Walkerville Public Schools board approves Hillard Electric bid, holds closed session for superintendent evaluation

The Walkerville Public Schools Board of Education voted Dec. 15 to accept a bid from Hillard Electric to replace the district's fire alarm system and later recessed into a closed session for a mid‑year evaluation of Superintendent Joseph Conkle.

The action on the fire alarm came during the board action portion of the meeting. Secretary Holly Flanery moved to accept Hillard Electric’s bid, and Trustee Mark Riggs supported the motion. The minutes record the motion as carrying with five ayes and zero nays.

The decision to approve the alarm‑system bid was presented as a single motion; the district minutes do not include further detail about the bid amount, contract length, or funding source. The minutes list Hillard Electric as the contractor approved to perform the replacement work.

Earlier in the meeting the board approved its consent agenda, including approval of the Nov. 18, 2025 regular meeting minutes and payment of bills. Treasurer John Kirwin moved the consent‑agenda approval with Trustee Albert Tanner supporting; the motion carried with five ayes and zero nays.

Later in the meeting Treasurer John Kirwin moved, with support from Trustee Mark Riggs, that the board enter a closed session at the request of Superintendent Joseph Conkle for a mid‑year superintendent evaluation. The board recorded that it entered closed session at 7:46 p.m. and reconvened at 8:34 p.m. The minutes show roll‑call votes associated with the closed‑session motion and subsequent return to open session.

The minutes do not record any formal action taken in closed session, and no follow‑up assignments or vote outcomes tied to the evaluation were included in the published minutes. After reconvening the board heard final comments and adjourned at 8:35 p.m.; the motion to adjourn was made by John Kirwin and supported by Mark Riggs and recorded as five ayes and zero nays.

Attendance as reflected in the minutes shows five members voting on motions during the evening: President George Wolgamott and trustees Holly Flanery, John Kirwin, Albert Tanner and Mark Riggs. Vice President Janaya Hood was recorded absent in the published minutes. The board packet and minutes list other agenda items — including a listed "Resolution 27 L Update Operating Milage" and a Walkerville Pride Christmas Program — but those items are shown on the agenda line and were not described in detail in the minutes.

The board’s minutes and motions provide the formal record of the actions taken on Dec. 15; the district’s official minutes or contract documents should be consulted for contract value, implementation schedule, warranty, funding source and other procurement specifics.