Cowan Community Schools

The amended agenda of the July 17, 2025 board meeting were approved as presented.

The minutes of the Regular Board meeting of June 19, 2025, and the Executive Session from June 19, 2025 were approved as presented.

1. School Update: 

1. Reminder to all: the School Board Meetings will now be streamed live on YouTube. Mr. Conley thanked Ms. Shelby Groves and Mr. Dennis Beaver for helping out on getting things up and running and to Ms. Groves for helping out on our first board meeting.

     b) Mr. Conley stated construction is still ongoing and going well. Roof is moving along at the Elementary and will be done            by the beginning of first day of school. Roof at the high school is still ongoing and will not be complete before the first           day of school. Mr. Conley stated the roofers have not had ideal weather to be working on the roof. Windows in the                   library and band room have been replaced. Mr. Conley has been pushing for the HVAC team to get finished at the high             school before school starts. He has met with all parties to make sure this is a priority. Mr. Conley is working on a plan if           this is not finished before the start of school.

2. The window shades at the elementary school will start next week.

3. Locks at the high school will be finished soon, with the elementary to begin next.

4. Parent Square is our new communication system with parents/guardians. It should be up and running by August 3^rd. Ms. Groves has been working with them over the summer to get this ready before the start of school.

5. Mr. Conley stated he would send a reminder out to the board for the first reading of NEOLA 37.2 which will be due soon.

6. We currently have two full time teaching openings. One is in Spanish and the other is an elementary opening. We are also looking for a 4/7’s PE/Health teacher. Both administrators are at training this week. Mr. Adams has reached out to sources for suggestions for the Spanish teacher candidate. Mr. Schwartz has an interview for the open elementary position tomorrow.

7. ECA Fund, Revenue and Expenditure reports for the 2024-25 school year were in your packet for review.

(No negative comments toward Corporation employees are permitted during the public meeting.  Alleged misconduct by a Corporation employee is to be addressed in an Executive session of the Board following meeting with appropriate members of the Administration.)

None

1. Treasurer’s Report and Approval of Claim Docket

            1.  The claims #25981 to #25060 and the payrolls of June 20, and July 3, 2025, as listed in Appendix #2468, were approved for payment.    

              2.  Latchkey Fees

            The Board approved to raise the Latchkey hourly fee to $4.00 for the 2025 – 2026 school year, as presented.

1.  Retirement

            The Board accepted Cynthia Whitehair’s retirement, as presented.

2. Resignations
   1. The Board approved Isabel Hurtado’s resignation as presented.

2. The Board approved Connor Walsh’s resignation as presented.
3. The Board approved Daryl Bays’ resignation as presented.

3. Employment

            The Board approved the employment of Courtney Diercks as Instructional  Assistant for Physical Education at Cowan Elementary for the 2025 – 2026 school year as presented.

4. Leaves of Absence
   1. The Board approved Megan Dunsmore’s request for maternity leave as presented.
   2. The Board approved Katherine Collins’ request for medical leave as presented.

1. Soccer Agreement

            The Board approved the amended Soccer Agreement with Liberty Baptist Church,  as presented in Appendix #2469.

2. Athletic Training Agreement

            The Board approved the Athletic Trainer agreement between Cowan Junior/Senior High School and Henry County Health Sports Medicine    Performance Enhancement (HCHSMPE), as presented in Appendix #2470.

3. Returning Coaching Recommendations

            The Board approved the following coaches to return for the 2025 – 2026 school    year:

1. 1. Kent Hanser as High School Cross Country Head Coach
   2. Amber Huber as High School Volleyball Head Coach
   3. Lindsay Roberts as High School Volleyball Junior Varsity Coach
   4. Alexis Huff as High School Volleyball Volunteer Assistant Coach
   5. Alyssa Peters as 8^th Grade Volleyball Coach
   6. Taylor Gates as 7^th Grade Volleyball Coach
   7. Zoey Vadakin as 6^th Grade Volleyball Coach
   8. Teresa Kelly as Summer Guard Instructor
   9. Brianna Beaupre as Summer Band Instructor

The Board approved Mr. Conley to hire employees between July 18, 2025 and August 7, 2025, as presented.

Mr. Wright stated that Mrs. Whitehair will be missed. She has been here for many years. Mrs. Campbell thanked Mrs. Whitehair for all of her years of service and her dedication to the many students’ lives she has been a part of throughout her time here at Cowan. She also wanted to thank Mr. Walsh for not only teaching our students, but for what he has done for our students outside the classroom.   Mrs. Campbell concluded with thanking Wasson for the dedication tree for Mrs. Southerland.

The July 17, 2025 regular board meeting was adjourned at 6:14 p.m.