EROS —John McCleary, principal of both the Western Grove Elementary School and Ozark Mountain High School has resigned. The Ozark Mountain School District accepted the resignation at its regular monthly meeting held Wednesday, Jan. 22. The meeting was conducted on the Bruno-Pyatt Elementary School campus.
McCleary took on the role of principal for the new combined high school at the start of the 2023-24 school year That fall semester was the first time for students in seventh through 12th grade from Bruno-Pyatt, St. Joe and Western Grove to attend classes together at the Western Grove campus.
The board also accepted the resignations from Ozark Mountain High School art teacher Jennifer Buresh and St. Joe Elementary teacher Karen Stiles.
The board elected to hire Susan Smith to fill the art teacher position.
The board voted to renew the district's contract with Aliza Jones from Academic Facilities School Consulting. Jones helps school districts prepare and carry out long-range master plans for meeting future educational facility needs.
In other matters, the board:
• Accepted student transfer petitions for two students leaving the school district.
• Voted to renew a certificate of deposit for 7 months.
• Accepted a bid to purchase a used school bus deemed to be in good condition for about $38,000.
• Was informed the school district received an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission grant for $3,066.34 which will be appropriated to the school district fishing team.
• Accepted the winter school policy updates recommended by the Arkansas School Board Association.
• Received a student achievement report by the superintendent.
• Reviewed federal funding through education title programs.
The board was also acknowledged for each member's service to the district, students, staff and community as part of School board Appreciation Month.