St. Joseph Post
Two new board members were sworn in during the Saint Joseph Board of Education meeting Monday night.
Mike Moore and Ronda Chesney won their seats on the board during the April 2 election. Board members also voted Moore as the new Vice President of the school board while re-electing LaTonya Williams as President.
Teacher pay is a top priority for the board. Moore says he supports a levy in order to increase teacher pay, and "get the district more competitive so we can retain and attract the best teachers."
Moving forward, Moore sees district finances as an issue. Moore says, "We have a little bit of deficit spending already. We have the reserves to do it, but long term that's not sustainable. Overall, district financial planning is a big part of where we have to go." Moore said it is an honor to serve on the school board and looks forward to the work ahead.
Ronda Chesney said she believes a top concern for the board is academic issues within the district and accreditation. "We need to look at ways we can support the students and the teachers to achieve that district accreditation."
LaTonya Williams won reelection earlier this month and the board voted her to a second term as Board President.
Williams echoed Moore's sentiment concerning teacher pay, "My number one goal is to increase teacher pay. I always keep my word and that is my number one goal."
Williams encouraged teamwork and compromise among board members. "Let's think about the jobs we were all elected to do. Above all of our personal agendas or feelings about each other."
The next Board of Education meeting will be held April 29, at 5:30 p.m.