MOUNT VERNON — The Mount Vernon Board of Education honored two retiring teachers, Joyce Skocic and Carol DeLano, on Monday night.
Delano has been an educator for 42 years, 39 with Mount Vernon City Schools. She has spent the past 35 years teaching reading at Pleasant Street Elementary. French instructor Skocic has taught for 39 years in all. She taught one in Granville and served Mount Vernon students for 38 years.
Personnel actions taken by the board, minus Steve Thompson and Jody Goetzman who were absent, included the advancement on the salary schedule of Melissa Gregory, Erika Highett and Joseph Rucker due to completion of requirements. The board also employed tutors and substitute teachers and issued a number of supplemental/extended service contracts.
Board President Margie Bennett said due to budgetary constraints it was a challenge to continue to offer so many extracurricular activities. However, she added, national research shows extracurricular activities are “a good investment” as they help boost graduation rates.
Also regarding personnel, Janice Giffin and Heather Waugh were awarded continuing contracts. New teachers included Jennifer Bishop, high school French; and Emilia Ward, Pleasant Street, first grade. Louise Lutz was approved as a part-time elementary library center coordinator; Destiny Smith transferred from secretary to Title I aide at Pleasant Street; and several individuals were added to the classified substitute list.
The following non-teaching individuals were also hired: Alan Cassell, head boys volleyball coach; Dan Dennis, middle school football coach; Carisa Lanning, head softball coach; Rob Montgomery, freshman football coach; and assistant football coaches Brian Leis, Jerry Williams, Michael Williams, Morgan Williams and Beau Wolford.
Additional personnel items included the approval of a memorandum of understanding with the Mount Vernon Association of School Administrators, and the modification of job descriptions for Mount Vernon Academic Program monitor and assistant monitor, which are to be paid through grant funds.
