Alva Review-Courier -

During its regular monthly meeting Monday evening, the Freedom School Board swore in Kyle Rhodes as a member of the board. They then voted on a board reorganization: Shane Morris will remain as board president, Phil Kirkpatrick will be vice president, Robert Babcock will be clerk and Kyle Rhodes will be deputy clerk.

In other business, the board adopted the Woods County multi-jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan. “We do this every year,” explained Superintendent Frieda Burgess. “Nothing has changed.”

The board also approved the consent agenda, which consisted of the minutes of the previous meeting; the treasurer’s report; encumbrances and signing warrants for the general, building and child nutrition funds; activity fund expenditures; the municipal accounting system for 2023-24.

The consent agenda also included Policy EMG, which concerns animals in the school building. It prohibits students, staff and visitors from bringing an animal into the school unless specifically authorized to do so. Service animals – such as those that assist people who are blind or deaf or have other conditions – are allowed, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, therapy animals and emotional support animals will not be allowed. If the service animal gets out of control, the policy is for the school to immediately report it to law enforcement.

Also included in the approved consent agenda was a list of items declared to be surplus. These items are:

• One John Deere mower tractor without deck,

• Six gym/ag shop ceiling lights,

• Variety of used pipe ¾ inch to 1/1/2 inch, and

• One cafeteria stove top.