On Tuesday, the Junction City School District Board of Directors met for the regular monthly meeting.
A new policy authorizing up to $2,000 for one-time signing incentives to new hires in shortage areas of teaching was approved.
Secondary math, secondary chemistry and physics and special education are areas that have been declared shortage areas and if necessary, other areas may be implemented.
The bonuses will be paid in $1,000 installments at the end of both the first and second semesters and the policy will become effective 2016/2017 school year.
District Superintendent Robby Lowe presented a report on construction projects to the board. Due to inclement weather, construction on two buildings on the campus are behind schedule, however, most of the site dirt work has been completed on the new gymnasium and special programs building.
Concrete work on the special programs building is complete and progress has been made to the gymnasium. With the south end of the gym already poured, the west side should be poured on Friday. Ideal Construction, who is in charge of the construction of the buildings, targets completion by Sept. 1 of this year for the gym and mid-May for completion of the special programs building.
In other business:
• Several human resource issues were discussed. The board accepted the following resignations:
Megan Deloach, business teacher and yearbook sponsor, effective May 27.
Myra Cottrell, secondary special education, effective May 27.
Leanna Hanry, cheer sponsor, effective upon last varsity basketball game.
Appointed as interim cheer coach for the remainder of the year was Ellen Lowe.
New hires for the upcoming school year include:
Jordan McKinnon, secondary math teacher and high school cheer coach.
Rachel Fairris, junior high cheer coach.
The board also increased elementary principal salary index from .434 to .492 to make the elementary principal salary more comparable with surrounding districts.
• The following students were honored for Top Dragon Awards and Citizenship Awards:
Carlos Bazalgua, kindergarten; Jaden Mosely, first grade; Hunter winters, second grade; Hadley Margis, third grade; Haven Margis, fourth grade; Kaitlyn Borden, fifth grade; Gaby Hernandez, sixth grade; Breyun Meadows, seventh grade; Brady Hutcheson, eighth grade; Gabby Burford, ninth grade; Trey Miner, tenth grade; Logan Vines, eleventh grade and Jessica McLelland, twelfth grade.