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Local News

November 12, 2009

DPS has change in faculty

Five hired, two retire

Derrick Miller

DUNCAN — The agenda for the Duncan Board of Education was light. But a couple of items could make a lasting impression on the school district and its children.

The school board entered into a 48-minute executive session to discuss resignations, retirements and hiring employees. Following the return to open session, four resignations were accepted, two retirements were taken and five faculty/staff members were hired.

The two retirements were for JoAnn Pierce, principal of Mark Twain Elementary, and Carl Wilkinson, maintenance for the Duncan High School.

Wilkinson has put in 22 1/2 years of service to the school district. His retirement will be effective Nov. 18.

Pierce has been with the district for 35 years. Her retirement is effective Dec. 31. Pierce is the second principal to retire this school year, the other was Eva Spaulding.

Some of the board members and school district administrators reflected on the two retirees. Among them were Liz Fawbush, financial director, and Glenda Cobb, assistant superintendent.

“I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Dr. Pierce’s leadership,” Cobb said. “I know they’ll miss Mr. Wilkinson, too.”

The resignations received were from Christina Miears, special education teacher assistant at Plato; Christy White, Horace Mann licensed practical nurse; Mike Anderson, yard crew; and Tonya Allen, Horace Mann reading sufficiency teacher.

Fawbush said she hoped the best for everyone who either retired or resigned.

“We want to wish these folks well,” Fawbush said. “There’s a lot of experience there.”

In addition to resignations and retirements, the school board also hired five people. Those people included Amy Benton as Emerson teacher on a temporary contract, Elizabeth Nunn as standby bus driver on support employee contract; Thomas Gattis as bus driver on support employee contract; Chandra Gonzalez as Horace Mann reading sufficiency teacher assistant on support employee contract, and Joe Allen as special education paraprofessional at Emerson and Plato on support employee contract.

Fawbush said Gattis’ bus driving position was actually added because of the demand for more bus drivers. She said the school district is transporting about 1,800 students every day.

Another item approved was calling for an election Feb. 9, 2010, for Seat 5 of the school board. The seat is occupied by Kevin Kinnaird.

The board also approved April 6, 2010, as a runoff date, if needed.

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