Darlene Bramel, currently assistant Rolla high school principal has accepted the Rolla Board of Education’s offer Thursday for the position of Principal at Truman Elementary.

Bramel enters this position with 24 years in education, all with the Rolla Public School district. She has been an assistant principal at Rolla High School for the past 14 years, having previously taught English and Social Studies at Rolla Junior High from 1983-1993.

Bramel holds a Specialist degree in Secondary Principal Administration from Missouri State University, a Master’s degree in Secondary Principal Administration through Lincoln University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English Education from Missouri University of Science & Technology (formerly University of Missouri-Rolla.)

“We are thrilled to have Darlene as Truman Principal,” said Jane Haskell, newly sworn in board president.

The board performed a re-organization as required.

Because the district had three open positions and only three people filed to seek the positions, the district was not required to hold an election.

Board Secretary Nancy McWhorter administered the Oath of Office to newly elected and appointed board members.

Haskell was sworn in as new Board president .

Molly Malone was sworn in as president-elect.

Former president, Keith Strassner, was appointed board Treasurer.

Four resignations from certified staff were accepted by the board: Stephanie Anderson,  a first-grade teacher from Mark Twain Elementary. Doug Cuneio, a physical-education teacher of Wyman Elementary; Bryan Lambeth, a fire and rescue instructor of  RTC and Beth Malone, a mathematics teacher of Rolla High School.

Several students were recognized for academic achievements.

Yamini Krishnamurthy and Lisa Ma received recognition for 2008 Missouri Scholars 100.

Jennifer Bennett and Emalea Black were recognized for attending the Missouri Scholars Academy.

Zoey Craup, a middle school student was recognized for placing second in the Regional Spelling Bee.

On behalf of the board Strassner recognized students who participated in the 2007-08 Duke TIP (Talent Identification Program) seventh-grade Talent Search.

Two students received Grand and State Recognition; Chloe Dunaway and Guo Want.

Five students received State recognition; Zoey Craun, Christopher Domanski, Emily Fox, Anthony Mikhailov, and Lacey Raper.

The minutes were submitted and accepted.

Financials were submitted and accepted.

Two exchange students, Ana Feitosa, of Brazil, and Anh Dang, of Vietnam, shared with the board their experience at Rolla High School for the year.

“I am grateful to have had this experience. I love my fashion-design class. The dress I am wearing, I made in class,” said Anh.

“My experience here has been wonderful. I will be crying and laughing at the same time when I leave,” said Ana.

Emily Burris, Student Representative, talked to the board about a survey she created to discover students main concerns.

“They love the AP (advanced placement) classes, the Bray Sports Complex, the new parking areas and finally having hot water in the old wing of the high school. They would like to see some improvements made in the boys locker-room used for general P E classes, and we would really like to have the salad bar back,” said Burris.

Kimberly Maskrey, school counselor presented the board with updated information concerning high school scholarships.

Maskrey informed the board the Scholarship and Grant Information page on the school Web site has been updated and told about college planning sessions being held for the students to help them be better prepared.

“I’m impressed with all that you are doing to help the kids prepare for college,” said Haskell. “This is so helpful to our students and our parents,”

John Slowensky presented a “mock” new band uniform, to give them an idea of how the new uniforms will look.

“This is pretty close to what we will have, of course, we still have some finishing touches to add, like the Rolla emblems, and maybe a few other very minor details. But the good news is we already have more than enough funds to pay for the new uniforms,” said Slowenski.

The present band uniforms were purchased in 1997.

Ginger King, Technology Director gave the yearly technology report.

Currently, the district is using a software from Pearson School Systems called SASI™.

“Unfortunately, this program isn’t keeping up like we need it to,” said King.

King informed the board she is researching other software programs, such as Power School, Infinite Campus, SIS K-12 and STI to update with.

“We’re looking for a product that can give us a single click submission,” said King.

“Is there any move in the state to adopt a program and get a state-wide discount,” said Strassner.

King told the board that there isn’t a program at this time but in states that have chosen to do a state-wide option the state often offers to pay half the cost.

Brenda Spurgeon, Instructional Technology Facilitator, updated the board about the technology instruction she provided to the district staff this year.

Spurgeon said the staff is pleased it doesn’t have to travel for instruction.

The board approved a cable services agreement presented Superintendent Jerry Giger.

The Cable Services Agreement will be an agreement between the Rolla Public Schools, the City of Rolla and Fidelity to a cable channel to provide public, educational, and governmental programming.