Leyton School Board Reinstates Geary

The Leyton Board of Education decided in its May 10 meeting to reinstate Superintendent Chris Geary.

Geary was placed on administrative leave early this year. He was informed by the Nebraska Department of Education that all charges had been dismissed.

The Leyton Board of Education discussed if interim Superintendent Charles Bunner should be kept through his contract as a transition period for Bunner and Geary to work on the budget. Board member Sam Schumacher moved for Bunner to be retained through June 20 with the option for the transition period to end when both men “feel comfortable” with the transition.

“If we wait, are we sending the wrong message to the kids?” asked board member Lisa Carter.

Several members of the audience answered back “Yes! Kids miss him.”

The motion died for lack of a second.

Carter motioned to reinstate Geary immediately with board member Dave Wiedeman providing the second. The motion was for Bunner to stay as needed and to notify the board in writing of his ending date. The motion passed 6-0.

A motion was made by board member Ryan Borges, and seconded by Carter to approve all technology purchases for the 2021-2022 school year as presented. The District's technology plan includes upgrading teaching devices as needed. The purchase includes freshman and teacher computers, and the junior high lab. The District also has a rent to own program for students to purchase their Ipad computers.

The board also approved overnight stays for participation in the District Golf tournament May 16, and State Track May 18-19.

The board approved a 3 percent increase in classified staff wages, the hiring of Marla Davis as K-12 Special Education teacher, and Mackenzie Ivie as English teacher for grades 9-12. The board also approved the resignation of high school English and German teacher Katie Winckler. Winckler has accepted a position with the South Platte School District.

The board also approved policy revision on Complaint Procedures.

In the reports, Superintendent Bunner reported on improvements with groundskeeping, lunch prices and the possibility of livestreaming future board meetings. He noted that the USDA has been paying part of the cost for student lunches. He said the board should expect prices to go up when the USDA stops subsidizing food costs. Bunner also presented a letter to the board urging the District to change its mascot. Similar requests are being made to other school districts throughout the state, according to Bunner. Bunner also reminded the board his evaluation needs to be completed before the end of his contract.