Parents Rally Around Popular Principal

Thursday, February 15th 2007, 9:58 am

By: News On 6

The controversy continues over the possible firing of a Muskogee County high school principal. Hundreds of people planned to attend a Hilldale School Board meeting Thursday night in support of Principal Dewayne Pemberton, only to find the meeting cancelled at the last minute.

News On 6â€™s Heather Lewin reports school officials say the meeting was rescheduled because of legal concerns about whether there was proper public notice. Supporters of the principal say they suspect it's a move to cause more confusion and fire Pemberton without giving them a say.

Many who requested last week to speak at Thursday's meeting say they were told they'd already missed the deadline to sign up. "I think it is just a ploy to try to shut us up to try to silence us, because we have valid concerns and questions here," said Hilldale parent Donna Keck.

Pemberton was first suspended nearly two weeks ago. Many parents say over his decision to side with a school coach who didn't feel comfortable driving a bus to athletic events. School officials say they won't comment on a personnel matter.

The Hilldale school board meeting has been rescheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. in the school district's events center at 500 East Smith Ferry Road in Muskogee.

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Special Meeting of the Hilldale Board of Education
February 19, 2007
7:00 p.m.

Agenda:

1. Call to order/Roll Call.

Statement of Compliance with the Open Meeting Law.

2. Flag Salute/Invocation.

3. Swearing in new School Board Member Rick Carbone for Ward # 2.

4. The Board will discuss and vote to reorganize for the 2006-2007 school year.

5. Consent Agenda: The Board will vote to accept, reject, or modify these items in

one motion. If a member wishes, the items may be considered on an individual basis:

A. Minutes of the regular meeting, January 18, 2007.

B. Approval of the monthly encumbrances, General Fund (#â€™s 463-498, 70370-70395) Child Nutrition Fund (80039-80043 ), and Activity Fund.

C. Treasurerâ€™s report.

6. Superintendentâ€™s Report/HACT.

A. Principalâ€™s report.

7. Items to be considered by the Board:

A. The 2005-2006 Audit Report will be presented by the Sanders, Bledsoe & Hewett Accounting firm.

B. The Board will discuss and vote to accept or reject to employ the Sanders, Bledsoe & Hewett Accounting firm to perform the financial and compliance audit for the district for the 2006-2007 fiscal year.

C. The Board will hear a presentation from Bud Morgan on school unity.

D. The Board will discuss and vote to accept or reject to contract with

ADPC for financial accounting for the 2007-2008 school year.

E. The Board will discuss and vote to accept or reject to revise the school calendar for 2006-2007.

F. The Board will discuss and vote to accept or reject to accept the resignation of

certified personnel: Denise Sellars.

G. The Board will discuss and vote to accept or reject to accept the resignation of support personnel: Evelyn Hyslope.

H. The Board will vote to adjourn.