approved sharing agreements with Danville for JH Coed & HS boys soccer, JH & HS boys and girls cross-country, and transportation director services.

In Board Business, Jessica Boyer and Superintendent Wahls presented information for the FY 2024 proposed budget. Six years ago, the tax levy was $17.82 per $1000 of valuation and it is currently $15.68. The Board will hold at the current rate to make sure the levy hasn’t been brought down too fast and will take a look at it next year. The reason that property owners aren’t seeing much of a decrease is because property valuations have gone up at the same time.

They then heard details of the FY 2023 audit report. After discussing several aspects, the Board approved the audit report.

The “Opaa” food management agreement extension was discussed next. There are some issues that the District feels are problematic. The Superintendent will ask for some clarification on various issues. The Board tabled this until next month.

The next topic was elementary classroom size. Superintendent Wahls dispelled the rumor that classes of three sections will be consolidated. If any sections were to be consolidated, the Superintendent would want parents and teachers to know six to eight months in advance. It’s not about space, it’s what’s best for individual classes. Superintendent Wahls will make it his practice to get input from the elementary teachers and principal for the Board to consider so they can make an informed decision. This process will consider what each child needs to be successful rather than having a set number when deciding on two or three sections.

The Board then went into exempt session to discuss negotiations.

The next regular meeting of the New London School Board will be April 17, 2023 at 6 p.m. in the north campus boardroom.