Phelps resigns from Tri-County

           Tri-County Superintendent Dennis Phelps, who has been with the school in that position for three years, formally announced his resignation during a special board meeting on Monday, May 1 in the school’s business office.

            The decision comes after a Superintendent Operational Sharing Agreement with the Keota CSD was not renewed for the 2017-2018, in which Keota wished to explore options beyond sharing the position. In a letter to Tri-County staff and students, Phelps thanked the district for their passion and work ethic towards the school.

            “I want to express the joy and pride I have developed with my involvement with the Tri-County student body,” Phelps wrote. “The students at Tri-County CSD have been appreciative and successful both in the classroom and in school activities. I have talked with, or even bragged to other administrators about the involvement and engagement of the Tri-County student body. In my long career, the Tri-County student body has been one of most welcoming and friendly.”

            Phelps will not be accepting any job offer from Keota or Tri-County, citing that this resignation from Tri-County will allow the Tri-County Board of Directors to explore other options. He will remain in his position as Superintendent until June 30, marking the end of the 2017 fiscal year. Due to his resignation, Phelps will not be able to take a position with a school district for four months due to IPERS regulations.

            “My tentative plans may include interim or part-time superintendent or the possibility of something outside of education,” Phelps wrote in his letter and explained to the Tri-County Board during their meeting.

            Keota’s Board of Education, which has closed its opening for a part-time principal/superintendent position, will begin to review candidates and develop interview panels in the near future to hire the next superintendent.

            During Tri-County’s special meeting, the Board also took action on the vacant Board Member/Vice President seat by having Berdette Ogden fill in until the next election in September. Ogden is a former Board member and will act as Vice President in the meantime. Ogden was not present at the special board meeting due to an appointment.

            The Board also discussed the Agriculture Teaching Contract for Morgan Dietrich, who currently is contracted for three quarters of a full time position. Dietrich was presented an option to be shared with HLV CSD as an Ag instructor, but was reportedly not comfortable with sharing in this point in her career. The decision was tabled until the district could evaluate the cost for a future superintendent.

            The Administrative Contract with Principal Clay Harrold was previously discussed in a closed session by the Board, and approved a salary of $71,000 next year for Harrold, as well as $75,000 for the 2018-19 school year. Phelps discussed possibilities for Operational Sharing Opportunities with other district, including a shared curriculum director. Members of the board expressed interest in splitting anytime 50/50 as they had done with the share superintendent position. No action was taken as this was presented by Phelps as discussion for the near future and possibly the next board meeting on May 15. 

Contact

The News-Review

120 East Washington
Sigourney, Iowa 52591
Phone: 641-622-3110
News: news@sigourneynewsreview.com
 

601 G. Avenue/PO Box 245
Grundy Center, IA 50638
Telephone: 1-319-824-6958
Fax: 1-319-824-6288
News: editor@gcmuni.net
Sales: registerads@gcmuni.net
 

Mid-America Publishing

This newspaper is part of the Mid-America Publishing Family. Please visit www.midampublishing.com for more information.