Two step down from Prescott School Board

By John Miller, 01/27/23 10:34 AM

PRESCOTT – January’s meeting of the Prescott School Board lasted two-hours-and-forty-five minutes though the agenda was short.

The primary reason was January is when the superintendent is evaluated and the board discusses its options. Thursday night, the board was in executive session for two-and-a-half hours evaluating Superintendent Robert Poole, and letting him know where he needs to improve his performance. In the end, the board extended his contract for another year.

The conference room at Prescott Junior High School was packed, something odd for a school board meeting. When the meeting began, Board President Jo Beth Glass told the audience the board would only be dealing with items on the agenda and nothing else. No one left, in spite of the lengthy process.

This meeting was also the last one for two board members, Ryan Harvey and Altha Palmer, both stepped down once the meeting adjourned.

At the beginning of the meeting, Poole recognized the board for the work it’s done the past year. He pointed out January is Board Appreciation Month, with gifts presented to the members from each campus.

Poole also reported on the board’s professional development hours for 2022, saying all members had met the requirements needed to be on the panel.

Other business saw the board approve transferring three students out of the Prescott district, and pass a policy for the new drug dog. Poole said Colby Tillman is being trained in how to work with the dog, but the district had to change its drug policy accordingly. If the drugs are found on a student, their parents will be notified and the Prescott Police Department called. The same goes for visitors, anyone found with drugs will be detained with the police called and the visitor being arrested.

Under the superintendent’s report, Poole said the current enrollment is 900, up six from last month. There are 340 enrolled in Prescott Elementary School, 254 in PJHS and 306 in Prescott High School.