Hennessey school board members discussed the superintendent’s health issues with him in a closed meeting Monday night.

Supt. Dr. Mike Woods critically injured his back in a one-vehicle accident the afternoon before the board’s Nov. 11 meeting, and underwent extensive back surgery.

Woods told the Times & Free Press before the meeting that he’d worked some every other day last week in the afternoons.

“The board wants me to outline my plans to return to full-time service,” he said in a phone conversation Monday afternoon. “We will go over my schedule and medical condition.”

The board spent about 45 minutes in the closed executive session to discuss “personal health information” with him. No name was listed on the personnel agenda item.

Woods walked slowly into the Monday night meeting room. He wore a jogging suit and tennis shoes instead of his usual shirt and slacks.

He had no trouble talking with Sen. Chuck Hall (R-Perry) who’d been invited to the meeting by a board member to discuss his work.

Woods told Hall that something has to be done about the current system where new teachers get emergency certifications for two years then alternative certifi cations for three years but are not given career certifi cations.

Woods also touched on teacher testing problems as the senator continued taking notes about the superintendent’s concerns.

Woods then said, “Epic (Charter Schools), and their lack of accountability. Something has to be done about their state funding.”

Hall nodded and continued to take notes.

He was asked from the audience about getting SH 51 four-laned from Hennessey to I-35.

“And let us know when they’re coming to look at it,” said Board President Patrick Griffin. “So we can make sure they are carrying a few wind turbines and oilfi eld and farm wide loads on the two lanes.”

Griffin said he also had to move his business back off SH 51 a few years ago so it could be widened in town but that still hasn’t happened.

Protests by wind companies over their valuations “left a hole in our sinking fund,” Woods told the senator.

When there were no more questions, Sen. Hall said he’d go to the town board meeting to address their concerns.

All board members were present for the meeting: Vice President Dr. James Matousek, Clerk Luke Lough. Joe Garrison, Cristopher Choate and Griffi n.