Sommer Woodward
Salina school district will be looking for a new superintendent since Vol Woods submitted his retirement
letter recently.
Woods, who has been superintendent for 13 years, is retiring and moving out of state. His last day was Tuesday, June 30.
The school board is accepting applications currently for a new superintendent and may vote during the July board meeting.
The school board voted to name the middle school after retiring Principal Sally Ann Cox. She worked her way up in the Salina school district over the last 47 years. She began her career with Salina as a teacher.
In other business:
• The board approved a contract with Grand Gateway to receive $47,000 for new playground equipment. The cost of the equipment is $50,000, so the school district will furnish the remaining $3,000. Woods said the school hopes to have the equipment installed at the new elementary school by the beginning of the next school year.
• The board approved a contract with Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit. Woods explained Salina has a cooperative agreement with Cherokee Nation for the early childhood program for 4-year-olds. The program is head start certified, and Salina provides a certified teacher for the class. The program is currently housed behind the superintendent’s office, but the plan is to move the location to the elementary school at a later date.
• The board hired Trelinda Parker as an elementary teacher and Leland Newton as a chemistry teacher.
• Samantha Parker was hired on a regular contract. She was previously teaching English on a temporary contract during the last school year.
• Connie Haley was hired as part-time teaching help for the middle school.
