Knox board approves personnel items, accepts $5,000 donation and introduces assistant superintendent candidate

The Knox Community School Corp. board on May 4 approved the superintendent’s recommended personnel items and accepted an anonymous $5,000 donation for an elementary science and nature center.

Chair opened the meeting and asked to add the resignation of Diana Hall, a Knox High School math teacher, to the personnel agenda. The superintendent recommended approval of items A–E (personnel report, FMLA, new hires, transfers, and summer staff); a motion was made, seconded and the board approved the recommendations by voice vote.

Superintendent and trustees thanked departing staff. During the personnel discussion trustees noted incoming automotive teachers, Mr. Pearson and Mr. Gaynor, will take over automotive instruction next year. The board was also introduced to Dr. Ed Espar, who was present as an assistant superintendent candidate.

On a separate motion, the board unanimously accepted an anonymous $5,000 donation to be used for an elementary science nature center. Trustees described how the donor’s vision includes marked trails, a kiosk and possible small pond enhancements; the donation will support initial work on those features. The motion to accept the donation was moved and seconded and carried.

The meeting record shows the board approved the personnel items and the donation by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.

The board also acknowledged summer school staff and thanked long-serving employees for their service. The superintendent said additional details for hires and transfers are available in the personnel packet.