The Keota Community School Board met in regular session on Thursday, February 9.

Nurse for Keota Schools, Cathy Thalken, was recognized for her work to make Keota a heart-safe school through Project Adam. As Superintendent, Jim Henrich, tells KCII, “There’s like forty [schools] in the state. It basically entails that we get so many of our staff trained with CPR and how to use an AED in the proper manner.”

Three resignations were approved, including one night custodian, one upper elementary staff member, and one in the high school business department. In action items, the board approved the 2023-24 school calendar, as well as a bid for re-sealing the gym floor. With a cost of approximately $9,200, FLR Sanders will complete the project over the summer.

The contract for incoming Superintendent and High School Principal, Lisa Brenneman was approved. Henrich, who Brenneman will be replacing this summer, commended the hiring team in the process. “I think the board and the search firm did a great job working through. There were solid candidates all the way through, and I think they made a very good decision. I’ll be looking forward to working with [Brenneman] in the spring as kind of a transition.” The board also approved the contract for a new 7-12 English teacher for the next school year.

The Keota Community School Board’s next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 9 at 6 p.m. in the Keota Elementary Media Center.