During a school board meeting held Dec. 14, board member Dana Tracy made a motion to accept Superintendent Keith Kincade’s resignation. Bill Raskey, clerk, seconded the motion, and all members voted yes.
Affective June 30, Kincade will no longer be superintendent at Gore Public Schools.
“I’d rather not say why I’m resigning. I will say there are several personal reasons between me and board members,” Kincade said. “I’m giving up two years of a six-figure salary to get out.”
Kincade has been superintendent for 16 months. He said he tried his best to run the schools properly and do what he could for the schools. He said he would continue to do his best until June 30.
Concerns about attendance
Some concerned citizens have questioned the number of school days students are attending and the possible reduction in staff. The concerns are that fewer days could have an impact on performance and state-mandated tests.
Kincade said despite the four-day week for students, the students are still getting the required 175 days.
“The hours in a school day have been extended to meet state laws concerning school days,” Kincade said. “The state has come in and checked to make sure we are performing properly.”
Kincade wrote a letter in November recommending dismissing staff members, Karri Altrogge, Brad Pack, Dusty Tidwell, and Chris McMullen. During the hearing board members decided Kincade’s recommendation couldn’t be supported and voted not to dismiss the staff members.
“No one voted for the staff reduction so no one was laid off,” Kincade said.
Kincade said he gave two-hours of testimony during the hearing regarding how staff cuts could help the budget.
“It would of helped the budget crisis but wouldn’t have helped the students,” Kincade said. “That’s my personal feelings though.”
Gym flood
A flood in the dressing rooms at the Gore school gym on Monday fortunately didn’t create more money woes for the school or cause missed school days.
Kincade said the carpets in the dressing rooms were wet and the custodian was working to get them dry shortly after the flood was discovered.
“A cap on the copper water line broke off due to the freezing temperatures. The custodian replaced the cap and it didn’t cost the school anything,” Kincade said.
A basketball game that was scheduled in the gym Monday night had to be moved to Central Public School’s gym, other than that it wasn’t a major ordeal he said.
