Jun. 21—ELNORA — Barry Stone was named the new director of instruction and technology Monday night during the North Daviess school board meeting.

Superintendent Jodi Berry said nine applicants applied for the position that DeAnn Taggart will leave at the end of the month.

"He is also a CTE (career and technical education) teacher," said Berry,adding Stone comes with over 20 years of experience in education and had worked as a curriculum director for five years.

Stone will be on a 230 day contract with a salary of $90,000.

Robin Lyons will take over the junior high secretary position Kathy Slowick retired from at the end of the school year. Lyons had been working as an aid in the library. Brenda Swartzentruber, who also drives a bus for the corporation, will take over the position in the library.

Megan Knepp Franklin was hired as the new high school English teacher. She replaces Kristen O'Haver.

The corporation will now start interviewing for a social studies teacher at the high school after Trent Yentis resigned. He will be moving to Japan to teach English. Interviews will take place this week and Berry will bring the name of the new hire back to the board next month for approval.

In other business, Taggart said teachers have several opportunities for professional development coming up next month including smart board training. The accelerated learning programs she also said begin July 1.

Berry said the waiver the corporation applied for to do two hour delays for professional development has not yet been approved. It's up for hearing on July 13. She also said that as of now, the free lunch and breakfast program that has been in place for the last couple of school years will not be offered.

"This is a hit to our families," said Berry who stressed that free and reduced lunch will be offered to those who fill out the necessary forms and meet the qualifications. "It has been a blessing to know our kids were fed and we didn't have to worry about that."

Berry said several improvements are also in the works as the major renovation project at the junior-senior high wraps up. Those projects include new light poles and fencing at the football field, press box repairs, locker painting and ag shop renovations among others.

She also reported that the surplus sale with Graber Auctions has ended and over $16,000 was collected.

A $1,000 donation from Jerry Bennington to the choral department was also accepted.