The Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education met in a special meeting Monday evening to accept resignations from two high school teachers, with one placed on paid administrative leave.
Lance Bell and Molly Dohm’s resignations were accepted by the board, effective at the end of the school year.
Bell, a teacher and assistant football and track coach, is currently on paid administrative leave until the end of the school.
Dohm, a teacher and student council advisor, will finish the school year. She requested a release from her contract in anticipation of upcoming nuptials and relocation.
“The reason we had a special meeting to approve these was given the time in the school year and circumstances these individuals are involved in. We wanted to provide them the opportunity to move on with their careers and lives in an expedient manner,” Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill said. “We are appreciative of the time and service they have given Poplar Bluff schools and we wish both of them the best of luck in their future endeavors.”
Administration could not comment further because these are personnel items.
Bell has previously been through a public termination hearing in July 2011, after school board members at the time voted to terminate him.
The hearing was held following accusations of using profanity during track and football team practices. Bell was allowed to continue teaching with restrictions, following a second vote by the board in August 2011.
Public termination hearings are a teacher’s last recourse at the district level before termination.
The next Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 in the central office board room, located at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd.
TWIN RIVERS R-X
The Twin Rivers R-X School District held a special closed session board meeting Sunday afternoon to hire personnel.
The board voted 6-0 to hire Casey Parsons for Qulin physical education and Middle School basketball coach. Board member Roger Baxter was absent for the vote.
The board also decided to table hiring a bookkeeper until the next regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21 at the Central Office board room.
During a special board meeting held April 24, the board accepted the resignation of bookkeeper and board secretary/treasurer Leah Winchester. She has accepted a job with the Gideon School District.