TUPPERS PLAINS — William Francis was hired as the new principal in the Eastern Local School District during Wednesday’s regular meeting.

Francis will serve as the middle school (grades 5-8) principal and as the Federal Programs Coordinator. Francis was hired on a two-year contract beginning with the 2012-13 school year.

During the 2011-12 school year current K-4 Principal Jody Howard served as K-6 principal and high school principal Shawn Bush was the grade 7-12 principal.

Macyn Baylor was hired on a one year contract as the Speech Pathologist for the 2012-13 school year at the appropriate salary per the Eastern Local Education association negotiated agreement.

Paraprofessionals hired for the 2012-13 school year were Janet Barnett, Elizabeth Martindale, Mary Beth Musser, Paula Buckley and Kathy Barrett.

A bid from Spires Paving in the amount of $58,372 was approved for the paving to be completed in the high school student parking lot area.

Quotes approved for the 2012-13 school year were as follows: tires, Malone Warehouse Tire; petroleum products, Randy V. Moore Petroleum Distribution; bakery products, Nickles Bakery; dairy products, Broughton.

The board approved meeting with the law firm

The board approved an agreement with the Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center in the amount of $134,289.78 to provide supervisory and educational support services.

An agreement with SEOVEC to provide district software services for the 2012-13 school year was approved.

A proposed administrative salary schedule was approved as presented by Superintendent Scot Gheen. The schedule covers the three principals, but not the superintendent and treasurer.

An agreement was approved with the firm of Kennedy, Cottrell, and Richards to perform a Medicaid School Program audit. The cost is $2,040 for each period.

The board approved the district to participate in state and federal grants as determined by the superintendent and treasurer.

Adam Will was nominated as the delegate to the 2012 OSBA Annual Business meeting, with Dennis Eichinger serving as the alternate.

Substitute bus driver wages were approved at $55 per day and $30 per half day.

The board approved posting the following positions for the 21st Century Community Grant: project director, site coordinator, academic specialist, instructional aide, and bus driver.

Destiny Adams, Levi Adams, Austin Coleman, Brandon Coleman, and Rylan Weeks were approved as open enrollment students for the 2012-13 school year.

All votes by the board were 5-0.

All board members were present for the meeting.

The next board meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 at Eastern Elementary.