School board re-hires off-scale employees

The Norman Transcript

Sat, May 17 2008

— Transcript Staff Writer
After convening from a brief closed session Monday night during its regular meeting, the Norman Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved rehiring 29 off-scale employees for the 2008-2009 school year.
"All of them were approved except Cody Ponder, who has resigned," assistant superintendent Dr. Richard Schiller said.
Ponder, NPS director of transportation, said his resignation becomes effective Friday. He is leaving to become the head of planning and grants for CART. He begins his new employment April 1.
"It was a tough decision," Ponder said.
As a college student, Ponder was employed as a bus driver for the school system. He also has served as routing coordinator for special needs and alternative school programs.
Schiller said Monday's executive session lasted about 30 minutes. Board members also approved re-employing all site principals and assistant principals for the 2008-2009 school year.
The board received resignations from Lakeview Elementary principal Doris Sanders and Randy Waddell, Eisenhower Elementary's principal. Both principals will retire at the end of the school year.
"We're very fortunate in Norman," Schiller said. "Our teaching staff, administration personnel and our site principals and assistant principals are just excellent. They count for achievement. We're very pleased to recommend and see their re-appointments."
Also Monday, Dr. Jim Burns, chairperson of the citizens advisory council, gave the board a progress report of meetings held Jan. 17 and Feb. 21. Burns said the council discussed the student dress code during its January meeting and talked about the impact of lengthening instructional days when council members met in February.
Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com