The Freedom Board of Education held its regular meeting Monday, April 17. Much of the business was handled off-stage – either in the executive session, required when discussing personnel matters, or in the consent agenda, which covered broad ground.

Teachers, Staff Hired for FY2023-24

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel issues. Upon return to open session, they approved hiring Bryant Weber as principal for the 2023-24 school year. Weber has filled numerous positions at the school, including ag teacher and school superintendent.

The board also approved the employment of certified teachers Sara Bowman, Grace Contreraz, Teresa Kennedy, Shelly Province, Marlo Smith, Katie Strehl, Bryant Weber and Cindy Wilson. Support staff employed for the next school year are Roger Riggs (head cook), Christy Gregory (district secretary), Cheyanne Pierce (secretary) and Bryan Davey (maintenance director).

The resignation of math and science teacher Bretta Matthews was also approved.

Later, under New Business, Board President Shane Morris moved that Amanda Barron be hired for elementary education for the rest of fiscal year 2023-24 at 15 hours per week. He also moved to hire Tamara Holeton as support staff for the rest of the fiscal year at 15 hours per week. Both were approved.

Two personnel matters were also handled in the consent agenda. Adjunct teachers Grace Contreras (Spanish I) and Leslie Shelite (Graphic Design 1-4) were included in the consent agenda because they are already teaching at Freedom this year and needed to be included in the final count, according to Weber.

Other Board Business

The board determined which individuals may use the signature stamp for official signature (with permission before use) for the rest of 2023 are Superintendent Freida Burgess, Board President Shane Morris, and board members Robert Babcock, Bryant Weber and Kyle Rhodes.

The rest of the board's business was handled with one vote at the beginning of the meeting in the consent agenda. The consent agenda consisted of past meeting minutes; the treasurer's report; encumbrances for the general, building and child nutrition funds and signing warrants for the same; and the activity fund expenditures report. The board always includes these in its consent agenda. Also included in the vote were membership or contract renewals for OSSBA (including OSSBA's employment services and policy maintenance services) for school year 2023-24, an alcohol and drug testing service, S&B CPAs and Associates PLLCA for the estimate of needs and audit. Less ordinary items included were Rider Spanish for FY2024, the College Career Readiness and Drop-Out Report, and Adjunct Grace Contreras for Spanish I and Adjunct Leslie Shelite for Graphic Design 1-4.

All board members were present for the meeting, including Board President Morris, board members Kyle Rhodes, Phillip Kirkpatrick and Robert Babcock. Others present were Superintendent Burgess, Principal Michelle Shelite and Minutes Clerk Bryant Weber.