Published: November 24, 2008 08:40 pm      

Search for Geo-RF school chief continues

GEORGETOWN — The Georgetown-Ridge Farm School Board continued its search for a superintendent Monday.

The board met in closed session before the regular school board meeting Monday to discuss search developments with its Illinois Association of School Board representative, Doug Blair.

The board has a contract with the search-firm arm of the association at a cost of between $3,000 and $3,600 to help find a replacement for current Superintendent Kevin Tate. He has been with the district for 28 years and its superintendent since 1995.

The board should interview candidates soon, as it hopes to have the position filled before the end of the year.

“It is moving along,” board President Jack Morrison said of the search. “Hopefully, we’ll have something in place within the next 45 days or so.”

Tate’s retirement begins June 30, 2009. He has said he will have no role in the selection process of his replacement, but will help the firm in gathering information or in any other way he can.

In other business, board members:

— Approved the annual district critical incident policy plans as presented by chairperson and fourth-grade teacher Nicole Cox.

This year the committee made changes to the plan, such as making sure room numbers are placed on the outside of the buildings so that emergency personnel can easily locate a room. The committee also sent out an informational letter to parents detailing where the alternate safe building is that students go to if there is an emergency at their school building.

— Approved the annual agreement for the drug abuse prevention program at a cost of $3,076, which is paid through a state grant with federal Title 4 money.

— Approved unpaid absences for the reason of student teaching this spring for Jamie Jennings and Lisa Martin, who are both teacher’s aides at Mary Miller Junior High.

— Approved the resignation of Jamie Jennings as the MMJH dance team coach, scholastic bowl coach, Panther news assistant and spelling team sponsor.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Georgetown-Ridge Farm School Board will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 at the superintendent’s office.