MT. JUDEA — Heavy rain caused flash flooding around Newton County at the start of November. Out of caution, the Deer/Mt. Judea School District canceled classes on Nov. 5. That lost day of class will be made up by opening the schools on Friday, Dec. 6. The school district follows a four-day week and would otherwise be closed on Friday.
That action was approved by the school district's board of education when it met on Monday night, Nov. 11.
Superintendent Bill Mizaur recommended the move and making it policy going into the winter months.
This will allow for missed days to be made up as quickly as possible, Mizaur said, and hopefully reduce the need to cut into scheduled holiday breaks or adding make-up days extending the end of the school year.
The board authorized the superintendent to put up for sale some old wood shop equipment that the schools have at the Deer and Mt. Judea campuses. The machines are obsolete and don't have the safety features now required for equipment used by students.
These power tools include several wood saws and a planer, Mizaur said. The vocational education shops also have some old welders that are in disrepair. However, some board members asked if the welders could be repaired. This might save the school from buying expensive new ones.
Mizaur said he would investigate that possibility. The other pieces of equipment will be put out for bids.
The board accepted four student petitions requesting transfer into the school district.
The board went into executive session for about a half hour to discuss personnel.
Returning to open session the board accepted the resignation of mechanic Jacob Olivan, hired Becky Carney as a bus driver and hired Bailey Middleton as a paraprofessional.
The board also authorized the expenditure of $70 for each of the school district's bus drivers to undergo specified training.
