School Board Elects Casssel As Its New Chairman

By Samar

At its regular meeting on May 12, the Glasgow School Board elected trustee Scott Cassel to replace Dave Irving as chairman, and they decided to elect a vice chairman as well – a position they have not had for some time. Suzanne Billingsley is the vice chairman.

Cassel was tasked at a special meeting on May 5 with hiring an investigator to look into allegations of a hostile work environment at Irle School. The board's attorney, Mary E. Duncan of Felt, Martin, Frazier and Weldon in Billings, told the board at the special meeting that they have an obligation to investigate when discrimination is alleged. Two graduate students, who are being referred to as consultants, have been hired for the work.

Three people are retiring from the school system. Joan Campbell, a secretary at the administration office, began her career in 1975. Connie James began teaching in Glasgow in 1976. Curt Brayko retired as the head of  maintenance.

The administrative staff at all three schools were retained for the upcoming year.

Board member Dr. Charles Wilson said that drug testing for students who participate in extracurricular programs has not yet been implemented.

The district has purchased a 10-year-old, 58-passenger cruiser to replace one that is smaller and 10 years older.

The board decided to participate in the new federal school program Race to the Top, with the understanding that they can leave later if they want to. The competitive grant funding for education reform has four goals:

Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy.

Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction.

Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most.

Turning around the lowest-achieving schools.