Board approves contract for teachers

The Orion school board approved a 5-year deal with Orion teachers on Wednesday, June 17.

The contract includes a 1.2 percent increase each year. 

An increase of 3 percent for administrative salaries was also approved for next year.

The board also approved a service agreement with the Moline School District and Arrowhead Ranch. 

According to Orion Superintendent David Deets, the agreement is necessary because Arrowhead is within the Orion School District.

The board accepted the retirement requests of bus driver John Swiger, effective now, and Deb Ford, effective Sept. 30, 2010.

Also accepted were the retirement requests of teachers Deb McBride and Barbara Norton at C.R. Hanna Elementary School, Orion, and Bob Mitton and Jeff Padgett. All four will retire effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

Superintendent David Deets discussed the sidewalk project in the making between the Mary Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and C.R. Hanna. 

A public hearing must be held at the July meeting in order for the sidewalk to be created because concrete is involved in the project.

OHS Athletic Director Nathan DeBaillie gave a report on the overall success of athletics throughout 2008-2009 . Orion won five regional championships, the most the Chargers have ever won in a single school year.

DeBaillie announced that parents can now access the sports calendar on the school website.

Also, parents and family members are able set up accounts so that emails or text messages can be sent to them when a game is cancelled or a schedule change is made. Parents or other supporters will also be able to customize settings for one specific sport.

Coaches will have the ability to track stats if they wish and there will also be a section to upload photos and videos on the newly developed website.

In OHS Principal Ron Harris’ report, he noted that Jay Solomonson has been nominated for the Teacher of Excellence Award after his success with the FFA group and agricultural department.

Also in the report, Harris announced an increase of about 75 referrals this year, mainly due to cell phone and electronic device usage. He said the focus this year was on enforcing those rules so the increase wasn’t a surprise to him. However, the instances of disrespectful behavior were cut in half this year, from 59 to 33.

Chuck Dhabalt was hired as the head golf coach and Julie Bosold as a full-time bus driver.