Neoga Board Discusses Security Measures, Upcoming Referendum

Neoga school board members Thursday heard about security measures that have been taken and what might be pursued to make Neoga schools as safe as possible.

Neoga Superintendent Bill Fritcher said he and high school principal Kevin Haarman have looked at more electronic doors that would be opened with a fob and would eliminate the need for someone to leave something in an entrance to keep a door ajar. They also discussed panic buttons that could be located under the desk of a secretary or a principal, and also discussed changes possible to the entrance to the elementary building that would make it more difficult to get inside without being admitted. They are also exploring the feasibility of utilizing school resource officers. 

A reminder that Haarman will become Neoga superintendent upon Fritcher's retirement at the end of June.

Fritcher and Haarman have also been visiting with civic groups about the Neoga school district referendum that will be on the June 28th ballot. The funding would allow physical improvements to existing district facilities. The bonds that would be sold to finance the improvements would not be levied until current bonds are retired, and would also be less in taxes than the current bonds.

In personnel moves, the Neoga board hired Erik Dietz to teach junior high Math, Mark Jones as junior high baseball coach and Chase Lanham as junior high baseball assistant coach, Deacon Faulkner as high school cross country coach, and Abby Kepp as assistant FFA sponsor. Molly Sheehan was approved as a junior high softball volunteer.

The Neoga board approved donations from the Neal Foundation for teacher project grants, and sold a 1987 model truck to Dustin Hay for $750. The truck currently doesn't run.