NOTICE: The agenda for the March 17th BOE meeting has been AMENDED and replaces the original agenda posted this morning. The only change is under Item 7. (1)...

...replacing "Approve a Resolution to Non-Renew District Probationary Teacher for the 2022-2023 School Year" with "Approve a Resolution of contract for an Administrative Contract for the 2022-2023 School Year."

(CAT Tracks Editor's Note: Evidently someone on the "other side" convinced the "powers that be" that taking the non-renewal action was going to place the District in legal jeopardy. As a Cairo School District taxpayer, my sincere THANK YOU! to whomever that was because the District's history in prevailing in legal battles is dismal and EXPENSIVE!)

The revised post follows...

The Cairo Board of Education held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, March 17th, at 6 p.m.

Prior to that meeting (at 5:30 p.m.), the BOE will conduct a Public Hearing on Working Cash Bonds for Cairo School District No. One. (Actually the Public Hearing took place during the Regular Meeting.)

The agendas for both meetings are immediately below...

...followed by the CAT President's report and supporting documents:

The CAT President's Report:

Called to order at 6:01 p.m.

Members present: McAllister, Coleman, Nelson, Moore, Harris, and Tarver. Superintendent Rice was also present.

The Public Hearing did not take place at 5:30. It will be addressed after the Consent Agenda.

Keith Campbell made a presentation on Biodiversity for Examples of Excellence. (A copy of the presentation is below.)

CAT President De De O'Shea asked to be recognized next. On behalf of the Cairo Association of Teachers, she announced a donation of $250 to the CHS Band program to honor the memory of former Band director James Davis.

The Consent Agenda was approved.

The Public Hearing began. The superintendent began talking about different grants that had been awarded and renewal of bonds for certain projects.

There were at least 22 community members present. There were many who spoke questioning the construction of the multipurpose building, the bonds to be given, and the many grants being received without any explanation. There was much discussion.

CAT Tracks Editor's Note: "Much discussion"? I'd call it RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION!

I mean, a school district which has seen its student population dwindle from over a thousand to less than 300 needs to construct a new multi-purpose building? A building allegedly for vocational purposes, when the vocational programs offered by the District died years ago due to a lack of student interest! Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.

Plus, rumor has it that the real reason for the new building is to provide a new suite of offices for the PART-TIME Superintendent. Wasn't a new two-year contract enough?

BTW: Wasn't it just a few years back that the "green hallway" classrooms - that used to house, you guessed it, the vocational programs - were remodeled to provide new administrative offices. Yes!

Well, I guess when students don't sign up for those new vocational classes, it'll be more room for the Superintendent!

Bears repeating: The not knowing your history thing...

Afterwards the superintendent gave his report. #5 Items 2-5 were discussed.

The BOE voted to enter closed session at 8:00 p.m.

The BOE voted to exit closed session at 10:25 p.m.

Item 7:

#1 Approved a 2-year contract for Dr. Rice - 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.

Adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

To read the unofficial minutes of the February 17th Regular Meeting...