West Plains School Board swears in new members

The West Plains R-VIII School District Board of Education met on Tuesday, April 21 and swore in newly elected board members. Voters invited incumbent Reid Grigsby back for another term, but challengers Jim Laughary and Jim Thompson unseated incumbent Jodi Purgason and filled the seat vacated by Christena Coleman.

 

Moving on, the board approved the consent agenda which included approval of minutes from the previous meeting; monthly financial report; and approval request for the employment, resignation, termination, transfers, and volunteering of individuals as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools.

 

The board approved new hires to certified positions including: Bailey Tinsley, WPES 4th Grade Teacher; Rylie Coats, WPES Art Teacher; Susan Fiorino, WPHS/WPMS English Teacher; Jeanne Jorash, WPHS Drama/Theater Teacher; Seth Bryant, Coordinator of At Risk Services/ZPA Director; Avery Johnson, WPES 1st Grade Teacher; and Nancy Jackson-Bean, WPHS SWAT (Students Working at Transition) Teacher. Non-certified positions: Barbara True, WPES Secretary; Don Long, WPHS Head Softball Coach; Mick Price, WPHS Assistant Softball Coach; Jordan Letterman, WPHS Head Boys Tennis Coach; Kayli Thomas, WPHS Assistant Boys Tennis Coach; Jarrod Girdley, WPHS Assistant Football Coach; Shawnee Pauly, Paraprofessional for the 2026-2027 school year; Sebastian Agnew, Paraprofessional for the 2026-2027 school year; Kayla Pearson, Paraprofessional for the 2026-2027 school year; and Evan Ackerson, Paraprofessional for the 2026-2027 school year and WPHS Assistant Football Coach.

 

The board approved transfers of Cherry Robertson, WPHS SWAT Instructor to WPMS Special Education Teacher; Tara Orr, WPES Kindergarten Teacher to WPHS Counselor; Anastasia Closser, WPMS 8th Grade English Teacher to WPHS English III Teacher; Michael Davis, Coordinator of At Risk Services/ZPA Director to WPHS Assistant Principal; Abby Hensley, SFES 2nd Grade Teacher to SFES 1st Grade Teacher; Vanessa Doss, District Lead Nurse/WPHS Nurse to SOMO Tech Health Science Instructor; Brenda Colter, WPES 1st Grade to WPES Kindergarten; Serah Davis, Paraprofessional to WPES 3rd Grade Teacher; Kim Brunson, WPES Kindergarten to WPHS/SMTI Supervised Business Experience Teacher; and Camisha Hunter, SFES 6th Grade Teacher to WPMS Assistant Principal.

 

The board approved Darrik Moody to Volunteers and accepted the resignations of Megan Hughes, WPES 1st Grade Teacher; Karissa Surface, WPES 4th Grade Teacher; Madyson Callahan, WPES Art Teacher; Tamara Phay, WPES 3rd Grade Teacher; Karsyn Smith, WPHS Business/SBE Teacher and Assistant Softball Coach; Tayler Mitchell, WPHS Theater Teacher; Nathan Huddleston, WPHS Head Boys Tennis Coach; Jordan Hall, Music Production Asst. Director; Madison Stevens, WPHS Asst. Girls Basketball Coach; Jessica Wages, Paraprofessional; Thera Lashley, WPMS ELA Teacher; and Hope Berry, WPES 4th Grade Teacher. The board also accepted the retirements of Christy Frazier, WPHS English Teacher; Erica Walker, WPMS Assistant Principal; and Desiree Beard, WPHS English Teacher.

 

The board approved program evaluations and approved the CSIP update.

 

In previous business, the board approved the 2026-2027 Health Insurance Contribution rate for full time employees. A motion to approve the rate of $544 per month per employee was made by Reis Grigsby, seconded by Sam Riggs. The motion carried unopposed.

 

In other board actions:

- Approved payment of bills

- Approved payment of Buro bill

- Approved related services bid from Ozarks Healthcare for the 2026-2027 school year. This contract provides OT and PT services for the district. It will also provide additional Speech Services if needed.

- Approved four items to surplus property including tow behind cement mixer, John Deere tractor style mower, 2007 Chevrolet Utility Van, and a 2015 Bluebird Bus.