Jason Sternberger’s contract as superintendent for the 2023-24 year was unanimously approved by the Hennessey Board of Education Monday night.

His one-year contract salary will be $156,000. That’s a $20,000 increase over his pay this year and the previous year.

The board was in closed session for about 90 minutes before Sternberger was invited to join for another 45 minutes in closed session.

All board members were present: President Luke Lough, Vice President Cristopher Choate, Clerk David Tillman, Patrick Griffin and Dr. James Matthew Matousek.

Also at the board table were Timberly Jech, office manager, who also serves as the board’s recording secretary.

Staff in the audience were principals Barry Crosswhite, elementary, and Stacey Mack, early childhood; Todd Cameron, technology director, and Rae Fuksa, high school yearbook teacher and tech support.

The board is expected to hire principals next month.

Resignations/Hiring

Sternberger reported resignations from Allison Hurst (special education teacher) and Ashlyn Bingham (daycare employee).

Later in the meeting the board hired Debbie Hickey, a retired HPS special ed teacher, to fill Hurst’s classes for the remainder of this school year.

Facility Report

Roofs have been replaced at the FFA classroom building and at the former football concession stand, which is now used as a storage room, the superintendent told the board.

Two generators were installed at the Hennessey Event Center and another for the high school freezer in the basement (former band room).

New carpet will be installed in the band room over the break, he said.

Sternberger said he is still waiting on quotes for LED lighting conversion and work on the drainage ditch on the west side of Mitchell Road along with work on the east side of Mitchell.

Ag Pickup

At the request of Jorge Huizar, ag instructor, the board approved the following surplus property: 2017 Ram 2500 pickup-truck (75,000 miles), a steel gooseneck trailer and a flatbed trailer.

The superintendent said Huizar told him the two trailers are not used and the pickup is starting to shake and vibrate more on trips due to age, wear and tear.

“If he has long trips, he uses the school truck,” Sternberger said.

The trade-in on the Ram pickup for a Ford gasoline three-quarter truck is about $25,000 and there aren’t any available now, but they will need to order one, he said.

Other Business

Under the consent agenda the board approved these Donor’s Choose projects amounts (listed first) and teacher stipends: Lee Linsenmeyer, Weight Training is for Female Athletes #2 ($745.77 and $186.44); Linsenmeyer, See It! Hit It!, ($652.81 and $163.10), and Denise Shimanek, Pottery is Calming and Therapeutic ($196.71 and $49.16).

The board also approved financial reports, purchase orders, change orders and corresponding warrants.