POMEROY — A public hearing on the request of Rusty Bookman, superintendent of the Meigs Local School District, to “retire and be rehired” into the same position, was held Thursday night as a part of the regular meeting of the Meigs Local Board of Education.

Approximately 40 people, mostly school district employees, were present, along with a former school board member and a few interested residents of the county attended the meeting with several making comments or asking questions.

Many of those speaking at the hearing, mostly teachers and other school personnel, were highly complimentary of the job Bookman is doing in the district.

A former Board of Education member in her urging for allowing the retire-and-be-rehired procedure to go forward described Bookman as “the man for the job.”

The question of benefits to the district was brought up by a parent with some reference as to whether in such cases a lower salary scale is used, although Board Member Ryan Mahr spoke to that citing salaries in other parts of the state as being much higher and making reference to an internet site where that could be confirmed.

Following the hour-long period of comments, Board President Roger Abbott announced that a decision by the Board would not be made at that meeting, but it would be made at a later meeting.

During the public participation part of the meeting, Meigs County’s new sheriff, Keith Wood, spoke on school safety . He reported on five meetings with teachers in the three school districts last week at which time the topic of school security and preventative measures in the event of an emergency were discussed. He also indicated that officers in the schools is a possibility and stressed the position that “everybody has to get involved in preparedness.” Building security was another issue addressed by Sheriff Wood.

School principals and other personnel gave their monthly reports to the board on various programs under way including teacher assessments, evaluations and responsibilities. Some reference was also made to professional development and student achievement.

Mark Rhonemus, treasurer/CFP, reported on a donation made to the Meigs High School Principal’s Fund, of $500 by the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC), Kyger Creek Station, to help provide tools to support the technological advancement of youth in the tri-county area.

In other business, Gloria VanReeth was hired as a tutor for a health-handicapped student at Meigs High School, and Tasha Kuhn was employed as a substitute cook for the remainder of the school year. The resignation of Mary Hawk, associate principal at Meigs Elementary, for the purpose of retirement, was accepted.

During the business meeting, the Board approved a revision on the policy called “Employment of Administrators” calling for striking “last day of March” and adding “first day of June.”

The Board moved into executive session for the purpose of discussing the hiring and compensation of personnel as well as, the disposition/sale of property.

Board members attending were Ryan Mahr, Larry Tucker, Ron Logan, Todd Snowden and Roger Abbott.