News : School Board to act on resignations of band director, wrestling coach

The Vinton-Shellsburg School Board will be asked to officially accept the resignation of VSHS Band Director Karl Smith and wrestling coach Steve Johnson during a special meeting tonight.

The board will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the central office.

"We will start with several resignations – Karl Smith, Steve Johnson (head wrestling) and Mindy McClintock (8th grade volleyball). I’m sure the board will accept them pending suitable replacements for Mr. Smith and Ms. McClintock," said Supt. Mary Jo Hainstock.

Judy Mitschelen has submitted her resignation as 6th grade language arts teacher; she has also requested she receive the early retirement stipend so the board will have to decide if they want to do that or not, said the superintendent.

Then the board will consider several recommendations for hire, according to Hainstock:

Emily McLaughlin has served as a long-term substitute at Tilford this year and she is being recommended to be hired as the first grade teacher at Shellsburg.

Courtney Little is being recommended as a new hire to teach 2nd grade at Shellsburg; she grew up in the Brandon area and most recently has been a teacher in the Seattle area.

Josh Meyer is being recommended to hire as a 5th grade teacher at Shellsburg; he is currently teaching junior high English at North Tama but has five years at GMG in a self-contained 5thgrade classroom prior to that.

Michelle Ruess is being recommended to be the head volleyball coach; she has 15 years of prior experience.

Ms. Petersen and Mr. Bearbower are recommending that Gordon Floyd be transferred to the Middle School as the daytime custodian replacing Bev Lint who is retiring. He has most recently been the daytime custodian at Shellsburg.

We are recommending summer drivers’ education contracts be approved for Ken Huelman and Steve McGrew.

Hainstock will also be asking the board to give her permission to issue contracts prior to school board action during the summer months.

"I am also recommending they grant permission for Brenda Barkdoll to pay bill prior to board approval during the summer months. (They have done both in the past.), " she adds.

Kelly Steffen wrote an grant application to participate in a program to receive training in how to better teach about World War II. She received some grant funding and will be traveling to Washington, DC and Normandy, France in June along with a student who was selected.

"She is responsible for most of the expenses. However, because she will be using what she learns as a part of her teaching assignment, I recommend the board recognize the trip as related to school and she would be authorized to receive up to $400 in reimbursement for expenses," said the superintendent.