GALLIPOLIS — Gallipolis City Schools’ staff and community members were commended for their efforts in packing and moving materials from three of the school district’s buildings since classes let out for summer in late May.

A resolution of commendation was approved by the board of education at its regular monthly meeting Wednesday, thanking the volunteers “for their hard work and diligence and generosity” during the process of preparing materials to move and moving them at Gallia Academy High School, and Green and Washington elementaries.

The new GAHS at Centenary will be unveiled in a dedication ceremony on Aug. 16, while construction of a new Green Elementary has begun and a major renovation of Washington started in May.

Superintendent Jack Payton offered his thanks to all, while information technology specialist Mike Brace thanked students Chelsea Lemley, Samantha Northup, Cinnamon Broyles and Zack Miller for their help in moving computer equipment.

Maintenance manager Andy Hout cited the assistance of Burlile Petroleum and Foster Sales and Delivery, free of charge.

In other business, the board:

• Accepted a check for a flagpole at the new GAHS from the GAHS Class of 1957, and a podium for the new high school from the Class of 1953. A separate story on the donations will appear in the Sunday Times-Sentinel.

• Accepted the resignation of teacher Michael Harden and from his supplemental contract as eighth grade head football coach.

• Employed the following for the 2009-10 school year in accordance with the Gallipolis Education Association agreement section on compensation for employment of retired teachers: Jerry Davis, teacher, grades 1-8; Tina Haney, education for the handicapped K-12; and James Osborne, grades 7-12, driver education, general science, health and physical education.

The motion to approve passed 2-1, with Board President J.R. Sauer dissenting. Board members Bob Cornwell and Dr. Timothy Kyger were not in attendance.

• Employed the following: Jared Denney for middle childhood (grades 4-9) reading, science and social studies, for 150 hours, at the level of experience verified by former employers; Shannon Mayes. elementary (1-8), at 150 hours; Jessica Myers, middle childhood (4-9), mathematics, reading and science, at 150 hours; Joshua Riffle, adolescence to young adult (7-12), integrated social studies, at 150 hours; and William Scott Stanley, adolescence to young adult (7-12), Life Sciences, at 150 hours.

• Approved the following supplemental contracts:

Barb Burnett, Amy Davis, Alecia Faudree, Jeri Howell, Ronda Johnson, Kari Saunders, Lou Ann Shawver, Lisa Wilson, Don Wothe, Eugene Huffman and Robin Lane, all elementary bus duty supervisors; Jan Koronich, distirict health services coordinator; Michael Huebner, director of high school bands; Lori Hayes, assistant marching band/seventh and eighth grade band director; Amanda Bailey, Gallian yearbook advisor and yearbook business advisor;

Marilyn Wills, Madrigals director (50 percent) and spring musical director (50 percent); Annie Roach, spring musical director (50 percent); Sandy Forgey, student council advisor for grades 9-12; Ellis English, Key Club advisor; Michelle Jenkins, junior/senior prom coordinator; Nancy Vaughn, National History Society advisor; Bethany Covey, History Day advisor; Lynn Allen, evening school (50 percent); Michelle Jenkins, evening school (50 percent).

• Approved Rhonda Neal and Rusty Saunders as volunteer coaches for 2009-10, Neal for cheerleading and Saunders for golf.

• Approved creation of a 10-month secretary position at GAHS.

• Approved 26 additional hours for Barbara Shelton for the 2008-09 school year and an additional 60 hours each for Shelton, Lori Billings and Cindy Baker, and not more than 60 hours combined for Amber Jayjohn and Cherie Woodward for Prime Time summer school for 2009.

Additional hours will be paid from 21st Century Grant funds at $25 per hour.

• Approved handbook revisions for 2009-10 for GAHS, and Green and Rio Grande elementaries.

• Accepted the donation of five copies of the book History of the NAACP from John Howard for each building library.

• Approved change orders.

• Approved Sandy Perry, Amber Jayjohn and Cheryl King for summer services for students with IEPs, paid at the tutorial rate.

• Approved an agreement with Mary Cecilia McCauley to provide evaluation services for the Alternative Education program for July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010.

• Approved an agreement with the Gallia-Jackson-Vinton Joint Vocational Board of Education allowing vocational students enrolled in Child Care Management opportunities for clinical education in the Gallipolis City Schools’ Preschool program.

• Approved the Early Childhood Gallia Interagency Agreement for 2009-10.

• Approved vision and vocational services to provide orientation and mobility training for visually impaired students as stated in their IEPs for 2009-10.

• Approved an easement agreement with the village of Rio Grande for access to begin construction.

• Approved renewed membership in the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools.

• Approved the purchase of two 71-passenger buses from Marietta Truck Sales at $70,289 each, $44,482 paid from state subsidy funds and the remainder from Permanent Improvement funds.

• Gave the treasurer permission to make necessary transfers, advances and appropriation modifications to close the books for FY09.

• Approved temporary appropriations for FY10 in an amount equal to 20 percent of the final FY09 appropriations.

• Approved rates as set by the Gallia County Budget Commission: General Fund, inside millage, 3.80; General Fund, outside millage, 27.20; Permanent Improvement, 1.50; Bond Retirement, 7.20.

• Met in executive session to prepare for negotiations and discuss employment of personnel.