Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott teachers in place for 07-08

The Prescott School Board has held a series of special meetings over the past month and officials say they are nearing a full slate of teachers. The majority of the business conducted during these meetings has been to approve hiring, resignations and transfers.

Prescott School Superintendent Hyacinth Deon said last week that the district is now searching only for a special education teacher, an assistant band director and a secondary math teacher.

Deon said the district can meet state requirements without the math teacher, but said it would be nice to have another person qualified in that field.

On the subject of special education teachers, Deon said the problem is that many teachers are simply unwilling to put in the time and energy required.

Its demanding, Deon said. Its such a difficult job.

The school is still advertising for a teacher certified in special education, according to Deon. She said newspaper and Internet ads will continue to be in place.

If there isnt a qualified applicant before the beginning of the 2007-08 school term, the district has the option of utilizing a certified teacher who does not have special education training. The district must then file a plan on behalf of that teacher indicating that he or she is working toward that certification.

It wont be the end of the world, Deon said.

The school board recently approved a stipend for the districts band director after former director Brandon Martindale resigned the position. Deon told the board that adding a stipend for some specific positions would entice teachers to those spots. In the case of a band director, Deon cited the requirement to attend football games and additional practices as the justification for a stipend. She said other districts offer the incentive, making it more difficult for Prescott to hire a qualified director.

The board hired Carl McCraney Jr. at the June 19 board meeting.

Others hired for the coming year include:

Jason Patrick as assistant football coach and Prescott High School teacher.

Cecily Butler as the girls basketball coach.

Keri Sullivan, Janette Silliman and Jill Glass as teachers at Prescott Elementary School.

Walter Jenkins as the PES music teacher.

Denise Rogers as the McRae Middle School counselor.

Misti Dixon, Melanie Arnette and Pam Edmondson as teachers at MMS.

Kathryn Wiley, Phyllis Ary and James Wendell as teachers at PHS.

Hannah Dicus as PHS agriculture teacher and East Lab director.