The middle school principal is on medical leave this school year, and the duties have been absorbed by high school principal Don Street. This has given school officials an opportunity to learn how they can operate with reduced staff.

An executive session is scheduled on Nov. 22 to discuss the reduction of the administrative staff by eliminating the middle school principal position. The final decision will be made prior to Feb. 1.

In other business, Superintendent Charles Mellon presented the board with the state bus quote. After reviewing the equipment options and trade-in values, it was decided to purchase two buses from Midwest Transit.

The board was informed of the work being done by the school's technology committee. Discussion thus far has been on the use of social media in the school, one-to-one computing and moving toward wireless connectivity.

The board approved a motion to switch the insurance carrier for the corporation’s Section 125 plan from Horace Mann Insurance to American Fidelity Insurance, as presented.

Under discussion items, elementary principal Tony Brose reported that “Donuts with Dad” will be held on the first Friday in December. The kindergarten and first grade students are preparing for the music performance to take place on Dec. 20 at 6:45 p.m.

Middle/high school principal Don Street reported that the high school student council is sponsoring a Veterans Day Program on Friday beginning at 11 a.m. Second term parent-teacher conferences will be on Tuesday, Nov. 22 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Mrs. Hart will require a permission form for middle school students who want to read/check-out a book that is considered a young adult book. A young adult book is one in that the interest level/maturity level of the book’s material is for students in grades 9-12.

The board accepted the resignations of custodian Juanita Koekenberg, and instructional assistant Camilla Amsler.

The board approved the employment of John Hruskocy as 8th grade boys basketball coach; Katie Saltsman as 8th grade girls basketball coach; and Camilla Amsler as custodian.

The board approved the course description book changes for the 2012-2013 school year, as presented.

The board members discussed the new state regulations on indoor air quality. The matter was tabled for further information.

Comments were shared by the board concerning a letter-to-the-editor that appeared in the Pulaski County Journal. Mellon encouraged any reader to take into consideration that this is a frustrated parent whose daughter has just been arrested, and added it is common to place blame on others for poor choices being made. In this case, the blame fell not only on the school, but also on law enforcement, other parents and the community in general. He noted it is encouraging to see that the parent included herself.

Mellon said school officials do not deny the fact that drugs and alcohol are problems in our society that on occasion walk through the doors of schools and staff are forced to spend time away from education dealing with these issues. Of the 8,760 hours in a year, students are in school 1,260. During this time, he continued, schools will continue to educate the students on the benefits of making right choices and being able to live happy productive lives.

"But as we know, some have to hit bottom before looking up to find the love they deserve and the true answers," he concluded.