USD 286 board holds executive sessions on personnel; approves listed resignations and employment items

The Unified School District #286 Board of Education entered executive session twice on May 11 to discuss personnel matters under the Kansas Open Meeting Act. President Kensey Williams made both motions to move into executive session: the first was for 15 minutes and the second for 20 minutes. Superintendent Jamie Wetig exited the meeting at 7:17 p.m. and rejoined at 7:43 p.m., per the meeting record.

Item B from the consent agenda — personnel resignations for Kaleb Stone (classified), Jennifer Carter (classified) and Wayne Carter (certified) — had been moved into executive session earlier in the meeting. After returning to open session the board approved Item B by motion of Garrett Jones, seconded by Becky Smilko; the motion passed 6-0.

The consent agenda also included employment recommendations for Alexis Ford (ELC director), Paula Dush (FACS/FCCLA), Carrie Cummings (HS assistant volleyball), Cassie Jones (JH head volleyball) and Frances McCoy (HS girls’ head basketball); those organizational items were approved earlier when the board adopted the consent agenda, with Item B handled separately per board motion.

The board recognized Nate Thompson and Jason Black as Staff of the Year and discussed the board’s March 9 unanimous decision to hire a certified licensed FACS teacher; board member Becky Smilko praised Superintendent Wetig for timely action on the hiring process and for responding to social media criticism concerning the FACS program.

No disciplinary details or personnel evaluative comments were disclosed in open session.