In a strong indicator of a healthy district, the Quitman School Board approved 108 employee contracts Monday. The contracts included 34 at the high school, 27 at the junior high and 47 at the elementary school.

In a related issue, the board also approved Superintendent Chris Mason to exercise further hiring authority from March 19 to Aug. 13. Mason acknowledged that the district moved that start date for the authority somewhat earlier than usual as the competition for teachers in East Texas required the ability for earlier action. 

The board honored B.J. Steele, proprietor of G&S Sales in Quitman, as the second recipient of the newly-established Top Dog Award. Steele has operated G&S Sales for 35 years and regularly donates building material to the district. 

Board President Jeremy Smith noted that since 2017 those donations have totaled over $10,000. The Top Dog Award is designed to recognize people in the community who ‘love the school well.’ Steele commented, “I consider those donations an investment.”

In other action, the board approved a $275,000 budget amendment for roofing repairs to the flat-roof sections of the elementary school. The repairs will entail applying a membrane to the existing roof. The improved roof will carry a 20-year guarantee.

A further budget amendment was approved which moved $200,000 to the Food Services Department. The department intends to purchase new warmers, computer software upgrades and uniforms. 

Mason provided the board with a first-read on a possible policy change which would establish ten vacation days for district employees. This system would be a ‘use it or lose it’ type of annual feature, and would replace the no-duty days presently accumulated by staff. 

Regarding the scheduled May 4 election, the board declared the candidates for board unopposed and voted unanimously to cancel the election. 

Sixth-grader Brennen Rogers and eighth-grader Abbie Hurst led those in attendance in reciting the pledges. The two had been selected for the honor based on their excellent scholastic performance and positive personality traits. Elementary school student Colby Harkins demonstrated his oral reading skills by reading a poem. Harkins recently competed in the fourth grade UIL academic skills competition.