New members of MV-BT School Board hold first meeting

The new members of the Mountain View-Birch Tree R-III School District Board of Education were sworn in on Thursday, April 16. Cody Honeycutt, John Thompson, and Brandon Tate were sworn in to the three vacant positions on the board. Mike Smith was elected as the School Board President, John Thompson as the School Board Vice-President, Rhonda Henry as School Board Secretary, Tressa Henry as School Board Treasurer, Mikael Orchard as MSBA Board Delegate, and Cody Honeycutt as Alternate MSBA Board Delegate.

 

With the new members sworn in, the board began the regular session at 6:09 p.m. The consent agenda consisting of minutes of the March 19 regular board meeting, payment of bills in the amount of $758,382.56, and monthly administrative/principal reports was approved along with the adoption of the agenda.

 

Items extracted from the consent agenda included: Approval of payment to Brown's Farm and Garden for supply in the amount of $1,638.87 with Orchard abstaining; approval of payment to Katrina Tripp for travel reimbursement in the amount of $18.00 with Gaylon Noble abstaining; and approval of payment to Debbie Willbanks for supply in the amount of $300.00 with Josh abstaining.

 

The March 2026 financial report was presented with a balance in all funds of $11,120,507.73; approval of Career Ladder Plan for 2026-2027 as presented pending budget availability; and the Salary Protocol was tabled until the May 2026 board meeting.

 

During closed session, the board approved the following: Jalisa Baker and Tammy Hulvey to be added to the certified substitute list; Karen Wilbanks to the non-certified substitute list; to employ Braden Marriot as SE Teacher, Kendra Voyles as MS Teacher, Lindsey Henderson as Elementary Teacher, Mackenzie Anderson as Elementary Counselor, and Ashley Allen as Middle School Library for the 2026-2027 school year. The board accepted the resignations of Jacob Shockley as MVE Teacher, Sydney Foster as LHS Teacher, and Karen Marie Holter as LHS Teacher effective June 30, 2026. The board approved the employment of non-certified employee Christen Bryant for the 2026-2027 school year; Michelle Roy and Terri Orchard for the 2026-2027 school year; Amanda Thompson for the 2026-2027 school year; Katrina Tripp for the 2026-2027 school year; Travis Wilbanks for the 2026-2027 school year; Jessin Adams, PAT for the 2026-2027 school year; and approved coaching staff for the 2026-2027 school year.