S-OCS Board renews SRO contract, approves stipend for communications director

The Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) Board of School Trustees meeting on Sept. 10 was a swift 32 minutes, featuring no public comments or non-unanimous votes. The Sept. 10 meeting was the official meeting for public comments on the annual budget, but as no public comments were made the public budget hearing was closed. The 2027 S-OCS budget adoption will occur on Sept. 24, 2026.

Approval of additional appropriations

Appropriations of $146,502.72 for School Resource Officers (SRO) were approved, a slight increase over the previous year’s cost. A school safety grant will pay $73,751.36, 50% of the cost, with the other 50% being paid for by the school district.

A one-time stipend of $13,510 was approved for Kris Samick. This is to compensate Samick for the additional work she does as S-OCS Communications Director in addition to her role as Principal at Patricksburg Elementary School (PES).

An approval was also passed for bus driver Rick Shields to perform certain minor repairs to school buses for a compensation of $20 per hour for up to five hours per week. This arrangement has the potential to save money by avoiding an official request to mechanic services for minor repairs.

Other information

The 2027 graduation date has been set for May 22 at 10 a.m. in the high school gymnasium.

The board also approved a $1,000 grant from the Owen County Community Foundation to help send Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS) teachers to the National Council of Teachers of English National Convention in Philadelphia, PA.

Finally the board approved a $4,000 donation to Backpack Buddies from the The Owen County Alliance.

Personnel updates

Leave, resignations and Employment were approved with one motion with the following employment changes.

Resignations

Vickey Blake - Owen Valley High School (OVHS) custodian

Laban Clark - OVHS assistant basketball coach

Employment

James (Kyle) Jennings - OVMS PC teacher and OVHS basketball coach

Brandy Pittman - S-OCS behavior tech

Dan Bixler - McCormick’s Creek Elementary School custodian

TIffany Byerly - PES special needs instructional assistant

Jenny McGuire - PES two days per week instructional assistant

Ethan Jennings - OVMS assistant football coach

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