From left, Sweet Spring Board of Education President John Dohrman swears in Robert Fuehring, Brian Vogelsmeier and Troy Schroeder Thursday, April 10, after certifying the April 8 election results. (Rachel Harper/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

President John Dohrman stepped down after about 11 consecutive years of holding the office at the Sweet Springs Board of Education meeting Thursday, April 10, after one returning and two new members were accepted to the board.

The board certified the results from the Tuesday, April 8, election giving Robert Fuehring, Troy Schroeder and Brian Vogelsmeier the three open spots on the board.

Dohrman thanked Treasurer Phil Clevenger and Secretary Jack Thomas for their numerous years of service. Clevenger had served on the board for 12 years and Thomas had served for nine years.

"A lot of good things has happened in your time (on the board)," Dohrman said. "The district is indebted to you."

Dohrman told Vogelsmeier and Schroeder they had "big shoes to fill."

A motion and a second then dissolved the board. Then came the election of officers for the new board.

Dohrman said before the nominations for officer began he wanted to say a few things.

"At this point, I would like to step down (as president)," he said. Dohrman had been president since six months after Clevenger came aboard in 1996 and has never held any other office.

"There is no particular reason," he said. "I am just ready to step down and give someone else the opportunity." He said he would "be glad to help" anyone with questions.

After that, Dohrman nominated Fuehring as president of the board. The board approved and he was appointed by acclamation. Dohrman was appointed as vice president, Doug Vogelsmeier as treasurer and Rodney Heaper as secretary. The board approved all positions. Cindy Sims volunteered to be the Missouri School Boards' Association (MSBA) representative and the board approved.

In other business, the board approved the extra duty trip pay for bus drivers. Bus drivers were paid their normal wage when driving extra trips for the first four hours.

The remaining time spent at an event was paid at minimum wage.

After several bus drivers had asked to be paid their regular wage for the entire time they are involved with the event, the board agreed. The lowest paid driver is $10.57.

The board also approved allowing the city to use the school's ball fields during the summer. Superintendent Boyd Jones said the only stipulation he would like is that "someone is specifically responsible for a given team. We need somebody to go to if there is a problem."

Dohrman said he had no problem with it as long as "while school is going on, they work around our softball/baseball schedule."

Jones said there have not been any major problems over the years. "The city has replaced everything they have been asked," he said.

In unfinished business, the board revisited the 2008-2009 salary provisions that were brought to the last board meeting.

The board passed the provisions that include: "Any unused annual leave days may accumulate to a maximum of 125 days.

Upon leaving the district teachers having five or more years of service in the district shall be paid $15 per day for unused leave days (1-90). Teachers with more then 90 accumulated leave days will receive $30 for accumulated days exceeding 90 (91-125)."

Another provision says, "Teachers who do not leave the district but accumulate more then 125 annual leave days will be paid $15 per day for days in excess of 125 at the close of the school year."

The board approved the consent agenda, which included the employment of several personnel throughout the district.

Eric Hon was hired as a special education instructor. Julie Keller, Kelly Kennedy and Josh Hume were hired as elementary instructors.

Karla Espinoza de Blecke was hired as Spanish instructor and Ashley Hibbs as instrumental music instructor.

Also the board accepted the resignations from Rose Mary Crosswhite and Lindsay Kempker from elementary instructor positions.

The next board meeting will be Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m. in the board room at the elementary school.

Contact Rachel Harper at marshallcity@socket.net