Knox Elementary Art Program Will Continue

Knox Elementary SchoolStudents in the Knox Elementary School will enjoy art classes in the 2015-16 school year, after a Tuesday clarification of Monday night’s school board vote in a reduction in force recommendation. If approved, art instruction would have been moved to the classroom.

However, with only five of the seven bord members present, a vote to cancel the contract of elementary art teacher Derek Eveland resulted in a 3-2 vote in favor of the cancellation. It has been determined that a majority of the board, or 4 votes, is required to pass or reject a proposition.

Superintendent A.J. Gappa said yesterday afternoon that the matter will not be brought to a board vote again, since it failed with a 3-2 vote.

Knox High School Principal Dr. Elizabeth Ratliff reported that the selection of graduating valedictorian and salutatorian has been streamlined to better reflect academic achievement.

A preliminary draft of the 2016 school budget was reviewed by Mr. Gappa. A final draft is expected to be approved by August 20th and then submitted to the County Council by September 1st.

The board approved several field trip requests as well as a number of fund raiser activities.