Monroe County school board approves K-9 contract, grants two tenures, moves meeting time and adopts policy updates

The Monroe County Board of Education on April 30 approved a one-year contract with Interquest Detention K9s, granted tenure to two Sweetwater High School teachers, moved its regular meeting start time to 6 p.m., and adopted updated policies on background investigations and student promotion and retention.

Board action matters because it sets personnel status for two teachers, maintains the district's ongoing K-9 drug-detection service for the 2025–26 school year, and implements policy updates the board said are required by law. The meeting also included a brief enrollment report showing 4,853 students districtwide, up six from March.

The board approved the Interquest Detention K9s contract for the 2025–26 school year after a short discussion about how the canine visits operate. Dr. Windsor, the district superintendent, said administrators have reported positive results from the K-9 program and that the vendor has not increased the price since returning to the county. Dr. Windsor said the vendor told staff the visits occur “a minimum once a month,” and that the vendor can come more frequently on request.

Board members voted to grant tenure to two Sweetwater High School teachers, Shannon Croft and Paula Bales. The board presented certificates at the meeting; a board member moved approval and members voted aye.

The board also voted to change the regular meeting start time from 6:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sharon Freeman moved the change, saying an earlier start would be easier for central office and finance staff who must stay late otherwise. The motion carried.

As part of old business the board approved second readings of updated policies 5.1.18 (background investigations) and 4.6.03 (promotion and retention). A board member noted the policies are mandated by law; the board approved them on second reading.

Other routine approvals included adoption of the April 25 budget amendments and approval of minutes from the March 13, 2025 regular meeting. Dr. Windsor reported current enrollment of 4,853 students and thanked volunteers and staff for the MOCO Games, noting Sweetwater High School won the 2025 event.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda as printed — approved (voice vote: ayes; mover not specified). - April 25 budget amendments — approved (mover: Richard; second: Sharon; voice vote: ayes). - Approval of minutes, March 13, 2025 — approved (voice vote: ayes). - Grant tenure to Shannon Croft and Paula Bales — approved (mover: Mark; second: not specified; voice vote: ayes). Certificates presented by district staff. - Approve contract with Interquest Detention K9s for 2025–26 school year — approved (mover: Mark; second: not specified; voice vote: ayes). Board discussion: program visits at least once a month; vendor has not increased price, can visit more often on request. - Change regular meeting time from 6:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. — approved (mover: Sharon Freeman; second: not specified; voice vote: ayes). - Adopt updated policies 5.1.18 (background investigations) and 4.6.03 (promotion and retention) on second reading — approved (mover: not specified; second: not specified; voice vote: ayes). Board noted policies are mandated by law.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn and brief thanks to staff for presentations and event support. No item at the meeting produced a formal recorded roll-call vote naming individual yes/no votes in the transcript of the public proceedings.