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Board approves therapy contracts and multiple personnel moves in unanimous votes
Summary
The Pocahontas School Board approved contracts to continue occupational therapy with Harwell Therapy and physical therapy with Gross Physical Therapy, and approved a slate of resignations, hires and transfers. All motions passed by voice vote, recorded as 5-0.
The Pocahontas School Board approved several action items at the June 2 special meeting, voting unanimously on service contracts and personnel recommendations.
Contracts: The board voted to continue occupational therapy services with Harwell Therapy for 2026-27 and to continue physical therapy services with Gross Physical Therapy, citing continuity of care and established relationships with both providers. Both motions carried by voice vote, recorded as 5-0.
Personnel: The board approved two resignations (Samantha Bray, elementary paraprofessional; Gary Tielemire, bus driver) and multiple hires and transfers for the 2026-27 school year. New hires approved included Flora Webb (elementary special education self-contained), Ashlin Drew Walker (assistant band), Savannah Todd (fourth-grade literacy), Kira Kelly (fifth-grade literacy), Terry Jansen (secondary dyslexia specialist), Glenn Cox (high-school special education self-contained), and Shirley Phillips (special education). The board also approved transfers including Riley Dunham (assistant band to head band), Ashton Sutton (seventh grade to fourth-grade science and social studies), Paul Yema (1:1 at PHS to 1:1 at junior high), Destiny Blissenbach and Shannon Blackshere (resource positions), and Jordan Early (classified to certified kindergarten position). The board approved the full personnel slate by voice vote, recorded 5-0.
Votes at a glance: Occupational therapy with Harwell Therapy — approved 5-0; Physical therapy with Gross Physical Therapy — approved 5-0; Personnel slate (resignations, hires, transfers) — approved 5-0.
Next steps: Human resources and administration will process employment paperwork and contracts; contracted providers will continue service planning for the 2026-27 school year.
