By MICAH BROOKS

micah218@yahoo.com

After an about an hour and a half in executive session, the Hawkins School Board returned to open meeting and unanimously approved extending the superintendent’s contract.

A closed session was conducted from 9:46 to 11:08 p.m. Afterwards, the school board, with all members present, reconvened and voted to extend Superintendent Morris Lyon’s contract another year. Lyon’s contract now will extend to 2020. The board also hired Heather Hamilton as the new middle school special education teacher.

Also in the meeting Lyon told the school board that Wilkerson Education Consulting will conduct a staffing survey for the school district. Lyon stated that the survey will “maximize dollars” and “ensure that we are staffed appropriately.”

“This is an opportunity for an unbiased person to come in and conduct a survey and allow us a comparison with other schools,” the superintendent said. He stressed that it was not an evaluation of employees that would threaten their jobs.

Representatives of CLEAResults presented a $22,602 rebate check on behalf of Southwestern Electric Power Company for the school’s reduction of energy costs.

Also in the meeting, the board approved an interlocal contract with the city of Hawkins to hold and conduct city council elections for the city on May 6. Early voting will be April 24 – May 2. Voting will be held in the commons area of Hawkins High School.

It was noted that the Hawkins Chamber of Commerce had entered an agreement with the school district for the use of the former Church of Christ building located on school property. The chamber of commerce plans to use the building for a business incubator/accelerator. The chamber of commerce will be responsible for all renovations.

The school district has also secured an interlocal purchasing contract with Tarrant County at no cost to the school district. By joining this cooperative Hawkins will save money when purchasing new trucks and vans.