The Ira ISD board of trustees approved all but one administrative contract for 2019-20 during Thursday’s meeting.
After meeting in closed session for 30 minutes, the board approved the 11-month contract employees and then board president Dirk Dunn asked the board to vote individually on each of the 12-month contracts for the administrative staff that were recommended by Superintendent Brian Patterson.
Business Manager Keeli Hines, Principal Dale Jones and Technology Director Dave Hanes were each approved unanimously.
When Dunn asked for a motion to approve the contract of agriculture science teacher Leo Sellers, Russell Wall offered the motion and Jerry Jamison seconded. Dunn then called for a vote with Wall and Jamison voting for the contract renewal and Chuck Barbee, J.J. Caswell and Justin Taylor voting against. Board member Justin Donelson was not present and Dunn only votes when there is a tie.
Dunn said he wanted to make sure of the vote and asked for a re-vote with the same results.
No one discussed the reasons for not renewing Sellers’ contract in open session. Sellers left the boardroom immediately after the second vote was taken.
In other action, the board approved the latest policy updates from the Texas Association of School Boards, an updated agreement with the West Central Texas Shared Service Arrangement for special education students and the district’s wellness policy.
During his report, Patterson said the board may receive information on a payment in lieu of taxes agreement with Flatland Solar, LLC, during the March meeting. The proposed solar farm will be built on Keith Clements’ property in the Ira area.
Sunfinity plans to construct a 141-megawatt solar farm and work is tentatively set to begin in September, with the facility coming online about 12 months later. Dallas Tharpe, Sunfinity’s senior vice president of utility solar, has said between 100 and 150 people will be used to construct the solar farm.
Jones announced that school will be dismissed on March 25 due to Ira hosting the District 13-1A University Interscholastic League highschool academic meet. Events will begin at 8 a.m. and continue throughout the day, Jones said.
He also told the board that a school-wide tornado drill will be held March 6. The elementary wing is a certified storm shelter and in case of a tornado, it would be open to the public, Jones said.