MONROE - At a meeting Monday, July 14, the Monroe school board:
• Denied the $2,047 donation from Deb Schmidt to reimburse the district for the cost of AP biology tests. The district refunded the cost of the tests to students after the AP College Board rejected the test scores due to the use of unapproved calculators; AP later decided to accept the original scores. All but Brian Keith of the present school board members voted to deny Schmidt's donation, as recommended by District Administrator Cory Hirsbrunner. Keith voted to accept the money, saying it was "almost irresponsible" to turn it down, as Schmidt was counseled not to donate and still chose to make the gesture of her own free will. Other board members argued that to accept would set an unfortunate precedent. Bob Erb said he didn't want anyone else to fear financial consequences for their mistakes. "Mistakes happen and the best way to handle them is for people to come forward and ask for help," Erb said. "That's how we solve things."
• Hired a new instructional staff member: Amanda Aird, Monroe High School science.
• Accepted the resignation of Lindsey Weigel, Parkside Elementary third grade.
• Approved the resignation of Jennie Crase from the public library board.
• Went into closed session.
Mary Berger was absent.
- Susan Endres
• Denied the $2,047 donation from Deb Schmidt to reimburse the district for the cost of AP biology tests. The district refunded the cost of the tests to students after the AP College Board rejected the test scores due to the use of unapproved calculators; AP later decided to accept the original scores. All but Brian Keith of the present school board members voted to deny Schmidt's donation, as recommended by District Administrator Cory Hirsbrunner. Keith voted to accept the money, saying it was "almost irresponsible" to turn it down, as Schmidt was counseled not to donate and still chose to make the gesture of her own free will. Other board members argued that to accept would set an unfortunate precedent. Bob Erb said he didn't want anyone else to fear financial consequences for their mistakes. "Mistakes happen and the best way to handle them is for people to come forward and ask for help," Erb said. "That's how we solve things."
• Hired a new instructional staff member: Amanda Aird, Monroe High School science.
• Accepted the resignation of Lindsey Weigel, Parkside Elementary third grade.
• Approved the resignation of Jennie Crase from the public library board.
• Went into closed session.
Mary Berger was absent.
- Susan Endres