The Malta Bend Board of Education accepted the resignations -- effective immediately -- of its two longest-serving members Thursday, May 31.

Board President Doug Clemons and Vice President Mike Malter announced their plans at special board meeting Monday, May 28. Their written letters of resignation were read aloud by board member Art Madden prior to the board's vote to accept Clemons' and Malter's decisions.

The board then elected Art Madden as president and Ann Gorrell as vice president and will have to appoint new members to serve out Clemons' and Malter's terms.

In his letter, Clemons said, "It is my personal opinion that the direction this board is leading our district is not consistent with our school's stated policies. I believe personal agendas have replaced rational thought in guiding our school.

"The Malta Bend School District has always and will always have my support. However, I believe I can no longer effectively serve the district on this board.

"I therefore regretfully offer my resignation from the board."

Malter's letter was briefer and in a telephone interview Friday morning, June 1, he said his reasons for resigning and Clemons' were similar.

"Doug pretty much stated it," he said.

Malter had served on the board for about four years and was in his second term, he said.

Clemons, who has served on the board for nearly 10 years and has been president for the past three years, said he had been mulling the decision for some time and had written the letter several months ago.

Clemons' main concern is what appears to him to be a growing rift in the board, which is no longer working as a team, he said.

"We've had a lot of problems but we've worked through them," he said. "I didn't feel it was clicking as well as a team (anymore)."

Clemons said he hoped his departure might turn out to be the best thing for the district if it helps the board work together better.

In other business, the board also agreed to offer a contract to David Menning to teach physical education, according to Superintendent Ryan Nowlin.

"They think he'll do a great job," Nowlin said.

The board also agreed to pay medical bills Nowlin had incurred after insurance provided by the district was allowed to lapse.

"I really appreciate that," he said.

Nowlin said the board also voted in closed session to rescind a contract offer the board extended to him previously.

The board voted in February to extend him a new contract offer, he said, and the contract was delivered to him May 14.

He said he was given until June 30 to respond, but the board voted to reverse its earlier offer.

Board members Ann Gorrell, Everett O'Donnell, Mindy Rigby and Gary Shay voted in favor of the motion to rescind the contract offer, Nowlin said.

While still in open session, the board tabled a contract with IT Service Pros for technology support.

The district currently has a contract with the firm and Nowlin said he's been pleased with the service provided.

The cost of the contract would remain about the same as the current contract, $550 per month plus some travel expenses.

Board members indicated they would like to study the contract further before voting on it.

Contact Eric Crump at

marshalleditor@socket.net