Board approves adjuncting several teachers to cover certification gaps

The school board on Aug. 11 approved adjuncting multiple teachers so they can continue classroom assignments while certification or transcript issues are resolved. Pam, a staff member presenting the item, told the board the district needed to adjunct several individuals so classes remain staffed. "Abera Alexander in Elementary Education. Abera is certified in Science and Math, but not Elementary Ed. She has moved from the middle school to sixth grade," Pam said, adding that Deanna Berry had finished her college degree but the transcript had not yet been posted. "In the meantime, before I can emergency certify her in order to get her through, I need to adjunct her," Pam said. She also asked the board to adjunct Justin Croke to add a first-hour assignment, to adjunct Miranda Mulder in biological science to cover anatomy and physiology, and to adjunct Tracy Williams to teach Oklahoma history. The board discussed the paperwork and minutes requirements; Rochelle, a staff member, noted the minutes must reflect the subject. The item was moved and seconded and approved by vote. The adjuncts are temporary authorizations that allow the district to assign teachers to specific courses while certification paperwork or course requirements are completed, according to Pam. For one teacher who had accepted a different certification pathway, Pam said additional college hours would be required to add elementary certification. Board members asked procedural questions but raised no formal objections. No dollar amounts or contract lengths were discussed on the record. The board will forward the adjunct paperwork to the state as required; Pam said the district includes the attachments that the state requires when submitting adjunct and emergency certifications.